Beastly Beauty

Chapter 25 : Bickering

Eventhough, Aethon had to care for the cubs, he never missed cooking my meals. Everything seemed perfect but my heart was on edge. I kept feeling lonely and sad... like something was missing. I'm feeling agitated whenever I spend too much time with my mates... But I'll slowly calm down whenever I drink the medicine made by Iyasu. I tried not too think too much of it and started to explore the areas around us each day to pass the time. It's so boring without anything to do... How I miss travelling... My thoughts wandered while walking aimlessly trying to find my way to any available open water...

"Nix, are we going to live here?"
I asked Nix without looking back.

"No. It's not safe for you here. Aethon said we'll go somewhere hidden."
He answered.

"Then, when are we moving?"
I yawned lazily.

"Soon... You'll know. Do you need anything? Any requests for dinner?"
Nix asked attentively.

"No. Haaaaa... I just want a nice long bath without interruption~!"
I mumbled.

"Maybe you can... Let's go together with Aethon and the cubs next time! We will be on the lookout together, making a big circle around you!"
Nix grinned foolishly.

"Really...? No silly ideas...?"
I asked him doubtfully.

"I promise, love! No silly thoughts."
Nix replied solemnly.

"Fine! I'm lazy. Fly me to the nearest hidden water source."
I said and open my arms wide.

"Awww... come here love~ I'm all yours."
Nix hugged her and princess carried her.

* * * * * * * * * *

Soon, they found a suitable spot for her purpose and settled there. Rhea went on with her business and Nix laying down on the grass nearby...

"Nix... Do you... do you know what happened to the Oldman...? And the rest of the plains' tribe...? I missed them..."

Rhea said hesitantly.

"Are you sure you want to talk about this? The last time I tried to tell you, you were shivering like crazy. You even had some bad dreams after that..."
Nix asked with a worried voice.

"I need to know. I can't run away forever. Helen had helped me a lot previously... I have to at least offer some help to her family and friends..."
Rhea answered with a cracked voice.

"Haaaaa... this is the reason why I can't keep my eyes away from you... It's okay to just think about yourself! Why do you have to care so much for others who aren't your family at all...?!"
Nix sighed heavily with his reply.

"That's selfish! Why do you have to be so cold with others like that?! No wonder you don't have any friends!"
Rhea yelled at him.

"Sell...fish...? What does that have to do with fish...? And why do I have to be nice to strangers? It's not like they are going to help me later! Only females have that kind of strange bond. Males have to stay on alert or we might end up as food!"
Nix said harshly.

"I'm... I'm sorry... I didn't know."
Rhea replied in regret.

"The Oldman... He's badly injured. But I think he'll survive. And the smelly beast that you like. I don't see him anywhere at that time. Do you even know his name? His beast form...? What if he's also with the bad beasts hurting the tribe...?
Nix nagged at her.

"Oh... that's great... I'm glad Oldman is okay. Maybe I'll go see him later. I... I don't know him. And I have no interest in him! Why are you nagging so much!?"
Rhea screamed at the last reply to him.

"Because I know you didn't refuse his gift! The silk clothing you have, it's from Rocco isn't it?! You barely wore my feathers after that! And you said you're not interested in him?! Just take that stinky alligator in so I can smack him everyday to my heart's content!!! Also... that black feathers from the Sea Tribe! We never meet the owner at all!"
Nix's eyes glowed with fury.

"So you knew him! His name is Rocco and he is an alligator? Ohhh Nix... I didn't know... I really didn't know you were going to be like this... You should have said something about him or the silk!"
Rhea said in remorse.

Rhea move away from Nix. Slowly climbing onto land farther from Nix's resting spot. She refused to look him in the eyes, trying her best to avoid him.

* * * * * * * * * *

"Ma! I join you!"
Caramel suddenly jumped out of the blue and the sudden force caused the unprepared Rhea back into the water.

"You naughty girl!"
Rhea playfully splashed water on her daughter.

"AHAHAHAHA, sorry!"
Caramel laughed heartily.

While the two females were distracted with each other, Aethon nudged Nix's back and said in a low voice.

"Take a rest. I know you've been busy in the trees these days. We're moving soon. I know it's getting dangerous here."

" . . . . . "

"Don't worry about her. I'll say something to ease her anger."

"Fine."

Nix sprouted a pair of white wings and flew away without looking back at them. In the air, he circled the area once to scan at the surroundings and quickly disappeared silently to his chosen spot, probably on one of the trees. He felt uneasy and would sometimes be easily irritated whenever she talked about other males. He didn't know why he would feel that only towards certain males. He didn't feel anything when she asked about the Oldman nor if it was the owner of the black feathers. The thing that made him angry is when she denied the probability of liking another bird.

What's so inferior about us birds?! Why would she be interested in that smelly crawling creature...? And the panther. Why wouldn't she admit she likes him?! He can understand if she likes the weak fox. At least it's pretty and useful! But why not the panther too?! He'd make a great addition to the family. He's silent, agile, and good at reading the situation. He won't get in our way if we need to join hands in any fights! Why can't she see all that for her own good?! If it's a snake or even the merpeople. They're beautiful and skillful in fights too. But why does it have to be that alligator?!! Nix continued to argue with himself and started to list the things that Rhea saw in them.