Tharhome has calmed down a great deal, and preliminary scouting missions of the surrounding space have started as the Chirr'T'Thar learn to deal with their new home. Down on the surface in a remote wilderness, a young male is on the verge of losing patience while trying to teach a friend how to deal with the weirdness that life has handed her recently.
Copernicus watches Imbri try and get used to her new form. In the past several days she's been very reluctant to understand that until she accepts the new form, she'll never regain her old one. Also, she apparently blames him for what happened, as she refuses any intimacy with Copernicus, and apparently anyone else, which is not healthy for a young Chirr'T'Thar.
Imbri stands up just one more time and paces towards what must be her favorite tree. At least it's taking a good score of her frowns and grimaces. The calico's tail lashes back and forth a few times. "That's... that's just too much. I just can't calm down like that."
Copernicus sighs, also in non'taur form as he pads over and tries to nuzzle Imbri,"You have to learn to relax. Enjoy it if you can. You don't always have to be thinking, let it go for a bit."
Imbri flicks both ears back and then both whiskers droop as she side-steps once or twice, "Thinking is one of my best traits. It's not exactly something to be turned off. Besides, how *can* I enjoy something I dislike so terribly much. I don't *want* to be like this."
Copernicus sighs as Imbri avoids him again and he purrs, "So long as you hate this form, you'll be trapped in it Imbri. I understand why you avoid me, as it's my fault that you are this way, and I'm sorry. But you can't avoid everyone, it's not healthy for you, and will probably interfere with your ability to learn how to change back. You'll have to learn to accept that your present form is "you" too."
Copernicus sighs, "Don't you ever relax? Just let go and have fun?"
Imbri lifts her head indignantly, "I'm the one who's the medic here. I can judge my very own health, thank you. And how do you know exactly what's going on in my head? You just met me a few weeks ago when I took the case." The ears flick back again and this time stay there, "And asking me to like it is like asking me to tie down my wings and walk everywhere. This *isn't * me."
Copernicus sighs and shakes his head and purrs, "It is an aspect of you Imbri. Maybe an aspect of your personality that you've done your very best to hide or kill, but it is nonetheless. That's what I had to learn the hard way about this form. And I don't claim to know that much about you, but I'm a good judge of character, and in three weeks I can tell you are a good person."
Imbri glances away, towards that tree she was pacing towards then lets out with a breath of pent up air. "Because I stuck around? Because I care for every single person who comes to be cared for? I can't even do that right now. What good is a medic whom can't even take a temperature?"
Copernicus hmmmfs, "I couldn't even talk for the first month I was in this form after my "accident". You can still do the empathic healing we are capable of, and if you can just learn to accept this form, you'll be able to do your work again. You give more of yourself to your patients than the average doctor Imbri. A lot more. And you looked past my form to help me, and Melora."
Imbri takes another deep breath then finally shakes her head with a bit of a growl, "No. nono... Being a good person isn't going to make a single centimeter of difference in getting this .. this... whatever you call it changing to work. I Can't Be Happy" With that last her voice raises a bit louder, her tail lashing as it shows how uptight and upset she really is.
Copernicus's whiskers droop as he notes how miserable Imbri is and sighs, and once more tries to nuzzle her, try and get her to relax a little.
Imbri's fur stands on end and she rapidly looks away. She doesn't pull away, but she does try focusing elsewhere. She's quite bristled.
Copernicus raises a forepaw and scritches along Imbri's back and purrs, "Am I truly that horrible?"
The calico would bristle more if she could, but instead sidesteps again to turn and hiss quietly, "No, damnit. That's the problem. I.. I just can't right now." Her ears hold flat to her head and her whiskers are bristled forward.
Copernicus blinks and pulls back and starts to reply when a the sound of fluttering wings announces the arrival of a female Chirr'T'Thar. The familiar tiger stripe pattern makes it easy to recognize Copernicus's mother, Nebula, as she lands.
Imbri makes a studious ... um.. study of that tree, turning back to it rather quickly. Her tail still lashes.
Copernicus blinks, "Mother? What are you here for?"
Nebula pads over and leans down to hug her now non'taur son and purrs, "Well, the council wants to speak to you again, and I have a feeling Imbri needs to talk about what's happened to her with someone more patient than a male. ;)"
Copernicus is about to argue then looks at Imbri again and sighs, "Maybe you are right. I don't seem to be of much good when it comes to helping people I care about. Planets yes, people no."
Nebula pulls on Copernicus's ear and purrs, "Nonsense, you just try too hard sometimes. Now leave. Melora is looking a lot better lately, so check on her first."
Copernicus nods and purrs, "Take care Imbri, and again, I'm sorry."
Copernicus leaps into the air, his wings blurring as he speeds off towards his parent's tower.
Imbri shakes her head, "Don't be. It's my impatience..... ah, never mind."
Nebula hmms and hits a control on her clan armband, and a subtle privacy field surrounds the two females. She purrs, "You have a lot in common with my son. You both care, and you both lead with your heart."
Imbri offers a wane smile in return, "Perhaps. I always did jump in hind paws first. It's easier now, though."
Nebula pads over and nods, "My son has always taken after the...odd side of the clan. Tends to have drastic effects on those around him. You've risked a great deal to help his mate. A great deal."
Imbri swallows and glances away, embarrassed by the tilt of her ears, "it's part of my life. Who am I to deny someone the life I could give. That life.. isn't mine to trade."
Nebula nods, "Very much like my son. Though for the most part, you are much more careful about your actions in comparison. But what you risked with Melora..."
Imbri shrugs up her quite feline shoulders and says, quietly, "That was mostly Copernicus in that... the Chaos, well, magic stuff. I only provided the theory and support."
Nebula has carefully refrained from touching Imbri since her embrace with Copernicus a few days ago. She checks the privacy field again and then purrs, "But if you had not implanted the T'Thar in her, she'd have never lived long enough for him to try your theory."
Imbri suddenly stops as quickly as she'd been denying and both ears hit the air. She turns her head and opens her mouth as if to speak. A slight pause and the whisper creeps out, "You know?"
Nebula nods, "I've been amongst the silent ones for nearly a century Imbri. I knew the instant I touched Copernicus and his T'Thar filed a formal complaint. Apparently they didn't have the decency to tell you about me."
Imbri shakes her head then finally looks to the ground. "They were far from pleased. Even though those within me agreed with my assessment. She wouldn't survive, and neither would the children whom were innocent of the entire situation. With the childr en, I couldn't try other methods... but to lose three in that moment... Perhaps four.. I didn't want to chance it."
Imbri looks up, her eyes guiding along that tree, "Even if it meant losing my own life.. to spare three it's worth the jump."
Nebula makes a mental command before she pads over and hugs Imbri close to her. Nebula's T'Thar remain uncommonly silent at the contact.
Nebula purrs, "A very brave thing to do. And risky. My son is very open minded about many things, but, against my wishes, the normal phobia of things like the T'Thar have been implanted in him. Despite that, I can not picture my son letting you die."
Imbri initially tenses up, closing her eyes tightly. All the stress of the past weeks wrapped up into one Chirr'T'Thar.
Nebula holds Imbri close to her and purrs, "Just let it out. It is pointless to torture yourself like this, and you make Copernicus think you hate him for what's happened to you."
Imbri swallows quietly, "I.. I know he wouldn't allow for that. But, he may hate me, and that I can't bear. He's.. he's so sweet and kind. It's hard..." She shudders some, quivering in the wings.
Nebula chuckles as she snugs Imbri to her chest and purrs, "Don't tell him that though. He has enough problems without getting an inflated ego. Presently, our main problem is getting the rest of the silent ones to agree to allow Copernicus to be informed. Without that allowance, they will just summarily judge against you. I think I've made that possible, but at a cost."
Imbri lets out a breath again then shakes her head, "They should. I broke one of the main rules, with knowledge. I knew the consequences." She tries to back away again, her head down as she says within a quiet purr, "You shouldn't have to take a price for my actions."
Nebula nods, "Yes you did, but it is a recoverable mistake as far as I am concerned. The price I paid is an expensive one, though not because it hurts me directly. It forces me to oppose someone for whom I have a great deal of respect.'
Imbri looks up again, her eyes more than concerned.
Nebula snugs Imbri and kisses her on the nose gently as she sighs, "I have to oppose you after Copernicus has a chance to deal with being informed."
Imbri twitches one ear back and a soft voice answers, "Me? That's... whom you respect? I've.. not done anything to earn it..."
Nebula's eyes sparkle a bit and she purrs, "You've risked yourself for my son and his family. Consider that most Chirr'T'Thar are just a burr on the firstmother's loins, that alone gives me a lot to respect. And my son, while he does a lot of things wrong , rarely judges other people incorrectly."
Nebula is trying to hide her own concerns at this point, trying to keep Imbri calm.
Imbri lowers her head a bit and her whiskers twitch once or twice. She finally says, "I'd thought... that everyone would be so logical as to see... that all other routes were gone. Melora's cellular structure had been deteriorating at such a high rate t hat within an hour she'd have been gone. He'd not even gotten a chance to share the same room. Would it have been fair to her not to try the only way left?"
Nebula brushes away a tear and hugs Imbri, "Logic and sapience rarely go hand in hand, as my son and now you get to learn the hard way. I personally tried to argue that Copernicus didn't need to be informed, but they said then they'd just decide against y ou. So now he will find out eventually, and I...I'll have to try my best to convince him to judge against you. I'm sorry, it was the best I could do."
Imbri bites her lip and nods. She says in those quiet tones, "I know. I knew what would come." Another glance at the tree and she continues, "you can continue to insist he doesn't need to be informed, and let them decide. It'll... keep him from having the hard decisions too."
Nebula nearly growls, "I will not let them discard your life like that. My only fear is what effect my opposing you will have on Copernicus. It is done. When Melora recovers, Copernicus will be informed shortly afterwards, given a few days to recover, and then the trial will be held. I hope you can forgive me for what I'll have to say."
Imbri is just as stubborn as she says, "I discarded that life when I held three others. It's so much more sensible to let me slip out. He already knows that I'm barring any contact already and he's right, it's far from healthy. He doesn't deserve being put through a trial because of my interference. Melora.. she should know and be given her decision, but Copernicus is innocent of this."
Nebula towers over Imbri and purrs, "Life is far too precious to just be discarded Imbri. Seeing as the T'Thar will have minimal impact on Melora, and her children had them by default when my son sired them, he'll have to decide whether to tell her or not . That is the way when a non Chirr' is infected. While I tend to agree that Melora should decide, the rules of the treaty discriminate against other races."
Imbri hrmfs just quietly, wishing for arms to be crossed as she tries to look as stubborn as her spirit can. "Life shouldn't be tossed. I don't consider mine as having been: I traded it four for one. She should wake within the next day or two, and her cubs will birth within a few months. Copernicus has made an excellent recovery." She looks away again and says, "should everyone be as successful at their job."
Nebula growls, "Do you really want to die that badly? Can you think of the problems my son would cause when he learns of your execution? It's done. I've agreed to support the opposition in return for Copernicus being informed. And stop torturing yourself. If it does go against you, do you really want to have spent your last days alone? Not being touched? If you don't want to spend time with Copernicus, then with me at least."
Imbri pushes her eyes aside, submitting yet stubborn for her own reasons. "Of course I don't. No one wants to go out and die. But perhaps my position is slightly different. Sometimes people move by in my life and I know that they could potentially hel p. I couldn't pass it by when it were three lives in one. He's alike me. In knowing, he'll have the same decisions as I did. What can be said, who can be saved? Why me, First Mother?" I want to spare him the knowledge."
Imbri wraps her wings a bit tighter then says, "as for lonely, of course I don't. But neither do I want to get to car for him then be pushed away when eh decides that I've caused something like that within his mate."
Nebula sighs, "You're certainly stubborn enough to be a Skygazer. Regardless of my son's protests to the contrary, he's always dealt with more responsibility than a lot of people. There is at present no way to spare him the knowledge, with the exception o f Melora dieing, at which you only get a mild reprimand. And don't sell my son quite so short. You've saved the life of his family, that will count a great deal. And he does care for you, be with him. He'll need that comfort and support to deal with the k knowledge of the T'Thar, which will be BEFORE he finds out about Melora. And you need to be healthy at the trial too. Please, for me?"
Nebula thinks . o O (I have a great deal of faith in my son. If I violently go against Imbri as I plan, he is very likely to side with her, especially considering how she saved Melora's life. However, he may never understand or forgive why I had to oppose her.)
Imbri holds still, well, almost still for a moment. Her right paw kneads into the ground during that moment, working at the earth in her anxieties. Finally she answers with, "You're right... he needs that comfort. Even if he will be angry with me after ward and possibly come to hating me for what I did do. It's not good for him to be going in feeling that I am angry with him." The wind seems to let out of her sails and she adds, "health wise... I'm past caring for health at the moment. Sometimes.. ev en medics get tired of that idea."
Nebula pulls Imbri against her and purrs, "Then let someone else worry about your health, like me and my son. Take his advice, relax and work on getting your form back. I know from talking to a few of his friends on that odd planet his mate came from that he knows little about practical magic, but he knows enough to help you. It will also make him feel better to know he's helping."
Imbri takes comfort, finally, and leans into Coper's mother. She nods just a little and says, "he wants me to like what I am before I can change... but it's so hard. I... I never told anyone but I hated being shorter than average? And now... I'm not ju st shorter than average, but I break records for being ground bound."
Nebula chuckles in spite of herself and scritches behind Imbri's ears, "At least you didn't end up as a cub like Copernicus did for a while. This dragon lady showed me the cutest picture of him. It seems he was still a terror for the females regardless. Y ou are a much 'bigger' person than many I've met. You have every reason to hold your head up high. And you may find some advantage to this form, Copernicus seems to like it off and on."
Imbri tilts her head and looks curious for half a moment then shrugs a little bit, "Maybe. My brother always used to tell me I had a perverse reaction to being told it's impossible. I could tell myself, but if someone else did, I had to do it. They said she couldn't survive.. so I took it over and kicked them out.
Nebula looks at Imbri and hmms, "The resemblance is rather scary. Should I tell you it's impossible for you to deal with this to get you to do it? ;)"
Imbri hmfs under her breath, "I never realized you'd know my brother. Anyway... once you know my reaction, I tend not to react. Anyway... I should go see about apologizing to him... privately. Where did you send him off to?
Nebula hmms, "Well, after checking on Melora he went to the council. He's been hiding it from you, but you've helped him regain control of his form too, so he can spend enough time in his "normal" form now to deal with the council. My clan owes you a grea t deal Imbri."
Imbri shakes her head and says, "No... nothing owed. I created as much trouble as I solved." A pause and the feline sits up on her hind legs. Just enough... stretch, and the female can try to rub foreheads.
Nebula purrs and rubs foreheads back and softly chuckles, "Just like my son. ;)"
Imbri winks, perhaps a bit of humor returned to her as she says, "Just irrepressible youth... now, I should be off to create just a bit more trouble." Perhaps.. she thinks, she can pull him from council just long enough....
Nebula nods and turns off the privacy field and purrs, "He's should be out of the meeting soon Imbri."
Imbri nods yet again and purrs, "Thank you... I did need to unstress some. For all of our sakes."
Imbri turns and takes a quick leap, so much easier so low to the ground, and is trailing off in the direction taken earlier by Copernicus.
Nebula chuckles, "Well, if my son doesn't work enough of the kinks out, you know where to find me! ;)"
Nebula watches Imbri and thinks . o O (How is it Copernicus seems to attract the most amazing people around him? If he hurts her, I'll never forgive HIM.)
Orange black and white speckled wings beat quickly towards the city bearing a feline still full of doubts and worries. Mom never said that she could get into this much trouble in a single year. She heads for the council building, aiming and winging off to the main branch in hopes of finding a certain feline. The sun hangs rather low off to the western sky, turning the blue there into a rainbow of colors much less vivid than merely a month ago. This new state seems to be top of her thoughts except for now.
Inside the council chamber things are not going overly badly for Copernicus. Though many look at the now inane little bag around his waist and blanch from time to time as they realize the entire solar system "schlorped" through it. LaGrange Skygazer, Cope rnicus's sire, watches the council and chuckles, noting his son is taking advantage of the new situation to reform a lot of the nastier policies on the board. He'll probably have to leave Tharhome for a while afterwards to let things cool down, but it's g oing pretty well.
Copernicus purrs, "Ok, so as you can see, being in totally new areas, with none of our old network, it will be disastrous if we keep up this xenophobic attitude, and I think this new protocol for finding new trade routes will correct that. I appreciate yo ur passing this with only one challenge. I'm sure Retrar will heal up just fine. Meeting adjourned."
Copernicus grins and to throw the council off even more, blurs to his non morphic form before padding to the balcony.
Imbri pauses outside the chamber, watching for a moment then letting loose a bit of a sigh. "It's going to take me forever... " is all she seems to mutter. A few odd glances towards her tells a bit of a story as to how things went, as well as the fact s everal avoid her all together. She finally pads within.
Copernicus's grin fades slightly as he sees Imbri and quietly purrs, "So how are you doing? I guess I was pushing rather hard earlier."
Imbri shrugs her winged shoulders and says, "It's understandable. Stars... you probably can't quite figure out why I am so irritable over a situation you enjoy now. No.. um... hard feelings?"
Copernicus pads up and noses Imbri, "It's not a matter of enjoying this form so much as accepting it. And regardless, isolating yourself is not good...sigh, there I go again. No, no hard feelings if you can forgive me for being overbearing."
One side of the feline's whiskers raise as she gains a humorous look. "What can I expect. You care and those reactions come instinctually... as do other reactions." She returns the nose just tentatively then slides it into a nuzzle. "Forgive, forgot, for-going and gone."
Copernicus blinks and then smiles slightly as he snugs, "Well, it looks like you're changing your mind about isolating yourself. However, I was thinking of possible ways to get you to unwind, and I have a game in mind an old fox friend of mine suggested."
Copernicus mrrs, "And then, later, I can help you unwind with more personal attention. ;)"
Imbri flicks her ears back once or twice and asks, "Game?"
Copernicus grins widely, "It's a contest. It's a matter of stealth and cunning. ;)"
Imbri cocks her head to the side, "Oh?"
Copernicus purrs, "You interested?"
Imbri says, "Well.. tell me more? What do you do?"
Copernicus hmmms, "Well, it's a contest to see how many people we can "cold wet nose" from behind. See, you have to catch them totally unawares. You get an extra point for having the victim who squeals the loudest. ;)"
Imbri looks surprised, "but.. does that work on fur?"
Copernicus ahems, "In the right places it does, yes. That's the skill part."
Imbri looks to think then grins after a moment. "Extra points for catching the opponent?"
Copernicus pads around behind Imbri to demonstrate as he purrs, "We normally take turns watching the other make an attempt. But yes, as long as it doesn't interfere with your opponents move. ;)"
Copernicus gives Imbri the proper cold wet nose "goose". ;)
Imbri almost squeaks, bounding off to the right then looking over her shoulder, "Yee.. I see."
Copernicus grins, "The city is full of prey m'lady. Shall we be off? ;)"
Imbri pads towards the doorway, "Licking ears count? Or noses only?"
Copernicus hmms, "Normally noses only. And the idea is to attack from "behind" ;)"
Imbri says, "Well... underneath in my case. I'm too short for too much 'behind'."
Copernicus grins, "You can still nose em where it counts. ;) I haven't caused any good mischief in a while. You want to go first? ;)"
Imbri says, "oh.. no no, after you! It is your game after all."
Copernicus chuckles and purrs, "Oh, one other thing. We get to choose each others targets."
Imbri slips through the doors and into the corridor. "Really? Then let's see...."
Imbri points her nose towards the doorway where a quite bored female stands, arms full of pass-out survey sheets.
The silly winged snow leopard chuckles as he finally brings a little of the mischievous side out in Imbri. He grins and nods.
Copernicus fwumps onto his belly and slowly stalks up to his intended prey, noting that it's a fairly cute behind, but the tail is a tad short. When he's within a few feet, he wriggles his haunches to get his hind legs in position and launches, nosing the hapless female right on target. ;)
The woman almost leaps straight up in the air, scattering many orange colored sheets to the hallway and almost squealing. As the oversized confetti falls she looks over and quite startled at the audience she has, each laughing with her.
Copernicus darns, "And here I pegged you for a squealer. Oh well, first point is mine Imbri."
Copernicus grins at the startled Chirr'T'Thar and purrs, "Hope I gave your day a bit of a "lift" ;)"
Imbri giggles a bit, hiding her face behind a wing so she doesn't burst aloud.
Copernicus waves to Imbri with a wing, "Come mighty huntress, it's your turn. ;) Let's head down to the lobby. ;)"
Imbri flicks her wings back and purrrumbles, "aye aye, mighty cold nose expedition leader!"
The intrepid sometimes felitaur male slinks down the gravity tube shaft to the lobby and hides behind a big fluffy couch, only his big ears peaking over the top as he selects the next victim for Imbri.
Imbri pads up close behind, not needing to really 'slink' behind much, still being shorter than Copernicus. She just hides behind him ;)
Copernicus hmms and keeps his tail down, just in case and then ahas as he spots someone and purrs, "We'll need to make a run for it if you succeed on this one, but see my father starting to snooze off over there by the Sushi Tank? ;)"
Imbri flicks both ears back, "Oh no.. you're kidding.." Almost alarmed. "He wouldn't want our hides afterwards, would he?"
Copernicus grins, "Not if he doesn't catch us in the act. Later on he'll laugh about it. Honest. ;)"
Imbri takes a deep breath then lifts up her chin. "Okay... here goes. You're the one who gets to live with him." She winks then slips out and behind the information desk. This curves its way along the outer wall which brings her closer to her target. Stalk... stalk...pause...
Copernicus does his best not to chuckle. He also makes sure to override the doors so they stay open. ;)
Imbri wrinkles up her nose then licks it before getting there. The better to have it wet, my dear, and quite cold.
Copernicus oohs and thinks . o O (She's already got the subtleties of the game down. ;)
Imbri scrunches down on her tummy and crawls the last few meters. Her wings almost drag behind her, offering cover against the white marble flooring. Yes, I'm only dirt. Move along. And she arrives... just in time to place that nose, dampness and all, right behind his left thigh, a tender spot.
LaGrange Skygazer squeals loudly as he leaps up and literally bounces off the ceiling, as he lands he turns around and sees Imbri, and his son, giggling.
Imbri tries to scramble a few steps then almost rolls over in giggles as she's heading off towards the doorway.
Copernicus motions to Imbri to get moving as he purrs, "Hi dad, bye dad." And zips after Imbri. After another split second of stunned silence a roar of "COPERNICUS YOU TWIT!!"...followed a bit later by a rather quiet, "It's nice to see he's back to normal . Well, I guess it's nice to see he's back to normal. And at least I got goosed by a cute young..female."
Imbri picks up her heels about the time the yell comes out and skitters around the door in snickers.
Copernicus piles into Imbri about a block away when she stops and they fall into a pile as he laughs.
Imbri coldnoses underneath of Copernicus amid that pile of giggles. Well cooled from the run.
Copernicus turns around and returns the favor, rubbing his cold nose in a very sensitive spot and purrs, "Well, I think there is no way I can top that one m'lady. ;)"
Imbri squeaks a bit and wiggles her paws. "Oooh, shh. ee..." She gasps out as her giggles fade.
Copernicus licks Imbri's face and purrs, "Now see? Did it hurt to have a little fun? ;)"
Imbri says, "Your father never knew... what was going to hit him."
Copernicus grins and chuckles, "He sure didn't. But from the sound of things, he may have kind of liked it. ;)"
Imbri nips at Coper's neck and calls out, "Can't tag me, Coper!" and with a leap and a bound she's flying off.
Copernicus chrrrowwls and leaps into the air after Imbri, his own heart feeling lighter, especially with the improvement that Melora has had in the past week.
Imbri heads right into a cloud, quickly dropping speed just as she enters it.
Copernicus, a typical male, plows right on by cluelessly.
Imbri hears the whoosh through the air and drops out the bottom of the cloud, tracing his direction as she glides downward.
Copernicus blinks as he loses sight of Imbri's cute haunches and whirls around to see where she went to, dropping speed significantly.
Imbri folds her wings and drops immediately into the foliage below.
Copernicus's very large ears here the sound of something plunging through the trees and flies to it quickly.
Imbri hides a few steps away from where she landed. A nice, well, softly mossy area. Surprise that? A camp was made there?
Well, made there perhaps a few days previously.
Copernicus lands in the area and hmmms and sniffs around, wondering how many Chirr'T'Thar every bother learning to track by scent anymore.
Imbri lounges in that 'camp' area then peers beneath a bush nearby to see where he's standing.
Copernicus grins ferally as he finally picks up Imbri's scent when the wind shifts and he pads towards where he thinks she is hiding.
Imbri purrs, "Slightly to the left... yah, right there."
Copernicus chuckles and pads into Imbri's little "camp" and purrs his greeting, rubbing heads carefully as he still has those little button horns.
Imbri rubs her head a bit more enthusiastically with a purr. "So... I guess I'm tagged now. Hope you won't run away..."
Copernicus chuckles and purrs, "Well, when I goose you this time, it won't be with my nose. ;)"
Imbri wrinkles up her own nose and says, with a mrrrrr, "that... could get stuck."
Copernicus nips at Imbri's neck and purrs, "Well, only way to know is if we try. ;)"
The two have a quiet moment, or not so quiet depending on if a tree can be heard falling in the woods if no one is there to hear, can a couple be heard in the woods if there is no one there to hear. Tensions lessen and nerves unwind, if a bit mysteriousl y in the small camp. Somewhere, neither one of them certain, the female finds herself almost to her felitaur shape again but to bounce back once more. A fuzzy feeling that.
Copernicus murrrrrrs contentedly afterwards and purrs, "See, not only did I not get stuck, but you almost shifted for a minute there. ;)"
Imbri says, "That's what that was?.... I wasn't sure. How..?" At that moment the multi colored forearm band of hers starts beeping. A blue gem near the base is flickering off and on in a three pulse fashion. She stares, "Already?"
Copernicus nuzzles Imbri's neck, "I've told you. You have to be able to accept this form as a part of you before you can get the old one back, at least part time. Already what?"
Imbri says, "It's not a blue light special." She rapidly starts untangling herself from the felitaur pile. "It's a sensor on Melora. I got to get back there."
Copernicus blinks and quickly gets up also and purrs, "Is there anything wrong?"
Imbri almost trips in her haste then shakes her head rapidly, "Oh nono... she's got first signs of consciousness. Heartbeat accelerating. Brain functions seeming to come back online... we've got to hurry!"
Copernicus blurrs into his taur form and is in the air with a snap of his wings. In less than a minute a small sonic boom can be heard.
Imbri isn't too far behind him, pushing for a quick flight herself.
Melora sleeps, almost, in the same spot she's occupied for far too long. Her position is somewhat different than when she was last turned and feebly she tries grasping at a wire that is attached to her torso. Still sleeping.
With a few booms as he slows down, Copernicus lands through the roof of his parents tower and lopes to where his mate, Melora is resting.
Melora takes another pull at the wire and just finally succeeds. An alarm is set off in the background, ringing from the equipment down through the family's quarters.
Copernicus shuts off the alarm as his sister Andromeda and his mothers, Nebula, Shatter and Metora rush into the room all growling at once as to what's wrong?
Imbri nearly slams into a wall in her haste to be near the downed felitaur. She frowns, her paws nearly fluttering to check the leads and to check the girl. She motions to Copernicus to come a bit closer after another moment of checks.
Copernicus moves over to Imbri and helps be her "hands" for her and purrs, "What else should we be doing? How is she?"
The calico whispers, "Coper, call her name. We've got to pull her out without startling her. Be very gentle."
Melora's breathing picks up and she moves a bit more again, a wing just flitting against the ground side she's laying on. It rattles disconcertingly.
Copernicus nods, and the large felitaur is trembling as he lightly puts a hand against his mates back and whispurrs, "Melora? Kecharra, it's me, Copernicus."
Melora swallows another gulp of air, coughing a gasp. Her hind leg suddenly stretches out and she tenses (as much as she really can) just before both eyes flick open and gold-hued eyes stare out at Copernicus.
Copernicus continues purring softly and reassuringly into his mate's ears as he strokes her back, noting the short white fuzz that has started growing back here and there, speckled with a few black spots and the odd, apparently metallic sounds are new...s cales? on Melora's wings.
Copernicus purrs, "Melora, it's me, Copernicus. You ok?"
Melora rasps at first then tries to swallow. Imbri quickly says, "She needs liquid. Just a little bit."
Nebula finally pushes the crowd out and comes back with a glass of fruit juice and Copernicus carefully offers it to Melora.
Metora is heard to mutter to Shatter, "Why are WE the ones who always have to wait or go some where else when they need quiet?"
Melora takes a few sips then licks her lips and tries a couple more. With exhaustion she settles down again onto her matted floor. "Coper.....? Oooh... what dreams..... why do I hurt so much?"
Shatter quietly reminds Metora that Nebula is not only the head female, she's the biggest and has a really mean undercut with her claws.
Metora ohs, "That's right." and shuts up.
Copernicus snugs, "You've been through a lot of changes Melora. But Imbri here saved your life. You're getting better day by day m'love. And you'll be fully well long before you give birth to our kits."
Andromeda and Nebula quietly look on, looks of relief and a few chuckles on their muzzles.
Melora licks her lips again then whispers out, "it wasn't a dream then? I did... lose... my fur? Kits!" Her hand reaches down and finds a swell where the distending belly lays. "Then I'm..." and her eyes widen as she spies the ceiling.
Copernicus nods and purrs, "You lost your fur, and nearly your life. Imbri saved you, and me, but at great cost to herself. She's like I was for a while, remember Melora? No hands? And yes, you are pregnant, and the kits are just fine."
Copernicus is babbling happily now that his mate is finally conscious again.
Melora tries pushing herself up, wobbly and weak. Imbri slides beneath the felitaur's torso, offering her bulk to steady (and a soft spot if landing is needed.) "Careful.... please? You're okay."
Copernicus gets on the other side and helps, still mewing little terms of encouragement and joy at his mate. Andromeda purrs to her mother, "My, she really has him, doesn't she mom? ;)"
Nebula just nods and thinks . o O (I'd wish a child like himself upon them, but Melora's done nothing to deserve that, the poor dear. It's bad enough she'll have to try and raise Copernicus too. ;)
Melora wrinkles up her nose. "OH my... I *itch*" Her voice is a bit stronger, yet laced with exhaustion. A hindquarter starts to scritch at her side a few strokes.
Copernicus chuckles, "I'll be happy to help you scratch. That's a sign of her fur coming back in, isn't it Imbri?"
Melora yawns again then glances around. Her head bobs a bit as her eyes focus on a few people. "Oh.. hi Nebula who's Coper's ma... and there are his other moms..." After a hesitation she smiles a bit then says, "Coper. Love ya." She then quickly drif ts off into a much healthier sleep just as sudden.
Imbri lends a reassuring purr and then whispers, "Help me get her down? She's *heavy*."
Copernicus smirks, "Well, we'll have some more romantic time together than that eventually. But she's getting better at least. Oh, sure."
Andromeda pads over and helps with Melora too, grinning at her brother, "Well, I'm sure that Imbri and I can take care of you tell she's required, silly. ;)"
Imbri nods her head, sliding from beneath the 'taur form. "You will.. especially since she wasn't due to wake until sometime tomorrow at the earliest. She's recovering much faster." A paw pets at new fur of the hindquarter.
Copernicus nods and pads over to Imbri and hugs the winged kitty closely and gives her a very passionate kiss and purrs, "Thank you for saving our lives, for saving my family. And for being my friend Imbri."
Imbri looks faintly embarrassed but smiles a little. After a half hesitation she finally purrs, "Remember that... when your father comes home."
Copernicus chuckles and purrs, "Well, I had rather hoped to show my appreciation again this evening, but if you prefer my father, I'm sure he's game. ;)"
Nebula grins ferally and purrs, "If he's not, I know his mates are. ;)"
Andromeda just smirks at her "Little Brother".
Imbri raises an eyebrow then glances over with an appreciative smile. "However much I'd like to.. tonight I think I'm sleeping up here. As is your son. She.. um, will need familiar scents and people around her for the next day or so."
Andromeda murrs and purrs, "Well, seeing as I've spent some time with her on that planet my brother was so fond of, mind if I keep watch with you two? I'm sure our moms will take a rain check, right?"
Nebula grins and is about to respond when two voices from the kitchen growl "Dibs! Hey, I said it first!" and she sighs and purrs, "Take care. And I'm happy for you son, and hope to see why she's stolen your heart so badly."
Copernicus gives his mother a kiss as she pads back to the "kitchen" to deal with Shatter and Metora.
Copernicus snugs Imbri again as Andromeda curls up on the other side of Melora and purrs softly, "Thanks again Imbri."
Imbri nods, wondering the same. She curls up behind the 'taur's back, between the now folded wings as the taur is on her side. "No.. no thanks until the end, Coper. Deal?"
Copernicus blinks at Imbri and purrs, "I don't understand why, but fine. I'll save my thanks up till the end then. Oh shoot, I've spent too much time like this today."
Copernicus's form wavers and he melts back into a winged snow leopard as he snugs with his sister and Imbri and his beloved mate, Melora.
Andromeda chuckles, "You are so weird brother. ;)"
The sky above darkens and the only lights to the room are on the cart with it's now gently pulsing sensor readouts. Somewhat later the stars begin to wink in the sky above, new yet quite old and each singing to the foursome beneath them. Dream on.