Her breath rang in her ears, heavy, panting, and her lungs were burning. She had to get away from this place, away from Vazi and his horrible treatment of others; how he had tormented and abused poor Beast set her fur on edge, and she couldn't be around them any longer. To think she had asked her poor cubs to go away from her so that she could apologize - !

No, they were right, they had been right since her cubs first saw Vazi and disliked them. Vazi wasn't who she remembered them to be, who she thought they were. She deserved her burnt black fur under her stomach for her stupidity in not realizing from the get-go that they had changed.

She ran through the hallways of Orion, the stars above her blurring, her breath and her hooves ringing against the cold ground. She couldn't take watching their abuse any longer, their hateful poisonous words, their low voice that acted as if it spoke the truth -

How dare Vazi call her cubs monsters, call all meat-eaters like trash! What one ate had nothing to do with behavior, and if anyone was wicked, it was Vazi!

Her eyes pricked with tears as she ran, skipping past building after building. How dare they play on her sympathies like that, the- the monster!

@Hasira

She was frightened, scared, terrified of the truth. He probably shouldn't have been so rough with her but he couldn't hide the world from her forever. It was time she learned, time she knew that things couldn't be seen behind rose-colored lenses. Her children were monsters as was Beast. Fortunately, he had that lion under control as he would soon have the entirety of Origin. She would learn, he would teach it to her and train her... beat it into her if he had to.

Ah, but he should move away from such grim thoughts. The Pure One deserved to be reasoned with first.

He could smell her, scent that fear as she tried to escape from Orion but what she didn't know was that he knew this place like his own antlers. There was no escape from the Lord in his own lands. Even she would have to learn obedience and that disobeying was punishable. Despite how pure she was... even she had rules. The stag cut through the buildings, running at full tilt so the could stay one step ahead of her. He knew exactly where she would be exiting and then after one final bound, he was there waiting so that she when ran out he would be there to greet her.

It was when he saw the flash of her white pelt that the stag lifted his steel gaze to her and grinned sweetly. "Clover, my dear, going somewhere?" He walked right up to her fearlessly. After all, she was not but a doe... What could she possibly do to him? "I hope you weren't running away. You are my favorite person in the entirety of this cave... but still, there are repercussions to disobedience but I know that you know that and you would not dare run... Right?" Some of his subjects afforded their freedom to wander but not she. She was too perfect, too beautiful to risk in the caves.

He would never risk losing her.

---

332
@Clover
---
6/10

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

Clover turned a corner, looking behind her shoulder to see if they were behind her, and out of the corner of her eye she saw their antlers and skidded to a stop, all her legs skittering against the ground, trying to find purchase, and she fell onto the side of her haunches, fear enabling her to quickly get back up to her feet and away from Vazi. How in the caves did they manage to cut her off so quickly? Vazi walked towards her as if they had all the time in the world, speaking to her calmly - but their calm, rational tone belied venom underneath, threats and punishments promised that sent shivers down her spine. This wasn't Vazi, the wonderful boy who only wanted to protect her. This was someone else in their skin. "Let me go, Vazi," She said, her voice shaking. "My cubs are waiting for me, they'll be wondering where I am. I can't stay here any longer." "This is how I speak."

@Hasira

Oh, that fear in her eyes. How he wanted to wipe it away, to calm her and to help her but he couldn't... not yet. She had to understand. He didn't want to be mean, didn't want to keep her prisoner but she left him with no choice. How could he give her freedom when she would only run? When she would only go straight back to those damned "children" of hers. Oh, how sweet and naive she was.

An amused snort escaped the stag's nostrils as he neared her. He stood right in front of her now, eyes gazing down at her single good one. He knew how to control himself, how to make his voice seem sweet and even make his gaze as gentle as a breeze. He did so now easily, eyes softening as he tried to understand her point of view. In fact, he could. He'd once loved a carnivore. He knew what it was like to be trapped by them, to believe that they loved you. He sighed, sympathy echoing in his voice as he spoke again. "My beautiful one, you know I cannot allow that. I know that you love them but they cannot return the same affection to you. They will only use you up and take you from this world. Can you not see that I am trying to protect you? I only have your best interests at heart. " Oh, she was so like a child and yet not. She wanted to care for others, to have her own children.

Perhaps he could help with that. There were ways to make other gems and why could they not have their own perfect, pure children? Any child of hers, any of her real children, would be better than those vile beasts she now tried to cling to. The stag's eyes softened as he leaned in and tried to run his muzzle along hers affectionately. "If you want other cubs then why not have your own? They would be infinitely better than those others you cling to... and I'd be glad to help you with creating them." The more he thought the more he grew enamored with this idea. A pure child to raise as his own... Yes... Perhaps it could even take over and lead the herbivores after he was gone. This seemed to be a win-win situation. She'd have more babes to fawn over and he'd have an heir.

---

407
@Clover
---
6/10

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

She watched their voice gentle and their eyes hold sympathy, but their words were one of a poisoner, telling her lies, that her cubs would use her and discard her. She knew her Pounce loved her with all their heart, every time they looked at her and smiled at her, with their whole face - she missed that young smile now, she missed that pure honesty that was so dereft in Vazi's soul. Then something shifted in their expression, and the stag smiled, having thought of something. Vazi came closer to her, and she winced, shying away from their touch, listening to their sickly sweet words in her ear. Once the message became clear, she threw her head back and away from them, looking at them with shock and horror. Make....a child? Was that even possible? No one she knew had parents, had creators that spawned them - they all woke up alone, like she did, until similarly aged creatures came to find her. But the sound of it rang true in her, spurned a reaction within her. She could make one, she knew she could - but not with them. "I'd never have a child with you, Vazi," She whispered, the very thought making her sick. "I'd never allow any child of mine to be subjugated to what you think of as protection. No freedom, no friends - what kind of a life is that? I can barely tolerate it myself," She spat, her words bitter, "And I would never inflict that upon a youth." "This is how I speak."

@Hasira

Well, he didn't expect her to be absolutely joyful at the first mention of it but she didn't have to look so appalled at the prospect. The great stag tossed his head, taking one step back as he let the doe process the information. Ears flicked forward, twitching as he waited for the doe to speak and speak she did... Her words washed over his ears like a flood. The poisoner felt a bit of anger deep within his gut at her harsh and false accusations! How dare she? Did she honestly not thinking of his care as true? Did she not know that he was doing this for her own good? Ingrate! How could she?

Hasira's ears pinned as he narrowed his eyes in a glare, anger uncontrolled for the moment. "Do not be a fool, Clover! It is not your decision to make! You are the embodiment of purity, a glorious example of an herbivore! You owe it to yourself, to me, to give up a piece of yourself and create more pure ones just like you! Why, the two of us could create perfect creatures. Can you not see?" He took a step towards her, eyes glaring into her own as he tried to force his will upon her. "You do not have a choice... You are a doe, I am a stag. Not only that but I am the Lord of these lands and you will bow to my will. You will help me bear a child whether you like it or not!" He snorted, angrily, right in her face.

It was a few seconds before he realized how he'd just lost his temper with his dear Clover and he blinked, leaning back and looking apologetic. "Dear One, you must understand. I do not mean to be terrible to you... I just care for you and love you so much that I do not want to lose you like I lost Wynry. Please understand." The smile was on his face again as his eyes softened as if he was seeking forgiveness for his outburst.

---

348
@Clover
---
6/10

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

Their demeanor completely shifted, going from sweet and kind to angry and violent. They walked toward her, making her back down, dominating her by invading her personal boundary, raising themselves up while they intimidated her into cowering, shriveling into herself as if it would help escape from their demands. She wanted to run away, wanted someone to come and save her from this, but there was no one to come and help her now. Their words were horrible and wrong, telling her that if she wouldn't give them a child, they would take it from her. As they spoke, images flashed of perfect deer, pure white like her with the sweetest blue eyes like Vazi, angelic and beautiful, as gorgeous and handsome as could be - but to put such purity into the hands of Vazi and allow them to be tainted with their lies was more than she could bear. She knew she'd never be able to protect them from this stag, not completely. She stared into their eyes, and decided that if no one would rescue her, she would stand her ground. Her heart hammered in her chest, and she swallowed before speaking. "I understand, Vazi," She said, seeing them once more change, looking sorrowful for terrifying her. She couldn't tell whether or not it was the truth. "I understand the pain of losing someone, and being afraid to lose someone else close to your heart. But threatening them, denying them their happiness, and taking from them is not how you show love, and it's certainly not how you get what you want. So, I'm sorry, but my answer is no." She turned away and took a couple of steps in the direction of the exit. "This is how I speak."

@Hasira

Hasira could feel admiration blossoming, wrestling with the anger that also tainted his blood like a poisoner. She was terrified, afraid of his outburst and yet she stood up to him now. Such courage! Any offspring they bore truly would be perfect! Look! The doe even told him that she understood. That she would give in to his demands and produce an heir... But that did not happen. She showed even more bravery by laying into him, and telling him what he was doing wrong. How bold... The stag began watched her, eyes locked onto her own.

Then, she turned and began to walk away. However, the stag had not yet dismissed her. The anger boiled up but despite this he laughed at her courage and then trotted forward to cut her off. "I did not dismiss you yet, my dear." He turned and aimed to thrust his shoulder at her if she did not stop walking. "I will allow you your freedom when you prove to me that you will not abuse it. For example, when I know you are not running off to see those evil 'children' if yours. When you learn to properly behave then you will have what you want. Believe me, I want nothing more than to make you happy. It pains me to keep you locked away like this but it is a necessary evil for now. You will see, later on you will thank me for these restrictions." He shook his head, a hard glint returned to his eye. "I admire your courage and find it even more alluring and attractive but the fact remains that I am your lord and you will do as I say. If I want to produce an heir then you will oblige and do so. Perhaps you are too stressed for that now but later and you will thank me for the privilege." He smiled but there was no warmth in it only a bit of insane humor. "After all, is it not nice to be favored by a Lord? Think... You can be my Lady and help me rule these lands, my soon to be herd together. It will be glorious, my dear!" He could already see it. A tiny young buck frolicking in the fields while around him was a vast army under his control. At his side would be Clover, looking lovingly into his eyes... It would be perfect.

---

405
@Clover
---
7/10

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

The laughter and the easy way they cut her off again sent a shiver through her, and she recoiled. The way they acted as if they owned her was horrible, like they could easily dictate her every move like it was their right to do so. She took a deep breath, keeping eye contact with them, raising her head, squaring her shoulders. "You know you'll never allow me freedom, Vazi. I love my children, and when you love another, you'll do anything for them, even till you risk your own life. Anything you tell me could never persuade me from loving them. Thus, you will keep me in this prison regardless of what I actually do, and I will be unhappy, and I will never make a child with you." She said this calmly, logically. "The rational thing to do would let me go where I want. I've made it this far by myself, and I've been happy thus far. I can take care of myself." She saw the insane glint in her eye, the complete and utter disregard for her wants and desires, and disgust roiled in her stomach. 'Privilege' indeed. For a long time she didn't reply to the ridiculous offer of being their Lady, simply staring at them, digesting it. She didn't want to make Vazi angry again, and they seemed to respond to her calm appeals to their honor, so she simply shook her head and said softly, "I wish I could see your point of view, Vazi. What allows you to think you can control me like this instead of treating me like your equal." Her eyes fell to the floor, feeling off, like a hero in a story facing a monster who wouldn't physically hurt her. It was frightening, but surely there was some way to defeat them peacefully and go on her way. "A long time ago Booker told me they had some sort of bond with their brother, this dragon I'd met. I tried to make this...bond, with my cub, Pounce, at the time, but I wasn't strong enough to settle it." She sighed. "If we just...talk, Vazi, like friends on equal grounds, I'm sure we could see from each other's point of view," She looked up at them again, taking hope in that they were listening to her quietly. If running away didn't work, maybe...? "Please." "This is how I speak."

@Hasira

The stag shook his head and made a "tsk" sound at the doe. "Ah, ye of little faith." Really? Did she not believe that she couldn't stop loving those vile creatures? Though he supposed he could sympathize. He loved his brother and he would have done anything in the world to protect him and be with him. That was just what Clover felt now... even though it was wasted on her carnivore kids. "No, the rational thing is to keep you here. You have only made it this far because of luck!" He exclaimed in disbelief. He just couldn't understand why she wouldn't see it his way! It was as clear as day. His logic was undeniable.

The stag stared back at the doe when she lapsed into silence. Was this good silence or bad silence? Perhaps she was just mulling over what he said or was in disbelief that she could be so lucky... But some minute little piece of sanity left in his heart told him that her silence was not good. He pawed at the ground in slight irritation. Her next words had him tossing his head. "But we are equals! I am just... trying... to protect you! How can you not see?!" He couldn't take this! This girl was giving him a headache with her insistent running around in circles on this topic! He couldn't allow freedom because she'd go right back to her children! He couldn't allow it! The stag let out a bellow of frustration. He wanted her to be happy, he really did but he couldn't let her get hurt! "You will be hurt if I let you go! Can you not see it?" He stomped the ground wit his hooves, tearing up tufts of grass in his irritation. He only stopped when he heard Clover speak again. Her soft voice like honey in his ears despite their altercation.

A bond? He'd never heard of a thing like this before. A bond that would allow them to... To communicate on a deeper level? That might be exceptionally useful to get her to understand his perfect logic. "We are talking! You just do not understand me. Perhaps..." He peered at her keenly. "You spoke of a bond, why not bond with me? You will see why I can not let you go... At least not yet. You would understand me completely." Perhaps it was the only way.

---

403
@Clover
---
7/10

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