Stepping into the world had sent her and her siblings all abuzz with excitement, their youthful eyes all glittering with the possibilities they could find outside of the den. Their mother had told them not to wander far, not to step over the defined borders set. There are monsters out there. Illu was quite taken with the word. What was a monster? What was beyond the borders? She could stare and stare out there forever and never see enough – not until she was old enough to venture out. But she was a pup, and she would obey her mother’s teachings. What child did not hunger for more, greedy little things they were.

Illusion was exploring the cave system that joined their den to the rest of Gorge. Her eyes had to adjust to the darker areas of it all, but she hadn’t particularly any fear within her. Not so much of a tickle of fear for any danger within, it was just her and the caves and darkness that swathed her already midnight coat. The glitter of her eyes shining with what light could reach her face and the intricate golden markings there. When she felt like she was far enough, the girl seated herself and began to sing. It was a child’s voice of course, so it was hardly perfect. Her small voice bounced along the walls and ricocheted back into her ears as she practiced. The echo allowed her to fix where her voice faltered or weakened, building her confidence as she adjusted where she needed to – the tone steadying enough eventually that it began to sound like something worth listening to. Just a bit.


illu

The haunting echoes of Illusion's song reverberated through the cave system, beckoning Cadaver to follow. A siren's song. His eyes shone with a mixture of fascination and desire as he navigated his way through the twisted rocky passages as if drawn by a magnetic pull. Each step brought him closer to the source of the alluring melody, until he finally came upon his sister, basking in the gentle radiance of her own luminescence. The cavern walls seemed to hum in harmony with their intertwined voices, creating a mesmerizing symphony that only added to the enchantment of the scene before him.

"Hey, Illu!" Cadaver's voice echoed through the darkness of the cavern, a mixture of excitement and conviction. As he made his way towards Illusion, his steps were purposeful and confident, his mismatched eyes never leaving his sister's form. Even as a child, Cadaver exuded an aura of dominance, his tail held high in a show of superiority. He stood much taller in comparison to Illusion, using his larger size to assert himself against her smaller frame. "What are you doing here all alone? Shouldn't you be near the den?" His words carried a subtle pushiness, like a sharp undertone cutting through the air. Narrowing his eyes slightly, Cadaver pierced through Illusion's delicate facade, prepared to see past her attempts to hide her true thoughts and feelings, should she try to do so.

"Cadaver Nightwing"

The girl and her soft tones were found eventually, interrupted by the sudden call of her brother that echoed in her ears. Cadaver. The corner of her lips pulled into a smirk that she hid as quickly as possible. Her big, strong brother! Though neither shock nor familial adoration stilled her heart – instead she forced her eyes to widen and her head to whip in his direction, the appropriate response. The darkly colored girl meant to play the reaction into the abrupt break off of her singing – a hopefully smooth transition to showcase being taken by surprise. Now what? A greeting! She easily switched from startled to greeting him with a dramatic warble of his name, eyes twinkling playfully at him. “C-a-d-a-v-e-r!” She smiled, tail lashing cheerfully as he approached her in some boyish display of dominance. Illu was not one for rough-housing, nor had she ever raised her voice before. So of course the girl did not oppose him, she was far too delicate for his much larger size regardless. And she was perfectly groomed, so no, no dirt would fly here.

Instead of meeting his narrowed gaze, she dropped her own silver orbs down to her toes as though ashamed. Golden kissed ears twitching as he pressed her on why she was alone and away from their mother’s den. Why? Because there was an intruder there, who didn’t belong, taking up more of her mother’s attention. The attention she already had to share with everyone else! She felt the burn of jealousy and spite, emotions much too large for her to handle. It was easier to wander away and try to grow herself some skills to steal more and more spotlight away from her siblings, and that imposter.

Accidentally the girl’s lips pursed, flitting up to her brother’s gaze with a cold stare. He wouldn’t be able to tell, right? How horrid she felt? She didn’t want to look ugly. Being mad was ugly, wasn’t it? Illy quickly thought up an excuse, putting on her sweetest, poutiest expression she’d managed thus far. A cover up, as instantaneously placed as fast her sour expression had come and gone. Practiced heavily on their mother, obviously. “Oh, I was practicing~! I want to be the best singer you’ve ever heard.” Illusion made a point to exaggerate him being the most important part of her reason for being here alone – her chosen tactic in the hopes that she would just be seen in a simple light; nothing to see here. Just a little girl practicing her singing. No bad feelings here, just happy, thoughtless Illu!

illu

Cadaver's mismatched gaze bored into Illusion as she greeted him with an exaggerated display of his name, her voice dripping with sweetness. The theatrics of her response caused a surge of irritation, and a flash of annoyance crossed his features before he could suppress it. Was she mocking him? But as he stood there blinking he was assured that she didn't mean anything by it- to his surprise, a genuine grin tugged at the corners of his lips. The subtle playfulness in her demeanor managed to disarm him, momentarily softening the hardened edges of his earlier assertiveness. As Illusion dropped her gaze, Cadaver's curiosity heightened. He observed her carefully, sensing that there was more to her solitude than a simple singing practice. Her silver eyes flickered downward, hinting at something deeper...perhaps guilt? Self-reflection? Remorse? It was difficult for him to tell, but he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to his sister than meets the eye.

But her sudden pout and sweet excuse didn't go unnoticed, and while he couldn't pinpoint the source of her distress, he resisted the urge to press her further. Instead he tried a more supportive approach. Leaning in closer, his voice took on a low, conspiratorial tone. "The best singer," Cadaver repeated with a hint of teasing in his mismatched eyes. "I'll hold you to that." A small smirk played at the corners of his mouth as his tail twitched with calculated charm, attempting to lighten the weight of the conversation.

Despite his boisterous nature, Cadaver's protective instincts surged forward when he sensed Illusion's vulnerability. And, in his own way, wanted to reassure her that he was there for her – even if he didn't fully understand the complexities of her emotions. "But you know, Illu, you don't have to be alone to practice. I can stick around and listen if you want," he offered lowly. His attempt to bridge the gap between them was evident, a silent invitation for her to share more than just the surface of her intentions.

"Cadaver Nightwing"

Illusion caught the brief irritation she had evoked from her brother, but was pleased to see it turn into a grin. She worried he would go off and tell on her for being alone in the caves, especially since she wasn’t one of the biggest of the litter. She was dainty, delicate, and she knew it. So she much rather play her games, and think about how to get the adults to do what she wanted them to. Wasn’t that fine? She wasn’t hurting anyone… she just hated to pretend so long that she was happy about sharing. Why was it always sharing? Share this, share that. She hated it. She wanted to keep her things to herself. They were her things. No one else's.

As Cadaver shifted into a supportive tone, seemingly… reaching out to her. Offering her a chance at being understood. In a way no one ever had, given their short lives thus far. Illusion wanted attention, and he was giving it to her. Her features brightened, and those beautiful silver eyes stared into his mismatched ones, seeking to mirror his expression as she nodded fervently. Though… there was a subtly possessive glint there now, steadily growing the longer she looked at him. In her eyes, he was beginning to take on some sort of shiny effect, like.. Like one of her things she didn't like to share! Oh! She never knew her precious things could be living and breathing too! “I’ll treat you to special performances! Just for you!” The girl grinned, her voice cast in a secretive tone and spoken like she was bribing him. He could listen as much as he wanted, he’d see just how special she was too! “Thank you, Brother!” She chirped, rushing to embrace Cadaver with innocent delight. Though she was anything but doing it innocently, she wanted to test his reaction. She wanted more, more, more! “You're my favorite. I love you so much. You’ll always be on my side, right?” Illu said, breathing the words out with all the adoration she knew to apply, her chest feeling warm at the thought of having her brother affirm her words. Really, she could do without any of her other siblings. She was sure, Cadaver was the only one that mattered! He was on her side. He always would be, right?



illu

Cadaver felt a swell of pride at Illusion's words, her adoration washing over him like a warm embrace. He returned her hug, a genuine smile gracing his features. "Of course, Illu! I'll always be on your side," he assured her, his voice filled with sincerity. He reveled in the notion of being her favorite, a special place in her heart that he was more than willing to occupy. In that moment, he felt a deep bond with his sister, a connection that transcended mere siblings.

But as he pulled away from the embrace, a mischievous glint sparkled in his mismatched eyes. His playful side emerged, and a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. "Ya know," he began, his tone conspiratorial, "if I'm your favorite, does that mean I get special treatment?" His tail wagged in anticipation, a playful waggle that mirrored the excitement bubbling within him. "Maybe I'll have to come by more often to listen to your singing. After all, a favorite brother deserves the best, right?" His words were laced with playful teasing, a gentle ribbing that he hoped would keep the mood light and fun between them.

As they stood there, the darkness of the cave wrapped around them like a heavy cloak, creating a sense of intimate closeness between Cadaver and Illusion. In the dim light, Cadaver's features softened as he looked at his sister with a fierce protectiveness in his eyes. Perhaps she was his favorite as well. The dampness of the cave walls seemed to seep into their bones, but Cadaver couldn't bring himself to move, not when he had Illusion by his side. He couldn't help but feel a swell of love for her, mixed with a hint of worry for their current situation deep within the earth. But he would face any danger head on, as long as she was safe by his side. The surge of feelings that threatened to burst beyond what he could confine made him want to fight for her even though there was nobody to challenge.

The impulsive thought to channel his emotion into attempting to wrestle her to the ground flashed in the back of his mind, though he just managed to keep the growing aggression at bay. Clearing his throat to speak, he looked away then. “Should we head back?” He knew they probably should. Maybe they could make it back before mother knew they were gone.

"Cadaver Nightwing"

Illusion's heart skipped a beat as Cadaver's returned her embrace, his warmth seeping into her very being. She reveled in the sensation, basking in the comfort of his embrace. Every word he spoke, every gesture he made, fueled the fire of her fixation on him. He couldn’t possibly understand the ramifications of his words, of his apparent acceptance of her. Even if it was under pretense on her part. It was intoxicating, this feeling of adoration she held for her dear brother. It was the strongest emotion she had ever felt. It wasn’t blank nothingness, it was… what? She was too young to know.

Her lips curled into a smile, a delicate expression that hid the turmoil within her. "Oh, brother," She murmured softly, her voice a melodic whisper of sound. "You always know just what to say. You make me so happy." Her paws trailed lightly along his shoulder, a show of affection – that’s good right? Though beneath the surface, her mind whirled with schemes and desires, all hidden behind a facade of sweetness. He seemed to like it when she focused on complimenting him, the puff of  his chest seemed to grow every time she offered him those sorts of words.

As Cadaver pulled away, playful demeanor and all, Illu returned his energy. She mimicked his mischievous tone, the curve of his lips into a grin. Her eyes blazed with excitement, tail wagging just as his did. But again he drew out a new reaction from her, a real one. His teasing words sent a thrill down her spine, and she couldn't help but giggle in response. ”For you,” Illusion mused aloud – making a great show of it by circling him with a prance. “and only you.” The girl’s laughter echoed off the cave walls, a sound that danced on the edge of madness.

When he suggested they head back, a pang of disappointment shot through her. With a reluctant nod, she forced a smile, her eyes betraying the turmoil within. A crack in her armor. "Yes..." She replied, her voice barely above a whisper. "But, Cadaver... I'll always be here for you, too. Always." And with that vow hanging in the air between them, she turned and led him out of the cave, her heart a tangled mess – that dumb fleshy thing.

illu