Two Eyes Cenote Toy soldiers

Kiyya had grown in to his legs a little bit during the three month gap since his birth, and now he was a chubby creature with sharp limbs, large paws, and very little finesse. He very much took after his father Khusobek in conformation—and while he wasn't aware of that, he did see how actively the mazoi worked, and how esteemed he was among those of Muat-Riya. The dream of one day being as well-respected and powerful as his sire was already well rooted, leading to the boy's newest, and most favorite pastime: war!

The ignorance of the child aside, Kiyya had snuck off to watch the various training drills of the mazoi and when retrieved, began to enact those drills upon his unsuspecting siblings. He would begin with a shout, a call to attention; then with commands to each of them, act the part of the jodai which would devolve quickly in to rough-housing.

Whether or not the orders were obeyed, whether or not the children were prepared or even awake and in a playful mood, Kiyya would kick and scream and play at the role he knew he was destined for. Much like any bully on the playground wanting things exactly his way, Kiyya would not stop for long when reprimanded by his mother Inji, to the point that he was growing unbearable.

it was cute. at first.
the baby boy had taken quite a shining to his father's path, something inji thought khusobek would be very pleased to hear about. secretly, she allowed him enough time to observe the mazoi before she "caught" him, melodramatically dragging him home by the scruff and pretending it did not make her heart swell with joy that he sought to rise above his station.
every little boy thinks his dad is their hero, right? it was sweet...! until he started terrorizing their home.
while inji had never been a soldier, she began to feel like one as kiyya's high-pitched yapping woke her up before dawn. he was so serious about it, so passionate; this would be great if it wasn't for the fact that she, and likely also his siblings, were less than enthused about it.
kiyya, she grumbles one morning as he "practices", eyes still half-lidded and fur still ruffled from sleep. she cannot help but smile down at him. you're gonna do great things one day, baby, but i think it's time to use your inside voice.

hup! hup! one doo, tree, he was high-stepping as he marched by the room's entrance, shouting a rhythmic chant that was similar to some of the voices he had overheard before.

inji protested quietly, firmly. kiyya was filled with pride when she took notice of his skills, as if he had been training his whole life for such recognition; and in a way that was true.

he rushes to her, reaching to give her kisses all over her face. maa, can we go? i wanna see! he begged, in his very loud and too-close, crowded way, uncaring if the others woke up.

they were missing the early morning sound-off!

wouldn't you rather go to one later in the day? when it's warmer out? and after mommy has had her breakfast?
he runs to her side, the sweet boy; he took after her in the way his excitement and joy bled into everything he did. his puppy breath is hot against her cheeks, and she tolerates the show of affection, one paw wrapping around his shoulders.
she stifles a yawn, readjusting her gangly limbs so that she may rise to stand if need be. she had a feeling she wasn't getting out of this one, no matter how much gentle redirection she offered.

she lurches up, and he falls back for a moment but cannot contain his many intrusive thoughts. leaping to kiss her cheeks while they're closer to his level, then her chin, then it became a game of jumping for the sake of it.

breffis after! wanna go! kiyya wasn't hungry, and besides that, a mazoi had work to do!