ORIGIN

The cub echoed the elder's purr, the squeaky sound vibrating low in his throat. He was learning so much! What luck, what were his chances of being happened upon by the same species? Especially one who was very nice, like this one?


The Puma cub perked up when the other began to roll his name on his tongue, as though trying to figure it out. It irritated the cub, that he couldn't speak properly, but hopefully he'd learn in time. He was rather small for a Puma, even for a Puma cub, so it made sense he'd learn a bit slowly. He purred loudly when the other got his name correct, thinking 'That's right! Sebastian!' ...hopefully he'd be able to say it properly, soon. Eventually.


He shivered at a sudden wave of... something, and the cub's eyes widened as plants began to bloom across the other's pelt. Amazement was obvious on the little cub's features, and he gasped quietly. He leaned forward to sniff at the flowers growing on the other's pelt, before startling as his magic began to react. His ears, nose, paws, and tail began to grow warm, then hot.

Hearing the elder squeak, the cub huffed. He wasn't being funny! He was just surprised, that's all. How was he supposed to know the other could grow plants on his fur?

He was surprised, both by the sudden heat on his pelt and the others reaction. The cub whimpered quietly, flattening his ears, before squeaking and cringing as he felt the pain of burns on his neck. Ow! That had hurt!

When the heat died away, he looked up at the other curiously. What had he done wrong? He didn't mean to do it, it just happened! And he hadn't burned the other, had he?

The cub smiled as the other approached him once more, stretching up by way of asking for another grooming session. When the other complied, he purred, ears twitching as he listened to the other speak.

He didn't know, could he? 'how do I...' He felt inside, focusing until he felt his inner heat. He channeled the heat into his extremities, grinning proudly as he began to smoke, despite the pain.

The little cub frowned when he saw the other flinch, wondering what was wrong. Was it his magic? His heat? Had he done something wrong? But the other had asked him to... His ears went back when the other moved away, cocking his head.

The puma fought down a sound of pain, his ears, paws, and tail burning. It hurt! Why did his magic have to hurt him? It wasn't fair! And he could already tell, from the way the other reacted, that what he made was dangerous. The other created things, and made life. But what he made burned, and destroyed. And... if it hurt him that much, what would it do to others?

He startled, having been lost in his thoughts, at the sudden feeling of the others rough tongue darting over his ears, tail and paw. Although each lick was rather short, it did help a bit, soothing some of the stinging pain.

Sebastian (he had a name!) whined low in his throat, ears flattening against his skull and shrinking in on himself. He'd been right! His flame was dangerous! The elder had just said so, and hadn't the elder always been right? At least, as far as he knew, he'd never seen him be wrong.

The black cub perked up as the other kept speaking, more energy in his voice. His ears perked up, and a purr rumbled in his throat. He would! He wanted to get control over his Magicks, be able to use them for good! He'd make the older Puma proud!

The cub weaved between the other's forelegs affectionately, tiny body shaking with each purr. His eyes glistened excitedly as he squeaked, "I will!"

The little cub purred excitedly, rubbing the scent glands on his cheeks against his fellow Puma's legs, marking him as his. He felt oddly attached to this older, bigger version of him, and it seemed his affection was returned. The elder seemed to care for him - had he made his first friend?


His eyes looked up, noticing for the first time the gem that replaced the other's ear. It was covered in a... something, but looked odd. What was that? Did he have one? The puma cub plopped down on his butt, bringing a paw up to feel his ears. Nope, two, soft fuzzy round ears. That was odd. Which one was normal? He, with his two rounded ears? Or Rift, with only the one? Huh, the cub was having his first existential crisis.


He tilted his head as the other spoke again, his stomach rumbling at almost the exact same time. Sebastian's eyes widened, and he nodded excitedly, jumping to his feet. "Yes, please!"

Sebastian tilted his head at the older Puma's smile, not so sure what he'd found funny. He'd just been checking his ear, to see which of them was normal! He didn't think it was funny, although the other seemed to think it was. Rift, he decided, had an odd sense of humor.


The Puma looked at the elder oddly, seeing his tail lashing. Was he excited too? From the sound of his stomach growling, he was! The cub's stomach rumbled as if in sympathy, and first the first time he realized how hungry he was. Time for his first meal!


He raced after Rift, smaller legs pumping hard to keep up. Sebastian wasn't entirely sure what they were doing, but he could feel his blood boiling with excitement, energy racing through his veins.


The cub nearly collided with Rift when the other stopped, dropping to his haunches and skidding to a stop. He tilted his head, oversized ears flopping, at the other's question, before turning his nose to the air, inhaling deeply. Something came to his nose, and he perked up. "I do!" He took another deep breath, and turned in the direction of the scent. "That way!"