When she rejoined her father, Alena was left greatly curious about the boy and thought perhaps her father would have some answers.
"Daddy, why did that boy not have ears nor a tail like ours?" she asked.
Surprisingly enough, her father hadn't noticed these finer details, as he was struck with such awe just by the change itself. However, his daughter's question altered the direction of his thoughts altogether.
"Surely that boy can't be human," he muttered to himself in surprise.
With her keen hearing though, Alena's cat-like ears perked up, as she heard the quietly spoken words.
"Human?" Alena repeated curiously, "What is a human?"
When Alena asked about this subject, Sem smiled and placed his hand atop his daughter's head.
"Oh don't you concern yourself with that now my dear. You'll learn all about the human kind soon enough; that's a promise."
Sem ruffles little Alena's hair as he continues his response, "After all, I do believe someone has a birthday tomorrow."
In this instance, Alena had giggled before her father Sem lifted his hand away.
"Now my dear, let's get back home. Your mother and I have much to discuss," Sem said to his daughter warmly.
As Sem, Alena and Elijah made their way through the village, many of the villagers gave pleasant greetings, welcoming Sem back from his hunt. It wasn't long before the three of them came up to a cozy, stone cabin, which had a chimney coming off a straw battered roof. On this particular cabin could be seen many vining plants climbing its stoney walls like a trellis.
Elijah, who typically liked high places, lept onto the roof while Sem and Alena made their way inside. Upon entering their home, Tatalia, who was wearing a nice sundress, was already approaching the door to greet them.
"Welcome home!" she greeted, as a pleasant thrill could be heard in her voice.
Alena's parents embraced each other, gracing one another with a gentle kiss. It had been a few days since they last came into contact, as Sem had been away on a long hunt.
When Alena moved up to get in on the family hugs, Sem lifted her up so she could be a part of the moment. The air was warm, and joyful smiles filled the ambient space.
When breaking their family embrace, Sem and Tatalia rested Alena down. That is when Tatalia went on to kneel down before her daughter, as she gazed into her eyes in a gentle, loving way.
"My dear, your father and I have some important things to discuss; so wait for us alright?"
Alena, who found herself content, nodded in response to her mother, "Yes mommy."
After her mother and father, Sem and Tatalia walked out into the other room, Alena began to hear the sounds of rhythmic patting at the window. She looked over to see Elijah, who was seemingly sitting on the sill as a strong wind blew up his fur. Elijah meowed at Alena through the window, and so she thought to go outside and check up on him. When she got out there however, Elijah, to her surprise, was still on the roof, so to make sure she wasn't imagining things, Alena went around to the side of the cabin.
As she arrived by the window, Alena could suddenly feel a strong, out of place breeze. The breeze was mighty indeed, as it whipped her hair about, when leaves were blown in from the distant trees. Then, when the storm of leaves reached her, Alena suddenly found herself in an empty, white space, void of all sound. Her eyes widened, and her mind fell blank in that instant, but just as soon as she found herself in the white space, she was back right where she was before. There was no wind, her hair was undisturbed, and Elijah was meowing at her from the roof.
"What was that?" she asked herself.
Elijah hopped down into her shoulder harness in concern, before nuzzling along her side. To him it appeared as if Alena just froze, and this had him concerned. She pet his cheek carefully with her retracted claws, which assured Elijah that she was alright. Still though, Alena was perplexed by what she had just experienced, and it wasn't long before one of her parents called her inside; so she ran around the corner of the cabin and back in through the door.
"There you are!" Tatalia exclaimed. "Alena dear, your father tells me you got yourself into trouble," she stated, gracefully rushing down on her knees to hug her daughter. "You have to be more careful," she pleaded.
"I will mommy," Alena claimed, as she returned her mother's embrace.
Before releasing her, Tatalia kissed Alena's cheek, and brushed her palm along Alena's forehead, moving her daughter's hair clear of her face so she could get a better look at her.
"You know I love you don't you?" Tatalia asked her daughter.
"I do, mommy," Alena answered her.
Elijah, being the caring cat that he was, interjected himself, nuzzling against both Alena and her mother one after the other as he maintained balance on Alena's shoulder.
When Tatalia got ready to stand up again, she first placed her hands atop both Alena and Elijah's heads.
"Now Alena dear, your father has to return to his hunt, but we've got a big day tomorrow, so I'd like for the two of you to go to the village tree together and play for a while."
Alena's ears perked up at the mention of the tree, but she was also disappointed by the news of her father having to go back out again.
"But mama, when will daddy be coming back home again? I still miss him," she inquired with a sadness in her voice.
Sem came back into the room after having heard his daughter's concern, all the while carrying some luggage of fresh supplies.
"Worry not my dear, I'll try to arrange for someone to take my place in time so I can be with you after the initiation," he started to answer.
Sem slung the luggage over his shoulder and knelt down in front of his daughter, "But Alena, this may be the last time you'll get to visit the tree for a long time, so I want you to make the most of your time there alright?"
Sem was deeply concerned for his daughter, and wanted Alena to feel her best while she still could before the trials ahead. Tatalia too showed great concern as she quietly stood there with tears welling up in her eyes. Alena couldn't understand their expressions of concern, but was saddened and confused about this being the last time.
"But daddy, what's an initiation?" she asked.
All Sem could do was sigh at her question; there was only so much he felt he could say to his daughter on the subject without bringing her worry.
"You're going to be ten tomorrow; a big girl. Just know that I'm going to do everything I can to make sure your birthday is as wonderful as can be."
Sem laid his hand on Alena's shoulder.
"I love you. You know that," he said to her assuringly. "Now be a good girl and go have some fun okay? I'll be back before you know it."
Alena gave a gentle nod, her eyes veering to the floor, "Yes daddy."
Sem reached out to hug his daughter, doing his best to comfort her as he nestled his head aside hers.
"That's a good girl," he muttered, before standing up and petting his daughter gently.
He turned to hug his wife goodbye, who threw her arms up around his neck, so he hugged Tatalia around her waist, and lifted her to her toes. The two of them gently butted their heads together, and with their eyes closed, nuzzled each other's nose.
As Sem turned to leave again, Alena had one more thing to say to her father, "Please be careful daddy."
Sem nodded to his daughter with a smile and made his way out the door. Alena, Elijah and Tatalia stood there in silence as the door closed behind him. When Tatalia sighed, Alena turned to see the concerns of her mother.
"Alright, let's get you some things together for your visit," her mother spoke, grabbing a nearby bag for Alena's belongings, "I'll walk you there."
When they departed their cabin, Elijah hopped down, and the three of them walked together, heading into the village.