ORIGIN

Canis was the room of bones. A pale cave, given the numerous bone fortresses and dusty air. A white cave, now that fungus covered it. The moonstone chrysalis almost blended in, if not for its blue shimmer and increasing size. It had stagnated some time ago, leaving just enough room for the child within to reach the size it needed to at least sustain itself. The chrysalis did not want to do more work than it needed to, after all.

The caves had a funny way of making a point, as the being within started to stir. The gemstone casing that had protected it all this time had grown so thin that their back could almost be seen through it, fur the same colour as their gem, slicked to the skin with amniotic fluid. It kicked, releasing a hoof, and it stretched, gemstone antler tine perforating the crystal womb. Then it rested. Slow breaths drew energy back into the hatchling as the crystal began to empty, allowing warm air to enter needy lungs. Even the dusty air felt like a fresh breeze to one who had only breathed fluid.

More squirming followed the panting, flicking chunks of stone away from the bulk of the chrysalis with small grunts. He was trying to get comfortable again more than escape, but it was of little use as the chrysalis crumbled around him. He had outgrown it. There was little else to do but get up, to look around and try to shake some of the liquid free from his coat.

He was awake.

The hybrid (who did not identify with any one part of themself over the other) leaned into the warmth offered by the white stag's tongue, blinking bright blue eyes at him as he stepped back. They were not fully awake yet, yawning and licking their lips before the words registered.

"Hello..." His voice was quiet, almost strained as it tried to make the word sound like the stag had said it. His eyes drifted to antlers much more developed than his own, and a horn resembling the tine that jutted out of his skull just enough to be seen in his peripherals. Family. The word fit like a glove, or a blanket, something warm and safe. He leaned forward on unsteady legs to sniff the stag's mane.

The other made themself known, now, sliding into the picture of their vision as if they had always been there, just out of sight. "Hello." He tried again, a little more sure this time; not a whisper, but still soft-spoken. Seeing their wings made him flex his own, still damp and not yet strong enough to fly. Family. Came that word again, prompting a wag of the tail he just now realized he had. It looked like some mix of the two, long like the stag's but more densely furred towards the bottom half.

The hybrid's head turned back around as the smell of food registered. There was no quicker way to a hatchling's heart, and he wasted no time sauntering over, narrowly avoiding slipping on wet stone. He was just about to take a big bite when he paused, mouth open, to look up at the dog-bird. "Thank you." Seemed like the right thing to say before promptly shovelling the thing into his face. He licked his mouth clean and smiled up at the dog.

"Family." He made an attempt to voice his thoughts, glancing between the two of them. It was a question, though it did not come off of such. "Dad." He tried, squinting between the two as he waited for one to respond. "Papa." He continued after a pause, eyebrows raised. "Brother." Was met with a shake of the head, and was quickly replaced. He did not know why, exactly, but something felt off about it. They were too big, he decided. "Mom?" Came tentatively, followed by another shake of the head and a huff. Ladies didn't have antlers! And 'mom' was a lady name! "Uncle?" Was the last attempt before they sat, fatigued by the effort of trying to find the right word. He hadn't even gotten to himself yet! Who was he?

Arsu. Oliver. He cemented the names in memory, like a load-bearing pillar of all that he would become. He came from them, in some way or another, stone-giver (whatever that meant) or not. They were family, and family, defined only by the examples before him, was a gentle thing. A caring thing. A warm thing, if the feeling in his chest was any indicator. 'Father' seemed too harsh a word for such a delicate moment; maybe that is why it hadn't come to mind.

"Dads!" He settled on, moving to offer each a nuzzle. Hopefully they didn't mind that he was still a little damp, and that he was clumsy with his antlers. (At least they were only a tine each, for now) He used the distraction to think, really think, about who he was. A name. "I am Akari." He started to speak just as it came to him, almost like a whisper in the wind. "Your son."

Akari blinked at the change in Oliver's tone, but without anything to attribute it to, expressed his thanks before proposing what would likely become a string of serious questions over the next cycle or two. "Is this..." He mulled over the next word, visibly unsure if it was right. "Home?"

Akari nodded as Arsu repeated his name, standing as tall as a newborn could on shakey legs. 'Wonderful.' His chest puffed up with the approval, fur and feathers fluffing themselves up to form a rather impressive mane (for a hatchling). It was quite short and scraggly in his youth, but the makings of a king were there. Even with pin-feathers, there was an elegance to him, a purity.

"Thank you." It was unclear if he was addressing the compliment or that attempt at a gift, now just a small black shard of what remained of his chrysalis. He tapped another piece closer to his dads, an open invitation at another attempt. He wanted to see it in action, this magic. He wanted to learn to wield it, too.

"Orion." He tested the name, nothing more than a whisper. Home. He wanted to ask about this cave, about why it wasn't 'good', but newborn brains were not good at processing words quickly, and he was not willing to put in the effort to try yet. He smiled, again, turning away a little as his other dad complimented his name as well. His face felt warm. "I can walk." He reassured them. If we go slow. He hoped, unable or unwilling to voice the concern. He didn't want to slow them down, and he needed the practice if he was going to keep up with their travels!

It was a surprise that Akari did not give himself whiplash as he spun to face Oliver head-on, walking the line between panic and dread. What did he mean, 'visit a lot'?! Mercurius? Family was his dads! He had only just met them! His mind was running faster than his mouth could even begin to form words, and so he stared, bewildered, at his crow dad. Why couldn't they all travel together?

He swallowed, hard, and closed his slack jaw. "Promise?" It was not anywhere near what he wanted to say, wanted to ask, wanted to do, but... It was better than nothing, and a wonder that his crowded mind was able to ask anything at all. It was a placeholder; a means to buy some time for him to process this information. If Oliver promised to visit, maybe he could convince him to stay, even if it took cycles. At least he would have Arsu.

He did not want to be alone.