Day 41 - 44: Preparations

Emyri opened her eyes, feeling an extra layer of warmth to her heart which added to the comfort she felt cuddled up to Leone. Perhaps they stem from the comforting dreams she was having, which struggle as she may she could not remember what it was anymore. Slightly annoyed at that, she blew a few long strands of her hair away when they slipped to her mouth during her sleep at some point. Now she knew why she felt like she was chewing on string in her dreams, ew.

Looking down, she noticed Leone's arm draped over her waist. Before, such an act would lead to her reacting in disgust before pushing him off in a hurry. Now, she felt herself turning red before being alerted to his slow movement, lifting his arms over his head and stretching as he yawned. Good to know he wasn't awake yet, she took this to her advantage and quickly rolled away, hoping he hadn't been awake any sooner to catch them snuggled up together like so. Her fears were replaced by joy in her delayed realization as Leone pushed himself up and rubbed his nose.

"Well, I feel like a ball of jelly. How long was I gone?"

Her eyes lit up like candle light as she leaped forward and hugged him tight, hanging off his neck like jewelry with him sucking air and struggling to lift her up.

She let go and pulled back quickly. "Sorry! Sorry, I-I forgot. How are you feeling?"

"It's fine, I've been a lot better. Just stings that's all."

Emyri flinched. "Don't say that around Nukka, she could take it the wrong way and enter panic mode.

Leone smiled back, shaking his head. "Wouldn't want to upset her. So, who's Nukka? Whoa!" He held his arms out as she held him tight once more, pressing her cheek into his chest and disregarding the musky smell to him. Oddly enough, it was less foul and more sweet to her senses this time around. He couldn't help but blush when she started to purr, his hand instinctively petting her hair softly as she wagged her two tails.

"That long, huh?"

"Mmm several days, I missed you."

"You did?"

"We did, I mean." She cleared her throat, parting away from him again and trying to recollect her focus. "So, you're better. No fever, no sore throat?"

He shrugged. "None yet, probably because you're here to make it go away." He noticed that one made her happy, despite her serious look he could tell by how lively her tails were reacting to his words that his comment meant a lot to her. It was cute seeing her keep her stature without breaking face, like a game to see who breaks first.

"Yes well, we'll see once Zimi and Alma have a look."

"Alma, yes. I remember her, definitely."

Emyri snorted, moving up to crawl out. "Sure you do. I should ask for them and check on the girls."

"Why, are they sick?"

"Hah, not yet. But the ceremony is coming up soon and I need to practice my dance. Been pushing it aside to keep you busy."

"I see, speaking of what would our next lesson be?" He had wondered what else was left to teach them, as they seemed to have learned a lot in the time they've spent together. "I mean, that list of yours is pretty darn long."

"It is... but not anymore." Her expression dipped slightly before looking up at him. "Actually you've helped a great deal so... I think we're done."

"Really? Just like that?"

She nodded. "Just like that. Once you're feeling better, you are free to go Leone."

"Understood." She looked back, staying at the exit pondering before turning back. "Actually we could use your help with some newcomers who arrived. I would help but some of them have a funny smell I don’t know, Alma smells weird and so does her kid. They need a new home and a set of hands to help them, think you're up for it?"

"Oh boy, sounds like a heavy task. I will need to check my journal, see if I can fit that within schedule." They shared a smile one last time before she stepped outside, feeling flustered.

Several days passed on with Leone catching up with Nukka and Alma. He was definitely surprised with Nukka's expressive and vivacious personality, she was an oddball for sure but he warmed up to her faster than Emyri had. While Zimi volunteered to help Nukka with her insomnia and playing as her personal therapist, Cyri had the other girls help Alma and her people transport supplies to build shelters near the frozen river. As promised, Emyri showed her the feeding location, to which the children seemed to enjoy playing around and splashing water at each other.

Alma slowly began to get comfortable despite her constant whining over the cramped housing they offered, to which Cyri would casually remark that mother nature always had room if they wanted better sleep. Safety outweighed the desire of comfort, a lesson which Alma grudgingly came to accept over time. At some point, Emyri began to notice plenty of children intermingled amongst each other. It was an adorable sight to behold, seeing cat girls and normal boys playing together.

As a special day came around the corner, Emyri was having second thoughts over the dance routine. Not only was it difficult for her to manage the proper footing but it seemed like Leone was behind her mind each time she practiced, which only made the struggle to concentrate that much harder.

Once the big day had arrived, she crawled into Zimi's den to wake her up before yelling in surprise and jumping back out, heaving and clutching her chest. Zimi ran out in a panic, wiping her body clean and explaining to her friend what happened while a shy Grizzly tucked herself in and covered her eyes, hoping to run away from the embarrassing moment.

By the afternoon, Cyri was fixing her daughters hair up and combing it with her claws while getting her ready. Some of her friends where kept busy kneeding the red body paint mixture for preparation while they gossiped and shared stories of their own experiences during the celebration.

"Ow! Mom, you're pulling my hair."

"Sorry dear." She patted her daughters soft hair despite her grumbling back. Her friend smacked her lips before smirking as a thought passed through her mind.

"So Emy, got any mates you'd want to propose to for Alesco?"

"Ruisa!" Cyri stepped in. "Bite your tongue!"

"Oh hush, you know they look at each other with hunger in their eyes. You had the same look for your mate and don't you deny it."

Cyri blushed and began to pout her lips, looking down to focus on combing through Emyri's hair. "Let's not forget who decided to share her body for the others as a thank you for helping us relocate the previous time."

Zimi who was busy practicing her dance close by overheard and snickered. "What?"

"Oh yes, Ruisa here was quite expressive and offered plenty of warmth and comfort to the mates of her friends. Why else does she have three daughters with no mate? Can't tell who fathered whom."

The other girls around them giggled and laughed together, glancing over to Ruisa who also shared the same reaction, pursing her lips. "Pretty sure I have an idea of who the father is, just don't ask for all of them. And that's a dirty trick, bringing up my past!"

Cyri smiled. "Perhaps."

"Still, let's not forget what this one has with the boy. You two get along well, and he's a hunter!" She emphasized, pointing with her tail. "He ought to be quite the defensive man when he grows older. I would bed him in a heartbeat if I were your age."

Emyri felt she was turning red. "There's more to him then being a hunter. Besides that's kind of why I'm not sure... n-not like I want him in that way that is." Her mother grabbed hold of her head and gave her a light shake as a way to hush her to an extent. "Well it's true, sort of."

"You like him, no?"

"She does." Zimi chimed in.

Emyri snapped at her friend. "You stay out of this!"

"Never!"

"Girls, behave. You should be preparing for the festival as well, Zimi. Tonight you girls grow up into women, my oh my."

Ruisa chuckled. "Makes me feel old. Still Emy, if you don't take him then I will."

"She means it, she's been drooling and touching since she took in his scent."

"Mom!"

"I do, a man like him is a rare beauty. You better be sure he is satisfied and drained by morning to be sure he fits a healthy one in you soon."

"Ugh, gross." Emyri muttered, standing up and walking away as she heard them laughing and snickering at the embarrassing remarks.

Well, at least this day has gone to an awkward start!