|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 9:10 pm
 It hadn't been long since her mother had been taken by a homba. Never having known her father and being the only surviving kitten of the litter, as far as Wren knew, she was alone in the world. Her mother had been with her until the point that she began to hear and her grass green eyes opened to the comforting sights of the burrow, around for her first taste of fresh greens. The kitten was still quite young. Too young to be left alone. Too young to be without guidance. Wren was small for her age, not quite a runt but smaller than was normal. For a while she waited in her mother's burrow for her return, but she never returned. Wren stayed hopeful, but was beginning to understand that her mother wouldn't be coming back. The small female emerged from the network of burrows, her nose twitching slightly nervously. She had grown hungry and wasn't used to foraging about alone. Wren hopped a few paces and glanced skyward. The sky was overcast, heavy gray clouds opened up in places to let warm golden beams of sunshine through or patches or clear blue sky. It had rained earlier, but had stopped by Ni-Frith. The clouds looked like they couldn't choose whether or not to disappear or rain again. The soft red kitten hopped over to a patch of sunlight filtering through the branches of thier big tree and briefly nibbled at a dewy blade of grass. Her hunger had left her. Wren felt so small and could see some of her warrenmates eating with their families and friends. The dew in the grass made her feel chilly when the gentle, normally comforting breeze blew across the down. Wren sat up onto her hind legs and ran her paws over her face, smoothing her little tuft of dark fur on the top of her head as she did so. She didn't know what to do with herself. She felt quite hungry, but didn't feel right eating without someone close to her. The little Wren made a soft distressed sound as she couldn't decide what to do. She simply kept cleaning her face and ears as her mother had always done before silflay.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 11:22 am
 The flay was all well and good, and Cowslip was thankful for the nourishment that the soft, sweet grasses and clovers offered to his large, furry body. The rains didn't bother him so much, as did the existence of the diseased rabbits over yonder, further down the side of the massive hill they called home, but he wasn't going to let sour thoughts ruin his current meal and his tired, yet happy demeanor.
It was when he was ready to leave the wet, slightly rainy afternoon, when he caught sight of a very small and very alone kitten. She was certainly too young to be on her own, yet there she was, cleaning her face nervously. Instead of making a bee-line for the warren, he came to a halt near the much smaller rabbit and sniffed at her softly.
"Little one, are you alright?" He asked as he gave her forehead a lick. The noises she was making sounded distressed and he couldn't help but to worry slightly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 6:50 pm
The fretting little Wren didn't notice the large buck drawing nearer. She jumped slightly when he spoke to her. A little tremble briefly racked her frame. Wren's green eyes took the big male in and found she didn't feel threatened by size due to his large concerned eyes and the lick to her forehead that warmed her up. She sadly shook her head.
"No," She crooned softly. "Momma won't come back. I'm alone. No one else." The little red kit ran a paw over one of her ears in an attempt to supress a sniffle. She lowered her paw and gazed up at the male before shuffling closer to him then burying her face into his thick black and white fur. "Don't know what to do..."
This was the honest truth, since her mother had only gotten around to teaching her very few edible things. Yes, she could live off of grass, but she didn't know the look of poisonous plants to avoid. Wren didn't like being alone. She would be coping better if she had siblings or some familial tie, alas she had none.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:09 pm
He listened silently and flicked an ear back. Had no female been watching over this little kitten, then? Would none take her in? He felt some guilt in first considering brushing her off or taking her to the nearest female...
He did like kittens after all, though he had yet to have any of his own, and she obviously was in need. He dropped to all fours and gave her forehead another warming lick before speaking once more in a hushed, friendly tone.
"Well, no mother and all alone... You certainly are too young. Why don't you stick near me for a while and I'll help you on your way. Have you eaten enough? Are you full? If not, I can show you some tasty tidbits I was nibbling on earlier that would be bound to fill you up. S'a bit cold out, with the rain we've been having, so it might be best if you aren't out here for too long."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 7:46 pm
The kit lifted her head at the buck's words, her ears pricking forward slightly with his offer. She beamed up at him before nuzzling her cheek against his coat.
"Okay," She answered finally with a sweet smile. "No. I only nibbled a little of that grass there. I'm only kinda hungry though. The dew's made me all shivery," Wren said as a shiver caused her dampened fur to spike up slightly.
"Oh, I'm Wren." She spoke her name proudly. Wren liked her name and did like introducing herself. Since the large spotted buck would be her new caregiver, it seemed like an important thing to do. "What do you want me to call you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:01 pm
On noting the kitten shivering, he immediately began grooming her brown coat, which was moist with rain and slightly spiking up. Unknown to him, he had already vowed deep down that he would do everything within his power to take care of the little youngster that had none to look after her. He didn't know all that much about raising young, but he would learn and do what he could.
"Eh, Cowslip ought to work, s'the name my dear old mum saddled me with seasons ago. Wren is awful pretty, dear. Listen, if you're sill hungry, I can lead you to some nice, young clovers, then we could head back to my burrow for a rest. I could tel you a story, too, if you would like."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:27 pm
It felt very comforting to be groomed again. She did what she could, but she was still young and missed places due to the fact that she hadn't figured out the best way to reach her back just yet. She closed her eyes contently as the dew was cleaned away.
Wren giggled a little. "Cowslip." She spoke his name as if feeling how it felt in her mouth and the weight of it in her life. "Thank you."
She nodded honestly, a little bob of her head with her green eyes gazing up into his grays. "I think I've only tried clover once or twice before." A yawn escaped her. Worrying was something that seemed to sap her of her energy quite quickly. "I'd like that." Her face lit up at the mention of a story. "I love stories and singing."
At present, she meant that she liked listening to stories and singing, but only time would tell if her love continued on as she grew older. In all liklihood, it would.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 8:43 pm
"Right, then, I'll tell you about the time... Hm, how about the time that... That I met a Homba." He chuckled as he nudged the little kitten's side with his white nose, in the direction that he had been not all that long ago. "I do like clover, fresh cowslip is delicious too, if you can find it. I'll show you all that tastes good, what is safe to eat and what isn't, what smells to fear. One must always watch out for the Thousand."
He rambled as he led the little one on, thinking of what the future might bring. This will certainly be work, but as he moved along with her, he was mentally preparing himself and was almost excited about the entire affair. He had a daughter now, even if she wasn't his by blood.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:14 pm
Wren's eyes grew wide and she gasped in surprise to learn that her father figure had meet a Homba before. She took to moving in the direction indicated by Cowslip's gentle nudge. "You've met an Homba before? What happened? What did you do?" She pondered over the things she had tried before. "I haven't tried cowslips yet." She smiled at his words. "I can hardly wait to learn everything."
She followed along his side, enjoying listening to his rambling. The big buck was so nice to her and everything he said held her interest. Even though she felt tired and hungry, she couldn't stop herself from feeling the little flare of excitement in her heart at having a father to take care of her. She had never known the buck who was her actual father and if first impressions were correct, Cowslip would be the best father the little kitten could ever ask for.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:23 pm
"Indeed, I did! It was way back, when I lived in a hutch. Er, the place where humans keep tame rabbits. It's like a burrow, but off the ground and you can't escape easily. I lived there with my mother and sisters. And you know, that homa waltzed right in! He slunk right past the guard dog and was nosing about the wires, near us!" He exclaimed in a cheery tone as he led her along.
He didn't stop until he came to the patch of clovers that he had in mind. Fortunately, they weren't all that far from the warren and it wouldn't take long for them to return to the burrows.
"I'll tell you more, little one, but here is where we stop for now." He nosed the fresh, green clovers and motioned for her to come nearer with a flick of his head. "The best trick is to eat just enough. Not so much that you are full, just enough so you are no longer hungry. It will keep your stomach from hurting and you will not feel sluggish. That way you are always quick on your paws and ready to run from the Thousand, should they come your way."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 9:59 pm
"Oh my goodness! That must have been scary!" She had many questions to ask him of his story but before she managed to get any out they had arrived at the patch of young clovers.
Wren stepped closer and sniffed at the young green leaves of a clover that was between her front paws. She kept her focus on his face, nodding at his instructions. It seemed like a reasonable thing to do. "I wouldn't want to be slowed up if that happens." The kitten nibbled on the greens. It didn't take her long before the little hollow ache in her belly went away. She was satisfied but not stuffed.
She gave a yawn then looked up to him. "I think I'm ready to go home now, Cowslip."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:10 pm
"Definitely not. As long as we are ready and know many tricks, we will be fine. It is knowing and learning these tricks that are half the battle, though. Be fast and sly, like El-ahrairah." He advised as he watched her munch away lightly on the fresh, young leaves. Ah, there was much to teach her, especially the things he had been learning, himself, now that he was free of pampered hutch life.
"Right, then? Let's head back. My burrow isn't anything extravagant. Just a dig suitable for a bachelor, but it's cozy enough and I think you'll like it." He rambled as he hopped lazily towards the warren's entrance, past "Zorn's Rock."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:54 pm
"I can be fast. I can be sly. I could make you and El-ahrairah proud!" She smiled to him.
"Okay," Wren chimed when Cowslip spoke of his burrow. "It doesn't need to be. You'll be there and we can be nice and snug while we nap." The kitten followed after the larger buck, not wanting to lag behind. "So, before me, it was just you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 11:35 am
"After I came to live here, I was just me." He chuckled as he led the much smaller creature towards the warren's entrance. "I once lived with my mother and siblings. There were a few other rabbits, too. Oh, and a great old Pfeffa, too! He never got into the hutch, thank goodness." He yammered. It didn't take too long to return to the warren, because he hadn't led her too terribly far out, not with her being so small and so tired.
"Right then, stick close!" And he vanished through the entrance, taking her down an unfamiliar run, as he did not burrow near where her mother once had. As he had said, it wasn't all that large. It was big enough for his bulk and until she aged to an adult, it should hold both of them snugly. The innards of the burrow were well worn and he had brought lovely little flowers down here at one time, though now they were long dead and their fragrance was beginning to fade.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 4:23 pm
"Oh, wow! Really?" Wren asked with an impressed gasp. "Were you friends with the pfeffa? What was your mother and siblings like? Do you remember how many others there were? Were they nice?" The small kitten could probably go on and on with her questions to match Cowslip's carrying on. She was so eager to learn. She hardly noticed that they had gotten to the entrance of a run.
She nodded with a smile. "Okay. I will." Wren meant it too. It was an unfamiliar run and she would hate to get lost now, especially since she had just found someone to take her in and care for her. The red kit followed closely behind the big black and white buck, doing her best to note anything that stuck out as something that could keep her from getting lost in the future. Upon reaching the burrow, she stuck her head in and looked around. It looked like it had plenty of room for them both. Wren sniffed at the flowers then looked to Cowslip. "You need more. These are fading. We can go get more later, okay?" She smiled and looked around again. "I like it. It feels nice."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
