Going in Circles and Downward Spirals

[|~|Lapara|~|]

The words of Takoda seemed far off and hard to hear. Holitorn struggled to hear them, but he got their meaning. He was furious. This male was trying to say he cared. Ya right! Nobody cared. Nobody cared unless they were blood related. His own father hadn't even cared! But then again he didn't care about his father either. How could Takoda care. "No. We're not important. We're just two cubs you met fifteen minutes ago. We..." Had he just been saying 'we'? He shook his head to clear it. It didn't work well. "You wanted to separate us, didn't you? Ha! Good luck doing that!" Why did he feel as if he was speaking not for just himself? "You made Laela unprotected. And then you make it impossible for me to help." He spat. Then growled fearlessly, "How dare you?" Where was this coming from? Why was he acting like this? It was like his body had a totally different mind of it's own. Maybe if he could think clearly he would regain control, but the only thing that he could register was a terrible need to get closer to Laela. He shuddered and ran outside the cave where he promptly collapsed.

Jasninon watched the outburst with interest and fear. This was not the Holitorn he remembered. None what-so-ever. He suddenly realized that in order to have any hope of Holitorn coming with him, he'd have to get the sister too. No way was the mom coming, but Holitorn could deal with that. If this was what happened every time the male was separated from his twin, then there was no was Jasninon could keep her away. Then Holitorn ran outside, and collapsed. It was like watching someone getting pulled in two, one part slowly ripping away.

Taj could not believe any of this. This cub was so different from the innocent, young, playful one he had met three months ago. Was it possible that the poison of Laela could have done this to him? What could possibly make him like this?

[Bhu]

I watched the cub have an inner battle, scenting the mild fear from his brother. It was true that I had only met Holitorn and his family a short time ago, so I could not deny that. I could, however, refuse the words stating he and his family were unimportant to me, and simply just cubs. Also, the accusations of me trying to leave Laela unprotected with painfully false. Anger pricked again, but quickly it was swallowed.

The young cub exited the den and collasped in the outter perimeter. I let him be for a moment before giving Taraji and Jasinon a sorrowful look, and following. Taking a breath so as to remain in control of emotions, I lay gently beside the distressed male. In as gentle a voice as I could muster (which was incrediably gentle seeing as I was a gentle giant), I began to speak.

"You sister, mother, and you are all very important to me, young Holitorn. Dio has granted each of you a very special place in my heart. I'd never allow Laela unprotected unless absolutly nessacary. The journey into these lands for her and Lapara would have been quite dangerous, for the albino you speak of could still be lurking. Do you wish to bring Laela to a land that once almost killed her? I'd think not. That is why you and I must work quickly, leaving first thing in the morning, taking Taraji to Laela. It is clear now that he'd been unaware of the yellow flowers poison, so us three can hopefully find a cure for the illness. That is my mission, here. It is not to harm Laela, but to help. And I suggest you get some sleep. We head back to your mother and sister at the first glimps of sun. Your brother may come, too, if you believe it wise."

[|~|Lapara|~|]

Holitorn looked up at Takoda. "I can't deal with this anymore." He whispered. "I feel it. She's going through so much pain, but she can't take it and her brain is too damaged. It results in her acting like a newborn." He looked away again. Not able to breath for a second. "But I can feel it. She's my twin. We've always been closer then regular siblings. I knew that. We can sort of feel each other's feelings. And growing up while she's growing down is wierd and sometimes maddening. I feel the pain her body goes through when the poison goes through her blood. The further I get from her the stronger the pain is."
Tears glistened in his eyes, but then he wiped them away. Turning towards the older lion and smiling he said, "I'm sorry. I'm babbling aren't I? Saying stupid stuff. Just a new experience you know. And a bit of stress. Let's go find a cure."

Jasninon looked up at the tiger above him. Ugh. He hated all species other then lions. It was fascinating though, the strange markings and body build. Suddenly he was hit with a burst of curiosity. "You knew my mother." More of a question then a statement.
"Yep. I believe I still do. I'm scared she hates me though. For what I did to Laela."
He could sense the guilt pouring off of this male.

[Bhu]

I listened with compassionate interest as the cub explained his unnerving pain. I could not relate, having no siblings of my own that I know of, but I could sympathize. Once the tears turned to a determined smile, though, I allowed my own to leak out brightly. "There ya go. I know this is hard, having you sibling go through this, but we must work on a cure now, mourn later." And with that, I climbed back to my full height and turned back to where we had left Taraji and Jasninon. "Let us sleep." It was a gentle demand as I took one lone step towards the cave. But then I paused and turned back around. "Your brother, Jasninon, is he kind? Shall we let him join us? He has a very strong scent of Akando on him. What if they have turned him against your family, because of the fight you three had with the albino?" Concern was strong on my frowning face. It was not like me to believe such low things of individuals, but I could not help but feel a fatherly protection for Laela and Holitorn, and a deep desire for the safety of Lapara.

[|~|Lapara|~|]

Holitorn looked over at the brother he had heard stories of. "I really don't know. I haven't seen him since I was too young to remember. I think we should give him a chance though. I'm curious to see if he's changed." Yawning and laying down, his final thought was, Don't you worry, Laela. Don't you worry.