((This is a continuing story of a developing group of individuals, to be called Ekatra'nantaba, which means "united diversity". Should you be interested in joining the group, contact me privately, as this is not an open concept.
You can read about the group's slow growth in the following rps.
Musings
Safety From the Storm
Urgent Summons
Livesaving
Slow Awakening
Is It Over?
Decide To Change
Dither Not))


When Ewo had come in, looking purposeful, Brolly had been glad he was now feeling strong enough and well enough to sit, propped up on a pile of thick, soft pelts. He regarded his best friend with a wide grin, unable and unwilling to hide how much he was bursting with joy. He'd found his soulmate! When the ratel had explained to him why he'd come, to give his approval and support of his relationship with the pretty witch doctor, he nearly laughed aloud. It never would have occurred to him that Ewo would disapprove... they looked out for each other, and clearly Neera was what was best for Brolly, therefore it was logical to assume Ewo would approve! Still, it had made him beam to hear his friend's little speech, and he was still smiling when Neera trotted in.

She was actually looking back over her shoulder at the black ratel's disappearing form with a thoughtful look, but her face immediately lit up when she turned back to see him watching her. It was that instantaneous look of brilliant delight that tickled him so that he nearly laughed aloud once more. "Come, dearling, join me over here." He gingerly moved his still bandaged but no longer swollen foreleg to one side, out of the way. She came willingly and snuggled up next to him, nuzzling her head under his chin. They both let out deep groans of canine contentment and relaxed into the cuddle.

After a time, he felt her stir and tense a little. He guessed that something was on her mind, but kept quiet in order to let her work through it her own way, or to speak up and let him in on her thoughts. He was a patient and empathetic dog, and it stood him in good stead in this occasion as it had in many previous situations. With more shifting uncomfortably, she finally spoke up. "To be making this our life, are we?" It rather astonished him how timid the question came out... this bold, brave, confident female acting uncertain and tentative seemed a shame, and he wanted to immediately banish any doubts that might be troubling her.

"Of course we are, if you'll have me," he answered her promptly, twisting his head around so he could give her cheek a warm lick. "There is no one else for me, Neera. I knew that even before I knew your name. Your voice, your eyes, your scent, all entered my heart long before I was even lucid enough to know you were a wild dog. I don't think I could ever accept anyone else in that special place in my heart. You are the one who belongs there, and always will." He buried his nose against her fur and breathed deep, exhaling his warm breath back into it. Somehow she completed his life in a way he'd never really been aware he'd been waiting for. But having here here now with him, he couldn't imagine life otherwise.

She hadn't quite been trembling when she'd asked that vulnerable question, but very nearly so. She laid it all out on the line, opening herself to rejection or disappointment. Instead, all her puphood dreams and hopes came fluttering from some secret corner inside her and took up residence in her stomach, making her feel light headed and rather like she'd ingested one of those questionable herbs she kept on hand for certain clients. Oh my, oh my, this was beyond her ken! She replayed his words in her mind over and over and he warmed her neck with his blessed breath. He wanted to be mates! With her! A new life, a new start, a new purpose!

The fleeting thought about those questionable herbs suddenly shot to the front of her mind. While not exactly wrong, it wasn't exactly ethical to sell such things to such people, and she knew instinctively that he'd instantly disapprove if she kept doing it. But he made her want to be a better, stronger, more purposeful dog, and she resolved to change her ways as well as her way of life. She leaned into him carefully, avoiding jostling his injured leg, and heaved a sigh. "Glad I am you say so. The same it is with I. Know I was missing this in life, I did not. Going back to life before you, I could not."

She sat up then and turned to look directly into his face. Time for some more straight-forward talk, as that was how they best communicated, how they seemed to flow together. "Two things I say to you. One. Sell bad herbs, I will no longer." She watched him give her a puzzled look and took a deep breath. She didn't want to enlighten him to what she had been doing that he wouldn't like, but it was important to her that he understood. "Herbs, for use not healing," she said, then collapsed back away from him with a stupid, lazy smile on her face, eyes heavily lidded and ears drooping lethargically any which way. She watched as he continued to look puzzled for a moment, then cringed as understanding dawned and darkness clouded those bright eyes. "Bad herbs, no more," she said firmly, sitting back bolt upright. "For you. For us. For... right." She paused for his reaction, holding her breath.

Well, that wasn't the most romantic thing to have told him, nor was it anything akin to what he'd been expecting. However, after his initial shock of realizing what she was talking about, he'd had all manner of flashes of thought and emotion, righteous indignation being a primary reaction. But as he gazed into those anxious eyes, those beautiful teal eyes he'd fallen in love with, he knew that she was telling him this in good faith, apparently understanding that he'd rather know now and accept her choice in the matter than find out later that he'd assumed a few things that weren't true about her past. So he made himself take a slow breath, examining his own reaction as well as his deeper feelings. It took a little time, and he saw the worry and dismay rising in her face before he was able to give her his honest answer to the unspoken question... could he forgive her for what she'd done before meeting him?

"I understand, my love. And I am okay with this." He leaned up onto his sore leg to nuzzle her with gentle reassurance. "No, I don't approve that you did it before, but you have chosen differently now, and that is what matters. Thank you, dearling, for telling me, and for choosing to change in this way. I would not have demanded it of you, though I may have asked," he admitted a little ruefully. "Thank you for letting me see that it has been a part of your life. I won't hold it over your head, not ever."

She let loose her breath in a gust of tearful relief. She hadn't realized how much his answer would mean to her. In fact, she hadn't even known she was asking him to accept and forgive her in this matter. Good dog he was, he'd seen her needs and risen to support her, making her love him all the more. Now, for the next part. "Two," she began again, after they had nuzzled and cuddled back up again, "a place to live need we. My hut small is, and fit us all it will not." She amended a bit, "Not for long." It might work for a short term shelter, but they would need something better, something bigger, something more suited to their future together.

He gave another deep canine sigh and leaned into her comfortably. "We can worry about that later... when I can walk, hmm?" She chortled in reply, and he joined her in soft laughter. Silently they agreed... here and now was all they needed. Here, now, and each other.