Raven

[Spotify]

<sub>Ember sighed,I'm sorry, but I haven't thrown you under the bus yet. Don't say anything about training me. I'll handle him. she whispered into his mind as she watched his retreating back disappear in the woods. She phased and shot through the forest, her wings carried her fast. She didn't want the pleasure of running on her paws it took her all of two minutes to get to his house, but she waited, gathering her thoughts on what to say to him. She circled the house a few times, banking this way and that. Finally, she landed and phased. She knocked, hoping Jai wasn't home or something so she got off easy.

Sarafina laughed as she chased after her mentor, it felt amazing to be so fast an so powerful. She felt like the world couldn't stop her and that anyone who tried would fail.</sub>

[Cloudy]

<sub>The soft sound of bolts unlocking followed Jai opening the door. He stared at Ember for a moment, green eyes narrowing. "What do you want?" His voice was gruff, his eyes furious. He only held the door open half-way. "Come to belittle me as a pansy again?" he growled.

Alfar spun on instinct, crying out in pain as fire engulfed him. Unole lunged forward, slamming into the Cibarium who had the guts to attack his guards on his own land. He made quick work of the Feeder, but Alfar had not a chance against the licking flames. His anguished cries soon faded into the soft sounds of death. Unole waved a hand and the fire was extinguished, but he could not help the guard. Alfar's eyes clouded over as a final, rattling sigh left him and Unole sighed. "May the Great Spirit always welcome your soul, Alfar, guard of mine. Go to the land of Shan-gri-la. You have done your service well."</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Ember took a step back, unsettled by the fury in his voice. Her gaze fell to the ground in shame, she was the cause of all of this,"I came to apologize."she said, her voice a meek whisper. She crossed her arms over her chest as a blush crept into her cheeks. She didn't know what to do. Her gaze slowly lifted back up to met Jai's.

Sarafina was a blur as she shot forward, taking her mentor. She laughed once more unable to keep it in any longer. She felt amazing, she felt free, as she ran as fast as her legs would carry her. She catapulted herself over large boulders, weaved in and out forests, and dodged the humans that crossed her path.</sub>

[Goldie]

Orenda stood inside the house she and Jai shared, attempting to heal a bird's fractured wing. She made gentle movements as she wrapped the blue bird's wing after splinting it. "Don't worry little one, you will be better soon." She said after making sure the bandage wouldn't fall or move from the wing. The bird chirped and hopped onto her finger, trying to move its casted wing. It stopped after a few moments, giving up on trying to extend it. Orenda gave it a sad look and walked over to let the bird sit on a windowsill. She walked away and returned a few moments later with a little bowl over bird seed. "There you go." She said, smiling as the bird dug into the seeds.

[Cloudy]

<sub>"I win!" Malachi said as he came to a sudden stop at the coast.

"Yeah," Jai said bitterly, "don't they all?" He glared at her. "Look, Ember, I don't have time for this. I have stuff to do, and things to prepare for. What are you really here for? 'Cause it sure isn't me, and that, I can guarantee." He stepped back, readying himself to close the door.

Unole hefted the still body of Alfar, turning to continue on the path to the Schimba House again. His brown eyes were sad - the death of Alfar was the first in this war, and Unole had certainly thought that he would live for a long, long time. He was strong; he'd been murdered in his prime, cut down by the brutality of total war. The Schimba King looked worn and tired as he carried Alfar to the ritual home.</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Ember just took it, which was a first for her, she held her temper and her tongue."God, Jai. Do you ever listen to anything else, but the sound of your own voice? Would you listen to me for a second? You're wrong. I came here for you. I came like I said earlier to apologize. I'm sorry."she gulped in air. She had never said sorry to anyone besides her father in her life."I'm sorry for treating you so bad. I'm sorry for always trying to sneak out all the time. I'm sorry for getting drunk all the time and you having to watch me. I'm sorry, Jai."she murmured, lifting her gaze to Jai's. Her eyes proved that everything she was saying was sincere. She truly was sorry for all the pain and sorrow she had made Jai bear.

Sarafina stopped and stuck her tongue out."You cheated! I know you did!"</sub>

[Cloudy]

<sub>Jai looked at her for a long moment, green eyes narrowed sharply. "Very well," he said. He deigned to say not another word; she'd insulted him, yet again, when she claimed she had come to 'apologize.' He was still furious, still hurt, but Jai didn't feel like getting in another argument with the Heir to the Schimba people. Sticking true to his silent vow, Jai's mouth pulled into a tight line and he remained silent, simply watching Ember with the cold, distant eyes of the broken. He did not speak, he did not move, and he did not blink.

"Hmph," Malachi said. "Cheating? Why, I never!" He gave her a playful, stern look and crossed his arms. "No, little one, I'm older and therefore I am faster. One day, perhaps, you will be able to outrun me. Who knows? You're young yet, and have got a lot to learn."</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Ember remained silently as Jai stared at her with venom in his eyes. She didn't know what to say next, she was tired of fighting, tired of upsetting the people she had sworn to protect. She took a step back and bowed her head. Her eyes peered up at him as she lifted her head, she still remained silent, fearing she would say the wrong thing and they would once more fight. Her dark curls slipped over her back and framed her blue eyes which shined bright as she took off her backpack and started digging through it. She crouched down inspecting a few things, finally she seemed to have found what she was looking for. She hide the tiny object behind her and stood once more.

Sarafina's eyes dropped in shame, she felt like she hadn't been good enough. She lifted her gaze once more,"I'm sorry."she murmured.</sub>

[Cloudy]

<sub>Jai gave her a slightly untrusting look as he watched her crouch and dig through the backpack. She hid the thing behind her and his jet black pupils narrowed marginally, although he still refused to speak. No, if she didn't want him to talk, then he wouldn't. She was his future Queen, after all. Hilarious, Jai thought to himself bitterly. Here I am, at my queen's mercy, and she seeks to apologize. His eyes narrowed further and he crossed his arms, absently remembering Orenda's presence in the home. He watched Ember.

"Nonsense," Malachi huffed. "You did well. You are fast and you have excitement and vigor; you will make a glorious Strigoi." Malachi still choked over the word slightly, and he doubted he ever would be able to spit the phrase out without stumbling. He hated Costin for what he had done.</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Ember raised an eyebrow, shaking her head just the slightest. Finally, she broke her silence,"That's it?"she whispered, dropping her gaze. She sighed, shaking her head, she wouldn't cry. Not here. Not now. Her bottom lip quivered and she took another step back."I'm sorry, Jai."she repeated and than she turned and trotted down the porch steps. She paused on the last one and laid the object that she had been hiding behind her back on the last step. She paused into a doe and left. I am sorry, Jai. I'm sorry for all the things I put you through. I'm sorry for everything and I hope one day you'll be able to forgive me. she whispered in his mind as she paused just before the tree line. She took one last look at him and than she darted into the trees, heading home.

The tiny object she had laid on the step was a small stuffed animal, it took the form of a small black panther with glowing green eyes. It had a note card attached to, but it was blank.

Sarafina nodded, excitement blooming in her eyes again."What now?"she inquired.</sub>