I wonder if life would have been different, being raised to adulthood by mother.
My ears twitch as I hear hoofbeats approaching. Did I not say that they would come? A female, strong and able, by her scent. My nose crinkles and my whiskers twitch. I raise my head to look at her approaching form, and rise to a sitting a position as she gets closer. I'm sure that no one would be stupid enough to attack a tiger, but you never know - these equines can get some pretty stupid ideas sometimes. Upon her back is what I assume to be a griffin, based on my mother's stories. I've never seen one, but there is no doubt that this is what it is. I stare at it, wondering at its small form and strange hybridization. Well, I like the cat part of it at least. I blink at it in acknowledgment, then turn my attention to the hooved creature it sits upon. Female indeed, and this is one of the ones with a horn on her forehead. Her brownish coat, adorned with goldish markings on her legs and in her black mane. Of course the horn on her head would be golden - am I really surprised? These beasts think so much of themselves sometimes. To my surprise, she addresses me with due respect. Well, if we're going to be civil.
"Illynx." I purr the name, enjoying the uniqueness of it. "I am Saffron. I thank you for your welcome." I do not say that I have known of Helovia since birth, or that I've lived on the outskirts. I do not say that I know of their kind, of the vastness of the land and the variety of personalities that inhabit it. She does not need to know these things. I sit still, watching the mare and her griffin, waiting patiently to see what they do next.
Plot Thread
*You may do anything you wish with Saffron excluding dismemberment and death.