Li had lost sight of Envy. She didn't know how it happened. One moment, the little weasel was with her, and the next, they were gone. She thought of the promise she had made to stick with them, and resisted the urge to shudder at the thought. It didn't help that she had basically failed that. Something that seems so simple...She shook her head. She didn't need to focus on that. She just needed to find Envy.

She couldn't help but feel as though something were...wrong. Was Envy in danger? Was there anything she could do to help, besides find them? They had always managed to do well on their own. It seemed it was easier for the weasel to make friends. Or, at least, those they could get close with. Ever since Imperia and the things they had done, Li found it hard to trust others. She had trusted the caracal, and it left her with scars - physical and mental.

She let out a sigh. She had to stop thinking about these things. But honestly, how was she supposed to find Envy? They were so small...It felt as though there was no hope of finding them. But she couldn't give up! Maybe there was someone nearby who knew where they were? Or even knew of them? She looked around nervously, wondering if she was going to have to talk to someone else. The only one besides Envy she trusted was Amras, and she had no idea where he was, or if he'd have any idea where Envy was.

She felt close to giving up. If she could just have any hint...Something that would help her to find them, she'd keep looking. But the caves were so big. She didn't even know if they were in Polaris! Envy could still be in Orion for all they knew. Or one of the tunnels. She sat down, suddenly so weary. She had woken with a burst of energy, though it had likely just been adrenaline as soon as she realized Envy was missing. And now it was gone, leaving her to almost slump against the ground.

"Li Speech."

A deep breath.

Reign had been exploring. It was not out of a sense of adventure, or of curiosity. It came from a feeling of needing to know, of mapping out what he was to protect. But this room, this room of plants and Magic, did not feel right. It was nice, and the Magic gave him some energy. But it didn't feel right, it wasn't his.

But that didn't keep him from walking. Tiny legs covered a surprising distance, confident strides carrying him through the cave. Something was nearby, he could tell. But he didn't quite yet know what. So he followed the sounds, growing to learn what pawsteps that weren't his own sounded like, and scenting something in the air.

Before long, he had come across his target. A large cat of some sort, not unlike himself but yet quite different, was slumped on the ground. Was it - she - hurt? He came to a stop several body lengths away, not intending on startling her, and then called out,

"Beg pardon, but are you alright?"

@Aaliyah

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.

Li hadn't realized someone had approached. When a voice sounded, she jumped straight out of her slumped position and looked up, seeing a young cat. Her eyes narrowed and she observed him. The cat was young and didn't look anything like Imperia, something she was grateful for. But while it was perhaps slightly difficult for someone so young to cause too much trouble, she was still wary.

She then thought back to what he had said. Was she alright? ....Was she alright? Frankly, she wasn't sure what "alright" would be like for her. She remembered how she had felt close to death after leaving Imperia, how if it weren't for Amras, someone would have probably come up to her and finished her off. Someone like Imperia. Surely they weren't the only ones like that.

She shook her head briefly to get rid of her thoughts. "I'm fine," she murmured, though it was quiet and raspy. She hadn't spoken in a while. She thought about what had led her to this moment and, hesitatingly, took a step closer. "Have you...ever met someone by the name of Envy?" It was a long shot, especially with someone so young. But she had to do whatever she could to find the weasel. Including asking someone new.

"Li Speech."

@Reign

Reign looked up at the older cat, adjusting his gaze. Her leap had startled him, although he didn't let it show, nor did he outright react. Instead, he merely observed her. Trying to determine what she would do next - she appeared wary, although he didn't yet know why.

She said that she was fine, but he highly doubted it. Her voice was quiet and raspy, and her body language was all wrong. The Prince wanted to ask if she was certain, but didn't think she would be terribly receptive to it.

However, she then stepped towards him, and he listened. Apparently she was searching for someone, a creature by the name of Envy. His ears twitched, and he gave a graceful shake of his head. "Sincerest apologies, but I am afraid not. Since my hatching, I have only met one other, and he was not this Envy of whom thou speak. If thou would like, I could help you search for them, however."

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.

@Aaliyah

Li had to resist the urge to slump back against the ground at the cheetah's response. She was no closer to finding them, and each moment without them sent a jolt of panic through them. She took a deep breath and then let it out slowly. Panicking wouldn't get her anywhere. Distantly, she was aware of the cat's strange way of speaking. She couldn't recall hearing anything like it. She didn't say anything about it, though. Perhaps he was just that way.

At their request to help, she paused. If something bad had happened to Envy, she wasn't sure if she'd want anyone else there. Or if Envy would. So she let out a sigh and shook her head. "No, no. That's okay. I'll find them eventually..," she murmured, looking around a little uneasily before turning back to the cheetah.

"Who...who are you?" Her voice was hesitant, but she persisted. If she wasn't going to find the weasel, the least she could do was seek a distraction until she did. And this was as good a distraction as any, she supposed.

"Li Speech."

@Reign

The Cheetah observed the other cat, trying to take her in. The owl he had met was cheerful, seeming to overflow with energy. And yet this one seemed quite different. She seemed quiet and resolved, with closed off body language. And her deep sigh seemed to speak volumes.

The older cat denied his help, saying that she would find this 'Envy' eventually. He inclined his head, accepting her decision easily, although he did offer, "If thou wishes, I could keep my senses out for them. If thou wouldt tell me what this 'Envy' looks like, then I could tell thou if I hear of them."

Then the other cat asked who he was. He stood tall - well, he was already standing tall, he stood up straighter. The King Cheetah met Aaliyah's gaze with eyes that seemed far too old for one so young. "My name is Reign."

@Aaliyah

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.

Li flicked an ear. It was worth a shot, wasn't it? Though Envy was so tiny, she wasn't sure if it was even worth it. What were the chances of him finding them? Still, she needed all the help she could get. Even if it meant telling a cub she had just met about them. "They..they're rather small. Brown fur, long and - skinny." Her voice choked slightly on the last word. They were so, so skinny. That wretched gem, preventing them from being able to eat properly, forcing them to rely on magic. Distantly, she wondered what magic the cheetah had. She shook her head - now wasn't the time to think about that.

She stayed silent after that, watching the cat until he stood up straighter and introduced himself. Reign. An interesting name, certainly. She wondered where it had come from. She took a deep breath and introduced herself. "I am Li." Once more, she used the nickname she had given herself shortly after leaving Imperia. By this point, the only one who knew her by Aaliyah was likely Imperia. And she'd rather keep it that way. Aaliyah was who she was then. Li is who she is now, and she never wanted to go back.

"Li Speech."

@Reign

From the day we arrive on the planetAnd blinking, step into the sun

Reign observed the hybrid - a felid of some sort, although he couldn't tell what. He knew they didn't resemble him, however, and thus they weren't... whatever he was. He didn't really know, yet. Hopefully, he could find someone to ask.

The young Prince listened as his fellow feline explained what Envy looked like, committing it to heart. He assumed, however, that there were many other Gembounds that looked similar, or at least had the same description. Small, with brown fur, long in length, but fairly skinny. Very skinny, actually, from the way Li said it. Perhaps that would help him to distinguish them upon finding this 'Envy'. "Understood," he acknowledged.

And then she introduced herself. He inclined his head, and intoned, "Well met, Lady Li. Might I ask where thou saw them last?"

"Speech looks like this."
Thoughts look like this.

There's more to see than can ever be seenMore to do than can ever be done

@Aaliyah