EBC - Suzuki, the Will-o-Wisp (RETIRED)

Suzuki's parents weren't like others. Well her father wasn't. Her mother Yukiko, was a beautiful mocha colored Southern snow leopard, raised in captivity in Asia and meant to breed with strong suitable males to bear the next generation of prized pets in Massilia. Her father, a bait cat before arena fighter, Sacha, was born from two grey Transbaikal snow leopards, both cousins, forced to breed by their owners. The choice was already decided that it was for breeding purposes, to keep the bloodline clean, and with that, Sacha and his youngest sister Shiori were the only surviving cubs of a litter of five.

Suzu must have adopted this trait from her father. Out of a litter of three, she was the only survivor. Her mother had been ill during the pregnancy, something their owners couldn't figure out. Weeks later their cub was growing and growing, making the mother very proud. It was only when Suzuki was about two months old, weak and in terrible amounts of pain, Yukiko made her mate promise to watch over their little angel. He vowed to never let anything happen to her, only to watch his beloved pass shortly after, in the wee hours of the morning. 

Distraught by Yukiko's death and the new responsibility of full time parenting, the gladiator had been put to battle many more times in the arena, which ultimately began to wear him down. So when his little girl was three months old, it took him by surprise to be thrown into a crate with his cub and begin their trip to Julii. At this time, Suzuki could understand a majority of basic things, having inherited her quick learning from her mother. She knew things weren't going to be ok, especially when armored cats like her father guarded their cart as they travelled. She had heard they were called hunters from her and Sacha's cage mates. They hunted wanted cats and even killed to bring them back. The thought made the cub whimper.

They had made it only a third of the way there before hell seemed to break loose. The caravan that accompanied their cart was under attack by rogue bandits and cats, shouting and angry growls and roars could be heard all around the cart. Sacha kept Suzu close ready to flee at any moment, and sure enough, a bandit opened their crate, prompting the snow leopard to jump out, his cub dangling by her scruff from his maw. An angry shout that then proceeded to morph into a terrified scream echoed behind him as well as the pounding of heavy paws. Glancing back, panic surged through his veins. A trio of hybrid cats, their fur tussled and bloodied claws, were closing in. If Sacha didn't hurry and find a way to distance them and the hunters, he wouldn't be able to protect his little cub like he had promised her mother.

So with a growl of determination, the snowy cat cut a corner and sped up farther into the trees up ahead. Coming up upon a fallen log, he quickly tucked the cub inside, hushing Suzu before she could talk.
"Su, if daddy doesn't come by sundown, I want you to run that way," He paused and pointed a paw to the southeast, then turned back to the trembling babe. "And if those scary cats find you sweetie. Run ok?"

The cub nodded furiously, tears pricking her eyes as she saw her father back up, looking over his shoulder when shouting was heard. Sacha leaned back down and nuzzled the cub tenderly, heart ripping at what he was about to do. "Know that I always love you Suzuki. Me and your momma ok?"

"I know Papa, I love you more than the stars! Please don't go..." Came her wavering reply and Suzu nuzzled her father back, not knowing that that was the hug she'd ever get from her father until God knows when.

The father pulled away with one last look to his little cub. "Watashi wa anata ga imamade shitte irudearou ijō no koto o aishite." (1) And with that he ran, knowing the hunters had picked up his scent by now. She would be safe. He knew it.

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Suzuki hid in the log well past sunset, still hoping her papa would come back. The fear of being found by those hunters terrified the cub, so much so that her heart felt like it would burst from fear. Any noise startled her and she whimpered as silently as she could lest it be a hunter outside the log. The little snow leopard could only imagine what they would do to her if they found her...

Shuddering, Suzu got a grip of her nerves and started for the front of the log. The moon shone high above her, almost seeming to encourage her out of the fallen tree. She could feel her courage begin to fester a bit, and braved a few steps into the trees and bushes. It didn't seem too bad actually, she could do this.

A twig snapped not far from her and she let out a terrified cry, diving into the nearest bush, paws covering her maw, thinking it was the end for her. A voice came towards the bush, feminine and curious. Ears back and tears already streaming down her fluffy cheeks, the cub nearly screamed in terror, only to pause, breathe hitched. The cat before her was small, and with brown spotted fur. She'd later find out that her name was Caroline, an Air Empire apprentice. Her warm brown eyes put the little cub in a stupor, confusing Suzu tremendously. The female turned to shout to her companions, soon having other cats on either side of her, all of them looking at Suzuki sadly, but relieved. (2)

Then she finally understood. They weren't hunters. She was safe. 

Suzuki dove towards the older cat, enjoying the welcomed embrace from Caroline. She would be safe with these strange cats. And maybe one day, she'll see her papa again. 

"Let's get you to Air camp fluff ball."

Nodding, the cub followed them back to their home, only stopping before the gate next to Caroline. She glanced to the side, nervous. Suzuki could trust this cat right? She seemed nice enough...

"Suzuki." Came her bell-like voice. "My name is Suzuki."

The margay glanced at the snowy cub curiously before smiling.

"Well Suzuki, welcome to Air Empire."

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1. (I love you more than you will ever know.) 
2. (Cats are open spots for anyone in Air. This paragraph may be subjuct to change based on rps, especially with Awesomesauce2014's Caroline and Suzuki.)

ROLE PLAY SCENE
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