[PRP] Laughter in the mists [Faun'Lómë x Ernil Dúlin]

[Thalion]

Ernil was aware of the watchful eyes but became more accepting of it after the first few spats. It was odd always having eyes on his back, always having a large pair of paws in his tracks, and always coming home to a gentle inspection of his well being. However, there was some comfort in it as well. He was curious and sadly, that often left him with a stubbed toe, a bump on his head, or a scraped leg. Every time, someone would come to his rescue and fix the little hurt as best they could.

He wasn't a brave cub by any means. Curious, but afraid. Shadows scared him and often times, the dark depths of the caves conjured up images of monsters. Shapeless things with hungry mouths ready to gobble up cubs. Ernil was often found in the shadow of one on his more bold brothers. However, most of them had returned to the cave. Of course- this was done without his knowledge.

One moment, there were others around him! The next- he was alone. What's worse was that the shadows were slowly growing longer, creeping like snakes along the ground. When the moon rose- so would the mists...what if something got him!?

Panting, he huddled in close to the ground and looked around. Someone saw him...right?

Alpaca Chobi

 

[Thalion]

Ernil nearly jumped out of his skin. The cub squealed and leapt into the air, his claws shooting out of his paws and the fur along his back standing up on end. When he landed, he was tensed up, paws spread, and ears flat against the back of his skull. There were monsters in the mists! He knew it! Maybe it ate the adults...maybe he was next! Maybe-

He caught sight of a small, pale paw feeling around ahead of him. Relief melted the cub and flattened him to the ground. He let out a long breath.

Alpaca Chobi

 

[Thalion]

The cub swallowed a lump in his throat. Now that the terror was over, his emotions spilled over into the very young, very insecure, very irrational desire to cry. Not wanting to in front of his more bold brother, the cub turned his head and pawed at his face. "I... okay." He managed, his voice cracking a little.

Angry by his lack of control, Ernil took a shuddering breath and glanced over to his brother. "Why were you hiding? Is there a monster?" He hoped there wasn't...that means they'd have to go see if the others were okay. If they weren't....gods he couldn't think that way.

Alpaca Chobi

 

[Thalion]

"Oh...", He lowered his ears and wiped at his maw. His emotions settled just as quickly as they'd been spiked and the cub was able to speak calmly once more. Some of the fur on his back remained standing but he was able to calm himself down a little more with a few slow breaths. "That's really important too... Dad said so. If the outsiders come- we hide in the mist..."

His ears rolled forward and he frowned. "Well...", He bobbed his shoulders. "I don't know... I can't see all the way in...something scary could be there. Something really bad..."

He looked back to his brother. "I'm being silly, aren't I?"

Alpaca Chobi

 

[Thalion]

The cub smiled a little sheepishly and rubbed at his forelimb with an over-sized paw. He did need to relax a little more, but he was one of the smaller cubs in his litter, the second youngest in the bunch. He also had an obsession with stories. When the magi began recounting the history and stories between the old pride of their father's time and the pride from the sea, Ernil was often the first to gather at their paws and listen. When Talagand would sing, he was often right there, begging for another song as the prior came to an end.

"Hiding? Yeah...yeah that's a good idea!" He glanced back to their den then back to his brother. "It'll be dark soon..."

Alpaca Chobi

 

[Thalion]

"Yeah...dad will get worried. He gets really quiet when he gets really worried." The boy's ears drooped and he made a small circle in the dirt. Their father always seemed distant. He kept his cubs very close at night and would sometimes wake when none of them thought he was watching. The moonlight would catch his eyes and the slight glaze in them as he counted each little head several times over. Eventually, he would settle and sleep again. He'd noticed...but he'd not told anyone.

His thoughts were disrupted as his brother broke away from him and started to run. Whimpering, Ernil got to his paws and stumbled about for a few steps. "Hey! Hey that wasn't fair!" His maw broke into a smile as his gait evened out and he started after his brother. "Cheaters have rotten pelts!"

Alpaca Chobi