(lmao get it because moaning myrtle)
With her herb stores more than replenished and her supplies aplenty, Genesis had set out to reward herself with a bite of food from the cache, which she knew also had to be near-overflowing from the success of the Hollow's recent hunts. It was an odd feeling, still, being able to act on her own needs and desires without having to look over her shoulder, whether for the shadow of a looming sibling or for danger as a vulnerable rogue. At the same time, though, it was empowering--enough that every time she left her den, her features seemed a little more peaceful, her stride a little more relaxed. Today was no exception, even as she kept an eye and an ear out for a new or familiar face amidst the gentle glow that lit the halls. @Lyla

art by moogle

Lyla had been hungry that mourning, and so she too had slipped into the food cache (she'd tried to help fill it after all, but all the dumb grown up hadn't wanted her help, even though she definitely could have helped!) She'd managed to pull out the remains of a leg of some sort. Having made quick work of the meat (the growing girl was hungry after all) she'd found herself with the remains of the bones that had run though the leg, likely a femur of some sort - though she didn't know what that was exactly. What she did know was that when she knocked it the bone slid easily against the stone floor. Hmm, she couldn't slide things like that on the sands of the cove. She giggled as she ran after it before knocking it again and again, chasing it up and down the halls of hollow near where the food was stored.

She was so caught up in her game she didn't notice the approach of @Genesis. With another knock of her large paws she sent the bone sliding again and began to run after it, straight towards where the woman was walking. Hopefully the woman was playing attention, otherwise they were on a collision course that would definitely make this game less fun.

code by corvus | art by Shazaki

Admittedly, Genesis' senses were not quite as keen as they could have been in that moment. The closer she drew to the cache, the more deafeningly her stomach moaned and groaned in her ears, and the more clouded and narrow her attention became. Had she really let herself get so engrossed in her work that she forgot to feed herself? The healer could hardly believe it, even kicking herself mentally for doing something so hypocritical. She sighed to herself as she walked. Never again.

As it was, she was slow to catch onto the echoes of rattling and giggling as anything of importance to her, thinking them too distant to lead to an encounter. That was, until a familiar cub came barreling into view in pursuit of a bone. Genesis gasped but had no time to act before their bodies crashed head-on, leaving the bone to continue tauntingly down the hall.

Fortunately for one of them, the healer's body had seemed to break the girl's fall. Or if it did not, then her smarting ribs were for nothing. She lay there for a moment, attempting to find her bearings, before carefully untangling herself from @Lyla and peering down at the cub with brows furrowed in concern. "Oh my, I didn't see you coming," she rattled off, half-amused and half-panicked as she leaned down to help her up. Or at least try to. After all, her luck with children was next to none, and the girl's behavior during the elephant hunt had not gone unnoticed. "You've got quite fast legs. That was impressive."

art by moogle

The most distressing thing about the moment of impact was the fact that it scent her toy spiraling off course, causing the bone to slam into the stone tunnel walls with a crash as it splintered and broke. Lyla found herself suddenly crumpled on top of another lioness, this one pale in color and though obviously older than her not entirely all that much larger than her as the half grown cub let out an Oof… rolling off the medic and working herself to her feet. Sorry. she muttered, shaking herself off and instantly moving to scamper away again until she noticed her now destroyed play thing. Aww, it broke! she protested out loud before turning her attention to @Genesis with a sigh, just in time to hear her call her fast. Thanks! I’m going to be the best hunter, like papa! she declared. I was practicing. No one would let me practice at the pride hunt so I have to practice on my own. she announced as she looked up at the woman. She recognized her as one of the lionesses that had been hunting. I don’t know why they wouldn’t let me help, I mean I’m almost as big as you right? she asked, not with malice, but clearly lacking a filter.

code by corvus | art by Shazaki

Thankfully, this girl seemed much more forgiving than the one that had had her slaving away in the dirt for herbs. Genesis did not want to touch any contemplations of what might have become of her had this encounter been with the Andal princess. Instead, as the cub righted herself and scampered off toward her toy, the pale healer sighed a sigh of relief--until words rang out that almost made her stomach lurch with dread:

"Aww, it broke!"

They were more disappointed than indignant, however, which kept the older woman's mind from racing with strategies for self-preservation and instead in an attempt to find a way to reconcile the child's spoiled playtime, even as she turned to her and soaked up her praise with a proud declaration of plans to come. While Genesis could not disagree that play was practice and was even impressed by her enthusiasm, she found herself caught off guard by the cub's prodding about the elephant hunt. And her...comments about their shared stature.

Genesis attempted to mask her awkwardness with a chuckle. "An elephant isn't something you practice on"--a piece of advice she should have heeded herself that day--"especially at your age. It's not just about being fast. It's about knowing your surroundings...and your strengths." A smile as she nodded downward, toward their paws. Her own were dainty, unmenacing, yet proportionate to the rest of her frame--whereas those the girl bore were still cumbersome and telling of her youth. "I was allowed because I have no more growing up to do. This is how big I'll be forever. But we don't know how big you'll be yet, and there's a chance you could grow up to be much stronger--and faster--than you already are." She beamed at the girl, hoping she might see that being barred from that hunt might have actually given her more opportunities.

"Your name was @Lyla, right?" she asked, then, with a tilt of her head. "I'm Genesis. I was just about to find something to eat. Maybe you could help me find another leg? One with a big bone in the middle."

art by moogle

Lyla stood there listening to @Genesis, the broken toy soon forgotten - it wasn’t like she was particularly gentle with her toys and they didn’t break all the time. There was something that she said that caused confusion to spread across her face. “Wait, you’re not going to get any bigger?” again she didn’t mean to insult the woman, she was just surprised. “I guess that means you can fit into the small spots easy though right?” that was, a bonus she guessed?

Oh, this lady knew her name? Her attention instantly changed course and she nodded eagerly. “Yeah, I’m Lyla! she confirmed before then turning to walk towards the food cache with @Genesis. “I think I saw a giraffe leg that looked pretty good. I don’t know who ate the rest of the giraffe, but they left a whole leg!” she prattled happily.

code by corvus & art by moogle