*Username*Disbounded
*Name of Zver*Emberlynn
*Name Meaning*"Precious, pretty jewel"
*Biological sex*Female
*Gender*Female
*Personality** Born mute, Emberlynn is unable to communicate in the typical telepathic manner of other Zvers. Because of this, her vocalizations and facial expressions are incredibly animated. She communicates now with particular barks and gestures that she teaches to her companions.
* She is loud and happy and full of love for everyone she meets. Due to being held indoors for so long, she is curious about everything she sees. Companions of her's will often turn around to find her deeply engrossed in something she's found, and she often wanders off in search of new and exciting things.
* She is claustrophobic, and will often outright refuse to go into small spaces. Being touched by someone unfamiliar will send her into a panic, but she never attacks unless attacked first. Although she will fight back in self-defense, her movements are full of hesitation, as she hates to see anyone hurt, even someone she doesn't like.
* It is very difficult for her to hate anyone, and in fact she would never use that word. She sees the good in all beings, even to a fault. Many consider he naive for this overly-optimistic outlook, but Emberlynn stands strong behind her beliefs.
*History*Emberlynn was discovered by a group collectors who intended to explore the broken remains of the crashed Zver ship. They expected only to find odd artifacts or machinery, but to their surprise they found an adolescent Zver. She was young and weak, and easily captured. The pillagers, finding nothing else of value at the wreckage, decided to sell the creature in order to make a profit. She was purchased by a wealthy man who took her to his estate and displayed her among his collection of other rare and exotic animals. Unable to communicate her sentience to him, she remained trapped for years in his zoo. He was not cruel, but he was not kind, and she was not allowed to leave her cage, and the light streaming in from a small window in her pen was her only view of the outside world.
**She awoke to sounds of people in the corridor. She heaved a heavy breath, and stiffly got to her feet. He whole body ached from sleeping on the barely padded floor, and she shivered with cold as her paws touched the barren surface of her pen. The entire place was barren, to be fair, save for the aforementioned bed and a mural on the back wall. It was an image of a green expanse, dotted with pinks and yellows. Above it was a blue sky, dotted with white. She knew the sky well, it was all she could see from the small window just to the right of the painting. But the colors bellow it confused her, filled her with wonder. She wished desperately to find them, see them in person.
The chattering of voices grew louder, and Emberlynn faced the bars at the front of the room. A large crowd of people appeared, who simultaneously gasped upon seeing the creature, and her ears drooped in response. Xavier stood at the front of the crowd, and eyed her hungrily. Emberlynn knew she was his property, knew that he considered her to be one of many jewels in his crown of a zoo. But for what reason he insisted on keeping her trapped, she did not know. Her voice could not form words that resembled his speech, and he did not understand her yipps and howls. Unable to communicate with him, she suffered in silence.
She knew that if she could only speak to him, he would set her free. The man was not kind, but he wasn't cruel, and Ember saw the loneliness in his eyes. She could be his friend, his companion, if only he could understand.
Her thoughts were interrupted by Xavier. "This is Emberlynn, my precious jewel. She is unlike any creature you have ever seen. They are called the Zvers, and are incredibly rare. Some claim they are aliens from outer space!"
The crowd laughed at that one. The routine was always the same; the speech, the pictures, the pointing. She stood quietly and waited for them to be finished. A young girl was staring at her, her eyes completely unmoving. Emberlynn looked over at her and met her gaze. The little girl smiled, hand waved her hand. Startled, Ember waved back.
"Mommy mommy, she just waved to me!" The girl cried, tugging on her mother's sleeve.
"Nonsense my dear." Xavier walked over and put a hand on her head. "This creature is no smarter than your average cat or dog. I've taught her no tricks and she does not have the capacity to learn such things on her own."
"But-"
"Come now my dear, there is plenty more to see!"
The girl looked longingly at Emberlynn as her mother dragged her away. Ember lifted her paw and waved again, desperate to make a connection. The girl smiled again, lifting her finger to her lips. Then they were gone.
The girl returned the next day, carrying a large and colorful book.
"Uncle Xavier said I could come down here and hang out with you if I wanted." She opened the book, which contained a series of photos. Ebmerlynn recognized the girl in many of them.
"This is my family!" She proclaimed proudly. "This is my mom, my dad, and my brother." She gestured to a small boy with dark hair and blue eyes. "He doesn't talk like I do though. He's deaf, so he uses his hands. Like this!" She performed a series of gestures with one hand. "M-A-D-D-Y. Maddy! That's my name. And this-" She placed the knuckles of both hands together, her fingers pointing to her chest. Then she twisted her hands upwards so her fingers were pointing to her chin. Then she took one of her hands and pointed at Ember. "That means 'how are you?'"
Emberlynn sat up on her haunches, and very carefully repeated the movements.
How are you? She thought, and for the first time she felt as though she was speaking.
"That's it!" The girl exclaimed. "I knew you were smart! I can teach you more if you want."
Ember nodded eagerly, and so began their daily lessons. Maddy would sit and teach her basic words, and Ember would try her best to copy them. She would practice by herself at night, staring out the window at the stars.
Soon, they will hear my voice. She thought.
But tragedy struck. Xavier was dying. The family gathered for his final days, and Maddy visited one last time.
I am so sad. Ember signed to the crying girl.
I wanted to say so much to him. I will miss him."He never believed me that you were smart, and he has kept you locked up here for years. Aren't you mad at him?"
I am not mad. She signed.
He simply does not understand me.Maddy stopped crying, and her face was set in determination. She raced away, to a place out of sight. A few minutes passed, then Maddy returned, holding a ring of keys. "He always keeps these on his belt, so I could never have them. But I saw them on his nightstand today, and he didn't notice." She began fitting each into the lock of Ember's penn one by one, before one finally turned with a sharp click.
The door swung open, and Emberlynn took her first steps of freedom. He chest swelled with happiness, and she howled with joy. From her mouth came what could only be a laugh, then she turned to her friend.
Please take me to him.The room was musty and dark. Xavier was laid out on the bed, his breathing shallow but steady. He gasped when Ember jumped up on the bed with him.
"How did you get out? Maddy, get this creature away from me!" He demanded, but Ember's moving paws caught his attention. As she signed, Maddy translated for her.
"Hello Xavier. I am sorry for not speaking with you sooner, but I did not know how. I am smart, as smart as you perhaps, and a do feel, and deeply as you do. I know you could not have understood this, and I do not hold it against you."
The man stared at her, mouth agape, and Ember was afraid he would faint. Suddenly, he began to cry.
"I am so sorry." He choked out. "I didn't know you understood. I treated you so unfairly."
Ember pressed her paws to his face, then signed
I forgive you. I care for you Xavier, despite all this. I do not wish to see you go.She curled up in his arms, and he held her until his moment came. Maddy and Ember cried together, until they heard others outside. Maddy hid Ember in her jacket and ran off with her, until they made it safely outside.
"What will you do now?" Maddy sniffed, setting Ember down.
I want to explore, see the world. Discover. She pressed her paw to the young girl's nose.
But I will not forget you, or him, or this place. Thank you, so much, for everything.The two hugged, and Emberlynn took her first steps into the unknown, and into freedom.
**
Other Facts*Birthday*February 21
*Zodiac* Pisces
*Likes*Shiny and colorful objects, tiny stones (she collects them), new friends, springtime
*Dislikes*Small spaces, collars or other forms of control, loud noises
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