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 Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:38 am
Azi could usually be found down by the shore, walking along the beach. But not today - not right at that moment. She'd been playing with the cubs, a collection from the pride. A few of Sevati's, plus a few of her own grandchildren - Jesenya and Kairav's cubs were so full of energy. The two familys got on well, too, despite the fact that one set of cubs were the aunts/uncles of the other. It was strange, how life worked out some times. But each life was a thing to be treasured, so Azi treated each cub separated - they all had their own minds, own hearts. It was only fair they were treated like individuals. That Lulu, though...she was certainly a handful.
But now she was off duty. The sun was falling in the sky, dusk was fast approaching, and all the children were all safely back in their dens with their parents. But Azi wasn't quite ready to return to her own den. Not quite yet. She hadn't taken many night strolls whilst living here, but today she just...felt like she should. So many things were floating in her head, even the cubs had mentioned today how she'd seemed a bit 'daydreamy'. It wasn't a daydream, though. No, it was something that had actually happened. Strolling towards the ever-faithful shore, Azi sat and watched as the sun set and the moon rose, casting a pale light over the Bahari-mtoto. It was beautiful...
What was happening? Kaja and she...they both loved each other. She'd come to realize, since the revelations, that she loved him deeply, with all her heart. It was something that had been locked away. Hidden. But then everything had come out, and it had just been let free. But were they mates? Azi had never been through all of this before. Mkodi knew, she'd raised six cubs alone, had her heartbroken several times and grown up without a father, so surely this should be a piece of cake. But it wasn't. And she really didn't like that.
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:45 am
The moon was high in the sky and the stars twinkled brightly. The ocean was calm and soft as the waves rolled in and out on the shoreline. He had been preoccupied for the past couple of days. Not too many days prior to tonight, he spent some time with Jesenya, getting to know her more and admitting his feelings for her mother. He wanted her blessing to be her mother's mate, but didn't want her to think that he was going to replace her father.
With the conversation in mind, Kaja's face lit up as he spotted the very lioness who he was completely smitten with not too far along the shoreline. His eyes twinkled as brightly as the stars as he made his way to the lioness' side.
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 11:50 am
She sighed softly, a smile gracing her maw as she turned her gaze to the sky and the moon. It confused her, but strangely, she didn't even seem to mind. Just to know that Kaja felt that way about her made the aging lionness' heart flutter, happiness filling her chest so much it felt like it might burst. But in a good way. It was a strange feeling, but a joyous, happy one, and one she wanted never to leave. She felt loved.
Hearing footsteps, she turned, expecting to find herself scolding a wandering cub. But her heart stilled when she spotted the familiar green shape, surprise originally crossing her face before it settled into a fond, warm smile as she remained where she was, seeing as he was coming towards her. Sitting in the moonlight...that was romantic, wasn't it? Her heart fluttered momentarily. "Kaja," she spoke, why she wasn't sure. Obviously it was Kaja, she knew that, and so did he. She just wanted to say his name, almost as if to make sure she wasn't dreaming.
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:00 pm
At the call of his name, he felt a warmth spread across his face. Only Azi could make him feel so alive and acutely aware of all the little things that she does that he finds very endearing. "Why are you alone on this gorgeous night?" He reached over to touch her cheek affectionately.
He spoke softly, "I spent some time with Jesenya the other day. She is a very wonderful lioness, taking after her mother in a lot of ways," A brief pause, "She made me realize something Azi....I want to be with you in more than just a friendly manner, there are all these feelings I have for you that I don't know how to explain."
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:08 pm
Alone? Her smile widened for no apparent reason, merely because Kaja was there. He just made her feel happy, alive and complete. Like there's been a part of her missing, a jigsaw piece that wasn't there. But now Kaja was here, and she knew how he felt...it had all slotted into place, and she was whole again. "I was thinking," she replied, turning her gaze to the sky once again, "And the moon was keeping me company."
The moon and sea seemed to have some relationship. The moon always brought out the best and worst of the water. The worst storms happened at night, surging into the pride lands. But then on special nights, like now...it looked so beautiful. The moonlight cast onto the water and was reflected in a hundred different directions. She smiled. Oh, Jesenya? Her gaze was returned to Kaja, the lionness giving a soft, loving purr in return to his cheek-nuzzle, touching her nose to his in a somewhat intimate manner as a reply. "You did?" He was taking care, making the effort...he was perfect. There was no other way to say it. Feeling blood rush to her cheeks Azi suddenly felt embarrassed, modestly looking at her paws. She felt like an adolescent, having her first crush.
Was he implying she was wonderful? She'd never really received compliments before. He seemed to be pouring his feelings out to her and she couldn't help but look up, despite her pink-tinged cheeks. She managed a small, somewhat shy smile, surging forwards to nuzzle his cheek, his head, his neck...anywhere she could reach, "Kaja, I realized something too. I love you."
She suddenly paused, quite aware of what she'd said. But then the widest smile yet spread over her face. She'd said it, and it was true. A bit blunt, perhaps...but yes. She did love him. Love.
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:28 pm
Her exclamation of love struck him like a rock wall! Kaja was stunned into silence as he looked at her with such an overjoyed expression on his face that he felt like a cub receiving his first gift again! There were no words needed for this as he reached forward to get close to Azi as he licked her cheek a few times, hoping that his actions could speak louder than any words that would come out right now at the moment.
This was just too perfect! It was amazing, he had a chance to bring family back into his life with Azi. A chance, to help the lioness as well. They were both not perfect and together, they could bring about perfection! He purred happily as he felt he could speak again, "I love you too, Azi! Jesenya gave us her blessing the other day too!" He was just so happy to have the support from her one daughter in this matter. He would have to go and talk to Feana now, as he wanted to make sure he had her blessing too.
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:35 pm
He didn't say anything for a while, and Azi began to get scared that she'd said something wrong. Maybe he didn't like her, he'd just been saying that to make her feel better at the time. Perhaps it was merely words. She felt tears begin to sting her eyes, but then suddenly he was licking her cheek, and purring. She blinked, glancing up with a joyful expression, quickly moving down to shower his face with small, affectionate kisses, before pulling away a little, allowing a deep, rumbling purr to consume her. What had she ever done to deserve such a perfect lion?
He loved her too? This time the tears came back, and a single one fell before she was snuggled up into his warm embrace, nuzzling his furry mane with loud purrs. Was this was true happiness was like? She never wanted this to end...and with Jesenya's blessing, too. "I'll have to talk to Feana," she whispered, but she knew that shouldn't be too much of a problem. Feana and she were on good terms again - mother and daughter had reconciled and Azi was proud of Feana. She knew her daughter would be happy for her.
"Oh Kaja...I never thought...I..," she began several sentences, before trailing off on all of them, a little lost for what to say, "I don't deserve this...I-I...thank you. For everything."
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 12:55 pm
He shook his head at Azi's words, "Don't say that! You deserve all this happiness and love, don't ever tell yourself otherwise!" He chided her gently, as he didn't want her feeling poorly of herself since he thought so highly of her!
"You have been so good to me, creating all this happiness and emotions inside. You have given me a family for which I've always wanted!" He rubbed his forehead against her own, "Don't think poorly of your past, it has shaped you into the wonderful lioness that stands before me. We shall look brightly towards the future together. Our future," He paused before whispering softly, affectionately, "Will you be my mate, Azi?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:02 pm
Huh? She looked up to Kaja with bright, shining eyes, partially with the tears but partially with the happiness, as she pressed her body into his, shivering just slightly before settling down, the warmth spreading over her. She deserved it? She smiled into the huge, nuzzling his softly. Perhaps she did. Perhaps, after all the hard work, it was time she was happy. She was making Kaja happy...surely that was a good thing? He wanted a family, and she'd given him one. She purred as her forehead connected with his, nuzzling his nose softly with a warm smile. His words, they made sense. Without her past, she wouldn't be who she was. She wouldn't be here, now, with Kaja. Her past may not have been perfect, but it was hers.
Her breath caught in her throat and her heart skipped a beat. Mate? ...Wasn't this what she had been wondering? Overwhelmed by emotion, she was silent for several moments, only watching him with tears rising in her eyes. Tears of happiness, which burst out as she pressed herself closer to him with a grateful cry, showering his face with kisses once more, "I'd love to, Kaja. I'd love to be your mate."
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:18 pm
With her answer, Kaja was so overjoyed with her response. Not that he would have expected any other answer, but to hear the confirmation come from her just makes it very sweet. As he spotted the tears on her cheeks, he reached forward to lick them up. Just as the ocean was salty, her tears were as well.
"Now now, the tears are making stains on your lovely face." He pressed his body against her gently, taking in the comfort of her presence so near. It was soothing, calming to him. His gaze shifted to the stars and moon above as he spoke softly, "The moon and stars are our witnesses tonight. I pledge that I will make you as happy as you can be and to fulfill any wishes that you have, even if you think they are silly! I am here for you, Azi, to love and cherish...just like the stars keep the moon company, I shall keep you company."
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:28 pm
He licked the tears from her face, and she couldn't do anything but purr, leaning on him with her head resting on his shoulder. She smiled, truly happy for the first time in a long while. It wasn't like she hadn't been happy, the past few months. Watching her children grow into the beautiful adults there were today was amazing...but this happiness. It was a selfish one. She was happy, and just for her. She felt bad in a way, for being so selfish. But like Kaja said, she deserved it. She deserved to be happy.
He turned his head to the sky and her eyes followed, watching them as he made his vows. She felt her cheeks flush red again, but this time she didn't care, only nuzzling his neck. "Thank you, Kaja. I...I love you. I really do." She glanced to her left, eyes sparkling a little as she spotted the shell, laying on the ground. It was a pretty one, covered in sparkling salt from the sea. She carefully plucked it from the sand, brushing off any loose grains of sand before turning to Kaja with a bright, warm smile. "Kaja, this is for you. To symbolise our bond."
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:40 pm
Just as she was feeling selfish, so was he. He didn't want to have anyone else share this bond with Azi that he had. It was his, and his alone. And that, made Kaja's face heat up. He could be selfish, just this once.
As he watched her curiously, he took the shell from her and delicately placed it in his mane. There! Now he was really apart of Azi and a part of the ocean, just as she was. "It is beautiful, just like you. Now I can think of you even more, as you'll always be with me." He purred softly and pulled her close, taking in her scent. "I remember when I first ran into you, back in the Pridelands Azi. You were so frazzled and wound up. Since then, I've had the joy of watching you blossom into the lioness before me. I got to experience the joy of watching cubs grow up and even have cubs of their own. To see your family's legacy live on...For that, I am deeply grateful."
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:47 pm
He took her shell and placed it in his mane, and she smiled widely, purring softly as she nuzled his chest, quite happy for his to pull her closer, taking in his scent as she did his. He smelt salty, like the ocean. Salty and familiar and warm - was it possible to smell warm? Whatever it was, it was definitely a unique scent, and one she was sure she'd have engraved in her memory forever. She never wanted to forget it.
His words...they were so beautiful. So touching. Her smile was smaller than usually, but more meaningful than ever as she purred, "You found me, Kaja. I don't think I'd be who I was today, if it wasn't for you. I'm...I'm proud, to have had you beside me. And I'm so, so happy you're a part of my family now. Our family." She formed her words carefully and with thought, not wanting to rush something this important. But it was with a little haste she nuzzled his cheek, smiling as she said, "Maybe we can have our own legacy, one day."
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:52 pm
Our family. That had a nice ring to it. He enjoyed that sound very much, Kaja admitted silently to himself. He curled his tail around Azi's form. "Our family...I like the sound of that." He purred as he spoke that to her.
And then his eyes widen slightly with her last remark. Did she...want to have a family again...with him? Oh! What a day that would be! How he longed to see little cubs of his own wandering around. To be able to teach them and see them become wonderful lions. He turned to look at her, "Do you...want to have cubs again one day?" He had never really asked her that question, not sure how it would have sounded before but now. He knew she loved cubs more than anything, but wanted to know her more personal view on the matter.
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Posted: Sun Nov 22, 2009 1:57 pm
Azi intertwined her tail with Kaja's as she rested her head on his shoulder once again. He liked the sound of that? Her eyes fluttered shut as she just enjoyed the moment, purring a little more softly...but it was still purring. She was still happy. And at the moment, it didn't feel like she could ever be unhappy again.
He shifted to turn to look at her, forcing her to lift her head, opening her eyes to watch him with a small, shy smile. He sounded surprised but...but happy. She wasn't shocked - every lion dreamed of having children. She'd had the chance, but Kaja hadn't. She glanced to the ground, suddenly feeling shy again, tracing shapes in the wet sand with her paw, "I would, Kaja. I know I'm getting older, but with Jesenya and Feana and the others all grown up...I love looking after the youngsters, but it's not the same as having your own to look after. ...You know?"
She paused, shifting her weight a little, "Look at Sevati - hers are all so beautiful and full of life. I'm older than most, yes, but I can still love them."
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