Chapter 102: The Shape Of Water
The lake itself was actually not too far from the settlement, and the stream that snaked its way to the lake was even closer, but still some distance away.
Tera could actually create more than two channels from the stream, with how it flowed through different paths.
But planning it was tougher than she could have imagined.
The problem, as Tera quickly discovered, was that wanting to build a water system and actually building one were two very different things.
She owned hoes.
That was mostly it.
The first tier of the system shop had been irritatingly scanty, and she found it hard to believe the system had said hoes were the only truly useful tool. Yes, for digging maybe, but digging wasn’t the only thing that would be needed here.
Tera was no inventor, and despite her studies and experiences which had taken years to amass—mostly with modern technology—it was annoyingly difficult to be innovative without the right tools!
[Host is underestimating herself]
[(ᵕ—ᴗ—)]
[Host has already solved problems that should have been impossible]
[This system believes Host will find a solution]
’What is this, a motivational speech?’
[This system is being supportive!]
Tera snorted. "You would have been supportive by not giving me TWO tasks at such terrible timing!"
[(っ◞‸◟ c)]
By the second week, Tera had developed the habit of making trips between the settlement and the stream to inspect the terrain. Xavi and Ermin always accompanied her, most times carrying her since they didn’t want her stressing herself.
The system had reminded her that the blueprint and map layout features were there to help with planning the route, but while they were immensely helpful, Tera needed to properly envision the land itself to know exactly what she was working with.
If she found the right routes, gravity could do most of the work despite the uneven ground. She just needed channels deep enough to hold the flow and lined with something waterproof, and for the water to follow a pattern that flowed back to the stream or lakes in diverting paths.
Tera had her work cut out for her despite not starting the more difficult task yet.
But when she wasn’t planning the water system or overseeing the nursery, she was bonding with her family.
- ※ - ※ - ※ -
Tera lay between her two mates, her body so relaxed it felt like her bones had dissolved.
She had been lying awake hours ago, staring at the ceiling of her shelter while her mind ran calculations when her mates had returned with their sleeping cubs.
Xavi and Ermin had not been fooled.
Their female was not resting.
The two males had exchanged a look after putting down the cubs and then pounced on Tera.
Ermin had grabbed her waist while Xavi scooped her legs, and before Tera could even yelp, they had wrestled her flat onto the bed of furs like two overgrown cubs pinning down a particularly stubborn prey.
"What are you—let go! I was just lying here!" Tera whispered fiercely, not wanting to wake the babies.
"You were thinking," Xavi had rumbled.
"Thinking is not a crime!"
"It is when you do it like that," Ermin had muttered, already settling against her side. "Your face does a thing."
"My face does NOT do a thing!"
"It does," both males said at the same time.
Tera grumbled, but then Xavi’s massive hands found her temples, and every argument she had prepared evaporated like morning dew.
He massaged and ran his fingers through her head and the tension she had been carrying around melted under his touch.
Now she lay with her back pressed against Xavi’s broad chest, his warmth seeping through her skin like sunlight through silk while his fingers still worked through her head. He had napped for a bit before waking up to continue. Meanwhile Ermin remained dead asleep.
The panther was still dead asleep, his hand resting on the curve of Tera’s hip while his head was glued to her stomach like it was his side pillow.
The cubs were still asleep nearby, nestled together in a bundle of furs. Nadia had her face pressed into her sister’s back, and Althea’s tiny pink ears twitched every few seconds.
Puff Dumpling was wedged near the entrance of the shelter, snoring softly.
The shelter was quiet, and so peaceful, and Tera wanted it to stay that way. But right when she hoped the cubs would remain quiet, Althea chose that moment to twitch.
Tera stiffened.
Xavi’s hands stilled on her head.
They both held their breath, staring at the tiny panther cub with the frozen intensity of two people watching a bomb’s timer flicker.
The panther cub frowned, her small mouth opened, and her fists curled.
Xavi was already moving. He slid out from behind Tera, quickly crossed the shelter, and scooped Althea into his arms before the first cry could fully form.
The sound that came out was a faint squeak of surprise before the little girl found herself pressed against Xavi’s enormous chest.
He slowly paced around, patting her while Tera watched with a small smile.
"Is she asleep?" Tera whispered after a few minutes of silence.
Xavi looked down at the bundle in his arms. Althea’s eyes were wide open, her tiny pink ears perked forward, staring up at Xavi’s face with a look of alert curiosity that suggested sleep was the last thing on her mind.
"No," he admitted with another smile of his.
"Come. I want to look at her." Tera wanted to touch her cub now that Xavi had his hands on her. She also wanted to look at that cuteness while she was awake.
Xavi carried Althea over and lowered himself back onto the floor carefully, settling Althea on his chest while Tera leaned closer so she could comfortably see her daughter properly.
Ermin stirred at the movement, mumbled something unintelligible, and then burrowed deeper against Tera’s side without waking. This time his face was pressed against her butt, and Tera would have laughed at the sudden position if not for Althea’s smile.
It was a lopsided spread that was more gum than smile, and it crinkled her tiny nose and made her ears fold backward. Her whole face squished with the effort of producing it, as if smiling required the activation of every single muscle she owned.
Tera’s heart quivered.
"Oh, you beautiful thing."
Althea’s smile widened at the sound of her mother’s voice, and a tiny, bubbly giggle slipped out of her mouth.