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Description
January 16th, 42 BC, Dusk

It all happened so fast. Everything. It was for a mere second that he had closed his eyes and when they opened everything had burnt, crumbling, only dust there remaining. And when he closed his eyes again he could only see the jaguar he learned to be his brother with his throat torn out, bleeding out on the ground and the arena roaring. He heard his best friend yelling at him. Why didn't you save him? The necklace laying on the ground, Pacino growing smaller as he walked further away from him. He don't look back.

He remembered the baby sister he used to take care of....Her paws soaked in blood and their master who'd given them everything unmoving on the ground. He saw her taken away. Thrown in the cages to be assessed. Where could he go now? How could things go so sour. He wanted to go to Alexei, her silence was comforting but now she spent her silence with passion, with her Pacino. It'd be suspicious to visit Cain at this time, not too mention he could barely recongize the lion anymore. So that's he found himself on her doorstep. Heavy bags clear under his eyes and his paw reached out with extended claws scraping against hard surface. His trademark stoic gaze plastered on his face gazing at the door.

The night was chilly and Rowan had elected to stay indoors. She found herself snuggled into a plush pillow and for once allowing herself to relax and be a little pampered by Gaius, who was absent-mindedly petting her as he watched the flames dance in the fireplace. She found herself wondering at where the mind of the carefree man went when he went into such trances. He did this somewhat frequently, and it always made her look at the man with a new interest. He must be a deeper mind than she took him for, and it was at moments like this she regretted acting so aloof around him, and not being able to understand him properly as a different species. Her ears flicked as she settled against Gaius again, staring at the flames with her human.

The sudden sound of scraping claws made her go alert in an instant, head straightening up and ears perking, her bell ringing slightly from the jerkiness of the movement. Gaius was also pulled from his trance-like state and turned toward their doorway. Rowan felt apprehension wash over her. That damn "slasher" or whatever they were called was still out there. Gods have mercy upon their souls if they chose her home to target. She stood quickly as Gaius rose to check out the source of the noise. She stalked behind him as he peeked out the doorway. She hear him exclaim in a calm but confused fashion and lowered her guard a bit. Her human looked over his shoulder at her and she perked up as he beckoned her over. She padded forward quickly to see who was there.

"Mihail?" she asked softly, surprised to see the jaguar show up at her home. She looked around, he was alone. Not that this totally surprised her as they ran in different circles and so didn't know any company he may have, but it struck her as odd he would be making a personal house call to her. She looked back at him and her call seemed to fall on deaf ears. "Mihail? What are you doing here?" she tried again, coming slightly closer to him. Not that she wasn't happy to see him of course, it was just unusual in their friendship.

Mihail watched the door carefully creek open to reveal the young man. He recognized his face from the party over a year ago when he and Rowan first met. His turquoise eyes gazed upwards at the human's. The jaguar's face was solemn but his shone pleadingly at the human that didn't speak the same tongue. He felt weak and vulnerable. The only other time he truly felt like this was when he was taken captive by the Egyptians. He had no home. His friends were gone. The door left open leaked the warmth it held, it brushed against the young jaguar as if some the essence of the home washed over him. The smell of firewood burning strong. The jaguar only seen Rowan's house once, and never had he actually been inside it. Then his eyes caught the sight of the reddish brown pelt, he brought his gaze down to her surprised expression.

In normal fashion his reply was silence. He wasn't sure what to say. His master was dead and it's cold out, let me in? Even if did there's no telling if her master would even allow him to stay. He pushed down the lump forming in his throat and his own expression softened staring at the small hybrid.

Gaius was unsure of what to make of the situation. He recognized the jaguar on his doorstep and was aware of him being around his Rowan a bunch. Was he here to see her? Something about that didn't sit right with him. He found himself looking around to see if his owner was anywhere nearby. He frowned when he found nothing, the night held an almost unearthly chill and Gaius grew more concerned. He looked at the two cats, and cast his gaze around outside once more. After being assured no one was around, he bent down to Mihail's level. "You wanna come inside big guy? It's pretty cold out" he smiled at the jaguar, turning to go inside and gesturing a 'come in' motion. Rowan's ears perked as she watched Gaius retreat a few steps, eyes travelling back to Mihail. His silence wasn't unusual, but something was off. She watched his expression shift in the slightest and her heart panged. Something was wrong. Well, Gaius had gestured into the house... Mihail seemed to be welcomed. She padded toward him and butted her head against him affectionately.

"Come inside Mihail. You are welcome here no matter the circumstance" she mewed softly at him. She started padding inside again and past her master, waiting in the doorway that lead to the lounging area and the fireplace. She wasn't quite sure what to do as she couldn't be sure why he was here, but the least she could do was make sure he was comfortable.

Another rush of warmth went through him at the feeling of the soft pelt of the caralynx brushing against him. It was the feeling of physical warmth and another type. Something similar when Cain would put his arm around his shoulder, or Alexei would press herself into his side, like when...Pacino would fall asleep on his shoulder....But it felt different at the same time. It was like, his heart seized as he remembered the auburn lioness. He took a sharp inhale and followed behind the older hunter. With each step he felt himself grow warmer. His turquoise eyes danced around the room examining the four walls that enclosed this cozy feeling. Looking over his shoulder his eyes met once again with the human's, he truly appreciated this man's kindness. Thank you.

Rowan watched as Mihail silently came inside. She watched as his eyes met with Gaius again, who scampered off to close the door before rushing past them both into the living space. He made a quick lap of the room, collecting a punch of plush pillows and blankets and set them on the floor by the fireplace. Rowan quickly trotted into the room, bell jingling likely with every bouncing step she took. She took a moment to push some pillows around to create an enticing and comfortable spot. She then trotted back up to Mihail, rubbing her side along his leg.

"Come" she said simply and softly, returning to the comfortable setup she'd just arranged for them. She slowly lay down and patted the mound of pillows with her paw, reiterating her invitation to come over. Gaius now sat with his own pillows a few feet away, watching quietly. He was processing everything in his own mind, but he didn't want to leave the jaguar. Something was off and he wasn't sure how he came to that conclusion, but it made him want to hover nearby. He was growing tired though, but he would stay.

His turquoise eyes danced around the room. The flickering fire drew him in closer, like a moth to a flame he sank into the mound of pillows splayed out for him. This was so different that his own home, where everything seemed like a trophy to his old human. Purchasing anything as his wealth grew larger. He'd fill it with needless things but this. This felt like a home. Welcoming, warm and with its own scent.

He let out a soft exhale focusing on the dancing flames lighting the room. With each move hypnotizing him, his eyelids growing heavy, yet he couldn't sleep.

Rowan watched silently as Mihail came and lay in the pillows near her. She said nothing, just observed him quietly as he watched the fire dance. She wasn't quite sure how she knew something was wrong... perhaps it was a combination of the impromptu home visit coupled with his usual silence. She thought perhaps if he had come for any other reason he might have said something by now, but instead he just stared at the flames. Her heart suddenly panged and it caught her off guard. She couldn't understand the feeling of wanting to be near him in this moment. She had the overwhelming urge to comfort her friend, but she wasn't even entirely sure he needed comforting.

Rowan decided to follow her gut. The caralynx got up and padded softly a few paces away. She bent her head to the ground and gently picked up a blanket and padded her way back to the jaguar. Carefully so as not to disturb him too much, she lay the blanket over him. As she was about to return to her spot, she found her paws taking her elsewhere. Before she realized what she was doing, she got on her belly and crawling under the blanket with him. She turned and popped her head back out, settling against the jaguar.

The younger hunter entranced by the fire's dance let his guard down. It'd been too long since he properly relaxed. He didnt want to think of the past occurents these past days. So he focused on the fire whole anything else became noexistant and his mind drew a blank. He was snapped back to reality when he felt the light weight thrown on him. A blanket, his gaze followed the scurrying red pelt joining him under the thick cloth. Her small body pressing against him giving him a fluttering feeling yet he didn't mind the extra warmth. Infact he leaned in closer against her soft pelt.

Rowan felt Mihail lean into her and she felt herself become both surprised and not surprised in the least bit. Mihail was affectionate, but in his own way. This was not something she expected, but at the same time his silent press closer to her made perfect sense for who he was. He did not openly express a wanting or need for comfort, but he let himself indulge silently. Rowan gave him the softest of smiles. She couldn't think of words to say... perhaps she would wait until he spoke, though she wasn't entirely sure that would happen. Maybe he was just seeking a familiar presence. If he didn't want to talk, she wouldn't force him.

Rowan leaned her head closer to the jaguar and lightly began running her tongue over his neck and cheek, hoping to perhaps soothe him and just remind him of her presence and that she cared. She continued grooming him, a paw hooking over his leg to anchor herself in place and allowing her better leverage. Somewhere deep inside she felt that if this were under any other sort of circumstance she would feel incredibly self-conscious and embarrassed

.With their bodies pressed together memories of the nigh he returned from the voyage bled into his mind. Her small body felt the same as she did back then but at the same time. This time...Their physical contact was different. The night of the party was uncomfortable and awkward but now with her short soft pelt huddled against him, feeling each time she took a soft breath, he felt content. Warm. Maybe it was just that her unmoving weight wasn't splayed on his lower body this time.

Even still though. His heavy eyelids reminding at how tired he was, it felt as if two elephants were weighing down on them. Throwing in the tail he finally let them stay closed, releasing himself to sleep but before he did murmured with an exhale barely above a whisper, "Thank you.

Rowan observed Mihail as she softly groomed him. His eyelids seemed heavy, but they kept fluttering back open. She couldn't tell if he was fighting sleep or if it was just slowly overtaking him. She hummed to herself lightly as his eyes closed once more, and stayed shut. Her ears perked towards him and she stopped licking him for a moment, trying to decide if she'd just heard him speak or not. The jaguar was breathing softly, clearly either asleep or very near to it. But she'd heard it... there were no sounds besides the crackling fire that she could have mistaken for words.

The caralynx's heart hammered in her chest as she gazed at Mihail. What had he been thanking her for? Allowing him into her home like this when he seemed to need someone and someplace to be... that's what friends did wasn't it? .... Was it? She glanced over her shoulder to where Gaius had fallen asleep on the floor. Rowan briefly thought about retreating to her bed, but banished that thought almost as soon as it had arisen. No... she wanted to stay here. Stretching out the slightest bit, Rowan snuggled close to Mihail and closed her own eyes, allowing herself to peacefully drift off beside the jaguar with a small smile on her face.

---

Mihail (c) moi!
Rowan (c) Kattykinz
NEXT - www.deviantart.com/swordfangs/…
PREVIOUS - www.deviantart.com/swordfangs/…

Description
January 16th, 42 BC, Dusk

It all happened so fast. Everything. It was for a mere second that he had closed his eyes and when they opened everything had burnt, crumbling, only dust there remaining. And when he closed his eyes again he could only see the jaguar he learned to be his brother with his throat torn out, bleeding out on the ground and the arena roaring. He heard his best friend yelling at him. Why didn't you save him? The necklace laying on the ground, Pacino growing smaller as he walked further away from him. He don't look back.

He remembered the baby sister he used to take care of....Her paws soaked in blood and their master who'd given them everything unmoving on the ground. He saw her taken away. Thrown in the cages to be assessed. Where could he go now? How could things go so sour. He wanted to go to Alexei, her silence was comforting but now she spent her silence with passion, with her Pacino. It'd be suspicious to visit Cain at this time, not too mention he could barely recongize the lion anymore. So that's he found himself on her doorstep. Heavy bags clear under his eyes and his paw reached out with extended claws scraping against hard surface. His trademark stoic gaze plastered on his face gazing at the door.

The night was chilly and Rowan had elected to stay indoors. She found herself snuggled into a plush pillow and for once allowing herself to relax and be a little pampered by Gaius, who was absent-mindedly petting her as he watched the flames dance in the fireplace. She found herself wondering at where the mind of the carefree man went when he went into such trances. He did this somewhat frequently, and it always made her look at the man with a new interest. He must be a deeper mind than she took him for, and it was at moments like this she regretted acting so aloof around him, and not being able to understand him properly as a different species. Her ears flicked as she settled against Gaius again, staring at the flames with her human.

The sudden sound of scraping claws made her go alert in an instant, head straightening up and ears perking, her bell ringing slightly from the jerkiness of the movement. Gaius was also pulled from his trance-like state and turned toward their doorway. Rowan felt apprehension wash over her. That damn "slasher" or whatever they were called was still out there. Gods have mercy upon their souls if they chose her home to target. She stood quickly as Gaius rose to check out the source of the noise. She stalked behind him as he peeked out the doorway. She hear him exclaim in a calm but confused fashion and lowered her guard a bit. Her human looked over his shoulder at her and she perked up as he beckoned her over. She padded forward quickly to see who was there.

"Mihail?" she asked softly, surprised to see the jaguar show up at her home. She looked around, he was alone. Not that this totally surprised her as they ran in different circles and so didn't know any company he may have, but it struck her as odd he would be making a personal house call to her. She looked back at him and her call seemed to fall on deaf ears. "Mihail? What are you doing here?" she tried again, coming slightly closer to him. Not that she wasn't happy to see him of course, it was just unusual in their friendship.

Mihail watched the door carefully creek open to reveal the young man. He recognized his face from the party over a year ago when he and Rowan first met. His turquoise eyes gazed upwards at the human's. The jaguar's face was solemn but his shone pleadingly at the human that didn't speak the same tongue. He felt weak and vulnerable. The only other time he truly felt like this was when he was taken captive by the Egyptians. He had no home. His friends were gone. The door left open leaked the warmth it held, it brushed against the young jaguar as if some the essence of the home washed over him. The smell of firewood burning strong. The jaguar only seen Rowan's house once, and never had he actually been inside it. Then his eyes caught the sight of the reddish brown pelt, he brought his gaze down to her surprised expression.

In normal fashion his reply was silence. He wasn't sure what to say. His master was dead and it's cold out, let me in? Even if did there's no telling if her master would even allow him to stay. He pushed down the lump forming in his throat and his own expression softened staring at the small hybrid.

Gaius was unsure of what to make of the situation. He recognized the jaguar on his doorstep and was aware of him being around his Rowan a bunch. Was he here to see her? Something about that didn't sit right with him. He found himself looking around to see if his owner was anywhere nearby. He frowned when he found nothing, the night held an almost unearthly chill and Gaius grew more concerned. He looked at the two cats, and cast his gaze around outside once more. After being assured no one was around, he bent down to Mihail's level. "You wanna come inside big guy? It's pretty cold out" he smiled at the jaguar, turning to go inside and gesturing a 'come in' motion. Rowan's ears perked as she watched Gaius retreat a few steps, eyes travelling back to Mihail. His silence wasn't unusual, but something was off. She watched his expression shift in the slightest and her heart panged. Something was wrong. Well, Gaius had gestured into the house... Mihail seemed to be welcomed. She padded toward him and butted her head against him affectionately.

"Come inside Mihail. You are welcome here no matter the circumstance" she mewed softly at him. She started padding inside again and past her master, waiting in the doorway that lead to the lounging area and the fireplace. She wasn't quite sure what to do as she couldn't be sure why he was here, but the least she could do was make sure he was comfortable.

Another rush of warmth went through him at the feeling of the soft pelt of the caralynx brushing against him. It was the feeling of physical warmth and another type. Something similar when Cain would put his arm around his shoulder, or Alexei would press herself into his side, like when...Pacino would fall asleep on his shoulder....But it felt different at the same time. It was like, his heart seized as he remembered the auburn lioness. He took a sharp inhale and followed behind the older hunter. With each step he felt himself grow warmer. His turquoise eyes danced around the room examining the four walls that enclosed this cozy feeling. Looking over his shoulder his eyes met once again with the human's, he truly appreciated this man's kindness. Thank you.

Rowan watched as Mihail silently came inside. She watched as his eyes met with Gaius again, who scampered off to close the door before rushing past them both into the living space. He made a quick lap of the room, collecting a punch of plush pillows and blankets and set them on the floor by the fireplace. Rowan quickly trotted into the room, bell jingling likely with every bouncing step she took. She took a moment to push some pillows around to create an enticing and comfortable spot. She then trotted back up to Mihail, rubbing her side along his leg.

"Come" she said simply and softly, returning to the comfortable setup she'd just arranged for them. She slowly lay down and patted the mound of pillows with her paw, reiterating her invitation to come over. Gaius now sat with his own pillows a few feet away, watching quietly. He was processing everything in his own mind, but he didn't want to leave the jaguar. Something was off and he wasn't sure how he came to that conclusion, but it made him want to hover nearby. He was growing tired though, but he would stay.

His turquoise eyes danced around the room. The flickering fire drew him in closer, like a moth to a flame he sank into the mound of pillows splayed out for him. This was so different that his own home, where everything seemed like a trophy to his old human. Purchasing anything as his wealth grew larger. He'd fill it with needless things but this. This felt like a home. Welcoming, warm and with its own scent.

He let out a soft exhale focusing on the dancing flames lighting the room. With each move hypnotizing him, his eyelids growing heavy, yet he couldn't sleep.

Rowan watched silently as Mihail came and lay in the pillows near her. She said nothing, just observed him quietly as he watched the fire dance. She wasn't quite sure how she knew something was wrong... perhaps it was a combination of the impromptu home visit coupled with his usual silence. She thought perhaps if he had come for any other reason he might have said something by now, but instead he just stared at the flames. Her heart suddenly panged and it caught her off guard. She couldn't understand the feeling of wanting to be near him in this moment. She had the overwhelming urge to comfort her friend, but she wasn't even entirely sure he needed comforting.

Rowan decided to follow her gut. The caralynx got up and padded softly a few paces away. She bent her head to the ground and gently picked up a blanket and padded her way back to the jaguar. Carefully so as not to disturb him too much, she lay the blanket over him. As she was about to return to her spot, she found her paws taking her elsewhere. Before she realized what she was doing, she got on her belly and crawling under the blanket with him. She turned and popped her head back out, settling against the jaguar.

The younger hunter entranced by the fire's dance let his guard down. It'd been too long since he properly relaxed. He didnt want to think of the past occurents these past days. So he focused on the fire whole anything else became noexistant and his mind drew a blank. He was snapped back to reality when he felt the light weight thrown on him. A blanket, his gaze followed the scurrying red pelt joining him under the thick cloth. Her small body pressing against him giving him a fluttering feeling yet he didn't mind the extra warmth. Infact he leaned in closer against her soft pelt.

Rowan felt Mihail lean into her and she felt herself become both surprised and not surprised in the least bit. Mihail was affectionate, but in his own way. This was not something she expected, but at the same time his silent press closer to her made perfect sense for who he was. He did not openly express a wanting or need for comfort, but he let himself indulge silently. Rowan gave him the softest of smiles. She couldn't think of words to say... perhaps she would wait until he spoke, though she wasn't entirely sure that would happen. Maybe he was just seeking a familiar presence. If he didn't want to talk, she wouldn't force him.

Rowan leaned her head closer to the jaguar and lightly began running her tongue over his neck and cheek, hoping to perhaps soothe him and just remind him of her presence and that she cared. She continued grooming him, a paw hooking over his leg to anchor herself in place and allowing her better leverage. Somewhere deep inside she felt that if this were under any other sort of circumstance she would feel incredibly self-conscious and embarrassed

.With their bodies pressed together memories of the nigh he returned from the voyage bled into his mind. Her small body felt the same as she did back then but at the same time. This time...Their physical contact was different. The night of the party was uncomfortable and awkward but now with her short soft pelt huddled against him, feeling each time she took a soft breath, he felt content. Warm. Maybe it was just that her unmoving weight wasn't splayed on his lower body this time.

Even still though. His heavy eyelids reminding at how tired he was, it felt as if two elephants were weighing down on them. Throwing in the tail he finally let them stay closed, releasing himself to sleep but before he did murmured with an exhale barely above a whisper, "Thank you.

Rowan observed Mihail as she softly groomed him. His eyelids seemed heavy, but they kept fluttering back open. She couldn't tell if he was fighting sleep or if it was just slowly overtaking him. She hummed to herself lightly as his eyes closed once more, and stayed shut. Her ears perked towards him and she stopped licking him for a moment, trying to decide if she'd just heard him speak or not. The jaguar was breathing softly, clearly either asleep or very near to it. But she'd heard it... there were no sounds besides the crackling fire that she could have mistaken for words.

The caralynx's heart hammered in her chest as she gazed at Mihail. What had he been thanking her for? Allowing him into her home like this when he seemed to need someone and someplace to be... that's what friends did wasn't it? .... Was it? She glanced over her shoulder to where Gaius had fallen asleep on the floor. Rowan briefly thought about retreating to her bed, but banished that thought almost as soon as it had arisen. No... she wanted to stay here. Stretching out the slightest bit, Rowan snuggled close to Mihail and closed her own eyes, allowing herself to peacefully drift off beside the jaguar with a small smile on her face.

---

Mihail (c) moi!
Rowan (c) Kattykinz
NEXT - www.deviantart.com/swordfangs/…
PREVIOUS - www.deviantart.com/swordfangs/…