EBC: Theron of Lightning

P E R S O N A L I T Y

motherly

A natural healer and a caring soul, Theron has a motherly demeanor that just makes her seem ... warm. She has taken to viewing herself as one of the caretakers of the Empire, and is often seen quietly asking the younger members how they're feeling and how their training is going and such things. She likes to keep tabs on all the members, making sure to greet each newcomer and know everyone's name and basic story. Sometimes healing isn't about herbs, and often times just a smile can make all the difference to someone. She tries her best with what she's got, and won't let what has befallen her happen to anyone else.

amiable

Even though she is not nearly as friendly as open as she was when she was younger, she still tries to hold on to what is left of that part of her. To strangers she is kind and agreeable, always willing to lend a paw when needed help whoever needs it. She's a likable enough creature, even if she still prefers distancing herself from others when they get too close -- she's more kind about it now, though, holding them at a distance instead of pushing them away completely. Those in Lightning always have her trust and friendship, although if those feelings extend to other Empires as well, it's hard to say.

protective

Losing so much to both Hunters and humans, Theron has become fiercely protective of those she cares about, and to a slightly lesser extent to those in her Empire. Threaten her all you like, but as soon as one of her own is endangered her temper will snap. She would gladly risk her life to save one of her Empire-mates, no matter the situation. For now, her protectiveness manifests as a tendency to watch over her patients without rest until they are healed, or tire herself to the bone hunting so that everyone has enough to eat. She even goes with Taariq on border patrols sometimes when she has spare time. This trait goes hand-in-hand with her motherly demeanor.

gentle

She has soft eyes and an even softer voice. Theron has a quiet and caring soul, and has refused to let the trials of the world harden her heart completely. She cares deeply for those around her, both friends and simple Empire-mates. Violence and aggression have never been her forte, although she will resort to it if it's called for. She would rather share calming and soothing words than harsh and insulting ones, and would rather solve her problems in that manner as well. This characteristic of hers only goes so far, however, and if pushed she will become as fierce as any mother defending her cubs. It's wise not to see just how far over the edge she will go.

assertive

Theron isn't the kind of cat to take crap from anyone. When snapped at, she will snap back. When hit, she'll hit harder. She's come to enjoy taking charge than blindly following orders, and isn't one to roll over when commanded. Her 'motherly' nature and gentle demeanor don't exactly follow through to those who don't treat her well or with respect. She tries to keep a lid on her temper and be understanding and agreeable when she can, but her patience only stretches so far. You know the saying about a mother bear being provoked? Ya, think of that.

passionate

When Theron finds something she cares about, she puts her all into it. Whether its love or war, there are no half-measures with her. Her passion for her Empire knows no bounds, and she would do anything and everything to protect it and keep it safe and healthy. Her passion drives her, and depending on what it's for it can either be a blessing or a curse. Her devotion to healing means that she gives her all to care for her Empire ... but if she were to devote her attentions to a darker cause such as the battle against the Hunters, there would be no holding her back from her goal.

H I S T O R Y

I can’t quite remember where I was born, or how, only that my first memory was of the Lightning Empire nursery. I may have been born in the Empire, or on the way, or I might have been born in the city itself … I never really wondered until now. Either way, I’ve always considered myself to be of Lightning descent, even if both my parents are of the city.

Bellona is my mother, and I her only cub. My father is somewhere in the city, I know not where. I wasn’t raised by my mother, however – she was called away almost as soon as I could walk to do Gladiator duties, as there were few at that time. I was raised by the denmothers and whoever else happened to be there at the time. I lived for the times my mother would visit me, but they weren’t often. I was mad as a cub that she didn’t take more time for me, but now I know she was just doing her duty to the Empire. I have long forgiven her.

Such as it was, I often found myself in the Healer’s den with Sugarra, who had become like a second mother to me. The sun was hot and the light hurt my eyes, so the shade of the den was welcome to me. That, and Sugarra taught me about the herbs she used and collected, and showed me how to use them and where to put them and answered whatever other question I had for her. Broken bones, coughs, cuts, sprains, I wanted to know how to cure them all and what each herb did. You’d think she’d have gotten annoyed with all the questions, but she was only ever kind to me …

That’s when the raid happened. I … she was taken from me. From us. They took Sugarra, and Roxanne, and so many … they killed so many. Cubs and apprentices were slaughtered right in front of my eyes. Their leader … Scaeden, that was his name, had me pinned. I thought he would kill me too, but he just spoke to me and looked down with those hard green eyes. Those words will be with me forever, and I can still feel the blood from his mouth dripping onto my face –

Hhng. That was a tragic night in Lightning Empire history. Not only that, but with Sugarra captured, we had no Healer. I was barely old enough to be an apprentice, and yet I was the only one who knew even a little about healing. I had to step up as the Healer of Lightning Empire. Someone had to do it. And if not me, who? I was the only one with the skill, despite my age. Luckily the Healers from the other Empires were kind enough to share their knowledge with me, and I got by on my own. Well … maybe not entirely on my own.

There was the two apprentices, Taariq and Cynthia, who quickly became my best friends. The Gladiator, Scion, was like a father to me, even though he could be a complete idiot at times. And there was another serval cub, named Reel, who became very important to me as well. Taariq kept me company, slept with me in the Healer’s den at night, and in turn I hunted with him and shared breakfast with him every morning. Scion became a second mentor, teaching me hunting techniques so I could catch food for the Empire. Cynthia and Reel spent most of their days with me, helped gather herbs and sort them out when they weren’t training. I still felt the ache of Sugarra being gone, but I wasn’t alone. It was a small comfort, but a comfort nonetheless.

Even my mother stepped up to help me with Sugarra’s absence, teaching me how to fight and defend myself after the raid. We grew closer, and learned about each other, and lamented over the time lost together when I was younger. We made up for it, though, and she earned her place as my mother once again. It felt like she had never left.

A few months felt like an eternity, but … but eventually, we managed to rescue Sugarra and Roxanne! We got them back! I had my best friend and mentor back, as well as Roxie. My training resumed in full, as did Taariq’s, and … we … drifted apart for a time. It was … hard, to say the least. I … ah. Reel, Cynthia and I grew closer, however. We were hardly apart when I could be separated from any one of my mentors. I knew Taariq was busy training, and so was I, but I missed him terribly.

The days were kind to us, and the friendship of Cyn and Reel lessened the ache from the distance spreading between Taariq and I. Reel … Reel and I grew … close. Closer than Cyn and I were, as close as I had been with Taariq, which at the time confused me greatly. But I was happy with them. I was the official Healer Apprentice, I had my mentor and mother back, and I had friends who loved me and who I loved in return. Roxanne became a big part of my life too, with all the time she was in the Healer’s den with Sugarra. Sure, there were trying times, hard times. Cynthia grew distant after the raid and needed help coming back, help I was happy to provide … not in the most efficient way, I’ll admit. But we all got by. We smiled, laughed, played in the snow. The Empire grew and prospered. It was a good time.

But … all good things come to an end, don’t they? I … I have a hard time remembering those days, now. The tom I was coming to love, Reel, he … he was captured. I … I lost him. It’s been almost two years now, and we’ve not heard news from the city of him, or anything else … I know he’s dead. Maybe it’s for the best – better than being the humans’ pawn in their fights. Just … Scion disappeared as well, leaving Fausta and Shani without a father. Leaving Cynthia and I. Leaving Taariq. No one knows where he is or where he went. I … I don’t know. I don’t know …

I’d … been reaching out to Taariq more and more in the months after Reel’s capture, and even more so after Scion’s disappearance. At first … it was just the comfort of an old friend I needed. Months turned into a year, and that feeling grew into something more. He took more time to see me in between his training, slept with me at night just like we did when we were younger … Then he had to go and almost die on me, and confess his love within the same hour. I almost killed him myself. I still … don’t know where that leaves us. We … haven’t exactly spoken about it since.

… Shani disappeared as well, now. Fausta has been in the Healer’s den more and more, and I can’t say I’m not happy that she was made a Healer apprentice as well. I know what it’s like to lose family, but to lose more than once? I … I can only imagine. I haven more important things to consider than … than what Taariq said. Yes, it can wait. I have an Empire to take care of.

Q U I R K S  &&  F E A R S