Laurel the Wyld

Age: 5
Gender: Female
Bio: Laurel was bought from an exotic pet store by a cruel man who only wanted her as a status symbol: Wylds are rare, highly sought after commodities among the wealthy and powerful. Naturally a social creature, long hours alone in a cage followed by rough handling at dinner parties by ignorant socialites caused the gentle creature great stress, and she began to look for a way to escape. As fate would have it, one day her owner's housekeeper didn't securely latch the door to her cage and she took the opportunity to escape.

The city was not a kind place and the small creature had difficulty just surviving. One day, while scavenging food scraps from a garbage can, she was discovered by Tsukiko on her way to work. Inspired by Hazel's example, Tsukiko coaxed the small, dirty animal to come to her with soft words and promises of good food. The kitsune's kind and gentle words soothed the Wyld's natural timidity and fear, and she allowed herself to be picked up.

After a warm bath to get rid of the filth and mats that had accumulated over her weeks of "freedom", she enjoyed a meal of fresh fruits and vegetables and a good sleep in a makeshift bed of soft towels in an empty fruit crate. When she woke up, she happily showed her gratitude by snuggling up against Tsukiko's neck and chirping happily. The pair bonded quickly with Tsukiko rarely leaving home without her little friend, who she'd named Laurel after deciding to adopt the helpless little creature.

Laurel soon became the unofficial mascot of the restaurant with many of her admirers bringing her small treats or shiny stones. Everything continued on happily like this for months until one day her previous owner happened to stop in for a meal.

He angrily, and loudly, confronted Tsukiko, demanding that she return his property. This did not go over well with her brother, lover, and friends. The loudmouth quickly backed down when he realized that he was surrounded by a (small) angry mob. Maru and Crevan were particularly influential in getting the man to "choose" to leave peacefully and promise to never set foot in Tsukiko's establishment again.

After he was escorted out, Laurel emerged from her hiding spot, eager for snuggles from her protectors. Each of them held and petted her in turn before she nestled down around Tsukiko's neck. Since then her life has been peaceful and happy- playing with her friends, collecting shiny stones and other trinkets, and just enjoying her new life of freedom and love.

Art/Wyld Species (C)
Laurel (C)