Aoimoku - -_Wish of Tevarae_-
&
Aischur - Das Tor
Word Count: 1080 (according to Google Docs)
Samhain would be in a little more than a moon-cycle. Aischur bounced about the nightly mists cheerfully, looking to start gathering things for the rituals that would take place on that day, eyes keeping watch for the perfect things to gift to her ancestors and those whose spirits once lived in the pridal lands. She paused in her cheer as she reached a dip in the earth, a deep one that had once held water. Standing water, if the vision that overtook her meant a thing.
A lion drinking from it. That same lion falling ill and dying not long after.
The floods her grandmother and great-aunt had told her about, the floods that had once ravaged their lands...they had been horrible in many, many ways. Aischur shook her head as the vision faded away, and she sighed. "I hope your spirit found peace, brother."
Aoimoku had been up and about, silently wandering around the world that they'd called their own. He loved this world, and with Samhain venturing ever closer, the large male could not help but feel HOPE surging in his chest. For his Pride, for his Love. Sighing in contnent, he'd found himself dipping down into the deep valley of earth that was once a pool, of htis he was sure. Glancing over at the female who was nearby, he trotted to her side, quick to press his nose to her flank. She was distressed.
Aoi didn't like it when his mate was distressed.
Aischur startled a bit and looked to Aoi, smiling slightly. "Hello, dearest." The vision...she remembered something similar, once. It had shaken her just as much, but it had been confusing back then. She'd been only a cub, and now? Now she was full-grown, and understood her powers, the burden and gift that came with being a God's daughter. "I'll be fine. Just...got a reminder that this land once wrestled with strife and disease."
Purring low in his chest, he pressed his flank into the other's side, content to have her near. He really did worry about Aischur sometimes, since his mate tended to have such burdens upon her. The Gods' daughter she might have been, and yet she was still his lovely mate. A beautiful creature come to earth, and now nestled beside him. Licking her ear gently, the mute lion found himself simply closer. He could not give her the words most could. To be honest, Aoimoku found it almost more of a blessing.
"Your silence is comforting, dearest." She leaned into him, grateful for his soft bulk. Aoi was truly a blessing to her, a steady rock when she needed it. "Just having you nearby helps, especially when the more troubling visions wash over me." She'd had those before. The ones that came on her like a flash flood, robbed her of her senses and drowned her in nothing but the painful past, death, and sorrow.
A low, rumbling purr moved through him, as he tried to at least say something. His tongue moved like lead, andno sound came from him. How he wished he could say something to her. No, The Gods had seen fit to do otherwise. In lieu, he licked her ear again, knowing his fur and muscle were soft, a comfortable place to rest. It was something he was grateful for. Aischur seemed to like it, which was nice. As long as his mate was happy with him. It was all that mattered. Here, at least, there was love abounding. The Pride was beginning to flourish beautifully.
His purr made her look up, her smile growing before it slipped a little when he tried to talk. "Dearest...don't try to force it. If the Gods see that you need your voice, they'll give it to you. Perhaps you never will need it. You have a skill that few have." She nudged him. "Where words may fail the rest of us, because of differing languages or a hearing impairment, you can communicate with anyone. Because what you say does not rely on words. It relies on the things universal to us all."
A soft huff of a sigh moved from him, watching her with those blue eyes. It frustrated him sometimes, honestly. Not being able to say how much he loved her, all the things that he thought, and imagined. He could not speak the things that ran through his mind, so he had to convey them through his touch. Nuzzling her at her neck, he tried to press forwards the intent. That he adored her, that he wanted her to know that she was his stars and moon, that his heart had been hers for far longer than could be conveyed.
"I know." Aischur nuzzled him again, letting go of a content sigh. "You mean the world to me, as well. You are the Father Earth to my Mother Moon." He was her steadiness, her heart, her dearest one. And she hoped that all the Maidens after her were so lucky to have a Suitor like Aoimoku, who was steady at their side and beloved in their heart. "I don't think I can imagine a life without you, Aoi."
The male couldn't help it. A rumble rose from low in his chest, and he playfully licked her nose. She was perfect for him. Truly a light so soft and perfect as the moon's own, and it showed in the way she moved and spoke. The perfect Maiden...And one day, a perfect Mother. He would be proud to follow her into the ends of the Abyss and back, no matter what it took. He could not imagine a moment without her, and knew that even in death, the two of them would share. The purr now vibrated his entire self, which he pressed so close as their forms would allow. His Aischur. His love and his life.
A giggle escaped her throat, and she pulled away a bit. "Come on. Let's go find some things to set aside for tributes come Samhain!" There were always things: flowers they could dry, stones that seemed to shine from within, and bits of wood and bone that made perfect jewelry.
Yes! Let them find gifts for the Gods and the spirits of the Dead! They would enjoy it. Yes! Within a moment, he'd bounded from her, trotting down the slope and into the dip. His paws dug into earth, searching for anything that could make pretty offerings.
