A/N: this work is submitted as part of the Foxhole's summer contest. Don't hesitate to join us! discord gg [slash] nBQrSTzn

The Golden Boy of Sargasso is my next project, promised!

Out of the Family

The sun rays struggled to traverse the copper clouds. To Leon, it appeared as meek white spot, too shy to leave shadows on the ground. He got up, cracked his back, and strolled around the abandoned hangar. Time had taken its toll on what had been one of Finicha's biggest military stations. Rust crept along the walls and the ceiling's loose sheets threatened to generously offer a concussion to the unfortunate soul who would walk under them at the wrong time. But no Cornerian soldiers set foot here in years, and it now served as one of Star Wolf's hideout.

Or former hideout? Did they still use the place? The chameleon couldn't remember the last time he came here, and he heard only the wind and his own steps for the past hour. Moreover, the team was supposed to take some time off after their last hit, and Wolf took vacation to heart… usually. And yet, he asked to meet Leon, alone, on this deserted base… Something was off.

"If only you could show up, boss," Leon thought aloud, exasperated. "Nothing I like more than wasting—"

A rumble, in the sky. Leon would recognise the Wolfen's characteristic roar from miles away. He looked at the horizon and saw the spaceship approach, then land nearby, heaving voluptuous clouds of dust. Leon strode to the site and watched Wolf exit the canopy, a briefcase in his paw.

He crossed his arms and said, "Punctuality should be your middle name."

Wolf glowered at him. "I had to make sure nobody followed me."

Leon shook his head. Since Wolf had kicked Pigma out, his keenness on security and privacy could sometimes be mistaken with paranoia. Leon didn't worry, but hoped it was temporary.

"What about you?" Wolf asked. "Are you alone?"

Leon gestured around, letting the silence answer for him.

Wolf said, "Sorry to bother you during the time off, but this is major."

"Figured." He looked at Wolf's briefcase. "But something tells me the payoff won't match my expectations."

"It's about the new guy."

"Panther? What about him?"

Wolf sighed. "I'm wary of him."

Leon couldn't hold a frustrated groan. "Really? Can't you give him a chance before giving him the Pigma treatment? I spent weeks checking, I told you I'm one hundred percent sure he's clean!"

"Well check harder next time. Read this," Wolf said whilst opening the briefcase and handing Leon some sheets of papers. "I've been digging the different accounts where his money ends up. Look at the name."

"Well… Caroso? That's his name."

"So we thought! I think the cat's been lying to us. Look at the last paper. He spent some time in Bono's gang, I got this from the accountant."

Leon perused the column of names and numbers. "Well… What?"

"It's not the same name."

"Wolf, it says Caroso."

"No, look closer!"

Leon pored over the paper. "It's written: Panther Caroso, net balance, two and a half—"

"Caruso! With a U!" Proud of his demonstration, Wolf had a victorious grin.

Leon squinted his eyes. "I'm pretty sure it's a O."

"And I'm pretty sure the guy isn't who he says he is."

"By changing one letter in his name? A master of disguise, truly."

"And that's not all." Wolf fetched another pile of paper. "I followed the money further. Turns out, he gets a big chunk of his pay on another account. Not one we use for the laundering."

"One of his own?"

"I couldn't figure out the owner. But it definitely smells. He told me he didn't know much about banks and accounting but he's managing his own business? Fishy, definitely."

Leon pinched the bridged of his nose. "Are you serious?"

Wolf frowned, perplexed.

He continued, "Are you serious? A typo and a saving account is all you need to throw him in outer space?"

"Leon listen, you don't realise—"

"No, you listen! I had to endure Pigma's crap for years. I didn't look for typos or some shit when he puked in front of my door, called me names or stole my stuff. No, I just kept my mouth shut, because he was your friend and I couldn't understand and yada yada. I spent the past year looking for somebody with more than two brain cells and now that I found him you want to kick him out because you don't like his face?!"

"His face has nothing to do—wait, Pigma called you names?"

"Yes, he said my skin was bizarrely green."

Wolf cocked a brow.

"He said it very meanly, okay? But that's not the point. Don't deny that Panther guy is capable. He does his job, cleans up his mess, and, more generally, isn't a big bag of vomit!"

"Leon!" Wolf's shout resonated throughout the base. "I'm a wanted man, remember? You have the privilege of anonymity, I don't! My head in on the line and I can't afford to let these kind of things unchecked!"

A gust of win swept over them. Leon tried to appear placid. His boss seldom loosed his temper, and his anger had startled him. After a moment, Wolf's lips covered back his teeth as his face softened.

"This job requires trust," Wolf began, his voice calmer. "We know each other for years but I've met that cat just a few weeks ago. I can't work in these conditions. You understand?"

Leon rolled his eyes. "Fine. So what's the plan?"

"I've put a tracer on his ship." Wolf fetched one last item from the briefcase. A small tablet displaying a monochromatic map and coordinates. "I need you to follow him. Tell me of his whereabouts, the people he hangs out with, anything."

"Be honest. Is this the last time?"

"What do you mean?"

"If it turns out he's clean—which I already verified but whatever—will you drop it and sleep on your two ears?" Leon asked. "Or is it just a matter of time before you get your pants in a wad when he sneezes too loud?"

"Ensure there's nothing to worry about and I'll never bother you with this ever again. You have my word."

Leon grabbed the tablet. "Fortuna, huh. Alright then, I guess I'll spend my vacations there." He shoved it in his pocked and headed towards his Wolfen.

"One last thing," Wolf yelled from behind. "If he's fishy, even just a tiny bit, well… No witness, understood?"

Leon waved whilst keeping his pace. "You're the boss."

A lightning fended the sky, outlining the manor towering above Panther. In the stormy night, it seemed right out of a horror film, with its sheer size, dark walls and ornate embellishments. He tried to observe through the lit windows, but couldn't open his eyes wide in the torrential rainstorm, although he managed to discern familiar faces. Years had passed; how much have they changed? Emilio was just a cub last time he saw him.

Thunder roared. Panther looked behind, rewinding in his mind the path to his Wolfen hidden in the woods. Changing his mind, turning hills and fly away, never to come back, was still an option. However, refusing the invitation would earn him a permanent ban from all the family's property. Now was his only chance to prove his worth and regain his honour. He inhaled and rang. At the last moment, he examined his drenched clothes and fur, and bemoaned the umbrella he forgot. Well, too late to back down.

A warm light poured onto Panther, almost blinding him, as the wooden door swivelled to reveal a woman leopard of an advanced age. Her black fur clashed with the abundant colours of her posh clothes and jewellery. Upon seeing Panther, she grew a large smile, revealing two perfect rows of teeth.

"Panther! At last, you arrived!" she said, the distinct crackle of a lifelong smoking habit in her voice. He froze, the face and voice awaking memories he never thought would resurface. "Are you waiting for the pope? Come in!"

Panther stepped in, apologising with a shrug for the water he carried with him. He removed his boot, relieved not to hear the wet thumps on the carpet. The carpet… The sensation under his pads was the exact as in his memories. He glanced around, his gaze running along the dark wood, warm lights imitating candles, whilst a mix of cedar and lemongrass hanged in the air. After all these years, nothing had changed.

The old feline sized him up. "Look at you! You could move mountains with these!" she said after a gentle tap on his biceps. She clasped his wrists and brought them together as a sign of welcome. "You have so much to tell us, I can't wait to hear it all! But first we must announce your arrival. Follow me."

"Hold on…"

She halted a few steps away, throwing back an expectant look.

Panther hesitated. "It's good to see you, ma."

"Welcome home, boy," she said with a thin smile.

Together, they strolled along the manor's corridors, Panther taking frequent pauses to linger on a door, a window, a detail. Each room, each piece of furnitures, each painting carried a story of his past, unravelling before Panther as if he walked in his own mind. The hideous portrait of their great-grand father, stolen then found in a landfill. The chandelier he obliterated when his childhood friend gifted him a football. And so much more. He couldn't refrain a grin.

The woman stopped in front a large canvas displaying another pantherine. She looked in her forties, her eyes are soft as the dress she wore. Her mouth, clenched in a fake smile, seemed to hide a sever discomfort. "It's a shame aunt Zita isn't amongst us any more."

Panther looked at his aunt's face with regrets. "What happened?"

"I can't recall the name of her affliction, but it was swift and unexpected. She managed to pose for this whilst she could still stand." She gazed at her sister, eyes full of melancholy. "She asked a lot about you."

He shook his head. He remembered his last phone call, as he was announcing his parent's decisions, unable to stop the flow of tears. He remember her last hug before he left Fortuna—the last hug he had with anybody.

"I should have been with her," he said with sorrow.

"I spent an entire night attempting to convince your father." She sighed. "I suggest you two do not talk to each other whilst you're here. He is in a terrible temper. It's a miracle he hasn't set the whole manor ablaze."

Panther scoffed in silence. He didn't expect more from the old man. "The real shame is that aunt Zita left and he, he got to stay."

The woman halted and glowered at Panther, revealing the yellow of her eyes as though they pierced Panther's soul. Despite his taller stature and stronger build, her look alone made him recoil, his heart stopping for a brief moment.

"Do not speak ill of him, Panther Ernesto Caroso," she said with the hushed tone of death itself. "It's with my benediction, and my benediction only, that you're allowed to tread this floor. Invite misfortune into this house once more, and it shall be your last day as a Caroso!"

Ears flattened against his head, Panther didn't dare to speak. Her mother shook her head, mumbled something, and continued her stroll, Panther in tow. As they passed beside more portrait of their lineage, miscellaneous trophies and taxidermied birds, lights steps resonated above.

She raised a finger. "It must be Emilio! Come!"

The arrived in a large hall, in front of a stair leading to floors above. Panther spotted upwards a dark figure dashing behind the banister, following the sound of a remote-controlled car.

"Emilio! Come down please!" She hailed.

The dark figure halted, along with the sound of the car, and two little dots shone through the barriers. When he came into the light, Panther refrained a gasp. What he remembered as a little cub was now on the brisk of adolescence, but in spite of the physical changes, Panther would recognise this face amongst a thousand other. The little feline walked down the stairs, unsure eyes riveted on Panther.

Panther kneeled. "C'mere little guy! You remember me, right?"

Emilio looked Panther's mother.

"Go on", she said. "Say hello to cousin Panther."

Panther opened his arms. Emilio gave a shy hug and mumbled a discrete "Hello" before stepping away. He stood, idle, as though he waited for someone's permission to depart.

"You can go back to playing, honey."

On these words he scurried back upstairs, leaving behind him a discomfited Panther. Once the little feline out of sight, his shoulder sank.

"I used to be his favourite cousin, and now he barely remembers me…"

"I'm sure he does. Just give him time. He has been living with us since aunt Zita passed away, and hasn't been the same ever since."

"Who else is here?"

"Lucia is with her husband and kids on Corneria and Simonetta will be late, so there's just us, Dario and Giovanna."

Panther cocked a brow. "Dario still lives here?!"

At her mother's dismissive wave and heavy sigh, Panther understood he shouldn't inquiry more. After meandering through the hallways, they arrived in a spacious salon. From a hearth on the side, a fire projected its flickering lights on the wallpapers, its soft crackling covering the pitter-patter of the rain. Two sofas and a few more couches circled the fire, the upholstery glowing under the dancing flames. Panther saw three pantherines. One woman, standing cross-armed, looked like a younger version of Panther's mother, just as posh, here eyes shining with the same fierceness. She seemed engrossed in a conversation with a man slouched on a couch, hairs and whiskers in shambles, his prominent belly threatening to escape from his tucked shirt.

Panther's heart skipped a beat when he recognised the third figure. An old panther sat cross-legged in a couch, one hand on his knee, the other on a cane. His greying muzzle supported a tiny pair of glasses, through which tired eyes looked without much focus at the other two. The moment he saw the newcomers, his claws dug into the armrests and his expression went vivid.

The place froze in silence. None dared to speak as the old man rose, eyes suffused with hate and disdain riveted on Panther. His whiskers trembled, betraying the growl he refrained. After an excruciating moment, he limped away, the regular thuds of the cane following him until he went out of sight.

A few relieved exhales were heard, as though they narrowly avoided an earthquake of unprecedented violence. Now free of the tension, the woman beamed at Panther. "Unbelievable! Would you look at that!"

The man twisted his head to glance at the newcomer. "The man himself!"

He heaved himself off the couch but his foot, somehow, missed the floor, and sent him down the carpet with a loud thump. His sister reached for Panther and took him in a warm embrace, patting his back.

"Look at him, ma!" she said. "Someone never skipped gym day!"

"And someone should take notes." She glanced at Dario who struggled to get back on his feet. Before leaving, she said "I'll let you two with him, I have work to do."

"He does look good," Dario said before fist-bumping Panther. "What's up with you?"

Panther shrugged. "Busy with work. Travelling a lot. You?"

"Oh well…" He replied, evasive. "I have projects."

Giovanna scoffed quietly. He threw an angry look her.

"It's true! Okay? I know you guys always think—" His vibrating phone interrupted him. "See? I have responsibilities. Now excuse me a minute."

He left the two panthers in the living room. Giovanna inspected a couch, removed a smidgen of dust, and sat in a slow and elegant movement. "I hope things aren't too unfamiliar."

"Some things never change." Panther ensured Dario was out of earshot. "He still lives with ma and pa?"

"Please, he can't even use a frying pan." She laughed. "Last time he mentioned a project it was some toy trains he tried to sell. It didn't work out so I don't know what his current projects are, but I know that in two weeks they won't exist any more. Ma has practically given up."

Panther let himself fall on a sofa, finally resting his legs. "And the old man is okay with this?"

She shrugged and eyed the door where the old panther had disappeared. "I try to avoid the touchy subjects with him. These past days he was insufferable—I mean, more than usual. I really thought he'd explode when you arrived."

"I'm not forcing him to be here." Panther spat, pensive.

"Don't let him ruin your return, Panther. The rest of us are happy to see you, that's what matters, right?"

Giovanna's contagious smile soothed Panther's mood. She was right. The hell with these old farts and their expectations and disappointments and yada yada.

She continued, "So, what have you been up to? I'm not sure I understood what you're doing now. I want to hear it all!"

"Well, it's complicate. The th—"

"Ma! Panther!"

They heard rapid footsteps, and turned to see Dario emerge from the door, catching his breath.

"What? What's the matter?" the mother yelled from another room.

Dario said, "Panther, you need to come with me!"

"Huh? Why?"

"The guards…" He paused to recover, his difficult breathing wheezing between his fat cheeks. "The security guards caught someone trespassing on the property. He says he knows you. A chameleon called Leon Powalski, rings any bell?"

"Gentlemen, this is just a misunderstanding, okay?"

Leon removed mud from his chin. The little cabin wasn't comfortable but at least it shed the rain. When he tried to get up, one of the two guards pushed him back on the chair. Deaf to Leon's explanations, neither of them had uttered a single word—except "sit!"—and instead kept their placid look on him. Despite the rain and the cold, they hadn't even bothered to give him a blanket, leaving the chameleon trembling on the chair. One was a bear, the other a tiger; both of them could send him flying without effort, so Leon deemed wise to keep things civil.

"I tumbled down the hill because of the rain. I was not trespassing! Could one of you get Panther? I assure you he will explain everything."

To no avail. Many pleas and silent response later, Leon heard wet footsteps. Finally! Maybe somebody with more than two words in their vocabulary will drag him out of this mess. An old panther in a hastily donned raincoat pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Well that's not Panther but that's a panther, so we're making progress, thought Leon before greeting, "Good evening ma'am. I know what it looks like, but—"

"Who are you, and what are you doing here?" Her tone was as stern as her face.

He replied, "My name is Leon, I'm a friend of Panther, and I was simply looking for him."

"We shall see about that. Panther!"

Another pair of steps approached and entered the shed. Leon didn't expect the look of terror in Panther's eyes. The hairs on his face bristled and his mouth hanged open.

The woman asked, "Panther, do you know this chameleon?"

"Er… I…" Panther began, the tip of his fingers trembling, unbeknownst to the woman. Leon wanted to reassure Panther but doing so would make the woman and the guards suspicious.

"Panther?" the woman repeated. "Do you know him, yes or no?"

Wait a minute, is that her mother?! The familiarity between the cats hadn't dawned upon Leon until now.

Panther stammered. "Y… Yes! He's…"

"A friend," Leon interrupted.

"A coworker!"

"Yes! I meant to say, a friend from work."

"Precisely! We met at work."

"We work together."

"Which makes us coworker."

"Yes."

"That's what I'm saying."

The woman frowned at her son. "You didn't tell you came with someone."

Panther, nervous, scratched the back of his head and feigned a smile. "Well, er, because I didn't plan to. What are you doing here Leon?"

Leon inhaled whilst his brain ran at high speed during this brief silence. "I… I was in the region and… my car broke down. And… then I remembered 'Wait a minute, my friend Panther lives nearby!' so I thought he could help me out."

"Why didn't you just ring?" she asked.

"Well because… it was night! And I didn't find the entrance because of the darkness. That's right. And while I was looking for it, I slipped and tumbled down the hill where your guards found me. And they were a lovely company until you arrived."

The confusion and suspicion left the woman's countenance. "Oh, I'm really sorry for what you went through. If I knew you were Panther's friend you would have been treated like a king!" She threw a dark glance at the guards, who lowered their head, before she smiled at Leon. "Would you come inside? Let me make amends. From now on, you are my guest!"

Leon stood up and presented the guard the shit-eatingest grin he could muster. "That would be my pleasure! Do you mind if I have a minute with Panther first? Without those two goofballs."

"Of course not! Please do not linger. I'd hate if you were to catch a cold because of me!" She beckoned the guards to follow her and left.

Panther's fake smile vanished, and the fear and apprehension he hid so far now came into view. His teeth showed as he said, "You shouldn't be here."

"I'll explain later. First we must get our story straight. What do they know?"

"Nothing. Leon, they must never know what I do for a living."

"Figured. So what do we say?"

"I told them I worked in an insurance company."

"Okay, so I'll just pretend… Hold on, what? Insurance? Do you know anything about insurances?"

"No, do you?"

"No! Why would I, Einstein?!"

"You asked first!"

"Because it was your idea! Couldn't you have taken something easy?! I don't know, gardener?!" Leon sighed and shook his head. "Never mind. We have no choice but to roll with it anyway. Let's go."

"Wait."

Panther blocked Leon's way and towered over him. Under the dim light, his yellow eyes glowed with a threatening anger.

"I'm willing to follow you guys around, but you're on my turf here. If you think you can just come here and threaten me and my family—"

"Wow wow chill out, man! Who threatened who?"

The cat had a quizzical face. "Well… Isn't that why you came here?"

"… No?!" Leon replied, flabbergasted. "Why would I threaten you?"

"I don't know, isn't that… something gangsters do? Showing up at someone's family to demonstrate they can reach anybody?"

Eyes closed, Leon hit his head a few times. As if one paranoid maniac wasn't enough… He put a hand on Panther's shoulder. "Listen. Wolf wondered where you went, so he sent me to spy on you. I slipped on that damn hill and got caught like a beginner. That's the short version. Are we good?"

Panther exhaled, reassured. "Phew, and I was thinking you wanted me dead."

"Glad to see you're happy. Now do you mind if we get inside before I freeze to death?"

Leon couldn't close his mouth, astonished by the luxury of everything around him. From a couch, Panther watched him go for a third stroll around the salon (not the one Panther and his brother and sister were before, but another one), examining each lamp, painting and windows, dropping astonished remarks ever and anon. He stopped before a table carved in a dark exotic wood, whereon stood a few crystal bottles and a samovar in pure silver.

"Unbelievable," he said for the ninth time this evening. "I could buy another Wolfen with everything here. Where does this fortune come from?"

"Heard of Starlight Industries? Pa's running it."On the other side of the salon, Panther sat still, imperturbable. "It started as a paper factory, now it's an empire basically."

"Unbelievable! You seem so unfazed, how? Look at this carpet! Look at those couches!"

Panther shrugged. "I was born here. It's not really new to me."

Leon grabbed the samovar, rotating it in his hand. "I could get a good deal for that on Sargasso."

"No you won't. Put it back."

"Come on Panther! I'm sure you have dozens of those!"

"Put it back."

Leon raised an eyebrow. "What if I promise not to sell it, but to keep it for me?"

"Put it back!"

He placed the samovar back on the table, before grabbing a small porcelain teacup. "How about this?"

"Leon, you will take nothing out of this manor," Panther said with a stern face.

"You're no fun." With a disgruntled pout, he placed the cup next to the samovar, stepped back and glanced around. "Unbelievable. You're sitting on a mountain of gold. I have no idea why you joined us."

Panther didn't reply whilst Leon wandered.

"Seriously, I'm wondering," the chameleon continued. "Why becoming a pirate? You have enough money to last ten lifetimes. Why do you even bother to get up in the morning?"

"It's complicated," Panther replied, his face in his paws.

"How so?" Leon sat across Panther and waited. "Sorry to insist, but I was sent to make sure you're clean. See this as a delayed job interview. Why did you join us?"

Panther took a deep inhale. "It's not my money. I'm not on my father's testament."

Leon winced. "Ouch… Things aren't going well between you and your old man?"

"That's an understatement." he scoffed. "You want the long version?"

The chameleon motioned him to proceed.

"My parents… had high standards, and when they realised I wasn't up to the task, they had a hard time accepting that. Especially my father. I don't know exactly what he wanted of me. To become someone great, I guess. He spent months trying to get me into some prestigious school. I told them I wasn't interested. It became the subjects of regular fights between us, until one day they decided they had enough. They kicked me out, with twenty credits in my pocket, and banished me from all the family's properties. Said it will make me 'grow up'. From there I went from larceny to larceny, fought in Venom's army for a while, until we met.

"In that time I didn't want to hear from them. I mean, who would. Life was hard enough, and I didn't have the energy to wonder what those old farts thought of me. But a few weeks ago I learned… someone in the family died. An aunt I was close to. I managed to get in contact with ma, and could convince them, at length, to let me back in the family. They agreed for me to come and justify myself.

"Now it's my chance to regain my honour. And my place on the testament. I must convince them I'm still worthy. So here I am."

Leon grabbed his chin and pondered. "Quite a story." He looked outside. "And the money you're transferring? Wolf was worried about that."

"It's for my cousin Emilio." Panther replied. "Why did Wolf start digging stuff up about me? That's just rude. He could have asked."

"The boss doesn't pay me to question his decisions." He chuckled. "There's just one detail… If I got it right, you parents kicked you out because you weren't good enough for them?"

"I guess."

"And what is Dario doing?"

Taken aback, Panther frowned. "What do you mean? How is that relevant?"

"I'm curious if they are as severe with him as they were with you. From what I understood he still has no stable job, and yet your parents allow him in their house. You can't tell me you were even less capable than him, were you? Why can he stay but not you?"

"Well, it's because…" Panther voice faded out as he stared into the void. The uncertainty on his face made room for confusion. "Huh, I never wondered, actually."

"I'm trying to understand why you seek their approval. They ditch you the moment you don't fit some arbitrary criteria, but let your brother rest his belly all day in their couches. That's the people you're trying to please?"

"They banned me but that fat arse can stay as long as he wishes?!" The confusion had turned into anger. "How can he be good enough to stay?!"

"Yes! That's my Panther!" Leon stood up, grinning. "You're just gonna bow to them? The guy who almost took down Falco Lombardi will gets his orders from a bunch of seniles who can't even pilot?!"

Panther pushed himself upright, claws out, face twisted in a wrathful scowl. "This is disgusting. They've never been fair to me, like they wanted me gone since I was born. Why?! Who do they think they are?!"

"Exactly! Now go to your old man, give him a piece of your mind—and the middle finger, take one of the silver samovar, and get your arse out of here!"

Panther froze, fearful eyes staring at Leon. "No… No, I can't do that."

Leon's arms fell. "Oh, come on!"

"You don't know him Leon!" He paused, the rage evaporating from his countenance. "I'll screw up my last chance if I ruffle him. Also, the samovar stays here."

Leon shook his head in resignation. "Unbelievable. Still clinging to that idea." He grabbed his coat and walked towards the exit. "If you want to become their puppet just not to be cut out of the family pictures, that's on you. You know I like you, right? It's a blast flying and fighting with you, and I'm glad you're part of the team. But to see you grovel before them… No, I won't stay to watch that. Go lick their boots. I'll figure out what to tell Wolf."

Before Panther could reply, the chameleon had slipped out of sight. He let himself fall back on the couch, the words of his friend—friend? Could he call him a friend?—resonating in his mind. His father's anger loomed over him, threatening to make his universe collapse. On another hand, what universe? What would he lose? Now that it dawned upon him, why did he yearn to reintegrate the family? He had a life, he didn't need them.

No. Panther, you went so far, you can't ditch everything now, he thought. He didn't want to witness all his efforts reduced to naught. For years he mourned his old life, and he was on the brink of getting it back… Except he wasn't, was he. He strived to gain his place back in the family without ever wondering if he should. His unfair treatment now clear to him, he won't see them the same way. Could he sit at their table, under the constant threat of another expulsion? His old life had vanished, and the relationships would never repair.

Moreover, one question bugged him. Why? Why the unfair treatment? He remembered being punished over trifles, whilst his brother and sisters could do as they pleased. Dario would get a girl pregnant and get away with it, whilst he was forbidden from leaving the manor for a whole month if he held the hand of the wrong girl. Giovanna ate whatever she wished, whilst he had to follow a strict diet. It took him a dozen of years to realise it wasn't just the banishment: his whole upbringing was grounded in unfairness. Why?

Panther clenched his fists. The old man didn't want to see him? Too bad.

The storm had waned when Panther reached his father's study. Not once in his memories was this door open, and the danger looming behind inspired his worst childhood nightmare. For amongst all the house rules, one stood above everything else: under no circumstance were they allowed to disturb the master of the house. Panther never dared to even imagine pushing that door, until now. All the rules and restrictions seemed so laughable. How could he, Panther Caroso, have ever been afraid of a door? He pushed the handle, and the door slid open without a noise.

In terms of both size and embellishments, the study paled in comparison with the rest of the manor. No golden teacup, no over-expensive carpet, no two metres tall windows. Only a desk, a chair, and some basic shelves, in which a motley assemblage of books and papers spread out in a disorderly manner. Behind the desk, the old man kept his eyes on a document he held, not even acknowledging the trespasser.

Panther cleared his throat, eliciting no reaction. After a few hesitations, he spoke.

"Father, you are being unfair."

The man didn't budge.

Panther continued. "I'm not blind. I see now how you treated me, and how you treated the others, so do not try to deny it. Why? What have I done to deserve it?"

The man turned a page and scratched his nose. Panther waited a moment, thinking his father pondered a response.

"Okay that's how you want to do it? The silent treatment? What more do you want, at last?! You want money? You want me to payback what you've invested in me?"

The man's eyes quit the papers to look at Panther. The piercing gaze made his heart skip a beat.

"Money?" His deep voice seemed coming straight from the depth of hell. "You think this is about money?"

With a confused look, Panther watched the man stand and walk outside the study into yet another salon. He grabbed an egg-shaped jewel ornating a table, incrusted with all sorts of gemstones.

"This was a gift from the Hans," he said. "Hundreds of year ago, Fortuna's best jeweller crafted five eggs like this. The average Lylatian would have to work for at least a century years to hope to buy one of these."

In a sudden move which startled Panther, he smashed the egg against the wall, projecting pieces of marble and gems in every direction, before looking at Panther with the same murderous expression.

"Did you see me flinch, Panther? Do you read regret on this face? Do you think it'll keep me awake tonight?"

The jungle cat didn't reply, and watched his father bend over the table.

"This is made of shin-kaya," he said as his claw traced the decorative pattern carved in the wood. "These millenarian trees are amongst the rarest on Fortuna. Cabinetmakers let it dry for fifty years before working on it."

He clasped the table and threw it at his son, who narrowly dodged it. Panther heard wood cracking when the table crashed behind him.

"Do I look like I care?" The man started yelling, "Look at this manor! Look at what I'm living in! Did you think for minute, Panther, that money was any of my concerns?!"

"Then what?! What do you want from me?!"

"To achieve your true potential!" He winded down. "I see what lies beneath that face. Look at you. You're working in an insurance company, but you could conquer the world if you just set your mind to it. To let this potential rot is crime against reason, Panther!"

Panther scowled. "True potential? Are you telling me Dario and Giovanna have achieved their true potential?"

"They have." He looked outside. "The Caroso is a family of incompetents. Your brother and sisters are merely perpetuating our tradition of squandering their ancestors' fortune. But we, Panther, are different."

For the first time of his life, Panther saw something different in his father's eyes. A bond, a respect.

"As soon as you started school, I knew what wood you were made of. You had the gaze of a conqueror, and the mind of a genius. People like us only happen once per generation in our family, and I quickly found out it was you."

"So you admit." Panther said. "You admit I was exemplary."

"Exemplary? Panther, you were nothing short of exceptional."

"But then… Why was I always watched? Always punished over nothing?"

The old man shook his head. "It never was about punishment. Yes, we cut your brother and sisters some slack, because they were—still are—hopeless. Not you. You had to follow stricter rules because only with those you could become the Caroso I awaited. A Caroso worthy of Starlight Industries."

Starlight Industries? Panther reflected a moment over his father's last sentence. "Hold on… This was all about your company?"

The old man frowned. "I built this empire from the ground. I'd rather die than let the other shareholders fight over it when my time will come. It must stay in the family."

"I can't believe this…" Panther rubbed his face. "All these years I tried to be your son, and all you wanted was somebody to run your damn company. Have you ever wanted children?"

"To run this 'damn' company is the greatest honour a son could hope from his father. Everybody in Lylat would sell their soul to be in your position!"

Breathing became difficult for Panther. "Quit talking about your company for a minute. Did you ever care about me?"

The man threw a puzzled look. "Of course. Who will run Starlight if not you?"

"You're… You're incredible. I cannot believe I used to look up to you. My whole life I tried to seek your forgiveness over some imaginary crimes, to be the son you wanted… And I only see now it was impossible, since you didn't want a son in the first place."

The old man stepped towards him. "I sacrificed to much to let family matters get in the way of the company's future. It's called priorities."

"What about me? What about my priorities?" Panther asked. "What makes you think I want to run your company?"

"Life isn't made of choices. It's not about what you want. You just ought to. Do you think I wanted to have three useless kids out of four?"

Rage began boiling within Panther. "Speak for yourself. I do not have to care for your stupid company. I do not have to care about your expectations."

Panic took a hold of the man. "You don't realise what you say! Starlight is the best thing I've ever done, you cannot refuse it!"

"Yes I can! In fact, my mind has never been more clear. Leon was right. I've no idea why I'm here, why I'm trying to integrate the family. And I spent all these years thinking I was the problem…" Panther smiled. An earnest smile, the first he head since he crossed the threshold of the entrance. "I pity you. If that's how you see your family, fine. I do not have to be part of it."

He watched his father, who couldn't close his mouth. Having a mind free of question was a bliss many mammals couldn't dream of. As he turned heels and made his way out of the manor, he heard his father's protestations, but ignored them. At each step, he smiled more, so that he was practically laughing when he reached the entrance.

He exited, without slowing down, without looking behind, without doubts in his mind holding him back.

Leon was grateful the rain hadn't erased all the traces, since he doubted he could find his way back in that case. As he trudged through the forest towards his Wolfen, he heard steps behind. He look behind and beamed.

"Panther!"

The jungle cat responded with a nod and strode to reach him. Together, they continued their path bewteen the trees. Leon thought of asking about Panther and his family, but his mere presence gave enough information. Panther fetched an object from under his coat and presented it to Leon. Upon grabbing it, Leon recognised the silver samovar.

"You, sir, are an amazing person." He laughed. "So what are you plans now?"

"Well, it's our time off, isn't it? Have you ever visited Fortuna?"

Leon stopped and motioned Panther to the lead. "You're the guide."