at the fire. Her fists are clenched tight, and I wonder if perhaps we missed a resonance here. D'see's eyes are blue with khui brightness, so perhaps she has already been claimed by one of Shadow Cat?
Someone chuckles nearby, and I look to see V'za approaching. He has his son in his arms, and I notice that Z'hren is now wearing a little fur hat sent over from the other tribe, and he looks charming…even for a Strong Arm kit. Or perhaps I just have kits on my mind lately. V'za comes to stand beside me and leans in as those around the campfire get to work, organizing the cooking. "B'shit does not look happy, does she? It has been an interesting handful of days while you were gone." V'za just shakes his head, as if amused at the antics of the younger generation. Z'hren chews on his fist, staring at me. V'za smiles. "I think this camp will be quite…eventful for a while. You and your mate came back? I was not sure if you would."
I glance over at him. I have only told other Tall Horn that we were considering a permanent stay at Croatoan. "What makes you say that?"
He shrugs, watching his mate. "Your female has not been happy for a while. It was very obvious. Shail wondered if she was leaving just to get away from the stares here."
Shail is wise. "It was an idea…but this is home."
"Home is where your mate is," V'za corrects. The child in his arms flails his fists and then reaches out to me. V'za glances over at me. "Do you want to hold him?"
Do I? I think for a moment, and then put my arms out for the boy. Z'hren practically leaps into my arms, and I stagger in surprise at how heavy he is for his small size. He is solid, this one, and I marvel that slight-looking Shail can carry him all day without complaint. "He is big."
"He is. Eats enough for three," V'za says proudly. "Always at his mother's teat." He nudges me and winks. "Just like his father."
It is a ridiculous joke, but I laugh anyhow. Z'hren blinks at me, and then his color flickers before settling into the exact shade of blue I am. The kit opens his mouth wide and giggles, showing off two tiny teeth on the bottom of his gums, and that makes me laugh all over again. I do not remember ever being around a kit like this, and I have never held one. He is cute. I rock him in my arms, wincing when all four fists grab at my mane and he lifts it to his mouth. "He is strong."
"Very." V'za smiles. "Will you hold him while I see if my mate needs anything?"
The older hunter moves away before I can respond, and then I am left with Z'hren. I consider his round, chubby face, wondering if my son will look like this. Z'hren makes a “guh” noise in his throat and puts a fistful of my mane into his mouth, drool going everywhere. I grimace, trying to dislodge my mane from so many sticky little hands. "I do not know if you should eat that, little one."
"Guh!" Z'hren says again, ignoring me.
"Your mother will not be happy if you fill your belly with my mane instead of milk," I point out. "And a hunter must be strong and fit so he can outrace even the fiercest of beasts, yes?" The kit seems to be listening to what I say, so I continue talking, even as I awkwardly bounce him like V'za did. "You will need to grow up big and strong so you can take down a beast as fierce as Old Grandfather…or as wily as a kaari. You know what those are, yes?" I keep on going. "And you will need to be able to provide for a mate. That is what every hunter aspires for—a beautiful mate at his side." I lean in closer, as if imparting a secret. "Like mine."
"Who are you talking to?" My mate touches my back, moving to my side. There's a look of amusement on her face. "Did you get stuck babysitting?"
I grin down at her, pleased that she has made her way over to me. I thought I would lose her to her friends all night. "V'za needed to help Shail, and I was nearby." I shrug, adjusting the child on my hip. "He is a good kit. Very wise.