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November 13th, 42 BC
Shadow Empire Territory, The Great Willow
Night, A light Breeze

~~~~~~~~~

Nocturne exhaled and walked through Shadow Empire’s swampy forest. Aimlessly and everywhere. They had been following a particular scent, but honestly they weren’t expecting to find the target on the other end of it. It was old and cross crossed at weird paths. The swamp was always fun to navigate. Approaching a rim of willow trees, Nocturne ducked under and stopped dead in the tracks. Well, would you look at that. "Rafael…? What are you doing all the way out here?"

The much larger cat had their back turned to Nocturne, so it wasn’t surprising that their voice initiated a startled jump. The mixed cat whipped his head around, "I- you-" a stammer tugged from his mouth before he managed to gather his wits. "Where did you come from?"

The next sentence would do Asrai proud. With a dry and sardonic flurry to their tone, Nocturne responded. "I’ve been told I must possess magic. Perhaps it’s true." Though the snow leopard was also quick to give a deep exhale and also provide a real explanation for their appearance, "I hadn’t see you in camp all day. Empiremates tend to become worried when they notice a cat disappearing for hours on end." The gladiator’s eyes drifted the clearing, eyeing the trinket filled branches, and casting their gaze to what could’ve been the once frequently downtrodden trails. But for now, the pathways seemed oddly unused. It bothered them that they hadn’t realized their were set upon a trail.

"Though I am surprised I actually managed to find you." They finally, mused, speaking their thoughts from earlier.

"I…" Nocturne’s eyes fell back to Rafael’s robust form as he moved his head against the trunk of the willow. "I find this place relaxing, at least usually, but eh-" The silver gladiator’s words died half way into the explanation. Then, a question was proposed. Something that managed to take the snow leopard off guard. "You don't know the history of the great willow do you?"

Their relationship was a rather complicated one. So Nocturne found it odd that Rafael was starting a dialogue with them of all things. "Not really." Nocturne moved to take a seat next to Rafael, but was careful to keep a wide berth between the two of them. "Most don’t bother to tell me about the old legends of Shadow." The prophet allowed a bemused eye roll, "I’m surprised I was even able to discover the identity of my god…" There was another pause as they trailed off. Nocturne was aware that not all of shadow claimed to have the same beliefs as they did. Considering their own past with such differences, they had been trying to keep their mouth shut about it when cats seemed to grow sour about it. Nocturne hadn’t quite reached a understanding of Rafael’s thoughts on Devroop just yet. But perhaps for the sake of trying to be civil, they’d drift away from it. "I would… be delighted to hear the tale if you wouldn’t mind humoring me."

One large paw, a paw, Nocturne realized with a shiver, that if they were terrible foes, could snap their neck with one swipe, touched the tree trunk. A touch so gentle that it made Nocturne feel flushed at their own thoughts. "It's a memorial sight for all the warriors in the Great War. Or at least was, I mean it still is but it's more than that now. For everyone. all the trinkets old hanging from the branches used to belong to our fallen empire mates."

Nocturne found themself frowning and glanced up again. Looking at the trinkets they had taken note of earlier. "Is that the war that involved all the empires against the hunters?" There was a pause when the gladiator realized what this could allude to, they chewed lightly on their lip before allowing themself to speak. "Did you lose any cat important during it?"

Right on target. Rafael’s entire body seemed to stiffen up right then. "..Yes...To both."

Well time to push their luck they supposed. Nocturne shuffled their body before oh so carefully reaching out to touch his shoulder. "Do you… want to talk about it? I’m a good listener."

Rafael took a breath, one that matched the feeling of claws sinking into their flesh. "I was born into it, the war I mean, and uhm.." Mimicking Nocturne earlier, the larger cat began to message his lip with his fangs. "My dad went to fight but he-" the mixed hybrid’s paw rolled against the trunk, giving it a squeeze, "he didn’t make it."

"Born into the violence…" Nocturne mumbled under their breath. They could share that sentiment that’s for sure. Louder, they addressed their empiremate, "were you close with him? Your father?"

Finally the other cat turned to look them in the eye, "Of course! He was my father..." From his tone, Nocturne surmised he was shocked about such a question. It was understandable, really. "He was the best dad I could ever ask for..."

Nocturne smiled, but it didn’t reach their eyes. They didn’t even bother to make it appear real. There was really no point. The snow leopard moved their paw down to cradle Rafael’s much larger one. They saw the stare from the other cat. But it was the size difference that made Nocturne feel very much aware of their positions again. They fought off a sigh as they thought of their own twisted relationship with their parents. But they would try and focus on Rafael, he was the one who was hurting. "Losing a cat that you’re close to is never easy. I understand the sentiment to an extent. It’s hard to go through life without experiencing some sort of loss." Then the reason for this dialogue hit them hit them like a smack to the snout. So quickly they found themself voicing it. "Does the stir of past emotions have to do with Alchemy…?"

Rafael froze at the mention of his mate and snapped his paw out of their grip. "You-!" For a moment Nocturne thought Rafael was to strike them, but all at once the other cat seemed to calm. Another prickling breath before the glare transformed into a softer expression. The silver’s eyes trailed down. "You're...Perceptive Nocturne.."

Nocturne folded their paws back against their body and curled their tail around them. Now they were getting to the root of it. How quaint. "You learn to be what you are to survive. It’s not something I necessarily enjoy."

"Hm.." a hum in response. Not that Nocturne expected much.

Their eyes moved to the ground, watching as their toes rolled the dirt. After a moment, the snow leopard’s back flopped against the tree trunk, with a slow soft movement, they sink to the ground until their back became cradled by the dirt. All the while they felt Rafael’s eyes on them. They felt bad making Rafael relive that sort of emotion. Perhaps that’s why they said what they did next. "Would you like to hear me spin a yarn Rafael?"

"Huh? What’s that…?"

For some reason heading Rafael question the term made the snow leopard chuckle. They tilted their head back and watched the other cat’s form. "Tell a tale, speak of a legend, compose a visual with words. You know. A story. A story of loss from an old friend of mine." They glanced at their claws as if musing thought. "Speaking of loss makes it less painful, yes? I wish to make you feel better with distractions."

"Oh…" A light shift in shoulders, a shrug perhaps, "don't have anything else to do so..sure, why not." Nocturne’s breath hitched in their through as Rafael settled on their back next to them. Heat from his long fur made Nocturne’s own prick ever so slightly.

They pursed their mouth, the inside of it going dry. They had spun this tale partly to Sera, and Basrai had heard it all in chunks but… this would be the first time Nocturne allowed themself to talk about it in full. Perhaps some insight about their childhood would make Rafael feel more at ease around them. And perhaps if he wasn’t observant enough to catch it, the story would overall distract him anyways.

"Back when a cat by the name of Chiara was young, there weren’t many cats their own age." Using their former name felt odd and foreign on their tongue, but Nocturne didn’t feel comfortable talking from their own experience so this was the next best thing. "That was until another family came to live around the same area as her home. That family brought with them a daughter, older by some but not by much. While the adults talked and consulted each other, for there were many of them. The daughters spent their time doing their own thing." There was no point bringing up their parent’s religious opinions into this tale, so they decided to dissuade from it. Besides, talking about their god always made Nocturne feel uncomfortable.

"After time, they got older and they both started to develop their own opinions. Chiara’s friend had some thoughts that differed from the general accepted notions of the adults that Chiara found herself agreeing with a lot of them." Ah the start of Devroop, sweet memories of talking about a just god, or not even a god, just something that disagreed with all the bitterness of revenge and bloodshed. The horrors of the lion-moth god hadn’t set well with the young cats at all.

Nocturne’s tone started to take a sour note, but monotonous all the same. "However, when Chiara found herself voicing these opinions out loud herself. The adults were quick to try and find the outlier who shared those thoughts. Chiara’s friend was brought to the leader of their group. And as to serve as a warning to all…"

Nocturne drifted off, not to cause anxiety or nervousness, but because of what the next words brought flashing into their mind’s eye. Their voice cracked, but they pressed on. "Chiara’s friend met her end. The friend’s parents did nothing. The other adults did nothing. Chiara could do absolutely nothing." Nocturne’s paws tried to fold across each other, "that was the day Chiara told me, she learned how the world really worked. To survive, you must adapt and keep your thoughts and intentions unknown. I’ve come to take these words by heart."

Nocturne didn’t dare make eye contact with Rafael. They didn’t want to see what he thought about what this tale was. If he knew, it’d terrify them. If not, it’d all be for naught. Finally he spoke, "I...I see." There was a pause, "I'm sorry to hear...About Chiara's friend."

The snow leopard nodded somberly, keeping up the facade of this being another. "I will… let her know whenever I next see her. She’d appreciate the sentiment." They forced themself to look over at Rafael, slow and cautious, "did it… help anything…?"

The mixed hybrid tilted his head up, watching as the branches danced in the breeze fluttering through. "Yes..Thank you..Nocturne."

Nocturne, despite themself, managed a soft smile. Tilting their head up as well, they too observed the dance of the great willow tree. "Glad to be of service, Rafael."

Note: takes place before Blessing and Tisza’s captures.

Nocturne goes out to search for Rafael since it’s been a day since they last saw him. They weren’t really expecting to find him, but when they did the two of them have a talk. Coming upon awkward emotions. And Nocturne trying to convey something about their childhood so Rafael could perhaps start to feel at ease with them. But of course acting like that it wasn’t actually them in the story. Nocturne why. Just be honest with others. Please.

Saber was a gentleman and did the bulk of the collab since my computer decided it was going to be broken for a month. So I thaaaaaaaank yooooooooooou
Really I need to thank all you guys who agreed to continue to collab with me when my computer went wonk

Word Count: 1876

EP Tally:
+4 EP (detailed) +2 EP (Raf Inclusion) +10 EP (Activity Check) +5 EP? (Based on a Script RP) +3 EP (WC)
= +24 EP

Nocturne and Sketching (c) Breezy-likes-to-RP
Rafael and the rest of the collab junk (c) SwordFangs

Description

November 13th, 42 BC
Shadow Empire Territory, The Great Willow
Night, A light Breeze

~~~~~~~~~

Nocturne exhaled and walked through Shadow Empire’s swampy forest. Aimlessly and everywhere. They had been following a particular scent, but honestly they weren’t expecting to find the target on the other end of it. It was old and cross crossed at weird paths. The swamp was always fun to navigate. Approaching a rim of willow trees, Nocturne ducked under and stopped dead in the tracks. Well, would you look at that. "Rafael…? What are you doing all the way out here?"

The much larger cat had their back turned to Nocturne, so it wasn’t surprising that their voice initiated a startled jump. The mixed cat whipped his head around, "I- you-" a stammer tugged from his mouth before he managed to gather his wits. "Where did you come from?"

The next sentence would do Asrai proud. With a dry and sardonic flurry to their tone, Nocturne responded. "I’ve been told I must possess magic. Perhaps it’s true." Though the snow leopard was also quick to give a deep exhale and also provide a real explanation for their appearance, "I hadn’t see you in camp all day. Empiremates tend to become worried when they notice a cat disappearing for hours on end." The gladiator’s eyes drifted the clearing, eyeing the trinket filled branches, and casting their gaze to what could’ve been the once frequently downtrodden trails. But for now, the pathways seemed oddly unused. It bothered them that they hadn’t realized their were set upon a trail.

"Though I am surprised I actually managed to find you." They finally, mused, speaking their thoughts from earlier.

"I…" Nocturne’s eyes fell back to Rafael’s robust form as he moved his head against the trunk of the willow. "I find this place relaxing, at least usually, but eh-" The silver gladiator’s words died half way into the explanation. Then, a question was proposed. Something that managed to take the snow leopard off guard. "You don't know the history of the great willow do you?"

Their relationship was a rather complicated one. So Nocturne found it odd that Rafael was starting a dialogue with them of all things. "Not really." Nocturne moved to take a seat next to Rafael, but was careful to keep a wide berth between the two of them. "Most don’t bother to tell me about the old legends of Shadow." The prophet allowed a bemused eye roll, "I’m surprised I was even able to discover the identity of my god…" There was another pause as they trailed off. Nocturne was aware that not all of shadow claimed to have the same beliefs as they did. Considering their own past with such differences, they had been trying to keep their mouth shut about it when cats seemed to grow sour about it. Nocturne hadn’t quite reached a understanding of Rafael’s thoughts on Devroop just yet. But perhaps for the sake of trying to be civil, they’d drift away from it. "I would… be delighted to hear the tale if you wouldn’t mind humoring me."

One large paw, a paw, Nocturne realized with a shiver, that if they were terrible foes, could snap their neck with one swipe, touched the tree trunk. A touch so gentle that it made Nocturne feel flushed at their own thoughts. "It's a memorial sight for all the warriors in the Great War. Or at least was, I mean it still is but it's more than that now. For everyone. all the trinkets old hanging from the branches used to belong to our fallen empire mates."

Nocturne found themself frowning and glanced up again. Looking at the trinkets they had taken note of earlier. "Is that the war that involved all the empires against the hunters?" There was a pause when the gladiator realized what this could allude to, they chewed lightly on their lip before allowing themself to speak. "Did you lose any cat important during it?"

Right on target. Rafael’s entire body seemed to stiffen up right then. "..Yes...To both."

Well time to push their luck they supposed. Nocturne shuffled their body before oh so carefully reaching out to touch his shoulder. "Do you… want to talk about it? I’m a good listener."

Rafael took a breath, one that matched the feeling of claws sinking into their flesh. "I was born into it, the war I mean, and uhm.." Mimicking Nocturne earlier, the larger cat began to message his lip with his fangs. "My dad went to fight but he-" the mixed hybrid’s paw rolled against the trunk, giving it a squeeze, "he didn’t make it."

"Born into the violence…" Nocturne mumbled under their breath. They could share that sentiment that’s for sure. Louder, they addressed their empiremate, "were you close with him? Your father?"

Finally the other cat turned to look them in the eye, "Of course! He was my father..." From his tone, Nocturne surmised he was shocked about such a question. It was understandable, really. "He was the best dad I could ever ask for..."

Nocturne smiled, but it didn’t reach their eyes. They didn’t even bother to make it appear real. There was really no point. The snow leopard moved their paw down to cradle Rafael’s much larger one. They saw the stare from the other cat. But it was the size difference that made Nocturne feel very much aware of their positions again. They fought off a sigh as they thought of their own twisted relationship with their parents. But they would try and focus on Rafael, he was the one who was hurting. "Losing a cat that you’re close to is never easy. I understand the sentiment to an extent. It’s hard to go through life without experiencing some sort of loss." Then the reason for this dialogue hit them hit them like a smack to the snout. So quickly they found themself voicing it. "Does the stir of past emotions have to do with Alchemy…?"

Rafael froze at the mention of his mate and snapped his paw out of their grip. "You-!" For a moment Nocturne thought Rafael was to strike them, but all at once the other cat seemed to calm. Another prickling breath before the glare transformed into a softer expression. The silver’s eyes trailed down. "You're...Perceptive Nocturne.."

Nocturne folded their paws back against their body and curled their tail around them. Now they were getting to the root of it. How quaint. "You learn to be what you are to survive. It’s not something I necessarily enjoy."

"Hm.." a hum in response. Not that Nocturne expected much.

Their eyes moved to the ground, watching as their toes rolled the dirt. After a moment, the snow leopard’s back flopped against the tree trunk, with a slow soft movement, they sink to the ground until their back became cradled by the dirt. All the while they felt Rafael’s eyes on them. They felt bad making Rafael relive that sort of emotion. Perhaps that’s why they said what they did next. "Would you like to hear me spin a yarn Rafael?"

"Huh? What’s that…?"

For some reason heading Rafael question the term made the snow leopard chuckle. They tilted their head back and watched the other cat’s form. "Tell a tale, speak of a legend, compose a visual with words. You know. A story. A story of loss from an old friend of mine." They glanced at their claws as if musing thought. "Speaking of loss makes it less painful, yes? I wish to make you feel better with distractions."

"Oh…" A light shift in shoulders, a shrug perhaps, "don't have anything else to do so..sure, why not." Nocturne’s breath hitched in their through as Rafael settled on their back next to them. Heat from his long fur made Nocturne’s own prick ever so slightly.

They pursed their mouth, the inside of it going dry. They had spun this tale partly to Sera, and Basrai had heard it all in chunks but… this would be the first time Nocturne allowed themself to talk about it in full. Perhaps some insight about their childhood would make Rafael feel more at ease around them. And perhaps if he wasn’t observant enough to catch it, the story would overall distract him anyways.

"Back when a cat by the name of Chiara was young, there weren’t many cats their own age." Using their former name felt odd and foreign on their tongue, but Nocturne didn’t feel comfortable talking from their own experience so this was the next best thing. "That was until another family came to live around the same area as her home. That family brought with them a daughter, older by some but not by much. While the adults talked and consulted each other, for there were many of them. The daughters spent their time doing their own thing." There was no point bringing up their parent’s religious opinions into this tale, so they decided to dissuade from it. Besides, talking about their god always made Nocturne feel uncomfortable.

"After time, they got older and they both started to develop their own opinions. Chiara’s friend had some thoughts that differed from the general accepted notions of the adults that Chiara found herself agreeing with a lot of them." Ah the start of Devroop, sweet memories of talking about a just god, or not even a god, just something that disagreed with all the bitterness of revenge and bloodshed. The horrors of the lion-moth god hadn’t set well with the young cats at all.

Nocturne’s tone started to take a sour note, but monotonous all the same. "However, when Chiara found herself voicing these opinions out loud herself. The adults were quick to try and find the outlier who shared those thoughts. Chiara’s friend was brought to the leader of their group. And as to serve as a warning to all…"

Nocturne drifted off, not to cause anxiety or nervousness, but because of what the next words brought flashing into their mind’s eye. Their voice cracked, but they pressed on. "Chiara’s friend met her end. The friend’s parents did nothing. The other adults did nothing. Chiara could do absolutely nothing." Nocturne’s paws tried to fold across each other, "that was the day Chiara told me, she learned how the world really worked. To survive, you must adapt and keep your thoughts and intentions unknown. I’ve come to take these words by heart."

Nocturne didn’t dare make eye contact with Rafael. They didn’t want to see what he thought about what this tale was. If he knew, it’d terrify them. If not, it’d all be for naught. Finally he spoke, "I...I see." There was a pause, "I'm sorry to hear...About Chiara's friend."

The snow leopard nodded somberly, keeping up the facade of this being another. "I will… let her know whenever I next see her. She’d appreciate the sentiment." They forced themself to look over at Rafael, slow and cautious, "did it… help anything…?"

The mixed hybrid tilted his head up, watching as the branches danced in the breeze fluttering through. "Yes..Thank you..Nocturne."

Nocturne, despite themself, managed a soft smile. Tilting their head up as well, they too observed the dance of the great willow tree. "Glad to be of service, Rafael."

Note: takes place before Blessing and Tisza’s captures.

Nocturne goes out to search for Rafael since it’s been a day since they last saw him. They weren’t really expecting to find him, but when they did the two of them have a talk. Coming upon awkward emotions. And Nocturne trying to convey something about their childhood so Rafael could perhaps start to feel at ease with them. But of course acting like that it wasn’t actually them in the story. Nocturne why. Just be honest with others. Please.

Saber was a gentleman and did the bulk of the collab since my computer decided it was going to be broken for a month. So I thaaaaaaaank yooooooooooou
Really I need to thank all you guys who agreed to continue to collab with me when my computer went wonk

Word Count: 1876

EP Tally:
+4 EP (detailed) +2 EP (Raf Inclusion) +10 EP (Activity Check) +5 EP? (Based on a Script RP) +3 EP (WC)
= +24 EP

Nocturne and Sketching (c) Breezy-likes-to-RP
Rafael and the rest of the collab junk (c) SwordFangs