Post by Therdde on May 30, 2009 23:45:11 GMT -5
Characters:
Kein - Male Cougar
Nayeli - Female Cougar
- Wooded Terrain -
Kein's mate has been gone for a long time. Far too long. Kein has spent that entire time in fear. He's afraid of leaving their cubs alone. Afraid of losing his mate. Afraid she might not ever come back. With every passing day, Kein has abandoned more of his duties in order to spend more time partrolling the border, watching for her. His scent isn't limited to within Amaranth, either, as along with the extra time spent at this border, he has progressively traveled further and further from it. Never so far that a cry from one of his children couldn't reach him, but he's pushing even that boundary.
Were Nayeli to have left knowing that she would be returning without Ashen and yet happy... she wouldn't have believed that it really could happen. And yet, the cougaress who left looking like her normal self.. and who is returning looking quite noticeably different.. is most definitely happy. There's something different about her, and not just the growing and obvious signs of pregnancy. Perhaps it was the encounter with Paoro's ghostly form. Perhaps it was all of the thinking she's been doing over the last many days. Perhaps it's the dawning realization that she's going to be a new mother all over again. A second time. Whatever the reason, or whatever the cause, Nayeli has matured. Not visibly, not physically, not obviously... but it's an older, wiser, more capable matron who's returning to her homeland and her tribeland. Returning to her mate and returning to her children. It's a slow-motion approach to the border, bordering on surreal. It's hard to believe that she's been gone as long as she has, yet during the entire duration of the search Nayeli couldn't justify returning back without Ashen. Just one more minute of searching, one more hour, one more day... what if that was the difference between finding him alive versus leaving him to die? It was an agonizing and constant tension between knowing her mate would be desperately awaiting her presence back in Amaranth and knowing that she'd never be able to live with herself if she let Ashen die out here. Was it possible that he was already dead, and she would never find his body? Quite possible indeed. More than once Nayeli was quite tempted to turn back, to turn around and head home, convinced that the boy couldn't possibly have survived. But it was always the question of 'what if?' that gave her new energy and new motivation to continue. But when her grandmother appeared, shimmering and ghostly-translucent, everything changed. Paoro told her that Ashen was not only alive, but was being well taken care of. Nayeli's search was now over, as it was now impossible to ignore the fact that, whether she wanted to believe it or not, she was indeed pregnant, and needed to be home in Amaranth with her beloved mate. And now, carrying the mysterious message that her grandmother would once more appear, and this time to both she and Kein, the matron is finally crossing over the territorial border back into Amaranth lands. Her home. Pawstep after pawstep, she advances up the mountain, feeling almost as though she's in a dream. It's not a return with the juvenile energy she once had. It's a dignified--albeit somewhat awkward with her pregnancy-hindered stride--march back unto her own. Amaranth. /Her/ tribe. /Her/ sisters. Home.
It doesn't matter that he can't know whether the approaching creature is friend or foe. It doesn't matter that Kein is in Amaranth, and whatever is outside, but approaching, is technically none of his concern. It just plain doesn't matter. He has none of the peace of mind that Nayeli has obtained, and if the approaching creature is not friend, then it is not wanted anywhere near his borders. As such, it is with no hesitation that Kein stalks past his border, only to stop, moments later, as he catches sight of Nayeli through the trees. It does not take him long to figure out that she is well, uninjured... Despite her awkward gait. An awkward gait caused by... Well, while he might not have trouble realizing that she is well, and pregnant, he /does/ have trouble finding his voice.
It's as though she doesn't seen Kein for who he is at the present, but rather the entirety of his life thus far, in an instant. A broad, sweeping survey and overview of all of their time together, all of the words he's spoken to her, and all of the actions he's done for her and to her. A lifetime of friendship, wrapped into the span of a single moment. It's a smile of admiration that is her first greeting to Kein, even as her path shifts slightly to approach him. A smile of admiration, yes, but also a smile filled with so much more. Delight to see him again, reassurance that she's perfectly okay, eagerness to announce that they will be new parents yet again, joy that she can report Ashen's safety and comfort, despite not having returned with her... the list goes on and on.
Kein still doesn't speak. What could he possibly say? He can't... Or rather shouldn't... Say that he's sorry, because he isn't. Anything else he could say would just be stating the obvious. She knows she's back. She knows she's well. He doesn't remain frozen in place, though. As she begins to walk directly toward him, and with an expression that he can realize does not suggest that she's angry with him, he walks towards her too, moving to nuzzle against her as soon as she can. Just like the circumstances of the then-unknown animal approaching Amaranth didn't matter to Kein, didn't prevent him from leaving his land to examine it, seeing her well doesn't prevent him from doubting that she may have been hurt, in some way, in her time away from their relatively safe territory.
Ever the affectionate mates, nuzzle is met with nuzzle as both of the felines reach each other. No, Nayeli is not mad at him. Not remotely. She might still disagree with his earlier decisions, but any such disappointment or frustration or irritation over them has long since passed. No cougar is perfect, as Nayeli would know quite well. Kein has made mistakes before, and at least one of them she'll always remember as vividly as the day it happened. Long ago. But her own mistakes have been common enough as well, and perhaps part of her brooding and meditations over the past week or two have been on how rifts and tension in relationships are often more damaging than the actual incident that caused it, whether big or small. "I've missed you," she finally murmurs into his ear, even as she continues to nuzzle against his neck.
Kein's nuzzling is not as gentle, mild, as it might normally be. He has not gone so long without seeing Nayeli since... Well, he doesn't want it to happen again. While his nuzzling is more forceful than usual, it is not so forceful that it would cause her to withdraw or any such thing. After he feels her, and hears her, in addition to having seen her, he finally finds his voice. "I'm glad you're back." That's putting it, unlike his nuzzling, very mildly, as his tone would suggest.
"They're both girls," Nayeli adds, a note of maternal pride and joy creeping into her voice. "Paoro told me not to start thinking of names yet until she could talk to both of us first." That doesn't mean that Nayeli hasn't, of course, as it's virtually impossible /not/ to run through potential female names. The cougaress smiles at the intensity of Kein's affection, and she gives him a light lick on the cheek. "You're going to be a father again, love. And.. there's something different about this time. Paoro didn't say what, but.. we'll have to wait and see."
They're both... Kein takes a step back to look at Nayeli's slightly swollen belly. Both girls? But how...? And, Paoro? Kein keeps these questions to himself, certain that he wouldn't understand even if he asked. He's going to be a father again. And Nayeli is happy about it. /That's/ what matters, and a smile creeps onto Kein's face, sneaking its way through all of the fear and uncertainty he'd felt. "I love you, Nayeli." And he'll love these new cubs, and he'll do his absolute best not to repeat some of the mistakes they made with the first set.
If fear and uncertainty are ever-present in their relationship, especially in difficult and life-changing stretches of time, even more constant is their love for one another. When she hears Kein tell her that he loves her, it's not reassurance, as if she somehow had even the slightest bit of doubt. It's a simple stating of fact. He loves her. Period. And equally rock-solid is her love for him. But rather than repeating his words, as if in a formal tradition or ceremony, she simply beams at his glance to her belly. "They couldn't possibly have a better father to raise them," she says, with almost a teasing note in her voice. "They'll be the best tree-climbers in the world!" Not the first time Nayeli's made that joke, but she /is/ allowed to have favorites, no? Not to mention it's a good reminder of what he's done for her, too.
For whatever reason, whether it's because Kein just really likes the joke or because the relief that she is well and that she isn't terribly angry with him is finally setting in, Kein laughs, quite possibly more than he should given Nayeli's repetitve joke. The laughter is sincere, though. He doesn't respond immediately, instead just pressing himself against his mate. It's not much different than he is after any time they've been forced to be away from each other, though perhaps a bit more intense, with the length of their separation. After a while, he says, "And certainly they'll learn to tell the best jokes in all of Amaranth." Not from him, though.
And certainly not from her either! Just because Nayeli occasionally uses humor on her mate doesn't mean that she's a good teacher of jokes by any means. More than humor, though, she hopes to be a good teacher of what it means to be a cougar. Kein will have his paws full, too, with the same pedagogical focus. Parenting. How can /anyone/ /ever/ do it correctly? The cougaress presses back against her mate's strong body, having missed his presence over the past many days. "What's happened here while I've been gone?" There's no guilt in her voice, no regret for having missed anything. Her mission was valid, her absence justified, and though she hated being away from her home, Nayeli knew that she had no reason to apologize for being gone. She's back now, regardless.
What has happened? Besides his constant patrolling of the borders to try to locate his mate? Not a great deal, actually, but... "I sent Nium to some sort of... I don't know, celebration, that some animals were having in the forest. She ought to be returning soon, herself." And there's the matter of the cougaress he originally wanted to send with Nium, even if it didn't work out... "There is another thing, Nayeli. Something I don't want you to worry about... But you should at least know about it."
Celebration in the forest? An odd thought, but Nayeli trusts that Kein had a good reason for sending one of their veteran Sisters to such an... event. And assuming that what Paoro told her will indeed turn out to be true, there will be cause for celebration in the near future on the mountain, too! Something in his voice... "What's wrong?" Something she shouldn't be worrying about? Please don't let one of her children be sick or wounded...!
No, it has nothing to do any of their children... At least not yet. "A while back, Moonseeker told me about a cougar who has issues with Amaranth. One of Ama's sons. Cheveyo." Nayeli's half-brother. He told Nayeli about Ama and her children, but this is the first time he has mentioned Cheveyo specifically. "I've given Ama the opportunity to speak with him. If that doesn't work, though..." What? Kein will be leaving Amaranth himself to deal with it? That's a very real possibility.
Issues with Amaranth? The list seems to keep getting longer and longer! Azriel, the two cougars who attacked her and Sketch, and now Ama's son? "What 'issue' does he have with us? The concentration of females on the mountain that he cannot have? The fact that he's no longer able to live here in Amaranth?" Or who knows what else. The thought of Kein actually going, by himself, to 'deal' with another fully-grown male doesn't occur to Nayeli; why would her mate do something so foolish? He certainly hasn't gone after her own attacker, and never really seemed to make an effort to go after Azriel; granted, the latter is his father, but even still...
Kein was never told what Cheveyo's problem was. Only that he had one, and that he was trying to recruit others to help him take it out on Amaranth. "I don't know, Nayeli. I'm sure it has something to do with his parents, but... That doesn't tell me how easy it'll be to redirect him." Is that not his first line of defense? Send Ama there to permanently redirect Cheveyo's attention? "I don't know how well you knew him... But I have to warn against trusting him."
"I didn't really know him, no." Maybe she should have tried to get to know him better beforehand? Doesn't matter; what's done is done. "But I'll make sure that his name and intentions are made known to every Sister in the tribe. If he wants a fight, he's picked far and above the worst possible opponent." There's a quiet steel in the matron's voice that ordinarily would have surprised her. But the resolve is absolute--no hostile male is going to come destroy what she and her beloved mate have worked so hard to nurture and protect. Amaranth.
There is another idea, but... With another, more tender nuzzle to his mate, Kein resolves to keep that one entirely to himself, for now. Nayeli is pregnant, and soon they'll have more cubs. More daughters. He doesn't want Nayeli to worry, excessively, about the trials that may, yet, be ahead of him. "I don't want... Ama is devoted to Amaranth. She shouldn't be given grief over this." Are there any cougaresses who might judge Ama for this? Kein certainly did.
Nayeli accepts the nuzzle with a grateful purr, but doesn't lose any of the quiet determination in her voice. "If they can accept you as 'devoted to Amaranth' despite your father, I'm sure that Ama will be no different, despite her son. It's her actions and words that decide that, not Cheveyo's." As matron, Nayeli trusts her fellow cougaresses to do the right thing and trust Ama. Or even trust her own, or Kein's own trust in Ama.
Of course, the difference is that Kein never chose his father. Hardly ever knew his father. Ama chose her mate, and raised her sons to what they are. Still, with the business handled... Kein takes a step back to look at his mate. "Can I... Do you need anything? Want anything?" She hasn't had cubs to care for. Not ones that require hunting for them, anyway. There are cubs growing inside of her, though, and if she's hungry, or tired, or... Well, anything... He wants to feel helpful, especially since it is, in no small part, his fault that she has been gone these past weeks.
Blinkblink. Just a slight change in topic, but.. Nayeli appreciates the concern. "I just need a good sleep, and.. well.." She smiles again, tilting her head as she fixes her mate with a bemused expression. "It would be nice to sleep with a warm pillow again, or perhaps a blanket if that's what you'd prefer." Just being /with/ Kein again, period! Yes, she's glad to be back. Tired, perhaps, but her absence was beneficial in so many ways. Yet it lasted too long, apparently, and Nayeli is determined to make it up, not only to Kein, but to her tribe.
She might have been teasing, but to have her back, Kein will gladly be her pillow. "Perhaps we ought to head further into our home before you use me as your pillow. Some of our children, I'm sure, will be glad to know you're back." And they can be the blanket whilst he acts as Nayeli's pillow. Kein moves as he speaks, to stand side by side with her mate.
Kein - Male Cougar
Nayeli - Female Cougar
- Wooded Terrain -
Kein's mate has been gone for a long time. Far too long. Kein has spent that entire time in fear. He's afraid of leaving their cubs alone. Afraid of losing his mate. Afraid she might not ever come back. With every passing day, Kein has abandoned more of his duties in order to spend more time partrolling the border, watching for her. His scent isn't limited to within Amaranth, either, as along with the extra time spent at this border, he has progressively traveled further and further from it. Never so far that a cry from one of his children couldn't reach him, but he's pushing even that boundary.
Were Nayeli to have left knowing that she would be returning without Ashen and yet happy... she wouldn't have believed that it really could happen. And yet, the cougaress who left looking like her normal self.. and who is returning looking quite noticeably different.. is most definitely happy. There's something different about her, and not just the growing and obvious signs of pregnancy. Perhaps it was the encounter with Paoro's ghostly form. Perhaps it was all of the thinking she's been doing over the last many days. Perhaps it's the dawning realization that she's going to be a new mother all over again. A second time. Whatever the reason, or whatever the cause, Nayeli has matured. Not visibly, not physically, not obviously... but it's an older, wiser, more capable matron who's returning to her homeland and her tribeland. Returning to her mate and returning to her children. It's a slow-motion approach to the border, bordering on surreal. It's hard to believe that she's been gone as long as she has, yet during the entire duration of the search Nayeli couldn't justify returning back without Ashen. Just one more minute of searching, one more hour, one more day... what if that was the difference between finding him alive versus leaving him to die? It was an agonizing and constant tension between knowing her mate would be desperately awaiting her presence back in Amaranth and knowing that she'd never be able to live with herself if she let Ashen die out here. Was it possible that he was already dead, and she would never find his body? Quite possible indeed. More than once Nayeli was quite tempted to turn back, to turn around and head home, convinced that the boy couldn't possibly have survived. But it was always the question of 'what if?' that gave her new energy and new motivation to continue. But when her grandmother appeared, shimmering and ghostly-translucent, everything changed. Paoro told her that Ashen was not only alive, but was being well taken care of. Nayeli's search was now over, as it was now impossible to ignore the fact that, whether she wanted to believe it or not, she was indeed pregnant, and needed to be home in Amaranth with her beloved mate. And now, carrying the mysterious message that her grandmother would once more appear, and this time to both she and Kein, the matron is finally crossing over the territorial border back into Amaranth lands. Her home. Pawstep after pawstep, she advances up the mountain, feeling almost as though she's in a dream. It's not a return with the juvenile energy she once had. It's a dignified--albeit somewhat awkward with her pregnancy-hindered stride--march back unto her own. Amaranth. /Her/ tribe. /Her/ sisters. Home.
It doesn't matter that he can't know whether the approaching creature is friend or foe. It doesn't matter that Kein is in Amaranth, and whatever is outside, but approaching, is technically none of his concern. It just plain doesn't matter. He has none of the peace of mind that Nayeli has obtained, and if the approaching creature is not friend, then it is not wanted anywhere near his borders. As such, it is with no hesitation that Kein stalks past his border, only to stop, moments later, as he catches sight of Nayeli through the trees. It does not take him long to figure out that she is well, uninjured... Despite her awkward gait. An awkward gait caused by... Well, while he might not have trouble realizing that she is well, and pregnant, he /does/ have trouble finding his voice.
It's as though she doesn't seen Kein for who he is at the present, but rather the entirety of his life thus far, in an instant. A broad, sweeping survey and overview of all of their time together, all of the words he's spoken to her, and all of the actions he's done for her and to her. A lifetime of friendship, wrapped into the span of a single moment. It's a smile of admiration that is her first greeting to Kein, even as her path shifts slightly to approach him. A smile of admiration, yes, but also a smile filled with so much more. Delight to see him again, reassurance that she's perfectly okay, eagerness to announce that they will be new parents yet again, joy that she can report Ashen's safety and comfort, despite not having returned with her... the list goes on and on.
Kein still doesn't speak. What could he possibly say? He can't... Or rather shouldn't... Say that he's sorry, because he isn't. Anything else he could say would just be stating the obvious. She knows she's back. She knows she's well. He doesn't remain frozen in place, though. As she begins to walk directly toward him, and with an expression that he can realize does not suggest that she's angry with him, he walks towards her too, moving to nuzzle against her as soon as she can. Just like the circumstances of the then-unknown animal approaching Amaranth didn't matter to Kein, didn't prevent him from leaving his land to examine it, seeing her well doesn't prevent him from doubting that she may have been hurt, in some way, in her time away from their relatively safe territory.
Ever the affectionate mates, nuzzle is met with nuzzle as both of the felines reach each other. No, Nayeli is not mad at him. Not remotely. She might still disagree with his earlier decisions, but any such disappointment or frustration or irritation over them has long since passed. No cougar is perfect, as Nayeli would know quite well. Kein has made mistakes before, and at least one of them she'll always remember as vividly as the day it happened. Long ago. But her own mistakes have been common enough as well, and perhaps part of her brooding and meditations over the past week or two have been on how rifts and tension in relationships are often more damaging than the actual incident that caused it, whether big or small. "I've missed you," she finally murmurs into his ear, even as she continues to nuzzle against his neck.
Kein's nuzzling is not as gentle, mild, as it might normally be. He has not gone so long without seeing Nayeli since... Well, he doesn't want it to happen again. While his nuzzling is more forceful than usual, it is not so forceful that it would cause her to withdraw or any such thing. After he feels her, and hears her, in addition to having seen her, he finally finds his voice. "I'm glad you're back." That's putting it, unlike his nuzzling, very mildly, as his tone would suggest.
"They're both girls," Nayeli adds, a note of maternal pride and joy creeping into her voice. "Paoro told me not to start thinking of names yet until she could talk to both of us first." That doesn't mean that Nayeli hasn't, of course, as it's virtually impossible /not/ to run through potential female names. The cougaress smiles at the intensity of Kein's affection, and she gives him a light lick on the cheek. "You're going to be a father again, love. And.. there's something different about this time. Paoro didn't say what, but.. we'll have to wait and see."
They're both... Kein takes a step back to look at Nayeli's slightly swollen belly. Both girls? But how...? And, Paoro? Kein keeps these questions to himself, certain that he wouldn't understand even if he asked. He's going to be a father again. And Nayeli is happy about it. /That's/ what matters, and a smile creeps onto Kein's face, sneaking its way through all of the fear and uncertainty he'd felt. "I love you, Nayeli." And he'll love these new cubs, and he'll do his absolute best not to repeat some of the mistakes they made with the first set.
If fear and uncertainty are ever-present in their relationship, especially in difficult and life-changing stretches of time, even more constant is their love for one another. When she hears Kein tell her that he loves her, it's not reassurance, as if she somehow had even the slightest bit of doubt. It's a simple stating of fact. He loves her. Period. And equally rock-solid is her love for him. But rather than repeating his words, as if in a formal tradition or ceremony, she simply beams at his glance to her belly. "They couldn't possibly have a better father to raise them," she says, with almost a teasing note in her voice. "They'll be the best tree-climbers in the world!" Not the first time Nayeli's made that joke, but she /is/ allowed to have favorites, no? Not to mention it's a good reminder of what he's done for her, too.
For whatever reason, whether it's because Kein just really likes the joke or because the relief that she is well and that she isn't terribly angry with him is finally setting in, Kein laughs, quite possibly more than he should given Nayeli's repetitve joke. The laughter is sincere, though. He doesn't respond immediately, instead just pressing himself against his mate. It's not much different than he is after any time they've been forced to be away from each other, though perhaps a bit more intense, with the length of their separation. After a while, he says, "And certainly they'll learn to tell the best jokes in all of Amaranth." Not from him, though.
And certainly not from her either! Just because Nayeli occasionally uses humor on her mate doesn't mean that she's a good teacher of jokes by any means. More than humor, though, she hopes to be a good teacher of what it means to be a cougar. Kein will have his paws full, too, with the same pedagogical focus. Parenting. How can /anyone/ /ever/ do it correctly? The cougaress presses back against her mate's strong body, having missed his presence over the past many days. "What's happened here while I've been gone?" There's no guilt in her voice, no regret for having missed anything. Her mission was valid, her absence justified, and though she hated being away from her home, Nayeli knew that she had no reason to apologize for being gone. She's back now, regardless.
What has happened? Besides his constant patrolling of the borders to try to locate his mate? Not a great deal, actually, but... "I sent Nium to some sort of... I don't know, celebration, that some animals were having in the forest. She ought to be returning soon, herself." And there's the matter of the cougaress he originally wanted to send with Nium, even if it didn't work out... "There is another thing, Nayeli. Something I don't want you to worry about... But you should at least know about it."
Celebration in the forest? An odd thought, but Nayeli trusts that Kein had a good reason for sending one of their veteran Sisters to such an... event. And assuming that what Paoro told her will indeed turn out to be true, there will be cause for celebration in the near future on the mountain, too! Something in his voice... "What's wrong?" Something she shouldn't be worrying about? Please don't let one of her children be sick or wounded...!
No, it has nothing to do any of their children... At least not yet. "A while back, Moonseeker told me about a cougar who has issues with Amaranth. One of Ama's sons. Cheveyo." Nayeli's half-brother. He told Nayeli about Ama and her children, but this is the first time he has mentioned Cheveyo specifically. "I've given Ama the opportunity to speak with him. If that doesn't work, though..." What? Kein will be leaving Amaranth himself to deal with it? That's a very real possibility.
Issues with Amaranth? The list seems to keep getting longer and longer! Azriel, the two cougars who attacked her and Sketch, and now Ama's son? "What 'issue' does he have with us? The concentration of females on the mountain that he cannot have? The fact that he's no longer able to live here in Amaranth?" Or who knows what else. The thought of Kein actually going, by himself, to 'deal' with another fully-grown male doesn't occur to Nayeli; why would her mate do something so foolish? He certainly hasn't gone after her own attacker, and never really seemed to make an effort to go after Azriel; granted, the latter is his father, but even still...
Kein was never told what Cheveyo's problem was. Only that he had one, and that he was trying to recruit others to help him take it out on Amaranth. "I don't know, Nayeli. I'm sure it has something to do with his parents, but... That doesn't tell me how easy it'll be to redirect him." Is that not his first line of defense? Send Ama there to permanently redirect Cheveyo's attention? "I don't know how well you knew him... But I have to warn against trusting him."
"I didn't really know him, no." Maybe she should have tried to get to know him better beforehand? Doesn't matter; what's done is done. "But I'll make sure that his name and intentions are made known to every Sister in the tribe. If he wants a fight, he's picked far and above the worst possible opponent." There's a quiet steel in the matron's voice that ordinarily would have surprised her. But the resolve is absolute--no hostile male is going to come destroy what she and her beloved mate have worked so hard to nurture and protect. Amaranth.
There is another idea, but... With another, more tender nuzzle to his mate, Kein resolves to keep that one entirely to himself, for now. Nayeli is pregnant, and soon they'll have more cubs. More daughters. He doesn't want Nayeli to worry, excessively, about the trials that may, yet, be ahead of him. "I don't want... Ama is devoted to Amaranth. She shouldn't be given grief over this." Are there any cougaresses who might judge Ama for this? Kein certainly did.
Nayeli accepts the nuzzle with a grateful purr, but doesn't lose any of the quiet determination in her voice. "If they can accept you as 'devoted to Amaranth' despite your father, I'm sure that Ama will be no different, despite her son. It's her actions and words that decide that, not Cheveyo's." As matron, Nayeli trusts her fellow cougaresses to do the right thing and trust Ama. Or even trust her own, or Kein's own trust in Ama.
Of course, the difference is that Kein never chose his father. Hardly ever knew his father. Ama chose her mate, and raised her sons to what they are. Still, with the business handled... Kein takes a step back to look at his mate. "Can I... Do you need anything? Want anything?" She hasn't had cubs to care for. Not ones that require hunting for them, anyway. There are cubs growing inside of her, though, and if she's hungry, or tired, or... Well, anything... He wants to feel helpful, especially since it is, in no small part, his fault that she has been gone these past weeks.
Blinkblink. Just a slight change in topic, but.. Nayeli appreciates the concern. "I just need a good sleep, and.. well.." She smiles again, tilting her head as she fixes her mate with a bemused expression. "It would be nice to sleep with a warm pillow again, or perhaps a blanket if that's what you'd prefer." Just being /with/ Kein again, period! Yes, she's glad to be back. Tired, perhaps, but her absence was beneficial in so many ways. Yet it lasted too long, apparently, and Nayeli is determined to make it up, not only to Kein, but to her tribe.
She might have been teasing, but to have her back, Kein will gladly be her pillow. "Perhaps we ought to head further into our home before you use me as your pillow. Some of our children, I'm sure, will be glad to know you're back." And they can be the blanket whilst he acts as Nayeli's pillow. Kein moves as he speaks, to stand side by side with her mate.