*Cat Screeching*

*Leaves crunching*

*Footsteps on grass*

Iris: *yowling*

*Angrily snorting*

Ares: *yowling*

Iris: (Panting)

*growl*

Iris: *Yells*

*screech*

*thud against tree*

Iris: (panting)

Iris: It only took you 14 years to find me, you hack! What are you gonna do now that you’ve caught me, Ares?! Force the information out of me? Curse me? Kill me?!

Ares: I’ve just been dying to pay my wife an overdue visit. Strange of you to be out here all alone without our little bundles of joy glued at your side.

A little birdy told me they’re having a hard time adjusting to the Kingdom of Thorns life, is that right?

You have no right to speak of them that way! How dare you try and say those things after sentencing them to death!

I… I had to protect two innocent newborns from your wrath, and now you want to visit them?! You’re revolting!

You are to blame for the misery we’ve gone through, Ares! You are the reason our children have been struggling so much adjusting to their new life! You are the reason I had to throw my whole life away in favor of Jackson and Vivian,

to remedy a mistake that you made! You should see how the other Thorn Cats look at us, even treat us!

We are suffering because of you!

*Laugh* I’ll admit, I’ve seen the error of my ways, Iris. I was wrong to ask for their death, but you must understand that their birth was nothing more than an accident.

I couldn’t let my subjects know I had two illegitimate children with an average Cursed soldier, it would ruin my reputation!

However… it’s come to my attention that not one, but both of my kids can obtain The Dark Curse! Now, I’ll become more powerful than ever!

You’ve given me two promising heirs, my dear, so you weren’t completely useless after all! Thank you for that...

You’re a fool if you think I’d ever let you near my children again! You’ve lost that privilege Ares! And guess what, you’re too late! They’re gone! You need to leave!

Oh, I wouldn’t get your hopes up just yet...

*grass crunching*

Vixy: *hisses*

Vixy: Oh Iris, you do realize that fleeing from your problems won’t save you every time, right?

I’m not making the same mistake of letting you run twice, and this time, I came prepared.

Iris: You two don’t know what you’re getting into. Whatever you’re planning won’t work, I can assure you…

Ares: Don’t underestimate me, Iris. No matter what measures you’ve taken, no matter how far you've sent them away,

no matter who you've left them with, we will easily find them and overcome whatever obstacles you've put in our way.

They’re destined to return to me, whether you like it or not.

Thank you kindly for raising Jackson and Vivian up until this point. I think I can take it over from here. Our time together has come to an end, I'm afraid. Goodbye, my dear.

No, please! Wait!

Ares: Vixy,

do you still remember what my two little brats looked like?

Vixy: Yes sir, I do. Jackson was blue and cream, and Vivian was brown and white. I’ll gather my spies immediately to begin the search.

Ares: Good. Make sure you coax them back to me gently. This is going to be a delicate process that may take a bit of time...no thanks to her.

*Tomato Splattering*

Jackson: Ah!!

Trainee 1: *Laughs* Look at the little wimp! He nearly gave himself a concussion from a tomato!

Trainee 2: Awww... Are tomatoes scary in Curse Land, little baby?

You Cursed refugees are always the weakest cats in the mix, it’s no surprise that a rotted fruit scared the daylights out of him!

Jackson: S-stop it, I mean it!

What are you gonna do? Call for mommy to come save you? Oh, please help me! No, don't leave me! Oh, not the tomato, anything but the tomato! *Laughter*

Oh wait, but - but you can't... 'cause she's dead! *laughter*

Trainee 1: It’s no wonder none of the Thorn citizens like you, you’re a freak! You’d be better off-

Ahh! Get it off GET IT OFF!

Vivian: *hisses* If you two don’t get out of our den in the next five seconds, I’ll rip your ears off!

Trainee 2: Come on, let's get out of here, she’s gonna kill us!

Jackson: Th-thank you Vivian. I... I really mean it.

Vivian: It looks like we didn’t even get to sleep in on our recruitment day, huh? I know someone here loves his beauty rest.

It’s a shame he couldn’t cash in on it today.

It is what it is I guess.

What?

I mean, it is what it is, Vivian. We can’t do much about it.

No, it doesn’t have to be “it is what it is”, Jackson. You know we’re just going to be treated like dirt in training, maybe even worse than we already are!

Yeah, I know, I know. It's just... it feels like that ever since mom died it’s just been getting worse.

Did you really have to bring her up?

Come on, Vivian, when are you going to accept it? It’s been five years, yet… we haven’t had an actual conversation about it!

I know you’re upset, when are you going to let it all out?

Why are you so eager to force it out of me?! You know who I’m upset with?! These stupid Thorn Cats!

If only they had been watching her and didn’t let her out alone, maybe we wouldn’t be here, you ever think of that?!

What if… what if they set her up! What if she were still-

Dusk: Hey! You two! Get ready to meet in the square, you have ten minutes, and quit that yelling.

Hey, hey, shhh... I’m sorry I pushed you. You don’t have to talk until you’re ready, okay?

*Chuckle* Let me fix your fur, it’s all spiked up.

Jackson: You know, I don’t think I’ve ever seen General Dusk in person before, I only know her through stories.

Vivian: She sure is a lot shorter than I expected.

Jackson: Don’t let her hear that. She might twist your head around so you're staring at your butt for the rest of your life!

Vivian: Oh you don’t think I could take her? I could totally take her, just watch me.

Dusk: Welcome to your first day as an official Thorn trainee! Many of you have been looking forward to this day, where others have been dreading it (voice fades off)

Jackson: Hey! Watch where you’re going, you shoved me!

Trainee 3: Oh, gee, I guess I wasn’t watching my step! Here, let me move back for you.

Jackson: Ow! Ow! Ow! *Pained groan*

Trainee 3: Is that far enough away, you dirty cursed freak?

Lunis: *hisses* What are you doing? Are you some oversized kitten?! What makes you think it’s okay to treat someone like that?!

Trainee 3: O-oh! Yes… yes my liege! I am terribly sorry, it won’t happen again your excellence, please forgive me!

Thank you for standing up for me, you didn’t have to do that you know.

It’s no problem at all. I swear, it makes my blood boil seeing my citizens treat the refugees with such blatant disrespect!

It’s not like you can control your past, so why be mocked for it, right?

You dimwit, fix your posture! That’s Princess Lunis of the Kingdom of Thorns who just saved your sorry butt!

Oh my curses! I had no idea! Princess Lunis, I’m terribly sorry!

Please forgive me for anything I might have done that could be seen as disrespectful!

Apollo: That’s right! Now bend over, commoner!

It seems my feet need kissing! Well, what are you waiting for? Chop chop!

*nervous chuckle* I take it you’re Prince Apollo?

Hey, woah woah! I’m just teasing you, I promise we aren’t that uptight. You can just call us Apollo and Lunis.

Calling us our formal names just makes us feel.. uh... weird and uncomfortable.

What’s your name? Goliath? You’re huge!

*dry laughter* No, no, uh... my name’s Jackson!

How come you both are training with the commoners instead of getting private lessons or something?

It was our father’s idea to make us well-rounded. Since King Augustus started off as a common soldier he thinks it will help us in the long run.

I think he’s doing it to humble us a little bit too.

Oh is that right? I bet you both are just here to report to Queen Hesia which cats need weeding out.

*laugh* No, I promise that’s not it, what’s your name?

Vivian: *growls bitterly*

Lunis: Or... not?

Jackson: That’s my sister Vivian. She’s pretty closed off to strangers, I promise she isn’t as cold as she seems. It’s just… we’ve had a hard time making any friends since we’ve been here.

Not to mention the rampant bullying. It’s made her reluctant to be open to strangers, let alone royals.

Hey chatterboxes, I think it’s time to zip it and listen to the General, she’s giving instruction.

Dusk: Training begins tomorrow. You need to meet here again one hour after sunrise, not a minute later. You have a full day of assessments, so get plenty of sleep tonight.

Speaking of which, divide into groups of four to keep even sleeping quarters. Just follow the dirt path until you hit the trainee dens.

Thorn soldiers will deliver your meals, but you’re welcome to hunt to get extra food. Meeting dismissed.

Apollo: Well I don’t know about you, but it seems the stars of destiny have aligned and we have our group of four right here!

Lunis: Come on, let's get a move on. I don’t know about you, but I want to crash early tonight.

*Yawns*

Jackson: You know, Vivian, it wouldn’t hurt to at least give Lunis and Apollo a chance.

They’ve been nothing but kind to us since the moment we first met, why are you being such a stick in the mud?

Vivian: *hisses* I have no reason to trust the heirs to the throne that’s responsible for making our lives a living hell, Jackson!

I think they can handle one cat not bending over backward to kiss their pampered asses!

That’s not true. They’re just like us, Viv! They haven’t had anything to do with what happened in the past.

Drop it. I’m NOT in the mood...

Would you like me to pluck the feathers off for you, your majesty? Would you like me to chew the meat so you don’t tire your royal jaws?

Well, I mean, if you’re offering, I’d love to have my bird plucked!

*growls*

I’m sure you would...

Heh... Excuse me for just... one second.

Jackson: Vivian! Where on earth are you going? What was that stunt you just pulled?

Vivian: I’ve lost my appetite. You can take my meal for tonight, I don’t mind.

Just... interacting with those two royal brats made my stomach turn.

Are you sure? If you’d like, I can bring our meals out here and we can finish them alone tonight, just until we’re settled in.

Jackson: I know today’s been a lot for you. Maybe some distance away from the commotion will make you feel better.

Vivian: Trust me, it’s fine. It wasn’t you. Go on back, I want to clear my head and get some fresh air for a little bit.

I’ll be back later.

*purring*

Please be safe, okay? We haven’t been out this far before. I’ll keep your nest warm for when you come back.

Try to make it quick. You know I miss you when you're gone for too long.

Just nudge me awake and I’ll move for you.

Stupid Thorn cats, stupid trainees, stupid Apollo, stupid Lunis, I hate this!

Ugh!!

Ah! Who-who are you?! I’m warning you... I’ll tear your face apart if you come near me!

Vixy: It’s alright, I’m no threat, not like those dreaded Thorn cats. Come closer, I promise you’re safe with me.

Who are you?

My name is Vixy. I already know who you are, Vivian.

Vixy?! Aren’t you second in command of the Cursed Empire?

What are you doing all the way out here? More importantly, how do you know who I am?

Oh Vivian, I’m close acquaintances with your father. You weren’t a secret to everyone you know.

I remember when you were just a wee baby…I can tell you don’t belong with this group, just look at you! You’re miserable, aren’t you?

Vivian: Yeah. It’s been hard. I feel so disconnected here.

You’re above these dreadful cats and you know it.

Look at how strong you are... how smart and how skilled you’ve become all on your own.

Do you mean that?

Of course I do.

What if I told you that you could become stronger, even stronger than every one of your peers combined?

Really?

Really really.

What do you mean?

Come with me for tonight, I’ll explain everything to you on a walk around the territory.

I can see you’re nervous. Let me ask you this, darling

Would you rather stay here, constantly tormented by The Kingdom of Thorns,

or would you rather come with me, and learn how to live to your fullest potential?

Vivian: *breathes nervously*