Indeed such a crime may have been deemed near infallible, as far as anything rooted within reality, as loose and twisted as present, may allow. At the least correct such assumption had not further observation been present to act witness to hypothetical plans.

Common had grown the occurrence Sloan acted as occupant of a spare room, the hour tended to get away from hir and it simply grew easier to accept lodging, to such a point voluntary some of hir recent nights. Peaceful and well hir sleep when such occured, though fractured had it become beneath the startling sound distance had striped back until it was less a name and more a wordless cry, upwards head drawn with such speed ze was left light headed. Necessary a moment to gather hir bearings before ze slipped from the bed, traversing the familiar space with ease, beyond was a matter all its own, however.

Down each side of the hallway ze peered yet undetected any movement, almost forgone further exploration until the sun rose in full before the notion was cast aside with the hushed sounds of conversation. Slow hir progression, past rooms closed and some open, other occupants seemingly startled awake as ze had been but unwilling to conduct any investigation, and so alone the fox when located the supposed origin.

"It is early." Strained the annoyed whisper Sloan voiced, observed only Aker for the most part for, between each closure of her eyelids, among the shadows was Asteri lost. Startling the realisation she too occupied the room when she spoke, the words of the cub brushed aside as mere comment to himself over the state of his being, agape hir mouth as ze tried to formulate a sentence of some kind. None came to mind, strangled the pitiful whine ze offered, confusion winning out as ze had yet to awaken in full.

slumber thick and heavy upon ebony head, jaguar curled nearest to fireplace without nest or soft blanket, fallen asleep whilst guarding. cry echoing through halls, enough to waken bleary eyes and lead filled paws. head lifting from ground, blinking to clear eyes of sleep, head splitting with force of disorientation as they pushed to their paws, tail whirling as they fought for balance. taking a second, they stumbled for the stairs, the yelp echoing in their ears. scents of youth and fear filled their nose as they clumsily took the stairs with a grunt as sleep-numbed legs gave way, body crashing to floor. hissing in pain as pawpads pricked uneasily, kingpin righted heavy weight to three of four paws and limped along, claws sliding out to tack floorboards.

breath heavy with a yawn, they followed behind sloan and aker, recognizing the room as asteri's, their nose wrinkling at the strange scent flowing out. peering within the room from dark visage, silver scars showing their eyes as slim slivers of blue. yawn pressing jaws, breath exhaling, a paw stepping before sloan at hir whine, fur bristling upon shoulders at first, urgency bolting along their veins at sight of dark creature within confines of room. a low noise escaped them, stepping closer to cub, sniffing the foreign being within room, upon floor, dark leather wings causing heart to flutter. listening to conversation, they halted, half desiring to stand over both children, nostrils flared to take in scent, eyes slitted to see dark furred comrade. "asteri?", came deep uncertain and tired voice, alarms ringing in head yet heart knowing. taking a breath, they wrinkled their nose, "are you alright?", they coughed, disgust at the scent so different from normal, eyes searching for hers as they let electricity alight within throat, traveling up along tongue from thimble ignited in mouth, a light and gentle glow along their teeth and tongue, enough to see by for those without night sight.

Forward stepped tired body, head lowered, sniffing the floors around her. Lifting head, they held her gaze, stepping closer to stand close to her, investigating with soft sniffs and snuffles, close but far enough away. "it's alright.", they murmured in soft assurance, lowering their head to her level to gently bump her jaw with their nose, meant to comfort her. "the sudden changes are ... interesting. I still think you look vibrant.", they tried to soothe as they came close.

Extending a paw softly, they gestured to her wings, interest on their face, gaze holding her light blue eyes firmly and affectionately. "it does not look bad, this new body of yours. Had you been this way the whole time I had known you while blind, I would still call you star-weaver. It is a time of fear, to awaken as such, your body foreign and unknowing of it.", they would speak softly, gaze warm and welcoming of the change that had taken her. Touching their nose to one wing, they gave a soft hum, "why don't the lot of us find a snack? I'm here, if you need the support.", they murmured in soft reassurance.

Beneath guise of tenacity slow the encroaching atrophy, the living reduced in miniscule fragments, process obscured by prepared falsehood. Conflicting that which swelled in tightened chest, capacity reached and over pushed, yet too did it felt meagre, the unknown crowding shadowed thoughts peeling back rationality until ze may only entertain the frivolous. Known the sounds accompanying struggle, agonised movement grown heavy, pace reduced even as strain is conducted to quickened that which refuses. Back did vision turn, regarded shadowed figure adorned in velvet, encircling for thought of personal safety seemed impossible.

Don't go. Brief the rise of thought, desire crowding aching skull, a cruel notion normalcy may be found of only ze may lean into them, the world allowed to die if only they were to live. Conclusion both children had come to had alike Bai Shi arrived at, conflicted that worn against familiar visage, burdened with too much the voice that soothed hammering heart. Further within other tread and also did the cry slip past, teeth ground into tongue as they tended Asteri in a moment hers alone.

Downward turning lips, a minute twitch, response unconscious as her confuse arose, comment remarked upon with the worth it deserved. Why was it hir heart squeezed further, restriction shortening hummed breath, within wake of father forth treading the reynard. Unknown this one beyond her name, pleasant had ze the mind to speak aloud such, the fondness Bai Shi shared rankling and yet inciting something. "It is… A unique look." Unaccustomed to sharing any comments meant to incite positivity the strain in hir words was apparent, as was the unease Sloan expressed in a taunt smile, slight as it was, averted eyes though back was it drawn.

With the addressal of her wings unbidden arose question, forward sliding a paw though contact might not be made. "Can you fly?" There was no malice in the query, brief note that exposed in the pale light of pure electricity, the look of each appendage wrong and ragged, thoughts turning to surely needing only medical attention to permit proper mending.