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 Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 12:55 pm
 The four cubs were asleep in the back of Mith's den, and Veri was sitting outside since she couldn't fit comfortably without taking on a mortal form. After her long talk with the queen Nawiri'chiwa she felt comfortable staying in the pride, but she didn't want to violate that trust by disguising herself. Until the pride members learned who she was, she'd wear her true face at all times. Even when it wasn't quite convenient.
She had been given very clear restrictions on where to stay, the places she shouldn't go, and the dens she should only visit when invited. So far no one had called on her assistance, so to speak.
But she was avoiding the main issue at the moment... Her kids. She hadn't told Mith much yet, but he might suspect that when she left again her cubs wouldn't follow. Two daughters had already left the small family, and were currently in the capable paws of her grown daughters. Geith and Hoeh would be able to help the girls deal with any visions they might have. Mith had the same advantage, in a way. He was a seer, and would be able to explain.
The question was... Would he be willing to take on these cubs, or would they be brought up by the nannies of the pride. Either option would give the cubs a safe upbringing, but she knew Mith. It would feel better if she knew that he looked after them. However, she wasn't sure how to ask.
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2012 4:39 pm
 Mith had been pleasantly surprised when Veri had shown up, and more surprised still when she'd brought young ones with her. He had welcomed them all, fed them from yesterday's kill, and very carefully hadn't asked any questions. Things were certainly still friendly and positive between himself and the goddess, which he was grateful for. Her friendship meant more than words could express. However, there was a certain tension, and she hadn't said much about the cubs, whose they were, or what her plans were. At least his conscience was clear that he hadn't left her pregnant and without his support. No, it was someone else, and he couldn't help being curious if the male was involved with the cub's lives, or if he even knew he had cubs.
Mith himself was certain he hadn't left any cubs behind, for he'd been celibate all his life. It wasn't so hard as it sounded, for it was a choice rather than an unthinking need that couldn't be denied. No, he felt in his heart that he should wait, and mate for life. Flinging was not his style at all. When a female captured his heart, it would be for forever. For the barest moment he allowed himself a flicker of speculation what it would have been like to love Veri, but the flitting thought was soon gone. It would have not been good for either one of them, and it wasn't a mess he cared to get himself into. No, a nice warm mortal girl was for him. Someone who both needed him and could stand at his side as an equal.
Dragging himself from his thoughts, he turned to the goddess and smiled. "It's been good to see you and meet the cubs," he began. "Will you be staying long this time?" Her last stay with them had been brief, though now he suspected why. Strangely, it didn't bother him one bit that she hadn't told him she was with cubs at the time. He also wasn't curious enough to try and backtrack to learn when they were conceived. Who could say if goddesses had the same gestational period as mortal females anyway?
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Posted: Thu Aug 16, 2012 1:02 pm
It was a nice safe question, but one that led to the more difficult ones. Mith was tricky that way, but he was nothing but polite. She was thankful that he asked a question that would help her say what was needed to say. She didn't leave her cubs because she didn't care about them, quite the contrary actually. They would be better off being raised by mortals, without her potentially dangerous influence.
"I was hoping the cubs could grow up here," she said, "It would be safer to them than to follow me when I need to travel."
She didn't specify what "here" meant. It could just mean that she intended to let them grow up in Kitwana'antara... Mith did owe her one, but she didn't want to start making demands. If he didn't want to raise her children, she didn't want him to do it. She had done her research, and this pride was well equipped for dealing with orphans.
"I'm not sure how long I'll stay," she continued, "I talked with the queen before I left and I'm welcome to stay as long as I stay away from certain restricted areas. She seems to think that some members of the pride might call on me for... ah... my services."
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 10:43 am
He was quiet for some time after she finished speaking. It wasn't a brooding silence, but rather a ruminative one. Mith was good at that, not being judgmental, but slowly thinking something through before he decided how he felt about it. What she'd said had many levels to it to consider, so he took his time. As she had begun speaking, in fact, his heart had arisen in surprise and pleasure, thinking she meant to stay. It would have been wonderful if she had made her home here in the Kitwana'antara. He'd get to see her more often, be assured that their friendship would not fade with time and separation.
But it was not to be. As she continued, it became clear that she would be a temporary, occasional resident, but not a constant companion. Ah well, that was good too. It would give her a place to call home, a place to always be welcome. Despite his own disappointment, resolve formed within him to ensure she always had a comfortable and happy place to return to.
Which led him to the other part of what she'd said that he'd skimmed over at first. Her children were to stay here, with the pride. While one part of his brain rejoiced over this very tangible thing to draw his friend back here, besides her services being sought after here, the rest of him resonated with a sudden understanding of what he should do, whether she expected it or not.
Gravely, in the soft voice he almost always used, he bowed to her and replied, "If you would allow me the honor, my friend, I would like to become guardian of your cubs." He was careful how he phrased it, because he didn't wish her to get the impression he'd claim them as his own, or be seeking a backwards way into becoming her mate. Oh no, if that was to have happened, it would have along the way. No, this was his way of fulfilling his private vow to keep this pride and home a welcoming and warm place for her. "Should you be willing, I will raise them with love, and will teach them to respect and adore their mother." He flashed her a sudden smile, brilliant and honest in it's joy.
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Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2012 12:51 pm
Veri smiled, and arranged her wings in a more relaxed position. A knot of tension had released when Mith asked for the honour of being the guardian of her children. She couldn't imagine a better solution for them. Her older daughters had grown into fine strong lionesses, despite (or perhaps thanks to) their less than stable upbringing. She believed that Mith would be able to give these cubs another kind of strength.
"I would like that," she said, smiling back at him, "And I will try to be here for them as much as I can."
She would do her best. It would certainly help to know that the cubs had a stable home and that she had a purpose in this pride. Veri was too restless to stay permanently anywhere, but she would give this a try. These cubs would know her.
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Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2012 12:20 pm
This was going to be strange. He liked cubs well enough, to be sure, but it wasn't as if he'd ever had to tend them before. He was very aware that they took a great deal of responsibility to look after. The idea of such responsibility was not much of an issue, but the effort and involvement that it entailed was something of a mystery. Stopping to think about it was enough to make him inwardly hesitate, nearly quailing with dismay. All the childhood hurts, the stern lessons, the heartbreak and trials!
But he let such thoughts pass on by, and focused instead on the opportunity. While he would not be their father, he certainly would be the primary paw guiding their lives. He would share in their joys, delight in their growth, and steer them towards the good things in life. Yes, this could be a very wonderful thing. The most wonderful, positive thing to happen to him! Until he had his own litter, that is. But such things were too far ahead to be anticipated, and by choice he reveled in the here and now.
He paused and asked a question that suddenly popped into his head. "Will their siblings ever come to visit? Or stay?" Would he end up with even more little ones to look after? And if not, surely they could arrange a playdate at the pride's borders sometime. Given that the others could travel to them, of course. Somehow it grieved his heart to think of them all growing up completely separate and apart.
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2012 2:14 pm
It was Veri's turn to hesitate. She had mentioned the other two girls in passing, but she hadn't elaborated on the details. She had skimmed over the fact that her older daughters didn't know that she was a Goddess. The question made her glad, however. It was good of him to think about it in the first place. She hadn't considered that the siblings might want to meet in the future, and had consequently told Geith and Hoeh very little.
"I doubt my daughters would take them here," she finally said, "They take care of each other, and they'll take care of their younger sisters, but they don't seem to want to belong to a pride."
The fact that she hadn't told them where she was headed would also make visits unlikely. The other two girls might remember their siblings and tell their new guardians about them, but she hadn't talked about the size of the litter when she handed them over. It hadn't seemed important at the time.
"I'm not very educated in the needs of mortals," she was forced to admit, "I'm glad to have your help raising them."
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:33 am
Mith immediately felt chagrined for seeming to call her parenting into question. It hadn't been his intention, and he hurried to reassure Veri. She might be a goddess, but that didn't mean she didn't have feelings or failings. He hated to be the source of any doubt she had about herself as a mother. "No no," he said, reaching a paw to touch hers, shaking his head. "You are doing very well, if that is true. You are providing for your children, even when what they need isn't something you are well equipped to give." He chuffed softly and leaned to rub his cheek against hers in a familiar, affectionate manner, as between siblings.
"Perhaps you don't understand," he spoke softly, his voice the muted rumble of distant thunder, "but to be a parent means you put your children first, even when it isn't something that you are happy with." He gazed into her eyes intently, seeing beyond the divine and into the who of Veri. "I know you worry whether this or that is right for them, but by worrying just that, you prove you are a worthy mother." he gave a firm nod, adding, "This is also why I will be certain your children know about you, are proud of you, and love you." He had no intentions of usurping her position as their mother, nor sucking up their love and adoration all for himself. Oh no, theses cubs were certain to be told about their mother on a daily basis. "So don't worry. You are doing wonderfully as a mother." He beamed at her approvingly and supportively.
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 8:51 am
Veri was a bit surprised by Mith's determination to reassure her, both with words and actions. She wasn't sure how she felt about all this yet, but she had a feeling this time would be different. She was entrusting her cubs in the care of individuals she knew and trusted. Geith and Hoeh might have felt as if they were given a stranger's cubs to raise, but she had faith in her daughters abilities.
"My other daughters," she said, "They don't know me all that well, but I've always watched over them. And they watch over each other like sisters should."
She stretched and re-folded her wings, resisting the urge to preen and fuss with the placement of the beads and charms draped over them. Her original plan had been to make sure the cubs were settled in and then go on her way again. But there would be no harm in staying for a while, right? A few more days to make sure they accepted Mith. And it would only be polite to stay a few days, now when the Queen had made the trouble of finding a safe place for her to stay.
"I should leave you now," she said, giving Mith a friendly head butt, "I will be back in the morning when the cubs are awake."
They had quite a day, the little ones... Not many small cubs had traveled as far as they had.
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Posted: Mon Oct 29, 2012 10:35 am
He beamed as she head-butted him, an equally affectionate and comradely gesture as his cheek-rub. He clearly had found his place in the world, a place where he belonged. "Tomorrow then. Sleep well, Veri." He turned towards the den he now shared. Padding inside, he gazed down at the sleeping cubs, and a deep-throated purr vibrated his chest for a moment. It was a little scary, granted, but it also gave him purpose, a purpose that did not involve death or visions. He very carefully circled them, then settled down so that his body curled around the fluffy pile of bodies. That they were not his did not matter. They'd be looking to him now, and he would give his all for each and every one.
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