While Papa's Away, Children Will Play [Cedrus]

[maggie]

The noisy chattering of birds had been quite incessant for several hours. Their squawks seemed to only grow louder as the sun rose higher in the sky, noisy chatter floating into the cavern's mouth and bouncing off the walls. For a while it had been easy enough to tune out. The little green Yagi had always been a heavy sleeper. But she was growing bored with sleeping right now, and those damn birds refused to shut up!

Cracking one eye open, Maggie surveyed her surroundings. Dim light poured into the mouth of the cave; if she looked hard enough she could just see the shore of the hot spring. She didn't have to turn her head to know that her brother was still within the cave. His heavy scent was enough to know that he was near. What was odd, however, was the fading stench of their father, Arkham. The pup opened a second eye, blinking twice before lifting her head to get a better look. Her Papa wasn't present at all.

For a brief second fear seized the young female. Where was her father? Why had he left them? Why wouldn't he take her with him? He was her idol, after all, the one she loved most in the world. Of course his lack of presence was going to make her irrational. Without thinking, she opened her big mouth. "PAPA!?" The echo scared her, the high pitched, childish tones bouncing off the walls an assaulting her ears. With a soft whine she pulled the offended appendages against her head, at the moment not caring if she'd disturbed her brother.

When no answer came, Magnolia took it upon herself to investigate. She had a one track mind as she gathered her paws beneath her, forcing her horned body to stand. Small grey spikes danced along her spine as she shook out her thick coat, muscles slowly warming to the new activity. A small frown tugged down the edges of her muzzle. Arkham was missing. It was her job to find him!

"I'm gonna find Papa!" she called over her shoulder. Then, without waiting for an answer, Maggie bounded out of their makeshift den. She wasn't going to let Cedrus stop her. The young female was a pup on a mission and nothing would distract her! Well, almost nothing...

As stepped into the bright summer sun, she couldn't help but recoil slightly. The light was bright and stung at her eyes. For a few brief moments she saw several spots fluttering within her field of vision. Then her body adjusted and she was awed by the beauty of the land before her. It was unnaturally warm, the air heated by the steamy waters. Entranced, she let her paws carry her closer to the edge of the Macaque Spring. Those annoying birds were still awfully chatty, but their brightly colored feathers only added to the view.

Smiling now, Maggie only halted when her front paws broke the surface of the water. A soft giggle escaped her lips as the warmth shot up her forelegs. Smiling now, she stared down at the glassy surface. The ripples from her paws distorted the reflection, but it was enough of a distraction to keep her from wandering away too far. The seven month old was highly amused by the funny way she looked. Every time the ripples settled she would bat her paw at the surface, causing them start up again. This is how her family would find her should one of the males decide to show up. Where her mother was, she honestly didn't care.

[Cedrus]

Green optics stared at the stirring life in front of them. The birds that had willingly annoyed her had not really bothered the young pup that lay behind her. He had been awake for hours, his mind lost in its own thoughts. And whilst his sister didn't know where their father had gone, Cedrus did. In the wee hours of the morning he had heard his father mutter something about 'Cupressus.' This had cause some anxiety in the pup, for he knew damn well who he was talking about. Mother. Would he see her again? Alas, Arkham had told his son to stay put. He would have said this to Maggie as well, but she was like a log when it came to sleeping. You could probably hit her with one and she still wouldn't move one tiny muscle. A light smirk sidled onto his small maw at the thought.

The male pup rolled his eyes at Maggies outbursts, letting his canines gleam in the dim light as he yawned. She was always so dramatic when it came to Daddy. Her Daddy. Shaking his head, Cedrus followed suite after his sister. Reaching the mouth of the makeshift den that their father had made, the pup did a few lazily stretches before eying off his sister giggling at herself. With a loud 'plonk' of his behind, Cedrus stayed right where he was as he adjusted to the sunlight that caused his green-silver pelt to sparkle.

"Good morning to you, too."

He muttered at his sister. Sometimes, he really didn't think he meant all that much to her. It was always about Arkham. Which was a shame because even at this young age he felt strongly toward her. Which brought his thoughts back to his mother. Oh how he had missed her.

[maggie]

The sound of her brother's voice pulled the pup away from her game. Her head twisted around to peer over her shoulder, eyes narrowing slightly. He didn't sound very happy. Then again, he'd taken the separation from their mother much harder than Maggie had. He had a right to be unhappy.

Ignoring his greeting, Maggie decided instead to pull him into her fun. The spring didn't seem very deep at all, so hopefully she could entice him to come over. Though she didn't always show it, she did care for her brother. Usually she didn't try to purposely upset him. "Russ! Russ!" for Russ was what she most frequently called him. "C'mere and lookit! It's like warm and stuff! And I look funny!"

Her bob of a tail wagged happily as she turned back to the water. As if to make her point, she trotted further into the heated liquid. It only came up to about her joints so long as she stayed in the shallows. A mischievous glint was in her eyes as she continued to splash about, thoroughly soaking her own pelt. Either her brother would come over and play, or she would just have to get him drenched another way. Either way, she was going to have some fun at Cedrus's expense.

[Cedrus]

Cedrus' brows narrowed as Maggie barked his nickname. Sometimes he felt a lot older than her, which was funny for two reasons. One, she was older than him. And two, as much as he loved to play and muck around, he often felt it was a waste of time. If Cedrus knew what depression was, he'd also know that he was slipping deeper and deeper into it.

However, as much as his mood did not match his sisters, her innocent outburst brought a warm smile to his maw. It was good to see her so relaxed. Too often she was adult-like, constantly training, constantly working. Every pup needs to be a puppy at times, but he supposed it was his fathers fault. While Cedrus wont deny that he loves them very much, most times his thoughts were on other things rather than showing a little more affection to his kids. No doubt Maggie would poke fun at him if she knew this, so Cedrus never said a word. He was the brother, he was supposed to be hardy and strong like her, not hardy and affectionate.

With small movements from his behind, Cedrus' own bob tail had started to sway lightly. Perhaps for a little while they could play. Little ears perked whilst little emerald optics peered around momentarily, just to be sure it was safe. Sure he may be younger than Maggie, but this didn't mean he couldn't help protect her. Not that she needed it anyway, she often had him screaming mercy sometimes when they play-fought. Maybe one day he would have her will at fighting.

Letting another yawn escape his lips, the male pup rose to his paws. The tiny silver mane that cascaded down his back was light and boofy this morning, almost hiding his spikes from view. His were much smaller than Maggies, but he had far more running from the top of his head, right down to the tip of his tail.

With a mischievous growl, Cedrus bounded toward his sister. A few excited yaps filled the air as he did so, aiming to jump right into the spring behind her, sending a small wave of water in her direction.

[maggie]

Maggie was a bit too distracted to notice her brother finally approach. Her last kick of the water had gotten a few drops in her eyes. The unwanted liquid stung. With a soggy paw she swiped at her face, trying to dry them. Unfortunately, it was only making matters worse. Wet feet did not make handy towels. With a frustrated growl, the stubborn little girl refused to give up.

She only paused when her brother's voice broke the air. She turned towards his yaps just a few seconds too late. For a brief second her eyes widened in fright as he came barreling towards her. Then they snapped shut, grey hues smushed behind jade lids as they tried to avoid the moisture. The most undignified, girlish scream tumbled from the female's chest. Clearly she did not appreciate her brother turning the tables on her.

"Ceeeeeeedruuuuuussss!" Maggie dragged out his name, a clear sign of her discontent. She was now completely soaked through, droplets dangling her grassy fur. A deep frown marred her pretty face, the glare in her eyes clearly showing her resent. "You're sooo mean!" Turning to face him, she didn't bother to shake herself dry. Instead she lowered her hard skull. With as much speed as she could muster in the shallow waters, she charged forward. If she was lucky, the pup would successfully ram her brother's side and knock him off his feet.

[Cedrus]

Yes! His surprise had hit its mark, his sisters squealing causing the puppy to giggle. However it was not without consequence. As Cedrus had landed in the water, he had sprayed himself a little, the warm splash covering his face. He blinked rapidly, trying to get the liquid out of his eyes. It stung a little, but his giggle portrayed that he did not mind. The water was very soothing from the frosty morning, and he continued to splash his paws about despite being sill blinded from the intruding water.

Alas, the male pups playful gesture was met by that of one far from play. He had been stupid to think they could have played together at all. Blinking a few more times, Cedrus squinted through soggy eyes. They were met by a blurry green figure, and although he couldn't see Maggie properly, he could hear her. What was she doing?

With a loud thud, Maggies head connected with Cedrus' side, sending him straight off his feet. He rolled in the water, legs kicking, chest heaving from the pain. He couldn't see. He couldn't breath. Kicking furiously now, the male pup finally found some muddy ground to stabilize himself. Dragging himself onto the murky bank, the pup coughed and heaved as he tried to breath. Thick, brown vomit oozed from his maw as he choked, the warm liquid not sitting so well in his stomach. Yes, how stupid he had been. His sister could play by herself, but not with anyone else. She took it way too seriously. With one last cough, Cedrus stared at his sister, his gaze cold.

"Your no fun."

[maggie]

A rush of pride filled her heart as she made contact. It was a surprisingly easy hit. Her skull made contact with Cedrus's side and the little male went down. Maggie beamed as she stood over his collapsed form, a triumphant grin on her face. Victory was hers and it'd been a battle easily won.

But her brother didn't rebound like she'd thought he would. Had she really hit him that hard? Her smile began to slip as he struggled to his paws. Cedrus was coughing an awful lot, and his breathing sounded funny. Twin green ears pulled back in worry, the frown now marring her features making Magnoliaceae look more disapproving than worried. She couldn't help it. She was a stubborn little thing, and even when she knew she was wrong she refused to admit it.

"Ya weren't supposed ta fall like that!" she spat back, grey eyes glaring at his currently ill form. "I didn't hit ya that hard!" Small paws kicked up more water as she made her own way to shore, the fun completely gone now. Once she reached the muddy bank she gave her coat a strong shake. Droplets danced around her as she freed herself of the warm water. Now that she was surrounded only by air, her body gave an involuntary shiver.

Still, she couldn't just leave things be. She paid caution no mind as she drew closer to her brother, nudging him gently with her nose. She was still scowling, but there was something different in her expression now. Was that a bit of compassion? Cedrus was still her brother, after all; she was not immune to the more familial emotions. Tentatively she spoke his name, "Russ?" It was the closest she could get to asking if he was okay.