username: Isabella45
name: Dijana (Meaning; princess)
Link to thread: xxXxx prompt:Dijana. Princess, the name meant, and yet Dijana was far from a princess, too lowly for some in her tribe to even look upon. To understand why she was given a name so unfitting you must first understand the circumstances of her birth.
Her mother was Akilah, a well-known healer in the tribe and well respected by all. The tribe healers were regarded highly, and the tribe held them to high standards.
It came about that an injured Serval found his way to the tribe one day. The leader showed pity and said he could stay and the healers would tend to him, but once he had healed he had to leave. Akilah took on the job of healing him, and as she saw to his wounds the two became friends and more. Even once he was healed, the Serval wished to stay with the tribe and Akilah.
But the tribe only allowed those of their own blood to stay with them. Even domestic cats from other places were allowed to seek temporary sanctuary, but never permanent residence. It would muddy their pure bloodlines and displease the ancestors. So the visitor was told he must leave, and reluctantly he did. But Akila had planned to follow after him, so they might be together. Unfortunately another Healer overheard her plans and went to the leader.
Outraged at the betrayal the leader sent his warriors to kill the stranger before he left their lands.
Akilah never saw his body, but the warriors returned and the leader informed the whole tribe what had happened. Later he spoke privately to Akilah as well, chastising her for her attachment and ill judgement.
Thinking her love was dead, never to be seen again, Akilah reluctantly went back to her life of duty and obligation. But in time she came to realize that she was expecting kits, and she knew there could only be one father. She thought to hide it, but then she realized she didn't want to, why should she be ashamed for having kits with someone she had loved?
So Dijana was born.
The whole tribe had expected something was off when they realized Akilah was pregnant, and Dijana's appearance only validated their suspicions. She was indeed half Serval. This angered the leader and the other Healers especially. Dijana's very existence muddied their bloodlines and reputation. She was living proof of Akilah's betrayel.
But Akilah was determined to keep her kit. She refused to give her up and gave her a name that meant 'princess'. In their tribe names were important, linking to character or heritage in some way. To name the half-blood kit 'princess' was to defy what she was in the eyes of the tribe.
But her mother was determined and Akilah managed to shield her from the worst of the cruelty of the tribe. Dijana always knew something wasn't right, but it wasn't until her mother told her about her father that she really understood why the tribe hated her so.
Dijana knew she'd never be accepted so contented herself with helping her mother in her work. She had a true talent for it, Akilah said. In time her mother hoped to make her a full-fledged Healer. This news got around and no one was pleased. Dijana could never be allowed to hold such a scared position in the tribe. Were it not for the law requiring at least six Healers at all times they would have already gotten rid of Akilah.
But this changed things.
Dijana was in her den one day when she heard the shouts from outside. Her mother was out gathering herbs so she just peeked out the entrance of the den to see what was happening. And what she saw she would never forget.
Four warriors dragged her mother's lifeless body between them, claiming they'd found her at the bottom of a cliff. But Dijana knew better.
With a cry she hurtled out of the den, all of her stored up anger now unleashed. She accused them all of murder and condemned them for punishing her mother for loving those they deemed unworthy.
But without Akilah there to protect her the tribe went after Dijana. Several warriors attacked at once and Dijana wasn't well trained enough to fight back efficiently. She'd been badly bitten and scratched before the leader finally put a stop to it, banishing her to her den and saying they'd have a trial for her later after her mother's vigil.
Dijana went to her den, bruised and bloody. Cruelly they left her to tend to her own mother's body. All alone with nothing but her anger and grief Dijana came up with a plan. She got what little she had together then carefully removed her mother's necklace. It was a necklace like every Healer had, a mark of their status and a visible connection to the ancestors. She cared not for its meaning, but Akilah had wanted to pass it on to her one day so Dijana kept it as a reminder.
After caring for her mother's body she crept out of the den through a back way her mother had once showed her. Then, as best as she could, she ran.
Bleeding and lightheaded she ran until she had left the tribe's territory. For a long time she traveled, always afraid they might find her. At times she swore her mother's spirit was there, urging her on, until finally she came upon a land of sunshine and mists. It was there she collapsed, finally too tired to go on any longer.
So the Draconis clan who lived there took her in. They wondered about her past, but didn't pry. They had secrets of their own. And Dijana found acceptance in their ranks, as well as a job doing what she loved, what her mother had been training her for. And though she'd left her home, she has always had her mother's guiding spirit to help her through life in her new home.
(1000/100 words)
