ORIGIN

Et In Arcadia Ego.

The fierce eagle's wings still drew a look of mixed jealousy and mild dismay-- whether or not Laz was the type to develop an acute acrophobia upon being exposed such great heights as were inevitable in flying, he still didn't like the idea of others having something he lacked. That dismay was nothing compared to the knowledge that he wasn't the biggest cat in the cave-- his blue eyes grew wide and his massive siamese-influenced ears went down in unhappiness, broadcasting his emotions as only big bat-like ears can. "/Bigger/ than me?" he asked, his voice broadcasting as clear as his ears.

It would be awhile yet, young as he was, before Laz realized that size wasn't everything. Nevertheless, this fact took some getting used to, and the fact of his youth was small comfort. Nevertheless, he seized on that small piece of comfort Raikzik had inadvertently offered: "Well, when I'm their age I will be bigger."

Firmly self-possessed in this untrue fact, Lazarus blinked at Raikzik, the idea of introducing himself never having occurred to him. "oh. Nice to meet you." he offered, his little pointed face contorting in concentration as he considered the question of 'name'. "I am.. Lazarus?" He didn't know where the name came from, but as soon as it was spoken all question evaporated from his mind, and he nodded again. "Yes. Caer Lazarus. That is my name." This was said with a little trill of pride; he had determined that himself, and he liked the ring of it.

@Raikzik
((I feel like this image perfectly encompasses Laz's reaction to not being the biggest cat on the game.))

Et In Arcadia Ego.

Yes, all was as it should be. Laz didn't entirely resist the urge to puff out her chest with pride, which looked comical alongside the rest of her kitten-y self-- knobbly knees, big paws, big wedge head, huge eyes, even huger ears, and that extra-soft fluff that was the purview of kittens and all things young and fresh and fluffy. Laz failed to realize the amusing effect of this, too pleased that Raikzik-- who was proving to be a good sort-- agreed with her.

The truth of the matter-- that Laz would not even come close to being the largest cat in the cave-- need not yet apply.

"Thank you." she said, happily, grooming her own shoulders in that self-satisfied way that cats do when they're happy. That touch of fluff to her tongue made her realize that there were a whole wealth of physical systems that had thusfar been making only minor noise in the back of her mind, and Raikzik's next comment gave some of those a name: hunger.

Like how small injuries never hurt until you look at them, Lazarus was suddenly ravenous, it having occurred to her that hungry was a thing you could be. She looked up at Raikzik hopefully-- Raik had helped her out of her shell, had told her a few things about the world, and was being good company-- would he also prove to be a proprieter of all things edible? Certainly it was clear that she hoped he would be.

"I /am/ hungry." she said, fresh with the realization. "/Very/ hungry. Do you know where food is?" and there was that hopeful cant to her voice and her eyes, as she looked at him and then around him, as if he might secretly have a stash of something edible nearby.

@Raikzik