[Flashback] Visitors, Cubs, and Confrontations

[Liriah]

53rd/Spring/506 A.V. "Luma! What color should I wear, Red?" Turning around to face her dog companion, Liriah didn't like the look he was giving her. Glaring at her wolf-like companion, who had to stay behind at the cottage, Liriah settled for a simple white dress. Marveling at the flowing white silk and the way it felt almost liquid, Liriah slipped the spaghetti strap dress on. As the embroidered bodice hugged her modest figure, flattering her curves, the skirt flared and bellowed around her knees, the green of the embroidered vines and white of the silk contrasting against her red hair as it loosely waved over her shoulders. This dress was obviously expensive, more than she can ever afford, and Liriah wasn't quite sure how to repay Samuel for this dress, voicing her concern to the very man himself. He laughed at her and instructed her that he would send someone to escort her to his residence, on the 15th chime after the 13th bell, sharp. "I guess I shall be leaving now, assuming that the man at the front door is my escort," Liriah informed Luma, who was still very unhappy about this event "so, make sure to chase away any intruders and guard our home. If you meet any travelers in need of help, make sure to bring them to our house, okay?" Moving towards the door, Liriah remembered to bring her flute along, dashing towards her bedroom and snatching the lacquered wooden box before returning to the door. Before she could leave, Liriah felt a tugging behind her. Turning around, she found her furry companion with a ribbon draped across his snout. Smiling at Luma's change of heart, Liriah and the man wove their way through the woods, taking care not trip over the ancient roots which crisscrossed the path. After they passed through the gargantuan gates and traversed through what felt like miles of Lhavit to Liriah, the escort lead her to a fairly grand house, the one which Liriah clearly remembered from her weekly visit. Knocking on the door, Liriah waited for Samuel or one of the other inhabitants, preferably his dear wife who Liriah have come to adore, to open the door and grant her entry.

[Samantha Grenth]

Sammy pulled her tail out of her mouth long enough for her mother to brush her teeth. Sammy had refused to turn back to human since her change into a tigress. She found everything so... new. Though she didn't like not being able to grab things with hands, she had quickly adapted.

Even though it simply made it harder for her mother to get her ready when they were having a guest over. Her mother last stormed out of the room when Sammy wouldn't shift back but had come back later with Samuel and got Sammy ready as a tiger cub.

Samuel had simply shrugged when Rose preached her problem. He commented that it simply was a phase and Samantha would soon learn that she could live in both forms and would learn when one was appropriate and the other not. She simply wasn't older enough yet. Though none of this made any sense to Samantha.

Sammy caught a sent on the air and immediately went to find the source. It smelled like fresh lace her mother had just brought in and sweet flowers, much like the ones Samuel would bring home to Ma. Sammy walked, stumbled to the door. She hadn't quiet managed how to walk around on all four legs so it was a chore.

Ma's voice could be heard in the parlor calling for her little cub but Sammy ignored her mother and set in front of the door. Just as she sat a knock came upon the wood. Samantha stared at the door for a while before she jumped for the handle. "Samuel, I can't find Samantha and there's someone at the door!" Her mother called out. Roses' voice was closer to the main hallway.

After a couple more try's for the handle Sammy finally gave up. Staring at the handle for a couple chimes Sammy shifted. Sitting naked on the floor she quickly stood. While she missed the warmth of fur and the amusement of having a tail she stood. Being able to reach the handle now, Samantha gripped it with slightly chubby fingers.

Just as she opened the door Rose came into the main hall. "Oh dear lord! Samantha!" The door was open and Sammy's attention had turned back to her mother. Sammy's eyes didn't focus on Rose but on Samuel as he smiled and held out open arms for her over a knee. Sammy giggled at her accomplishment and ran to her father. She was tired but she loved the look on her fathers face when she did something right.

Rose quickly moved to the door to the guest and greeted them, "Oh my, I am so sorry Liriah! I don't know what over came Samantha! But please," Rose paused and set out a gentle hand, "Please come in. Dinner is ready and still plenty warm. We were just trying to get Samantha to change back." Rose stopped at what she said.

"Oh I forgot!" Rose clapped her hands together after closing the door and dropping Liriah's hand, "Samantha shifted yesterday! And we're proud to have a strong Tigress!" Samuel walked over with the naked Sammy and a smile on his face. "I knew she would be a tiger. Her eye's just say it all!" Rose rolled her own pair of eyes, "He did not. You know him, always being so full of pride and having to be right. We actually thought she was going to be a bird at first."

Rose smiled, "Now, off to dinner? Oh and I do have napkins and Samantha knows how to use her forks and spoons but she still... is animalistic. And as much as you love sitting next to children, please sit up with us. I wouldn't want to ruin that beautiful dress that just makes me want to bow to you. You look even more like a Godess Liriah." Samuel snorted at his wife but began to walk to the dinning room. Rose stayed with Liriah.

[Liriah]

Knowing how Samuel was super lazy and was going to leave the door to Rose, Liriah made use of the wait, relishing the feel and embrace of the cool spring breeze. It was a different breeze from the one she felt from her cottage; it smelt less like trees and rich earth, and more like garden flowers. Warm air began to stroke her cheek, bringing her attention to the door. It was slowly swinging inwards, and Liriah wanted to see who opened the door, looking through the slowly widening gap. Pf~t Holding back her laugh, Liriah managed to keep it at the level of a smile. The sight beyond the widening gap of the door was highly amusing to her, despite having seen it during her recent visits. There, running towards Samuel, was Samantha, refusing to wear anything confining as usual. Well, she was naked, really. It wasn't the nudity which amused her, however, it was Samantha's constantly wobbling bottom that made Liriah laugh. Surprised at Rose's not-so-sudden appearance, Liriah laughed. "No need to panic, Rose," she reassured her friend "Sammy, we really should call her that since Samantha is too long and whatnot, is still young and still does not understand what nudity in front of non-family can cause. She can do whatever she likes around me, though, so no need to panic." "Dinner sounds nice, Rose," a hint of a smile still present in her voice "I am guessing that delicious smell is your doing?" The mention of change after the dinner invitation wasn't much of a surprise to Liriah, her friends were Kelvic after all. What surprised her the most was that Samantha was still only 4 weeks old, not to mention part of a race known as the sovereigns of the jungle. Children sure do grow fast. Her first shifting was yesterday, too! Still adamantly focused on Rose and her words, Liriah didn't hear Samuel and his charge approaching, his boastful voice surprising her as it came from the side. She knew how much pride he had, and he would rather die than admit that he was wrong. She agreed with Rose, however, that it was indeed obvious that Samuel was equally surprised as his wife. "Really, you two?" Liriah was now chuckling freely "A bird?" The couple's guess at Samantha's bestial form was far from correct. Obliging her friend's request for her to sit next to the adults, Liriah waved to Samuel as he and Samantha left for the dining room. Turning back to Rose, the two of them now alone, Liriah grasped her friend's hands in her own. "I have a bad feeling," concern threading her voice "something tells me that not all is well in your family. Promise me," Liriah stared into Rose's eyes, making sure she understood "Promise me that you will come to my cottage if anything happens. Send an escort if you need to, just make sure to look for me when you are in trouble." Releasing Rose with her left hand, Liriah pulled out a glass cage, a white halo pulsing from its core. "Take this, Rose," flipping the hand in her right grasp skywards "the flower inside will prevent any magical intervention as long as it is not broken. Keep it away from Sammy. Hide it somewhere she cannot find it." Pulling her friend into a hug, she whispered into Rose's right ear "Okay?" "Do not worry about it withering. Now, let us go to dinner, before it grows cold." Laughing at her friend's attire, "we need to get you out of that apron, and dusk is approaching. I do not wish for an explosion to occur in your house," tugging at her sleeve, Liriah remembered something said earlier on "and, no more calling me a goddess, okay? It makes me blush. Now, Let us go! To the dinner table!"

[Samantha Grenth]

Sammy escaped from her fathers hands after he went to the kitchen to grab the food. He didn't seem to notice the naked child crawling away from him so Sammy took off. She reached the main hall and stopped at the door way. The smile that had been on her face faded as she listened.

She might be young and spoke a little bit, but she understood some words. And the look coming from Liriah and the vibe coming off her mother slightly upset her. Rose nodded and promised she would go to her cottage if things went wrong. Samantha didn't understand what trouble would cause her mother to need to leave but if Ma felt that there was then there must be. Sammy went to move forward but stopped when Liriah pulled out something bright and shinning.

Rose took the case and hid it within the folds of her own dress. The light dimming and then fading all together. Sammy felt herself starting to walk towards the pair with her eyes a little teary. While Liriah whispered in Roses' ear Sammy crept forward. The two gave distance and Sammy stopped.

Just as the ladies turned to the direction of the dinning room Samantha burst into tears. Reasons unknown maybe to the woman but Sammy simply felt upset that her mother was upset and it confused her. The red faced infant dropped to the floor and quickly shifted. Almost as instinctual to protect herself while being weak.

The now cub stayed on the floor and berried herself under her paws. Whimpering coming from the ball of fur and tired shaking raking her body. Rose rushed to her child and picked up the shivering cub. Stress riddled the mothers face as she turned to Liriah. Her eyes spoke an apology and her mouth asked for assistance, "I'm worry to bother you Liriah and guest shouldn't do this... would you mind helping me find something for her to play with or would you rather hold her while I look for something?"

Samantha's tail curled under her body and wrapped around her own leg as she shook. Samantha didn't understand why things felt so horrible right now, it just did. And not understanding it made things even worse. Samuel hummed in the kitchen pulling out the roast. It was golden-brown with beautifully cooked fruits and vegetables. Rose had spent all day on it.

[Liriah]

Before she could even take another step, Liriah realized another has joined them. Before her, lying like a broken doll on the floor, was a tiger cub. Buried behind her own paws, Liriah watched as Rose ran towards her daughter, plucking the cub from the tiles, and cradling her against her chest. "No need to apologize, Rose," Liriah whispered, the words amplified by the smooth walls "it was my fault, after all. Leave her to me." Gently lifting Samantha from the warm embrace of her mother, Liriah approached and gently sat on the closest chair, her new charge curled into a terrified ball of anxiety and nerves. She wasn't sure what would work on a child, especially one who was still learning speech. Neroll didn't teach her anything about childcare, either, leaving her at a loss as to what to do. After some careful thought, Liriah took out the dark, wooden case and opened it. She had decided to play a melody, something calm and soothing, to calm down the striped feline in her lap. The risk of an injury received from the probable backlash one she was willing to take. As the soft melody filled the spacious room, the delicious scent of roast rose with it in a symphony for all of the senses. Liriah knew full well that any meat and large doses of animal cells could poison her, but to reject Rose's and Samuel's, although he was probably just a nuisance, lounging around the kitchen and complaining or just disturbing Rose, applied efforts was to inflict a wound to her friends. The soft glow and vibrations from the flute attempting to calm the little tigress, Liriah felt specks of starlight and moonshine gathering around her, still playing the flute while waiting for Rose's return. Leth had appeared in the sky and her shift was drawing near. As the melody ended, Liriah placed the flute back into its case. Tucking it back into its hiding place, she gently scooped the cub into her arms. Cradling Samantha, Liriah held her against her chest as she stood up, making her way back to the place Rose left her.

[Samantha Grenth]

Rose looked like a worried mother and didn't want to leave Liriah the trouble of a tiger cub but from what Sammy could see behind her paws, Liriah looked ready for the challenge. Sammy was pulled out from her mother's grasp and for a second Sammy panicked.

But she was pulled back into the bosom of a woman and slowly relaxed... well relaxed out of a new panic state. Sammy could feel herself being moved and intended to squirm out of the hold but soon found herself sitting. Peeking out from behind her claws Sammy found herself looking at her mother leaving.

Sammy couldn't stop the shaking or nerves and nor could she stop the whine that appeared when Rose left the room. Before Sammy could take off she found a sound coming from behind her. At first it hurt her sensitive ears and made her whine again but then it evened out and Sammy found herself starting to calm down.

It was wooden and windy. Sammy liked it. Her claws retracted and popped out over and over. Sammy tried not to get them caught in the pretty material she currently laid on. Sammy's tail, after a while, started to beat with the rhythm of the song being played.

The smells of home and Rose' cooking helped the young tigress cub. Sammy could feel her mother drawing near but the song had ended and Sammy was now being carried again. Wide, searching eyes darted across the room in search of her mother.

When they entered the main hall again Sammy found her mother just entering as well. Rose gave a tired smile, kneeled to the ground, and held out a small white bunny. Not even questioning or waiting to be released Sammy squirmed her way out of the warm arms and pounced to her mother. Talking the bunny Sammy found herself chuffling. She hated that she couldn't pur but to her chuffling was the next best thing.

Rose stood and walked to Liriah, "I don't know what you did, but you seem to have a way with... cubs." Rose gave a smile and held out her arm, "Shall we go? You don't have to eat the roast by the way. I've heard you many times apon our lunches that you never order meat. There is a summer salad, some fruits, and a good verity of some breads out. All hand picked and made mind you!" Rose smiled and walked to the dinner.

Sammy caught on and quickly followed her mother and Liriah, with her bunny, to the dining room. There wasn't that bif of a table there, it could maybe seat five people and still not be crowded, seven was about the max. Th chairs were a dark wooden color with flowery seat covers and the table was a matching dark wood with a glass center. On the ends of the glass kte shape lay large candle holders with lit candles.

Between the candlesticks lay the array of food. Samuel already stood behind his chair when the ladies walked in. Seeing only two he raised a brow, "Sammy?" Rose nodded to the ground and then to the chair on the end. Samuel moved to get his cub in her chair, quickly, and then moved to the ladies. Liriah sat to the left of Rose while Rose sat to the left her husband.

Samuel pulled and pushed in the ladies chairs before taking his own. Sammy had already started to dig in to the food that was already on her plate. Before Rose started the dinner she quickly took off her apron and laid it behind her. "Liriah, do you wish to pray?" the Grenth family wasn't known religious but they paid heed to their gods, mostly Rose did, when the times arized.

[Liriah]

Seeing Rose return, a white, stuffed toy bunny in her hands, Liriah wasn't surprised when Sammy squirmed and escaped from her hold. She didn't try to stop her, either, for even she knew that stopping a child and a mother from reuniting was a foolish thing to do. It was a sweet moment, and Liriah wanted it to last. Watching Rose approach her, Sammy still clinging onto the bunny with adoration, Liriah gave a sad smile in response to Rose's compliment, not very sure herself what she did to make the child......calmer, Liriah gladly took her friend's arm. The mention of freshly baked bread, handpicked fruits, and a good salad made by Rose had Liriah peckish, the shadows of past lunches playing through her tongue. The dining room was grand in Liriah's eyes; the table was beautiful in its rich, dark simplicity, matching chairs with pretty, floral covers tucked under it, and candles seated on the table lending warmth and light to the mood of the room. Finished with taking in the room, Liriah returned her eyes to the food arrayed on the table's glass center. There, at the epicenter of the room, was the largest variety of delicacies she has ever seen. The roast was definitely the highlight of the evening, and despite her allergy to meat Liriah couldn't help but admire the aroma coming from its golden perfection. After Sammy was seated in her chair, Liriah watched Samuel return to Rose and her. He was a gentlemen, helping the ladies get situated on the table before he took his own, and Liriah admired that. She smiled; the family seemed so perfect right now and, hopefully, it would forever. Happily watching the cub dig in to her food with gusto, Liriah was pulled from her reverie. Liriah was surprised by Rose's question, and she was happy to have been asked, but she had no idea which god to pray to, or how to do so. Liriah wasn't one to pray for gods, having been abandoned by Leth when she needed him most, and so she felt reluctant to accept the offer. In the end, Liriah decided to accept, anyway. The prayer was lengthy, much too lengthy to be of her liking, and addressed Bala, for the bountiful harvest, Syna, for the light that allowed for growth, Zintila, for their shelter, and Caiyha, for those lives lost to provide them with nourishment. With the last words passing through her lips, the moonshine had completely gathered around her. Sweeping backwards, it formed into the shadows of wings and shattered, ending the prayer with the a pure note. Opening her eyes, Liriah turned to look at Sammy, gauging her reaction to seeing an Ethaefal shift from mortal seeming for the first time.