Post by Glowy on Jun 21, 2011 13:18:43 GMT -10
A frazzled, frumpled lump of brown fur awoke to birdsong, and even in his semi-conscious stupor, he smiled. Birds were awesome. So was life, just in general. Life was always good until some immature little prick came up and stated asking him questions to which the answers were so obvious. His head poked out of his den, making a quick sweep of the environment before he walked out, exhaling with great relief. Good. None of the twerps had found their way here yet.
Oh, don't get me wrong. Eros loved to help them with their problems, it was just that some of them were so flipping immature he could just about give birth to a cow trying to explain the simplest of truths to them. No, just because she looked away when you said that doesn't mean she hates you. And no, you should not go dig a hole and wallow in mud for weeks out of self-pity! Gods, what is the world coming to?
But they weren't here yet, so he could at least relax until his brother got back with this morning's food. Thanatos was so nice like that, hunting for the both of them every morning. He understood how difficult it was for Eros having to deal with stupidity most of the day, how draining it was to have to heal with no return except gaining a step toward Elysium. And, oh boy, did Than ever know what a wreck Eros was before he'd eaten in the morning! It was like a human without that strange-smelling brown drink they had every morning. Eros stumbled around worse than a blind, deaf badger without food. One time he had been hunting in the morning, heard a noise, and pounced on the thing, not realizing it was a beehive. Yeah. That had been fun. Thanatos pretty much refused to let him hunt after that, except in the afternoon and evening.
You know what else Eros loved? The pool only a short walk away from the den. It was nice and clean, serving as both drinking water and a nice mirror for his grooming. But, oh Gods, he hated looking in that pool before he'd groomed himself. Fur stuck up everywhere, moss clumped in random places, and everything was blurred. He really was a mess.
"Zeus almighty, why do I even wake up? And why in Olympus's name is moss so..." chunks of moss flew everywhere, "... freaking..." a whirlwind of moss, a torrent of green in the sky! - "... MESSY?" He slumped down and sighed, thoroughly pitying himself. Well, he laid down until he realized that he was laying on the dirt and it would just make his fur even worse than the moss. Man, did that get him sitting up straight and set to work! You could hardly see his face for the tongue licking away the night's layer of dust.
---
Who, in the name of every god-forsaken thrice-be-damned spirit, invented stiff joints? Probably those god-forsaken, thrice-be-damned spirits.
Bahtalo limped painfully along, cursing near about everything in existence with each pang that struck her joints, particularly those in her left leg. She'd lived long enough with the 'perks' of old age to be used to the pain, but this morning the pain was particularly sharp. Even the socket where her right eye used to be ached. She had no doubt this was because she was trying to acquaint herself with the local 'healer'. The selfsame spirits she cursed were most likely trying to warn her that it was a bad idea...but she couldn't very well set up shop without warning the already established medic that they might be losing a bit of business. It was only fair. She might even learn a little something in talking to what's-his-face.
"Oh dear, I've gone and forgotten the what's-it's name. What did that shrimp say this healer's name was? Eron? Ergo? Ego?"
Well. Whatever. She'd just find out his name later. Right now she needed to focus on finding his den. Squinting her rheumatic eyes she searched for the tell-tale signs of a cats dwelling. The path she was on was certainly well beaten enough...but where was the god-damned- oh! There the damn thing was. She padded up to the entrance, peering inside without much ceremony. He was a 'medicine cat' after all, and ought to be used to visitors. She certainly was. Unfortunately, the blasted tom wasn't there...not that this would deter Bahtalo, oh no. The aged she-cat inhaled the scent that drenched the walls of the dwelling and set about finding him outside.
And when she found him, she wished she hadn't. Bahtalo watched as Eros obsessively groomed himself for five...ten...fifteen...Tiger's Maw, she'd seen she-cats spend less time on their fur. Was this really the local healer?
"You spend your time grooming or do you actually do a bit of healing in between incessantly preening yourself?"
---
A strange smell hit Eros's nostrils, interrupting his grooming for a few heartbeats. Had somebody come seeking his aid already? They usually had the decency to wait at least until he'd had some breakfast! So he paused in his maintenance of his fur, listening for the tell-tale sounds of a cat in pain. Sobs, screams, coughs, groans, unintelligible mumbling, and all those lovely things usually preceded a treatment or counseling. But he heard nothing- nobody even called out his name- so he figured that it had just been a passing wanderer and kept on grooming himself.
Ahh, and then the smell got closer. It was a she-cat, probably watching him in all his magnificence, astounded at his tomly physique and glossiness of his pelt and too shy to address him herself. He'd pretend that he didn't notice her and keep cleaning himself, just to be safe. Maybe he could incite her to boldness. The smell was constant now, and as he breathed it in, he thought he could detect a hint of herbal warmth beneath the scent of the cat herself. Was she a young new healer, seeking his advice? Perhaps she wanted to assist him, and was seeking employment instead?
One last good swipe of the ear, a winning crooked grin, brows drawn together cutely, and Eros was prepped to meet this mysterious she-cat. She spoke, and he thought her voice held a bit of age, but that wasn't a problem. And her words probably weren't meant to be an insult, but light and teasing. "Why, is looking good a crime?" He laughed lightly, still not facing this newcomer. He'd hold out her anticipation, leave her to revel in the masculinity and warm depth of his voice before she saw his face. Yep, this was gonna be good.
"You need something? Because I can help with anything- and I mean anything you---" WAIT. HALT. SCREECHING STOP. Eros turned to face the female and his face transformed immediately from the smolder to the look of abject embarrassment. She was old. And she was missing a freaking eye.
... HER EYE. WAS. MISSING.
He couldn't get over that. She was old. Her eye was missing. Who had called her from the depths of Tartarus to haunt his life? Oh, woe upon the beauty of the world! "I... um... if you need anything I can help. And yes, I do do some healing. I just have no patients right now, and I figured I might as well look put together when some arrived, which requires looking nice." His chest puffed in indignation, eyes narrowing. Who did she think she was to be commenting on how good he looked? That sort of remark was only acceptable from she-cats who hadn't been around since the Titans created the planet.
Still, she looked like she could use a rest. Stiff joints plagued cats her age, and judging from her body language, she was really hurting today. "Hey, you wanna sit down while I go get you something for your joints? Your legs look kinda stiff, if you'll excuse my saying so. Just stretch out, make yourself at home." Poppy seeds, a pre-made poultice for stiff joints, and he oughta have her working just fine in a jiffy!
[/center]Oh, don't get me wrong. Eros loved to help them with their problems, it was just that some of them were so flipping immature he could just about give birth to a cow trying to explain the simplest of truths to them. No, just because she looked away when you said that doesn't mean she hates you. And no, you should not go dig a hole and wallow in mud for weeks out of self-pity! Gods, what is the world coming to?
But they weren't here yet, so he could at least relax until his brother got back with this morning's food. Thanatos was so nice like that, hunting for the both of them every morning. He understood how difficult it was for Eros having to deal with stupidity most of the day, how draining it was to have to heal with no return except gaining a step toward Elysium. And, oh boy, did Than ever know what a wreck Eros was before he'd eaten in the morning! It was like a human without that strange-smelling brown drink they had every morning. Eros stumbled around worse than a blind, deaf badger without food. One time he had been hunting in the morning, heard a noise, and pounced on the thing, not realizing it was a beehive. Yeah. That had been fun. Thanatos pretty much refused to let him hunt after that, except in the afternoon and evening.
You know what else Eros loved? The pool only a short walk away from the den. It was nice and clean, serving as both drinking water and a nice mirror for his grooming. But, oh Gods, he hated looking in that pool before he'd groomed himself. Fur stuck up everywhere, moss clumped in random places, and everything was blurred. He really was a mess.
"Zeus almighty, why do I even wake up? And why in Olympus's name is moss so..." chunks of moss flew everywhere, "... freaking..." a whirlwind of moss, a torrent of green in the sky! - "... MESSY?" He slumped down and sighed, thoroughly pitying himself. Well, he laid down until he realized that he was laying on the dirt and it would just make his fur even worse than the moss. Man, did that get him sitting up straight and set to work! You could hardly see his face for the tongue licking away the night's layer of dust.
---
Who, in the name of every god-forsaken thrice-be-damned spirit, invented stiff joints? Probably those god-forsaken, thrice-be-damned spirits.
Bahtalo limped painfully along, cursing near about everything in existence with each pang that struck her joints, particularly those in her left leg. She'd lived long enough with the 'perks' of old age to be used to the pain, but this morning the pain was particularly sharp. Even the socket where her right eye used to be ached. She had no doubt this was because she was trying to acquaint herself with the local 'healer'. The selfsame spirits she cursed were most likely trying to warn her that it was a bad idea...but she couldn't very well set up shop without warning the already established medic that they might be losing a bit of business. It was only fair. She might even learn a little something in talking to what's-his-face.
"Oh dear, I've gone and forgotten the what's-it's name. What did that shrimp say this healer's name was? Eron? Ergo? Ego?"
Well. Whatever. She'd just find out his name later. Right now she needed to focus on finding his den. Squinting her rheumatic eyes she searched for the tell-tale signs of a cats dwelling. The path she was on was certainly well beaten enough...but where was the god-damned- oh! There the damn thing was. She padded up to the entrance, peering inside without much ceremony. He was a 'medicine cat' after all, and ought to be used to visitors. She certainly was. Unfortunately, the blasted tom wasn't there...not that this would deter Bahtalo, oh no. The aged she-cat inhaled the scent that drenched the walls of the dwelling and set about finding him outside.
And when she found him, she wished she hadn't. Bahtalo watched as Eros obsessively groomed himself for five...ten...fifteen...Tiger's Maw, she'd seen she-cats spend less time on their fur. Was this really the local healer?
"You spend your time grooming or do you actually do a bit of healing in between incessantly preening yourself?"
---
A strange smell hit Eros's nostrils, interrupting his grooming for a few heartbeats. Had somebody come seeking his aid already? They usually had the decency to wait at least until he'd had some breakfast! So he paused in his maintenance of his fur, listening for the tell-tale sounds of a cat in pain. Sobs, screams, coughs, groans, unintelligible mumbling, and all those lovely things usually preceded a treatment or counseling. But he heard nothing- nobody even called out his name- so he figured that it had just been a passing wanderer and kept on grooming himself.
Ahh, and then the smell got closer. It was a she-cat, probably watching him in all his magnificence, astounded at his tomly physique and glossiness of his pelt and too shy to address him herself. He'd pretend that he didn't notice her and keep cleaning himself, just to be safe. Maybe he could incite her to boldness. The smell was constant now, and as he breathed it in, he thought he could detect a hint of herbal warmth beneath the scent of the cat herself. Was she a young new healer, seeking his advice? Perhaps she wanted to assist him, and was seeking employment instead?
One last good swipe of the ear, a winning crooked grin, brows drawn together cutely, and Eros was prepped to meet this mysterious she-cat. She spoke, and he thought her voice held a bit of age, but that wasn't a problem. And her words probably weren't meant to be an insult, but light and teasing. "Why, is looking good a crime?" He laughed lightly, still not facing this newcomer. He'd hold out her anticipation, leave her to revel in the masculinity and warm depth of his voice before she saw his face. Yep, this was gonna be good.
"You need something? Because I can help with anything- and I mean anything you---" WAIT. HALT. SCREECHING STOP. Eros turned to face the female and his face transformed immediately from the smolder to the look of abject embarrassment. She was old. And she was missing a freaking eye.
... HER EYE. WAS. MISSING.
He couldn't get over that. She was old. Her eye was missing. Who had called her from the depths of Tartarus to haunt his life? Oh, woe upon the beauty of the world! "I... um... if you need anything I can help. And yes, I do do some healing. I just have no patients right now, and I figured I might as well look put together when some arrived, which requires looking nice." His chest puffed in indignation, eyes narrowing. Who did she think she was to be commenting on how good he looked? That sort of remark was only acceptable from she-cats who hadn't been around since the Titans created the planet.
Still, she looked like she could use a rest. Stiff joints plagued cats her age, and judging from her body language, she was really hurting today. "Hey, you wanna sit down while I go get you something for your joints? Your legs look kinda stiff, if you'll excuse my saying so. Just stretch out, make yourself at home." Poppy seeds, a pre-made poultice for stiff joints, and he oughta have her working just fine in a jiffy!
