faustine had dragged carried the young cub back from the swamp, until the outcrops of the bluffs stood in her sight. she didn't stop on the border, for she didn't need to even when she brought in an outsider. instead, faustine made it all the way to her den, a gaping cavernous hole that could fit more than one lion, especially several small cubs and one teenager. she attempted to throw the cub into the cavern den before she slipped inside. the floor was lined with an old weathered pelt and it stank of everything horrible and dirty, but to faustine this was her home and her comfort place. welcome to your new den she said. until you outgrow, until you learn to be loyal to me and my family. she didn't elaborate on what she meant, only that that was what the boy will eventually learn. loyalty to the dieudonne. loyalty to wolfbron bluffs. above all, loyalty to her, the one who took him here. @Sage

code: cala | art: drifty

indignation manifests in the form of furrowed brows and jutting lips, painting his features in a pout so befitting of the surly child he were. and while his captor were content to make their journey in silence, sage were not one to keep the peace: injecting a feral, continuous grumble into the quiet of their surroundings. it were an intended display of defiance — an implicit vow to misbehave despite the shackles placed about his wrists. for, although he were defeated and enslaved, he weren’t dead, and @Faustine would soon understand the error of her ways.

nostrils quiver as they infiltrate the bluffs’ border with ease, causing the growl in his throat to soften with rekindled uncertainty as he searches the perimeter for a savior. much to his great disappointment, however, the duo do not encounter another soul along their path, and he feels his leeway for escape narrow. but as they encroach upon the entrance of a small cavern, he begins to squirm once more — fearful of what may lurk in its shadows, and fearful of what awaits him in her twisted care.

how quickly he learns of her ruthless nature as he soars past the threshold: tossed blindly, as if he were only but a scrap of meat. a faint oof! resonates from the walls of faustine’s home as his belly thuds against a rotting pelt, and abruptly, does he attempt to regain footing before she slithers in his wake. metallic gaze flashes to the entrance as her accented vocals flood the interior, causing his nose to crinkle with distaste. it were only unfortunate he’d not lost his sense of smell alongside his loss of freedom. “bluffs is yuck!” he asserts, bristling as he stands his ground before her. and as she relays the terms of his release, he scoffs. “didn’ ask, don’ care.” good one; though her mention of family does spur an idea. “gonna tell your mama on you,” he threatens, oblivious to the immoral practices known to the dieudonne. to sage, faustine is just another child: frightened of her mother’s wrath, and determined to avoid it._{BG — CODE}

@Sage's cub fat would cushion his landing, but faustine didn't care either way. if both of his ego and haunches were bruised then it would be a lesson for him to learn how to fall on all fours. they were lions and seldom should they fall so inelegantly like he did. beyond that, the boy would be a hard student to teach and an even harder pet member to work with. she was so thankful of sage's youth and size, which permitted her to bring him here and tuck him away until he was ready.

faustine slipped deeper into her den before she lifted a paw and attempted to sweep him towards the back wall. there was dried blood and bits of decaying flesh caked to the wall, with the more burdensome at the back. to faustine they were mere decors, but to the untrained and foreign gaze, they were more nightmarish. a chilling smile crept upon her face as she looked at sage. my mama was the one who taught me everything i did to you she said as she flopped down and curled herself in a way as to trap sage between her and the wall. now, since you are a child, you should stay put. tell me what your parents are; what are their names? what do they do? certainly the adults were unknowns. sage had the scent of a rogue on him when they met, so at least one of his parents ought to be one as well.

code: cala | art: drifty