End Of An Era [Winks]

[EmilyColeman]

Just continue here?

[Deleted]

[okie doke!]

I padded towards the cliffs at an easy trot of a pace. I was in a hurry to see the cub who'd been so fond of me at a young age, but nervous about the shape she was in, and how she would take my leaving, if only temporary. I wondered if I should be honest, or if I should simply tell her I was leaving for a little while. My heart lurched when I saw her, a part of me longing to stay and take care of her. Alas, she had Winks. Who did Korra have? And Royal? I sucked in a shaky breath, nervous about how to begin. I walked up. "Tamara," I said softly, though loud enough to get her attention.

[EmilyColeman]

Tamara was in terrible shape. She had bald and thinning patches, and her fur was crusted with blood. Self inflicted cuts showered her arms and there were scars covering her back legs. She stunk of urine and there was a nasty tear in her ear. She walked with a limp and her eyes were clouded and distant looking. "Who are you?" Tamara frowned, cowering back from Asali.

[Deleted]

The sight of Tamara caused me to take in a shuddering gasp and my steps faltered. I felt my eyes begin to fill with tears as I looked at her condition. This was worse than I had thought. Worse still, Tamara didn't seem to know what was going on. I stepped over to her slowly. She tried to focus on me, asking who I was. A tear rolled down my cheek and I resisted the urge to run over and wrap her in my arms. "It's me, Asali. I was your baby sitter when you were little, remember?" I told her softly, fighting more tears. I kept a smile in my voice, hoping to soothe her and help her remember. Never mind the fact that it hadn't been long since I'd seen her; it felt like a lifetime. And I thought a memory such as when she was young would be easier than something of the recent past. I felt sick as I looked her over again. It looked as if she had been locked up somewhere dark and abused. What kind of father is Winks?! I thought angrily. How could he let this happen to Tamara?! No. Winks probably couldn't do anything to stop it. What could he do? Lock her up and watch her twenty-four seven?

[EmilyColeman]

"No. I don't remember any Azally" I tried to pronounce the name as i squinted at her. I stumbled and fell onto my side, whimpering as dirt pushed into my cuts. I lay there. "Asali ... i miss my mummy" I whispered, breaking down into tears.

[Deleted]

I smiled a heartbroken smile as Tamara pronounced my name 'Azally', just as she had done when we first met when she was a cub. Winks had to correct her and spell it. No, no. A-s-a-l-i. he had told her with a smile. Another tear trailed down my cheek. "I was your babysitter when you were little. I'm a friend..." I would have said 'a friend of your mom's', but decided to leave it at 'friend'. Without much warning, Tamara tumbled to the ground, crying softly in the dirt. I went forward, my maternal instincts kicking in though she wasn't mine. She cried about missing her mom, and I sniffed. "I know...I know you do," I said softly, petting her head with my paw. "Oh Tamara," I said just above a whisper. How was I supposed to leave her like this? A battle was raging in me, whether I should go like I had promised Korra, or stay and look after Tamara. Winks is her father, he's capable of taking care of her. But she needs a mom.  You're not her mom, though. Rather than worry about it just now, I just laid beside Tamara and tried to comfort the young cheetah.

[EmilyColeman]

"I don't have a mummy. Korra isn't my mum. She's a stranger who lied to me" I mumbled into Asali's fur.

[Deleted]

I felt at a loss for words as Tamara spilled out how she felt about her mother now. I could only imagine the hurt that she was feeling, and I was glad that Korra wasn't here to hear these things. It would no doubt kill her to hear Tamara speak this way. I tried to soothe her by stroking her head as she cried. "I know, I know..." I whispered. I met her eyes and waited a moment before saying, "But you know she'll always be your mom." I didn't want to upset her, but I figured deep down, Tamara knew that Korra would always be there for her, even if in a different way now. And I made a promise to myself that I would pick up any slack, especially when I came back to Winks' coalition. If I had to, I would be the maternal figure in Tamara's life in Korra's absence. "I have to go away for a little while," I said slowly, feeling my heart break as I thought of leaving Tamara after her mom left, too. "But I promise you, I'm coming back. I'll be here for you Tamara," I said quickly to reassure her. "I love you," I told her. It was true, I love Korra's cubs. I had helped raise them after all.

[EmilyColeman]

"It's a pattern. Everyone is leaving me. Royal, then that imposter of a mother and now you"

[Deleted]

"No, Tamara," I said, with a hint of desperation in my tone. I didn't want her to think I was leaving her like Korra had. I didn't want her to hate her mother either, but what could I say? The only thing I could do now was prove my loyalty to Tamara by returning as soon as I could. The only other option was to abandon Korra completely. "I promise you, it's not like that, honey," I told her softly in regards to her statement about Korra and Royal. "I'll be back as soon as I can." I laid my head on hers for a moment in a sort of hug. Everything in me wanted to stay here, for Tamara's sake mostly. I worried about what would happen while I was gone. I could only pray that Winks would keep a close eye on her and make sure she felt loved while I was gone.

After a moment, I whispered "I love you, Tamara. I'll come back soon." Then I stood up, fighting tears. One escaped and rolled down my cheek and I turned away. I had to force my paws to keep moving across the ground. As I passed Winks, I glanced over with a half smile, attempting to be reassuring, then looked back down as I walked away from his land on my way to Korra.

[EmilyColeman]

"Bye mummy" Tamara whispered.

[Deleted]

[ended?]

[EmilyColeman]

yerrrr!