The child of a doting snow leopard, three months old and tiny in stature, would wander the lands. Her steps were awkward and her pace slowed by prolonged fatigue. She could not recall the last time she felt the familiar warmth of her mother's fur, smelled her scent, or heard her gentle chuff. It would have been days now, her scent since faded from Zwei's fur.

In the dark of night, she knew better than to call for her absent guardian, but daylight never seemed to come. The world had been blurry the day before, but no amount of rubbing them with her paw or splashing them with water would clear them. It would only worsen in the night, the sun never looked upon again after that.

Slumber could only hold her over so long, hunger pangs to painful to allow her to sleep any longer. Regardless of the blackness that veiled her vision, she would venture out into the world. She would frequently trip over unseen obstacles in her path, resulting in minor scrapes and bruises on her oversized mitts and along her legs.

Somehow she would manage to find her way to the narrow strip of land that connected the outlands with the vibrant inlet that was Amaryllis. The sound of lapping water on either side of her was alarming, but she would continue to walk aimlessly. Little tongue would hang from slightly agape jaw, panting from the effort and the heat of an afternoon sun. As time went on, thirst made the ocean water more alluring.

She would like a drink of water, but there was something foul about these bodies of water. Much longer and she might just take her chances. It also stung the small cuts on her paws, making her reluctant to get too close.

code: saph || art: moogle

He was on the look out for potential recruits for the war, not a tiny cub, thus, he almost overlooked the tiny creature. It was the movement that eventually drew him towards the shoreline, almost to the point of leaving amaryllis, still far enough out that vultures hadn’t swooped in yet to steal the young thing away. Not that the Brook needed more cubs to babysit, but Lathan was drawn to this creature. It was different. Unique. Silver gaze squinted in the afternoon sun as his dark grey form approached the little thing. It was…very tiny.. maybe it was a runt, left to die. No… that wasn’t it. Nostrils flared but aside from a bland scent of cub he mostly smelled the salt water.

Whatever made this creature so intriguing, he knew it wouldn’t matter if she didn’t seek shade and water…or milk…soon. He couldn’t quite tell if she was old enough to eat and drink regular or if she was still on a milk diet, given her size. Her feet were far too big for her own body, her tail thick like his own with the extra fluff to match. He shook himself, chuffing softly to the young thing as he approached, coming to rest a respectful distance away from her. "Hi, young one… are you alright?" He asked, his voice soft, gentle, uncharacteristically soft really. "Are you alone?" He asked, silver gaze looking back the way she had come but he saw nothing. She had to be alone. "I’m Lathan. What’s your name?" He asked, wanting to lay down and show he was no threat to her, but experience told him not to, that doing so would leave him vulnerable to the vultures. They didn’t have a lot of time before someone would notice and try to steal her from him. He couldn’t have that, she was too unique…too like him to be let go without a fight.

@Zwei

Art by Rabbit || Code by Zay

Miaran's heart swelled with a mix of emotions as she approached the Passage. Despite not being the traditional maternal type, a sense of protectiveness flooded her as she prepared to navigate the looming threat of war and the importance of choosing her recruits wisely in the small pride of Caladan.

As she cautiously made her way through the passage, her eyes widened with surprise at the sight that awaited her. A fierce lion stood ahead, exuding an aura of strength and pride that drew her in. But it was the presence of a small cub by the lion's side that minorly tugged at her heart.

In that moment, her instincts as a protector kicked in. The scent of the cub told her that she was a rogue while the scent from the lion told her that he was from Vermeda, a valued ally. Without hesitation, she approached them, her voice filled with warmth and concern as she introduced herself to the group, Bonjour, I am Miaran.

Lathan, oui? If my nose is correct, you are from Vermeda? Her words carried a gentle touch as she assessed the situation, determined to ensure the cub found safety and care in the right hands. With a sense of duty and compassion driving her, Miaran scanned the area, ready to make sure this little one would be welcomed into a pride where he would be cherished and protected.

@Zwei @Lathan

table code by daanyen

A voice sounded somewhere nearby, a sound she had not heard in a number of days now. Alas, it was not the soft tones of her mother, finally returned with something to eat. Instead, it was a male's voice, not unkind but alarming given she hadn't known he was there.

"Are you dad? Momma said we need to find daddy before she has to go away." She asked, turning in what she presumed was the direction of the lion. She would take a couple of steps, the ground uneven and littered with driftwood in front of her. She would take a small tumble over one of them, deciding to stop walking forward. She felt frustrated and defeated by the simple act of walking lately.

He had asked her questions, but she would not answer him. It was not that she didn't want to, all of her focus was instead on not letting herself cry in front of him. "When is the sun coming back? I don't like the dark no more." She asked with a quivering voice. It was strange, for she could feel the heat of a noonday sun on her back, but it did not light up the world around her. Even at night, it wasn't usually this dark, she could not comprehend what had happened.

Zwei would noticeably flinch as @Miaran would arrive, again caught by surprise. She should have heard them both coming, but she was so reliant on sight that it was a simple thing to sneak up on her. She had offered a name, @Lathan had offered one also. "Zwei.." She murmured, uncertain.

code: saph || art: moogle

Lathan was not an immoral or cruel creature…he had questionable methods of punishment and his lack of empathy towards enemies was perhaps questionable, but he was not a bad guy. He was just…questionable at times. Today would not be one of those days. He noted how the girls head turned, for a moment losing direction before she took a few steps in his direction. When she spoke, asking if he was her dad, heart strings were tugged hard within his chest. His expression softened even further, a look of sadness on his features briefly. He looked around once more, her mother was no where in sight. "No, little one…but I can protect you as if you are mine." He rumbled softly. He would keep her safe. Lathan was ready to shrug off her confusion with direction and chalk it up to exhaustion until she tripped over driftwood. He lurched forward to try and catch her, hesitating as she tumbled. He stopped immediately. She was blind. It was an assumption, but one that was made clear by the warbling voice that asked about the night…when it was midday. He frowned. "I..I can’t promise the night will ever end for you, little one." He answered honestly, he wanted to lie, but he would not. "I am a healer, I can try, but I can’t promise…"He was saddened by her words, she was clearly trying not to cry and his heart ached for her. She was brave though, walking all this way. Unfortunately, their peace would end as a vulture descended. His forward ears fell back briefly as he breathed in the woman’s scent, taking a protective step towards the cub with eyes narrowing. His intention clear. She was like him, he wanted to keep her. When the woman spoke his name, his ears twitched, a flicker of surprise in his gaze before it disappeared. "Yes, I am." He answered, his tone polite still soft for the child. She was from the Cove, an ally. He needed to tread carefully, he didn’t want to ruin an alliance with a pride…but he would not give the little one up without a fight. "You are from the Cove, the Queen?" He asked, wanting confirmation as he had never met her, but he had heard descriptions of several of the leaders. His head would tip as the little one spoke. Speaking one word. Zwei. He smiled, "that is a nice name, Zwei." He commented, acknowledging her name before he turned back to Miaran. The Noble would raise a brow and cock his head to the side. Could she not see that the little @Zwei was safe? She was not needed here. "Zwei? Would you like to come to my home? I live in a forest that’s not terribly hot and has plenty of water and food." He asked politely, he knew @Miaran would offer the same thing, food and water and shelter…but it was on the beach where the blind girl could easily drown in the wrong tide. She would be safe with him in the forest, the brook rarely ran too strong and he would be there to watch her. "Speech."

Art by Rabbit and code by Shazaki

The Viper's heart raced as he observed the girl approaching, her innocent inquiry about the night's end causing Miaran to furrow her brow in confusion. And then, as the girl stumbled, a pang of concern shot through Miaran's chest. Even if the cub wasn't truly blind, it was clear that she was vulnerable and in need of protection. With the pride being so small and protection limited in Caladan, Miaran knew that it was her duty to ensure the cub's safety.

When Lathan questioned her identity, Miaran nodded as she confirmed, Yes, I am the High Queen. Her gaze softened as the cub whispered her name (@Zwei), and Miaran felt a rush of compassion for the young one in front of her. @Lathan, I won't stand in the way of taking the girl, but I do insist that our Lead Medic, Khadija, examine her. Caladan is closer than the Brook, and we must ensure her well-being before she travels to Vermeda. If Khadija deems her fit to travel today, I will gladly accompany you back, Miaran said with a steady voice.

Miaran paused once more, then she continued, Caladan... it's where Fissure's son, Daedric, resides. I met Fissure right here in the Passage, and the last I heard, he left with Icefang to live in Vermeda. I feel compelled to inform Fissure about this.

table code by daanyen

She would shift uncomfortably in the heat, her expression one of disappointment when @Lathan told her he was not the lion in which her mother had been looking to find. Zwei could not hope to find him on her own though, not when she did not know who she was looking for.. not even his name.

Somehow.. she didn't think her mother was coming back. She had said she would have to go away soon, and while she did not say why she was leaving at all, some part of the child understood. She had been unwell, a smell of infection and a look of hurt clinging to her, more strongly every day. She had even failed to keep a firm grasp of her tiny child as they climbed over a pile of stone and rotting driftwood some days ago. She had been cast into a haze of fog after that, one she didn't know only she could see, then, it grew dark.

She felt it would have been easier, coping with the dark, when she knew she wasn't in it alone. This lion spoke otherwise, suggesting it was a place she alone inhabited. He would go on to speak reassuringly, but she did not hear him. Everything around her seemed to fade into the background, voices muddled and far away.

She would sniffle and frequently brush a forelimb across her eyes as the two of them spoke to each other, at a complete loss as to what she was supposed to do now. In the end, it all came down to basic needs for the simple act of survival, as there would be no comfort they could hope to offer her emotionally in this moment. @Miaran would not contest the lion's offer, but Zwei was in no condition to make such life-changing decisions. "I- want mom- to- come back." She voiced, pausing between words as soft sobs forced their way out of her, life an involuntary cough.

She didn't want to cry, but she was exhausted, thirsty, hungry, and most of all, afraid. Everything she knew was gone, she did not know what she was supposed to do now.

code: saph || art: moogle

He wasn’t saying things right. He should have told the cub he was who she sought… but he could not bring himself to lie to the child. As much as he lied to adults…he didn’t believe in deceiving a child…not when it was a serious matter. The assassin was not unfeeling, his heart squeezed at the disappointment and fear that flickered across the girls face. Especially when he told her the darkness was something she would always have, that she alone would have to master. The Queen would speak, confirming her rank and he would dip his skull respectfully, not as low as he did with Icefang, but it was still low. There was relief in his eyes, a relaxing in his facial muscles that told her he was grateful she would not contest his claim of the child. He listened to her compromise, head cocking to the side as silver gaze sparked with something akin to amusement. Perhaps she didn’t realize he was a healer? Or a competent enough one… He would nod. "That is an agreeable compromise, thank you, your Grace." He agreed politely. She would continue, speaking of Fissure, a lion that had been added to their ranks and quickly risen to noble alongside him. It was interesting his son would reside in the Cove, but Lathan said nothing that would give away his questions regarding that. "Of course. When we arrive to the Brook, we will summon Fissure and alert him together." He agreed before his eyes were once more snapping to the cub. Zwei. He listened to her quiet sobs and his expression would crumple, breaking for the child as he lowered his front half to be more level with her. "I know, @Zwei…" He would sigh softly. His heart hurt for her and her loss. Truly it did. He was a monster in many ways…but not this way. He could sympathize and feel for her. "Come, little one…let's get you some water and food… we can look for your dad and mom once you are taken care of." He would hesitate, he didn’t know what else to tell her at the time… "Zwei? I’m going to pick you up and carry you, ok?" He waited a moment longer before reaching and gently grasping her in his jaws. Lifting her up and nodding to @Miaran to lead the way to the Cove to get her some medical attention before the longer trip to the Brook. "Speech." -exit with Zwei and Miaran- permission given by Moogle to pp picking up Zwei

Art by Rabbit and code by Shazaki

The decision was made by Lathan and Miaran to ensure the well-being of the cub before the journey to Vermeda. Miaran could not get herself to see her pride house any member of their group that could suffer suffer or struggle without being able to help themselves. Little as Caladan was, it was not yet ready to bear the responsibility of constantly watching over the young ones.

With a heavy heart, Miaran nodded slowly to Lathan as he gently picked up the fragile cub in his arms. Together, they made their way to the borders of Caladan, where the cub would receive the care and nourishment she needed before embarking on the journey to Vermeda. Miaran's eyes followed him as she watched Lathan cradle the young cub in his jaws, knowing that she would soon find a new home and family in Vermeda.

/Exit

table code by daanyen