DS - Day 26 - Bygones - Kura
Upstairs, the blonde viera was rubbing her temples as she heard the kits once more arguing and fighting downstairs. She had a headache from being out in the sun tending the gardens all day, so the yelling was not helping in the moment. One long ear flicks as she listens to the back-and-forth exchange.
"I can't believe you turned me into a snow leopard in the MIDDLE OF RECESS!" Scarlett shrieked at her siblings. Skylar and Sara both point to Sage, who was trembling.
"H-hey! I didn't know you were going to drink it at school... I forgot about it... A-and besides I put that in there like... A year ago! B-back before mama Kura said that we shouldn't... Y'know... leave this stuff unattended..."
"And that's WHY she said not to!" Scarlett growled, raising her, moving forward to strike her sister for the first time in a long time. It was clear that Anger was in control now.
Both Skylar and Sara rushed to hold their red headed sibling back. "MAMA KURA, LITTLE HELP?" Sara called up the stairs, knowing Kura's long ears probably heard Scarlett shrieking earlier. The four of them had initially agreed to just... not tell her so they wouldn't get in trouble, but this was getting out of hand.
It had been a long time since the anger-filled child lost control, so it was definitely time for the adult to be the adult. She loved N’iah and she loved the kits. However, sometimes she didn’t want to be the adult. Unfortunately, dating someone with four children took that privilege away. So, she stands and grabs one of N’iah’s healing potions and drinks it on the way downstairs, pointedly still holding it when she arrived so the kids can see it.
“Enough.” Her voice is quiet but stern, a tone rarely used on the kits mainly because they didn’t usually get this far with each other. “Scarlett, sit down, now.” Stunned by the tone, the anger immediately changes to shame and the kit sits on the couch far from her brother and sisters. “I have a headache so I am going to make an executive decision here. You four are going to listen to me, and you will speak when I tell you to and answer in short and concise sentences. Am I clear?”
“Yes, Mama Kura.” The kits chime in at the same time, it was eerie how well they were able to do that. The other three shuffle into nearby seats and soon eight eyes were on Kura, guilty and ashamed, but attentive.
“Sage, Scarlett is correct that this is exactly why I forbid spiking drinks and food items. You will forget about it and then you never know who may drink it. I do not know exactly what happened at the school, the principal called me… again. Now the four of you are here and still fighting. So, Sage, it’s best that you apologize to Scarlett. Even if it wasn’t intentional, your actions still caused distress to your sister. Remember, even if one of them didn’t mean to hurt one of your blossoms, you’d still wish them to apologize for it. And perhaps help you fix it, right?”
Sage fidgets with her hands, thinking of the analogy and nodding. “I really am sorry, Scarlett. I would have told you if I had known, I promise.” She looks toward the other of the triplets and her small Mi’kitten ears flatten back as sincerity filly her voice.
Scarlett scowls and refuses to look over, making Kura sigh again. “And Scarlett, accidents happen. While we are always allowed to feel hurt and upset over them, and while we never have to accept an apology, its best for us to acknowledge that accidents are truly accidents. I know you didn’t mean to break Skylar’s model a few weeks back, right? He would have fully been justified yelling at you or not speaking to you for a while, but you apologized and he knew you didn’t do it on purpose. So, why are you so upset about being turned into a Snow Leopard?”
"Well, it was public! Everyone saw! And then they all started laughing! I ripped my uniform and everything! They had to get me new undies from the lost and found! It's embarrassing." Scarlett balled her fists up, lip quivering as tears began to stream down her face.
Kura steps up and wraps her arms around the kit, hugging her tightly, and kissing the top of her head between her ears. “Embarrassments are awful in the moment. Often times you hear people saying ‘We will look back on this one day and laugh’ and while it could be true, there’s the chance that it might not be either. I’m going to make a suggestion though that I would like you to think about.” She pauses to be sure Scarlett is listening. “How many other kids at your school can say they can turn into a ferocious Snow Leopard?”
Several moments pass and soon the bright red tail begins to swish happily at that thought, making the viera smile brightly. “As for you two.” The hug is released and she turns to Sara and Skylar. “As you can tell, keeping secrets is bad for several reasons. There are times when it is necessary, like Starlight presents. However, in moments like this, if I had known immediately, we could have had this conversation before it escalated to this extreme.” The other two nod and looks down again in shame.
“At the end of the day, you four love each other. You four are closer than most siblings. You don’t want to lose that over an accident. So, take the time to feel your feelings, to acknowledge them, and to understand them. Then, try to forgive each other. Try to move on, and not let one moment dampen your relationship to each other. There’s several saying about this: Water off a duck’s back, let bygones be bygones, turn over a new leaf, water under the bridge, forgive and forget. Though on that last one, it’s okay to not forget when it’s a truly detrimental thing. Also keep in mind that if you forgive someone, do not throw it in their face later. Truly forgive them.”
Kura looks around the large area where the kits stay, noticing several things. “So, for now. You four will do your homework. You will clean your areas until they are spotless. Tomorrow, Sage and Scarlett are staying after school to clean the playground. No arguing on that, it was that or a suspension. Skylar, you do not get to go to the Ironworks tomorrow. Sara, you do not get to come with me to the botanist show tonight.” The pathetic looks on all four of their faces nearly makes Kura melt and rescind the punishments, but she knew she needed to stick to the rules. “I love you all… so much. I want you to be the best people you can be.”
“We love you too, mama Kura.” The four kits move and pile into a group hug around the taller woman, nuzzling against her and soon a purring mess when Kura hugs them all back. Yes, it was stressful raising four kids, but Kura wouldn’t give it up for the world. They were hers, and she was Mama Kura.