πΉππππππ πΉπ ππΆ πππ (they/them) (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
ruevealing) wrote2023-08-05 10:44 pm
ruevealing) wrote2023-08-05 10:44 pm
[Casey releases a low whine at that, distressed, a little frustrated.]
Not the same! Raised different, not useless. Why give fighter an animal can't fight?
Not the same! Raised different, not useless. Why give fighter an animal can't fight?
[Their expression only softens at that whine, patient as always.]
Then perhaps the pangolin wasn't meant to fight, just the same as me. Maybe it represents the other side of who you are. The young man who enjoys taking care of himself, being with his family, crafting, writing letters, things that don't necessarily translate to survival.
You still have this form for fighting, so is it really so bad to have another form for other things entirely?
Then perhaps the pangolin wasn't meant to fight, just the same as me. Maybe it represents the other side of who you are. The young man who enjoys taking care of himself, being with his family, crafting, writing letters, things that don't necessarily translate to survival.
You still have this form for fighting, so is it really so bad to have another form for other things entirely?
[Casey ducks his head at that, considering. It's true, now that he has the owlbear form, he thinks very little of the pangolin he started with. Yet it is the form those who care about him associate him the most with. Their bond is represented by a stuffed pangolin on Rue's end. Hunter carved a pangolin with which to cap his staff. When discussing familiar forms with Toph, he'd brought up the pangolin, not the owlbear, and she'd been impressed. At least in part, the pangolin has become his ambassador.
Why, though...]
... Maybe not bad. Maybe keep owlbear little wild, then. So pangolin can be weak, and owlbear strong.
Why, though...]
... Maybe not bad. Maybe keep owlbear little wild, then. So pangolin can be weak, and owlbear strong.
[Rue tips forward at that duck of Casey's head to press a few kisses into his feathers, their face nuzzling against his.]
Not weak. Just strong in other ways. The owlbear's frame can certainly take some attacks, but the pangolin's scales must be exceptionally good at defense. That's just a different kind of strong.
[Maybe not ferocious and fear-inspiring like an owlbear, but sometimes protection is just as important.]
Do our lessons interfere with your want to stay wild? We could put them on hold, if you'd like.
Not weak. Just strong in other ways. The owlbear's frame can certainly take some attacks, but the pangolin's scales must be exceptionally good at defense. That's just a different kind of strong.
[Maybe not ferocious and fear-inspiring like an owlbear, but sometimes protection is just as important.]
Do our lessons interfere with your want to stay wild? We could put them on hold, if you'd like.
[If they're so strong, why are they going extinct?
It's a thought that he feels but does not speak aloud. They're strong against predators in the wild; humans are the danger. Just like humans were strong against just about everything, until the Krang showed up. When the difference in strength is that exponential, sometimes the only option is to die. He can't blame the pangolins for something that happened to his entire species back home. He'll... try to give it more thought.
At their question, he hesitates for but a moment, before shaking his head.]
...Is okay. Will be slow. Maybe practice wild owlbear too sometimes? Keep balance.
It's a thought that he feels but does not speak aloud. They're strong against predators in the wild; humans are the danger. Just like humans were strong against just about everything, until the Krang showed up. When the difference in strength is that exponential, sometimes the only option is to die. He can't blame the pangolins for something that happened to his entire species back home. He'll... try to give it more thought.
At their question, he hesitates for but a moment, before shaking his head.]
...Is okay. Will be slow. Maybe practice wild owlbear too sometimes? Keep balance.
[Rue's momentary surprise is obvious at the idea of practicing the wild part too, but for once, they do not immediately brush away the thought. It's terrifying, but in the kind of way that tingles with warm anticipation, not just full on cold dread.
It's a definite improvement to before.]
I can't say that I'm much of an expert at being an owlbear, but maybe, if you would not mind me sometimes holding you back, I will try learning a little more too.
[It still frightens them, to think of what they'd done to the fae who wanted to take Peter back to the Fae Realm, but they'd kept their boy safe, hadn't they? They have a family to protect. They can't just rely on their very own children to save them over and over again.]
It's a definite improvement to before.]
I can't say that I'm much of an expert at being an owlbear, but maybe, if you would not mind me sometimes holding you back, I will try learning a little more too.
[It still frightens them, to think of what they'd done to the fae who wanted to take Peter back to the Fae Realm, but they'd kept their boy safe, hadn't they? They have a family to protect. They can't just rely on their very own children to save them over and over again.]
[He blinks at that. He'd assumed it would be him training on his own, cultivating that wild side as a trial by error without anyone's influence. But Rue...]
Learn wild... together?
[A different kind of appeal to the lessons they're currently working through, but there's appeal nonetheless. Everything feels easier with Rue at his side.]
Learn wild... together?
[A different kind of appeal to the lessons they're currently working through, but there's appeal nonetheless. Everything feels easier with Rue at his side.]
[A hint of awkwardness leaves Rue tipping their chin down, head dipped gently. Just the thought has them flushing, heartbeat rising.]
If you would not be terribly embarrassed to see me behave in such a way.
I know it is not at all how I present myself to be. I am who I am, I do not secretly long to be wild. But even if it would be so utterly unbecoming of me, the thought somewhat captivates me. To at least try, with someone safe who would not judge me for it.
If you would not be terribly embarrassed to see me behave in such a way.
I know it is not at all how I present myself to be. I am who I am, I do not secretly long to be wild. But even if it would be so utterly unbecoming of me, the thought somewhat captivates me. To at least try, with someone safe who would not judge me for it.
[Hastily he shakes his head, scooting closer, squeezing their paw.]
No judge! Embarrassed together. Learn together. [He pauses, because this is something he wasn't meant to know for sure, was told not to look- but in retrospect, makes a lot of sense, how they must have done it so quickly.] ...Catch fish.
No judge! Embarrassed together. Learn together. [He pauses, because this is something he wasn't meant to know for sure, was told not to look- but in retrospect, makes a lot of sense, how they must have done it so quickly.] ...Catch fish.
[It's the very last thing Rue expects to hear, so they laugh out softly in surprise, pulling away only enough to peer down at their son with a touch of motherly pride
Honestly, for Casey to have known this long and kept it a secret? Rue can trust him with anything.]
I was quite unsubtle, wasn't I?
[But they tip close again, this time pressing their feathery cheek to his, humming thoughtfully at the idea.]
Hob taught me how. He wanted so dearly for me to feel comfortable enough to indulge in such wildness at times, but after he left, it was difficult. That day in the lake with you was the very first time I did anything like that since.
[It was so silly, but Casey had been so excited by the thought of seeing his first fish, Rue had barely even given it a thought.]
Yes, we should. I would be honored to teach you to fish, Casey.
Honestly, for Casey to have known this long and kept it a secret? Rue can trust him with anything.]
I was quite unsubtle, wasn't I?
[But they tip close again, this time pressing their feathery cheek to his, humming thoughtfully at the idea.]
Hob taught me how. He wanted so dearly for me to feel comfortable enough to indulge in such wildness at times, but after he left, it was difficult. That day in the lake with you was the very first time I did anything like that since.
[It was so silly, but Casey had been so excited by the thought of seeing his first fish, Rue had barely even given it a thought.]
Yes, we should. I would be honored to teach you to fish, Casey.
[He rubs his cheek back against theirs, trilling happily. It's a feeling he's well used to by now, but it hits differently as an owlbear, to a degree that he can't name or quantify.]
Learn to fish! To roar! To claw. [He lifts both claws near his face, curling them, a melodramatic menacing gesture.] Trust with Hob? He can come too.
[He's less certain around Hob - still new, too unknown - but if Rue learned with him, he's welcome to join.]
Learn to fish! To roar! To claw. [He lifts both claws near his face, curling them, a melodramatic menacing gesture.] Trust with Hob? He can come too.
[He's less certain around Hob - still new, too unknown - but if Rue learned with him, he's welcome to join.]
Trust with Hob, [They repeat, even if the childish phrasing sounds a touch strange on their tongue.] We can invite him, of course. He's quite the expert on being wild. He would have much better tips than I could give.
[And while Casey has those paws up by his face, trying so hard to be menacing, Rue slips their relic out to take a quick picture of him, cooing gently at the sight.]
Your owlbear speech has improved so much just in this time we've been speaking.
[And while Casey has those paws up by his face, trying so hard to be menacing, Rue slips their relic out to take a quick picture of him, cooing gently at the sight.]
Your owlbear speech has improved so much just in this time we've been speaking.
[He blinks at that, thinking back on his own speech, then beams, making little grabby-hands at their relic as he tries to clamour up closer to their head. Selfie, selfie! He always wants selfies with his family.]
Will get better. This speech much easier than real thing.
[And maybe chirps, trills, and growls are more fun than the speech he uses as a human every day. That's a luxury he can afford, as someone who can switch between.]
Will get better. This speech much easier than real thing.
[And maybe chirps, trills, and growls are more fun than the speech he uses as a human every day. That's a luxury he can afford, as someone who can switch between.]
[Well! There's no just taking one selfie with Rue. They let Casey clamour up against them, wrapping a wing around his waist, dragging him close before they are snapping a few pics - heads tipped together, one beaming at the camera, another with Rue pecking a kiss against Casey's cheek. They'll have an assortment to choose from for the photo wall.]
You absolutely will, while we keep working on the other. [One day, he'll wake up and it will just click. Until then, that's what magic is for.]
You let me know when you want to go fishing and I'll make sure Hob and I are there. Otherwise, I think your lesson has wrapped up for today.
You absolutely will, while we keep working on the other. [One day, he'll wake up and it will just click. Until then, that's what magic is for.]
You let me know when you want to go fishing and I'll make sure Hob and I are there. Otherwise, I think your lesson has wrapped up for today.
[Plenty of pictures to satisfy. He gives them one final nuzzle and a loving trill (and "Mom" one more time), before he exhales and focuses on shifting back. Within a few seconds, Rue has a very human child back in their arms, which he takes advantage of by stealing one more hug.]
Thank you for my lessons... we'll definitely have more. Fishing, too! I'm excited.
Thank you for my lessons... we'll definitely have more. Fishing, too! I'm excited.
Edited (a moe hug is a different thing) 2024-01-01 02:40 (UTC)
[One more hug? Rue does not think so!]
There's my perfect boy. I so love you as an owlbear, but nothing quite beats your smile.
[And since Casey is already in their arms, Rue is just gonna scoop him up and cuddle him, just a few moments longer.]
I'm excited too. I am so spoiled with all of the time we've spent together as of late.
There's my perfect boy. I so love you as an owlbear, but nothing quite beats your smile.
[And since Casey is already in their arms, Rue is just gonna scoop him up and cuddle him, just a few moments longer.]
I'm excited too. I am so spoiled with all of the time we've spent together as of late.
[He is scooped! And happily cuddled, freely offering up that smile they so love. The human body may be weaker and scrawnier than an owlbear but you can't beat the dextrous arms for hugging, or the enjoyment of hands feeling soft feathers.]
We're all spoiled! Since you opened the shop we can see you practically every day.
We're all spoiled! Since you opened the shop we can see you practically every day.
It makes my every single day so wondrously happy.
[One more big squeeze and kiss before Rue finally untangles themself from Casey, moving to rise back up on their feet from the floor.]
You know, dear, it has almost been two months exactly since you agreed to be my son. Is there anything I could be doing better? Any constructive criticism for how I'm doing as a mother?
[One more big squeeze and kiss before Rue finally untangles themself from Casey, moving to rise back up on their feet from the floor.]
You know, dear, it has almost been two months exactly since you agreed to be my son. Is there anything I could be doing better? Any constructive criticism for how I'm doing as a mother?
[What a question to ask.]
I don't know what a mother should be like. As far as I can tell, you're perfect.
[Rue passes with flying colours at being mom, this is fact.]
I don't know what a mother should be like. As far as I can tell, you're perfect.
[Rue passes with flying colours at being mom, this is fact.]
[whew!]
What a relief! I admit, I do not know how parents are meant to act either, besides what I've seen on television. But if you are quite happy, then so am I.
What a relief! I admit, I do not know how parents are meant to act either, besides what I've seen on television. But if you are quite happy, then so am I.
Well, what about me? Any constructive criticism for your son?
[He has technically been that before, but only briefly by name, and he doesn't remember it, so.]
[He has technically been that before, but only briefly by name, and he doesn't remember it, so.]
[Casey, when will you learn.
Rue tips their head up thoughtfully, raising a talon to delicately tap at the bottom of their heart-shaped feathers, before they bending a little to more on Casey's level. A paw moves to his shoulder, giving just the softest of affectionate squeezes.]
Casey, I could not ask for a better son. You have given my life more meaning than you will ever know. Every single time that I am graced with your presence, I feel more and more alive, as if the Delloso de la Rue of before had never truly lived. I have nothing but praise to offer you.
A five star son.
Rue tips their head up thoughtfully, raising a talon to delicately tap at the bottom of their heart-shaped feathers, before they bending a little to more on Casey's level. A paw moves to his shoulder, giving just the softest of affectionate squeezes.]
Casey, I could not ask for a better son. You have given my life more meaning than you will ever know. Every single time that I am graced with your presence, I feel more and more alive, as if the Delloso de la Rue of before had never truly lived. I have nothing but praise to offer you.
A five star son.
[Oh no, he has not learned, and now he's getting teary-eyed again.]
Oh... um... you didn't have to give a full report card... [He lifts a hand to rest over their paw at his shoulder, squeezing gratefully.] Thank you... I'll do my best to keep being the best son ever!
Oh... um... you didn't have to give a full report card... [He lifts a hand to rest over their paw at his shoulder, squeezing gratefully.] Thank you... I'll do my best to keep being the best son ever!
Just do not rush to grow up. That is all I could ever ask.
[At the very least, they can be grateful Casey hasn't been hit by the same growth spurt Peter has. Let their baby boy stay small just a bit longer!]
May I walk you home before I return to Willow?
[At the very least, they can be grateful Casey hasn't been hit by the same growth spurt Peter has. Let their baby boy stay small just a bit longer!]
May I walk you home before I return to Willow?
I'll grow as fast as I will and no faster.
[He grins, scrubbing a palm at his eyes. No weeping, he's fine! He's perfectly fine. A little hiccup in the middle, but good on both ends. He's glad he did this.]
And of course you can. It's closer to the train station anyway, right? So it's on the way.
[He grins, scrubbing a palm at his eyes. No weeping, he's fine! He's perfectly fine. A little hiccup in the middle, but good on both ends. He's glad he did this.]
And of course you can. It's closer to the train station anyway, right? So it's on the way.
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