"Raina, we are people just like you. Your Grandfather feared us because he didn't understand us. It is as simple as that. There is no reason for either side to hate the other. It all boils down to power and beliefs. Like the Caravan village, you like the gypsies right?" Kyera asked patiently. Raina nodded slowly seeming a bit confused.
"The Gypsies are all Shifters. They are my home clan, Raina. Remember how we talked about me being a princess of the forest? Those are my people." Kyera explained and Raina seemed surprised.
"I've never seen any of them change…" Raina tried to rebuff but Kyera smiled.
"I know, because it's against the forest laws to change infront of humans. You have seen them in both forms but whatever form you spot them in, they stay unless they can get away to change." Kyera replied. "They hide because they don't want to scare you. Even the children you play with are the same way."
"I don't want my friends to hide from me." Raina spoke softly, and a little sad. Kyera scooped her up, only to have Clovis take her from her.
"Nope. No lifting and squishing the cub." He ordered and Raina nodded quickly, her little sad eyes worried as she looked at Kyera's tummy. The Tigress in Woman form sighed and rolled her eyes.
"We are not made of glass, no reason for either of you to look at me like that." Kyera chided them both and yet the pair frowned. Raina's little face looked disapproving and folded her arms across her chest. Her posture was mirrored her father's expression as both stared at her. Kyera couldn't help but suppress a laugh at the similarities between father and daughter.
"Bed." Clovis ordered and Raina pointed a little hand at the bed across the room. Kyera sighed, without seeing another choice, she climbed into the bed. Clovis walked over and set Raina on the bed, and the child got comfy, watching Kyera expectantly. Her expression seemed to say 'now that you are acting sensible we can proceed.'
"Your friends only hide because you do not know and the blood line that tried to destroy us, and the one that gave us you is one in the same." Kyera explained as delicately as she could. Raina's expression turned to a frown, and quickly to a look as though the child had been wronged.
"But I don't think like he did… why should I be blamed? Why should the baby be blamed?" Raina replied looking saddened and yet ready to defend at the mention of the baby.
"The baby won't be, Raina. That's what I'm trying to explain to your father. We Shifters are half animal spirit, half man. The baby is simply the same." Kyera caressed the child and Raina seemed a bit torn. On one hand she was relieved but on the other she was sad.
Her little mind was focused on the children she loved spending her day with. They feared her… and now she knew why and it didn't feel good.
"Raina, they don't blame you either. They are simply cautious. Just as you have come to cherish them, they have come to cherish you. I don't think they could bare it if their Princess became scared of them. My people fear frightening you. They don't fear you." Kyera tried to explain the difference but found very few ways to do so. Raina seemed to think on it and Clovis finally decided to speak up.
"Raina, that means you have to show them you accept them, just as you accept your Mommy." He pointed out laying haphazardly across the edge of the bed. Raina nodded, her eyes filled with determination.
"I will then… but… will Baby have to fight to be accepted by our people?" Raina asked as she suddenly realized what this all meant. After all, there were less shifters than there were humans. She looked from Kyera to Clovis, who shared a glance at each other. How to answer this child… neither had any ideas.
Before they could try and fumble with an answer, Raina lay day, resting her little face lightly on Kyera's tummy, her right arm wrapped around the baby bump. "Don't worry, Baby. No will will bully you with me here." She whispered kissing the fabric gently. Kyera and Clovis starred, their hearts warm and full of thoughts about their eldest daughter. Clovis joined her on Kyera's other side and snuggled against them both like a back bone.
"And I will protect all of you, My Girls and My baby." Clovis added wrapping his arm across all three. Kyera smiled kissing his cheek, and her hand lightly pet Raina's braid. The three lay together like that for a long while before sleep claimed them. They were a family, and perfect just the way they were, no matter how anyone else felt about them.