Pictures of you Pictures of me }{ {Carska's bi...

[I L Y I C H]

Oh why had she come out so far? In the begining she had ment only to go for water, adn then to search for loners, then it had morphed into a game of seek and concour. And now she was in so much pain she had aboslutly no ability to get back to her den, tot he place her pups should be coming into the world. Every step was followed by a sharp violent shudder from her womb, and she could only groan in responce. She ahd not notcied them at first, as she had moved under the worsening heat. Wandering into this small wood had seemed a good plan. She could have gone back, but the small little pains slipping through her belly had been normal. They came when the cubs moved.

But this was not normal. This was it, and she was in no way prepared. The trees rose up above her casting a dappling of shadows on her gray pelt. But she felt hot, far too hot. Why had she wandered out here so close to her time? Suicide, murder. If a feline found her now not only would she die but her cubs would as well. Snarling with fury and agony, the laboring folami staggered deeper into the shadows. Back home she had a place to do this in peace, in saftey. out here she would have to make due with a scrape of some sort. Her nose shudder against he dirt, she moved as fast as she could. The longer she stayed in the open the longer her condition would be announced to the world.

Shooting a spastic look about the green place, Carska's eyes locked on an older badger scrape. Scrabling towards it, she shoved her nose down the tunnel. Nothing was there, forcing her shoulders into the moist hard dirt, the woman struggled past the pain drawing moisture into her eyes. Diging deep enough to allow herself entry she spattered dirt out behind her. Showering the opening until it was almost closed. No. Her instincts sceramed. That was dangerouse as well, shoving her nose into the pile, she lashed about until it was gone. Panting in her hole the folami alphess collapsed, already crouched all she really did was drop down.

She was stupid, very stupid. Why was she so stupid? She forgot, it hurt. A whine slid past her teeth. But she was determend. This hurt was good hurt, this hurt would give life to her children, to her future. But it still hurt like a mo-fo. Curling her lip, the woman rolled streatching and shuddering. Her back rolled to the too small enterance. Kicking the mackshift den larger, the woman shudder adn whined in her dirt bed. She felt as if she where giving birth in the center of the world. Teeth grinding, Carska's eyes popped wide, her pupils contracting to small pin pricks in the tawny pools. Where was she? She oculdn't remember she just knew it hurt. And she must protect the bundles slipping from her.

A shudder presed through her, a deeper shaking that made her very teeth rattle. Gasping as instinct sent her to the wet bundle at her tail, the gray pelted monster licked at her child, tenderness forcing away the agony. A squeel erupted from the damp little creature, its pink maw the only bit of color on its gray body. Gripping her softly in her jaws the newly named mother pressed her daughter against her belly. Slumping back against the loose dirt, Carska let a weak smile press past the pain. Her first born suckled greedily, the gray mouth wrapped tightly around the first teat. Groaning against the next racking contraction, the alphess shook against the dirt. It was a long wile before she would be able to relax.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Four pups pressed close to her belly, asleep now that their tiny ellies where full. The fith remained silent under his mother's proading nose. He was dead at birth, and his tiny wet body had her eyes wet again. But she must focus on th living. With a low whimper, she pressed the tiny body as far from her and the living cubs as she could in the small confined space. Body curled tightly around her children, Carska blinked through half opened tired eyes. Content for the first time in months, the animal yawned widly, turning to lick the still damp children.

If only she where in her den under the oak in her camp. But here was just as good. It was quiet and warm in here. Her pups where safe curled against her body. But one thing was missing. The large black fluff of father that could be helping her now, helping her warm them. Twitching in her shallow den, the folami turned her head slowly, peering into the fading light coming from the enterance. It was funny, her half sleeping mind decided. She owuld have loved to see Bidziil trying to shove his massive body down that short tunnel he would get stuck....

With a low gratifying sigh and the sounds of quiet snores in her ears the wolfish animal curled tighter still around her litter before sinking into sleep.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Abeni
The center of camp was never a safe haven for my kind, but still I walked through it without an ounce of fear. Technicaly, these creatures could kill me without repricussion, but instinct told me they wouldn't. I had a name. Carska had said it. That was enough reasoning for my illfated mind. Though child-like confidence was ignored as I briskly paced the open sands. Dogs avoided me as my eyes scanned with each turn on my heal. Where was that bigheaded blackie?

His image appeared and the gaze instantly fell upon me. Hate washed over it, but I ignored it as I bounded to stand before him. "Cat, back off."

[/b] I hissed at his tone, eyes furious at the blindness he presented. This dog was more sightless then even beloved Daiade. "Shut your trap, canine. Your woman left here hours ago, it seems, and her scent was different. Maybe your ego hindered your site, but her tummy is rather plump. Perhaps your--you know what, no more dancing around it--your stupidity blinded you from the truth. Your truth. You love her and what's growing within her. So don't cat me, mister. I hold a superior rank than you in the Heavens." The dog took a step back, eyes wide and mouth open.

I didn't give my brain a chance to catch up to my heart.

Running swifter than my kind was known for, I made a break for the treeline that I'd watched Carska disapear into. Loyalty to my secret friend demanded I do this, and the little common sense I held realized Bidziil would be chasing me with lust for my neck, not concern for his mate. It was ignorance and pride, not lack of devotion. He hadn't heard my words, too stricken by the tone. I couldn't blame him--it was his programming.

But it was Carska's, Daiade's, Evangeline's, and Logan's too.

I silently willed Daiade to catch wind of this chase being presented. I wanted the blind man to stumble upon his sister, where-ever she may be. The scent brought me towards water, and that's where it started getting much different then I was used to. Freezing, I knew Bidziil would notice. He had to.

But he didn't.

The great brute lunged for me, prepared to end my existance. His fangs, stained red from those killed before me, danced with the emerald of his eyes. The two colors held malice against his twilight pelt as his weight was pulled by graivity into my direction. Despite my impending doom, the only thought I had was, I'm sorry I couldn't save you, Carska. And I closed my eyes.

A shriek ran out as I felt the earth lurch beneath my stiff limbs. Opening my eyes, a strange pelt hovered above the purity of Bidziil's. The pelt was long, with the colors of purple and twilight. The eyes turned to face me and I read the shocking color of the sun. The metal cuffs on her front paws were intimidating, but nothing compared to those eyes.

Or the way she so easily overpowered Bidziil, the demon in my life.

"Abeni, you may speak, dear retard."[/b] I ignored the sting of her insult, though I found it oddly placed. This dog didn't know how to interact in civilization, it appeared. Either one was evil, or one was good. Her sentence held components of both worlds, but I obeyed none the less.

"Bidziil, Carska's in labor."



Bidziil
I was so sure of the kill, I let my guard slip. It was then a flash of metal came slashing across my face. I found myself staring into a familar gaze. Bee. The female held me firmly and I stared up with hate. She's a kitten hugger! I found it odd that she insulted the lioness with 'retard', but yet tacked on the term 'dear'. It was then I recalled the full chemical composition of this odd science experiment. She held no compassion, just a need to survive. Watching the lives of others was her own little game, and now she wanted to play a role.

Shooting a look to the lioness, my mouth flew open in a moan at her words. The rats were entering this world, that's what the cat had been saying. But her tone had been demanding, determined. She cared for Carska, and I couldn't understand why.

I didn't care, either.

The canine stepped off me and, in an instant, fled the scene. She wanted to see the drama between Carska and me, that was why she helped the lioness. The dog had no hormones to stimulate love or compassion, so she'd never have saved the lioness out of pity for the creature. I looked to the cat, who was now trotting proudly back towards camp. Her own mission was complete. Bee and the lioness had done their job.

Now I had to do mine.

Following the strong scent trail, I spotted badger set not far off. Dirt lay scattered around the entrance, speaking of a broken seal. Had Carska built a wall, and then tore it down? Or had something broke in? There were several unfamiliar scents in the area, but they were a mixture of mine and Carska's.

The pups.

"Damn." I spat the word before poking my skull silently through the opening. Carska slept and I saw no little vermins. Her body was sheltering them. With a sigh, I folded my legs and lay flat in the entrance, only my head inside.[/blockquote][/size]

[I L Y I C H]

--Carska--

The shriek woke her, and her weak body went stiff. She was in no way strong enough at the moment to do much more then gaurd her babies with her own corpse. The whites of ehr eyes glowing in the near blackness, the woman tipped he head back, staring upside down at the enterance. Ever muscle in her body contracted aching from the long labor. Teeth gritting, the folami rolled slightly, tipping her head right side up. A sharp nip at her bely professed annoyance on the part of one woken child, and with a hind paw she pressed him closer. It was the black pelted one, the tiny reproduction for her beloved mate. Her tawny gaze drew across him in horror, would he die today? The day of his birth. Tightening her hind limbs against their tiny backs the woman snarled, low and long, at the dust encrusted enterance to her domain.

Her ears where to alert, she didn't relize she recognized the voice until it was gone. Abeni? Why had Abeni come out here? And screamed none the less? Carska froze, tail twitching. What had happened to the odd lioness her instincts told her to hate? Dragging ehr front claws across the dirt the woman let out a low groan. Abeni, shit. Abeni? Tawny eyes still wide, and hte whites still showing the folami alphess coulnd't help the way she launched away from the black face that suddenly apeared in her field of vision. The furiouse squeels from under neath her drew her horrified expression from Bidziil. Scrambling to block the thrashing pups from those hard crimson orbs, Carska flopped back down wrapping them completly in her thick fur. Give the black face one last look of inter mingled fear and anger the girl set her chin across the children's backs.

What had Bidziil done to her slow new friend? But no... she didn't smell blood on him, though another familiar scent hung about him in the oddest manor. Bee? God, everyone was showing up when they where least welcome, wern't they? Aside from Abeni. SHe would be glad to have Abeni here, but it would seem the lion had sauntered back to camp or elsewhere. Refusing to give her mate anything more then her stiffened back to look at Carska ruffled up her fur trying to twart one rather adventurouse blind cub from scrabling up her side. Its oversized paws pressed hard against one of its smaller siblings, and with a soft push its mother sent it back into its previouse lying position, pressed against her soft fur.


--Mahal--
The world was warm and full of the smell of milk. A beautiful smell that filled him and the squirming bodies about him. A sudden motion from the soft wall his nose pressed down upon woke him. With a start the black coated child stared blindly forward, small pink maw parted in confusion. Why was hte world shifting? It hadn't shifted sence the last warm squirmer was placed beside him. So why now? But then it shifted more. The wall cleared totally, and light slashed painfully through his crumpled eye lids. What was this! He and his siblings let out furiouse squeels of fear and confusion as the tussled against each other, trying to rid themselves of the blaring light.

And then it was gone, once again blocked by the wall, the soft milk giving wall. He felt the soft powerful limb press him back upon it, her. His mother's tummy. licking the soft fur by instinct the black pelted child nipped half heartedly at it, feeling the powerful heart beat just through that dense fur. He felt the ball beside him shift, one of his sisters pressed higher against their mother before being pressed back into her bed. The unnamed child knew none of what was happening besides the warmth and love of the animal he pressed so close to. He knew not of his father at the den enterance, sitting head in and body out of the known world. He only knew the scent of milk and his mother warm and true in his nose.

--Daiade--

He stared in confusion at the wlak of Abeni. Of his friend. Where was she going?What was she doing? He pulled his large form to its feet, the silver cross hanging from his collar bounced against his robust chest. He dared not call out to her, out of fear of arrousing his pack mates to attack her. Silver blind eyes watched her, though, fear and confusion glingitng in their depths. His black jaws parted slowly, a low whimper whispering from them. Someone behind him snarled softly, but other wise ignored the weakling known as Daiade. Bidziil? Terror flashed through him as he hurridly stepped closer to the pair, his silver tipped ears arching towards Abeni's words. What!? Was she trying to get herself killed? His tial slunk between his legs as he drew closer.

His sister may be Alphess but at this point he had become Omega, and he could not by instinct apporch Bidziil in any other manor.

Untill he bgan his chase for dear Abeni's life. Horridied the black blind man tore after them. His ears and nose fought hard to fight the forest, but still he became tripped up and slowed by the foliage that began to grow about him. Farther they went into the centrel lands, Carska? He could smell her in this wood, but something was diffrent. The scent of pain slipped about her normal sun heavy smell. His teeth clipped together, ignoring his forsaken sister despite the flare of agony in his heart. The omega limped, limbs cut and aching from his mad dash, and froze. Jaws parted and ears flat back, he watched the proceedings, staring after Abeni as she sauntered off. Carska?

He turned, watching through sightless eyes as Bidziil tore off once again, along the pained scent trail of his sister. Sudden terror ripped through him, instinctual loyalty to his sister drawing him past his forced hate of her. Whatever happened he would not allow Bidziil to worry her and injure her in such a state. Anger tore at him, and he lept bound for bound after his Alpha, no longer locked in his rankless poise. He found the man with his face in a badger set. Freash dirt pressed against the massive black animal, and Daiade smelt multiple unfamiliar smells coming from then remained of open air surrounding the males head.

"You trying to block off their air supply, Bidzii?l" the soft toned voice was weak adn low but angry all the same. "Is that how you plan to kill them?" He staggered closer, ignoring the monster now, sniffing deeply. Trying to draw in the inoccent smells of his neices and nephews. A low voice caught and whimpered in the earth, Carska's tones shocked and pained in the same moment. "Daiade?" He gave her a soft whine and sat beside the father of these babies. The father who wanted nothing to do with these children. Silver tipped ears twitching atop his skull the eldest of the two siblings let loose a low whine, staring down at the filled set. "You need to work on youre internal clock, love. Giving birth so far from camp is dangerouse."

He couldn't help it, speaking ot her like this. They had too long been each others life lines, and now Carska seemed to have his dear Abeni on her side. However she had managed this, Daiade saw it as an odd momento. A show of Carska's odd loyalties. A show of her old loyalties. Carska let out a soft growl that could be either agreement of fear. And with that the blind man slumped beside Bidziil, careful to keep himself clear of the enterance. Curling softley into a small ball the massive creature sniffed at the dirt, nseezing it free of his nose with a shake of his head. Clsoing his silver eyes Daiade waited. Waited for some reaction from the giant dark furred Alpha.

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

“The true test of character is not how much we know how to do, but how we behave when we don't know what to do.” John W. Holt, Jr.

Crimson eyes focused and tired, I watched my woman shuffle. A little girl peaked over Carska's side, but was quickly pushed back down. Unsure what that action meant, I only gave a soft whimper. Did Carska not trust the little girl to come close to me, or did she simply want her to stay where it was warm? It was weird how disapointed that I was that I couldn't wiggle my massive body into the tunnel, but I dismissed it with the thought that I wanted to be near Carska. But it was something more than that.

I wanted to see the full form of what I created.

"You trying to block off their air supply, Bidzii? Is that how you plan to kill them?" I yelped in surprise and nearly cracked up head up against the tunnel ceiling. I'd been so engulfed in the beauty of my family, that I had left my lower body unguarded. Daiade's voice was easily reconizable, especially as he continued on with gentle coos of affection for his sister. For once in my life, I was greatful.

The kitten hugger would be better in this situation than me.

Chuckling, I slowly pulled myself from the entrance and looked to the lump that lay to the side. Instantly, my content expression melted away and was masked by that of hesitance. “It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been missing until it arrives.” My words were forced with a version of tight joy. My instincts said this was a happy time, and Carska would need my pleasure. But I wasn't happy.

Not even a little bit.

Realizing I hadn't said anything to Carska, yet, I lowered my head to peer into the tunnel without blocking it. A full expression of seriousness overcame me as I considered my next set of words. "Are you sure you don't want the humans to take them? It may be better for the little ones." I paused for only a miniscule moment, not giving her an adequate time to answer. "Maybe being a dad won't be so awful." I smiled lovingly to show the honesty of my words.

I thought I was ready for this--time would prove I'd been rash in that assumption.

OOC//: Bidziil is kind of pumped to be a dad...for now. Well, he's kind of bipolar on the matter. His horrfied and excited for it. But time will show him that he wasn't exactly ready, but it'll all turn out find


Some things are just born with a heart of frozen stone.

Alonda
Space. I need space. These heat stealing basterds better back the Hell off. And this woman from which I suckle, she better quit her squirming. The light blocker best place himself back in front of the unbearable golden beam that slashes through my thin layered lids. With a squeak, I tried to snarl as I swung a gray tinted head towards one of my brothers. My paw thrashed as a high whine escaped my muzzle. I needed room that I couldn't find. Again I tried to snarl and all that came was a squeal. Frustrated, I surrendered back to suckling beside a brother. There were too many scents, but I decided to ignore them all. All that mattered for the time being was drink and survive.

And get these damn siblings away from me.

OOC//: She's a simple minded dictator

[I L Y I C H]

Daiade

He watched his alpha silently, watching for a twitch anything. He was prepared to tackle the other to the ground. Others thought him weak because he refused to use the stength in his long limbed body, but there was power there. Power and speed to be given to his sister and her children. Daiade was unsure of the larger animals reaction to his cubs. The silver tipped ears jerked in worry atop the black animals skull. He was unimpressed by Bidziil's words, and the tight lipped joy in them.

How stupid did is man think him?

Born blind, he had lived his entire life basing emotions off words alone. He could see straight through those stupid little words. Grimacing, the black folami drug himself into a tighter ball. The dirt under him shifted uncomfortably, but he didn't move, his blind silver eyes remained lidded and motionless. This wasn't his point of entry. He woulnd't interfear in this thing his sister was trying so hard to comprehend on her own.

How sad was the world when a woman couldn't understand love?



Carska

Daiade was here . He didn't hate the children. He could still love something that was attached to her. But did he love her? Oh God she hoped he did. She needed him. In these months uncertanty and familiar paranoia snuck into her heart. How she loved her darling Bidziil, but how she feared that love. How she feared it would shatter her if he ever broke it. And how close to shattering she was now. But no, she had her brother, and the pulsing warmth of the tiny bodies tucked so close to her.

A rough squirm announcing ones displeasure, and with a low grunt Carska reached over to press the others off and away from her, the gray bundle trying so hard to growl. Giving it a small lick over the ears in a motherly attempt at comfort, the woman pulled back. Setting her cheek back upon the cold ground Carska peered out of her den at the two dark shadows at the edges of the opening.

Bidziil's next words she refused to dignify with an answer, she just frowned grouchily up at him, or in his general direction. She was drunk with the scent of milk and fatige. Her paws felt as if they where made of stone and her belly had been turned into a sore point of multiple little bites and nips. Gusting out a sigh from between open jaws, the woman lifted her head just enough to turn it upside down. Staring up the short tunnel she waited for a moment, half expecting Bidziil to shove his dark skull back into the enterance.

Blinking slowly, the woman shifted closer to her children many of whom had given up trying to fight off sleep. "Is that so" she barley spoke, her voice low and rasping as she responded to the second more inteligable comment. Fatherhood bad? Her druken mind consided, bickering at him without speaking. You try giving birth you oversized dust wrag. Flicking her tail irritably the alphess sunk lower into the soft dirt under her huge body. This hole had been fine for protection int he moment ut now worry ate at her again.

Predators.

It was stupid, she knew, considering there where now three adults around, but she still feared. Rather have ten then three. Grunting she lifted her head again, turning it over so it was right side up. There where four pups, lest she grow a second set of jaws someone with a bit more stength would have to grip two by the scruff. She was unsure if one wouldn't send her snout into the dust at the moment. "Have to move them back to camp..." she wasn't really speaking to the two animals out side.

Her mind was whirring, running through all the horrable possibilities of what would happen if she kept her newborns out here in the free lands. Snarling to herself, the folami snapped at clear air. Now what a fun little outing this had turned out to be.

Turning tawny eyes back to the light, Carska sniffed at the air before calling out to the two just past the enterance into the world. "We need to get them back home where their safe." A low gruff bark from Daiade was an acceptable answer of agreement so with a slow motion she stood, ignoring the yaps of disproval from her babies. Gripping the closest awkwardly due to her slouched crouching position, she heaved it up into the enterance. Its black scruffy body was set carefully just into the light.

Wincing in worry, she stared at him for a moment before turning to deposite the other three into the open. Eyeing the still bron with a sorrful expression, the woman turned to press up behind her cubs.


Mahal

All was warm and sleepy. Everything was perfect, and then it stood up. Letting out a squeel of shock, his nose snubbed the ground painfully. A soft caress came from above, before the loose skin on the back of his neck was gripped. His body curled instantly, instinctualy. Paws tucked close to his chin, the blind deaf child suddenly found himself in a world of light. It cascaded through his thin eyelids and with a whine of distaste he hid his black snout under his small paws. Swiftly he found himself once again surrounded by siblings. For some reason they seemed to be moving. Shivering once in the sudden warmth of the odd light ripling over his form the small replaca of Bidziil tried to make himself look smaller

[Bhu ♥ Irwin]

Bidziil
Neither seemed pleased with my hesitant willingness. I could deal with Daiade's disapproval--he was, afterall, omega, only still in the pack because of his relation to beloved. But the woman, she was not pleased.

And that small fact terrified me.

But I didn't say anything more. Further words just now could prove disasterous. I watched her shuffle, mumbling as she did so. It wasn't until one pup was placed into the sun that I saw past my fae.

There was a lifeless young.

My heart slowed but I still held my tongue. Madam Carska did not need me pointing out obvious sorrows and losses. It was then I glanced down to the black form. Again my heart raced. "Little child." I knew he couldn't hear me, but I almost purred to the little me. I bowed my head and rubbed gently on the black pup--much too gently for a beast of my size and motive. In a flash, I pulled the reasurring touch away, looking shamefully at the ground to the side of me. But I wasn't sure what the shame was for: showing affection, or pulling away?

I knew I had to carry the dog, but I couldn't bring myself to look at him. You should be with the humans. You'd be better off there. I look to him as I thought this, eyes sad at the realization. But the tiny breaths sprung forth a deep long from my metallic heart. "But I couldn't part with you--my dear family, my little Mahal." With that, Bidziil grabbed the blind deaf puppy by the scruff, grip as gentle as any mother gator moving her young. You're not a puppet, my child--the humans have no power over you. I'll be sure of that. I turned away from the badger set, itching to bring the bundle to camp. I wanted to show the world what I helped create.

I wanted to show the world my family.

[Kunabee]

Ekshen
He was content and happy, even though his sister speaked at him. It was cold, at first, but then it was warm and he could find the food drawing strength into him. He was happy, utterly happy. But then he felt the food-thing pull away, and squeaked. First he felt something else move - a sibling - and then he was out. He made a half-squeak half-whine noise, it was cold and warm at the same time. He wanted the food back. He sat there, shivering, wondering. Attention was blessed to someone, and he squeaked and turned towards the noise. He wanted attention, too.
And warmth.

WOOC; Yay finally :3

[I L Y I C H]

Daiade--

He blinked slowly, covering the small amount of light that managed to seep into his world for a second. Silver tipped ears curved towards the sounds of the great alpha. Mahal? Drawing in a deep breath the black man reached towards the shape Bidziil had named. This child, the one who smelt of his mother and damp earth more so then the others (maybe he'd rolled around more so?) had been named. He didn't seem impressed by the large animal that pulled him from the ground. The blind soldier strode forward, stiffly moving past Bidziil to sniff his nieces and nephews. They all smelt strongly of their mother, with no self identifying scent to speak of quite yet.

Ears cocked towards his ascending sister, the large black animal moved away to allow her entrance into the lit world. The woman brushed softly against him softly asking him if he would be able to carry two. He touched her shoulder in answer reaching past her own lowered muzzle to draw the two grays closer to him. Finding the soft loose skin behind their ears he lifted them carefully, amazed by the small perfection that hung from his carefully pinched jaws.


Carska-

She crawled out of the dirt hole, her body coated in a fine layer of the soft brown substance. She felt weak, hungry and thirsty. But at the moment would have been happy to just clunk to the ground and sleep. Her legs trembled in defiance as she reached out to speak to her brother in soft flitting tones. Half scared he would turn away from her she let out a low whimper of relief from his answering touch. Reaching with him she gripped the smallest gray child, eyes lifting and turning about its form. A boy, her son. Her eyes smiled down at him in silent joy. Gripping his scruff almost fearfully she lifted him into the air, rolling her eyes at the spasm that shot down her spine.

Ekshen had been the name of her master's boy. An odd jumpy human who had been the only one to show her any amount of kindness in that place of stone and cages. She whispered the word around her child's skin, happy to have found it. Turning warm tawny eyes at her mate she could stop the crinkly eyed grin that shot across her maw. This was her family. She had a family. Her ears flickered in joy and acceptance at the third born child's caller. Mahal. Family. Oh god she felt like a stupid bird singing at the first sight of the sun.


Mahal--

Suddenly something warm was touching him again. He went still, comforted by the breath blowing across him. But when it came to his scruff being lifted once again the pup let out a loud squeak. He felt that such treatment was abusive to the poor spot of skin on the back of his neck. But he was a child unable to see or hear or think very clearly at the moment and his instincts where powerful. He went limp, paws bunched up near his chin. The stub of a tail that he had at the moment wagged once before drawing up after the rest of his limbs.