FIGHT TO THE FINISH! || Entrance Ritual

[LUMIA CIPHER.]

The Entrance Ritual. It was a part of The Typhoon's culture, and a part that Lumia knew she would have to go through eventually. She knew that it wasn't technically required, but she still didn't feel right about not going through with it. The young feline didn't want to disrespect the group that had taken her in. They had fed her, and cared for her, and made her feel as if she had a true home. She'd never ignore their traditions after all they had done for her – she wasn't so selfish, like certain other members of her family. Caesar, Aphra... she had to wonder if they had ever gone through the ritual themselves. She supposed she could've asked one of the older members of the group, but she also found that she didn't really want to. She didn't want to hear of those days, when her father and half-sister had either been outright cruel to others or hiding their no-doubt awful intentions. It would only fill her with more anger towards them than what she already had inside of her – which was quite a lot, mind you.

Obviously Lumia had no idea of Vayne's intention to undergo the ritual herself. The wheat colored feline had figured her niece would eventually go through it – or perhaps had even done so before Mia had arrived? – but she didn't think it would be so soon. She also didn't think it would be without telling her, at the very least. It would make sense in retrospect, considering Vayne disliked worrying others. Still, it would also sting a bit to find out about. However, Lu also knew quite well that she couldn't deny how worried she felt when she did find out about what was going on. Instead of finding out from Vayne herself, the younger Cipher had actually found out about it through the various tavern-goers she talked with or listened to that night. The tavern was often a place where she came to relax and chat with others, so it wasn't unusual for her to talk with the usual patrons. It was unusual, however, for them to be talking about her niece. Not only talking about Vayne, but talking about other things as well. Her fears, her desires... Haven Island. It didn't take much to put it all together, and it also wasn't long before Lumia's heart dropped like a stone inside her belly.

She held herself back from what her initial instinct was, however. Immediately, she wanted to go and rush to Haven Island. To do what? She wasn't sure. She wasn't sure if she wanted to stop the ritual entirely, or just watch Vayne from afar, to make sure that she remained safe. Either way, Lumia only got as far as turning to head towards the door of the tavern before she froze, her eyes widening slightly. Danny. He was at the tavern too. That was... certainly an odd sight, considering how much the canine seemed to hate social interaction. With that in mind, it didn't take long for Mia to connect a few more dots. The other must've known about what Vayne was doing, or put things together in the same way she had. And as much as she hated to admit it, Danny cared for Vayne just as much as she did, if not even more, somehow. If he was able to remain within the tavern – albeit reluctantly – while Vayne went through the ritual? Well... then she could too, even if every instinct was shouting at her to run and make sure her niece was alright. So, with a heavy sigh, Lumia turned and headed towards the bar, figuring she could strike up a conversation with someone who wasn't focused on Vayne.

By the time the morning came, Lumia was the second one out of the tavern – after Danny, of course. She wasn't able to travel as fast as Danny with her shorter legs, and she didn't really make an effort to, at least for the moment. She had no doubt in her mind that Vayne would be proud of her accomplishment, and she didn't want to take away from that by looking too worried. After all, she did have faith in Vayne, and the abilities that she possessed. So, with a heavy sigh to calm herself, Mia followed slowly after Danny, paws sinking into the warm sand as she opened her muzzle. The fresh scent of Vayne filled her with relief and joy, relieved that the other had definitely returned from her journey. However, the smell that came along with it – that of blood – failed to put her at ease. In fact, the young Cipher found herself speeding up, her pace progressing into a light jog as she grew closer and closer to where Vayne was walking.

When she finally did reach where Danny and Vayne were standing, she was once again flooded with relief. She instantly spotted where the smell of blood had come from, and she wasn't happy with the injuries that decorated the other, but... they weren't life threatening. She hadn't come back crippled, or sobbing, or devastated in some other way. Perhaps that was a low standard, but Lumia knew that she had been picturing the worst within her own mind. With a shaky smile coming to her muzzle, Lu moved forward to touch her nose lightly to her niece's uninjured cheek. As she did so, he found herself muttering, "So you did it... I'm so proud of you, Vayne. But... I am annoyed you didn't tell me beforehand! You won't believe how worried I was!" Her tone was scolding but fond, and she still had a smile on her face as she pulled herself back. Nodding along with Danny's questions, she then followed up with her own, "I take it the hallucinations were pretty rough?" She didn't think someone would accidentally tear up their face while imagining their greatest desires before them. Of course, she had no idea of what had actually happened.

WATER POURING DOWN FROM THE CEILING

— Reggan