……………………………………………………………………..

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Now that was such a pity. Feline eyes stare into the light from the darkness, piercing the scene. Had the words of the old tigress been nothing. Still, it shows just how little they knew. Why they should keep to their own kind. Mortals never understood. Yet there was a side of her too, that didn’t understand. Surely they could see the signs, yet they are shocked anyway. The whiskered head tilts. A metal rattles around her neck and she glances down. She’s still just a smidge too small. The clock barely clears the ground.

Her face grows warm though. Forgiving. She had broken all the rules. Shown herself. Asked a question of a mortal. Talked of her kind. And worse, shown the clock. But…maybe it had been for a reason. Any young soul would have found itself run clean through for such crimes, but she was going anyway. She did it for something most of their kind did after spending a lifetime here. She grew to love them. The old tigress had stood for ages upon the mountaintops looking upon them. Protecting them. Saving them. Bringing them hope and light even in the darkest moments. She watched them ever and always faithfully. And she had fallen in love with them. She loved them.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

“Hmp” The fanged mouth sounds. It was strange for her to stumble on that truth so young. Most, when born to bear their share of this world’s horrors, only realized it at their death as this old giant did. Yet, still young, and new, she found it now. Her lips curl and tail swishes. For the first time in their memories, one learned from another. You see, it was nearly over. Their line had suffered so much at each life for their love with nothing in return. Nothing to heal the wounds of hatred, fear, and death. Yet at last, it was given when the feeling of giving had long been forgotten. It restored, and now she was here. And she carried with her the lesson. A rare thing indeed for their kind.

A wind whips through the Arch, stifling the fire. Through the storm’s door there steps in a new creature. It was shorter, thinner, and smoother. Its coat shined of black and white, and every feature looked light and young. And about its neck, a ticking clock. “To new beginnings.” It answers in a purr of a voice, smiling. It pauses a moment watching the small gathering, remembering. Never had one remembered before. Never had one cared before. She would remember. She would keep the vows of her kind, but she would not loose the lesson her predecessor gained. “May the light follow you.” The blessing rolls out and she steps away. Gone.

The fire returns to its full strength, rolling peacefully once more. Yet, the tigress’s body is gone when they turn back. It was all gone. Could it have been a dream? No…something remained to warm the soul.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.


OOC :: A new time tiger rises, to continue the work of her kind. Thanks to your kindness and light, the bringer of hope continues to guard the mountains. Well done! (And sorry if it was confusing, using words is troublesome, sometimes. =] )
"Speech"