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An attempt


mhiahia

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The short voyage to their new home hasn't taken long and the family arrives a little exhausted but healthy.

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Due to how tiring the day has been, they quickly clear out a little space and then huddle together to sleep. During the night Adave grows her third and final gem, starting her new life on the island as an adult.

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While exploring their new surroundings Dikeh makes a surprising find - a strangely coloured berry bush! After calling for his mother to observe his findings, Kura tells him that this bush carries berries that can only be eaten by certain nichelings, such as them. She goes on to explain that this knowledge was passed down to her from her mother. Dikeh is curious about his grandparents and while they pick the berries together she tells him more about Adam and Eve. Adave and Lilur join them soon after she has started her tale, both carrying berries as well. The tribe spends a relaxed evening telling stories about their ancestors.

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They days go by fast, filled with exploring and a sense of love and belonging. Kura is happy, having seen both her children grow up to be kind, loving nichelings. Lately, her fur has been turning gray and her bones become more brittle - the feeling of strength she once had in her youth seemingly disappearing a little more each day. Looking at Lilur she can see that he has aged too, but he is a little younger than her and age hasn't taken such a toll on him as it has on her. While she looks at her tribe - Dikeh dozing in the sun, just as calm and collected as she remember her father to be, Lilur stopping his task of picking berries to come over to her and quickly nuzzle her and Adave suddenly leaping high in the air and landing on top of her brother, squealing with joy as she scatters berry sap all over him - she is filled with a strong sense of belonging.

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When Kura wakes up to find that a certain tiredness has taken over her body she doesn't panic. Perhaps she has never been more calm than now, as she calls her family around her.

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When she tells them that it is not her time to go, Lilur says nothing, only pressing himself against her. Dikeh and Adave suddenly seem to be much smaller than her, and when they snuggle up to her they are suddenly back to the small, one-gemed cubs they once were.

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Kura passes away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. Lilur, Adave and Dikeh spend the day grieving for her. But having been able to spend the her last day together has helped them prepare to say goodbye.

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It had been one of Kura's wishes for her children to explore more of the island and so traveling on is almost therapeutic for the rest of the tribe.

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Lilur is doing his best to help his kids grieve in a healthy way. As a calming yet quietly joyful presence he teaches both Adave and Dikeh to value their own lifes while he tells them stories about their mother.

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The next few days are bittersweet for Adave and Dikeh. While they grieve for their mother they can clearly see their father aging as well, knowing that soon they will have to bid him farewell forever.

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Still, the time they can all spend together is filled more with happiness and delight than with sadness.

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As Lilur awakes once more, he can suddenly feel that this will be his last day. Looking to his left he sees his children snuggled together, beige and brown fur mixed into one heap of warmth. He stretches, his joints aching and starts to pick berries, far slower than he used to in his younger days.

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When Dikeh and Adave wake up no words are needed for them to recognize that this will be the last day Lilur will spend with them. Dikeh silently presses up against him, barely leaving his father's side, while Adave jokes with them, trying to dispell a little of the seriousness around them.

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They don't sleep during the night, instead whispering back and forth. When Lilur falls asleep between his cubs Adave keeps on talking, telling her brother the story of his birth. Lilur's breathing grows quieter and when she finished her story, her father has left his body behind.

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After burying Lilur's remains, Adave and Dikeh leave, continuing to explore the island. They walk close to each other, almost touching, finding comfort in the warmth of the other. The rain falling down on them reminds them of their mother, Kura, who had believed that rain preceeded or accompanied important events. Perhaps this is one of those moments, as they both walk off into their future.

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  • 1 month later...

After a few days of traveling, the sibling's still haven't found signs of other nichelings. However, spending the last days together has helped them both process the passing of their parents, and made them closer than ever.

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It is usually Adave who leads the way, brimming with energy, while Dikeh follows a little behind, much calmer.

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Next to a huge, strangely reddish tree the two of them rest for a bit. With soft ground and tall, lush grass this part of the island is quite the nice place, especially in contrast to the wet, swampy regions the had traveled through the previous day. After a short discussion, Adave and DIkeh decide to stay.

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The very next day Adave finds a tree stump and, curiosity rising, jumps on top of it. Suddenly remembering one of the things her father had taught her, she calls out.

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Her calling awakens not only Dikeh, but also causes a stranger to appear. His scent is fresh and healthy, fitting his well-groomed fur and strong horns. Yet, neither of the siblings feel threatened by his presence. He elegantly bows his head as a greeting and Dikeh offers him some berries.

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The handsome newcomer introduces himself as Liri, and quickly starts doing his best in order to support the tribe. Equally talkative he and Adave quickly take a liking to each other, both enchanted by the other.

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After just a few days, the two of them feel as comfortable around each other as if they'd been tribe mates for years. And so, Liri confides in Adave that he left his original tribe due to being bullied for his crippled paw. Ever since he takes great care of his appearance, in hopes it will make others overlook his flaw.

Adave snuggles up against him, licking his already perfectly groomed fur in order to comfort him. For quite possibly the first time in her life she doesn't say anything, yet Liri understands her perfectly well.

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1 hour ago, mhiahia said:

The handsome newcomer introduces himself as Liri, and quickly starts doing his best in order to support the tribe. Equally talkative he and Adave quickly take a liking to each other, both enchanted by the other.

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After just a few days, the two of them feel as comfortable around each other as if they'd been tribe mates for years. And so, Liri confides in Adave that he left his original tribe due to being bullied for his crippled paw. Ever since he takes great care of his appearance, in hopes it will make others overlook his flaw.

Adave snuggles up against him, licking his already perfectly groomed fur in order to comfort him. For quite possibly the first time in her life she doesn't say anything, yet Liri understands her perfectly well.

YAY love is in the air

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Ther next morning the tribe awakens to find another newcomer sleeping soundly next to them. They appear to feel fully safe, remaining asleep even during the late morning, when the rest of the tribe has already begun their day.

In the end they open their eyes only when Adave, who's appetite has grown bigger over the night, feeds on some berries.

"Oh, hi everyone! I'm Nadu - I arrived on this island during the night and figured I would just sleep here!"

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Adave leads Liri away for a private talk, while Dikeh and Nadu get to know each other.

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Revealing her rounded belly, Adave doesn't need to say anything for Liri to react with delight. He is excited to be a father, and enthusiastically helps Adave build her nest.

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As night falls the tribe doesn't sleep. Instead they gather around Adave's nest, fur brushing against other. Dikeh and Liri are the closest to her, with Nadu respectfully standing a little farther away.

The birth is uncomplicated and quick - and as the first few rays of light begin to illuminate the island, a new nicheling has joined the tribe.

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Lendok has been born.

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While Adave nurses the newborn cub Liri takes great care to pick only the very best berries for his mate. After they've both eaten, they marvel at their son.

Adave is the one to bring up the question of a second child - and Liri is enthusiastic.

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While his sister is busy with her young, Dikeh works on clearing out some more space for the tribe. Nadu joins him silently, and Dikeh can't help the warm feeling arising in his chest. Nadu's presence feels natural, as if they both were merely halfs of one whole.

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Dikeh suddenly finds an old, yet still functional-looking nest. Together with Lendok's birth and Nadu's presence, the find stirs strange feelings in him. He stares at it, lost in thought, when he feels Nadu's presence close to him. Turning his head he meets their gaze, and suddenly everything falls into place. Because Nadu's eyes are a reflection of his own feelings and - more than that, an acknowledgment.

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