His mind was focused on other things as he went about his daily tasks, never really fully attentive to the work at hand. The book on his lap was open with charcoal staining the somewhat clean pages, a dulling pencil between two black fingers as he tried to detail more of the clan's procedures for certain events. Today, it was Rast. The day before, it had been mateship rites, something he expected he wouldn't have to go through again -- perhaps not of his own choice, but because his sole possibility was a free woman he wouldn't want to tie down. A heavy sigh was drawn from his jaws, red eyes closing while the book was tossed to the side, allowing the bulky Tuyul to stand and make his way from the den he shared with his two children. Hands rubbed at red eyes, feet carrying him somewhere he had no true control over.
The sunlight made him cringe. Emerging from the caves was always a feat, for he prefered the cool air underground to the summer's heat up top, but something far deep in his chest told him to follow some invisible path from his home to the sandy shoreline. It only took a moment for him to realize why -- on the late summer air, he caught the scent of four familiar faces: Naniko, and the three boys he had taken under his wing despite less-than-ideal parentage. From the distance, for a moment, he watched as the Queen stepped closer to the tide pools, followed by the light white D'Angelo with red eyes. Though he felt undeniable jealousy over the whole subject, he couldn't help but smile -- they were growing quickly, and under he and Naniko, they would be worthwhile.
A few long strides brought him ever closer, stepping around the slate-shaded boy and his clear-fathered brother to make his way to Naniko. "Careful, Naniko -- their curiosity might get them into trouble, and I don't swim very well to help them." He didn't swim at all, really, not having the patience for the water past his hips.
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