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Description
Carina paced restlessly outside the apprentice den early that morning. As the sun rose to kiss the sky, and grace the mountains in a beautiful glow she found herself feeling strange. She had seen and heard of Hati's return, and though the news made her happy, she still felt concern deep within. What happened within the cages and would the male shed come to admire still have the same personality he had before? Cages changed you, ruined you, based on everything the young hybrid had seen.

Lavender eyes glimmered in the glow of the sunlight. Concern mashing her features as she waited impatiently for Hati to wake up. Perhaps she should find her mentor she wondered? Put the energy toward training? She shook her head at the thought, she'd be far too distracted for that right now, she'd be useless to her mentor. She sighed, letting her sharp claws scrape the ground as she tried to decide what to do with her time. Too restless to sleep meant that she should at least be useful.

With nothing else to do, she decided perhaps a hunt on nearby land would clear her head. But just as she began to walk toward the gladiator den to see if an adult was awake enough to go with her, a shuffling sound appeared from the apprentice den. Though uncertain if it was Hati or someone else, she paused eagerly, waiting to see whomever was awake.

It'd been a long trek back with the two who had saved him, a dark male known as Rize, along with what seemed to be his girlfriend, Trixie. Hati was resting now in the apprentice den, his muscles worn out from fighting in the colosseum as well as from the long few weeks it took to get back home. The dark spotted male had been asleep since the early afternoon upon his return to Ice, and had been sleeping for quite some time, guess his body really needed all the extra hours in the day to recuperate his stamina and strength.

Lime eyes began to stir, blinking open hesitantly as the light from outside shown through the apprentice's den. "Mm..." Hati grumbled, tossing around slightly to try and sleep more, his eyes tried and unwilling to open fully. However, he began to force himself to wake up. He needed to get up, hell, how long had he been asleep since he got back? He felt like a stone with how much he'd slept, so it must've been a long time. The clouded leopard collected himself and began standing up, taking the pleasure of stretching out his back and forearms, curving his back downwards and he outstretched his front limbs. A yawn following suit, before he stood back up, and began walking out of the apprentice's den. His eyes taking a few moments to adjust to the brightness of the sunlight hitting his face.

As they did so, he came face to face with a familiar female. "Carina," Hati said softly, a look of surprise covering his face as he looked at her. Almost not expecting her to wait for him. "Were you waiting out here for me?" He asked, a slight smile gracing his lips.

She was surprised to see that it was in fact Hati stirring so early in the apprentice den. She had honestly expected and perhaps in a way hoped that it would be someone else. Seeing him meant that she had to come to terms with the various feelings she was feeling at the current juncture, something that the lynx hybrid was never terribly good at.

She was furious at him for putting himself in danger and ending up captured, he never should have been out alone! Not that she was one to talk....Anyway. But deep inside it was mostly concern that she felt for the male at the current juncture, along with something else stirring deep within, something that she would keep buried below the surface. She sort of missed him. He was one of her only friends in ice, and though he aggravated her to no end most days, she really did care about him.

"N-No!" She chirped loudly, the false note of the lie causing her voice to squeak in a way. She sighed, shaking her head, offering the male a sheepish grin. It wasnt easy for her to fully smile, it wasn't something she did often, except around her mother or her siblings.
"Y-yes. I just wanted to check on you once i heard that you made it home." She certainly didn't want another repeat of Naga. She still wondered if the male was being treated right in the city to this day, if he was okay. She didn't want to lose this male forever too. "The city can be quite the experience from what I told and it tends to change you and how you act, or feel about specific things." She admitted quietly. She hadn't been in a situation where she was captured, but most of her siblings had, and that alone had angered and worried her.

Hati smiles warmly at her finally admitting some of her repressed feelings. He was glad she was beginning to feel more comfortable around him. “That’s very kind of you,” He said in a gentle voice, offering a small nudge to her shoulder with his muzzle as thanks. He continued to listen to her murmurs about the city, how it changes people. “I hate it,” He said dryly, thinking back to the dark cages where cats were openly mistreated, left starved, and crying out for help. “It was every man for himself in there, I was lucky when Rize and his friend came along, otherwise I’d have been thrown into many unwanted battles,” Hati snarled softly, he clearly did not enjoy the city. Having grown up outside his entire life, being within a stone structure and wholly without freedoms, he hated the city with all his heart.

“If I can help it, I never want to go back there,” He sighed, looking back at her with weary eyes. “But I’m back now, no need to worry your pretty little head.”

Her eyes carefully scanned over his form, taking in a few minor injuries from his time in battle she presumed. She also thought he looked a touch skinnier then before, though not entirely underweight. She felt her cheeks burning slightly as she looked over his handsome form. ,"I uh- better let my mentor know we're heading off,,," she trailed off, avoiding eye contact. "Just ill be right back." She mumbled, her cheeks flushed pink as she went to notify the tiguar of her departure. She took a moment to compose herself, returning after mentioning to the tiguar where she was going with her head held high.

"I was thinking we could maybe go for a hunt. Its good practice and im sure you could use some time out in the woods. Away from all the hustle and bustle." She explained awkwardly to Hati, pawing at the ground.

The dark clouded leopard waited for her, sitting down momentarily, as he waited for her to return. He debated momentarily if he should tell his own mentor he was headed out, but honestly he doesn't particularly care to do that. So he just waited. Once she did, he stood back up, and gave her a smile, listening to what she was thinking about doing, "That sounds fine by me."

Getting out of camp would be good for him, he really needed to stretch his legs. So this'll be a good thing for him to do, and he definitely wouldn't mind spending some more time with her.

Carina padded forward through the mountains, avoiding the underbrush the best to her ability. There was an often used trail went meant very little foliage in the path, along with debris and such. The walk seemed quiet but somehow peaceful. "Its good you're back where you belong. That you didn't choose humans over-" over what? She wondered. Over her? She didn't know if she was brave enough to mention such thoughts so she moved forward. "Over ice. I know things aren't always easy here and sometimes there's a lot of mouths to feed, but ice will never not feel like home to me." She admitted softly.

Realizing she had been letting her softer side show, she straightened up, trying to appear all business. She sniffed the air eagerly in search of prey., occasionally pawing up the cool earth to help find the fresh scent of rabbit or perhaps something larger.

Hati's ears perked at such a... specific comment. Why would he choose humans over Ice? And was there an issue in feeding Ice cats? The clouded leopard looked at her weird, finding her comments fairly confusing to him. Did she think he'd leave? "I'd never leave Ice on such a dumb whim. There's plenty of food here. I don't hate humans, but I wouldn't leave for them," He replied, feeling fairly confused by her statements. "Do you think I'd leave Ice?" He asked, very confused on why she said such a thing to him.

He continued padding after her, a soft sense of something not being told to him filled the air, making him feel rather uncomfortable. Not too much to leave, but an uneasiness that he's missing out on crucial information. "I... I remember you talking to me about this person named Naga. I've never seen this person in Ice, is this... Are you afraid i'd leave like him?" He asked in a soft by weary voice. He didn't want to bring up bad memories, but his curious nature begged him to ask.

"Its not that I'd think you'd leave per say. I know that you wouldn't especially now. Just uh...." She struggled to find a way of explaining it to the male without bringing up her fears, her loss of Naga. "Some folks find the cushy life to be a bit more suitable I guess? Not having to work for your food, or huddle up for warmth. I find the tasks in question to be more rewarding but I suppose not everyone has that mentality. " She began to explain. An awkward silence had fallen over them as they walked, until he asked the question she'd been dreading. Naga.

Her posture steeled slightly, the memories of her childhood flooding back. Her ears flattened and she remained rooted in place. "Its complicated." She managed to mutter, "But yes, he disappeared and hasn't been seen since. There's rumors as to where he ended up at." But, she knew the truth. She had promised to keep the truth to herself, but she considered sharing it with Hati. Surely he wouldn't tell all of ice the truth? She hesitated, feeling a little unsure as to what she should do.

"Disappeared huh?" Hati decided he'd push a little harder, but not a lot to make her uncomfortable. He figured that statement earlier was her projecting her fears from that male, Naga, on to him. "I don't mean to press if it's someone you don't wish to talk about, but, please don't project his faults on to me. I won't leave you for some humans. Don't get me wrong, I do like some humans, but i'd never leave a pretty girl like you," He snickered, a playful laugh gracing his face at his last comment, trying to lighten the mood with her.

She'd become one of his closest friends, not to mention his crush, so. It kinda of hurt him to have her think he'd ever leave her for the city. He was more than capable of fending for the empire and feeding everyone, so he would never leave for those reasons. Ice had become his home, and he wouldn't just leave it for such meager reasons.

"Mmm" she managed to start, strain clearly in her voice. "Its....its hard to explain. " she willed herself to move forward, though her body was still rigid, stressed over how to explain. "I'm not so much projecting my errr...doubts on you. Its more..." she sighed, feeling at a loss on how to explain it. "I just know that sometimes hardships lead us to make different choices but im glad you're view on everything hasn't changed. The hunters can be quite persuasive when they want to be so I'm told. Trying to convince you that life in a home is far better then the freedom you experience out here." It wasn't so much the fear of him leaving just like Naga did. Comparing him to Naga simply wouldn't be fair. But ice had taken its toll and including the landslide it wasn't hard to imagine that some might feel differently. She had grown close to Hati and she definitely knew she'd be affected if he had decided to never return. "Anyway..." she cleared her throat. "This is a pretty heavy topic for you having just got back. Let's focus on the hunt." She mumbled, moving forward to see if she could catch scent of anything.

Hati shrugged it off, it seemed to be a topic she wasn't yet comfortable speaking to him about and he wasn't going to press further until she was ready. "Alright," He said, giving her a gentle smile, hoping it'd convey to her that it's okay, that even if not now, maybe later, they could speak about it.

The dark clouded leopard moved forward slightly, inch ahead of her, lifting his large round nose into the air, his maw opening slightly in hopes to catch a whiff of nearby prey. He caught the scent of stale scent markers of a mountain goat, the larger prey probably already headed further up the mountain scape by now. "Hmm..." He hummed, thinking to himself momentarily, wondering if he'd be of use up in the trees, catching sight of prey from up top. He was eager enough to stretch out his body and get some exercise in, perhaps his pretty companion would allow him such a luxury so soon after getting out of the healer's den.

"I'd like to get a better view, I'll be going up in the trees if that's okay," He bemused, shooting her a faint grin, clearly playing in a princess role with her.

She gently leaned her shoulder into him, in silent thanks before righting herself proper to focus on the hunt. She opened her maw to taste the wind for fresh scents, but she too was smelling nothing recent. She glanced over at him when he mentioned going up in the trees. Was he asking her permission? Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and she looked away. "Yeah sure, whatever just dont get yourself hurt ya big dummy. " she said casually, attempting to hide the worry from her voice.

She trotted along ahead, slightly envious of the males ability to get into trees so easily. It was a thing that the lynx hybrid had struggled with for so long, and sometimes still didn't quite have the hang off. But to a cloudy, it did make sense how easy trees were. That was just instinct over all, its how they survived.

"Haha, better help me if I do!" Hati laughed, giving her a quick wink, before turning to scamper up a tree, his large round paws easily scaling the tree as his claws hooked into it. He climbed a few branches higher than the low hanging ones, just to make sure he got a good view of everything below. This was his natural habitat, amongst the trees, where his true huntsmen comes out. Lime eyes looked down at the now smaller appearing Carin below, shooting her yet another quick smile before returning back to the hunt. Oh how he enjoyed pressing her buttons. Really made her cuter, especially when she turns away and acts like she doesn't like it.

His eyes scanned the forestry below him, spotting a few birds, and what looked to be like either a rabbit or some other small vermin rummaging around in a bush. "I think I see some small rodent in the bushes up ahead!" He called down to Carina, giving her a heads up.

Carina gave a small shake of her head, attempting to hide the small smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. "Psh, if you get hurt that's your own dumb fault, I'm not dragging your fat butt all the way home. You're too heavy." Ahe complained playfully. At the mention of possible prey just beyond the bushes, she immediately fell silent. She kept her paw steps slow, deliberate, each step with quiet purpose as she worked to figure out where the prey might be. The scent was nearly overwhelmingly fresh, leaving Cari's senses confused as to the exact direction. Her eyes scanned through the underbrush, attempting to spot the small creature in question.

Hati smiled as he watched the smaller female begin to show her hunting spirit. She looked so skilled as she fell silent and began creeping towards the under brush, her purple eyes alert and ready for any sign of moment. Lime eyes admired the dark female below, only moving to notice some movement in the foliage ahead of her. It didn't look quite right to be any sort of prey they usually ate, noting that the rodent appeared to be... long? Like really long, looked like the regular short hair of one, but, it's length of body had him questioning exactly what it was.

But then it clicked. Mink.

"Carina be careful! I think that might be a mink. If it senses you're in its territory it might hurt you!" He hissed down to her, afraid of what that wild thing would do to her if she wasn't ready for it. He knew it was extremely slippery with its noodle-like body, not to mention it's excellent jumping skills and tiny dangerous claws.

Her tall ears perked up in response to Hati"s warning and purple eyes glanced up at him. What could be described as a small, somewhat cocky and determined expression passed her maw. Her eyes narrowed, moving back to focus on the target. Prey that fought back sounded like an interesting little challenge. She crept forward once more, this time narrowing down the scent and focusing on the soft scratching sounds of its paws. She was ready for anything.

“Of course she’d try to hunt it...” Hati sighed with a smile, rolling his eyes as he plopped on his tree branch and decided to watch her try to hunt the noodle of an animal. He’d certainly be amused by her attempt at hunting it, and certainly would be impressed if she managed to catch it. If she doesn’t, well, he certainly gave her a good warning before her attempt.

She crept forward, step by step careful not to many any sound. With each step she kept her eye on the rodent like creature. When she closed enough distance she leapt forward, aiming to kill the creature swiftly. Just as swiftly the mink turned, sharp claws connecting with skin. Some of the fur where the claws made contact were missing and she yowled in pain. A sharp snarl passed through her maw and she lifted her own claws to swipe at the rodent.

The rodent leaped forward, to take a bite out of the females paw, teeth sunk in and holding on for dear life. She yowled once more, waving her paw roughly in the air sending the mink flying into nearby rocks. With a crack he fell, his spine having snapped by the force. She panted from exertion and limped forward to put the creature out of its misery. She growled irritability as she pulled back, blood on her maw from the kill. Blood oozed slightly from her wounds and Cari gently began to lick them. "Feisty little thing. " she growled.

The clouded leopard laughed heartedly by the sudden display, knowing it wouldn't go well for the stubborn female. "I told you so!" He cackled, watching the display with a big ol smile. Though he did feel a sense of sadness at the sickening crunch of the mink hitting the rocks. It was a sad day for the mink facing up against fierce Carina, but she'd wanted to prove herself and that she did. With a bite to the foot and some scratches to the face.

Decidedly, Hati climbed his way down from his perch in the tree, and walked to Carina, to give her a good once over for the wounds she sustained from the feisty mink. "You okay? You're limping..." He commented, moving one of his large paws to try and get Carina to lift hers up so he could get a decent view of the wound.

She licked her wound half-heartedly, not really wanting to make a big show of it. The wounds hurt, badly, but she was nothing if not strong. The bite was deep and oozed blood and the scratches upon her cheek stung, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. She tolerated Hati looking at, but she huffed a little bit in protest. "I'm fine, i wouldn't worry about it." she grumbled softly, "Lets pick this up and take this back to the empire. " she gestured with the lame paw toward the mink. She limped forward, clasping the prey in her muzzle and making her way toward the empire. She attempted to put weight on it, wincing slightly with every step.

With a touch of confidence, Hati gave a quick lick to Carina's cheek wound, a playful smile caressing his cheeks soon following the action. "Feel a bit better now?" He joked, following after the wounded female, his playful smile not leaving his face. He was worried about her, buuuut, this happened cause she wouldn't listen to him, so he can only worry so much. If she'd just listen, she wouldn't have these tiny little wounds. At least the clouded leopard had gotten a quite entertaining show out of it all. "You're stubborn as always y'know?" He mewed with a smirk, playfully sticking his tongue out at her.

She staggered backwards blushing at the bold male who licked her cheek. Her hackles raised just slightly, her fur bristling in shock. She took a deep breath, trying to soothe her frazzled nerves. She shot the male a grumpy look before continuing to limp forward. "Always. If not for my stubbornness I'd probably given up on hopes of being a gladiator years ago. Been judged for my size since I was born."

"I'm not so sure about that," Hati added in, quickly following along with her, "I've seen quite a few smaller gladiators, or at least one in particular, perhaps you should talk to her?" The image of a smaller pale brown feline entered his mind, the one that had entered the cages with the male that had rescued him. "She seemed more than capable and she's smaller than you I believe," He mewed, remembering the rather small female's stature.

"I had been born as a runt though Hati." She said softly, "So i was rather small for someone of my breeds. Plus I think honestly everyone was worried i was weak and sickly, when quite the opposite i did quite fine. My wounds from a training fight got infected once and that's the sickest I've ever been i believe." She sighed, favoring her paw. It was beginning to sting a bit more as she went along, and she began to wonder what sort of damage the rodent creature had done.

"Carina..." Hati sighed, "Are you certain these worries are not things you've thought yourself?" Lime eyes looked at her in worry. "I've only ever seen you work yourself thin, and I think that's what worries me the most. It's not about how you were born, it's also how you treat yourself, and if you continually wear yourself thin for months... Well it wouldn't surprise me if people thought you looked sickly compared to those who didn't train as often as you do," The brown clouded leopard gave her a worrying shoulder touch, keeping the pressure to her side for a moment, showing her he really is worried about her. He'd not seen anyone work this hard, even his own brother and he weren't as stead fast on training every hour of every day till they had gotten sick from a wound.

The viking brothers would fight, train hard, and eat a whole feast upon returning home, and then relax. So seeing Carina work so hard was both inspirational and worrying for the male.

She shook her head, he simply wouldn't understand, most didn't. The way other cats looked at her, it gave her the chip on the shoulder. Even her own mother had told her as a cub to duck into the bushes. Young Carina had been ready to claw a hunters nose, eyes, whatever she had managed to get ahold of but instead had been forced to retreat. "Even as a cub I wasn't allowed to stand up for my family. Had to hide in the bushes with my sister until everything was over. I dint ever want to feel like I can't defend my own, so that's why I fight. " she said simply, using the male for balance so she could better walk on three legs.

"Cubs were not meant to fight," He pointed out, "And besides that, if you were to hide in the bushes with your sister, weren't you there to defend your sister?" At this point he'd grown to know a bit more about Carina's family, though not much, just from what he'd seen around camp. He wasn't sure which sister, but if he had to bet, it was likely the blind one, as he couldn't think of any other cub being told to hide in the bushes, which was unfortunate for her blind sister, but again, they were cubs.

"Don't get me wrong Carina, I had lost my home when I was just a cub, and i'm sure many have childhood trauma in our empire," Hati commented more softly, "If I were to have children, I'd tell them to hide so I can get rid of the threat... I would never want to put my children into danger."

Carina knew the male had a point, to a degree anyway. She did keep her sister safe during that time, but that wasn't what she wanted to do. But the thought of putting any future children she might have at risk regardless of their wishes didn't settle well with her either. She settled for silence while she stewed on his words, keeping the pressure on his shoulder so she could put less weight upon her paw. "Come." She said firmly, "we're nearly there now."

The dark male kept his silence, knowing he probably made a fair point and that’s why she dropped silent. She was definitely thinking about what he said, and he hoped she would think about it more thoroughly. “Okay… I’ve got you,” He said softly, keeping in pace with her steps while she leaned against him. He’d grown protective of her, and wanted nothing more than to see her succeed, but he also wanted her to keep her safe and challenge her tough girl attitude when he thought it was to her detriment.

She was grateful when camp finally came into view. Her other legs were growing tired with the extra weight they had to endure, even with Hati's help. She limped her way into the camp, random cats offering them passing glances. She turned to Hati, wincing slightly from her injury. "I better get this checked out, see what kind of damage that miserable rodent did. You don't need to join me from here, I'm sure it'll just be a patch and rest. " she looked back toward the healers den then at Hati. "I'm sure I'll see you later."

"Oh no no, i'm coming with," Hati replied quickly, continuing to hold her up, "I'm not gonna let you carry yourself there." No way was he going to let her be headstrong now, he was going to help her all the way back. With her weight against his shoulder, the two began walking towards to the healer's den, much to the hybrid's displeasure that he was coming with.

RP takes place when Hati returned form being captured! Takes place after July 41 BC!
Continued here: Love sick

WC: 4723

Denarii count:
50D for proof of RP + 135D (15D for every 500 words (9 times 15D)) = 185 Denarii to Carina
50D for proof of RP + 135D (15D for every 500 words (9 times 15D)) + 60D for picture and 10D for extra WPR character = 255D to Hati!

Carina and rp (c) Whispering-Spirit
Hati, art, and rp (c) VertigoCrime

Description
Carina paced restlessly outside the apprentice den early that morning. As the sun rose to kiss the sky, and grace the mountains in a beautiful glow she found herself feeling strange. She had seen and heard of Hati's return, and though the news made her happy, she still felt concern deep within. What happened within the cages and would the male shed come to admire still have the same personality he had before? Cages changed you, ruined you, based on everything the young hybrid had seen.

Lavender eyes glimmered in the glow of the sunlight. Concern mashing her features as she waited impatiently for Hati to wake up. Perhaps she should find her mentor she wondered? Put the energy toward training? She shook her head at the thought, she'd be far too distracted for that right now, she'd be useless to her mentor. She sighed, letting her sharp claws scrape the ground as she tried to decide what to do with her time. Too restless to sleep meant that she should at least be useful.

With nothing else to do, she decided perhaps a hunt on nearby land would clear her head. But just as she began to walk toward the gladiator den to see if an adult was awake enough to go with her, a shuffling sound appeared from the apprentice den. Though uncertain if it was Hati or someone else, she paused eagerly, waiting to see whomever was awake.

It'd been a long trek back with the two who had saved him, a dark male known as Rize, along with what seemed to be his girlfriend, Trixie. Hati was resting now in the apprentice den, his muscles worn out from fighting in the colosseum as well as from the long few weeks it took to get back home. The dark spotted male had been asleep since the early afternoon upon his return to Ice, and had been sleeping for quite some time, guess his body really needed all the extra hours in the day to recuperate his stamina and strength.

Lime eyes began to stir, blinking open hesitantly as the light from outside shown through the apprentice's den. "Mm..." Hati grumbled, tossing around slightly to try and sleep more, his eyes tried and unwilling to open fully. However, he began to force himself to wake up. He needed to get up, hell, how long had he been asleep since he got back? He felt like a stone with how much he'd slept, so it must've been a long time. The clouded leopard collected himself and began standing up, taking the pleasure of stretching out his back and forearms, curving his back downwards and he outstretched his front limbs. A yawn following suit, before he stood back up, and began walking out of the apprentice's den. His eyes taking a few moments to adjust to the brightness of the sunlight hitting his face.

As they did so, he came face to face with a familiar female. "Carina," Hati said softly, a look of surprise covering his face as he looked at her. Almost not expecting her to wait for him. "Were you waiting out here for me?" He asked, a slight smile gracing his lips.

She was surprised to see that it was in fact Hati stirring so early in the apprentice den. She had honestly expected and perhaps in a way hoped that it would be someone else. Seeing him meant that she had to come to terms with the various feelings she was feeling at the current juncture, something that the lynx hybrid was never terribly good at.

She was furious at him for putting himself in danger and ending up captured, he never should have been out alone! Not that she was one to talk....Anyway. But deep inside it was mostly concern that she felt for the male at the current juncture, along with something else stirring deep within, something that she would keep buried below the surface. She sort of missed him. He was one of her only friends in ice, and though he aggravated her to no end most days, she really did care about him.

"N-No!" She chirped loudly, the false note of the lie causing her voice to squeak in a way. She sighed, shaking her head, offering the male a sheepish grin. It wasnt easy for her to fully smile, it wasn't something she did often, except around her mother or her siblings.
"Y-yes. I just wanted to check on you once i heard that you made it home." She certainly didn't want another repeat of Naga. She still wondered if the male was being treated right in the city to this day, if he was okay. She didn't want to lose this male forever too. "The city can be quite the experience from what I told and it tends to change you and how you act, or feel about specific things." She admitted quietly. She hadn't been in a situation where she was captured, but most of her siblings had, and that alone had angered and worried her.

Hati smiles warmly at her finally admitting some of her repressed feelings. He was glad she was beginning to feel more comfortable around him. “That’s very kind of you,” He said in a gentle voice, offering a small nudge to her shoulder with his muzzle as thanks. He continued to listen to her murmurs about the city, how it changes people. “I hate it,” He said dryly, thinking back to the dark cages where cats were openly mistreated, left starved, and crying out for help. “It was every man for himself in there, I was lucky when Rize and his friend came along, otherwise I’d have been thrown into many unwanted battles,” Hati snarled softly, he clearly did not enjoy the city. Having grown up outside his entire life, being within a stone structure and wholly without freedoms, he hated the city with all his heart.

“If I can help it, I never want to go back there,” He sighed, looking back at her with weary eyes. “But I’m back now, no need to worry your pretty little head.”

Her eyes carefully scanned over his form, taking in a few minor injuries from his time in battle she presumed. She also thought he looked a touch skinnier then before, though not entirely underweight. She felt her cheeks burning slightly as she looked over his handsome form. ,"I uh- better let my mentor know we're heading off,,," she trailed off, avoiding eye contact. "Just ill be right back." She mumbled, her cheeks flushed pink as she went to notify the tiguar of her departure. She took a moment to compose herself, returning after mentioning to the tiguar where she was going with her head held high.

"I was thinking we could maybe go for a hunt. Its good practice and im sure you could use some time out in the woods. Away from all the hustle and bustle." She explained awkwardly to Hati, pawing at the ground.

The dark clouded leopard waited for her, sitting down momentarily, as he waited for her to return. He debated momentarily if he should tell his own mentor he was headed out, but honestly he doesn't particularly care to do that. So he just waited. Once she did, he stood back up, and gave her a smile, listening to what she was thinking about doing, "That sounds fine by me."

Getting out of camp would be good for him, he really needed to stretch his legs. So this'll be a good thing for him to do, and he definitely wouldn't mind spending some more time with her.

Carina padded forward through the mountains, avoiding the underbrush the best to her ability. There was an often used trail went meant very little foliage in the path, along with debris and such. The walk seemed quiet but somehow peaceful. "Its good you're back where you belong. That you didn't choose humans over-" over what? She wondered. Over her? She didn't know if she was brave enough to mention such thoughts so she moved forward. "Over ice. I know things aren't always easy here and sometimes there's a lot of mouths to feed, but ice will never not feel like home to me." She admitted softly.

Realizing she had been letting her softer side show, she straightened up, trying to appear all business. She sniffed the air eagerly in search of prey., occasionally pawing up the cool earth to help find the fresh scent of rabbit or perhaps something larger.

Hati's ears perked at such a... specific comment. Why would he choose humans over Ice? And was there an issue in feeding Ice cats? The clouded leopard looked at her weird, finding her comments fairly confusing to him. Did she think he'd leave? "I'd never leave Ice on such a dumb whim. There's plenty of food here. I don't hate humans, but I wouldn't leave for them," He replied, feeling fairly confused by her statements. "Do you think I'd leave Ice?" He asked, very confused on why she said such a thing to him.

He continued padding after her, a soft sense of something not being told to him filled the air, making him feel rather uncomfortable. Not too much to leave, but an uneasiness that he's missing out on crucial information. "I... I remember you talking to me about this person named Naga. I've never seen this person in Ice, is this... Are you afraid i'd leave like him?" He asked in a soft by weary voice. He didn't want to bring up bad memories, but his curious nature begged him to ask.

"Its not that I'd think you'd leave per say. I know that you wouldn't especially now. Just uh...." She struggled to find a way of explaining it to the male without bringing up her fears, her loss of Naga. "Some folks find the cushy life to be a bit more suitable I guess? Not having to work for your food, or huddle up for warmth. I find the tasks in question to be more rewarding but I suppose not everyone has that mentality. " She began to explain. An awkward silence had fallen over them as they walked, until he asked the question she'd been dreading. Naga.

Her posture steeled slightly, the memories of her childhood flooding back. Her ears flattened and she remained rooted in place. "Its complicated." She managed to mutter, "But yes, he disappeared and hasn't been seen since. There's rumors as to where he ended up at." But, she knew the truth. She had promised to keep the truth to herself, but she considered sharing it with Hati. Surely he wouldn't tell all of ice the truth? She hesitated, feeling a little unsure as to what she should do.

"Disappeared huh?" Hati decided he'd push a little harder, but not a lot to make her uncomfortable. He figured that statement earlier was her projecting her fears from that male, Naga, on to him. "I don't mean to press if it's someone you don't wish to talk about, but, please don't project his faults on to me. I won't leave you for some humans. Don't get me wrong, I do like some humans, but i'd never leave a pretty girl like you," He snickered, a playful laugh gracing his face at his last comment, trying to lighten the mood with her.

She'd become one of his closest friends, not to mention his crush, so. It kinda of hurt him to have her think he'd ever leave her for the city. He was more than capable of fending for the empire and feeding everyone, so he would never leave for those reasons. Ice had become his home, and he wouldn't just leave it for such meager reasons.

"Mmm" she managed to start, strain clearly in her voice. "Its....its hard to explain. " she willed herself to move forward, though her body was still rigid, stressed over how to explain. "I'm not so much projecting my errr...doubts on you. Its more..." she sighed, feeling at a loss on how to explain it. "I just know that sometimes hardships lead us to make different choices but im glad you're view on everything hasn't changed. The hunters can be quite persuasive when they want to be so I'm told. Trying to convince you that life in a home is far better then the freedom you experience out here." It wasn't so much the fear of him leaving just like Naga did. Comparing him to Naga simply wouldn't be fair. But ice had taken its toll and including the landslide it wasn't hard to imagine that some might feel differently. She had grown close to Hati and she definitely knew she'd be affected if he had decided to never return. "Anyway..." she cleared her throat. "This is a pretty heavy topic for you having just got back. Let's focus on the hunt." She mumbled, moving forward to see if she could catch scent of anything.

Hati shrugged it off, it seemed to be a topic she wasn't yet comfortable speaking to him about and he wasn't going to press further until she was ready. "Alright," He said, giving her a gentle smile, hoping it'd convey to her that it's okay, that even if not now, maybe later, they could speak about it.

The dark clouded leopard moved forward slightly, inch ahead of her, lifting his large round nose into the air, his maw opening slightly in hopes to catch a whiff of nearby prey. He caught the scent of stale scent markers of a mountain goat, the larger prey probably already headed further up the mountain scape by now. "Hmm..." He hummed, thinking to himself momentarily, wondering if he'd be of use up in the trees, catching sight of prey from up top. He was eager enough to stretch out his body and get some exercise in, perhaps his pretty companion would allow him such a luxury so soon after getting out of the healer's den.

"I'd like to get a better view, I'll be going up in the trees if that's okay," He bemused, shooting her a faint grin, clearly playing in a princess role with her.

She gently leaned her shoulder into him, in silent thanks before righting herself proper to focus on the hunt. She opened her maw to taste the wind for fresh scents, but she too was smelling nothing recent. She glanced over at him when he mentioned going up in the trees. Was he asking her permission? Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and she looked away. "Yeah sure, whatever just dont get yourself hurt ya big dummy. " she said casually, attempting to hide the worry from her voice.

She trotted along ahead, slightly envious of the males ability to get into trees so easily. It was a thing that the lynx hybrid had struggled with for so long, and sometimes still didn't quite have the hang off. But to a cloudy, it did make sense how easy trees were. That was just instinct over all, its how they survived.

"Haha, better help me if I do!" Hati laughed, giving her a quick wink, before turning to scamper up a tree, his large round paws easily scaling the tree as his claws hooked into it. He climbed a few branches higher than the low hanging ones, just to make sure he got a good view of everything below. This was his natural habitat, amongst the trees, where his true huntsmen comes out. Lime eyes looked down at the now smaller appearing Carin below, shooting her yet another quick smile before returning back to the hunt. Oh how he enjoyed pressing her buttons. Really made her cuter, especially when she turns away and acts like she doesn't like it.

His eyes scanned the forestry below him, spotting a few birds, and what looked to be like either a rabbit or some other small vermin rummaging around in a bush. "I think I see some small rodent in the bushes up ahead!" He called down to Carina, giving her a heads up.

Carina gave a small shake of her head, attempting to hide the small smile appearing at the corner of her mouth. "Psh, if you get hurt that's your own dumb fault, I'm not dragging your fat butt all the way home. You're too heavy." Ahe complained playfully. At the mention of possible prey just beyond the bushes, she immediately fell silent. She kept her paw steps slow, deliberate, each step with quiet purpose as she worked to figure out where the prey might be. The scent was nearly overwhelmingly fresh, leaving Cari's senses confused as to the exact direction. Her eyes scanned through the underbrush, attempting to spot the small creature in question.

Hati smiled as he watched the smaller female begin to show her hunting spirit. She looked so skilled as she fell silent and began creeping towards the under brush, her purple eyes alert and ready for any sign of moment. Lime eyes admired the dark female below, only moving to notice some movement in the foliage ahead of her. It didn't look quite right to be any sort of prey they usually ate, noting that the rodent appeared to be... long? Like really long, looked like the regular short hair of one, but, it's length of body had him questioning exactly what it was.

But then it clicked. Mink.

"Carina be careful! I think that might be a mink. If it senses you're in its territory it might hurt you!" He hissed down to her, afraid of what that wild thing would do to her if she wasn't ready for it. He knew it was extremely slippery with its noodle-like body, not to mention it's excellent jumping skills and tiny dangerous claws.

Her tall ears perked up in response to Hati"s warning and purple eyes glanced up at him. What could be described as a small, somewhat cocky and determined expression passed her maw. Her eyes narrowed, moving back to focus on the target. Prey that fought back sounded like an interesting little challenge. She crept forward once more, this time narrowing down the scent and focusing on the soft scratching sounds of its paws. She was ready for anything.

“Of course she’d try to hunt it...” Hati sighed with a smile, rolling his eyes as he plopped on his tree branch and decided to watch her try to hunt the noodle of an animal. He’d certainly be amused by her attempt at hunting it, and certainly would be impressed if she managed to catch it. If she doesn’t, well, he certainly gave her a good warning before her attempt.

She crept forward, step by step careful not to many any sound. With each step she kept her eye on the rodent like creature. When she closed enough distance she leapt forward, aiming to kill the creature swiftly. Just as swiftly the mink turned, sharp claws connecting with skin. Some of the fur where the claws made contact were missing and she yowled in pain. A sharp snarl passed through her maw and she lifted her own claws to swipe at the rodent.

The rodent leaped forward, to take a bite out of the females paw, teeth sunk in and holding on for dear life. She yowled once more, waving her paw roughly in the air sending the mink flying into nearby rocks. With a crack he fell, his spine having snapped by the force. She panted from exertion and limped forward to put the creature out of its misery. She growled irritability as she pulled back, blood on her maw from the kill. Blood oozed slightly from her wounds and Cari gently began to lick them. "Feisty little thing. " she growled.

The clouded leopard laughed heartedly by the sudden display, knowing it wouldn't go well for the stubborn female. "I told you so!" He cackled, watching the display with a big ol smile. Though he did feel a sense of sadness at the sickening crunch of the mink hitting the rocks. It was a sad day for the mink facing up against fierce Carina, but she'd wanted to prove herself and that she did. With a bite to the foot and some scratches to the face.

Decidedly, Hati climbed his way down from his perch in the tree, and walked to Carina, to give her a good once over for the wounds she sustained from the feisty mink. "You okay? You're limping..." He commented, moving one of his large paws to try and get Carina to lift hers up so he could get a decent view of the wound.

She licked her wound half-heartedly, not really wanting to make a big show of it. The wounds hurt, badly, but she was nothing if not strong. The bite was deep and oozed blood and the scratches upon her cheek stung, but it was nothing she couldn't handle. She tolerated Hati looking at, but she huffed a little bit in protest. "I'm fine, i wouldn't worry about it." she grumbled softly, "Lets pick this up and take this back to the empire. " she gestured with the lame paw toward the mink. She limped forward, clasping the prey in her muzzle and making her way toward the empire. She attempted to put weight on it, wincing slightly with every step.

With a touch of confidence, Hati gave a quick lick to Carina's cheek wound, a playful smile caressing his cheeks soon following the action. "Feel a bit better now?" He joked, following after the wounded female, his playful smile not leaving his face. He was worried about her, buuuut, this happened cause she wouldn't listen to him, so he can only worry so much. If she'd just listen, she wouldn't have these tiny little wounds. At least the clouded leopard had gotten a quite entertaining show out of it all. "You're stubborn as always y'know?" He mewed with a smirk, playfully sticking his tongue out at her.

She staggered backwards blushing at the bold male who licked her cheek. Her hackles raised just slightly, her fur bristling in shock. She took a deep breath, trying to soothe her frazzled nerves. She shot the male a grumpy look before continuing to limp forward. "Always. If not for my stubbornness I'd probably given up on hopes of being a gladiator years ago. Been judged for my size since I was born."

"I'm not so sure about that," Hati added in, quickly following along with her, "I've seen quite a few smaller gladiators, or at least one in particular, perhaps you should talk to her?" The image of a smaller pale brown feline entered his mind, the one that had entered the cages with the male that had rescued him. "She seemed more than capable and she's smaller than you I believe," He mewed, remembering the rather small female's stature.

"I had been born as a runt though Hati." She said softly, "So i was rather small for someone of my breeds. Plus I think honestly everyone was worried i was weak and sickly, when quite the opposite i did quite fine. My wounds from a training fight got infected once and that's the sickest I've ever been i believe." She sighed, favoring her paw. It was beginning to sting a bit more as she went along, and she began to wonder what sort of damage the rodent creature had done.

"Carina..." Hati sighed, "Are you certain these worries are not things you've thought yourself?" Lime eyes looked at her in worry. "I've only ever seen you work yourself thin, and I think that's what worries me the most. It's not about how you were born, it's also how you treat yourself, and if you continually wear yourself thin for months... Well it wouldn't surprise me if people thought you looked sickly compared to those who didn't train as often as you do," The brown clouded leopard gave her a worrying shoulder touch, keeping the pressure to her side for a moment, showing her he really is worried about her. He'd not seen anyone work this hard, even his own brother and he weren't as stead fast on training every hour of every day till they had gotten sick from a wound.

The viking brothers would fight, train hard, and eat a whole feast upon returning home, and then relax. So seeing Carina work so hard was both inspirational and worrying for the male.

She shook her head, he simply wouldn't understand, most didn't. The way other cats looked at her, it gave her the chip on the shoulder. Even her own mother had told her as a cub to duck into the bushes. Young Carina had been ready to claw a hunters nose, eyes, whatever she had managed to get ahold of but instead had been forced to retreat. "Even as a cub I wasn't allowed to stand up for my family. Had to hide in the bushes with my sister until everything was over. I dint ever want to feel like I can't defend my own, so that's why I fight. " she said simply, using the male for balance so she could better walk on three legs.

"Cubs were not meant to fight," He pointed out, "And besides that, if you were to hide in the bushes with your sister, weren't you there to defend your sister?" At this point he'd grown to know a bit more about Carina's family, though not much, just from what he'd seen around camp. He wasn't sure which sister, but if he had to bet, it was likely the blind one, as he couldn't think of any other cub being told to hide in the bushes, which was unfortunate for her blind sister, but again, they were cubs.

"Don't get me wrong Carina, I had lost my home when I was just a cub, and i'm sure many have childhood trauma in our empire," Hati commented more softly, "If I were to have children, I'd tell them to hide so I can get rid of the threat... I would never want to put my children into danger."

Carina knew the male had a point, to a degree anyway. She did keep her sister safe during that time, but that wasn't what she wanted to do. But the thought of putting any future children she might have at risk regardless of their wishes didn't settle well with her either. She settled for silence while she stewed on his words, keeping the pressure on his shoulder so she could put less weight upon her paw. "Come." She said firmly, "we're nearly there now."

The dark male kept his silence, knowing he probably made a fair point and that’s why she dropped silent. She was definitely thinking about what he said, and he hoped she would think about it more thoroughly. “Okay… I’ve got you,” He said softly, keeping in pace with her steps while she leaned against him. He’d grown protective of her, and wanted nothing more than to see her succeed, but he also wanted her to keep her safe and challenge her tough girl attitude when he thought it was to her detriment.

She was grateful when camp finally came into view. Her other legs were growing tired with the extra weight they had to endure, even with Hati's help. She limped her way into the camp, random cats offering them passing glances. She turned to Hati, wincing slightly from her injury. "I better get this checked out, see what kind of damage that miserable rodent did. You don't need to join me from here, I'm sure it'll just be a patch and rest. " she looked back toward the healers den then at Hati. "I'm sure I'll see you later."

"Oh no no, i'm coming with," Hati replied quickly, continuing to hold her up, "I'm not gonna let you carry yourself there." No way was he going to let her be headstrong now, he was going to help her all the way back. With her weight against his shoulder, the two began walking towards to the healer's den, much to the hybrid's displeasure that he was coming with.

RP takes place when Hati returned form being captured! Takes place after July 41 BC!
Continued here: Love sick

WC: 4723

Denarii count:
50D for proof of RP + 135D (15D for every 500 words (9 times 15D)) = 185 Denarii to Carina
50D for proof of RP + 135D (15D for every 500 words (9 times 15D)) + 60D for picture and 10D for extra WPR character = 255D to Hati!

Carina and rp (c) Whispering-Spirit
Hati, art, and rp (c) VertigoCrime