Pure Moonlight (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"He's a sweet boy." Katina murmured with a smile as she took Ghell's hand and squeezed it.

Her thoughts were growing further away from the moment as she thought about her daughter's upcoming surgery. She didn't know what she would do if she lost her cub.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ghell glanced over to see the distant look in her eyes, and he kissed her cheek lightly to offer his support. He was constantly worrying too. And the next morning came far too quickly for everyone. Mariko and his healers arrived. Karn and Luna would be watching and assisting if needed, learning the ways of the wolves who'd mastered the art of bone reconstruction. But because her leg had healed, it meant breaking everything again to piece it back together.

 

[heartofcourage]

Arin was nervous for the surgery, but she was very ready. She took the sedating drug without hesitation, only showing fear momentarily when they went to move her into a more comfortable position.

"Daddy?" Arin called out, her hand sluggishly looking for her father's hand to hold on to as her bravery slowly started to dissolve away.

 

[KieranSoares]

Thankfully Mariko had allowed her family to keep close until she was properly out, so Ghell was right there to take her hand. His other hand found her cheek, letting her focus on him rather than the healers laying things out and positioning her numbed leg properly. "Little cub," Ghell murmured, nuzzling her cheek.

 

[heartofcourage]

Arin relaxed as her father took her hand, nuzzling against her cheek to calm her as everyone worked to get ready around her. Her amber eyes were hazy, sleep moments away, and she was scared.

"Will you stay?" Arin asked him in a soft voice that was laced with fear.

 

[KieranSoares]

"I'll be right here when you wake up, darling. I promise." Ghell kissed her forehead as her eyelids grew too heavy to fight the oncoming sleep, and Mariko came into her view with his usual serene expression.

"Count to ten for me, Arin," he requested softly.

 

[heartofcourage]

Arin glanced up at her father one last time before she took in a breath. "One...two...thr..."

She couldn't even finish the last number before she faded off, her eyes closing as she finally relaxed under the herb's numbing pull. Her hand relaxed in Ghell's hold and she was out, dreaming peacefully and without pain.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ghell was allowed to stay until the first cut was made, and then he'd have to wait with the family. But he'd be allowed back in plenty of time to be there when Arin woke. It took all day even with specialized tools and years of experience, and just as the sun was setting, Arin's eyes opened to one of the women of Mariko's staff speaking to her slowly.

"Arin, can you hear me?" She asked softly. "You might not be able to talk yet. Squeeze my hand if you can't." As some feeling came back, it became apparent someone was holding her other hand too. Ghell was there.

 

[heartofcourage]

Arin squeezed both hands that she was holding, her eyes fluttering open as she whimpered at the dull aching pain in her leg. She quickly turned her head and relaxed when she saw her Da, her eyes closing briefly as if to remember what she had just gone through.

"It's temporary." Luna murmured softly from beside the woman, having stayed the entire time. "Sometimes the herbs will make a person forget themselves."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You'll be just fine in a little while, then we'll get you in bed and get you some tea and something easy for your stomach to handle," the woman assured her, letting go of her hand so she could focus on Ghell. Ghell gave his daughter an adoring smile, kissing her forehead.

"The healers finished sooner than they thought they would, little cub. Soon your Ma and I can baby you all we like."

 

[heartofcourage]

Arin dozed for a while longer, relishing the fact that her Da was there with her. She tried not to move, even though her leg was nothing but a dull ache. She knew that there might be real pain if she did too much too quickly.

"Where's Norr?" Arin asked when she finally had her voice back, her eyes opening to look up at her father as the healers prepared to move her to a proper bed now that she was awake.

 

[KieranSoares]

"Right outside with Ma and Telma. Ruben and his family will come by tomorrow." Ghell stood, not letting go of her hand as she was lifted up on the stretcher they'd laid beneath her before starting the operation. Once they reached her bedroom, Mariko and two others laid her in her bed without disturbing her leg and they got her all tucked in and comfortable as could be managed.

 

[heartofcourage]

Arin was still swimming through the herbs when she was tucked into bed, thanking Mariko and the healers that had assisted him in her operation. She seemed brighter when her Ma entered the room, her arms wrapping around her mother as quickly as they could.

"I love you, little cub." Katina murmured softly as she kissed her daughter's brow. "I have dinner cooking. Would you like something to eat?"

"I don't know if my belly would let me." Arin said softly as she looked at both of her parents.

"Luna is making you some tea to settle your stomach. And I have some ground lamb and pasta that Vincenzo says you should be able to handle." Katina said with a soft smile. "A few bites would do me a world of good, Arin."

"I can try." She said as she relaxed back against her pillows, watching as her mother left the room to get her a bowl.

 

[KieranSoares]

Mariko remained with Luna while the other healers went to eat first, and he taught Luna his own special blend of exotic herbal tea that would counteract the nauseating effects of some of the harsher herbs they'd had to use. Ghell was content to sit and smooth back Arin's fur lovingly.

 

[heartofcourage]

Arin took the opportunity to snuggle against her father's chest. She rarely got to spend time with him like this often and she took the chance for all it was worth.

Luna listened intently to Mariko as he taught her some of the tricks of his trade. She was adding some local honey to the tea as he got the mug ready for her.

"Perhaps I could travel with you some time. I would love to continue learning if you had the space." Luna said softly.

 

[KieranSoares]

"We go everywhere in the isles and stay away for a long time, dear Luna. Are you sure you could handle that, especially considering you'll have a mate soon?" Mariko asked her. "You're welcome to join us and help when we're nearby. But I wouldn't want to take you from your own patients and family."

 

[heartofcourage]

"If I don't take the chance now, I don't think that I ever would. I know that Jan would understand and support me." Luna said softly as she looked at Mariko. "And I've already taken my master healer test. I've learned all there is to learn from my grandfather."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Well, there's no saying Jan couldn't come with us. But we'll sit down and talk about this later with my fellows and Jan. You'll have to make plenty of arrangements."

 

[heartofcourage]

"We'll discuss it later then." Luna said with a nod as she turned to take the mug to Arin.

She was eating the food that her mother brought, listening to conversation that was happening between Norr and Telma. It seemed that Norr was being stubborn, yet again, and Telma was poking around in hsis business.

"I don't understand why we can't meet this girl yet." Telma said as she looked towards her brother. "Everyone in the village has already seen you out with her."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Because she's not ready," Norr insisted, his ears half-laid back as we was asked again about his mysterious love. "You of all people should understand that."

 

[heartofcourage]

Telma gave her brother a look, folding her own ears back as he brought up the fact that she had kept Ruben a secret for so long. Katina looked towards Ghell and shook her head, moving to stand between the two of them.

"That's enough out of the both of you. Arin needs a peaceful environment. If you want to argue with one another, you can go outside." Katina said firmly, looking down at Telma and then at Norr. "Understood?"

 

[KieranSoares]

Norr's ears flattened at that, and he looked away from Telma. "Yes, ma'am," he murmured. He had a strong urge to run away back to work, but his promise to Arin was too important.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Yes, Mama." Telma said, flattening her own ears back as she turned away from Norr. "I need to get back to the cubs soon. Maybe I'll just come back tomorrow."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I think I'll go work in the garden til dark," Norr muttered, rising to go outside. He didn't like fighting with his sister, but he also didn't like people getting into his business and pressing him to share his personal life.

 

[heartofcourage]

Arin was startled when both her brother and sister left the room, Telma leaving to go home and Norr leaving to the garden to get some space. She glanced towards her father and then at her mother, noting the disappointed look in her gaze. Everyone was quiet, awkward.

"This meal is good, Ma." Arin said softly. "Thank you for making it."

"Little cub, it was my pleasure." Katina said with a small smile, kissing her brow as she struggled to let the argument go. "Would you like some fresh blueberries? Your Da picked them this morning."

Arin slowly nodded, watching as her Ma left the room to retrieve her a small treat. "Thank you for being here, Daddy."