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Description

6 (art) + 5 (RP) = 11 EP to Andro

colorslive.com/details/2364320

This RP ended a while ago, but it was never actually uploaded. A RP between Andromeda (OneLifeRemaining ) and Soren (Rininiri ).

Summary:
Soren and Andromeda are on a two-cat patrol to the Emerald Clearing, where Soren tells Andromeda his secret: that he is expecting cubs with Ice Empire's leader, Nedria. In a way, Andromeda was the deciding factor on Soren remaining in Fire Empire, or leaving to be with Nedria...

Time: January 49 BC (about two years ago, EBC time)(just ignore that this RP actually takes place in late summer. The official time line hadn't been figured out yet.)

Bright, glimmering sun rays arced down through the trees, leaving dappled sunspots all along the foliage covered floor. The air was sweet with the scent of wild, growing things. The scent of life and the ever changing wind. The breeze brushed the leaves gently, a few of the dead wisps floating to the ground to become food for the soil and grass. The air was silent, save for the twittering of birdsong and the ever so subtle rustlings of small prey animals skittering about just out of sight.

It was a beautiful summer evening, it was hot in the sunlight, but in the cool shadows of the towering forest guardians, it was as pleasant as could be imagined.

Soft padding entered the small sounds that came from the undergrowth, barely noticeable, and only a true hunter could hear it's progress. A tan tipped muzzle pushed through the bushes, followed by an auburn, scar riddled face, long, tufted ears, and the impressive, muted gleam of armor.

Pinpoint blue eyes glanced from root to branch, every stone and bramble being taken in and contemplated, looking for signs of trouble or intrusion. The ears flicked upwards at the loud rustle of a bird flashing by, hopping away through the leaves. 'No danger there.' The feline thought to himself, flaring his whiskers as he continued on.

Earlier in the day, he had called for patrols, his Empire needing to do their daily chores. But the red-brown lynx had been rather distant, giving his orders with barely any emotion, earning him a few odd looks and whispers, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Something had been on his mind lately- a lot longer than that actually.

It had driven itself into his skull like an iron spike, making him think of little else but the throbbing it caused in his mind. It had been eating away at him for so long, and today was one of those days that made him wish he could enjoy it with the one who caused this endless echo of longing in his mind.

A brief sigh escaped his muzzle, the Fire Empire leader turning to look over his shoulder. He was constantly questioning him on this decision that was in his mind. Should he tell her? Or would he hide it, and let it continue to eat at him until he finally let it burst out at all the wrong times and places?

Soren took a breath, holding it for a moment. She was his most trusted Gladiator, the only one rivaling that trust and respect, and even that friendship, being the white lion who was at camp. He had no reason not to tell her; she deserved to know why her leader was acting like a forlorn apprentice without a mentor. His whole reasoning for this small, two cat patrol, had been for this purpose. No doubt she wondered why he had insisted on it. Soren shook his head lightly, as if that would disburse his doubts and worries. He valued her loyalty and respect. She deserved to know, even if it meant putting those things at risk.

"This way Andromeda, we can rest in the clearing ahead." He called before turning back to the unbeaten path along the forest floor. 'True courage is being able to face those you care for.' he thought as he headed forward.

Following not far behind the fiery lnyx, a large snow leopard padded, her paw pads silently lifting and falling from the cool forest floor. Sun dappled her smooth pelt, and she was thankful that her summer coat had finally given her some relief from the heat. Still, her armor was left at home, safely tucked away in the armory; it was too soon in the summer months to be wearing it on a regular basis.

She breathed in the calming scents of the quiet forest, neon eyes glancing around for anything out of place. Her gaze finally settled on her close friend and respected leader, padding along in front of her. They'd been friends since the time they met, and had turned a once weak clan into a thriving empire.

But he'd seemed...detached the last couple days, as if something was bothering him. And although she wondered what it could be, Andromeda hadn't questioned it; after all, there had been a lot of changes happening around camp, and the snow leopard had been preoccupied with her own thoughts. She was concerned about him, but figured he would tell her when he was ready...If there was anything to tell.

Would he tell her today? She'd guessed that by the silence that had ensued since they'd left camp, he was in deep thought- deeper than usual, that is. Plus the fact that he had sent no other patrols in this direction for the time being...

"...we can rest in the clearing ahead."

Rest? Andromeda flicked her ears. She wasn't even tired yet. Yup, something was definitely coming. She didn't know what on earth it was though, that would cause him to be so...secretive. Andromeda didn't reply, but drew in a breath, and pushed on to follow him. Every step closer to the clearing she was mentally bracing herself for whatever he might tell her.

No matter what, he's my leader. I'd follow him to the ends of the earth if he asked me to...Surely nothing he can say now would change that? But the deep mystery of what he might say placed a little doubt in her mind...she forced it away and entered the clearing.

Soren blinked when he entered the emerald green clearing. It was one of his favorite spots, and he doubted many others knew of it's location, much less cared. The trees here were vibrant and tall, their canopy of leaves creating a muted screen of color over the moss covered ground. It was peaceful here; there weren't many bushes and brambles here. It was clear and clean, a place of solitude.

The fiery lynx padded forward a few paces before stopping, looking down at the shallow rolls in the ground, forming perfect little dips in the ground to lay or sit in. He still debated with himself, arguing the pros and cons of telling Andromeda this.

But as he looked back around the clearing, his mind wandering to the memories connected to this place, he couldn't help but give another, deep sigh. It was filled with a loneliness that had settled into his heart since the first time he had set paw in this clearing accompanied by another. His exhaled breath was more expressive than any words he could have said, giving off his discontent and for the first time, his lack of desire to fight- not physically, but a mental and emotional fight of the lost lover, the battle to recapture something of the soul, something that was taken and now must be returned, no matter the cost.

He had heard Andromeda follow him into the beautiful emerald moss clearing, and he knew that he wouldn't be able to not tell her after this. She would be too suspicious and would lose trust in him if he had been so obvious in his secret at this point. And he didn't want to do that.

"Andromeda, come over here and choose a spot. There's... There's a few things I need to talk to you about." He said glancing his bright, vibrant blue eyes in her direction; eyes that looked more exhausted than those of a gladiator who had been on all night sentry. Physical exhaustion was not the only thing that could bring down the walls of a cat's world.

Andromeda followed her leader into the hidden glade, and looked around with new surprise. She'd been here few times before, but it was always on a hunting mission or something of the sort, and so never had she stopped long enough to admire its beauty. She did now though, perhaps only to stall any bad news Soren had to tell her. The trees, the scent of the grasses...it was a prime place for hunting, and even growing herbs. But the snow leopard had the feeling that Soren had known of this place for a while, by the way he went right to it. Had he wanted the clearing to be used for such hunting or herb-growing, he may have suggested it to the others at some point.

The sound of her name snapped her attention back to the situation at hand. They weren't here to look at the scenery. They were here for something more serious. The vibe coming off her leader was something like a building storm cloud, deciding whether or not to pour down rain.

Andromeda calmly took a place in the soft moss in front of him, settling into it comfortably. Looking at the other cat, his eyes were clear and bright, but overall, he looked tired. Fear and worry began to claw at Andromeda's belly, and her mind swirled with thoughts the longer her unspoken questions went unanswered. Was he feeling so old and worn already that he wanted to give up being a leader? Or was he relieving her from her rank? Surely the recent Bounty Hunter ambush had shown him she was still perfectly capable? But... She remembered. I still passed out. She silently cursed herself, that she might have been what was causing her leader's quiet internal conflict.

Mentally, she shook the thoughts away. That's ridiculous. She told herself. Just shut up and listen to what he has to say, damn it.

Andromeda realized she had been studying her paws absently. She lifted her gaze and met her leader's eyes, nothing but worry showing on her face. She pricked her ears attentively.

"I'm listening." She prompted quietly.
Crystal clear eyes watched without seeing as his trusted friend settled into a hollow just inside the clearing. His thoughts continued to race and doubt; convincing, then contradicting. His mind couldn’t rest, and it would never be calm again if he kept pushing himself away from the truth.

Andromeda’s lapse of attention went unnoticed by Soren, as his own was drawn away- farther than the trees, dusty forest floors, and emerald green grass. His mind’s eye was dawn father than home, and was taken to a place that felt just as warm as his den. A place of comfort, but muffled concern and doubt. It was almost painful to think about it, that place that was so inviting, yet so forbidden.

A few browning leaves fluttered down from the forests ceiling, landing noiselessly beside his battered paws, and lay still on the mossy ground below. The simple movement jarred the distant leader from his thoughts, his eyes clearing of his mental fog just as Andromeda looked up at him, her own blue eyes expectant and soft. He saw many things there, and he remembered her bravery and outstanding courage in the recent battle with the Bounty Hunters, and he knew at that moment that he couldn’t wish for a better, or more capable gladiator to have as his Silver.

And... Just for a moment, Soren let himself wonder what would have happened, if things had been different. If she was the one who consumed his thoughts, rather than her… If Andromeda, or Granite as he first knew her, was the one who had captured his heart first, and would be the mother of his cubs. Just for a moment, he wondered what it would be like, to love without fear of discovery; and what it would be like, if he had told her of his first fluttering feelings the first months he had known her. And for a moment- it was blissfully sweet, before turning into the bitter taste of what he knew now. Love is cruel, and he wouldn’t have that chance ever again. Because Love was also beautiful, and couldn’t be broken without hardship.

Softly, the auburn lynx padded forward, pausing for just a moment before he let himself become comfortable in a mossy dip in the ground. He stayed straight and sitting, unwilling to lie down as he confessed his secret. This was something he had to face without fear or doubts. Andromeda was his closest friend inside the Empires, possibly even more so than Brutus. Soren could trust her, without a shadow of a doubt. And even if she were to tell the rest of the Gladiators they protected and guided together… Well, he wouldn’t blame her. It was her duty to maintain the loyalties within the Empire.

The pain of this situation was great for the veteran leader, though. And he hoped beyond hope that the proud Snow Leopard would understand his reasons behind concealing it, and not ending it. He above anyone else, knew the consequences, the risks, and the hardship, that his decision would cause. Him, the leader and icon of Fire Empire in these tough times, was committing the greatest crime to his Empire’s Loyalty, and it pained him more than a knife to the heart ever could.

Taking a deep breath, and letting it out in a long sigh, Soren looked at his Silver Gladiator, and all his doubts and fears lashed at him within a single second before dispersing, not once leaving a mark on his expression or eyes as he dove right into it. There was no explaining, and there was nothing he could say to make this easier to say.

“I will not hide the truth, and I will not mask anything from you anymore, Andromeda. You must hear this from me before anything, or anyone, can happen first. You are my friend, and trusted comrade, and I want you to know why I have been acting as I have.”

Soren took only a millisecond of a pause before saying it; his voice soft and ridden with a mixture of emotions; guilt, love, hope, sadness. Even fear, but most of all, acceptance.

“I am mates with Nedria, Leader of Ice Empire… and we're expecting cubs.”

Andromeda's eyes met her leader's, and in that moment, she felt all his pain and worry like a flash of lightning, and her stomach lurched. What could possibly be so bad as to make him feel this way? She thought with worry, her gaze following the lynx as he sat in a dip in the mossy ground. The Silver flicked her a leaf from her ear when it fluttered down.

It really pained the leopard to see the lynx like this. She'd joined the empire not long after he had, and they'd been friends at once. She remembered how struck by his good looks and bravery she had been. Even then, she'd seen a great leader in the feline, although she had never told him. She didn't want to spoil their relationship as friends, when she herself still had feelings for another. But all that was so long ago, and was now irrelevant.

“I will not hide the truth, and I will not mask anything from you anymore, Andromeda. You must hear this from me before anything, or anyone, can happen first. You are my friend, and trusted comrade, and I want you to know why I have been acting as I have.”

The snow leopard caught her breath. This was it. The moment of truth. The pause that followed his words seemed to stretch out for an eternity, and Andromeda's heart began beating faster with the suspense of not knowing.

“I am mates with Nedria, Leader of Ice Empire… and we're expecting cubs.”

Andromeda could not stop herself from leaping to her paws, her hackles rising, and wide eyes staring at her leader with utter shock.

"What?!" She gasped.

This...THIS...was the last thing she could have possibly expected, and now the nervous storm that had been building up inside her now exploded with mixtures of anger, confusion, shock, and... envy.

Andromeda had never spoken to Nedria personally, although she had always wanted to meet the valiant snow leopard leader. Andro had always felt some kind of kinship to the leader, either because they were both snow leopards, or because Andromeda had heard that they shared a lot in common. All Andro knew about her was that she had not come from the City like the rest of them, and both her pelt and personality did not reflect the coliseum's influence. The snow leopard felt a small bit of bitterness toward the leader. Why wouldn't Soren love her? She hadn't been forced to kill. She must have been like a breath of fresh, mountain air to the leader whose whole life seemed to have been bathed in fire and smoke.
But now, if Andromeda ever met Nedria...would her first impression of the leader be tainted by the knowledge Soren had just shared with her? She knew it would be, and suddenly she wished she had taken the time to meet the leader at the last gathering.

The silver gladiator felt sick. Soren was one of her closest friends in all the empires. They'd saved one another's lives time and time again, and she trusted him more than she trusted herself. Could all this really be true? Glancing at him, Soren's expression and the vibes radiating from him told her he was entirely serious.

Andromeda turned, and began to pace, her movements ridged with disbelief and tail tip twitching as she began to sort her feelings into thoughts. As the initial shock began to settle, and her heart still raced, questions began to rise.

She didn't want to believe any of it was true. Loving another outside one's own empire was an insult to the member's loyalty to the empire they had sworn to protect. But then...That makes me equally guilty. Andromeda's heart sank at once and she stopped mid step. For how long had Fire Empire's highest ranked members had loyalties outside the empire they led? She suddenly realized how at risk the empire had been, and had the empire found out about any of this, the both of them would likely have lost the respect and trust of the empire. She found herself wanting to ask the question out loud. She set her raised paw down and sat, curling her thick furred tail over her paws. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm her storming emotions caused by the shock of Soren's secret. It must have been hard enough for him to share this with her; she should at least act less visibly shocked and more like she wanted to talk it over. After all, where this conversation went could affect not only Fire Empire, but Ice Empire as well.

"How long...have the two of you been mates?"
As soon as the words left his scarred maw, a weight settled deep in the pit of his stomach, and his heart seemed to lurch up into his throat, cutting off any other words he would have said, had his mind decided to work once again. Andromeda’s reaction was one of the outcomes he had feared, and involuntarily, his long ears swept backwards, flattening against his skull in a motion that was rarely seen in the proud Lynx. The flame colored beads that hung from his ear made a faint clicking sound as they were jostled, before laying still. ’I suppose I shouldn’t have expected anything else. While my heart tells me otherwise; what I’m doing is wrong.’ The pit in his stomach yawned ever deeper, and he closed his eyes, tilting his head upwards slightly to catch the sun’s fading rays on his battle-marred face, hoping to warm the cold stitch of dread that laced up his spine.

Andromeda continued to pace; Soren could tell by the rustling of the mossy, leaf-strewn floor as her paws shuffled through them in an almost urgent manner. The elder Gladiator contemplated what she would do next; would she curse him, and return to camp to reveal his secret? He knew her too well- she was too close of a friend. He knew she wouldn’t ever dream of it, and for just a second, he felt the selfish relief that knowledge brought him, before stamping it out like a disgusting insect. He had no room in his mind for a thought such as that. Andromeda had every right to tell the Gladiators of their Empire about his relationship with Nedria. She even had the right to tell the other Empires of their crime as well, ensuring both the Leader’s resignation from command, and punishments.

When that dawned on him, he saw an image of his mind that bordered on premonition; he saw Nedria and himself, forced to resign from their positions as leaders due to the revelation of their secret, and losing the trust of their Gladiators. As his mind’s eye watched, he saw the possibilities of his mate and himself, leaving the Empires behind, and going deeper into the wilderness, free from Bounty Hunters and the judging stares they would earn from the Gladiators who had been told of their betrayal. Free to be mates, without fear of discovery or hurt; to raise their cubs without the harsh risk of battle on every sunlight’s fade. And then with a snap, the ‘vision’ was gone, and the lynx blinked open his ice-blue eyes, his mind returning to the mossy emerald clearing, the reality of his situation weighing on his shoulders like a great ton of boulders. This fading image in his mind… It all relied on Andromeda, and how she took his news and revelation. Would she reject him? He doubted she would do as his imagination had suggested, but how far she would go to protect the Empire, he didn’t know.

The two were close friends- they shared a bond that few Gladiators could ever hope to own. They were not just comrades in arms; they were friends, and trusted allies. The snow leopard had joined Fire Empire not long after he himself had, during the raging sickness that tore though the Empires so many moons ago, taking Rue, their old leader, and most of their Empire with it. It had almost claimed Soren as well. Had it not been for the miraculous cure that had been discovered by the mixed forces of Empire Healers, he may have joined the rest of his Empire among the heavens. But that was all long past, and he silently scolded himself for letting his thoughts wander so far back. His personal excuse was his mind just didn’t want to deal with the issue at hand, and he would have none of it.

His ears shifted back to their standard position, and his head tilted downwards as Andromeda slowly calmed herself, and her hackles sank back to rest on her back. This was his friend, his closest, most trusted companion. The cat he had once considered close enough to become his mate; had things not gone the way they had, perhaps they would have been, someday. But he didn’t allow himself to dwell on it, and focused on her own light blue eyes as she finally settled back into her mossy hollow. Her sudden lack of motion hadn’t gone unnoticed by the Lynx, and he pondered what had gone through her mind to have made her stop so suddenly. The possibilities were endless, and he didn’t have time to ponder much longer before she appeared to be about to speak, and without a single argument, he prepared himself to answer whatever questions may prey upon her mind. It was only fair to answer her questions, considering how long he had kept this secret from her.

When she spoke, he couldn’t help but let out a nearly humorless chuckle, his eyes drifting away from hers as they found the ground between them, his mind instantly recalling the night he and Nedria had formally met, and had known they were hopelessly in love.

“How long…? Ah…” Soren finally spoke after a moment, collecting his thoughts and organizing them, thinking back to that day. “Ever since the night after the first gathering we shared as Leaders.” He murmured his tone soft. That had been many moons ago; and not for the first time, he felt the hot itch of worry gnaw at his belly. He knew his actions put not only his Empire at risk, but also Ice Empire. But alas, love is hard to deny. “She had come to warn me about a new Bounty Hunter whom she had heard rumors about. One that had been out for my blood. Well, out for the price on my head.” Memories flashed in his head, and his eyes flicked upwards towards Andromeda once again, his nose still tilted downward. “This very clearing is where we discovered what we felt for each other.” Soren added, his tone still low and thoughtful, holding no resentment or fear anymore. If anything it held acceptance. Andromeda could do as she pleased with this information; he was done with hiding from the truth.

Andromeda's brief flash of anger that she had felt had dissipated as quickly as it had come; sure, her frustration existed because of him not having told her about such an important life-changing event, but he was telling her now, and she could only feel grateful now for being told at all. Was she the only one he would tell? She herself would never repeat his secret to any other. It was his secret that he had trusted her with. It was bad, yes, but it wasn't worth losing one's empire over, if they chose not to follow him anymore. They would instead look to Andromeda, who was no more worthy than her leader. She didn't want to lead the Empire without him. It wouldn't be the same.

Andromeda felt herself relax though as the question she had asked seemed to sooth Soren, and his eyes clouded with bittersweet memories as he recalled how he and his love had met. From the sound of it, the two had been together for a long time. Whatever Andromeda said in reply to him, she would have to be careful. The last thing she wanted was to emotionally wound her friend who had already endured so much pain and stress.

“This very clearing is where we discovered what we felt for each other.”

Andromeda's eyes wandered around the pretty place again, now with the knowledge that the Ice Empire leader had once been here. Soren must hold this place dear to him, the snow leopard figured, and for the first time realized just how much he must trust her to bring her to this emotional place. Her tumultuous, mixed feelings settled to a gentle curiosity. She let the moment after Soren stopped speaking stretch out slightly, if only to give him a chance to reminisce, and herself a chance to reword an otherwise sharp question. But at least, at this time, in this place and under the circumstances, he wasn't her leader so much as a friend. She didn't have to hold back what she wanted to say quite as much as she normally would. She could, for once, question him, as any friend would.

"Who else knows about this?" The silver gladiator asked quietly, raising her eyes to Soren's. Her voice, usually strong and clear, was unusually soft. "Will you tell the empire?"

Description

6 (art) + 5 (RP) = 11 EP to Andro

colorslive.com/details/2364320

This RP ended a while ago, but it was never actually uploaded. A RP between Andromeda (OneLifeRemaining ) and Soren (Rininiri ).

Summary:
Soren and Andromeda are on a two-cat patrol to the Emerald Clearing, where Soren tells Andromeda his secret: that he is expecting cubs with Ice Empire's leader, Nedria. In a way, Andromeda was the deciding factor on Soren remaining in Fire Empire, or leaving to be with Nedria...

Time: January 49 BC (about two years ago, EBC time)(just ignore that this RP actually takes place in late summer. The official time line hadn't been figured out yet.)

Bright, glimmering sun rays arced down through the trees, leaving dappled sunspots all along the foliage covered floor. The air was sweet with the scent of wild, growing things. The scent of life and the ever changing wind. The breeze brushed the leaves gently, a few of the dead wisps floating to the ground to become food for the soil and grass. The air was silent, save for the twittering of birdsong and the ever so subtle rustlings of small prey animals skittering about just out of sight.

It was a beautiful summer evening, it was hot in the sunlight, but in the cool shadows of the towering forest guardians, it was as pleasant as could be imagined.

Soft padding entered the small sounds that came from the undergrowth, barely noticeable, and only a true hunter could hear it's progress. A tan tipped muzzle pushed through the bushes, followed by an auburn, scar riddled face, long, tufted ears, and the impressive, muted gleam of armor.

Pinpoint blue eyes glanced from root to branch, every stone and bramble being taken in and contemplated, looking for signs of trouble or intrusion. The ears flicked upwards at the loud rustle of a bird flashing by, hopping away through the leaves. 'No danger there.' The feline thought to himself, flaring his whiskers as he continued on.

Earlier in the day, he had called for patrols, his Empire needing to do their daily chores. But the red-brown lynx had been rather distant, giving his orders with barely any emotion, earning him a few odd looks and whispers, but he couldn't bring himself to care. Something had been on his mind lately- a lot longer than that actually.

It had driven itself into his skull like an iron spike, making him think of little else but the throbbing it caused in his mind. It had been eating away at him for so long, and today was one of those days that made him wish he could enjoy it with the one who caused this endless echo of longing in his mind.

A brief sigh escaped his muzzle, the Fire Empire leader turning to look over his shoulder. He was constantly questioning him on this decision that was in his mind. Should he tell her? Or would he hide it, and let it continue to eat at him until he finally let it burst out at all the wrong times and places?

Soren took a breath, holding it for a moment. She was his most trusted Gladiator, the only one rivaling that trust and respect, and even that friendship, being the white lion who was at camp. He had no reason not to tell her; she deserved to know why her leader was acting like a forlorn apprentice without a mentor. His whole reasoning for this small, two cat patrol, had been for this purpose. No doubt she wondered why he had insisted on it. Soren shook his head lightly, as if that would disburse his doubts and worries. He valued her loyalty and respect. She deserved to know, even if it meant putting those things at risk.

"This way Andromeda, we can rest in the clearing ahead." He called before turning back to the unbeaten path along the forest floor. 'True courage is being able to face those you care for.' he thought as he headed forward.

Following not far behind the fiery lnyx, a large snow leopard padded, her paw pads silently lifting and falling from the cool forest floor. Sun dappled her smooth pelt, and she was thankful that her summer coat had finally given her some relief from the heat. Still, her armor was left at home, safely tucked away in the armory; it was too soon in the summer months to be wearing it on a regular basis.

She breathed in the calming scents of the quiet forest, neon eyes glancing around for anything out of place. Her gaze finally settled on her close friend and respected leader, padding along in front of her. They'd been friends since the time they met, and had turned a once weak clan into a thriving empire.

But he'd seemed...detached the last couple days, as if something was bothering him. And although she wondered what it could be, Andromeda hadn't questioned it; after all, there had been a lot of changes happening around camp, and the snow leopard had been preoccupied with her own thoughts. She was concerned about him, but figured he would tell her when he was ready...If there was anything to tell.

Would he tell her today? She'd guessed that by the silence that had ensued since they'd left camp, he was in deep thought- deeper than usual, that is. Plus the fact that he had sent no other patrols in this direction for the time being...

"...we can rest in the clearing ahead."

Rest? Andromeda flicked her ears. She wasn't even tired yet. Yup, something was definitely coming. She didn't know what on earth it was though, that would cause him to be so...secretive. Andromeda didn't reply, but drew in a breath, and pushed on to follow him. Every step closer to the clearing she was mentally bracing herself for whatever he might tell her.

No matter what, he's my leader. I'd follow him to the ends of the earth if he asked me to...Surely nothing he can say now would change that? But the deep mystery of what he might say placed a little doubt in her mind...she forced it away and entered the clearing.

Soren blinked when he entered the emerald green clearing. It was one of his favorite spots, and he doubted many others knew of it's location, much less cared. The trees here were vibrant and tall, their canopy of leaves creating a muted screen of color over the moss covered ground. It was peaceful here; there weren't many bushes and brambles here. It was clear and clean, a place of solitude.

The fiery lynx padded forward a few paces before stopping, looking down at the shallow rolls in the ground, forming perfect little dips in the ground to lay or sit in. He still debated with himself, arguing the pros and cons of telling Andromeda this.

But as he looked back around the clearing, his mind wandering to the memories connected to this place, he couldn't help but give another, deep sigh. It was filled with a loneliness that had settled into his heart since the first time he had set paw in this clearing accompanied by another. His exhaled breath was more expressive than any words he could have said, giving off his discontent and for the first time, his lack of desire to fight- not physically, but a mental and emotional fight of the lost lover, the battle to recapture something of the soul, something that was taken and now must be returned, no matter the cost.

He had heard Andromeda follow him into the beautiful emerald moss clearing, and he knew that he wouldn't be able to not tell her after this. She would be too suspicious and would lose trust in him if he had been so obvious in his secret at this point. And he didn't want to do that.

"Andromeda, come over here and choose a spot. There's... There's a few things I need to talk to you about." He said glancing his bright, vibrant blue eyes in her direction; eyes that looked more exhausted than those of a gladiator who had been on all night sentry. Physical exhaustion was not the only thing that could bring down the walls of a cat's world.

Andromeda followed her leader into the hidden glade, and looked around with new surprise. She'd been here few times before, but it was always on a hunting mission or something of the sort, and so never had she stopped long enough to admire its beauty. She did now though, perhaps only to stall any bad news Soren had to tell her. The trees, the scent of the grasses...it was a prime place for hunting, and even growing herbs. But the snow leopard had the feeling that Soren had known of this place for a while, by the way he went right to it. Had he wanted the clearing to be used for such hunting or herb-growing, he may have suggested it to the others at some point.

The sound of her name snapped her attention back to the situation at hand. They weren't here to look at the scenery. They were here for something more serious. The vibe coming off her leader was something like a building storm cloud, deciding whether or not to pour down rain.

Andromeda calmly took a place in the soft moss in front of him, settling into it comfortably. Looking at the other cat, his eyes were clear and bright, but overall, he looked tired. Fear and worry began to claw at Andromeda's belly, and her mind swirled with thoughts the longer her unspoken questions went unanswered. Was he feeling so old and worn already that he wanted to give up being a leader? Or was he relieving her from her rank? Surely the recent Bounty Hunter ambush had shown him she was still perfectly capable? But... She remembered. I still passed out. She silently cursed herself, that she might have been what was causing her leader's quiet internal conflict.

Mentally, she shook the thoughts away. That's ridiculous. She told herself. Just shut up and listen to what he has to say, damn it.

Andromeda realized she had been studying her paws absently. She lifted her gaze and met her leader's eyes, nothing but worry showing on her face. She pricked her ears attentively.

"I'm listening." She prompted quietly.
Crystal clear eyes watched without seeing as his trusted friend settled into a hollow just inside the clearing. His thoughts continued to race and doubt; convincing, then contradicting. His mind couldn’t rest, and it would never be calm again if he kept pushing himself away from the truth.

Andromeda’s lapse of attention went unnoticed by Soren, as his own was drawn away- farther than the trees, dusty forest floors, and emerald green grass. His mind’s eye was dawn father than home, and was taken to a place that felt just as warm as his den. A place of comfort, but muffled concern and doubt. It was almost painful to think about it, that place that was so inviting, yet so forbidden.

A few browning leaves fluttered down from the forests ceiling, landing noiselessly beside his battered paws, and lay still on the mossy ground below. The simple movement jarred the distant leader from his thoughts, his eyes clearing of his mental fog just as Andromeda looked up at him, her own blue eyes expectant and soft. He saw many things there, and he remembered her bravery and outstanding courage in the recent battle with the Bounty Hunters, and he knew at that moment that he couldn’t wish for a better, or more capable gladiator to have as his Silver.

And... Just for a moment, Soren let himself wonder what would have happened, if things had been different. If she was the one who consumed his thoughts, rather than her… If Andromeda, or Granite as he first knew her, was the one who had captured his heart first, and would be the mother of his cubs. Just for a moment, he wondered what it would be like, to love without fear of discovery; and what it would be like, if he had told her of his first fluttering feelings the first months he had known her. And for a moment- it was blissfully sweet, before turning into the bitter taste of what he knew now. Love is cruel, and he wouldn’t have that chance ever again. Because Love was also beautiful, and couldn’t be broken without hardship.

Softly, the auburn lynx padded forward, pausing for just a moment before he let himself become comfortable in a mossy dip in the ground. He stayed straight and sitting, unwilling to lie down as he confessed his secret. This was something he had to face without fear or doubts. Andromeda was his closest friend inside the Empires, possibly even more so than Brutus. Soren could trust her, without a shadow of a doubt. And even if she were to tell the rest of the Gladiators they protected and guided together… Well, he wouldn’t blame her. It was her duty to maintain the loyalties within the Empire.

The pain of this situation was great for the veteran leader, though. And he hoped beyond hope that the proud Snow Leopard would understand his reasons behind concealing it, and not ending it. He above anyone else, knew the consequences, the risks, and the hardship, that his decision would cause. Him, the leader and icon of Fire Empire in these tough times, was committing the greatest crime to his Empire’s Loyalty, and it pained him more than a knife to the heart ever could.

Taking a deep breath, and letting it out in a long sigh, Soren looked at his Silver Gladiator, and all his doubts and fears lashed at him within a single second before dispersing, not once leaving a mark on his expression or eyes as he dove right into it. There was no explaining, and there was nothing he could say to make this easier to say.

“I will not hide the truth, and I will not mask anything from you anymore, Andromeda. You must hear this from me before anything, or anyone, can happen first. You are my friend, and trusted comrade, and I want you to know why I have been acting as I have.”

Soren took only a millisecond of a pause before saying it; his voice soft and ridden with a mixture of emotions; guilt, love, hope, sadness. Even fear, but most of all, acceptance.

“I am mates with Nedria, Leader of Ice Empire… and we're expecting cubs.”

Andromeda's eyes met her leader's, and in that moment, she felt all his pain and worry like a flash of lightning, and her stomach lurched. What could possibly be so bad as to make him feel this way? She thought with worry, her gaze following the lynx as he sat in a dip in the mossy ground. The Silver flicked her a leaf from her ear when it fluttered down.

It really pained the leopard to see the lynx like this. She'd joined the empire not long after he had, and they'd been friends at once. She remembered how struck by his good looks and bravery she had been. Even then, she'd seen a great leader in the feline, although she had never told him. She didn't want to spoil their relationship as friends, when she herself still had feelings for another. But all that was so long ago, and was now irrelevant.

“I will not hide the truth, and I will not mask anything from you anymore, Andromeda. You must hear this from me before anything, or anyone, can happen first. You are my friend, and trusted comrade, and I want you to know why I have been acting as I have.”

The snow leopard caught her breath. This was it. The moment of truth. The pause that followed his words seemed to stretch out for an eternity, and Andromeda's heart began beating faster with the suspense of not knowing.

“I am mates with Nedria, Leader of Ice Empire… and we're expecting cubs.”

Andromeda could not stop herself from leaping to her paws, her hackles rising, and wide eyes staring at her leader with utter shock.

"What?!" She gasped.

This...THIS...was the last thing she could have possibly expected, and now the nervous storm that had been building up inside her now exploded with mixtures of anger, confusion, shock, and... envy.

Andromeda had never spoken to Nedria personally, although she had always wanted to meet the valiant snow leopard leader. Andro had always felt some kind of kinship to the leader, either because they were both snow leopards, or because Andromeda had heard that they shared a lot in common. All Andro knew about her was that she had not come from the City like the rest of them, and both her pelt and personality did not reflect the coliseum's influence. The snow leopard felt a small bit of bitterness toward the leader. Why wouldn't Soren love her? She hadn't been forced to kill. She must have been like a breath of fresh, mountain air to the leader whose whole life seemed to have been bathed in fire and smoke.
But now, if Andromeda ever met Nedria...would her first impression of the leader be tainted by the knowledge Soren had just shared with her? She knew it would be, and suddenly she wished she had taken the time to meet the leader at the last gathering.

The silver gladiator felt sick. Soren was one of her closest friends in all the empires. They'd saved one another's lives time and time again, and she trusted him more than she trusted herself. Could all this really be true? Glancing at him, Soren's expression and the vibes radiating from him told her he was entirely serious.

Andromeda turned, and began to pace, her movements ridged with disbelief and tail tip twitching as she began to sort her feelings into thoughts. As the initial shock began to settle, and her heart still raced, questions began to rise.

She didn't want to believe any of it was true. Loving another outside one's own empire was an insult to the member's loyalty to the empire they had sworn to protect. But then...That makes me equally guilty. Andromeda's heart sank at once and she stopped mid step. For how long had Fire Empire's highest ranked members had loyalties outside the empire they led? She suddenly realized how at risk the empire had been, and had the empire found out about any of this, the both of them would likely have lost the respect and trust of the empire. She found herself wanting to ask the question out loud. She set her raised paw down and sat, curling her thick furred tail over her paws. She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm her storming emotions caused by the shock of Soren's secret. It must have been hard enough for him to share this with her; she should at least act less visibly shocked and more like she wanted to talk it over. After all, where this conversation went could affect not only Fire Empire, but Ice Empire as well.

"How long...have the two of you been mates?"
As soon as the words left his scarred maw, a weight settled deep in the pit of his stomach, and his heart seemed to lurch up into his throat, cutting off any other words he would have said, had his mind decided to work once again. Andromeda’s reaction was one of the outcomes he had feared, and involuntarily, his long ears swept backwards, flattening against his skull in a motion that was rarely seen in the proud Lynx. The flame colored beads that hung from his ear made a faint clicking sound as they were jostled, before laying still. ’I suppose I shouldn’t have expected anything else. While my heart tells me otherwise; what I’m doing is wrong.’ The pit in his stomach yawned ever deeper, and he closed his eyes, tilting his head upwards slightly to catch the sun’s fading rays on his battle-marred face, hoping to warm the cold stitch of dread that laced up his spine.

Andromeda continued to pace; Soren could tell by the rustling of the mossy, leaf-strewn floor as her paws shuffled through them in an almost urgent manner. The elder Gladiator contemplated what she would do next; would she curse him, and return to camp to reveal his secret? He knew her too well- she was too close of a friend. He knew she wouldn’t ever dream of it, and for just a second, he felt the selfish relief that knowledge brought him, before stamping it out like a disgusting insect. He had no room in his mind for a thought such as that. Andromeda had every right to tell the Gladiators of their Empire about his relationship with Nedria. She even had the right to tell the other Empires of their crime as well, ensuring both the Leader’s resignation from command, and punishments.

When that dawned on him, he saw an image of his mind that bordered on premonition; he saw Nedria and himself, forced to resign from their positions as leaders due to the revelation of their secret, and losing the trust of their Gladiators. As his mind’s eye watched, he saw the possibilities of his mate and himself, leaving the Empires behind, and going deeper into the wilderness, free from Bounty Hunters and the judging stares they would earn from the Gladiators who had been told of their betrayal. Free to be mates, without fear of discovery or hurt; to raise their cubs without the harsh risk of battle on every sunlight’s fade. And then with a snap, the ‘vision’ was gone, and the lynx blinked open his ice-blue eyes, his mind returning to the mossy emerald clearing, the reality of his situation weighing on his shoulders like a great ton of boulders. This fading image in his mind… It all relied on Andromeda, and how she took his news and revelation. Would she reject him? He doubted she would do as his imagination had suggested, but how far she would go to protect the Empire, he didn’t know.

The two were close friends- they shared a bond that few Gladiators could ever hope to own. They were not just comrades in arms; they were friends, and trusted allies. The snow leopard had joined Fire Empire not long after he himself had, during the raging sickness that tore though the Empires so many moons ago, taking Rue, their old leader, and most of their Empire with it. It had almost claimed Soren as well. Had it not been for the miraculous cure that had been discovered by the mixed forces of Empire Healers, he may have joined the rest of his Empire among the heavens. But that was all long past, and he silently scolded himself for letting his thoughts wander so far back. His personal excuse was his mind just didn’t want to deal with the issue at hand, and he would have none of it.

His ears shifted back to their standard position, and his head tilted downwards as Andromeda slowly calmed herself, and her hackles sank back to rest on her back. This was his friend, his closest, most trusted companion. The cat he had once considered close enough to become his mate; had things not gone the way they had, perhaps they would have been, someday. But he didn’t allow himself to dwell on it, and focused on her own light blue eyes as she finally settled back into her mossy hollow. Her sudden lack of motion hadn’t gone unnoticed by the Lynx, and he pondered what had gone through her mind to have made her stop so suddenly. The possibilities were endless, and he didn’t have time to ponder much longer before she appeared to be about to speak, and without a single argument, he prepared himself to answer whatever questions may prey upon her mind. It was only fair to answer her questions, considering how long he had kept this secret from her.

When she spoke, he couldn’t help but let out a nearly humorless chuckle, his eyes drifting away from hers as they found the ground between them, his mind instantly recalling the night he and Nedria had formally met, and had known they were hopelessly in love.

“How long…? Ah…” Soren finally spoke after a moment, collecting his thoughts and organizing them, thinking back to that day. “Ever since the night after the first gathering we shared as Leaders.” He murmured his tone soft. That had been many moons ago; and not for the first time, he felt the hot itch of worry gnaw at his belly. He knew his actions put not only his Empire at risk, but also Ice Empire. But alas, love is hard to deny. “She had come to warn me about a new Bounty Hunter whom she had heard rumors about. One that had been out for my blood. Well, out for the price on my head.” Memories flashed in his head, and his eyes flicked upwards towards Andromeda once again, his nose still tilted downward. “This very clearing is where we discovered what we felt for each other.” Soren added, his tone still low and thoughtful, holding no resentment or fear anymore. If anything it held acceptance. Andromeda could do as she pleased with this information; he was done with hiding from the truth.

Andromeda's brief flash of anger that she had felt had dissipated as quickly as it had come; sure, her frustration existed because of him not having told her about such an important life-changing event, but he was telling her now, and she could only feel grateful now for being told at all. Was she the only one he would tell? She herself would never repeat his secret to any other. It was his secret that he had trusted her with. It was bad, yes, but it wasn't worth losing one's empire over, if they chose not to follow him anymore. They would instead look to Andromeda, who was no more worthy than her leader. She didn't want to lead the Empire without him. It wouldn't be the same.

Andromeda felt herself relax though as the question she had asked seemed to sooth Soren, and his eyes clouded with bittersweet memories as he recalled how he and his love had met. From the sound of it, the two had been together for a long time. Whatever Andromeda said in reply to him, she would have to be careful. The last thing she wanted was to emotionally wound her friend who had already endured so much pain and stress.

“This very clearing is where we discovered what we felt for each other.”

Andromeda's eyes wandered around the pretty place again, now with the knowledge that the Ice Empire leader had once been here. Soren must hold this place dear to him, the snow leopard figured, and for the first time realized just how much he must trust her to bring her to this emotional place. Her tumultuous, mixed feelings settled to a gentle curiosity. She let the moment after Soren stopped speaking stretch out slightly, if only to give him a chance to reminisce, and herself a chance to reword an otherwise sharp question. But at least, at this time, in this place and under the circumstances, he wasn't her leader so much as a friend. She didn't have to hold back what she wanted to say quite as much as she normally would. She could, for once, question him, as any friend would.

"Who else knows about this?" The silver gladiator asked quietly, raising her eyes to Soren's. Her voice, usually strong and clear, was unusually soft. "Will you tell the empire?"