Bite the hand that feeds —
And I'll see you starve.

Dusk had long since passed and night pulled her darkened cloak over the world. Yet the cub found herself snapping her eyes open; her gaze focusing on the distant point of the den's entrance as the hum of crickets bayed she come outside to play. Kasija wasn't one to listen to the prattling of lesser creatures and yet the girl wanted to know what the moonlight looked like when its hue wasn't broken up by the clouds.

Carefully the girl would untangle herself from the entwinement of limbs and warmth; peeling away from the pack of flesh that she slept with in favor of muscular but shaky limbs carrying her outside the den entrance. The cool air greeted her, nipping at her heels as her muzzle wrinkled from the unexpectedness of it. It was scorching hot during the day and freezing at night — what was this?

Her ears would flicker atop her skull as she took a few more steps from the den and settled amongst the grass. Her head would tilt back as she stared up at the moon and the stars. So this was it? The luminance that crept through the curtains of the den and was cast on them during slumber? The girl didn't know if she enjoyed the way it looked, but she did know one thing — it's allure was simply captivating. Maybe she would drag her siblings under the gaze of the stars but for now, she would lower her haunches to the ground and enjoy the moment.

@Luther ♔

artwork by moogle
code by ryuu

Luther moved silently through the night. Despite his light complexion, he somehow managed to blend well with the shadows. Strange thing, that. His wounds ached from the day's exertions, and while he needed to rest, he also could not stand staying in this cursed sandbox during the day. That is why more often than not, he sought refuge from the blaring sun and sand outside. More often than not, he sought refuge in the bed of a woman... or a few.

Unfortunately, it was not enough to ease his pain. Not only the physical pain, but the weight of everything he'd lost. The den's entrance loomed ahead, a dark mouth. It was a peasant's hut in comparison to the comfort of his big, expansive chamber back in his Mire. But as he approached, the faint silhouette of a small figure caught his eye, a tiny form sitting alone amidst the sand, bathed in the pale light of the moon.

His eyes narrowed, irritation flaring at the sight of @Kasija outside the safety of the den. Where the fuck was Drena? Probably sleeping inside. She sleeps like a damn bear. They can rob us blind and she'll sleep right through it. Damn it. When was that damn woman going to get into her motherly duties? Weren't women supposed to become softer once they had babes? In Drena's case, it seemed the opposite. He strode forward, each step a measured blend of menace and authority. "What are you doing out here?" the fallen King growled, lips peeling over his snagged jawline. His breath, heavy with the day's frustrations, fanned out in the cold night air.

Bite the hand that feeds —
And I'll see you starve.

Enraptured.

The momentary dance of the stars within the night sky held her attention — their colors shimmering as they held their position in the sky until the sun chased them away. The clear sky allowed the cub to bask in the moonlight; lengthening the youngster's shadow as she turned her head over her left shoulder to look upon it. That long shadow that she cast would be the same one that she would cast in the future but that train of thought is broken as she notices something or someone in the distance — moving towards her.

Was it a threat? Was it a friend? The girl didn't know, but her haunches would swiftly leave the ground — father obscured in shadow was not recognized. Her hackles would raise while her back would round under her; tail snapping high above her back to try to give the appearance that she was bigger than she seemed. But the silent predator soon breaks from shadows and into the moonlight; where the cub can see exactly who it is. @Luther ♔. Father. God.

He was moving towards her — each step riddled with dominance and menace. She could almost taste the trouble she was in as she deflated from her defensive aggressive posturing. Kasija did not fear her brothers nor give them second thoughts outside of her play, but her father was something different. The cub would sling her head low at his approach; dropping it further still below the curve of her lower chest while her ears twisted; swiveling to the side in submission.

But it wasn't enough.

He was all flashing teeth and words cut from the cold. 'What are you doing out here?' The cub would shiver, a tremble racking her body as she pushes her chest fully to the ground — chin rubbing against the earth and tail drawing between her haunches as she fully submits to her father's will. The trepidation that she feels entwines its way deep into her heart; it jackhammering against her ribs. "I was just going inside, sir." Kasija would offer in manner of apology.

artwork by moogle
code by ryuu

Curling, arching, her little body snaps taut like a pulled rope. The gruff man finds the display laughable, irritating even. Does she truly think that will save her? A little hiss? A little puff of her chest? He could squeeze her like an insect and she'll be dead - that is exactly why she should not be outside. Not here. Not in this sandbox.

Her realization soon came that it was not danger, but her sire. He noticed by the way she deflated from her "threatening" stance, going the complete opposite way into submission. As she should. One wrong move and he would have to teach her a rough lesson that she will not soon forget.

Naturally, it was never enough.

Not with Luther Rike.

His booming voice brought trembling in her tiny body, his anger only further igniting at the sight of such a fragile thing. If only they would grow faster. Stronger. Stop being a damn liability that he has to think of constantly. Starting being the useful pawns in his game of chess. She flattens down to the ground, and he holds back the urge to physically drag her back in the den. Her voice instinctively pulls another growl from his lips, his broken leg aches from the day's exertions. It was safe to say that Luther was in a terrible mood, and Kasija was the least of his worries. Yet she was useful for one thing - venting his frustrations. A baby-sized punching bag. "Just going inside, is that it?" he hissed, lowering his head down to whisper a low growl in her ear. "Du bist nachlässig, Mädchen. Unvorsichtige Tötungen." "You're careless, girl. Careless kills." No daughter of his can afford to be careless. Their enemies lurked everywhere, and he would not be surprised if they were in Andal, too. "Glaubst du, dieser Ort ist sicher? Nirgendswo ist es sicher." "You think this place is safe? Nowhere is safe." He straightened up, eagle-like eyes peering down at Kasija as if she was nothing but a worm. "Sie müssen ständig auf der Hut sein. Verstehst du?" "You must be on guard constantly. Do you understand?"