All ten of them were asleep. It was a complete miracle. None of them followed her out of the den, none of them were whining and crying, and Nohokai had said he'd watch them while she got out of the den for the first time in a while. Sabbia was finally getting her figure back. Not that she was very vain, but she was worried about her figure. Sure, Nohokai didn't love her for her looks, but she felt it helped. Besides, everyone told her she was going to probably stay fat after having ten kids, so she wanted to prove them wrong.
So, she was out in the sun, walking around the pride and greeting everyone. Her brother just had a litter of eight, and there was another cousin litter because of Kota's mate. There were so many little cubs running around that were now related to her! It made her smile. But she never wanted to have cubs again. If anything, she would have fourteen or something like that! It would be horrible.
She was completely engrossed in her own thoughts, that the crafter actually tripped over a small sea turtle that was on the shore. So, she ate dirt and sand and then toppled end over end to land on her stomach.
As the day was just beginning, Are'nui didn't have patrol today and thus, was a day off for him. He figured he would go and spend it with his family, who has hasn't had a chance to give them a proper visit in a while. Afterall, where would he be without his great-aunt Sevati? While he took the long way in the direction of their family den, he kept his eyes and ears open for any possible sneak attack from a certain female that he knew was trying to get back at him.
Just as he was nearing the shoreline, he heard a sound and froze in step. Eyes scanned the area for the source of the sound. And when his eyes landed on the source, they widen as he made his wave over to the female. Gently he asked, "Are you alright?"
Sabbia's head snapped up at the voice and her eyes widened. Of course it was a male that had seen her. Not that she was interested in males, but males talked! Somehow, Nohokai would know she tripped over this little turtle. She looked to the creature she tripped over and gave it a nudge to the ocean before looking back to the blue male marked like waves.
Wait a minute... Feana had talked about a male marked like waves like this. Maybe this was him? She wouldn't want to ask, because then she'd feel completely stalkerish. "I'm alright.. I got lost in thought is all." She gave a small smile toward him and sat up properly after she shook all of the loose sand off her fur.
: With a smile, and a quick look over her, he couldn't seen anything wrong with her. And during that he look, he came to realize that this was a new mother. Oh how lucky he was! If there was one thing he loved, it was cubs and their playful nature. He flashed her a grin, "I am glad to hear it....?" He paused for a name as he gave her his, "I'm Are'nui!"
"So it is you!" She blurted out without thinking, then her face turned red and she cleared her throat and looked down. "M.. my sister, Feana, talks about you... and how you started a war...." Violet eyes darted up to look at him curiously, like she really wanted to know just how he managed to pull Feana out of her funk she'd been in.
His eyes widen at her exclaimation...Well isn't this something! It wasn't everyday that he had a female yell at that "it was him!" at him. He was ever so curious before her words tumbled forth and he stood there laughing. "Oh my! Word seems to travel fast, I see!," He paused and narrowed his eyes slightly, "Guess I'm going to have to snip that noisy mouth of hers!" Of course, it was all in play as his eyes twinkled brightly.
And then it clicked. This was Feana's sister who just a had litter...the very sister who she talked about when they first ran into each other. And who they were plotting to dye her cubs different colors. Oh boy! What fun!
She swallowed and then gave a laugh at his playful words, nodding. "She does have a big mouth, but... our family has always been close. So... we all kind of ..." She was rambling and trailed off. Clearing her throat again, the girl sighed and shook her head. "Nevermind that. But I've heard about you. Feana talks of you fondly. ....And playfully. Like she was a cub. I don't think I've seen her this happy before."
Once more, she was rambling and her face grew slightly pink. Maybe he wouldn't notice.
His ears perked forward as he listened to her, "When we first met, she spoke of you....it's nice to put a name to the face now." He nodded slightly.
And then he couldn't help but chuckle at the latter remark. "So long as she doesn't try to raid my den with her crab friends, then I should be fine!" And then he'd just have to get her back, "Was she still purple when you saw her?"
"Oh, Sabbia. I'm.... Sabbia." She forgot to introduce herself! She bit down on her lip and then laughed out loud at the crab part and then nodded, laughter dieing down to chuckles. Ah, this was amazing. She could see why Feana was so happy after talking to him. He was funny and easy to talk to!
"She was very purple. She wouldn't say why though, just that 'Are'nui would pay!" Those are her words, not mine." She flicked an ear as she spoke and then blinked when she felt something hit her paw. Looking down, she saw it was the sea turtle that she'd tripped over. So, she moved her paws and watched as it walked away.
His face lit up at her response. That was just terrific! He'd just have to be even more careful, as he was sure that Feana wouldn't let him off so easily. "Of course, that sounds just like her. My plan worked then! Glad to see my mark was still there and couldn't be washed off that easily then!"
And then he couldn't help but grin at himself, "You know, she spoke of your cubs when we first met. I'd keep an eye on her, she tried to recruit me into helping her dye your cubs different colors!"
"Ah, well, a couple are already purple and blue. One of them has a red face." She sighed at that and shook her head. At least it was berry dye and not going to kill her cubs or anything. She knew Feana wasnt' going to do anything that stupid. "Her fur is light, so stains stay a while. When she comes back from hunts, she has blood all over her mouth and down her throat and chest. It's rather gross. And it's like that for a couple days, which she usually doesn't leave the den" Innocent Sabbia didn't realize she was giving the enemy useful information.
"...are you two together? She talks... of you like she wants to be... Or something."
He gave her a wide smile, "Oh really? Perhaps I should help show her some stuff around the ocean that would help get the stains out quicker for her light fur. My great-aunt is all white, so she's showed me a few of her secrets." Of course he knew a few things, but to think that this would be a great time to get Feana, he couldn't pass this juicy tidbit up. He'd definitely thank Sabbia when he was done. This was all thanks to her, afterall!
And then he caught his breath as she asked her question. That was so sudden he felt his face heat up and was slightly embarrassed. How was he supposed to answer this? Did she speak of such things to her family? He didn't know and was rather surprised she felt in such a way! "Together romantically, no we are not....but," He paused for the right words, "I can't say if she might succumb to me!"
"I mean... To me she sounds like she talks like that. I don't know if that's what she's really meaning to do or anything. But I've never seen her this happy. She's... laughing again, and eager to get out of the den. It's..." She just gave a sort of laugh and shuffled her feet, looking to the turtle again. Oh, if only she had a shell; Sabbia would be living in it.
Did he like her? She might as well ask; she'd already embarrassed herself this far, why not top it off? Clearing her throat again, her purple eyes tried to meet his. She was asking this as a sister. "Do you ....find her attractive? Or.. are you interested in just being friends with her? I... don't want her .... if she does like you, I don't want her hurt... if you're.. not interested in her like that. Not that she's interested in you like that. Not that you're ugly or anything. I just." She snapped her jaw shut and sighed deeply. Oh, joy. She was now in a very deep mental hole.
As the words tumbled from her mouth, he couldn't help but feel his face warm up slightly on his cheeks. He was sure they were pinkish in hue, if one looked close enough. It was a fair question, afterall if he was close with his siblings, or rather if he knew them at all, and they were suddenly interested in a significant other he'd be protective as well.
He paused to really think about it. He really enjoyed this "war" they had going, never had he been this happy before. And besides, he couldn't get her out of his mind, as he wanted to be ready for her next move. But rather, he was lonely and longed for a companion like so many others had but he missed his chance once.
"Sabbia, I don't know if your sister told you this, but I had a female that I was courting to be my mate. Things would have turned out well if for not, she one day vanished. I haven't seen or heard from her since. So trust me when I say that the last thing I'd want to do is play with anyone's feelings....especially your sister's." He paused to look at the embarassed female, "It's only natural that you ask me this, and rest-assured, I find your sister very attractive. I've never been happier! And I know you mean well." He gave her a warm smile.
The words he spoke made her cheeks flush. She didn't know anything like this. Feana hadn't told her, and she wasn't sure Feana knew. When she opened her mouth, Sabbia realized she didn't have anything to say on that, so she snapped it shut and licked her muzzle. Well, this was a good development. Very good. Maybe, a push in the right direction was in order for the two to actually get together. But Sabbia shouldn't interfere with Feana's life.
Oh, but she wished her sister such happiness, like she had. "....Good. I'm actually very glad! I mean, not that your interest fled like she did, but.. that you.. Yeah." She was so lame right now. This is why she didn't talk to many in the pride! She got so flustered and embarrassed.
"I think... though, I should get back to my babies. My mate is probably swamped to his ears in cries.." And she had to go feed them. So with a final farewell, Sabbia walked back towards her den, glancing over her shoulder and then grinned widely.
He gave her a soft chuckle, hoping to ease her embarassment slightly. He knew what she was trying to say, even if she stumbled over her words. As she had to get going back to her cubs, he nodded his head at her, "I hope we run into each other again, Sabbia! Please take care!" He called out in farewell as he watched her wander off.
