Post by Mythri on Apr 21, 2009 20:53:30 GMT -5
// Cast
Aylin, female adult cougar
Revan, male adult cougar
Naira, female juvenile cougar
Neena, female juvenile cougar
// Theater
Wooded Terrain
// Scene
Night time is setting in the woods, the last rays of the sun fading from between the branches and through the leaves. Earlier in the day, Aylin had a small but successful hunt of a heafty game bird, letting her children have most of it. She's a little tired, but as her girls dozed she curled around them, paws wrapping around their bodies, and bathed them in silence. Now, she pauses, looking over both in turn and realizing just how much older they are and how far they've come. What will she do when they're on their own? Where will she go? Her maw turns down at those thoughts, unsure, and as she tries to forget such things. Somewhere, something rustles, and Aylin's ears turn to pick it up... a small creature, nothing to bother a cougar and her family. The female grunts lowly, considering many things, and her eyes glaze over toward the mountain.
It was perhaps a twist of fate that Aylin's path crossed that of the two brothers. It might be a mirror of that twist that brings Revan here, now, on his way toward Aylin without even realizing it. This time, however, his brother is not with him; his brother is the entire reason for his being here. Away from his mate and cubs--that would be Whiskers and family--Revan has finally decided that they can be safe enough while he seeks out whatever fate befell his brother during the horrendous flooding the entire world seemed to experience. Paws carry the strong feline through hauntingly familiar territory, though the damage caused by the waters is unmistakable. Is Malak still alive? A recent kill or scent-mark should be enough to determine that much, assuming he doesn't just happen to run into his brother.
Naira is happly asleep between her mothers paws and her sister's form, belly full and tired from playing what better place could she be? A faint murmur escapes her now and then while her forepaws push out at her sister's form in her sleep. Seems even when she dreams it deals with playing with her sister.
Seems like even in sleep the two sisters like to 'fight' it out as well. Neena's face scrunches up a bit in her sleep as she is pushed, obviously annoyed. Still, it does nothing to interupt her sleep as the female cuddles up closer to her mother, cuddled in nicely between her sister and brother. Yeah, life is just awesome right now.
The movement between her forepaws draws Aylin again to her children, and a faint, warm smile curls the edges of her muzzle very gently. She lowers her maw and nuzzles her youngest, soothing her restlessness with a tender touch before her attention moves to the eldest in the same manner. All her cubs grab her attention for quite sometime, until something creeping along her spine startles her from her silent contemplation. She lifts her head silently, eyes narrowing as she scans the forest, scrutinizing every shadow. Aylin supresses a growl, not wanting her children to rouse, and slowly, delicately weaves out from the tangle of paws and tails. Her face twists into a grimace as she searches for... well, she doesn't know just what. The back of her mind reels, considering the possibility that Malak has returned for another uneasy and unwelcome conversation.
Odd. That scent... young cougars? Revan would have thought that the family he found would have moved back to the mountain, as they bore the red markings of the tribe. There's another scent, however, that's tantalizingly familiar. And as Revan closes the distance toward that smell, recognition slowly dawns. /Aylin/? Surely not. And yet... yes! Dark blue eyes widen slightly as he confirms that it is indeed that particular female. And cubs! /Cubs/! A tiny quirk of a smile appears on his muzzle, as he's pretty sure he can guess who the father is. Fascinating. This is worth a detour, for sure. Paws carry him forward.
Naira stirs as she feels the movement around her, she blinks slicks while licking across her maw and lifts her head. Ears perking forward while she takes in a slight breath. "Ma?" Is questioned softly, not seeming to be awake enough to catch on that there is someone else around just yet.
Unfortunatly for them all, the small licking and stirring next to her causes Neena to slowly perk her eyes open a tad, letting out a squeaky yawn. Meh, who dares disturb her slumber? Not surprisingly, the female notices her sister seemingly awake right next to her, looking out at something. Grr. If she weren't so tired right now, she'd have to pounce her sister for waking her up. "Wha's goin on Naira," Neena asks sleepily, not really aware of anything around her yet.
There. The subtle movement, this time something more noticable than a woodland rodent. It causes Aylin's ears to swivel to the side as she moves along side her cubs, body blocking them from whatever is nearby. She can't quite pinpoint it, but something is there and she doesn't appreciate it. The soft coo from behind her only a elicits a gentle but warning chuff, telling both girls to be silent, and wary. That feeling at the back of her neck has not faded, and as she stands, baring the path to her cubs, the playful breeze begins to toy with her. She scents the air, tasting something that causes her stomach to surge, her heart to stop for a moment; could it be? Would Malak have found his brother, finally. Would have have sent him here? Then a deep scowl creases her face; or would he play a devilish trick? A deeply aggressive growl begins to well from within her, but Aylin does not move away from her girls.
A devilish trick? Perhaps, but not intentionally. Revan notes the growl yet does not abandon his quiet approach, but neither does he slow down. Finally he breaks into visual contact with the group of resting felines, and now he does indeed slow, coming to a stop as his eyes gaze carefully over each of the cubs. His quirk of a smile only grows as he looks at the cubs--/his/ cubs, and finally his gaze comes to rest on Aylin. So she did survive, and apparently do much more than that. He's not disappointed, not surprised, yet not hesitant in nodding a greeting to her. Whatever she thinks about him, he'll do his best to take it in stride.
Naira shrugs slightly at her slightly older sister while she slowly shifts up to her haunches and blinks at the chuffing from her mother. She shifts backwards slowly and quietly moving towards the bush that was behind him. There she hunkers down, ears flat against her skull and large eyes opened wide to peer out to try and see what might coming. It doesn't take her long now to find the thick scent of an adult male and her maw quivers slightly. Though she is quiet not and and glance is offered to her sister to try and get her to to follow her into the bush it seems.
No need to tell her twice. The small, warning chuff coming from her mother is enough to somewhat wake Neena up a bit more, the smell of an adult male making her more alert as well. Neena quickly follows her sister into the brush, feeling that it wouldn't be a wise thing to do to hang around with mom while this random /male/ walked up to them.
Perhaps now is a good time to learn whether or not her girls have learned some of her warning well. The female draws a deep, slow breath, willing herself to force it through her teeth gently, without belying the strange combination of happiness and fear within her. An ear tilts to her girls as they stir, the barest hint of a smile ghosting across her muzzle before it vanishes into a smooth, expresionless gaze. The male is regarded for a long time, his nod not returned until she can manage a sentence without shrieking. "So, you did not drown." Aylin lifts her head, tail slowly dancing behind her in a dangerous little way. Another scent tickles her nose, that of that other feamel, vague, but coming distinctly from him. Well. She couldn't have expected any less, at least. "I didn't think you had."
The male allows himself to relax ever-so-slightly as it seems that Aylin isn't in an overly hostile mood. "We both survived, as might be expected. I am pleased to see that you have.. done well for yourself since the time I last saw you." Done well, times three! "Do I get to learn their names, at least?" Dark blue eyes look back at the younger felines, noting their physical characteristics. They look to be strong even in their young age, but it would take much longer than this brief lookover to really determine that. Revan's pretty sure that their mother wouldn't allow him to conduct such an observation, however. No matter. He has his own sons and daughters that he has thoroughly enjoyed training so far, and are no doubt waiting for his return even now.
Ears twitch forward as she listions to the conversation between her mother and the strange male. A glance is offered to her sister and then back towards the two in front of them. Why would he want to know there names? Still she knows better then to speak out the question not wanting to make her mother mad.
"That depends," Aylin returns, voice a little dark and punctuated with a hint of distaste. Still, she cannot fully shun this male, particularly since... well... Saving that mental conversation for another day, the female allows her stance to relax just slightly, head delicately turning across her shoulder to see her girls. Another light chuff, less warning and more beckoning. Until they're closer, Aylin will not give away their names. Instead, her dark green eyes flit to their father and she takes another deep breath, still unable to calm her nerves. "I assume you and her have others to care for. Still, I'd like to know why, when the waters receeded, you did not come earlier."
"It is quite simple. When your cubs were first born, how far would you have traveled, leaving them behind to fend for themselves?" The scent of his own children might be so faint on his fur to not be noticeable, but he's sure the other adult can catch his meaning. But now with Whiskers in a much more secure place and the cubs big enough and trained enough to at least keep from getting into dangerous trouble, Revan felt confident enough to at last look for what he had been forced to leave behind.
Naira stays at her sister's side until hearing her mother, without question or reason to stay hidding she makes her way out from the bush. Tail lashing for a few steps as she moves forward to stand at her mothers right side. Her dark blue gaze lifts to peer at the male, ears staying perked forward while she stands her ground it seems. With her mother here nothing can harm them, right? Her maw twitch, whiskers quivering before her gaze drifts towards her mother.
Neena's ears perk up when she hears her mother's beconing chuff, slowly and cautiously moving out from behind the brush over to her mother and making sure to keep close next to her sister. She eyes the male curiously, but also with a hint of mistrust in her eyes. After all, this large cougar is still a male, and according to everything Mommy taught her, they can't be trusted. Neena remains perfectly quiet though, only willing to speak if her mothers asks her to.
No, Revan especially cannot be trusted. Yet, he is a male, and they are inherently flawed in and of themselves. Still, she does not have to look to know that her girls are again beside her, and standing tall against the stranger before them. "This is your father," she says to each of them, though her eyes remain steadily on the male in front of her, as if waiting to see his reaction though she doubts very much he will give her much of one. Aylin's ears gently twist forward as she examines Revan, lifting her head just slightly at his meaning. "It is nice to know that some take higher priority than others." Cue delicate sniff.
The other adult is completely correct in her assumption; there is no reaction from Revan, save for gaze flicking down to look at the cubs. "You know my priorities now, Aylin, just as well as you did /then/. You didn't want my love, or my fathership. Just my.. cooperation." His gaze has by this point returns to bore into the female's eyes. "What do you want now? Me to stay here with you? Me to never return? Ask now, while you have this opportunity." Revan's tone is entirely conversational, with no hint of condescension, condemnation, or humor. But why offer Aylin this opportunity in the first place? He owes her nothing.
Neena makes sure to keep close up to her mother, but still peaks her head out enough so she can keep looking up at the newcomer. After all, can't trust a male. Even still, the cub always feel safer whenever Aylin is around since, obviously, nothing is stronger and more invincible than mom! But what her mother says next makes the girl look up at her dear mommy in utter confusion. "My... father?" she repeats, sounding a little confused. After all, she's been raised by only her mom for her entire life so she thinks that's the normal way of things.
The other's eyes narrow ever so slightly, but Aylin does her best to give the male exactly the same in return -- nothing. While his words speak only truth, something inside her aches and is replused by that response however much she knows it to be true. What does she want from him? She doesn't have an answer. Instead, deep, swirling green eyes trail down to her cubs, /her/ children, and Neena's rather shocked response. At first, the female offers her daughter nothing, then bends slightly to graze her muzzle across Neena's forehead, but no words; those she will save for a later date. A few, however, slip through -- "Take a good look. It will be the last one you get." While directed at her daughters, it is meant for all as those steady eyes flit up, head lifting to meet eye to eye with the male before her. Now that he is here, now that she has gotten what she's wanted for months, she wants nothing more than to scream, and rant, and rave, and cry, and go about her life. Aylin does none of this, not knowing what to do, and so remains a statue, mute to her emotions welling deep within.
Revan finally allows himself to look slightly amused. "Come now, Aylin.. do you really think you could keep me from seeing them if I really wanted to?" She might get all upset and hostile and murderous.. but she can't keep her cubs at her side forever, and Revan is quite sure that Aylin realizes this. Accepts it, perhaps not. But she's not stupid, regardless of how she lets her emotions get in the way at times. His head tilts fractionally, carefully watching her. Would she seriously attack him, here in front of her cubs? /Their/ cubs? Maybe if she was angry enough.
If he forced her to, she would kill him in an instant; at least, she would try to. Whether or not he would harm his own children is irrelevant to her. The fact remains that if Revan were to push that boundary, to push her over that cliff, she would indeed protect her children from him, whatever the cost. To his statement her eyes only narrow, and she offers him an indignant chuff, though words are in short supply. With her girls remaining quiet beside her, and, perhaps, that is for the best at present time, Aylin's full attention can be given to Revan. What she wouldn't do to tear him apart; what she wouldn't do to keep him for her own. Choices. Life. They don't go together. It takes all that she has for Aylin to seperate herself from the male in front of her, to pretend as though they had nothing in common; no mutual gain. And perhaps they don't anymore. Perhaps she already took from him what she wanted, needed, desired. Whatever. Aylin's ears flit to the side once as her thoughts race, and then her scowling face grows calm, and unmarred by creases. "You see?" She croons delicately, to her girls, "I told you they can't be trusted. See now, your father schemes. Always scheming. Always thinking about something else."
Interesting. Aylin's teaching them not to trust males? Well, perhaps it's not a bad idea after all. Look what Aylin's distrust got her! Such beautiful cubs. Perhaps this won't be the nicest thing to do, but he can't let Aylin get away with such teachings without a little fun on his part. "Your mother is absolutely right, girls. I'm scheming and thinking about how much I'm going to miss seeing my own beautiful daughters, since your mother is going to keep us separated forever." Smirk. Take that.
Neena looks up at her mother as she is adressed, trying to digest what she is saying. Sure, most of it just flies right over her head since she has no idea what is going on between the two grownups, but the part she /does/ get is the part about males. Neena smiles slightly up at her mom and nods. Yes, she's heard this story before. She opens her muzzle to say something when suddenly Revan interupts her. Hmmp, dumb male. Most of what he says is just ignored by the cub and her only responce to Revan is a small puff of her chest and leaning more into her mother's leg. Yeah, take that.
Naira peers from her father and then to her mother and then back an forth again while her ears twitch. She looks utterly confused to say the least. She plops down to her haunches and sits there tilting her head while her bright gaze rests on her father. While her older sister is more for following every word of there mother, she is the rebel and tends to do things her own way sometimes. Not that she would ever think about doing that now with mother here looking rather grouchy. She licks across her nose, whiskers quivering while her maw parts as if she wants to say something but it soon closes, figuring its best to keep quiet for now.
Neena's response to her father causes Aylin's spirits to lift just a little bit, and she bends to press her muzzle against the crown of her girl's head. But the interactions is brief, seeing as how her main irritant is still close at hand. Dark green eyes rest on her youngest a fleeting moment before that dangerous glint rests upon Revan again. Calmly she rises to all fours, her breath heavy in her chest as she strides away from her cubs, lifting her head to be as level with Revan's as she can manage. Aylin says nothing for some time, staring into the male's eyes and wondering what it is that she sees there; she's angry, afriad, resentful, sad, frightened, but what is Revan? Does he truly just exist the way he does, or is there something darker on the other side of those glass eyes? Another short breath in, for she can't hold it much longer, before she exhales gently, sweetly, without a hint of a tremor. "Go back to the one that loves you, Revan. I don't know why I followed you. I doubt I ever will. But you should leave, and stay vanished. Consider yourself lost."
Ahh, yes. Now Aylin is obviously upset to the point that she ceases to make sense, so Revan turns his attention back to the cubs while the adult female carries on and on. Him, lost? ...okay. "Take care of your mom, okay?" he says, smiling at them. "Listen to what she teaches you, and you'll grow up to be strong like her." His gaze flicks back up to Aylin, and he gives her a suddenly-formal bow. "Until next time, Aylin. When you need me, I'll be waiting." The formality disappears into the faintest hint of a smirk, and then without another word, the big male is turning around and heading off into the forest. Until next time, indeed.
Yay, she's getting praise! Neena smiles as Aylin shows her some affection, leaning her head up to lick at her mother's chin just before it gets out of her reach. With her work completed, the eldest daughter moves back over towards her younger sister as Aylin starts to move away and lays down right beside her, watching the two adults intently. Even if she has no idea what is going on, she knows enough that Mommy isn't feeling good, and that's not a good thing in Neena's book.
Naira doesn't catch the look from her dear mother, her gaze still lingers on her fathers form as he starts to leave. Her ears lowers slightly and she glances to her sister and then looks to her mother and seems to be pouting for about half a moment before a nod is offered to her father. "I'll take care of her!" She offers finally as she hops up onto her paws, as if she wants to follow but changes her mind.. No need to make mommy mad, right?
For her, victory is an unreachable goal. Aylin has little to be happy about save her cubs, and yet their father is an unending source of grief. He wasn't, at first, sure... Males don't do afterglow very well, and the knowledge that Whiskers is still alive sours her stomach. Aylin never expected much out of Revan, and yet now that all is said and done she wonders if she missed something somewhere down the line. Never has she felt so lost and confused over something that she should have had complete control over; her life. The female says nothing to the male, nor to her cubs, and only eases herself to her haunches as she watches Revan move off, likely to wherever he had intended to go in the first place. Aylin finds it unlikely that he would seek her out for the sole purpose of her company. In silence she watches as Revan disappears into the forest, and long after he is gone she remains there, eyes fixed on the last point he vanished. Her mind is a blurr, racing, whirling, wondering, yet there is still a part of her that withdraws from all that, that sits in solitude and tries to puzzle everything out.
Naira lifts her head while watching her mother. For a few moment she is unusure what to do and her ears lower while her maw twitches. Well its not like this has ever happened before you know? With a last of her tail she shifts up onto her back and moves slowly forward towards her mother and peers up at her with ears perking. "Ma?" Is questioned before she settles down to her haunches right in front of her mother.
It takes the female quite some time before her daughter's voice registers in her mind, and she blinks twice before glancing down slightly to her daughter's face. Aylin manages a brief smile, and tries to sit a little straighter and forget that anything has just happened. "What is it, Nai'?" she croons gently, trying to seem as if Revan's sudden appearance wasn't soul-shattering, or anything. She's fine, really, just fine.
Naira just blinks and hops up to lick out at her mother's nose trying to be all cute like. A grin is offered while she drops back to her on her haunches. "You ok ma?" Is finally questioned.
A delicate smile blooms across the female's face, a genuine gesture, and she reaches out a forepaw and playfully drags Naira close to her, wrestling her daughter gently and returning the nose-lick with a light laugh and a nuzzle to the girl's neck. "I'm fine," she offers, which isn't an outright lie but more of a half-truth. Fine? Sure. Sure, she's fine.
Well even Aylin can't be seirous ALL the time, right? Naira giggles out as she is pulled closed and wiggles about, pushing with her forepaws back towards her mother while wiggling about. "Ok!" Is offered
Aylin laughs very gently as she plays, chuffing once or twice at her daughter's paws and chews on them every so often. She lifts her own paw and hooks Naira's side, dragging her a little closer before bending and snuffling through her nose at the girl's stomach fluff. Even though they are older, her girl's still play with that kind of innocence as though they were born yesterday. Even after all that, they can still make their mother smile.
Naira may not be some little cub but she's still young and playing is the first thing on her list! She giggles and soon laughs as the snuffling and nosing at her stomach. "Ma!" Is said in half squeal while she wiggles about to escape.
The call to relent is honored and Aylin lifts her head away from Naira, looking down at her cub with softened features. Yes, she's fine, now. The female pauses a moment to swipe her tongue across her muzzle and smooth out her ruffled whiskers before her attention returns to her daughter. She wonders if she should warn her girls about their father, but that would only bring down the mood that Naira has so successfully lightened. So, Aylin decides against it, and instead curls her tail around her haunches and waits for the girl-cub's next move.
Aylin, female adult cougar
Revan, male adult cougar
Naira, female juvenile cougar
Neena, female juvenile cougar
// Theater
Wooded Terrain
// Scene
Night time is setting in the woods, the last rays of the sun fading from between the branches and through the leaves. Earlier in the day, Aylin had a small but successful hunt of a heafty game bird, letting her children have most of it. She's a little tired, but as her girls dozed she curled around them, paws wrapping around their bodies, and bathed them in silence. Now, she pauses, looking over both in turn and realizing just how much older they are and how far they've come. What will she do when they're on their own? Where will she go? Her maw turns down at those thoughts, unsure, and as she tries to forget such things. Somewhere, something rustles, and Aylin's ears turn to pick it up... a small creature, nothing to bother a cougar and her family. The female grunts lowly, considering many things, and her eyes glaze over toward the mountain.
It was perhaps a twist of fate that Aylin's path crossed that of the two brothers. It might be a mirror of that twist that brings Revan here, now, on his way toward Aylin without even realizing it. This time, however, his brother is not with him; his brother is the entire reason for his being here. Away from his mate and cubs--that would be Whiskers and family--Revan has finally decided that they can be safe enough while he seeks out whatever fate befell his brother during the horrendous flooding the entire world seemed to experience. Paws carry the strong feline through hauntingly familiar territory, though the damage caused by the waters is unmistakable. Is Malak still alive? A recent kill or scent-mark should be enough to determine that much, assuming he doesn't just happen to run into his brother.
Naira is happly asleep between her mothers paws and her sister's form, belly full and tired from playing what better place could she be? A faint murmur escapes her now and then while her forepaws push out at her sister's form in her sleep. Seems even when she dreams it deals with playing with her sister.
Seems like even in sleep the two sisters like to 'fight' it out as well. Neena's face scrunches up a bit in her sleep as she is pushed, obviously annoyed. Still, it does nothing to interupt her sleep as the female cuddles up closer to her mother, cuddled in nicely between her sister and brother. Yeah, life is just awesome right now.
The movement between her forepaws draws Aylin again to her children, and a faint, warm smile curls the edges of her muzzle very gently. She lowers her maw and nuzzles her youngest, soothing her restlessness with a tender touch before her attention moves to the eldest in the same manner. All her cubs grab her attention for quite sometime, until something creeping along her spine startles her from her silent contemplation. She lifts her head silently, eyes narrowing as she scans the forest, scrutinizing every shadow. Aylin supresses a growl, not wanting her children to rouse, and slowly, delicately weaves out from the tangle of paws and tails. Her face twists into a grimace as she searches for... well, she doesn't know just what. The back of her mind reels, considering the possibility that Malak has returned for another uneasy and unwelcome conversation.
Odd. That scent... young cougars? Revan would have thought that the family he found would have moved back to the mountain, as they bore the red markings of the tribe. There's another scent, however, that's tantalizingly familiar. And as Revan closes the distance toward that smell, recognition slowly dawns. /Aylin/? Surely not. And yet... yes! Dark blue eyes widen slightly as he confirms that it is indeed that particular female. And cubs! /Cubs/! A tiny quirk of a smile appears on his muzzle, as he's pretty sure he can guess who the father is. Fascinating. This is worth a detour, for sure. Paws carry him forward.
Naira stirs as she feels the movement around her, she blinks slicks while licking across her maw and lifts her head. Ears perking forward while she takes in a slight breath. "Ma?" Is questioned softly, not seeming to be awake enough to catch on that there is someone else around just yet.
Unfortunatly for them all, the small licking and stirring next to her causes Neena to slowly perk her eyes open a tad, letting out a squeaky yawn. Meh, who dares disturb her slumber? Not surprisingly, the female notices her sister seemingly awake right next to her, looking out at something. Grr. If she weren't so tired right now, she'd have to pounce her sister for waking her up. "Wha's goin on Naira," Neena asks sleepily, not really aware of anything around her yet.
There. The subtle movement, this time something more noticable than a woodland rodent. It causes Aylin's ears to swivel to the side as she moves along side her cubs, body blocking them from whatever is nearby. She can't quite pinpoint it, but something is there and she doesn't appreciate it. The soft coo from behind her only a elicits a gentle but warning chuff, telling both girls to be silent, and wary. That feeling at the back of her neck has not faded, and as she stands, baring the path to her cubs, the playful breeze begins to toy with her. She scents the air, tasting something that causes her stomach to surge, her heart to stop for a moment; could it be? Would Malak have found his brother, finally. Would have have sent him here? Then a deep scowl creases her face; or would he play a devilish trick? A deeply aggressive growl begins to well from within her, but Aylin does not move away from her girls.
A devilish trick? Perhaps, but not intentionally. Revan notes the growl yet does not abandon his quiet approach, but neither does he slow down. Finally he breaks into visual contact with the group of resting felines, and now he does indeed slow, coming to a stop as his eyes gaze carefully over each of the cubs. His quirk of a smile only grows as he looks at the cubs--/his/ cubs, and finally his gaze comes to rest on Aylin. So she did survive, and apparently do much more than that. He's not disappointed, not surprised, yet not hesitant in nodding a greeting to her. Whatever she thinks about him, he'll do his best to take it in stride.
Naira shrugs slightly at her slightly older sister while she slowly shifts up to her haunches and blinks at the chuffing from her mother. She shifts backwards slowly and quietly moving towards the bush that was behind him. There she hunkers down, ears flat against her skull and large eyes opened wide to peer out to try and see what might coming. It doesn't take her long now to find the thick scent of an adult male and her maw quivers slightly. Though she is quiet not and and glance is offered to her sister to try and get her to to follow her into the bush it seems.
No need to tell her twice. The small, warning chuff coming from her mother is enough to somewhat wake Neena up a bit more, the smell of an adult male making her more alert as well. Neena quickly follows her sister into the brush, feeling that it wouldn't be a wise thing to do to hang around with mom while this random /male/ walked up to them.
Perhaps now is a good time to learn whether or not her girls have learned some of her warning well. The female draws a deep, slow breath, willing herself to force it through her teeth gently, without belying the strange combination of happiness and fear within her. An ear tilts to her girls as they stir, the barest hint of a smile ghosting across her muzzle before it vanishes into a smooth, expresionless gaze. The male is regarded for a long time, his nod not returned until she can manage a sentence without shrieking. "So, you did not drown." Aylin lifts her head, tail slowly dancing behind her in a dangerous little way. Another scent tickles her nose, that of that other feamel, vague, but coming distinctly from him. Well. She couldn't have expected any less, at least. "I didn't think you had."
The male allows himself to relax ever-so-slightly as it seems that Aylin isn't in an overly hostile mood. "We both survived, as might be expected. I am pleased to see that you have.. done well for yourself since the time I last saw you." Done well, times three! "Do I get to learn their names, at least?" Dark blue eyes look back at the younger felines, noting their physical characteristics. They look to be strong even in their young age, but it would take much longer than this brief lookover to really determine that. Revan's pretty sure that their mother wouldn't allow him to conduct such an observation, however. No matter. He has his own sons and daughters that he has thoroughly enjoyed training so far, and are no doubt waiting for his return even now.
Ears twitch forward as she listions to the conversation between her mother and the strange male. A glance is offered to her sister and then back towards the two in front of them. Why would he want to know there names? Still she knows better then to speak out the question not wanting to make her mother mad.
"That depends," Aylin returns, voice a little dark and punctuated with a hint of distaste. Still, she cannot fully shun this male, particularly since... well... Saving that mental conversation for another day, the female allows her stance to relax just slightly, head delicately turning across her shoulder to see her girls. Another light chuff, less warning and more beckoning. Until they're closer, Aylin will not give away their names. Instead, her dark green eyes flit to their father and she takes another deep breath, still unable to calm her nerves. "I assume you and her have others to care for. Still, I'd like to know why, when the waters receeded, you did not come earlier."
"It is quite simple. When your cubs were first born, how far would you have traveled, leaving them behind to fend for themselves?" The scent of his own children might be so faint on his fur to not be noticeable, but he's sure the other adult can catch his meaning. But now with Whiskers in a much more secure place and the cubs big enough and trained enough to at least keep from getting into dangerous trouble, Revan felt confident enough to at last look for what he had been forced to leave behind.
Naira stays at her sister's side until hearing her mother, without question or reason to stay hidding she makes her way out from the bush. Tail lashing for a few steps as she moves forward to stand at her mothers right side. Her dark blue gaze lifts to peer at the male, ears staying perked forward while she stands her ground it seems. With her mother here nothing can harm them, right? Her maw twitch, whiskers quivering before her gaze drifts towards her mother.
Neena's ears perk up when she hears her mother's beconing chuff, slowly and cautiously moving out from behind the brush over to her mother and making sure to keep close next to her sister. She eyes the male curiously, but also with a hint of mistrust in her eyes. After all, this large cougar is still a male, and according to everything Mommy taught her, they can't be trusted. Neena remains perfectly quiet though, only willing to speak if her mothers asks her to.
No, Revan especially cannot be trusted. Yet, he is a male, and they are inherently flawed in and of themselves. Still, she does not have to look to know that her girls are again beside her, and standing tall against the stranger before them. "This is your father," she says to each of them, though her eyes remain steadily on the male in front of her, as if waiting to see his reaction though she doubts very much he will give her much of one. Aylin's ears gently twist forward as she examines Revan, lifting her head just slightly at his meaning. "It is nice to know that some take higher priority than others." Cue delicate sniff.
The other adult is completely correct in her assumption; there is no reaction from Revan, save for gaze flicking down to look at the cubs. "You know my priorities now, Aylin, just as well as you did /then/. You didn't want my love, or my fathership. Just my.. cooperation." His gaze has by this point returns to bore into the female's eyes. "What do you want now? Me to stay here with you? Me to never return? Ask now, while you have this opportunity." Revan's tone is entirely conversational, with no hint of condescension, condemnation, or humor. But why offer Aylin this opportunity in the first place? He owes her nothing.
Neena makes sure to keep close up to her mother, but still peaks her head out enough so she can keep looking up at the newcomer. After all, can't trust a male. Even still, the cub always feel safer whenever Aylin is around since, obviously, nothing is stronger and more invincible than mom! But what her mother says next makes the girl look up at her dear mommy in utter confusion. "My... father?" she repeats, sounding a little confused. After all, she's been raised by only her mom for her entire life so she thinks that's the normal way of things.
The other's eyes narrow ever so slightly, but Aylin does her best to give the male exactly the same in return -- nothing. While his words speak only truth, something inside her aches and is replused by that response however much she knows it to be true. What does she want from him? She doesn't have an answer. Instead, deep, swirling green eyes trail down to her cubs, /her/ children, and Neena's rather shocked response. At first, the female offers her daughter nothing, then bends slightly to graze her muzzle across Neena's forehead, but no words; those she will save for a later date. A few, however, slip through -- "Take a good look. It will be the last one you get." While directed at her daughters, it is meant for all as those steady eyes flit up, head lifting to meet eye to eye with the male before her. Now that he is here, now that she has gotten what she's wanted for months, she wants nothing more than to scream, and rant, and rave, and cry, and go about her life. Aylin does none of this, not knowing what to do, and so remains a statue, mute to her emotions welling deep within.
Revan finally allows himself to look slightly amused. "Come now, Aylin.. do you really think you could keep me from seeing them if I really wanted to?" She might get all upset and hostile and murderous.. but she can't keep her cubs at her side forever, and Revan is quite sure that Aylin realizes this. Accepts it, perhaps not. But she's not stupid, regardless of how she lets her emotions get in the way at times. His head tilts fractionally, carefully watching her. Would she seriously attack him, here in front of her cubs? /Their/ cubs? Maybe if she was angry enough.
If he forced her to, she would kill him in an instant; at least, she would try to. Whether or not he would harm his own children is irrelevant to her. The fact remains that if Revan were to push that boundary, to push her over that cliff, she would indeed protect her children from him, whatever the cost. To his statement her eyes only narrow, and she offers him an indignant chuff, though words are in short supply. With her girls remaining quiet beside her, and, perhaps, that is for the best at present time, Aylin's full attention can be given to Revan. What she wouldn't do to tear him apart; what she wouldn't do to keep him for her own. Choices. Life. They don't go together. It takes all that she has for Aylin to seperate herself from the male in front of her, to pretend as though they had nothing in common; no mutual gain. And perhaps they don't anymore. Perhaps she already took from him what she wanted, needed, desired. Whatever. Aylin's ears flit to the side once as her thoughts race, and then her scowling face grows calm, and unmarred by creases. "You see?" She croons delicately, to her girls, "I told you they can't be trusted. See now, your father schemes. Always scheming. Always thinking about something else."
Interesting. Aylin's teaching them not to trust males? Well, perhaps it's not a bad idea after all. Look what Aylin's distrust got her! Such beautiful cubs. Perhaps this won't be the nicest thing to do, but he can't let Aylin get away with such teachings without a little fun on his part. "Your mother is absolutely right, girls. I'm scheming and thinking about how much I'm going to miss seeing my own beautiful daughters, since your mother is going to keep us separated forever." Smirk. Take that.
Neena looks up at her mother as she is adressed, trying to digest what she is saying. Sure, most of it just flies right over her head since she has no idea what is going on between the two grownups, but the part she /does/ get is the part about males. Neena smiles slightly up at her mom and nods. Yes, she's heard this story before. She opens her muzzle to say something when suddenly Revan interupts her. Hmmp, dumb male. Most of what he says is just ignored by the cub and her only responce to Revan is a small puff of her chest and leaning more into her mother's leg. Yeah, take that.
Naira peers from her father and then to her mother and then back an forth again while her ears twitch. She looks utterly confused to say the least. She plops down to her haunches and sits there tilting her head while her bright gaze rests on her father. While her older sister is more for following every word of there mother, she is the rebel and tends to do things her own way sometimes. Not that she would ever think about doing that now with mother here looking rather grouchy. She licks across her nose, whiskers quivering while her maw parts as if she wants to say something but it soon closes, figuring its best to keep quiet for now.
Neena's response to her father causes Aylin's spirits to lift just a little bit, and she bends to press her muzzle against the crown of her girl's head. But the interactions is brief, seeing as how her main irritant is still close at hand. Dark green eyes rest on her youngest a fleeting moment before that dangerous glint rests upon Revan again. Calmly she rises to all fours, her breath heavy in her chest as she strides away from her cubs, lifting her head to be as level with Revan's as she can manage. Aylin says nothing for some time, staring into the male's eyes and wondering what it is that she sees there; she's angry, afriad, resentful, sad, frightened, but what is Revan? Does he truly just exist the way he does, or is there something darker on the other side of those glass eyes? Another short breath in, for she can't hold it much longer, before she exhales gently, sweetly, without a hint of a tremor. "Go back to the one that loves you, Revan. I don't know why I followed you. I doubt I ever will. But you should leave, and stay vanished. Consider yourself lost."
Ahh, yes. Now Aylin is obviously upset to the point that she ceases to make sense, so Revan turns his attention back to the cubs while the adult female carries on and on. Him, lost? ...okay. "Take care of your mom, okay?" he says, smiling at them. "Listen to what she teaches you, and you'll grow up to be strong like her." His gaze flicks back up to Aylin, and he gives her a suddenly-formal bow. "Until next time, Aylin. When you need me, I'll be waiting." The formality disappears into the faintest hint of a smirk, and then without another word, the big male is turning around and heading off into the forest. Until next time, indeed.
Yay, she's getting praise! Neena smiles as Aylin shows her some affection, leaning her head up to lick at her mother's chin just before it gets out of her reach. With her work completed, the eldest daughter moves back over towards her younger sister as Aylin starts to move away and lays down right beside her, watching the two adults intently. Even if she has no idea what is going on, she knows enough that Mommy isn't feeling good, and that's not a good thing in Neena's book.
Naira doesn't catch the look from her dear mother, her gaze still lingers on her fathers form as he starts to leave. Her ears lowers slightly and she glances to her sister and then looks to her mother and seems to be pouting for about half a moment before a nod is offered to her father. "I'll take care of her!" She offers finally as she hops up onto her paws, as if she wants to follow but changes her mind.. No need to make mommy mad, right?
For her, victory is an unreachable goal. Aylin has little to be happy about save her cubs, and yet their father is an unending source of grief. He wasn't, at first, sure... Males don't do afterglow very well, and the knowledge that Whiskers is still alive sours her stomach. Aylin never expected much out of Revan, and yet now that all is said and done she wonders if she missed something somewhere down the line. Never has she felt so lost and confused over something that she should have had complete control over; her life. The female says nothing to the male, nor to her cubs, and only eases herself to her haunches as she watches Revan move off, likely to wherever he had intended to go in the first place. Aylin finds it unlikely that he would seek her out for the sole purpose of her company. In silence she watches as Revan disappears into the forest, and long after he is gone she remains there, eyes fixed on the last point he vanished. Her mind is a blurr, racing, whirling, wondering, yet there is still a part of her that withdraws from all that, that sits in solitude and tries to puzzle everything out.
Naira lifts her head while watching her mother. For a few moment she is unusure what to do and her ears lower while her maw twitches. Well its not like this has ever happened before you know? With a last of her tail she shifts up onto her back and moves slowly forward towards her mother and peers up at her with ears perking. "Ma?" Is questioned before she settles down to her haunches right in front of her mother.
It takes the female quite some time before her daughter's voice registers in her mind, and she blinks twice before glancing down slightly to her daughter's face. Aylin manages a brief smile, and tries to sit a little straighter and forget that anything has just happened. "What is it, Nai'?" she croons gently, trying to seem as if Revan's sudden appearance wasn't soul-shattering, or anything. She's fine, really, just fine.
Naira just blinks and hops up to lick out at her mother's nose trying to be all cute like. A grin is offered while she drops back to her on her haunches. "You ok ma?" Is finally questioned.
A delicate smile blooms across the female's face, a genuine gesture, and she reaches out a forepaw and playfully drags Naira close to her, wrestling her daughter gently and returning the nose-lick with a light laugh and a nuzzle to the girl's neck. "I'm fine," she offers, which isn't an outright lie but more of a half-truth. Fine? Sure. Sure, she's fine.
Well even Aylin can't be seirous ALL the time, right? Naira giggles out as she is pulled closed and wiggles about, pushing with her forepaws back towards her mother while wiggling about. "Ok!" Is offered
Aylin laughs very gently as she plays, chuffing once or twice at her daughter's paws and chews on them every so often. She lifts her own paw and hooks Naira's side, dragging her a little closer before bending and snuffling through her nose at the girl's stomach fluff. Even though they are older, her girl's still play with that kind of innocence as though they were born yesterday. Even after all that, they can still make their mother smile.
Naira may not be some little cub but she's still young and playing is the first thing on her list! She giggles and soon laughs as the snuffling and nosing at her stomach. "Ma!" Is said in half squeal while she wiggles about to escape.
The call to relent is honored and Aylin lifts her head away from Naira, looking down at her cub with softened features. Yes, she's fine, now. The female pauses a moment to swipe her tongue across her muzzle and smooth out her ruffled whiskers before her attention returns to her daughter. She wonders if she should warn her girls about their father, but that would only bring down the mood that Naira has so successfully lightened. So, Aylin decides against it, and instead curls her tail around her haunches and waits for the girl-cub's next move.