[PRP] New Days and Bright Futures (Azure and Dyas)

[Wolfs Heart]

Dyas' words echoed Azure's own thoughts even though he tried to cover it up with a small amount of arrogance. He listened to the answer, it really had been a lose, lose situation. At least Azure wasn't the one who had left Dyas to fend for herself though. Azure nodded his head sharply, he was curious about what happened to Raken. Dyas had been sparse in words about her father's disappearance, it was likely too long of a story for her to share at one time, and she had seemed sensitive about it.

Azure glanced at Raken trying to decide if he should help the pae walk and decided against it, they were almost to somewhere he could sit down. "So... what happened? Azure asked rather bluntly, he wasn't sure how else to ask The male moved forward waiting for the other two to follow.  

[Tartara Seabreeze]

If she continued to keep up with her chatter, she'd end up needing help walking herself. Reaching up to wipe the sweat off her brow, she continued to be her fathers crutch. Sea? The demonic had distinctly said sea. Dyas was all too curious herself when Azure spoke the question burning in her heart. Where had he been all this time? Why had he abandoned her? His request to have her not leave the immediate area of the cave almost had her lose the love of her life. If she wasn't so worried about his current state, she would have been more than a little angry.

As they hobbled along, Rakens piercing gaze narrowed in on a boulder he assumed Dyas had made into a common area. "I suppose the word 'tact' is lost on you." He spoke rather dryly, his legs beginning to quiver from exhaustion. When the male finally made it to the boulder, he slumped right into it like it was the most comfortable goose feathered chair in the entire island. "It...it was not supposed to be like this...But I will not lie or deny my guilt...It was all my fault." He slowly exhaled, closing his tired eyes. It was the first time he had relaxed in what felt like ages. "Tartara, Dyas' adopted grandmother, fell very ill. I had suspected it for a long time, but she hid it so well I never grasped how serious it had gotten until she was on deaths door." The thought of his mother pained his heart. Though he wasn't one to show affection, he couldn't have loved her more if she was related by blood.  

[Wolfs Heart]

As Raken took a seat, Azure took a seat across from him and motioned Dyas to join him. He kept his eyes on her, wondering if she had known about the things that Raken was talking about. Maybe she had never talked about it because she didn't know herself. Dyas looked worn out to him, and Azure wasn't sure why but decided that maybe he should do that talking for now. Raken looked like he was in some serious need of food and water, Azure was trying to be stubborn and not help the male... but he still had the picnic basket in his hand and it was clear that they were no longer going to have that. He stood up and set the basket in front of Raken. "There's food and water in there if you need it..." Azure said. It was hard to feel sorry for someone who he felt some small amount of hatred towards.  

[Tartara Seabreeze]

When Raken sat and Azure beckoned, she moved to sit beside him. The angel was more of a comfort now than he could imagine, as the high stress was fraying on her nerves. She was so at a loss she didn't even think of food for Raken, and the fact that he offered would have brought a smile to her face in any other situation. But as it was, she barely heard Azure's kind offer. Grandma? Grandma Tara was one of the kindest people she had ever known, though truthfully she never got to meet a lot of pae in her sheltered life. Her breath felt frozen in her chest as she unknowingly reached out for Azure's hand for support.

The sight of his daughter getting cozy with Azure wasn't exactly the image he wanted when he opened his eyes at the mention of food. But even as it disgruntled him, he suspected they had done far worse now that they had been living together for who knows how long. "...Thanks...again." The amount of gratitude he had shown in this one day towards Azure was on par with how much he had ever shown the male...ever. He slowly reached down and took a pouch of water out. "Tartara's race is known as a nymph, but not like the nymphs we know of the island. Food had no affect on her, as she drew all her nutrients from the soil. But the island is not the soil her kind is adapted to, and the incompatibilities of the magic to her body was killing her."  

[Wolfs Heart]

Azure put his free arm around Dyas in a protective and comforting sort of manner after she sat beside him. He rubbed her shoulder gently, for both of their benefits, and held Dyas' hand that had reached for him with the other hand. It was hard for Azure to feel any response to the words that Raken said, Azure had never met Tartara, and he had never felt loss beyond all the times he had been separated from Dyas. All Azure could do was feel sympathy for what Dyas might be going through. The male was silent as Raken spoke, only feeling capable of being a physical comfort to Dyas right now, there wasn't any words he could possibly say or know for this sort of situation.  

[Tartara Seabreeze]

Raken slowly opened the water, pulling his eyes away. For this, he couldn't bare to see the pain in Dyas' eyes. He took a long pull of water, trying to gather his strength. "So in order to save her, I made the decision to leave the island. I came to Dameon for help, and he brought Shage and Cressida as we needed help to move her. I hoped that setting out in a direction for long enough, we would run into a proper soil. I expected to be gone a few weeks." He was a fool. The male stared at the basket, his stomach battling with his mind with eating. Now wasn't the time to eat, but his body needed proper nutrition. Gritting his teeth, he reached inside. Better to eat and tell the tale than pass out. "A storm hit, and it took us off course. We reached land after so long, but the natives never heard of our island." Anger began to seep into his voice, the normally composed demonic succumbing to the shame and frustration he felt. "The mission was already a failure though. I had taken too long to act. Tartara...Mother...She did not make it. She died the day before we hit land."

She leaned against him as her hand became tighter and tighter as her father continued his tale. Every word was building to the fear that lingered in her mind. It did not start pleasant, the chances of it ending happy were slim to none. Then, Raken said it. The status she was dreading to receive. Her eyes went wide and her jaw slackened. Her grandmother...the person responsible for bringing their family together...gone. She took a deep breath and slowly relaxed. She wasn't going to fall apart. Not here, not now.

Still Raken couldn't bring himself to look at his daughter. He had failed her in so many ways when he left. Failed to protect her, failed to come back when he said he would, and tragically failed to keep one of the most important people in her life safe. "...We stocked up, and headed back out...but we did not know where to go..." His voice had become softer now, the anger gone to leave a deep sadness. "We found countless islands, but none was home. As the seasons passed, we thought we would never see it again." Finally the male looked up, but was taken aback by his daughters even look. She was never one to cry, even as a baby. But at this news, even he had shed a tear at Tartara's passing so many seasons ago. "Dyas...I am so sorry."  

[Wolfs Heart]

Azure looked over at Dyas as her hand tightened even more so around his, to the point that it stung slightly. He studied her face, sure Azure didn't really have a reaction to the news, but it was Dyas' grandmother. Azure was just as surprised as Raken by her lack of reaction. "Dyas?" Azure asked. He wondered if she might be holding back her feelings, and if she was... who was she hiding her emotions from? The male felt concerned for her. "You must be incredibly tired from your long journey..." Azure finally said, his voice sounded at least sympathetic.  

[Tartara Seabreeze]

She was holding back, because that was how she was raised. Even in the darkest of times, she could recognize that now was not the proper time to grieve as it would add more stress to her weak father. The ability to act with logic over emotion was a trait inherited from Raken, a blessing and a curse. Dyas shook her head when he apologized, not wanting it to weigh heavy on his mind tonight. They would talk more about how much of an impact him leaving had made, but for now his body couldn't handle much more. At Azure's mentioning of him sleeping, she stood up to help the demonic to his feet so he could get to his bedroom.

He lightly frowned at the female, studying her carefully. He had noticed her iron grip on Azure, and the sudden blank expression on her face was obviously from her restraint. She was holding back, for him. He felt yet another pang of shame. Was he in such bad shape, Dyas was coddling him? But he could hardly object. Raken used one hand for the basket as the other pulled on the hybrid to help him stand. Sleep was probably for the best, but he was taking the food with him. He glanced at Azure, his studying changing subjects. Perhaps it was a combination of his weakened state and the high of emotions from seeing Dyas again, but he felt a certain acceptance with the other. He had been there for her for seasons, and though they wavered, they always pulled through. It was more than he could say about his own failed romance to her mother Fre. "Are you two married?" Raken suddenly asked, now reminded exactly how long they had been together. Everlasting Nightmare, they technically could have had kids that were grown up and out of the cave since he was gone for so long.  

[Wolfs Heart]

Azure quickly stood up as Dyas did and followed her to Raken. His hand went up to stop her, for some reason she seemed tired to Azure, he wanted to help her father instead. As much as Azure didn't want to help Raken, he did want to help Dyas in whatever way he could. "Dyas, let me," Azure spoke softly as he moved to where Dyas was at Raken's side.

Suddenly, Azure regretted being so close to Raken as he paused and looked at the other male straight on at his question. He wished that he didn't have to be the one to answer the question, but Azure knew it had to be him. Dyas had already spoken so much today. Only one word needed to be spoken, and it was much easier for him to say it then Dyas, "Yes," Azure responded without a falter in his voice.  

[Tartara Seabreeze]

She smiled gratefully at the male when he offered to take over, letting him move into her spot to take the weight off of her. He was always so thoughtful. But her eyes snapped back to Raken at his question. He...thinks we're married? Her body began to shake as she started to pull her shadows together to talk, but before she could exert herself further Azure had already spoken. Instantly the shadows dissipated. Had...had the angel lost his mind?! She blushed a deep crimson.

He was in no position to complain when Dyas moved for Azure. It was obvious to even him that she was tiring from all the exertion. But the answer to his question almost floored him, even though he had partially expected it. They were married. He really had no say anymore in their relationship. He gritted his teeth, half tempted to punch the angel, but thought better of it. If Azure went down, so did he as the other held much of his body weight. "Goddess..." He closed his eyes, dreading the next question. "Kids?"  

[Wolfs Heart]

Unsure of what response to expect, Azure braced himself for whatever might come. Raken already knew they lived together, marriage should have come as a relief to him. At least Azure was still standing though, he looked at Dyas and smiled softly. He didn't know what response to expext from her either, but whatever it was she was keeping it to herself. "No, no kids." Azure answered honestly this time, Raken would certainly kill him if he said yes to that question. Azure began walking with Raken, leading him to one of the other bedrooms. It was time he was able to talk to Dyas alone.  

[Tartara Seabreeze]

Now Raken thought they were married. Which meant they had to get married. Did that make what Azure said a proposal, and they were now engaged? This was exhausting. She'd set Raken straight, but she wasn't sure either of them could take the additional stress of conversation. Which meant inadvertently, she was lying to her father for the first time. At least Azure told Raken no kids, or else the demonic really might kill himself trying to kill Azure. She quickly walked to the bed to flip open the covers, waiting until the silver haired pae got in before tucking him in. Dyas leaned down to kiss his forehead, then walked out of the room. She very pointedly looked at Azure. Oh yes, it was time to talk to Azure alone.

If they hadn't been married, Raken could have kicked Azure out. But now that they were together...it made their relationship much more complicated. He sighed in relief at the confirmation that he was not a grandfather yet. Kids were a huge responsibility, one that he wasn't sure the two could handle yet. Well, Dyas could for sure. But Azure...Raken gratefully sat in his bed, wondering only briefly which room held his belongings. What was important was he finally had a place to lay his head, and he was reassured that Dyas was safe and sound. "Goodnight Dyas." Raken smiled warmly at his beloved daughter before it disappeared when he looked at Azure. "Goodnight Azure." It was a much more gruff answer. He knew all too well they were going to retire to their...shared...bed. The thought would make any father nauseous...except Tristen perhaps.  

[Wolfs Heart]

It was always lose, lose with Raken, and the way he said goodnight just proved it more. He didn't want to be nice to the male who gave him so much grief. Azure chose to say nothing, no well wishes or good nights for Raken. He had caught the look Dyas gave him and quickly scampered out of the room after her. Azure went straight to Dyas' room and grabbed a writing utensil and pad of paper and handed it to her before sitting on the edge of the bed. He was going to remain quiet until she had said her piece, good or bad.  

[Tartara Seabreeze]

She moved much more quickly now that they had dropped Raken off, and in no time was back in their room. They had to talk, but she wasn't sure if she would have the strength to...The male held out a pad of paper and charcoal strip. With a bit of a smile, she sat down beside him to begin to write. Even when she was upset with him the male was thoughtful.

'Thank you for helping with my father. I know he isn't your favorite pae.' She wanted to get that out of the way first and foremost. 'Which makes me wonder why you said we were married. He could have gotten seriously injured.' The thought still made her blush. 'We...we haven't even talked about getting married.'  

[Wolfs Heart]

Azure took a deep breath as he slowly read what Dyas had written. He felt bad that Dyas was so unhappy with him. "I'm sorry..." Azure responded with a blush of embarassment. He had been so close to proposing to her before... Azure knew better then to try and make excuses for himself, but he couldn't help it. "Dyas, think of how he would have responded if I had said no. With us living together?" He responded, he didn't want to lose her again. "He won't know its not true, there's no way. We will get married someday, right? Now we can do it in our own time." Azure looked down solemnly before looking back up at Dyas, "I love you, I wouldnt have said it if I thought it might hurt you."