Her Godfather, Domevlo, had expressed his worries, and explained to her how cruel the outside world could be. He'd known the swamps before the murderer came. There must have been something about the world outside that saw to it he'd rather live with the fear of being killed by one's own, than step foot out into the world that held so many possibilities....
"Dooooom~" Came the sing-song voice of the young Parisa, as she sauntered over and plopped herself between the large lion's paws. "What do you think it's like out there, beyond the swamplands?"
Domevlo didn't reply for a moment, thinking how best to explain it to the young child.
"It is...deceptively beautiful. There are those who would appear charming to you, but have the personality of a crocodile. There is greed, and pain. On the outside it is outer beauty that matters, not what is inside."
"Oh..." Parisa's ears sank. She was hoping for a paradise away from all this murder. Somewhere she could run free.
"Why do you ask? You're not thinking of running away, are you?" There was a hint of teasing in Domevlo's voice.
"Weeeeeell~"
"Parisa! You'd worry your family to death. Your mother is already distraught enough as it is!"
...
"I'm sorry. You never knew the swamp before the murders. It was a wonderful place -" Domevlo glanced up at the canopy above, where light filtered through the trees. "It was the first place to ever accept me, and show me kindness."
A shuddering sigh escaped the young blue cub. "I just wanna be able to play without anyone worrying about me!" she pouted.
"I understand....I understand...."
Parisa had walked to the edge of the swamps. Beyond the reeds she could see a wide open plane. She took a longing gaze behind her, and uttered a silent prayer;
'Spirits please watch over me and bless me in my search for my name. Guide me safely to and from my quest, and return me to my home safely. And please! One last request....stop the murders. I don't want to return home to find my mother slain...'
Then with that, she leapt past the reeds into the land of the rogues. What awaited her, she knew not, but Parisa vowed to return soon.
She'd return to a new name. And hopefully the murderer would be caught, so when she came back the pride would be a happy place again. Domevlo at least deserved that. Her family deserved that. The world was a scary place. But who lived that didn't ever know fear?
And she'd rather live than be paralyzed by her fear - held captive. That wasn't life at all. That wasn't living. She'd be daring - tempt fate. She would live. And shine like a brilliant star in the sky.
