Stronger. Bigger. Bolder. He was aging magnificently. Weight picked up and his body grew longer. No longer a stubby newborn, he was proud to be a juvenile gembound. Ears were bigger and his limbs grew swollen with muscle that caught up with his build. Paws were continuously massive for his age. The man's skull grew wider and his tail longer. A fast growing juvenile indeed.

With an impressive appearance, ego was definitely in store. Zetos enjoyed the new look. He felt his capacity highten and limits die. No where near perished of his youth just yet, he still had baby fat that tucked along his sides.

Eyes of blood came to finally view water. From afar, ears could catch the splattering of a waterfall. His tail rose to his hind back, content with his graceful and silent movements. Slowly, he approached this richly blue crystalline pool that reflected flares of red from his Ruby gem. It seemed to glow more at nights like these.

Being with out water for a few days now, you could imagine how the eager cat felt delighted to end his search. In a new territory, he paid no attention to his possible disturbances. Water was all that filled his now thicker skull.

Approaching the brink of the pool, his eyes trembled directly below him. Staring back at himself, he'd lower his crown and limbs. Elbows stabbed out his bodice; arms folded as necessary. Slipping between toothed jowls, his salmon tongue spanked the already steady pool. Ears flattened, he would retrieve his tongue before sitting on his rump. Satisfaction filled his veins. Refreshed, he took time to breath and relax. Who would join him?

" Speech " & " Thought "

table and code © chelsea of ORIGIN

Pisces. It was the place which Makyna had offered to bring him to. She’d led the way and he’d followed, dove grey eyes scanning the environment softly from behind long lashes. Hooves clipped against the ground gently while his talons were well, less than pleasant at times as he hopped over rocks and scratched at them, sending a grating sound echoing throughout the area. Since the recent fight, his wounds had healed – all except for his antlers which were shredded to curved, jagged spikes atop his head. Rafael was not one to bother about this superficial crown though and so didn’t let his appearance bother him. Freak bird, they said. They’d all fled from him or fought him. Fought to the death even. He snorted with disdain and shook his head lightly, clearing the thoughts from his mind. With flicks of his ears and the occasional sniffing and chuffing, muted elk vocalizations, he kept up the naturally gentle look that Origin had granted him with and took larger strides as he heard the roar of the waterfall. "Home," he uttered, single syllable spilling from his lips smooth as wine. He looked around at the cave, and then his gaze fell upon another animal – a young black leopard. Rafael tilted his head, observing the leopard, then shifted his questioning, murky gaze to Makyna. Home was…where there were many cats?

In all actuality the lioness was unwilling to be away from Pisces for too long. Without Leon by her side it all felt off and when she finally was able to lead the bird-fawn back she was ecstatic. The roar of the falls sounded like a pleasant symphony to her ears. The closer they came to it the more her step seemed to pep up.

"Yes, home." When she arrived at Pisces she took a breath of the cool air and on impulse gave a roar to announce her coming, not only to announce her coming but to tell everyone to welcome a potential new recruit. It was then that she noticed the black leopard at the lagoon. Her ears started to pin for a moment but then then straightened. This was not Cancer... but another cat. A younger one, drinking at the falls.

Her head tilted to the side. Who was this young fellow? Curiously she approached him flicking her tail for Rafael to follow. Kindly she said, "Hello there, young one, I don't believe I've seen you before. What's your name?" She asked kindly.

---

words: 186
tagged: Zetos, Rafael
ooc: Woo, super short post
muse: 5/10

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

Since that day he returned to Pisces, everything had been a bit of a blur. Leon slept a lot of it away, and when he wasn't sleeping, he was watching Makyna or talking to her or thinking about her, or trying to practice his magic some more and continue to get stronger. The radiation blast that Cancer emitted had weakened him greatly, combined with his freshly chipped stone, Leon had had trouble summoning his magic. But he knew that with patience, he could restore his magic to its former state. All he had to do was keep practicing... and keep resting. Bevy told him that if he over-exerted himself, he might open up his wounds or get sick again, so Leon had to be mindful of that too. So far, everything was going well. Leon was making a slow recovery, and it was all thanks to the care of his friends and the safety of being back home.

Still, he couldn't help but wonder of one creature he'd left behind. In the final few days before Leon's return to Pisces, he hadn't been able to find Zetos. Whether the leopard cub had gotten lost or simply decided to move out on his own, Leon didn't know. He feared the worst, he always did, but there was nothing he could really do. Then after his return to Pisces and his furious battle with Cancer, Leon was distracted trying to recover. By now, the gruesome gash along his throat and muzzle was beginning to heal into tough white scars. The fur was still missing there, as well as patches along his back and chest where the fire had been too much for his hair. Leon could hardly call himself handsome, but it was better than getting infected. Still, every now and then he would think back to the other black leopard, the youth that he had vowed to protect, only to later on lose.

For the past few hours, Leon had been asleep in Makyna's den. He slept easily and quite well, especially since the wounds were beginning to fade, but he still slept a lot. The bear knew that Makyna had headed off to do something, and for once, he let it be. Maybe that was because she'd left while he was still in deep sleep. Well, it didn't matter, because he was very soon roused from his slumber by a low roar that rumbled through the cave room. Leon's head popped up, blinking the sleep out of his eyes before he unfolded his limbs and rose to greet her. The bear dragged himself to the edge of the den, looking out - he spotted the golden lioness, then a black leopard, and a strange... a deer with wings and feathers. That was odd. Wait a second, black leopard - Cancer? Why was she talking to him? Wasn't she still kind of mad?

The bear raised his head and blinked curiously. Yes, it was curiosity first, and then a wild jealousy. The bear snorted and lumbered out of the den, heading towards the trio. His eyes fixated on Cancer, observing the movements of his muscles beneath a supple, shiny black coat, narrowing his eyes - then, as he came near Makyna, he noticed that the leopard was lacking those orange and yellow horns that often sat atop Cancer's head. His pace slowed, and he approached the leopard from the opposite side of Makyna and Rafael, staring with disbelief. "Z-Zetos? Is that you?" He spoke, surprised.

' Home '. A smothered murmur yanked his ears back. The sound was abrupt and in domino effect, he too was sudden. He turned and swirled into an easily held stand. Thick limbs placed shoulder length-- as if readily taking combat stance. Agression sparked within his crimson orbs as they narrowed on a second visitor. Everyone seemed.. quite thirsty this subtly dimmed night.

Displeasure was honestly about within him. He wanted only to be alone. His streaks of solitary enjoyment asked for no interruptions. Individuality awoke within his character and personal persona. The acknowledgment of the two was automatically given an unwelcome gesture of stillness and dry enthusiasm.

Both echoed words that failed to be clearly audible. Not that he encouraged it to be. Towered above still, his face was cold. Eyes like stone that locked on what had looked like a quail of sorts & his Lioness. The blonde woman gave an introduction and he paid little attention to it as his eyes examined the two.

Before answering harshly, Zetos would cock his head instantly at a voice who held warmth within his numbing heart. Quickly he replied with willingness, " Pa. " His firey eyes softened as they ignored the strangers. " What do these things want? " Like an angry and confused man discovering his wife's affair, his eyes locked on the only specimen he held familiarity with. Standing still, he tensed.

" Speech " & " Thought "

table and code © chelsea of ORIGIN

The lioness’ roar echoed forth through the tunnel, beckoning for her family to come and greet him. The peryton blinked calmly then swivelled his head and gazed down upon the black leopard as it whirled around defensively, hostility flashing in its scarlet eyes. The leopard cast cold glances towards him and Makyna with a stark air of displeasure which was absolutely distasteful to Rafael. With a screech and a swift outstretch of his wings, the peryton pawed the ground and click-clacked forward, hind talons crushing onto the ground brutally as he moved from behind Makyna, coming to her side and finally positioning himself in front of her. The peryton’s wings beat towards Zetos in with two warning gusts, while his large, soft grey eye considered this meat loaf like a pigeon might – tilting his muzzle to one side, left pupil roaming left, right, up, down, deciding that this furry thing was not worth his time, not as much as the lioness whom he was intent on shielding. She had her use. This leopard did not.

Perhaps, Rafael might have been provoked into more action if not for the entrance of a new creature. A bear, this time, who looked like he had a couple of scraps. Zetos? This meat loaf had a name? The peryton snorted and moved in closer to Makyna, keeping his right side aligned with her shoulder. Pa? Rafael smirked, grey eyes hardening over a minute, then transitioning back into an emotionless, rather cold, beautiful gaze as he waited to hear what this situation was about. "I see. Gembounds are things. Such ignorance.” His raspy voice came forth, quiet and calm, even as the peryton did not shift his gaze from the offending piece of fur, his body still, composed into a chiselled piece of perfection, cold and beautiful all the same where his slender elk limbs and body rested upon the great oversized talons of a top predator.

Not as many gembounds showed as she would have hoped but that was fine. Perhaps they would teeter in eventually? Makyna didn't worry too much and instead turned her attention onto the leopard. This one was emitted a hostility that had her taking a step backwards. What was his problem? Was he having a bad day or did she just come off too strong? The lioness hadn't experienced such anger since she'd had that run in with the rhino and she was loathe to fight again. Still, her gaze was confused at what would make such a young creature so angry with her and her companion. After all, was he not in Maji Walezi territory? If anything she should have the right to be angry with him. However, she was no good at getting angry with newcomers and those she had no prior quarrels with.

The lioness took another step back, looking around the cave. Would anyone be coming to help her with this hostile child? The bird-fawn made his way from behind her to stand before her. Makyna supposed he was going to protect her which moved the lioness' heart. How kind this bird-fawn was. However, she couldn't allow this young creature to stand before her. What if he awoke the leopard's wrath? The last thing she wanted was this poor fawn to be injured on her behalf. She stepped up beside the bird-fawn, not wishing to be behind him any longer. Her blue eyes shot him a grateful look even as she spoke, "Rafael, I appreciate you trying to protect me but let me handle this. I don't want you to get hurt, young one." It was after she spoke this that she saw the bear lumbering forward. Her heart skipped a beat as he came and her tail lifted high in greeting. "Leon!" She exclaimed excitedly though she dared not take a step lest she offend the already on edge cub.

The word Pa confused her a little less more than it did for her to be called a "thing". The lioness blinked a few times as the insult fully registered in her mind. "Thing?" She didn't speak outright to the leopard but instead looked at Leon. If this was his "son" then he should be told about manners. One did not simply call a lady a thing.

---

words: 391
tagged: Zetos, Rafael
ooc: ---
muse: 6/10

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

His gaze lingered on the black leopard, watching him as if he suddenly was no longer the terrible Cancer, but the vulnerable child he had taken in during his time in Orion. There was a swell of relief at seeing him, then confusion, and worry - what had happened in his time away? Would Zetos be bitter than Leon left, just as he feared Amaria was? Before he received an answer, he heard Makyna's voice. It was a sound that could cut through any barrier, breaking his gaze away from Zetos and landing upon the lioness. Leon's expression brightened, and his heart reached out to the lioness until he'd realized that the strange deer-bird had walked in front of her. Suddenly, the peryton flapped his wings and Leon realized that Zetos was regarding them with hostility.

When Zetos turned his attention to Leon, the bear did the same, fixing his orange eyes on the feline. His voice rang out - it had matured, grown older with experience. It was confused, too. Leon's gaze fell helpless and guilty, hovering on Zetos. He hadn't even considered the word he used to describe his Makyna and the peryton - there was an understanding of the black leopard that the others would surely lack, the same defensiveness towards others that Leon had adopted. The bear stepped closer, eagerly closing the distance between himself and Zetos until the peryton spoke out, condescending as he shifted in front of Makyna. Leon's eyes narrowed, defensiveness over both Makyna and Zetos quick to rise. "Hey back off, clickity-clacks." The bear warned, his gaze flickering between Makyna and the peryton. Then the lioness spoke, silently demanding some kind of explanation. Leon huffed and sent her a look too, quietly seeking an understanding from her, and a chance for him to speak to Zetos.

The bear lumbered up next to Zetos, leaving a wide space behind him as an escape route if the leopard felt the need to escape at any time. "This is their home." He answered softly, turning his head to face the leopard completely, orange eyes seeking out the vivid crimson of his own. "My home. They only seek to protect it." Leon added, glancing sidelong at Makyna, then back to Zetos. "They won't hurt you..." The bear promised gently. By now he had shifted his body to stand just a step in front of Zetos, as the peryton stood to Makyna. Leon trusted her completely; if he could convince her that Zetos wasn't a threat, he knew that she wouldn't try to hurt him. But he didn't know the deer-bird. He didn't trust the deer-bird, especially not with the way he stood in front of Makyna and spoke.

Ooc: sorry. I'm lame I knows. But it's all his character. Withdraw is normal for him . Retreats are common.

Eyes punched back at quail thing. He literally knew not of it's own animal classification. That being said, eyes narrowed continuously. The little lamb attempted to protect a woman possibly able to protect them better herself. He snickered; extroverted with his certain distaste of the quail. " I'll eat you birdbrain.. " His thoughts were hostile towards this specific thing .

The word 'ignorance' gave him a burning sensation of tickling agitation. Zetos was much larger than the infant and he knew he was capable to crush those petty little wings. But with Pa here, he'd refrain from such uglyness. Instead, he'd flare a warning. A brink soon to break. Whiskers pinched upwards as his lips curled back to expose lethal fangs that itched to carve the bird of his deer pelt. The Perryton would be wise not to try being super man again. His onyx nose tightened as a hiss was sent the quail's way. Ears flattened with hostility. He'd verbally add to his physical display of defense," Careful. " He felt his fire element sting within his guts. His ruby stone flared a softened glow.

The quail posed as a solid threat already.. so change of perspectives were nearly now impossible. He'd thus scrutinize the quail's companion. Red eyes flinched as the girl shouted a name. Not just any name. Pa's name. His brow lowered, passionately confused. He'd ignore the Lioness of her desired explanation. Till he got his.

Just as things heated up with the bird and the cat, Leon stepped in between the two. The bears guardianship was appreciated and Zetos fell back of his threats. Ears erected and his gaze wasn't so harsh as he'd stare at the brown back of the bear. He sat his black rump, confident in his own companion.

Leon claimed these were residents. Indeed, the black cat felt out of place and even offended at the possible interpretations of justifying from the bear. The cat shook his head-- clear not to make an imaginary enemy of the one gembound he loved.

Zetos sat tall, tail whipping in slight annoyance. He felt like an outcast and soon enough, the urge to leave became unbearable. Truthfully, Zetos did not belong here. So he didn't belong with Pa, right? His eyes squinted at all the "my's" and "their's". Flicking his ears, he clenched his toothed jowls. He sighed and spoke,

" I shall depart. " His eyes went to the Lioness now.

" Apologies. " Then he'd look at the quail, only to snort his flared nostril to dismiss him. He stood, readily hearing Leon's input before departure. He'd indeed exit soon. Like a hormonal teenage girl fed up with all the facts that spoke 'bad guy'.

<

" Speech " & " Thought "

table and code © chelsea of ORIGIN

OOC: Just several things to clarify in Zeto's post:

- Rafael used the word "ignorant" not "disgrace"
- There is no animosity between Makyna and Rafael in this thread. He's protecting her.
- Rafael does have a pair of fangs for incisors, he uses it to tear through meat. Just hidden by the sides so it isn't obvious.

Rafael had lapsed back into his peaceful, dove-like state. He stared coolly at Zetos with a faint smile tracing his lips as the black leopard bared his teeth to it and spoke "Careful." That word didn't exist in his dictionary when he didn't need it and Rafael dismissed it entirely. The black leopard lost his attention pretty quickly then as the bear stepped in. Immediately, he lowered his head and backed away, maintaining his respectful posture to the male for the lioness' sake. He moved closer to her and pressed into the flank innocently. Then, he swung his head and cast a condescending glance to Zetos. Yeah, as much as he was utilising Makyna, that black meat loaf had to give way to the bear. "Two can play at this game," but he would prevail. For now, this Maji Walezi interested him. Wasn't he here for a visit? And so, Rafael cast his full attention onto Leon and Makyna, waiting to hear what they'd say next. He didn't care that Zetos made his sour exit, in fact, glad that it was gone. Those with power held the answers and they would be this couple - yes, that's what they were. Rafael shook his sides with wings clasped closely, then looked away and lifted one hind leg to scratch at his face. It was starting to itch and he was rather thirsty. Water. He'd get water while he left the two love-birds to talk for a bit. Letting off a chuff, the peryton would bleat at Makyna to let her know he was going for a drink, and then picking up his hooves pranced to the base of the waterfall and started to quench his thirst.