THE BLUE AND GREEN BELOW IS A MASTERPIECE — It had been a long trip, dragging all his things behind him, but this would be the last one he'd have to make. Jacob had never intended to lead for this long and he'd only ever done it as a favor to Leigh in the beginning. He was a doctor, not a chief, and he'd like to keep things that way. Finally, after months, he'd found someone who could properly lead Snowbound and who actually wanted to do it. Atbash seemed right for the role and she's accepted immediately when he asked. After that, he'd talked it over with Harrison, packed his things, and left promptly. He knew the journey to Typhoon would be long and difficult, even more so than usual with all the things he had to bring with him, but thankfully it would be the last time he'd have to make this trip for quite awhile. No more stolen moments with Pincher, no more wishing he could just show Goldie how to prepare his recipes, no more being apart from the people he'd come to love here. Of course, he was sad to leave behind some of his friends in Snowbound, and of course he intended to visit Harrison constantly, but he was happy. He was where he wanted to be. He felt like he could breath and his legs felt more at ease in the hot, sticky weather.

The husky arrived at the border, letting out a soft sigh as he settled down with a light smile on his maw. "Hello? 'S anyone around? 'S Jacob! 'M 'ere ta' join." He didn't intend on wasting any time. He'd find a nice hut to drag his things to, preferably one that was at least somewhat close to the submarine that his boyfriend called home. Jacob knew it was silly but he still held onto the dream of making a big dinner for at least a few family members and having a nice meal with them nearly every night. He was sure Deniz and Goldie wouldn't want to do it every single day but it'd be nice if he could easily get back and forth from the submarine to his hut and vice versa. He was only a few steps from that image in his mind. Just a few more steps over the border and a few words of acceptance and he'd be there. — BUT YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL LIKE I'VE NEVER SEEN

"SPEECH"

THE BLUE AND GREEN BELOW IS A MASTERPIECE — When he saw Goldie, any question he had about whether or not he'd done the right thing by coming here left. Of course this was where he was meant to be. His family was here. It might not be Jersey or Vito or Harry or Lottie but that's because they weren't replacements. Nothing could replace everything he'd lost, but he could move on. He found find people who loved him and who he loved again and he could be happy with them. That didn't mean he'd never be sad or lonely or miss everyone that'd been left behind, but it finally meant he wouldn't feel alone anymore. "'M glad ya'll will 'ave me," he answered before hearing her next question. When she brought up just having him stay in the sub with her and Pinch, he felt tears start to prick his eyes. He knew he was being overemotional but he couldn't believe someone wanted him to live with them. He wouldn't be an inconvenience and his bandages and morning rituals didn't bother them and she didn't mind the idea of him being with Pincher. It was all so wonderful. "Well, stayin' with you n' your dad would be real nice but I don' wanna' do anythin' until I know if Pinch would be alright with it," he answered.

Then came Caesar and his smile wavered for a moment. He knew he'd have to see him but he'd hoped he'd be able to get moved in without seeing much of him. Jacob didn't have a lot of hope that they could reconcile or that they would ever really be friends, but he'd hoped Caesar would at least be civil. At his question, Jacob smiled and shook his head. He must have already heard about Atbash, there was no way he wouldn't know by now that his own sister was the chief. "No, I didn' jus' leave 'em, Caesar. I only ever did any ah' this as a favor ta' Leigh, I knew I didn' wanna' be the chief. I'm a doctor n' I always will be. I was jus' meant ta' stay until I found someone more capable ta' pass it off to, n' I have. Atbash is gonna' do a great job. She loves Snowbound n' she loves helpin' 'em so I know she'll do well," he answered without any hesitation. Jacob had already worked through all of it himself and he knew he'd done the right thing. As much as his babbo had wanted him to be, Jacob never became the fighter or leader that he wanted him to be. He was just a doctor and he was perfectly content with that. As for what his family back home would think... Well, he'd figure that out when he got there.

Then there was someone he'd never met before and he gave a light smile of greeting. "Thank you very much, Cronas. 'S a pleasure ta' meet ya'," he said happily. Then there was the question of why he'd left. Why did he leave? His eyes drifted to Goldie before focusing back on the individual before him. Why had he left? "Nothin's wrong. They're all doin' fine now tha' the humans are gone n' they're settled in the village n' everythin'. I jus' wasn' happy there or in my position. I'm not meant for that kinda' work. Besides, I wanted ta' be with more ah' my friends n' family 'ere," he answered. Jacob had always been the type to go where he felt he'd be happiest. In his life, he'd already moved a total of three times, having lived in four different places. He'd grown up in New York until he was forced away and went to New Jersey, where he'd met Harrison and Lottie and Jerseyboy. He'd then run off to Snowbound after the fire and after he'd been trying to hide from those that would wish him harm. Now he was leaving Snowbound to come to the Typhoon. Now he hoped he'd be able to settle down for good, that this would be his permanent home, but only time would be able to determine that. — BUT YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL LIKE I'VE NEVER SEEN

"SPEECH"

THE BLUE AND GREEN BELOW IS A MASTERPIECE — At Caesar's response, Jacob just shook his head and let out a sigh. "Would it kill ya' ta' jus' be happy for her, Caesar? She's doin' a good job as a high position n' she'll keep doin' a good job as a leader. I hadn' ever lead nothin' before I became Chief n' neither had Leigh. Jus' 'cause ya' ain't done somethin' before don' mean ya' ain't any good at it. Besides, if she feels uncomfortable doin' it or doesn' think she can do a good enough job, I trust her ta' make tha' call like I did. Ya' think I was the perfect picture ah' health when I stepped up as both a doctor n' a chief? Jus' 'cause someone isn' doin' well themselves, don' mean they can't help other people," he explained. He wished Atbash's brother would just accept her. She was a good person and wanted to help. As far as he was concerned, that was all she needed. "But I guess someone like you wouldn' know that. Ya' only think about yourself first. Ya' don' care what happens ta' Snowbound, Caesar. You're jealous tha' your sister is better off than you are but bein' mad about it don' change it. Atbash n' Snowbound will be fine, with or without your support," he insisted, his tone holding an edge it usually didn't. Jacob got along with most people but he wouldn't let Caesar talk about Atbash like she was some child that didn't know anything at all. Jacob had complete faith that everything would be fine. [b]— BUT YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL LIKE I'VE NEVER SEEN

"SPEECH"

THE BLUE AND GREEN BELOW IS A MASTERPIECE — Jacob opened his mouth to reply when Caesar stated he wasn't jealous, ready to argue that, yes, of course the yellow feline was jealous of his sister, but then there was fire. Jacob's chest seized and his eyes widened, his entire body growing numb. Despite not being on fire himself, he felt like his burns were starting to engulf him again. His breathing steadily increased and he tried to control it. He reached his paws down, tugging at his bandages as though to tighten them. His eyes were only focused on the flames though, his mind having long left his thoughts about Caesar. Everything was just screaming at him to run, to get as far away from the fire as he could. He wanted to yell for Deniz's help, to do something, but the lump in his throat stopped him from making any sound as he stumbled backwards, tears starting to build in his eyes. It was going to kill him. It would engulf everything and eat it all. It would eat his fur and his skin and this time it wouldn't stop at nerves and muscles, it would eat his bones, his mind, his soul.

The smell of smoke was so strong Jacob felt he'd be sick and he could barely breathe now, his chest moving far too rapidly to be keeping any oxygen. He felt lightheaded bu he couldn't stop it, couldn't remember he needed to stop it. Any confidence Jacob had talking to Caesar before had vanished and now he was only trembling with tears rolling down his face, his eyes locked on the fire in absolute terror. How could he let this happen? Why was there a fire everywhere he went? Oh no, Goldie was here too! He had to get up. He had to help her! Still, he felt paralyzed in this position on the ground, tears rolling down his cheeks, unable to make a sound. He didn't want her to get hurt. He wanted to yell at her to run, to tell her to go anywhere that wasn't here, but he couldn't. So he stayed where he was, paralyzed by fear and panic as he stared into the flames so similar to the ones that had taken everything from him. His movement, his Pa, his home, his family. Even if it wasn't the exact same flame, fire caused nothing but destruction and pain. He wished it would all just go away. Then he wouldn't be stuck here, trembling and alone. — BUT YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL LIKE I'VE NEVER SEEN