ORIGIN - In Between

How long has it been? Time, now that is something I have forgotten about. I had no clue how much time has passed, or how I even got here, but here I was. Even if I could properly open my eyes and keep them open, there was hardly anything to see. The darkness was all-consuming, and Cetus was no exception. I had been here a while, though, that much was apparent. The stench of myself and the imprint of my body beneath me was evidence enough of that. I could not move, either. My body was weak, no doubt skin and bones. How long had it been since I have eaten anything? I wracked my brain, but it could hardly turn over. Letting out a long, low groan, I collected a large paw beneath me, but could not move any further. I was upon my side, leaned up against a tree, surrounded by brush and laying on a thick slab of mud. There was no doubt my underbelly was riddled with caked mud and fresh mud. My chin had been embedded in the ground, it was a chore to move my head into a different position. Each movement was difficult to perform and each muscle called upon screamed in protest - what was left of them, anyway. It turns out, you can’t not eat and drink and still survive perfectly fine.

But there was one good thing that came from all of this turmoil. I got to think. Something I had been putting off for a while now. Since Cancer left, and since my siblings have vanished, and since my hiding, I repressed damn near everything that happened to me. There is one constant though, and that is Ky. The mere thought of the lioness brought a small grin to my parched lips, and an ear twitched. I remembered the time when Ky protected me as a young cub, using her body to shield my own in a time of need. She had always been my mother. Even if I had not treated her like one from the start, and even if she did not know it. I missed her, with every fiber of my being, I missed her. It was almost painful, but there was not much I could do about it now. I was much too weak to get up, much too weak to replenish my body’s needs. But I shall die with her memory alive in me, and now I only wished I could tell her that, or let her know in some way.

A massive sigh escaped through closed chops and I wondered if there would ever be a time again that I would see her face, or embrace her scent, or feel her warmth. It made me sad to think I would never have such a luxury again, and if my tear ducts could form tears, I am sure I would cry. Instead, I laid still, awaiting my impending death.

"words."

@Leon @Makyna

The lioness felt as if they'd made the correct decision in coming here. Sure, it was a relatively dirty and muddy place but at the very least it offered them sanctuary and others to watch their backs while Leon healed. Makyna loved Pisces so much but when it came right down to it, the whole place was a ghost town filled with sad memories. At least here they could start over new and ameliorate their lives. Leon was always a hero but... What would she be? She pondered this as she walked with a deer in her mouth, the Marsh Strider's rubbery skin partially dragged against the ground as she continued forward.

The fog obscured what was around her but her species was fine with navigating by scent and by sound. Which was why the scent of another lion and the sound of labored breathing reached her ears she was able to track it down with relative ease. It took some time but soon enough she stumbled upon the emaciated body of Niru. Her heart clenched in her chest and her eyes widened at the sight of him.

You poor child... He was hardly a "child" now but that was how she always would think of him. That terrified lion cub caught in the midst of a battle, the sweet young male who'd offered her help and company when she needed it. Now he needed her once more and she couldn't help but offer it to him, just as if he were her own son.

Makyna scurried over to him, bring the carcass and gently setting it down in front of his muzzle, hopefully that would entice him enough to eat. "Niru, Niru, it's alright. I'm hear now. Everything's gonna be fine, sweetie." Her voice was low, comforting as she began to lick at his fur, trying to groom it out a bit and hopefully stimulate some warmth in him. Was he cold? Surely he had to be lying in the muck.

---

332 | -coughs- typing this as if they've already joined the group. | @Niru @Leon

"I talk."
I think...

An eye attempted to peel open, though it would do nothing. The perfume of Ky was undeniable, accompanied by the sweet scent of a kill. She lay before me a meal, and a smile graced my lips, but I was much too weak to really do much. My breathing became labored, but it was due to being excited that she was here. She’d came. She’d save me. I knew it. I mustered my energy within, willing myself to sit up just slightly. As I did so, both eyes fully opened. They were once void of life, but with the sight of her, they were brighter than ever.
"Ky, you found me."
My voice was weak, broken up and hoarse, but she was the only one to get me to talk in weeks. Years? Who knows.

Struggling, I was able to roll onto my stomach, using frail limbs to prop me up. Large, muddied forepaws reached for the carcass she’d dropped before me. I didn’t want to take her meal, if she was hungry, she needed to eat. But man, I was famished. When I was back to health, I’d hunt for her. Hell, I’d do anything for her. Jaws spread wide, eager fangs sank deep into the rubbery carapace, claws ripping at the flesh as well. The succulence was impeccable, and I couldn’t stop. Once I started, I was hellbent on finishing the carcass off. I slowed only to break away and thank her.
"Thank you, it’s been so long since I’ve eaten."
Though I was sure she knew that.

After a few more bites, I pulled away from it. My stomach was still empty, still gurgling for more, but I was just so happy she had found me, I couldn’t listen to my stomach now.
"How are you? I’m sorry for vanishing again. I got lost in Cetus. Am I still in Cetus? The darkness didn’t help either."
I felt pain swell inside of my chest, replace the blood in my heart. The last time I had seen Ky, she was a wreck. Leon was missing, and she was in shambles. Her home was destroyed, and I was all that remained to make her smile, and I had to go and get my big ass lost. When she needed me most, I was not there. Shame was an understatement. A forepaw slid across the flooring to touch her own, and I squeezed gently.
"When you needed me, I wasn’t there. Can you forgive me?"
And for as long as I draw breath, it would never happen again.

"words."