[SRP] How It Should Be (Sasta, Elera)

[Talencia]

Today was her day off, but she had no idea how to spend it. Piera had been spending more time roving the lands. The leopardess couldn't much blame her. Elera had been extra cranky lately, and had been ignoring the bird's attempts to help her work through it. She figured the bird had given up in disgust, though usually this wasn't the case. Even so, something was indeed bothering the leopardess. She just wasn't ready to admit what it was exactly. Why did everyone have to keep poking at her about it!

Scowling to herself, she sprawled in tree shade, not aware that she'd chosen the spot subconsciously. It was within sight and hearing of the area where the cubs played. Nor was she aware of how her eyes followed the tiny bodies as they romped, rolled, cried, and snoozed. Inwardly, she was still grousing about the absence and persistence of her feathered companion, still stubbornly avoiding the real issue.  

[Talencia]

Sasta was romping with the other cubs. They were mostly lions, with a couple other species and hybrids sprinkled in, but to the little leopard, they were all the same. Some were sick, some weren't. Some were girls, some were boys. But they all were around the same age, and that was all he cared about. Some of the cubs he felt free to tumble and wrestle with, and others he talked animatedly with, or pretended with.

Recently though, he'd noticed another leopard, someone he hadn't met yet, lounging nearby from time to time. She often had a frown on her face, and looked so very... alone. Yes, that was the right word. She looked very alone and sad. The other cubs called her "Old Crankypaws" amongst themselves, but knew better than to use that name around the adults. Sasta wasn't so sure. He caught sight of her again today, and stopped, mid-pounce. Hmm. Yes, today was the day. He firmed his shoulders and started to march towards her, despite the cries of alarm and warning from his fellow youngsters.

Sasta saw someone who needed a hug, and he was determined to give it to her, one way or another!  

[Talencia]

Elera's dark musings were interrupted when a small form came marching up to her. She looked up, startled at the direct approach by one so young, but her look of blank surprise melted into a more usual sullen and unwelcoming narrowing of her eyes. Here was yet another youngster to taunt or make fun of her. "Go away," she snapped, ears slanting backwards. "Go play or... something." She waved a imperious paw towards the play area and the other cubs, a few of which were watching the two of them. This only soured her mood further, convincing her that she was being made the brunt of a prank. "I have had cubs of my own, and I know what to do to naughty cubs."

She rose from her relaxed position to sit, looming intentionally over the cub with a scowl on her muzzle. it was not exactly an idle threat, but it wasn't exactly the truth either. Scolding or punishing cubs was one of the few things she knew about being a mother, but wasn't something she'd had much call to do, since her own cubs had rarely been in her care. They'd been raised by the nannies, and were hardly products of her upbringing at all. Still, she knew how to discipline a cub without doing any real harm to it, and she raised one paw warningly at the fuzzy upstart standing before her.  

[Talencia]

Sasta was undaunted by the growly exterior that the leopardess presented him. In fact, he rather thought of it as evidence that she needed a friend. Rather than flinching away from the raised paw, or cowering from the scowling look, he continued marching up to her, then flung himself under that up-raised paw and wrapped her paws around her midsection in a great, purring hug. A sweet smile was on his ecstatic face, his eyes squeezed shut with joy. Yes, this grown up lady just needed a really good, really sincere hug. Everyone needed love, even those who seemed unlovable. His mama had taught him this, and he was certain it was true in all ways. Thus his fearlessness in flinging himself at a growling, threatening leopardess whom he had never met before.

His loving nature knew no bounds, and everyone he saw was a potential friend to bestow mounds of affection on. This leopardess was no exception.  

[Talencia]

Elera stared down at the cub embracing her white belly with his equally white forelegs, her warning paw still raised, though the tension had gone out of it. She was in shock at the sudden and unsolicited affection. He was even... purring!! Still frozen in an awkward position, her mind tumbled with conflicting emotions. A small, quiet, strengthening voice in the back of her mind was singing and rejoicing at the sensation of tiny paws pressing against her lovingly. That set off a quiver of astonishingly powerful wistfulness that she had been remaining stubbornly oblivious to previously.

Another part of her was horrified and repulsed. Who was this cub, to be so extremely familiar with her in this manner?! She hadn't given him permission to touch her, much less embrace her! How dare he! The paw in the air trembled, though whether with fatigue, anger, or uncertainty, not even Elera herself could have told. She realized she wasn't breathing and sucked in a big, deep breath that clearly wanted to come right back out again as... what? Something.

"You...," she began shakily, her whole body beginning to shake slightly. "You... what... why... you...," she spluttered, finally managing a coherent sentence in a spurt of, "Who are you?"  

[Talencia]

Sasta was astonished at the trembling. Had it been so long since she'd gotten a hug? Goodness gracious, he'd been even more right than he'd thought! She did need a hug very much! He squeezed her belly tighter with his purr going up a few notches until she finally asked him a question he could understand. He let go of her warm belly, tipped his head back, and smiled sweetly up at her. "I'm Sasta, your new friend!" With saying this, he rubbed his forehead along her belly, up under her raised paw, which he then batted at gently with very soft little paws. "You looked like you needed a hug, so here I am!"

That being said, he leaned into her belly again, but wrapped both paws around her foreleg that was on the ground and proceeded to pretend to attack it. He flopped on his back, right there between all four of her paws, batting and pulling at the leg he'd 'captured', purring wildly and waving his tail excitedly. It never occurred to him that he might not be wanted, or that he might not be loved in return. His approach was wholly innocent and genuine, and thus had never failed him before. Clueless as to how likely it was that it might not work this time, he continued to be his usual cute cubby self, grinning up at her and still patting her leg with his paws.  

[Talencia]

She continued to stare down at him in mute astonishment. Her friend? A hug? Blinking almost blankly, she set the raised paw down very gingerly and took a closer look at this babe. He was a leopard, and thus smaller than the lion cubs tumbling around further away. The other young ones had already wandered off to play, having ascertained that Old Crankypaws wasn't going to murder Sasta after all. She finally leaned over to nose him. He smelled clean and well-cared for, his tummy was round without being sickly bloated. His trusting eyes gazing up at her clearly showed that he was very well loved and tended. His soul seemed to look out of those eyes, welcoming her in and inviting her to stay.

She raised her head sharply and shook it. This was nonsense. Cubs didn't welcome one into their souls. Did she have heatstroke? But a creeping sensation at the back of her mind said differently. This is how it should be, that part of her mind whispered, insidious and yet somehow ringing true. This cub was the result of the right kind of home, the right kind of mother. This was what she down deep was suppressing. The wish, the need, to have this very thing. Her throat closed and she looked away from the adorable baby between her paws, trying to get a grip.

She wasn't the emotional type. She didn't cry. She didn't long wistfully for anything. She was independent. She could do everything she wanted, all on her own. Oh, but how hollow that echoed within her! Taking a deep, shaky breath, she looked down at Sasta again. Very softly, almost too soft for him to hear, she finally replied. "Yes, I think you are right. I did need a hug." Then she was trembling all over again, holding back the urge to cuddle the sweet, fuzzy thing to her, as well as holding back the tears she couldn't quite grasp the reason for yet.  

[Talencia]

Completely oblivious to the great inward struggle, Sasta beamed up at his elder, unconsciously doing the irresistible but purely instinctive cubbie way of melting the heart of any adult within sight. His eyes were large and appealing, his face was fluffy and sweet, his paws curled in just the right way, his tail waving and curling in a show of happy contentment. In short, it would have taken a much harder heart than that of Elera'plova to deny the cuteness of this cub. But what made it all the more effective was the clear fact that it was artlessly sincere, caring straight from the innocent little heart. Without a doubt, at this moment, Elera was his whole world.

Her words made his eyes brighten and his face scrunch up in a delighted grin. "Then let me give you another!" he cried, flipping over onto his paws and flinging himself against her belly again. His purr was a mighty thing by now, and his joy could not be denied or contained. Hugs were the bestest thing in the world! And hugging someone who needed it was even better! "I'm glad I was here to give it to you," he added, his voice muffled by her fur.  

[Talencia]

She carefully and ever-so-gently wrapped one paw, then the other, around the small body that clung to her, purring like a joyous cricket at dusk. Had this been what she had held herself away from before? Quietly, deep in her heart, she made a solemn vow. It was time to do something for herself, something that would benefit others as well. It was time to choose to have a family. She understood that the likelihood of finding a male that would take her as his mate was unlikely and improbable. She wasn't the warm-hearted, sweet, alluring sort. She was frank, straight-forward, and not exactly a beauty, not to mention being middle-aged. But she was certain she could find a male willing to father cubs for her. A male who wouldn't mind not being part of their lives, who wouldn't mind her raising them however she saw fit.

Looking down at the cub tenderly, she thought of how much love she'd be sure to give this next litter. So that they might turn out like this melting example of a sweetheart. "Thank you," she whispered, leaning to give the babe a small, tentative nuzzle.  

[Talencia]

It made Sasta very happy to receive a hug in return, making him purr all the louder. Yay, loving! "You're welcome!" he said brightly to her thanks. He gave her one last squeeze, then bounced backwards, beaming up at her. "You give nice soft hugs. I'll have to come back another day for more!" His innocent joy lit his face as he considered this decision. "Yes, that way we can both have nice hugs all the time!" He was still innocent, still ignorant of the knowledge that not everyone had someone to be loved by, or to love. To him, it made sense to spread love wherever you could, whether someone needed it or not. Life was good for the naive little leopard. "I've got to go now, though! Bye!" And quick as that, he had turned and bounded away, off on some adventure or game, whatever came up next to devote his attention to, unaware of the changed leopardess he left behind.