[align=center][div style="borderwidth=0px; width: 55%; line-height:115%; text-align: justify;font-family: calibri;"]Sol didn't remember when exactly he stumbled across Lirim. It couldn't have been more than a week, but it seemed like he had known them for far longer, their golden gaze warm whenever it settled across his small body and their attention wholly comforting. They were liked his father, although seemingly less rough around the edges, and had such an ethereal and calming aura that the child couldn't help but be drawn to them instantly. Even when they presented to him the necklace he recalled had belonged to his father, Sol didn't question it, and when they introduced themselves as his grandparent, everything had clicked straight into place. He had joined them, if only because he had nowhere else to go after Des had disappeared, and now found himself on a long expanse of land, playfully carrying on as the feline trailed behind him, watching out so that he wouldn't get hurt.
And, moreso to see the lengths to which they would go to uphold that promise than to spite them, it seemed like Sol was intent on throwing himself towards every semblance of danger imagineable. The higher the rock the better, and the deeper the water the more inticing it was. They never let him fall, though, a dark paw always there just as he teetered on the edge of danger. Just like his father.
Not that he knew that yet.
"'S dad gonna be here?" the child questioned, peering up at the bell before glancing back at the large shadowy creature trailing calmly behind them, seemingly unrushed. The tranquility of their disposition was oddly calming, and whereas Sol had felt the stress of their dual moving at first, it had helped calm him down soon after until he felt the energy of his youth slowly come back. Now they acted the same, although coming here seemed to put a subtle strain on their shoulders that Sol couldn't help but notice but chose not to point out. Lirim thought he was young and innocent, and that he knew nothing of how people worked... Sol didn't want to worry them. He'd let them think that for longer.
But life hadn't been easy, not with Des' lifestyle. From what his father had spoken of, Lirim knew gang life well themselves but had chosen to abandon it soon after things went south. Des was forced into the life, and as much as he had tried to shelter his new son from it... the cub knew the harsher side of life more than most his age. He hadn't seen a dead body yet, at least, but Desperado had explained to him just how one looked like and why some bodies had to die. There were bad men around... someone had to get rid of them.
It was with this strange optimism and goal that Sol had set out in life, searching for his father after he had disappeared. He hadn't stumbled across him yet, but Lirim seemed to have taken his place rather eagerly, but they never spoke when he asked about his father. Even now, faced with the question of Desperado's location, Lirim chose not to answer, instead staring ahead at him as if they hadn't heard. A few seconds of silence spanned between them, but eventually realizing he wouldn't get an answer from them, Sol instead turned back around to the bell hanging tantalizingly on the rock... and decided he would climb to ring it. He was tired of waiting, bored out of his mind, and a child could only take so much before adventure called.
With a decisive leap, he pawed at the instrument, earning him a clear ring that reverberated through the air. A bright grin settled on the tiger's features, bright eyes even brighter, and he glanced back at Lirim, hoping to find some sort of pride in their eyes.
And, moreso to see the lengths to which they would go to uphold that promise than to spite them, it seemed like Sol was intent on throwing himself towards every semblance of danger imagineable. The higher the rock the better, and the deeper the water the more inticing it was. They never let him fall, though, a dark paw always there just as he teetered on the edge of danger. Just like his father.
Not that he knew that yet.
"'S dad gonna be here?" the child questioned, peering up at the bell before glancing back at the large shadowy creature trailing calmly behind them, seemingly unrushed. The tranquility of their disposition was oddly calming, and whereas Sol had felt the stress of their dual moving at first, it had helped calm him down soon after until he felt the energy of his youth slowly come back. Now they acted the same, although coming here seemed to put a subtle strain on their shoulders that Sol couldn't help but notice but chose not to point out. Lirim thought he was young and innocent, and that he knew nothing of how people worked... Sol didn't want to worry them. He'd let them think that for longer.
But life hadn't been easy, not with Des' lifestyle. From what his father had spoken of, Lirim knew gang life well themselves but had chosen to abandon it soon after things went south. Des was forced into the life, and as much as he had tried to shelter his new son from it... the cub knew the harsher side of life more than most his age. He hadn't seen a dead body yet, at least, but Desperado had explained to him just how one looked like and why some bodies had to die. There were bad men around... someone had to get rid of them.
It was with this strange optimism and goal that Sol had set out in life, searching for his father after he had disappeared. He hadn't stumbled across him yet, but Lirim seemed to have taken his place rather eagerly, but they never spoke when he asked about his father. Even now, faced with the question of Desperado's location, Lirim chose not to answer, instead staring ahead at him as if they hadn't heard. A few seconds of silence spanned between them, but eventually realizing he wouldn't get an answer from them, Sol instead turned back around to the bell hanging tantalizingly on the rock... and decided he would climb to ring it. He was tired of waiting, bored out of his mind, and a child could only take so much before adventure called.
With a decisive leap, he pawed at the instrument, earning him a clear ring that reverberated through the air. A bright grin settled on the tiger's features, bright eyes even brighter, and he glanced back at Lirim, hoping to find some sort of pride in their eyes.
♔ — I want brimstone in my garden