Ani'ma no Delaunay - Truth.Be.Told
&
Gaelle Isaie - Das Tor


Gone. Lady Jibril was gone and had left her here, in this strange land, with strange creatures...saying it was for the best. Ani’ma cryed softly, hidden in a patch of reeds by the water’s edge. Why was she better off here? Lady Jibril wasn’t here! Her twin wasn’t here either! She didn’t know ANYONE! She shivered, unused to the cool breeze coming off the large, dark body of water not inches from her side.

It smelled like a watering hole. But it was bigger. MUCH bigger. And cold winds didn't come off of watering holes! The little leopon cried again, sniffling. She wanted her Lady! Or her twin! Or her barely-remembered Mama! She didn't want to be alone! Being alone was the worst sort of thing that could happen to a little leopon like her...


Gaelle didn’t often get a case of restless paws, but it was one of those nights. She was always and forever the dutiful daughter, however...UGH! How could her father even THINK to present such a two-faced b*****d as a suitor?! The purple and blue lioness snorted, tail thrashing behind her as she walked along the shore of the lake. She knew her father only wanted to do right by her, wanted her well cared for but...well, Perrin was never the best judge of character.

And Gaelle wanted to fall in LOVE. Like her parents had! Oh they had been the talk of the pride for a good while, them and their almost fairy-tale romance. The lioness sighed, then blinked as a soft sobbing sound reached her ears. Well now? What had she found? It was hard to see perfectly clearly in the dark, with the moon being nothing more than a thin sliver of light...but in the reeds was a patch of pure white. “Why are you crying? You can come out, I won’t hurt you.” Poor dear sounded scared, whatever the fuzzy white shape was.


Ani’ma squeaked and lifted her head up, scared. Oh no! Someone had found her! And she didn’t have Lady Jibril to hide under. Her ears went back and she watched the lioness warily. “I...I’m crying because...because my Lady left me here. And I don’t wanna be here.” She sniffled, ready to cry again. “Are you sure you won’t hurt me?” Lady Jibril had warned her that some creatures weren't nice at all! And she didn't want to get hurt!


Gaelle blinked, then giggled and nodded. “Of course I won’t hurt you, cub.” The poor thing was only a a little one! And a hybrid, by the look of it. Well...poor cub wasn’t going to be left alone on HER watch! “You needn’t cry, cub. Here...let’s get you to my den. It’s warm there, and I’ve some food.” Poor dear looked so lost and hungry. It was her duty as a lioness to make sure such a little one was looked after for now!


Ani’ma hesitated...but she stepped out. The juvenile WAS rather hungry. All that crying and uncertainty had drained her a great deal. And...it was rather cold. Warmth would be nice too. “What’s your name, ma’am? And...where am I?” Lady Jibril hadn't told her WHERE she was...only that she would be better off there. So...she was as lost as the adult seemed to think she was.


Gaelle smiled kindly. “I am Gaelle Isaie, cub. And you’re on the mainlands of the Ardhi’Mrvingo’Patano. What is your name, dear?” A pretty one such as her HAD to have a name! If she didn't...well, that just wouldn't be right! Gaelle hoped whoever had left her alone had at least cared enough to name her.


Ani’ma smiled a little, more comfortable now that she had the other’s name. “I’m Anima no Delaunay. I was a vassal of the Lady Jibril, but...something happened, and she said I would be safe here.” The little leopon shivered a bit, remembering the incident that had started it. Her poor Lady...she'd seemed so guilty that Ani'ma had been almost hurt...


Oh! Such a pretty name for a pretty little hybrid! “Well, Ani’ma, tonight you shall enjoy the hospitality of the Isaie family! And tomorrow, I can introduce you to someone who can take care of you. He’s a very nice male, if a little odd.” She'd always been fond of Haward, despite his oddities. He was everything good in a Colonist, in her mind. And now that she thought about it...she wouldn't have minded if he'd been a lion instead of a leopard!


Ani’ma blinked and perked up. “Is he a friend of yours? Friends are good!” Her smiled grew, and she moved to stand beside the lioness. “I am glad you found me, Miss Gaelle!” Perhaps this wouldn’t be so bad. She'd been found by a nice lioness, who was pretty and smart!How could she have doubted Lady Jibril's thoughts to leave her here!


Gaelle chuckled. “He’s...kind of a friend. Haward is more like an uncle to me. He once worked with my father. And though he’s on the colony islands, they are still friends. I do wish he was a lion, though. And closer to my age.” Gaelle's smile easily reached her eyes. "He's smart and funny, and has his own sense of chivalry. And he doesn't tolerate stupidity." She nodded in an almost sagely manner.


Ani’ma nodded, and bounced a bit. “I look forward to meeting him, than!” Yes...this would definitely turn out all right! No doubt about it now. Hopefully, though, Lady Jibril visited soon. Ani’ma didn’t want to chance forgetting about her Lady. This 'Haward' sounded like a very nice creature! "Thank you very much, Miss Gaelle."


The lioness carefully licked the top of Ani’ma’s head. “Well than...let us go. You need feeding and warmth, and sleep. And a bath. You’ve mud all over the bottom of that pretty white coat of yours!” So what if the girl was a hybrid? She was only a little one, and she’d be going to where she belonged tomorrow. Tonight, Gaelle got to play ‘mother’. No harm in that. "And you are welcome. I couldn't very well leave an adorable little one like yourself all alone in the cold!"