Nyx smiled gently when Erebos told Philotes and Styx that they were the best. He said that about all of their children, each and every one. He said in their hearing, and often, so they all kniew that he was not playing favorites, but that he truly meant he considered each of them the best. Whether that was the best at what they did, the best of sons or daughters, the best for the job, the best fo the situation, it didn't really matter. To him they were the best, he was honestly telling them his opinion, and it reaffirmed their own confidence in themselves. He bolstered them up just by loving them for who they were. It made him the most amazing, most incredible father, and Nyx loved him for it. And for a thousand other reasons as well. She gave him a look that told him he'd be rewarded later for being so wonderful. He was terribly spoiled that way.
The smile widened as she watched her daughters, so different in their personalities, so different in their aspects, interact with one another with love and trust. It was obvious that Philotes had no fear of reprisal for teasing her sister, just as it was obvious that Styx had no problem taking and returning that teasing. Here, with these two from such opposite ends of the spectrum, was the proof of how much her family cared for one another. It made a mother very, very proud.
And so did Lottie's request to hug Hel, however it also made her hold her breath. While she saw nothing at all wrong with the girl's appearance, it was what she had been born with after all, and while she was very pleased that her daughters seemed to be following her lead, there was still the matter of how Hel viewed herself. From all Nyx saw, there was a great deal of shame that had been infused into the young queen's life, and that was not an easy thing to shake off. Even with the sort of support Night had been attempting to give.
So she said, kindly, “Styx is right, you don't have to let Philotes hug you. She can face the rejection of being told no, and she will accept that answer even if she does ignore it coming from one of her siblings.” Nyx's eyes twinkled good-naturedly as she joked, stars sparkling in the dark sky of her gaze, “There will be no harm done if she doesn't get to hug you, I assure you. She will siply find someone or something else to embrace. A brother, a sister, Cerberus, a random houseplant, all are fair game.”
She would have added more, but Styx chose that moment to step away and “fix” the painting on the wall. Nyx shot Erebos a look. Truthfully, she was mildly concerned with this fixation Hate seemed to be showing for making things precise. It couldn't be that healthy to constantly straighten things that were already straight. Something they would discuss later, no doubt.
“The dining room is not hard to find, it just takes a bit of extra effort to get there,” she informed Hel before linking her arm through Ere's. “And you were the one, my dearest love, that wanted to have the windows facing South. So you could see what Dolos was up to, if I recall. Which you still can, even if it overlooks a hallway rather than the Erebus plains now. I rather like it better, because I do so love that carpeting we found for that hall.”