I Would Walk 500 Miles

So much in her life had not turned out as she had anticipated. Once, she wouldn't have been able to imagine living anywhere but Seracia. Neither would she have guessed that she would be blessed with another baby brother. And now, all of her litter-mates were home; her parents were still alive; and she have Novel and her babies. Perhaps it was more stressful than she would've originally hoped, but she wouldn't change any of it for the world.


Her expression contorted slightly as she spoke. There was obvious worry in her gaze, wondering if she had presented the question too quickly or if she had been too pushy with wanting an answer. Of course, if Novel said she didn't know, she would've dropped the subject quickly. But instead, she countered with a question of her own. 'Who do you want to be to them?' she asked, and Ara felt butterflies floating in her stomach. The nervousness didn't fade, only intensified, for she didn't know the answer to that question. Being part of their lives was a given, unless Novel decided otherwise, but to what extent would she care for them? Would this living arrangement cease once they were old enough to live in dens of their own? Would she simply care for them until they had basic survival skills and Novel no longer had to watch over them as closely? Or would she be a fixture in their lives forever? The thought was intimidating, but she would accept the responsibility regardless.


A moment of silence fell over her as Novel admitted she was like a second parent to them. Gently she would lean over Novel's side to nuzzle them both, her motions slow and her touch tender, not wanting to disturb them from the sleep that threatened to overtake them after their afternoon meal. Maybe she didn't need a label at all -- admittedly, mother sounded terrifying to her, but she was more than just a caretaker. "Novel..." she would begin again, soft voice quivering just a bit. There was a strange emotion audible in her voice now, confusion overtaking her and causing her to pull away slightly as she struggled to find the words. "Are you sure? They are your children," she reminded her gently, though she found herself shifting to lay her head on Novel's back. "I'll be part of their lives no matter what they consider me."


Her tail would curl about her hindquarters, confusion still ringing in her head. "But I think you should know something," she would begin warily, painfully aware of the way her heart was beating loudly in her chest, causing a dull ringing in her ears. "Before you make any decisions." She hadn't meant to bring up such an important discussion right as she woke up, but now that she had spoken it would be difficult to stop.