Deepwood Weald Ahead by a Century

He did not like seeing her in pain. The panther felt more helpless than ever as he watched Simbelmyne wince and pace, her pretty feature pinching daintily in what he thought of as an astounding show of strength. Usually, his mother would have snapped or hollered at him by now.

"You are doing wonderfully," he assured her at various points, deeply admiring of how she maintained her calm nature even at such a time as this. He had always thought her strong in the way that all women seemed strong to him — but this changed something. Slowly but surely, he began to see someone new.

Simbelmyne carried the day, but he was grateful all the same when Raindrop arrived. He made quick introductions to the two women, so that they might know what to call one another, and remained dutifully nearby.

"Soon," he told her, though he did not know for sure. His mother had always wanted to be told that it would be soon.