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Post by Phantom on Oct 9, 2009 21:17:13 GMT -5
Her old den beneath the tree was suitable for this time of need. Sootflare whimpered, pacing from side to side in the den, although her strength was almost out. She was trying to think of how to hide the evidence. The plain, obvious evidence that she knew Magic would hate her for. She glanced over at the five broken bodies in the corner, the five of her pups who'd not survived. She'd warned their father - she wasn't used for this kind of thing. Her body wasn't used to it.
The two that had lived squealed in the corner, demanding her attention. One was the striking image of her aunt, Forest, who had left her home territory some two months before. This one would be loved with remorse, and would be a happy addition to the pack. The other... she shuddered as she looked at her only living son, who just kind of yawned boredly and was looking around the den. Not since the moment he was was born had he cried. He could see, hear, smell, and touch just as good as any other pup his age, and could move much better. He hadn't really stopped moving, actually. But that ddn't worry her. What did was his striking resemblance to the Captain of the Blackshadow pack: Hemitite Franquis.
There were several things she hid from Magic. One in particular was that her previous owner had not just let her be when he'd found out she'd been talking to a Greenwood on the border two months before. This hadn't been surprising. But when he'd let her go to be with Magic, that had been. She'd seen his wicked grin then and not understood. Now she did. He'd let her go, knowing what would come to her whether she became Magic's mate or not. She watched Hemitite's son as he got again to his paws and stumbled towards the entrance. She quickly grabbed him and withdrew into the corner, forcing him partly under her, to both hide him from anyone who found her, and to keep him warm. His sister she kept near as well, although not near so much. She knew Magic would come soon. She had to be ready to keep the green-sheened pup hidden from him until she came up with some kind of reason besides the truth as to his appearance. She was going to lie to Magic.
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Post by Mystic on Oct 9, 2009 21:34:53 GMT -5
Magic did indeed come soon. He'd been pacing around the dens for hours, worried out of his mind. What if something went wrong? What if something had happened to Soot? Finally he dared to come into the den. Seeing that Sootflare appeared alright, he breathed a sigh of relief. Then he saw the five crumpled bodies. Magic sighed again, this time of sadness. But it happened often in Greenwood. Both of his mother's littermate's had been born dead, as well. Magic nudged Sootflare, then peered around to see the remaining pups.
"Hello, little lady." he purred, licking the female pup. His tail began to wag. He looked around a bit, wondering if only one was left. Then he saw it. The other little pup. Magic chuckled. "Soot, darling, don't smother the little guy..." Magic moved closer to get a better look at his son, then drew back. It...it looked like...
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Post by Phantom on Oct 9, 2009 21:45:22 GMT -5
Soot quickly snapped at his muzzle, snarling. She didn't aim to actually bite, but to nip. Her fur stood on end and she pulled her son - her son - closer to her chest, being rewarded an innocent blink. He didn't know what he'd done wrong. And he hadn't done anything wrong. This was exactly the message his mother was sending to Magic. But her purplish-blue gaze was also distorted in fear and worry. Her mate wasn't taking this well at all.
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Post by Mystic on Oct 9, 2009 21:50:25 GMT -5
Magic backed away slightly at the nip. He got Sootflare's message, loud and clear. She was a mother after all. Magic still remembered how protective his mother had been of him and his sisters. He pinnd his ears to his head. "Soot, calm down. I won't hurt him, I swear." Magic wouldn't dream of it. What had the pup done? "I'm just a little confused, is all." Could he be blamed? The pup's sister clearly favored Magic's side of the family. But the other...
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Post by Phantom on Oct 9, 2009 22:04:07 GMT -5
She ducked her head, compulsively grooming her son, although by the annoyed look on his very expressive face (another trait very much like Hemitite's), he didn't like it. Her shoulders twitched some and she avoided his gaze as she answered. "He just looks a little different, is all." She lied, her grooming becoming rough, her son wriggling in her grasp and squeaking in protest at the extended show of affection.
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Post by Mystic on Oct 9, 2009 22:12:55 GMT -5
"Soot...he looks exactly like Hemitite." Magic said, whimpering slightly. Why hadn't she just warned him? he would have preferred that. Magic peered over at the dead pups. One looked like Romeo, another remembled Magic, another Sunstorm, another Soot, and finally one that was a mix of Soot and Magic. "It looks like the others were fathered by me. But he..." Magic sighed, shook his head, and smiled a little. "Never mind..he's still our pup, right?"
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Post by Phantom on Oct 9, 2009 22:16:20 GMT -5
She ducked her head again, resting her head on her forelegs. After a long moment, she sighed. "No, Magic. He's not." She admitted. She could lie with pure skill if she wanted to some days. But with Magic... she couldn't. "He's not yours."
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Post by Mystic on Oct 9, 2009 22:20:22 GMT -5
Magic sighed a bit. "I can see that. But...you and I will be the one to raise him. Not you and Hemitite." Was it possible to father an entire litter, with the expection of one pup? "I'll treat him like he was no different from this little girl." Magic nuzzled the little female.
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Post by Phantom on Oct 9, 2009 22:23:50 GMT -5
"You better." She murmured, no hint of sarcasm or joking at all in her voice. She was dead seriously threatening him. Because she saw how he would be judged, even if the pack didn't mean it. "You can take the girl back to the pack now. She's ready for that. But I'm staying here with Mali..." She stopped, cutting herself off by licking her son more. She didn't want Magic to know the name she'd given him.
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Post by Mystic on Oct 9, 2009 22:28:02 GMT -5
"I won't hurt him." Magic promised, a little hurt that she would think him to do such a thing. He paused. "Mali...did you name him already, Soot?" Magic tilted his head to one side curiously. He was treading on thin ice. Stupid of him, for not thinking before reacting! But he'd just been so surprised to see the little look-a-like, he couldn't help it.
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Post by Phantom on Oct 9, 2009 22:40:16 GMT -5
She gave a slight pout, quiet. "...Malikite." She sighed the name, resting her head beside her son. He blinked at her before turning eyes that were, literally, exactly like his father's, on Magic, the kind of critical, thoughtful, intense gaze that Hemitite often had. It was creepy. In all ways possible.
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Post by Mystic on Oct 9, 2009 22:48:50 GMT -5
Magic walked closer and licked the top of the pup's head. He was determined to treat this pup as if he were his own. "Have you named the little girl?" Magic picked up the tiny pup by her scruff so he could introduce her to the rest of the pack. The immortal male would have to wait until Sootflare was willing to introduce Malikite to everyone else.
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Post by Phantom on Oct 9, 2009 22:54:51 GMT -5
She shook her head. "I left her for you. She is yours." She shrugged, coralling her son when he took steps towards Magic, whining to be picked up too. "I'll come to the dens in a few months, when he's much bigger." And it would give her time to avoid her mate. She didn't feel half as close to him as she did before. She felt... torn. In a way, between Magic and Hemitite. But trying to explain this to him would only make it sound like she had feelings for her old master. Which wasn't entirely true.
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Post by Mystic on Oct 9, 2009 23:04:37 GMT -5
Magic felt a little put-out. It was like one pup belonged to him, and the other to her. But he didn't protest. Magic walked out of the den and carried the pup to the dens so she could be introduced to her family. Magic set her down. What would he call her? She looked like Forest. Should he name her for her? Magic sighed and licked the pup, who squealed.
Juliet came over, ears erect and eyes wide. "She's beautiful! But..."
"There's another pup. But...he isn't well enough to leave the dens yet." Magic said.
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Post by Phantom on Oct 9, 2009 23:07:20 GMT -5
"Not well enough?" Romeo asked, trotting over. He frowned deeply, worried. "Did something happen? Is Soot alright?" He asked, glancing down at the tiny little female. She was adorable. But bad things could've happened at her expense, so he glanced back up at Magic, concern glowing in his eyes.
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