Domus Entium

The pain of the spear that pierced her skin, deeply embedded in her intestines. Jeckia always hated pain, never liked fighting, ever. What costs did she not take to prevent any pain to her or her people? She had lost count at this point.

Jeckia took a pained breath, looking at the perpetrator with a flurry of emotions. With each second, pain increased, the stinging a reminder of what happened. Sable looks over her, closer than while actively attacking. Freezing in complete horror at the sight, Sable has seen those eyes, long ago.

“Jeckia?”

Her voice quivered, hands that so desperately held that spear now sweaty and loose.

“Sable?” Jeckia stuttered out, the blood beginning to travel to her throat. “Oh my god..” Sable let go of the weapon, moving one hand to carefully cup the cheek of her beloved. Like handling the most fragile snowflake, the most delicate glasswork. Sables other hand moves to Jeckia's chest.

“I’m sorry! I-I’m so sorry, please!” Sable begged in a burst of regret, tears pricking her eyes. Jeckia sighed, an attempt of an exhale more than a real sigh. “No doctor could tend to this, I taught you well, huh?” Jeckia let a half laugh, half scoff, out of her suddenly tired lips. She felt colder, like someone put snow around her.

The sensation of her blood seeping into the ground was one she noted mindlessly. Though, those emotions blurred into a form of content-ness and love, even with the pain.

“I would never use our quality time against you, my love.” Sable meant that with her entire soul, she’d rather die than ever use what she learned with Jeckia against anyone, especially against her lover. She gently moves between the legs of Jeckia, laying herself on the lap of the other.

“Darling..” Sable whispered. Her cheeks wet with tears. Their hands move to Jeckia's waist.”Oh, my dearest pup..” Jeckia then whined, looking at the area around her. Sable then moved to make eye contact with Jeckia. “I love you, I love you so much.” Sable mumbled to the other. The blood soaking Jeckia’s clothes now in the back of her mind, much more focused on the one on top of her. “Sable.. I.. It’s a bit cold. Don't leave me.”

Jeckia just let out another breath, she could feel her heart echoing in agony. Every beat a new wave of pain to follow. Sable adjusts to Jeckias gaze, still crying mindlessly. “You’re going to die, I- you..” She breathed out. cupping her lover again, she pulled Jeckia into a kiss, one full of passion and sadness. Jeckia weakly accepted, joining her dearest. Sable advances, her tongue licking over the lips of her love, asking for entry. Jeckia couldn’t resist her Sable even if she tried, a shaky attempt to dominate the others tongue. Sable allows the dominance, once Jeckia was too weak, Sable took over, staying as gentle as could be. Jeckia then broke the kiss after some moments.

“Please, forgive me my dearest Jeckia.” Jeckia weakly smiled at Sables words, after all, she can only focus on Sable, not the guards raiding her castle, killing her guards, or destroying the paintings on the walls. Jeckia then pulled Sable into another kiss, her grip weak, but intent strong. The paw’d hand letting go as Sable accepted with eagerness, Jeckia felt death coming, and wanted to go out in a way she wanted. The way she wanted since starting to date Sable. Kissing and loving her dearest Sable.

She gave a small squeeze of Sable’s hand, before letting it hit the ground. Feeling the end arising her. The last thing she could hear as she let the kiss fall and her vision blur away was Sable. Just how she wanted.

But instead of love, and comfort as intended? She heard the heartbroken sobs escaping her darling.

Her Seal.

Her Sable.

Ears twitching, They stop at a small store, the clerk, a family friend, smiles joyfully. "Quinx! Welcome, How ya doin' kid?" The elderly woman whispered. "Just 3 Sandwiches, my usual.." Quinx whispered, digging through his satchel. Pulling out the proper coins, 6 coins total, He counts silently. Diligently ensuring the correct amount. They look back up, seeing the elderly woman pulling out fresh bacon from the oven, the crisp pops of grease making his stomach rumble. "Dear, I know you recently lost your father as well.-" Quinx pauses the clerk and server. "Please, It was already a Uln ago, I'm handling it alone."

"But you don't live in the treetops anymore, kiddo! You sleep clinging to low branches, and it concerns even the elders."

Quinx Sighs, looking at the clerk, who kept working despite the concern. "I'm saving for a nest, one near the top of the canopy, near the southern shore!" being caught red handed "With what job?"

Quinx winces, having been caught in their lie, they don't work, no one has accepted them. "I'm applying for better currently." they lie through his teeth, hoping the clerk wont worry too much. Before sliding the coins further past the desk, and the clerk giving the 3 bags of sandwiches to them. "Goodbye nana." Quinx turns to exit, before being stopped by a "Wait!" from the owner and clerk.

"You've been getting thinner, Quinny, please, I can handle you taking the money back for now." She slid them back the the customer side of the table. "Nana.." Quinx took a small deep breath before taking them reluctantly. Before leaving with a small smile and nod to the polite elder.

Out on the clearing near the shore, Quinx slithers on the beach, sitting on a bench. Opening a bag, one of the three. While mid-bite of his fresh loaf and meat, Helifix approaches from the side, joining them with his own satchel, and pulling out a clearly fancy, and fresh sandwich of his own.

After a couple bites, Helifix asks, just swallowing: "Do tell me, are you that young one the market snickers and snuffs the joy of?" What. Quinx looks completely stunted, confused. "What do you mean?"

"You know, The elders used to mock me too."

"Sir, your the President. I don't understand."

"Exactly."

The president was mocked, And talking to Quinx, willingly

Quinx just squinted, confusedly. "And what does that connect to me?" A bellow of laughter, before a slight scoot closer. "You wont let them stop you, will you?" Before Quinx could speak, another voice from behind him spoke. "Heli, speak properly" It was Azalea, the President of the Seki folk. "Sir Azalea." Quinx bowed his upper body, before a wave of the hand makes them twitch and look up.

"No need for such formalities, it is our lunch break, and I'm here for a break from my responsibility." Azalea then sat down on the other side of Quinx, letting his tail sit comfortably. Quinx, tense as possible. "You are?" Azalea and Helifix synchronize. "Quinx- uhm, Quinx Izani" They both hum, their tones making a short note that made Quinx' ears perk, then droop once more.

"Why are you alone, young one? Your no younger than just a teenager"

Helifix looked over, observing the figure of Quinx, Azalea then also asked, in addition

"Why are you out all alone, especially in this time? Normally, mothers and fathers are training their kids for the local competition"

Quinx couldn't hold all his tears, a couple slipping past his eyes. "They.." The two looked over, confused yet caring glances, Helifix put his food down, adjusting over to be in front of Quinx. "They aren't with us, is that what you are trying to say?" Helifix smothered his own voice, tears beginning to well in his eyes too, gently taking Quinx' hand.

They nod, shuddering and hiding his face. "My mom- She- She died from a panther a- attack, and my dad hated having me in his life and-" Quinx got cut off by Azalea "We understand. Have you been eating, or even have a nest? or even a roof?" The silence, and inaction of Quinx showed the truth. before Helifix pulls Quinx into his arms, having completely forgotten his food.

"No child in my nation shall be shunned, without anyone to support them." Helifix announces, before taking a moment to look down at Quinx. "Is that okay? I'd rather not see you face the world alone." Azalea nods, before tagging in. "You have no mother, and no father. And clearly havent been eating well."

"May we change that, Quinx?" A calm tone. "And! your last name, if you want." Helifix tunes in.

"Yes, please." A whisper. Quinx sighs, looking up at them, truly grateful.

To any who shunned the Presidents or their son, they saw great shame and disgrace amongst the communities.

Tonoshi grabs his knife from his pocket, watching the metal reflect in the warm light, shining bright in the mirror. He stares, taking a small moment to test the sharpness with the pointer finger and thumb of his hand. He stares at the edge with tired eyes, sighing and looking back up at the mirror, hearing the slightest ring begin in his ears.

Tonoshi then slips off his coat, freeing himself to his long-sleeved jacket. The coat slumps over his tail, the king does a quick adjustment and set it aside. Setting his blade down, Tonoshi unbuttons his jacket, leaving himself in a simple shirt, his arms marked from past stress episodes.

He stares for a moment, then in the mirror. Then back to his arms, to that Tonoshi lets a deep sigh out. 32 years old, no wife, no suitors, nothing. Thats what stressed Tonoshi. He wasn't having children. He needed a heir to the throne, his royal comrades were already planning to give their crowns, their lineage, and yet? Tonoshi was stuck without a lover, without a child anywhere in his future.

He was a failure. No one wants a weak, pathetic, man.

Especially the son of Rezzico Wilton.

A Tyrant. A Murderer.

Especially on such a scale.

Tonoshi focuses back on the mirror. Picking his blade up again, staring once more. Before taking his wrist up and doing a small, cat scratch level cut. His stress slowly fell apart one cut at a time, the stress replaced with the pain. Ringing filled the kings ears, tuning out all other sound.

Though, Tonoshi doesn't hear his dear advisor, Nikolai, who's outside of his bedroom, calling to him. Tonoshi was focused on a cut when Nikolai, in confusion of the kings silence, opened the door. "Oh.." Nikolai mustered, before taking a panicked breath, and running to his majesty.

Fighting the blade out of Tonoshi's grip, it ends up tossing onto the floor. once it clatters, Nikolai is grabbing Tonoshi by the shoulders. Roughly stopping him. "What the FUCK were you thinking?!" That wakes Tonoshi up, before Tonoshi even tries to answer, he is trying to hide his arms shamefully. Nikolai stops him before Tonoshi can tuck his arms behind his back, blood dripping onto Nikolai's hand.

"Stop. Stop that." Nikolai stares at Tonoshi's tearful eyes, before taking a deep breath. "What is in your mind, can you tell me?" Tonoshi responds with a shake of his head. Nikolai then gently shoves Tonoshi to sit down, grabbing the first aid in the cabinet. Getting onto one knee to tend to his king.

Starting with the bucket of clean water, Nikolai grabs the towelette within the water and strains it carefully. Before looking at his royal. "May I, my lord?"

"Just call me Tonoshi, please. I am not worthy of such a title."

"Bullshit, I'd like to say otherwise." Nikolai then questions again. "May I clean your wounds?" To which Tonoshi gives a hesitant, reluctant even, nod to his advisor. Tonoshi blanked out while crying, coming back to find Nikolai wrapping his wrists carefully, ensuring every wound was tended to gently. "Your really gentle, thank you." the royal mustered, tired from the energy he spent, probably crying his heart out.

"I would be gentle forever, if you needed."

"What?"

"Nothing."

Ixranka, the cat hybrid visiting for the week, picks up every piece with calm diligence. "Your exhausted, please allow me to be of aid." The Sand cat walks closer, rubbing where the buckles held the armor on her dear, fixing the fur gently. "You always work so hard, you walk with grace, but with a heavy burden. Allow me to take some off your shoulders."

Jeckia looked back, confused by Ixranka's offer.

"Just accept, my xandrio"

"You never told me what that means, Ixranka"

Jeckia confusedly admits, wanting to know what that term meant, was Ixranka disrespecting her? complimenting her? She needed to know. Ixranka's ears perk up on the confused tone, lifting her head hastily, eyes widened slightly, mouth the tiniest agape. "I- ugh, its adjacent to my dear, or my darling" With a sigh, Ixranka takes the armor, clutterful as it is, and hands it to a nearby servant.

"Am I your dear now?" Jeckia chuckles, before being met with two big kitty paws on her shoulders, Ixranka stretching herself on Jeckia, smirking up at her. "Mmmmaybe.." That smug face never left for a second. The servant shutting the door catching their attention, for a moment, then Ixranka went back to her usual 4 legged self. "You know, I've never purred in my life." Ixranka flaunts.

Doubtful, Jeckia then pulled Ixranka onto her bed, "Are you sure? I can prove you wrong." A smug grin all over Jeckia's face, before Ixranka can make distance, The queen of Pexins put her head on the leader of Terruts, embracing Ixranka, smothering half her face in fur. "Your so soft.." Jeckia exhaled out, relieved.

"Yea? I make sure I am."

"Mhm.."

Ixranka moves to be able to sleep on a pillow, then letting Jeckia lay on her once more. Folding her 4 legs in, Ixranka's ears twitch as Jeckia lets out a small sigh. Hesitantly, lovingly, Ixranka drew shapes onto Jeckia's back, helping soothe the other to silent slumber. Before Jeckia fell to sleep entirely, the low, comfortable rumble of a purr entered her ears.