mira

It was raining, the drops making their way down past the canopies of the ancient trees onto the roof of the cabin underneath. It brought with it a chill that broke through the coming summer heat. A few rumbles of thunder echoed, an errant wind swayed the forest, but the storm remained mostly placed, gentle. As gentle as a storm can be, anyway. Darkness had fallen, and not even lightning could pierce the shadowy veil cast on the sept.

Luka lay in his bedroom, massive furry body curled around something much smaller. He watched her tiny belly rise and fall, her underdeveloped hind legs kick, heard gentle yips leave her throat. She was dreaming. And he was hoping that she was comfortable, not frightened by the storm outside. Black fur, brown eyes, all the exact opposite of his own. No one would mistake the two of them for blood relatives, albinism or not. But he felt close to her all the same.

It had been a few days since he'd first taken her in. Mira, he called her. Something simple, reminiscent of his own heritage, but not garish. A pretty name. A dignified name that would stand up to the numerous terrible things he knew she was destined to be called. She'd come into a world nothing more than an experiment, sating some bizarre and, to him, inexplicable curiosity. And it would be her that would have to pay the price. No tail, no ability to run with a pack, and who knows what else she'd have to confront as she grows...

He nosed at her stomach, licking a little at the fur there. She whimpered a little, tiny furry hands pawing at his muzzle, brushing at his whiskers. By Gaia, he could feel his heart melting.

It wouldn't matter what hurdles he'd face along the way. Love had already set in fast, and in his heart he knew this precious little girl deserved better than the lot she had been given. Anyone who would want to tear her down, tell her what she can or can't be, would have to claw their way through him.

He sighed, and closed his eyes. It'd be nice to have complete confidence in those thoughts. But... it was true. She would always be at a disadvantage. True acceptance may always elude her, and... well. There will be a lot she'll never do. He'd been lucky, as a metis. Albinism was simpler to overcome than the challenges that awaited his little girl.

But that was why he'd adopted this tribe of his, wasn't it? It wasn't that they were the only ones to accept metis. It was because, deep down, he knew he could help keep things together. Keep the positivity and unity within the ranks. Fight the Wyrm and not become it.

And with that, came passion and compassion alike. Would it not be the ultimate blow to that corrupting force, to the doubters, to bring forward someone who had every reason to fail? She would succeed. She would. Even if it was not something traditional.

And even if she didn't... That was alright, too. Because, already, he loved her. And, no matter what, he would protect her through the storm.