Carja could be found at the house. She'd made it big enough for her and her children, with a massive bed large enough for everyone to snuggle in with separate spaces if they didn't want to, but mom was still mom and she always wanted to cuddle with her beloved children.

The house was nearly fully done, with only some interior stuff needing to be set up, like shelves and the like. She was currently unrolling the skin of the massive meadow deer she'd caught, killed, and had Attikias skin for her, and had decided to use it as a rug. After she was done she made her way out of the house, the doorways big enough that she didn't have to duck or squeeze through. It was perfect!

She stretched out on their front lawn and craned her neck to check the deer pen, happy that the fawns were seemingly happy eating grass and hay. Good.

Carja spotted something up above and craned her neck, pleased to see her daughter flying.

"Hi dear!", she called out to her, smiling brightly, "What are you up to?!"

Carja purred softly, her throat puffing out as she chuffed a non-verbal greeting. She moved forward, tail swinging behind her as she moved to nudge Ascent with her nose, her eyes closing in happiness.

"The deer are splendid," she answered happily, "Eating, drinking... better than expected, actually."

She opened her eyes to peer curiously at her youngest child (by about two minutes as Vanyel so loved to tease), her head tilting to one side, "Did something remind you of the city?"

She herself had much better luck with mutations, having gained the ability to breathe underwater as well as fins along the rear of her tail, pelvis, and head to aid in swimming and emoting. Two new spells were also added to her arsenal, most likely a result of the quest as well.

"Have you used that, yet?", she asked, pointing with a finger towards Ascent's new leg, "Perhaps it could be useful with hunting or digging for roots and things."

Carja sat down and started to preen Ascent's feathers much like she would her own scales, running her teeth over them to straighten their wings and pull free any debris still lingering. She listened but didn't speak, offering comfort while Ascent got whatever was on their chest off.

"Ah," she said finally, pulling away to stare across the rolling hills of Cepheus, her eyes sad.

"... Your brother just left when he decided to leave the nest," she said softly, "No goodbye, no 'I'm off, mum'. When it was time, he took it, and I haven't seen him in a while."

She sounded sad as her wings drooped, a sigh leaving her mouth, "But I cannot ask you to stay. Dragons are meant to fly, to be free. But that's the thing, isn't it? We have wings and can travel faster than anyone in these caves, so..."

Carja turned to look at her only daughter, a gently smile on her face, "Promise to visit? And if you see your brother, smack him for me and tell him to come home. I'm worried sick about him."

She peered back at the house and rubbed her shoulder gently, tail flicking behind her, "My door will always be open, Ascent. If you want to leave then I will not stop you... but stay safe. Don't do anything stupid without thinking about it first."

Carja sniffed and rubbed her eyes, leaning into her daughter and hugging her tight, burying her face into soft white feathers. She cried softly for just a moment and then pulled away, her tears rolling down her face.

"I love you," she sniffed, "Thank you, daughter."

She rubbed her eyes and headed towards the house, her tail waving behind her idly, "Ah, yes. Just a few things, cleanup mostly, and organization. I could use some advice on the décor"

She ducked into the house, a smile on her face despite her watery eyes. She had to remember her daughter wasn't leaving forever, and it helped a little bit to know she wasn't leaving just yet.