come the beginning >> o, AE visitors

[number nine.]

Bai Shi was here to see Rhinestonestar. That was hardly a surprise, considering that the both of them were well respected leaders around these parts. It would only make sense that they would come to Rhine with any potential news, or trades, or whatever else it was. However, the expression that lingered briefly on Bai's face made Number Nine uneasy, even if it didn't pertain to clan relations. Were they doing alright? It seemed almost as though they had been filled with sorrow, or perhaps sickness. It seemed to linger in the air, although Nine didn't mention it, not wanting to offend them. There were many causes for sorrow, and sickness wouldn't exactly have been surprising, considering the recent changes in the weather, and the chill that hung in the air around them. This was natural... Nine could only hope that they would be alright, and that Palmclan wouldn't end up losing a valuable ally because of outside influences. Shoving this from his mind for now, he let a smile grace his muzzle, rumbling in response to Bai, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Bai Shi. I'm sure that Rhinestone will be here very soon. He doesn't like to keep people waiting." Especially ever since that whole Coalition incident, even if Nine doubted anything like that would happen here. It was obvious that it would be a bad idea to leave outside visitors unattended for long.

Tsekani's approach caused Nine's attention to temporarily be pulled away from the task at hand, for several reasons. One, Number Nine just had a personal interest in Tsekani. The other was a child, and a jaguar, and Nine felt an obligation to make sure that he was safe. And two, the winged warrior couldn't help feeling a bit of confusion at the way that the cub paused while looking at Bai Shi, as if he were expecting something. The pause was over as soon as it came, but it did cause Nine to look between them a little. Did Tsekani know of Bai Shi, or did they know each other? It was pretty obvious that the second wasn't true, considering how Bai had mentioned how nice it was to meet Tsekani. Either way, Nine chose to shrug it off for now, muttering in a lightly scolding voice as he stretched out one of his large white wings, a feather light touch pressing against Tsekani's back, "Careful, Tsekani. We're a ways out from camp, not to mention that it's freezing out here... I'm not sure your pelt is thick enough yet for you to be comfortable in all this." It was obvious that what Rhine had warned them about earlier was coming true – this year's winter would certainly be more brutal than usual. Part of Nine wanted to draped his wing over Tsekani, possibly in a parental gesture to keep the cub warm, but he resisted the urge. It was obvious the other didn't enjoy being treated like a child, and Nine certainly wasn't his father.

Wuyi's words were what caused Number Nine's mind to snap back to the present, green eyes moving over to look xyr over. He chuckled before speaking, his large pairs of wings spreading out before settling back against his back, "I'm afraid that even I can't tell you why I was named what I am. I never got to truly meet my parents, so I can't say. I do think that your interpretation of it is quite nice, though." It was certainly better than the truth, one that Nine had avoided confronting for so long. He was named Number Nine because that was exactly what he had been to the humans who had once experimented on him – just a number. Nowadays, however, he wore his name as a symbol of his growth, and how proud he was to have developed beyond being just a number. As Wuyi spoke about xyr wings, Nine grinned down at xyr, spreading his own wings wide – while being careful not to hit anyone – as he spoke, "I'm sure you'll be excellent at flight, one day. You're actually very lucky that you were born with the ability to fly. I got it later, when I was an adult, so it was much harder for me to learn. I'm sure it'll be easier for you." His tone was warm and encouraging, and his gaze flicked up to Bai Shi for only a moment, full of approval for the way the other was parenting.

HELLBENT ON MAKING YOU LOVE ME TOO