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 Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 12:39 pm
Golden eyes shifted in the dark, surveying the dusty corridors of the temple without hesitation. A deep sigh reverberated within the large malu's chest, the exhale disturbing the earth that had settled on the shattered marble. Khint peered toward the ceiling, catching a glimpse of the moonlight cascading over the temple. The near-metallic colors of his fur glistened in the light as he moved forward, bathing himself beneath the moon.
Khint was large for a malu, though majestic in every turn. He had broad shoulders and strong chest, revealing much about his personality. The delicate tints of his fur were golden and deep violet, with white streaks running town his face and maw. He was a sight to behold and he knew it, though he gave the credit to his beauty to the god he worshipped.
Cool grass swept over his paws and hooves as he made his exit out of the temple grounds. Choosing a cluster of young trees, Khint placed himself within their presence and lay his heavy body down. Charred lips curled in a slight smile as he took comfort in the night air, admiring the beauty of the stars above.
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 1:13 pm
The man she called father, if he could be assumed to be as such, had finally gone off to sleep. Granted, he'd drifted off in the knowledge that she'd fallen asleep several moments before him. Which was not the case.
When she heard his faint snores come out, a clear sign of him not waking up till the next morning, she took off.
Loki didn't like her wandering, or wandering outside their little section of temple. Which, in all fairness and honesty, was nothing more than a piece of temple since buried beneath sand and weather, old and worn and too dangerous for the general population. Her birth place. It had proved to be a safe enough sleeping room, the charred alter still in place like a warning to any who should pass that this was the home of a powerful flame and to not trespass without the due knowledge of the consequences.
She was still growing, and she'd learned that she grew it a very slow pace. It wasn't long before she became utterly enraged with the inabilities of her body, as her mind progressed far past it's limitations.
But grown she had, and she could now walk straight and with dignity. No more constant falling, no wobbling and no needing help or support from anyone.
Her coat shimmered and glittered like a fresh growing flame as she moved, coming out into the night air. She was still unfamiliar with the surface world, of the wide open spaces and the giant dome of stars over her head. It was disconcerting to be in such open space after living all of her life to that point beneath low ceilings.
She shook and stretched herself out, feeling like she could feel the flames licking up her paws.
Multi-hued eyes scanned the horizon, iris's hazy and not really present.
She sharply turned her head, a desperate attempt to keep her hair out of her eyes, a common place her hair now liked to fall.
There wasn't many out and about this night, and she rather liked it that way. In fact, she couldn't see anyone.
Save of course for the male under the trees. If he hadn't been such a vibrant contrast in the night she might not have noticed him.
She refrained from approaching outright. Instead, she took to a different cluster of trees and watched him intently.
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 3:57 pm
Hackles rose abruptly at the sound of an approaching malu, female and young by the scent of her. Khint shifted his weight, readying himself for any surprises that may come his way, but alas... the female chose a different clearing to claim as her own. The male snorted, feeling her bright eyes searing into his skin. He purposefully stole a glimpse of her as he nonchalantly glanced her way, quickly returning his gaze to the night sky.
The youngling was gorgeous; an illustrious flame burning on a black canvas. Khint's spine shivered with excitement, glad to see another who burned as brightly as he. With that, he turned his head in her direction, gazing directly at her with his cadmium-hued eyes.
"Good evening," he spoke gently, loud enough to clear the distance between them. "What sort of fascination has intrigued you this evening?" Khint gave a small smile, though the darkness was too thick to see through. His form relaxed and he sunk lower into the grass, making himself seem less imposing and large.
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 5:25 pm
She didn't back down, her stare willful as ever. Bright red and bright blue poked through the night staring at him, absorbing his features. He was a wonderful sort of bright orange she realized, a color not unlike her own and yet wholly different. He wasn't the black base she was, rather a softer shade of deep violet that complimented him well.
The thick white markings made him fierce. Loki had white markings too, but nothing bold like this male.
She'd never really encountered other males besides Loki, and he'd warned her numerous times to be careful. Like she needed the warning.
"Does it matter?" She asked almost accusingly. He seemed harmless enough by his tone, but one could never be sure.
She caught the smile, her eyes better adjusted to the deep shadows and heavy darkness of life spent far beneath the sun. She hadn't even known of the suns existence till Loki brought her up to the surface just recently.
Despite her rather harsh tone, she continued to watch the other male, eying his movements, trying to analyze him and figure him out.
She wasn't like most little girls, and she wanted to make that abundantly apparent.
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:19 pm
Ebon lips peeled back in a soft, unthreatening growl at the female's tone. He was unaccustomed to younglings speaking to him in such a manner, but this was not a malu he had ever encountered before. Chances were she was not of his pack, thus he stayed quiet on the subject. It was not his place to reprimand another so unfamiliar to him.
Khint rose, towering over the grass like a magnificent beast, fierce but lovely all in one glimpse. He shook his mane, causing any stray leaves or dust to fall out of his fiery coat. "It does hold significance," he mentioned finally, holding back a smirk. He could tell that this maluess was fierce at heart and didn't want to provoke her. He stepped closer, hackles down and glowing eyes emitting a sincere kindness. "The reasoning, my dear, is merely to satisfy my own curiosity."
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 6:47 pm
She tensed when he rose, her small luminous wings folding tightly against her back. Even with all her growing she was no-where near a height to stand next to him.
Her eyes followed him carefully, a slightly jerked movement of her eyes as she picked up on each of his movements.
He was indeed magnificent, a compliment to herself, and certainly better suited to her in appearances in any case. Something about him was tall and imposing, qualities she liked in a malu.
"Curiosity holds nothing without intent beneath it. So what intent do you have?" She breathed as calmly as she could. She learned from the best of the best that curiosity is only a front, there is always something deeper hidden beneath it, even if you don't know how to possibly use the information you want.
She made no motion to get up, or move away. Even if he was larger than her, and stronger than her, she wouldn't back down.
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:18 pm
"Hmph," he snorted, impressed by the younger malu's question. Although she seemed demanding and untrusting, Khint found a deep interest in her. Perhaps it was her own passionate nature that called to his, or perhaps it was merely the colors that decorated her coat. Either way, he was more than obliged to respond.
"Perhaps my curiosity stems from my wish to familiarize myself with such a beautiful creature as yourself," he said, using his most polite of tones. "I assure you, my dear, that I mean no harm to you. I merely noticed you in the darkness and have a fondness for getting acquainted with those I do not know." He pulled himself into a slight twist, stretching his muscled form to appear casual. His small, bat-like wings extended, then folded their leathery selves over his back.
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Posted: Sat Aug 16, 2008 7:49 pm
She allowed herself to relax, even if she wasn't really relaxed. Some vague part of her was fascinated with this male. Not surprising considering how few she knew, not just males, other malu in general.
She took the information he'd provided and decided to leave it at that, there was no point pressing that topic farther and she felt her mind already branching out into other areas.
"Then who are you?" Who-ever he was, he was certainly trying to flatter her, and she didn't need the compliments. She already knew. She wasn't meaning to be haughty, but she knew very well she was indeed a wonder to behold.
"I've never seen you before." It wasn't an untrue statement, then again, it didn't really have much meaning in the long run given the amount of people she did know.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:10 pm
"I could mention the same regarding you," he stated plainly, flicking his ears backwards and forwards. "I am Khint, worshiper of the God of Glowing Embers and for the time being, you friend." With a bow of his great head, Khint continued to hold his eyes to hers, matching their ferocity and passion.
"And who might you be?" he inquired with sheer curiosity. "I have travelled the many corridors of this temple and have never come upon a more lovely sight. Your parents must be exceedingly proud."
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:20 pm
Khint... She couldn't help but smile. There was something about she liked. She liked how it sounded, she wondered how it would roll off her tongue. And the god, not a bad one to be certain, but glowing embers are half-life of a once proud flame. She wondered more about this strange god of his.
"Come over and sit down first, only then will I answer your questions. I dislike looking up to talk to people." She stated calmly. Shifting herself over a little amoungst her little patch of trees to make room for the large male.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 1:54 pm
Another smile curled over his maw, golden eyes glittering the dark... almost flirting with the night. "As you wish," he said smoothly, with another graceful bow of his head. He neared the smaller female and gracefully took his place beside her, leaving a polite distance between them of course. Crossing one paw over the other in front of him, he still towered over the maluess, though there wasn't an ounce of threat in his height.
He waited in silence for her answer, turning his skull to meet her gaze. More than once did his eyes flicker to take in the stunning glow of her coat. His small, leathery wings gave a twitch and unfolded themselves, falling lightly against his back as he sighed softly.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:17 pm
Once he was settled and she could sort of look at him without tilting her head so drastically her responded, her voice soft, with a hint of pride and menace creeping in as well.
"My name is Achlys Aithne Alula. I was born from the death of a flame out in the abandoned temples that have long since been condemned." As she thought about how her parents must have been so proud of her she used all her restraint from snorting. Even still, her nose twitched slightly, the movement of a snort but lacking the noise.
"My adoptive father could care less."
She shifted her shoulders, rolling them slightly, stretching, her wings giving a small flap before relaxing against her back. She was not one to steal glances, and so when she had the mind to look at Khint's fur, the sparkle that resembled his god, she stared unblinkingly as she examined it.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 2:36 pm
"The death of a flame, hmm?" Khint repeated with interest. Her story intrigued him to the utmost amount, but refused to ask such a personal question. "Well, Achlys Aithne Alula," he started, pronouncing each syllable as if it were made of a delicate, near-deceased language. "Perhaps you should spend your time with those who do care."
Khint made no mention of his company's outward stare. Instead, he allowed himself to bask in the moonlight spilling over them, causing the spots on his fur to illuminate their small clearing. He had so much pride in his beauty, but did not take it for granted. Instead, he felt that everyone should share his love for beauty as he did. This he did not share with the youngling, thinking her too fierce for such a frivolous thought.
The male peered closer as Achlys studied him intently. The bright blue and red hues of her flame-patterned fur excited him immensely and he could not understand how a parent (even an adoptive one) could not be proud to call her his own. "Does your father know you are wandering about so late?" he queried suddenly.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 3:06 pm
She nodded, exactly that, the death of a flame. She felt a small shiver run through her when he said her name, something about the way he said it thrilled her. She'd only ever heard a few repeat her name, and never had it given her any joy.
She herself gave off her own strange brand of illumination, so like the flames the licked up her paws. Though, she made no denying his coat glistened more than hers, a small part of her felt envious, but that was a petty thing and she didn't need it. So she cast it aside and allowed herself to enjoy it.
"No, my father is safely asleep in our dark home. Don't worry for me though. I grew up in places most malu fear." She cooed softly.
She didn't doubt some part of Loki was proud to be her father, even if only adopted, but Loki was a strange sort, and even though she knew him best, he was still a hard character to decipher.
"He's been busy lately, trying to court some female...Calope I think her name is."
It wasn't bad, this sort of chatter. It wasn't the excited meaningless conversation most children babbled on about. And, it was good to talk for once. She was so unused to hearing her own voice, herself and Loki generally reading each other in silent movements with little need for speech.
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Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2008 7:20 pm
A gust of wind rustled through the oasis' trees, causing his mane to brush forward in a "mohawk-like" fashion. Khint twisted his neck in swift motions to shake out the wind and smooth down his fur. The movement of the grass tickled his sides and he let out a brief chuckle, quickly returning to a contemplative silence.
For a moment he concentrated on Achlys' words, absorbing all the information she had given him. She was a curious creature, but so knowledgeable in many ways. He wished to know more, but did not want to pressure the child into handing over information she wasn't comfortable sharing. But did anything make her uncomfortable? He wasn't sure.
"Courting, eh? So you as of late... have no mother?" Khint questioned softly, his voice absent of pity... only full of intrigue. "Are there other malu your age you play or converse with? Does your pack keep you company?"
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