You hear a faint whimper from a bush straight in your path as you stumble through the forest, happy just to be alone. You freeze now, ears straining for another sound, and it comes--a timid rustling of leaves. You bend silently over and part the thick branches... Only to be startled by a quick slash at your face. It draws blood and you fall back with a small cry, but try to forget it as you pull yourself upright again and look warily into the dark.

A small green cub bats a hesitant paw at you as it cowers back against a protective tree trunk. Her wings flutter futilely as her eyes search for a way out. She looks scared and lonely, but obviously not panicked. You find yourself feeling protective immediately and murmur, "It's okay."

Her eyes brighten with hope and she speaks in a small, young voice, "You speak English?"

You're startled almost more now than when her claws scraped your face. "Yes! Yes, of course. You do, too?"

She only nods.

"Good, good... What are you, anyway?" you ask curiously.

She only eyes you suspiciously.

"I'm not going to hurt you."

"Why not?"

"Because. Because I'm not like that?"

More unbelieving staring.

"Really! I'm not. I wouldn't hurt you. Besides, telling me what you are couldn't hurt--it's not like I have resources with me on what your species does."

"All right," she says quietly in her high voice. "I'll tell you. I..."

She stops, and you hold your breath.

"I'm a Raveen Kat."

You start to nod, then stop yourself as you realize you've never heard of a... ravine cat, or whatever she said. You smile slightly as you ask, "A what?"

She rolls her eyes. "Never mind."

You giggle. The expression was so familiar. Then you realize something else... The young cub had let her guard down. It was a nice thing to know.

Unfortunately, the effect is then spoiled as another trampling of shrubbery is heard. You move away and look around warily, and when you look back... The cub is gone. Her intent must have been to get away from this new thing, but you can't help but be resentful. Grumpy, you return home, not even interested in meeting the nearby creature.

Female Summer Season cub of wild parentage.

Wings, MAJOR mutation for Seasons.

Summer's Edge: Sends a green wave at the target, this green wave causes everything it touches to be paralyzed for 2hrs.