Still on another roll! Tell me what you think!
I think I might do a poll… check the bottom for reference.
After the teenage saber, introduced as Shila, left her sister their to get herself acquainted, the parents felt much more at ease. This was just a tiny cub no older than any of their children, she couldn't be that much of a threat. And she'd surely have trouble taking down a kill being so small; nobody would be surprised if she'd even started learning.
Shira felt kind of nervous. She'd never really been around kids her age. They peered at her curiously on the ground in front of their parents, heads cocked and watching her. "So… yer not gonna eat us, right?" the rabbit asked bluntly and with a bit of distaste. He didn't trust her already.
She shook her head, making her new blue earrings, which she had gotten only that morning, jingle and sway. "Nope. I…" she looked shyly at the ground. "I Don't even know howta hunt yet. Mom and dad won't teach me." She looked very sad, so Raz spoke up. Nobody should be sad on Christmas, of all days!
"So? Jus' means yer mum an dad don' wantcha hurtin yerself." Lalli and Blayke shared exasperated looks. Why couldn't she have that kind of attitude when they forbid her from doing potentially dangerous things?
She smiled up at the little joey, who her mother had tucked in her pouch for safety. Just in case.
Raz squirmed out and landed with a generous amount of balance for one so young, but still stumbled a little. "So… didja op'n yer press'ens yet?"
She perked up. "Yep!"
"Mum?" she tugged at her mothers fingers. "Can weh play wi' er. Please?" the adults shared nervous looks.
"Well…" they gave them all such adorably pleading looks they couldn't help but cave. "Alrigh. Bu' no goin over ta 'er cave till we meet 'er par'nts. An' finish op'nin yer presents."
"Oh right!" after all the gifts had been ripped into, the kids ran off to play with their new friend. They showed her around, allowing Silas to stop at his nest real quick. He'd awoken to a pearly, silvery oval-ish sphere that morning, an egg that would soon hatch into his baby brother or sister. Gunner climbed up to get a look, but the others were left wondering. Silas wasn't allowed to touch it. Not yet.
He couldn't wait to meet his new sibling. When he asked when it would watch, his parents just smiled and said "Soon enough." Which just left him wondering more.
The kids introduced her to their siblings, who found she was actually a polite, sweet girl. She wouldn't hurt even the tiniest mouse, it seemed.
It was near dinner time, while the kids were gorging happily on their newly brought candy, sitting up against a tree, when something appeared behind them. A shadow loomed over the small group, and they turned slowly. The seven herbivores jumped back, yelping in fear and surprise.
A huge female saber stood there, surveying them with a cool expression. She had generally the same pelt as Shira, her facial stripes showing the most difference, with icy blue eyes. She had two electric purple shells clipped on her left ear. Was that like a tradition in their family…
Shira jumped up and padded up, rubbing her head against her front leg, right near her ankle, purring. "Hi mom." She greeted.
Her mother, Shika, gave her a lick on the cheek. "Hey sweetie. These your friends?"
She nodded eagerly. "Yep!"
"That's good. I'm glad you found someone your age." She nodded at them kindly, knowing they were probably intimidated. "Anyway" she looked down at her daughter. "It's time to go home. Your father brought your favorite."
"Gazelle!" she cried happily.
Shika chuckled. "Yep. Now say goodbye to your new friends."
"Bye guys!" she bounded up, still hyper off the sugar candy, and gave Raz, who she had decided was her new best friend, a nudge. "See ya tomorrow!"
"Bye bye!"
"See ya!"
"Bye Sheila!" they all waved, except for one. Then a bunch of voices started calling them home to supper and then, bed.
Squint sulked angrily as Crystal escorted him back, not wanting him to get lost. Lightning (the loyal little firefly had somehow found him again after they were accidentally left at the North Pole), perched on his shoulder, squeaked in question. He looked… mad. And very unhappy.
Squint didn't like Shira. She just showed up and suddenly bam, she's part of their group. He didn't want to make room for a new kid; it had always been just them! The group of seven best friends! No extras, none short. They were always there, right next to each other.
When Raz got strep throat about a week and a half, they'd sneak visits to her every now and then, at least once a day; Lalli allowed it once she saw how happy it made her, but they had to act subtle when leaving the gazes of their parents. The same with when Gupta got the flu and was stuck in bed for two weeks.
He remembered when he's tripped and twisted his ankle; he hadn't been able to walk for three weeks (nearly drove him crazy), but his friends spent every day with him, keeping his mind off his injury.
They always had each others back. When they were sick, hurt, or just upset. All the time, every time when they needed one another, they were there. They had a special bond, and that new saber was trying to break all that!
She didn't belong here. Plain and simple.
Crystal noticed his look. "What's wrong sweetie?"
He sighed. "I don't like Shira."
"Well why not? She seems ok."
"Oh not you too!" he groaned. "She's tryin ta ruin our friendship! I don't like her!"
"Have you given her a chance?"
He chose not to answer that question. "She's ruining everything Crystal! I wish she'd go away."
"Oh Squint…" the sixteen year old picked up her brother. "Are you getting jealous?" she grinned teasingly as a furious look crossed his face.
"No!" him? Jealous of a saber? Ridiculous! "I just don't like her."
Crystal chuckled as they neared their home entrance. "Ok. Whatever you say."
So, whatja think? Nice? Anyway, I'm thinking about doing a poll about Silas' baby brother or sister. Should I? Or should I just take a vote on here?
Oh, and 'Shila' is 'Shill-a' and 'Shika' is like 'Shee-ka'. Just thought I'd mention that.