Vyrr

"Vyrr. Have you ever wondered what life would be like somewhere else?"

He remembers keeping the young alchemist company, the pearlcatcher with lightning bright eyes and blood colored spines. They used to do this a lot. He remembers that part fondly, at least. He often took to wondering how he hadn't seen the signs earlier. By the time he realized, it was too late. much too late.

"Elsewhere? I guess I have. Maybe." the nocturne had hrmmed.

"What about with someone else? under someone else?" Her gaze had been cold and seeking, bright.

"Not really. I have Cidi, right? And of course I got you. So really, I think I'm quite happy here under Saraneth" He had felt uneasy, fidgeting with his tail, though he hadn't understood why. Not then.

"You've never thought of anything more than this? Wanted anything more? That can't be right"

"No. really, Mintaka, I don't see what more I could want. Clan Lotuskite accepted Cidi and I, you know? It's hard to find that sort of inclusiveness anywhere else. Saraneth did a good job with that, making a home for everyone. She even let me design the out-"

"Enough." She had wrapped her tail about her pearl, a sign that she was disappointed, upset, angry "That's enough. I had hoped that you and Cidi could stay with me but you can't."

The pearlcatcher hopped down from the rock on which she had been sitting, examining her claws, feigning boredom. "I'll give you the same chance I gave your partner. If you don't leave my territory right now, I can't speak of what will become of you."

"uh... Min? What do you. mean. by. thaa...." He couldn't power his voice, as the scarred ridgeback strode into the clearing, crimson dripping from black claws. familiar blue and green scales flaking away beneath her massive figure. Cidi's scales.

Fear had engulfed him then. Fear and disbelief. Hatred. sorrow. rage. He had twirled back to his friend for answers. an explanation. he would have taken any words then. But his eyes only met a bright tundra smile and bright tundra claws.