The Forgotten Zodiac

"I know how that is," Lily giggled, smiling.

Toro watched Ophile lap at his soup. The large wolf would breathe out through his nose to cool the soup a little before licking a bit of it up. Eventually, he laid his head down and just stared at the half-empty bowl, his nose twitching. It was obvious that he was depressed, and in a bad spot. After a bit of watching, Toro looked up at Seria and smiled again, asking, "So you're going to have a baby?"

((You can fix your post when you want, and if you change anything major, I'll change mine tomorrow. =.= Love you.))

Seria smiled, saying "Yes. I'm so excited! I've always dreamed of having a family. I don't care if its a boy or a girl, I just want him or her in my life. I know I'll love them more than life itself; I can feel it. And Cynyr needs to be a father. It'll help him shake off the shadow of his own father. Oh..." She rested a hand over her belly, smiling widely. "I'm just so...so glad for this."

"That's nice," Toroph nodded, looking back down at Ophile. The wolf had his back turned to the soup and the rest of them at this point, and appeared to be sleeping. Spy, who had fallen asleep again next to Lily, snored lightly. Toro's eyes trailed from the Chimera to the wolf, frowning a bit. "Why are the animals so sleepy?" He tilted his head to the side, then finished his soup. When he was done, he politely asked if he could hold Cinnoa.

Lily was hesitant, but she carefully instructed Toro on how to hold the infant. The Rabbitzen listened intently, and even looked a little nervous as Cinnoa was placed in his arms, but the baby just silently stared up at Toro curiously. "He's cute," He smiled brightly, holding the infant close and carefully.

Seria smiled at them, then looked down at Ophile and sighed. She slid out of her chair and sat down next to him, starting to gently stroke his head and ears. Her caresses were gentle and soothing, every touch delicate and light.

Jag watched Toro hold his son for a moment, then said "You know...maybe I'll play something. I could do with some unwinding." He stood and closed his eyes, holding his hands out in front of himself and concentrating, then his violin case appeared in his hands. He set it down on the table and removed his violin, going through his dutiful routine of caring for it before beginning his tune.

The music was slow, soft and quiet. It sounded ethereal and mystical, with an air of brilliance to it.

Ophile's ears shot up when the notes reached them. He listened intently, turning his head and resting it in Seria's lap again. Cinnoa started wiggling when the music started, as though he wanted to dance. Lily took the infant back into her arms, smiling widely at this. The music continued, but of course, all good things must come to an end. When Jag was finished, Ophile's ears dropped, Cinnoa began to whimper (which was reason enough for Lily to start feeding him), and Spy...well, he rolled over in his sleep.

Jag smiled as he brought the beautiful melody to an end, turning to place the instrument back into its case. A sharp twinge of his muscles nearly made him drop it, and he grabbed it close as quick as he could. He wasn't about to let the instrument be harmed; the last reminder he had of his deceased parents. He was quick to strap it back into its case, watching as Seria fondled Ophile's ears and petted all over him, showering him with affection.

"What's wrong with him?" Toro asked Seria quietly. "He looks so...sad..."

"Yes, what's wrong with dear Ophile?" Lily turned to look at the wolf, frowning slightly. "He does look sad. I've never seen him so much as angry, he was always so calm before."

((Chzy says good morning. :3))

((Good morning to you both~))

"He...had a bit of a run-in with some other Tartarans earlier this morning," Seria said quietly, continuing her gentle strokes. "He'll be okay." She bent and hugged Ophile around his neck, scratching his furry chest gently with her claws. "It's okay, Ophile," she murmured. "We love you, remember?" She kissed the bridge of his nose again.

"Yes. I remember." Ophile said dully, flipping his tail once. "I...I'm sorry, I'm putting all of you in a bad mood. I just...can't...I don't..." He stumbled along his words, then sighed and stopped talking again. Toro slid down from his chair and reached out to pet the wolf, and immediately found his hand in Ophile's mouth, the sharp teeth threatening to bite down. Ophile pulled away and stood, shaking himself off. "Sorry," He murmured, retreating to a corner of the room. Toro, however, followed and started petting the wolf.

"I didn't think you would bite me. You're just hurt, and scared of being hurt again, aren't you?" Toro smiled weakly at Ophile. "I know how it goes. You'll be okay; you have a lot of friends who can help you make it okay, too."

Seria took cat form, following along behind them. She curled up next to Ophile, purring and rubbing her muzzle under his chin. "Shhh," she murmured. "It's okay. We'll make it okay, just like Toro says. It's okay." She started licking him gently, running her tongue through his fur. "Are you hungry still?" she asked. "We have plenty of soup."

"No. Not hungry." Ophile shook his head, pushing his muzzle into her fur. Toro was petting him gently, smiling as he did so. Two, then. Two people he knew he could trust. Trust to pet him, at least. Something told him that he was going to have to go through the same moment of panic, the same nearly-biting incident, with everyone.

But Ophile realized something else. He turned his head and put his muzzle into Toro's hands, watching as the boy smiled and scratched him behind the ears. Ophile whimpered, closing his eyes. "Seria...my power...Lu stole my power, th-that blasted snake...!" He cried weakly, putting his head on the floor and draping his paws over his muzzle. "I k-knew something was wrong, I knew it, this is terrible..."

((Sorry for slow post. Church time. :T))

Seria's eyes widened, then she pressed her muzzle close into his fur, saying "We'll get them back. I promise, Ophile, we'll get them back. Go tell Titus, if you need to. He trusts you, and he won't let another Tartaran keep powers that belong to you." She flicked her tail, nuzzling him gently as she said "I promise, I won't let Lu keep your powers. Come on. Let's go talk to Titus."

((Come back soon~ ♥))

Ophile nodded once and staggered to his feet. "Will...Jag and Lily be okay?"

"Don't be silly," Lily smiled slightly. "If I have Jag here with me, I'll be perfectly fine. Better than fine, even." She leaned against her husband, still feeding her baby.

"Right, then. Sorry to be a bother..." Ophile dipped his head again, then padded slowly to the door, waiting for Seria. Toro opened the door for him, but the wolf merely turned his head and blinked at Seria, expecting her to walk by his side. He didn't trust Toro nearly enough, yet Seria...she was just so easy to believe and trust in.

She stepped easily to his side, smiling gently at him. She kept pace with him, her long fur flowing from the air passing it. She rubbed against him, brushing her muzzle against his ear, then said "Come on. Let's keep moving, okay?" She pushed against him, making sure he kept walking.

"Right." Ophile sighed, then started walking through the castle, actually dreading talking with Titus about anything. What was he supposed to say? That he was too weak to defend his powers, and he had allowed Lu to take them from him? Surely Titus would understand, though...surely Titus would give him a chance to speak for himself. But even then, Ophile didn't know what he would say or do.

Seria pushed under his chin, tilting her ears down. "Hey. Titus is your friend, right? Speak with your strength and power, Ophile, and nobody can blame you for something you didn't willingly allow to happen," she said. "You fought for it. You'll be alright. Okay?" She rubbed against his side, purring soothingly.

"Right," Ophile licked his maw, still wondering what to say when they came to the throne room. The doors opened on their own, as usual. Ophile swallowed hard, but Toro led the way into the throne room.

"Your majesties," The Rabbitzen bowed low. "We have a small issue..."

"We have many issues, small ambassador," Titus raised a brow. "What more is there to be concerned for?"

"I don't want to speak for him," Toro turned and watched Ophile walk nervously into the room.

"Your majesty, I, uh...my powers...Lu the Naga stole them," He said quietly, his ears pressed back against his head.

"It wasn't Ophile's fault," Seria said quietly. "He was simply doing as you said and telling the Tartarans of the new law. They retalliated unfairly and he would've died if not for our help."

"Oh," Galai murmured, lifting her head from where it had been resting against Titus' shoulder. "Ophile, you poor dear... Are you alright?"

"Yes," Ophile said, his head low still.

"No. You've lost trust in your fellow Tartarans. You always thought that no matter what happened, you would always have Tartarus to turn to. That there would always be a safe place to return to." Titus sighed through his nose. "The breaking of that theory is causing you to question who you can trust and who to not trust."

"...yes," Ophile lowered his head further. "Seria...I know I can trust her. But things I once thought...I'm not certain if they still hold true..."

"Right. Well, what do you want from me?"

"I want...my powers back." Ophile looked up. "Lu stole them from me...I said that."

"Hm." Titus just watched him, frowning slightly.

Galai kissed Titus' fingers, saying "Dear, can't you do anything? I trust Touri with my life, and I know it's the same for you and Ophile."

The unicorn guard standing to the side of the throne tilted her head, regarding her queen with absolute loyalty in her eyes.

"Can't you do anything, Titus?" she asked, blinking innocently at him.