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 Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:31 pm
Out on a midnight stroll, Mangue took in a deep breath, thoroughly enjoying all the scents and feelings that the night gave him. It was always so peaceful and beautiful in the Makini at night; there were lanterns hung everywhere, filled with fireflies that had been caught during the day. There was something so clean and romantic about it, that he would forget about all of the nastiness of some of the cheetahs that lived here. He knew they weren’t all that bad, and it was probably just the fates that had caused him to be born under disgraceful circumstances. There were some in the pride that understood that he couldn’t have had any control over how he was born – but to many, the disgrace of one was passed on to its kin.
In all honesty, he didn’t really remember all that much about his mother. She had run away from the pride when he was so young, that most of his knowledge came from the nasty remarks from others. Mangue understood why she left – everyone in the pride had turned against her in her disgrace, and she couldn’t bear to live like that anymore. But what he could never wrap his head around was the fact that she just left him here, alone. Growing up, he had hated almost everything around him, feeling unwanted not only by the pride he was born into but the mother that left him behind to suffer in it. She must’ve had her reasons, right?
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:35 pm
Finding an escape from the increasingly watchful eyes of his aides, Amias took light steps through the Makini. He had had to vigorously assure his personal attendant that he wouldn’t run away again, just so he could have some time to himself. It had been such a long time since he had gotten to just casually stroll his home at night – and what a sight it was. He had always remembered it fondly, and it had been the cause of many nights of heart-ache. In the beginning, he really hadn’t missed anything from this place – he felt a bit sorry for the young girl he had literally left at the altar, but that had pretty much been the extent of his regrets. That is, until he came to meet a few select creatures in the outside world. There was one in particular that had really changed his mind on things – the one that had, in fact, brought him back to the pride. As he took each careful step, he wondered if he would ever see her again; she was a face that he didn’t really want to forget.
Coming out of his thoughts, Amias could barely hear the sound of someone nearby. It was odd, to hear someone be out and about at this hour. Generally, the families in the Makini kept to a curfew, largely because there wasn’t much to do. They didn’t have to hunt, and it was seen as ‘inappropriate’ for liveliness, unless it was a festival or ceremony. Perking up his ears, Amias could just barely make out a figure; it was neon and even glowed in the dark, mainly from the glow that came off the fireflies. Eyes going wide, Amias knew instantly who stood before him. Beginning to run over unconsciously, Amias plowed into the bright figure, having not seen him in ages.
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:37 pm
Mangue was completely unaware that there was someone else out at night until they literally plowed straight into him. “Hey!” The word was muffled and stunted, so as to not create too much noise. He was used to being bullied at random, but this seemed a bit much. Pawing at the dark figure’s head, it didn’t take long for the neon cheetah to realize who it was exactly that ran straight into him – one look from those bi-colored eyes, and Mangue’s heart raced.
“Amias, you tease!” Jumping back with a huge grin on his face, Mangue tried his best to keep his voice down. Bouncing back and forth, he looked just like a small cub playing with his best friend; because Amias was, for all of his life, the closest friend Mangue had. And most times, his only family as well. It had always been a shame that the two could never be this close in public – if they knew that the royal family had practically taken in the son of ‘whore,’ there would be public uprising. Well, at least that’s always what the Roi had said to Mangue when he was young. The Dauphin and his bride had always been so kind, ever since Amias brought Mangue back to their home for the first time. And he had counted himself lucky when the Roi himself was apathetic of the boy’s presence.
“I haven’t seen you in ages, and you show up like this? How fated!” Looking across at his dear friend, he was almost a little disappointed that this was how they ended up meeting. He thought for sure that Amias would come find him when he finally returned – but, Mangue also knew that things within the nobility and even then royal family itself must’ve been quite hectic upon his return.
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:38 pm
Grinning broadly at the bright cheetah, Amias felt quite young and playful again. Not that he was old or anything – but the mere sight of this cheetah brought back so many pleasant memories for him. “You have to know how much I missed you. You mean more to me than some of my own family.” As harsh as it sounded, it was pretty true. Amias hated certain sides of his family, and that was a big reason why he left.
Letting his gaze drop for a moment, he felt a huge surge of guilt run through him. “I’m so sorry, Mangue, for not telling you a thing.” Glancing back up at him, it almost seemed like a lover’s quarrel. “But I didn’t even know myself what I would be doing. I just…couldn’t stand having to go through with that abhorrent ceremony. Part of me actually feels worse for the poor girl I left, actually.” Letting out a slight laugh, he wondered what ever happened to that girl. She was far younger than he; there must’ve been some sort of lying to even allow her to stand at the altar.
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:40 pm
“Amias, what’s happened to you?” Laughing, Mangue playfully bumped his shoulder into the other’s. “I’ve never seen you so apologetic. It’s almost a bit unnerving.” Cocking a grin at the dark male, Mangue raised a brow questioningly. He hadn’t been gone for an excruciatingly long amount of time, had he? “But of course, it’s fine with me. I mean, I’d hate to have to prance around in front of everyone, just to marry some poor girl that I’ve never met before in my life. Though, she must’ve been pretty stoked about the whole affair.” Laughing quite heartily, Mangue could see his friend’s expression lighten. “But it’s all in the past now, yeah? I mean, you’re back, so that automatically overrides anything else.” Taking a step to the side, Mangue perked his ears up, hearing some rustling around nearby. “How about we continue this elsewhere? I don’t think your grandfather would be too pleased if our little rendezvous was discovered after all this mess.” Giving Amias one last push, he started to walk towards the royal family’s quarters; it was always easiest for them there, since Mangue was quite adept at making secretive exits.
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Posted: Sun Jan 22, 2012 4:41 pm
"I’ll tell you everything soon, Mangue. About my travels and such. Though I’m not sure if you’ll be proud or disappointed in me after you hear some of the things I’ve done.” Laughing with his friend, Amias knew that the following conversation would be an eventful one, to say the least. Going out into the rogue lands in his previous state probably wasn’t the best idea in the world, but at least he learned and changed because of it. Now, he knew that he was ready to assume his familial duties, even if he wasn’t too fond of the whole idea.
“Yes, let’s. I do believe grandfather would have you killed if anyone found us now.” Flicking his tail back and forth, he gave a little grin, knowing his words to be mostly true. Taking a few steps, he followed his friend back to his home of birth.
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