Arrow Lake frère jacques

it was a beautiful morning. normally, she'd be up for a run across the ice, galloping eastward, watching the sun rise and bleed brilliant color over the horizon. as it was. . .she had to be content just to wait for it sitting still, nose on her paws, tail curled around her.

she'd lost more weight since getting here, though it was no fault of Diaspora's. they'd been excellent hosts, but whatever disease riddled her was a rude guest; it responded to the food they'd given her with vomiting and the peace and comfort with near-debilitating pain. quite impudent was this illness. she would have scolded it if she could.

instead, Tahani gave a gentle call for @Sadiq, longing for some company on this fine pre-dawn. she hadn't gotten to know her little brother as well as her littermates or the siblings that came the whelping season after, and it was now or never. she needed to stress the importance of keeping the wisdom of the north, if he were to stay here, and passing it along to Takiyok's children—and any he might have.

they were strangers in a strange, hot land. to let their traditions and language go would be foolish, indeed.

With everything that had happened, Stigmata dying, Ego missing, Tahani showing up, and Takiyok getting promoted Sadiq was more overwhelmed than he had every truly felt. He felt the constant desire to search for his nephew; spend time with his sisters other children; spend time with Tahani; and help Takiyok with her new duties all at the same time. There honestly just weren’t enough hours left in the day.

Having started his day checking in on his niece and remaining nephews, Sadiq had felt lost at where to turn next. He shuffled from paw to paw, his tail twitching restlessly. What to do, what to do? He thought. When his sisters song reached his ears.

A smile graced his lips, but a sadness crept into his heart. There was no avoiding the issue of her illness, and the thought of her dying brought emotions and memories he had yet to fully deal with to the surface. Despite his darker thought, Sadiq couldn’t refuse her, and so he headed in her direction.

She was such a fragile sight, her thinness accentuating the fact that she was ill. “Tahani.” The pale giant spoke softly as he approached her, reaching his nose to give her an affectionate greeting.

Sadiq, she crooned, smiling as she watched him approach. he was big like the rest of the Ateneqs, well-muscled and built for the most imposing of elements. she found comfort in his nearness, and would have risen to return his greeting if she felt up to it. instead, she remained on her belly, looking up at him, a query in her eyes.

how are you? Tahani asked, gesturing for him to lay beside her. she stretched a little, feeling the crackle of bones and pull of sore muscles. she felt suddenly tired, but the joy in having Sadiq here still remained. what brought you so far south, brother? do you not find it unbearably hot?

her black lips pulled into a wry, playful grin, tongue lolling a little as she pantomimed panting.

He immediately followed her gesture, lying near. “I am good sister.” Sadiq smiled, trying his best to remain positive despite the grave illness the gripped her, and the sadness that simmered in his chest.

He smile gave him joy and he knew he couldn’t tell her the truth, of why he now lived so far south. Why he had left the glorious tundra that he loved so dearly. He couldn’t tell her of their sisters betrayal, or the death of their parents. There was already to much darkness in the world, and the last thing he wanted was to smothered the happiness in his ill sister. He still clung to the idea that she would get better, with enough rest and time. She would get better, then he would tell her. Only then.

Instead, Sadiq swallowed the truth and developed a lie. “I missed my you, and Shiv, and Taki.” He didn’t mention his brothers, knowing that she would never believe he missed them, but he had a soft spot for all his sisters, and that was easier to believe. The truth hidden in a lie. “I had to make sure you were all ok.” His lips turned up slightly, but his sadness reflected in his eyes. Sadness for so many things.

she knew it, but the answer pleased her nonetheless. wasn't that why they all had come—for family? we first made the journey here looking for Shivali, she recalled, eyes slitted nearly shut as she smiled. we found her living in this. . .this ugly dark forest. no idea why she ended up there, except the leader was a northerner like us.

that was when Siarut was still around, and Tomkin, too. she sighed as she thought of her wayward brothers; would she see them again? likely not, as she was living on borrowed time.

i'm very glad you're here, Tahani murmured, pressing her muzzle against Sadiq's brawny shoulder. i'm glad we could find each other, even if the setting isn't quite ideal. she pulled back, blinking at the young man in query. so now that you've made sure we're okay—will you return to the north, eventually?