Valentine split away from the group, dashing through the open roads of the city. Zegi hurried through the same paths, trying to finish any last minute chores before sundown.
As he pushed through the western side of the city, he heard many Zegi conversing about a strange visitor. It was a Feral with messy brown hair and a very submissive personality.
Quickly retreating from large groups questioning her being there.
One Zegus caught Valentine's attention. She was cleaning a counter with a towel while she talked with another Zegus about that Feral he kept hearing about.
"Excuse me!" Valentine called out.
She quickly glanced up at the foreign face, looking around her to see if she was the one he was talking to. Before she responded, her thumb shot up to her chest.
"Yeah," Valentine confirmed. "Have you seen this female Feral running around? Messy hair, yellow eyes, tan body."
"Uh yeah, I have. It's who everyone is talking about around these parts," she replied. "That girl went to the most western wall. Probably to scout us out or something."
Valentine rose an eyebrow. "Why would she be scouting you out?"
"Oh wait, you must be her friend? I suggest you go get her before some of the city folk decide to take care of her," she ignored the question.
"Are you all really that afraid of a Feral? She is a sweetheart, probably the sweetest Feral you'll ever meet. Don't confuse her with any of the others. She plays outside for fun. Not survival," Valentine corrected.
The Zegus shrugged. "Well, that's nice. Anyway, go get your girl before she, ya know, gets killed."
Valentine stepped back out of disgust. His heart twisted with anger as he took off running towards the western walls. Not once did he ever encounter a place where Ferals weren't welcomed.
Wind whizzed past his ears as Valentine pushed through the crowds. Bright oranges were beginning to settle down into colder blues, which would eventually turn to pitch black.
As he ran, the memory of the time he ran into Oria for the first time began to replay in his mind. It was a day he has not forgotten about.
-In Valentine's memory-
Etek Dur's forest floor crumbled as the traveling diplomat stumbled through. Humid air clashed against his neatly made clothes, making it difficult for him to regenerate the cold temperature he was used to.
Valentine stumbled upon a crystal-blue pond. The water seemed clean and refreshing, relatively calm. Except for the disturbance around the middle.
Curious, Valentine watched on with anticipation. He hoped to finally see a Thresher out in the wild, but was disappointed when a young female Feral poked her head out of the water.
She instantly began gasping for air while cheerfully chirping, allowing the water to carry her around like a rogue log. And it remained that way for a bit, until she noticed the unexpected visitor.
Without a second thought, she roared and thrashed around in the water. Breaking up the tranquility of the pond.
Understanding this could mean seriously bad news, Valentine waved his arms around. Hoping to calm her down by showing he was without any weapons.
But it did not work, and he wondered why. Until he scanned the bank of the pond and realized exactly why. Around the shore were pieces of hide clothing belonging to that Feral.
"TAH! YUSONO TUNUMBAKI!!! (YOU! GET OUT!!!)" the fright in her voice was clearer than the pond itself.
"Hey! Calm down, I will not attack you. I am just here to ask you a question, that's it," Valentine called out.
The Feral stood still out of fear, hoping the question is a quick one and for Valentine to leave her be after she has answered.
"Okay, let's make it quick. Which pack do you belong to?" Valentine quickly asked.
She slowly sunk beneath the water, hoping it would distract him from the answer he was after. But she quickly realized Valentine was keen on the answer. So she cave in and swam back up.
"I am from the Eterra pack. Now please don't hurt me! All I wanted to do was just have some fun in the pond and - and escape the responsibilities I have and -"
Valentine rose an open hand. "It's okay, I won't hurt you. All I wanted was to find out why your pack has been so silent recently. Dire, one of the alphas in the Light Legion, has been concerned lately."
The Feral's eyes lit up. "Oh, wait! Yeah, it's because it's Tonumki for the main pack. Tell him we are still active inside Etek Dur, just a bit busier than normal."
"What's Tonumki again? Sorry, I keep forgetting these Feral celebrations," Valentine's voice returned to its calm state.
"Tonumki means Cubs in Kenekuor. Some Ferals became Neddy, which is great! And fortunately for me, my sisters decided to not get impregnated this year," she cheerfully replied.
Valentine looked over his shoulder. "I don't see how that's a good thing. Your species revolves around population, does it not?"
"It does, but if one of my sisters decides to get pregnant, we would all have to. It's tradition. Sisters like having offspring alongside each other so they can babysit the other's cubs sometimes," the Feral replied.
"Uh-huh, well," Valentine stepped aside, ready to depart. "Before I leave, what's your name?"
The Feral pointed up at her lips. "Oria Tennan."
With that, the two parted ways. Valentine returned to the Light Legion and Oria continued to play in the pond, carefree of what celebrations were happening.
-Back in the present time-
He slowed down to a fast walk, letting himself catch his breath. As he walked through the final stretch of road until the wall, he tried counting how many times he had encountered Oria after that initial interaction.
Roughly four months of 'accidentally' running into each other, Valentine began becoming her friend. He started seeing her as a friendly face in a dangerous place.
Several years later, that same friendly face would aid him in securing a safe temporary home for him and his students. Sometimes she even offered to fetch them meat from short Wild Hunts she would conduct.
After a long while of walking, Valentine noticed the shadow a resting Feral cast on the ground. Oria sat on top of a tree that overlooked the walls. Her hands were on her stomach while she leaned back, calmly staring off into the distance.
"Oria!" Valentine called her name.
She broke out of her trance, quickly turning to face the direction of she heard her name being mentioned. Oria warmly waved at him, showing she was acknowledging Valentine.
He stepped aside, as if he was making a path leading away from there. "It's time for us to go, we can watch the next sunset as a group."
Without another word, Oria dropped down from the branch. Landing perfectly on her bare feet. Soft grass made her landing more tolerable.
"Okay. Sorry that I ran off so suddenly. I just wanted some time to myself. I've been thinking a lot lately about some stuff," she admitted.
Valentine nodded. "What have you been thinking of?"
Oria flinched, pretending like it was a rogue bolt coming for her head. "I'd rather keep it to myself instead of talking to someone about it. At least until I feel comfortable."
"L - look," Valentine lowered his voice. "I am sorry if the army is bothering you. It hurts to hear how they see you. But understand they will get used to you in due time."
She nodded, taking a moment to accept the reality of things. No matter how playful and innocent she was, these Zegi would see her as a killer.
"Well, maybe we shouldn't stay here that long. Ease them into it, like how you sometimes say. Where are my little ones?" she said, referring to the siblings. "I want to see them again."
Valentine slowly walked towards Gloria. "Back at big beast Gloria. Let's not keep them waiting."