“Hmm?” he murmured, as he felt a hand touch his shoulder. He looked up from gazing upon his hands and the invisible bond he saw, right into the bright green eyes of the eldest sibling of which that bond was shared. “Alder?” he said, surprised

The First Prince was looking at his younger brother through his large, expressive green eyes and a look of concern. “Are you alright?” he asked.

He looked at the redhead for a moment, just regarding the expression he wore and answered, “I’m alright, just a little tired.”

“Do you need to rest?” he asked, resting his hand on his brother’s blue head and massaging his ear.

The blue cat smiled and said, “No, I can keep going.”

“Are you sure?”

Arjuna nodded. Alder was certain that he was not alright. He had known him forever and could tell when something was bothering him. Quietly he pressed his brow to his and held him there for a moment, almost as though calibrating his mind and heart. After a while, he left him and pressed a hand lovingly to his cheek and smiled. Then, he turned to their mother and smiled at her, as well.

“Mama?” he asked, with a similar concern to that he held for his brother.

She smiled at her firstborn son and said, “I’m alright, dear.” she promised, touching his cheek, just as he had done to Arjuna, moments earlier.

Alder smiled and leaned into his mother’s touch, then drew his attention to the girl in his mother’s arms. The kitten was looking at him, regarding him as though he were a stranger and indeed, he was. He stooped down just a bit, lowering himself so that his gaze was level with hers. No longer towering above her, he smiled and tilted his head, playfully. She continued to look at him, as he descended to her height, but still said nothing.

“It’s nice to meet you.” he said. “My name is, Alder. What’s your name?”

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