Gangly limbs, too large paws; her legs were a little too long and her tail bushier then a normal cheetah, the young leotah was just plain awkward at adolescent. Satomei felt out of place amongst the slender graceful cheetahs, and amongst the slightly bulkier leopards with their own type of grace. It was as if she had missed out on both types of grace. Satomei had accepted that she was part leopard, mostly because her two brothers had yet to sprout manes, which meant they were highly unlikely to be part lion. Also, her Uncle still loved her, so obviously she couldn't be part lion. Not that she thought Nanashi's love was based on her bloodline, but she wasn't so sure how he would fare if she was part lion and he did find out.
Her Uncle had always been a role model to her, desite her mother's subtle protests and suggestions otherwise. Satomei knew her Uncle and her mother did not get along, as most siblings didn't though their irritation at each other seemed more then just sibling rivalry, but Satomei had liked sending time with Nanashi. He had spoilt her with attention, and spending time with her. She'd always felt as if she was wasting her mother's time, and when she did get time with Geisha Aiko, her siblings were often around as well.
Now Nanashi had his own cubs. Satomei wasn't sure the exact number, but Nanashi had been so proud at the birth of his sons, and his daughters.
Will he have time for me still? Satomei wondered idly, her pale face – gently accented with light pink – pulling into a frown which did not make her face look appealing. She was a pretty girl – with the subtle hints of real beauty when she was older and had grown into her limbs and learnt to walk in them. She was getting better at being graceful, with some guidance from her mother and from an entertainer in the pride. Stumbling was becoming a less common occurrence, though she had tripped more than once.
Staring down at the pride, Satomei had found herself perched upon a rock on one of the higher crests of the pridal grounds. She could see so much of the pride. It really was so beautiful, but seeing the high walls surrounding them, her throat felt tight. For a moment, it felt as if her heart had stopped. The feeling was becoming more common.
As a cub, she had felt amazed at the pride. At a juvenile, she had felt confused. Now, adolescent, she just felt...trapped.
She loved the pride. She loved her family. She didn't want to leave but it felt...as if she needed to. At first, she had thought of following her mother's footsteps into entertaining, so she could get out of the pride once she became a Geisha, but she was a hybrid. No hybrid would raise to such a high rank in entertainment. She would be trapped still, and forced to entertain the pridal men. Men did not hold much interest to the female yet – though she doubted she would ever have much of an interest in the opposite sex. Most of the men around the pride were boring and uninteresting to her. Perhaps that'd change once she was older, but she doubted it.
She'd decided against entertainer then.
Definitely not a fighter, as Satomei could barely play-fight and would likely be easy to spot due to her pale coat. Not to mention, it would involve getting scars, and getting messing and blood. It was all just one big 'no'. She had nod desire to fight, unlike Keikani who seemed thrilled at the idea of going into fighting. She was just born for that rank.
What was Satomei born for? She really wished she knew.
When the idea of being a Merchant came up, Satomei was reluctant. Sure, she enjoyed trinkets and jewellery as much as others, but Merchants were away most of the time and whilst she really wanted to get away – she didn't want to leave completely. She just...wanted the option to get out, when it felt like her world was closing in.
She'd start as a Pack-Mule, the servants of a Merchant who would teach her the ways of trade. She would basically be a glorified slave and that was just not her. She was no one's slave, hybrid or not. The worst rank she had ever been was a citizen, and that was not too bad when one thought about it. It was just...normal. Well, as normal as a hybrid could be.
The decision to go into the merchant rank came as a surprise to her. She had been sitting, watching the pride, much as she was at that moment, when she saw a member of the higher ranks leaving the pride – free. She'd gone out with her Uncle many times, and the rogue lands fascinated and terrified her. Imagine, she had thought to herself, being free to come and go as I please – and still please Uncle by returning with prizes for the pride. The idea was a wonderful thought. Slightly scary, but wonderful.
“Are you sure?” Nanashi had asked when she told him of her decision.
“I am,” Satomei assured him, spying something close to worry on his face. She stepped closer, nudging his shoulder playfully, much like she had batted at his legs when she was younger. “I'll make sure to bring you back nice things?” She teased.
Nanashi gave her a fondly exasperated look, but nodded – still not looking pleased. “Do...not stay away too long, Satomei. Merchant or not, you will always have family here waiting for you.” Perhaps Nanashi was thinking of Dysi, or maybe he was just thinking of his own wandering ways when he was younger. Either way, the sentiment was clear. We'll miss you when you're gone.
“I'll remember that, Uncle,” Satomei said seriously, taking his words as they were intended. “I'll always come back to visit, and take breaks between jobs. The Kuroi'Nera is, and always will be, my home.”
Nanashi gave her a half smile. “I am glad.” He paused, and had then attempted to lighten the mood. “I do hope you plan to tell your mother yourself?”
Satomei had laughed, always amused by her Uncle's fear of his younger sister, Satomei's mother. “I'll tell her, don't worry.” She hestitated. “I think...she'll be happy for me.” She sounded uncertain.
“She will be,” Nanashi said, assuredly. He ruffled his niece's forelock affectionately, ignoring the disgruntled look the girl gave him. “If it makes you happy, then she'll be happy. It's a mother thing, I think.” He smiled. “Or maybe just an Aiko thing.” Nanashi disliked his sister sometimes, and found her absolutely irritating, so much so that it drove him crazy, but he knew she adored her cubs. After-all, she had nearly ripped Nanashi's head off when the cubs had been younger and he had made the mistake of stopping by unannounced. Needless to say, he'd learnt his lesson from that.
Satomei felt some of her worry drain, and she smiled back at her Uncle. They changed the subject soon after that, and it had been decided. She would get a Merchant to take her on, and then she would be well on her way to becoming one herself.
It was an exhilarating feeling, and she couldn't wait.
Pushing herself off her rock, she moved gracefully through the landscape towards her family's den. She spied her Uncle walking with one of his cubs, the pale one, the boy. Satomei paused to watch them, a frown on her face. She was no longer her Uncle's favourite. That idea hurt, but she could understand it. Who could compete with the direct offspring? And not only that, but a pureblood. Satomei would favour him over herself as well, she thought dryly, and continued on her way to the family's den, determined that if she could not be her Uncle's favourite, that she would at least be of use to the pride.
Nearing the den, she felt a light smile twist her face. Even if her Uncle did not have time for her, she knew her Mother would always be there - whether she had time or not. It was just the type of mother that Aiko was. Satomei hated to burden her mother, but if she needed to, she knew her mother was there.
Spying the den, a weight in her chest lifted and the air tasted sweeter. She would need to find her own den eventually, but for the moment, she was happy with her family. She was safe with her family.
Just don't give up on me,
I won't let you down.
[1,459]
