A vibrant yellow chrysalis sat near two pools of water. The lemur inside was just about ready to emerge. Its body pressed unrelenting against the golden walls, forming cracks that spread to cover the entire chrysalis. Vaguely aware of jade pressing into its flesh and causing discomfort and pain, it lashed out, shattering the wall.

An orange and white lemur scrambled from the shards, peering cautiously at its new surroundings. Realizing it was thirsty, it bounded through a patch of ferns to lap up water from a clear pool of water. It tasted cool, clean, and refreshing. This was a nice world, decided the lemur. Getting out of the chrysalis was a good decision. Never mind the protection it offered, because what would possibly want to harm them?

Brother, understand whySee it's burning me to hold onto thisI know this is something that I gotta doBut that don't mean I want to

The black cat was drinking.

His eyes were closed contently, rough tongue darting out to gather some water, before vanishing back into his maw. The water of the Eyes was chilled, and felt good against his throat.

However, relaxed as he was, he was still aware. Aware of the whispering of the trees, the murmuring of the birds, the chatter of the bugs. And so, when there was a cracking sound, he raised his head. What had that been? It wasn't the sound of a branch breaking - that sound was very familiar, having broken more than his fair share as he traveled through the trees.

Looking around, his eyes landed on an odd-looking beast. It was tiny, and from the smell, clearly new. The massive panther plodded towards it, stopping a body length away, and called out, "Hello little one."

@Yellow

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

What I'm trying to say is that, I love you I justI feel like this is coming to an endAnd it's better for me to let it go now,than hold on and hurt youI've gotta let it burn

The lemur gazed at the black cat, its pumpkin-orange eyes huge with awe. "Wow," they blurted. "I guess I am really little, compared to you! You're HUGE!" They bounded forward, sniffing the cat and reaching out to brush its fur. "And you smell good, even though your fur isn't very colorful. But that's okay, because your eyes are!" they added happily. "I really like things with lots of color. Like this place! It's so so pretty."

@Sebastian

Brother, understand whySee it's burning me to hold onto thisI know this is something that I gotta doBut that don't mean I want to

The panther looked down at the new gemling, a kind smile on his mouth. It was... actually rather creepy looking, but he'd seen worse. Nothing could be more horrifying to look at then the disease horse.

"You are rather small, cub. But who knows? One day, you might grow to be big - maybe even bigger than me." he chuckled at the thought. The cub's look made him think it wouldn't grow that much, but he could give the little thing some hope, couldn't he?

He lowered his head to offer the cub his fur, finding that he enjoyed the feel of its hands on him. He'd always loved being groomed by, and grooming, Rift, and so he didn't mind the brushing. He returned the favor, sniffing at the panther before rasping his rough tongue along its head.

"You smell good as well, cub, and your fur is very colorful. If you like colors, then you picked the perfect place to hatch. Polaris is the most colorful place I know." he laid down to be at a similar level to the lemur. "Although, if you like pretty things, you should visit Orion some day. It is beautiful."

And then, as if on a second thought, he said "My name is Sebastian, do you know yours?"

@Yellow

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

What I'm trying to say is that, I love you I justI feel like this is coming to an endAnd it's better for me to let it go now,than hold on and hurt youI've gotta let it burn

If the panther showed any sign that he found the lemur creepy, they didn't notice as their wide orange eyes closed and their face split into a huge grin. The position was somewhat uncomfortable because of the jade on their forehead, but they didn't mind! They wanted to smile, to show that they were happy to this wonderful big black cat with the amazing orange eyes. "Oh no, I think I'd be happy with just a bit bigger! Then I can do things like sitting on little forks in the branches and balance on thinner things and maybe even ride on your head, if you'd let me?"

The lemur took the opportunity created by the cat leaning down to rub the fur on his head. "You're so soft," they cooed happily, running their hands through the black fur and curiously touching an ear. Then suddenly, they were subjected to a strange new sensation - a cat's tongue running through their fur. "Ahhh! It tickles!" they squealed, rolling onto their back and giggling. "Why is your tongue like that?"

Polaris? Orion? Those were some really pretty names! He couldn't wait to visit them with his new kitty friend. They would see all the beautiful sights in this world, and maybe discover some of their own! Their smile widened, if that was even possible. "PRETTIES!" they cheered, thrusting an arm into the air. "We're gonna see all the really pretty and colorful stuff together! It's gonna be amazing!"

"Sebastian! That's a nice name!" The lemur rolled onto their belly and gazed up at Sebastian-kitty-friend thoughtfully. What was their name? They'd need a nice, meaningful one, one that would be remembered and admired by friends and strangers. One that would represent them everywhere they went! "I think Imma go with.... Yellow," he decided. "I mean, I'm yellow and I like yellow and it's a happy color, so why not?" They beamed up at Sebastian, clearly expecting praise for their creative new name choice.

@Sebastian

Also this is what Yellow's grin would look like if they were human:
https://img.youtube.com/vi/FcdnShBMIvs/0.jpg

Brother, understand whySee it's burning me to hold onto thisI know this is something that I gotta doBut that don't mean I want to

The young one made a funny face - a wide, beaming smile. Sebastian wasn't quite capable of such a face, but he couldn't help but to smile as well, doing his best. He chuckled, and said, "Of course you can ride on my head, I shall be your loyal steed." He said playfully.

He allowed the young one to pet his fur, enjoying the touch. To his relief, his fur wasn't yanked or tugged on, nor were his whiskers or ears. Good, this little one was gentle.

"My tongue is like this for many reasons. It helps me to groom myself and others, for one. And it helps me to pull my food off of its source." no need to scare the lemur by saying that he ate meat. He didn't know what the little one ate, but he assumed that meat wasn't a big part of it.

The lemur's excitement was contagious, and he chuckled. "We shall! I will carry you to see any of the pretty things you wish to see." he offered, twitching his tail.

The panther allowed himself to roll onto his side when the lemur rolled onto his stomach, lounging as he observed the cub. "Yellow, that's a fine name." he offered. "Soon everyone in the caves will know your name." he rumbled.

@Sebastian

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

What I'm trying to say is that, I love you I justI feel like this is coming to an endAnd it's better for me to let it go now,than hold on and hurt youI've gotta let it burn

Yes! Me and Sebastian'll be famous one day!

"We're gonna be the best of friends," Yellow declared, scooting closer so they could rest their head on Sebastian's side. "We're gonna be famous, aren't we? And super happy, of course. Oooh, maybe you can be my big brother? That sounds nice, doesn't it? You can teach me lots of stuff and I'll listen, and if I get in trouble you can be a hero and save me, although I'm sure that won't happen often. And I'll find pretty things and bring them to you!" Although that sounded pretty boring in comparison to what Sebby could do. Their smile shrank for a moment - until a strange sensation erupted in their forehead and the air around them was filled with a humming sound. What a pretty and interesting thing to do! Had they caused that? "And I'll do that too! And other things! And we're gonna be best brother-friends!" Their smile returned at full blast.

Yellow fell silent for several long moments just to enjoy the view in Eridanus and stroke Sebastian's fur. "This is a beautiful place," they said finally. "I think I'd like to live here, between our explorations of course. Do you live here? Or are you just visiting?"

Their initial energy seemed to have run out quickly, as they stretched their jaws in a huge yawn. "I think I'm getting a bit... sleepy," they mumbled, before their eyes brightened again. "Can I sleep on you? I think you'd be much softer than the ground, or those trees." Yellow waved their tail in a vague gesture at the nearby plants.

@Sebastian

Brother, understand whySee it's burning me to hold onto thisI know this is something that I gotta doBut that don't mean I want to

Sebastian grinned at the child, flicking his tail contentedly. "We are. You, and me, and my Brother, Rift. He'll be a great brother to you, too. He raised me, too. I'll never let anything happen to you, of course." he smiled.

His ears perked up at the sound of humming and he looked down at Yellow, "You did that? You're a Pressure elemental, then. I'm a fire elemental, myself. My brother, Rift, he's a plant elemental. And he loves his plants - you two will get along great."

He sighed, content to enjoy the silence and the stroking. However, when Yellow began to speak, he did as well. "It is, it's my favorite cave in all of Origin. I do live here - inside of the Maw. It's a great cavern inside of Eridanus. There are plenty of places here for you to make your own."

He couldn't help but to yawn as well when Yellow did, his jaw splitting wide to reveal sharp fangs, a low rumble echoing in his chest. "Of course," he said, remembering long nights spent using Rift as a pillow. He rolled over on his side, stretching out, offering himself to Yellow as a bed.

@Yellow

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

What I'm trying to say is that, I love you I justI feel like this is coming to an endAnd it's better for me to let it go now,than hold on and hurt youI've gotta let it burn

Hmm. Two big brothers... that sounded good. And that was what this world was, good. It was good, it was peaceful, it was filled with love and big brothers and friends and happiness. And that was good. Yellow turned so his head was in a comfortable position on Sebastian's side and let his eyes drift closed. "Yep, that sounds... good. Pretty name, Maw."

He was barely paying attention to his own words now. His energy from the hatching was spent and he was tired. Big Brother Sebby was warm and his fur was soft and comfortable - in other words, a perfect pillow. He would sleep now.

--sleep-exit
@Sebastian

Brother, understand whySee it's burning me to hold onto thisI know this is something that I gotta doBut that don't mean I want to

Sebastian couldn't help but to chuckle at the little hatchling, the lemur groggy and out of it. He stretched his neck to groom it, his own breathing slowing until he, too, allowed his head to thump to the forest floor, beginning to doze as well.

-EXIT SEB-

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

What I'm trying to say is that, I love you I justI feel like this is coming to an endAnd it's better for me to let it go now,than hold on and hurt youI've gotta let it burn