la jeune fille marquée (birthing); Gryffen & Leck

[Leck]

Despite his defiance, Leck began to tire. His snarls grew weaker, and soon all he could do was stand quietly, a look of hostility on his face. It is this quiet that allowed him to begin to understand the shapes. They made nosies, they moved. Finally, Leck understood they were communicating. Rumbling to each other in turn.

And the spots on their faces, those were eyes, and they were looking at him.

The first shape, it seemed to coo, and it didn’t approach him. Leck decided it was harmless. For all his earlier screeching, he was no longer afraid of it. The other shape Leck wasn’t so sure of. It approached him, authority radiating from it. It touched him, and Leck summoned the last of his strength to strike, lashing out at it like a viper.

He knew at once that was a mistake, though he hid the knowledge well. His stomach roiled, and he pulled his lips back to hiss, but the sound died on his tongue. Something about the shape cooled the colt's rage, told him that this was not a situation he could control. This shape wouldn’t coo at him, this shape would make decisions, and Leck wouldn't be able to stop it. Resentfully, twisting away from its touch, Leck allowed himself to be shepherded forward. After all, he already decided that shape was harmless.

Hungry, the shape had said. Was that the pain in his belly? Mother, he had called the harmless one. Mother could ease the hunger. Once Leck allowed the fog of rage to fade, his instincts kicked in, and with no further urging, he fell upon Mother, drinking greedily.

The huger was ferocious, and stating it was like petting the beast. Leck felt his strength mount. The colt grinned, and bit down hard on the teat, eager for more, more food, more strength. Slowly, he was becoming aware of the words being spoken around him. He knows Mother now, she provides food. And he knows Red Eye, he gives commands. For now he needed them. He needed Mother for food, and Red Eye to protect him. Leck has realized that his own pitiful strength was underdeveloped, it was not enough to protect himself. He needed both of them, Mother and Red Eye, at least for now.

Leck released Mother when he could eat no more. He didn’t know how to speak, so he communicated in the only way he knew. He snarled, and ground his teeth. Soon, very soon, he would not need them. But, for now he smiled. For now he must make them love him. If they loved him they would protect him and feed him.