Feyre's Meadow

Time skip: 4 months

Even after the distance they had put between themselves and Ignasia, Lotus could still hear their mother's reassuring words echoing in her mind. "We are free." she could clearly remember how those three words summoned up whatever last attempt to comfort her and ignited that spark of hope within her. After the torture inflicted upon their mother. After the loss of Stanley. After the sudden, rushed separation from Lotus' five other siblings, that including Rome, Mutt and Hound. Hope was all the little one could cling on to, but with every passing day, it seemed to fade more and more away. Their so-called "freedom" was a lie, an entire illusion. It wasn't that they were being hunted and scavenged for - it seemed that their brutal father had given up on the two of them and their mother, and didn't see the purpose of recapturing the rather useless trio. It was their mother's delusion that Ignasia or Mortiful devils were lurking at every corner, that chained all three of them, from the ideal "freedom" they all longed to have a taste of. At every turn, every new terrain they lay their paws on, every bush they brush pass, their mother would bark her head off exasperatedly without warning, lashing out orders about "dangers". "Sniff harder!" "Look harder!" Her desperate, husky orders used to cause Lotus' heart to nearly stop, but after weeks of listening to the same commands, she eventually learnt to shut them out. Every single time Lotus obediently followed their mother's instructions, she smelled nothing - there was no danger, no Ignasia, no Mortiful. Maybe she was imagining it like she always did, but even Zayn didn't detect anything that would potentially hurt them. It was exhausting, listening to their mother's stubborn protests about being stalked and chased by Ignasia's beasts. Even Lotus' iron-willed voice couldn't win over her repeatedly insisting that they were there. As far as Lotus knew, there was entirely nothing she could do to soothe the wild fear in their mothers' eyes, or calm her down. They were helpless. And even so, Lotus still loved them unconditionally.

Along with their mother's constant anxiety of being watched, Lotus had began catching sights of a maned wolf. He looked quite similar to Quentin, black mane and orangish brown figure, but not quite the same in mannerism. The first time Lotus watched him sliding up to her side, she let an audible gasp of shock escape her maw, much to the confusion of both Miyako and Zayn. "Quentin..." she had murmured, only to be greeted with an even more befuddled look from her older brother, and Miyako having a worse panic attack. However, as the he-wolf made more appearances before her, he acted nothing like what their mother used to describe Quentin as. He was a gentle fella, who lay down beside Lotus and listen to her pour out worries. Sometimes, he even gave bits of wise advice to her. It later dawned on her that the brute was invisible to her families' eyes, and his gravel voice was unheard by everyone else except her. At first, Lotus thought of her extraordinary vision as a "blessing", only to later form the idea that maybe he wasn't real. Maybe she was making things up? With that theory in mind, she began to develop doubt for everything she sees and hear. What if she had been living a lie? What if nothing, in the end, was real? It was frustrating, now learning that she saw things that weren't there. How could she tell the difference between her visions and reality? Now, besides for Miyako and Zayn, nothing was guaranteed to be real for young Lotus. So, of course, Lotus had to confirm everything she saw with her blush eyes with the both of them. And yes, she slowly trained herself to not trust the maned he-wolf that strides up to her, although she couldn't help but listen to some of his words.

As for her older brother, Lotus came to learn he struggled with visions like hers, things that were only there for him. While Lotus grew to learn how to cope with hers, Zayn didn't seem to be able to deal with his. He saw monsters, which he claimed were real and were absolutely terrified by. The only thing Lotus could do was to pull him close and comfort him with her gentle, sweet voice, but it didn't seem to work nonetheless.

If there were any good things that happened during the four months of torture, it would be the sibling love Zayn continuously lavished upon her when their mother couldn't, looking out for her. He would often hunt for both Lotus and Miyako, as Miyako was now barely able to tend to her own needs. And while Lotus felt partly guilty for being the one and only recipient of any occasional love from their mother, she held on to the pride that she was still their mother's "favourite". As she learnt how to hunt, she always attempted to drag back larger kills than Zayn's. When he brought back a rat, she brought back an entire hare. Maybe Zayn had already given up on the competition with more urgent things to focus on, but Lotus hadn't quite let go of it yet, with quite the fight left in her. Even with the puppish competitiveness in her, she still loved Zayn dearly. Lotus' growth blossomed despite all odds, and she transformed into a beautiful, petite lady. Her pelt of ash grey surrounding her sides darkened into a charcoal colour. The light golden brown fur behind her ears and along the bridge of her snout was now a deep shade of coffee. Along with the more prominent darker shades, hues of silver and oak had also made their appearances on her thick coat of fur. While Zayn now towered above Lotus, she had now grown to a comfortable height which she could now turn to their mother easily without craning her neck upwards.

Now, as Lotus tossed a sideway glance at Miyako, she was slightly taken aback by the rather calm face she held. It was a huge improvement from her usual edgy demeanour, but was rather odd. They were padding through unfamiliar lands, something which had became common as they lived their days as rogues. However, something was quite fishy about the meadow they were trudging through. As the warm Spring breeze swayed the lazy pink and white flowers, Lotus caught a whiff of several scents of wolves. Pack wolves. They were nearby, and the trio had intruded their territory. While Lotus couldn't be sure, she swiftly quickened her pace, and placed herself in front of their mother. "We're intruding a pack's territory. There are pack wolves here. We need to leave." Lotus explained sternly. "Now." Yet, their mother blatantly ignored her, and flopped down among the flowers. “Stop, Master won’t find us here. Not for now." A frown was creased on Lotus' snout. Master wasn't even after them. A slight troubled expression crossed Lotus' face as she gazed pleadingly at her older brother for help, before looking back to their mother: "Master won't find us here, but other pack wolves would. We're trespassing. This is no time for resting, Mum."

Zayn @miyako

"Master won't find us here, but other pack wolves would. We're trespassing. This is no time for resting, Mum." Sanguine eyes softened as she admired at the blossoms’ beauty, deaf to whatever childish worries peppered her ears. How lovely they were! Cautiously, she craned her neck forward, allowing herself a brief moment to savor that scent. Had she not loved flowers, once upon a time? Something resembling a memory gently materialized before her, from a foreign time when the world itself didn’t breathe down her heels, when her sisters had all been alive and well. She was simply silly, sweet Miyako in those days, before she learned the world was cruel and those within it crueler. Flushed eyes flitted open, savoring the soft pinks of the buttercups. They were the same gentle shade as lotus petals. “I named you after flowers like that.” She muttered, recalling the reckless age in which rivers didn’t represent death. It was the most clarity her memories had yielded in years. “Lotus blossoms,” She drilled solemnly, repeating words, lessons she’d learned but were not her known. “Symbolize purity, capable of submerging themselves in muddy filth; only to once more bloom pink and pristine in the morning light.” She swiveled her head, almost happy it seemed — then, as swiftly as it came, it dimmed once more.

Her child had warned her of trespassing. Did she not know it was impossible for them to do so? All the pack lands, the entire world had been overrun by the brutes of Mortiul and Ignasia. There was no reign here other than Master’s, other than Mistress’s, and she hadn’t sensed those two amongst them in days. It was a pleasant, ever fleeting peace. Lotus had said herself that Master would never find them here. Was he not always rallying his wolves at his flank? If he was never to be found, then his disciples had surely followed suit. Had they no worries other than these? Besides, she knew that flowers this fragrant could never grow in their incredulously thin mountain soil. For now, they’d wandered far enough for her liking, far enough to catch their balmy, rasping breath before bolting off again. By some inexplicable stroke of luck, they’d garnered the most elusive resource their journey had cruelly withheld — time. Their luck would not be so bountiful in seasons to come. It would suit Zayn and Lotus best to get to sleep now, but perhaps such an idle act was difficult when their lives were riddled with permanent worry.

“It’s alright,” Mimi began in a half-attempt to reassure them. It was a preposterous claim. Nothing was ever alright, at least not with them. When they weren’t fleeing, they were dealing with haunts. When they’d handled the haunts, they would then have to handle the imminent threat of starvation. They lived their lives in endless cycle of terror, fear, and paranoia, and little had ever happened to break it. And yet in the midst of all their anguish and delirium, there were moments where they could briefly cling to an illusion of normality. It was these exceptionally rare, incredibly precious instances that rooted the remnants of her sanity, and she’d be damned before relinquishing them. She calmly settled her head on her paws, arching thin ashen jaws in a yawn. “Nothing can ever grow in Ignasia.” She recalled aloud, as if attempting to assure herself. Pragmatically, she pressed her nose into petals for certainty, just to verify that the meadow was, in fact, real. It was. She’d been imprisoned long enough to know their lands. There were rock caverns and caves and tunnels aplenty, but nothing they could ever consider calm and peaceful. Any abnormality as solid as this was tangible proof they weren’t in danger, at least for now.

At least she thought so, until she heard the voice.

In all fairness, it was a soft, gentle sort of voice. That wasn’t the issue. The issue was that it was coming from Mutt. She had immediately sprung to her paws. Every muscle in her torso had stiffened; puce fur prickled in tense horror. Pinkish eyes poured over his features, desperately comparing the youthful face to the tiny child’s she’d left behind. He was smaller than she thought he would be, but the coat matched, the same length and thickness of any Iberian’s. An ivory mouth clearly moved, but emitted no sounds that she could plaintively hear. “What are you doing here?” She interrupted, shakily ebbing towards him. “They’re—” She gasped, gagging back the pain the stream inflicted. “All—dead.” She took another step forward, practically forcing her son to take a step back if he hadn’t already. “Where are they?” She croaked, suddenly lunging forwards, her face hovering centimeters away from his muzzle. “Oh please tell me, please,” She sobbed, sorrel ears flattening against her skull. “I didn’t mean to leave them — honest I didn’t, I just didn’t—have—time. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, but you saw, didn’t you? How they all just came, how Master went—”

A sudden realization struck her. “Father?” She wheezed as her breathing picked up pace. “Yo-u-u call him Father?” She spat as her upper lip twitched into a furious, pained snarl. “How—dare—you?” She slammed herself into him, forcing her prodigal son to the ground. “It’s not your fault,” She moaned, shaking her head. “They’re in your head. His poison has always been inside of you.” She gritted her teeth, her sides heaving with the exertion of holding him. “What has he done to you? Tell me, tell me!” She screamed, shaking at the fulfillment of her worst nightmares. “You’re taking me to them—right—now, and then I’m taking you with me. You will never see this horrible land, that despicable male you’ve the audacity to deem Father as long as I am still breathing.” It was here he broke away, making a beeline for the lands he claimed his Father owned. She followed suit, screeching with fury all the way. “You have them, don’t you?” She screamed, deaf to whatever calming words her children might have provided, running with all the speed she’d used when fleeing the stream. “You have no right! They’re mine,” She sobbed. “Give them back! Give them back!”

OOC: Spirit , I absolutely loved Lotus <33 Her last post is gorgeous!
Tagged: Makoto Lotus Zayn

In the darkness he heard the cries of his siblings. But they were not cries of pain, or torture, or even sadness. They were cries of happiness, laughter, joy. Slowly cracks of light flooded his vision, and there he was. Laying just outside of his den, looking at his family. A sense of home surrounded him, starring as his six brothers and sisters enjoyed the company of each other. Warm rays fell onto the group. For a moment, Zayn just breathed in the warmth. A smile slowly formed on his face, a sigh of content as an exhale.

Tayla was there, the ever watchful one of his siblings. Her responsible nature and level-headed attitude was something he enjoyed in her. He trusted her with his life. He was glad to see the smile on her face, she deserved every bit of happiness that should come her way. He let out a sigh, that slowly rolled into a chuckle. The two made eye contact, her smile a welcoming one. "Come on, Bro, don't be such a sleepy head!"

Myles was the next to chime in, his boundless energy and positive outlook rubbed off on him. The pup that he was grateful to call his brother had ran up to him. His sing-song voice echoing across the ground, drawing the attention of the others. "Sle-ee-pee He-ed!" then the weight of his much smaller brother landed onto his side. Zayn let a cough escape his lips in mock jest of his weight. "You're to heavy," he groaned, rolling on to his back, forelegs pushing into Myles. Laughter echoed through his ears, a smile danced on his maw.

Two more weights were added to the pile. Real coughing from the weight echoed from him, groaning. "You two fat lugs get off!" He half-yelled, the laughter above contagious and he was soon laughing along with them. Mutt and Hound had always been the true trouble makers of the group, but he wouldn't have them any other way. The two brothers were almost as inseparable as Myles and Tayla, but their cooperation and synergy was what made them stand out. They only seemed to listen to one sibling though.

"Ok you two, that's enough," his hero spoke from her shaded spot under a tree. Her half cocked smile the only give-away that she found the groups antics amusing. Rome, while the two butted heads, was the best to lead them. He would follow her if she asked him too, but he knew she knew that, and never needed to ask. He would be by her side no matter what they faced. As the weight left him, and he stood, she piped up once more. "Enjoy that nap? You slept half the day away, what had you been doing all night?" 

Zayn had no words for that, he only laughed at the poke of his horrible sleeping cycle. His eyes searched for the last of his siblings... weren't they all hear moments ago? Black orbs searched the area, no one seemed particularly distressed by his antic searching. Where was Lotus?

Standing outside, further into the trees she stood. Although she did not wear a smile like the rest, and her eyes held sorrow. What had happened? Looking to the others he realized no one had noticed her. He tried to ask what happened to make Lotus sad, but words were trapped in his throat. 

The group seemed to be gathering up to leave, "We're going to go hunting, you're joining right?" Came Rome's question, slight authority was leveled in her voice. His eyes went to her, trying to ask, 'What about Lotus?' When he turned back to look for her, the forest had grown darker. Was the sun already setting? Looking to Rome, the others had already moved on, disappearing in the trees and foliage. 

"Zayn!"

Lotus shouted his name and when he whipped around, he saw her getting swallowed in darkness. He cried out, moving to go help her, but then his mother stood in his way. He had no idea what overcame him but he cowered from her, and she grew, and grew, and grew. Until she stood as tall as grizzly, her eyes cried tears of blood. 

"It's all your fault," she screamed, her voice deafening. Pushing himself backwards, he tried to avoid her crushing him underneath her onslaught of attacks. She lifted her front paws up and came down, like she was trying to squash a bug. All the while screaming, "You bastard!" "All your fault" "I should've killed you while I had the chance!" "DIE!"

Jerking awake Zayn let out a pained whimper, his throat was tight. The only thing that kept him calm was the overwhelming smell of his sister. Taking a deep breath and feeling the warmth of her, he turned his head into her side, pushing himself further into her. He didn't want to cry, but the subtle shaking in his chest was the only indicator that he was distressed.

“My children are dead." 

The world fell away around him, he stiffened. He couldn't tell which way was up, where had the ground gone. Why did it feel like he was sinking? The only thing that wasn't moving was the warmth of Lotus. Pushing into her, he tried to curl into a ball as small as possible. He wanted this world to end. Why had his mother said that? Were they not enough? He remember the hit to his head, the stinging pain still there. Was... was he not enough? He let out a whimper and clenched his eyes closed, hoping that a new day would begin. And that his old life would end.

Sidenote: Because this is a dream his vision of his siblings after these long months will not be the same as who they are now.