About

Personality:

Absinthe is an innocent soul, born after the war that ravaged the planet and oblivious to the horrors her people have suffered. Innocence is both a blessing and a curse, most lions she meets being more inclined to protect her but the rare few that do see the opportunity to twist her and her element to do their bidding. She tends to lean towards seeing the good in everything, knowing there's bad but making the conscious choice not to see it often until it's too late. Rose tinted glasses seem glued to her gaze, a smile glued to her muzzle and sweetness dripping from her voice. Sin is determined to do her absolute best in everything she does, working herself to the bone until she's mastered what she puts her mind to even if she hasn't quite gotten a handle on her element yet. She tends to get frustrated with things she can't understand, sometimes to the point of angry tears and others to the point of growling. Despite this she will always present herself as having a handle on her learning, welcoming help hesitantly but accepting nonetheless. The lioness knows when to ask for help, when she's in over her head, often coming to her fellow dream lionesses for advice when she needs it. She's always been very open with this little family in the mist, the maidens that is, never shying away from them or the lions she interacts with on a regular basis outside of them. They're the ones she'll pounce on if she knows they'll play with her, the ones she'll vent to if something's frustrating her, the ones she cherishes for protecting her and taking her in after the mist spat her out. Sin feels an undying love towards those she considers family, she would sacrifice her own happiness for theirs without a second thought crossing her mind. Though she seems mature Sin is far from it, having an unending energy and a want to wrestle that's seemingly unmatched by anybody she's met this far. She does enjoy her calm moments but nothing compares to rushing through the mist to pounce on your unsuspecting friend and tussle for a little while. She could run forever if her duties would let her, the slight breeze in her fur and the scent of stone taking her away to her happy place. On the opposite side of her playfulness she is responsible, tending to her duties even if she does rush some of the smaller ones that can be rushed just so she can have her own time to do what she pleases. Absinthe doesn't mind protecting the Freyr, she never will, it's an honor to and she wouldn't trade this for anything. This small lioness however does shy away from the members of her homeland she doesn't regularly interact with, stammering when she speaks and shuffling her feet. Warming up takes her a bit but once she's comfortable she slowly opens up, starting with talking one's ear off and ending with dive-bombing them from the sky. Absinthe hopes to keep developing as a lioness, changing her ways from childish to more adult as she grows older but from how things are currently going for the young adult it's not looking good. But then again, anything is possible with determination and work right?

History:

The swirling and swaying of the grey clouds quickened, crackling and flashing softly as if fused with the energy of a storm. Unsuspecting, unknowing the paladin that wandered the mists tipped their head towards it with a huff. Another trick, another vision. It looked like a thunderstorm, beautiful in a way rolling over the jagged edges of the black stone surrounding it. It was enchanting as it moved, rumbling softly overhead and offering the illusion of rain spattering against their feet. A chuckle left their lips, elegant movements against the darkness continuing until a cry sharply cut through the rumbling peace the illusion brought. With a huff they continued on, the mist often played with the mind why wouldn't it now? There couldn't be a cub out here. Could there? No, certainly not, nobody would...would dare... Bring a little bundle of, of wings... Out into the mist... The paladin gave a harsh shake of his head, hesitantly stepping forward with all the gingerness one would when testing a frozen over body of water before putting their full weight on it. As they did the bundle moved, unfurling those wings and offering them the softest of flaps. It was, in fact, the tiniest little cub the paladin had ever seen. Their pace quickened, eyes widening in awe as the mist parted and swirled around this absolutely precious little bundle. As they approached the cub's cries pierced the mist again, fearful and cold. The paladin couldn't help it when they scooped her into a massive paw and offered soft coos of comfort. They couldn't see her tiny face yet, it was covered with another wing, but the paladin already knew this little lion was something special... Of course the mist that swirled and pooled in the membrane of her tiny wings spoke volumes for what she could do. It wasn't often the Freyr was blessed with such a tiny bundle of dreams, and though the paladin held her so gently in their massive paw they could only wait so long for them to adjust to this world. Rajin and Ermys needed to be notified of her very existence immediately, but she needed to wake a bit before hand... She was so small, so sleepy as she offered loud little roars in her dreams. Figuring they could let her sleep the paladin stood, skilled in moving on three legs as well as navigating the mist and rocks of their home. The trek wouldn't be long, they were a bit far out but the paladin was a hulking brute of a lion, their strides long even on three legs. Somehow the little cub wasn't disturbed as they slipped into the quiet little city, her wings fluttering away from her horned face gently before she curled right back into the warm pawpad that held her. She wouldn't remember this night but others sure would, she was oh so special after all.

"Sin, come on, it's time to get up." Ermys nudged the young lioness gingerly, offering her a chuckle when she rolled over and grumbled softly. The lioness was still young, almost an adolescent, it was only fair that she'd be a little grumpy when she was being stirred to wake up by her elder. But when she flapped a wing upward to cover her face Ermys gave a small huff, prodding her between the ribs with her paw. "Up. Come on, we have work to do." Her words were met with a reserved sigh, the wing moving away from Absinthe's face to leave a trail of smoke behind. "Alright Ermys.." Her tone was a mumble, frame arching in a long stretch before she stood to follow the older lioness into the mists. Nothing seemed off until Ermys stopped, the mist surrounding them darkening and starting to feel heavy. It was almost suffocating, until the scent if death and decay hit her nose. Absinthe had never smelled anything like this before, let alone followed the other dream lionesses into the darkness. She gagged at the smell, lifting a wing to her nose to cover it. "Ermys why are we here?" Her head cocked, swirling green and black gaze locked on the older lioness. "Because you need to learn... What we're protecting the planet from." Ermys flicked her tail, turning her head to watch the young dreamer behind her. She had potential... So much potential. Absinthe continued to wrinkle her face, her other wing offering an indigent flap. "Whatever it is if it's this stinky I don't think it's worth it." Her tone was a grumble, finally releasing her face to shake her fur out. Ermys could only watch the young lioness, her golden orbs unwavering as she moved around Absinthe. That was the point that something really seemed wrong to Absinthe, her wings offering a tensed flap against the almost choking darkness that seemed to have settled over the two of them. Something was definitely wrong, very, very wrong. Ermys wouldn't even answer her when she asked what was going on, her words seemed to bounce back and slap her in the face while that darkness choked her. It was like drowning, but she could breathe, she could hear but it was muffled. Just as something hulking seemed to swirl into the spaces of the stinking moon shaped stone something jolted against her shoulder, causing her to gasp. It was... Ermys? But she was just? "I see we've found your abilities, Absinthe." Worry seemed to be fading from her soft grey features, a slight tremble in her legs. Confusion and fear shot through every muscle of her body, though they seemed... Stiff. "What... Happened?" Sin's voice crackled, her smaller body shivering against the stone. Ermys couldn't comfort her, but she did offer what she knew. "Sleep paralysis and projecting what you were dreaming on the world around you. You made it seem as if you moved to the Torn and witnessed the figure again. Quite the nightmare." The lioness nodded, watching Sin slowly shift to her feet. "I think... I need to go spend time in with the rest of the Freyr." Sin mumbled her words, turning away from Ermys to slowly pad towards the main encampment.

Padding into the main encampment already had Sin feeling better, though her gaze seemed to be scanning that glittering black stone for someone specific. Her gaze fell on her fairly quickly, pace quickening until she was padding beside her with a light purr rumbling from her chest. "Marie! How've you been today? Have you eaten? Have-" the lioness cut her off with a quick lick to her cheek and a soft laugh, butting under Absinthe's wing with a soft smile. "Yes, darling. I have. What're you so sweaty for?" Sin tensed with the question, gaze shifting slowly before she let loose a soft sigh. "Nightmare. Bad one. I guess I can project them to others with my visible element like I can when I want to show others their dreams with my wings." She shrugged, wrapping the appendage around her girlfriend with a lightening purr. Their mutual pawsteps lead them to the edge of the whirlpool, their gazes wandering over the water as they simply relaxed there for a moment. Sin's wing fell away from Marie, relishing in the peace and lack of responsibility for a moment. With a content sigh she allowed her gaze to linger on the island in the center of pool, happy with the thought that came to mind. "One day I'll meet you in the middle of those waters." She nudged her partner, a smile spreading over her muzzle with an odd giddiness. Marie seemed to shift a bit, but eventually smiled in return. "Will you, darling?" Her head tipped, frame flopping down so her chin could rest over Sin's paws. The moment wouldn't last long, a young male with a dark pelt slipping into view with a huff. "Marie. Training." He only said those two words with a gruff tone before he slipped away, leaving the lionesses to frown lightly while Marie struggled to her feet. "I'll see you in the normal place tonight?" Her head tipped towards Sin, hesitating before she left. "In your dreams." Sin chuckled softly, standing to butt her shoulder. "Go train, paladin."

The day seemed to drag on, then again things always seemed to when Sin was actually excited to do something in the dream world. She'd constructed something elaborate for Marie and their first anniversary, a happy night that was going to be full of all the best memories and as much fun as Sin could muster in the dream world. As long as they weren't interrupted by anymore nightmares the night should be perfect. This was one of the few she was actually giddy to curl into her nest and sleep, her cave never seemed so inviting out in that cold mist. Though just as she slipped into sleep and pulled herself into her partner's dreams she could tell something was wrong. They weren't alone, or rather Marie wasn't dreaming of just her. Sin, ever curious to snoop on her love's friends and potential training dreams, gave a swift shake of her pelt to cloak herself in the mists that often lurked on the edges of the dream's limits. She was within eyesight, just hiding as if she were in a bush. What Absinthe watched in Marie's dream broke her heart, but what young love doesn't end in heart break? The pair of lions frolicked, laughed and smiled. The looks on their faces were ones Sin often saw mirrored with her and Marie only... It was Marie and her fellow Paladin-in-training. She watched them for what felt like forever before she could feel Marie pull for her, knowing she was likely unconsciously thinking of their nightly meetups. The young male disappeared in a shatter of dew drops as Sin padded from the edge of the dream, sorrow dripping from her swirling gaze. "I... Saw that, Marie." Her tone was soft, disappointed. Panic settled over Marie's face, her words stumbling for a moment while Sin just sat there and listened. What could she say? Sin could dig the truth out here weather she liked it or not. "Listen, Absinthe... Freyson and I have been seeing each other for about three months now." Her tone dropped slightly, paws shuffling against the soft grass Sin has so carefully willed into the world. She needed something to cushion herself. Sin held up a wing, her face twisting slightly with a bit of anger before she sighed. "You know what, Marie? No. I don't even want you to explain. I'm worth you having at least ended things before you started seeing him. Don't come into the mist." With her cutting words Marie broke down, pleading for Sin to listen, to hear her out and give her another chance. Sin didn't, she simply stood and offered a parting flap of her wings as Marie evaporated into the darkness of an unsculpted dreamscape. Sin knew her worth, could see that the other lioness was still with her for her status as a dream lioness, and she didn't need that. Her heart hurt, but there were better things on the horizon, her Maiden ceremony was tomorrow after all.

Sin woke with a start, scanning her surroundings in confusion before it clicked. She had set out into the mists in search of her maiden yesterday morning, though they weren't particularly hard to track. At least Sin didn't they were, their scent was easy to pick out. Her frame gave a long stretch, her ears swiveling as she strained to listen for the sounds of water dripping off or rocks or tiny feet skittering about. Only one met her ears, the soft drop of water off to her left just barley audible above the ever present soft breeze. Drawn to the sound Sin absentmindedly padded in that direction, not phased by the mist and its mind games as it was her own element that created it. With a softened grunt the lioness crouched, only to find that there was actually no water there. She had in fact been fooled by the mist, this fact drawing a low grumble from her lips before she put her nose to the ground again. It took her a few hours to find water, using scent to find it rather than hearing, and it was the best water she'd ever tasted. Refreshed and well hydrated she gave a stretch of her wings, actually listening for prey this time rather than smelling. She still had no luck on this front, tail lashing angrily. She'd better get back to tracking her maiden, she only had six days left. Absinthe hadn't eaten in at least three days, but she was drinking well so that kept her decently paced in her search for the lion she sought. Finally she managed to find an Amani, dark and hidden among the rocks. It wasn't much, but it was food and did end up boosting her energy enough to put a spring in her step. On the fifth day Sin encountered something fairly interesting, a wall of rock that seemed to stretch on into the mists as far as she could see in every direction but up. Now, the young lioness knew very well that she could just fly up it but where was the fun in that? With a steady brace of her paws she heafted herself onto the smooth black stone, digging her claws in just to brace herself before scrambling over to the second small ledge she could find. They seemed to grow smaller as she went up, her paws slipping and sliding against the stone until eventually... They slipped. Sin plummeted, her face falling, a loud yelp leaving her lips, and twisting rapidly in horror as her claws scrambled for a grip. Finally, with the assistance of some particularly hard flapping, she did manage to catch herself before she fell too terribly far. "Maybe... I should have flown." Her tone was breathless, standing on her hind legs with a firm grip to the rock face and her horns pressed gingerly against it. After she calmed the rest of the climb was achingly slow, unwilling to risk speeding it up in case she fell and lost her progress again. Slow and steady pace aside once she reached the top she was shocked to find a small nest, rations of food and water scattered to the sides and a large purple lion sitting in the center of the nest watching out over the mists. He seemed to have been waiting for her, for he turned to face her as soon as the sound of her paws hitting solid rock met his ears. "You've found me. Let's get heading back." The goopy lion's smile was warm, inviting even. It wouldn't take them more than a day and a half to return, Sin remembered the way she had taken and had even placed markers of pelt scrap to help aid in finding their way home. Giddy she hopped from foot to foot, the pair gliding from the face's peak and into the smooth ground below. Solidly on the ground Sin began to trot off in the direction she had come from, grinning from ear to ear as the pair moved back towards camp.

The mist wasn't kind on their way back, showing them fierce monsters that were quickly defeated by... Sin. Her maiden pretended to cower behind her like a defenseless cub only to end up laughing at her as soon as they set foot in camp. Things seemed busier, more lively. There were pelts she didn't recognize and chattering like she'd never heard before. Sin was of course congratulated, welcomed warmly into adulthood but her confusion and excitement to see so many lions in the Freyr overpowered her pride in seeing these strangers. She didn't think they could have visitors! Though she wasn't allowed to explore the new faces for long, quickly whisked away by her maiden into the mists much to her protests. "Hasa no! There's so many new faces, so much to learn!" She fought against the larger male with an angry flap, though he heafted her along with one arm like she was nothing. "I'm aware. But they can't know you exist yet." Sin flapped angrily as she was gently placed against the stone outside of her cave, disappointed that she couldn't go out and interact with the others. "You may lurk in the mist but be sure you aren't spotted. Don't interact." Hasa gave a flick of his long tail, knowing the young lioness would listen despite her wanting. Absinthe only nodded, grumbling softly about it before he padded off to camp. The second her escort was gone Sin slipped from her den, moving slowly towards the various paths that dotted the Freyr's land to observe the lions that bravely wandered out towards the mist. She caught snippets of conversation, learning that they were the Pride. Sin didn't know much about the Pride, only the vague stories others had told her. Her feet itched to step from the mist, her wings aching to flap down the facade of being just another vaguely shaped cloud lurking about. She desperately wanted to meet them, but if Hasa mentioned that she needed to stay hidden that big fool had to be doing something to protect her. He always did, weather she liked it or not. It annoyed her but was appreciated at the same time. With a soft sigh, catching nothing but conversations about the Freyr and the mists from their visitors, Sin turned to pad back into the mists where her sisters were waiting. She was oh so disappointed as she tried to sleep away the time until they could emerge, slipping off to lurk at the edges of the new lion's dreams when she could. Voices stirred her from her slumber, her small frame slipping from her den to observe the lions below. Ermys and a few of the other dreamers were sitting with one of the more decorated strangers, Eratrea seemed to be her name as she introduced herself. But Ermys called her alpha through the entire encounter, confusing Sin until it clicked that she must lead the pride like the Sovereign Queen helped lead her home. She hopped from the ledge she lurked on just as the group slipped away into the mists. This was quite interesting, the alpha had mentioned that she only thought that there were a certain number of dreamers. This HAD to mean there were others, more dream lionesses to learn from and grow with. In her excitement Sin hadn't realized how close to the Torn they had gotten, pausing in her pursuit with a pin back of her ears and a fearful flare of her wings. The young adult would go no further, returning to the spot that they had come from to wait for them to come back. It took them a while, Sin impatiently flicking pebbles with her tail blades until she heard their pawsteps approaching. With the encounter concluded a few of her sisters followed the alpha out, prompting her quick scramble to her feet and almost run after them to the main encampment.

The bustling scene before her made her heart skip a beat, all of the decorations and buzzing in the air. Sin didn't know what was going on until she laid eyes on Mai and Iskandor, it finally clicking that the two had wed. Her wings gave a very happy flap, giddy that there was good news with these visitors rather than risk of death and destruction. In her happiness she hadn't realized she smacked a lion in the head with the hard joint of her wing, only looking when she realized she felt something soft. A fairly large male met her gaze, his own multicolored and not even the slightest bit mad. Even so Sin quickly stepped to the side, snapping her wings close to her sides with absolute dread on her face. "Oh my mists I'm SO sorry! I was so busy watching the crowd and my friends that I didn't see you!" The male only laughed softly, head shaking and a paw moving to gingerly rub the spot she had hit. " 's alright. I can tell you're excited for your fellow Freyr members." He have a shake out of his fur, his large ears twitching softly. Sin seemed confused that he wasn't angry, but not upset that he wasn't. With the tiniest of happy flaps she plopped next to him, sitting to offer a beaming smile. Nothing could crush her mood for long. "Well if you aren't mad I'm Absinthe." She nearly purred, her ears twitching to catch snippets of conversations until she heard him speak again. "Well Absinthe, I'm Quv-" he caught himself, clearing his throat. "Kyoki. I'm Kyoki. I used to be Quvvat, or Quiver in case you hear those two calling me that." He raised a paw to point towards an absolutely MASSIVE male and a small female, his black and white pelt pressed to her purple one. They seemed to be sharing all of the love the world had to offer while laughing and talking with friends. Her head swiveled to look at him, squinting slightly."Your friends?" Her head tipped, ears perked in curiosity. "Great-grandparents. My mom and dad stayed in the pride, I lived in the Oasis but moved back after..." He paused, ears pinning a bit. Kyoki shook his fur out, sighing softly. "It's not something suited for a party. But the three of us plan to stay." He chuckled, looking down at the surprised lioness. "Stay? You're joining us?" Her head tipped, paws shifting happily. Sin was always happy to make new friends, and fresh blood in the Freyr would be a wonderful thing. "Yes. We've yet to clear it with anybody official but... We'd like to." He turned his head with a prick of his ears, the smaller female calling his name rather loudly to come sit with them. She seemed carless if she embarrassed Kyoki, drawing a small laugh from Sin. Kyoki offered her an apologetic look before he stood. "I should go sit with them. Grandma Gen won't stop... Yelling until I do. Must be trying to set me up again." Sin only laughed harder, offering him a nod as he left. The rest of the night was spent talking with others and enjoying the celebration, her mind settled on what she would be doing as soon as she slept that night. The dream lionesses that the pride kept mentioning living with them, they likely had SO much to teach... She had to reach out. And reach out she did.

Bonus Story, encountering Pythia

Sleeping deeply she slipped acrossed the planet, searching for the familiar pull of another dream lioness's carefully crafted scape, finding one slowly and sprinting towards it with a recklessness. The lioness she met there was beautiful, covered in stars and seeming to shimmer with them. Sin was in awe, her wings flaring and flapping in excitement unintentionally. The sound in the quiet drew the lioness's attention, her frame spinning to squint at the clearly visible Sin with a startled growl. "What... How... Who?" Her tone seemed confused, guarded. Sin held a paw up, unable to help the other from shifting in excitement. "I'm Absinthe, another dream lioness." The blue lioness recoiled, her lip raising slightly and a paw lifting from the ground. "It's rude to invade the dreams of your fellow dream walker without permission, you should know that if you really are one of us." Her tone seemed snappy, tail whipping behind her and gaze narrowing. The dream seemed to darken as the lioness approached, moving slowly with her head held high and her ears shoved forward. She walked with authority, anger even. This caused Sin to shrink slightly, her wings wrapping over her chest and a paw lifting with a 'calm down' gesture. "I... I didn't know. I'm new." Her words tumbled from her mouth, the fur along her spine raising as the lioness came nose to nose with her. "I don't believe you. There are no more... If you're really a dream lioness then you need to prove it." With the growl of her last sentence the landscape began to shift, swirling and changing into something dark. The air grew cold with the invasion of the mists, rot stinging her nostrils just as it always did when she had a nightmare. Her wings gave an aggressive flare, the membranes stretching to their limits with the odd green mist that seemed to constantly flow off of them alongside the stuff on her back. "You're not meant to see this." Her tone was fairly small, the glittering screens of her wings flickering briefly before the scene slowly began to change. Back to the field surrounded by trees Sin often rested in, the smell of rot disappearing briefly only to come back stronger. The blue lioness was quiet, her brow raising slightly with the shift. Sin wasn't as strong as her, but the drastic and quick changes that were made were proof enough that she really was a dreamer. Taking the opportunity while the other lioness seemed to be distracted, putting all of her focus into forcing the dream scape back into that happy swaying forest clearing. With a huff the blue lioness sat back on her haunches, unimpressed but a bit less weary. "I suppose you're not lying... I did see your memories." The lioness twitched her tail, bright eyes narrowing to observe the nearly quivering youngling in front of her. Silence met their ears, Sin watching her with a persistent raise of her fur and the blue lioness "I didn't... Mean to upset you. I'm so sorry." Sin pinned her ears to her head, shuffling her feet slowly before a sigh met her ears. "Pythia." The blue lioness spoke curtly, standing with a flick of her tail. She seemed to be taking pity on Absinthe, pausing as she walked away with a slight scowl. "Are you coming? If you just go wandering into dreams with recklessness you'll get yourself caught. You don't want to get caught as a dream lioness." She huffed towards Sin, who scrambled to stand and trotted after her. "You must know so much Pythia. I went looking for another dreamer when the pride lions visiting my home mentioned there were others... I never thought there could be, or that the planet was so, well, big." Pythia cut her off with a grumble, spinning to face her with a peel of her lips. "If you want to learn anything from me the first lesson is to NOT spill your entire life's story before you can trust me, now come on, I have a few exorcises you can do to help you grasp the dream realm better, you show potential but you're incredibly weak for what you are."