Yay, new chapter! Enjoy. Still don't own Ice Age.
Squint sat Shira on the ground, who looked up at him with questioning eyes. "Ok Little Bit." He said, using his nickname for her that didn't get him mauled by her claws, which became sharper by the day. "Today we master the art of pranking." He said, grinning evilly. She cooed excitedly and nodded, although she didn't understand a word of what he said. All she knew was that they were going to do something fun and, most likely, hilarious, something that would have her giggling till she passed out from lack of air. It had happened before, many, many times.
Their plan was quite simple: dump a bucket filled with freezing ocean water and eels (not electric. Even he thought that was a bit much. Plus, eh couldn't catch any) over an unsuspecting member of the crew, who yet the girl did not know. Her 'Uncle' Squint as he secretly had urged her to see him as, hadn't yet told her who. But she didn't mind, she was looking forward to a good laugh. Especially after earlier, when she'd made her first kill as a pirate. Sure it was only a small crab that had been washed aboard with a large wave, but it had made everyone proud. After all, it was quite a feat for a two and a half week old cub.
It had been quite exhilarating to her, having chased it for at least ten minutes before finally catching and tearing into it with her kitten claws. Everyone had praised her and told her how proud they were… except Captain Gutt. Even at her young age, she knew he was respected and not to be tampered with. She had tried many things to gain his approval, but he only glared at her at every attempt. It hurt her, but she was glad everyone else excepted her.
While she helped Squint load the eels into the bucket without getting herself too slimy, which takes serious skill, he went to get some of the ocean water he'd kept hidden. Pouring it in, being careful not to splash the girl (for he'd found out the hard way it made her cry if she got too wet), they worked together to get it hoisted.
While she waited at the bottom of the pole, crouching in the shadows, her 'Uncle' stood next to her, holding the vine that kept the bucket suspended in air. As soon as he let go, it would go plummeting. At the moment, he was glad for his small size, which permitted him with the ability to hide well when needed.
While they waited for the unfortunate soul, who Squint still refused to reveal to his little 'niece', Shira grew bored. After a while of scratching playfully at the pole, then doodling on the ice with her tiny claws, she found it harder than ever to sit still.
Considering she hadn't learned to speak yet, she mewed slightly at her beloved 'uncle', pawing at his feet, indicating that she wanted excitement. "Shh…" he coaxed quietly. "The target's right on time." He pointed, and she cautiously glanced around the side, making sure it wasn't the captain. What she saw was even worse.
Raz, the kangaroo that acted as her mother, considering she was the only girl beside Shira herself was the target. Shira's eyes grew wide and fearful as she realized she was about to help her uncle hurt her own mother! Well, mother figure, but still.
She couldn't exactly warn her without turning on her uncle and seeming like a total goody-two-shoes, which was bad for a pirate, as they were supposed to be feared and nasty, but she couldn't just let her mother get pranked without being unloyal to her. Oh, what to do…
She shakily hoisted herself onto her feet, and hesitantly lifted her front right paw, putting it down in front of her. She did the same with her left, and it became a slow pattern, front right, back left, front left, back right. She was soon moving a bit faster, and headed towards the unsuspecting kangaroo.
Babbling partially in warning, partially in happiness that she was moving by herself, she alerted Raz. Her 'mother' turned to her, smiling a soft smile that was reserved just for her. "Hey Shira." Her eyes widened as she realized the cub was toddling over on her own four legs. A bit shaky and uncoordinated, but still. Gasping, she said "You just took your first steps!"
At the words 'first steps' Squint peered around the side in surprise, expression one of disbelief. "Already? Wow!"
He stepped towards the cub, who was now being cuddled and praised by Raz, completely forgetting about the bucket suspended above their heads as he ran up, the water and eels falling silently. Right as he reached them to congratulate the child, Splash! They were all doused, Shira starting to cry almost instantly, Raz stiff with shock, and Squint mentally cringing as the eels writhed about by their feet, making the deck slippery and slimy, knowing Raz would surely kill him.
The two main reasons he'd had Shira present for this was because, well, A) she needed to learn to be mischievous one way or another, and this seemed like a pretty good way. And B) if Shira was present, he knew Raz wouldn't hurt him because she could never be harsh to the young child and she wouldn't be punished for this, so hopefully he wouldn't either. But now, there was no way she'd believe she was in on it if she'd been the victim as well… and the fact that she couldn't talk added to that.
After comforting the aforementioned cub and telling her to go show everyone she could walk, she happily wobbled off, still a bit unsteady. As soon as she was gone, Raz turned to the rabbit with a murderous glare. Cracking her knuckles, she said "I'll give you three seconds to run." And he did, screaming his head off.
So… was this one ok? I always thought a baby's first steps is important.
