Finnegan

Please note, the history discussed below contains content regarding emotional abuse of a child, set roles, and violence from predator attack. It also includes mentions of poverty, hunger, and inequality. Please do not read ahead if any of these topics upset you, please do not read ahead. Caution has been advised.

Long ago, there was a cat who decided to take charge. It was a small action that lead to a long list of generations that came to recognize themselves as one title: Royal. Their worth, their blood, their heritage defined their lives more than any ability they could foster. Those that followed them may not have loved it but they did so under the hope for protection. Safety. A community united by struggles. Leading the charge of this group was a tom known as Hjálmar. The guild took his name just at it had his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him. Any cats who crossed their path would face the wrath of Hjálmar's Guild.

Though far from being in love, Orna looked to her mate knowing he secured her a place of comfort among all those followers. So long as she stood beside him, she had no reason to fear for her own meals. Orna was smart and used her social wit to earn her place and was quick to assure others knew she belonged there. Despite their lack of love, the sense of responsibility was not lost on either cat which is what resulted in the royal's first and only litter. The three children bound to carry on the legacy one day: Asa, Hilda, and Warren. Though two daughters were born, Hjálmar only cared for the one son Orna gave him and that soon became a fact none would forget anytime soon.

Early on, everything was simple. Though they were not allowed to play with other kits, Warren at least had his sisters by his side. He, Asa, and Hilda were very much used to keeping each other company while their mother fussed over their appearances and attempted to curb their wily attitudes. Ren could recall how things rapidly changed when his father appeared. When Hjálmar made his appearance, all three kits were told to sit straight in a line and face their father with respect. When he spoke, nobody else did. When he made demands, they were to be followed. It wasn't much, mostly checking in to assure his kits were being raised to fit their standards. But by the time he was three cycles old, Warren was forcibly separated from his sisters.

No part of Warren wanted this. Screaming, crying, kicking, fighting- he did anything he could to avoid it. By the time Hjálmar stopped, he was plopped in front of another kit, the first he'd ever met that wasn't his own sisters. "Bridget, this is Prince Warren. You will address him with respect. Warren, this is your guard-in-training. From this day forward, you will will never be separated. Every king will have a crown and every crown needs a protector. She is yours."

It was an unfortunate meeting but Bridget made the best of it. Ren decided to do the same. Though she'd never replace his sisters, he figured he'd try to at least find friendship in her if he could. As the moons faded into suns and suns faded into moons, one by one the days passed. The two were trained side by side on the lore of their Guild and what was expected of them. Whenever Warren expressed disinterest in his royal duties, Hjálmar reminded him of his ties. "Your mother and sisters are still safe in my stronghold, boy. Keep this fight up and perhaps I can rehome them to assure you listen better, hm?" Threats like this became Hjálmar's way of maintaining control over Warren. What choice was there? The childish wonder he once had devolved quickly into the reality that he was his father's heir and nothing more.

Bridget did her best to be there for him but Warren slowly began to turn inward. Sunken and depressed, he felt trapped by the very upbringing he should have been thankful for. His father often reminded him how their people went hungry when the prey did not run strong. If he was no prince, he'd be starved and begging for scraps. It was a mental hoop to always be reminded he was living it great up in this stronghold and he needed to show Hjálmar that thankfulness he demanded. One day changed everything though and that was the day the two youngsters were taken out for training.

Hjálmar was not a selfish ruler in terms of action. He still fought alongside his guards and still hunted beside his hunters. He felt it necessary for Warren to know this too. It was the first time he left the stronghold and Ren looked upon the many cats they passed. They were all guildmembers yet they looked just as miserable as him. Why stay here if they all shared this unhappiness? It was confusing but Ren was called back to attention as they left the guild's safe stronghold into the territory.

"Stay close and don't lose sight of me," their assigned guard stated firmly. "I'm going to find where the fish are running and we will practice fishing. It's the safest way to hunt. Stay here, your majesty, and I'll return shortly. Bridget, don't leave his side." It felt surreal. Just the guard and the prince alone in the territory. It was surely only a few heartbeats before the adult would return and Ren hardly thought on his decision. He just looked at Bridget, knowing full well how she shared his desire for freedom. "Should we... explore?"

How much trouble could they cause? Two daring youngsters wandering out to simply meander and see the world for once. Ren and Bri wrestled and laughed and chased each other. The guard woudl have to catch up but let the punishment and scoldings come. They had the one thing they'd never known before: freedom. That was until the dog appeared. The beast came across the two playful cats and saw them as the prey they were as they had not noticed it. Oh, but they'd notice as it jumped in and grabbed up Warren. Oh how freedom became a fight for survival. Bri did her best to fulfill her role as guard, biting the dog and causing it to drop the prince. "RUN!" Who yelled it didn't matter. It only mattered that they did as the very word said. They ran, ran, ran, until the air they breathed in became painful. No more barking followed their heels and realization took the place of panic. They were truly and thoroughly lost.

It was best to stick together. The guards would surely be after them soon and the first thought was to stay put. Their scent trail would lead others right to them. Ren eyed the dusk on the horizon though and started to walk no matter how much Bridget tried to convince him to stay. "Why?" Ren tried to question back. "You... you don't want that life, do you? Come on. What other chances do we have? We can run and just go until we can't be followed. Please, Bri, you know this is not going to happen twice." Was it their friendship built on solidarity or their exhaustion of the guild? Who knows? But Warren's words were enough to convince her as the duo started to walk. It became clear then now that the panic subsided that his ear was torn and his body ached. But that was fine because he could bear just a little bit more.

One night turned to two. Then three. Bri could at least hunt small prey though she did not have the full skillset she could have had. It was only until they found somewhere to stay. That's all that mattered. They lost track of the rising moons and suns by now and the duo were beginning to fear never being in a safe home. That was until a set of patrolling cats came across them. They seemed genuinely concerned for the two young cats just wandering aimlessly. They explained they came from a group of cats, a colony known as The Arc, and they had food and room for their weary bodies to rest. It was Ren who blurted out a willing agreement to join.

When asked their names, he admittedly hesitated. If he offered his true name, would he be turned back? Did they get far enough that his father's colony no longer meant anything? What if soldiers came this far? Would they risk that for him? Would they-?

"Finnegan. My name is... Finnegan."

Bridgette seemed perturbed by his answer to which he quickly motioned for her to say nothing about it. She didn't follow his lead for her own name but respected his choice at least. THe kind cats were gracious enough to lead them back once introductions were out of the way.

A new name. A new home. A whole new chapter to their lives. Maybe he could finally be free and wild as a cat should be! Finn, embracing his name in full, has found himself in a unique new place. One where nobody knows his name- at least not the old one. Now he is just Finnegan the troublemaker and oh, let that be the only way they know him. Trying his best to enjoy the life within the Arc, Finn lives his newfound lease on life carefree and careless all in one. Where will this take him? Who knows? Only time will tell.