The usually carefree cub was starting to worry. One second he’d been distracted by a big bird in a tree - but really, it had been huge, so who could’ve resisted getting a good look? The next moment, he’d realized his siblings were gone.

Even now, a wave of panic swept over him just thinking about it. He was meant to protect them. If they were hurt, lost, scared... it was his fault. Sure, his brother was older and should be able to handle himself, but what about Enceladus? It shouldn’t be too difficult to track her down, at least. Her cream-white pelt would be easy to spot.

As it turned out, tracking was a lot harder than he’d expected. It also required much more patience than Jendi had. He’d discovered the trail of his sister’s familiar scent almost immediately... but found himself struggling to keep it. There were the added distractions of everything around him, things he’d never seen before around this environment he’d never been in and needed to explore properly....

Focus. He needed to focus.

After some time and perhaps the most effort he’d put into anything, Jen managed to make it to the edge of a swamp. Even if he hadn’t suspected his sister had ventured within, he likely would have checked it out anyways. It looked like a fun adventure.

With no further hesitation, the jaguar cub pressed forward into the marsh.  His large stone-blue eyes took in every detail as he walked - the way the trees blocked out sunlight, the tangle of vines and roots beneath his paws, and especially the very unpleasant smelling water. A few times, Jendi couldn’t avoid stepping shoulder deep into the stuff. “Yuck!” he exclaimed. But, rather than the disgust that word might convey, he looked as if he were genuinely enjoying himself, fascinated by the polluted ponds. In a moment of mischief, he quickly ran his paw through the murky depths and splashed it. Of course, there was no one to get wet. Still he laughed.

His pelt substantially soaked and smelly, Jen continued to explore. He poked his head within the clumps of ferns and weaved through tangled vines, all the while on the lookout for Enceladus. By now, he was less concerned and more excited to find his sister - almost as if it were a game. “I’m gonna find you, Celly!” he was sure to shout.

In the muddy browns and greens of the marsh, Delilah’s pink fur was easy to spot. Maybe she had an idea where his sister could be! Jen trudged through a particularly heavy area of mud and looked up at the pink feline. He didn’t seem the least bit frightened but there was a puzzled expression on his face. The jaguar cub circled around to the blind medic’s side, squinting at her absence of limb. “Where’d your leg go?” he asked. Had it fallen off? Jendi hadn’t realized that could happen.

Only after a rather large canine appeared did the cub realize he probably shouldn’t ignore Delilah’s questions. “My name’s Jendi. And I’m not lost, so you know.” His tone was matter-of-fact. Now that he was finished with that, Jen focused his energy on Leroy - specifically the case he was carrying. “Can I see?” Before waiting for a reply, the jaguar attempted to grab for the bag with a muddy paw. But the wolfhound was awfully tall and he was struggling to reach. “You’re super big! You must eat lots, it makes you grow.” Maybe Jendi would be as big and strong one day...

“Oh!” he exclaimed. He suddenly stopped what he was doing and turned back to Delilah. “I’m looking for my sister. I just know she’s here somewhere.”