ORIGIN

It had been far too long coming, his return to Eridanus. Carcino entered through the tunnel from Orion, dragging his paws, bits of his armor askew and hanging in places, broken and torn. He faired little better, new scars, blood-stained fur. This was hardly the vision he wanted his daughter to see, but he would wait no longer to bring her home to Canis. To her sister. Where she belonged.

The battle-worn king paused in the entrance of the forest cave, staring at the odd sight that met him there. The normally green landscape had become sprinkled with white, fluffy snow. Some had drifted into the tunnel, but he'd only now noticed it. More fell from above, generated by the clouds and mist, drifting lazily down in a light flurry. He shivered against the sudden chill, but found it comforting in some way. It certainly helped to numb his pain. The king moved on, into the forest, finding little peace in the silence of snowfall.

Arkrael's den was easy to find now. He'd memorized it's location the last time he was here. Though he hadn't gotten the chance to actually see his daughter then, he'd known Cure was sleeping inside, her scent still heavy over the ferns and moss surrounding the hidden entrance. The cat made his way to said little hole and paused, staring into the darkness momentarily, dread-ridden and tired. Exhausted, really. He slumped onto his haunches, not minding the snow as it folded beneath his hind quarters, dampening his fur and sticking to the metal parts of his armor.

With a soft murmur, he called out, that feline bellow gentle and quieter than normal. He didn't want to attract attention. Arkrael would be here any moment, with the others who'd return to Eridanus if they could. He'd rushed here, the moment he'd seen Hasira dealt with, the moment he'd gotten a chance, sure his friends and beloved Amaria would be safe. He'd ran the first few yards, but his injuries slowed him down. Now, slouching unevenly, he waited to see if Cure had heard him... to see if she was ready to go home.

"Speech"

@Cure takes place after the battle with Hasira

It had been a long while since she had first been brought to this now exciting cavern. The day she came into Arkrael's care was still fresh on her mind and the reasoning for it still left her with nightmares when she slept. She had met a nice little Lemur, one who had taken care of her and even gave her something to help her sleep much better. She wasn't sure what it was that Cayenne burned for her, but the smoke was the sweetest of smells and it always left her feeling warm and happy. The gash along her nose had finally healed, leaving but a thin scar reaching along the width of it, and her ribs had finally stopped hurting when she moved.

She had been growing, she knew this only because she now stood close to Arkrael's shoulders. Or, at least her ears reached Rae's shoulders. With everything seemingly healed and okay, Cure had spent her free time exploring Eridanus. Which had inevitably led her to meet her rather close friend, Xerxes. The cub had been a blast to play with and she was extremely happy Arkrael let him stay around the den with them if he had so wished. The den she was now headed back to from a few hours of playing with said cub.

Paws tromped and played through the snow as they carried the growing cub through the now white sparkling field of fern trees and bushes. She was positively hungry and when her attention was finally off the snow her paws were bounding across the area, eagerly rushing towards the Den. Laughter bubbled from her as she pounced on a smaller snow covered fern bush, giggling as all the piled snow went flying into the air before settling back towards the ground.

It wasn't until she heard a call. One so familiar that her heart suddenly thudded hard against her chest. Her head swung up, ears pushed towards the direction the sound came. "Dad?" she murmured quietly at first as she suddenly began very unsteady on her paws. Tears began to well up in her eyes as she made the last few paw steps towards the den and when she came around a tree the large leopard came into view. Her breath hitched in her throat as she studied the worn leopard, obviously returning from some kind of fight with how his armor dangled from his body. "DAD!" She sobbed out loudly and took no more hesitation as she bolted over to him.

She struck against his side, but did not stay in that place as she quickly moved around to the front of him and rubbed almost too hard against Cancer's legs before looking up at him with tear filled eyes. "Dad! What happened?! Are you okay!? Why are you hurt?!" She bellowed and whimpered, desperate to know what had befallen her father. Had that stag done this too? Had he truly gone back to harm her family like he had promised if she did not listen to him? Guilt quickly consumed the cub and it was only a matter of time before she was a sobbing mess, repeatedly saying she was sorry.

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"Speech"

Words: 308
Tags: @Cancer
OoC: oop :O more feels.

Cure wasn't in the den, but he was relieved to see her up and about when she emerged from the frosted ferns nearby. She had tears in her eyes, and when she saw him, he felt a wave of guilt for the look of horrow that crossed her face. He crouched as she rushed at him, and with a sweep of one paw, tugged her into a bundle between his paws. There, even as she spoke, horrified at his condition, he began to groom her fur, rough and stern but ever loving, grateful to have his daughter back, his precious girl. The family could be complete again. They'd survived this trial. Everything would be okay, and so, the king began to purr.

"It's okay, Cure, sweetheart." He soothed, leaning back to smile down at her, warm and gracious. "I kicked ass, is what happened. Don't you worry about it. I'll be fine come morning." He hoped, at the very least, he could fake it around her- some injuries took longer to heal than others, after all. "Are you okay? Did the stag hurt you? Arkrael kept you fed, and safe?" He worried now, concern flashing across his features. "Your mother and I have been worried sick!" But she was safe. She was his again. He could bring her home. His family could be whole again. The thoughts rang again and again through his mind, full force. Tired and still numb from battle, it was all he could think about.

"Speech"

@Cure

Cure tucked close to her father as he held her tight, grooming over her fur as he did so. She sniffled, desperate to get her emotions under check as her father reassured her he was okay. Though as he lifted his head to look up at him she did not move, kept her paws gripped around his neck as she held on tight to him. She was so happy to see him. Even her tail had found a way to curl about is wrist as if in an attempt to keep him close. "Yes, papa. She did. She fed me a lot I think i've gotten a bit fat," She sniffled and giggled a little at her own little jest towards herself. It was when Cancer asked if the stag had hurt her did she pin her ears back against her head.

"I'm sorry for running off. I am. I didn't..." She began only to stutter off as her voice seemed to just fade from her grasp. "It wasn't too bad, papa...he uhm. He cut my nose...and Cayenne said he broke a rib. But it's all healed now! I'm okay. Please don't be mad," She whimpered, unable to bring her gaze up to her father in fear of him being mad for her running off in the first place.

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"Speech"

Words: 308
Tags: @Cancer
OoC:

Cure started apologizing and it broke his heart all over. She begged him not to be mad but he just pressed his cheek against hers, rumbling a hearty purr to sooth her once more. How could he be mad? Once upon a time, the caves had been a safe place. He'd explored every known inch, mapping it out, memorizing the quickest routes to and from, knowing every corner to find food or medicinal herbs- those he knew of anyway. He wanted that for her, for both his daughters, but how could he provide that? How could he ever trust the caves to be safe again?

"Shhh, Cure, it's okay. You're okay. I'm not mad." He assured, licking her forehead gently and bending back to look at her again. "You're safe, it's alright." He raised a paw to place it over her head, ruffling the fur there. "You wanna go home now? Remedy's waiting for you. I bet she can't wait to hear about your adventures, and to show you all of Canis by now." He smiled, warm and sweet as honey. "We're Bonebound now. A whole extended family, all there for us, for you, whenever we need them. It's safe there. It's not far, I can carry you."

He knew he'd have to pass through Orion, but the cat had already mapped out his route. He'd avoid the battle field entirely, sticking close to the walls and behind the structures. He'd be sure to make their trek through the starry cave quick and painless, and perhaps they'd find Amaria along the way- or already in Canis when they'd arrive.

"Speech"

@Cure

Her father's purring did wonders to sooth her turmoil. It wasn't long before Cure was purring herself as she continued to nuzzle into his fur. The word home was spoken and Cure was quick to nod her head up and down excitedly. She was ready to go. She missed her family. Especially her twin. "Bonebound?" cure murmured through sniffles as she finally looked up at her father. Extended family? Did that mean she had more brothers and sisters? She tilted her head in curiosity before she smiled big up at her father.

"Yes, I'm ready. Can we say bye to Rae first? I don't want her thinking I got taken or anything," She purred softly, reaching up to nuzzle at the bottom of his chin. She owed a lot to Arkrael and she wouldn't want the wolfess to start thinking that stag had come back and stolen her away right from under her nose. Then there was Xerxes. She didn't want to say bye to him either, but maybe he would be interested in exploring a new place. That is, perhaps she would ask him of that later. She was sure Rae would let him know where she was until then.
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"Speech"

Words: 308
Tags: @Cancer
OoC:

Arkreal had certainly made an impression on Cure, so it seemed. Carce smiled almost sagely and nodded.

"Of course, sweets. Though, I'm not sure she's near. I haven't seen her since--" He broke off suddenly. He'd been about to say, since the battle, but he realized quickly how that might stir emotions in his young youth. The male shook his head dismissively. "We'll find her first, and if not, I'll make sure she knows where to find you for visits. How's that sound?" He ran his tongue across her head again, then shifted with a grunt. Slowly, stiffly, he stood again.

"Come now, let's see if we can't find her..." He looked towards the snow-dappled forest and sighed. Then, with a rumble, he sucked in a deep breath...

...and let loose a bellowing roar, one that echoed evenly through the forest despite the muted sound of snowfall. The effort left him gasping, just subtly, then the king remained in place, ears perked, waiting for a response.

"If she's here, she'll have heard that. Now, we wait." He explained, then looked down at Cure with a tired smile. "I'll teach you to roar like that someday, when your voice shifts. It's a skill only us cats have, calling out like that. Sounds like thunder, doesn't it?" At least, the thunder of the caves, when rarely electricity popped and snapped, or rocks shifted, creating bubbles of atmosphere.

"Speech"

@Arkrael & Cure