A History of Bygones

      Nose scrunching in displeasure, the small cub turned towards where his parents lounged. Returning his gaze, the cub’s father snorted, staring his own son down. For a minute or two they sat in that very position, neither daring to speak. Only when the mother spoke up did they break eye contact.

      “Athabasca,” she started, voice calm. Slowly she got to her paws, tail swishing out behind her almost idly. “Should you not be training with everyone else?” In response, the cub known as Athabasca merely snorted, turning away to feign ignore. Sighing, his mother approached him silently, cuffing him over the ears. Squeaking in a childlike way, he lifted his paw to rub at his forehead, the discontentment easing slightly.

      “You know I don’t like training with the others, ma.” Dropping his raised paw with a huff, the cub finally turned to peer up at his mother. “Sometimes all they do is fall around my feet and giggle, especially the lionesses. And the others don’t like when they’re fawning over me.”

      A snort emanated from where Atha’s father lay. “Then learn to control your element.” Compared to his mother, Athabasca’s father was quite a bit smaller; leaner, almost seeming frail whenever placed next to his mate. “By your age, I could control the love almost completely. If you were any son of mine, you would be able to do it too.” Eyes narrowing, he glared down his snout at his son, hackles raising. “And that is why–”

      “That’s enough, my dear,” His mother was quick to chastise his father, effectively cutting him off before he could bring in any more complaints. “Our son is our son, regardless of what his abilities are. He can take as much time as he likes, especially when it comes to mastering the elements he has been blessed with.” There was little to no room for any argument, as evident by the stern tone that his mother used. Silently, Athabasca thanked his beautiful warrior of a mother – without her, their family would have long fallen apart.

      That was when his mother turned to Athabasca, sighing through her nose. Despite her apparent frustration, it was clear that she loved her son – and that he loved her in return. “Would you like me to walk you back, my son?”

      “Yes please,” Despite being so close to attaining his adult form, Athabasca’s voice still remained quickly, perhaps the only off-putting trait he still held. Many a time he had heard from others how well he was aging, and how handsome he was growing. They also tended to compare him to his mother, and how he was going to be as gorgeous as she; oh, and he had her eyes.

      Before their departure, and in the moment when his mother wasn’t looking, Athabasca stuck his tongue out of his father, hissing something that he would soon come to regret, “Mom only loves you because you used your element.” Turning as if to appear innocent, and to avoid a lashing from his father, Athabasca pressed into his mother’s side. All as one, his thought descended upon him.

      Pushing the endless string of thoughts to the very back off his mind, the cub and his mother set off towards where the training was still being held. Silence reigned supreme until she had delivered him to the ground, where she affectionately brushed his budding mane of water back with a burst of her own elements. Crouching down to his level, she let a smile spread across her maw. “Show no fear, my Athabasca: show them how ruthless you can be.”