✶ Only wears a crown during her upbringing in the Pack of Bright Meadows.
✶ She has 5 white patches on her back.
✶ Her floppy ear is scarred by Zola during her banishment, and is torn again in a fight with Feoria.
✶ Gains the scar on her shoulder after being kicked by an impala.
✶ Sometimes wears flowers in the sequel, but only casually.
✶ Layali ✶
Story
Growing up as an only child and royal in the Pack of Bright Meadows, Layali was spoiled by her father, King Mosi. On the other hand, her mother Zola was distant and neglectful. The two clashing personalities drove a rift between the family, leaving Layali's upbringing a difficult one. She never properly learned how to hunt or care for herself--only how to boss her subjects around.
Due to her genes and nothing more, Layali has been cursed at birth by a creature known as a Dreamwalker--a name that sends shivers down the spine of any painted dog, but especially those of the Pack of Bright Meadows. Cursed dogs are seen as unpredictable and dangerous, as the Dreamwalker feeds off of negative emotions and can ultimately "poison" the minds of their hosts.
When Layali is revealed by her mother to be cursed, after being falsely accused of murdering her own father due to the supposed influence of her Dreamwalker, she is banished and left to fend for herself--unless she can discover the true killer and prove that she's just as trustworthy as ever. She is eventually taken in by the Pack of Falling Ash, making unlikely friendships and discovering that there is much more to her journey to clear her name than she anticipated.
Personality
Because of her sheltered royal upbringing, Layali is ignorant to the outside world, acting entitled more often than she should. She is bossy, demands extra respect that she doesn't necessarily deserve, and looks down on others without realizing that she does. Being banished is hard on her, and she is forced to adapt to unfamiliar customs when she is taken in by the Pack of Falling Ash.
When she's upset or thinking deeply she tends be quiet and wrapped up in her own mind, and she sometimes talks to herself to keep focused on tasks. She tends to zone out especially when her Dreamwalker is present, and to others it appears as if she's daydreaming and oblivious to the world around her. If angered or if someone does her wrong, she can hold grudges for long periods of time.
On the positive side, she is determined and faithful to the end. With the help of her new friends, she learns more about the world she lives in and matures into a genuine and caring dog.
Mosi loved his daughter dearly and was extremely protective over her. He spent as much time as he could with her, teaching her the ways of a princess of the Pack of Bright Meadows and simply enjoying her company. Zola would criticize him for being too soft on her and treating her like a "delicate flower", and Mosi would always shield his pup from their bitter arguments.
Ultimately, the king failed to teach her general survival skills such as hunting and defending herself before his untimely demise. Layali's grief for her father would influence her every pawstep after her banishment.
Zola bore her pups reluctantly, and never really felt the love for them that a mother should. The curse ensured distance was always maintained between her and her daughter, and it even tainted her judgement when Zola found her mate's murdered body at Layali's paws.
While Zola immensely regretted Layali's banishment, her daughter would never truly forgive her. Even after forming the Pack of Painted Flowers, the family still shared an awkward and curt relationship. Underneath her stern exterior, Zola still hopes that it will one day heal.
Zain saved Layali's life after she was injured by an impala, bringing her to the Pack of Falling Ash to heal and recover after her banishment. She was wary of him at first, as she had clumsily revealed her identity as a princess from a "Dark pack" to him, and was confused why he wouldn't tell anybody else about it. Zain kept her secret for her own protection, and would stand up for her after it was revealed.
After Muambe's eruption, Zain joins Layali on her quest to clear her name. Their journey evolves into something much grander than they had anticipated, and Zain and Layali grow close from their shared experiences. In the sequel, Layali and Zain are in a queerplatonic relationship; not mates, but more than just friends.
Kioni ran into Layali (literally) as she was fleeing from Muambe's eruption. Due to the language barrier, it would be some time before Layali confirmed that Kioni was an orphan. Layali found the cheetah to be a pest at first, because she was unable to hunt for her and didn't understand why she would follow her around. Once Zain joined in and they formed a little "pack", Layali started to grow fond of Kioni and her innocence. The cub would grow up among dogs and would come to view Layali as her auntie.
Layali often compares Feoria's status as a princess to her own former rank. She is jealous of Feoria's healing skills, and would have been grateful to be born to such a prestigious position within the Pack of Falling Ash. In return, Feoria thinks Layali is spoiled and has no right to speak on such a matter, not realizing that Layali was once royal herself.
The pair fought multiple times during Layali's stay in the Pack of Falling Ash, but after Layali's return from her journey, they both found mutual respect for one another.
Similarly to her brother, Zahra was fascinated by Layali and felt a connection towards a fellow "wanderer". She was excited by the idea of Layali joining the Pack of Falling Ash, if only for another "outsider" to live among them and to be her friend. Layali would never know that Zahra actually had a crush on her.
Zahra's untimely demise traumatized Layali, and she is haunted frequently by the guilt of her loss. She grieves for her every day.
Layali finds Jabari arrogant and irritating most of the time. She is grateful for his help on her journey and respects his hunting skills and his love for his mate, but often clashes with his loud personality. Still, she reluctantly welcomes him into the Pack of Painted Flowers, if only because she likes the rest of his family.
Layali admires Shani for her healing skills, sharp instincts and her remarkable view on the world, and feels awkward and stupid in comparison. She learns a lot from her stay with the wanderers and is more than happy to allow the family to join the Pack of Painted Flowers.
Mossyoddity
Layali
