Stone Circle It hurt you

@Lemmikki

Inkeri had gone with Merry. She had left her daughter safely. Intending to return. But as months turned over she realized she missed her. And she felt as if she had been unfair.

So with trepidation and a sense of wariness she approached the border she had called home and howled for her daughter. She had faith Merry would find them again.

Lemmikki never lost her own faith that her mother and father would return to her. It was only a matter of time. That something had happened to them never occurred to her. It was never an if—merely a when. So when her mother called to her, Ikki was elated! She called back, happy, and bounded toward the way the call had come from. 

Evidently she hadn’t been very far! She saw her mother, but the whippish girl could hardly stop herself in time! She greeted her mother with a dozen kisses, pausing only when she noted that her mom had come alone. 

Only then did the thought occur to her that something might have happened. The great Gunnar had perished—now it seemed possible that even her own dad could have. In their shared language, she asked, Where is…? she couldn’t bring herself to finish the question.

It was with sweet joy Inkeri watched her daughter rush to her. Overjoyed and elated she barked. Her tail windmilling behind her. Look at this face.

She peppered her daughter in kisses. Pulled her so tight she probably couldn't breathe. Kissed her again. Her precious baby.

A small furrow and a gentle laughed. A small shake of her head.

Your father is fine. Fine. He just adventuring. Adventuring. Let me look at you. You.

She held her at paws length. So beautiful. Beautiful. I am sorry. Sorry. I been gone too long. Long.

He was fine—but she couldn’t imagine how that was! Not without her mother! It was the two of them Lemmikki remembered together best, a vision of sweetness and love. She had been sad to see them go, but at least they had each other… like she had her sister (once). But her sister…

It didn’t help to think about things that made her sad. Like that she wished they were closer. That she wished she could be close to anyone. 

Lemmikki let her mother look at her, a little shy. She couldn’t bear to look at her own reflection lest she saw a face looking back at her she might never see again. Maybe that was part of the reason she so often kept to herself—no one to tell her “you look so much like your mother” or “you have your fathers eyes”… things like that. 

Things she couldn’t even remember herself. So as she looked into her mothers face, it was with the intent to memorize everything there—the unique markings, the way her gaze was soft and warm as she looked at her despite the cool color. Her own tail windmilled behind her; she would not hold onto anything but for the happiness that she was with her. No, don’t be sorry—you are here now. And maybe daddy will come, she said, I don’t remember you without him, or him without you, the words not meant to hurt but to comfort. To evoke hope that Ikki held onto. 

What did you see on your adventures? Are you here to stay? a question for there, and a question for here. Both she wanted to know. [/i]

Inkeri held a flame for @Turmeric deep in her chest. It would never leave. And as such he was always with her even if they were apart. She would always have him.

Inkeri smoothed her daughters brow with tip of muzzle. Your father will find me. Me. He always knows how to find me. Me. I would not take away his adventuring spirit. Spirit. I love it. It.[/i]

so beautiful. Beautiful. You remind me of my Anja. Anja. My beautiful sister. But I see Merry in there too. Too.

The nickname of her man and father of her babys so easily moving across her tongue

I will stay. Stay. Not leave you anymore. Anymore. Shouldn't have left. Left.

Inkeri hummed softly eyes of sea upon her daughter. I saw tall mountains. Mountains. Abd rivers with many fishes. Fishes. And meadows. Big meadows. Meadows

Her tail wagged at the thought. The idea that her father would find them made her feel eager for that time to come. Maybe it would be sooner rather than later. She had hoped for as much for a long time. Anja, Ikki then repeated. What... what did she look like? She wondered. Will she come here, too? Ikki hoped to meet her someday! 

As for the leaving... well, Ikki wished she never had gone, but she did not want to spoil the moment and also, she was here now! Ikki had forgiven and forgotten the absence. You didn't miss anything, she promised, hoping to comfort her. But I did miss you! 

What... which was your favorite? she asked, trying to imagine. And suddenly within her was a desire to see them all, these places she did not know.

Inkeri's own tail wagged in happiness. Though a soft sadness blossomed in her chest at the thought of Anja.

Anja was paler than me. Me. But she had silver here and here. Here.

Inkeri pointed out the spots of silver on her daughters nape and spine.

She had one red patch, vibrant over her eye. Eye. And they were so pretty. Pretty. Two colors. Colors. Silver on the outside. Outside. Mine on the inside. Inside.

Inkeri smiled sadly. Perhaps I didn't. Didn't. But i missed you. You.

A serene expression. I love rivers. Rivers. And mountains seem so large. Large.