Company
Characters: William, Aikuen
Location: Moledeep
Moledeep
William wanders into the garden burrow having spotted Aikuen sitting in there. The otter seems to be alone. The rat had been on his way outside when he'd noticed the otter. Pausing to chew on his lip a moment he changes course and walks up to Aik smiling. Will leans on his father's chair and prods him lightly with a claw. "I know ya don't like going outside much but I think we could both use a little company," the rat offers, "And it's plenty warm out by th kiln so you won't need t worry about th cold too much."
Aikuen is slightly dazed in the burrow, staring at the wall. After Garnet had taken the little ones for the rest of the day. Leaving the otter alone to his thoughts. The otter jumps slightly at the prod, "Ah... Oh... Will..." he looks over at him. His eyes are very drooped, and they are missing their. Silly sparkle. He blinks at him slowly, "Aye... I could use a bit" he takes a deep breath before standing up very slowly, patting his son on the shoulder, "Ill manage the cold..." still doesn't smile at all. Just tightens his habit cord.
William nods some and leads the way out to the worn path that runs across the front of the tunnel entrance. He keeps a close eye on the otter. "You didn't really do anything wrong," he says breaking the silence. It's been snowing again recently, covering the path once again. "It's not like you an Mum watch th twins every second anyway. You can't. That's kinda why th rest of us are here," the rat adds looking to the otter to see if he's helped or only made things worse.
Aikuen keeps his eyes on the ground as he walks. Doesn't really seemed effected by the cold at the moment. Just keeps crunching the snow underpaw. When the rat speaks. A tiny smile pops on his face for a split second, before going back to a frown "Ah... You heard... I know i didn't do anything wrong. I didn't ignore them on purpose..." he points out. But he doesn't know why he is. He is not trying to convince him. He sighs and rubs his eyes. Walking along until they get to the shack with the kiln. He enters shortly after the rat, and closes the door behind him.
William nods a little throwing a lump of clay on the wheel and sitting down on the stool in front of it. He tilts his head toward another stool near the table where the otter can sit. "They were just worried about th twins. They'll be fine after a while," Will says, "I know you miss Mum. You an her aren't usually apart not like this."
Aikuen goes to sit at the table placing his paws in front, rubbing his thumbs together. He is quiet after Will talks, for a long time before finally speaking up, "I know i should have been more... aware. I am sorry that i did fall asleep..." At the last past his thumbs stop rubbing and he takes a deep breath, "Its just... I miss her so much... Its like the feeling when we weren't talking for 3 days..." he rubs his eye, "Its killing me..." he drops his head on the table with a loud hard thump.
William hms as the wheel spins. "She wasn't mad at you when she left was she? She wouldn't want you t be upset just cause she's at the abbey for a while. ...." the rat frowns. "Is there anything you could do t feel better or anything we could do til she comes back?" he asks looking over at the otter, his paws working the clay nonetheless.
Aikuen says. Well, more like mumbles into the table, "No, she wasn't mad. Like her same old cheery self she was... But when she was mad... She was in our room. Now, she is out there. I know i shouldn't worry. But i do." he bounces his head against the table, "Owie... Im okay. Really. Just. Depressed without her." he places his paws now on top of his head, "Just keep me preoccupied i guess. And don't make me mad. When Fira is gone. I lose my control for some reason..."
William nods some, "The twins don't have quite th same effect as her huh." He smirks a little, "Any idea what sort of things would be best t keep you busy cause I'm sure Garnet'd love t have some beast clean all the greasy pots an pans in th kitchens an peel vegetables for her."
Aikuen looks up slightly at the rat, "I love my daughters to death. And if she took them with her. I probable wouldn't even get out of bed any until they got back... My twins aren't Fira. And Fira, aren't the twins..." he sighs, and looks back down a the table, "I could do that. Might just take that up if need be. But im alright here... for now..."
William says, "I know they aren't the same. Fira's Fira. No other beast is just like her. But you got on ok before you met her and it's not like she's not coming back. We know she'll be back real soon. ..."
Aikuen places his chin on the table now, "Before I was a harden fighter. Capable of taken on the most difficult of tasks.... Then i met her. Now i'm not so sure anymore. Breaking down at the mere mention of losing... And i hope she comes back. She will come back." he nods to himself, "I miss her... I long..." he ergs and quiets himself, "Ill be alright..."
William grins, "You long for her return. Yes I get it. She'll be back before you know it, Pa. Mum's smart she'll be fine. When we get in you can ask Garnet if she needs any help in th kitchens and just try t act happier even if you don't feel it. If ya don't I might have t ask Ella an Venei t cheer you up."
Aikuen smiles a little bit at him. Lifting his head off the table. His eyes have severely reddened, "Yes she will. I will hold her once again. And she is smart..." he smiles warmly before shaking his head, "Ill try to act happier Will." he smiles and it goes back to a frown, "Ill work on it..."
William shrugs, "Mainly for th twins an Kentar. They'd get upset if you keep on like you have been. Or in Kentar's case he'd get upset and start questioning you til you snap. Sometimes that stoat doesn't know when t leave well enough alone."
Aikuen nods a bit, "Aye I know... He is just trying to be helpful. But there is something you just can't get fixed... He just doesn't realize it until after it has become apparent... which is bad" he sighs and rubs the back of his head, getting up from the table and stretching his limbs, get the blood-a-flowin, "Will. Can I tell you something..." this is a product of Fira leaving.
The rat's ears tilt, as much as they can, toward the otter and Will slows the wheel, stopping it as he's finished anyway. He turn to face the old otter, "Sure, Pa. What is it?"
Aikuen rubs the back of his head, wondering how to say this, without being too offensive, "Its about Amy. She called me the very bad word for otters. And... i nearly snapped. You have to tell her to stop. Or else. I'm going to lose it... I cant do anything, as yelling obviously didn't work..." he sits on the ground, "And i know that what i was doing was not right. But that is no reason to call me that. In front of my children..." he sighs.
William sighs, "I did talk to her. ... "
Aikuen sighs and gets up, placing a paw on his shoulder, "Thanks. Make sure she gets it too. I don't like being called that... Its very offensive to me." he grips his shoulder, "And i don't want the twins to pick up any of that from her either..." he lets go and pats him again, "Thank you... Make sure she gets it..." Cant stress that enough. He pats him once more before leaning down and giving him a very awkward hug, "Sorry for being so up front like that. I get very... ticked when she says things like that... You can understand..." he sighs and nods, heading for the door, "I will see you later Will... I'm going to go walk for a minute... Then go help Garnet..." he takes a deep breath before heading out the of stall and into the snow. Soon lost to the powder.
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