Animals Within

Atticus Cross
Tags: Ameya (Aunt Sophia's House)
Feeling the back of his shirt go damp with her tears, Atticus listened to Ameya's trembling voice as she used her efforts to convince him that things would get better. Somehow, someway, she insisted that time would heal him. Squeezing him tightly, the woman buried her face into him and cried, "Please, don't go.... don't go, Atticus." She begged. Her words dissolved by her uneven sobs. He felt his stomach turn inside him from the sound of her voice, feeling queasy from knowing he had done this to her. The man sniffled and he swallowed his weeping, forcing it down inside him like medicine. Feeling his shoulders tremble, he held the air into his lungs and kept it inside him while the pressure on his shoulders began to dissipate. Brushing his cheek, Atticus began breathing easy again and he regained control of himself and his emotions. He didn't believe things would get better, but assured himself that if it didn't, he could always change his plans. For now, he still had a job to do. Uneasily sucking air in through his lips, he blinked away the final tears in his eyes, cleared his throat, and turned his head to the girl holding him tightly. He felt water return to his eyes so he bit his lip and gently nodded his head to himself. "C'mon...let's go inside," he whispered in a crackly voice. Atticus took her hands, which were around his abdomen, and gently slipped them away from his body. Then the man turned and faced her. But when he saw the redness of her face from her persistent crying, he came forward and wrapped his arms lovingly around Ameya and embraced her, feeling so fortunate to have her with him.

A gentle murmur passed the feline's lips, "This cub was the only one to survive. And even though  I thought that maybe it was a-a bad thing to have him here...he may be the only one I have left when the dust settles. I will have to start a new life, just me and him. Considering what is beyond that door, I don’t think staying here for the rest of my days will suit anyone, including a particular few.” It was an understandable decision, but time changes things and there was no telling what would happen a week from now. Aunt Sophia quietly nodded nevertheless. "Don't make plans until the storm clears...you never know." She suggested. All of this would be difficult for the village to grasp, especially Atticus, but with her ill, they would have time to understand and mellow out. That is what she predicted to happen at least, but she wouldn't know for sure until a few days had come and gone. "Do you think you are strong enough to shift?" She inquired softly, changing the subject to ease Aaliyah's mind. "I can better care for you if you can, my dear. I have a leek stew cooking just in the kitchen if you'd like to try it."

Atticus Cross
Tags: Ameya (Aunt Sophia's House)
He was embraced in return. Ameya's loving arms circled around him as she sought to comfort him, in a way he knew she was also comforting herself. Her warmth against him was nice. And before long, it was over and Atticus pulled back with his arms still on her shoulders. Then he looked her in the eye with a soft smile, hesitating for a moment as he murmured, "thank you." It was all he could say at this time, but it was sincere. The man dipped his head as he softly breathed in through his lips, being very grateful to the doe, and he closed the front door and decided to stay. Mordecai also wanted to speak with him when he found the time but Atticus felt it was best to linger here until he knew they didn't need him. Plus, the blizzard outside would make it difficult to go anywhere, even for a stag. It was better just to stay inside for the time being. "I'm glad to have you here," he told Ameya beneath his breath.

"I gave up once I was on the doorstep. I simply didn’t have the energy. But...I can try. If only to taste that stew better.” Aunt Sophia chuckled at her response, knowing a full meal might help the feline's odds at the moment. Food made everything better. However, it took a great deal of concentration and effort on Aaliyah's part to shift. The girl had hesitated for a long while before finally deciding to change shape and having the energy to do so. Frankly, Aunt Sophia was proud of her. She wasn't sure if she would have the strength to shift after all, but it was a pleasant surprise to be wrong. The cub squealed slightly and wrestled around as his mother changed forms but he was quickly put at ease as Aaliyah picked him up and caressed him. The poor girl looked so weak. It disheartened Sophia Roe somewhat but she couldn't let her hopes of helping the snow leopard get dashed because of it. "Yes, I will get you all fed and rested, my dear. Feel free to tuck yourself under these covers while I fetch you a bowl of soup as well." She offered sweetly. "You will be right as rain in no time." Sending Aaliyah a smile, she slipped toward the door and turned her cheek ever so slightly to catch a glimpse of the girl to make sure all would be well, before deciding to slip away as fast as she was able. She wanted to get food into her system as soon as she could, and it was nice because she just so happened to prepare soup. Liquids would sustain Aaliyah and wouldn't take up so much of her energy to digest. So it was ideal for a weak girl who barely had the strength to speak.

As she found her way outside of her bedroom, she closed the door behind her to give Aaliyah the space she deserved before turning to see Atticus talking quietly with Ameya. She gave him a small scowl as she saw him. The woman lowered her head and muttered to him below her breath. "I know you want to make a scene and I didn't want you to find out this way, but please, for her sake, just stay calm and keep your distance until you can relax." She told him, beginning to make her way around to her kitchen. She could hear her house rattle in the blizzard but she wasn't concerned. The houses they built were made to endure even the toughest snowstorms. When she came upon her stove, she focused her attention onto her soup and took a bowl from a small cupboard atop the counter and filled it. The steam from the soup rose up from the bowl. Aunt Sophia smiled to herself and started to walk back to her bedroom, but then she passed Ameya and Atticus a quick glance. "Please grab a bite to eat while you wait. I should be able to handle this on my own, don't worry." She said as she reentered the room.

With the door inching close behind her, Aunt Sophia had the bowl of soup cupped in one hand. When her fingers slid from the handle, it was repositioned at the bowl. Vapor wafted up from the meal. Its succulent aroma would have made her own stomach grumble if she hadn't been so keen on feeding Aaliyah. After all, it brought her much joy to be able to serve someone outside of the village. She wanted her to get well again too. Aaliyah was so sickly and frail. Her eyes were dark and lackluster. There were marks beneath her eyes from days without rest. Poor thing...
Stepping toward the side of the bed, Aunt Sophia returned Aaliyah's smile of gratitude. Inside though, what she had said troubled her somewhat. What she said was very true, not all of the members in village approved of her being here. They still muttered about her first visit, but they always possessed a flash of curiosity at least. It wasn't solely disgust. This made her hopeful about the outcome this time. Aunt Sophia was able to mask this thought with her wisdom and give a few kind words. "Child, what matters most is being in an environment that will keep you safe and fed. You are right, not many here would like a predator in our midst but they will learn to bite their tongues and move on with it. So stay as long as you like. They will understand with time." She murmured in a delicate manner, passing the bowl to the woman. Sophia also passed her a spoon. "You have not been able to take care of yourself out there...I doubt you could take of him too." The woman whispered. Her eyes lingered on the girl's sharp cheek bones and sunken eyes. It caused her heart to quiver in pain. However, the soft mewls of the newborn cub made its way to her ears and softened her pain. Her faint smile rejuvenated itself. "It is okay to ask for help every once in a while..." She said.

She allowed a faint smile to pass her lips as Aaliyah eagerly began scarfing down her soup. It pleased her to see the girl enjoying it when she did as it would be nice to see her gain weight after all this time. The sooner the better. Thank heavens Aunt Sophia would have plenty of it in the kitchen as well. She was determined to fill her up. Aaliyah had emptied it quickly and set it in her lap before opening her mouth to reply to her. While listening, Aunt Sophia softly brushed her tightly curled hair from her face. Her eyes lingered on the girl. She then nodded. Even if Aaliyah had been teasing with her, she responded rather seriously. Aunt Sophia always had a habit of that. "Well, with everything you've been through it wouldn't surprise me. I don't want to offend you either but predators are generally more solitary throughout their lives than us herbivores. I'm sure it doesn't offer much consolation but you probably had to look out for yourself for those reasons." She told below her breath. "I knew it would be a last resort that you came here, considering the condition that you're in." She shook her head a little. "But you would be surprised with how capable children are in the wild...especially," she wanted to say 'your kind' but restrained herself from doing such a thing, she was already placing the predator talk on Aaliyah. She figured it wasn't wise for her to say. Instead she said, "...newborns."

Atticus Cross
Tags: Ameya (Aunt Sophia's House)
Her serene blue eyes lifted into his the moment he had pulled away and a reassure smile now casted itself upon her delicate lips. She did not respond to him. However, she nodded to accept the thanks he gave. Very lowly she finally said, "I'm glad I'm able to be here, Atticus." He smiled a little. Aunt Sophia offered up some words of comfort as she emerged from her bedroom. The second she had, Atticus's head shot up from its dismal state and a flash of worry grew within his chest. Was Aaliyah okay? Did she need anything? Were they okay? He was worried something was wrong. The man opened his mouth as his Aunt hurriedly slipped back into the room but he didn't have the courage or the right words to ask anything. So he hung there silently. His mouth slowly fastened shut. His jaw tightened in from the emotions that continued to swish around in his head. He exhaled very sadly. Then Atticus slumped his shoulders, rubbing the back of his neck uneasily before hearing Ameya's question. "No..." He responded. "Honestly, no...I don't." For a moment, his eyes flicked over to her. "You want some though...?"

Life was indeed strange. How could Aunt Sophia ever guess that her nephew would bring home a snow leopard and safeguard her here in the village - much less confess his feelings for her. There was a crinkle in her nose at the very thought. No, she would bury that in her mind. She didn't even want the reminder of it. Somewhat pursing her lips to smother the memory, the woman replied to Aaliyah gently. "As you said yourself, life plays out in ironic and sometimes unsettling ways - but it plays out on its own. There is no use thinking about what is to come. It will only trouble you in this time and place." She told firmly. Her eyes panned to the girl as she stroked the cub's delicate fur. She heard what she had to say quietly. ”I’m just thankful that I wasn’t pushed out from who I am. I know my previous leave was unorthodox and sudden.” Yes, it was sudden, but the village had little opinion of it at the time. "I think the one person here who was distraught by it was Atticus." Aunt Sophia had said his name beneath her breath. "The rest of us thought...well...we had assumed you would take care of yourself out there..."

Atticus Cross
Tags: Ameya (Aunt Sophia's House)
Feeling the slight tug on his shirt, Atticus was able to slowly reel back his thoughts and worry. Though they rattled in his head, he was able to quiet them. 'There's no use worrying about her,' he told himself. 'She will be taken care of and the best I can do right now is to stay away.' The drumming of his heart seemed to bleed within his chest - it ached. It stung. Atticus looked away. At that point his eyes casted down to floor in his dismay and Ameya let her grip on his shirt fall away. She told him she didn't feel like eating anything either. He remained standing in the hallways with slumped shoulders as the doe traveled across the room to the couch. She gently sat and gestured him to follow. Atticus's expression remained solemn in thought but he nodded his head. Then he slowly ambled to the couch to join her. When he sat, he noticed her teary eyes were focused on the storm raging outside. Feeling ashamed for having made her cry, he sucked into his lips and gazed outside the window as well. The torrent of snow seemed to consume the village. Its whirlwind howled and rattled the house. For a while they watched the storm, quietly. His lips were still after he had sat and watched. Ameya was soaking in the silence as well. It soft murmur was better to focus on than the situation...

Brushing a strand of curled, brown hair from her cheek, Sophia listened to the girl's words quietly. The fell from her lips like the easy mewls of her cub. "If you knew what it was like…” Aunt Sophia didn't know what it was like, that was true. However she did know one thing, that living in fear was no way to live. She lectured this below her breath for Aaliyah. "You were running from death by his hands but while doing so, you almost ran into death somewhere else. You can't run, child." She said to her. "But yes, I am glad you are here too - and most importantly, that you are safe." She smiled with a peaceful nod. Her eyes fell upon the empty bowl still cradled in her lap. "Is there anything I can get you, my dear? Would you like another bowl?"