The bear seemed quite the stick in the mud, ignoring her. She could forgive him for that, though. He was in really bad shape. Concentrating hard, the bacteria seeped through his wounds, allowing that spot to heal faster. "There, all better” she stepped back and, tilting her little head to look up at him, scrunched her eyes together and gave him a sharp, toothy grin. The next moment she was back listening to what Makyna was saying. She was clinging awfully close to Leon (what about Cancer? Did she cling so close to him?) and wondered if this bear was truly her special friend – the one they had a deep talk about. Could Cancer be her special friend then? She didn’t mind if Makyna made way for her.

The little fox pricked her ears as Makyna’s downcast face matched her ominous words. "And he’s alive……you mean, he almost died?” Her gaze shifted from lioness to bear, shock registering on her face. She couldn’t think of a battered and dead Cancer! No, he was her daddy, and she didn’t have anyone else. Except for Makyna mum but if this bear was the one she had special feelings for…her horrified gaze fell upon Leon and she felt tears welling up within her. It was too much for the young gembound to bear – unfair how they’d taken her in, treated her with so much kindness and shown her the world of magic and music only to…

Quix choked and stepped back, tail held to the side in hostility. She couldn’t even utter a word to Leon. No matter how brave he’d been…where was Cancer? Shouldn’t they find him straightaway? She sniffled even as Makyna buried her face into the bear’s scruff. When the lioness recounted her vision, Quix immediately dashed to Makyna and whining, attempted to push her nose into the lioness’ side. "We gotta go now! No time to lose,” she whimpered, and whined more, furry tail wagging behind her in anxiety while her paws scraped at the ground as she tried to shift that 300lbs worth of lion meat.

He felt her moving ever so slightly, shifting in response to the visions she received, then turning her head to speak to the fennec fox at his side. My child. That line had barely registered in the bear at first, but he found his curiosity nagging at him. Orange gaze flitted back down to the little fox, and then back to Makyna, what he could see of her. That little critter couldn't be Makyna's actual child, could she? Oh, no, he'd ask about it later - he was too tired to care and had want only to be close to Makyna. Now that he was home... home... with her. Where ever she was.

It was inevitable, she eventually spoke of Cancer's fate, that he had a fifty fifty chance of being alive. Leon didn't know how he felt about it. The leopard had almost killed him - it was his intention, to the point, obvious. Leon had wanted to kill Cancer too, but he'd gotten as far as lighting the leopard on fire before realizing what he was doing. Then the leopard was swallowed whole by the crevice, and then Leon didn't know if he was alive or dead. It was Leon's fault, but Leon had made his way back to Pisces and while Cancer's fate lingered in limbo, at least Leon was back home with his friends. It was all he wanted now, to be back home, and yet... Makyna spoke of trying to find the leopard, heading back to Monoceros to where the ground opened up and swallowed him, to the danger she spoke of with the dragon and the lamb, rescuing him - the one that had tried to kill Leon. Leaving Leon behind.

The bear was stunned for a moment. His insides were in turmoil; there was fear at first, fear that Makyna would leave him again, fear that she would be gone and then she would get hurt while looking for Cancer. Then there was hurt - betrayal, even, that she would leave him here to search for the black leopard. Did she not understand? Did she not realize? Surely, she must have - he needed her, and he wasn't willing to let her go yet. It didn't matter how much the fennec fox pressed Makyna to go, Leon couldn't let her leave. If she did... he would be alone. If she failed, he could lose her again, and if she succeeded... then she would bring back Cancer, and Leon was loathe to face the black leopard again. To face the hatred with which the cat regarded him. To see those murderous eyes again. To know that Cancer had truly tried to end him. He was afraid of that, of possibly having to defend himself again when he was at his most vulnerable.

"N-No," He mustered, the words tumbling helpless from his lips while he curled a massive paw around Makyna's torso. "please, Makyna, don't leave me." Leon felt pathetic and helpless, angry that she even considered leaving so soon after he'd come back, but too tired to truly comprehend it. It made him exposed, that helplessness shining through as he begged for her to stay. "I only... I only just..." He inhaled sharply and struggled to find the words. "Makyna, I need you, please don't leave me behind." Leon's voice cracked, admitting what lingered just on the tip of his tongue.

At Quix's question she nodded. To be fair they both had almost died. Leon was evidence of that but the bear hadn't fallen into the pit. Wasn't left alone there, vulnerable next to a dragon. The thought of Cancer murdering Leon hadn't truly hit her. In a fight didn't they all try to hurt each other? The thought of murder... She pushed it away. Unwilling to associate Cancer with the want to murder but she hadn't been there, hadn't seen the hatred in his eyes, hadn't known what Leon did. So, she couldn't truly understand. Not yet.

So, the lioness just wanted them both to be safe. Where they both could be asked what had happened when they'd rushed from Pisces. Quix was visibly upset now. Standing up and lashing that fluffy tail. Makyna couldn't blame her and at her insistent urging was about to rise, her muscles in her hindquarters tensed as evidence of this but then Leon spoke. He wrapped a tight paw around her and pulled her in, then her heart broke. In this state she couldn't leave him, physically couldn't do it. The streak of pain in her heart that she had earlier felt was amplified tenfold.

Her poor friend, so vulnerable at this moment. Who was she to leave him? Those muscles relaxed as her muzzle dropped to lick Leon tenderly on the head. No. She couldn't leave him like this. Not only was she bound here by the flood of emotions, the ones that Leon felt and those in her own heart that were rejoicing at their reunion, she just couldn't leave him in this physical state. He needed her to look after him... and she would do it because she loved him. Because he was her heart and she wanted her heart to be well.

Still, leaving Cancer alone when he was alive. Practically sentencing him to death... She couldn't bear it. Her heart felt like it was tearing in two. One half reveling in Leon's presence and wanting him and her to be happy while the other half wanted to rescue Cancer and to keep him from death. It was a hard job trying to keep everyone happy and well... One that was causing her distress. However, she would put that aside... Would stay for Leon.

Sadly she looked down at the fox pup, eyes sad and voice breaking as she spoke, "I... I can't go Quix... I'm so, so sorry. Leon needs me... but.." She shook her head, a resolute look on her face. "Cancer must be rescued! We don't leave other Maji Walezi members to die and time is of the essence. If we must save him you must go now! But not alone..." No. Quix... She couldn't allow anything to happen to Quix, it would break her heart all over again. The fox was her daughter and she didn't want anything to happen to her. It would be all her fault... but there was nothing she could do. Her heart was set and her emotions locked into the task she had at hand.

Her blue gaze went up to the bird on Leon's back, eyes pleading. "Please... Can you go with Quix to Monoceros? Cancer is in the pit... Do whatever you can for him to get him out and... and if he did truly and honestly try to kill Leon outside of the throes of battle..." Even inside of battle the thought of trying to rip out someone's throat sickened her but hadn't Leon said he'd used a knife. No... Couldn't think on that now. Rescue first... that later. "Keep Quix safe. I will check on you with my magic and if you need me call and I will hear. Please, can you do this for me, Bevy?" She hoped, anyway. If they took too long then she would go to Monoceros anyway. Wait till Leon was asleep and sneak away. More friends in danger and possibly dying sickened her even more... especially when one of those friends was her daughter.

---

words: 711
tagged: MW... and Leon <3
ooc: ---
muse: 10/10

"Talking looks like this!"
"Thinking is this!"

enna . ratchet . calypso
sweet and soft . bright and cheery . critical and melodic
ooc ;; notes and tags
Quix quickly came on to the scene, her little assistant. She went to offer thanks for the help, but became instantly distracted by a pussing wound on Leon's shoulder, one that looked quite uncomfortable. Her consciousness slipped away as she went into her robotic, automatic way of healing fellow gembounds. She only had attention for her duties, and nothing would distract her. She heard them talk, the cheerful Quix ever so eager to be kind and friendly to everyone.

Ky said, shortly after the grunting from the large grizzly, that she knew where Cancer was. She felt a crawling through her skin, her eyes refusing to look at the lithe, sandy feline. She had to work, had to make things better. If she didn't, she... No. She wouldn't fail them. Just keep working. She heard the vision from Makyna and tried not to dwell on it too deeply. The lioness was capable of communicating from far away, and all sorts of sensitive, mystical magic. Bevy knew what she said was likely true. She hopped down to get more cobwebs and looked to Quix to ask her something important.

The tiny, large eared fox started to prod at Makyna, whining in such a way that Bevy felt the sting in her chest that she tried so hard to ignore. She clawed at the moss under her talons, closing her eyes. She took a deep breath as Leon begged for Makyna to stay, desperation in his voice. The kind that almost brought Enna back, almost, but she choked her heart down. She had to stay rational. She flew up to the bear again and went back to patching him up, channeling more of her bacteria towards him, doing so slowly so his body would adjust and not send him into shock. She had to go entirely by feel because she hadn't brought up her ability to white sense and she couldn't see the difference visually.

The pitohui bird stopped, her magic interrupted by the lioness addressing her suddenly, her voice desperate. The bird fluttered above Leon, her harsh red gaze falling on Makyna as she begged for Bevy to go find Cancer. As if she didn't want to go, to save her best friend, the one who she looked up to since she was just a young gembound--... She knew what she wanted, but she also knew what she had to do.

"No."

Bevy landed beside her friends and turned away. "I'm not going, Makyna. And neither are you Quix. I need you here to help me patch up Leon. He has wounds... Wounds that go deeper than any I've healed before and I don't know if he will recover properly without constant care." Her tone was flat, her back to the mammals who were depending on her. Didn't they see how much all of this was bearing down on her? She had to save Maji Walezi, she had to fix everything. She couldn't save Leon and find Cancer. Besides, she was a Guardian, not a Scout.

She took a breath and turned around, meeting Makyna's eyes once more. She tried to keep her voice even, tried not to raise it at the feline who was just as afraid as she was. "Even if I did go, Ky, what good would it do? If he's injured and can't come home, Quix and I can't carry him. We'd be stuck there, and what if Fisher gets worse-- his wound reopened this morning. Leon needs Quix and I, and Dark needs me too. I can't do everything," she explained calmly, as though she was discussing something so much simpler like what to have for lunch, or how to fly. She didn't let a single emotion slip through, not even internally. She squelched it all down and kept perfectly in control of the situation.

"We can send others out to look for him. My place is here, making sure Leon survives. Making sure, if anyone else gets hurt, they can find me. I'll need more supplies... I don't have nearly enough ready," she returned to her pile of leaves and vines, feeling numb and distant, as if Cancer wasn't the one miles away in a pit in the hole of Monoceros, but instead she was.

"I'm sorry."

I hear a voice calling, calling out for me
These shackles I've made in an attempt to be free
Be it for reason, be it for love
I won't take the easy road

I won't take the easy road
The easy road, the easy road

Show me my silver lining, I try to keep on keeping on

"Speech"

From the shadows she watched the entire interaction. Piercing blue eyes lingered over them all, watching, waiting to see the outcome of this sudden gathering. She had spotted him the moment he took his first few steps into Pisces. High up on the ridges she rested, away from the others. Of course, Bevy was more than capable to fly up where she had manged to climb to her perch. A long tail flicked and swayed as it dangled off the edge. Every bit of her ached to go down there, to see Leon and to see if there was anything she could possibly do for him. Her dear Big Brother was injured. Albeit from a fight he had took first swing in. A fight over Makyna at that. At least that's what she assumed anyway. Love was such a fickle thing. Something Amaria truly wished never to experience. Especially if this is what it did to people. She had not seen ear nor tail of Leon for long weeks now. Makyna was practically in the same boat, having left that very same day that Leon had.

Rouded ears pressed back for a moment as a frown set upon her features. Though, the emotions were quickly cast aside as she pushed her ears forward again to continue listening in on them. She nearly rolled her eyes when all either of them was cry and cuddle and cry some more. Perhaps this meant Makyna truly was no longer bonded to Cancer. Of course she had heard that entire fiasco. Worry crept into her stomach when Leon had mentioned that he had no idea where Cancer was. It wasn't that she had a strong friendship with the fellow leopard, sure they were friends, but any time she had ever got around him Makyna was off in a hissy fit about something or rather. She had made a game out of it of course, pushing her elder sister's buttons until she was on the brink of smacking at her.

Solemnly Amaria watched as Bevy got to work on treating Leon's wounds, which was a huge relief even if she was not down there expressing her concerns to her brother. She would only be in the way anyways and hell only knew if Makyna would start acting the same way over Leon as she had with Cancer. She sniffed indignantly before shaking it away. No, she really shouldn't be so swift to judge. That just wasn't who she was. Her gaze moved as a small sand colored vixen went scampering over, asking for Cancer who was clearly not there. Out of no where Makyna had spoke on the subject, claiming the leopard was potentially alive. This all spurred a debate on whether any of them were going to go to Monoceras and rescue their leader. Leon objected, pleading to Makyna to stay with him and Amaria could have let out a puff of air. She did not know what either of them were going through at the moment, nor truly what had gone on to cause such spite between bear and leopard. She did know, however, that it was primarily revolved around Makyna. Jealousy? Perhaps that was it. It didn't make no sense to her and Amaria was quick to push the thoughts away.

Amaria was mildly amused when Bevy outright refused to do as Makyna had asked, stating her intention to stay and see to Leon. This left relief in Amaria, happy that hear dear brother was going to be looked after. Quix had been told she could not go alone, that she also needed to stay and see to the wounded here. What exactly was a fisher anyways? A frown marred her features. So that was it? No one was going to go after Cancer? They were just going to leave him where he was to face things injured and battered. There was no doubt in her mind that Cancer was just as badly injured as Leon was. How would he even begin to defend himself if that were the case? Slowly she rose to her paws, easily maneuvering around. Amaria knew she was not needed here, that if she were to go down there and try to reconnect with her siblings right now that it would just be bothersome. She would seek them out when they were not so caught up into each other.

She would go see to Cancer. To make sure he was alive and breathing. She would be unable to offer him any reprieve to his wounds, but at least there would be someone with him. With one last glance towards the group that was gathered around Leon and Makyna, Amaria summoned her magic to her. She waited for a moment and when she finally realized that her magic would not come to her call. Oh well, now she would not be able to escape Pisces without the others realizing she had been there. She shook it off and began her descent down from the ledges. She landed on the ground with ease, her paws brushing against the ground. She skirted the walls of the cave, making her way towards the exit. She did not spare one more glance towards the others, her movement's languid and intent. She cared not if others decided to follow her, but she would go see to Cancer regardless how the others felt. Leon was safe in their home, and even if her big brother had issues with Cancer and they did not get along, that did not mean he should be left alone. The moment she slipped free of Pisces, entering the tunnel that would lead her to Monoceros and out of view of the others her paws moved quickly. She ran urgently, needing to get to the chamber wind as quickly as she could. She had to find Cancer.

The young fennec nudged Makyna, prodding the lioness with her little stub of a nose, burying into warm fur as she tried to get the lioness to stand. But then, the bear put his paw over Makyna and coaxed her into doing the exact opposite. Quix’s heart dropped. How could one be so selfish and cruel? "But…but he might be suffering…out there, while we’re just…gathered safely in the den,” she choked, stepping back from Makyna, confusion glazing over her watering eyes as she glanced from the lioness to the bear. And as she stared at Leon, she felt a stark dislike for the big bear rise within her. The girl didn’t care that he was injured right now – but how could he stop her adoptive mother from finding Cancer daddy who needed their help, even as she said so? Her gaze was not harsh, but mournful and full of misunderstanding. Then, the lioness spoke, her decision being to send Quix on the mission with Bevy. She nodded, ready to scamper away to retrieve Cancer, when Bevy cut in – about them being too small, and Fisher reappearing. Fisher. The one who first saw her when she hatched. She missed him a little. But who was to say that Fisher would appear here again? And how was he connected to all this?

The girl paused her thoughts, desperately trying to put her sentences together in a more literate manner. She lifted her eyes to look at Bevy, her eyes watery and indignant. "No,” she heaved, as she took in a big lungful of air and bravery, having to assert her willpower against others for the first time. "I may be small but I will find help for Cancer. And I will be back soon.” She looked towards Makyna and then at Bevy. The lioness was large, she could take care of Leon with the birb and besides, wasn’t it what she had wished for? To stay beside him? Then she could do. Leon didn’t need her. "I am not giving up on Cancer. How is he expected to make his way back with all these wounds?” she yelled, tearing and aggrieved, and cast a glance at Leon. If the bear had this many wounds and was in such a condition, Cancer would never make it back alive. And he was the one she’d first and foremost sworn loyalty to as not just his daughter, but to follow him as the leader…and as long as he hadn’t been found, he would still be the leader to her, in her heart. With a sniff, she turned around, and scampered away to the Monoceros…the place with the pit and the dragon which Makyna spoke about.

As she left, the fennex fox spotted a clouded leopard there. Unfamiliar to her, but a Maji Walezian all the same. She’d scamper over and with a "hey,” follow the leopard whose intention was to save Cancer too.

No? That certainly caught her off guard. Ky had expected Bevy to agree and to take off with Quix to find their leader. The lioness was taken aback and the only thing she could do was stare at the bird, flabbergasted. Bevy did have a point. Of course, Leon needed someone to care for him but she could do that herself. She would do whatever Bevy said to take care of him and keep him from getting infected while they went off. If no one went then... then... "Then he'll die..." It was spoken barely above a whisper but in her voice was finality. Not sending anyone would sentence him to death. The bird was truly ready to do that? To put aside everyone's feelings... to put aside Cancer's life like that? Makyna could hardly believe it.

Send others? What others could they send? Who was here to go? As far as she'd been back no other Maji Walezi members had shown themselves! "Who can we send? Quix can't go by herself!" Her voice wasn't angry, just desperate. Desperate to do something and not just wait around! Her head turned to the little pup as she spoke. Quix was right but there was no way in hell Ky would let her go by herself. Even as the fox turned to leave Ky was preparing her magic. "No, Quix... if Bevy won't go with you... you aren't going at all..." With that she sent out her magic, it was a weak impulse but it was enough to wrap invisible fingers around the disobedient canine and pull her back to them.

Suddenly, a shadow passed by. She knew that shadow or she thought she did. Was that Ammy? The leopard had certainly grown and Makyna felt a surge of guilt. She'd been back for almost a day and seen hide nor tail of the smaller cat. She should have seeked out the smaller cat or at least told her about her pilgrimage... but she didn't. However, at the moment with Amaria's speed there was nothing she could do. What she did know was that the leopard was off in search of Cancer. She had hung around and listened to the conversation and now had gone to act. Ammy would save them and be back before she knew it.

Makyna focused on her magic and pulled the fox even harder, feeling bad for pulling her away from Cancer but she knew it was for the best. "I know it hurts... but Amaria will travel faster alone and she's large enough to get Cancer back. Please understand... we can use your skills here for Leon and Cancer when Mia brings him back. If Amaria needs your help I can send you, little one, but until then stay." She tried explaining herself and hoped that the fox wouldn't hate her for keeping her away from Cancer.

Even as she pulled her back the lioness would keep a hold on her magic and hold the fox still so she couldn't escape.

---

words: 505
tagged: MW... and Leon <3
ooc: Sorry DX I forgot and messed up the order...
muse: 7/10

"Talking looks like this!"
"Thinking is this!"

For as pathetic as the bear had become, he was relieved that Makyna eventually gave in to his pleading and decided to stay here with him. There was nothing he wanted more than to lay with the lioness, soak in the warmth of her presence once again and hear her voice, feel her heart in the same room as his. His eyes were beginning to hang closed, unable to focus, unable to really think as the voices of his comrades rose up around him. Makyna insisted somebody else go instead, Bevy and Quix. Leon's eyes opened slightly as he looked over to them, first Quix and then Bevy who continued to flutter about trying to fix his open sores. They would be able to find him, wouldn't they? They were small and they could move fast... but what happened after they found him? Was he in just as bad a condition as Leon? ...Would he even be alive?

Bevy quickly shot down her idea, maintaining that they all had to stay here and take care of one another. Mostly Leon. Still leaning his weight against Leon, the bear's gaze flitted away with a surge of guilt. He'd only wanted Makyna to stay... but Bevy was right, she needed to stay here to help him, same with Quix, especially if Cancer made his way back on his own... Makyna didn't enjoy that idea, suggesting that he could die without their help. Quix began to cry, clearly upset and he felt his own heart twist, guilt mounting.

There was suddenly a shadow and Leon raised his head just in time to see a small form slip out of the tunnel behind them. Her long tail betrayed her identity - Amaria, who must have been lurking somewhere above and listening the whole time. She hadn't come out to see him - had he made her angry by leaving? He didn't mean to abandon her... but off she went, presumably to go find Cancer. There was nothing he could really do. Quix tried to follow, only to be stopped by Makyna. Eventually, the four of them remained, accepting that they needed to stay while Amaria went out and searched for the black leopard. Leon's shoulders slowly sagged, flattening his ears. At least somebody would be out there looking for him.

Through all the arguing, Leon had eventually realized just how tired he was. He spent a long time unconscious on the floor of the gorge, but even that wouldn't be sufficient to heal him. His eyelids sank again before Leon huffed and buried his face in the lioness' scruff. "Amaria will find him." He mumbled tiredly into her fur. "Makyna, I... I need to sleep..." Leon sniffed and finally withdrew, gazing at the golden girl through tired eyes. Amaria will find him. If she doesn't, then I will. But first I need to sleep, I just need to be with you. He stared at her for a few seconds more, and then slowly rose to her paws as she did to hers. With his side pressed against hers, the bear followed her to the familiar comfort of her den, finally happy to just be able to rest.

exit Leon with Makyna (w/ permission from Briar)

enna . ratchet . calypso
sweet and soft . bright and cheery . critical and melodic
ooc ;; BEVY EXIT
... Mm, right. Leon needed rest. Bevy nodded as he slunk off, counting up her things once more. She definitely needed more clean moss-- that was easy. She needed more cobwebs, and worse, she needed more of the plants from Eridanus. There were long, lengthy leaves that you could only get from there where the giant ferns grew. She sighed and resigned herself on that for now, hopefully she could make due without it.

"Quix," she called shortly, hopping over to the young fennec fox. "Could you get more cobwebs for me? Don't stray to far, please. If something happens, I might need a pair of paws," she instructed shortly, wings tucked at her sides. The ache in her chest flared up worse when she focused on the younger member of Maji Walezi. Perhaps it was because she was closer to her sort of apprentice than the other two, but that didn't make much sense. She shook her head, clearing her mind from the distracting nonsense. "If you could catch Leon some fish and other things to eat, that would be helpful. We need to keep his strength up-- save some for... Amaria... when they return."

She purposefully avoided saying her best friend's name now. She could feel herself about to break. "I'm going to be collecting clean moss and filling it with water to bring to Leon's den. He'll need to drink plenty in the next few days," she started to speak more to herself than the vulpine gembound, turning away from her to collect up her things into a bundle once more. Afraid of snapping in front of someone else, she clutched her leaf pouch of herbs in her talons and took off suddenly, leaving for the pools that she kept clean for drinking.

This is the end
Hold your breath and count to ten
Feel the earth move and then
Hear my heart burst again

She’d been so ready to travel and find Cancer when she felt her body being hoisted up unstably and pulled backwards. Quix shrieked and flailed in the air, fearing for her life. Thankfully, she landed safely by Makyna, at which point she was too stunned and emotionally distraught to think any further about anything. Her mind functions completely shut down and the world became a large blank. Bevy spoke to her then, instructing her to get cobwebs. Numbly, she nodded and padded away to get the cobwebs as spoken. It was too much for the fennec to bear. Mind shut down, she had completely dissociated and would get the cobwebs as Bevy requested like a mechanical robot, and help out with Leon with nothing more than duty to title.

-Exit Quix-