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ZERO WAS STILL AWAKE, HIS CHEETAH EARS WERE PINNED DOWN WITH FRUSTRATION, AS HIS SPOTTED-TAIL SWAYED WITH WORRY. His two sisters were huddled together in their resting den, both fast asleep with Gora letting out occasional huffs and shifting around to sleep more comfortable. While, Ecru had been frequently sniffing off flowers from her face, a comfortable expression was shown on her face to show that she was also in a deep sleep.

Zero happened to be fumbling with their shawl that was of a iceberg-coloured wolf. A discomforted expression was upon his face, staring down at his own hands and he appeared to be reciting something underneath his breath.

" Mš ōïŏɔ ïes tēѷɔš, ōš đþoĵē esēĵį ïes tēѷɔš amo ѷӌӌēpham amþē ŧŗѷĵïamïēes oį esamѷtamïŏg ѷ ŏēđ ētѷ ѷįamēt ōš fѷamþēt. ( My mind is ready, my whole self is ready to accept the qualities of starting a new era after my Father. ) " They were continuously muttering these words, their tail kept on moving more stiffer and faster with his anxious manner building up slowly.

His beads and necklaces clattered together, as they jumped up in a startled manner from someone entering into the hut. Now on his two feet, Zero crouched down to stay on all fours, as he brought out his knife, a low growl left the cheetah hybrid.

" Wþo ïes amþѷam? coōē oŗam, ѷŏɔ tērēѷĵ šoŗtesēĵį! — ( Who is that? Come out, and reveal yourself! — ) " Before, Zero could repeat anything else, their honorary uncle, Dato emerged into the hut, a breathy laugh left him, as Zero pinned his ears down with embarrassment and placed his knife away.

Zero muttered a quick apology in Aeyani, before a huff left him and they sat themselves back down, Dato raised an eyebrow, gradually sitting himself down beside his honorary nephew and patted his back.

' Why Zero, so tense? ' Dato signed, his lip twitched, as a look of confusion overtook him and Zero sagged his shoulders.

' Worried that I will mess up. ' Zero reluctantly signed, his nose twitched, glancing off to the side and he then hesitantly signed to add onto his confession; ' Again. '

Dato let out a playful growl, as the leopard hybrid let out a silent laugh, shaking his head and he ruffled Zero's hair, making the latter playful shove his uncle back away.

' Zero not need to worry, you are strong, like your Father, Arc. ' Zero let out a small scoff at this, shaking his head in response. Dato slung an arm over his nephew's shoulder, patting their back once again.

' Father made me go on fish-skinning duty yesterday for whole day, because I scare off elk. '

Dato let out a small huff, baring his fangs, as he let out another laugh. Zero hit his shoulder, pointing to his two sisters sleeping and Dato still held on his sly grin.

' That only yesterday, you still have chance to prove yourself. You are strong, Zero. Do not forget that. ' Dato reassured the boy, striking his own chest with his fist to make a point on the gesture. Zero let out a small hum in response, his ears lifted up from the reassurance and encouragement, his lips pressed against a thin line with determination filling within themselves.

" Tþѷŏľ šoŗ, uŏӌĵē. ( Thank you, Uncle. ) " Zero uttered out, pointing two of their fingers to the 𖤍 Aeyani Pride Mark on his neck, one that was imprinted onto every hybrid; a sign of dignity and acceptance within the Hybrid Colony and he pointed out the two fingers towards Dato, who bowed his head down quickly, grateful equally.

Getting up, Dato started to depart from the hut, but Zero quickly called out to him. " Wѷïam! ( Wait! ) " At this, Dato turned around, his ears were lifted up, inventively listening to whatever the Prince of Hybrids may say next. 

Zero seemed hesitant at first, but they quickly signed; ' Is Father still mad at me? I know, Mother is disappointed in me, again. ' Dato seemed to be holding back a response on his side of the turn, opening his mouth to utter something in Aeyani, but he stopped himself, his ears were now pinned down. Upon noticing this, Zero grew more nervous for the answer, their ears pinned down too.

Fearing what may come out of Dato next, Zero quickly laid themselves down in their resting nest, shuffling about to get himself comfortable and a sigh left him. He slowly closed his eyes, muttering: " Gooɔŏïgþam, Dѷamo. ( Goodnight, Dato. ) "

A sigh left the leopard hybrid, as he watched the cheetah hybrid fall into a slumber soon enough. Dato knew well enough, that Zero wasn't keen on the answer anymore.

He knew that from the moment they had called him Dato, instead of Uncle in their usual playful manner. Grunting, Dato pressed his lips upon a thin line, leaving the hut.

" Gooɔŏïgþam, nēphþēđ. ( Goodnight, nephew. ) "

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✸ OKAY, SO HERE IS A LITTLE SCENE TO SHOW A LITTLE BIT ON ZERO'S FAMILY! I am pretty excited to write out this Apply Fic, and I'm loving the OCs I am seeing so far. So, obviously: I am working on who will be in the CAST, but I am working on world-building for this apply fic, as I am doing for my other apply fics.

✸ I FEEL THAT I SHOULD DO ANOTHER SNEAK PEEK CHAPTER ON THE HUMAN AND HYBRID COLONIES AS A WHOLE. But, I may leave that to be official chapters for after the CASTING ROLE chapter.

✸ I HOPE THAT YOU ALL LOVED THIS ACT 1 SNEAK PEEK CHAPTER ON THE INSIGHT OF ZERO'S FAMILY CONNECTIONS!