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"I was angry." says Tam defensively. He flashed Hopian a crooked smile and sighed. "I'm not human, but the saying still goes ye know... I have emotions too. Can't always expect me to react rationally when I've been backed into a figurative corner. He should realize that most lads at that point would have been flogged and bleeding... not that I would ever have done such a thing."

"Hopian, I am what I am and I know all about his spirit. It is perhaps the one thing about him that outshines all else. And I love him, both as an adult and as a cub because of it. But Kero chose me, knowing I don't believe in physical punishment... from the start. Doesn't that say something to you. I truly do not believe he'd have done so simply to force me into his way of thinking. He's not that vindictive or cruel."

Tam nods thoughtfully. "I'll think about it. I really want to give my method a try though. In all honesty, Hope... we've just ironed it out when he did that fool stunt. He never had a chance to experience it in smaller matters before he threw the sledge hammer at me." Tam chuckled weakly and leaned back in his chair. "and that is exactly how it felt, too. Like he had hit me over the head with something big and hard. In the best of worlds, he would have learned over time what was permissible and what was not... instead he ran into the wall of what wasn't head first. Life on the road is a whole lot different than life in a set place, in a community where everyone knows you and what the color of yer underwear is because ye hang it out to dry each week."

Tam nods and closes his eyes. "And then we'll see who is right me or you I suppose. I will do my best to stop him, sit on him, whatever it takes, Hopian, but I won't harm him... I won't hurt him... and if it comes down to him hurting me, I pray he comes to his senses before it happens. I'm going for a walk while he's asleep, ok? I do my best thinking on me feet and this house is getting a bit oppressive right now. Want me to pick ye up anything form in town? Surprisingly this place may not be all that big, but because of it's location it has almost anything one might want."

**note... don't worry... just heard thunder on my end, so I'm getting off anyway... pleasant dream kiddo... and we've got to start pacing ourselves... yer not going to be able to keep this up in a few weeks... blaugh

"Now why doesn't that surprise me," sighs Tam as he hangs up his cloak and tosses his hat on his work table. Shaking his head he opens the door to Kerobian's room and entered. "You wanted to see me, Taro?" he asks walking over to the cub's bed. Sitting down he scratches the cat's ears and waits for him to speak.

Tam is mortified but resolute and he does something he hasn't done since he left his master's home, he drops all screens, all shields and defenses and pulls the cub into his heart, showing him that spanking in his mind isn't a sign of love but frustration and assuring him that no matter what he does, that no matter how angry he may make him, he will always hold him close in his heart... for Talesian is the angel of love and once that love is given,it cannot be taken back.

"Love is a seed, dear one," he says placing a trembling hand on the cub's head. Planted and nurtured it grows like a great world tree. Yes, those parents love their children very very much, even as I love you. But I am trying to find a way to guide you that doesn't involve pain and hurt. Understanding, yes... cooperation, surely... but always with love and respect... and trust me, Taro, child of my heart even if you are not a child of my flesh... not all parent spank their young. There are a great number of them out there who do not. You just happen to run with a rambunctious crowd who've probably drove their father's to distraction from day one. And they tell you these things because they are jealous. They see you have someone who is desperately trying to understand the things you do and they wish deep within the depths of their hearts they had the same."

Tam chuckles softly and hugs him back. "Jealousy and envy are not necessarily bad things, Kero. We all want things we don't or can't have. Look at you. You want to be accepted so bad, you are willing to endure pain and hurt just to be like everyone else in your mind. In a way, you are jealous, too. As for being different, I can't help you there... for you are. You cannot help but being so. You are a lion, a desert miner lion to boot. They are human or of mixed-human stock. There are things they can do, that you cannot and things you can do that they cannot. It is simply the way of the world. Now, how you present yourself is something you can control. If you do not make a big deal out of your differences, don't lord it over them as though they are something less than you becasue you are different, then they will understand this. Oh, I can't say you won;t be teased. Children are notorious teasers... case in point... you... correct? Do you not find it enjoyable to tease me frm time to time?"