Tahmores*Elder Brother

On the second morning of his stay with Martha, the teen was awakened by a small sound. Still, he did not open his eyes right away, listening quietly to the sound of Brother breathing and letting himself inhale that sweet scent of early morning dew that filtered through the room, which memory told him meant that Martha had already let Rihanne out for the morning, but probably hadn't begun the morning chores yet.

While he was thinking this, the small sound rang again, and Tah blinked his eyes open. He was sitting upright in the chair nearest the fire, Elder Brother stretched out at his feet, and though he didn't remember fetching it himself, a large patchwork blanket was wrapped firmly around him, probably courtesy of Martha, he thought. But it was the face peering out at him from under the blanket, covered with tiny tears, that brought back all the memories of last night.

It hadn't been long after the evening chores were finished that Tah and Brother had both perked to the sound of a high-pitched whistle, beyond the usual scope of human hearing, and had moved quickly toward it. There were only a handful of people that the teen had provided those hand-made whistles to, and all of them had his word that if there was ever anything he could do...

It had been a long evening, trying to explain things adequately to Martha without letting loose any details of the whistler's private life, and then a long night following, during which Tah had ceaselessly attempted to comfort the little face that peeked from under the blanket now, but without success. It had been nearly three o'clock before both of them had drifted into the relative peace of sleep.

Looking down at the little face through the gap in the blanket, Tahmores sighed and wrapped his arms a little firmly around the bundle, saying softly, "Don't worry, Raimi... your brother will be back."

Martha & Timber

All too happy to have a youngster in the house, Martha had been patiently respectful of the answers she got from Tahmores reguarding Raimi's unnanounced arrival. When the details of his older brother weren't given, she did not pry for them, but merely accepted the boys presence here without a qualm. Like Tahmores, he needed a place of safety to reside in, for however long it took the older brother to get his personal buisness in order. Of course, she had made it abundantly clear that she wouldn't mind if Raimi or Conan remained here indefinitely, such was her desire to have a home full of people again, and little ones to look after now that John had made himself so scarce.

While she wanted nothing more than to sit down and play with the little boy, Martha didn't allow herself to get too pushy or involved for the time being. She had seen to it that the two were kept warm during the night, when they had finally drifted off to sleep, and was now going about the usual morning duties to keep up the farm.

When Aidan and his kin failed to show up from their summoning the day before, Timber had spent most of the night patrolling about the house. More than once though, he had reared up to peek into the window of the living room, looking curiously at the new little human that was in the house. His tail waved every now and then, and he was spurred all the more to keep a close eye on things.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

The tiny noise redoubled as Tahmores wrapped his arms around the toddler, and the teen gave a sigh, shifting a little uncomfortably at the strange feeling he got from hearing that sound, and not knowing what to do to help it. The night before, he'd tried just about everything to get the tyke to stop crying, from walking the floor with him to trying to play with him to humming a low, haunting tune under his breath to soothe him. None had worked, and after a long time, the teen had given up, sat down, and just held the kid while he cried himself to sleep. But there were no words for how uncomfortable he felt, not knowing how to make the poor little guy feel better. He had just... well, he'd never really been around human children before. With pups, he knew exactly what to do, but children...

With one hand, Tah moved to push the blanket back, revealed his own rumpled, slept-in clothing and the two-year-old plopped in his lap, who was again on the verge of bursting into sobs, so lonesome he was for his brother, though the young teen had been gone barely eight hours. This made his present guardian feel guilty, though he'd done everything in his power to try to soothe the kid. It was an unusual thing for him not to know what to do in a situation, and he was discovering he didn't like it at all.

Martha & Timber

After setting a few clothes out on the line, Martha was back in the house, moving from the kitchen into the livingroom to peek in on the two. When she saw that the little boy looked no happier than when he first arrived, and that Tahmores looked as uncertain as she'd ever seen him, the woman obligingly came forward to lift the youngster out of his lap and into her arms. "What's all this business of being sad?" She questioned softly, holding the little red-head in a motherly, sympathetic gaze that was as strong as it was nuturing. "I know you're missing him, but your big brother has some things he must take care of. There now," She drew a hand over his forehead, brushing strands of hair away from his face and, "We'll just get you and Tah some breakfast and go from there."

With a brightened, reassuring smile turned upon Tahmores, Martha shifted the little boy to her hip as she traveled back into the kitchen. "Tah, what sounds to you? I think we may still have some pancake batter left, and hopefully some eggs if John remembered to raid the henhouse like I told him." Keeping Raimi balanced with one arm, she began to rumage through the cupboards, going about it as if having the youngster with her was something she had done everyday.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Tahmores shifted a grateful glance to Martha as she relieved him of his vain attempt to comfort the child, and indeed the boy looked up at the woman, tears still visible, but his cries softening as he considered her with his light brown gaze. Sweet voices had always soothed the toddler, so though he did not offer her that dimpled smile, at least he ceased his tearful protest and cuddled into her, seeking comfort.

This aroused amazement in Tah, who got to his feet and folded the blanket, sitting this in the chair before following Martha into the kitchen, reflexively beginning to reach down plates, cups, and silverware in order to set the table. "Both sound good," he murmured to his mother, his eyes still glancing to Raimi now and then as the boy seemed to calm in her hold. After a moment, he ventured, "If only he were a pup, I would know what to do with him. Sometimes, being both human and wolf is very confusing."

Martha & Timber

"Both? I suppose that means you'll have plenty of energy to help me with the chores today?" A wry, half-joking grin was turned to Tah as he went about readying the table. "And I'll be we can find something for this little darling to help with. What do you say to that?" Martha cooed, pausing briefly in her preparation of breakfast to lavish attention on the young child. Seeing the sadness quelled at least to some extent, she was going to keep her attitude as bouyant and cheerful as she could for his sake, while all the while reminding herself that this was not her son, and that she couldn't get attatched to him.

"After we get the animals fed, I was thinking we could take a trip to the local shelter." She went on to say, as she fished out a box of pancake batter and began to pour it into a bowl of water. "I saw there was a cute little hybrid in the paper this morning, and he would be a perfect friend for Rihanne."

Tahmores*Elder Brother

That made a smile break across his face, and a chuckle as he replied, "Like I said... so much better than cold rabbit! Growing boy, and all that." This was a joke, for he was clearly finished growing, towering over Martha at just over six feet, and lean and muscular with it. He was even taller than Raven now, which amused the older Indian to no end.

But her second thought made him speak again, saying, "How is she these days? When last I was here, she still hadn't quite recovered from that wound of hers. Is it any better?" Truly, he hadn't yet seen Rihanne, who'd come in last night while he'd been asleep, and gone out the same way this morning, but her shoulder had not, in fact, healed. It was still the same stiff thing that ever it was since the last battle, and when it grew cold or wet, it bothered her some, though she tried her best not to let anyone, particularly Martha, know about it.

Martha & Timber

The smile won by Tahmores return jest was dampened a little by the subject that was brought up, "She does good most of the time, but that shoulder of hers gets to acting up when the weather turns." Martha frowned thoughtfully, shifting Raimi a little to a more comfortable position as she started to pour the batter into the waiting skillet, and prepare the eggs, "Which reminds me; I need to stop by the vet later today and pick up some medication." As well as Rihanne tried to hide it, Martha had a keen eye for canines, and the subtle show of pain that she occasionally caught the mix-breed showing bothered the woman considerably. "We're suppose to be getting a nasty storm by the end of the week from the sound of it, and I ordered some pain pills to see if they would help her discomfort any."

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Just as she was mentioned, the canine in question meandered in the door, putting forth the needed effort to make her steps smooth as she came into the room. Her stump of tail wagged a little to greet Tahmores, but though she liked the boy very much and accepted his presence, she had never really been physically affectionate with him. No, she moved up gently beside Martha, giving her a tiny scrub of the copper head for a greeting, though softly so as not to tumble the woman, who was already precariously perched what with cooking and holding onto the toddler. That done, she moved over to her bed, the one she'd slept on since she'd been a pup, just newcome to the Ranch. She filled it up now with her bulk as she shifted her weight awkwardly down to her stomach, her bad leg turned out to one side. But not a whimper escaped her, not a crease of pain showed on her face. She was a good actress.

But Tahmores noticed it, and he knew well enough that Martha was a perceptive woman. He was sure that she saw what her guardian was trying to repress, and his eyes followed the pit-mix as she settled. But after a moment, he attempted to lighten the mood. "A loyal defender, these... ye gods, Hernes... two years. I have lived here two years next... next month. That means... haha! Oh my!" That brought a laugh out of him and, miracle of miracles, it was a human laugh, not one of his warbling yips.

Martha & Timber

The scent of frying batter and eggs grew thick in the kitchen as Martha put the last of the food on the skillet, and was tending to it with a spatula. "Well hello there, Rihanne." With her hands full, the woman greeted the canine with her warm voice and a sweet smile, rather than the usual touches. "Yes, she's one of the most loyal companions I've had. She reminds me so much of little Elsa." This was said with a thoughtful smile of rememberance for the tiny sister of Timber's who'd been the only one of the litter to become the sort of house pet that Rihanne was now.

Turning her attention briefly away from the simmering food, Martha turned a curious look to Tahmores, "Two years? My, it seems like you lived here all your life! But tell me, what does this occassion mean then?"

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Tahmores was still fighting down chuckles, nodding understanding to Martha's comments as he did so, but still lost in incredulity. When she questioned him about it, he turned a smiling face to her. "The event itself means only that I have had a happy home for two years. But it reminds me also that for the first time, I am actually legally allowed to live here." That had been one of Mark's main concerns upon Tah's first arrival at the Ranch, the the teen was underage and thus could at any moment be seized by the authorities and they themselves punished.

But now, indirectly, he was saying the thing that his mind was still trying to wrap itself around: he was 18, and thus a recognized adult, and he hadn't even noticed! That was what had him laughing as he said these things to Martha.

Martha & Timber

Flipping the various food stuffs over to finish their cooking, Martha again devoted her attention on Tah, boasting another wry smile when she too realized the significance of this, "I think this calls for a celebration, then. Oh, and though I don't ever picture you taking to driving-" The image spawned by this brought a short bouth of laughter from her before she went on, "-you can have John take you into town to get a liscence sometime." When the food was cooked through and through, Martha retrieved a set of plates and began to scoop out generous piles of both pancakes and eggs, before carting them to the table.

Two black paws perched themselves on the edge of the kitchen window, while an equally dark face peered into the screen. Deciding that all was quiet and safe around the Ranch at the moment, Timber let his nose lead him to the delicious scents wafting from the house.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

That also won a chuckle out of the teen, who moved to help Martha move all the things onto the table, saying, "Better cars than horses, Martha... they stand so high." He'd always been a little fearful of heights, as he had of close spaces, and he was sure Martha would remember this. There was no question that Tahmores' most preferred method of transportation would always be his own two feet.

But his eyes turned away from Martha and the food as a light cooing reached him. "Doggy... doggy doggy doggy..." For the first time since arriving at the ranch the night before, there was a small smile on Raimi's face as he met eyes with the sleek ebony muzzle and chocolately eyes peering at him through the kitchen window, and the boy cooed to express his contentment.

Martha & Timber

"I'd be happy enough if you'd take neither, tell you the truth." She quipped back pleasantly, knowing just as well how he liked to travel, and being more than content with that. "I swear, boys and vehicles; they just scare the bejeebies out of me, they way they drive sometimes. And that Nass, goodness knows, is too easily spooked. No, you keep right on walking from place to place, and I'm fine with that." Martha stated soundly, playing the 'worried mother' bit as she dished out more than enough food onto Tah's plate, and set about cutting up bite-sized peices for Raimi.

Though it was obscured from view, the collie's tail swayed back and forth when the youngster looked his way and spoke, and he driven to prop a clawed paw onto the screen, doing his best to garnish attention from the three humans.

"Yes, that's a doggy. Timber; and he's being a naughty boy right now." A slight change in her voice and a stern look to the collie was enough to make him remove his paw from the screen, even though it was already marred up from previous such displays.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Already tucking into the food with a will, Tahmores nodded to Martha's words, making sure to swallow completely before he said, "I have to agree with you, there. At least on my own feet, I always know exactly what they are going to do. No surprises."

"Tiiiim-ber." The toddler tried the name out carefully, concentration marking his face as he looked the collie over, linking the name to the dog in his mind and grinning. "Timbeeeerrr!" His repetition of the name now sounded like an overzealous lumberjack, bringing another chuckle from Tahmores and forcing him to place a hand over his mouth to stop himself from spitting the food everywhere.

And, outside in the early morning light, Conan was making his way slowly through the woods, looking behind him every few seconds as if expecting to see someone tailing him, but never spying anyone. He told himself that it was sheer nervousness and guilt over what he'd done that made him do this as he crept ever closer to the house, but it did not make it any easier not to do so.

Martha & Timber

The little boy's words required a good deal of restrained on Martha's part as well to keep her mirth restrained somewhat. "Haha, you've got that down." She chuckled, taking little notice of Timber's sudden disappearance as she stabbed at a bit of pancake and offered it to the boy.

Over the mouthwatering odors of eggs and sweet pancakes, the scent of Conan was swept to Timber on the wind. He had seen the boy here before, of course, but he was not a familar presence and this demanded investigation. Leaving his position at the window, the ebony collie sprinting almost soundless around the yard until he spotted the older red-head making his way towards the house. The posture in which the teen moved spoke to Timber and many levels, as did the faint, acrid stench of gunpowder and the very fainted wiff of blood from where the close-ranged shots had misted onto the boy just as the gun powder had.

Timber gave one low, gruff bark to Conan, before trailing him closely as he moved towards the home.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

As the younger of the brothers was inside, now happily eating the pancakes Martha was feeding him, the new smile remaining in place with his attention momentarily distracted, Conan was a little startled to be confronted by Timber. This showed in that he froze for a second, as if expecting the dog to attack, before he seemed to understand that the collie merely meant to warn him to watch himself.

Once he understood that, Conan relaxed a little bit, though having some experience working with animals under Aralyn's tutelege, he knew better than to meet the dog's eyes or offer a nervous smile. Those things were both threats. Instead, he merely moved along at the same slow pace, careful not to make any sudden moves that he might percieve as threatening as he moved out of the trees and toward the house.

However, he was greeted in a less-than-friendly manner. No sooner had he set foot out on the lawn when a shrieking bundle of feathers dove into his face, landing a good swipe down his right cheek before he managed to get his arms up to defend himself.

Elderwild hadn't seen Conan drop his brother off yesterday, and the scent of blood and gunpowder, even to her lesser olfactory system, drove her to attack him. The relative peace of the morning was interrupted as Ravenwing came out of the trees in a hurry, leveling a bow at the stranger as he gave the high-pitched shriek that would call the raptor off, then speaking in his halting, thickly accented English. "What want you?"

Martha & Timber

Trailing him all the way to the door, Timber stood a few feet off in a ridgid posture, making no move when Elderwild attacked or when Ravenwing came forth to question the teen. "He has the gun smell on him, and someone else's blood." The collie stated slowly, building up a platform for his next words to the goshawk, "I don't scent any others on the wind, but keep your eyes sharp."

The gruff, low bark of Timber had made Martha drop into momentary silence as she continued to feed the boy, listening keenly for any other sound that would dictate whether she went on with breakfast or scrambled for the shotgun. Neither of these things were done when the raptor's shriek hit the air, followed shortly by a familiar voice outside.

Setting down the utensil, Martha stood and held Raimi close as she moved towards the door. She tried to give the teen a smile in greeting, but the fact that his presence meant Raimi was soon leaving didn't hold much room for her to be joyful at his return. "It's alright, Ravenwing. This is Raimi's brother." She informed lightly, keeping a composed facade as she tried to clear up with situation.

Timber didn't ease up one bit when Martha arrived. She was clearly not happy, and by the tightness in her face and her poised stance, he could read that she was almost guarded and apprehensive about something.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Also hearing Raven's voice outside, Tahmores had gotten to his feet and joined what was already the parade to the front of the house. Elderwild's shriek had alerted Brother, who was instantly on his feet and out the door, pulling up a little ways from Timber and keeping his eyes peeled on the teen held so motionlessly in Ravenwing's sights.

Rihanne also moved out the door, though as per her usual she put herself between Martha and the stranger. She'd seen the teen dropping off his brother, but that didn't mean he could be trusted around her mistress.

And Tahmores was preparing to translate Martha's words to the older warrior, but his bow lowered as the woman spoke, indicating that the man had understood on his own. His spoken English was awkward at best, but his understood volumes were growing by leaps and bounds.

When the short fellow with the arrow relented, Conan's fingers moved up to speak. Tahmores, despite his lineage, didn't understand sign language, but when he'd finished, a voice made it obvious that someone did. "He say... thank for eye small brother." That was Raven's halting translation of the sign as Raimi joyfully began his usual, "Ras-Ras-Ras-Ras-Ras..." and leaned forward to emphasize to Martha that he wanted to go see his brother.

But Tahmores sensed his mother's discomfort, and moved up beside her to offer a one-armed embrace. He knew that she'd been enjoying the time spent with Raimi, and was just as sorry to see her hurting about his leaving as she was to see the child go.

Martha & Timber

Soundlesly taking comfort in the offered embrace, Martha picked out the words of gratitude that were translated, more or less, by Ravenwing, and which she took as meaning 'Thank you for watching my little brother'. A slight nod was offered to the older Indian before she reluctantly gave in to the toddler's wishes. "It was a pleasure watching him." She said, this time mustering a half-hearted smile as she shifted the little boy in her grip and moved to hand him off to Conan, "If you ever need someone to watch him again, I would love to." This was added with a bit of hopefullness that she couldn't quite keep out of her voice.

Timber remained vigilent, scrutinizing every little movement and listening to the tones used. He was slightly baffled at what was going on, but he was at least contented in the idea that there was no hostility or violence happening, even if his master didn't seem particularly happy about it all.

Tahmores*Elder Brother

Conan offered Martha what might have been the beginnings of a smile as he took Raimi from her and balanced the toddler on his hip like an old pro, displaying keen expertise in holding on as the toddler wriggled and squirmed excitedly, never losing his grip. He nodded to indicate that if he ever needed the boy sat for again, he would make use of her services.

And Tahmores spoke. "And if you ever need anything, you know how to find me. Whatever you need." His words were soft and genuine as Brother moved up closer to him and scrubbed his muzzle along the teen's leg, making him scratch the ears absently. Rihanne was also as attentive to Martha, now moving to her habitual place against the woman's thigh since the boy's weight no longer influenced her balance. "Feel free to come back any time you like," Tah invited, his keen green eyes resting on the quiet face of the troubled teen. "We can always use the company."

And, after a moment, Conan offered a strained couple of words. "I-'ll... rem'm'er tha-a'." And though they were slurred and mangled at best, Tahmores understood them. And the red-head offered one last smile before he turned to head away from them, moving back toward the trees.

It was only after he was sure that the teen was out of earshot that he attempted to make up for the crimson-haired boy's abruptness, "You'll have to excuse him. Conan's... got some issues."

Martha & Timber

Listening through the brief curtesies and conversation, Martha brought a little more of a smile to her face when the boy managed to bring forth three struggled words. She remained silent until Tahmores spoke, to which she responded lightly, "I only hope that he gets them sorted out, for his sake and this brother's both." She was dying to know just was these 'issues' were, but did not dare pry into the boy's private life.

Relaxing his posture a little, Timber gave his head a good shake, as if to fling away the tension that had been riding in his neck and stiffened legs. Now he was calm and loose again, tail hanging idly while his dark ears perked at the sounds of the humans' voices. "Humans; sometimes I wish they spoke our language." He mused outloud.