[Brilliance]

Originally Posted by Beam

@Constellation
Fennec looked back at the ponderosa pine. So many dotted the forest, but he chose this one to call his home. It was wreathed in ferns, creating the illusion of regularness, but through the ferns, between two thick roots was a dramatic dip in the earth. It was large enough for him to stand, with an earthen bottom and surrounding ferns bending over, creating a dome of nature. When it rained, the ferns always dripped their contents on Fennec's fur, to he dug a little wedge deeper between the roots so he could easily shelter under the tree trunk while still in his little cove. Not to mention, the ponderosa released a aromatic vanilla-like smell anytime summer came around, so his hideaway was always fragranced.

He found his new home as quick as he could, because his last was unforgettable. His sisters, Holly and Swift, and himself had always stayed close together in their former home. They couldn't leave, even if they yearned to. He remembered the same flash of Swift's eyes and the grin of his mother and father, Holly's tail streaking away and the dust settling. His past was not to ever be uncovered, only in his mind would he remember. He couldn't push the memories to the back of his head, because this was almost half of his memory: Mother, Father, Swift Holly, Searching, Rocks, Fight they would always be stuck in his mind. He could never forget.

Fennec pressed his nose to the ponderosa pine tree as ferns tickled his sides. Like he had thought before. The pine would produce a sweet exterior smell, but it's pine needles could potentially wound. Like his mother. But not to mention, pine trees were all in all harmless survivors. His mom was more like a fox, graceful and nimble and sometimes evencute, but extremely hostile and horrible towards cats.

Fennec sat down and breathed in the smell of the sap and the perfume of the pines. How could nature create anything so beautiful? It was amazing: Shed pinecone sin the winter and cease it's sap smell, are through snow and frost, and in summer grow back pinecones and release its smell. In a way, Fennec was a pinecone. Pinecones only abandoned their waxy outside when immersed in fire. Only then they can grow into a pinecone. Without fire, pinecones would never blossom.He was a pinecone, before he was immersed the fire of his past, he was dormant and unblooming. But when sparks were kindled into an inferno, he grew to be a strong pine tree, better than ever. The flames hurt him, but they also fostered him to become stronger.

No wonder why he liked pine trees.

Timid cautiously made her way through the territory. Or, what she thought it was. The small she cat sometimes found herself stumbling around without noticing her surroundings. All she could see was her fears; small critters, snakes, larger cats--anything that was practically considered dangerous in her eyes. Timid didn't like being a hunter within the Syndicate--those cats were mean. They took her for granted. She wanted out desperately, but she was also scared. There were fighters--and guards, not to forget to mention the commander. She had deep respect for all of them. Even the healers, who were considered brave than she would ever be. All in all, Timid knew she was the most frightened cat that ever walked the Syndicate grounds.

So, why was she there in the first place? This was something that the she cat could not figure out for herself. Sure, she was born from two kittypets, and all she knew was that she was found along the border of the Syndicate. Healthy...looked to be strong, so she was taken in. Her providers were very disappointed that she was not all they thought her to be. She took on the appearance of a kit, even though she did her training and was considered to be a full on hunter. But, the height she lacked, due to her legs. And, the fact that she was made a hunter? She was still considered useful to the Syndicate. If she weren't, she was pretty sure that the cats would waste no time to devour her.

Back in the territory, Timid had lost her prey. Chasing after a robin, but lost sight of it. However, she kept its scent in her nostrils, so she trailed it along. Never had she thought she would lose it again. Now, she was further from the territory than she needed to be. And, she began to hyperventilate at the sudden thought. For Timid, the small golden cat did not like to be far than where she was suppose to be. She was given one task. One that she had to complete daily. Hunt. All other hunts were accomplished. She would bring back shrews, or voles, and if they were lucky--a rabbit. But, the Syndicate held scarce meals. And, they did not believe in a higher power. Although, Timid liked to think there is a higher power, and whenever she did pray to them, she would bring back bountiful of meals. If there wasn't a higher power--why was she blessed in such ways?

That was another time for her to think. At the moment she was panicking. She was scared, whimpering slightly as she lowered herself to the ground. She never truly been far from The Dusk Syndicate. Especially in an open area that looked so...dangerous. Her eyes briefly glanced up, catching sight of ponderosa pine trees. Everything smelled like pine here--it almost made her sneeze. Her nose twitched, but she continued to move further, hoping to complete her task, and hopefully go back home...in one piece. Timid knew that anything could happen, which made her even more scared. She padded along, hoping to catch another scent, and she was unaware of the other presence around. Her tail hung limply behind her in a submissive matter, and the only thing going through her head: Don't be scared, Timmy. You'll be fine...Don't be scared...Don't be scared...