Start of a Friendship (Talion and Domitius)

Talion and his mentor Fiona made their ways toward the Ice Empire border to discuss plans having to do with the raid. When they reached the border they faced a group Ice Empire cats and Fiona said "Talion stay here i will be back i must talk to some of the cats about the raid" Talion nodded and sat there looking around

Domitius peered out from behind the group of Ice Empire cats. They had invited him to come along on their patrol to get a better feel for the territory he would soon know well, and he had excitedly accepted the offer. He had never met a Lightning Empire cat before… how strange they looked and smelled. He watched his fellow Empire mates step forward to greet Fiona. Domitius knew very little about the relationships between Empires right now, and very little about the upcoming raid, so he did not pay attention to their talk as his eyes wandered to another young cat from the Lightning Empire who was not partaking in the talks.

This was the perfect time to learn something about these unfamiliar faces! Domitius walked right over, his tail high and a friendly look on his face, ”Hi there, I’m Domitius, future Gladiator of the Ice Empire! Who are you?” He breathed in the newcomer’s scent. And why do you smell so strange? But he kept that question to himself.

Talion blinked seeing this new cat approach him, Domitius was his name since he introduced himself to Talion just now. Talion smiled and said "Well hello there Domitius, I'm Talion, Future Gladiator as well, but for now I'm an Apprentice in the Lightning Empire, how may i help you?" he smiled politely at him.

Lightning Empire! That explained the strange! Domitius looked excited at the news that this cat was from another empire. And he was so nice, too! ”Wow, that’s so cool! You must have come a long way. I know we did. I guess I just wanted to say hi… what’s the Lightning Empire like?” Domitius asked, showing his natural curiosity in his words. He already liked Talion and felt comfortable pestering him with questions.

Talion chuckled "uh well..." he tried to find the words and then said "Lightning Empire is pretty cool, they are really nice to all who enter its territory but like every empire like your own, they don't take kindly for cats who cause trouble, especially Hunters" Talion looked down and then said "i wasn't born in the Empire per say. I was actually born outside of it in the forest that is on its territory, i had 4 siblings besides myself, two older ones and two younger and a mom and dad, but humans actually attacked us with Hunters and we were captured and put into separate Caravans and spent 5 months after my first year of life in them, finally Lightning Empire found my Caravan I was in and attacked then saved me but now I try to find any clue about them to save them, though i will say my experience with the Empire has only been not even a year yet. But I do know that Lightning Empire is a place I will defend, be happy there and love for the rest of my life, just as you do yours am i right Domitius?" Talion smiled at him as he finished saying what he had to.

Talions answer could not have been more awesome in the eyes of Domitius. He nodded as Talion talked about Lightning Empire being kind to outsiders, but certainly no pushovers. That was what it seemed like Ice Empire was like too, even if Domitius had little knowledge about politics at this point.

And then Talion went to talk about his life before he lived in the city, which honestly Domitius founded fascinating to listen to. His smile faded and his jaws opened wide as Talion spoke of humans attacking them and taking his family away and separating them. How terrible! And so long in human confinement! Domitius had only the faintest blurriest memories of humans. He found himself intensely curious about Talion’s experience.

”Oh yeah, the Ice Empire took me in when I was really young… I don’t even remember, really, so they are all I have ever known. My family! I only remember my dad… kinda... “ Domitius shrugged, then turned the spotlight back to Talion. He had many more questions! ”So you’re going on a quest to save your family, that is so noble! So…. Valiant!” Domitius had learned that word recently and loved the sound of it as he rolled off his tongue. ”Or… or Mighty!!” Mighty was a favorite word of Domitius, who often referred to himself as DoMIGHTYus when he was pretending to be a great lion defending the honor of his friends and family. ”What were they like, though… the humans…?” Domitius’ voice grew soft and intense as he asked, his ears perked all the way forward. He knew little about his life before the Ice Empire other than fuzzy memories and flashes of images of his great white father. He found himself intensely curious about the humans.

Talion chuckled as Domitius said that his quest to find his family was Valiant and Mighty, but Talion said "Yes you may call it Mighty or Valiant, but you might want to also call it...the right thing to do" he smiled, hoping those words would sink in deep to Domitius.

Talion then remembered that Domitius wanted to hear his experience with the humans, "Domitius, there are some humans out there that i will admit have a heart that try to strive to help, in the 5 months with the humans i was with i saw 3 that did and didn't like the what the humans were doing...but the rest...." he looked down and turned his head to the right and said "they cause pain, if two of the 3 humans didn't stop this one evil human male the scars on my face would have been worse, i was almost branded but thank everything i wasn't" He then said "most are vile and cruel but i have faith in those who strive to stop evil but WE, The cats of the Empires, must show that we are not to be pushed around by humans OR The Hunters, that's why i'm being a scout in a rescue patrol, I'm not only gonna try and find my family or at least find information but i promised a friend that i would someone for him."

Domitius listened to the older cat’s words with his ears cupped all the way forward. The right thing to do. He echoed in his mind. Wow… that was awesome. He hoped he would be so righteous someday. He nodded, ”Yeah, it is right. You were lucky enough to escape. Now you can help your family get the same freedom that you have!” Domi said.

Domi’s eyes were wide as Talion spoke of the human who hurt his face. How brutal he sounded, for her doubted that Talion had done anything to deserve that! No one deserved to get… branded! But it helped Domi to know that not all humans were bad. He nodded at Talion, ”Do you think there are enough good ones… and enough of us in the Empires… to stop the human’s cruelty for good?” He asked. And his amber eyes were interested as he mentioned he was going to help someone for a friend, ”Who are you going to try and save?” Domitius asked excitedly. A rescue mission! Domitius could only dream of being part of one of those one day.

Talion nodded to him "yes i believe that there is enough Humans and Us to drive the cruel ones away, when will it be i have no clue but i hope soon" he smiled happily thinking of the optimism of freed cats from humans. But then Domitius asked who was he rescuing so Talion said "its from a friend of mine named Ramiel, he wanted me to find someone named Melinda, she was captured by hunters apparently, but he gave me a great description so i will do everything in my power to save her" he then chuckled "jee ive been talking about my self so much that i haven't asked you anything about you, so who is your mentor?”

Determination sparked in the cub’s amber eyes. “It will be soon, once Domightyus enters the ring!” the lion cub exclaimed boldly, his thin budding mane of deep auburn ginger ruffling as he attempted to puff it out powerfully. He returned Talion’s smile. Domitius gasped at his explanation. It sounded straight from a fairytale! A brave knight bravely facing the unknown to save a fair maiden. Melinda. Domitius expected that she was probably beautiful. ”I know you will save her, Talion.” Domitius said with admiration shining in his eyes. Soon Talion turned the questions around on him. Domitius was proud that Talion thought he was an apprentice already. He must be getting pretty big! But Domitius found himself a little shy to admit that he was only a cub, too. He hoped that Talion did not think less of him. ”I don’t have a mentor yet. I’m still a cub.” Domitius admitted.

Talion chuckled "Hey, its ok, i dont think any less of you cause you are a cub, you are actually wise for a Cub" Talion admitted to him. Talion then ruffled the hair on the top of his head with his left paw gently "Just cause you are a cub doesn't mean anything, you will do amazing things i know it."

Domitius laughed as the bobcat messed up his little mane. His amber eyes glowed in affection and admiration as he looked at the apprentice. ”Thanks, Talion!...” His expression grew a bit somber as he asked, ”We are in different Empires… does this mean that we will have to fight someday?” Domitius asked. He didn’t really know the relationships between the Empires right now, but he gave a swift glance at the conversing Gladiators as he asked… he didn't know whether they were enemies, or friend, whether they bickered or lived in harmony… but Domi knew that he could not hurt the good-hearted apprentice if it came down to it. No, certainly not!

Talion looked at him and smiled "Domitius i will tell you this, i would never hurt a friend in another empire, i would only attack if they became evil or did evil things, that's when i would step in, and only then i would still not kill anyone unless i feared i would be killed myself" Talion then said "i will pass along knowledge my mom and dad told me to you...It is better to admit you are scared then to lie and say you aren't...And it is better to stand your ground and help all in need no matter who they are, for that act of bravery and kindness can change lives"

Domitius listened to his friend with wide eyes and smiled happily. He was Talion’s friend now. And Talion was his. He would not hurt such a good-hearted cat either. No way. He perked his ears forward as Talion said the words given to him by his mom and dad. He was silent for a moment, letting the words sink in. ”Thanks, Talion,” he said finally, ”I’m going to be just like you and your parents. We’ll be the most noble Gladiators in the land.”

Talion chuckled, he was happy to have a friend in the young Domitius, even if he was a cub. Talion then said "And one more thing Domitius, this is my own advice for you...You ever are searching for those you love, YOU are searching for your light, don't lose sight of it, and eventually you will find it."

Domitius listened to the words with a blank look on his face. Your light, the lion cub echoed in his mind. Domitius found what Talion said mysterious. it was like a riddle. Light was a metaphor, it meant... happiness…? And he read Talion’s words to mean that those you love are your happiness, and who you need to seek out, and never let go once you find them. The cub gave Talion a smile. ”Thanks, Talion… I won’t lose sight.” Domitius vowed, lifting his chin a bit as if he had just sworn some sacred oath. And he basically had, in his mind. He had made a promise. And he found that Talion was one of those cats that he really felt a connection to, and a cat he would never break his promise to. A true friend.