The little jackal wandering around the plain was looking for something. Or someone, rather in specific. His guardian Bast had told him, issued him this request. On her behalf, he would do it, for he was her loyal companion. She had kept him safe from many things, allowed him to be a part of many sacred meetings and doings, and so he would make his family line honored and proud of his accomplishments in his life to the night goddess.Gold markings shined in the darkness; he had left Bast earlier in the night to seek out this certain god. It was the god of obscurity, Bast's only own son. Mushkeli was said to be spotted somewhere among the rogues in these lands, as he had come down from the haven to keep his children here until they were grown up and ready for the world without him. Not that they weren't ready already - as Bast's family and blood proved to be far more strong and adept than many others.
His little paws padded along the soft grasses until he reached the spot. Yes, this was around where Bast told him to be at to seek the dark figure. Hopefully, Mushkeli would not deny him by using his cloaking abilities either. The little jackal was, after all, a part of their family line as well.
Once more, the large figure had another few free moments from his children. They were growing... Soon, there would not be a need for his presence or his powers to keep them concealed from annoying passersby. He breathed a large sigh, air floating to the rest of the chill wind.What tranquility can be attained by being with oneself.
However, it seemed like something was nagging at him - something behind him. It was... something looking for him.
He turned to see a small black dot within the grasses. A hint of gold indicated it was someone he knew very well. The jackal could have even been considered as the god's nanny, as he was raised by both the goddess and the jackal... The jackal proved to be far more present, however, as Bast was not up during the day, and so Inpu was Mushkeli's company when that happened.
"Inpu," he greeted, nodding his head in kind acknowledgement to the canine.
It was the only canine he liked, really - and it was even rare for him to be familiar and cordial to just another soul. He had lifted his cloak for the jackal to take notice of his whole figure and presence. How did the jackal know where to go? Ah, Bast must have told him. That shouldn't have even been a thought.
"Ah, Mushkeli!" Inpu returned the greeting, smiling that he was indeed welcome in his goddess's son's company.
"I see you are alone. Where are the children?"
He wondered, looking to the left and right and not seeing any signs of Viraji, Sitiri, Takadamu, Xia Hua, Salima, or Upinzani. Not one of the six cubs! To think! Did Mushkeli not keep them close at all times? Sure, they were old enough... But he supposed that was the way Mushkeli worked, and he accepted that.
"Not here. Over there," he said, turning his owlish face ever so slowly to the side.
Turning back to the jackal, he wanted to ask... Was Bast trying to keep an eye on him? Was something the matter or urgent he needed to attend to? Surely not, for if that was the case, Bast herself, his mother, would have come to him personally. Surely she would not have been in enough trouble to not be able to do that.
"What are you doing here, Inpu?" Mushkeli asked.
"Oh, just checking in, Mushkeli," he replied, looking far up at the towering black figure with a smile.
"Bast doesn't talk that much about you, if at all, you know, Mushkeli. Of course, we know you have it all under control... But you know, if there was something ol' Inpu can do for you, I'll be happy to," he said brightly.
"Ever since the day Bast came with you, I was delighted to bring you into my own paws to watch over during the day. Though I guess some of those days... You ended up being the one to do the same for me. Hah! But otherwise, I would like to see you happy and at peace. I mean, alright, maybe that's not your particular style, but... Mushkeli, I want the best for you, too! Even if Bast does not always find the voice or right words to state that. You know as well as I that you mean the world to her, and now, her grandchildren, too, are loved."
Inpu cleared his throat, wanting to say more but leaving Mushkeli for that for the moment. Sure, the boy never really took anything well, really. He didn't take anything with any reaction at all! Poor boy. If only his domain had been something more nice about the night... Like the shining stars! But Mushkeli would definitely not be fond of something with a domain like shining stars or glimmering twilight. Ah, well.
Was the jackal lecturing him now? Oh, he had thought those days were long gone! The thought even brought a humored smile to his mouth, but his mask was still able to retain a blankness on his expression.
"I am doing well with the children, Inpu. You have no need, you have already fulfilled your duty when you raised me. You have no need to look after six god children. They are a pawful, I assure you. Do not let your mortal life be wearied by them, as I am enough to handle the lot," he stated.
"Bast would be more suited in having you around her. But I appreciate the kind offer, dear Inpu."
"Ah, Mushkeli!" he replied, tears almost welling up in his eyes from the words of the brute he raised.
"It warms my heart to know you care!"
Mushkeli gave a grunt for a sound, and then turned away.
"I suspect Bast is somewhere near enough to return to, if you are here. You shall return to her now. There is much of the night still yet to come, and your time with Bast is more valuable."
"Thank you, my son!" he said happily, turning away to run back the way he came from.
"I'll see you again soon, hopefully, Mushkeli!"
For one of the many rare times, Mushkeli's face lightened up by the simple greeting of his caretaker when he was young. Ah, those were the innocent, more silent days of peace and contentment. Too harrowed he had become, too attached to earthly desires since those days.
