Username: Goddess Sword
Cat Name: Edgar
Cat Gender: Male
Group: The WayfarersGroup Status: Traveler
Prompt:Bora was quiet. Another immortal, reborn again and again, bearing the memories of his past lives... He thought back to the third tree. This was not his doing, not like before, and yet...
"Edgar?" he asked. "I have some...
abilities, when it comes to memory. Would you be willing to share a snippet of your past with me?"
The phoenix looked up, hesitating, then nodded. "Okay."
Gently, he raised a paw to place it on Edgar's forehead. "Don't worry," he assured. "You're safe." And he closed his eyes.
---
At first, he noticed the sensation of warmth, despite the chill of the air rushing though what would one day be fur.
The second thing? He was flying. For Bora, this was something new entirely. But for Edgar, it was only natural. A bird in the air, just as was meant to be.
Then, third... exhaustion, the heaviness of the wings carrying him.
Something whizzed past on his left, grazing his outstretched feathers - Bora couldn't see it, but Edgar's thoughts in that moment made the object clear. An arrow.
Seeing no other way, he dove into a freefall towards the trees and brush below. The warmth from before grew hot, and the world around him ignited. Still he flew, leaving trails of flame in his wake, until at last, the weakness in his wings overtook him, and he fell to the ground, skidding through the burning foliage. All went dark.
When he awoke, he had changed. No longer a beak, but a muzzle at the base of his vision. Talons no more, but paws. Each stained black with ash and soot.
He wanted to cry. But how could he? It would only put him in more danger. Those tears... they wanted them as much as his plumage. And to let them flow would only wash away his disguise.
So be it.
He would live on like this.
---
Bora pulled back from the not-cat and opened his eyes, full of sorrow. Edgar was shivering, once more trying to hold back his emotions, still stuck in that moment of fear and pain.
"I'm sorry," he said softly.
Edgar sniffed and pawed at his face. "It's fine," he said.
Was it, though?
Bora sat next to him, letting him take his time, regain his composure. And then, he spoke. "There's a cat I know. They're in... a similar situation as you, in some respects. Living many lives, and remembering all. Both the good and bad." He closed his eyes again. There was much he wished he could say. But he held his tongue. "Though surrounded by companions, they feel alone, distanced from who they are now, and with it, those who have joined them. But... I think, perhaps, you each may find kinship in the other's company."
Edgar watched the smilodon rise to his feet and meet his gaze. "I would not pressure you to go with them, least of all after all you've gone through. But should you be interested, the offer is there."
(500/500)
