Life with Koda: Cont'd

[Chasca]

I roll my eyes impatiently at Nertuark's behavior. Well, at least he's not bothering me now. It looks as if he's chatting with Ken'ichi and Nikiski. Which is good, because I'm sure they're better at that sort of thing than I would be. That's when Nertuark's reason for being alone passes my ears. Wow...I feel sorry for him. To be abandoned at such a young age...geez. Whoever his parents were, I don't think that highly of them, despite the circumstances. Well, he seems to be doing pretty well for his situation. I have to give him credit there. Still, his enthusiasm is rather annoying.

I'm about to comment it to Kadzait, except right then he convientenly pads over to the pup. Feh...should've guessed. Nertuark asks him what's wrong, but he doesn't reply. I wonder what his problem is, but shrug it off and decide to go off a bit farther away.

[Nikiski]

I figure that it is best to let Ken'ichi and Nertuark deal with their own business and I should stay away from it.

After they have settle things out, I grab Ken'ichi by his maine and throws him up into the air. It looks like Ken'ichi is alright now, good!

I start playing around with Ken'ichi and Kadzait pads closer to Nertuark... I wonder what he is going to do... but, I'm having too much fun with my little brother and I can't think about anything else other than fun!

Then I see Sila and Talist walk towards Nertuark, sitting beside him, saying something but I can't hear them because their voices are covered by Ken'ichi's screaming and yelling...

[Talist]

I gave Nikiski a grateful look for the fish, then waited while Ken'ichi started on a share. Younglings should always be fed first off, even if one's own stomach protests the wait. So when Kadzait and Sila approached from the forest with the new wolf pup beside them, I looked simply relaxed, laying paws folded, near Ken'ichi. I chocked back a laugh at the stunned expressions on the faces of the two bears, a laugh which, once started, threatened to dissolve my calm entirely. It was simply too much, after all the shocks of the morning, and while starving (not to mention profoundly tired) at that. Regarding the cub and the pup making their first impressions, I concentrated hard on containing my laughter for some moments.

I was moved to hear Nertuark’s dilemma, and to see Ken’ichi’s empathy was wrenching—no child should have memories like that. No child should have to understand how to make it on their own. When Niki swept up Ken’ichi in his jaws to play, I tilted my head, meeting Nertuark’s eyes thoughtfully. “Nertuark, did you hear what Ken’ichi said about his friends? I’ve only been here for a short time, but I want you to know that I’d do anything in my power to protect him. And I would do the same for you. While we’re here, little one, I would be so happy if you could think of me as a sister. Do you think you can do that?”

I reached for a salmon and then hesitated, as if dubious. "Oh, and Nertuark," I say in a conspiritorial whisper, "I think you're brave for eating the fish. I've not dared try them yet. Are they good at all?"

[Nertuark]

Watching the two bears playing makes me think about my family... but the she-wolf who I still don't know the name of comes over to me and asks if I mind her to be my sister.

"I'd love to have a sister... what's your name?"

She chuckles and introduces herself... Talist.

"Thank you, Talist." I say as I wrap my paws around Talist's paw. Talist asks me about the fish...

"Well, you know, it's a fish... it has a fishy taste to it, but I'm fine with it... I learned to eat different kind of food since... there wasn't much available to eat..."

[Chasca]

I watch as Talist and Nertuark become 'siblings'. Oh...I think I'm going to die from all the disgusting cuteness. No, really...I'm feeling a little sick from it. How can anyone be so affectionate when just meeting them? I mean, I feel bad for him, and I'll protect him if he's ever in danger...but that...bleck. Now that I think about it, I actually realize something. An epiphany, so to say. That stuff's pointless...all of it. Affection, love...it's all pointless because it always ends up burning to ashes. How could I be so stupid to see otherwise?

Now I feel sorry for them both, because I know it won't last. But, I can't help but to smile to myself, in this thought...this gift beforehand...this realization that I had. that will stay with me for time to come.

[Nertuark]

I took a peek at Sila, and I find the she is looking at me funny. I let go of Talist and pad over to Sila.

"Sila, you can be my big sister too!"

[Kadzait]

Sila, Nertuark and I all pad back to the river, so as to get Nertuark some food. As we approach, I see Nikiski and Ken'ichi wating there. Nertuark approaches Ken'ichi with a friendly grin, and the two become fast friends. Nertuark tells about his family, and I am stunned. What parent would abandon their pup? My heart goes out for Nertuark, and I pad over to him and sit closer, my eyes gazing in the distance. No pup should have to go through that. Ken'ichi implies what happened to his family, and my heart wrenches even more. As I sit, staring nowhere in particular, Nertuark asks me 'what?' I don't answer, because I don't really have an answer to give. Life was becoming more confusing and hurtful as it went on. As I sit coming out of my stupified trance, Talist offers to be Nertuark's sister, and he accepts gratefully. I guess some good things come out of bad circumstances, and I lighten up realizing this. I hear a rather muffled snort, and I eye Sila with a smirk. All this gushy-ness must be killing her! I pad over and whisper in her ear:

"Don't worry, you'll get used to it!" I snicker at her disgusted face. Nertuark looks at Sila and trots over, looking up at her, stating she can be his sister too. I double over with laughter! Looks like she'd have to get used to it now!

[Koda]

OOC: Ah!! sorry guys! I don't want to say that I forgot about playing Koda, I just got distracted with my other character! so....*drum roll* dum dum dum DAH! Here I am! Sorry if I mess up some things, or if I've....Koda has already done them! I can't remember all the things he did when I was catchign up!


BIC: I wonder where Ken'ichi has gotten himself to, as I haven't seen him for awhile. But then I hear his familiar laugh, along with Nikiski's. I sneak around, so as to surprise him, it is then that I notice a wolf pup. Ken'ichi is talking to. Kadzait, Sila, Talist and Nikiski are there as well, and I wonder where the pup came from. Sneak attack time!

I spring from the bushes onto Ken'ichi's back, turning into a wrestle.

"Gotcha!" I holler.

[Nikiski]

I watched as Talist offers to be Nertuark's sister. I giggled as I see Sila's facial expression... I want to laugh hard when I see Sila is offered to be Nertuark's sister, too. I laugh hard in my heart, but I manage to keep my face looking serious for the time being.

I wonder what Sila is going to say to the little pup... It will be too harsh for the pup if she refuses... I am sure Sila is aware of that...

I look at Ken'ichi and I think he probably is thinking the same thing I'm thinking now...

[Ken'ichi]

Niki and I calmed down in time to hear Talist offering to be Nertuark's sister, Nertuark accepted. I smiled, seems like Nertuark won't be so alone anymore. But then Nertuark asks Sila if she wants to be his sister too, I snicker as I look at Sila's expression...priceless. Suddenly, someone jumps from behind and starts wrestling with me.

"Gotcha!" I recognize that voice, Koda!

We roll around the ground, last time Koda pinned me with help from Kadzait, but this time I manage to pin Koda to the ground.

"Good morning Koda." I say with a grin as I pin Koda to the ground, "Nice try by the way."

[Koda]

Ken'ichi pins me, and I laugh as he says good morning and nice try. I hop up, pushing him off playfully. I look to the wolf pup.

"Hi! I'm Koda, what's your name?" I ask.

[Ken'ichi]

I sit and listen as Koda and Nertuark introduce themselves and learn more about each other. I smile and shrug as Koda gives Nertuark questions, as always. When they're done, I look at the river. My whole body is free of the numbness I had, and I can pretty much do everything I could do now, I rub my paw where that sharp watchama'call it stung me, whatever it was it wasn't an insect. I turn to Koda and Nertuark to see them wrapping up their conversation.

"Hey guys!" I call to Koda and Nertuark and I point to the river, "How about a swim around the place and maybe catch a few fish?"

[Chasca]

"I certainly hope so...I value my health, you know," I whisper back to Kadzait. I can feel my eye twitch...or is it just my imagination? Hmm...well...oh wait...did Nertuark just say I could be his sister?! First comes shock...you know, that kind of shock where you're so stunned you end up looking stupid? Then comes annoyance...I really want to roll my eyes, but I use every bit of self control not to, and instead hide both of those lovely stages with a small smile and nod.

"Okay," I reply, ignoring Kadzait's laughter and Ken'ichi's snickering for the moment. Hey, whatever makes him happy. Truth be told, I know I'd feel guilty if I made him down, despite how...not my style he's been acting.

Of course I don't really mean it...but I wouldn't just say no, for his sake. He's been through a lot and I do care, again I'd protect him or whatever...just not...that. Let him think what he wants to think...it's not going to hurt anyone...I hope. It looks as if Koda and Ken'ichi too, have taken care of getting him away from now. Which means I can finally look at Kadzait and dryly say, "Really now...it's not that funny..."

[Kadzait]

"I..." I say between a spout of chuckles, "...can't....help...it!!!" I try to hold my laugh in, holding my paws over my mouth, but I feel my eyes will pop out and my head will explode if I don't let my laugh out. The look on her face when Netuark had asked to be his sister was priceless! I bust out laughing again, this time rolling about near Sila, despite her glares at me.

OOC: "I love to laugh, haha! Loud and long and clear! I love to laugh, so everybody can hear!" hehehehe!

[Nertuark]

I feel happy after Sila says yes to my request. I proundly pad over to Kadzait who's laughing his head off.

"What, are you jealous? So you wanna be my brother?"

I giggle at Kadzait's expression. This other bear cub introduces himself. I reply.

"I'm Nertuark, nice to meet you!"

Then I hear Ken'ichi asking me if me and Koda want to go explore the place. I nod.

"Yeah, that'd be fun!!"

I hop around Ken'ichi, ready to go! Then Nikiski comes and said something about watching us. I smile.

"Okay okay let's go!!"

I say impatiently.