While he only picked up bits and pieces from his elders' clearly tense conversation, Eclipse felt a growing annoyance at both of them, and their dodgey responses about whatever was happening between them.
He wasn't stupid! He could hear it in their voices -- a practiced politeness, stepping on eggshells to try to tiptoe around whatever this big talk was.
He found himself pacing in the den, following a path that he knew wouldn't lead him into ramming snout first into the wall.
However, to his surprise, he hit someone instead.
A higher pitched voice-- higher than his at least, the smell of grass and leaves and something like sunshine and incense, something around the size of him... maybe a little taller?
Definitely a grass type. The second type alluded him, more distracted by a cold, almost dusty scent wafting around them. Not cold like snow, like his grandma, but like the dead of night. Maybe it was a really old fairy type?
Fairies can be old like that. Umbra told him tales of Fairy pokemon who were ancient as the woods they inhabited. Maybe they were one of those.
???: OH -- no, I'm not looking for them! I just was... looking around!
Eclipse's ear flicked at the sound of shuffling coming from the stranger. Weird stranger. He thought about calling out for his dad, to come and figure out what was going on...
... but he wanted to handle this himself! He wasn't a baby!
He could handle it himself.
Maybe he'd call for Umbra if it got really weird.
ECLIPSE: Are you... looking for something?
???: No -- kind of? Actually, I think I can just ask you about this instead of trying to look for clues!
The two feline pokemon sat outside the den, looking off towards the setting sun. For the moment, there was a breath of silence between the mother and son.
SPIRIT: So sorry to ask you to suddenly, but since we're not as busy anymore... I wanted to mention something that happened today.
UMBRA: ... Oh?
There was another beat of silence, of Spirit contemplating her approach, before bringing up her worries.
Spirit was surprised at Umbra's quick response, spoken with such confidence.
SPIRIT: If it was just me here, I wouldn't be as worried, but with you and Eclipse... maybe we should consider moving dens, just to be safe.
UMBRA: Ma'... I know you've never gotten along well with them , but once human visiting, especially as nice as that one looked -- I don't think we have to worry about.
UMBRA: Besides, Eclipse is a smart kid. He knows what to do if he hears a stranger coming who doesn't smell like a Pokemon -- and I've been around humans before! Most of them just thought I was a strange looking luxray -- even the one who got to see me up close and personal many times.
UMBRA: Besides, I know you. If you really thought there were humans out to get us, you would have moved us the minute you knew we were danger -- or even fought them yourself. And believe me, I've heard stories of humans being scared of wild Pokemon attacking, even if it was just a little guy!
Spirit felt at ease hearing her son's steel confidence in his own words and experiences. He was right, she didn't know them very well. She just didn't know that he did.
The silence was awkward and immediate, pulling open the unspoken wound between the two.
She could see Umbra pulling away, his ears pinned, gaze averted. There were too many questions and too few answers. Things were finally being patched up between them both.
Did she really want to rock the boat, now that things were peaceful?
. . .
She didn't, but she needed answers -- and for him to know at least that she wanted to know, if he would tell her.
SPIRIT: Well, I'm glad you had such an experience but... Umbra... this is the first time you've told me about anything that's happened before you came home.
UMBRA: ...
SPIRIT: And-- you don't have to share anything that you're not ready to share -- but its been months now, and we still haven't talked about it.
He could feel his expression change, naturally contorting in response to even the idea that this -- this absolute stranger might imply anything about his grandma.
???: I don't mean that she's done anything bad! But -- I don't know why she's the talk of the Heartwood right now? My guardian told me not to talk to her but won't tell me why... but she seems really nice! Is she nice?
ECLIPSE: Of course she's nice! She helps 'mons out in the forest when they're sick or injured... sometimes she pretends to be mean to pokemon, but she's only actually mean when mons are rude....
ECLIPSE: Wait-- what's the Heartwood? I've never heard of that place...
???: Oh -- its where I live! Its in the deepest part of the woods, with big tall trees, and really old plants, and its really overgrown and cozy! Right-- I don't think I introduced myself...
A flutter of what sounded like... wings, maybe, and Juniper was gone. It was like they were a constant whirlwind, with chaos following, and leaving as soon as they were gone.
However, it was after a second that the words finally landed for Eclipse.
He hadn't heard Spirit's pawsteps approaching the den again, too lost in his own thoughts after meeting his new friend. Should he....
No, he wanted to learn more about this before he brought up what he heard. Its not that he thought his grandma was a bad pokemon, but there was clearly a mystery to be solved here.
and he really, really wanted to solve it himself.
ECLIPSE: ... No, I thought I heard something, but I think I was imagining things.
SPIRIT: Ha, it happens to the best of us, Eclipse. Are you ready to settle down for the night?
ECLIPSE: Yeah, I think I am... do you think you can tell me a story tonight?
Palisander@Umbra: "So, if you wouldn't mind my asking, what's your relationship with your mother like? It seems as though you get along well enough, though I'd love to hear your thoughts if you feel confortable enough to indulge me." @ask-orchidthemew
The Luxcatty glances outside at his mother and his son, who are having a conversation about local wildlife. He seems to watch them with a melancholy smile for just a moment, as his son talks his mother's ear off about the beetle he encountered earlier.
UMBRA: "... honestly I'm just glad we're closer now."
Teena @ Eclipse: Hai there!~ Look at you! I've never seen a Skitty like you before! So cute! So what do you like to do for fun? Have any games you like to play? :3
ECLIPSE: "Gran'mama always makes me put them back though. Says "Its food for other 'mons; we don't take what we don't need." I would like to know more games though... you never know whats going to be fun!"
[ @cutemonclub ]
{ HodgepodgeofHooligans } - Star approaches Eclipse, staring at them for a moment before burping up a fairly large Hercules beetle at their feet. Somehow it’s alive, and very active! -
Though it took a moment for the Skitty to notice the skittering bug in front of him, he began his gentle pat down of the beetle at his feet. His ears twitched as he listened, before one swiveled in Starflower's direction.
ECLIPSE: "Cool hercules beetle. Whats his name? Also, did you burp him up? I only heard him skittering after you did. How did you do that without killing him?"
