Pure Moonlight (closed)

[KieranSoares]

"It may take a long time and a lot of work, starting with some reconstruction if we can manage it. Then, once we have done our part and taught Luna what she needs to know to take over, we will continue on our way helping those who need specialized healers, and we will return a year after to see you again and make sure all is well. If any further measures need to be taken then, we will see them done."

 

[heartofcourage]

Arin glanced up at her Da, trying to gauge if this was a deal that they were willing to take. She would have given anything to be normal again, but even if the treatment failed, she knew that she had at least tried.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ghell hated to have to ask the question, but he needed to know in order to make arrangements. "What kind of cost are we looking at?"

"All my four fellows and I ask is a safe place to sleep, three meals a day, and safe passage to our next destination, which should be in Mull."

Ghell stared at Mariko as if he were insane to ask nothing beyond help to practice his craft, but a smile broke over his worried features with the weight of possible monetary debt lifted from his shoulders. "Thank you, my friend. You'll have everything you need."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I have some funds saved." Arin offered, willing to do anything it took to get the operation that might help her leg. "From working the past few months."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Don't you worry, little cub. Your mother and I can handle it. You're going to need your money to celebrate," Ghell chuckled, kissing her cheek.

"We will take today to get things together. Then, Arin, when you're ready, we'll attempt reconstruction of your leg. It will be a very involved surgery and you'll have a long recovery, but it will start everything off. But we will only start when you're ready."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I'm ready now." Arin blurted out, her eyes full of hope and excitement. "Tomorrow? I want to be normal again."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Think about this, love," Ghell murmured. "It's not going to be easy, and it's going to be painful."

"Not too terribly, if we can help it. But it will be a bit of a struggle," Mariko said with a nod.

 

[heartofcourage]

"My leg is already painful, Da." Arin said softly, looking up at her father as he implored her to think. "It's hurt since they did this to me. Daddy, if this is my chance then I have to take it. I'm tired of feeling as if I'm a burden."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You've never been a burden, little cub," he murmured, kissing her forehead and nuzzling against her lightly.

"Tomorrow it is, then. Try to take it easy. The less tense you are, the easier it will be to work around the muscles and tendons tomorrow," Mariko told Arin before taking his four healers with him back to the boarding house where they were staying thanks to Taqu'un's kindness to pay for their rooms.

 

[heartofcourage]

That evening, Telma and Ruben came to the house with the cubs after Katina had told them about what was happening. Katina had put together a family meal for them all, including many of Arin's favorite things. Arin took advantage of the fact that her brother was there, snuggling up against Norr's side to relax.

"Will you stay tomorrow?" Arin asked him softly as Ruben and Telma helped to set the table.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I talked to the Captain about it, and he told me except for emergencies, I'm not allowed to work for a week starting tomorrow. But even an emergency won't take me away tomorrow, I promise," Norr assured her, taking her hand and nuzzling her cheek like he had since they were newborns squeaking and whimpering to communicate.

 

[heartofcourage]

"That means the world to me." Arin told him softly as he nuzzled against her, the two of them interacting as they had since they had been conceived. "I need you here in case I get too scared to go through with it."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You'll make it through," Norr said with a nod. Once everyone was seated and everything was laid out, they all dug into the huge meal. But it didn't take long before Ruben was distracted with the cubs. He was practically inseparable from them.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Ma, there's no way we're going to eat all of this." Arin said with a smile towards her mother as Telma laughed beside her.

"I made it for tonight and tomorrow. The healers will need to eat as well." Katina said, trying to seem practical.

"At this rate, Katya and Timmal will be helping us eat." Telma said with a smile to her mother, reaching out to take her hand and squeeze it gently.

 

[KieranSoares]

"One might," Ruben confirmed, returning to the table with Katya in her arms as she'd refused to settle down if he let her go.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Ru, really." Telma said, giving him a look that told the others that they might have been arguing over their cubs. "You don't have to hold her all the time. It's alright if she cries herself to sleep."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You know I can't stand listening to that," Ruben reminded her quietly. It broke his heart almost every night as Katya cried in her tiny voiceless way, wanting someone to hold her. According to Vincenzo, it was perfectly normal and she was simply attached to her parents. But Ruben was just as attached and immensely protective.

 

[heartofcourage]

"She'll have to learn how to settle herself some day." Telma said quietly, leaving the argument alone as Katya nuzzled against her father's thick fur, perfectly content to be held by the man that she adored.

"She reminds me of you, Telma. Your Da couldn't even leave the room without you carrying on like you were dying." Katina said, remembering her early days with her first cub and Timmal. "He would fall asleep rocking you in front of the fire because he feared making you angry if he put you in the crib."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Give him a while to be attached," Kreston advised with a smile. "She's still a newborn and he's still a new father. I could hardly let go of Luna for weeks until Selena made both of us sleep on our own."

 

[heartofcourage]

"It nearly did the both of them in." Selena said with a smile towards her mate. "Luna was beside herself and her Dad was too. I'm sure Ruben will be much the same way."

Telma reached out and touched Ruben's arm, giving him a soft smile as she smoothed her hand over Katya's soft fur.

 

[KieranSoares]

When Katya finally fell asleep, Ruben put her back in her crib with Timmal who had remained peacefully asleep through it all, and he rejoined the table unhindered. Talk tended toward the cubs and plans for Arin's recovery, but also strayed to Jan and Luna's own plans for their home.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Jan's already started building." Luna said softly, looking at the wolf that would very soon be her mate. "We were thinking of having a little ceremony soon. Something that all of the family can come to. Maybe we can do something in your garden, Uncle Ghell."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You're welcome to do anything you like," Ghell said with a nod.

"It's hard to believe all this," Kreston chuckled. "My son's a father and my daughter's about to have a mate."

 

[heartofcourage]

"And you still have Mako." Luna said with a laugh as the little wolf's ears perked up at the mention of his name.

"He caught four fish with Volgo today. He is pretty proud of himself." Selena said with a laugh.

 

[KieranSoares]

Kreston ruffled Mako's fur fondly. "And he still found the time to pick flowers for Grandma an' Ma."