The Start of the End pt2

Weeks had passed, and Rue was so delighted. Their child was special. Not like other baby nyulops! Even odder, to her at least, was that he was unlucky! Why is that weird? Because both her and Nepo are Lucky Nyulops!

No amount of love was enough to give them. She took Alexander everywhere with her. Nepo finally went back to work, seeing as she seemed to actually be happy for once. Maybe a child really did make a difference?

Alexander blinked, his eyes always too sensitive to the bright lights. He hated this. He hated going out with his supposed mother. She hugged him too tight. She didn’t feed him on time. And some times his fur was too itchy. Everything sucked. Her claws were too big too! Almost disregarding his fur!

He blinked again, trying to make out his surroundings. He could hear her chattering as she roughly held him. He’d long stopped fighting back, realizing that time moved faster if she didn’t always have to ‘adjust’ him.

She’d stopped for the who knows how many times to talk to some random finley about how ‘awesome’ and ‘special’ he was. A whimper was on the tip of his tongue, the sun bathing his thick fur in bright light. Luckily, it wasn’t too warm yet, but it was nearing the end of winter. And soon the sun would become harsher.

Rue stopped talking and started moving again. He sagged against her in relief, which she mistook for a caring gesture. She patted his back, her claws catching many a snare.

Alexander shivered, flinching at every pull. “Aw, poor dear.. Are you cold? Oh!” Her too loud voice stung at his ears. “Looks like we’ve made it to the market and would you look at that. Seems like a play pen for kids or something.”

Rue stopped at a fence and put Alexander down inside. “Now, you wait here. And I’ll be right back!” Not even a second later and she was gone, some where amongst the crowd.

A crowd that Alexander could barely see. Try as he might, most of the other finley started to blur together. He tried looking at his surroundings, but all he saw was openness and grass. But… It kind of smelled like animal. Alexander sat there, confused, waiting, the sun staring him down.

Felicity, a young winged, brown nyulop walked with her red draken friend, Remi, next to her. They traveled the market with what little pocket change was granted them. Remi’s young ikka walked next to them, the huge paws kicking up dust.

Despite it still being winter, it was surprisingly warm this afternoon. The sky had very little clouds, and the wind offered little in the way of coolness.

Felicity looked through the market stalls, then down at Remi. “Anything in particular you wanted to get?” A though she was much taller than him, he was definitely the older of the two.

Remi shook his head, his usual perpetual frown only mild today. “Nah, I just wanted to get out. It’s nice today.” They crossed by a few more stalls, the slightly sweet smell of Moontallow rice cakes filling the air.

Felicity grabbed Remi’s hand and almost dragged him to one such stall. But before they could reach the line to order, something small and bright caught her eye.

Remi tilted his head at her before looking where she was looking. “What’s that?” he mumbled. He took the lead as Felicity and Rueben, the ikka, followed.

Both finley started, as what they came upon was a small off white child in the animal pen for the pet stall. Luckily, the pets sold here were tame, all ignoring the odd fluffball in the corner.

Remi grabbed a fence rung with both hands, trying to poke his head over it. “Hey! What are you doing in there?”

Felicity had an easier time reaching through the fence. She gently brushed the white fur. “Hello? Are you okay, little one?”

The off white fur ball flinched from the bottom thin touch. They turned their head, squinting at them. Remi and Felicity glanced at each other both looking at the kid again. They seemed confused.

“Are you stuck?” Remi asked seriously.

The white fur bounced as the kid shook their head. “wait” They responded, though the voice sounded very tired.

Felicity looked at the sad little fur ball, then at the bright sky, and then at their surroundings before she spotted what she seek. A large, lone fir tree on the outer limits of the town market.

She reached towards the kit again. “It’s a little bright out here. Did you want to sit in the shade instead and wait?”

The kit seemed confused. “Whas shaid?” They asked weakly.

Felicity smiled. “It’s where the sun doesn’t touch you.”

Remi was already using his Ikka to climb over the fencing.

The kit reached towards her. No sun? Perfect.

Landing next to them, Remi touched their shoulder. “Get on my ikka, he can take you over the fence.”

The little one scrambled to their paws, reaching forward and touched the neck of the ikka.

“Hold on tight.” He said.

The furball barely had any time before Remi picked them on and deposited them on the back of Rueben.

Claws clutching the fur, Alexander was unprepared for the animal to suddenly launch itself up and over the fence. It felt impossibly high to him.

So much so, he immediately slid sideways, loosing his seat. He grasped at air frantically reaching for anything to stop his fall.

Two soft arms caught him, taking great care to not squeeze him too hard. He could feel the light breeze from her feathered wings as they landed. He clutched onto her body fur until the small group made it to the shaded tree.

With the sun no loner tormenting him, Alexander gazed up at the pretty lop holding him so gently. The red draken came over and Alexander looked over at him as well. He reached out a paw and booped the draken’s nose. The red drakling just raised an eyebrow. He giggled at his expression.

The group relaxed in the shade, Remi at some point buying roasted nuts and moontallow rice cakes as snacks.

Alexander remained cuddled in between the trio, for once feeling at ease.

Unfortunately, the peace didn’t last long.

“ALEXANDER! What are you doing!?!? Where have you been?!?” The loud voice boomed, shattering their little world of contentment.

So startled was Alexander that he shot up on all fours, fur poofing out in all directions, his eyes looking around wildly before settling on his mother. She came closer and closer, her long claws raking through the grass haphazardly.

Felicity turned at the shout and froze. A tall cream colored nyulop all wings and anger approached them quickly. Remi placed a calming hand on both her and Rueben, who’s fur was bristling. Something about that finley stood out to her. But she didn’t know them. Remi squeezed her shoulder and the look in his eyes made it seem as if he had the answer.

Rue stopped in front of the small group holding her child hostage. Her breathe came quick. Her claws pitched o smack the dumb little kids who hadn’t minded their own. The annoyance at possibly being lectured by Nepo pricked at her skin. And it was their fault. How unfair.

Before she could tell them off, she paused, glancing at the tall brown kit holding her child. She seemed very familiar, almost reminiscent…. Ah, burn it all. The similarities were almost too uncanny. Dang it.

Remi narrowed his eyes as the adult finley snatched the little guy right out of Felicity ‘s arms. All roughness, no caring, by the scruff. The poor kid squeaked in obvious pain.

“Be care..” Remi tried to say, but Rue ruthlessly cut him off.

“Shut it, you unwanted pikoo. You took my child with no care of whether you’d worry his parents. How DARE you!”

Remi’s eyes opened wide, the feeling of fire coursing his veins. He knew this nyulop. Saw how utterly terrible she was. More than once. A growl escaped, the need shout at her almost unbearable.

But it was Felicity’s calming claws this time touching his shoulder. She spoke softly, “I’m sorry ma’am. We didn’t know any better. He looked warm sitting there.”

Rue’s big eyes couldn’t stopped staring at Felicity. She growled, more desperate than angry. “Just stay away! By the Great Energy, know your place! Unwanted kids shouldn’t be walking around! I know you don’t have guidance, but learn to THINK!”

Felicity flinched at the words. Normally she was unfazed by her lack of parents. But something about this finley’s words stung. Like a slap to the face. She blinked rapidly, trying to quell the tears threatening to spring up.

Remi immediately took offense seeing her face. “Lady. I don’t think you of all finley have the RIGHT to say that.” He growled.

Without waiting, he dragged Felicity away, Rueben close behind them.

Alexander peeked from between his paws, sad at seeing them leave. His heart felt heavy as his mother carried him back home.

That night, Rue couldn’t sleep. Her mind kept going back to that brown kit. She nibbled at her claws, wondering if that kit was who she thought they were. And if this was going to become an issue.

Her ears twitched. Nepo was sleep. Alexander was asleep. Then… Then who was speaking.

She couldn’t make out the words, but the voice sounded inviting. She stood and walked to the window, staring at the clear night. She started to open the window, a cool breeze swirling through her fur. The wind caressed her hand and left, taking the voice further away. She raised it as if she could call it back.

“Hmmm… Something wrong, Rue?” Nepo had turned over and was looking at her.

Rue blinked, the sky now lighter than before. How long had she been standing there? She shook her head, going back to bed. “Just some fresh air. No worries.”