Post by Therdde on Apr 22, 2008 19:57:38 GMT -5
Characters:
Kein – Male Cougar Cub
Nayeli – Female Cougar Cub
Chandani – Female Cougar Cub
Maulisho – Female Cougar
The last nearly twenty-four hours has not been highly productive... But it was reasonably relaxing, something the young male needed, after the stress of trying to save his friend and her sister from their villainous father and the disappointment that came from missing Mom teaching Nayeli how to climb. The last thing he wanted to do was focus on what should be the concerns of adults. As Kein wakes up from a late nap, he is met with the sight of Nayeli napping nearby. Only now does he realize that his absolute avoidance of his issue with the chieftain may cause trouble, since they'll probably have to go home within a few hours if he doesn't figure out something.
Sure enough, Nayeli is sleeping in relatively close proximity to her friend, looking completely at rest. No dreams or any kind of disturbance have marred her sleep, and her sides indicate a very slow and relaxed breathing.
The other female cub Chandani slowly opens her eyes letting out a soft yawn and stretches out as she wakes up from a nap off her own.
Kein perks his ears towards the sound of another cub waking up. Normally, that would mean that playtime is about to start again, which would be cause for celebration. His mood remains somber, though. In a better, mood, he might turn his attention toward actively waking Nayeli. As it is, he simply rolls to his feet and looks around for the other one. When he spots Chandani, he says, "Hey." His voice is quiet, though not so quiet that Nayeli would be unable to hear it. If she's close to waking up, then he won't feel bad for waking her, but he's not /trying/ to wake her.
There doesn't appear to be any response from the still-sleeping girlcub. Her breathing doesn't change rhythm, and she doesn't stir at all. For all intents and purposes, it appears that Nayeli is still fast asleep.
Chandani turns towards Kein when he talks to her and returns the greeting, "Hi Kein." Trying not to say it loud enough to wake up her sister.
Kein told Chandani yesterday that he wasn't sure if they'd be going home today. And now... With a sigh, he asks, "Do you think... If you stayed the night again, do you think your mom would get upset?" They can't go back yet, but they have to find a more permanent solution, too... Which is going to require Mom's help.
Chandani keeps her attention on Kein, "I have no idea. I think it might be alright." She says but to be honest the cub is not really too sure. "I would like to stay another night here."
Kein is silent for a moment after Chandani speaks, his eyes on the ground as he thinks. After a while, he says, "I think my mom will be okay with it too, but... I better go ask... If Nayeli wakes up, can you let her know where I went?" He doesn't want his friend to think he abandoned her away from her home because he's not here when she wakes up.
There's no need to ask Chandani, because Nayeli finally does just that: wake up. Blinking as she realizes that she's not alone, she lets out a small yawn before rolling over onto her paws and jumping up. Looks to be plenty of energy in /this/ particular young one. "Hi Kein! Did you sleep well?" Her eyes flick over to her sister. "Did he teach you how to climb a tree, Chandani? He's a great teacher, isn't he?" Nayeli is all smiles, sounding quite a bit more enthusiastic than yesterday.
Chandani blinks her eyes as she turns to face her sister seeming puzzled, "I still need to learn how to climb a tree." The cub answers her sister's question. "Do you like climbing?"
Kein turns around to look at Nayeli when she speaks. He begins to nod to her question, but he is stopped when she begins speaking to Chandani, and as he realizes what she's saying, he stares. Him? He's a horrible teacher! He frowns, not sure what to say. Chandani kind of answers for him by saying she still needs to learn, but the way she says it, it just sounds like they didn't get around to it, which isn't very truthful. "I'm not good at teaching Nayeli." And she /knows/ that, or should. So why is she trying to embarrass him?
The girlcub looks absolutely baffled. "What do you /mean/, you aren't good at teaching?" Nayeli sounds genuinely mystified. "Sure you are! You taught me how to climb trees!" Why didn't he teach Chandani? Maybe he just hasn't gotten around to it yet... yeah. That must be it. But why would he say that he's not good at teaching? Maybe he's just being humble? He looks pretty depressed, instead. Nayeli cocks her head, looking at her friend with no small amount of puzzlement. What's wrong with Kein?
Chandani turns her head to face Kein and waits for him to answer Nayeli's question wondering what they are going to do about the whole situation that she's been told about. Not wanting to say anything since the question was directed at the male cub.
Kein narrows his eyes. Is she trying to make him feel better? It's not working. He's not going to become a better teacher y lying and saying he's already good. At least as confused as Nayeli is, he says, "No I didn't. My mom did, yesterday." When he tried, he failed terribly. Doesn't she remember?
There's a slight pause as Nayeli tries to figure out why Kein keeps insisting that he didn't really teach her. "Your mom didn't teach me a thing about climbing! What... I mean.. why are you saying this? /You're/ the one who taught me! Don't you remember?" Her expression is quickly degenerating from the earlier bright enthusiasm to almost looking stricken. What's happened to her friend? Why is he being like this?
Chandani turns to face her sister. "Is he really a good teacher?" She asks Nayeli. Then turns back to Kein. Thinking he could be a good teacher trying to figure out what is going on herself but she does not want to pressure the male cub into doing something he does not think he's able to do. That was why she's dropped it the last time.
But... If Mom didn't teach Nayeli how to climb... How did she learn? "You... You couldn't do it when I tried to teach you... If my mom didn't teach you..." Then Nayeli learned on her own? How come she could get up the tree yesterday, but not when he tried to teach her? None of it makes sense to Kein. When his mom taught him, he did it that day, not days later.
Aha! Now it makes perfect sense! Poor Kein... no wonder he thought he was a bad teacher! "Kein.. I'm sorry." Nayeli looks as though she can't decide whether to laugh or cry. "That was my fault. You did a great job teaching me... I just.. well... I wasn't able to do it. I /knew/ how to, but..." Her ears flatten slightly as the girl hangs her head. "I was just too scared to do it. That's what your mom helped me with." The irony of being helped with a fear problem by who she views as The Scary is lost on the girl, but there's always hope that she might catch on to that humorous little tidbit later on.
Chandani flattens her ears back, "Can someone teach me how to climb trees sometime?" She asks hopefully. Then waits for the answer hoping it is yes.
So... Kein was actually successful? He continues staring at Nayeli for a moment, trying to decide if she's telling the truth. She doesn't /seem/ to be lying, just trying to make him feel better more. As he decides to believe her, at least for now, he offers her a slight smile. Maybe he's not a horrible teacher after all, in which case... Maybe it's not such a big deal that Mom sent him away yesterday! He glances back to Chandani, answering her question with, "I guess I can try..." It's a huge step up from yesterday, when he wasn't even going to make an attempt.
Yay, he smiled! Nayeli immediately looks relieved, and, perking up, she nods enthusiastically at Kein's acceptance of Chandani's request. He'll do a great job, of course, and then all three of them can climb trees together! "This'll be fun!" is her joyful response. Slapping her forepaws down on the ground, Nayeli looks from Kein to Chandani back to Kein... and then to one of the nearby trees. "How about that one?" Or... maybe she should let Kein pick a good one, seeing that /he's/ the teacher here. Oops.
Chandani turns to face the tree Nayeli is talking about, then turns to face Kein again. Waiting to see what he has to say since he is the one who is doing the teaching here.
Of course, if Chandani can't learn either, this could ruin it all... Why can't he just feel okay about his teaching abilities for a couple hours before putting them to the test again. Kein takes a deep breath, then nods. "Okay. Let's try." He begins walking towards the tree that Nayeli pointed out. He's not as enthusiastic as when he showed Nayeli, but he /is/ willing to give this teaching thing another shot.
Though the cubs almost surely have not noticed her, Maulisho is calmly watching them from her relaxed perch on top of the tallest rock column in the clearing. While she wasn't close enough to hear everything being said, from the looks of things it was fairly obvious what was being discussed. She's glad to see Kein at least willing to try and teach Chandani, and she's fairly certain that he'll make a good showing of himself. Maybe Chandani will have the same difficult with fear that Nayeli did... but maybe not. The next few minutes will show, and Maulisho settles back to watch.
Chandani makes her way over towards the tree feeling excited about finally learning how to climb trees hoping she does Kein proud.
If Kein knew that Mom is watching, he might be even more nervous, more reluctant. As it is, he has little to lose. He has told both Nayeli and Chandani that he can't teach. If he fails... Well, he /told/ them. Stepping up to the tree, he stands to place his forelegs on the truck, digging his claws as deeply into the wood as he can. "All you do is put your claws into the tree, like this... Then you use your legs to pull you up. After you're up, do the same with your back legs, and then start climbing... One leg atta time." Little changes from the way he tried to explain it to Nayeli.
Chandani watches Kein and appears to be nervously and then she tries to put her claws into the tree when she thinks that her claws are in deep enough she tries to pull herself up and loses her grip the paws slid down and hit the ground apparently they were not in deep enough. But she does not want to give up hoping that Kein does not get disappointed.
Kein /does/ get disappointed when Chandani slips down, not with her, but with himself. He /is/ a bad teacher! It's not supposed to take this long to learn. Trying hard to hide his frown, like he did when he failed to teach Nayeli, he says, "Just... Try again, 'kay? You'll get it this time." Nayeli’s problem was fear... Maybe it's important to have confidence. It's not enough to know others can do it. Maybe you have to /know/ you can do it, too. Of course, Kein never had problems with confidence when he was younger. Those only developed after he returned from the encounter with that wolf, and were strengthened when he thought he failed at teaching.
Chandani digs her claws into the tree again and tries to calm down. Then uses her legs she starts to pull herself up trying to think about what the male cub told her. "Like this?"
Now that she knows what climbing trees both looks like and feels like, Nayeli silently encourages Chandani to gain the confidence needed to lift one's self off of the firm ground. It's not easy to do, for sure! There's definite eagerness in the girlcub's demeanor... even impatience, perhaps. Once Chandani can climb, then they all can! She'll have to really take some time to figure out games that they can play with this additional factor to consider. Any frustration on Kein's part is not really noticed--as far as Nayeli is concerned, he's doing his normal great job at teaching.
Some of Kein's normal enthusiasm returns as Chandani starts to lift herself off the ground. He nods quickly and says, "Yeah, just like that!" Just keep doin' it 'til you get to a branch." It takes a different set of muscles than is generally required for walking, and it takes some practice to make it easier, he knows. The first time he climbed a tree, he didn't get very far. But she /is/ starting to climb.
Chandani tries to climb a little more then she loses her grip and falls down on the ground not getting to far up. This climbing trees stuff is hard. Luckily she did not have too far to fall because she was still close to the ground and lands on her feet. Then lets out a soft sigh.
"C'mon, Chandani!" Nayeli finally allows her encouragement to become verbal. "Keep trying!" At least her sister is doing a lot better than Nayeli when /she/ first learned. She couldn't even get off the ground at all! Suddenly she realizes that the three of them aren't alone anymore. Turning her head, her eyes grow wide at the sudden realization that Kein's mom is /right/ /there/! How'd she sneak up on them like that? "...Hi?" she greets, almost curiously. What could the cougaress possibly want with them this time?
Kein lowers himself to the ground after Chandani slips. He slipped a few times the first time he climbed a tree. He just always managed to catch himself before falling to the ground. He's about to say that it'll just take more practice when he hears Nayeli speak again, greeting someone, which causes him to turn around. Naturally, he recognizes his mom immediately, but he doesn't say anything. How long has she been watching and listening to them?
Chandani is about to try again when she hears Nayeli greeting someone and like the others her head also turns to see who Nayeli is talking to and spots Maul. "Hi." Chandani says in greeting to her.
There's a subtle grin on the cougaress' muzzle as she gazes at the three cubs. They had /no/ idea she was coming, and there's something about the element of surprise that lends itself to mischievousness. But not at this place and time--no, she came over to see if she could be of assistance. "Hello to all of you! How's Kein been as a teacher so far?"
He's been great! Nayeli wants to answer, but she knows that the question wasn't directed to her. But.. she /does/ want to answer, though! Instead, she manages to exercise at least enough self-control to look over toward her sister instead, waiting for her response. Say that Kein is a great teacher! You know that he is! C'mon! He taught you how to climb!
Neither was the question directed to Kein himself, so he continues to be quiet, looking between Mom and Chandani. He knows how Nayeli would answer, but he has no idea how Chandani will, and he's moderately nervous. He never even would have tried if Nayeli hadn't insisted, and then Mom wouldn't have been watching him try to teach, and Chandani /started/ to climb. He /tried/ to teach her, and /almost/ succeeded. But what if she doesn't see it that way?
Chandani keeps her attention on Maulisho and seems excited at the moment, "He was a great teacher he did a good job teaching me." She admits since she did climb a little and still has to practice which the cub does intend to do hoping Kein does like the news.
Maulisho gives her son a pleased smile, proud of him for his good work. "There's plenty more for you all to learn about climbing, but you have a good start with learning about trees." Flicking her tail, she stretches a little, then asks, "Are you about ready to head on back? Kein, you are certainly welcome to come as well, and say your goodbyes when we get back to their home."
Uh oh. Nayeli doesn't /want/ to go home now, but if Kein's mom says that it's that time, then there's not much they can do about it. The only problem is... what about Daddy? She flashes a worried look at Kein, hoping that he'll say something to his mom to let her know just how bad the chieftain has become.
Kein frowns at the question that his mother asks now. Right before Nayeli woke up, he was going to go ask if they could spend another night here. Now he's out of time. "Ummmm... They don't have to go back yet, do they, Mom? Can't they stay another day, please?" Nothing is said about the reason he wants them to stay. Not yet. Hopefully this alone will work.
Chandani turns to face Kein and sighs she was hoping he'd say something about the chieftain being bad too. She's not looking forward to going back home herself. When he does not say anything about Chesmu she looks back to face Maulisho. Because Chandani did tell Kein that she's not going to say anything about it, and the cub does plan on keeping her word to the male cub. Hoping that the answer is yes.
"I know that you want them to stay longer, but remember that their family misses them while they're over here. They can come back soon, but they do need to go back now." Maulisho hmms for a second, then adds, "I can ask their father how soon he'll let them come back over, okay?" That's a fair compromise, no? The cougaress stretches again, obviously preparing for a nice walk through Amaranth territory.
This is not good! If Daddy really is as bad as Kein has told her, then Nayeli doesn't want to go back! Her eyes look pleadingly at Kein, begging him to do something or say something or somehow figure out how to keep them safe. If he can teach them how to climb trees, then surely he can do /something/ to get them out of this potentially terrible situation!
No, that's not a fair compromise! Chesmu is evil, and Kein knows it, and Chesmu knows that Kein knows it. He might never let his daughters come back! "They... They can't go back yet! Please, Mom, don't make them go." No tone his mother could use would get him to drop the subject now. This is as important as anything the young male has ever argued, he's sure of it. Chandani and Nayeli /have/ to stay here, where it's safe. Temporarily safe, but still safe.
Chandani gets a feeling of horror at the thought that she has to go back home. She tries her best to hide her feelings especially if what Kein told them is true. She's not looking forward to going back home. Not back to her bad father that is if it's true and he really is evil. Chandani turns to face Kein's direction when he begs his mother to let them stay. Waiting to find out what happens hoping he can persuade Maulisho to let them stay.
Maulisho is just about ready to head off, but something in her son's protest makes her stop and give him a curious stare. "What do you mean, 'they can't go back yet'? What's wrong?" If it was a simple protest that he just wanted them to stay longer to play, or to teach them something else, or something along those lines... that'd be another issue altogether. But... Kein seems to be arguing that they /can't/ go back, rather than that they /shouldn't/ go back.
Kein takes a deep breath. He wanted more time to decide how to go about handling this, but because Mom doesn't want to let them spend the night again, he doesn't have that time. Peering at the ground, he eventually says, "They can't go back... Because it's not safe..." He brings his eyes up from the ground to look at the other two cubs and his mom. Yes, he told Chandani not to tell anyone... But now that he has to explain himself to his mother, he wouldn't mind some backup. There's definitely some guilt in the young male's expression, in addition to the many other things he's feeling.
Chandani looks over towards Kein then back to face Maul nervously trying to think about rather or not to say anything. Then lets out a soft sigh, "From my understanding it is bad." Is all she says for now. Waiting to see if Kein wants her to say anything else unless he decides to tell her.
Maulisho's expression turns much more serious. This must be what Chesmu had told her about earlier; odd behavior from her son, for sure. He's always been brave and willing to try things and go places that his siblings wouldn't... for him to say something isn't safe is no small matter. Looking from one cub to the next, Maulisho finally nods once, and sits down. "Okay, then. I'm listening... why is it not safe for you two girls to go back home? I'll be with you the whole way, so you shouldn't have anything to worry about."
"Because of.." Nayeli starts to speak, but stops suddenly at the realization of what she's doing. Can she really tell Kein's mom that Daddy is a bad cougar? What would happen? Would Daddy find out and punish her? Or worse... punish all three of them? Best to let Kein be their representative--after all, he /is/ the one who first told them about it...
It would seem that not much help is forthcoming. Kein takes another deep breath before looking up at his Mom. He tries to keep eye contact with her as speaks, but it's not the easiest thing to do. "Their dad is a bad cougar, Mommy... And they can't go back, 'cause... 'Cause he's trying to make us be bad, too..." He doesn't have much hope that she'll believe him without specific examples, and the more he tells her, then closer he'll get to having to tell her that /he/ chased a mouse too...
Chandani looks over towards Maulisho, "Kein told us about it." She says talking about Nayeli and herself. Appearing to be nervous and scared as she waits to see the adult's reaction to what she's just been told.
And here Maulisho was expecting something along the lines of a monster waiting for them, or... just... something other than what Kein has just said. Chesmu is a bad cougar? He certainly has his faults, but who doesn't? Although she wants to laugh in relief, Maulisho does her best to remain serious, if for no other reason than to convince her son that she's taking him seriously. "And why do you say that he's a bad cougar? He's been one of my best friends for a long time now, not to mention he /is/ the chieftain. What makes him so bad, and how is he trying to make /you/ bad?"
Daddy never said anything about being one of Maulisho's best friends. This new bit of information is uncomfortably received by Nayeli, who doesn't like the idea of both adults being friends, considering that one is good and one is bad. There's more she wants to say, but she knows that Kein has all the important information, so she lets him do the explaining.
Kein knew that Mom and the chief were close friends. That's part of what is making this so hard. He thinks that Chandani and Nayeli almost didn't believe him. How skeptical is Mom going to be? "When... The last time that I went with him... He took me a /long/ way away... And then... He killed a mouse." There's a very short pause, then he adds, "/And/ he tried to make me eat it." Mom hasn't taught him that mice are bad, yet, maybe because she hasn't taken him hunting yet, and taught him what to hunt and what not to hunt. And now, as far as Kein believes, she's going to ask him how he knows mice are bad, since she hasn't gotten around to teaching him yet, and then he'll have to tell her...
Chandani did know that dad knows Maulisho she's heard the name Maul before. But why would a nice cougaress be friends with a evil chieftain? Figuring that Maul probably does not even know Chesmu is bad until now. Looking to be more worried than before. She does not want to get in trouble.
/Very/ interesting. That fits exactly with what Chesmu already told her. But, it still doesn't answer the question of /why/ Kein is acting and talking like this. Maulisho is pretty sure she knows the answer. "Kein, dear, I know you're worried that Chesmu might be trying to get you to do something that I wouldn't approve of. I'm sorry I haven't been able to do much hunting with you like I should be doing."
And just like that, everything's out in the open. But to Nayeli's surprise, Kein's mother doesn't seem to be too overly concerned. Maybe she just didn't hear all of what Kein, or...? Hello? Her daddy is bad, and Maulisho doesn't seem to pay it much attention! "Dontcha see how Daddy is bad?" she pipes up, trying to support Kein's testimony. "He /killed/ a /mouse/!" There! Sufficient evidence to convict!
Kein stares at his mom as she responds. He has just told her that the chief did something /really/ bad, and... She apologizes? For not taking him hunting? The young male is confused, and he doesn't say anything immediately. Nayeli repeats the important part of Kein's story, anyway. His eyes remain on his mother. Why isn't she upset about this? Why would it be okay for Chesmu to kill a mouse, but when he was going to do so, the mouse was going to come talk to his mom and get him in trouble?
Chandani turns over to face Maulisho seeming puzzled as to why she's not upset or angry and when Nayeli repeats it. The other female cub puts in, "That is why dad is bad!" She says. Which is according to the story. "Dad also told me that they are food." She adds to get the point across.
There's still something not right here. Why are the cubs still insistent that something is dreadfully wrong? Something related to this whole mouse incident. Chesmu is bad because he killed a mouse and said that they are food? Why would Kein think that that was wrong? "Kein, I'm.. I'm not sure I'm following you. Why does killing and eating a mouse make Chesmu a bad chieftain?" No wonder the chieftain was so puzzled by Kein's behavior enough to come and tell Maulisho about it!
Nayeli's jaw drops and the girlcub stares at Kein's mom in horrified disbelief. Did she really just say that?! She doesn't seriously believe the same thing that Daddy does... does she? That would be terrible!
Kein continues staring at his mother. She's really smart... And she also loves him. Even when he does bad things. Maybe she doesn't want him to feel bad about what he did, and she knows that's the only way he could know that chasing and hurting mice is bad. But Chesmu is bad, and it's dangerous for all of them to stay under his rule here... With a sigh, he says, "I know that it's bad to hurt mouses, Mommy... Even though you didn't tell me yet, I know... And I'm sorry... But... I don't wanna be bad like Chesmu... And I don't want him to make everyone else bad." Surely she can see how important this is? He could never believe his mom is evil, though. Never.
Chandani turns to face Kein when he comes right out and explains that it is bad to eat mice. She turns to face Maulisho when Kein is done speaking. "I do not want to be bad either." She says honestly thinking it seems like the right thing to say. Hoping that Kein's mother understands it now that the chieftain is bad because off that.
Finally, they're getting somewhere. Maulisho looks a lot more relaxed now that she knows that they're dealing with a simple misunderstanding of facts, rather than a real danger waiting for them. Forging ahead, Maulisho asks the key question: "Why do you think it's bad to hurt mice?" Yes, it's 'mice', not 'mouses'. A mini-lesson.
If the question had been posed to Nayeli, her simple response would have been: "Because Kein told me!" Not because her dad told her. He doesn't tell her nearly as much as she wants to know, so that's yet another reason she's grateful for Kein's willingness to be friends with her--he knows so much! But... how /does/ Kein know that it's bad to hurt mouses--err.. to hurt mice? If his mom didn't tell him that, then how did he find out?
Kein knew that this question was coming. She didn't tell him, so how did he find out? Kein lowers his head to stare at the ground again, and he shuffles his paws slightly. It doesn't matter that he didn't know that it was bad when he did it. He still did something bad. "I didn't wanna tell you, because... I've been /trying/ to be good, Mommy, really... I... I didn't want you upset with me again." Kein sighs, then continues. "I chased a mouse a little bit ago... And he was gonna come tell you, but I begged him not to, because it won't happen again, I promise!"
Chandani looks over towards Kein she has been told about it and then turns back to fix her gaze on his mother Maulisho worried not wanting Kein to get in trouble. Remaining silent for the moment unable to think off anything she could say to help.
Blinkblink. Whoa... the /mouse/ told Kein that it was going to come and tell her? What in the world...? "You aren't in trouble, Kein, but I do want you to tell me exactly what happened. It's hard to understand when I don't have all of the details." Her tail curls around her hindquarters. "I know that you're trying to be good, and that makes me really proud of you. But you need to remember that sometimes being good means that you need to tell me when something happens like this, especially if it has made you three so worried and concerned like this!"
Nayeli's own eyes flick over from Kein's mom to Kein himself. /He/ chased a mouse too? No wonder he was so afraid to tell his mom! The girlcub dreads hearing what punishment will be inflicted upon her friend, but it causes her immense relief to hear the adult cougaress try to alleviate those fears by saying that Kein really isn't in trouble. Whew. Now he can at least tell the rest of the story and explain to his mother why killing mice is bad.
Kein isn't in trouble yet, but he doesn't trust that some part of his story won't get him in trouble after he tells it. It's too late to keep it a secret like he hoped, though. He continues staring at the ground, and his voice is quiet as he tries to explain what happened. "Pel and Ruut'h were sleeping, and I was bored... And trying to have fun... And I saw a mouse, and I started chasing him. I didn't know it was bad. But he told me, and when I apologized and promised him it would never happen again, he said he wouldn't come tell you what I did, 'cause he said he knew I learned my lesson, and didn't hafta be punished more." And after the last time Kein got into trouble, he was all too eager to accept that deal with the mouse.
Chandani sighs with relief upon hearing that Kein is not in trouble. She's heard the story already but she's still not sure as to why it is bad to kill a mouse. So Chandani turns her head to face Kein as he tells it again to Maulisho. She then turns her attention back to face Kein's mother. "He told me that too. He did not want me to tell anyone. I told him, I would not and planned on keeping my word." She adds then looks down feeling like she might get in trouble for trying to keep that secret.
For a long moment Maulisho is silent, gazing at her son. Now it all makes sense. She finds it completely humorous but at the same time she can (sort of) understand why Kein would become so upset. Time for a moment of potentially awkward teaching. "Kein, you said that... the /mouse/ told you this?" Without giving him much of a chance to respond she continues: "Think about what really happened. You were chasing a mouse, and apparently it realized that you were going to catch it and eat it, because that's what cougars do. It decided to trick you--" Erf. That might have sounded a bit too demeaning. "--or rather, it decided to try and confuse you." Maulisho hopes that Kein is following her logic here. "If you /had/ killed the mouse, of course it wouldn't be able to come tell me. And even if you had just caught it but let it go, it never would have come to me, period. A mouse knows that a cougar will eat it without hesitation, because they are a tasty source of food."
She may not be the smartest cub that ever lived, but even Nayeli can understand Maulisho's explanation. Kein was chasing a mouse, and then got persuaded into believing he was doing the wrong thing... by the mouse itself. The girl lets out a loud giggle, more out of relief than amusement. So, if Maulisho is really correct about this, then Kein really didn't do anything wrong after all! And not only that, but her daddy isn't bad either! Everything's back to normal and fine now, /plus/ she's learned that mice are sneaky and tricky... but apparently delicious food at the same time! Even though she and Chandani have to go home now that the explanation seems to be over and done with, Nayeli is at least excited to know that she won't have to be suspicious or worried about her dad. In fact, maybe he'll pay her more attention now that she knows something important: mice are tasty-sneaky-food!
Wait... The mouse tricked him? No way! It was so serious, and it was gonna tell Mom, really! Kein stares at his mother after her explanation. His eyes are still on Mom when Nayeli giggles, and all of a sudden he flattens his ears against his head. Not only did a mouse fool him, but she's laughing at him because of it! He didn't laugh at her when she couldn't climb a tree, or when it took her forever to track his scent, or when she tripped while they were racing, but /she's/ laughing. /At him/, or so he thinks. After the stress of the past week or so, and especially the past day, that giggling is a little more than the young male can handle. Fighting back angry tears at the fact that he was tricked by such a tiny creature, he lifts his head just slightly, so he can look at Nayeli. If he walks or runs away, one of them is going to follow him, and he needs to tend his wounded pride in private, right now. "At least I'm not some stupid girl who is afraid of /trees/!" There's definitely anger in his tone, but he's not as angry with her as he'd like to be. Most of his anger is because he has done something to make her laugh at him. If he could be more honest, he would have just told all three of them to stay away from him while he sulks for a while, but cubs aren't renowned for their honesty, and the giggling from his only friend /does/ cut at him. He doesn't wait for any response before he turns to walk away from them. No, he does /not/ want to walk with them to their home, just so they can make fun of him on the way there.
Chandani cannot help but giggle a little too knowing if her daddy says mice are food and Maulisho seems to be saying the same thing. She feels safe to go back home herself after learning the lesson she just did the fears and worries are no longer there and now she knows that mice are tricky and sneaky she'll try not to fall for it if she's ever to come face to face with one. Along with the thought that they are tasty she is kinda looking forward to eating one now. The cub does feel better knowing that the chieftain is not bad after all. Then she stops when she hears what Kein just said to her sister. She feels bad for Kein and wants to go after him to try and help him feel better but /how?/ she's just a cub after all and does not have any experience in cheering others up or helping them feel better when they're like this.
No! Maulisho will /not/ allow this to happen! In a scolding tone, she berates Nayeli: "After all we talked about, and after what I told you about Kein, you're going to /laugh/ at him?" Not finished, she turns to face her son--or rather, her son's retreating form. "And Kein, I can/not/ believe you said those words! Don't you feel terrible for being so unkind in return?"
For Nayeli, the only word that can describe her reaction to Kein's description of her would be... devastated. She doesn't even realize at first what exactly she did to cause such an angry reaction, but his words cut her to the core. After all her hopes of being his friend, and /especially/ after her conversation with Maulisho... this? Tears spring to her eyes, but she does not cry. No... she simply stands rooted to the spot, gaping as Kein begins to walk away. The adult's words are barely heard, as they are drowned out by the single phrase uttered by Kein, repeating itself over and over in her mind. Stupid girl. Afraid of trees. Stupid girl. Afraid of trees. Stupid... How could she have been so naive in hoping that he'd want to be her friend? Finally she does move... running in the direction of home. Of safety and security. And the tears finally do start, streaming down her muzzlefur as she tries to outrun the echo of the words. Stupid girl. Afraid of trees.
Doesn't Kein feel terrible? Sure he does, but not because of what he said, not yet. He's too busy feeling terrible because his friend laughed at him, because he was stupid and got tricked by a mouse and made a fool of himself in front of Nayeli... And Chandani, but mostly Nayeli, who he has known longer. Normally, his mom's tone would be enough to stop him midstep, but he has to get /away/, and he can't reveal the fact that he's crying. He hopes, fervently, that his mom will ignore him, leave him alone to take Nayeli and Chandani home, and not punish him for what he said until later. Of course, he doesn't expect to get away from this completely, given his mom's tone, but maybe it can be delayed.
Chandani sees her sister taking off for home and she remembers coming here before on her own. Not sure about Nayeli feeling bad for Kein her sister too. Chandani then runs off after her sister not wanting Nayeli to get lost.
Feeling disappointed, frustrated, angry, annoyed, and just about every other negative emotion as well, Maulisho storms after both of the girls, intending to at least see them safely back to their home, before she comes back to give her son A Talking To. Growling, she tries to think of how she's going to explain this to Chesmu. The good news? She knows what was wrong with Kein. The bad news? Now there's something wrong with both Kein AND Nayeli. Granted, fights aren't impossible to foresee for young cubs, but still... it doesn't make it any easier to deal with when it actually happens.
Kein – Male Cougar Cub
Nayeli – Female Cougar Cub
Chandani – Female Cougar Cub
Maulisho – Female Cougar
The last nearly twenty-four hours has not been highly productive... But it was reasonably relaxing, something the young male needed, after the stress of trying to save his friend and her sister from their villainous father and the disappointment that came from missing Mom teaching Nayeli how to climb. The last thing he wanted to do was focus on what should be the concerns of adults. As Kein wakes up from a late nap, he is met with the sight of Nayeli napping nearby. Only now does he realize that his absolute avoidance of his issue with the chieftain may cause trouble, since they'll probably have to go home within a few hours if he doesn't figure out something.
Sure enough, Nayeli is sleeping in relatively close proximity to her friend, looking completely at rest. No dreams or any kind of disturbance have marred her sleep, and her sides indicate a very slow and relaxed breathing.
The other female cub Chandani slowly opens her eyes letting out a soft yawn and stretches out as she wakes up from a nap off her own.
Kein perks his ears towards the sound of another cub waking up. Normally, that would mean that playtime is about to start again, which would be cause for celebration. His mood remains somber, though. In a better, mood, he might turn his attention toward actively waking Nayeli. As it is, he simply rolls to his feet and looks around for the other one. When he spots Chandani, he says, "Hey." His voice is quiet, though not so quiet that Nayeli would be unable to hear it. If she's close to waking up, then he won't feel bad for waking her, but he's not /trying/ to wake her.
There doesn't appear to be any response from the still-sleeping girlcub. Her breathing doesn't change rhythm, and she doesn't stir at all. For all intents and purposes, it appears that Nayeli is still fast asleep.
Chandani turns towards Kein when he talks to her and returns the greeting, "Hi Kein." Trying not to say it loud enough to wake up her sister.
Kein told Chandani yesterday that he wasn't sure if they'd be going home today. And now... With a sigh, he asks, "Do you think... If you stayed the night again, do you think your mom would get upset?" They can't go back yet, but they have to find a more permanent solution, too... Which is going to require Mom's help.
Chandani keeps her attention on Kein, "I have no idea. I think it might be alright." She says but to be honest the cub is not really too sure. "I would like to stay another night here."
Kein is silent for a moment after Chandani speaks, his eyes on the ground as he thinks. After a while, he says, "I think my mom will be okay with it too, but... I better go ask... If Nayeli wakes up, can you let her know where I went?" He doesn't want his friend to think he abandoned her away from her home because he's not here when she wakes up.
There's no need to ask Chandani, because Nayeli finally does just that: wake up. Blinking as she realizes that she's not alone, she lets out a small yawn before rolling over onto her paws and jumping up. Looks to be plenty of energy in /this/ particular young one. "Hi Kein! Did you sleep well?" Her eyes flick over to her sister. "Did he teach you how to climb a tree, Chandani? He's a great teacher, isn't he?" Nayeli is all smiles, sounding quite a bit more enthusiastic than yesterday.
Chandani blinks her eyes as she turns to face her sister seeming puzzled, "I still need to learn how to climb a tree." The cub answers her sister's question. "Do you like climbing?"
Kein turns around to look at Nayeli when she speaks. He begins to nod to her question, but he is stopped when she begins speaking to Chandani, and as he realizes what she's saying, he stares. Him? He's a horrible teacher! He frowns, not sure what to say. Chandani kind of answers for him by saying she still needs to learn, but the way she says it, it just sounds like they didn't get around to it, which isn't very truthful. "I'm not good at teaching Nayeli." And she /knows/ that, or should. So why is she trying to embarrass him?
The girlcub looks absolutely baffled. "What do you /mean/, you aren't good at teaching?" Nayeli sounds genuinely mystified. "Sure you are! You taught me how to climb trees!" Why didn't he teach Chandani? Maybe he just hasn't gotten around to it yet... yeah. That must be it. But why would he say that he's not good at teaching? Maybe he's just being humble? He looks pretty depressed, instead. Nayeli cocks her head, looking at her friend with no small amount of puzzlement. What's wrong with Kein?
Chandani turns her head to face Kein and waits for him to answer Nayeli's question wondering what they are going to do about the whole situation that she's been told about. Not wanting to say anything since the question was directed at the male cub.
Kein narrows his eyes. Is she trying to make him feel better? It's not working. He's not going to become a better teacher y lying and saying he's already good. At least as confused as Nayeli is, he says, "No I didn't. My mom did, yesterday." When he tried, he failed terribly. Doesn't she remember?
There's a slight pause as Nayeli tries to figure out why Kein keeps insisting that he didn't really teach her. "Your mom didn't teach me a thing about climbing! What... I mean.. why are you saying this? /You're/ the one who taught me! Don't you remember?" Her expression is quickly degenerating from the earlier bright enthusiasm to almost looking stricken. What's happened to her friend? Why is he being like this?
Chandani turns to face her sister. "Is he really a good teacher?" She asks Nayeli. Then turns back to Kein. Thinking he could be a good teacher trying to figure out what is going on herself but she does not want to pressure the male cub into doing something he does not think he's able to do. That was why she's dropped it the last time.
But... If Mom didn't teach Nayeli how to climb... How did she learn? "You... You couldn't do it when I tried to teach you... If my mom didn't teach you..." Then Nayeli learned on her own? How come she could get up the tree yesterday, but not when he tried to teach her? None of it makes sense to Kein. When his mom taught him, he did it that day, not days later.
Aha! Now it makes perfect sense! Poor Kein... no wonder he thought he was a bad teacher! "Kein.. I'm sorry." Nayeli looks as though she can't decide whether to laugh or cry. "That was my fault. You did a great job teaching me... I just.. well... I wasn't able to do it. I /knew/ how to, but..." Her ears flatten slightly as the girl hangs her head. "I was just too scared to do it. That's what your mom helped me with." The irony of being helped with a fear problem by who she views as The Scary is lost on the girl, but there's always hope that she might catch on to that humorous little tidbit later on.
Chandani flattens her ears back, "Can someone teach me how to climb trees sometime?" She asks hopefully. Then waits for the answer hoping it is yes.
So... Kein was actually successful? He continues staring at Nayeli for a moment, trying to decide if she's telling the truth. She doesn't /seem/ to be lying, just trying to make him feel better more. As he decides to believe her, at least for now, he offers her a slight smile. Maybe he's not a horrible teacher after all, in which case... Maybe it's not such a big deal that Mom sent him away yesterday! He glances back to Chandani, answering her question with, "I guess I can try..." It's a huge step up from yesterday, when he wasn't even going to make an attempt.
Yay, he smiled! Nayeli immediately looks relieved, and, perking up, she nods enthusiastically at Kein's acceptance of Chandani's request. He'll do a great job, of course, and then all three of them can climb trees together! "This'll be fun!" is her joyful response. Slapping her forepaws down on the ground, Nayeli looks from Kein to Chandani back to Kein... and then to one of the nearby trees. "How about that one?" Or... maybe she should let Kein pick a good one, seeing that /he's/ the teacher here. Oops.
Chandani turns to face the tree Nayeli is talking about, then turns to face Kein again. Waiting to see what he has to say since he is the one who is doing the teaching here.
Of course, if Chandani can't learn either, this could ruin it all... Why can't he just feel okay about his teaching abilities for a couple hours before putting them to the test again. Kein takes a deep breath, then nods. "Okay. Let's try." He begins walking towards the tree that Nayeli pointed out. He's not as enthusiastic as when he showed Nayeli, but he /is/ willing to give this teaching thing another shot.
Though the cubs almost surely have not noticed her, Maulisho is calmly watching them from her relaxed perch on top of the tallest rock column in the clearing. While she wasn't close enough to hear everything being said, from the looks of things it was fairly obvious what was being discussed. She's glad to see Kein at least willing to try and teach Chandani, and she's fairly certain that he'll make a good showing of himself. Maybe Chandani will have the same difficult with fear that Nayeli did... but maybe not. The next few minutes will show, and Maulisho settles back to watch.
Chandani makes her way over towards the tree feeling excited about finally learning how to climb trees hoping she does Kein proud.
If Kein knew that Mom is watching, he might be even more nervous, more reluctant. As it is, he has little to lose. He has told both Nayeli and Chandani that he can't teach. If he fails... Well, he /told/ them. Stepping up to the tree, he stands to place his forelegs on the truck, digging his claws as deeply into the wood as he can. "All you do is put your claws into the tree, like this... Then you use your legs to pull you up. After you're up, do the same with your back legs, and then start climbing... One leg atta time." Little changes from the way he tried to explain it to Nayeli.
Chandani watches Kein and appears to be nervously and then she tries to put her claws into the tree when she thinks that her claws are in deep enough she tries to pull herself up and loses her grip the paws slid down and hit the ground apparently they were not in deep enough. But she does not want to give up hoping that Kein does not get disappointed.
Kein /does/ get disappointed when Chandani slips down, not with her, but with himself. He /is/ a bad teacher! It's not supposed to take this long to learn. Trying hard to hide his frown, like he did when he failed to teach Nayeli, he says, "Just... Try again, 'kay? You'll get it this time." Nayeli’s problem was fear... Maybe it's important to have confidence. It's not enough to know others can do it. Maybe you have to /know/ you can do it, too. Of course, Kein never had problems with confidence when he was younger. Those only developed after he returned from the encounter with that wolf, and were strengthened when he thought he failed at teaching.
Chandani digs her claws into the tree again and tries to calm down. Then uses her legs she starts to pull herself up trying to think about what the male cub told her. "Like this?"
Now that she knows what climbing trees both looks like and feels like, Nayeli silently encourages Chandani to gain the confidence needed to lift one's self off of the firm ground. It's not easy to do, for sure! There's definite eagerness in the girlcub's demeanor... even impatience, perhaps. Once Chandani can climb, then they all can! She'll have to really take some time to figure out games that they can play with this additional factor to consider. Any frustration on Kein's part is not really noticed--as far as Nayeli is concerned, he's doing his normal great job at teaching.
Some of Kein's normal enthusiasm returns as Chandani starts to lift herself off the ground. He nods quickly and says, "Yeah, just like that!" Just keep doin' it 'til you get to a branch." It takes a different set of muscles than is generally required for walking, and it takes some practice to make it easier, he knows. The first time he climbed a tree, he didn't get very far. But she /is/ starting to climb.
Chandani tries to climb a little more then she loses her grip and falls down on the ground not getting to far up. This climbing trees stuff is hard. Luckily she did not have too far to fall because she was still close to the ground and lands on her feet. Then lets out a soft sigh.
"C'mon, Chandani!" Nayeli finally allows her encouragement to become verbal. "Keep trying!" At least her sister is doing a lot better than Nayeli when /she/ first learned. She couldn't even get off the ground at all! Suddenly she realizes that the three of them aren't alone anymore. Turning her head, her eyes grow wide at the sudden realization that Kein's mom is /right/ /there/! How'd she sneak up on them like that? "...Hi?" she greets, almost curiously. What could the cougaress possibly want with them this time?
Kein lowers himself to the ground after Chandani slips. He slipped a few times the first time he climbed a tree. He just always managed to catch himself before falling to the ground. He's about to say that it'll just take more practice when he hears Nayeli speak again, greeting someone, which causes him to turn around. Naturally, he recognizes his mom immediately, but he doesn't say anything. How long has she been watching and listening to them?
Chandani is about to try again when she hears Nayeli greeting someone and like the others her head also turns to see who Nayeli is talking to and spots Maul. "Hi." Chandani says in greeting to her.
There's a subtle grin on the cougaress' muzzle as she gazes at the three cubs. They had /no/ idea she was coming, and there's something about the element of surprise that lends itself to mischievousness. But not at this place and time--no, she came over to see if she could be of assistance. "Hello to all of you! How's Kein been as a teacher so far?"
He's been great! Nayeli wants to answer, but she knows that the question wasn't directed to her. But.. she /does/ want to answer, though! Instead, she manages to exercise at least enough self-control to look over toward her sister instead, waiting for her response. Say that Kein is a great teacher! You know that he is! C'mon! He taught you how to climb!
Neither was the question directed to Kein himself, so he continues to be quiet, looking between Mom and Chandani. He knows how Nayeli would answer, but he has no idea how Chandani will, and he's moderately nervous. He never even would have tried if Nayeli hadn't insisted, and then Mom wouldn't have been watching him try to teach, and Chandani /started/ to climb. He /tried/ to teach her, and /almost/ succeeded. But what if she doesn't see it that way?
Chandani keeps her attention on Maulisho and seems excited at the moment, "He was a great teacher he did a good job teaching me." She admits since she did climb a little and still has to practice which the cub does intend to do hoping Kein does like the news.
Maulisho gives her son a pleased smile, proud of him for his good work. "There's plenty more for you all to learn about climbing, but you have a good start with learning about trees." Flicking her tail, she stretches a little, then asks, "Are you about ready to head on back? Kein, you are certainly welcome to come as well, and say your goodbyes when we get back to their home."
Uh oh. Nayeli doesn't /want/ to go home now, but if Kein's mom says that it's that time, then there's not much they can do about it. The only problem is... what about Daddy? She flashes a worried look at Kein, hoping that he'll say something to his mom to let her know just how bad the chieftain has become.
Kein frowns at the question that his mother asks now. Right before Nayeli woke up, he was going to go ask if they could spend another night here. Now he's out of time. "Ummmm... They don't have to go back yet, do they, Mom? Can't they stay another day, please?" Nothing is said about the reason he wants them to stay. Not yet. Hopefully this alone will work.
Chandani turns to face Kein and sighs she was hoping he'd say something about the chieftain being bad too. She's not looking forward to going back home herself. When he does not say anything about Chesmu she looks back to face Maulisho. Because Chandani did tell Kein that she's not going to say anything about it, and the cub does plan on keeping her word to the male cub. Hoping that the answer is yes.
"I know that you want them to stay longer, but remember that their family misses them while they're over here. They can come back soon, but they do need to go back now." Maulisho hmms for a second, then adds, "I can ask their father how soon he'll let them come back over, okay?" That's a fair compromise, no? The cougaress stretches again, obviously preparing for a nice walk through Amaranth territory.
This is not good! If Daddy really is as bad as Kein has told her, then Nayeli doesn't want to go back! Her eyes look pleadingly at Kein, begging him to do something or say something or somehow figure out how to keep them safe. If he can teach them how to climb trees, then surely he can do /something/ to get them out of this potentially terrible situation!
No, that's not a fair compromise! Chesmu is evil, and Kein knows it, and Chesmu knows that Kein knows it. He might never let his daughters come back! "They... They can't go back yet! Please, Mom, don't make them go." No tone his mother could use would get him to drop the subject now. This is as important as anything the young male has ever argued, he's sure of it. Chandani and Nayeli /have/ to stay here, where it's safe. Temporarily safe, but still safe.
Chandani gets a feeling of horror at the thought that she has to go back home. She tries her best to hide her feelings especially if what Kein told them is true. She's not looking forward to going back home. Not back to her bad father that is if it's true and he really is evil. Chandani turns to face Kein's direction when he begs his mother to let them stay. Waiting to find out what happens hoping he can persuade Maulisho to let them stay.
Maulisho is just about ready to head off, but something in her son's protest makes her stop and give him a curious stare. "What do you mean, 'they can't go back yet'? What's wrong?" If it was a simple protest that he just wanted them to stay longer to play, or to teach them something else, or something along those lines... that'd be another issue altogether. But... Kein seems to be arguing that they /can't/ go back, rather than that they /shouldn't/ go back.
Kein takes a deep breath. He wanted more time to decide how to go about handling this, but because Mom doesn't want to let them spend the night again, he doesn't have that time. Peering at the ground, he eventually says, "They can't go back... Because it's not safe..." He brings his eyes up from the ground to look at the other two cubs and his mom. Yes, he told Chandani not to tell anyone... But now that he has to explain himself to his mother, he wouldn't mind some backup. There's definitely some guilt in the young male's expression, in addition to the many other things he's feeling.
Chandani looks over towards Kein then back to face Maul nervously trying to think about rather or not to say anything. Then lets out a soft sigh, "From my understanding it is bad." Is all she says for now. Waiting to see if Kein wants her to say anything else unless he decides to tell her.
Maulisho's expression turns much more serious. This must be what Chesmu had told her about earlier; odd behavior from her son, for sure. He's always been brave and willing to try things and go places that his siblings wouldn't... for him to say something isn't safe is no small matter. Looking from one cub to the next, Maulisho finally nods once, and sits down. "Okay, then. I'm listening... why is it not safe for you two girls to go back home? I'll be with you the whole way, so you shouldn't have anything to worry about."
"Because of.." Nayeli starts to speak, but stops suddenly at the realization of what she's doing. Can she really tell Kein's mom that Daddy is a bad cougar? What would happen? Would Daddy find out and punish her? Or worse... punish all three of them? Best to let Kein be their representative--after all, he /is/ the one who first told them about it...
It would seem that not much help is forthcoming. Kein takes another deep breath before looking up at his Mom. He tries to keep eye contact with her as speaks, but it's not the easiest thing to do. "Their dad is a bad cougar, Mommy... And they can't go back, 'cause... 'Cause he's trying to make us be bad, too..." He doesn't have much hope that she'll believe him without specific examples, and the more he tells her, then closer he'll get to having to tell her that /he/ chased a mouse too...
Chandani looks over towards Maulisho, "Kein told us about it." She says talking about Nayeli and herself. Appearing to be nervous and scared as she waits to see the adult's reaction to what she's just been told.
And here Maulisho was expecting something along the lines of a monster waiting for them, or... just... something other than what Kein has just said. Chesmu is a bad cougar? He certainly has his faults, but who doesn't? Although she wants to laugh in relief, Maulisho does her best to remain serious, if for no other reason than to convince her son that she's taking him seriously. "And why do you say that he's a bad cougar? He's been one of my best friends for a long time now, not to mention he /is/ the chieftain. What makes him so bad, and how is he trying to make /you/ bad?"
Daddy never said anything about being one of Maulisho's best friends. This new bit of information is uncomfortably received by Nayeli, who doesn't like the idea of both adults being friends, considering that one is good and one is bad. There's more she wants to say, but she knows that Kein has all the important information, so she lets him do the explaining.
Kein knew that Mom and the chief were close friends. That's part of what is making this so hard. He thinks that Chandani and Nayeli almost didn't believe him. How skeptical is Mom going to be? "When... The last time that I went with him... He took me a /long/ way away... And then... He killed a mouse." There's a very short pause, then he adds, "/And/ he tried to make me eat it." Mom hasn't taught him that mice are bad, yet, maybe because she hasn't taken him hunting yet, and taught him what to hunt and what not to hunt. And now, as far as Kein believes, she's going to ask him how he knows mice are bad, since she hasn't gotten around to teaching him yet, and then he'll have to tell her...
Chandani did know that dad knows Maulisho she's heard the name Maul before. But why would a nice cougaress be friends with a evil chieftain? Figuring that Maul probably does not even know Chesmu is bad until now. Looking to be more worried than before. She does not want to get in trouble.
/Very/ interesting. That fits exactly with what Chesmu already told her. But, it still doesn't answer the question of /why/ Kein is acting and talking like this. Maulisho is pretty sure she knows the answer. "Kein, dear, I know you're worried that Chesmu might be trying to get you to do something that I wouldn't approve of. I'm sorry I haven't been able to do much hunting with you like I should be doing."
And just like that, everything's out in the open. But to Nayeli's surprise, Kein's mother doesn't seem to be too overly concerned. Maybe she just didn't hear all of what Kein, or...? Hello? Her daddy is bad, and Maulisho doesn't seem to pay it much attention! "Dontcha see how Daddy is bad?" she pipes up, trying to support Kein's testimony. "He /killed/ a /mouse/!" There! Sufficient evidence to convict!
Kein stares at his mom as she responds. He has just told her that the chief did something /really/ bad, and... She apologizes? For not taking him hunting? The young male is confused, and he doesn't say anything immediately. Nayeli repeats the important part of Kein's story, anyway. His eyes remain on his mother. Why isn't she upset about this? Why would it be okay for Chesmu to kill a mouse, but when he was going to do so, the mouse was going to come talk to his mom and get him in trouble?
Chandani turns over to face Maulisho seeming puzzled as to why she's not upset or angry and when Nayeli repeats it. The other female cub puts in, "That is why dad is bad!" She says. Which is according to the story. "Dad also told me that they are food." She adds to get the point across.
There's still something not right here. Why are the cubs still insistent that something is dreadfully wrong? Something related to this whole mouse incident. Chesmu is bad because he killed a mouse and said that they are food? Why would Kein think that that was wrong? "Kein, I'm.. I'm not sure I'm following you. Why does killing and eating a mouse make Chesmu a bad chieftain?" No wonder the chieftain was so puzzled by Kein's behavior enough to come and tell Maulisho about it!
Nayeli's jaw drops and the girlcub stares at Kein's mom in horrified disbelief. Did she really just say that?! She doesn't seriously believe the same thing that Daddy does... does she? That would be terrible!
Kein continues staring at his mother. She's really smart... And she also loves him. Even when he does bad things. Maybe she doesn't want him to feel bad about what he did, and she knows that's the only way he could know that chasing and hurting mice is bad. But Chesmu is bad, and it's dangerous for all of them to stay under his rule here... With a sigh, he says, "I know that it's bad to hurt mouses, Mommy... Even though you didn't tell me yet, I know... And I'm sorry... But... I don't wanna be bad like Chesmu... And I don't want him to make everyone else bad." Surely she can see how important this is? He could never believe his mom is evil, though. Never.
Chandani turns to face Kein when he comes right out and explains that it is bad to eat mice. She turns to face Maulisho when Kein is done speaking. "I do not want to be bad either." She says honestly thinking it seems like the right thing to say. Hoping that Kein's mother understands it now that the chieftain is bad because off that.
Finally, they're getting somewhere. Maulisho looks a lot more relaxed now that she knows that they're dealing with a simple misunderstanding of facts, rather than a real danger waiting for them. Forging ahead, Maulisho asks the key question: "Why do you think it's bad to hurt mice?" Yes, it's 'mice', not 'mouses'. A mini-lesson.
If the question had been posed to Nayeli, her simple response would have been: "Because Kein told me!" Not because her dad told her. He doesn't tell her nearly as much as she wants to know, so that's yet another reason she's grateful for Kein's willingness to be friends with her--he knows so much! But... how /does/ Kein know that it's bad to hurt mouses--err.. to hurt mice? If his mom didn't tell him that, then how did he find out?
Kein knew that this question was coming. She didn't tell him, so how did he find out? Kein lowers his head to stare at the ground again, and he shuffles his paws slightly. It doesn't matter that he didn't know that it was bad when he did it. He still did something bad. "I didn't wanna tell you, because... I've been /trying/ to be good, Mommy, really... I... I didn't want you upset with me again." Kein sighs, then continues. "I chased a mouse a little bit ago... And he was gonna come tell you, but I begged him not to, because it won't happen again, I promise!"
Chandani looks over towards Kein she has been told about it and then turns back to fix her gaze on his mother Maulisho worried not wanting Kein to get in trouble. Remaining silent for the moment unable to think off anything she could say to help.
Blinkblink. Whoa... the /mouse/ told Kein that it was going to come and tell her? What in the world...? "You aren't in trouble, Kein, but I do want you to tell me exactly what happened. It's hard to understand when I don't have all of the details." Her tail curls around her hindquarters. "I know that you're trying to be good, and that makes me really proud of you. But you need to remember that sometimes being good means that you need to tell me when something happens like this, especially if it has made you three so worried and concerned like this!"
Nayeli's own eyes flick over from Kein's mom to Kein himself. /He/ chased a mouse too? No wonder he was so afraid to tell his mom! The girlcub dreads hearing what punishment will be inflicted upon her friend, but it causes her immense relief to hear the adult cougaress try to alleviate those fears by saying that Kein really isn't in trouble. Whew. Now he can at least tell the rest of the story and explain to his mother why killing mice is bad.
Kein isn't in trouble yet, but he doesn't trust that some part of his story won't get him in trouble after he tells it. It's too late to keep it a secret like he hoped, though. He continues staring at the ground, and his voice is quiet as he tries to explain what happened. "Pel and Ruut'h were sleeping, and I was bored... And trying to have fun... And I saw a mouse, and I started chasing him. I didn't know it was bad. But he told me, and when I apologized and promised him it would never happen again, he said he wouldn't come tell you what I did, 'cause he said he knew I learned my lesson, and didn't hafta be punished more." And after the last time Kein got into trouble, he was all too eager to accept that deal with the mouse.
Chandani sighs with relief upon hearing that Kein is not in trouble. She's heard the story already but she's still not sure as to why it is bad to kill a mouse. So Chandani turns her head to face Kein as he tells it again to Maulisho. She then turns her attention back to face Kein's mother. "He told me that too. He did not want me to tell anyone. I told him, I would not and planned on keeping my word." She adds then looks down feeling like she might get in trouble for trying to keep that secret.
For a long moment Maulisho is silent, gazing at her son. Now it all makes sense. She finds it completely humorous but at the same time she can (sort of) understand why Kein would become so upset. Time for a moment of potentially awkward teaching. "Kein, you said that... the /mouse/ told you this?" Without giving him much of a chance to respond she continues: "Think about what really happened. You were chasing a mouse, and apparently it realized that you were going to catch it and eat it, because that's what cougars do. It decided to trick you--" Erf. That might have sounded a bit too demeaning. "--or rather, it decided to try and confuse you." Maulisho hopes that Kein is following her logic here. "If you /had/ killed the mouse, of course it wouldn't be able to come tell me. And even if you had just caught it but let it go, it never would have come to me, period. A mouse knows that a cougar will eat it without hesitation, because they are a tasty source of food."
She may not be the smartest cub that ever lived, but even Nayeli can understand Maulisho's explanation. Kein was chasing a mouse, and then got persuaded into believing he was doing the wrong thing... by the mouse itself. The girl lets out a loud giggle, more out of relief than amusement. So, if Maulisho is really correct about this, then Kein really didn't do anything wrong after all! And not only that, but her daddy isn't bad either! Everything's back to normal and fine now, /plus/ she's learned that mice are sneaky and tricky... but apparently delicious food at the same time! Even though she and Chandani have to go home now that the explanation seems to be over and done with, Nayeli is at least excited to know that she won't have to be suspicious or worried about her dad. In fact, maybe he'll pay her more attention now that she knows something important: mice are tasty-sneaky-food!
Wait... The mouse tricked him? No way! It was so serious, and it was gonna tell Mom, really! Kein stares at his mother after her explanation. His eyes are still on Mom when Nayeli giggles, and all of a sudden he flattens his ears against his head. Not only did a mouse fool him, but she's laughing at him because of it! He didn't laugh at her when she couldn't climb a tree, or when it took her forever to track his scent, or when she tripped while they were racing, but /she's/ laughing. /At him/, or so he thinks. After the stress of the past week or so, and especially the past day, that giggling is a little more than the young male can handle. Fighting back angry tears at the fact that he was tricked by such a tiny creature, he lifts his head just slightly, so he can look at Nayeli. If he walks or runs away, one of them is going to follow him, and he needs to tend his wounded pride in private, right now. "At least I'm not some stupid girl who is afraid of /trees/!" There's definitely anger in his tone, but he's not as angry with her as he'd like to be. Most of his anger is because he has done something to make her laugh at him. If he could be more honest, he would have just told all three of them to stay away from him while he sulks for a while, but cubs aren't renowned for their honesty, and the giggling from his only friend /does/ cut at him. He doesn't wait for any response before he turns to walk away from them. No, he does /not/ want to walk with them to their home, just so they can make fun of him on the way there.
Chandani cannot help but giggle a little too knowing if her daddy says mice are food and Maulisho seems to be saying the same thing. She feels safe to go back home herself after learning the lesson she just did the fears and worries are no longer there and now she knows that mice are tricky and sneaky she'll try not to fall for it if she's ever to come face to face with one. Along with the thought that they are tasty she is kinda looking forward to eating one now. The cub does feel better knowing that the chieftain is not bad after all. Then she stops when she hears what Kein just said to her sister. She feels bad for Kein and wants to go after him to try and help him feel better but /how?/ she's just a cub after all and does not have any experience in cheering others up or helping them feel better when they're like this.
No! Maulisho will /not/ allow this to happen! In a scolding tone, she berates Nayeli: "After all we talked about, and after what I told you about Kein, you're going to /laugh/ at him?" Not finished, she turns to face her son--or rather, her son's retreating form. "And Kein, I can/not/ believe you said those words! Don't you feel terrible for being so unkind in return?"
For Nayeli, the only word that can describe her reaction to Kein's description of her would be... devastated. She doesn't even realize at first what exactly she did to cause such an angry reaction, but his words cut her to the core. After all her hopes of being his friend, and /especially/ after her conversation with Maulisho... this? Tears spring to her eyes, but she does not cry. No... she simply stands rooted to the spot, gaping as Kein begins to walk away. The adult's words are barely heard, as they are drowned out by the single phrase uttered by Kein, repeating itself over and over in her mind. Stupid girl. Afraid of trees. Stupid girl. Afraid of trees. Stupid... How could she have been so naive in hoping that he'd want to be her friend? Finally she does move... running in the direction of home. Of safety and security. And the tears finally do start, streaming down her muzzlefur as she tries to outrun the echo of the words. Stupid girl. Afraid of trees.
Doesn't Kein feel terrible? Sure he does, but not because of what he said, not yet. He's too busy feeling terrible because his friend laughed at him, because he was stupid and got tricked by a mouse and made a fool of himself in front of Nayeli... And Chandani, but mostly Nayeli, who he has known longer. Normally, his mom's tone would be enough to stop him midstep, but he has to get /away/, and he can't reveal the fact that he's crying. He hopes, fervently, that his mom will ignore him, leave him alone to take Nayeli and Chandani home, and not punish him for what he said until later. Of course, he doesn't expect to get away from this completely, given his mom's tone, but maybe it can be delayed.
Chandani sees her sister taking off for home and she remembers coming here before on her own. Not sure about Nayeli feeling bad for Kein her sister too. Chandani then runs off after her sister not wanting Nayeli to get lost.
Feeling disappointed, frustrated, angry, annoyed, and just about every other negative emotion as well, Maulisho storms after both of the girls, intending to at least see them safely back to their home, before she comes back to give her son A Talking To. Growling, she tries to think of how she's going to explain this to Chesmu. The good news? She knows what was wrong with Kein. The bad news? Now there's something wrong with both Kein AND Nayeli. Granted, fights aren't impossible to foresee for young cubs, but still... it doesn't make it any easier to deal with when it actually happens.