[SFW] Squirrelly Days #022 - Wafit
#22 of Squirrely Days
After confusing Teran to take a much needed nap, Wafit made his way back to the main common, where he unsurprisingly found Reteh and Lina helping Chyla clean.
```
Wafit: Is there anything left to clean?
Chyla: I hope not. I think once we get the last bit of polishing done, everything will be finished, finally. I've been cleaning non-stop for hours. I don't think I've ever been so sore in my life.
Wafit: You learn your lesson?
Chyla: I learned that the moment I rolled Ki-su over and realized I knew absolutely nothing. All I did by rushing to him was cause real help to have to stop and calm me down before she could help him... That and the whole not abandoning the person you're supposed to be protecting thing... I still have mixed feelings about that, though. I know I'm supposed to not prioritize fellow rammu, but calmly watching your family die is not something I was prepared for...
Wafit: *somber* Me either... It's not something I thought about when signing up to be a rammu either, since I wasn't expecting to be accepted there was a lot of things I didn't consider, and to be honest I'm glad I didn't, because they would have scared me away. I'm not going to lie and say I'm anything less than terrified about losing those I care about, but I'm grateful to have a chance to know, protect, and cherish those I have gained from becoming a rammu. Speaking of where's Yi-su, isn't she supposed to be helping?
Lina: Jsha, especially since helping was her idea! *stunned* Nee-nee-neet that I mind helping at all. *awkward laughter*
```
Turning at the sound of the door opening, Wafit watched as a ragged Yineh walked in and collapsed on the couch.
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Lina: Wh-what happened to you?
Wafit: Take note of the scent.
Lina: *sniffing* *blushing heavily* Oh~ *epiphanic* H-hey! You were supposed to be checking on Ki--then helping!
Yineh: I went to check in on Ki-su, but Viv didn't want me coming in, so I went looking for answers elsewhere. After getting my answers, I got a little distracted. Anyway, give me a couple minutes to rest, then I'll do the rest of the cleaning myself to make it up to you guys.
Chyla: In a couple minutes, we'll be done, and hopefully asleep.
Yineh: Alright, I'll make it up to y'all tomorrow in spades. *perverted smile*
Lina: *pouting* Nee thank you.
Yineh: Awe~ come on, Li-li don't be mad... Okay-okay I'll make it extra up to y'all.
Lina: *coy* If you want to make it up to--me, then you'll have to agree to not interrupt me and Vi-su for the next phase.
Yineh: *disgruntled* Fine~ I deserve that. I should have at least came back to let y'all know I wasn't going to be back for a while. And how about the rest of you?
Reteh: Next ti-
```
Turning his head back towards the door Wafit stared in disbelief as a large black, cinnamon and rust-colored shelabara, a type of medium-sized bear named for their shellier multicolored fur patterns, wearing a rather large green satchel made its way into the common, bowed to them, then proceeded to sit down on a pair of the largest cushions in the room and gesture wantingly at an empty teapot.
```
Yineh: *unamused* Okay~ maybe I had a little too much fun tonight, because I'd swear to the watcher a shelabara just waltzed in and is now trying to get tea... and there are several important reasons why that's impossible.
Shelabara: *wishful whimpering*
Yineh: Okay-okay, I'll get my hallucination some tea...
```
Wafit watched as Yineh rolled off the couch, grabbed a full teapot from the kitchen, then sat a bowl in front of the shelabara and filled it.
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Yineh: Alright, I'm going to sleep. I'll catch everybody in the morning.
Reteh: Yi~su, I don't think you're hallucinating...
Yineh: Oh come on, Re-re, there's no way a shelabara is actually in the common sipping tea. If you're seeing it too then maybe y'all used the wrong oil for polishing.
Chyla: Sh-should someone g-go get help?
```
Hearing the door open again, Wafit looked back towards it to see an unfamiliar, burly, dark brown furred elderly female wearing nothing more than light brown fur paint done in a shelabara fur pattern.
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Acia: I'm Acia, my Amaru is named Kenta. However, he only responds well to Ken-ru as the concept of multiple names is rather confusing to shelabara.
Chyla: Acia... You're Teran's mother!?
Acia: Yes-yes, and I have come for my son, though he's asleep, or rather exhausted from cleansing his spirit. Therefore, I've decided to rest a moment while I wait for him to awake. *displeased scowl* Who is responsible for cleaning this place!? Have they never cleaned before in their lives!?
Chyla: *stunned* Wh-what!? I just spent the past umpteen hours cleaning and you're going to insult my work after looking at it for a few seconds?
Acia: A few seconds is all that's needed to see the plethora of mistakes and ill choices made. You are at this very moment using the wrong oil to polish redwood. If you were my child or rammu-jhu I would make you start from the beginning and clean this place proper before bed as punishment for clearly not seeking assistance when it was in dire need.
Chyla: *annoyed twitching* Now see here, I know what I'm doing. *gulp*
Acia: *fierce gaze* *cracked smile* Let me guess, you're being punished for believing you know better than your elders?
Chyla: *nervous utterance*
Acia: You should all remember that you're young. You'll make--many mistakes. Take the time to put your own ego aside and listen to your elders and perhaps you'll make fewer mistakes you'll regret later in life.
Chyla: *hesitant* *groan* Would you please go over my cleaning mistakes with me, Acia-mu.
Acia: *cracked smile* Call me Acia, or if you're feeling extra friendly A-su. That said, you'll have to ask someone else, as your mistakes are too numerous and I need time to rest.
```
Wafit poured Acia a cup of tea as she sat next to Kenta.
```
Acia: Thank you, Wafit.
Wafit: Y-you know my name?
Acia: And your scent. It's been on Teran every time he's visited me for the past few cycles. I've been meaning to come and visit, to see the young lad that my son has grown to adore, but the forest has been busy, and I along with it. Truly, I shouldn't even be here now, but, alas, the world doesn't always bend to the forest.
Wafit: If I may, why are you here?
Acia: To fetch my son. I'm afraid that's all I can share of the matter.
Wafit: Are you aware of what's going on at the border? We're rather understaffed at the moment. I'm not sure Enky-su will allow Te-su to leave with you.
Acia: I am, likely more so than yourself. I'm sure you'll find ways to manage without him. As for little Enky, it seems we'll be dealing with that now.
```
Hearing a sound beside him, Wafit turned to see Enkoro sitting down at the table.
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Enkoro: It has been quite a while A-su. I see Kenta is well.
Acia: He is, though he goes by Ken-ru now.
Enkoro: I see, and how are Ed-ru and Beu-ru?
Acia: They're both well and near. You know how Ed-ru is around strangers, and Beu-ru likes to keep his paws on the ground.
Chyla: Ed-ru and Beu-ru? Are they also shelabara?
Acia: *chuckling* No, Ed-ru is a snow-white starwing, which are fairly large birds if you don't know what that is, and Beu-ru is a muddy brown colored bush stalker, which I would hope you know what are.
Lina: Those are the funny-looking canines with the big round ears, right?
Acia: Correct. I'm surprised you know of them being from Tarico.
Lina: How'd you know I was from Tarico?
Acia: Your scent gives you away. One is a byproduct of their home, after all. Given enough time, you'll smell of Ankarok, though it'll take a great many cycles.
Enkoro: *clearing throat*
Acia: Always straight to business, little Enky.
Enkoro: Your timing could hardly be much worse. Teran is needed to watch over Moring at the moment.
Acia: If that is all he is tasked with doing, then there is no question about it. He'll be coming with me. The little pre-apprentice will be fine under even trainee care, I'm sure. As surely the elders are not allowing her to venture beyond the green zone.
Enkoro: They certainly are not, but-
Acia: But nothing. I will be taking my son.
Enkoro: Would you be so kind as to at least tell me why?
Acia: I don't believe that would be wise.
Enkoro: How so?
Acia: If you were to know, then you would surely overreact. You still have a long ways to grow little Enky. You may be walking in Bora's footsteps now, but it isn't your path to follow.
Enkoro: *disapproving glare* You mean path to follow--yet.
Acia: *knowing smile* Do not wish ill on your friend's little Enky.
Enkoro: I didn't mean...
Acia: *disapproving glare*
Enkoro: I refuse to accept that I have lost to Mirra until the day she takes Bora's post. I do not wish Mirra ill, but I do believe I can surpass her.
Acia: *concerned* Do you--truly?
Enkoro: *somber* I want to... *defeated sigh* I apologize, you are correct. *pained* I will recognize the immense amount of trust Bora has placed in you over the decades, and you're many honors and trust that you are doing what you believe is best for us all.
Acia: Thank you little Enky. Though it may not ease your pain, I do believe that you are a necessary counterweight for Mirra-su. She will make a grand leader someday, because she will have you by her side, just as Bora-su had me by his.
Enkoro: Do you require any supplies?
Acia: I hope not, but since you're offering, I'll take a medical set and hope that it will be nothing more than dead weight.
Enkoro: That is a concerning statement, but please take anything that you feel may be of help to you. The rest of you should turn in for the night. It seems I will be requiring more assistance from you all than I would like... How long are you going to be taking Teran for?
Acia: *thoughtful hum* At least four days, I would imagine. Though you should plan on double that.
Enkoro: *concerned* I see...
Chyla: So~ is my punishment done or am I really going to have to re-clean this entire place again?
Enkoro: It is complete. We shall worry about proper cleaning when we have time.
Chyla: *disgruntled grumbling* Can I visit Ki-su before I turn in?
Enkoro: I would recommend against it. He is sleeping soundly. I think it would be best not to disturb him.
Acia: It was nice meeting you all. I look forward to proper introductions at a later date.
```
Wafit helped put away cleaning supplies, then began walking back to the trainee building with Chyla, Lina, Reteh, and Yineh.
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Yineh: So~ we're totally staying up to spy on them, right?
Chyla: I can barely lift my arms. I'm going to my room and flopping face down on a pillow until someone drags me off it in the morning.
Lina: Nee, I'm not sticking my neeose where it doesn't belong.
Yineh: Wa-su?
Wafit: I'd rather not miss getting to wish Te-su safe travels, especially since it sounded like he'll be doing something dangerous.
Yineh: Awesome~ *excited sigh* We're going to get into so much trouble. *mischievous chuckling*
```