Fordpaw's Journal - 1

Shipwreck + One Season


Kertouin said his first word today!

He has known me from the beginning—he watches everybeast come and go with interest, but whenever I enter the room his face always brightens.

Today, though, was different.

I had come from the kitchen, bringing Kertouin his meal; although nearly weaned off of his mixture of honeydew and coconut milk, I still give it to him on afternoons to help him settle down for a nap.

Even before I came back to the infirmary, I heard Kertouin giggling along with Sunstar (whom I had left with him while I was out). I smiled as I made my way to the door. As I entered, three headsd turned to see me—Kertouin and Sunstar, obviously, and also Raia, who had graciously agreed to watch them while I ran my errand.

“Hi Fo’paw!” Sunstar said, waving a tiny paw at me. Kertouin looked straight at me, his scar wrinkling as a smile overtook his face.
“Mum!”

I nearly dropped my mug; Mum? He had called me “Mum”!

“Aw, Raid said from her chair. “That is precious!”

I didn’t really hear her; I watched Kertouin crawl to me, his too-large tail dragging behind him like a silver blanket. He babbled in his baby-talk as he came to me, but when he reached me he pushed himself into a sitting position and stretched his arms out in front of him.

“Mum!” he said again. I picked him up and held the mug to his lips, quietly watching him as he drank from it.

I fear that I shall wear everybeast in the mountain out before I tire of showing off Kertouin! Fortunately, though, he seems to enjoy the attention, giggling at the surprised gasps that follow his newfound speech.

~Fordpaw Tussock