Web Earth Online

Zahra looked at him a few seconds, not sure how to answer his question. "Well, um." She started "I guess so, as long as Cuxtal comes too, of course." She said, looking down at Cuxtal. The cub was looking up and both Zahra and La'keem with wide, innocent eyes.

"Of course." His tone implied a silent Duh at the end. Smiling happily, he started heading into slightly thicker foliage, glancing back at them, he paused. "Want me to carry him?" La'keem asked with a soft smile.

Zahra followed La'keem, limping slightly. Cuxtal was at her side, excitedly jumping over foliage. "I'm pretty sure he's fine." Zahra answered when La'keem asked if he should carry Cuxtal. Zahra was starting to have a bit of trouble getting over the foliage, but Cuxtal seemed to be doing fine.

La'keem nodded. He slowly walked around the leafy ferns and stopped as soon as he reached what seened to be a mass of Tree, dead, fallen tree, huge ferns and vines. "we're here." the male announced happily, walking closer and moving the cines aside, and once moved a large horse was presented.The fallen tree had leaned against the other, causing a nice little shelter underneath. The ferns had grown on top the spongy, fallen tree and made it even secluded and kept the heat easier. "Theres a boulder, you cant see it from here but its behind this and it makes it so there's no way someone can get in from the other side. it acts as a wall..."

(A large horse?)

Zahra was amazed as she took in the sight. "Wow, I've never seen quite a place like this" She said, as she wondered if there were more places like this. She was still young, and hasn't really explored much. "It looks well protected" It was then when Cuxtal went barging in, excited about the new place. "Wow! I wanna live here forever!" He said. Zahra quickly Cuxtal a look sort of saying "Don't be rude" and Cuxtal stopped yelling, but continued to run around the place, looking at everything.

(LOL oops I meant hole. Dang auto correct. Btw the 'ceiling' is only 3 ft tall and it dips in some places. Its not, like, huge, but its cool.)

La'keem smiled happily at the cub, watching as he explored. "That corner over there is the... nest thing." he said lightly, nodding towards a corner that had large dried up leaves and ferns. "Since the grounds a little damp, its best to stay on the 'nest' so you don't wake up all uncomfortable. I'll get some uh, dried up leaves so you can make your own nest if your want, or you could use that one." The male approached the opposite corner and looked up. "This part has a ...leak when it rains." Keem murmured softly, seeming lost in thought.

Zahra simply nodded as La'keem talked. She looked at what he was talking about as he explained it, listening closely. It was weird staying at this place, but it was better than the little outcrop she slept in before. "I could get our own stuff for a nest, I already owe you enough for you letting us stay here." Zahra said politely. Though her wound hurt, she didn't want La'keem having to aid her and Cuxtal.

He shook his head. "You're hurt. And obviously tired... I'll get them." Keem smiled sadly and looked at Cuxtal, his smile widening slighly. "Want to come?" He paused, looking at the female. "If thats okay, with your ...mom?"

Zahra felt a bit disappointed, but knew La'keem was right. "Ok," she said, allowing Cuxtal to help gather the dry leaves. Cuxtal then excitedly jumped straight up and ran out, looking for the leaves. "Why am I so helpless?" Zahra mumbled to herself. All because of this wound, it seemed she couldn't do anything right. She sighed and sat down, watching Cuxtal jump around and having fun.

La'kedm frowned softly at her words, but said nothing. He followed the cub out and laughed, looking at the huge bundle that Cuxtal was not carrying. "Thats enough to make three beds!" he teased, smiling as the cub seemed to be tripping over the very ground itself with the weight of the load

Cuxtal quickly leaped onto the pile of leaves. "Look what I got!" He exclaimed, then quickly tried to catch the leaves that went flying when he jumped onto the pile. "Oh no!" he yelled as he tried to catch them. He then tripped and fell on his back, and started laughing. There were leaves flying everywhere around him, now.
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Zahra giggled as she watched Cuxtal outside playing. She completely forgot about how he wasn't her actual cub, and felt really happy til she remembered. She just hoped that Cuxtals real mother wouldn't come someday and want him back. Just the thought made her look away from Cuxtal, feeling sad like he was already took away.

La'keem was still smiling as he shook his head. "Silly." he murmured, then glanced over at Zahra. His smile faded as he saw her pained expression. "Whats wrong?" he asked uncertainly. "I mean you don't hve to tell me, but maybe I could help…?"

"Huh? Oh um..." Zahra wasn't sure if she should tell La'keem about what she was thinking about, and she actually still felt lost in thought. She mumbled something to herself, but it didn't sound anything like words. She then finally realized that La'keem was still waiting for an answer. "Well, let's just say..." She stopped, not sure what to say. "I don't want to lose Cuxtal." She whispered to no one in particular.

"I understand." he replied simply, looking at her in the corner of his eye.

La'keem stood and grabbed a mouthful of the palm leaves and headed inside, tail swishing after him.

Zahra suddenly felt really tired, but didn't just want to lay down and go to sleep. That didn't seem right to her. Instead, she stood back up and limped, worse than usual, towards Cuxtal and told him to bring the rest of the leaves inside. She then looked in the distance, seeming to be staring at nothing. But she felt like something was wrong, though she wasn't sure what it was. She stayed there for a few more seconds staring at the distance, then she turned around and looked up at the trees. She wanted to climb on of the trees to get a better view, but with her injury that would make it quite difficult.