Elder Paw was staring at Annette and Scott. I hope he doesn't kick us out! Annette worried. She'd been excited to hear and learn about this new world after Spot told them everything. Her hands were shaking so she stuffed them into her hoodie pockets. Elder Paw dismissed Spot, Alpha, and Denice so he could be sorta alone with the twins. Annette took a few calming breaths,
"We want to join you guys." She said as calmly as she could and Scott nodded. Elder Paw's smile melted a bit,
"Do you know what would happen if you did join us?" He asked, Annette sorta remembered Spot talking about that. Something about not being used to being half animal, full animal? She couldn't remember. Thankfully Scott knew her too well,
"No." He said. Elder Paw stood up stiffly and morphed into a white wolf. He climbed his way down from the tree and went back into his human form, so he was now standing in front of the twins.
"Becoming one of us means you will have to abandon your family and friends. You'll never get to see them again." He said. Well that's easy we already did that… Annette thought, but Elder Paw continued.
"Adapting to your animal form and half animal half human form will take some time. But with time comes patience and mastery. So after knowing this are you still willing to go through with this?" Annette nodded excitedly while Scott nodded a bit less excited and more nervous.
"Right, now first you'll have to see Mitzi. She's our tribe Jeweler and she'll make your jewels. Come I'll take you to her." And he walked through camp, the tribe members bowed when he passed and Annette noticed that their jewels were all different colors. Some were black-ish gray, some were coppery bronze, and some were silver. Annette looked at Elder Paw's jewel. It was on a ring and it was a bright gold color. What were the colors for? She wondered. They soon approached a cave with some scorch marks on the outside, they soon realized why. Out of nowhere a girl about 15 years old jumped out of the cave. She had big tan ears and a big tan fluffy tail which was on fire! She aimed her hand at her tail and blue mist came shooting out extinguishing the flame, she continued this blue mist into the cave. None of the tribe members came to help and they didn't seem frightened. It was as if this happened all the time. Once she was content she turned around to look at the twins and Elder Paw. Her eyes were orange and she had black smudges on her cheeks. A gold colored paw earring hung on one of her ears and her long dark brown hair was in a very messy bun.
"E-elder Paw! What are you doing here?" She asked, rushed and almost tired. He looked at her, worry not even crossing his face. Is it normal for her to catch fire or something?! Annette worried.
"I'm here to introduce you to our two new members. Annette, Scott, this is Mitzi. She's the tribe Jeweler and she's going to make your jewels." He said calmly. Mitzi tried to wipe off the black smudges off her cheek with the corner of her lavender tank top. She only succeeded in smearing to more. She smiled at the twins,
"Nice to meet you! Welcome to the Paw tribe!" She placed her hand behind her gold paw-shaped earring, it seemed like a custom to show off your jewel when introducing yourself.
"I'll leave you with Mitzi. If you need anything she should be able to help." And with that he headed back to his tree.
"Come on in!" Mitzi said energetically. The twins gingerly walked in knowing that a fire had just been extinguished. Once inside the twins mouths hung open. In the very back of the cave a big cauldron bubbled with glowing orange liquid inside. There were molds everywhere, and on a wall to the right was a bounce of welding tools. To the left was a handmade wood and moss bed and a giant crystal by it. It sparkled many colors leaving Annette a bit dizzy. Mitzi walked over to a table and leaned against it,
"So what type of jewelry do you want your jewel on? Remember you can't change it." She said seriously. They thought about this.
"Can you do a chain bracelet?" Scott asked, nervously. Mitzi looked at him in mock horror.
"No anything but that, please!" She put her hand to her forehead and fell to the ground. Annette giggled but apparently Scott didn't see the sarcasm,
"I-I mean it c-could be something else!" He stammered, flushing a bit red. Mitzi stopped playing around and got up.
"No, no I was just joking around Scott. Of course I can make that! Sorry?" She said while smiling. Scott smiled a little bit, still flustered.
"And what about you Miss Annette?" Mitzi joked and bowed. The twins didn't like that and thankfully Mitzi could tell.
"Oops sorry. Too formal?" Annette nodded,
"Yeah, reminds us too much about our parents…" She frowned. Mitzi just nodded and asked no questions, thankfully.
"What about...um a small necklace?" Annette asked.
"Of course! I'll get started at once!" But no sooner did Mitzi turn her back, two people came rushing into her cave. One was as tall as Mitzi and her gold jewel was on a thin bracelet that matched the color of her jewel. She had short strawberry blonde hair and on her head were red fox ears. Her light blue eyes showed worry and her bushy red tail flicked nervously. Next to her was a boy a bit taller than her. He had green eyes that were full of anger and his black cat ears were flat against his blonde hair. His cat tail flicked out of annoyance as he stared at his ring. Scratches were scattered across his arms and face.
"Mitzi we need you!" The girl called and Mitzi spun around. She jogged over to them,
"What's wrong?" She said. The girl showed Mitzi the boy's ring. It was shining silver but there was a crack in it and it was smoking a bit.
"Adrien what happened?" Mitzi asked worryingly.
"Scale tribe attacked the border patrol. We won the battle but Visser ces sales pas bon..s-sorry. One of them played dirty and attacked my gem." He hissed not taking his eyes off the ring.
"You can fix it right?" The girl worried,
"I haven't dealt with a cracked gem in a few months!" Mitzi waved her hand,
"Of course I can. I just need the ring." She held out her hand and Adrien slowly took off the ring and placed it in her hand. Upon taking it off his ears and tail vanished and bags appeared under his eyes. He looked very tired,
"You may sit on my bed if you need to Adrien." Mitzi said before turning to walk over to the cauldron. She noticed the twins once more,
"Oop, sorry guys you'll have to wait." Mitzi purred.
"That's okay, go fix his jewel!" Annette said. Mitzi nodded and went over to her work station. Scott's curiosity got the best of him and he went over to Mitzi to watch her work which she didn't seem to mind at all. The fox girl led Adrien over to the bed and sat down. She noticed Annette finally,
"Oh hey! Sorry about all the fuss, who are you?" She asked in a kind tone no longer freaked out.
"I'm Annette and that's my twin brother Scott. We're newcomers." Annette said plainly.
"How fun! I'm Amara, the tribe healer." She said while showing Annette her bracelet.
"And I'm Adrien." Adrien said, he raised his hand to show Annette his jewel then remembered it was with Mitzi.
"What do you think of the tribe so far?" Amara asked happily. Annette smiled,
"I think it's very crazy. But other than that very fun!" She answered. Amara laughed,
"Well yeah, you've come at a very crazy time." Annette was about to ask why when she heard Scott yelp.
"Don't worry Scott, I got it." She heard Mitzi chuckle, and she put out a small fire that had started. Holding the ring up to the sunlight coming into the cave she concluded it was done and walked over to hand it back to Adrien. He took it and slid it back on his finger. Almost immediately his ears and tail returned and he looked no longer tired.
"Thanks Mitzi! You too Amara!" The two girls smiled and nodded. He left the cave and Mitzi turned to the twins,
"Now where were we? Oh right, your jewels! Wanna watch me make them?" She asked.
"Yes!" Said the twins excitedly. Mitzi looked at Amara,
"I should get back to my cave and check my herbs." Amara said,
"But you three have fun and don't get burnt!" She waved and left the cave leaving Mitzi and the twins to forge some jewelry.