#pierce/pinna

[leo-interactive-fiction]

I can be an unapologetic little shit and wanna call P “My Little Flame” at least once at some point in our relationship…

How much damage can i expect from this if I can’t outrun him?

Plan to never run again, because you'll be paralyzed from the neck down

[erycazh]

DISCLAIMER // These characters are not mine, and are simply my vision/design of them based off of their physical descriptions, as they have no drawn canon designs (as far as I know). Everything about their character details are simply me having fun and are not canon to their actual characters.

try out the game here by @leo-interactive-fiction!

i don't know shit about triaina academy but my friend sent me the characters' physical descriptions and i fell in love with these four characters' sketches that i came up with that i decided to design them in full (in unique outfits bc drawing the uniform 4x felt boring)

also yes, i was in fact projecting heavily onto V

[Text in the image and more details on them below.]

"Vin/Vee" -> V

they/them

nonbinary

aroace

5'3" (5'4" bc of platforms)

trans slouch

"Flay/Fray" -> Fay

he/him

male

cishet (token)

5'9"

usually wears gloves as well

"Robin/Ren" -> Reni

any pronouns

genderfluid

unlabeled sexuality

5'11"

likes to wear colored glasses

"Pierce/Pinna" -> Pier

she/her

mtf

queer

6'2"

buff asf

V's Design

messy hair and bangs, takes inspiration from wolf cut hairstyle

wears a binder but still does the trans slouch

wears black noise-canceling headphones

the tiny design on their shirt doesn't necessarily have to be a bug, i just put it there because it was the other noteworthy thing about their character and i didn't wanna draw a weapon

their pants are jeans, a bit worn for wear as they've had to patch it up

thrifted 1-inch black platforms

Fay's Design

hair modeled after locs, chose to do a gradient of dark green to bright green so that it wasn't all fluorescent

the two locs in front are pinned at the back of his head with the mentioned hairpin/hairclip in his original description

gold embellishments/accessories wrapped around his front locs

flowy, light green button-up with a dark green vest

golden buttons -- buttons on their button-up are four-leafed designs

very dark green slacks and brown dress shoes

usually wears brown gardening gloves/tough gloves in case he wants to handle plants physically

Reni's Design

hair modeled after knotless braids

light pink cardigan with darker pink accents, has all the card suits stitched on (spade on right arm, heart on left arm, diamond and clover on the front)

golden chain-link necklaces and 3 golden rings on each of their hands (not on thumb or pinkie)

blue jean shorts and long white socks with dark pink accent

black barbie shoes

colored glasses that are a gradient of pink and blue

likes to paint their nails

always carries a coin around with them

Pier's Design

long messy red hair, held in a low pony-tail at the back of her neck

silver necklace and simple silver earrings, white bandage on the left side of her face

white tanktop and fingerless black gloves, sometimes wears bandages instead

black pants with red string and a fire design at the bottom, red and orange

green sneakers with white accents

buff, taller than canon descriptions but she deserves it

[pinnakoladda]

my septum sTINKS!!!!!!!! bruh!!!

[arvandus]

Picture Perfect (Sakura x f!OC)

Warnings: None! Pure fluff!

WC: 1,832

Author's note: this is a (very late) commission for @shhroomer as part of the @ficsforgaza event that I'm participating in! Thank you again for your support, and my apologies it took me so long to get this finished for you! I hope you like it!

----

Sakura wasn’t sure exactly when Fujiwara started joining him, Suo, and Nirei on their patrols.  All he did know was that he’d gotten used to it. Even though half of the time she got distracted, trailing behind to sketch in her sketchbook, or take pictures with the camera on her phone.  She took pictures of everything, he realized... storefronts, people, the sky... even the graffiti.  And she was always drawing, her sketchbook in one hand and her pencil in the other.

Sakura always liked peeking glances at her as she drew, taking in the way her brow furrowed in concentration, the way her pink tongue would stick out of the corner of her mouth.  From a distance, she looked intimidating – black hair with long, bleached strands, piercings lining the pinna of her ears, her clothes loose and baggy, with an edge to them brought on by her chosen color palette.

But where others might have seen someone aggressive or off-putting, Sakura simply saw her as cute.

Today was different than the other days, though... today, Fujiwara had something box-like hanging from a thick strap around her neck.

“What’s that?” Sakura asked as he glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.

“Oh, this?” she looked down at the object and lifted it up.  “It’s a polaroid camera! Isn’t it cool??”

“Eh?? Why don’t you just use your phone?”

“I like this better. The pictures feel more real and kinda nostalgic.”  Plus,” she giggled, “It’s fun to flip the polaroid to make the picture show.”

Sakura stared down at her for a moment, then gave dry scoff.

Fujiwara’s violet eyes widened, and she poked Sakura’s arm. “Are you laughing at me??”

Sakura felt his cheeks warm.  “What?! No!”

“Oh, he definitely laughed...” Suo said with a smirk.  Nirei vigorously nodded his agreement next to him.

The heat in Sakura’s cheeks spread to his ears and down his neck.  This whole time his two vice captains had kept their mouth shut and kept their distance.  The fact that they chose now to chime in...

But before the playful argument could draw out, they were interrupted by an old shopkeeper, an elderly woman with thick glasses and wide smile.

“It’s so good to see you!” she beamed.  “I have something for you boys....”

A moment later, Sakura, Suo, and Nirei each held a bag filled with containers of yakitori.  Nirei was already opening his to take a bite, while Suo kept his sealed with the intent of taking it home.  Sakura opened his as well, but paused when he noticed that Fujiwara was further away from him now, her sketchbook held protectively against her chest.

He’d come to realize over time that she only ever did that when she felt shy or out of place.

“You okay?” he asked.  “Why are you so far away all of a sudden?”

“Me??” Fujiwara flushed.  “No reason. I just don’t like to be in the way when your fans show up.”

Sakura stared at her for a moment, the stick of yakitori still in his hand.  Then he thrust it out toward her.

“Here.”

“Huh?”

“Have one. They always give me too much.”

“A-are you sure?” she asked.

“Yeah,” he replied.

Fujiwara gently took it from him.  “Thanks!” she smiled.  She subconsciously took a couple of steps closer and Sakura’s chest tightened with warmth.  He liked having her close...

The sticky teriyaki was nearly dripping down the side and she held it out and leaned towards as she took a bite, struggling to keep her sketchbook and her camera clean.

“Oy,” Sakura grumbled. “Give me your stuff before you ruin it.”

Before Fujiwara could respond, Sakura had closed the gap between them and was removing the camera from around her neck and the sketchbook from her arm.

“What about you?” she protested. “You haven’t had any yet...”

“I’ll eat it later, I’m not hungry,” he lied.

“You’re a terrible liar, Sakura,” she teased.  But she ate anyway, making quick work of the food partially out of hunger, and partially to allow Sakura a chance to eat as well.

As she ate, he looked at her camera that now hung around his neck.

“Why do you take so many pictures all the time?” he asked.

“Huh? Oh, because there’s so much to see here!”

Sakura stared at her in blatant confusion.  “Eh?”

“You don’t ever look around and notice how pretty things are?” Fujiwara asked with a curious tilt of her head.  “Like yesterday, the sunset was the color of sherbert.  And the graffiti around here is so unique and cool... oh! I have an idea.  Why don’t you try taking some pictures? Here, you turn on the polaroid right here...” she flipped a small dial switch from red to green.  “And then you look through this part and press this button.”

Embarrassment started to freeze up Sakura’s body, and he glanced back at his comrades...

Only to find that they were nowhere to be found.  They’d managed to sneak away as soon as they reached the end of their patrol route, leaving Sakura to fend for himself.

Jerks...

“You want me to take a picture??” he stuttered. “Of what?”

“Of whatever you want!” she said with a smile.  Her stick was empty and licked clean now, and she threw it away in the nearest trash can.  She didn’t notice, however, that the corner of her mouth still had some teriyaki sauce on it...

Cute...

“You have some...” he started, then pointed to the corner of his mouth.

Fujiwara flushed, her eyes wide with embarrassment.  “What?? It’s on my face? I need a napkin...” she started to look around, spinning in circles, and Sakura couldn’t help but chuckle as he pulled one from the bag he was given.

“Here,” he said.

Fujiwara yanked it from his hand and quickly wiped at her mouth, double and triple checking to make sure she’d gotten it all.

Sakura stared at her for a moment and then looked down at the camera.    He shifted his hold on the items until he could hold the camera with a free hand.  He lifted it and centered the image of her within the eye piece and clicked it.

Fujiwara froze as her pink cheeks turned practically red.

“D-DID YOU JUST TAKE A PICTURE OF ME??” she shouted.

“W-well, yeah! You said—”

Fujiwara was on him in an instant and snatched the polaroid photo that slowly popped out of the bottom of the camera.

“Give me that!!” she demanded.  Then she took it and threw it into the trash can without even looking at it.

“WHAT?? WHAT’D YOU DO THAT FOR??” Sakura demanded.

“I didn’t mean take a picture of me!” she retorted, now entirely flustered. 

Her eyes avoided his, and guilt crept from Sakura’s chest to his gut.  Did... did he do something wrong??

His lips jutted into a pout and he looked away as he took the camera strap off of his neck. He thrusted it back into her arms along with her sketchbook.

 “I told you wasn’t any good at this stuff...” he muttered.

He thrust his hands deep into his pockets and walked over to the fence that followed the river.  He leaned his forearms against it and stared into the flowing waters.  Fujiwara stared at him for a moment, her eyes wide. Then guilt softened her gaze.  She looked down at her camera and then up at Sakura.  She looked back at the trash can where she’d thrown the photo away.  She took a hesitant breath and went over to it.  Lucky for her, the trash can was nearly full, most of it consisting of bags, cans, and papers.  And on top of it all, sat her photo, her surprised face now staring back at her.

Carefully she grabbed it and looked it over, checking both sides.  Luckily it wasn’t dirty.

She stared at the picture and cringed. It wasn’t a good picture of her, at least not in her opinion...

But there must have been something that Sakura saw, something that was worth capturing, even if she might not see it.

She quietly went back to join him against the railing.  Her grip tightened as she held out the undamaged photo to him.

“Here,” she said.  “I’m sorry.  I just... I didn’t think it would be a good picture of me.”

Sakura stared at the photo in her hand, and the icy ache in his gut began to warm again.  He reached out for it, but her hand withdrew it.

“But....” she said, “I’ll only let you have this if you take a picture with me first.”

“Ha??” Sakura flustered.  “How is that fair?”

“You get a picture of me, I get a picture of you,” she replied.

“You have a bunch of pictures of me!” Sakura countered.  “You’re always taking pictures of me when I’m on patrol! Don’t think I don’t notice!”

Fujiwara flushed.  “That... that’s different! That’s for artistic purposes, documenting the memories of Bofurin!”

“And this one is what? Personal?” Sakura countered, his heart pounding and cheeks hot.

Fujiwara froze, her jaw clenching slightly, before she spoke. “Yes.”

Sakura was stunned into silence, his eyes wide as they took in Fujiwara’s stubborn pout, the way her violet eyes both seemed to avoid his gaze but also bathe in the sight of him at the same time.  A soft breeze pushed a few strands of her hair across her face, and he fought the sudden urge to tuck it behind her ear.

Sakura swallowed and then nodded.  “Okay.  Fine.”

He loved the way she smiled, the way everything about her shifted from nervousness to joy.  She held out the polaroid, lining it up as best she could before clicking the button.  A moment later, the polaroid poked out, and she removed it, shaking the photo to help it clear up faster.

Sakura watched as their faces slowly appeared. She was smiling, her head leaned towards him as if she were truly happy, as if she really wanted to be there with him, close to him.  Sakura didn’t smile, but he wasn’t glowering like he used to, and it was the first time he’d seen a picture of himself where he could tell that he was actually happy.

“That’s a good one,” she whispered.

Sakura watched with longing as she tucked it away into the back of her sketchbook.  A moment later, she handed over the photo of her that he’d taken.

He took it gingerly from her and started at it, the corner of his mouth quirking up slightly in a hint of a smile.  She really was cute... he wasn’t sure why she got so upset over it...

But for some reason, this new, unfamiliar sense of longing wasn’t entirely satisfied.  His mind went back to the photo she’d tucked away of the two of them.

“Fujiwara...” he muttered.

“Hm??”

“Can.... can we take one more?”

[captainswaglord500]

Pushantan/Rotlen

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Infraphylum: Gnathostomata

Clade: Placodermi

Clade: Antiarchi

Clade: Euantiarcha

Clade: Xenodontimorpha

Class: Xenodontida

Order: Prenocaudata

Family: Phrynorhynchidae

Genus: Phrynorhynchus

Speices: P. apintajara (“toad beak of Apintajara" [/apiⁿtəd͡ʒarə/, a shapeshifting demon in the local folklore])

Ancestral species: possibly Bothriolepis ornata

Temporal range: late Miocene to recent (6.5 mya - present)

Information:

Though this creature may look cute and innocent on the exterior, do not let that fool you, as P. apintajara is actually a highly-aggressive predator. A monstrous, terrestrial antiarch-derived placoderm competing with the likes of theropods and pseudosuchians for the niche of apex predator, this creature is exceptionally territorial and does not readily tolerate other large predators, readily attacking on sight and regularly destroying the eggs and nests of other large predators if it comes across them. Lightweight in build, this creature is limber, flexible, and quick on its toes, able to run down prey which would tire out similarly-sized theropods with ease. The second-largest largest member of its clade, the xenodonts or xenodontians (class Xenodontida, “strange teeth” in reference to the sharpened bony plates in its mouth) and the only obligate carnivore within it, this creature’s bony mouth plates can shred through bone like a cleaver and pierce the armor of even some of the most well-defended herbivores. Primarily a sound-based predator, this creature’s eyesight is actually relatively poor, instead using its peculiarly-shaped gill-like pinna to help locate the point of origin for sounds in its environment and pinpoint prey in the dense thicket. In fact, this species’ hearing is superb, able to hear infrasonic frequencies across long distance. 

To aid in blending in with its surroundings, the pushantan has two distinct color morphs, one found in the far northern jungles and lush alpine forests it prefers and the other in the northern dry forest regions it sparsely inhabits. The former tends to have a green and gray body with black bands and stripes on its legs and a lime green throat pouch with black highlights while the latter tends to have orange backs with yellow flanks and a red throat pouch but still the same black bands and stripes. Though it prefers inland forest ecosystems, coastal populations are a notable phenomenon, in part due to the lack of competition from other large littoral zone terrestrial predators. Specializing in hunting land-dwelling prey, its long legs also make it adept as an intertidal predator, wading in the shallows for large fish and other creatures to swim by before striking. Typically occupying an area of a couple hundred square miles, it has been known to migrate long distances in search of food, sometimes up to 50 miles in a day. Diurnal in nature, it prefers to hunt during the day, when its eyesight is less heavily impaired and when some larger theropods are asleep. At night, it sleeps under large trees, typically standing up, something which allows arboreal primates to climb onto the creature’s back and pick off insects and other parasites which might otherwise bother it. In times of ecological stress, this species appears to be able to enter a torpor-like state, significantly slowing down its metabolism to reduce its energy expenditure.

While it is far from the largest land predator in its ecosystem, being only around 20 feet long, 10 feet at the shoulder, and weighing around 1.5-2 tons, this animal makes up for this setback through its highly indiscriminate feeding patterns, something which is rare amongst the region’s large carnivores, who typically experience a high degree of niche partitioning. Willing to consume just about anything it can outrun and overpower, its diet includes a wide variety of terrestrial vertebrates. In the mountains, it primarily hunts camelids, deer, notoungulates, horses, and giraffids, and even large mammalian carnivores like amphicyonids, bears, hyaenodonts, and big cats. The most daring may even go after young proboscideans. At lower elevations, non-avian dinosaurs and other megafaunal up to the size of hadrosaurs may be taken as prey. This habit of indiscriminate opportunistic feeding has led some to dub it a “land shark” of sorts.

Though more vocal than its theropod compatriots, its repertoire of sounds is more limited. A loud, booming sound variously compared to a “croak”, a “roar”, or a “bellow” is used as a broadcast call to notify other large carnivores of its presence as well as to establish its territory. Hissing appears to communicate aggression and a deep-pitched “warbling”/“bugling” bellow or roar has been described as being used as part of a threat display to intimidate  trespassers on its territory. A sound known as “wooning” has been observed as a form of communication with juvenile specimens.

Unusually for their clade, the pushantan is a sequential hermaphrodite, with most individuals being born female before switching their sex and becoming male as they begin to reach sexual maturity. The mechanisms behind this aren’t entirely known, though it’s believed that certain environmental pressures force this change. Mating occurs year-round and courtship rituals are relatively simple: flashing his bright throat pouch, the male bobs his head up and down while strutting alongside the female. If she accepts his courtship, she will begin to mirror his behavior whereas if she refuses, she will simply walk off. Coitus occurs under a tree, wherein the male, using an organ referred to as “claspers” (modified back fins from its aquatic ancestors), stands side-by-side, angling himself so he’s able to penetrate her and deposit his sperm. As pushantans mate for life, both parents will raise the offspring. In a few weeks time, the female will lay her amphibious eggs, formed in clutches of around 5-8, in a stagnant body of water near the shallows, making sure not to the leave the water’s edge while the male hunts for the both of them. In about 2 weeks, the eggs will hatch, giving birth to a larval tadpole-like form known as woggins, which have fins in place of arms and a prominent tail fin. Over the course of nearly 2 months, the woggins will grow to 16 times their birth size, begin to lose their fins, develop feet, and begin to lose functional gills, the gills instead becoming part of their ear. At this point, they can leave the water but most occasionally return to the water to keep their skin moist, as their skin has not yet developed the airtight scales of their adult forms and is thus susceptible to dehydration. By around 4 months, they will no longer need to return to the water, having begun to develop the spiny horns and scutes of its adult form, at which point, the mother will start to take them hunting. By around 9 months, they will be large enough to fend for themselves, and at around 2 years old, they will have reached adult size, followed by reaching sexual maturity in another 1-2 years. From there, the young pushantan can expect to live well into old age, a good 20-25 years in the wild and an even longer 30-38 years in captivity.

Regularly attacking livestock and humans alike, one of this creature’s names in Xenogaean, sykansykantuẋôtôtna (/sɪkansɪkantuʃɔtɔtnə/), literally translates to “(the) great scourge of (the) heavens”, as this species appears to be one of the few large terrestrial predators in Xenogaea which doesn’t naturally fear humans. This has led the creature to be killed on-sight by most farmers and hunted to near-extinction several times throughout its history, with the current population rebounding from a particularly deadly wave of exterminations in the last 19th century. However, with only around 14,000 mature individuals across its entire range, the species is still at imminent risk of extinction. Other names it goes by include the most commonly-used name, pushantan (/puʂaⁿtan/, a word of unknown etymology but likely a loanword from a pre-Xenogaean substrate language), rotlen (/ro̞t͡ɬɛn/, “thorn back”), or, in English, the thornback. Featured prominently in local artwork, particularly in murals and textiles, it is also considered an underdog in the minds of some locals, seen as a creature which prevails in an environment with much larger and more dangerous predators and in an environment in which humans has attempted to all but exterminate them. Peculiarly, it appears to be one of the few creatures in Xenogaea which shows adaptations specifically for hunting other carnivores, suggesting it may have originally evolved to hunt other predators before adapting into a generalized predator. Though this creature shows the ancestral trend towards 8-toed feet like its ancestors, this appears to be a derived trait rather than a true atavism. Within its class, it appears to be a rather derived branch with few close living relatives, with its closest living relative being the land pufferfish, with which it shares part of its range. Out of all the xenodont placoderms, this species’ evolution is the most well-understood, with fossil relatives known all the way back in the Eocene illustrating the slow upsizing of this species over several tens of millions of years in response to environmental pressures, having evolved from humble origins along the shorelines of an inland sea which would later become the Arava Desert before the drying-up of this region forced them to adapt to hunting larger, more land-based prey. The pushantan appears to be the apex of its clades’ current evolution, having emerged in the late Miocene as the largest of its family to ever live. Popular in online circles for its peculiar appearance, some Western internet users have dubbed it an “axolotl-chicken-porcupine”, its likeness being used in reaction images. In higher elevations near the base of the Isanunti Mountains, it has been known to stalk areas around volcanically active geyser vents and mud pools, ambushing animals which become trapped in the mud or injured by the scolding waters. Due to its peculiar appearance, it is in high demand amongst Western private collectors and is one of the most trafficked megafaunal animals in Xenogaea, further endangering its long-term survival as a species. It is one of the first placoderms to have had its entire genome sequenced.

[nothinggathers]

DBH Big Bang 2023 Sneak Peek

Three days in!

We've seen some gorgeous artwork so far from @cptjh-arts here, @vladlen4i here, and Yvy here.

And there's more to come!

In four more days I will be posting the first three chapters of Ghosts in the Machines, featuring Detective Connor Stern and his prototype partner Hank, accompanied by artwork from the amazing @vladlen4i and @winterbaroness

Until then, here are Connor's first impressions of Elijah Kamski.

The door opened and the blonde android re-entered the room. “Elijah will see you now,” she said.

She led them through the door to-- Connor paused. Hank almost ran into the back of him. A swimming pool. Kamski's lobby-slash-waiting room led directly to a swimming pool with a huge panoramic window that looked out across the snow-covered beach and straight at Cyberlife. It was all done out in black and red as if Elijah Kamski's interior decorator had been a teenager in the early aughts and decided never to leave them behind. Even the swimming pool's tiling was red, so it looked as if the two ST200s idling at its edge were bathing in human blood. “Jesus christ,” he muttered.

Hank's hand settled against the back of his shoulder, gentle and reassuring, and urged him onwards. A voice called, “One moment please!” It was followed by a splash. Connor watched the mostly naked form of Elijah Kamski glide across the bottom of his pool of chlorinated blood. He'd known they were coming, and he'd known they were here, but instead of getting dressed and meeting them like a normal person he'd opted to take a swim. Connor couldn't decide if he was being shown deliberate disrespect as an officer of the law, or if Kamski was just that socially inept.

It was probably the former. Kamski was a showman. Everything Connor had observed so far had been designed to inspire awe, or provoke a reaction, or make a person uncomfortable.

Hank stayed close by Connor's side as he made his way around the pool, admiring the expensively tasteless décor, and the large impressionist oil painting that dominated one wall. Kamski completed his swim, and then appeared at a small ladder, hauling himself up out of the pool. Connor let his eyes sweep up, taking Kamski in. He had no tattoos, was the class of pale you only achieved by avoiding direct sunlight, and sported one lone ear cuff on his left pinnae, with no other obvious piercings. He squeezed the excess water from his undershaved ponytail, and then stood and waited for the android to attend him with a dressing gown.

“I'm sorry for disturbing your routine, Mr Kamski,” Connor began, placidly. He wasn't going to let Kamski's showboating get to him.

[flansterthefilm]

Heaven was Empty

Heaven was empty last time I was there.

Not an angel in sight and not the slightest blow of a trumpet to greet my arrival.

The choir had gone silent.

Because no one was left to be in the choir.

Saint Peter rested at his podium, slumped over, barely on his chair.

His snores deafening amongst the silence, his halo atop his head, covering his eyes.

The gates left open and swayed in the breeze.

Angelic screeching of the rusted hinges

Past: a landscape of clouds broken by the piercing grassy knolls.

Knolls of orange grass that’d shimmered in the light.

Wherever that light now was.

I walked and my footsteps sunk when in these clouds.

Trying not to trip when my steps went too low.

Blinding light from below, rays from the floor.

No noise barring the breeze past my pinna.

God.

I lay down with him as we look above. 

More clouds and more nothing.

My head lay on his robe.

Where did they go?

By their own accord, they didn’t belong

Silence again.

Then why am I here?

The dignity to give up.

You're all that's left.

Is that true?

I'm asking.

And you, you expect me to know?

Ridiculous.

[elenadoeslife]

Time for the first piercing update!

After 24 hours I just cleaned them for the first time :) now I have to spray it with an aftercare solution and carefully move the earring up and down to clean it.

My left ear has been completely fine. No pain, heat or redness. I was even able to sleep on my left side last night. Very happy about that!

The hole in my right ear was either pierced too close to the cartilage or against it. The piercing doesn't look inflamed and it isn't hot to the touch, but it is very sensitive.

I'm terrified it'll get infected the same way cartilage piercings have in the past. Last night I almost took it out. I'm giving it another day to see if the feeling subsides. It's not painful. It's radiating some kind of pressured heating sensation through the entire pinna, while the pierced area is cold to the touch.

[strelles-universe]

Strike the Match - Chapter 11: The Moon's Fang

Cardinalpaw panted, the scratches littering his body stinging painfully as he disengaged from his enemy. A blinding white light shone from no-where, piercing his eyes as he shook his head furiously. He tripped over his own paws when what felt like another set of claws dug deep into his skin, sending him slamming into the ground with a yowl of terror. Blood filled his mouth as he bit his tongue, scrambling frantically back to his paws so he couldn’t be ambushed. He whipped around in panic, watching in horror as more and more enemies clawed their way from the very shadows; no discernible features visible on their forms. They snarled angrily, lunging towards his factionmates menacingly. Cardinalpaw fought back with all that he had, yelping again when braising fangs sank into the scruff of his neck and tried to throw him.

He struggled to free himself, lashing out desperately; his claws sliding through the shadowy cats but never seeming to catch, never seeming to bother them.

It was only a piercing, grief stricken howl ringing through the air that seemed to bring the chaos to a halt.

Jackdawpaw? He recognized immediately.

The teeth holding him seemed to disappear on the spot and Cardinalpaw darted forward through the suddenly thick throng of cats. He shoved and slipped his way though the crowd, desperate to reach the front where he could hear his friend and see-

Nothing much in the dim light of the cadet’s den as a sharp feeling prodded his back.

Cardinalpaw sprung to his paws immediately, muscles still tense for battle. His pinna were pulled flush against his face and he bared his teeth, snarling the best he could as he lashed out in the direction of the paw. He couldn’t hear anything over the bounding of his heart, the surrounding area seemed blurry; he couldn’t recognize anyone. He tensed again as a shadow approached him, hissing immediately in warning.

The silhouette froze, a leg in the air as if startled by his reaction.

Cardinalpaw growled again as his vision slowly began to clear up, the haze of sleep fading from his gaze. He blinked slowly, allowing the fog to fade more and more as the sounds of the den began to filter into his ears.

He blinked again the silhouette was now Tigerslash, standing wide-eyed with a paw outstretched as if about to poke him again. The large tom slowly lowered his paw to the ground, unsure how to proceed.

He turned his head to see his denmates all crowded together. 

Jackdawpaw had moved away at some point, now sporting a notched ear a set of clawmarks on his muzzle that he immediately felt terrible for. He’d done that? Ravenpaw seemed unscathed thankfully, curled between his equally alarmed brother Wrenpaw and the wide-eyed Chaffinchpaw. He couldn’t see Swallowtailpaw and Quietpaw at first, but then he spotted a flash of ginger fur behind Tigerslash and figured they were hiding from him.

Cardinalpaw swallowed his guilt and nerves, his pinna drooping a little and he walked towards his friends. To their credit, they didn’t flinch despite clearly being alarmed by whatever he’d done in his sleep. He pressed his nose to Jackdawpaw’s cheek guilty.

“... I’m sorry,” he apologized quietly.

“It’s okay,” Jackdawpaw told him immediately before pausing. “...are you okay?”

Cardinalpaw looked towards his paws, “It was just a nightmare.”

“Some nightmare,” Chaffinchpaw said, visibly spooked. “It was like you were taming boars.”

I wish, Cardinalpaw thought to himself. Taming boars at least wouldn’t have been so intimidating.

“...come on,” he said aloud, nudging Jackdawpaw again. “You need to see Spottedholly.”

“They’re not that deep,” said Jackdawpaw but he didn’t protest too hard, obligingly following his friend from the den. Cardinalpaw was a bit surprised that Ravenpaw came with him, trotting up onto the left-side of him but it made him feel better all the same. He doesn’t think he’d ever been so discomforted by a dream in his life. He recognized his friend’s cry of fear - he wasn’t sure how, he just did. He never got to see why either.

Already the bits and pieces of the dream were escaping him, leaving his thoroughly shaken but ultimately frustrated as the details of why slipped past him.

He released a little sigh, looking up as they came to Spottedholly’s den. The long-furred molly was already waiting outside for them with stacks of leaves placed before her paws with a warm smile as they approached. Her cheery expression turned to one of concern when she spotted the claws on Jackdawpaw’s face.

“What happened?” she asked him, leaning down to sniff the wounds.

Jackdawpaw opened his mouth but Cardinalpaw spoke before he could, “I had a nightmare and Jackdawpaw was too close.”

Jackdawpaw shot him a little glare as Spottedholly’s face became sympathetic.

“Come on then, let’s go those treated before you go,” said the mender, leading Jackdawpaw swiftly into her den. “Those travelling herbs are for you - eat those instead of fresh-prey to remain sated for the journey.”

Cardinalpaw obediently dipped his head, sniffing the herbs as the mender retreated. His tongue flicked out, scooping up the leaves into his mouth. He grimaced immediately at their bitter flavor, screwing up his face with a light gag. They weren’t as bad as some herbs - from what he could taste, they’d been laced with honey and something else - forest mint he thinks - to mask the taste but they still weren’t anything he’d nibble on willingly.

His ear flicked at a similar gag and turned his attention to Ravenpaw choking down his herbs with a familiar expression. He snickered, receiving a smack in the shoulder for his amusement.

“... so what’s the Moon's Fang like?” Cardinalpaw asked.

Ravenpaw flicked his tail, “I’ve only been to the Tongue myself so I can’t be completely sure. But Longtail says-”

“Longtail?” Cardinalpaw interrupted, skepticism immediately entering his voice at the tabby’s name.

“I know he isn’t the nicest, but he’s my brother too,” Ravenpaw said, his earns pulling back a bit defensively.

“He is?” Cardinalpaw blinked disbelievingly. He supposes he can see it - Ravenpaw, Wrenpaw and Longtail all shared the same tall and somewhat slender builds that made them stand out among the Stormborn. Longtail and Ravenpaw both possessed the large, somewhat cone-shaped ears that spurred whispers of Galespun heritage among the elders. “But he never plays any games with you.”

Ravenpaw sighed and looked away, “... Longtail likes Wrenpaw a lot more than me. He’s a better fighter - looks a bit heavier than me too. He’s an important member of the Stormborn.”

“Being a diplomat is plenty important!” Cardinalpaw protested, the fur on his neck bristling.

Ravenpaw adopted a bitter look, “Not to Longtail. All we do is talk to other factions and hide behind the fighters.”

“Any cat who thinks that has bees in his brain.”

The two cadets glanced up at the same time as Spottedholly slipped from her den with Jackdawpaw trotted up to them. His muzzle had a little leaf patch smeared across it, hiding the wound a few cobwebs strung across the cut in his ear. He ducked his head to swallow down the travelling herbs himself, gagging loudly - and fairly dramatically - as Spottedholly frowned above them.

“A diplomat keeps the peace-times peaceful and makes the wartimes bearable,” she said sternly to Ravenpaw. “It sounds like your brother has been listening to his mentor a bit too much.”

“His mentor?” Cardinalpaw echoed.

“Pricklestripe,” Jackdawpaw said helpfully, drawing his tongue across his muzzle trying to dismiss the taste of the herbs from his mouth. “He trained Longtail up - and probably spouted a bunch of beetle-brained nonsense to him while he did it.”

Well that explains a lot, Cardinalpaw mused to himself. Any cat brought up by someone as dislikable as Pricklestripe would come out trying to make fires with wet wood.

“Cheer up Ravenpaw,” Spottedholly soothed. “Longtail isn’t a cadet anymore - the real world will get to him eventually.”

The lanky cadet didn’t seem too convinced but Cardinalpaw hoped that the mender was right. Being so close to his own five siblings, Cardinalpaw couldn’t imagine one of his brothers being so… opposing to his own existence. Though he’d been closest to Ahasra and Adihikko, his bigger brother had been a supporter himself. Hreto never let him go through anything alone if he could help it - he’d stepped up, trying to fill the role of father as best as he could for the rest of their litter even with the protests of their mother and biggest sisters.

“...as for the Moon's Fang,” she trailed upon seeing the diplomat cadet wasn’t going to say anything else. She turned her attention to Cardinalpaw instead. “The Moon's Fang rests in the chest of the Mother Maw, channeling the power of Moonsoul immobilizing it. When Moonsoul’s gaze touches their fang, it explodes into light and energy. It’s hard to describe… it’s such an awe-inspiring encounter.”

Cardinalpaw tried to imagine it in his mind’s eye and his dream came back unbidden - a blinding white light illuminating the darkness around him. He shivered a little and changed the subject.

“The Mother Maw?” he asked.

“One of the Great Beasts from the time of the Ancients - it’s said that The Mother Maw devoured all of her own kind in her gluttony,” Spottedholly explained. “Moonsoul’s power turns the beast to stone each night, immobilizing it so that it can’t devour the spirits of cats coming to seek guidance.”

Cardinalpaw purred a little - he loved a good story. Even abridged as this one was, it was full of interesting bits and droplets of faction-life. A culture that he was taking in bit by bit.

“I think I would rather be eaten than taste those herbs again,” Jackdawpaw complained, sticking his tongue out and shaking his head.

Spottedholly chuckled at him, “They will keep you full far longer than any blood prey. Besides, no creature may enter the Mother Maw with blood on their mouths lest they wake the beast.”

“It could wake it up?” Ravenpaw said, his ears immediately pulling back with alarm. “Even with Moonsoul’s Fang within it?”

“Yes,” Spottedholly told them seriously, making them all shudder. “You’ll be able to see it for yourself when you enter, the Mother Maw cannot eat physical forms while Moonsoul keeps her pinned but it can steal spirits.”

“...less and less enthusiastic about this journey,” Cardinalpaw said, his small dorsal fins clapping a little in his discomfort. “Can’t you come with us?”

“Ordinarily I would. It’s safest for all parties involved if a starmender is present when cats enter the Mother Maw as Moonsoul will sense us first,” Spottedholly said with a little sigh. “But I am the only mender and I have no cadet. Our Asterdawn was granted her lives at the Moon’s Fang so she will be your guide instead. Leaders shine brightly to the Starlands.”

Cardinalpaw digested this information with his friends as Spottedholly gestured to the approaching forms of Sumta Asterdawn and Tigerslash. With Lionbelly as their lieutenant and the Fennyield behaving more like a gang of bullies than a respectable faction, it was decided that the barracks should retain the most powerful legionaries. His eyes flitted down to the braided string hung around his mentor’s throat; basil and chamomile swinging loosely with her every step. It took Cardinalpaw a moment to summon memory from that lesson - the diplomat’s braid. With the Galespun gone, there wasn’t really a reason to use it - they would encounter no patrols from them.

Maybe she’s hoping that by doing everything right, it’ll bring us good fortune, Cardinalpaw reasoned to himself.

“May Moonsoul bless your travels,” Spottedholly said respectfully, dipping her head to the small group. 

“Thank you Spottedholly - I hope the stars have answers for us,” said Sumta Asterdawn, dipping her head.

She flicked her tail, motioning for them all to follow her as she led them towards the gorse tunnel. He followed her lead, offering a respectful nod to Cricketleap and Chikadeechitter who were on tunnel guard duty this time as they entered the wider forest. He tensed himself, ready for a furious sprint through the forest to arrive at The Kirkyard and then the moor but blessedly his mentor set a somewhat languid pace. He trotted lightly after his mentor, the end of his tail curled up lightly in passive enjoyment of the territory around him.

His gaze slid to the side, a slight purr thrumming in his throat as he watched his friends get into a friendly shoving competition. Tigerslash occasionally glanced at them, as if annoyed by their lack of seriousness but for the most part the tabby warrior remained vigilant; amber eyes scanning the clearing as if expecting a Fennyield ambush to burst from the brush at any second. It made Cardinalpaw nervous for such a powerful warrior to be so openly unnerved - Tigerslash was the third-largest cat in the Stormborn after both Lionbelly and the Sumta respectively. How bad was he expecting the ambush to be?

He looked up as they passed from their territory into The Kirkyard, the loud birdsong ringing through the trees slowly fading and the mice taking care to hide themselves from the approaching cats.

Sometimes Cardinalpaw forgot just how beautiful the forest he grew up in could be.

It was with a pang of regret and a flash of discomfort that he left the tree-line with his factionmates, stepping into the open stretch of the moor. With the Galespun completely gone, there was no point in even posing the respectful pause that a patrol might have for crossing borders. A shiver ran up his spine - a combination of the strong breeze blowing unobstructed through his fur and the discomfort of being so exposed. At ten moons old, Cardinalpaw could count on one foot how many times he’d ever left the comfort of the forest and this particular visit wouldn’t even have him using another leg. The loose swaying branches that covered the kingdom allowing pools of sunlight to dapple their clearing and the thick, sheltering cover of the Stormborn section made him feel secure.

He was reassured in his discomfort when he looked at his factionmates - though Asterdawn’s head was held high, she occasionally glanced up at the sky with a grimace to her muzzle; the frizz of her neck a bit bushier. Jackdawpaw and Ravenpaw stopped goofing around, drawing closer to each other as they looked around uneasily. Even Tigerslash appeared to be putting up a front, stalking forward with firm steps though his tail lashed furiously; the fur on his hackles bristled as if prepared for a fight. 

All this with just the absence of something familiar.

How could the Fennyield stand this? Cardinalpaw wondered as they pushed through the tall dry grass and throngs of heather - after all, the marsh dwelling cats lived under a canopy of trees themselves. Didn’t they find the lack of branches unnerving? Wouldn’t the constant howling of the wind send shivers down their spines? And moreover, at least the Stormborn and Galespun had somewhat similar terrain - Fennyield territory was wet.

Cardinalpaw pressed down firmly on some of the craggy grass and listened to it crunch beneath his paws.

Swallowtailpaw and Quietpaw had both claimed that most drinkable water was somewhere underground. If there were frogs around here then Cardinalpaw would also be inclined to search for fire-lizards and stone spirits. 

The patrol crossed out of the moor with a collective sigh of relief when the tree-cover began to return. It wasn’t nearly as dense as their own beloved canopy, with sparse twisted shrubs that grew shorter and shorter the further away they got but at least they were trees. Cardinalpaw cast one last glance to the heath - waving, rippling golden grasses interspersed with sections of pink and lavender heathers; moths rising into the air as the strands flicked.

The moor is beautiful too.

Their journey continued on in complete silence, Cardinalpaw’s mind began to wander. 

Given they were headed to a sacred place, this time was probably meant to think about the questions they may have for the Starlands. He didn’t have any really - he was still floating near polite disbelief, preferring his own gods to the ones of the factions. His ear flicked in response to the rippling grass - softer and greener than the grass from the Galespun territory but still more sparsely settled than from the biggest section of the canopy. His mind touched lightly on several things - Adihikko, so far from home learning to perfect a craft in place of spending time with them; Ahasra finally being given her chance to show how capable she could be; he thought about how much he missed being home, having his siblings at his side every time he looked at his denmates.

Cardinalpaw was so deep in thought he almost didn’t notice the changing terrain.

The ground took on a rocky appearance; sand and grit interspersing through the grass. He shivered, attention caught by an unusually chilly breeze ripping through his pelt encouraging him to look up. He tilted his head back, looking upon the massive structure that the empire called The Mother Maw. The cavern massive, the rock extending outward creating a large platform shaded by the overhang stretching across it. Stalactites hung from the roof and pointed stone rose from the base, each lining the rims of the cavern like rows of teeth. Cardinalpaw took a nervous step back as another chilly, damp breeze ruffled his pelt from the cavern.

Suddenly the idea that this cave was a petrified beast held a lot more weight than before.

He flinched at the sound of something crunching, immediately turning his attention to see his mentor settling herself down gingerly beside one of the tallest ‘teeth’ protruding from the ground.

“The is setting, but Moonsoul’s Eye is not wide enough to have lit the fang,” the Sumta explained, tucking her paws beneath herself. “So now, we wait.”

| | |

“There’s someone here.”

Cardinalpaw blearily opened his eyes are the gruff statement from Tigerslash. He, Ravenpaw and Jackdawpaw had played rather hard waiting for the daylight to pass - wrestling and chasing each other until they were tired. When hunger had started prickling at their stomachs, they’d wordlessly curled up with each other in the hopes that when they woke again, it would be time to enter the Mother Maw.

He turned his head towards the massive russet tabby who was now sitting up properly, peering over the landscape to a collection of moving dots that might have been creatures. He looked to his mentor - Asterdawn’s chin was resting on their forepaws, gaze cast forward towards the approaching creatures as well. Unlike Tigerslash, her hackles were flat to the ground; legs tucked beneath her to stand but with no ruffled fur.

The ruddy tom turned his eyes back to the cats; squinting a little at one - a silvery furred cat whose spots seemed more and more familiar by the second.

“I think those are Seekers,” he voiced, recognizing the formation of the blurs as Seekers escorting a prisoner.

“From the kingdom?” Ravenpaw asked curiously.

“I think so.”

Tigerslash didn’t back down - he remained standing, watching with amber eyes narrowed in suspicion as he put his large form between Asterdawn and the approaching party. He was tempted to roll his eyes but admittedly, the tom wasn’t doing anything wrong - Tigerslash would make a good heir’s guard.

As the specks got closer, Cardinalpaw was finally able to identify the silver blotch in the front with a chuckle.

“It’s Ahasra,” he remarked.

“Your sister?” Asterdawn said, immediately sitting up and beginning to groom her ruffled fur. A twinge of discomfort rang through him at the reminder that his sister was still someone important outside of the Empire. Sparks, she was important within the kingdom too - their mother’s most precious ember.

Instead of responding directly, Cardinalpaw just tilted his head back slightly and released a short piercing shriek. His factionmates all cringed from the sound, Tigerslash swinging his head around to glower at him; ears flattened against his head but Cardinalpaw just focused on the little squad of cats. Sure enough, he received a responding shriek followed by a more friendly warble as the silvery-form of his sister picked up the pace.

She galloped over the short, craggy grass towards them easily and Cardinalpaw purred the moment she was within earshot. Ahasra crooned in response and pressed her cheek against his fondly. After a brief pause to drink in each other’s scent, she touched her nose to the bridge of his and stepped back.

“I didn’t know the empire-cats ever left the forest,” Ahasra said, looking around at his factionmates curiously. She observed Asterdawn’s necklace with a curious expression but dipped her head to the molly all the same, recognizing her as leader. “What are you doing so far?”

“We could ask the same of you princess,” Asterdawn countered immediately.

Ahasra’s face wrinkled in response to the title - likely as discomforted by the connection-tongue title as Cardinalpaw felt sometimes. Rather than comment however, she flicked her tail to the collection of cats standing not too far behind her; watching the faction-cats with cautious body-language. 

Cardinalpaw recognizes a few of them - a slender blue lynx-point tom named Eins and a deep gray spotted molly; Yiska - bringing up the rear. Standing between them is a young fox - a young vixen maybe looking between them all with curiosity.

“We’re taking Little Birch home,” Ahasra explained, motioning to the fox. “She got separated from her travelling group by raiders.”

“Out here?” Cardinalpaw said, a bit mystified. This wasn’t a very commonly visited trail - certainly not a popular trader’s route given how closely it brushed the Empire and the Republic of Courage - both lands well-known for having a low-tolerance for thieves.

“We think they were stalked,” Yiska provided, plodding forward; stepping between Ahasra and the Empire cats, taking up a similar pose to Tigerslash himself. This time, Cardinalpaw did roll his eyes and noted his sister doing the same but curiously, not speaking on it. “After we take Birch home, we’re probably to come back out and track down the Raiders. Creatures already have to go the long way because of Havoc’s Pack down in the Vastweald.”

“Do you think these raiders are nearby?” Tigerslash demanded, looking across the landscape as if they’d appear on the bridge.

“It’s possible,” Ahasra admitted. “We only found Little Birch a bit away from here and the skulk is on the far-side of their territory for the new-bloom.”

“Maybe it’s best if we all stay together then,” voiced Eins voiced. “We have no idea how big the raid-group really is - Little Birch didn’t get a good look and ambush is… probable.”

“We can’t all go into the Mother Maw,” Ravenpaw noted, casting a nervous glance towards the gaping mouth of the cavern. “And Tigerslash is the only real Legionary. If he gets ambushed…”

The group as a whole grimaced. As big as Tigerslash was, Cardinalpaw imagined that being outnumbered would put a serious damper on the tom’s ability to defend himself.

“Then we stay together.” Asterdawn said decisively. “It won’t be longer before highmoon anyway.”

| | |

“It is time.”

Cardinalpaw yawned as he was awoken from his second nap, the brilliant silver light of Vashara shining down on their pelts. He stretched the cramp out of his mildly rejuvenated muscles, feeling more alert and awake than he has in moons. He’d been aware of his homesickness but here, curled up under the open sky with his sister snuggled into him; he could almost pretend he was back home. Jackdawpaw and Ravenpaw were great - his denmates were great - but they weren’t his siblings. 

Jackdawpaw groaned as another mouse scampered by them almost teasingly. Given that none of Ahasra’s squad had any reason to venture into the Mother Maw, they had eaten before they set out and though they respected the request not to spill blood on the Maw’s tongue, it was getting harder and harder for cadets to contain their hunger.

Ahasra gave him an affectionate lick to his shoulder before twisting and to begin the process of grooming her glossy, sleek coat; raising a dainty white paw to her muzzle to groom.

Asterdawn overlooked the cavern before turning her head, “Ravenpaw, you will return to the Moon’s Fang for your promotion so you will wait here with her highness - Tigerslash, you shall act as the group’s defender.”

Tigerslash gave a curt nod of understanding while Ravenpaw adopted an expression of relief. The diplomat cadet sighed and sat back down beside Eins whom he’d been in deep conversation with.

“Cardinalpaw and Jackdawpaw, you shall accompany to the Chest so you may have the light of the mauwa touch you directly.”

“Be safe,” Ahasra called out as Asterdawn turned to begin leading them into the throat of the beast. 

As soon as they passed the ridge of the creature’s maw, the air turned cool. The damp air blowing from the tunnels gently rustled his fur, the walls steadily growing narrowing the further in they went. The vague nervousness wafting from Jackdawpaw grew stronger and stronger - especially when they passed by walls that brushed even Cardinalpaw’s ribcage. A few times Asterdawn would have to pause and wiggle their massive shoulders through a narrower passageway or re-route entirely when it became apparent they wouldn’t be getting by without injuring themself.

The gentle light of Vashara faded rapidly, the deep cracks in the cavern becoming fewer and fewer. It wasn’t long before Cardinalpaw was straining his eyes, letting his pinna brush against the walls in the best attempt at navigating the tunnels. The cavern echoed in time to their breathing, amplifying any little sounds they made; filling the air with breathless pants and little grunts. He caught faint, old scents in the air - potentially other members of the Empire that also ventured into the beast seeking out the Moon’s Fang. 

He adjusted the positioning of his paws as the ground sloped further, becoming angled in nature. The ruddy tom extended his claws, doing his best to acquire any form of grip on the rocky earth. The damp air wasn’t for show - there were sleek spots on the ground, the faint sound of trickling water dripping down pat pat pat into their ears.

Jackdawpaw grasped Cardinalpaw’s tail in his mouth. The ruddy tom glanced over his shoulder towards his friend once or twice - he couldn’t see anything but the nervous scent had morphed rapidly into fear. The larger cadet openly shuddered every time a stream of warm air brushed across their backs.

Is the Moon’s Fang in the shell’s center? Cardinalpaw found himself wondering.

Asterdawn followed an unseen path, choosing direction and twists seemingly at random with a stiff confidence only challenged by their own slightly bristled hackles. Cardinalpaw’s sense of direction had been thoroughly scrambled three turns ago and Asterdawn was leading them deeper still.

Not having a destination, not having an idea of how much deeper they were going was starting to eat away at even Cardinalpaw’s nerves eventually so he was relieved when the tunnel finally began to level out. Asterdawn picked up the pace, her careful deceive stroll quickly becoming a firm trot as she approached the widened edge of the tunnel that opened into a cavern.

Cardinalpaw gasped aloud, the sound bouncing around the walls of the silent cave.

Moonlight was already pooling through one of the deep crevices in the ceiling, illuminating the various structures within the cave. The crowning jewel - The Moon’s Fang itself - was obvious. A massive curved structure that Cardinalpaw likened to the stalactites clinging desperately to the roof of the cavern. With many rounded edges and miscellaneous flattened surfaced that made it seem like some blessed sculptor shaped it with their own forepaws.

But that wasn’t all.

Various small sparking ores littered the cavern - shales of orange and quarts of pink layered random sections of the walls, some broken off laying shattered on the ground. More importantly - more alarmingly - were the cat skeletons. Some complete, curled together as if they’d died in their sleep and others broken leaving only skulls or ribcages. They glittered under the brilliant gleam of Vashara’s light, cluing Cardinalpaw into the realization that the skeletons too were made of crystal.

…is this was Spottedholly meant when she said the beast ate spirits? Cardinalpaw thought to himself in horror. He almost regretted asking her about the Mother Maw now - if he’d come down here blind, maybe he could’ve left thinking the skeletons were merely pretty rather than a sign that the beast had indeed come to life at some point in the past. He sincerely hoped that his sister and her squad remained respectful of the Empire’s traditions - he didn’t want to be the next skeleton turned to jewels.

He nearly jumped out of his pelt when Jackdawpaw pressed against him, shaking so hard Cardinalpaw was surprised he was still standing. His friend must’ve remembered Spottedholly’s explanation too.

A glint caught the corner of his eye and he turned his head in time to see the first ray of moonlight touch the fang.

The cavern exploded into light, the enormous rock twinkling as if all the stars in the sky were contained within it. Surrounded by the crystallized skeletons of the deceased, jewels and skulls gathered at the base of the fang as the light illuminated the dust and dirt falling from the ceiling like a glittering shower; Cardinalpaw could believe it had truly come from the mouth of a god.

He almost didn’t even notice when Jackdawpaw dropped to his stomach, shaking in a combination of true fear and awe.

Asterdawn strode forward, their form obscuring some of the light casting her into a deep silhouette as she settled at the base herself. She seemed unbothered by the skulls touching her paws or the tail-bones brushing against their flank. Cardinalpaw wondered briefly if the blinding light hurt her eyes any as the Brastiliion pressed her nose unflinchingly against the undoubtedly cool stone.

Cardinalpaw just released a soft sigh and settled down beside Jackdawpaw to offer his best friend support and to wait for his leader to reawaken. 

It seemed like days but it was likely only minutes as he’s only just started to grow cold in the face of the Moon’s Fang finally dying down. His leader had been completely still for the entire time - her breathing slowing to the point that Cardinalpaw had started to become worried that it had stopped entirely. He watched her anxiously, unsure of how the transformation from cat to crystalline skeleton happened and how quickly it would take. Still, he resisted the urge to check on his leader and waited loyally for her to rise again.

The way the light faded it was more like it was illuminated from the inside, little sections slowly fading; flickering slowly until they went out for good. Jackdawpaw focused on grooming the fur on his shoulders, seemingly needing a distraction of any kind to soothe himself. Cardinalpaw’s eyes had only just readjusted to the darkness of the Chest, darkness obscuring the entire cavern in mere moments when Asterdawn started shifting.

Twin sighs of relief came from the cadets as their valiant leader raised her head.

“Cardinalpaw? Jackdawpaw?”

“We’re here,” his friend croaked, his voice trembling ever so slightly.

He heard the tinkling of stones falling and bones being brushed aside as Asterdawn climbed to her paws then moved without hesitation towards the entrance of the cavern.

“We must return to our barracks immediately.”

That was all she said.

Cardinalpaw and Jackdawpaw scrambled furiously to their paws to dart after their leader who was moving with the swiftness of Haseni himself. Asterdawn navigated the tunnels expertly, seeming to remember each of the correct directions as she hadn’t gotten caught even once this time. The journey out was much quicker than the journey inward - it seemed like no time at all before Cardinalpaw was tasting fresh air and they burst from the Maw’s Jaw.

Tigerslash was waiting at the very edge of the Mother Maw’s jaw, peering around the row of teeth when they emerged. He turned in surprise at Asterdawn’s urgency but stood immediately all the same, his actions mirrored by a deeply confused Ravenpaw who pulled slightly away from Eins.

“I apologize for the abruptness of my actions Lady Ahasra,” the Sumta informed his sister as Cardinalpaw and Jackdawpaw darted to her sides. “But this is an emergency - we must return to our barracks as quickly as possible.”

“No harm done,” Ahasra said easily, getting to her paws herself. Her squad slowly gathered closer to her, Little Birch careful to stay in the center of them. Cardinalpaw quickly took the opportunity to touch noses with her in farewell, earning a gentle purr of pleasure. “May your Skies be clear and your future bright.”

“And be careful!” she added as the group turned and peeled from the area. 

| | |

The Empire Spirit Haseni or one of the many spirits of the Skies, Cardinalpaw didn’t know who to thank for his current stamina but he swore he’d find a way to show his gratitude all the same. Asterdawn had set a grueling pace the likes of which the forest sprints had never offered with thick tufts of stubbornly growing grasses and low-lying bushes just waiting to trip him up. His legs ached, and his paws stung from the harsh way they slapped against the ground - though the walk to the Mother’s Maw had been leisurely and gentle, it was still a long journey to make. 

Even Tigerslash for all of his muscular build was struggling to keep up as Asterdawn ran Moonsoul had graced her with wings.

“Ravenpaw!” the burly tom tried to snap, though it came out sounding more like a breathless gasp. “Keep up!”

The lanky cadet released a groan from his throat but lengthened his strides as he tried to keep up with their entire group. It was only when Jackdawpaw stumbled, his paw catching a section of earth sending him slamming into the ground did their leader realize she was leaving them in her dust. They came to a halt, watching as Jackdawpaw staggered to his paws again panting; a bit of blood trickling from his mouth.

“I bit ma’ lip,” he whined, shaking his head a little.

Cardinalpaw lowered his head, sniffing the blood on his mouth and poked out his tongue to lick it off. Jackdawpaw’s ears flattened against his head but he offered a shy smile of gratitude all the same.

Thankfully, instead of sprinting off like a boar possessed again when they’d recovered; Asterdawn instead set the pace at a brisk if impatient walk across the scraggy ground. It was still faster than usual but at least Cardinalpaw had time to breathe now.

They were making relatively good time when a shriek came from the back of the party.

“Ravenpaw!” Jackdawpaw yelped.

Cardinalpaw whirled around in time to see a cat trying to drag Ravenpaw off even as another targeted Tigerslash.

“Raiders!” he called out, yelping a moment later himself as a heavy weight landed on his back and something sharp pierced his shoulder. He twisted around immediately, sinking his teeth into the flesh of a small squeaking creature seemingly trying to burrow into his skin. He snapped the creature’s spine and sent it flying.

Rats? He wondered in confusion. The raiders had rats?

At least now he knows why Little Birch couldn’t give them an accurate count on how many raiders were around. If the raiders were breeding and training rats to assist them in ambushes, you wouldn’t be able to afford stopping to count raiders or you risk being dragged down by a group of the well-trained rodents.

Cardinalpaw slapped down another as it lunged for his face in time to hear a battle-cry. He looked up in time to see his sister’s group had returned - one fox short - throwing themselves into the fray with a snarl. Eins dragged one of the rat-masters off of a struggling Ravenpaw, teaming up with Jackdawpaw to drive the tom off while Yiska raced to Asterdawn and tore another from her back.

Ahasra landed beside him, the two siblings reflexively falling back to back. Cardinalpaw whirled around, slamming his tail into another row of rats while Ahasra sank her teeth deeply into the leg of another raider. Cardinalpaw abandoned his assault on the rats in favor of tearing the ear of their master earning another yowl, this time of panic from the tom.

The rats had begun to scatter - they were smart creatures and now that the opening for their attack had been thoroughly lost, the rodents were abandoning their masters in favor of getting out of reach of sharp claws. Rat army lost, the raiders tried to make a run for it; disengaging from Ravenpaw and Cardinalpaw respectively.

“Capture them!” Ahasra bellowed at her team. “Don’t let them escape!”

“Yes Ma’am!” Eins, Yiska and Kahri called back and tore off after the escaping criminals.

“We bumped into the travelling group - they reformed searching for Little Birch and warned us about the ambush points,” Ahasra said briskly to Tigerslash, shaking her pelt free of debris picked up from wrestling their attackers. The burly tom listened in surprising silence as his sister gave a professional sounding rundown on what would be happening to the notorious criminals who were apparently wanted for their crimes back in Fade’s Crossing.

For his part, Cardinalpaw moved towards his mentor who was lying eerily still towards the edge of the battle-zone, quickly taking stock of her multitude of wounds. Her fur was thick so he couldn’t see on the surface how many rat bites decorated their pelt though a gash on the leader’s throat left their fur matted and sticky as blood slowly oozed out. He reached out, putting a paw before her muzzle like Spottedholly had taught them.

Nothing.

“Asterdawn’s not breathing!” Cardinapaw called out, too frightened to use her proper title.

The cats behind him froze and Tigerslash came storming up. He shoved Cardinalpaw to the side, placing his own paw in front of Asterdawn’s nose. Presumably not feeling anything either, his fur bristled and he began nudging their leader a few times. Ahasra crept towards them, settling beside Cardinalpaw subdued as the russet tom stepped away from her body.

“...it’s in the paws of the Souls now,” Tigerslash rumbled.

Cardinalpaw’s legs gave out and his sister quickly pressed against him, purring softly in a soothing manner as Jackdawpaw and Ravenpaw huddled around him comfortingly. He’d been in the mender’s den when the last funeral was held so he didn’t know the rites and responsibilities. Was he meant to hold a vigil here and now? What about the faction? Asterdawn had been so determined to return home… did he even have time to hold vigil?

His spiraling though were interrupted by a flash of white light.

Cardinalpaw turned his gaze on Asterdawn’s body, his eyes widening as their own glowed with an ethereal light covering any distinguishing details about her eyes. He jumped to his paws with awe as Ahasra gasped in amazement beside her as the marking on her forehead lit up with the same light. He blinked in disbelief watching the outer bolts pull together making one cohesive fan shape and the gash on her throat began knitting itself back together, moons of healing happening in only a few moments. The glow slowly faded from the wound, leaving unmarred skin and matted sticky fur in its place. The petals of the marking returned to their original placements on their brow, the light dying away.

Asterdawn blinked once, twice, then took in a deep breath.

“Akuufaha’s light,” Ahasra gasped getting to her paws herself as Cardinalpaw darted by towards his mentor.

“...Asterdawn?” he prompted hesitantly.

She offered him a tired purr and Cardinalpaw immediately buried his face in her pelt trembling, not the slightest bit bothered by the blood smearing itself on his coat. It would blend in any way. She licked his ears a few times in soothing fashion, nuzzling his cheek before looking up at the group as a whole.

“I’ve lost a life,” she announced somberly. “My fifth yet.”

“Nine lives?” Ahasra asked her brother with amazement on her face earning a nod. “...well I suppose that’s not an old queen’s tale any more then.”

“Seeing is certainly believing,” Cardinalpaw agreed in a low voice.

She shook her head looking to Tigerslash, “I need to find the rest of my squad again so we can detail the raiders. I hope you and your squad make it home safely.”

The molly offered a kind nod and dragged her tongue across Cardinalpaw’s cheek before bounding off in the direction her squad had left, every bit as dangerous and skilled as Cardinalpaw always knew she’d be; focused on her job and thoroughly determined.

Tigerslash watched her leave through suspicious amber eyes before turning his gaze upon Jackdawpaw and Ravenpaw.

“You - find burdock root or horsetail,” Tigerslash ordered the gray tom. “And you, find cobwebs. I will remain in case there are stragglers.”

The two cadets darted off as Tigerslash started circling the area, keeping a sharp eye out for more raiders hidden in the brush or dawdling rats that may want to take advantage of Their Storm’s vulnerable state. Cardinalpaw took the opportunity to begin grooming the sticky fur on his mentor’s throat, hurriedly cleaning away the blood. He’d made a decent dent in the matted fur when Jackdawpaw came barreling back with a bundle of plants in his mouth.

“I found horsetail,” Jackdawpaw reported, dropping the plants at Cardinalpaw’s toes. He nudged the plants with visible uncertainty, “I think. This is what Spottedholly said horsetail looks like?”

Cardinalpaw compared the long green stands with the memory of the other herbs Spottedholly had shown him in lessons and nodded decisively. Yes, this was horsetail.

He took a deep breath in, readying himself with a little shake before taking the herbs into his mouth and started to chew. He cringed a little as the bitter taste exploded on his tongue, resisting the urge to gag and risk spitting them out. He really wished they had an herb grinder but alas, the traditional way it was. He poked through his mentor’s fur, wincing as he found more and more bites from rats that managed to burrow into her fur and sink their oversized teeth into her skin. He spread the poultices across the open-wounds, accepting cobwebs from a hobbling Ravenpaw to close the smaller cuts. 

“...your sister seems to be exceptionally trained,” Asterdawn murmured as he treated her wounds. “It’s a shame that the Stormborn lost her.”

“She’s very strong,” Cardinalpaw agreed, pride for his sister flowing through him. Now that he knew Asterdawn wasn’t dying for good, the pride and satisfaction he felt watching his sister fight with as much power and confidence as anyone with normal legs would, warmed him.  He hoped their mother knew how she wielded her power so well, that she obviously had the makings of a squad captain. “I’m glad she’s being allowed to blaze.”

Asterdawn offered him a curious look, clearly wanting to ask more but seemed to decide against it. Their expression turned more serious, pushing themself back to their paws and looking at the patrol. Jackdawpaw and Ravenpaw had traded what remained of the horsetail between themselves, treating their own rat-bites while Tigerslash continued to glower at any bush that moved too loudly.

“We must return to our barracks,” Asterdawn announced when it was clear the cadets had finished.

“We should rest,”  Tigerslash insisted, his voice low. “My Storm, you just lost a life.”

“And I’ve wasted enough of our time recovering,” she interrupted, as if dying was merely an inconvenience. “We must return our barracks and quickly.”

Tigerslash observed her with a reluctant expression before finally dipping his head in obedience.

“As you command My Storm.”

| | |

Asterdawn’s brief pause to touch noses with Vahuŕepra only stopped her for a brief moment - and it wasn’t long before the Brastilian was back on her harsh pace. It wasn’t a full-blown sprint, the leader seemingly having learned from their first attempt but she was still having them move like they were being pursued by Taihakida himself. Her anxiety passed through their travelling group - even Jackdawpaw had completely abandoned his joking and dramatic demeanor in favor of pressing on as quickly as he could.

They scrambled down the hill and back into Galespun territory. Tigerslash stopped at the border, opening his mouth to taste the air for a Fennyield patrol.

“You won’t find the Fenns here today,” Asterdawn seethed, stalking over the border without pause.

After that remark, the rest of their patrol moved with a new urgency as the implications of her words sank into them. Sure enough, the acrid stink of the Fennyield grew stronger and stronger the closer they came to Stormborn territory. By the time they may it to The Kirkyard, Cardinalpaw could hardly smell anything but the scent of battle-ready Fennyield legionaries stalking through the place of peace directly for their home.

Tigerslash practically leapt over the border when they arrived, ears pulled back and is teeth bared with menace as fury poured from his body. Trees and brush blurred in Cardinalpaw’s vision as the Sumta led them onto the fasted route back to their barracks. He didn’t even bother to stop when the gorse tunnel - completely torn open, as if the enemy legionaries had gotten sick of being caught and deliberately destroyed it - came into sight. The practice of the forest sprints behind him, he dove in and slid straight into the barracks without dropping speed in the slightest; throwing himself onto the back of the first Fennyield cat he saw.

The tom yelped in surprise as Cardinalpaw sank his claws into his shoulders and back, making his legs buckle. He tried dropping to the ground in the hopes of crushing the ruddy tom beneath his weight but Cardinalpaw had long since learned to recognize that tactic from Jackdawpaw. He easily slid off and out of the way, letting the tom slam himself into the ground un-cushioned. Cardinalpaw left right back onto him with his claws extended, sinking his teeth into any soft skin he could reach making the legionary yowl in pain.

He intended to hold on and shake the tom senseless, but then his mouth began to burn. Cardinalpaw shrieked, jumping back from the tom and shook his head furiously; spitting as if he could simply spit out whatever was torching his mouth. He looked up at the Fennyield legionary, a dark miasma cloaked close to his pelt.

Elanki, Cardinalpaw thought disdainfully. Two can play at that game.

The tabby warrior lunged at him once more, dark energy crawling up his body and condensing in his teeth. Cardinalpaw danced by him, drawing on his own makai. His always felt different than the energy of the empire - something he put down to his origins. He felt heat flash through his body, rushing through his muscles; becoming jumpy and electric.

Power exploded through his mouth, channeling into his teeth. Without hesitation, he whipped around snapped at the tom's lashing tail as he missed the mark on Cardinalpaw’s person. Unlike the other times he’s tried this technique in spars from the Games where his teeth merely clicked off of the scales, his teeth sank deep into the other’s tail. The Fennyield cat shrieked in agony and swung his heavy tail in an attempt to dislodge him. Cardinalpaw’s grip suffered but so did the enemy’s tail, his elanki jumped off leaving small burns and scars down the enemy’s tail.

Cardinalpaw was finally tossed off, rolling over then landing on his paws once more watching his enemy panting and glowering at him. He was honestly impressed when - instead of retreating like the ruddy tom wasn’t afraid to admit he would’ve - the legionary snarled and attacked once more, this time encasing his own claws in the same stinging miasma of Fennyield elanki. Blood dribbled into his face, likely blinding him so Cardinalpaw merely jumped to the side letting him through himself into the thorned bushes that lined the barracks. 

Cardinalpaw took the opportunity for what it was, springing on the trapped tom as he tried to extract himself from the thorns and branches. He raked his claws through his fur, clawing away at his soft underbelly and flanks until the legionary finally released a cry of surrendered. Cardinalpaw none-too-gently ripped him from the thorns to free him, stepping back to allow the tom to retreat from the clearing with his wounded tail between his legs.

The ruddy tom gave a shake of his head trying to clear his mind, straightening up to see where he was needed next. The wounds from the raider ambush combined with the latest ones acquired from the battle were finally beginning to sting - especially since he hadn’t applied anything to his own wounds. 

A flash of brown caught his eye and he turned his head in time to see the burly form of Clawedears standing over a still body, clawing his way into the nursery.

“The cubs-!” he tried to call out in warning but was slammed to the ground by a powerful looking tortoiseshell jack. He forced himself to go limp in their mouth, as if shocked by the attack then surged up the second that they relaxed their grip. He slammed into their in response, smashing his fully extended claws down on their chest earning a faint creaking sound. The jack screeched in pain but Cardinalpaw leapt from them, darting towards the nursery worriedly.

He skidded to a half in relief at the sight of Clawedears retreating with a new set of facial scars to his name and a completely shredded right ear as Nettleflower snarled aggressively in his direction. She stood defensively in the entrance to the nursery, scooping up a frightened looking Lynx and pushing her back into the nursery behind her, offering a sharp nod to Cardinalpaw.

It seemed that was the deciding blow for the invaders, seeing their fearless lieutenant retreating, the rest of the legionaries were quick to follow suit. The Stormborn cats released a victorious cry, several of them chasing their retreating enemies for good measure. Cardinalpaw particularly enjoyed sending a powerful swipe at the limping form of Scorchedmaw, the arrogant tom’s ears mauled and his pelt shredded as he bid a hasty retreat.

He shook his head again as Brindlewing emerged from the nursery, the young molly sporting a newly torn right ear and a cut lip.

“The cubs are safe,” the head sitter announced, drawing a paw across the open wound. “Thanks to Nettleflower - Clawedears tried to sneak in while I was fighting off Jaggedstump. Nettleflower took care of him - we’ve lost Roselyric though.”

Cardinalpaw caught a wince from Dappledfawn as she moved forward, nudging the still form of her friend’s body sadly.

“She gave as good as she got,” Nettleflower said. “Clawedears was limping before he even got to me.”

The old calico cracked a small smile in response, nodding gratefully towards the grouchy molly in thanks for the reassurance. Spottedholly had emerged from her den the second she heard the triumphant yowling and was racing between the legionaries and cadets alike, applying poultices to everyone she could. He started to move towards her only to be nearly knocked to the ground by a gray blur.

Jackdawpaw, he wondered, turning to follow his friend deeper into the crowd only to stop cold at the sight of glossy golden fur laying at his paws, completely and utterly still.

“Lionbelly,” he whispered to himself, sinking down beside his wailing best friend. Ravenpaw quickly joined them on the other side of their friend, pressing against his trembling body. They worked together drawing their tongues across their friend’s back as Frostfang came pushing her way to the inner-circle, her expression completely distraught.

“Sunny…” she said in a choked voice, turning to bury her face in the fur of Daisyflower, crouched beside her brother in mourning.

Nadderpelt and Volewhisker picked their way through the crowd, murmuring their thanks to Ravenpaw and Cardinalpaw as they moved closer to their son themselves. Cardinalpaw released a gentle sigh and tilted his head towards the slowly brightening night sky.

| | |

Seeing Jackdawpaw so down was like living in a nightmare. His face was blank and he moved around mechanically when prodded, as if he was merely a leaf being dragged by a stream. It had taken both of his parents to coax him into the starmender’s den, the thick furred tom barely even flinching when stinging poultices were applied to his wounds. It was like his inner fire had been near completely smothered, the cadet’s flame struggling against the winds raging around him. As soon as he retreated, he rejoined the circle of cats gathered around Lionbelly’s still body.

The Empire made death look peaceful.

The first time a proper vigil had been held, Cardinalpaw had a concussion and was laid up in the starmender’s den; barely able to even blink without causing himself pain. This time, he was witness to the full process. Spottedholly had enlisted the help of the elders - specifically the retirees - to crush together vibrantly colored berries into a triad of bowls of paint. They painted the sigil of Sunsoul upon his brow; a Stormborn bolt as its background so that he would be welcomed into the Starland’s as a member of the Stormborn.

His beautiful golden coat had been groomed into pristine appearance once more, his mane strewn with forest-mint and lavender flowers. Even his wounds had been dressed up, the smaller ones covered by his fur and the larger ones decorated with more flowers. 

It was very different from the death-ceremony he attended for his own father - no fire to burn him in and therefore, no ashes to scatter in the winds and over his kin so that they may be connected even in death. Different but no less beautiful.

The moon was half-way to setting when Asterdawn climbed the Highrock, overlooking their faction with gentle, sad eyes.

“Lionbelly was an amazing lieutenant,” she began, her voice audibly weighed down by the pain of replacing her old friend. “He was a courageous cat who saw potential in everyone from the smallest cub to the most accomplished legionary. He died as he lived, defending those in need. He was a wise and kind tom, taken from us before his time. I’m sure he would’ve made a fine leader in my stead though the Souls have seen it fit to welcome him into the stars - with his spirit still lingering before us, I hope he approves of this choice…”

The faction began glancing around exchanging curious expressions as to the identity of the nest lieutenant. Cardinalpaw noticed not an insignificant number of cats - Longtail, Pricklestripe, Speckletail and Elkear - all looking expectantly at Tigerslash. While a few found their eyes on Thrushheart. But Cardinalpaw followed the masses to the one tom Asterdawn was watching.

“Callastorm, are you willing to take on the position of lieutenant? And all of the responsibilities you will hold?”

The powerful white tom raised his head evenly, “It would be an honor to serve this faction as their voice and lieutenant.”

The faction immediately burst into cheers, chanting Callastorm’s name to the fading stars in the sky, letting Lionbelly know of his successor.

“He’s furious,” Cardinalpaw heard Ravenpaw mutter.

He turned his head, slightly confused by the comment before following the frightened black tom’s gaze towards Tigerslash; waiting at the very edge of the clearing. The russet tom’s ears had pulled back in annoyance, his claws sunk into the earth though he seemed to be trying furiously to keep a straight face. Longtail and Pricklestripe seemed to be soothing him, occasionally shooting annoyed looks in the direction of Callastorm and Asterdawn.

“I don’t know why,” Cardinalpaw murmured back. “Callastorm’s already trained Titfeather and now he’s training Chaffinchpaw. Tigerslash has never trained a cadet - he’s not allowed to be lieutenant.”

“Yeah well… Tigerslash has wanted to be lieutenant since he was a cadet himself. His father was Pineheart.”

“Oh, the Brastilian after the Mad Star,” Cardinalpaw blinked, glancing towards the burly tom again. If his own father had been leader once, he supposes it made sense that the russet tabby may have aspirations of following in his pawsteps and taking on the same role. “He’s done a lot of good lately. Daisyflower’s cubs will be six moons next moon and Frostfang’s are only three moons away themselves.”

“I’d hate to be his cadet,” Ravenpaw mumbled. “He’s going to be in a bad mood for moons - he’ll probably work his poor cadet to death trying to catch up with Callastorm. Still, he should’ve known the Souls would never reward a murderer.”

Cardinalpaw jolted, his head snapping up at his friend.

“Murderers?”

Ravenpaw’s went wide - clearly he hadn’t meant for the comment to slip out in his agitated rambling. The fur on his spine slowly bristling.

“I-I mean he’s always really rough in battles,” he stammered. “That’s why he hasn’t gotten a cadet yet. He’s probably killed at least one cat by now. By accident.”

“... but you weren’t referring to that…”

Instead of retorting, Ravenpaw leapt to his paws; sprinting towards the cadet’s den with his tail between his legs. Cardinalpaw was left crouched in place, frozen in confusion. Unbidden, the story Ravenpaw told the Fennyield cadets came back to mind; the questions that had swirled through his tired mind once more clawing their way to the forefront.

Ravenpaw, what aren’t you telling us?

----

Allegiances | Previous | Next | First

[raethye]

an unedited peek at an upcoming taejin tale for WIP Wednesday:

Taehyung removes the fox mask when they leave the club and Seokjin thinks the universe has made some kind of clerical error. Because no way in hell did he just walk into a shitty club and pick up the most beautiful man in the world. Yet…

Eyes of mesmerizing hazel catch the light when Taehyung smiles up at him. His true ears are slightly shorter than the mask’s, covered in lush black fur and pierced along both sides of the pinna. They’re in near constant motion, processing the noisy street around them. And his face—fucking hell.

Seokjin slows. Stops. Taehyung drifts a few steps ahead before turning back.

“Changing your mind already?” He cocks his head, one hand on his hip. His irises throw back hints of pink and blue as they catch the light. The smile on his lips falls slightly, a question forming as they purse. “What is it?”

“‘Something quite tedious,’” Seokjin murmurs. He moves to Taehyung like gravity itself pulls him, hands framing his exquisite face.  “Is that what you see when you look at yourself?”

“Maybe… you see something different.” Taehyung’s skin warms, his blush barely visible in the glow of the streetlights. Careful fingers brush the corner of Seokjin’s eye. “No one’s ever looked at me quite like this.”

[rhinoplasty-surgeon-india]

Auricular Cartilage: The Foundation of Ear Structure and Function

Your ears are more than just a means of hearing; they are complex structures that play a significant role in your appearance and how you experience the world. At the heart of this intricate system is auricular cartilage structure. This essential tissue forms the foundation of your ear's structure and function, ensuring its unique shape and ability to collect sound effectively. Let's explore more about it!

What is Auricular Cartilage?

This elastic cartilage is found in the ear's outer part, the Auricle or Pinna. Skin covers the ear, and cartilage defines its shape. While other types of cartilage in your body are relatively rigid, auricular cartilage securely conveys its shape and flexibility to protect your ear from injury and ensure its constant shape.

The Role of Auricular Cartilage in Ear Structure

The outer ear consists mainly of auricular cartilage. Have a look at its functioning- 

This cartilage helps define the ear's shape and helps the ear function.

Auricular cartilage's shape and geometry emerge as the main contributor to the unique feature of the auricle that allows sound waves to funnel into one's ear canal effectively. This process makes you more accurate in hearing by directing sound to the eardrum.

According to healthy aging, most tissues lose their elasticity much faster in the auricular ear cartilage. This stability is essential for retaining and maintaining the structural integrity of the entire ear throughout its lifetime.

Still, auricular cartilage is not insensitive to injury. In this case, traumatic piercings, deformities, or infections can result if after-care procedures are not followed accordingly.

Auricular Cartilage in Reconstructive Surgery

Auricular cartilage replaces the effective ear, whether the individual was born with microtia or contracted some disease or injury that led to losing a part of the ear. This cartilage can be molded into the ear shape and will resemble, unlike normal ones, highlighting the significance of the auricular cartilage in medical practices.

Conclusion

Thus, auricular cartilage is the foundation of your ear's structure and function. It provides the necessary shape and flexibility for sound collection and protection. Understanding and caring for your auricular cartilage can help you appreciate the complex design of your ears and maintain their health and functionality throughout your life.

[scribblermish]

2nd January 2024

12:53 P.M.

'Day 527'

Today....❤️✨...hahaha but the plate is from Ambassador hotel Delhi...party...Ravi uncle..who is Ravi uncle will tell some other day betuuu❤️✨

Yesterday I was teaching Kavya regarding Dayak people.. ladies especially who have very long elongated earlobes (pinna)....as from their birth their parents start piercing their ear and with every adding year they add one Bali in ear due to weight their ear becomes elongated ... I'll show you the picture..

Dayak tribe women...

And with that I found that image...

The Mursi tribes, teas and tirma, where the tradition of “stretching” lips, inserting clay plates into them.

For a girl, the lip-cutting ceremony resembles an initiation ceremony. It is carried out at the age of 15-16. The mother or any other woman from the settlement makes a deep incision and inserts a piece of wood into her lip. The wound heals in about three months, after which it can begin to stretch. For several months, the girls manage to put plates of an impressive size. Presumably, they decide which diameter to give preference.

The reasons for the emergence of such a custom are still not completely clear. According to one of the versions, such disfigurement of women’s mouths could have been carried out deliberately so that the nomadic conquerors would not take beauties from these tribes.

Like really 🤔🧐...wooohh....

Well..till then..

Hope you'll get what is correct for you ❤️✨

Best wishes & regards 🙏

Manisha Mehta

[keicordelle]

My World

Fandom: FFXIV Rating: G Pairing: WoL/Erichthonios Word Count: 1074 Tags: Female Warrior of Light, Named Warrior of Light, SMN Warrior of Light, Developing Relationship, Fluff, Romance, Feelings Realization, POV Third Person

Summary: Erichthonios was hopelessly in love with Taimu. It just took an unexpected encounter for him to notice.

-

A commission for Robo of their lovely WoL Taimu and Erichthonios!

-

She was radiant. Even in the gloomy depths of Pandaemonium, she shone with the light of all the stars. Her smile pierced the shadows that blanketed the dark cage of a dungeon - and that shaded Erichthonios’s soul.

He watched quietly from a distance as Taimu ruffled Emmy's fur, gentle fingers sliding along the long pinna of its ear. She toyed with it, twirling the tufted tip through her fingers, a soft, private smile on her face as she cooed sweet praises to her beloved carbuncle. Her voice was too quiet for Erichthonios to hear, but he didn't have to hear her words to know the dulcet tone she used, the one she used only for Emmy when she thought no one was watching. Affection shone in her mismatched eyes, icy blue and sanguineous red glimmering with warmth to match the bloom that spread through Erichthonios’s own chest at the sight. Oh how he wanted her to turn that gaze on him, to look up from the glittering carbuncle who held her heart and grace him with that same loving smile. As fierce as she was when she faced down her foes, she was twice as kind to those she loved - her pocket full of treats proved it, and her fingers scratching in just the right spot behind Emmy's ear.

And then she did turn, those beautiful eyes landing on Erichthonios, and sweet heavens have mercy, that warmth lingered in her gaze as she extended her arm to him, a dried fig from that familiar pouch in her fingers as she waved him forward. He went, like a puppet on a string, drawn to her inexorably and unceasingly. He wouldn't have it any other way. "Do you want to pet her too? If you feed her this treat, she'll even sit still long enough to let you."

Erich took it from her, relishing the brush of her fingers against his hand. Warm. "Sure." And belatedly, too distracted by the look in her eyes to remember until it was almost too late, "Thank you."

Somehow, impossibly, that smile grew brighter, her eyes crinkling at the edges as she turned it on him. "Any time."

But even when she wasn't smiling, one look at her could light up Erichthonios’s world. The slight furrow to her brow when she concentrated, tongue peeking out between her lips. The petulant pout that curved her mouth without her knowing when something didn't go her way. The determined set to her jaw as magic spouted from her fingertips, eyes locked on her foe and her focus absolute. Her satisfied grin as she licked crumbs from her fingers, and the wide-eyed wonder as she stumbled on a new creation in the gardens of Elpis. Her face was an open book, her every emotion playing out on it for all to see, and Erich relished each and every one - even the unbridled fear that twisted her features that day that they stumbled upon a slug in the fields of Philomythes Notos. In fact, he thought that one might be his favorite expression of all - not because he had any desire to see her afraid, but because that was the day he realized he was fully and completely in love with her.

The sun shone on fields of flowers and grasses as high as their waists, but in truth Erichthonios only noticed for how it shone off the stormy grey of Taimu’s hair, catching in the streaks of white to make them glimmer like starfall. She chatted amiably about everything and nothing, her hands swaying through the grasses and occasionally brushing against his own. An invitation, maybe? But one he was too nervous to take.

Her mellifluous voice cut off mid-sentence, her footsteps stopping dead in her tracks. "Is everything alr-" The question died on Erich’s tongue. The look on her face proved well enough that everything was not, in fact, alright: eyes widened with alarm, fear plain in the quickening of her breath and the way she recoiled. Erich reached for what little power he could summon, scanning for the threat. If even she was afraid, it must be something truly fearsome.

He found... nothing. The same placid fields they’d been wandering, petalouda fluttering contentedly nearby, monoceroses grazing sedately in the distance, and before them, almost hidden among the brightly colored petals, the amorphous blob of a slug, its slimy body pebbled with grit and as large as your average remora.

He looked back to Taimu, puzzled, but her eyes were trained firmly on the slug, watching it's undulous movements with a wariness that went far beyond mere trepidation. "Taimu?"

As if her name were the catalyst for action, she launched herself into motion - not forward, as Erichthonios had expected, to slay the slug for whatever offence it had caused that he was unaware of, but backwards, into him. The solid weight of her body crashed into him, and he barely kept his footing as she shifted around behind him, her hands clutching into his robes and the book at her waist jamming into his thigh. His eyes flicked from her to the slug and back again, laughter bubbling up at the sight of her: a peerless warrior who had felled hordes of Pandaemonium's fiercest monsters and laid low Lahabreah himself, clinging to his robes and hiding from an innocuous little slug.

He swallowed it down before it could slip free - the last thing he wanted was to make fun of her very real fear. But there was something so indescribably charming about the way she held onto him, staring up at him with eyes limned with silver and the faintest of trembles running through her lower lip. There was trust there, too - trust that he would protect her. Trust that he wouldn't judge her for her fear.

Erichthonios slipped an arm around her shoulders, holding her tight to him. "It's alright, I've got you." He held his tongue against the questions that rose; if she wanted him to know the story behind her terror, she would tell him when she was comfortable. Right now, all that mattered was that she feel safe. She leaned into his embrace, and his heart fluttered in his chest to have her so near, to be able to hold her close and protect her for once. "I've got you," he repeated.

And in that moment, staring down into her beautiful, mismatched eyes, he knew he'd never let go.

-

Originally here on Ao3!

Ficlet commissions are open on my kofi - or if you’re interested in something longer, just send me a DM and we can talk ^.^

[helleanorlance]

I think I have an infection in the outer part of my ear (the pinna, if you want to get technical) which is weird? Like I don’t have a piercing there or anything so I’m not really sure how I could have gotten one? But I know that I don’t have time to deal with it

[writer59january13]

The Limerick, Pennsylvania Nuclear power plant siren wailed

yesterday at 1400 hours December the fourth and probably broadcast further east, west, south and north. That shrill ear-piercing emitted sound quite painful despite measurable diminution regarding my audiological ability, which loss of hearing linkedin to senescence. Nevertheless, yours truly startled in his cockpit seat (actually a rickety metal stool) regarding: semi-Annual Test: which penetrated and filled the volume of ether for two minutes, which seemed like an eternity scheduled to occur (based on Google) at fourteen hundred hours the first Monday in June and first Monday in December. A monthly, (albeit abbreviated) test also assails ears in general, (minus those not yet hard of hearing) courtesy the auricle (pinna) the visible portion of the outer ear. It collects sound waves and channels them into the ear canal (external auditory meatus), where sound amplified. The sound waves then travel toward a flexible, oval membrane at the end of the ear canal called the eardrum, (equipped with a pair of invisible cymbals) or tympanic membrane assaulting delicately jiggered linkedin magnificent network courtesy deafening blare subjecting surrounding suburbia to a monthly test, which sounding of siren also occurs at fourteen hundred hours on the first Monday of every month, except June and December. Worse case scenario regarding nuclear power plant would constitute 'China Syndrome" or more horrifying disaster synonymous with Chernobyl disaster, but no doubt humanity since acquired greater sense and sensibility without pride nor prejudice in tandem with developing fail safe technological ingenuity to prevent global radiological fallout. Offtimes I marvel at the longevity of unbridled Western Civilization,

ingenious methodologies at warfare in general,

and killing each other in particular whereby webbed wide world of humanity analogous to veritable ticking time bomb subsequently impossible mission to remain psychologically calm most certainly no escaping the threat even livingsocial within Guam (though located among Pacific Islanders), cuz Naval Base Guam ranks as strategic U.S. naval base located on Apra Harbor and occupying the Orote Peninsula. In 2009, said American military outpost combined with Andersen Air Force Base to form Joint Region Marianas, which serves as Navy-controlled joint base. The Ship Repair Facility, Guam, conveniently located next to Naval Base Guam, along Apra Harbor, and above named spit of land natural result of subsurface tectonic terrestrial processes. Geologists have stated that the island of Guam and the Marianas Islands created millions of years ago by active volcanoes. Guam constitutes the largest of the group which includes Rota, Saipan, Tinian, Agrihan, Anatahan, Alamagan, Pagan and Aguijan; the only uninhabited island among the group.

[leo-interactive-fiction]

Sorry if it sounds pedantic, but i remember you saying the twins were 60-70% of the group's strength, and beating them both was statistically impossible. However, if so, wouldn't that mean they would be able to defeat any single villain, even off-sync? Either the villains would be stronger in which case they would be too strong for the others to matter, or they wouldn't be a threat to them at all. And if you could beat them in other ways, then beating them both would be possible right?

Sure! That statistic is primarily talking about their martial prowess, and is only compared to the other members of the Triaina group. In a purely physical altercation, you'd be right. They would be practically unbeatable within the group itself. But it doesn't account for how the S.T.E.M. abilities would affect the results, or the prowess of any enemies.

What should also be said is that the two twins are rarely on the same wave-length. In most cases, both of their combat preferences tend to actively work against them when they try. P is more aggressive and wild while M's is based off solid training and precise technique.

Some of the villains are stronger, some have far more experience and advantages like firearms and larger numbers. Some are just downright smarter, in a way that no amount of martial prowess would fix, rendering the twins pretty much useless. Some have abilities or techniques that aren't a good matchup for melee fighters like them. These are where the other characters come into play. I've spend as much time developing good antagonists for the group as I have spent time thinking of the romance options, with the intention that there will be times every character can both shine and be outdone.

The two twins working in harmony isn't like a god-sent 'I win' button and they're unbeatable if they just push it. There'll be instances where no matter how good their martial skills are, that's not the main factor necessary to win the day. I would liken it more to an extremely high powered railgun. It can probably blow a 15m hole at whatever the hell it hits, but it's unwieldy, requires a lot of preparation, and you have to utilize it in the correct situation.