Sun Mote Copse beware the jubjub bird, and shun

The word on the street was that Uncle @Colt was in a bad way. Sugar didn't really understand what was meant by that, though her heart went out to her mother's brother. Remembering how poorly she'd felt after ingesting the monkshood, she tried to come up with some way to offer comfort to him. It took her an entire day and a half to think of what to do, then execute her idea.

As soon as she was ready, Sugar begged one of the adults to take her to the wounded Sovereign. Thus she arrived at his sickbed, her cracked turtle shell held steadily in her teeth. It was heavier than usual because of its contents: a scattering of grass clippings; several colorful leaves; a flower or two she'd deemed safe; two earthworms; and a pretty, smooth, white stone. Her jaw wobbled with the effort of holding it upright, though she'd had a lot of practice, at least.

That said, Sugar felt a measure of relief when she was able to set it down beside the invalid. "I got'chu a presents, Unclolt," she said softly, the portmanteau fumbling out of her mouth.

Title from "Jabberwocky" by Lewis Carroll.

Colt had decided to stay in his own space rather than encroaching on Eljay's despite his nephew's help.  There were too many staying there, and despite wanting to be close for Nellie's sake (as well as his own keeping an eye out), he wasn't into hovering.

Didn't mean he didn't enjoy a visitor, and when Sugar Glider showed up, he grinned despite his current state.  Pretty soon he was going to need to be up and moving, injuries or no; they didn't have the adults for him to be bedridden right now.

A presents, huh? Did you find all of this yourself?  he asked from his position, lying next to her but looking at the shell.  It was an impressive haul.

He smiled at her. Sugar returned it, her pink button of a nose wriggling as she took in the smells of his sickbed. She was very curious about them and meant to ask some questions, though before she could open her mouth, Colt distracted her with one of his own. She felt pride blossom in her chest as she nodded her head, a little slowly at first but then much more vigorously.

"Aye," the pup said simply, having picked up the word someplace. She paused, black eyes glistening like freshly spilled ink. "You likey?"

I do, he replied, leaning down and nosing the turtle shell in particular.  He'd been all about that shit as a kid too, but Sugar Glider had a sweet aspect to her that made Colt wonder who Elwood might have screwed besides his sister.  Not that he'd ever crack a joke like that to her... until she was old enough.

Found a nice treasure for yourself too, I see.  He picked up the stone, placing it between his paws, since it was the only thing he really knew what to do with.  The plants he knew next to nothing about, though time and time again he'd learned how stupid he was for ignoring that skill set.  He'd tried to pick up a truck or two from Fiadh, from Fire, from Raven and Eljay, but only in passing and the lessons never stuck.  What are those? he asked, indicating everything left in the bowl.

She beamed when her uncle said he liked her gifts, her coal black eyes crinkling at the corners and her lips skinning back from her tiny, sharp teeth. Colt asked her about a treasure for herself and the grin slipped away, replaced by a more inquisitive expression, which then became less curious and more puzzled.

"Presents!" Sugar reminded him, huffing in affectionate exasperation.

In the next moment, the pup queried, "Do yer boo-boos hurt? Lots?" Her little pink nose wriggled as she sniffed toward him, noting the scents of his wounds. It was not unlike the bloody meat her parents brought her to eat, though surely they did not intend to devour Colt. He didn't look particularly appetizing, in any case.

He was mistaken as well, assuming her repetition meant she simply didn't know what the plants were.  Which was understandable, she was young yet to name them.  He didn't realize it was confusion over his comment about her turtle shell.

Not much, he said, though it was only partly true.  They hurt less than when he'd received them, but the ache was everpresent and draining.  But some.  He watched her, curious what she'd make of that.  Colt hadn't had time to spend much with Finley's kids, though he'd watched them a time or two.  He didn't quite have her measure yet.

Sugar stilled at his answer, lips pulling tight into a little frown beneath a furrowed brow. "Kin I help?" she wondered, the real question being, How can I help? She gazed up at him, her eyes eerily dark but soulful. She didn't know her Uncle Colt well—at least, not as well as those who lived with her—but she cared about him, nonetheless, in her youthful way. And it disturbed her that he should be in pain, no matter the measure. Sugar wanted to make it go away, just like the smell that reminded her of carrion.

few more and we will wrap!!! Sorry <3

Colt highly doubted it, to answer her question.  Rest and proper healing were what he needed, though the former was going to be hard to come by.  He was far too much a softie to tell those (literal) puppy eyes that though.

Maybe.  What do you think we should do? No matter what she proposed, he determined to spin it to 'helping'.  He was a damn good actor when he wanted to be.

He answered her question with a question, which made the youngster's brows knit. Sugar hadn't suffered many wounds in her day, though every time she bumped her noggin, stubbed her toe or otherwise found herself afflicted with some ache or pain, her parents would comfort her. Specifically, they would hold her closely and offer kisses to soothe her.

"Kissies," Sugar deduced after giving it a long, hard think. Her scrunched expression cleared a little as she toddled closer and began to lick and nip at every part of her Uncle Colt she could reach: his chin, his neck, his toes, the tip of his tail...

He had to force himself not to laugh as she answered, in all seriousness, with what he imagined was the most tried and true method a pup would know.  A huge grin lit his face though as she proceeded to treat him.  Somehow his sister had made an adorable kid (actually they were all great).

I feel better already, doc, he said, and he didn't have to act much with the genuine smile she'd given him. Physically it didn't make a difference, but that hardly mattered.  Who taught you that trick?

She paused and grinned when he reported feeling better. Colt wanted to know who'd taught her that. Instead of answering him directly, she looked over at whichever parent was currently darkening the doorway. Her tail twitched before she returned her full attention to healing Colt.

Aforementioned parent eventually took pity on him when he was fairly covered in puppy slobber, drawing Sugar away with murmurs about how Uncle Colt needed to rest now. Sugar didn't protest, though right before she padded after her escort (who thankfully remembered to nab the empty turtle shell for her), her beady black eyes settled on the Sovereign.

"G'night, Unclolt."

Suitably brightened, Colt watched her leave, giving a small nod to whomever it was that came along.  The pain would keep him up, he knew, as it had since it happened.  But he settled in, thinking fond thoughts and awaiting his own daughter's return.  She was likely out with another adult, Wraen perhaps.