The day was warm and sunny as Liora carried Aria through the village. As they approached a quiet clearing near the edge of the forest, Liora decided it was the perfect time to teach her daughter about the unique abilities females possessed.
Sitting on a soft patch of grass, Liora cradled Aria in her lap. The gentle breeze rustled the leaves overhead, creating a soothing backdrop for their conversation."
Aria, my dear," Liora began softly, "I want to tell you something important about our world. Just as males can awaken powerful abilities, females also have unique traits. These abilities may not be as dramatic as the males' powers, but they are just as important and special."
Aria looked up at her mother with wide eyes, clearly fascinated even if she couldn't fully comprehend everything yet.
Liora continued, "For example, mer females can breathe underwater, allowing them to explore the depths of lakes and rivers. Bear, tiger, and lion females are much stronger than the average female, making them formidable protectors. Leopard females are incredibly fast, able to outrun almost anyone."
She smiled down at Aria, who was listening intently. "Panda females have an impressive appetite, allowing them to stay healthy and resilient."
Liora gently stroked Aria's hair as she spoke. "Wolf females have heightened senses. Panther females are masters of stealth and can move silently through any terrain. Eagle females possess incredible vision and can see vast distances with clarity. Peacock females are renowned for their dazzling feathers and can mesmerize others with their beauty. And fox females, like us, are known for our beauty and charm. If we wish, we can attract anyone with ease, be it a male or female, sometimes we might even attract wild animals."
She continued, "Every female has a unique ability tied to her species. These abilities are a part of who we are and play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of our world."
Aria cooed softly, her tiny hands reaching out to touch Liora's face. Liora smiled, feeling a deep sense of pride and love for her daughter."
One day, you will discover this unique ability , Aria. At that time you would need to control and master this ability you are born with." Liora said, her voice filled with warmth. "And when that day comes, you will understand just how special you truly are."
Liora then added, "This also reminds me I have already told you about the proportions of males and females. However have you noticed that I gave birth to one cub for all my mates. Some females give birth more than once for the same mate.
The more cubs a male has with a female, the more favoured he seems to be. That's why most females tend to give birth the same amount for all mates. However some unlucky males even tend to have no cub of their own. Every female gives birth to one cub at a time. It's rare, but sometimes a female can have twins or even triplets. Each of them is a precious gift, just like you."
…
Later that evening, the family gathered for dinner. The large dining table was set with an array of delicious dishes, and the air was filled with the mouth-watering aroma of roasted meat and freshly baked bread.
Rael, still reveling in the excitement of his recent awakening, was particularly lively. The family settled into their seats, laughter and conversation filling the room.
"This looks wonderful, Ursan" Alaric said, taking a seat at the head of the table. "You've outdone yourself."
Ursan smiled modestly. "It's a team effort," he replied, glancing at his brothers who had helped with the preparations.
As they began to eat, Rael decided it was the perfect time for a little mischief. Using his newfound power to manipulate fire, he subtly caused the flames under the main dish to flicker and nearly extinguish.
"What's happening with the fire?" Ursan asked, frowning as he poked at the coals.
"Must be the wind," Selwyn suggested, though there was no breeze.
Alaric furrowed his brow and tried to coax the flames back to life. "Come on, let's get this fire going again."
Rafe chimed in, "Maybe it needs more wood." He tossed another log onto the fire, but the flames continued to struggle.
Kieran, ever observant, noticed Rael's poorly concealed amusement. "Something tells me this isn't just the wind," he muttered, eyeing Rael suspiciously.
Rael kept his expression neutral, but his eyes sparkled with mischief. The fire flickered once more before going out completely. The room fell silent as everyone turned to look at the extinguished flames."
Alright, who's responsible for this?" Alaric asked, his tone half-serious, half-amused.
Rael stifled a giggle, but the mirth in his eyes gave him away.
Liora, trying to hide her amusement, relit the fire.
"Rael, you need to use your powers responsibly," Alaric said gently but firmly. "This isn't a game."
Rael's laughter faded as he realized he was In trouble. "Sorry, Father. I won't do it again."
As they resumed eating, the siblings took turns teasing Rael about his prank.
Thorne grinned and said, "Next time, try not to ruin dinner, okay?"
Kieran added with a chuckle, "And maybe practice your pranks a bit more. You need to work on your subtlety."
"Yeah, you were too obvious, Rael," Finn chimed in, laughing. "We all saw your face."
Rael pouted but nodded, accepting his family's playful scolding. Despite the minor mishap, the dinner continued with laughter and stories, strengthening the bond between them.
Aria, though too young to understand the specifics, felt the warmth and love surrounding her. She watched her family with wide eyes, feeling secure in the knowledge that she was a part of something special.
…
The sun was high in the sky, casting a warm, golden light over the village. The gentle breeze carried the sweet scent of blooming flowers and the distant sound of laughter from children playing. Aria, now a few months old, has just started to learn how to crawl and therefore was a bundle of curiosity and energy. Her brothers adored her and took every opportunity to include her in their games.
Today was no different. Thorne, Kieran, Rael, and Finn had planned a special playtime with their little sister, eager to see her laugh and smile. They gathered in a grassy clearing near the edge of the forest, a perfect spot for their afternoon of fun.
Thorne, the oldest, took charge. "Alright, let's play hide and seek. I'll count, and you all hide. Remember, the goal is to stay hidden and not get caught."
Kieran grinned, his fox-like ears twitching with excitement. "You're on, Thorne. Ready or not, here we go!"
Rael and Finn, both still in their animal forms, scampered off to find the perfect hiding spots. Aria, held in Kieran's arms, watched with wide eyes, clearly intrigued by the game.
Kieran set Aria down gently, crouching beside her. "Alright, little sister, let's find a good hiding spot. Follow me."
Aria giggled, her tiny hands reaching out to grab Kieran's fingers and crawling behind him. They moved quietly, Kieran keeping a careful eye on Thorne, who was counting with his eyes closed.
"Ten… nine… eight…" Thorne's voice echoed through the clearing.
Kieran led Aria to a large bush with thick foliage, perfect for hiding. He crouched down, pulling Aria close to him. "Shh, Aria. We need to be very quiet now."
Aria's eyes sparkled with excitement, her small hands clutching the leaves around her. She seemed to understand the essence of the game, even if she couldn't fully participate yet.
"Three… two… one… Ready or not, here I come!" Thorne called out, opening his eyes and scanning the area.
Thorne moved slowly, pretending not to notice the obvious rustling in the bushes. He wanted to give Aria a chance to experience the thrill of hiding. He wandered around, checking behind trees and rocks, all the while keeping an ear out for any giggles or movements.
Kieran whispered to Aria, "Stay very still, Aria. We're doing great."
Rael, in his small wolf form, had hidden behind a nearby tree, his fiery black-brown fur blending with the bark of the tree. Finn, a sleek white rabbit was nestled under a pile of fallen branches, his eyes peeking out cautiously.
Thorne continued his search, his playful nature evident as he exaggerated his movements. "Where could everyone be?" he mused aloud, pretending to be puzzled.
Aria, unable to contain her excitement, let out a small giggle. Kieran quickly covered her mouth, but it was too late. Thorne's ears perked up, and he turned towards the bushes.
"Aha! I think I found someone," Thorne said, moving closer.
Kieran whispered urgently, "Stay quiet, Aria. He's getting closer."
But Aria's giggles only grew louder, and Thorne finally reached the bushes. He peered through the leaves and found Kieran and Aria hiding together.
"Got you!" Thorne exclaimed, pulling back the foliage.
Aria squealed with delight, her laughter contagious. Kieran couldn't help but laugh as well. "You got us, Thorne. Good job."
Thorne scooped Aria up into his arms, spinning her around. "Did you have fun, little sister?"
Aria clapped her hands, clearly enjoying the game. Thorne set her down gently, and they both turned to find the others.
Rael, sensing the game was up, emerged from his hiding spot. "I knew she'd give us away," he teased, shifting back into his human form. His black hair was tousled from the transformation.
Finn followed suit, shaking off the leaves. "Yeah, but it was worth it. Look how happy she is."
Kieran smiled, picking up Aria once more. "Let's play something else. How about a game of tag? I'll be 'it' first."
Aria's eyes widened with curiosity as Kieran set her down and tapped her lightly. "Tag, you're it!"
The boys scattered, running in different directions. Aria watched them go, her little legs not quite able to keep up. But her brothers quickly adjusted their speed, ensuring she could stay involved.
Thorne slowed down, allowing Aria to catch up to him. "You're getting faster, Aria!" he praised, letting her tag him."
Thorne's it now!" Kieran called out, darting away.
Thorne grinned, pretending to chase after his brothers. He moved slowly, giving Aria the illusion that she was right on his tail. She giggled and toddled after him, her laughter echoing through the clearing.
As they played, the sun began to dip lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the grass. The boys took turns being 'it,' each one ensuring that Aria felt included and cherished.
After a while, they gathered under a large oak tree to catch their breath. Thorne leaned against the trunk, smiling at his siblings. "That was fun. You did great, Aria."
Rael, still full of energy, looked at his sister with a mischievous glint in his eye. "Hey, Aria, want to see a magic trick?"
Aria nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with anticipation. Rael conjured a small flame in his hand, manipulating it with ease. He made the flame dance and flicker, creating shapes and patterns in the air.
Aria watched in awe, her tiny hands reaching out to touch the warm light. Rael smiled and let the flame hover just out of her reach, keeping her safe while entertaining her.
Kieran leaned over and whispered to Aria, "That's Rael's special power. Isn't it amazing?"
Aria nodded, clearly captivated by the display. The other brothers joined in, showing off their abilities In small, safe ways. It was a magical moment, one that brought the siblings even closer together.
...
Hey lovelies! 💖
I had way too much fun writing this chapter — from Liora's gentle heart-to-heart with baby Aria to the siblings' chaotic dinner (Rael, you're lucky you're cute 😂) and the adorable forest games. This chapter was all about warmth, connection, and building those little moments that make a family feel like home. 🦊🌿
We also got a peek into the special traits females possess in Beastworld — not flashy powers, but quiet strength and species-based gifts that keep the balance. And yes, fox females? Absolute charmers. 😌✨
Let me know which part made you smile the most! And don't worry — we're only getting started. Baby Aria's journey is just beginning, and she's got a lot of mischief (and magic) ahead.
Until next time, stay soft, stay fierce, and hug your siblings if you've got 'em. 💕