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Post by littlelost on Dec 31, 2013 14:48:10 GMT -5
The berry bush rustled as the owner of the greenish brown tail climbed in among the branches to hide while looking at Kayven. A little nose and some red fur poked out from behind some leaves as its owner sniffed curiously in the male Knopfleri's direction.
"Noelle," a small female voice answered after a brief silence.
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Post by MiDZ on Dec 31, 2013 20:33:43 GMT -5
Kayven smiled slightly and nodded his head respectfully.
"Hello, Noelle," he said kindly, "You smell familiar. Is your father by any chance a male named Xander?"
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Post by littlelost on Jan 1, 2014 15:22:21 GMT -5
"You know Father?" Noelle asked curiously, her little nose moved further out from the leaves as she sniffed in Kayven's direction again, before she retreated back into the berry bush, "You don't smell of him... I've never met someone who doesn't smell of Father or Mother."
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Post by MiDZ on Jan 1, 2014 16:34:53 GMT -5
"Well, it has been a season or so since I've sen your father," Kayven said thoughtfully, "I suppose I wouldn't smell like him anymore, but you don't need to be afraid. I would never hurt a baby knopfleri, promise."
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Post by littlelost on Jan 1, 2014 17:22:09 GMT -5
There was a thoughtful silence for a long moment, then the nose moved forward again until Noelle's whole head appeared out of the berry bush, her brown and green ears sticking up at odd angles above her red fur as she blinked her big blue eyes at the male Knopfleri.
"Promises are good," she said happily, a faint rustle came from the bush as her tail waved about.
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Post by MiDZ on Jan 2, 2014 8:51:02 GMT -5
Kayven smiled.
"Have you ever made a promise to someone, sweetheart?" he asked kindly.
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Post by littlelost on Jan 2, 2014 14:41:06 GMT -5
Noelle smiled back then blinked and sniffed distractedly at a leaf that touched her face. She shuffled about a bit on the branch she was balanced on before she looked back at Kayven.
"Yes!" she replied cheerily, "I promised Father that I'd never wander too far away."
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Post by MiDZ on Jan 2, 2014 15:57:10 GMT -5
"Oh, and where is your father now?" Kayven asked, lifting his head and looking for his friend.
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Post by littlelost on Jan 2, 2014 16:15:55 GMT -5
Noelle blinked at Kayven and tilted her head slightly, watching him, puzzled. The bush rustled again as her tail moved.
"What do you mean?" she asked in confusion, "He's been right here since you said hello."
Unlike his friend or daughter, Xander was well camouflaged by the surroundings as he sat still in the long grass watching them.
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Post by MiDZ on Jan 2, 2014 16:37:45 GMT -5
Kayven's ears lowered, saddened that his supposed friend had been there all along and hadn't spoken to him.
"Oh, I see," Kayven said, "Well, have fun Noelle. I have to um...yeah..."
He turned and began to walk away, deciding that Xander did want to be his friend anymore.
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Post by littlelost on Jan 2, 2014 16:50:07 GMT -5
Noelle watched Kayven worriedly, upset that he suddenly seemed sad. She half jumped, half tumbled out of the berry bush to follow him.
"Where are you going?" she asked, "Did I make you sad? I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!"
Xander watched them for a little longer before standing up and slinking through the grass to get ahead of them.
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Post by MiDZ on Jan 2, 2014 17:05:28 GMT -5
"No, little one, it's not your fault," Kayven said, looking at Noelle, "It's my own fault for...for believing. I should have known that I...Nevermind, it's not important. Go back to your mother, I'll be alright."
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Post by littlelost on Jan 2, 2014 17:13:40 GMT -5
Noelle slowed down but didn't leave or stop following, unsure what to do. She watched Kayven with concern, her tail swished above the grass, "But..."
Xander crept out of the grass ahead of them and sat in Kayven's way, watching them intently.
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Post by MiDZ on Jan 2, 2014 17:33:53 GMT -5
Kayven saw Xander step in the way and stopped. He sighed.
"I'm sorry I was such a burden," he told the other male, looking away in shame, "I didn't mean to be so helpless or annoying. I'm stronger now so I don't...I don't need you anymore, not like I use to but I...I would have liked to stay friends with you. You have a beautiful daughter and I'm sure a wonderful mate so... you should go back to them. They need you more then I do."
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Post by littlelost on Jan 2, 2014 17:48:11 GMT -5
Noelle sat down, watching Kayven talk to her father, she tilted her head slightly. Her tail curled around her as her ears twitched, and she smiled happily at being called beautiful.
Xander regarded the stripey male for a moment then smiled slightly and walked right up to Kayven and licked him on the forehead, "Still the same as always, I see. We are friends, Kayven, and you were never a burden to me. Ruby has her own life to live, she has no interest in me right now, and Noelle will stay with me until she's older. I don't need to go anywhere."
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