come the beginning >> o, AE visitors

[RHINESTONE.]

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

There was a heavy weight upon Rhinestone's shoulders, as of late. He tried not to focus too much on it, but it was difficult as the days kept passing by. He was stressed out, and he couldn't help that this was the truth. He knew that the weather was beginning to change, and that prey would no doubt get far more scarce as the air grew more bitterly cold – it was already beginning to, after all. In addition to this, he still worried frequently about Medusa, and how she was doing in the wake of almost drowning. That wasn't even mentioning all the new joiners, and the fact that Starclan still hadn't said so much as boo to him since he had become leader. Of course, not all of this was bad. The joiners were certainly good, and Palmclan's activity was continuing to thrive and evolve. Still, he couldn't help the way that there seemed to be a certain heaviness to his every step. Perhaps he would need to ask Vaas for some more medicine soon, to see if he could get some more thorough sleep. Thankfully, it didn't seem as though he was the only leader that had been experiencing stress as of late, if Bai Shi's expression was anything to go by.

The tom came slinking up beside Number Nine, looking over the group that had already gathered there. Tsekani was one of the newer members, along with Nine, Foamkit, and Hurricane. He was glad that their visitors hadn't just been left to their own devices in his absence, certainly not wanting to come off as rude to one of their allies. Rhinestone only managed to catch a little bit of what Bai said that they were here for, but it was enough. The bonfire sounded fun, and he was hardly about to refuse food and drink, nor gifts. Although he would have to make sure that he brought something of his own, not wanting to just come and take without anything in return. He voiced this after a moment, smiling at Bai Shi as he spoke, "A bonfire, huh? That certainly sounds as though it would be very fun, at least to me. I'll be happy to attend, as well as let anyone within Palmclan know that they're allowed to as well, if they'd like to." He doubted that many would refuse, unless they were very adverse to the concept of being around a large group of others, allies or not. There was always a chance that Vaas wouldn't be a fan, considering how he had reacted to Palmclan's own bonfire.

The next part – the one about a request – certainly intrigued Rhinestonestar as well. He had told Bai in the past that if they had anything they needed to ask of Palmclan, then to just do so, but he wondered what it could be. Had the time finally come for the other group to face off against the bandits that had been plaguing them? Tilting his head to one side, the rust red feline questioned, curiosity in his tone, "And what is it that you've come here to ask about? You know that Palmclan will be happy to help out, if you need us to. And if it's something that we can actually assist with, obviously." There were certain things that Rhinestone knew that their large clan wouldn't be able to do, although those things were growing more few and far between as of late. However, Rhine was also fairly confident that Bai Shi knew of both groups' limits, and probably wouldn't ask something of them that was simply impossible. The other had always seemed more reasonable than that, and Rhinestonestar hoped that Bai saw him as similarly reasonable, as well.

Realizing that he had been a bit rude in just trotting up and launching immediately into group matters, Rhine briefly felt his ears flick back in embarrassment, an awkward chuckle leaving him. He then focused on Wuyi, greeting xyr casually, "Ah – I apologize for not introducing myself right away. I'm Rhinestonestar, and it's a pleasure to meet you, little one. Especially with you coming along to assist Bai Shi." Rhine probably would've been too nervous to take any of the children of the clan along with him on a diplomatic mission, but that didn't mean it wouldn't happen. After all, Foam had a habit of tagging along places, even when he wasn't really supposed to be doing so. Looking back towards Bai Shi, Rhine then spoke to them, chuckling this time with kindness, rather than embarrassment, "And obviously it's good to see you as well, Bai Shi. I hope that you've been doing well, back at home." It was a good idea to show interest in their lives and wellbeing, considering their two groups were supposed to be allies. That extended to more than just their events and exchanging of goods – at least in Rhine's opinion.

NEVER OPENED MYSELF THIS WAY
LIFE IS OURS, WE LIVE IT OUR WAY

— Reggan

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THE KINGPIN

golden lung dragon & black jaguar w/ vitiligo & platinum silver fox. unknown age - ancient. bai shi lynn lingré. proper chinese name is lin bai. prefers lynn if close. they/them. blind. wind element & electric element. firstborn son of jerisidie lingré & current head of family/general. courting delilah evergarden & halo mercer. kingpin of alithís evgenis. demiromantic gray-asexual. parent of veris, arvin, leoku, erian, flos, kekhai, evarhi, and laeglin. elder brother of ramona and hope, uncle of quennel and cosette.

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wuyi's presence took their attention again, a tender smile on the jaguars face as they watched the cub fondly, protectively. he was not their own, but they would protect wuyi with their own life. the attention span of a youthful child had always been amusing to them, their eyes sparkling in good humor as the child bombarded number nine with multiple questions. chuckling softly, they chided tenderly, "let him speak, munchkin. too many questions give you fuddled answers", they smiled, no heat in their words, amusement present in their tone. the truth behind their sickness was not one they were willing to weigh the shoulders of others with. truth was, they had been sick months before and had nearly succumbed to it before their body recovered, and they were struck by another illness. how strange their body was reacting to its surroundings, though their own self care was lacking after a severe nose dive and spiral. shaking their head to chase away the thoughts, they returned their gaze to nine, curious of his unique pelt.

brutal the winter to come, the storms lashing their coasts proof enough of such a bitter fact, the forest keeping the worst of the winds from howling through. rumbling softly, the kingpin looked out to the sea, watching the whitecaps, "even leaders have need of times of rest. i am certainly not the only one to dread this coming winter, he has enough on his paws to worry about.", they chuckled warmly. if they were feeling the stress of their position, they feared much the same for the rust tom that lead this group in their allegiance. licking their lips to wet them, they smiled at the sight of nine covering tsekani with his wing the slightest bit, noting the parental air of concern there, much the same with the children they cared for and looked after. "wings are a great investment in times such as these", they chuckled, reminded of wuyi's carrying mother and how she refused to use her wings at any point in time to her own benefit. what a stubborn woman she had been, and even more stubborn her fiance, the two hard headed women they had no wish to tangle with. sad, though, that the smilodon had gone mad, a fact that they would leave to wuyi's other mother to tell her children of.

greeting rhinestonestar as he appeared with a deep seated purr, the kingpin gave him a smile, "the wider the hearth, the fuller the bellies and content the minds, rhine. good met, things progress as well as they can. more mouths, more stories, and more happiness.", they chuckled, happy to see him and share wind of their own affairs. adjusting their paws before their body, hunched below the shoulder of the boulder they took shelter against. "gods know we have enough hearths to share, and more than enough food. we would love to welcome any that come, bitter the trip may be.", they spoke softly, reminded of the empty rooms and halls of the inn. should they come to the inn, they must repair the cracks in the windows. gummy saps should do to fix such trivial matters, stuffing of fur and hide to lay against door jams to warm a cold room. blinking, they focused back in on the conversation, their face growing grim.

"the time of war closes in over our heads.", they began roughly, "winter comes, and with it many changes. we will take the fight to the bandits. they've taken too much from us this time, rhine. they've taken my daughter and nearly one of my sons. i cannot sit idly by as my family and friends fall under their teeth and claws. i ask your aid to join us, and as discussed in passing, we will offer what we can to you. kin of kin, blood or not, we come when you need us. i will lead the charge within the next month, when we raid the bandits for all that they have. i have let it carry on too far, worrying too much. on top of the request for your warriors to aid us, i ask that you take our children and shelter them until we have won ... or fallen. we will guard the border until our final breath. the children are our lifelines ... i cannot let any more of them be sacrificed to this bloody war between the bandits and us.", they spoke with the air of seriousness in their gaze, ears perked, eyes holding his own. "i will send for you when the time comes, and i wish to bring the young ones with. we have a wide enough land to battle as we must, to chase them out once and for all. this is all or nothing.", they murmured, "and gods know we have all lost enough to last us to eternity."

[axiom]

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Wuyi blinked, staring up at Number Nine for a long moment. The child had no idea how to respond to something as heavy as that—the idea of not having xyr momma never crossed the child’s mind. He always assumed Playerone would be there for xem and his brother. And Bai Shi, too, as the dragon had become a sort of grandparental figure to the young cub. Xyr brow furrowed, and xe glanced to Bai Shi as the dragon talked with PalmClan’s leader; hxee hated how they talked about defending the border to their last.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bring it up,” Wuyi said. Xe dipped xyr head in an apology, xyr long tail coiling around xyr legs.

However, xe brightened up when Number Nine did, and his grey eyes lit up when he saw the jaguar’s fully extended wings. “Wow! I hope mine look like that when I’m older!” Xe puffed up xyr chest and unfurled the wings. Xe hadn’t grown in all xyr flight feathers yet, and they were still fuzzy, but xe liked to imagine xe had Number Nine’s. “I hope so! I can flutter a little! But not that well!”

Wuyi grinned and fluttered xyr wings, grey eyes narrowed against the dirt his wings kicked up into xyr eyes. Xyr paws rose off the ground by a few inches, but he fell back to the ground after a moment. Even so, the child beamed up at Number Nine. “Did you see that?! Sometimes I can go all the way up to Bai Shi’s shoulders! But I guess I’m tired… lots of traveling today!”

Then, Wuyi frowned at Bai Shi and Rhinestonestar, his wings folding into place on xyr back. “I’d like to see you guys at the bonfire! And my apple bobbing thingy with the chocolate and the apples and the sna—the water troughs!” Oops, the kid almost spilled xyr own secret. But xe saved xemself just in time.

[Grimm]

Forgein the word that bypassed lips adorned in gentle warmth, simmering beneath risen skin replica arising in widened mirror, aching the mouth that stretched back along small peaks. Barrier of language a factor child had grown accustomed to, traversed until in stride may such occurrence be taken and he bore no worry place of malice was drawn such quiet uttering. Away fell his tentative grin, however, realisation slow arising within sluggish thoughts, shifting cranium until pronounced angle he addressed other at.

"Look different." Spoken to Bai Shi, though addressal informal and seemed more based on stating mere fact over direct informance of the identity the shapeshifter held. The signs were there, present in voice a hushed rumble imbued with something, a presence heavy and yet pleasant, comfort as much as home had become, scent alike unchanged and different from the child beside. Again arising his joy in unabashed grin, into a squeak voice devolving as it had not for some time. "Bai!"

Interrupted any further remarks he may have made as once more cub spoke, insistent on throwing out various queries. Innocent each, a simple proclivity most children are prone to, reaction rather unnecessary. Further raised his fur until he seemed incapable of being called a kitten, more a ball of fluff with an angry expression, prior joy replaced with rather childish annoyance. "Not small. You too big."

Never overly far, brief lull filled by requested, beckons supposedly enough to call him forth. Dark grew eyes of sea foam as upon Rhine did he focus, weary beneath it all, tragedy after tragedy piling up with cruel demands, from him carved a little more. Forgone any worry of punishment at his presence and towards the feline did Foam tread, between his legs threading with a broken purr resonating in his throat, finally stopping with cheek pressed to Rhine's leg. Too large and imposing the words Bai Shi spoke, understanding undermined by what little experience he had garnered from his time present on the shore, enough caught once more ignited his worry. At the least held was his tongue on the matter, of what use the few words he may string together that could not properly announce his thoughts towards the matter as a whole, claws scraping against rotten wood all that made apparent his feelings.

Again distracted, the opening of wings adorned in clinging down, new quills but beginning to emerge among the fuzz. At war the wonder and terror that filled his chest, strained the sound that slipped past unknowingly open lips. "Wow." He knew of such appendages, different each from the more developed Nine bore to the feathered lining on her arms that allowed Drift to perform such action, even the triple tail Quasar boasted. Yet it was the admittance acquiring his own had no occurred from the beginning that left Foam opening gaping at Nine, heavy head now alive with new thoughts, wishes that may not be fulfilled but he would play with all the same.

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I think I’m not quite ready to let you circle the drain. all the things we’ve broken can be puzzled together again, all your sums and your pieces are enough to clean up all the messes you’ve made

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code by Wisker

[SirDio]

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Hurricane —  MALE — FELINE — STRONG — HETERO — 3 YEARS

[div style="width: 51%; text-align: justify; font-size: 10pt; letter-spacing: 0px; font-family: georgia; color: #223341;"] Gentle eyes watched the group as they talked, Hurricane's fur buffeting with the coming winds. Usually, he would have bumbled in with his own words, but he felt a bit more quiet now. "A bonfire sounds quite fun." He said softly to himself - he'll have to get Medusa's attention and tell her about it. She was becoming a sister-figure for him, and he was worried.

War, on the other hand, was just the littlest bit foreign to the tom. Yes, there were scuffles at his family's small borders, but never a full battle. He had nothing to say, so he flicked his ears. Instead, he brought to attention Wuyi's earlier question. "Bit off-topic, but Sailors were seafaring beings. They traveled the ocean in ships and boats, catching fish and treasure for their families. They sang shanties to keep everyone happy for the most part. My dad taught me some shanties." He chuckled, seeing Wuyi fly to their best abilities, and Foam's reaction to it. With Nine and Drift within the group - clan, feathers and feathered creatures weren't too uncommon. He sat down, giving his paw a gentle lick.

[RHINESTONE.]

LEADER ❝ RHINE ❞ PALMCLAN

Rhinestone had known that, eventually, the time would come for Alithis Evgenis to take on their own demons. After all, when the two groups had originally met each other, it had been made crystal clear to both that there was a threat lingering over Bai Shi's head, as well as his entire group's heads. Of course, Rhinestonestar also had no issue with keeping his promise to help out in the future. After all, Palmclan was bigger and grander than it had ever been in the past, and they had plenty of warriors who could help in the fight, and queens to watch over the children that Bai Shi potentially brought over. With this in mind, the tom dipped his head to Bai, reassuring them calmly and warmly, "Don't worry, Bai Shi. We will be more than happy to help in your time of need. Palmclan is not the type of group to just turn our backs on a loyal ally such as yourself and your group. Your children are more than welcome to be harbored within our group while the fighting is going on, and I offer myself as well as all of my warriors to help with the fighting. I am... I'm very sorry to hear about your losses. I can't imagine the pain that you must be going through..." His speech lost the professional edge he had been putting on as he came to the end of it, his pale gaze darkening with grief and more unsaid apologies. He had lost members of his family before, but it was never to an enemy. Never to a threat as cruel as the bandits seemed to be when dealing with Alithis. Parents lost to natural causes, and a sister lost to a hurricane wasn't quite on the same level, at least in his eyes.

He swallowed back the bile that had risen in his throat at the thought of such an enemy coming for Palmclan, and could only silently hope that they would never have to deal with such a threat. Hopefully, Alithis Evgenis would be able to wipe the bandits out with their help, thus ensuring that they would never seek to come after either group again. With his fur pricked in slight unpleasantness, Rhine continued on, his claws digging down into the sand beneath him, "I will be sure to announce at the next meeting for everyone to be prepared to form a battle party, and I will ask who is willing to stay with the children, and who is willing to go. We will be ready for when you choose to call upon us, and I can promise you that." There was a new sort of fire in Rhinestone's eyes, brought on by determination and grim resolve. There was no way that the fight against the bandits would be considered easy, but that was fine. Palmclan had never been known for taking the easy route - not ever since they had rebuilt themselves from the ground up, after fighting against a storm that had nearly wiped them out. He knew that the hurricane and the bandits weren't the same thing, but when he looked at Bai Shi... he saw himself. Trying to lead a group against all odds, even when it seemed as though all had already been lost. Family had been lost by the both of them, and Rhine was going to let Bai Shi get the revenge that he had never been able to take himself.

Rhine was reminded of the presence of others by Wuyi speaking up, xyr voice snapping him from his thoughts and causing him to tense. He hadn't meant to get so dark, not in front of ones as young as Wuyi, Tsekani, and Foamkit. He hastily corrected himself, shaking out his fur before he spoke to Wuyi, chuckling, "However... there will be time for talks of battle later. For now, we will just try and enjoy ourselves at your bonfire. It sounds as though it will be a great event, especially if this little one is involved in the event planning." He flashed a small smile at Wuyi, hoping that xe wouldn't be able to detect the tiredness in his eyes. Even with the help of Vaas's medicines and the support system around him, it was undeniable that sleep still didn't come easy. The chill on the air was a contributor, but stress was one as well. Rhine couldn't begin to imagine the storms that would come in soon, if the air was already chilled when it wasn't even November yet. Either way, he knew that he could handle it. He had spent many nights without sleep before, and he could do it again, even if he wasn't particularly enthused by the thought. He was sure that Vaas and his children wouldn't be as well, considering the occasional worried looks that he caught them throwing in his direction - not that Vaas would've wanted him to notice those, he was sure.

NEVER OPENED MYSELF THIS WAY
LIFE IS OURS, WE LIVE IT OUR WAY

— Reggan

[number nine.]

Seeing the brief flash of guilt across Wuyi's face caused Number Nine to flinch, the jaguar having not thought about how xe would take his words. There had been a time where Nine had mourned the fact that he had never gotten to spend more time with his parents, but that time was long in the past. Now he had a clan surrounding him that he loved, not ro mention a husband that he was devoted to. He still would've enjoyed knowing his parents, but it certainly wasn't as much of a necessity as he had once believed it to be. So, he quickly spoke, shaking his head from side to side as he reassured Wuyi, "Don't be sorry... even if they're not around, I'm glad that my parents brought me into this world. And I'm sure that they'd be proud of who I've become. Just as I'm sure that your parents are proud of who you are, and who you'll become im the future." Maybe he was laying it on a bit thick, but he couldn't help it. Wuyi was so wide eyed and innocent... xe didn't deserve to know just how cruel the world could be. Not yet.

The warrior then watched as Wuyi's eyes lit up, laughing at xyr obvious excitement at seeing his wings. He nodded as he heard the child, rumbling fondly, "Your wings will grow to be really impressive, m'sure. You seem like a determined kid, so they'll be nice and strong too, like mine." He shifted his wings just a bit once again, before allowing them to settle. He watched with interest as Wuyi tried to show off, smiling toothily at xyr efforts to take off into the air. Letting out a soft hum, Number Nine then spoke, "Traveling is pretty tiring... I don't doubt that you've gotten up pretty high before, though. Flying can be a rough thing to get a handle on, but once you do, it's incredibly fun. I'm sure that you'll get the hang of it soon enough, and your parents will just be trying to keep up with you." Such a thing was certainly true for Nine, even if it hadn't been his parents trying to keep up. It had mostly been Lewis, as well as some of his others old friends and groupmates.

HELLBENT ON MAKING YOU LOVE ME TOO

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“No, I’m pretty sure you’re the small one. Your teeths are too tiny!” Wuyi chirped at Foamkit. Xe had no idea kitties could even come in that size, like, how did the child not get eaten by a hawk? Or break his nose when xe tripped? Or not get stepped on by the normal sized felines in PalmClan? However, these thoughts left Wuyi’s head when Foamkit expressed awe at his wings. “Ah! Thank you, they’re not grown yet, but I’m gonna have wings as awesome as Number Nine! And as awesome as my Momma! Because she has really cool wings!”

Then xe blinked at Hurricane. The cub understood about zero of that. “So… shanties make people happy? I’m gonna sing some at my Momma then. She’s been really sad lately!” Wuyi turned to Bai Shi and added, “Do you know any shanties, Bai Shi? Do you think Momma would like them?”

As for Rhinestonestar’s political babble back to Bai Shi, the sabertooth cub blinked. What. Well. It sounded like Wuyi and the rest of the kids would have a sleepover in PalmClan while Bai Shi and the rest drove out those stinky bandits, which sounded fun! “Oh! Oh! When I sleepover, can I stay with Number Nine? I’m gonna practice flying all day, and I won’t cause trouble at all, I promise!” Okay, that promise was a fucking lie, but Wuyi genuinely didn’t mean to cause any trouble.

Xe turned to Number Nine, blinking owlishly up at the big jaguar. “Oh. Right. You have to ask adults themselves! Not the adult’s leaders or Momma! So, um, can you teach me more flying and stuff when I sleepover when the bandits are being crushed because they’re stupid and mean, because you’re really cool!” Wuyi grinned a toothy smile, and nodded. “Because you’re right! I’m determined!” Like how xe miraculously stole liqueur and candy from behind a locked cabinet, but nobody needed to know xe had intangibility just yet.

“And my Momma needs a break from chasing me around all day! So does Bai Shi! Last time I went wandering, I got candy from this really cool island people where they painted these huts really weird and there was someone with a flaming mane and another person that was like a snake and a cat fused together and all these cool things! Maybe some of those were costumes? But! Yeah, Bai Shi and Momma need a break from me!”

[Kydobi]

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HOW COULD YOU BE SO HEARTLESS -
♕tags-powers♕

[OOC: ]

Although it was what he was trying to avoid, a small part of him was satisfied to be singled out by the shapeshifter. They apologized for their lack of goodies and the culprit, a loud cub, would admit to such. Kydobi tried hard to not smile, seemed the two were always saddled with some child one way or another. His ears perked at the mention of a daughter not being here and it made the brute wonder... Of course, others would pull the Kingpin's attention away from Kydobi and while he was relieved, he was quite disappointed.

The jaguar made a mental note to attend that bondfire whether the others allowed him to or not. That is if he could physically muster it. Nine gave him a warning and while it was from a good place it pricked Kydobi's pelt. He could handle himself. Besides, he better get used to this cold feeling. He was a jaguar from the hot and humid jungle, there was no "thicker" pelt as far as he knew. He looked and dipped his head in acknowledgment.

So as he listened Bai would reveal a lot of information. Bandits had murdered their daughter? Was she his as well? Did it even matter? Kydobi knew the sorrows of losing a child, Piers had put a dull jagged blade through his heart before he proved to be cursed in the same manner as Ky. Whatever the others were speaking of held little to no meaning, Ky ignored them and solely focused on Rhine and Bai whenever their lips moved. They held the most vital pieces of information, mostly Bai. The others babbled about shanties, wings, and other insignificant things.

Despite his current mental state, all the children he had were made from love. They were born loved and would forever be loved by their father. No matter who they became or what they did, his love was forever unconditional. Even for the children he didn't sire, Ramona was proof enough. Should the wolfdog ever have decided to come to him for help or even someone to lean on he would've done his best to show up and show out for the young woman. But he had failed her too, in his attempt to do what was right for others.


This lifetime was different, he was going to exercise more selfishness. Being selfless only brought him death and despair. Worrying about others was far from beneficial.

One thing seemed to never change no matter where he went. War. It followed him like a shadow and creeped upon him in all he did. There was no escaping the violence.

"Bring the children here!", his voiced wavered at the high pitch squeak of a child, "I'll protect them, the youth should not be harmed." shut up! You are no longer a leader, you are the youth you fool. let the ones in charge do the talking. Plus it seemed that Rhinestone had already agreed to lending assistance. This would give him a chance to count his children and still in some weird twisted way, be involved in their lives.

"Bai shi, your daughter... what was her name?", the echo of his heartbeat seemed unbearable but he just had to know. There was this gut feeling that he could not ignore.

[sub][W]isker[/sub]

[number nine.]

In many ways, Wuyi sort of reminded Number Nine of himself when he was younger. So bold, and full of energy, and determined to become bigger and stronger. The jaguar could only hope that Wuyi's future would end up being like Nine's present. After all, he had achieved all of his childhood goals that he had worked so hard for, and perhaps he could help to make sure that Wuyi could accomplish xyr's goals as well. Even if he only had a small amount of time to impart any knowledge onto the cub, he could still at least try. It was because of this that the warrior found himself smiling, the corners of his muzzle twitching upwards as he chuckled, "Well... I'm fine with you staying with me during the 'sleepover.' I've got plenty of things that I could teach you, like fighting styles, and how to use your wings during a fight. After all, there's more to having wings than just using them for flying. If you're fighting someone and you smack them in the face with one of your wings, they're certainly gonna be caught pretty off guard." As if to demonstrate, he lifted up one of his large feathered wings, letting it fly through the air quickly as if he was smacking something. He then let it settle back down against his back, chuckling.

Number Nine's grin then became toothy, clearly pleased with the thought of the bandits getting crushed. He nodded, rumbling, "I'm not sure how much time I'll really have to teach you, though. Since I'm sure that Alithís and Palmclan will crush those bandits easily. They must be cowards, if they haven't been brave enough to fight face to face until now." From what he had heard, the bandits definitely seemed to just be conniving bastards – cowards who wanted to cause suffering, but not suffer any repercussions. Those were Number Nine's most hated enemies, and it definitely made the jaguar wish that he had a bounty to collect for their heads. However, Nine shook off those thoughts once Wuyi continued, causing him to pause. He tilted his head to one side before he said, intrigued, "A snake and a cat fused together...? Did they happen to be from the Coalition? We actually had some visitors from there recently... they're allies with us, too. Although I suppose you're not too interested in that... I'll be happy to give your mama a break. Although I don't think any mama truly wants a break from their little ones." Number Nine didn't have any kids, and he wasn't sure he ever would – he and Lewis hadn't really discussed it yet – but if he did, he knew he would always want to be around them. He had to imagine that Wuyi's mother probably felt the same way.

HELLBENT ON MAKING YOU LOVE ME TOO