In The Arms Of The Beasts

Call to the wild

The next night
Remind why again I'd agreed to do this? Oh right, because two idiots I promised to marry leapt in without thinking. I took a deep breath to calm my nerves as I scattered gold specks around the edge of my face and down my neck finally satisfied with how I looked before moving for the headdress

"You look quite the queen, little one" the leader's hand slipped onto my shoulder as I added the final touches "over the years, I've come to recognise the face of those who are afraid I don't approve..." he strolled in front of me in his own festival attire painted with golden markings, one of the most impressive headdresses I'd ever seen and matching draped clothing

"But I do"

I released the breath I was holding as I let a smile spread across my face. I'd been given the 'go-ahead', now all we had to do was survive until the wedding day.
"Thank you, I admit - I was a 'little' nervous you'd refuse since they're dragonkin and I'm catfolk" my legs bent into a curtesy bowing my head in respect

"You had no reason to be, you chose well further yet you made the decision to indulge them in our culture slowly and allow them to pick what they want to take part in - that's what makes a good leader" he gestured for me to stand before leading me out of my room and towards where the celebration was being held

"Are you ready, little one?" When we arrived, all we did was stand there appreciating the faint glow of fire coming from the caves entrance. He could feel that I was terrified, this would be the official moment in my culture that I would come of age from a girl to a full fledged woman - I didn't know if I would ever be ready for that?

"Am I supposed to be? It feels like it was just yesterday, my ceremony for being accepted into the tribe" a tear couldn't help but slide down my cheek although it never reached the floor. The leader wiped the liquid from my face without ruining my makeup as we reminisced the past events that had happened here - but this wouldn't be the end, I wouldn't let it

"Many happy memories have taken place within these caverns, some not so sweet but I knew when I brought you home, I needed to see you dance within these walls as a grown woman with those you love...and now that day has come, and look at you!" The leader spun me around in the sand smiling as he himself wept silently for this would be our final memory together as 'kit' and 'mentor'

Once he left me alone retreating inside with everyone else, I took a secluded route that was lit with an amber line of fire showing me the way - there was no turning back now! It wasn't the marriage part I was worried about, it was the dancing. In my culture, dancing meant something so one wrong step could be the difference between a love declaration and a execution request

Bakugo's POV
So this was what a catfolk party looked like, pretty crazy compared to the balls I had to attend. I'd never been painted like a damn canvas before but at least Kiri had the gold markings too, but it made me wonder what our 'queen' looked like - apparently that was the right terminology for a female catfolk although the title did suit her in other ways.

So far the evening was a lot of loud music, chanting and a lot of dancing but Arisu was a no show - maybe she got cold feet? She didn't seem too overjoyed with this whole ceremony thing when it got brought up. The whole cave thing was pretty awesome, maybe I should introduce this kind of thing to the dragon kingdom?

"She'll show, man. From what I can get from the locals, the lady of the night shows up last but she always shows! Apparently only a few brides have ever not shown up but they were never tracked down...she's not like that, she's not afraid to speak her mind - remember? You two had a huge row and she stormed out into the rain which she hates"

I hadn't notice Kirishima get back from prancing around with the rest of the guests, they were pretty too but they weren't her. This place had deprived us of the lovable fleabag for long enough, who came up with the idea to have gender separated bedrooms?! It was so different here from the kingdom, it was so...so...calm?