Post by Mythri on Jul 18, 2009 17:24:14 GMT -5
Cast:
Cael, adolescent male cougar
Mythri, adolescent female cougar
Nayeli, adult female cougar
Scene:
There is still blood on his muzzle. He didn't do a very good job of washing up, but then again, he was a little distracted. His own smaller catch was readily devoured, and the other's... well... Cael stops his approach to the pine grove, setting the larger kill down for a moment to stretch out his neck. The young male grunts at the effort of dragging the heavy beast down from the mountain, and is pleased at the short rest. For a moment he glances at his surroundings, eyes slowly moving up into the highest reaches of the pine trees that cover over him like welcoming arms. The mountain is a challenge, but the forest is always home. A smile plays with his whiskers before he bends to pick up the goat again, walking forward toward the open grove, his ears rounded high on his head.
The adolescent's destination is not far ahead. Nayeli rests quietly in the shade of one of the many pine trees, alternating between peaceful meditation and observing her two sleeping daughters. Still very young, very fragile... they are both beautiful and precious, and Nayeli can't stop looking at them. It's not that their appearance has changed, or that the matron is expecting it to... but somehow every time she looks in their direction it's as though she can't believe that she's a new mother again. Her first litter, now adolescent and quickly on their way toward adulthood, have grown up far too fast, and it's somewhat of a relief to have young cubs once more. And, of course, it's such a blasted relief not to be pregnant anymore.
It's a relief for Nayeli's eldest son when the trees finally open up, and more of the sun's light filters down into the grove and warms his neck fur. It's unlikely that Nayeli's missed his entrance, but... possible, if his newest sister's are content to steal her attention indefinately. Even so, Cael continues to approach until he can find a good spot to nestle the kill underneath some thick shrugs and ferns, and once done he turns to watch his mother and tiny little sisters. His smile broadens as he bends and plunks himself down in the manner of lazy cats across the world, and he begins a slightly more thorough job of washing his muzzle and whiskers. "Hello, Mother. I brought you something, if you want it."
With a soft laugh, Nayeli gives her older son a smile of gratitude. "I don't know, Cael... as hungry as your little sisters have been, there /might/ be some leftovers for me by the time they're finished with it." Her tail curls behind her, gently swishing across the pine needles. "Thanks, dear. Your father has been a big help in providing food, but this, from you, is special." While at least one of her cubs has proven to be quite a disappointment, she can at least be proud of Cael, whose greatest fault, as it were, seems to be-ironically not unlike Kaya--that he can't grow up fast enough for his desires and goals. The difference is that--definitely /not/ like his sister--he does not allow such desires to destroy his relationship with his parents. Hence, this gift, and hence, her motherly gratitude.
Cael gives his mother a beaming smile and at first only respond to her with a light purr. After a moment, he stands and quietly approached the bundles of fur wrapped up in Nayeli's paws. He doesn't remember ever being that tiny, or his siblings being that tiny for that matter, and the look that drifts across his features is made of awe and wonder. And then he noses behind Nayeli's ear and bumps the crown of his head against hers before he settles back into that lazy lounge. "Well..." he begins, picking up a forepaw and putting it down, "I didn't catch it, actually. I wanted to talk to you about... it." The kill, yeah.
She can't help it. It's not Cael's fault. Just that instinctual motherly reaction to someone approaching her helpless cubs: she starts to growl, but catches herself and turns it into a somewhat sheepish purr. Nayeli is quite well aware that Cael is not going to harm his young siblings. But she has to catch herself when even her own mate approaches. "What about... it?" she asks, curiosity injecting itself into her tone. He found someone else's kill and wants to make sure that he didn't violate a rule of Amaranth? He found a goat that had died somehow, perhaps due to a fatal plunge from a cliff, and... what? She's listening.
If only it were that /simple/, Cael's life would be cakewalk! As it is, Nayeli's solutions would be welcome in comparrison. The boy doesn't react much at his mother's growl, but he doesn't stick his nose any closer to his little sister's because of it. "Well..." he starts, and then trails off as his brows knit in concentration. How to put this, how to start? It's all so confusing! "I think Father must have told you by now, but there's a cougaress new to Amaranth that's been here for a little while... She, um, well, she won't tell me her name at all, but I always see her where ever I go. I was on the southern edge of the mountain side when I saw her last." He stops again, takes a breath, and turns confused eyes down to his mother. "I had killed a young goat for myself, and after she had caught her own." He turns his nose to the stash not far away. "That one. She said we could trade, that I needed to eat more than I was going to." The young male blinks, sighs, and shakes his head. "When she went to take mine, I said that she should only kill what she intends to eat for herself, and then she just... sort've... ran away. So, I ate mine and brought this one to you thinking you could eat. But..." Another long pause, longer than the rest and filled with much more fidgeting. "Mother, I don't really understand why she did that... or why she refuses to tell me her name." Blinkblink.
Yes, her mate has indeed told her about this 'cougaress new to Amaranth' -- told her that said cougaress could not be trusted at this point and that he had decided to keep her away from Nayeli until they could arrange a safe meeting. Obviously, the cubs must be protected. But as she listens, Nayeli can't help but smile, not only at Cael's seeming confusion, but at the memories of her own experiences growing up with Kein. Yes, there was quite a bit of uncertainty and confusion between them as well. Not that Cael said anything about being.. well.. /interested/ in this particular girl, but... "I'm sure she's just shy. A young girl who's new here... she's probably just scared and in need of a friend."
"Uh-umm..." Cael shakes his head, tapping the tip of his tail against the ground, "N-no, I don't think she's shy at all." In fact, the cougaress is definately /not/ shy. "At least, she didn't seem shy when she came up to me and suggested she take my kill for hers." The boy stops and takes a breath, puffing it out through his teeth before he eventually slides his forepaws in front of him and lounges on his stomach. "She attacked father to protect her kill, and now she trades with me? Of all things... and then she just wandered off, like what she did was the most normal thing in the world. I thought I would try to make her feel welcome, but I think she thinks I'm foolish."
Once again, the question of how long Mythri has been listening in on the conversation flashes by in the very short duration of time it takes for her to leave her hiding place and cross most of the distance between she and the older female. Not to get /too/ close; she's not foolish enough to give the obvious mother reason to become hostile. Assuming she won't already, of course. "I must offer an apology to you, Nayeli of Amaranth. My father, Revan, was responsible for nearly killing you a while back. I am pleased that he did not succeed, and I wish to offer an apology for his actions." Her dark eyes never once look in Cael's direction, but focus intently on the pale green eyes of the matron.
Whatever response Nayeli was about to give her son is quickly replaced by shock at the sudden appearance of... the very girl that her son was just telling her about. And Kein didn't explain just who this girl was, but as her parentage is revealed, her mate's warnings about not trusting her are very quickly justified. And yet--she apologizes for her father's actions? Why? Nayeli lets her ears flatten slightly and her eyes narrow; if nothing else, they'll lend an aura of seriousness to this conversation, however short or long it may be. "You are Mythri, then. My mate told me about you, but only briefly." It's an invitation for the younger girl to talk more, for sure.
The skin between Cael's shoulders itches, and then his muscles are bunched at the sudden sound and appearance of the very subject of his desir-- discussion. The boy tenses, his head snapping to the side to see her. His is up on his paws in an instant, though obviously he's still being ignored. But it doesn't matter right now, as long as he is in between Nayeli, his sisters, and Mythri. Ah, Mythri! Her name is answered with a flick of his ears, but at her parentage his eyes narrow. /Revan/?! The male supresses a growl, and instead stands as a buffer between the two females; not that his presence makes a bit of difference, but if something were to go wrong at least he would be ready. He doesn't speak, waiting for this to play out between the cougaresses.
Not surprising at all; Mythri would have expected the matron's mate to tell her everything that he knows. The other adolescent is given the briefest of glances but her full attention is devoted to the older female. "I thank both of you for allowing me to live here in Amaranth." The idea of sanctuary is nice, though she really doesn't believe that her father would track her all the way here and actually trespass on tribal lands just to.. deal with her. Would he? Doubtful. Possible, though. Not like Mythri would ever let down her guard, no matter where she lives. She just won't have to be paranoid while living here, is all.
The matron's pale green eyes narrow just a fraction. It wasn't the reminder that this.. daughter of Revan is going to be staying with them that Nayeli wanted to hear just now. Rather, more background information on herself, or /anything/ that would generate reasons for trusting her. "Just remember that living in Amaranth is a privilege, not a right." At least for some. Mythri's bloodline is obviously not connected to the mountain's matrilineal line. Then again, her sons will not be allowed to live here for the rest of their lives, so perhaps the 'right' of dwelling in Amaranth only extends to the next Matron. But that's entirely beside the point. Her warning to Mythri should be clear enough, and Nayeli has no intention of giving the impression that this girl can take advantage of their hospitality.
The boy's ears are splayed to the side, one paying attention to his mother and the other to Mythri. Narrowed eyes seem to be popular, as his own shift from one cougar to the other, and his tail ponders its own little questions with a distinct little curl. Nayeli's warning is clear enough to her son, but there is something that's been nagging at the boy this entire time. He came here for his mother's advice, and now /this/ has to happen. Supressing a sigh, Cael approaches Mythri with a few short strides, lifting his head slightly as he addresses her. "Thank you," he begins lowly, not really wanting Nayeli to hear him, "for being so kind to my mother." You know, not /attacking/ her like you did to Kein. "But... it was a little rude of you, to follow me like that." He lead her here, afterall.
Mythri's ears twitch a little as now the boy speaks to her as well, but she doesn't even give him a glance this time, instead stepping slightly to the side to where she can see around him a little easier. She's talking to the boy's mother, not him. Yes, she did follow him, as it was the easiest way to discover his mother's location. Does she care if he's upset at how she used him? Not really. Her attention is still on the matron: "I understand," she answers simply, dipping her head an inch or two. There's still a hard edge to her courtesy, but that will no doubt always be the case for Mythri.
Temper. Cael isn't really known for one, but today he's had just about enough of Mythri's attitude. As she moves, he moves with her and keeps himself between her and Nayeli, eyes growing dark at her continued disrespect for.. for.. for whatever it is she's disrespecting in his mind. A low noise, what might be a growl if it grows in power or volume, begins to rumble deep in his chest and his ears pin against his skull. "Stop pretending to be better than everyone. I don't /care/ /who/ your father is, but you're /not/ better than anyone in these lands." His tail lashes behind him, and even though Nayeli is nearby and probably disappointed in his reaction, he can't help it. She's treated him like nothing but a child and he's sick of it.
Mythri is still and quiet for a brief moment, calmly watching the obviously irritated display from the other adolescent. Somebody's apparently not too happy. But seriously now, did she really say anything about being better than anyone else? Of course not. That doesn't change the fact that she /is/ better than some, but that's only due to her training. Speaking of which... "And to you, Cael, I will be glad to teach you how to hunt." It's not quite a smirk, and it's not quite a mischievous smile. Something in-between, perhaps. And with a swiff! of her tail, Mythri quickly turns around, throws one last smile over her shoulder at the adolescent, and proceeds to depart, her paws carrying her in a rather lively and animated manner. Quite an interesting day so far, and with plenty of events that she'll have to ponder over, provided she can find somewhere peaceful and conducive to meditation.
Don't turn around. Don't turn around. Don't turn-- Cael's head snaps across his shoulder, attempting to give the girl one last /impressive/ mean stare, but all he gets is a cold shoulder, an irritating little smile, and ... quite a back view. His anger melts away into astonishment as the girl quickly, happily, bounds off and he can't help but stare after her. A little wide eyed, the insides of his ears flush lightly, and with a flustered blink he tries to look away. Nope. Can't do it.
Nayeli wouldn't describe herself as old by any means, but she /has/ seen a lot in her lifetime. This particular encounter with a new cougaress is something unfamiliar to her, probably because it involved not only someone not related to Amaranth, but also with her son as well. Elements of amusement, elements of annoyance, and elements of curiosity. So. That is Mythri. Daughter of Revan. A most interesting girl, and Nayeli is quite sure that the two of them will be having a much more serious talk before too much longer. And why exactly did she feel the need to apologize to Nayeli about what her father did? Nayeli suddenly notices that Cael has not only turned around, but is staring off toward where the younger female left. Staring...? Raising an eyebrow, Nayeli asks in that motherly-yet-innocent voice, "She sure is pretty, isn't she?"
Continued in next scene...
Cael, adolescent male cougar
Mythri, adolescent female cougar
Nayeli, adult female cougar
Scene:
There is still blood on his muzzle. He didn't do a very good job of washing up, but then again, he was a little distracted. His own smaller catch was readily devoured, and the other's... well... Cael stops his approach to the pine grove, setting the larger kill down for a moment to stretch out his neck. The young male grunts at the effort of dragging the heavy beast down from the mountain, and is pleased at the short rest. For a moment he glances at his surroundings, eyes slowly moving up into the highest reaches of the pine trees that cover over him like welcoming arms. The mountain is a challenge, but the forest is always home. A smile plays with his whiskers before he bends to pick up the goat again, walking forward toward the open grove, his ears rounded high on his head.
The adolescent's destination is not far ahead. Nayeli rests quietly in the shade of one of the many pine trees, alternating between peaceful meditation and observing her two sleeping daughters. Still very young, very fragile... they are both beautiful and precious, and Nayeli can't stop looking at them. It's not that their appearance has changed, or that the matron is expecting it to... but somehow every time she looks in their direction it's as though she can't believe that she's a new mother again. Her first litter, now adolescent and quickly on their way toward adulthood, have grown up far too fast, and it's somewhat of a relief to have young cubs once more. And, of course, it's such a blasted relief not to be pregnant anymore.
It's a relief for Nayeli's eldest son when the trees finally open up, and more of the sun's light filters down into the grove and warms his neck fur. It's unlikely that Nayeli's missed his entrance, but... possible, if his newest sister's are content to steal her attention indefinately. Even so, Cael continues to approach until he can find a good spot to nestle the kill underneath some thick shrugs and ferns, and once done he turns to watch his mother and tiny little sisters. His smile broadens as he bends and plunks himself down in the manner of lazy cats across the world, and he begins a slightly more thorough job of washing his muzzle and whiskers. "Hello, Mother. I brought you something, if you want it."
With a soft laugh, Nayeli gives her older son a smile of gratitude. "I don't know, Cael... as hungry as your little sisters have been, there /might/ be some leftovers for me by the time they're finished with it." Her tail curls behind her, gently swishing across the pine needles. "Thanks, dear. Your father has been a big help in providing food, but this, from you, is special." While at least one of her cubs has proven to be quite a disappointment, she can at least be proud of Cael, whose greatest fault, as it were, seems to be-ironically not unlike Kaya--that he can't grow up fast enough for his desires and goals. The difference is that--definitely /not/ like his sister--he does not allow such desires to destroy his relationship with his parents. Hence, this gift, and hence, her motherly gratitude.
Cael gives his mother a beaming smile and at first only respond to her with a light purr. After a moment, he stands and quietly approached the bundles of fur wrapped up in Nayeli's paws. He doesn't remember ever being that tiny, or his siblings being that tiny for that matter, and the look that drifts across his features is made of awe and wonder. And then he noses behind Nayeli's ear and bumps the crown of his head against hers before he settles back into that lazy lounge. "Well..." he begins, picking up a forepaw and putting it down, "I didn't catch it, actually. I wanted to talk to you about... it." The kill, yeah.
She can't help it. It's not Cael's fault. Just that instinctual motherly reaction to someone approaching her helpless cubs: she starts to growl, but catches herself and turns it into a somewhat sheepish purr. Nayeli is quite well aware that Cael is not going to harm his young siblings. But she has to catch herself when even her own mate approaches. "What about... it?" she asks, curiosity injecting itself into her tone. He found someone else's kill and wants to make sure that he didn't violate a rule of Amaranth? He found a goat that had died somehow, perhaps due to a fatal plunge from a cliff, and... what? She's listening.
If only it were that /simple/, Cael's life would be cakewalk! As it is, Nayeli's solutions would be welcome in comparrison. The boy doesn't react much at his mother's growl, but he doesn't stick his nose any closer to his little sister's because of it. "Well..." he starts, and then trails off as his brows knit in concentration. How to put this, how to start? It's all so confusing! "I think Father must have told you by now, but there's a cougaress new to Amaranth that's been here for a little while... She, um, well, she won't tell me her name at all, but I always see her where ever I go. I was on the southern edge of the mountain side when I saw her last." He stops again, takes a breath, and turns confused eyes down to his mother. "I had killed a young goat for myself, and after she had caught her own." He turns his nose to the stash not far away. "That one. She said we could trade, that I needed to eat more than I was going to." The young male blinks, sighs, and shakes his head. "When she went to take mine, I said that she should only kill what she intends to eat for herself, and then she just... sort've... ran away. So, I ate mine and brought this one to you thinking you could eat. But..." Another long pause, longer than the rest and filled with much more fidgeting. "Mother, I don't really understand why she did that... or why she refuses to tell me her name." Blinkblink.
Yes, her mate has indeed told her about this 'cougaress new to Amaranth' -- told her that said cougaress could not be trusted at this point and that he had decided to keep her away from Nayeli until they could arrange a safe meeting. Obviously, the cubs must be protected. But as she listens, Nayeli can't help but smile, not only at Cael's seeming confusion, but at the memories of her own experiences growing up with Kein. Yes, there was quite a bit of uncertainty and confusion between them as well. Not that Cael said anything about being.. well.. /interested/ in this particular girl, but... "I'm sure she's just shy. A young girl who's new here... she's probably just scared and in need of a friend."
"Uh-umm..." Cael shakes his head, tapping the tip of his tail against the ground, "N-no, I don't think she's shy at all." In fact, the cougaress is definately /not/ shy. "At least, she didn't seem shy when she came up to me and suggested she take my kill for hers." The boy stops and takes a breath, puffing it out through his teeth before he eventually slides his forepaws in front of him and lounges on his stomach. "She attacked father to protect her kill, and now she trades with me? Of all things... and then she just wandered off, like what she did was the most normal thing in the world. I thought I would try to make her feel welcome, but I think she thinks I'm foolish."
Once again, the question of how long Mythri has been listening in on the conversation flashes by in the very short duration of time it takes for her to leave her hiding place and cross most of the distance between she and the older female. Not to get /too/ close; she's not foolish enough to give the obvious mother reason to become hostile. Assuming she won't already, of course. "I must offer an apology to you, Nayeli of Amaranth. My father, Revan, was responsible for nearly killing you a while back. I am pleased that he did not succeed, and I wish to offer an apology for his actions." Her dark eyes never once look in Cael's direction, but focus intently on the pale green eyes of the matron.
Whatever response Nayeli was about to give her son is quickly replaced by shock at the sudden appearance of... the very girl that her son was just telling her about. And Kein didn't explain just who this girl was, but as her parentage is revealed, her mate's warnings about not trusting her are very quickly justified. And yet--she apologizes for her father's actions? Why? Nayeli lets her ears flatten slightly and her eyes narrow; if nothing else, they'll lend an aura of seriousness to this conversation, however short or long it may be. "You are Mythri, then. My mate told me about you, but only briefly." It's an invitation for the younger girl to talk more, for sure.
The skin between Cael's shoulders itches, and then his muscles are bunched at the sudden sound and appearance of the very subject of his desir-- discussion. The boy tenses, his head snapping to the side to see her. His is up on his paws in an instant, though obviously he's still being ignored. But it doesn't matter right now, as long as he is in between Nayeli, his sisters, and Mythri. Ah, Mythri! Her name is answered with a flick of his ears, but at her parentage his eyes narrow. /Revan/?! The male supresses a growl, and instead stands as a buffer between the two females; not that his presence makes a bit of difference, but if something were to go wrong at least he would be ready. He doesn't speak, waiting for this to play out between the cougaresses.
Not surprising at all; Mythri would have expected the matron's mate to tell her everything that he knows. The other adolescent is given the briefest of glances but her full attention is devoted to the older female. "I thank both of you for allowing me to live here in Amaranth." The idea of sanctuary is nice, though she really doesn't believe that her father would track her all the way here and actually trespass on tribal lands just to.. deal with her. Would he? Doubtful. Possible, though. Not like Mythri would ever let down her guard, no matter where she lives. She just won't have to be paranoid while living here, is all.
The matron's pale green eyes narrow just a fraction. It wasn't the reminder that this.. daughter of Revan is going to be staying with them that Nayeli wanted to hear just now. Rather, more background information on herself, or /anything/ that would generate reasons for trusting her. "Just remember that living in Amaranth is a privilege, not a right." At least for some. Mythri's bloodline is obviously not connected to the mountain's matrilineal line. Then again, her sons will not be allowed to live here for the rest of their lives, so perhaps the 'right' of dwelling in Amaranth only extends to the next Matron. But that's entirely beside the point. Her warning to Mythri should be clear enough, and Nayeli has no intention of giving the impression that this girl can take advantage of their hospitality.
The boy's ears are splayed to the side, one paying attention to his mother and the other to Mythri. Narrowed eyes seem to be popular, as his own shift from one cougar to the other, and his tail ponders its own little questions with a distinct little curl. Nayeli's warning is clear enough to her son, but there is something that's been nagging at the boy this entire time. He came here for his mother's advice, and now /this/ has to happen. Supressing a sigh, Cael approaches Mythri with a few short strides, lifting his head slightly as he addresses her. "Thank you," he begins lowly, not really wanting Nayeli to hear him, "for being so kind to my mother." You know, not /attacking/ her like you did to Kein. "But... it was a little rude of you, to follow me like that." He lead her here, afterall.
Mythri's ears twitch a little as now the boy speaks to her as well, but she doesn't even give him a glance this time, instead stepping slightly to the side to where she can see around him a little easier. She's talking to the boy's mother, not him. Yes, she did follow him, as it was the easiest way to discover his mother's location. Does she care if he's upset at how she used him? Not really. Her attention is still on the matron: "I understand," she answers simply, dipping her head an inch or two. There's still a hard edge to her courtesy, but that will no doubt always be the case for Mythri.
Temper. Cael isn't really known for one, but today he's had just about enough of Mythri's attitude. As she moves, he moves with her and keeps himself between her and Nayeli, eyes growing dark at her continued disrespect for.. for.. for whatever it is she's disrespecting in his mind. A low noise, what might be a growl if it grows in power or volume, begins to rumble deep in his chest and his ears pin against his skull. "Stop pretending to be better than everyone. I don't /care/ /who/ your father is, but you're /not/ better than anyone in these lands." His tail lashes behind him, and even though Nayeli is nearby and probably disappointed in his reaction, he can't help it. She's treated him like nothing but a child and he's sick of it.
Mythri is still and quiet for a brief moment, calmly watching the obviously irritated display from the other adolescent. Somebody's apparently not too happy. But seriously now, did she really say anything about being better than anyone else? Of course not. That doesn't change the fact that she /is/ better than some, but that's only due to her training. Speaking of which... "And to you, Cael, I will be glad to teach you how to hunt." It's not quite a smirk, and it's not quite a mischievous smile. Something in-between, perhaps. And with a swiff! of her tail, Mythri quickly turns around, throws one last smile over her shoulder at the adolescent, and proceeds to depart, her paws carrying her in a rather lively and animated manner. Quite an interesting day so far, and with plenty of events that she'll have to ponder over, provided she can find somewhere peaceful and conducive to meditation.
Don't turn around. Don't turn around. Don't turn-- Cael's head snaps across his shoulder, attempting to give the girl one last /impressive/ mean stare, but all he gets is a cold shoulder, an irritating little smile, and ... quite a back view. His anger melts away into astonishment as the girl quickly, happily, bounds off and he can't help but stare after her. A little wide eyed, the insides of his ears flush lightly, and with a flustered blink he tries to look away. Nope. Can't do it.
Nayeli wouldn't describe herself as old by any means, but she /has/ seen a lot in her lifetime. This particular encounter with a new cougaress is something unfamiliar to her, probably because it involved not only someone not related to Amaranth, but also with her son as well. Elements of amusement, elements of annoyance, and elements of curiosity. So. That is Mythri. Daughter of Revan. A most interesting girl, and Nayeli is quite sure that the two of them will be having a much more serious talk before too much longer. And why exactly did she feel the need to apologize to Nayeli about what her father did? Nayeli suddenly notices that Cael has not only turned around, but is staring off toward where the younger female left. Staring...? Raising an eyebrow, Nayeli asks in that motherly-yet-innocent voice, "She sure is pretty, isn't she?"
Continued in next scene...