Growing pains

This part was probably the most challenging. Lurid realized it was her own fault for letting Kichi see what had truly happened to his birth parents, if she had kept him from the scene he possibly wouldn't be so terrified by the idea of something that should have been instinctive. She was at a crossroads in his raising; she could be patient and wait for him to come around to hunting, or she could simply force his hand by not feeding him. Her own father had forced her to hunt with beatings and scars, with horrible hunger and cruelty. Lurid would not let herself treat her own children so harshly, but her father did have the right idea. If she wanted to break the little boy who now clung to her coat she might have chosen to starve him into hunting, but she loved Kichi, enough that she had actually killed for him. To be harsh or cruel to him now felt wrong, and with a deep breath, she wrapped her massive paw around his tiny frame and held him close. A rare moment of tenderness took her over as she cradled her son in an attempt to comfort him.

This life was not gentle with the weak, she had seen it a dozen times in Mirovis. The strong prevailed, those who learned from their mistakes and improved themselves lived, the ones who could not died. She would not allow her son to be this way forever, he would not be like the weak parents that had birthed him. Lurid was determined that he would hunt, but her care in this situation would determine the outcome. She would have to be gentle, something the dark woman had no idea how to do. When he gave his acceptance, Lurid gave him a reassuring smile. "It won't be so bad, you'll see. Besides, that fat rabbit looks like he could use the exercise, you'd be doing him and his species a favor." She tried to joke, to make him smile instead of looking so dour.

Despite her frustration with the situation, Lurid gave the boy another smile and stood. "Come on, I'll even show you my trick for silent paws." Lurid hoped that would be a good enough bribe to get moving, instead of pouting and looking like he would break at any moment. With a small kiss to her son's cheek, Lurid moved away gently and waited for Kichi to follow.