The idea in your mind had been planted the moment Shadowheart had mentioned animals. You'd been talking to her about what she wanted for the future, after all of this was over. After you'd defeated the Netherbrain, and found her parents. Shadowheart had said she wanted to live away from the city, in a home with plenty of room for animals and lots of flowers. You, of course, were delighted.

You'd seen from afar, across the camp – the way she interacted with Scratch. The way her eyes lit up, her smile soft, fond. She looked at ease in a way that was rare for her – especially after abandoning Lady Shar and the only way of life she remembered. It was like none of it mattered when she was with him, his fluffy head sat in her lap as she ran her fingers through his fur. It was adorable.

You waited until Shadowheart was distracted to put your little plan into action. She was sat in her tent, fidgeting with that gith artifact that she held so close. She still hadn't figured out exactly why she was sent to retrieve it – what did Lady Shar want with an ancient gith relic containing Vlaakith's rebel son, Prince Orpheus? It had never been her place to question it when she was a child of Shar, but now that she wasn't, she couldn't help wondering.

As Shadowheart pondered, she felt a small, furry head nuzzle up against her side. She turned, expecting Scratch, or maybe the Owl Bear cub to be by her side; but instead, she found a small cat, including its head towards her palm. Shadowheart smiled, tilting her on head, a puzzled expression colouring her features.

"And where have you come along from, little one?"

She cooed softly, scratching gently behind the cat's ears. The cat meowed, pressing its head up against her palm. Looking up at her with innocent.. and strangely familiar eyes. Now that she thought about it, the whole of the cat was familiar in a way she couldn't quite explain.

"Have I seen you somewhere before?"

Shadowheart mused aloud, brows furrowing slightly in contemplation.