Borlla watched, surprised fear now spread across her face --not that much had changed inside--, as Junai's swift turn was premorse, and she hit the ground rolling. It was pleasing to the three-month-old that her cries had taken hold of her older sister's heart, so much so that it sent her crashing to the ground. Borlla yet out a yelp, and leaped to the aid of her fallen sister, coming near to her side, but just out of reach. It was too early for things to come to an end. Far too early. "Oh no!" Borlla cried, forcing tears into her eyes. "I'm sorry, Junai! I shouldn't have said anything." Borlla crouched, snuffling. "It's all my fault!"
Junai had not expected a particularly emotional reaction from her sister, though she had certainly hoped for one. If Junai knew anything, it was that the majority of the women left in her family were selfish and cared for little more than what they would gain from any pity or compassion they showed. Niija and Torla were the sole exceptions to the avaricious ways of Ioni, Junai, and Borlla—it was almost unfortunate, truly, the apathetic and miserly daughters that Rihael and Lani had produced with the hopes of having a happy and functional family. Ioni only seemed to talk to the rest of the family if she wanted to boost her own perception of her self-worth while Junai only stayed with Swift River out of fear for what she might encounter upon leaving Relic Lore... And Borlla? She looked sweet, but Junai knew there was more to Borlla than the dear girl allowed others to see... Perhaps Junai did not know the depth of Borlla's secrets, but she had a vague idea of the happenings in her sister's mind. After all, had she not once been a pup herself? Childhood made everything vastly easier, which was perhaps why she looked upon adulthood with a most immature sort of anxiety.
No matter, her sister's apparent lapse from indifference did not cease Junai's theatrics—if anything, an audience amplified her dramatics, leaving her to groan most childishly. Any pain Junai spoke of was completely imagined, but she decided she had best get her story straight just in case Borlla was a smart puppy; if asked about her injuries, Junai would complain (none too quietly, mind you) about the pain brought on by the fall, leaving her entire right side “in unbearable pain” (particularly her hip and shoulder) and her chin feeling “worse than death.” But, to start complaining would have been too obvious, in Junai's mind—the fact that she was talking about dying over a harmless fall escaped the notice of her attention. (Then again, when did Junai ever truly ponder the likelihood of any stupid decision she made? Quite simply, she was a doer, not a thinker.) Gasping like a fish out of water, Junai cried out, “Borlla? Borlla?!” Her pale eyes blinked, passing over her younger sister as if she were invisible, little more than Casper the Friendly Ghost. Why she was now faking blindness, of all things, failed to occur to Junai; in any case, she couldn't maintain the guise of a complete and utter moron, and so opted so say, “Oh, there you are. All I can see is the light, the light at the end of the tunnel!” As if. No, she wanted Borlla to sob or something... Or perhaps not. Junai doubted Indru would approve of such a practical joke, especially with the way Borlla could play everyone's heart strings. Honestly, it was a little disheartening, but Junai assured herself that it wouldn't be long before Borlla was a yearling like herself—and then, she wouldn't be under the protection of puphood.