HELD IN YOUR HAND THE SMOKING GUN / birth + 1k posts

[MARINA]

Gut-wrenching and shrill, Goldenluxury's scream echoed throughout The Typhoon. It's subject did not matter, nor Marina's grudge towards the name she called out, only that she was not okay. The yell caused her to drop her task immediately. As she rushed over, Marina couldn't help but think... 'Is it time?' Were her children here? Astoundingly, yet almost horrifying, the thought of motherhood caused her pace to grow faster.

It was not long before she was by Goldenluxury's side, assisting her as needed. She sheepishly tip-toed around Samantha as told her stories, almost enjoying their significance. The tales were grounding in these tough times. Marina couldn't help but listen, offering her own adventures in return. As much as she didn't want to admit in, the two had many things in common and wanted the same thing. Even so, the jaguar couldn't help but resort to her grudge. In the moment though, she merely slid their troubles to the side. After Goldenluxury's and Marina's discussion, things had mostly settled, minus some underlying grief.

But as the children arrived, Marina could feel her heart pumping and her chest sinking. This was real. Into action she went, assisting Goldenluxury as she could. One by one, she flustered to assist. With what help she could provide alongside Samantha, they managed to finish the job.

She couldn't help but stare in awe though. Four beautiful cubs, reminiscent of her vibrant markings and Goldenluxury's bold stature, remained in front of her. Their names flowed with their gorgeous pelts. What their future could hold was a mystery to her, but Marina knew they would do great things. Yet one would not have that opportunity.

As she went down the line to observe her children, Marina couldn't help but notice an abnormality among the bunch. Freya remained hauntingly still. Marina, unsure, moved her paw forward towards the small cub and placed it upon their chest. Multicolored eyes squeezed shut, harnessing her attention on any sensation that would meet her paw. Nothing came though. No breath or the bump of her heart. Just a motionless corpse. With a ragged breath, she pulled away. A soft, choked 'no' left her maw as she did so. Her eyes reopened to the world, staring the worst outcome in the face, Unable to hold herself any longer, tears began to stream down her face.

With what condolences they received, she felt no better. In time, the weight would lift off their chests. As long as this circle of support remained, then perhaps they could move past the tragedy. In the moment though, the jaguar just shook violently and tried to remain by Goldenluxury's side. Any support she could provide seemed necessary. Gesturing to her stomach, she began to spoke. "H-here, I'll take one to lighten th..." Her words fell short nevertheless.

Her vision was once blurred with tears, but now she was seeing red. Uprooting herself from the ground, she maneuvered her way towards Aphra.  Within mere milliseconds, Marina's claws were unsheathed and her pointed teeth were bared. With no remorse in mind, Marina attempted to push Aphra to the floor by her throat. Once in position, dagger-like claws would aim to rake into Aphra's beautiful face. Once successful, or rather if she was successful, Marina would heave the feline by her throat and throw her aside in Roxanne's direction.

With her ears pinned to the back of her head and tears flowing down her cheeks, the jaguar held herself back before things got uglier (as if it hadn't gotten gruesome already). "LEAVE," she managed to growl out. "THAT IS YOUR ONLY WARNING." Needless to say, if Aphra was ever near her or her children in the future, the result would probably be reminiscent of today's events. Thankfully, the others may even join her in the discourse.

Her tail kept swaying defensively as she began to turn away, hoping that Aphra would run out with a trail of blood following in suit. In the chance that she wouldn't, Marina remained in the same spot. Her attention, though partially on Aphra, turned to Samantha and Goldenluxury. "I'll bury her when it's time," she muttered lowly.