ORIGIN

After the raptor attack, Leon - though he was bleeding and bruised - was desperate to return to Orion and find Zetos. The little cub had been by himself when Leon left, but the bear hadn't had any reason to fear Zetos being on his own. He'd never encountered predators like that, Gembounds that big and dangerous that didn't speak before going in for the kill. They had followed the scent of Usui's blood, which meant they had to have traveled through Orion to get to the tunnel they were in. That meant there was a risk that they had found Zetos. Considering how hungry they were when they found the small group, Leon almost doubted they had, but... the fear lingered in him, burning in his chest.

The bear entered Orion with his heart beating wildly. Some part of him still feared the raptors were following him. Some part of him was afraid to even be alone - and another part of him feared for his friends that weren't with him right now. Zetos, Bevy, Makyna... what if they found Makyna? He wouldn't be able to live with himself... unable to protect her. But she had Cancer. Cancer could, couldn't he? He closed his eyes and squeezed the thought out of his mind, stopping for a moment to catch his breath. Then, Leon looked around the room. Where had he last seen Zetos? They'd been around some crumbling buildings... but it wasn't likely the little cub would still be there, would he? Maybe he would be near the shards of his shattered chrysalis.

So, that was where Leon headed. Back to where the ruby chrysalis lay in pieces beneath the glittering ceiling. The bear moved quickly, his sore limbs propelling him through the ruins of a broken city. Orange eyes flitted about in search of the child, but could not find him. Even with the lights on, the darkness reached places that would hide a shadow-coloured babe. He made his way to the chrysalis and glanced around before quietly calling out, "Zetos? Zetos, are you here?" If he was lucky, Zetos would be nearby. Otherwise, he'd have to continue searching for the child and hope that he would be okay.

Hours after the departure of Leon, Zetos would sit till a deep sleep would fall upon him. His onyx body would perch in between the ring of rubies. Familiarity comforted him.

And so would the fearful frantic voice of the brown thing Zetos named 'Pa'. Zetos chirped in greet and his body would lazily lift from his upright curl. His think tail swung to hover above his back; a content and happy physical gesture.

Zetos lifted his crown, allowing his chin to bump Leon's right elbow. Purrs were given aloud, his little chest drumming. Ears flickered with brief excitement as he sat near Leon. Red optics looked largely at crimson ones. Fire element burned and scorched through both.
" Pa! I here, Pa! "

---

" Talking looks like this."
" Thinking looks like this. "

While the bear searched, the little leopard cub emerged from the darkness, from some hiding place in a distant corner. A light feline purr announced the babe's presence, and Leon tore his attention from a rock he was searching under, swinging his head around to pinpoint his location. There was Zetos, walking happily towards him as if he had no care in the world. Leon blinked a few times and uttered a sigh of relief, sinking down to his rump while the little cub padded up to him and bumped his muzzle against the bear's elbow. He was glad to see that the cub was okay, and he seemed oblivious to the threat that had recently traveled through this room to follow him. Did Leon want to frighten the cub by telling him what had happened? He glanced away, seconding guessing himself.

Needless to say, Zetos was happy to see him. The bear zoned back in and smiled exhaustedly; he was finally able to catch his breath after running back from the tunnel and searching for the cub. "I was just worried, I thought I lost you," He admitted and laughed. After vowing to protect the cub, Leon couldn't very well go about losing him. Especially with raptors prowling about. The bear shifted slightly, casting his gaze back in the direction of the tunnel. Perhaps it would be a good idea to be somewhere far from the entrances, to stay hidden... The forums?

Leon huffed and rolled forward, landing on his four paws again. Standing, he shook out his great, thick pelt and looked down at the cub. "You wanna go explore some more?" He asked the boy, turning his gaze to the direction of the city's heart. The forums were circular platforms that descended into the earth, with a large platform in the middle. He liked to imagine that it was meant for large meetings, like in Maji Walezi, only for a far more massive group of Gembounds. The tunnels and windows in the forum would be an exciting place to explore, would it not?

Leon seemed puzzle at the easiness of the ebony kitten. What was it? Zetos tilted his skull in response, curious. Eyes of blood starred at the bear that looked uncertain. Had Zetos done a no no? As the bear sat, Zetos sat near his side.

Eager to remain close to the bear's warm body, Zetos would quiet down at the sound of Leon's warming vocals. Anything but secretive of concern, he spoke of relief. The cub flickered his auds, attentive to the man in brown.

A weary smile was given to Zetos and it would send his whiskers in a flaring wiggle of delight. Excited, the black panther pressed again against the forelegs of the bear. Leon was large. But intimidation died along with the unfamiliarity of Pa.

Zetos listened still as the bear sighed and rolled to his paws. The cub mimicked. Large red eyes would continuously lock on the bear and before Leon would speak, Zetos would acknowledge the boulder sticking out from Leon's back. A crack of worry broke his own little smile. Concerned himself, a soft voice would murmur wearily, " Dat a ouchie Pa? Want me help? "

Adorably, Zetos wanted to help remove the boulder that seemed like a stick. Was it stabbing him? Leon quickly would suggest traveling. Nodding his head, Zetos agreed. Staying close to his Guardian's side, he'd clumsily walk with large paws that were prone of misplacement

---

" Talking looks like this."
" Thinking looks like this. "