Post by Therdde on Oct 9, 2008 18:42:24 GMT -5
Characters:
Maulisho - Female Cougar
Kein - Male Adolescent Cougar
- Deep Crevice -
That was definitely not something Maulisho expected to see--Nayeli heading out of the crevice, first thing. Maul had just taken over Kasim's watch, allowing him to finally get to sleep, and only a few minutes later, Nayeli left and started heading off toward the south. A few questions later, and Maulisho let her continue onward while the cougaress headed into the crevice. She wants to talk to her son. "Kein?" she calls softly, squeezing inside.
Kein is lying down inside the cave, but he was only partially sleeping, and he looks up as his mother says his name. He responds, simply, with "Hi Mom." His restlessness has not really returned, but even so, after greeting her, he sits up. His head is so much closer to the top of the cave now that it used to be when he was younger, but at least it is not /too/ terribly cramped.
Maulisho comes right over to where her son is and lies down next to him. In a cave this cramped, why not enjoy the closeness? "How are you feeling?" she asks, before beginning to groom any still-matted fur she can find around his visible injuries. Kein is definitely looking better, both physically and emotionally. After what happened, Maul was afraid that he would lose his confidence and youthful vitality.
"I feel better." And, since Kein was not privy to the conversation that Mom had with Nayeli, he says, "Nayeli went to find her brother." And either bring him back here or just talk to him and bring what they talk about back. Kein doesn't particularly care which. He just hopes that, no matter who tells him how the conversation between Chesmu and Yuma went, it is good news. How he would define good news, though... He's not so sure about that.
Maulisho nods simply, "I talked with her briefly before she left." Whatever news or report she brings back, Maul can only hope that it's encouraging for both of the adolescents. Groomgroom. "I'm glad you're still feeling better; I was a little concerned the trip over here might be a bit much for you." She pauses and smiles. "But I should have known you wouldn't let a little walk get the best of you." Her smile widens, nearly becoming mischievous. "Especially with Nayeli watching."
Kein purrs softly as his mother grooms him, the gentle contact not causing any of the pain that it did that first day. Thankfully, Nayeli is not here right now, or she might actually get to witness Kein growing slightly flustered at his mother's final statement. Him? Go through hell and suck it up to impress a girl? Okay, well, maybe just a little bit. He certainly doesn't linger on the subject. "Anything happen out there last night?" Given how quiet it has been, Kein doubts it.
"You know I'm just teasing you, right?" Maulisho laughs softly and grooms some more. After a few seconds pass, she pauses long enough to shake her head. "Nope. It was as silent as the desert. No wind or anything." Almost creepy. Maulisho goes back to grooming, not so much because Kein needs cleaning as much as she just wants to reassure him that they're making sure he's taken care of. And not just at a distance, which staying outside all the time might appear to be. She's personally interested in how her son is doing, and so she tries to show that.
Kein knows she was teasing him, just doesn't know why it embarrasses him more than when Nayeli was teasing him. He doesn't mention it, though, because it doesn't particularly upset him. After all, he could be off well to the north somewhere, far away from where his mother could be talking to him. He'd prefer to have her teasing him over not being able to speak with her at all any time. After she mentions how quiet it is outside, he lies back down and leans his head against her gently, still purring softly, before he answers, "Good." He really doesn't want his family to have to fight to protect him, after all.
As she's always been fond of doing, Maulisho drops a paw over her son's back, and nudges her head back at his. "You know, I never thought the two of us would ever end up back in here like this." There's a sound that is suspiciously close to a giggle. "I'm surprised we even /fit/! I mean, with you getting so big and all..." Purr. "Pel wants to talk to you in a bit. I think he's anxious to see how you're doing."
Kein's purring fades a little bit when his mother mentions that Pel wants to talk to him. Pel hasn't really seen him yet, at least not that Kein knows of. Maybe when he was sleeping, but... Now that he is not in so much pain, and the desire to be constantly surrounded by his family has lessened, he's not sure he /wants/ his brother seeing him like this, all cooped up and injured and less than whole. The same probably would have been true for Mom, Nayeli, and Kasim, if he hadn't been seen by them before the worst of the pain left him. "Can't you just tell him I'm okay?"
Maulisho sighs inwardly at his response. "I can, if that's what you really want me to do. I know that he's been worried and would love to hear from you how you're doing." Is Kein afraid of pity from his quieter brother? As far as she knows, Pel only wants to offer his own support and encouragment. Hmm. Maybe something else is bothering Kein?
Kein doesn't say anything else immediately. He just rests against his mother. He could probably spend ten minutes just talking about the reasons he doesn't want Pelutho to see him. Since his mother says Pel would really want to, though... "Maybe tonight, okay?" In the cave, when it's dark outside... One of Kein's main fears with Nayeli was vanity, that she wouldn't ever want to look at him again. That really isn't the case with Pelutho. He just doesn't want his brother to see him in a weakened state, to have more fear added to the many fears his brother already has.
Maulisho gives an affirmative "Mmm." If that's the best she can get for Pel, then so be it. She falls silent, just content to enjoy the time with her older son. So many unknowns, yet at least they can enjoy each other's company. She'd love to just rest here for a long time, but.. Kasim /is/ asleep outside, and she's supposed to be on watch. "I need to get back outside so Kasim isn't sleeping all by himself." It's spoken with reluctance, as she really /doesn't/ want to leave.
Kein frowns at this. But... She practically just got here, and if things were quiet all night... And Chesmu probably doesn't know where they've gone anyway... "Can't you just stay a little while longer?" He's certainly no more eager for her to leave than she is, especially since Nayeli is gone and he doesn't know how soon she'll be returning.
"I'd love to Kein--you know I do." Maulisho grimaces, then slowly gets to her paws. "But I don't know what Chesmu will try in revenge, and I have no doubt that he /can/ track our scent here, if he tries." Her hackles raise slightly. "I will not have him attack Kasim in his sleep. Chesmu's already hurt you. I'm /not/ going to let him hurt my mate." Some of the fire in her voice dies down as she starts toward the entrance. "You'll understand some day, Kein, if.." Maulisho pauses and turns her head around. "..you ever have a mate some day." Before, she was teasing him when talking about Nayeli. But now, she doesn't mention anyone else and there's no humor whatsoever in her voice. Only seriousness. And, perhaps, a touch of earnestness.
Kein is still frowning, but he at least nods his head slightly. He does understand, already, and even though he wants to spend more time with her, he's not about to make a fuss over it. "Okay, but... When he wakes up, will you come back?" She /might/ let him join her outside, but... Well, Pel is out there too, so he doesn't even bother to ask. Maybe tomorrow. If he has to be injured and stuck in Amaranth territory, he at least wants to spend as much time with his mother as possible, since he's not sure how long it will last.
Maulisho smiles, still standing in the crevice entrance. The fact that Kein wants to spend time with her to the point of almost pestering her.. she finds that touching. "Of course I can, provided there's room in here. I might even take a nap if that won't disturb you at all." This is, of course, assuming Nayeli won't have returned by then, as Maul isn't sure if she'd be able to fit in here /and/ get some sleep with both of the adolescents occupying this crowded cave.
"It won't." This reply comes quickly, and though it is followed by a brief pause, during which Kein takes a breath and lowers his head, it isn't much longer before he adds, "I love you, Mom." It feels like it has been forever since he has told her that, and it seems important to say, right now, especially after all she has done for him ever since he got attacked by Chesmu.
She knows that Kein loves her. Why would she ever doubt that? He's done nothing but show loyal support to her throughout everything that's happened. But still, Maulisho is glad to hear those words from her son. "And I love you too, Kein. You know I do." Even if he ends up leaving, she'll still love him. Always. With another smile, she ducks through the opening and heads back outside, leaving nothing but a diminishing silhouette in the bright light.
Kein closes his eyes after his mother leaves. He doubts he'll have much success, but he'll at least /try/ to nap until Nayeli or his mom returns to the cave. At least there isn't a whole lot racing through his head right now, so maybe he'll get lucky and drift off instead of jsut growing more and more restless.
Maulisho - Female Cougar
Kein - Male Adolescent Cougar
- Deep Crevice -
That was definitely not something Maulisho expected to see--Nayeli heading out of the crevice, first thing. Maul had just taken over Kasim's watch, allowing him to finally get to sleep, and only a few minutes later, Nayeli left and started heading off toward the south. A few questions later, and Maulisho let her continue onward while the cougaress headed into the crevice. She wants to talk to her son. "Kein?" she calls softly, squeezing inside.
Kein is lying down inside the cave, but he was only partially sleeping, and he looks up as his mother says his name. He responds, simply, with "Hi Mom." His restlessness has not really returned, but even so, after greeting her, he sits up. His head is so much closer to the top of the cave now that it used to be when he was younger, but at least it is not /too/ terribly cramped.
Maulisho comes right over to where her son is and lies down next to him. In a cave this cramped, why not enjoy the closeness? "How are you feeling?" she asks, before beginning to groom any still-matted fur she can find around his visible injuries. Kein is definitely looking better, both physically and emotionally. After what happened, Maul was afraid that he would lose his confidence and youthful vitality.
"I feel better." And, since Kein was not privy to the conversation that Mom had with Nayeli, he says, "Nayeli went to find her brother." And either bring him back here or just talk to him and bring what they talk about back. Kein doesn't particularly care which. He just hopes that, no matter who tells him how the conversation between Chesmu and Yuma went, it is good news. How he would define good news, though... He's not so sure about that.
Maulisho nods simply, "I talked with her briefly before she left." Whatever news or report she brings back, Maul can only hope that it's encouraging for both of the adolescents. Groomgroom. "I'm glad you're still feeling better; I was a little concerned the trip over here might be a bit much for you." She pauses and smiles. "But I should have known you wouldn't let a little walk get the best of you." Her smile widens, nearly becoming mischievous. "Especially with Nayeli watching."
Kein purrs softly as his mother grooms him, the gentle contact not causing any of the pain that it did that first day. Thankfully, Nayeli is not here right now, or she might actually get to witness Kein growing slightly flustered at his mother's final statement. Him? Go through hell and suck it up to impress a girl? Okay, well, maybe just a little bit. He certainly doesn't linger on the subject. "Anything happen out there last night?" Given how quiet it has been, Kein doubts it.
"You know I'm just teasing you, right?" Maulisho laughs softly and grooms some more. After a few seconds pass, she pauses long enough to shake her head. "Nope. It was as silent as the desert. No wind or anything." Almost creepy. Maulisho goes back to grooming, not so much because Kein needs cleaning as much as she just wants to reassure him that they're making sure he's taken care of. And not just at a distance, which staying outside all the time might appear to be. She's personally interested in how her son is doing, and so she tries to show that.
Kein knows she was teasing him, just doesn't know why it embarrasses him more than when Nayeli was teasing him. He doesn't mention it, though, because it doesn't particularly upset him. After all, he could be off well to the north somewhere, far away from where his mother could be talking to him. He'd prefer to have her teasing him over not being able to speak with her at all any time. After she mentions how quiet it is outside, he lies back down and leans his head against her gently, still purring softly, before he answers, "Good." He really doesn't want his family to have to fight to protect him, after all.
As she's always been fond of doing, Maulisho drops a paw over her son's back, and nudges her head back at his. "You know, I never thought the two of us would ever end up back in here like this." There's a sound that is suspiciously close to a giggle. "I'm surprised we even /fit/! I mean, with you getting so big and all..." Purr. "Pel wants to talk to you in a bit. I think he's anxious to see how you're doing."
Kein's purring fades a little bit when his mother mentions that Pel wants to talk to him. Pel hasn't really seen him yet, at least not that Kein knows of. Maybe when he was sleeping, but... Now that he is not in so much pain, and the desire to be constantly surrounded by his family has lessened, he's not sure he /wants/ his brother seeing him like this, all cooped up and injured and less than whole. The same probably would have been true for Mom, Nayeli, and Kasim, if he hadn't been seen by them before the worst of the pain left him. "Can't you just tell him I'm okay?"
Maulisho sighs inwardly at his response. "I can, if that's what you really want me to do. I know that he's been worried and would love to hear from you how you're doing." Is Kein afraid of pity from his quieter brother? As far as she knows, Pel only wants to offer his own support and encouragment. Hmm. Maybe something else is bothering Kein?
Kein doesn't say anything else immediately. He just rests against his mother. He could probably spend ten minutes just talking about the reasons he doesn't want Pelutho to see him. Since his mother says Pel would really want to, though... "Maybe tonight, okay?" In the cave, when it's dark outside... One of Kein's main fears with Nayeli was vanity, that she wouldn't ever want to look at him again. That really isn't the case with Pelutho. He just doesn't want his brother to see him in a weakened state, to have more fear added to the many fears his brother already has.
Maulisho gives an affirmative "Mmm." If that's the best she can get for Pel, then so be it. She falls silent, just content to enjoy the time with her older son. So many unknowns, yet at least they can enjoy each other's company. She'd love to just rest here for a long time, but.. Kasim /is/ asleep outside, and she's supposed to be on watch. "I need to get back outside so Kasim isn't sleeping all by himself." It's spoken with reluctance, as she really /doesn't/ want to leave.
Kein frowns at this. But... She practically just got here, and if things were quiet all night... And Chesmu probably doesn't know where they've gone anyway... "Can't you just stay a little while longer?" He's certainly no more eager for her to leave than she is, especially since Nayeli is gone and he doesn't know how soon she'll be returning.
"I'd love to Kein--you know I do." Maulisho grimaces, then slowly gets to her paws. "But I don't know what Chesmu will try in revenge, and I have no doubt that he /can/ track our scent here, if he tries." Her hackles raise slightly. "I will not have him attack Kasim in his sleep. Chesmu's already hurt you. I'm /not/ going to let him hurt my mate." Some of the fire in her voice dies down as she starts toward the entrance. "You'll understand some day, Kein, if.." Maulisho pauses and turns her head around. "..you ever have a mate some day." Before, she was teasing him when talking about Nayeli. But now, she doesn't mention anyone else and there's no humor whatsoever in her voice. Only seriousness. And, perhaps, a touch of earnestness.
Kein is still frowning, but he at least nods his head slightly. He does understand, already, and even though he wants to spend more time with her, he's not about to make a fuss over it. "Okay, but... When he wakes up, will you come back?" She /might/ let him join her outside, but... Well, Pel is out there too, so he doesn't even bother to ask. Maybe tomorrow. If he has to be injured and stuck in Amaranth territory, he at least wants to spend as much time with his mother as possible, since he's not sure how long it will last.
Maulisho smiles, still standing in the crevice entrance. The fact that Kein wants to spend time with her to the point of almost pestering her.. she finds that touching. "Of course I can, provided there's room in here. I might even take a nap if that won't disturb you at all." This is, of course, assuming Nayeli won't have returned by then, as Maul isn't sure if she'd be able to fit in here /and/ get some sleep with both of the adolescents occupying this crowded cave.
"It won't." This reply comes quickly, and though it is followed by a brief pause, during which Kein takes a breath and lowers his head, it isn't much longer before he adds, "I love you, Mom." It feels like it has been forever since he has told her that, and it seems important to say, right now, especially after all she has done for him ever since he got attacked by Chesmu.
She knows that Kein loves her. Why would she ever doubt that? He's done nothing but show loyal support to her throughout everything that's happened. But still, Maulisho is glad to hear those words from her son. "And I love you too, Kein. You know I do." Even if he ends up leaving, she'll still love him. Always. With another smile, she ducks through the opening and heads back outside, leaving nothing but a diminishing silhouette in the bright light.
Kein closes his eyes after his mother leaves. He doubts he'll have much success, but he'll at least /try/ to nap until Nayeli or his mom returns to the cave. At least there isn't a whole lot racing through his head right now, so maybe he'll get lucky and drift off instead of jsut growing more and more restless.