Redtail Rise gauze

for @Masquerade

The day is temperate for once. A well-needed break from the unbearable summer heat.

He lounges beneath the pines, tired from a mundane patrol.

Though, a question sits on his mind today—in fact, it had been ruminating for quite some time now. He’s decided now is the time to ask it and buzzes with uncertainty.

Mahhque. He calls, searching for the Caru—whom he senses nearby.

The rendezvous site was often deserted these days. Masquerade enjoyed the peace and quiet, though it made them ache too. The pups were really quite grown now. The Caru still guessed that some of them would disperse. That was natural, though it would break their heart a little bit.

It would especially pain them if Mulherin went anywhere, though Masque very much doubted he would do anything without telling them first. Deep down, they wondered if he’d given any more consideration to their whimsical idea, though they wouldn’t put any pressure on the boy.

As if sensing the nature of their thoughts, they heard him call for them. The Caru smiled and snorted, walking toward the sound of his voice. Their eyes brightened at the sight of him and they quickly loped forward to close the distance, mouthing affectionately at his muzzle.

What is it? they asked, stepping back, long tail swaying.

His tail sways at the sight of his sibling. He meets them and nips at their whiskers before taking a step back.

Hey. I gotta quehhtion… Noh hhure if you even know the anhhwer, honehhly. He begins vaguely, still deciding how to put his next words together.

I gathered that, Masquerade retorted affectionately. Well, what is it? they repeated patiently, pawing at the closest part of Mul they could reach, which happened to be his left elbow.

But they quickly withdrew their paw and sat up straighter, watching Mulherin gather his words. They sensed it was an important question and the Caru wanted him to know he had their full attention.

Masque watches him as he speaks. He feels his gaze drift to the side, and his eyes focus on a flowery shrub. A few bumblebees mill about, skipping from one flower to the next.

I wanna know who my dad ihh.. He replies. D’you know? D’we even have hhe hhame one? Doubhh ih.

Finally, the weight from his chest dissipates. 

It had been a long time coming and long overdue. Avicus’s disappearance had only intensified his value for family; with her gone, she’d taken the information with her.

She was back. The flame of curiosity was stoked one more.

Masque could honestly say they’d never given much thought to their younger siblings’ paternity or even their own. Avicus was such a force of nature, she was the only parent any of them had ever needed. But the Caru also knew how reproduction worked, had even watched the Wealda pair up to conceive the young man standing in front of them presently.

He and “Fifth” looked a lot like Ashlar, come to think of it. They couldn’t remember if Avicus had gone off with him—though inquisitive at the time, Masquerade hadn’t been invasive about it—but those two had always shared a particular bond. Masque frowned lightly, realizing that not only Ashlar but the other candidates were all gone.

I don’t know for sure about either one of us. It doesn’t matter to me, in the sense that you’re my brother regardless, Masque said, pausing before adding slowly, but you look like Ashlar. Do you remember him?

Ashlar?

He tries his best to summon his memories of the man. A healer; he can recall the faint scent of herbs he’d always brung with him. A soft-spoken presence within the Rise who’d disappeared also.

He’d never gotten the chance to really know him.

He was crestfallen at the fact.

I geh ih. Ih doehhn’ mahher, buh I wanna know more ‘bouh him, who he ihh. Juhh to know. A sigh. As for he and Masque, paternity meant nothing—they would always be family. Yet, he’d felt there was a piece missing. He wanted to know his father.

Yea, hhorta. Whah wahh he like? Ihh he hhe only one ih couhh be?

They sensed his disappointment and brushed their muzzle lightly against his. They didn’t feel the same way about it as he did, though Masque could understand why it might matter to him. They wished they could offer him more satisfactory answers.

No, he’s not the only one, but now that I think about it, the resemblance is fairly strong, Masque told him. He disappeared right after mother did. Perhaps he will come back too, they continued with a thoughtful frown, their long tail flicking before they suddenly smiled and posited, You favor him in looks, though you could say I favor him in personality. He was soft-spoken, a natural caretaker.

They had no idea if Ashlar might’ve sired them too, in which case the two of them could be full siblings. It still didn’t matter much to Masquerade, though they looked closely at Mulherin’s face to see if their responses were providing him any clarity.

It was news to him that he resembled Ashlar. After all, he’d never fully seen himself—though he had a pretty good idea, albeit what was his eye color. I never knew. He rumbles. You hhink he’hh your dad?

I’m hhinkin’ of ahhking mom. I dunno if I hhould.

They shook their head, offering an apologetic look as they admitted, I don’t know. I’ve never given it much thought. It’s never mattered to me. It’s okay if it matters to you, though. I’m not sure what answers mother might be able to give you, though if anyone can satisfy your curiosity, it would be her.

Whether Avicus knew herself—or wanted to discuss such matters with her son—Masque couldn’t say. At worst, she wouldn’t be able to give Mulherin the answers he wanted. Surely no harm would come of asking the question in the first place.

Since we’re on the subject, they said a moment later, we’ve talked about your aspirations for rank before. But what do you think about a family, one day? Do you think you’d like to take a mate, become a father?

Like everything else, it was a long ways off. But what kind of sitter—and sibling—would they be if Masquerade didn’t ask him about his hopes and dreams? Unlike Masque, Mulherin had a lot of potential and prospects. They could and did see him as the head of a pack and family someday.

His tail swishes.

Masque didn’t seem to think it mattered, which was true—however, they didn’t have to grow up without parents for a brief time. He thought it was information he should have, at least.

Their next question distracted him from that subject.

Don’ ehhpect any niehehh or nephewhh anytime hhoon. He jests. One day, yeah, maybe. Whah abouh you?

They grinned at those words: “niece” and “nephew.” Masque had certainly enjoyed rearing their younger siblings. It would be their pleasure to help any of their brothers or sisters raise a litter someday, whether it was sooner or later.

Mulherin was curious about them in turn. The Caru paused to reflect on the one time they’d broached this topic with anyone, at least until Ancelin had brought it up only recently. They’d only exchanged a few words with Redd on the matter, similarly limiting the depth of their attitudes with their cousin. But this was Mul; here was an opportunity to properly confide in someone.

I’m going to tell you a secret, they said, even though it wasn’t really a secret so much as something nobody ever addressed with them until recently. And it will probably seem strange, coming from me. But I have no interest whatsoever in ever bearing pups. The thought of pregnancy and delivery used to make me feel ill. It didn’t bother me so much in others and it doesn’t get to me so badly now. But I still find the whole idea, they finished with a wrinkled nose and light huff, repulsive.

Would that surprise him? Masquerade watched their brother’s face, their long tail swaying back and forth. They didn’t mention it—they knew they could tell him anything but never wanted to burden Mulherin or overshare—but if he asked about mates, they supposed they’d tell him the truth about that too: they didn’t understand the entire premise of courtship. Desire, romance, sex… it was all beyond them.

Some would say they were odd; however this was just how Masque was—and he wouldn’t have them be any other way. He accepted the revelation without much surprise.

Oh, I didn’ realihhe ih wahh hhat heriouhh. I mean I can’t blame you, birth heemhh.. painful. Glad I don’ have’ta do all hhat. He replies with a thin smile.

Hho, you don’ wanh a family? You’he a Caru though, don’ you like puphh? He questions next.

I adore pups, they explained with a small smile, but there’ll be plenty of those around every spring. I certainly don’t need to make any of my own. I would much rather be an older sister or an aunt than a mother.

Masque’s eyes softened as they held his gaze a moment before they looked away. They thought about asking Mulherin if there was anyone he fancied, like perhaps Sunset. But if they teased him about that, he would probably ask about their romantic prospects.

They would discuss anything with their brother but Masquerade would prefer to do something else now, they decided. Their eyes combed over their quiet surroundings a moment before they looked toward the Toweard again.

Speaking of building families, did you know moose begin rutting around this time of year? We should see if we can find some, they thought aloud, wondering if Mul would know what that word meant. We’d have to be very careful—they’re more aggressive than usual—but it’s very interesting to observe.

His brain still buzzes from their earlier conversation.

Mm. I hhee hhen. He responds, understanding their viewpoint. Mothering was a different battle, pupsitting was just a taste of that, and probably less strenuous.

His head tilts a tad, sensing they had another question to ask. They mull over it for a moment before continuing.

They wanted to watch the moose rut. The boy was too familiar with the creatures.

He recalled the sight of Lilia, who'd been sent flying by a bull. Yes—he knew very well of their aggression.

Mhm. Yeah. Where'll we look? He agrees. 

You tell me, they replied with a slightly cheeky look. Where do you think moose like to spend time looking for mates? Take point, they instructed with an encouraging jerk of their red snout and accompanying swish of their tail. We can report anything we find to Augur. Then, if you want me to go with you, we can tell mother about it too… and ask that question you want to ask her.

Figured it might make sense to fade here? :)

threw in one more, can archive here!

A chortle. And take point, he does.

He would take them to the grotto, he’s decided. I know where. Lehh go,

As for their latter comment, he gives a dismissive shake of his head. This was his question, he’d ask it alone. Still, he thought it was sweet of them to offer.

Ihh okay. You don’ needa come for hhat.

Amiably, the two trek northeast.