Since they shared a little bit about themselves, Meris noticed that Cay was being more quieter than normal. Normally she would at least sing to him, but now she was just helping him decorate the cave. He had to admit that he wished she would say something. She was making him feel like a jerk for having her share something about her life. He hoped she would forgive him if she was mad.
“Cay are you alright. I'm sorry that I made you tell your story. Next time I'll wait until you're ready.” he took his tail and draped it over her back. As much as he wished he could leave right now, he would feel guilty if he just left while she was so upset. “Anything I can do to make you feel better?” He hoped she would say no, but regardless he would do anything to help her out.
Cay felt guilty. She never felt guilty. The story that she told Meris was a lie. Her own story was a mirror to the one she spoke of. She decided to keep her true story in the past. Eventually she would tell him if she felt like it. Her real story in someways felt darker than the one she told. “I'm fine.” she muttered.
However the sad act made Meris want to do what ever he could to please her. “It would help me, just a little bit if you told me more about your family. What are they like?” She was curious to learn more about his family. A small part of her wanted to meet them, though she wasn't sure about the little brother yet. He seemed like a weakling.
Meris looked at Cay. Why did he have to tell her everything about him? Couldn't she share as well? It wasn't fair that he had to keep telling his stories. He looked at her about to say no, when he saw her upset face. With a sigh he laid down. With a cheerful smile, she laid next to him, eager to hear his story.
“I have an older sister as well as an older brother,” he said picturing Leenah in his head. She was still young like the last time he saw her. “Her name was Leenah-Sesi. She was such a silly cheetah. I remember when ever we played hide and seek she would come out of her hiding spot when ever she saw a butterfly.” He laughed at the thought.
Cay felt her inside's turn cold. Why was he bringing up his sister. She wasn't interested in that. No, Cay, stay calm let him finish. It isn't nice for you to interrupt. I am sure he has a reason for bringing her up, she thought as he told his story.
“My brother Kyros got lost once. Leenah went after him while my mother and father were looking for him. I stayed in my den like I was told. My mother and father came back with Kyros, but Leenah was no where. I told them that she went after her, but the storm was too much. They said they would find her in the morning, but that never happened. They looked every where and asked the locals if they had seen her, but they had no luck with that.”
“Please don't finish.” Cay interrupted. This tale wasn't one she liked. Meris wasn't a hero in it, he was hardly in it. In fact all he did was cower in the den like his parents told him to. Leenah was the heroic one and she.. The story reminded her too much of someone she lost and she couldn't have that. What is past is past and it should stay there. “Can't you tell me a happy story? I'm tired of all these depressing stories.”
“I'm sorry Cay. Do you want the story to be real? I don't think I have too many stories about my past that are happy ones.” he tried to think of at least one truly happy moment, but he couldn’t think of one other than the ones he shared with his siblings when he was younger.
“You can make one up.” I did after all, she thought. She nudged closer to him. “But make sure it's happy okay.”
“Alright Cay.” He had to think quickly. She loved stories where he was the hero so he would need to do just that. He hated the idea of making up a story that glorified him, but that was the least he could do after making her upset twice. “My brother and I were having as little play fight when we saw this young leopard stuck up in the tree. Kyros had the bright idea shaking three three in hopes the cub would fall out and I could catch him. Before he could do too much damage I stopped him and climbed up. I apologized for my brother's behavior and offered the cub a meal. I had Kyros search for his mother, but he couldn't find it. I brought the cub back to the family's den. We decided to raise the cub as our own brother, a family member. Right now my brother is traveling with him, showing him the world.”
“Your bad at coming up with stories.” Cay said once he finished. She wasn't expecting him to tell her an amazing story, but she did expect something better than that. It didn't matter. Their cubs would get their genius from her and not from him anyways. They could have his hunting skills and looks than they would be fine. “I could come up with a better story.”
He stared at her in disbelief. He did his best, what did she expect from him. “Well my love why don't you tell me a better one than. I'm sure it will be much better than mine.” he said bitterly, sitting away from her.
“I already did darling. My story about how my parents thought I was a beast that I all a lie.” she replied back as calmly as she could. Her voice was a little cracky. “My parents loved me, adored me in fact. I just didn't want you to think I was a spoiled little brat.”
He looked at her sadly for a moment. “I would never. Cay I love you. I love you so much, even though I've only known you for a short time, you mean the world to mean.”
Through watered eyes she looked at him and smiled. He was perfect, despite his stupidity.
WC: 1,092
