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 Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:16 pm
Abrafo ran. The muscles in his legs were burning with all the intencity of the sun on an unforgiving day. His claws were cracked and bloodied, adding extra levels of misery onto his already demolished existence. His pride, the only thing he had in this world to hang onto, was on the very verge of collapse and he couldn't do a damn thing about it.
Wounds across his midnight hide tore open inches more with every briar patch he passed in his frantic struggle to get the hell away from the jungle. He ran like the day itself was nipping at his tail. His bi-colored eyes were wild and hungry, terrified to the point of madness. Abrafo was scared. In all of his life, he'd never been as afraid as he was at this moment and over something as small as losing the 'family' that never knew he existed.
Colors passed around him in a kaleidoscope of earthen hues. The world was swirling in and out, messing with his already tortured mind while his heart sped up. Faster. Faster. Faster. When he thought he might die if he didn't run just a little bit faster, just a little bit longer he stumbled out of a bush onto white sand. His face was the first to hit the ground and after gravity was done taking its course, he was left broken on the edge of a desert. Sand forced tears to leak out of his swollen eyes, giving him just enough ump to stay still, numb to the falling world.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:30 pm
 Hesitant paw steps sounded softly as Nia stepped out into the brilliant sunlight. Her breathing was barely audible even as she gulped in the burning air. Nothing seemed to be right for some reason. Maybe she was just paranoid since her capture, but the leopard couldn't help but to glance around as she left the spot hidden by bushes.
A familiar smell hit her senses as Nia stepped onto the sand and her golden eyes widened in surprise. A small smirk crossed her features as she prepared to stalk her way teasingly towards the lion. That is until she saw the sorry state he was in. Worry made her limbs shake and the leopard instantly rushed over towards his side. "Abra?" Laying beside of him, Nia carefully nudged his shoulder and whispered, "Abrafro, what's wrong?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:38 pm
" Its all gone, " his voice croaked, throat scratchy from all the sand that had invaded his mouth over night. He'd been nodding in and out of consciousness so much that he wasn't sure what he was seeing was true. His senses told him that it was Nia, that he should be annoyed, agrivated for her intrusion of his private self-wallowing but he didn't care anymore. Burrowing his head into the sand to escape the sun, he murmured once more, " Its all gone. "
When had he lost control? Was it when he'd first followed Moses into the night, or when he'd accepted the curse and allowed his fangs to grow? Whatever the case was, without that level of stability in his life Abrafo was little more than a useless lump in the middle of a steadily warming desert. He didn't plan to move or find shelter. In fact, he planned on burning to death.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:42 pm
"What's all gone?" Truly Nia was puzzled because she didn't understand what in the world could make this lion so out of it. But she was more worried about him than curious. A small sigh escaped the leopard as she nudged him, "Abra you need to get out of the sun."
Her tail flicked behind her, really why was he in such a state? As a rogue Nia never even thought about his pride being a reason for his distress. "Can you move?" She finally asked breaking the short silence.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 6:50 pm
He didn't want to move, but reason broke though. Nia would never allow him to commit suicide with her around, so reluctantly he moved shaky legs under a beaten body and propelled himself upward in an almost lunge, barely able to keep himself from toppling over again just by the sheer momentum. Abrafo looked at the leopardess with his jaded orchid eye, swaying as he stood before allowing his head to hang low.
Another time, another day he would have been proud to stand her height. When he was cub, he'd been terrified of the grown woman, but as he grow, he realized something. No matter how much he would grow, Nia would stay the same. Today, however, he seemed to be shrinking his body next to hers, tucking his tail between his hind legs in a submissive manner. " If you wish for me to move, I will move, " he murmured with as much reassurance as he could muster, which wasn't much at all.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 12:46 pm
Nia felt awkward standing next to a submissive Abrafo. True worry bloomed up inside as she realized how different he was this meeting. He seemed...broken. Abra was so different that it confused her, and the leopard had to look away for a second to reorient herself.
"Of course I want you to move." She replied before looking back at him. "This desert sun isn't doing you too much good after all." Her tail flicked as she tilted her head thoughtfully. A small sigh and a blink before she added, "Do I need to help you?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:09 pm
Abrafo ran his tongue along the space between his fangs and gums, trying to wet the dried out area so it didn't hurt so much to talk. "I'm fine on my own, " he sighed dejectidly, shifting his paws upon the sands. His large head turned towards the East and the ocean he knew was hidden behind the dunes. For a moment, he merely stood there, imaging the cooling feel of salty sea air running through his mane, caressing him like a mother's touch.
He could still run. He would still run. Right now, however, he had to go with Nia so he could get out of the sun. His skin was already starting to blister underneath his fur. " Where to? "
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:30 pm
Nia shut her mouth despite the protests that wanted to spill out. At least he seemingly still had some pride despite what ever was going on. She realized before thinking about his question. A small sigh as she realized that she would have reveal her small home.
"A cave for now." She nodded her head to the side, "It's nice and cool with some water since I'm sure your throat is parched from the sand and heat." Nia's claws dug into the soft ground before she started walking away from the dunes.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:36 pm
Turning his back on all hopes of escape, Abrafo hung his head low, allowing his violet mane to cover his face while he followed the leopard. Some part of himself that remained eternally young bounced around at the fact he was finally going to see where the infamous Nia made her bed, but his older side didn't care.
" Water would be nice, " he murmured half-heartidly. The relief from the trees was instant. Shade seemed to reach out for the warrior of darkness, surrounding him with tenderness that made him feel like weeping. He could already feel the burning lessening, though it still remained to torment his mind. Had it even been worth it? So many sacrifices for something he wasn't sure was ever meant to exist. " I see your still wearing the jewelry. "
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 1:55 pm
Nia grumbled silently in her mind. What was up with this lion? What had happened to the proud, happy, kid that she had watch grow? Really she didn't want to but if she had to maybe she should try smacking some sense into him. But she realized that she at least needed to know what was going on first. 'After he recovers.'
Heat spread up Nia's neck as Abra's comment brought her out of her thoughts. "Yes." She mumbled before looking back defensively, "I mean since it was already forced on me and then when you went and gave me more...I-" She paused from faint embarrassment, "I thought I might as well since it didn't ruin my hunting."
Vines were swatted aside as she revealed a small opening. Reviving air came towards them cooling down their pelts as she looked back to Abra. "Welcome to my domain." She joked half-heartedly before heading down the tunnel to the larger cavern.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:08 pm
Abrafo shared a ghost of a smile before returning to his frown. Truly, she did look gorgeous with the mid-day sun glistening off her midnight pelt, adding shine to her already perfect fur. Any man would have to be insane not to notice how beautiful she was and yet, he himself felt insane.
The trinkets he'd bestowed upon her after her ordeal seemed meaningless. A youthful whim, an offering to a goddess he was never meant to touch. Shouldering into the cavern, he felt the top of his mane run against cool stone before the air hit him. Clean and crisp, it made every nerve ending on his body tingle with delight. " A truly magnificent one at that. I never new such caves existed outside of the pride lands. "
Realizing his faux pa, he chewed on his lower lip and shook his head. Trying to hide his squeeked up voice, Abrafo coughed and continued, " I assumed you for someone who would have a legion of followers. It doesn't do you justice to stay holed up all the time. "
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:16 pm
"Of course they do." Replied Nia with a soft purr, "You just have to realize that there's more life outside of prides than you think. So many wonders of nature." She mused before leading him to the far side where a trickle of water made a small pool. "Now drink."
A soft laugh after she lapped up some water herself, "Me with followers? I barely can put up with myself." Her golden eyes gleamed with amusement, " I prefer my solitude thank you very much."
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:27 pm
His great, hulking body ambled over to the pool and lowered down so he could rest his tired legs. Passively, he lapped at he fresh water, content with just hearing Nia talk as he calmed his raging thirst. His mind screamed at him for more, but the thirst that was plaguing him now was something water could never satisfy.
" Outside of the pride? " He wondered, musing aloud as he paused in his drinking. Wet fur clung around his fangs, but with a few strokes of his tongue, it parted. " What could be more beautiful that the blood moon shining on our Dracul as he makes his kill? Or the blood that flows fresh down our land like rivers? The sweet destruction and sense of loyalty, of familiarity that comes with simple belonging. " Sighing, he dipped his head down to rest upon the cool stone. " Solitude is nothing compared to being with others of your own kind. "
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2009 2:35 pm
Nia started cleaning the sand from her claws as Abrafo drank. Pausing she looked at him with a small sigh, "Oh, Abra." Her tail curled around her paws as she held up a front paw. While inspecting it for any left over sand, the leopard spoke.
"How much have you seen beyond your pride?" She asked quietly, "Have you seen the cascading waterfalls that fill up rivers and cause rainbows at random? Or incredible places of tall looming trees where bright birds rest? Have you realized that your blood moon hovers over other lands besides your pride lands? I have because I am not tied down to any one place as others are."
She raised up and moved over to sit next to Abrafo, "I'm not of your own kind. Am I nothing then compared to another lion?" She asked softly as the dripping water echoed about quietly them.
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 1:35 pm
Abrafo shook his head softly and moved his larger paw over top of her smaller one. His cracked claws flexed over her soft fur, something his mother used to do when she was feeling sympathetic. He looked up into her eyes and whispered, " No lion can ever compare to you. "
The distant sound of water dripping onto cold stone muted into a background for his subtle words. Shaking his mane to get rid of the sand as best he could, he settled his gaze on the floor next to her. " You just couldn't possibly understand. " His voice hitched. " When I was on my own...I was so frightened, Nia. My body was starving and I was being forced to watch my siblings die around me as they were picked off one by one by those larger than us. " Inwardly, he had to remind himself he was talking to the very species of creature that had seduced his mother, that had taken her love away from him and forced this upon his family.
" Within the pride, I didn't feel like that. I had strength because I knew that I could rely on the lions around me. As a unit, we push forward into a better tomorrow and make each day worth while for those around us. Being under the rule of someone you know will protect you is the most liberating feeling in the world. " He mused, tilted his head up towards the ceiling. His eyes glazed over with mist as he drifted off. " Now...I'm not so sure. "
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