This content might touch on topics that are sensitive or triggering for some readers. Trigger Warning for mentions of gore/blood/death.

She couldn’t shake the memory of her father’s face, the way he’d looked at her for the last time. The rawness in his voice when he told her to run. He had always been so stoic, a calm presence that she could always rely on and look to when she needed guidance. It was strange to think he was gone now, when she had once thought him to be invincible. She had snuck out of the den that night, as she had countless times before. Her mother always warned her that she was going to get hurt, that she couldn’t wander off at night by herself because others out there may have wanted to harm her. How ironic was it that sneaking out that night had saved her life? Her mother had and siblings had been slaughtered in a place that was supposed to be safe.

She remembered the feeling of her father practically pouncing on her from the shadows, bloody and weak, with a vulnerability in his face that rocked her to her core. He had never looked at her that way, with such blatant sorrow and terror. He had never given any hint to the emotions that he felt, it had been why the two of them had been so much closer than she could ever manage with her mother. It was also the only reason she had obeyed when he told her to flee. To run as far and fast as she could. Tensions had been building with a nearby pride, and they had come in the dead of night to exact their vengeance on the sleeping and unexpecting.

Days later she had returned, thinking maybe there would be survivors. That her father would be there with the rest of her family, tending to them and waiting for her to return. Instead, she found their bodies. It almost broke her, but she shut everything down before she lost herself completely in the grief that swallowed her. It was too much, so she had run away again, leaving behind the gruesome scene and ignoring the pang in her chest at the idea of leaving them all to rot like that. Ignoring the overwhelming desire to curl up in the gore until death came for her, too.

Eventually she had found Iroh, and he had immediately taken on a role of protector, something she would have resented only weeks earlier. She had loved to challenge him, to prove she was just as good- if not better, at everything he was. Now, she was content to follow him wherever he went until he told her to go. It didn’t matter much to her where they wound up, as long as she didn’t have to be left alone with her own thoughts again. It was too much for her, she needed the distraction he provided, as well and the comfort and familiarity. A small piece of her old life. He had always been the more level headed of the two, far more mature and better at dealing with impossible situations. He would find somewhere safe for them, and he would ensure she was taken care of until she was able to function once more.

@Iroh
ooc- not sure if this needed the tw but put it there just in case!
"Speech"

Tired. Thirsty. Hungry. Thirsty. Tired. This mantra echoed in the boy's mind as he put one paw in front of the other. Run, run, run... murmured endlessly beneath the other thoughts. Even though it was quieter, the voice that repeated the one word over and over was insistent and gripped with fear. His white paws thumped on the compacted dirt, golden eyes forward but glazed over. He wasn't truly looking ahead of him; instead, his vision turned inward as flashes of his father and home pulsed across. Nostrils twitched, picking up the scent of copper on the air. It was a mix of memory and current, though the pain from the random scratches along his frame had healed at least partway. His pads were blistered, but still he trodded forward. He had to keep moving, he had to get them somewhere safe. Safe was such a hard place to find.

He finally blinked, and his eyes moved to find his companion. She was something familiar in this upside down world of theirs. How they managed to find each other was still a mystery, but he thanked Agyō daily for that blessing. Eyes dropped to look her over, and he slowed to give her a silent nudge with his muzzle. He was worried, about so many things, but mostly his worries were her. He had quickly stepped into the role of guardian, and he took his duty seriously. They had been fast and close friends what felt like a lifetime ago. Their pride had been decimated, he was sure; otherwise, their parents would have found them, right?

Gaze returned forward as they approached what looked to be a passage of some sort. He instinctively slowed, moving closer to Rune as his senses began to return, as best they could. The pair had wandered what felt like eons, and now the unknown lay before them yet again. Maroon-tipped tail flickered behind him as he looked around, waiting for the proverbial snake to leap at them.

sjórbjörn sigrún

---

He's no snake, but he is willing to step on one if it does leap out at the children. He'd been on his way home from a successful hunting trip when he'd decided to swing past the Passage, hoping to recruit a new member and thinking perhaps the small gazelle in his jaws might be of use if any potential recruits he runs into are hungry. What he finds, though, breaks his giant heart. Stopping a respectful distance away from @Iroh and @Rune, he sets down the gazelle and chuffs gently to announce his presence.

Hello there, little ones, he rumbles, his voice kind and his face softer than usual. Are you alright? Hungry? He nudges the gazelle with a paw, pushing it in their direction with worried eyes. Having a daughter of his own around Rune's age, the bear-priest worries more for these children than he has for any other rogues thus far. My name is Bear. He hopes that the gentleness in his voice will help negate the impact of his frightening size, at least somewhat. Hopefully, they will let him help them.

It's not often that Genya finds more than one rogue out and about at the same time. Actually, it's really rare to find two cubs wandering the passage, all alone and without a guiding paw. She first sees the youngest, and then to the oldest, and then, she sees the adult coming towards them with food. Her own kids have taken much of her morning nursing through her, but the motherly instincts are still here. Sensing that the pale man is from an allied pride, Genya decides to stand a few feet away and chuffs at him. Hey, you she says. We ought to get them somewhere, no? This is not a good place for cubs. Her silver eyes flash at the (relatively) handsome face of the male. Before it gets any worse, Genya looks back to the cubs. Finally, she stalks closer and lowers herself a little while maintaining space between herself and the children. Hello little ones, I am Genya, a queen, and a mom. What's your name?

image by amphispiza, code by koi

It wasn’t long before not one, but two strangers appeared. Like vultures, they circled, offering sweet words and asking how the abandoned cubs were doing. As if the horrors they fled weren’t written clearly across their faces as it was. Rune edged closer to Iroh, wide eyes staying locked on the adults with an almost unsettling intensity. She didn’t trust them. She didn’t trust any food they might offer, nor the safety they could supposedly provide. But she had always been difficult. That was what her father said, claiming she was impossible on purpose, as if it were her one mission in life. The comment had always drawn a laugh from her, but the memory only stung now, scorching her throat as the emotions threatened to overwhelm her once more. Her friend was better at this, he had a way with others that she didn’t, and despite her reservations, she trusted him without question. "I go where he goes." That was all she said, her voice low and rough. She did not offer her name, figuring Iroh would likely introduce her if he saw fit to give their names to the strangers.

@Iroh @Sjórbjörn @Genya
"Speech"

When the two strangers appeared, the tired cub immediately forgot just how tired he was. Survival mode kicked in, and he moved toward Rune as she also moved closer, making sure he was in front of her. A growl worked it's way up his dry throat, and he was truly a sorry sight - but he would not give up until the bitter end. The first that approached was a giant male with some sort of prey in his mouth. He dropped it and spoke gently to the pair. Not long after he introduced himself did the second adult appear, introducing herself also. They both seemed friendly enough, but Iroh was not exactly the most trusting. However, golden eyes kept glancing to the food; he knew Rune was famished and needed strength.

He took a moment to speak himself, ears flickering when he heard his travel companion speak. She was right - he would not let anyone take her without a fight. Now the boy was torn; does he try to bluff his way past the much larger adults, or give in? A glance back to the red girl, and Iroh swallowed hard. He would do anything to keep her safe; she was all that was left of home. Eyes returned to the white man that had brought the food. He remembered what his father had taught him about manners and respect. He pushed himself fully upright, looking the one called Bear in the eye. "Saitō Iroh." Family names going first were normal to him, and he hadn't even thought it may not be tradition here in this foreign land. Eyes switched to the one called @Genya - she said she was a queen and a mother. Neither of the cubs had mothers anymore, but did they need one?

Waiting to make sure the adults' intentions were still good in nature, he stood aside and nudged @Rune on the shoulder. "Eat," he whispered harshly, the only way a child knows how to talk quietly. "I will protect you." Eyes then returned to the adults, moving to stand close to his friend. He wasn't sure what would happen next, but he would be ready for it.

@Sjórbjörn

sjórbjörn sigrún

---

We should, he says, to @Genya, not liking the way she address him as if the children don't have perfectly good ears and brains between them, but I'd like to let them decide that for themselves. They're old enough to do so. Eventually, @Rune speaks, and the bear-priest nods. @Iroh's not-whisper is loud enough for the bear to hear, but he pretends as if he hasn't. I am prince of Obsidian Hollow, where I live under the rule of my mother. I have a daughter around your age that would be very happy to have friends. Siblings, he wants to say, but that's a conversation for a different time. Wherever they've come from, they clearly haven't had a good time, and he's not going to bring up adoption right now when they're not comfortable with him yet. You'd be well cared for no matter which of us you choose, but you will not be forced anywhere against your will. I won't allow it. That he says as much to the kids as to Genya.

the children will not be separated, not just because they remain close and seems to care for the other. it makes genya smile, but also her heartbreak knowing that these cubs don't have anyone else but each other. my own daughters are younger, but they are willing to play. we also have plenty of food and dens for you two to live in. she doesn't offer the idea of fostering or even adopting. the two cubs look precocious enough to hold on their own. genya is certain one or more of the adults in the oasis can keep an eye on them if necessary. if not, she will also step in. we don't want to restrict your freedom, so please take your time and decide.

image by amphispiza, code by koi

Iroh told her to eat, promising to protect her, but the thought of food turned her stomach. The adults kept talking to them, laying out their options and promising them they could choose where they went. But did any of it actually matter? Her family was dead, and while she didn’t exactly want to be rude, she couldn’t muster up the energy to give a damn which stranger took them in. She would never have her father back, or her mother or any of her siblings. No one could replace everything she had lost, and short of going back to the way life was before, she didn’t think anything could make her happy anymore. Turning her head closer to Iroh, she gave her reply in a quiet whisper. "I don’t care where we go. It’s up to you." She couldn’t meet the expectant gazes of the man or woman before them, instead nudging at the gazelle as though she intended to eat. She didn’t take a bite though, instead keeping her attention on Iroh and the adults, waiting for a decision to be made.

@Iroh @Genya @Sjórbjörn
"Speech"