How long did it take for someone to fall into deep slumber?

In the space where reality faded away and blissful unawareness forced the mindscape to surrender?

Schokolade knew—and what did that say about her?—or rather, she specifically knew about two wolves in particular. Many moons of guestimates and half-formulated schemes had managed to bring forth a personal wealth she didn’t really comprehend. She didn’t do what she did, wait with steady heart and a callous mind, because she craved the power that came with the benefits of the action. She had power. Plenty of it through blood. No, she did what she did, there in the brush, because it brought with it a deep sense of satisfaction.

A thrill.

And it was habit.

Traditional…. Yes, that seemed right.

It certainly kept her mind off other unsavory topics.

And who was she to deny the Court of Bones this tradition? The act of her being, silent and graceful, as she slipped across the space between the mouth of Shatter’s home and the brush she had taken as cover as evening fell. Her presence was no doubt wanted, and she’d make sure to appease the worthy with it.

So she snuck, belly down, breath health, past lumps she assumed were unconscious in these early horrific hours before dawn, and took to the treasures of Shatter’s hoard.

To steal away in her little pouch of course.

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Koko is here to steal from the court of phalanx!

he morning air was thick with the warmth and security afforded to the early hours of the dark morning, when life paused with the quiet snoring of sleep. Alteron, the bustling and vibrant place that it is, still had periods of rest, when the forest took a breath and lingered in the ease before daybreak. Even beasts like Shatter succumbed to sleep, with her tiny bundles nestled around her. Melek always took the chance to get close to their mother, tucked between the warm bodies of their parents. Their pelts helped regulate the tiny pup's temperature, keeping them warm and toasty even during the chill night. It was also one of the few times that Melek could seek out physical affection from their mother, even if it was simply out of the idea of necessity (not even Shatter wished to see her children struggle with the morning frost).

After a long day of childish exploration, discovering new things and consuming more of what Alteron had to offer, it was easy to waddle back to the den with the weight of fatigue heavy upon one's shoulders. Melek Taus scurried after their siblings, too tired to even gnaw at Mordred's smug face as they quickly fought over sleeping space. Eventually all of the siblings settled in amongst their parents, nestling pleasantly in the warmth of their home.

But the peace was always interrupted. Morning came soon enough and Melek was always awoken with a hard nudge or small nip, to get them up onto their paws and out into the world to learn as much as they could. Today, though, was different. Mischief found the Phalanx den in the silent evening, well before the hints of the sun reached out from the horizon. The whole family was snugly tucked into the den, snoozing soundly curled up against each other. It would be easy to miss disturbances in the familiar quiet, as the sanctity of their den had never been challenged. Soft paw steps echoed in the den as Koko stepped over its residents, her intent lost to the sleeping bodies. That was until she barely nudged the tiny body of one pup as they nuzzled into their mother's leg.

Melek blinked awake owlishly, confused by the darkness that greeted them. It took a moment for the blurriness to flee from their vision as they adjusted, stretching out their short baby legs as they yawned indulgently. As they smacked their lips movement caught their eye and they turned their head. Melek expected to see a naughty sibling resisting the lure of sleep, but was instead greeted by the unfamiliar figure of their father's sister picking through the pouch of valuables that was kept at the back of the den. It took a moment for Melek to realize that things were amiss, beyond just someone else being amongst the sleeping family, and they let out a shrill noise of alarm. Even though they recognized Koko from when they were introduced to the family, they were very much aware that she was not supposed to be here. Not right now. "What are you doing?," they barked, surprised and startled. They waited just a second before they drew a deep breath and shrieked, "MOOOOOOOOOOM!"

Sleep found their little family easily at night. Mordred, at least, fell almost effortlessly into a deep slumber. A warm, full belly and soft fur to snuggle into was practically a nightly routine for the plump boy. They were growing, slowly and steadily but they were growing. Mordred was growing a little more, in size and width that he'd noticed. Greedy gluttonous boy that he was, the shoved his pale face against the warm stomach of his father to doze and snore. Mother was for food, when the Viscount felt like it, and Father was for snuggles. The sun had stretched over the sky as they learnt, now tuckered out and sleeping soundly. At least, if it were not for a sneaky thief...

Crickets still chirped in the early dusk, the sun barely peaking out over the far, far mountains to attempt to shine at the waking world. Juicy rabbit legs, tender bird cuts and other ample foods swam through the boy's mind in his dreams. A slobbering string of dribble slowly oozed from his maw as he slept belly up, fat form rolling about in the night to get comfortable. It was with a hint of annoyance that he awoke, the serene atmosphere pierced by Melek's screeching voice howling right down his ears. Mordred's heart leapt against his ribcage, paws frantically scrambling to upright himself as the alarm sounded.

Molten fire eyes snapped awake to see the intruder, sleep and darkness obscuring his vision as a startled yelp slipped from his throat. Beginnings of a growl sounded from his throat as his mother tore off out of the den like a bullet, snapping yowls and roaring snarls echoing between Alteron's trees. Albiet far, far slower; the plump boy waddled after the pair, body shivering with a fury that his sleep had been interrupted. If any in Alteron still slumbered, Mordred made sure to quickly correct that with his shrieking and screaming.

"GET HER, MA!!! GET HER BONES!!!!"

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