Velveteen Angel:
Dysi had, once again, taken his niece off his friend’s paws for the day. He did feel a bit sorry for Sukanya, her first litter had been 1, and her second was 7. That was a lot for her to process, even though a few of them had gone with their father. He smiled down at his niece. “Did you like visiting your brother?” He asked, as the youth had gone into the Koti recently to talk to her brother. Dysi hadn’t gone with them, staying with his own mate instead but had heard about it from Ishara’s mother.
They had walked towards the watering hole, which was mostly abandoned as the sun was high in the sky – the most severe heat of the day. Still, a quick dip in the water would sooth the burn of the sun, and so Dysi thought it would be a fun adventure.
“It was ok,” Ishara admitted reluctantly as she struggled to keep up with Dysi’s slow pace. She was an odd mix of species, and so she looked kind of fatter than most cubs, with short legs that would eventually grow long. “There was a lot of hybrids there.” It was weird to her, because hybrids were so unusual to most people – an entire pride of them? Weird. Very weird. Still, she liked her big brother, though he was also weird.
magnadearel:
Creo had departed from a cheetah and her weird message signalers a few days ago. It had been an interesting concept, but he could see obvious flaws with the plan. Being such a hot day he decided to check out the local watering hole. The rainbow spotted male had had a long drink then settled himself into shade of a stunted tree to wait out the heat of the day.
He raised his head and blinked the sleep from his eyes from a light doze. Voices approaching had woken him. Two of them, and one sounded very young. Creo flicked his tail against his haunches and hoped the pair wouldn't mind his being here. He blinked in surprise when he caught sight of them. The younger one, as he'd thought, had a distinct look like that of one of his friends. "Greetings," he called pleasantly to the two.
Velveteen Angel:
Dysi glanced up at the sound of another’s voice, startled for a moment as he had thought that the watering hole would be completely deserted, but clearly it was not. “Greetings!” He called back cheerfully before his eyes locked onto the male that had called out. Woah! That male…looked disturbingly like himself, or rather, looked very much like one of his sons. He stared at him, trying to place the male – perhaps he had been the result of one of his flings? He wasn’t sure thought.
Ishara, being the child that she was, was less subtle about it. She stared at the male leopard. “He looks like you, Uncle,” she announced, not even bothering to lower her voice as she did so. To her, it was just stating the obvious and why would she need to be cautious about doing that?
magnadearel:
He hadn't really noticed much about the pair except one was adult and one a cub. With the cub's blantant comment, Creo took a closer look at the male leopard. There did seem to be some resemblance there. He gave a chuckle, "we do, do we?" Maybe it was the spots. He had never seen this particular male before.
"I'm Creormdar. What's yours little lady?" He gave a grin to the male over the child's blunt speech. In truth he was utterly curious about her, though politeness made him not ask. "Be welcome at the water hole. There's no one else here that I know of."
Velveteen Angel:
Dysi chuckled, a bit nervous to be honest but he didn’t recognise the male. Nor did he recognise any markings from any of the females he had been with on the male. Must have been a coincidence, that’s all. “It’s the spots, I’m sure,” he waved off the similiarity, mostly out of a desire to not make things awkward. He didn’t remember all of the cubs he had produced with females, but he remembered most of them…this male was not one of them. He hoped. “Spots look the same on everyone, especially us leopards,” he chuckled.
Ishara padded over to the water’s edge, though she kept a suspicios eye on the male. She didn’t’ particularly trust males, all of the males she had met (well, that had been her own age) were stupid and mean. Maybe this one was just bigger and stupid and mean. “I’m Ishara,” she said as she dunked her paws into the water. She didn’t dive straight in though – what if there were crocodiles in the water? That would just be stupid. “Your name sounds odd. Creormdar. Does it mean anything?” She demanded. She was blunt, if nothing else.
Dysi winced a little, but had grown used to it, so he barely scolded her now. He knew she’d always be blunt, unfortunately. “I’m Dysi, by the way,” he threw out as well, not bothering with his full name.
magnadearel:
He was pleased that the other male thought of the same reason he had. Creo didn't move from his position on the shade cooled ground. Though he had a white pelt, it was still infernally hot out there; nor did he want to alarm the pair with any sudden movements.
"Ishara, that's a very pretty name. It is a bit of a mouthful isn't it? My friends call me Creo, and you can use that too if you like. Sadly it doesn't, does yours?" Creo kept an eye on the water just in case anything suspicious started coming. "Pleasure to meet you Dysi. Once you've both cooled off in the water, why don't you come over into the shade and talk awhile. I could use come company." He was only pleasantly damp now after his own dip, but it still felt good.
Velveteen Angel:
Dysi stayed a safe distance from the stranger, but close enough that he could grab Ishara should she fall, or anything move towards her. He was protective of the young leopon, mostly because he cared for her, and also because her mother was absolutely terrifying at times. He would not risk annoying Sukanya for anything in the world. “That sounds wonderful,” Dysi agreed, and motioned for Ishara to come with him over to the shade. Dysi wasn’t too hot, as he was used to walking long distances in the heat, and he knew Ishara would get bored with the water soon enough.
Sure enough, the female had soaked herself in the watering hole, her black furr completely soaked and a look of distaste crossed her face. Man she hated being damp! It was so gross! She sighed and padded out of the water, a bit disappointed in it all now. “It means ‘Sign’ or something. Mum told me once, but I didn’t pay much attention to it,” she mused, “it doesn’t have much significance.” She padded over, and flicked her wet tail at Dysi, splashing him with water and giving a small grin.
“What are you doing out here? There’s like…nothing around,” she asked, laying partially in the sun to dry her fur.
magnadearel:
Creo was pleased that the pair felt comfortable enough to join him in the shade. He made sure there was enough room for all of them. "That's interesting. Maybe you could ask her again what it means." If his mother had given him a name with a meaning he never knew it. "Doesn't it? It is your name." He smiled as she helped Dysi get some water on him. "Is she yours?" He asked the leopard curiously.
The male glanced around at her question. "I suppose there's not much out here, besides the water hole. I travel and wander a lot. Wherever my feet take me. Do you live around here?"
Velveteen Angel:
“It’s significant because it’s mine, but other than that, the name itself is just a name, just a collection of sounds with some given meaning behind it,” she explained patiently, stretching out languidly and flicking her tail out to dry as well. “Momma lives around here, but we’re far enough away that we can’t hear my brothers, thankfully.” Sukanya had set up camp near Dysi, mostly out of fear of being on her own wish so many cubs.
Dysi smiled at Ishara, wondering how she acted so grown up when she was still so tiny. He glanced at the male and laughed. “No, sadly Ishara is not mine. She is a dear friend of mine’s. I babysit her when Sukanya needs a break. She has 7 cubs, if you can imagine. A big task for a single mother.” Dysi brushed Ishara’s cheek with his paw, getting eyes rolled back at him. “I’d be so lucky to have a beautiful daughter! All of mine have grown now, sadly. My last litter is adolescent now, I believe, and off on their own adventures.” He smiled.
magnadearel:
"I suppose that in essance is true Ishara. But it's what you make it mean that really counts. It is the essence of yourself given a physical sound." This cub sounded much older than she looked. He was quite taken back by it. She must be quite a handful. "Ah I see. A pawful aren't they? Do you have any sisters?"
Creo gave a chuckle. "No harm in that. I'm sure the mother is grateful for all your help." Seven! That was a large litter. He thought about asking, but he wasn't sure how this would go over. He lowered his head to speak, mostly to Ishara, "your mother is very lucky to have you all. I have a friend who is like you. She is unable to have a family and wants one very much. I had hoped to surprise her some day by bringing a cub or two back for her and her mate to raise."
Now he looked at Dysi. "Have a lot of experience with cubs then?" It sounded that this male was familiar with cubs. "I haven't had any of my own yet. Any advice?" It couldn't hurt to ask. He didn't have to follow it after all.
Velveteen Angel:
Ishara pondered his words for a moment. “So Ishara is ‘me’ expressed vocally?” she asked, sounding surprised. She had never thought of it that way. “That’s amazing.” She blinked and stared at him with a contemplative face. “Creo.” She was testing what his sounded like, and pondered it for a few more moments. She nodded, as if agreeing that it was suitable. She then crinkled her nose at his next words. “No, sadly I am the only daughter. Six brothers. SIX.” She groaned. Boys were stupid.
She blinked at his comments of the words. “That is really sweet of you,” she said, surprised. She knew, as a hybrid, she may never have a family. This male was giving the gift of family to a creature who would never have one alone.
Dysi was touched by the male’s words. “That is incredible of you,” he said simply. “Many of my offspring are hybrids, and to know that there are people out there willing to do what you are doing, makes me optimistic for their future,” he admitted. He felt bad for his cubs, because many of them would never have families of their own.
He chuckled. “You can say I have some experience,” he admitted, amused. At last count, he knew of at least 30 offspring of his own. “Treat them well,” he advised simply. “It doesn’t matter what do you do, really, but treat them well because what you do and how you raise them will dictate their life from that moment on.” He felt guilt in his heart because of the cubs he had not gotten to raise himself, but he hoped they were happy.
magnadearel:
"It is you, and it what you make you." He nodded. "I hope I'm not being too confusing about this, but I think you'll understand." He liked this young cub, and wondered if his friend had been like this growing up. Creo laughed with sympathy. "The only girl in a house of roughballs eh? You'll just have to make sure to show them who's boss k?" Out numbered as she was she'd either be well protected, and pampered as the only girl, or would end up just as rough and tumble as her brothers. Or maybe the intelligent cub would find a happy medium.
He blushed a bit at their praise. It made him feel good. Then the leopard let it be know he had many hybrid offspring, which explained a great deal. "I had met Hadeth on my travels. After we parted ways the first time, I never expected to see her again, but I did. Recently we met up again and I found out about her predictament. I decided if I could find a female will to share a little or a lost cub I'd bring them back to her." He wanted his friend to be happy.
Creo nodded. "That is good advice, thank you." Cubs were still a long way off. He knew Hadeth and her mate would care well for any cubs he brought them, plus he'd be around to lend a paw occasionally too.
Velveteen Angel:
“Oh they know who’s boss already,” Ishara admitted with a sniff and a haughty expression. She was not one to be pushed around. Especially after the cannibal cub that tried to hurt her, she was definitely more firm in her actions. She was not going to be pushed around! Especially by her brothers! “Boys are stupid anyway,” she said outloud and glanced at the two males she was with. “No offence.” She didn’t necessarily mean them, but just males in general.
“Have you found a female to partner you on your journey to give them cubs?” Dysi asked, curious. It was a noble journey but he found it difficult to believe that there were many females out there who wanted to give up their cubs to complete strangers to take care of. Most of the females that he met were very protective of their offspring, no matter the cause behind the abandonment,
magnadearel:
Oh this cub had it well in hand! Creo did his best not to laugh at her attitude, and only managed a grin. "Good girl. Help your mama keep them in line." He gave a wink to the female. "None taken little dear. Though you may change your mind later. We have our uses."
Regretfully he shook his head. "Not yet. I'm going slow and careful. I want to find the right female. It may never happen either." Creo gave a shrug. It was all he could do to try. At least he'd made an effort at it.
Velveteen Angel:
Ishara grinned. “Oh Mama can handle them! She’s a strong woman,” she announced cheerfully. She adored her mother, and that was very clear. Sukanya had done a wonderful job being a mother, despite her own drawbacks. “Perhaps we should go back soon though, Uncle Dysi,” Ishara murmured, with a frown. “Mama has been alone with them for a while, she’s probably really tired.” Sukanya, with her poor lungs, got tired very quickly, which was why Ishara was reluctant to leave her too often.
Dysi nodded at Creo. “Good plan, you don’t want to select the wrong sort of female, but I am sure that you will find someone. There is a whole world out there, there must be others who share your sort of selflessness. I wish you luck in finding them.” He smiled, though he took Ishara’s words seriously. “Sadly we should go back, or else Sukanya may have sold them all on the black market just to get some sleep,” he chuckled, and rose to his paws. “Shall we Ishi?”
Ishara nodded, and rose to her paws, peering at Creo. “Good luck, and thank you for what you’re doing for them.” She smiled. Someday, she may need someone to do the same for her, and maybe someday she would find someone as selfless as him.
magnadearel:
"I'm glad to hear that Ishara. Though don't be afraid to help her out now and then." Creo was glad to have met this pair today. It was much more pleasant than sitting here alone. "I hope so, but I won't rush it. If you get one too many cubs consider me?" He winked to show he was teasing. Dysi had everything well in paw. The white male nodded. "It has been an extreme pleasure meeting the both of you. Take care." Fondly he watched the duo make their way out the watering hole and dissappear from sight. Well it was time for him to be moving on too.
Fin.
