|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 8:26 pm
 It wasn't often that Christian travelled down his mountain without Tali'Zorah by his side. The cattaur had proved an invaluable addition to his isolated life, even if he hadn't thought to bring her in it. For years Christian had been doing his own running, his own explorations, but when the cat had found him, offered to do it herself...
For the past few months he hadn't come off the mountain at all. During the summer heat he had walked through freezing snow at it's peak, moving among the dead vegetation like a welcomed relative. Every month he would make his pilgrimage to the swamp near it's base to meet with the cat, but since she hadn't been there he decided to go out on his own.
The change wasn't a welcomed one. The summer heat scalded his dark pelt, causing sweat to build up underneath his cloak. For today he had shifted into the form of a satyr, content with keeping his entire body covered with the cloak as opposed to just a bit.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 10:07 pm
  Leaning against an ancient willow tree was an old soul. Magic tendrils wrapped around the tree and the unitaur which rested against it. Her expression was thoughtful and sad as she allowed the willow leaves to run through her fingers. “Mei-Lin.” The name was more of a soft sigh, a worried mother’s expression on her face. Her great niece had finally been reunited to her, but for the past two seasons she had noticed the growing restlessness and irritability in her. Something some time ago had bothered her niece and being here in this sanctuary of a valley that Avaniswari had made home had not even helped.
And now she was gone. With the approach of summer Avani had known it was coming and so with gentle hints and helpful pushes had watched as her niece left that morning on a quest to try to figure out exactly what it was that was bothering her. She was still worried though…this world despite the war being over centuries ago had many dangers for the few of their kind. And her niece had the blessing and curse of shining the brightest of most.
Humming softly to herself Mei-Lin tried to not look as guilty as she felt about leaving her aunt behind. But something had been bothering the young unitaur of late and she was tired of the irritate feelings she had been getting from sitting around. She missed the freedom of the world…and there was something else. A feeling of missing someone which really created a rift in her chest. Mei-Lin sighed. There was no way that that chance meeting from forever ago was still bothering her. This world shouldn’t be so empty to her. Especially after Avaniswari had finally found her. Shaking her head the unitaur in the guise of a young cervi continued trotting down the forest path.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 10:21 pm
Christian's light steps carried him down the path, and when a strong breeze blew the hood off his head he didn't bother to fix it. The wind felt nice blowing through his hair, lifting the sweaty tendrils off his neck. Still, he stayed as far away from the trees and flowers as possible. They were her territory; he would only destroy them.
Even as he passed by he felt as if the life were being leeched out of the plants, and the flowers visibly wilted. Christian just shook his head and continued on. If luck were on his side he wouldn't find her, wouldn't have to see her on this trip. Where Mei-Lin was concerned, Christian was as confused as a young buck. Some days he even missed her, and it made him angry. Why should he miss her? She was too rash, too open; she would only get him killed!
And yet, the winter seemed all the colder without her.
As he walked, Christian became painfully aware of magic, and as dread coiled in his gut he saw her. She may have looked like a cervi, but that was still the same Uni that he knew.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 10:35 pm
Mei-Lin watched a butterfly flew down the path in front of her. For a moment the young female was like a child as she reached out to it. “Come back friend.” With a small laugh she moved after the bright yellow insect. It was funny that how despite her illusion the butterfly recognized her spirit still and so after spiraling around her face landed calmly on her hand. “I’m jealous.” She whispered softly looking at the beady eyes which looked back at her. “I used to be able to fly without worries like that.” Shaking her hand she watched as the butterfly flew back into the blue sky and towards the fields of flowers decorating the way.
Ears twitching Mei-Lin suddenly noticed a strange presence amongst the natural beauty around her….it was colder and not vibrant like her. Still strong just in a different way. Not a bad way…actually a familiar way. Startled she looked up towards the satyr who was staring back towards her. Could it be? But she just…what was this craziness? “Chr-Christian?” Calming her trembling heart the unitaur clutched her fists at her side.
Don't...just don't...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 15, 2013 11:28 pm
The way she looked with the butterfly was something he had never thought to see. She was usually so defensive around him, if not a bit saddened by his words, but it had always been for the best. In his own way he would keep the two of them alive, even if that meant putting a barrier between them. Still, her laughter warmed his heart. How odd.
As he neared, though, and the butterfly fled, the atmosphere itself seemed to change. Where there had once been one horn, his ears swiveled around two, and his trade mark frown was in place. He wasn't hiding his presence; there was no point in masking it around her, she would find him anyway.
"...Mei-Lin." He said at length, one hand resting passively on the hilt of his sword. His voice was a rough, graveled mess after living so long unused. Christian subconsciously took a step forward, then caught himself, and instead turned himself to walk back the way he came.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:48 am
Mei-Lin stood frozen on the spot. Just hearing her name coming roughly from those lips was enough to shock her. What was this messed up fate? She had just left Avanis to come here...not to run straight into him. But despite her silent protests the fluttering of her heart told another truth. She had wanted to find him. To see him again even if it meant more pain and arguments. Rather than forget that face to see it again...even if it was hidden beneath an illusion.
When he came towards her the unitaur could only stare, her eyes soft with wonderment. For a second there she nearly believed....no. Mei-Lin's gaze snapped back to attention as he turned around. Was he really about to leave again? "No!" The word escaped with a burst as the young unitaur moved forward to grab at his cloak, "Christian! Don't you dare!" She breathed, anger and frustration flushing her cheeks. What was she? A plague to avoid? Her emotions swirled around her disrupting her illusion to for a second reveal the beautiful unitaur beneath the soft features of the cervitaur.
"You were headed this way and cannot be walking away now." Don't you do this to me.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:21 pm
Christian had to force himself not to flee from the scene using magic. It was one of his more preferred tactics when faced with a situation he couldn't solve with the edge of his blade.
His entire body tensed when he felt a tug on his cloak; when he heard her words. Had he really expected anything else? "I'll do what I damn well please," he snapped. The only emotion he was able to express vocally had always been anger, and now it came out ten fold. He turned on her, his cloak twisted around his side. "My purpose for walking has been obtained, and I'm leaving now. Let. Go." Sakes alive, her illusion! As much as it secretly pleased him to see her true self, it scared him as well. What if others saw? Christian's eyes darted around to the trees, looking out for their eyes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 3:26 pm
Mei-Lin normally was one who didn't lose her temper so quickly, but this stubborn headed male often found a way to somehow get under her skin. Every time. It would be a miracle if they could just have an enjoyable encounter...which she couldn't even dare begin to imagine. Could such a dark guy even smile warmly? In her anger the unitaur kept her gaze hard. She was not going to back down this time, "Seriously?" Her hooves dug into the ground stubbornly, "So you just see me and magically already finished your task?" Did that mean that she could just do this to prove something to herself? That way she could go back to being at peace with the world and not feeling so tired and torn all the time?
Her lips turned down, a bit of nervousness and her push to be stubborn. If he could come out and then be so quickly satisfied then she needed her answer before he managed to weasel away again. She was not going to spend another season wondering and worrying about this madness building inside of her. "Fine then. I'll let you go after I answer my own question." Without warning Mei-Lin who had been in his face from anger pressed her lips to his.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:39 pm
Christian rose to the challenge, a low rumbling growl coming up out of his very soul. Why was this woman so damn stubborn?! "Has it ever occurred to you that I loathe your company? Or are you so egoistical that you would think that you're the reason I came this way?" In truth, she really wasn't; he'd been out for a simple walk. But his thoughts had never left her, and seeing her had twisted him up far more than he would have liked.
Then she kissed him.
He shrank away, his body as tense as a coiled snake, but as his illusion faded so did his resistance. When he placed an arm around her hip, his other hand moving up to her hair he resembled a Unitaur once again. She tasted much like what she smelled off; life, flowers, spring and summer. Freedom.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:58 pm
It had occurred in a moment of blind rage and bravery, but what it turned into was something beyond that. In a melody of magic at the feelings blooming inside of her heart the unitaur was revealed to the world as she leaned into his push. The answer she found as she wrapped her arms around his shoulders was not the one she had even expected, but it was far more than what she could have even dared to hope for. It was like finding a part of her that she had never known existed.
He wasn’t death to her. Instead he was a completion of the life and vibrant energy which exploded from her own soul. A shadow to her light. She couldn’t even begin to explain the smoky feeling which flooded her at his touch. His smell, his cool body next to her, his rugged breath, just his everything filled her. Pulling back to breathe the female rested her head on his shoulder and gazed up at him in bewilderment.
Please don’t ever let me go again. The plea was vibrant in her gaze as tears spilled down her cheeks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 10:30 pm
She fit so well against him that it was as if they were meant to be. He dipped his head to get a better angle, snow white hair framing the pale skin of her face. Was this why his sister had left the family, so many years ago? Had she been lucky enough to enjoy a moment like this before her death?
The thought chilled him, and served as a cold reminder of his mission. Christian met her gaze with a look so swamped in torment it was as if he were in chains. I'm sorry. He pushed back away from her, and kept walking until he had a safe distance between them. The darker male wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, and looked at it, almost as if he expected all of the memories to flee with the act. Instead, when he looked at her all he could do was shake his head. "Stop this. It's a fools act!!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 10:43 pm
Mei-Lin felt a perfect bliss which was instantly shattered as Chistian pushed her away from his side. No. Not again. Her plea was silent as she watched him in surprise. She had found her answer and now he was still going to deny it? It shouldn’t have surprised her for him to be so ready to leave her again…but now she was even more confused. Did he really just not feel anything then? No he had to.
His reaction told it all. His tormented look made the unitaur want to reach out to him again, to wrap her arms around him and to let him know that it would be okay. She knew of his fear of losing someone dear, of how hunted their kind was. Always the two of them argued about it. She believed in staying together and to become stronger by supporting one another rather than forever living in the shadows of the world, forever alone. And the feeling that had just surrounded them made that argument even stronger in her heart. “How is it?” She called back her voice rising despite the tears which still were sparkling in her eyes, “You can’t just keep running away every time! Especially now….” She shook her head wildly, her ornaments ringing in the wind.
She took a step forward boldly raising her gaze to search for his, “Don’t you dare tell me that you want me to suffer alone from these feelings because you’re afraid to take a risk.” It was a plea and a taunt, “Even if you feel like we’re too weak to defend ourselves I trust you, Christian. Why can’t you?” Her hands opened out towards him, “How is living in the shadows even living at all? Don’t you feel empty there?” Please, come out into the light. Even if you have to stay as a shadow, be my shadow…
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:04 pm
When would the ache in his chest subside? How long had he lived with it, tamed it, held mastery over it, only to fall ever faster into the dark abyss? To have freedom, and warm so close within his grasp was a cruel temptation that he wouldn't have wished on his most sworn enemies.
He had no choice. Christian knew what he had to do, even if it meant leaving his heart in the fire. "Our enemies mobilize even now, and you..." She would have him exposed. T'were it up to her the two of them would live with that Aunt of hers like simple taurs until the day they were dragged off my the hair on their heads and made to watch one another truly suffer for eternity. He knew they would never be killed; there were far worse punishments. If ripping out her heart now meant saving her from death itself, he would do it with his own hands. She would find another love; surely there was one that would treat her better than he. Then he could watch over her from the shadows, as he was meant to, and keep her safe.
"I took a risk in coming in, and it was a mistake." He hissed. ...I trust you, Christian. Why can't you? How as it possible for words to burn? It felt as if she had physically punched him in the gut. "Why can't you see? Why are you so damn blind?!" I do this for you! Please, just go! "I ceased being part of the living long ago, and am no more than a shadow myself. Cease this folly, Mei-Lin. Please."
He couldn't stay any longer. He had to retreat, he had to get away....With one last look at her, to put her face to memory, Christian's cloak swirled about him, and shifted his body into pure shadow before disappearing all together.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 6:46 pm
Always he was worrying about their “enemies”. Her fists clenched in frustration at the thought. Why was it that something which had occurred centuries ago still had such power over their kind? Would they forever be haunted by the memories and fear of death? She would much rather live happily than spend an eternity in the dark! Even if it was only fated to last a little while because for her the risk was worth taking. “Oh yes such a big risk it was.” Mei-Lin retorted sharply, “And look at all the dangers threatening you for it.” Her gaze sparked with anger as she gestured around to the fields around them where flowers and insects fluttered. “Is everything a naga to you?”
“Don’t say such things…”
But it was already too late. Once more he had turned to the shadows where she could not follow. Her attempt to hold onto the frustration of anger turned weak as she stumbled after where he had stood. Hands reaching out she pressed against a tree as the anger faded into the deep sorrow which had been haunting her ever since meeting him for the first time. “You aren’t dead to me Christian.” She whispered with her cheek pressed against the rough bark, “You can’t be…because I believe I actually…I lo-“ The words were lost as her voice broke into the faintest of sobs. Still clinging to the last image of him in her mind as he had looked at her that one last time the tired and revealed unitaur collapsed next to the tree in defeat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 7:28 pm
 "I took a risk in coming here, and it was a mistake."
“Don’t say such things…”
Xibalba's scouts had picked up on the argument long before her caravan had entered this part of the wood. The last tendrils of the conversation filtered into her ears as she nibbled on what local berries her attendants had found to be edible. She waited some distance away, allowing her magic to aid her in hearing and seeing the two part ways. Some sick part of her felt genuine sympathy for the female; to be left so abruptly must be hard for one so pure. And yet, even though she understood her plight, it didn't make Xibalba's heart any softer. She snapped her fingers, calling three armless and countless other naga to her side within a matter of seconds.
It was almost comical, the size difference between them. She stood a full head taller than the largest among them, and was still considered petite among her breed. Xibalba dipped down between them, keeping a soft eye on the unitaur with the bleeding heart. The poor dear had even started crying; THAT bit she could hear clear as a bell in the hollow forest.
"Split into groups of three; take two armless and however many others you need, but make it fast," she murmured, brushing lengths of her pale hair over one slender shoulder. A hunt had not been in her plans for the day, but when the opportunity arose...."Use the flock if you need to, signal me and I'll call for them. Now, go." Xibalba whispered, casting her hand into the air as her forces moved into formation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
