Swollen. Bloated. Those were the words that came to mind as the panther gracefully stepped into the small clearing of Valhalla. His paws brushed against the sand, creating small scratchy noises that made a smile spread across his parted jaws. He ran his tongue over his rubbery lips, and closed them. He cast his icy optics to the faintly glowing moon and stiffened slightly but didn't move as he heard the soft crunch that signaled the arrival of another animal. His paws stayed where they were, the only sign that he even noticed the newcomer being a mere tilt of his head and the quick swish of his tail. The shadows that were gathered in the clearing, under lamp-posts or such, swept towards him as if by an unseen command, and spilt against his body, wrapping around his fur and muscles like a second skin. The process took mere seconds, seconds that the newcomer took to move over to him. The fresh breeze wafted across his face and his nostrils flared as his brain picked out the picture of the animal that matched the smell.
He turned with a slight dip of his head.
"Baby Deerling." The words were slow. The lost princess. No, more like the princess who was banished from her kingdom for being perfect at birth. Her birth, known as the Midsummer Night's Dream, had literally shook the earth. He had felt it. The members of the Cartel had felt it. Everyone felt it. This female was important.
The snow leopard's lips lifted in response, her mouth parting to speak. Her fur was so white she looked like a ghost, glowing gently in the dead moon, her blue orbs sparkling, reflecting against the rays. "Jormungand." The honeyed voice he remembered so well replied.
"How have you been?" They had known each other when they were kids, very small, before Jor had been chased away and she banished. Jormungand shrugged, the muscles in his shoulders coiling. "I can't say I've been the best, but I'm good with where I currently am. What about you?"
Baby seemed hesitant to answer. The answer was a sad one. Jor could tell by the way the blueness of her optics clouded over and a small sigh left her body, her shoulders slumping and her delicate frame drooping.
"Sit." He said, before she could start crying. She did, with a thankful sob, and curled her tail around her paws and actually began crying. Jormungand patted her shoulder awkwardly with a paw. He didn't like interacting with other people He was more of a solitary type who lived alone. But he loved going to casinos and clubs. Those were fun. His time in the Cartel was also fun but he had to leave. So now he was sitting there, feeling quite ridiculous, patting a girl on her shoulder whilst she was crying. He sighed.
"Alright, Baby, you don't have to tell me how you are if you don't want to." He spoke softly, letting some of his charm to seep into his voice, calming her. It worked. Her shoulders stopped shaking and she sniffed and let out a laugh that sounded like a frogs croak, then cleared her throat and sniffed again.
"Thank you, Jormungand." She said, then stiffened. "Someone approaching behind us. Calm. Even. Doesn't seem scared." Jor shut his eyes and let his senses sweep out, trying to assess the other animal. He could feel Baby next to him, breathing in short, panicky breaths. She was terrified.
Jormungand frowned. He couldn't sense anything about the newcomer at all. Either Baby was hallucinating, or this animal was as good a sorcerer as he to be able to mask their presence. Perhaps even better. His muscles locked, whole entire body tensing up and he spun, sending a wave of shadows slamming into the weirdest creature he had ever seen. A ugly 'crack' split the silence, followed by a thud and a grunt. A broken rib, probably. Baby turned with him, shrieked, and immediately ran towards the limp animal. Jormungand caught up in three easy bounds.
She was a strange animal. Her fur ebony black, yellow spots. The tail like a lion, but only pink instead of dusty. Pink fur on her head. Hypnotic pink eyes. A necklace with a pink star around her neck. Smaller than Jormungand. Soft looking. Baby gasped.
