Welcome to Gaia! ::

Tam nods in understanding. "Then why make it so mysterious? Would it not have been better to simply say so, rather than imply there is some secretive reasoning behind it?" says Tam with a chuckle. "There was no wrong done, but you left Salunia feeling as though there was some great important reason behind it all that someday she will grow old enough to understand.... Not exactly a lie, Kero.... but darn close to one. Be careful... that line you'll need to walk someday needs to be hair thick but stronger than that." Then he walks away leaving the cubs confused.

Tam sighs. "That cider was a straight fresh press... nothing to it that will mess with your control, kiddo. Trust me. I wouldn't have served anything hard to Salunia not without her parents' permission."

"Hmmmm..." says Tam thoughtfully. "Does this count for teas as well. You have been drinking those still. Maybe it's the sugar content. I hate to say this, Kero... but both you and yer elder self are terribly addicted to sugar."

"Love is a very mild word when it comes to sugar, kiddo... both of ye are thoroughly addicted to the stuff. If anyone wanted to get his attention... holding up a sweet would certainly do it." laughs Tam giving him a hug. "Now... it's time for your lessons. How are you doing on that stuff that Mica assigned you, hmmm? And go fetch yer harp. I'm going to work ye under the rug."

Kero son learns that if he thought his standards of work were high, Tam's were even higher, but the lesson is so challenging that he really cannot complain. Then, he gets another surprise.

Tam puts his harp aside and pulls out some lined paper and puts it on the desk. "You've written a few pieces, ditties mostly... though some have been quite complicated. What you've really been good at is recomposing other people's works. So... today you are going to learn how to composed and transcribe your own music so that others besides you and the few who can truly follow you by ear can learn to play it as well." says Tam Handing him a wax tablet and stylus. "We'll work on this first to get the wrinkles out, then put it here once we are fairly satisfied with it. Paper is too expensive to waste."

There is a method to Tam's madness. Never has he worked the cub so hard, in either theory or methods when it came to his own field of expertise. Knowing that Kero would never truly do more than dabble in the musical arts, he had always thought to merely give him a sound grounding so he could enjoy it more as he matured. But with a month of enforced grounding on his hands, he knew the lion needed to be challenged to keep him from going stir crazy. Finally he calls it quits, just before dinner is served, made this night by Hopian and his mate, Fortuny.

Unsure what the two would be putting on the table, Tam cases his small practice harp and goes to wash up, eying Kerobian from the corner of his eye. Already the lion seems down and frustrated and the month has barely begun. This was going to be a rather long punishment on both of them.

Tam and Kero have clean up after dinnner. Then Tam finds a good book to read to Salunia for a bed time story, telling Kero he is free to study, read or simply rest until bedtime.