Nymph

As she moved into the main temple, Nymph looked about for Quilikahm, not immediately spying her. Ynear had a cold, and a severe headache, so Nymph had come to fetch Quil to see if she might be able to help.

Still not seeing her, Nymph raised her voice. Quilikahm? Quilikahm?

Hostage

He moved towards his 'mother' the adolescent dark and calm. He had turned into.... Something darker then dark. But it was quiet. A darkness so quiet, one would almost pass him by. Until they looked into his eyes and saw the same hatred there that lived in him. The hatred he kept hidden. Hey. He said softly.

Nymph

She was very surprised to see little Hostage here... well... not little anymore. But she was gratified to see him doing well. She had promised his parents that she would look after he and his sister, and was glad to have kept the promise. A smile spread across her ebony face as she gave him a soft nuzzle and a purr in welcome. Hello, my warrior son. I hear many good things about you, and am glad to see you doing so well.

Hostage

His eyes went a touch warmer as his 'mother' nuzzled him. In his lifetime, she was all he could remember, and she had never once given up on him. It is always a pleasure to see you, mama. He said as he lay down next to her. He gave a smile, and it was as warm as the mostly black male could give. Have you seen my sister by chance? She seems to have... Disappeared. He had taken a vow to protect her. Some protection he was.

Nymph

What an odd pair they were... wolf and cougar, and yet he called her Mama. Such was the wonderment of being raised Haunter. She also lay down, remembering wistfully the days when he would have feet easily inside her embrace, something that he was much too big for now.

Hostage's question, however, put worry into her silver eyes. I haven't 'seen' your sister, persay, since both of you left the nursery, my heart. A new mother arrived recently, and I asked her for news of you, and she seemed to believe that both of you were doing well... She faded, a mother's worry now showing, completely forgetting that Ynear had sent her to find Quilikahm. Being a Mother, and not just a mother, she was not supposed to have favorites, but these two little pups had always been special to her. Kind of in the way that Anathema was special to her now. Nymph tended to seek out and become fond of those who needed a little extra help. I must find her...

Hostage

He gave his 'mother' a faint smile. Its alright. I'm sure shes ok, with another of the.... With someone else of the pack. He couldn't say Haunter. He loved being what he was, a killer, born into a world of darkness, but for some reason, this didn't feel right. He felt as if a chunk of him were missing, and he sighed softly and looked away from Nymph. Softly, so that her ears only could hear, he whispered Mama.... Where did I come from? He wasn't her child, this he knew, but he had to have come from somewhere. Somewhere.... Else.

Nymph

On days of gray
When doubt clouds my view
Its so hard to see past my fears
Hope seems to fade
And it's all I can do
To hold on 'til the light reappears...

Ah... now there was a question she'd been waiting for him or Snowfall to ask for some time, wondering how she would answer it when the time finally came. If only she'd had more time, she might have been better prepared to make the moral decision placed before her. To tell Hostage... that his parents sacrificed he and his sister for the safety of their pack... or... not.

She reached over and applied her tongue to his fur, purring at the back of her throat as she slicked down a stray patch of fur, buying time. Finally, she decided there was only one thing to do: tell the truth. She inhaled long and slow, and then spoke it on a breath. You are the son, and Snowfall the daughter, of Camarin and Moonpaw, members of the Aspen Grove pack.