22.07.12 . various times . jordheim . various forms
word count 1842

It seemed, to the young Stormbringer, that the past few days had moved as slow as a slug but simultaneously as speedy as a squirrel. Hurtling towards his seven month mark had been the most important thing in Temeraire's young life, no matter how he tried to distract from it. There had been a major distraction however, just a day before he'd turned seven months old. His father had spent the night away from their home and in the morning, Saul and Lilin had returned to Jordheim, wrapped up in each other. Teme could see, even before his fathers demanding, exuberant howl had risen, calling the pack for this little announcement. He could see the shock on some of his families faces, but Teme had remained passive. He liked Lilin even if they spent next to no time together and he'd managed to give his new step mother a kiss on the hand, an acceptance of sorts, before others offered their congratulations. It had, unfortunately, set thoughts into the young boys mind that he would rather not think hard about.


The morning of his seven months had risen grey and dreary, but the youth hadn't allowed it to dampen his spirits. His excitement had carried him through the day and he had been unexpectedly emotional and grateful when his father had set up a quasi-party for him. Teme had spent the day surrounded by his family and very secretly trying to shift. Frustration had caused the young Stormbringer to snap at his father when a hawk had arrived and the letter had been addressed to the Virding, requesting his presence in another pack. He'd been childishly angry at his father, for having to leave just a day after he'd turned seven months. What if he needed him? What if there was something wrong with him and he couldn't shift? The young male had come to terms with his fathers short absence by the time their exchanged their farewells in the morning- Teme had also begrudingly admitted that Lilin and Bran were still here- his dad was taking Niernan with him.


Yesterday had seen Teme trying his best to make his bones shift. Bran had taken pity on him halfway through the day and sought him out. Seeming to compeltely understand his frustration, Bran had calmly sat down and tried to explain the feeling. The feather-light brushes of heat down the spine, sensed for just a few short seconds before the indescribable feeling of ones bones shaking loose, growing, lengthening. Adding in the stretching of the muscles, ligaments, tendons and vessels, as Bran described and Teme had stopped trying. It sounded so painful and complicated- how on earth was he going to make his bones grow and fit into a different shape? He was useless. Bran had attempt to cheer his nephew up and in a roundabout manner, the pair had ended up hunting. Teme had dabbled in stalking prey since he was about five months old, but Bran had attempted to properly teach his nephew about strategies in hunting.


The excitement of that day had been his father and Uncle returning. Temeraire had been excited when he'd spotted the pair, accompanied by a large chestnut mare and two foals. That must have been the surprise that had been alluded to in the letter. They had been bought into Jordheim before taken to the stables and it had been here that Saul had made his announcement to his son. He still remembered his fathers words- "Temeraire, you are seven months old now and you'll be shifting soon. I have a gift for you" His father had paused, before bringing Maia and therefore the filly attached to her side as well. "This filly is yours, to name, to train and to raise." He had given a gasp, the air choking up in his throat as he'd looked to his father and then to the dark foal by the mares side.


He's gushed over his thanks and Saul had allowed Teme to approach the foal. It was difficult to really see how he was meant to train her when he was shorter than her, but he supposed once he was one two legs it would be easier. It had taken him just a few seconds, gazing at the dirty copper of the foals coat before a name popped into his head. "Helexia" He'd answered, before looking nervously up to his father for confirmation that he'd made a good decision. Saul's answering grin was reassuring, before he explained that him and Niernan were going to settle Maia and the foals into the stable. Night had descended, so Teme had decided it was a fair judgement, before returning to the house unable to keep the grin off his face.


The morning was bright and it was this that awoke him. With a groan, Temeraire threw an arm over his eyes, hands clenching slightly to wake himself. Long limbs were stretched out across his bed, his head hanging over the edge. With another startled breath, he sat up, bringing knees up so that he sat cross legged on his bed, hands running over his face. Perhaps it was because there was no hesitation in his movements, no strangeness in his limbs that made him unresponsive at first. Sleep clouded his vision, before the wriggling of his toes caused his eyes to flash wide open. He had hands! And foot paws... and a torso, hips, a pink thing between his legs. With a gasp, Teme made to cover himself, confusion at what on earth that was making him frown.


With a wondering chuckle, he'd rolled out of bed, hitting the floor on two paws. For a moment, he was imbalanced and he wobbled, pitching forward to place his hands on the floor. Another laugh escaped him and he absently noted his voice was deeper. His tail wagged behind him and he twisted his torso to look at the long, fluffy appendage. He was certain his tail had still looked like it had always done yesterday- scraggly and under-developed. "DAD!" Teme had shouted, before moving through his open door and into the hall. Banging on his fathers door, he realised his mistake- Saul was an early riser and was likely sweeping the borders.


Without warning his bum hit the floor as he sat down, unaware of how far from the ground he was. He grunted, before looking at black hands in wonder. A bubbling laugh boiled to his lips until he was laughing so hard he'd curled his arms around his knees, tears welling in his eyes. He'd finally done it, he was on two legs! This was how Saul found his son as he'd walked through the door and the two had celebrated with a manly hug. The dark Stormbringer explained how he'd awoke to being on two legs, before embarrassingly reteling about the pink thing between his legs.


His fathers response shocked the boy. It seemed his father thought it would be a good idea to deliver the news about penis', vagina's and sex in one foul swoop and it left Teme shuddering. He was never going to do that with anyone, he told himself vehemently. His father had been surprisingly unflustered or nervous about the conversation and gave his son the facts- he could make of them what he wished. What the grey male didn't expect, in a million years, was Temeraire's response to Saul's revelation on sex. "Is that what you and Lilin did, the other day?" He'd demanded, watching the comfort drain from his fathers face and posture. He'd waited, blue eyes uncomfortable as his father had given a silent nod, to which Temeraire squealed like a girl and made gagging noises. "That is disgusting!!" He declared, before running out the door.


He ran, surprised at the way he could move in this form. His natural instinct was to run for his Uncles, but his own fathers revelation had caused the male to seek solitude. His Uncles had clearly had sex, they were just as bad! Instead, he found himself moving almost fluidly up into the trees. He'd managed to time it perfectly, leaping into the lower branches before swinging himself higher. Forget clumsiness, it seemed Teme was a natural at this. He climbed higher, putting some distance between himself and the ground, and all those who had had sex. He shuddered as he emerged from the canopy, the breathtaking and totally new sight of the forests of Vinátta stretched out before him. It was breathtaking and for a good while Temeraire was silenced, his thoughts quieted as he'd gazed at his home land.


Somewhere in that silent watch, Teme had come to the conclusion that he never wanted to hear his father and Lilin doing it. He'd been unable to stop the shudders rushing through him when he thought about it, doubling over to stop the heaving. He was an intelligent boy and since his fathers revelation and subsequent dump of knowledge, Temeraire understood that his father and Lilin would want to spend a lot of time together. They might even want to move in with each other, which would be a little uncomfortable. And with that realisation, he'd come to the conclusion that he couldn't ask his father to take his... business elsewhere. He decided that it was time to move out. He knew there were many houses still unclaimed and once he'd made this decision, excitement washed over him. He would be out on his own, being grown up.


Temeraire had never been a dependant child- sure he knew how to manipulate his family and he'd had his fair share of whining about various things, but he'd never felt the need to be babied by any of them. The thought of living on his own caused no fear in him, it was excitement that coursed through him as he'd extracted himself from the tree. Several hours had passed and it was late afternoon by the time he'd tracked his father down and explained what he wanted and why, even if it was uncomfortable to say it. Saul had looked at his son for a long moment, before giving a swift nod. "I want you to be happy, Teme... you're free to live wherever you please and you have my blessing to do as you wish. But you better not stay away." Saul had warned, before flashing him a toothy grin and grabbing him in a one armed hug. Teme had been embarrassed by his father's sentiment and he'd ducked out of the house, on the hunt.


Darkness was just settling over his home when he opened the door to a modest house not too far away from his fathers. He knew Lilin was close by and he was certain he was almost diagonally opposite from Colibri. Stepping in, the young male looked around, taking in the bare but clean space. Feeling a grin slip over his lips, Teme took a deep breath, exhaling with a nod. This would be his home.