ORIGIN

WORDS: xxx| TAG: @usui//all welcome| NOTES: none

Since my last meetings with the only two creatures I'd encountered, I could safely say I grew if but just a little. I felt more..matured in a way, however minuscule figure was still rather cub-like in appearance. Light spots covered my creamed belly and unders, while the tawny overcoat cascaded like honey over my spinal and about. I stuck out like a sore thumb, basically, camouflage rather ridiculous if I should ever need to hide for my survival. Glinting, subtle jade stone seemed to sparkle just a bit as I meandered cautiously about my surroundings, careful to avoid the center entirely. And as I did so, I noticed illustrations upon the wall, almost resembling what cancer had displayed for me. But they were obviously different, however the connection was still thriving. Paws, which were too large for my limbs, occasionally stepped in puddles of water, causing a visible track as I advanced at a glacial pace. I should be more careful, but these pictures had me rather distracted. I pivoted ever so, sitting before them, dull emerald lenses observing the alien markings.

Black backed ears swiveled and pinned in concentration, as small neck extended my muzzle outward from my sitting position, just to get a better look at some minor details. Tassel curled around seated rump, him limbs, and reaching toward my fore paws, tucking in snug-like. Otherwise, I was careful to remain silent. After having meeting with cancer, there was no telling what kind of creatures roamed this...domain. Whatever the whole of it was. Every so often, I would take a look around. Alert as ever, keeping a sharp eye out and jumping at the slightest of noises. But each time, it was just a drop of water or the clank of small rocks. The cavern speaking to me, I guessed, though I was entirely unsure what it was trying to tell me. Promptly, my attention returned to the markings.

"spoken words."

i will now bleed for what i believe in

no more mistakes for them to make for me. so goodbye, it's my time for me.

credit to nat of adoxography.

Sweet feline grace had rested well since the completion of her mighty tower of bones and skin. It was, by far, the cleanest and most pristinely built structure in all of Canis- or so Mau thought. The white cat had taken some time to rest since its construction, but now it was time to get back to the real world, and face life head on. Oh, but what a dirty place she lived in. She looked upon her kingdom with despair- it would surely take eons to clean it, and all these bone-eating slobs she lived with, well, they didn't help matters.

So, come the fifth morning after the completion of her tower, Mau set about cleaning the cave- top to bottom. Carefully, she picked her way through piles of rubble and bones, sorting each item as desired. Fresh bones, with flies still hovering around them, rancid meat still attached, were tentatively tossed into one pile, while ancient, white-washed bones were thrown into another. Bits and pieces that didn't fit in either category were sorted into yet a third pile- teeth, claws and fragments of gemstones each neatly divided into their own little groups. Patiently, Mau went about her task, purring softly to herself as she worked, in hopes of relieving the tension of dirt and grime she felt in her back, her throat. She loved her family, her Bonebound crew- but they were filthy, disgusting animals all the same.

The cat had taken a moment to get a drink, heading for the rippling stream that ran down the far wall, through etchings and moss- making it cleaner than the other pools and flows here. What few were left, at any rate. As she approached that west wall, a sight ahead made her pause. A stranger, another cat but younger, bigger. The fur on her tail and back stood on end defensively, and with stiff legs, she slowly stalked her way towards him...

...and as she approached, that blue gem and her eyes took on a pinkish tint and she cast her voice without daring to speak.

"What do you think you're doing here!?" The emotion was stronger, easier to understand than her thought-up words. She was defensive, and just a bit offended. How dare this stranger waltz so easily into the Bone King's lands? As she reached the boy's air space, she stopped and stood, back arched just slightly, tail propped up only a little, full fluff.

Usui padded silently towards Canis. It had been many moons since he'd last come here and perhaps he would get to meet a friendly face today. The youth quickened his paw steps, tail curled and raised with a little tuft sprouting from the end. Having completed a cycle, the jade-eyed youth had grown out of the chubby cub body. His limbs had grown stout and tuft of fur sprouted randomly across his broadened nape. Usui was large for his age and this showed not just in his frame, but upon his face as well. Sombre, pale green eyes sat atop a rounded and widened nose. It wouldn't be long before he sprouted a mohawk of a mane. He'd decided to adventure a little today and thus, he had with him his trusty leather satchel with a metal chain. It hung loosely around his neck and haunches, and thudded gently against his side with every step. Tirelessly, the youth pressed on, keen to meet other gembounds today. Mid-way he decided to pause and cast gem sense to see if others were nearby.

The youth's gem glowed a ghastly black as he conjured his magic. Although faint, he saw two sputters of light in his mind's eye and they were close to each other and pretty near to him too. This struck the lion's interest. Without further ado, he padded towards them, making his way quickly through the remaining tunnels. Soon, his gaze fell upon two smaller gembounds. One was a white cat and the other, much to his surprise, was a male lion cub who was not too different from himself when he was a cub. Usui slowed down and swung his tail in gentle greeting to the young one even as he cast his gentle, pale gaze upon him. "Why, never thought I'd met another lion cub!" he exclaimed enthusiastically. Usui then turned to face the white cat and sat upon his rump so as not to intimidate her. "Pardon me, I'm Usui, a long traveller." His gaze flickered from one gembound to the next till it finally rested almost paternally onto the younger gembound. "How have you been coping so far, brother?" he grinned boyishly.

WORDS: xxx| TAG: @usui//all welcome| NOTES: none

it wasn't long, and more creatures came about. embarking without fear, i noticed every critter wasn't afraid to greet the other. my skittishness has lessened some since having been under cancer's paw, but i was still intimidated when the voice of the white cat impaled my mind yet without her even moving her mouth. i looked at her with wide, timid eyes, and before i could respond to the angry feline, a larger cat appeared. he looked like me, sort of. obviously older, larger than me, but we were...what'd cancer say? lions. he was friendly, spoke to me as though i was his kin, even called me brother. i wondered, did he know cancer too? did cancer influence this male? i forced a smirk at the older lion, before returning my attention to the white cat, unsure how to respond to her. i stammered.

"i..uhh..i was just walking. yeah, just walking from the perch."

i assumed everyone knew what the perch was, cancer's throne. didn't they know? i looked back to the older male lion, now with a less forced grin. my position remained - sitting and stationary. the only thing that moved was my head, and the occasional twitch of my tail.

"is that your name? usui? my name is niru."

i wondered if he knew what names were, and if there were duplicates. i looked at the lighter, smaller feline.

"do you have a name too?"

i inquired innocently, curiously, genuinely concerned that not everyone had a name. and everyone should have a name. i could help her pick one out, if she needed help. once again, my attention returned to usui the traveler..whatever that meant.

"coping? what does that mean?"

i grimaced now, eager to soak up new knowledge.

"spoken words."

i will now bleed for what i believe in

no more mistakes for them to make for me. so goodbye, it's my time for me.

credit to nat of adoxography.

@Mau
@Usui

Niru

Mau

Usui

Niru