Zach: Well...it doesn't happen too often...but...it does happen...sorta like a switch goes off in the boy's brain without him even realizin'...sorta like to opposite of Xavier's fancy legal voice...
Xavier: What about my legal voice?
Zach: Well, it ain't exactly a secret that y'all have gone well and far out of yer way to beat back that North Meadowland's drawl.
Xavier: This is true, but it's a proven fact that having a 'drawl' sort of paints an expectation of you...
Malcolm: That yer a country dullard?
Xavier: *Sweats slightly* I-I mean, I know it's not true, but you know how mammals tend to be...and with being a wolf it can be hard to get mammals to take you seriously as is.
Malcolm: No need to get flustered Fluffybuns...I know that drawl discrimination all too well...I'm just glad I wasn't aimin' fer a job that required soundin' smart or I'd be tryin' to paddle up the river o' life without an oar like 'ol Vernon was with architecture. *Chuckles*
Zach: Yer also real book smart, you were since y'all were a pup. And that's only gotten...well more pronounced with yer career choice when it comes to how you talk...
Xavier: Right...
Zach: But every so often, when y'all get flustered er' upset, that Meadowland's drawl just comes right outta left field, like a sucker punch.
Malcolm: *Snickers* It's true! It's the cutest thang! One minute it's all "I'm certain I'll be able to handle a task as simple as mixing together a bowl of fresh oatmeal and fruit." *Malcolm puffs his chest, doing his best 'Xavier impression'*. Then a few minutes later he's all like "I can't do nothin' right! It's dang oatmeal!! Sweet Sawgrass! Why can't a cook worth a damn!?" *Laughs*
Xavier: *Adjusts his spectacles, looking rather uncomfortable* Well...I-I'm not proud of it, but I won't deny it I suppose. As I've said before, you can take the wolf out of the North Meadowlands, but you never quite can get the North Meadowlands out of the wolf...*Sighs* No matter how hard you try. *Shakes head*
Malcolm: *Kisses the side of Xavier's muzzle* Aww, no need to get pouty Darlin'...like I said, it's real cute...but so's yer fancy talk...
Xavier: Thanks dear...still, where was this going Zach?
Zach: Well, the whole reason I mentioned it, is 'cause Marcus has the opposite problem...slowly but surely the boy's been leanin' into the drawl more and more...but iffin' he gets worked up...usually when dealin' with bullies er' what not, the fancy talk and insults come out. *Chuckles*
Xavier: My, my, really?
Zach: *nods*, Not that he tries to tamp it down in those situations I think...it's more that he seems to go into a...sorta 'negotiator' er...' mediator' mode. Like it's second nature fer him to try and...talk folks into a peace agreement when things get sketchy...
Xavier: Well, sounds like your son could be looking at a very prosperous career as a police negotiator...*Chuckles* At least, I'm sure that's how our father feels about it...
Zach: *Laughs* Oh don't let Pa here y'all or he'll start all over again...Don't get me wrong, he ain't pressurin' Marcus, but he will absolutely talk my ear off about that 'potential'. *Shakes Head* I'm always like 'Pa, just let the boy enjoy his lil' band fer a few more years before he starts considerin' what he really wants to do...' We're still tryin' to train him outta doin' constant chores outta habit.
Xavier: *Chuckles* Old habits die hard I suppose...
Vanna: *Pulls up in squad car with her parents in tow.* Hello everyone...did we miss anything?
Zach: Ah, Kitten! *Zach leans up to kiss Vanna's cheek.* Y'all arrived just in time, we was anserin' one of them questions Dawn sends 'er way from time to time...lotta stuff about Marcus.
Vanna: Oh? Nothing too personal I hope? You do know some of his friends listen to Dawn and Vernon's couples podcast...even if they are probably a bit too young for it...Aiko I'm almost positive is an avid listener.
Zach: *Gives Vanna a serious stare* Darlin', y'all know I would never embarrass my boy in public!
Vanna: *Crosses her arms* That's he's aware of *Mutters quietly*
Zach: *Chuckles* Anyway, yeah Ma's method o' healin'....either when it comes to herself, er' the rest of us, involves serious hug therapy...
Vanna: *Reads Question* It wasn't quite two hours...but near enough *Vanna Smirks* Not that my own parents are much better...
Lucero: And what's wrong with showing our grand kitten affection? The Felidea family is a passionate pack, we wear our hearts on our sleeves! *Laughs boisterously.*
Vanna: *Grimaces slightly*
Pascha: *Gives her daughter a gentle hug* You can still have a big heart without being the best at expressing it sweetie, you know that...
Vanna: *Tries to hide a soft smirk.* I-I know Mom...
Lucero: That said, learning of what Marcus went through, I mean, we certainly went through the motions in a similar fashion to the Hunters...I know I certainly gave the boy a long, tight hug...
Pascha: And nearly broke his ribs in the process! *Pascha Scolds*
Lucero: S-sorry my Love...I just...I was very emotionally moved at the time...
Pascha: *Chuckles* I know, I know...just try to be mindful that most of our immediate family is not equipped to handle the full strength of a tiger, especially one as virile as you are...lest I remind you of Zach's pelvic fracture?
Vanna: M-MOM! *Vanna looks to Zach in horror, blushing intensely*
Zach: *Eyes wide in shock and horror.* KITTEN!, Y'all TOLD HER!?
Xavier: *Chuckles* Well, well...and here I was led to believe pelvic fractures were purely Wade's territory...This is almost as delightful as when we found out about those bite wounds and rope burns Yuri needed to have treated.
Vanna: *Flustered* I 'confided' in my mother! I-I'm sorry Goofball! I was just...I was terrified I really hurt you, a-and I couldn't talk to Mother Hunter about it...
Zach: *Whines* Great, now the whole world will know!
Vanna: *Trying to calm her mate* W-we can ask Dawn to redact that part...it's not like it's live...
Lucero: Relax Zach, it's nothing to be embarrassed about. Loving a tiger is an intense sort of love, even between tigers...*Chuckles Knowingly* You aren't the only one who's sprained a hip during heat season...I should know, I'm a veteran.
Pascha: *Swats at Lucero Playfully* Oh Hush now! Don't you start bragging...
Lucero: And why not!? I wear those injuries with pride, a show of my love for my mate! *Chuckles* Which brings me around to my point about Marcus.
Zach: This!? How does this conversation lead y'all to our boy?
Lucero: Marcus' own scars...although I suppose calling for him to take pride in them might be...I'm not sure how tactful one could consider it. But those marks, they were caused by him standing up to his father, standing up for his people. From such a small boy, his courage would make even my father stand back in awe... This is why I say Marcus is a true tiger, he is one that has earned his stripes. And I suppose in that way it has changed how we interact with him...or how I do...because I don't just see my grandkitten, I see a mammal who is truly capable of doing great things. Beyond my grandfather's bias, he is truly a remarkable boy, and he will grow into a remarkable young tiger...er...human...
Pascha: *Sidles up to her husband, placing an affection paw on his chest* I could not have said it better myself my Love...and we are proud to be Marcus' grandparents.
Vanna: *Wraps an arm around Zach, the two exchanging warm smiles*
Zach: T-thanks you too...I'm sure Marcus would love to hear that...
Vanna: We're proud of him too....every day...*Chuffs warmly*
Malcolm: *Looks to Xavier, ears sagging slightly, his eyes puppy dog wide* Xaaavey....
Xavier: Wha-? Oh no...*Xavier's expression flattens* Let me guess...
Malcolm: I WAAANT ONE! *Whines, gripping Xavier's now crossed arms*
Xavier: *Sighs* Well, here's a discussion I wasn't looking to have today...*chuckles*
