Reigniting Hope (Semi-closed)

[LAD]

Damir


Damir's ears flicked as he listened to Daemon, then to his sister, Catacomb, followed their mother speaking. But his gaze was purely on Namaste as his brother moved over to him with a piece of meat. Gratefulness filled his gaze as he stood then, pushing himself back onto his paws to level his size with Namaste's own before his muzzle pushed forward into the torn of piece to sniff at it. He recoiled briefly, his lips curling upwards in distaste at the pungent smell. Then he looked upwards at Catacomb, noting that she liked it, remembering what his brother said to him before his ears flattened against his skull. He knew mother wanted them to move onto this food. But... Scrunching his nose, he tipped his head forward once more, taking the smallest bit of a nibble on it before promptly spitting it back out. It was awful.

[katluver458]

Daemon _Donovan, Memoria ^Whittaker-_Donovan, Catacomb ^Donovan-_Petrenko

The mother went to say something further to her cubs, to try and encourage this new change in their diet again -- But the sound of an eerily familiar chuff off in the distance caught her attention, and she froze, ears twisted back to better hear the sound, and she cast a silent, unsure look to Daemon, who gave a slow nod and stood up. "I'll go see what it is. Stay here, guys." And with that, he left the little family to go and greet whoever it was that chose to show themselves this time. But when he arrived, the first thing he noticed was that they were male. Someone he didn't recognize by sight or scent, either.

His wings flared a bit, head held high and chin tilted as he took them in. "I am King Daemon of the Meurtrier Kingdom. Who are you, and what is your business?" He demanded, as per usual when he or his brother had to 'welcome' in newcomers. This fellow looked to be the no-nonsense type though, so he imagined this was going to be quick and simple and he could get back to what he was doing before. However, the second thing he noticed about the stranger was that he had some kind of an odd harkening to his young nieces and nephews...Especially with those eyes. If he didn't know any better, they looked just like Catacomb's. Interesting, but he didn't make any immediate connection. Perhaps it was just a coincidence of being a Donovan? If he was even a Donovan.

[Blair]

Namaste

Catalyst

Golden eyes leveled on the male that approached him with wings flaring and an air of superiority. As Catalyst had begun to suspect, somehow he snagged the leader of the whole pride. His luck couldn't be any better...or perhaps worse. "I'm looking for a female named Memoria." Catalyst went straight to the point, "Is she here?" He wanted to know for sure if she was really here or not before he asked for her in person. It would be rather awkward if he asked for her and she wasn't in Meurtrier after all.

---

Namaste's eyes encouraged his brother, but watched in silence as his brother sniffed at the meat. When Damir took a bite and spit out the meat almost immediately, Namaste seemed to sag just a little. However, the cub straightened quickly. He would just keep bringing his brother meat until Damir approached the carcass himself. He chewed up the piece of meat, his nose wrinkling slightly at the smell. "I'm not sure I'm ever going to get use to the smell." He did sympathize with his brother, because he had been in the same situation several times before. "It's.." He looked at his paws, as if he could find all his answers down there. "It's different." He finally said with a shrug and feeling somewhat full. He had not actually eaten his full, but he wasn't very hungry anymore.

[katluver458]

Daemon _Donovan, Memoria ^Whittaker-_Donovan, Catacomb ^Petrenko-_Donovan

His suspicions weren't confirmed in the least, though now he had more than a few other guesses about this mystery-male that he wouldn't voice yet. If he was right about even one of them, then this could spell trouble if he went about it the wrong way. "Yes, she is my niece." He replied simply enough, not one to be the lying type, though his voice was tense and carefully guarded, brows knit as he took a protective, warning step forward. "But, your name first." He stressed again. If this fellow had some kind of business with his kin, like what he was slowly growing to fear, he won't be going any further until this King got some information. "Please." The male tacked on smoothly, patiently-impatient waiting for an answer to start piecing together this puzzle.

[Blair]

Catalyst

Catalyst studied the king carefully, his expression remaining passive and his overall posture was relaxed. He was still alert- he never truly let his guard down, but he did like to make others think he did. King Daemon's reply was tense and guarded, but for what reason? Eyes narrowed slightly, but he mentally waved it off. No doubt the king thought every stranger a threat in this time of turmoil. Heaven forbid an army of one rain on your parade. He thought wryly. But he gave Daemon a little credit- at least he was being cautious.

When Daemon asked for his name again, Catalyst remained unfazed even though it seemed like a demand. He didn't mind the protectiveness that practically exuded out of Daemon, and stood his ground. He was on the edge of the border, there was no reason to think Daemon would attack him. And if his blatant passivity was no deterrent then Catalyst was at a loss for how he could get the male to understand his intent. Ah, right. Introductions and all that. He thought for a moment, just in time to hear Daemon ask nicely. Catalyst might have laughed, thinking it weird for a King to say please right after demanding something. However he didn't want to upset the king and kept his expression passive and void of emotion.

Golden eyes stared into the green across from him, "Catalyst." He told him smoothly, not bothering to add his surname. To see the king so tense and suspicious of him was sort of a set back. Interesting. Perhaps Meurtrier's situation is worse than I heard. Catalyst licked his lips to keep himself from grinning at the possibilities of information he might attain in this visit. If Daemon was kind enough to let him inside, at least. His eyes were the only thing to betray his curiosity and interest. "She may have given birth to my cubs." He added with honest interest playing in his voice, the sentence itself could be easily connected to the intent in his eyes.

[katluver458]

Daemon _Donovan, Memoria ^Whittaker-_Donovan, Catacomb ^Donovan-_Petrenko

Oh. Well, that was easy enough. "I see. Catalyst." He nodded with a quick clip of his chin. "Yes, she recently had a litter, but didn't wish to tell me who the father was, so I didn't push it." He seemed genuine enough, so surely it wouldn't hurt anything to bring him around to at least meet the young bunch. After all, who was he to deny a father the chance to be a dad? There was still some curiosity as to why he didn't just join when Memo did, cut out the middle man and waste of time like this, though it wasn't a stretch to say that it was a one-time fling. She was in heat, and he happened to be 'in supply', as it were. After all, he had no idea, just a hunch that he wanted to investigate. He couldn't blame him, and if the claw was on the other foot, he's sure he'd be doing the same thing.

Stepping aside so they could walk together, his guard still up and careful not to let him get too far ahead on his own, he gestured with a wing to follow. "Memoria." He grunted once they were getting close enough for her to hear, and he could see that she was already on her feet, standing tall up on her toes to try and see who it was with her uncle. "Do you know a Catalyst?" The King called, and he could see her nod with a little half smile, and that was further reassurance to him when all three adults stood together. "I will leave you to it then. Cubs, mind your mother." He warned with a chuckle, earning a pouty-face from Catacomb, and Dae took to the skies, probably off to patrol or do some other such things.

The mother was acting like an embarrassed adolescent all over again, taking a hesitant step closer to slowly look him over, but never into his eyes, like maybe this wasn't real. But yep, it was her partner alright. She'd recognize that face anywhere. "...Hey." She greeted sheepishly when they were left alone with their little family. "So, um. I suppose you did the math, hm?" Was he angry? Was he interested? Even when they were together, he was hard to read, and even now, she had no idea what he was thinking. Stoic as always -- Jeez, calm down! Give him a chance to speak, at least! "Hey, who is he Mom?" She heard an insistent voice pipe up, looking down to see Catacomb looking back up at her expectantly. "Er...He's," Oh hey kids look, it's your dad all of a sudden! Perfect introduction! Not.

[Blair]

Namaste

Catalyst

Somehow, it felt like the King had let him in too easily; Catalyst of course remained vigilant and guarded. He walked with Daemon, taking in the site of Meurtrier's territory- he even thought the land was quite accommodating. Of course, it had to be for such a large pride like them. He memorized the path they were taking to the den, just in case.

A bit of excitement welled within him- he was about to meet his cubs! His brows raised slightly when Daemon took off to the skies. I suppose he has no reason to suspect that I would hurt them..I'm practically a stranger, though. His lips twitched slightly and waved the thought away. He would not be hurting his cubs, that was true. However, it was plausible the mother could be hurt by what he would ask in due time. First, he wanted to get to know them, at least a little bit.

Catalyst couldn't help but be a little bit amused by Memoria's shyness. He wondered if that same shyness was why she wasn't looking him in the eyes? "Hey there," He greeted her with ease, perhaps even flirtatiously. If that made her more receptible
then he would use whatever advantage he could. At the new voice, he found the young femme it came from and smiled. Yellow eyes flicked to Memo briefly when she failed to answer their daughter. "Your father." He supplied, "I really do apologize for showing up so late, it took me a while to find you guys." He told them, genuinely sorry he had not been there the whole time.

Namaste had stared at the stranger from a distance and remained seated by his brother. He wasn't quite sure what to think of the new guy, and mother was acting weird around him. What was up with that? Why was he making her shy? Then Catacomb asked the question he had been wondering about and yellow eyes darted from his sister to their mother. When his mother failed to answer, the stranger did and his eyes widened in surprise. He blinked at his "father" in stunned silence.

"My name is Catalyst Faire-Petrenko." He introduced himself, "It is a pleasure to meet all of you." He looked at his daughter, then to his two sons who lingered further back that hadn't spoken.

"H-Hello." Namaste finally spoke up, though it took most of his courage. "Namaste..is my name." He told Catalyst, then looked down at his paws, unsure of what to do or say next. He glanced at his sister, then his brother wondering if they thought it was a lot to take in.

[katluver458]

Daemon _Donovan, Memoria ^Whittaker-_Donovan, Catacomb ^Donovan-_Petrenko

Little did the reunited parents know, the King hadn't actually gone all that far away from the little group, if only giving them some space to talk... He never did get the chance to 'go' anywhere anymore, having far too many more important things to do around here. Like keep an eye on new males that came sniffing around his nieces, apparently. Kazbek was a little different. He and Carnal were already together by the time he was old enough and strong enough to do anything about it, and by then he learned that Kodiac's son would give his life and even then some more for Carnal, so. No troubles there. He could only hope Catalyst was just as honorable, should he chose to stay for his cubs. If he would stay...

The mother still wasn't too sure what to make of this sudden happenstance, but somehow managed to get a grip on herself, shrug it off and catch her second wind. "Yes, I'm sorry children." She hummed, clearing her throat, grateful for his answer. This wasn't going to be easy. "Catalyst was...Very busy, before you were born?" She quirked a brow over at the male, unsure of how he was going to explain himself. How they were going to explain themselves. "Mom was surprised when she was going to have you, too. So I had to leave your father to come back home where it was safe, just in case." And hopefully that little fact answered his questions too, like where she ran off too afterwards and such.

Because really, the only thing that tied them together now were these three little bundles. She didn't intend to go away with him and the cubs or anything of the sort. Bottom line, she more or less used him just as he did her in the moment. She was ready to be a mother, and he delivered, simple as that. "Huh. Soo," Catacomb spoke up again, after dear ol' 'Dad' and Namaste got acquainted. She didn't know what to think either, but with her innocent mind, all she could figure out in the end was that they had a mom and a dad now, like all the other cubs. Cool! She shrugged, whatever she was going to say completely forgotten with her train of thought. "I'm Catacomb." The girl introduced boldly. "And that's Damir." She flicked her tail over at her other brother. "He doesn't talk much. But that's okay, he still likes people."

Memo hissed quietly under her breath. "Cata! Don't be rude to your brother." She chided gently, and her daughter winced, ears flattened. "...Sorry." She mumbled lamely. "I didn't know if he was gonna say hi or not..." She scuffed at the dirt with a paw sheepishly. "He doesn't have to if he doesn't want to, don't worry." Memoria sighed, but didn't offer much more of an apology to her daughter than that. What was the use of discipline if you were going to turn around and make the point void? "Now, come along all three of you. If you're finished with lunch, then it's time for your nap. You can talk with your father when you wake up, alright?" With that, she stood, beckoning them all closer to take them back to the den, meeting Catalyst's eyes. "You're welcome to come along if you'd like. It won't take long." She told him, but something else in her voice said 'we'll talk in a moment after they're asleep.'

[LAD]

Damir


He stared up at his father with blank eyes for a long moment. Until his sister spoke, and then his head was turning to glare at her, his lip curling at her unappreciatively. Not even mother's chastising helped ease the hurt that had actually come from his sister's cold words. And he wasn't ever going to admit the hurt that deepened when his sister and mother spoke as if he were not right there in front of him, though not a sound was made. He turned his gaze back to their supposed father, ears flicking as he recalled the shared words before he lifted a paw into a wave. He felt no inclination to actually attempt to speak towards them and when mother attempted to herd them back into the dens, his nose crinkled and he turned his head deliberately away from her - but kept an eye on her to dodge her maw if she attempted to grab him.

The sting of her earlier words still bothered him.

[Blair]

Namaste Donovan-Petrenko & Catalyst Faire-Petrenko

He nodded at Memoria, "I had some things to take care of before I could come looking for you." He explained with ease. Her next words made sense to him- home was suppose to be the safest place, right? He didn't fault her for that, though.

Namaste glared daggers at his sister. How could she say that? He then immediately turned to look at his brother, "So what if you don't talk much?" He huffed, "Just ignore it Damir." Although he told his brother not to mind it, Namaste couldn't help but get angry on his brother's behalf.

Catalyst looked down at his daughter as she introduced herself, and then her brother Damir. His yellow eyes traveled to his son, Damir, and could tell he was upset. Catalyst himself was upset and wanted to scold Catacomb. However, he had only just met them, did he have the right to scold them? Before he could say anything, Memoria lightly chastised Catacomb; Catalyst didn't feel satisfied. He caught Damir waving at him, and Catalyst attempted to wave back before all three got herded further into the den.

He followed after them, even before Memoria said he was welcome to come along. He also understood that they would talk after they were asleep. "Catacomb, you should apologize to Damir personally." He couldn't leave it at that half-assed sorry directed at no one in particular. He turned to look at Damir then, "Do you think you can forgive your sister, Damir?" He figured he should take action like a father usually would.

Namaste didn't feel the least bit tired, but was ushered away anyways. He would much rather be talking to father. He glanced back to look at Catalyst just as he spoke. If Catacomb apologized, he would probably feel a little bit better. More importantly, though, he wondered if Damir would.

[katluver458]

Daemon _Donovan, Memoria ^Whittaker-_Donovan, Catacomb ^Donovan-_Petrenko

Whoa. Wh o a whoa, hold the phone. 

"Excuse me?" She barked at once, sharp, normally cool green-blue eyes hardened to ice chips at the sudden mass-outbursts. From him and all three cubs. "You." Her wings flared protectively, turning to focus on Catalyst. "Do not tell my children what to do. You may be their father, but you are no parent to them. Not yet." She warned with a low growl, whether he asked politely or not. Her parenting skills were not lacking. Memo didn't need him to override her say-so. She was careful to keep her tone even too, not to shout so she didn't scare the kids. It did not sit well with her to have him here so sudden, acting as if he knew them their whole short lives like she did. He didn't know the first thing about them. He had to prove himself first. Showing up and introducing himself was a good start, but he still had an awfully long way to go. "I reprimanded Catacomb for being cruel, and she apologized in turn." If there was a problem, then Damir knew he could always come to her to talk about it...Right? 

That brought her attention to her trio of little ones next. Her brows raised, softening, and she let out a low noise of apology, crouching down to their level, stopping her herding them away so they could listen and hear and she wasn't talking down at them like they couldn't understand what was going on. They weren't babes anymore, it was hard to come to terms with that simple fact. "I'm sorry, children." She murmured, dipping her head, but didn't make any moves at them, letting them be as they wished. "Damir, Namaste." Her boys were glaring her down over that altercation, and that did nothing to help her mood either. Her breath caught in her throat, a pang in her chest. They really did look just like him. 

What was she doing? Being an unpredictable, still hormonal pre-natal mother, that's what. All she ever wanted was to have her father back in her life, and here she is denying the chance for her own brood to get to know theirs. It wouldn't be easy to 'share' them, but. He deserved a chance, at least. "Catalyst. Now it's my turn to apologize." The mother tacked on, sucking in a breath, held it for a long while, thinking. Finally, it looked like there was a breakthrough. She exhaled, sitting down, deflated. "If we're not ready for a nap, then perhaps I can let you stay up a bit longer to talk to your father." She sighed, relenting. 

"But you have to promise to sleep after, so he and I can finish catching up." Clearly they weren't finished here, but she knew as well as he did that they didn't need to be up and about when that conversation went down.

[LAD]

Damir


Ears flicked at his brothers words and in reply the appendages laid flat against his skull. As his mother began to herd them, he found himself trying to get away. There was no way he was gonna fall asleep when he wasn't feeling tired. And he didn't care to obey his mother at the moment anyway - not with how she brushed off Catacomb's hurtful words. It was normal, really it was. Catacomb tended to poke fun at him time and time again about him not speaking - and all she got was a light 'tell your brother sorry!', 'you shouldn't do that, Catacomb!' It was annoying. It hurt. So when another voice spoke up towards Catacomb, Damir's eyes flicked upward, wide with surprise as he stared at the male introduced as their father. Something began to glimmer in his gaze as he stared at him but it got immediately squashed when his mother turned on the male.

And then her words hit him as she told Catalyst off, and his entire being slumped in pure defeat. Catacomb didn't apologize to him. She apologized - really dumbly too - towards their mom after she was told off. It was like that every time. When their mother said sorry, and lightly called his and his brother's name, Damir released his breath through his nose in a loud huff - one of the few noises he could make - and turned his back on her to slip past her back into the open. His father's words had hit hard, made him realize the same old thing that always happened. Made him feel like in part, he wasn't really wanted here - or looked at like an actual cub of his mother's. Just some abnormal creature whom happened to share her bood. So instead, he moved past Memoria, nudging his brother with his shoulder, and moved straight to Catalyst to lift up a paw towards the male to show the underside of it - his pads. He wondered if the guy that was supposed to be his father would understand what he wanted.

Blair, katluver458

[Blair]

Namaste Donovan-Petrenko & Catalyst Faire-Petrenko

Catalyst narrowed his eyes at the ess, a low growl rumbled in his throat. "And, pray tell, when will I get this chance to become a parent to them if you lash out at me any time I try to be? Don't forget that you were the one that ran home to Meurtrier." He reminded her, his voice never raised, but was undeniably cold. He snorted when Memoria said that Catacomb had apologized, but when Memoria turned around as if they were done talking, his claws sank into the ground beneath him. Her back is wide open... She wrote him off so quickly, it was infuriating, and his eyes flashed with something sinister. No, I can't do that..not to the cubs. He took a deep breath, and when he exhaled he had calmed down. He pulled over the mask void of emotion and watched Memoria address the cubs.

Namaste was stopped by Memoria and as he turned around he caught sight of Catalyst. He looked kind of weird..but Namaste couldn't quite explain it. A chill ran down his spine, but he turned to look at mother as she started to speak. He looked up curiously, wondering what this could be about. He had glared at Catacomb before, was he in trouble over that? However, Memoria apologized to Catalyst instead. He turned to look at Damir when his brother nudged him, and without another thought he followed.

Catalyst heard Memoria’s apology, but he didn’t say “it’s fine” or anything. He wasn’t obliged to do so, and frankly didn’t feel it was needed. He looked down as Damir stepped forward, followed by Namaste. Ears flicked forward as his son raised up a paw toward him and only one thought occurred to him. Catalyst raised his own paw, much bigger than the cubs, and put it against his son’s. "We're the same, see?" He told Damir with a small smile.

[katluver458]

bump to remind me to post

[Blair]

katluver458