Something Something Learn Fast or Die

As Abyss listened to their Mother’s newest lesson on self-preservation, they did not fidget beneath the intensity of her acidic green eyes. Even when Mother’s lips curled to reveal a flash of sharp fangs, and her muscles grew taught beneath her pelt, the importance of this lesson shimmering in her eyes, Abyss did not move. Their gaze was fixated on Mother, their expression neutral, unreadable, the sharp edge of their jawline unmoving, and the set of their shoulders relaxed but guarded.

In their mind, they were dissecting Mother’s teachings- the importance of understanding that they would not win every battle. That pain and suffering were inescapable, but with enough intellect, it could be prevented in some situations. That it was not a weakness to value their own survival. Self-preservation seemed like a rudimentary instinct- but it was much more than that. And Mother was going to show them how.

"Speech"