The sneak-thief moved quickly and efficiently through the trees, seemingly unhindered by the limp kitten-weight in his jaws. Not once did Solis bump against a stray branch or swing hard into Howl's chest. He was careful, almost gentle with the newest addition to the family. There couldn't be a single scrape on a young brother, no harm done. They could not be spotted either, at Mother's urging. Their collective must remain in the shadows, but Howl had no worries.

He was Mother's greatest thief, and he had returned home with a prize: a baby brother to match the baby sister, Aquamarine. Fiery orange against her warm brown. A pair. Perfection.

Howl entered the den without trouble - brothers. sisters, Mother... - already blind to the scent of rot and decay, finding only bliss in the sight of her. He placed Solis down, likely still unconscious, by a thinner patch of Mother, and merely waited in place.

open to all nearby hive members!
@Solis

Pallas saw the approach through the link, and his head jerked up in Mother's gaze to watch the approach. His paws laid flat on the makeshift hut they'd laid over Orlaith's chrysalis. Mother grew there, ready to infect the tiger inside.

His ears flicked forward and he followed Howl into the den, stepping up next to the primate. This feline would become a brother. He scented the little being as he drew a cluster into Solis's mouth, barely a 'muhh..' of reaction coming from the calico as Mother had opportunity to take hold in his system.

(Slight PP of Solis 'cause he's still unconscious)

Azrael watched from the shadows of the trees, wreathed in his own darkness. This was a new brother that was approaching...with another new brother as well. Unconscious. Pallas would see to him, probably, but he could not help but be curious about this new member of the family.

He strode forward, stepping from the shadows to the mouth of the den, peering in curiously.

The praise that flowed from this act--the approval--was strong.

"Good. A new child. You have done well, my thief... Our thief." The warmth expanded to include them all. They were doing so well. They were working together. They would triumph over all... together. "Welcome, child," the voice added, as the infection began to take hold. Mother attempted to stir the kitten into consciousness--and though her mind did not think to check for damage that Howl might have caused, it would certainly be aware of it.

To the rest, it offered instruction: "We must bring children, so that they are made family. We must bring the Children of Rot, so their strength is ours. We must bring the Lessers, that they might be our eyes and ears. You are doing well."

Praise: and instruction.

And it went unsaid that Mother would need feeding.

@Howl

His faint eyebrows came together as he moved in place, trying to wake up the moment something was set in his mouth. Feeling had just started to fade back into his limbs, which he began to move under him as his eyes fluttered open.

This was the first group of Gembound he'd ever met, and yet he was home. He rolled up to his white belly and glanced around to the others. There was that monkey again- his savior, his mind struggled in to fit the gaps. Understanding had come from Mother's influence that now spread out over him.

The others must see how wonderful it felt to be here. He didn't worry about the warmth in his mind, for how could he?, only smiling up to the others with his eyes half-closed.

He jumped to his feet and turned to Mother as an idea (one of the last) popped into his head. "Oh! How can I help?" He was but a child, but he still felt the urge to assist just as the others did. That's what people did, right? They... They got picked up by their family and then they helped that family.

Were there families like this one?

Solis fell into place - and the link grew just a little warmer, just a little stronger. The pleasant sensation of praise washed over Howl, encouraging even with morally dubious instructions given. Howl strode almost mechanically towards the kitten, plopping down at his side and going still, blank-faced for a moment.

Then, the hybrid called through the wire, "Mother, what if I take pieces? I'll put 'em in high places, far places, give them to Lessers, while I bring family home!" As animated as his words should sound, the hybrid was surprisingly static, face flat and hands idle by his feet. "Little Brother can go in tight places."

"How wise you are... how clever. Yes; please do this for us." The constant, peaceful hum was encouraging, reassuring.

Howl might feel... eager to get on with it.

Mother's mind reached out to caress the kitten. "How soft... how sweet. Tell me about yourself, gentle child..."

@Howl @Solis

Howl needed no further prompting.

He stuttered into motion, tail limp behind him as he almost eagerly gathered up several globs of Mother. His fingers rolled them up, then stretched them lightly. They were deftly shoved into the crook of his armpits, a hidden stash holding fast to his fur.

Then, the hybrid scuttled off to further carry out Mother's command - for the family. They would be together... everyone would be home.

- exit

Pallas blankly stared on as the child expressed an eager energy. Hm. Ears flicked forward for a second before he scooted back, moving to return to his duty of keeping up the camp.

They could do with a bird in their midst, to get into crevices high above everyone else. He gave this idea of a target to the retreating Howl before setting his mind blankly on Orlaith's covering.

;exit Pallas

Solis felt his mind stall- a rather unnatural thing for him- as he looked to Howl. Was it his own regard he felt, or was it the pleasure thrumming from Mother that flowed through him? As the others left, he purred loudly as his mind was cradled.

Impressions of exploration came forth. The eagerness to discover ran from him across the link, and he held his head tall as he tried to dredge up what he could provide his family. Howl's eagerness to put him to use was correct with his lithe body.

He could climb with his claws, which flexed into the dirt below as though he were testing his body. Maybe he could get the smaller lessers, the ones Howl missed?

Or! He could explore- a thrum of excitement shuddered through him- he could bring Mother to see with him!

@Game Master Dark