ORIGIN

The smile on Enka’s face broaden as the lion cub indicated that she understood what was being suggested. Enka could only imagine how difficult the world would be without the use of sight and didn’t want the young one to feel bad because of it. Her heart yearned to save this young child from any pain if at all possible. She could remember the wonderful times she had had as a young one herself, how the world was nothing but magic and fun. She wanted the same for Atinneas.

Atinneas got up and asked a question. It was a difficult one, one that cause the kirin to pause before answering. Her magic ended up being like her mentor out of luck. How could one discover their ability otherwise?

Before she had a chance to respond, though, a strange sensation spread from her front leg where the lion pressed against it, up her bones and through her spine, to her brain stem to cling to the various neurons of her brain. It was almost an itch or a tingle, similar to the feeling her gemstone horn would make when she used her green sense ability.

Before her eyes (and, unknowningly, Atinneas’ as well) played out the first time she had discovered her magic. She remembered first meeting Mister Rift after hatching, his old familiar form of a green cougar covered in flora appearing before her mind. How she teased him for being a plant kitty. How when Rift showed his magic, she hoped she had magic to. How he offered to teach her about magic and the forest. How excited he was when she was first able to sense plants and then, in time, cause her own plant babies to grow.

The odd sensation slowly faded, though the images took longer to go. It was such a wonderful time back then. Enka shook her head, her large ears flapping to the sides, before turning her head so that one brown eye clearly faced the young cub. “Was… was that you?” Enka asked, puzzled. She had never felt such a sensation before, but it made sense.

---

Speech
Thoughts

Tags: @Atinneas
Notes: Memories from her hatching thread, Here, if curious

She couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face as Atinneas asked if she had called Rift “Plant Kitty.” Enka had thought of the feline in such terms for quite some time due to the greenish tinge of his fur and the plants that lived along his back. It seemed like so long ago now….

When did everything change? When did she first realize that life wasn’t always to be so easy and carefree? Even physically she had changed, her nearly elongated tail giving a bit of a flick. Perhaps that was simply the nature of life, to grow and become something more complicated than before.

Then her thoughts returned to the young cub. Here she was, still in that young and carefree stage of life. How long could she stay like such?

“Yes, I did,” Enka responded to the cub’s question with a small chuckle. “When I met him, Rift use to have a variety of plants that grew along his back. I was so worried I would end up like that too,” she added with a soft bleating laugh.

The kirin shook her head, returning to the train of thought she had been riding. “You are very skilled, young one. I’ve never seen anyone do that before. I believe you have lots of talent.” She reached her head down to nuzzle the young one along with her praise.

“But tell me, who is guiding you? Who is watching over you? Was it the larger white lion that was at the meeting?” Enka tried to ask gently. It was strange to see one so young by herself and was wondering where her caregiver was. Who was watching over the cub and making sure she was able to be carefree for as long as possible?

---

Speech
Thoughts

Tags: @Atinneas
Notes:

The springbok now kirin was pleased at the cub’s response to her praise, but it was short lived. Head jerked up, twisting to fully see the cub with one eye so as to fully take her in. Previously Enka may have thought such was fine enough. After all, she had wandered quite a bit as a young one despite being under Rift’s guidance. But she still had a guardian. And her eyes had now been opened to the dangers that the cave could potentially have. And, to a degree, so too had they been opened to the young cub.

There was no way that this could remain this way. But what alternative was there? … Then Enka landed on a strange, but gentle thought. She had taken care of plant children to the best of her ability. It was not always successful, her mind travelling to the last fire before being shushed away. But she had done well with her time. Perhaps, at her ripe age of 12 cycles, she could help this young cub. To show her how to care for her own plant babies, to guide her away from poisonous things and towards those tasty berry treats, to help her learn and grow.

What did she know about felines, though? Well, she knew about Rift. And he would help answer any questions she would have, she knew. So, taking a deep breath, she stopped her awkward pause.

“Forgive me young one. I didn’t mean to be so quiet in response. You’re a strong young cub, but you are still a young cub. I remember meeting Rift … I learned so much from him. He helped me so much.” She smiled which traveled to her voice at the memories.

“Having a mentor was very helpful for me. So, Atinneas ….” She gulped, a little afraid to ask, to make such a commitment, but excited all the same by the tremor that went through her body. “If you’d like, I’d like to show you what I know. To mentor you in turn. If-if you’d like, that is.”

---

Speech
Thoughts

Tags: @Atinneas
Notes:

The mammal couldn’t contain her joy at the cub’s agreement. Enka lifted her head, giving a soft bleat of joy. “I’m glad that you fancy the idea! There’s so much I can share with you! I think we’ll have a lot of fun with this!”

It took all of Enka’s self-control to keep from giving one of her characteristic pronks, a mighty leap upwards, as she feared not being careful enough of her landing to avoid landing on the young cub. She did, however, rise up in turn with a shiver of excitement running along her back that ended with a wag of her long tail.

“Oh, what to start with first? I suppose you should see some of the cavern more? There are much to Eridanus than just the plants. There are some nice lakes to play in. There’s a deep trench. There’s even a giant mushroom to lounge under! What would you like to see first?” Enka wouldn’t help but shift her legs with her excitement. She was very eager to share her knowledge with the cub.

Then she made a rather brisk realization. “Oh! You’re young still? Are you tired, or hungry, or anything?” "Being a caregiver might take a bit more work after all," she thought to herself.

---

Speech
Thoughts

Tags: @Atinneas
Notes:

Hearing the cub’s soft reply, her own excitement calmed down. Of course, Atinneas was still a cub. Magic like that must have taken a lot out of her. While Enka was most definitely excited, literally bristling with ideas and visions for the future, instinct took over that helped calm her down. Slowly it dawned on her just what it was she was getting into. This young first cycled gembound was so fragile, not even including her blindness. And she was now placed in her care to help teach and care for. It was an exciting but also terrifying moment to realize what all that would entail. And yet … how it made her heart swell at the thought. She would dedicate herself to this young one.

The mutated creature smiled gently at the lion child. It was sweet to see, the small tale-tell signs of drowsiness showing through Atinneas small body. Ever so gently, Enka nudged the young cub caringly with the softest of chuckles. “Of course, Atinneas. There will be plenty of time to play with magic and explore the caves.”

Springbok children would often walk just fine on their own. And most of the gembounds could walk well enough upon hatching. But she had seen some of the other gembounds both greater and less carry their young. It seemed appropriate so that she could rest as much as possible. “I’ll take you to where I’ve been sleeping lately. There’s a nice soft bed of leaves and moss there, surrounded by sweet smelling flowers.”

And with that, Enka carefully attempted to grab the nape of the cub’s neck to lift her up. It was a bit awkward in her herbivore teeth, but should be okay for the short distance she needed to travel so long as Atinneas didn’t move about too much.

---

Speech
Thoughts

Tags: @Atinneas
Notes: Sorry for delay in posting!