by Gemini » September 21st, 2014, 3:41 am
Melliza bolted off excitedly at the creature's bidding... she was a bit worried, but also excited that she'd found a potential new pride to take them in. Attackers like that lion simply reminded her of how dangerous it was alone out here, especially at her age. The sooner she found a safe place for her and her brothers, the better.
She bolted down across the plains quickly, the waves of grass bending and falling before her hurried step. The little tigress burst through the vegetation, excited as she finally stumbled upon the little sheltered hovel her family had been using for a shelter. When she entered she saw Gemini, the middle child, napping on a nest of straw and leafy vines, as he often did, his chest rising and falling as he lay huddled in the darkness. And in the back of the cave, blending in perfectly with the pitch-hue of the dank, dark atmosphere, Pacha lay, seemingly agitated as his tail flicked to and fro and he clawed at something.
He heard her enter. She knew it. But he refused to make any sign of acknowledgement. He simply stared unceasingly at the blank wall, eyes reflecting the sparse light.
The young tigress frowned, saddened by his apathy, and awoke her younger, lighter brother.
"Huh? ... Oh, Melliza," he blinked lethargically, stirring himself free of the stupor that weighed down his eyelids. "How nice to see you."
"Gemini, please, wake up! You gotta come quick!" She nudged her brother's shoulder. "I found someone! You gotta come!"
The younger tiger shook himself, startled by her unusual intensity as he stumbled to his feet. He couldn't quite match her sudden emotion - not so shortly after awaking from his nap. "W-Wha?" He blubbered. "Is someone in trouble?"
"Not quite! I think I found us a new family."
Pacha looked the least enthused of them all, and heaved a sigh.
"Please, Melliza, stop deluding yourself... you know how that turned out last time..." he turned towards her, the faint tendrils of light glimmering off the scars that framed his ruddy eyes... something that sent the eldest tigress a pang of fresh guilt. "Families are for the weak. And you remember what they said - we're better off alone." He spat suddenly, his eyes derisive before he cast a solemn look away from them. "Just as well."
Melliza frowned, afraid that there was no getting through to him. Just what did this all mean for them? Could she finally find a home, find acceptance... for all of them? Or was she - and her youngest brother - far beyond saving?
She just didn't know. For despite her role as the leader, and her guise of confidence, she simply couldn't understand the consequences of what she was about to do.
Was she truly deluding herself? Or would she find a home once again?
"... Come on, Gemini," she ushered her sibling, deciding that it was worth a shot. "Let's go check it out... and Pacha..."
"Yeah?" The dark tiger sneered, looking irritated.
"I'm coming back for you... I love you." She looked downwards, appearing ashamed. But in his reddish eyes, there were only yawning, emotionless pits. Melliza simply could not know what lay beyond them...
"How sweet, sis."
He turned away, and she left the cave, the renewed urgency of their situation pressing at her. She couldn't lose him, just like she couldn't lose herself...