Farran lumbered through the cave of Pisces. She had been gone for a long time. She couldn't remember anything. Her mind was a blank slate. Where was she? Should she know this place? She paused for a moment and looked around. Nothing seemed familiar. Nothing ringed a bell. There was no trace of familiarity anywhere. Had she ever even been here before? What was she doing just now? Has she been wandering this cave without noticing all that she has seen all this time?

She continued walking. What did it matter, anyway? Would she be able to start fresh? A new life? Could she manage to do that? Or would the fact that she couldn't remember anything make her crumble? She couldn't guarantee that she would be able to start fresh. She'd try, though!

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Imperia They'll call our crimes a work of art

Imperia walked through Pisces with Aaliyah at their side. The younger was looking around with curiosity. They have spent a lot of time in Pisces, however Imperia hadn't taken her to this part of the cave yet. The two walked for some time until they noticed someone up ahead. There was a badger walking around, and seemingly unsure of anything. It looked as if she wasn't sure what to do, or where to go. Slowly, Imperia's lips stretched into a wide grin. Leaning down slightly to Aaliyah, she whispered in her ear.

"Alright, Aaliyah. It's time to put your skills to use. What I am going to ask of you is simple. See that creature up ahead? I want you to kill her." Imperia wasn't even sure if Aaliyah would do it. They had noticed her hesitance when it came to fighting and training. This was a test, to prove her loyalty, even if it wasn't a guarantee that she would take it.

"Listen to me."

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Aaliyah followed Imperia slowly, partly because she was looking around at everything around her, and also because she was hesitant to follow Imperia in the first place. She had grown used to the fighting and training, and her pelt was littered with scars. With every movement, her muscles ached. It was painful to move at times, but she couldn't show that it was. She had to be strong! If she didn't appear strong, Imperia would only give her more injuries!

She wasn't looking where she was going, so when she felt Imperia's breath by her ear, she nearly jumped out of her skin. As she listened, her blood turned cold. She turned and saw the badger, looking around as if it were confused. She was supposed to...kill it? How could she do such a thing? She opened her mouth to refuse when she paused. This could be a test! If she refused, Imperia had the ability to make her life a living hell. In fact, they already had! Surely killing one couldn't hurt...? As long as it was only one...And this one seemed confused. Taking a deep breath, she nodded and walked over toward the badger slowly.

"Hello," she murmured softly, coming up to the badger. She was taller than it, and she watched it curiously. "Who are you?"

It wasn't long before the badger's thoughts were interrupted. She heard footsteps approaching, and looked over to see two cats approaching. Both of their pelts were littered with scars, which made Farran nervous, though she didn't show it. She watched as the taller spoke to the smaller, and then the latter came up to her. Her eyes narrowed as she spoke, but the badger said nothing until a question was directed toward her.

Her...name? What was her name? She hadn't said or heard it in so long, and her loss of memory wasn't helping. She wasn't even sure she'd be able to speak in response. It had been cycles since she last spoke. She paused, trying to think of her name. She opened her mouth, and tried to push the air out, to speak, to do something. Her name had to be there somewhere, surely.

"My...name. Is...F-Farran. Farran Dov." The name sparked something within her. It brought, finally, a sense of familiarity. Something she knew, something she remembered. If only she could remember more. "What...What is yours?"

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Aaliyah gave a small smile. The badger didn't seem to remember much. Surely that would make it easier, right? And maybe she wouldnt fight back. The hybrid wanted this badger-Farran-'s death to go smoothly. Just a quick slice or bite, nothing more. But she didn't want to do it just yet. She had to get the badger to trust or, or so Imperia said. The badger seemed awfully wary of her, but she didn't seem to move away.

"Hello, Farran. My name is Aaliyah." She watched her for a moment. "I haven't seen you before. Where have you been?"

Aaliyah. This creature's name is Aaliyah. Farran blinked as the cat-Aaliyah-spoke again. Where...she has been? She had no idea. She couldn't remember anything from before this moment. All she could remember was her name, and that took a lot of coaxing on her part. So she thought for a moment, straining, trying to remember something. But nothing came to mind. Quickly, she thought about something to say. "...Around."

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Aaliyah waited as Farran seemed to gather her thoughts. When the badger finally spoke, she hummed thoughtfully. "Around, hm? Alright. Do you...remember anything? From before...now? This moment?" She looked at the badger. Off to the side, she could feel Imperia's impatient gaze on her back. She knew she had to hurry and kill her already. Soon. She knew she couldn't wait too long, or else Imperia would do it themself. And Aaliyah didn't want that to happen. She knew they would only drag it out, make Farran suffer. Aaliyah wanted it to be a relatively painless death.

Farran looked over at Aaliyah. She seemed restless about something, but the badger had no idea what. "Not...really. Very little memory. Could barely remember name." All this thinking was making her tired. Her sentences slipped into simple phrases, and she lay down. "Tired now." Her apprehension over the cat having many scars had long since disappeared. She had proved to be very friendly. Why should that change? She also forgot about the other cat who was watching with a harsh gaze.

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Aaliyah hummed again. So they couldn't remember anything, so surely it would be easy. Then again...what if they had been hoping to start fresh? She gulped. It was too late now, she had already made a decision. When the other commented that she was tired, she watched before slowly standing. With a quick glance toward Imperia, who nodded, she stood over Farran. She had closed her eyes, and seemed to almost be sleeping. Hopefully this would be quick. She stood over the badger and prepared herself.

...and just at that moment, Farran roused and began to stand up. Aaliyah floundered out of the way and stared at her, her fur feeling hot. With a glance toward Imperia, she cringed under the harsh gaze and quickly turned away and back to the badger, a nervous smile on her lips.

Farran had started to doze off when something felt wrong. She could feel a weight above her. She opened her eyes and began to get up some. She noticed Aaliyah flailing above her before looking at her with a nervous smile. She blinked in confusion. "What. What were you...trying to do?" She searched the gaze of the cat. She seemed guilty. "Were you trying to...k-kill me?"

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