(AIM Log between Keantha's Shoshanda, and my Makoto.)
Makoto was resting. She didn’t take time off fairly often, but ever since the birth of her cubs, she had sought solace in what little sleep she could manage. With a shortage of nursing mothers to look after them, she had taken on the roll herself, as was natural, but it cost her. She sat up with a gruff snort. Makoto needed to MOVE. Get up and run, or hunt, or just generally do her job instead of running back every couple of hours to feed her daughters! Though, she should be blessed there was only the two and no boys, but still!
A happy giggle could be heard from the cave that housed the royal family. It was too high pitched and young to be Eberen, too girly to be Hippy and the newborn cubs were frankly to young to be giggling so that only left Shoshanda or her sister.
The large, burly lioness lifted her head, cocking her eyebrow to the side. That was…She shook her head. It wasn’t all that weird, actually. Two leopons resided in that den that could have easily shook her out of her thoughts, and so long as they weren’t out and poking where they shouldn’t be, she was content to sit back.
"Makoto?" The sweet almost singing voice called out as the blind leopon came into view. Sho was her mother made over in temperament, kind and patient but without her mother's utterly mischievous streak.
Her azure eyes softened into a calming smile. “A little to your left, Lady Shoshanda.” Although she knew that the lighter colored leopon was more than capable on her own paws, Makoto wasn’t risking having her tripping over anything to get to her. “Was there something you wanted of me?”
Sho's smile was brilliant as she turned her sightless eyes towards makoto using her voice to come to her side, affectionately bumping her head against her when she got close enough, "oh no no. I am sorry. Am I disturbing you?"
“Of course not.” Sho was one of few that Makoto made it a point to be nice to. She even went as far as to bear the head bump instead of retreating like she’d wanted to. Unlike with Ebere, she also tried not to show her true feelings, and instead responded with, “I was just lounging about before the girls needed me again.”
Sho's smile was bright and sweet as she beamed at the stocky guard, "Oh how are the girls doing? I beat they are beautiful." She sounded slightly wistful wishing she could see the tiny little cubs
Makoto’s face was less than pleasing, more of a grimace than anything, even as her words were peaceful. “Strong, healthy, and growing. Two little scamps as white in pelt as you.” And even though she didn’t say it, she was thinking of their father. Nothing good, mind you, but he passed by. She also didn’t feel the need in mentioning that her youngest, the one that had been born some time after her sister, was sickly. Even though she had been told it was normal for a first time mother, it still had her on edge. How could she have given birth to a weak cub? She didn’t blame her daughter, oh no. It was all her fault, anyway, that her daughter was as small as she was.
"Can..can I see them?" When she asked to 'see' someone it generally meant for her to smell and nose them over to get a image with her touch.
“In a while, of course. Right now they’re sleeping, and as young as they are, they need their rest.” Makoto reached out to pat her paw. “I promise you’ll ‘see’ them before the day is through. Besides, aren’t you swarmed in cubs already?” She teased.
Sho giggled snuggling to the stocky female, laying side by side with her so she could see and feel the body movements that told her so much "Of course, but those are sisters." She said the word as if was a curse. Though they both knew she was teasing. Sho was head over heels about her younger siblings. It was a shame the loving female would never have cubs of her own.
Makoto chuckled, the deep, husky sound rumbling through her body. “Sisters are a blessing. Especially when they’re older. Right now, I don’t even you. They’ll always be looking up to you, asking you to carry them around, and generally being adorable.” She teased. Honestly, she would take a litter of new sisters over daughters any day. Sisters, you could mess up with, but daughters…She only had the one shot.
Sho smiled faintly and in that remarkable ability of her mother she saw right to the heart of the issue, "you will be a good mother Makoto."
Makoto stilled. For a moment, she said nothing, just laid her head down on her paws and thought. “Doubt it. I’ve seen mothers. They’re happy to have cubs, and smother them in love. Me, I’m…indifferent. I’m happy they’re here, but I just…don’t know about them yet.”
Sho chuckled softly, " You only see the public side. You don't see the times when even momma has to run away leaving us with the cubs before she screams. Or when Momma Hippy wants to bang her head on the wall."
Makoto’s laugh was silent, but it shook her, nevertheless. “But they’ve stayed. If I had it my way, my cubs wouldn’t even stay in the same den as me.”
Sho cocked her head then nodded "Why don't I come stay with you then? I would be more than happy to watch after the cubs."
“No.” It slipped out before she had a chance to censure her tone, but it was there, all the same. That horrified tone. “What I mean, is…I can’t ask that of you, Lady Shoshanda. Your place is here, looking after your sisters. Your mothers need you more than I. Besides, I don’t know how well they would take to you moving in with you guard, regardless of circumstance.”
Sho had flinched back at first but chuckled faintly at the reasoning "Makoto, I am offering because I like you and I love cubs. Mom has Momma Hippy and Adri to help them."
Makoto sighed. She was too tired to agree the point. She knew damn well what would happen if she tried, and as hard as she might have wanted to, she couldn’t fight logic. What she lacked in mothering instinct, Shoshanda could supply. She wouldn’t have to worry about pulling double time to balance work and her daughters with an extra set of paws. So, all she said was, “…so long as the High Priestess and Queen approve.”
"If you don't want me to it's alright Mako, I just want to help." She smiled happily at the guard
"No, no, you've already offered, so you're coming with me." She nodded, then upon realizing it would fall on blind eyes, snorted. "What are you waiting for? Scoot! Go talk to your mothers and meet me back here. I can see about seeing you to the den before we see the girls."
Sho giggled and nuzzle Mako's cheek before getting to her feet and heading back to go speak to her mothers for permission. She knew Mako would keep her safe and she would get to play with cubs!
Makoto watched the leopon off with a mixture of apprehension and comfort. Of course, she was nervous of the events to come, but it helped to know she wouldn't experience them alone. She hadn't liked choosing her den upon entering the pride; to her it was too large, empty and cold. Though, now that Shoshanda had her way, it was surely going to be smaller than she could have dreamed! With a shake of her head, Makoto stood and stretched her paws, ready more than ever for the day ahead.
(WC: 1,321)
