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 Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 6:39 pm
As they finally reached the water's edge, Aailyah paused. "This river provides the entire coalition with fresh water and the occassional fish when they swim through. Beyond the river, however, is where we get our primary source of food, on the hunting grounds." Aailyah knelt down to lap up some water before continuing. She spoke almost wearily, as though her full attention was not on explaining, but actually on something else. Finishing and continuing on, she added, "Because many members of the coalition have chosen to take a familiar on, you must be careful to hunt onto in this portion of our lands to ensure the safety of even our smallest members. If you choose to find a companion many find hares and avians to be ideal because of their quick speeds. They are able to travel alongside us without as much difficulty." Aailyah made a saddened expression and continued, "As you may have noticed, we are strictly cheetah only and this means servals and other larger companion animals are not welcome upon these lands. I have met many wonderful animals in the savannah, but the Duma'Chama will remain a safe haven for cheetahs and the larger animals provide competition for food and shelter."
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Posted: Wed Mar 18, 2009 7:40 pm
 Now alone with the Lady, Ryuu shrank back. He was unsettled about being alone with her, even if he agreed to it. Staying quite, he followed beside the pale cheetah. It was when she spoke that he looked towards her. Softly he watched her drink, lost in the sight a moment. As she spoke again he was shoved back into his current state and shook his head sending the flame necksruff flying.
Concern for her tone, he moved closer to her concerned."Is everything alright, Aailyah?" She seemed half there and half somewhere painful. He wanted to help, and would try as much as he could while keeping his distance.
The stricktly cheetah thing didn't surprise him one bit, "Kolo is my best friend, I know how he is, he'd never live somewhere that was not purely cheetah." He had no thoughts of confusion on who was in power, but he could imagine that when the members call for all cheetah, even the leader must follow.
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Posted: Wed Apr 01, 2009 10:49 am
Aailyah was surprised at first when Ryuu caught on to her tone. She looked towards the blue cheetah who questioned her with a look of embarassment. Here she was, only a few brief moments with a new member of the coalition and already she was exposing how weak a character she was. Lowering her ears, the female cast her gaze back towards the hunting grounds and struggled and regain her train of thought. How could she share her worries with a male she didn't even know? It would not be right to put that kind of weight upon him. Ryuu deserved the same safe haven as all the others were welcome to. She would not try and find Kayin within this male.
Ryuu's explanation caused Aailyah to nod, while she thought. She did not answer his question, though she continued on, padding along the river. "Yes, yes. I am sure you have heard many things from Kolo. He feels very strong for this land. I both admire and am thankful to have him here. I am sure that he will be able to teach you just as much as I can."
It took the female a moment to regain her courage, but finally she did turn back to look towards Ryuu. "Have you any kittens?" her tone was light and it was clear the subject of young was dear to her.
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Posted: Sun May 10, 2009 3:20 am
Ryuu watched her ears drop and instantly regretted saying anything. He had no wish to upset her or make her uncomfortable. Even if he had, Kolo and that bird worked together to fill that quota for the next few lifetimes on both sides of it. Still he fell back a little, shying away from the idea of bothering her.
Kolo, his dear friend, as strong-headed as a rino. "Strong is a good word for him, strong headed and strong willed." One of the reasons the two of them got along so well was he didn't fight Kolo on anything. It was much easier to get him to think the idea was his or just go along with the plan.
The mention of kittens stopped him in his tracks. The deep pain he was starting to recover from came back. Visibility the cheetah seemed to shrink as he closed his eyes to fight back the memories, in sound no less, coming back to him.
Somewhere, he could almost hear Kolo telling him to get a grip and stop acting like a kicked puppy. A proud cheetah, pffh, once upon a star. "I..dont..kno" She clearly liked them, his own experiences weren't going to take away from hers, so he climbed out of the little emotional hole as much as he could, "No, I don't. Kolo tells me you have three, including a young green cub Noka got along well with." It was a better subject, maybe the motherly pride thing that females sometimes have will come into play and she'll forget his shameful behavior.
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 12:13 pm
Aailyah was not one for keeping her composure when something upset her, but she had a skill for picking up on the feelings of others and knew when to steer the conversation elsewhere to keep fomr upsetting someone. Perhaps it was because she felt the need to keep such a close eye on her own behavior that she also, instinctively, did the same for everyone else. She heard Ryuu's soft answer of her question and then heard more clearly his final answer. It made no matter to Aailyah that the male chose a different answer. The two were still strangers and it was likely going to take time for them to open up to one another.
Once her own cubs were brought up, Aailyah smiled proudly and felt her cheeks flush pink from embarassment. The coalition knew of the situation she had been in when she founded the group, but here was a new cheetah, unaware of her first litter and the mishap that had resulted in her second. With a light laugh, the female thought of how to explain herself. She wondered if her former litter ever thought of visiting her? She could not pretend as though they did not exist simply because they did the same for her.
"More than three, actually." She said quietly at first. Although the subject was sensitive, she was not ashamed. "Chura, the green cub, was from my first litter. A silly thing with a rogue male. I was young and thought I was in love... I may have been, but found out soon enough that he wasn't." Aailyah tried to smile lightly to keep the conversation from becoming uncomfortable as she continued, "I lost touch with them when they were young. I have remained a level head because i've since had visions of each of them and know they all are safe."
Why she felt the need to explain so much was beyond her, but perhaps it was Ryuu's position entirely outside the group. He was now a member, but he hadn't heard things yet before and the female knew her behaviors of the past were something that she could certainly be judged by. "Safiya and Taliyah are both from my second litter." Ah. Here is came. Aailyah felt her courage budge and she glanced away. With another nervous laugh, she continued, "I have no mate. We can say i've followed my heart a bit too eagerly in the past while disregarding my mind."
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Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 12:47 pm
Ryuu tried not to dwell on the memories, too painful to truly hold. The only one he did confide in was Kolo and even Kolo didn't get the full story. There was a good reason for this, Ryuu didn't know the full story himself and it seemed every time he tried to remember something, or didn't as the case was, his memory changed little things. Reality and fabrication seemed to blend in the troubled cheetah's mind.
Gazing up, blue eyes dulled, life slowly poured right back into the blue and gold cheetah as he listened to her. Kolo didn't mention anyone but the green one and the girls, so he was curious, with something else to think about his own thoughts faded a little. Her story was not unlike a lot of rogueland ladies, in fact, it could very well have come from the lips of one of the many ladies he ran into himself. Not too long ago, the proud dragon was a much a shameless lover as he was a fighter.
He wasn't sure if it would help but venturing to speak, he gave his own experience to try and let her know it wasn't her fault, "Rogue males have a reputation for a reason, Aailyah. Loving and leaving is almost a game for young males," Softer in tone, more reluctant to say, he added, "Some female it would seem." Shaking his head, he attempted to shake out everything all at once.
The fact she had visions, well that was a bit strange for him. He had heard of it from time to time, but hardly put any stalk in it. Kolo believed it, mentioning that it was Aailyah's vision of a place for cheetah that allowed it to be; however, his idea of vision and apparently hers were completely different. "You can See? What sort of visions do you have?" Could she see the past? His? He was far from a virtuous cheetah, neither was Kolo he would protest easily. It was almost unsettling to wonder what she could see and if any of it had to do with him. Ego resurfaced a bit with those thoughts but he couldn't help but worry a little, the unseen force near him that he could do nothing about. A new story of his life as of late.
He saw nothing wrong with her not having a mate but two litters of cubs. It seemed unfair that she didn't have some like Kolo as Naddie had. "Kolo and Naddie are exceptions to the rules. Most cheetahs seem bound by fate to raise their cubs alone, and to be separated from them. Kolo sings your praises as much as he does Naddie, not having a mate but having a heart is nothing to be ashamed of, denying it is much worse." He lost his, as far as he could see, he would never find it again. How could he find happiness once more after everything that happened?
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Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 6:34 pm
Aailyah smiled warmly as Ryuu so obviously tried to comfort her. She hated to take the time and effort from the male, but appreciated his kindness. She had come to learn that what happened with her was not a rare incidence, but it did not make the pain any less difficult. At this point in her life, she held no fault as her cub's father. He had given her the most precious gift that she could ask for. When Ryuu lightly mentioned females as well, Aailyah looked up to him curiously. Perhaps his cause of discomfort was not what she was saying, but the memories that they returned to the males mind? It appeared as though she was not the only one with a difficult past. The female set this thought aside and continued to smile. She wouldn't press the matter, but remained curious about just what had happened to Ryuu.
Ryuu seemed to quickly change the subject once the conversation allowed him. The way he asked about her second site so suddenly caused the female to smile broadly. She had always considered her ability to be a curse, but the fascination others wore on their faces when she spoke about it was certainly amusing. "They are actually random bursts of images that are barely able to be pieced together." She admitted. "I get deep emotions from observing them that are often linked to what is going on in the vision. I have seen images from the past, future and present, though the future visions are more frequent." She looked curiously towards the male, wondering if he was simply curious about this seemingly supernatural ability or if he was concerned for some reason. Continuing, she added "They usually occur when I am close to rest. They have helped me on many ocassions. Warned me of trouble nearing."
While the pair might have formally been uncomfortable with one another, their conversation was picking up speed and soon the awkward silences had vanished and they both walked alongside one another eager to continue. Aailyah did not know Ryuu very well, but she already enjoyed his conversation. She tried hard not to compare him to Kayin, but the way he made such an effort to make her smile reminded her so much of the black and white cheetah.
When he mentioned Kolo's praise, Aailyah felt her cheeks turn pink. Her close friend was always so kind and generous towards her. While she had learned better than to deny his comments, she couldn't quite believe that they were all true. He had given her too much praise and she felt she was undeserving. Now she was surprised to see that Ryuu offered as much kindness towards her. As her cheeks continued to glow, she couldn't hold back a light giggle, "I appreciate that.." She said quietly.
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Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 8:43 pm
Ryuu listened intently on what she had to say, curious to no end about her visions and the scope they could go. What would she think about him if she saw the truth about who he is? It bothered him, for reasons he didn't all together know, but it bothered him for her to see the monster he saw himself as. Kolo was right she just seemed to radiate pureness, something about her was calming and magnetizing.
Wondering about them still, he wondered if she had anyone to talk to about them. Certainly some had to be frightening, who did the great Lady turn to when something scared her? "Aailyah, do you ever discuss these visions with anyone? Are they pleasant all the time or do some unsettle you?" If she ever saw his it certainly would. Kolo never mentioned being called upon to talk about what she had seen, and he'd brag about being useful to her. With having older cubs besides this new litter, maybe one of her own was there to hear her out.
Her appreciation boyouded him a little, he felt better seeing her smile. The last thing he wanted to was to cause any more burden on her. She had the whole coalition to worry about; his little problems were just too dark for her.
Smiling at her, a true smile, his concern for her overrode his own thoughts and allowed the bit of sunshine to show above the emo turmoil that lay unresolved heavily on his shoulders.
Normally a graceful cheetah, the dragon proved that fate had its own hand to play with him. Stepping in a dip he hadn't seen, Ryuu stumbled to the side, catching his balance as his shoulder and flank brushed against hers. Absurdly he was worried about his fur staining hers, his spirit negatively affecting hers as his blue fur might against her pure white, ducking his head he said, "Sorry about that."
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Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 9:16 pm
The two cheetahs had walked along the entire perimeter of the coalition during their conversation, simply weaving in and out of the various paths and no longer paying any mind to their surroundings. There were marvelous sites to see and so much Aailyah could have told Ryuu about their growing group. Their ideals and traditions were still being developed, but at the moment the two cheetahs seemed entwined in learning more about one another. Where Ryuu knew he could simply ask questions, Aailyah carefully watched the blue male's body language and expressions to see what he was hiding beneath it all.
Ryuu surprised Aailyah once again when he asked whether or not she discussed her visions with anyone. No one had ever asked her this before and the female had never spent much time on the matter. The visions typically plagued her at night and so she couldn't bring herself to wake her closest friends in order to find comfort and explain what she had seen. Only the most important visions were brought to the attention of the entire group. The majority of the others were kept to herself in order to protect others from the constant burden she carried. "Oh." She responded finally, thinking for a moment about a suitable answer. How could she explain how she would give anything to be free from the visions and how she couldn't bare to share them for fear of upsetting someone else?
"They're typically fine.." She began quietly. It wasn't a lie, but it wasn't quite the truth. Even an uplifting vision could be upsetting vision could be upsetting because it went against what she believed in.
Even busy in conversation, Aailyah had gracefully avoided the holes that were in front of the pair. Despite her careful footsteps, it appeared as though her traveling companion was not as lucky. Although Aailyah saw the male sliding over to the side, the female made no effort to avoid him. Ryuu was warm to the touch and having someone so near her was comforting, even if just for a moment. As he quickly corrected his mistake and stepped aside, Aailyah felt a light sigh escape her mouth. Filled with embarassment, the female's cheeks burned bright red. She dreaded how much color her cheeks must have shone through her white fur! "It-it's fine!" She stammered.
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 6:01 am
Kolo was often unsettled; the male cheetah was chaotic to say the least. The chance in him with Naddie surprised the blue right off of him; for once in their friendship she had seen Kolo being gentle and nonaggressive. Before then it had been his job to try and calm his friend down and distract him. Just maybe, he could make a place here doing something similar?
He had been thinking about that very idea when the stumble happened. Unable to look at her, he was too embarrassed about what he had done. The tactic was one he would use to get a warm pillow during a night, far from the behavior befitting the Lady.
Finally moving his ears forward, he suggested, "I used to listen to Grumpy-butt when he had nightmares, I trust you don't see anything half as bad." Kolo, the nickname used for him when they were younger, had a violent mind tempered by a thin vial of self control, what kept him agitated during the day sometimes came to rob him of what sleep he could get. "I don't tend to sleep at night either." Pawing at the ground he struggled a few more minutes to find the right words that wouldn't sound half as bad as they did in his mind. "If you need someone impartial, you can talk to me. I am a pretty good listener and tolerant." A Cheetah of the world, he had seen a lot and got along with most.
It was partly selfish; he wanted to be there to defend himself if she saw his own past as well as wanted to make himself useful to the coalition. Going through his own burden silently, he didn't feel it right that a cheetah such as she should have to bear her own alone.
Just in case that was going too far, he quickly went off into asking, "I was wondering about the family marks. Kolo has allowed me into his family. Am I to take his or come up with one of my own?" Some of the details he wasn't able to get an answer he could understand from Kolo thus it was as convent a question as any.
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 6:35 pm
So caught up in the deep conversation with the new cheetah, Aailyah surprised herself to be disappointed when the male quickly moved away and kept his eyes ahead of him. She wanted him to look at her or keep his side close against her. Watching the ground now, Aailyah mentally scorned herself. It was that pathetic, lonely behavior that left her with two litters of cubs and no mate to assist her. She wasn't surprised that Ryuu would be careful to distance himself after hearing about what she had been through. He did not seem like the type of male that would take advantage of a female in need.
When he offered a helpful ear to listen to her visions, she couldn't help but smile. No one, not even Kayin, had offered to take that burden from her. Aailyah could not imagine sharing her visions with anyone, let alone such a new member of the group, but she knew that Ryuu simply wanted to help and couldn't deny him. "I appreciate your offer... I will be sure to keep you in mind next time i'm startled awake." She wanted the male to feel welcome and helpful, but knew that come the night she woke in a sweat, she'd likely force herself to return to sleep before she sought out the male. Shifting the subject, she commented curiously, "I didn't know Kolo had nightmares. I haven't heard anything of them before." Kolo was such a strong, bold cheetah, the coalition leader couldn't imagine sleep causing fear in him. It was sort of endearing to hear that even the strongest had weaknesses.
Once the topic of family marks came up, Aailyah looked back up towards Ryuu, "Oh. You can do whatever you feel most comfortable with. By taking Kolo's mark you would be adopted into his family. Perhaps as a brother to him. By creating your own mark, you would be starting your own personal lineage. Though marks do not change the relationship you may have with someone"
Having walked through the lands various times already, Aailyah led the pair back to the center of the coalition, near the dens. Their conversation still had the female's interest, but she could not keep the blue cheetah in her company all night. Much of what he had said also inspired some thought in her and she felt a good rest might help her figure things out.
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Posted: Tue May 19, 2009 7:47 pm
The old Dragon would have charmed his way as close as he could to her. Who he was now wasn't trying to charm anyone and certainly not in the manner he used to with ladies.
The male just turned to see her smile, he felt better already just by seeing it. She was worthy of all the praise she had received to her beauty. Smiling a little himself, he told her, "If I am not by Kolo's den, the lake is lovely at night." If she decided to allow him to help, then she'd need to know where he was.
Kolo's secret wasn't shared; he could see that and wasn't surprised. How could he say something without compromising his friend? "Kolo is gray like a rhino for more than stubbornness, he is alright though. Naddie helped him a lot." The calming force was all Kolo needed. Now Aailyah was calm, if she needed anything what kind of force did she need?
"My own?" It would be a dead mark, he felt, which would have him after all that happened? Not likely, it was better to remain like a brother but not let his own sins affect his family.
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 11:50 am
Aailyah smiled as Ryuu enforced his offer. A part of the lonely female wanted to creep out towards the lake simply to be in the company of such a gentle, friendly cheetah. Despite this, she knew that she needed the rest. Chura was still growing and needed even more guidance and teaching than he had in the past. Before continuing towards her den, the female lowered her head politely and offered her trademark, warm smile. It seemed to offer a glow about her, giving her an even more inviting appearance.
"The lake is, indeed, a beautiful place to visit." Aailyah couldn't get past Ryuu's kindness. His suggestion of hearing her out brought a warm, comforting sensation to the female. She hadn't ever been offered something so self sacrificing before. Or perhaps she was looking too into things? Perhaps no one understood the burden she carried?
"It was a pleasure to really get to know you tonight, Ryuu. I am glad you have picked our lands to call your home..." The female crept forward into her den, but not before turning back, "Sleep well."
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Posted: Wed May 20, 2009 12:07 pm
Ryuu could watch her smile all night; her warmth was a pleasant reprieve from the cold inside. As soon as he had finally gotten comfortable around her, she turned towards her den. Strange, he was reluctant to be alone with her and now he wanted to follow like a lost kitten.
Shaking his head, he called to her, "Sleep well." Silently, he hoped for her sake that the visions left her alone and allowed her time to rest. Turning, the blue cheetah headed towards Kolo's den to check up on his friend, and cuff him one for the set up. After that, it was to the lake to wait out the rest of the night.
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