Acorn Count: 16/265
Characters Depicted:
- Kipper (Mentha-Argentum)
- Nana Flowers (Grimsby Grove)
- Perry Katy (Jelliot21)
- Seelie Hollow (Mine)
Word Count: 580
Event Prompt: The Den Mother Experience
The call had come up from Willow Valley, traversing its way up the rivers and the Elder Tree’s waterfalls, winding its way through the branches and into the heartwood of Grimsby Grove. The news then exploded back outward, a light on the horizon.
The Den calls for aid.
Seelie, already in the Den, found the metaphorical horn call exhausting. They could’ve just sent a polite note instead of all this mess. But still, Seelie was a Keeper, and they answered the call– especially once they learned it came from Den Mama Nana.
“I believed you’d banned me from interacting with– and I quote, ‘anyone young enough that those horrific stories could become a formative life experience,’” Seelie sighed, cocking their head in curiosity. And honesty, they were a bit miffed at the mistrust in the caretaker's eyes– that was one time, years ago.
Nana’s eyes narrowed, looking remarkably professional for someone with three kits crawling over her like bugterria. “You still are– don’t push it. But we need all paws on deck.”
Seelie paused, looking Nana over before nodding.
“Very well– the village will lend you our aid. We have many nimble paws and open hearts,” Seelie replied, and after a pause at Nana’s still uncomfortable grimace, they continued. “Plus, a supply of chew toys.”
All hesitation melted off Nana’s face with the purest expression of relief Seelie had ever seen. “Oh, thank the Charloton– you’re in.”
That was how Seelie found themself in a sea of feral kits, swaddling one while dodging bites from three others. But, this was a typical day in the life of a Caretaker if dialled up to eleven. Yes, one kit just kept chittering, but Seelie quickly found the feral kits were fascinated by the bells jingling on Seelie’s clothes.
So with a distraction tool found, Seelie quickly got through their share of the kits, keeping the others calm with a jingle and swish of their newly belled-up tail. They attracted a small crowd, which made the assembly line of swaddle, feed, & set down for nap much easier.
Until Seelie spotted a kit that caught their attention.
They were just as fascinated by the bells as all the other kits, but as the others stared up or tried to bat at them, this kit fumbled. They tried to investigate the jingling noise but–
With their eyes closed, their swipe went wide, and they faceplanted on the floor instead.
“Oh, honey,” Seelie whispered, swooping up the little kit. While Seelie usually worked with older kits, something about this little one called to them. Their music wasn’t really developed yet, but maybe?
The kit’s eyes flicked open before quickly squeezing them shut again with a pained hiss.
“Oh, honey,” Seelie whispered again, holding the little one close to their chest. “Here– does this help?”
After a shuffle of fabric, the kit’s eyes opened again with curiosity, blinking in the sudden shade as Seelie lifted her cloak over the kit’s head, blocking out the flickering light of the Den. The kit blinked again before their face lit up in a gummy smile.
“There we are– welcome to the Den, little keepling.”
“Kipper, actually,” Nana interjected, though with a soft smile, even as that one kit in her grasp kept chittering. “But other than that– you’ve got this caretaking down pat.”
“I’m a Keeper, not a Caretaker,” Seelie scoffed, though they couldn’t keep the smile off their face. “But very well– welcome to the den, little keepling Kipper.”
!!!!! im just, fewbjvhewvhfjewfvhjewvjfewf THIS IS SO CUTE????
I love this so much i!! <333 can't stop flapping my hands this makes me so happy!!!