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 Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 7:34 am
Gone. Her family was gone. Nothing left of them but memories.
It was the hardest way she found out, but China had traveled back to her family's den, waited for 2 days, before dragging herself back to the Pridelands. They never came, nor would they. The adolescent thought hard, trying to wonder what had happened to them.
Had they abandoned her to find what lay over the baking desert? Had they thought she was rotten enough to leave and forget? ... No, of course not. She loved her family with every cell in her, and they loved her just the same.
Chinara leapt on top of a boulder, sighing with relief as her feet were given a chance to rest. Thankfully, she was just in time to watch the sun rise. As the large ball of light and fire rose, giving everything a rosy glow to it, she continued thinking more about her family. Her father... a large black male with orange and white bands... Her mother, an amber color with black markings all over her, as well. And her brother, a pure black adolescent with a few white bands. How could so much black leave her so... so plain?
Laying her head down, the adolescent couldn't help but shed a few tears over her family. Perhaps they didn't leave, but perhaps they were dead. And here she was, laying on a rock, crying like a cub.
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:44 am
Ezeoha could not believe he was up so early. Light was yet to touch the farthest reaches of the sky, and he swore he could see a few tiny stars glittering above him. Usually the adolescent would sleep in, as if purposefully avoiding the rest of his family. His timing was still well, he hadn't woken his mother and hadn't had to face a grumpy Baakir. Everything was all right this morning, and he couldn't help but take in a deep breath of air, his chest swelling as if with pride that such a wonderful morning was in his presence.
Today would be the perfect day to start up some minor flirtations with a few pretty ladies...
His red eyes scanned the distance, focusing on the bit of light that touched the sky. He was rarely up in time to watch the sunrise, and he thought he'd enjoy it. The light spanned out, slowly but with a calculated beauty. Ezeoha could respect that, could cherish it and smile in its presence. His gaze turned away briefly, and he continued down the trail he had set himself upon.
That was when he noticed Chinara, and that was also when he realized that he had not spoken to her in awhile. Now would be the perfect time to open up with some flir- Ezeoha wasn't stupid. His red eyes narrowed at the sight of her, focusing on the almost imperceptible tear drops. She was crying, and all ideas of flirting was cast aside. Chinara was sad and she needed comfort, and Ezeoha was a loveable lion once you got past the shameless flirtations. Slowly he walked over to the boulder, putting his two front paws on it so he could stand up and be level with her. With something like a purr he nuzzled his head into her shoulder to get her attention, and greeted her with a warm and comforting, "hello."
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 9:51 am
A loud hiccup came from Chinara as Eze greeted her, trying to comfort her. She whipped her head around, using a paw to wipe the tears away. "E-e... Ezzy?!" she said, a bit dumbfounded. He looked... g.. great!
She lay upright, looking up to him as if nothing had happened. "H-how are you?" she started shakily. China felt her cheeks grow hot as she glanced at the lion. This was that scrawny cub who tried to flirt with her when they were both much younger! Except now.. he had a mane. And he was taller. And not to mention he was being quite comforting to her. "I haven't s-seen you in a while," she said, sniffling a bit.
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:06 am
Ezeoha smiled charmingly at her, glad to see that he was not getting a negative response. She even seemed to be trying to get rid of her tears. "The one and only," he replied, though his tone was lacking something... Oh, he wasn't flirting. That was it! When his friend was distressed, though she was indeed an attractive female, he would not permit himself to flirt with her unless it would cheer her up... He could put off flirting for later, when she was in a better mood and would be more willing to accept his advances.
His smiled widened just a little bit when he spotted her looking at him with surprise. He could only guess what was going on in her mind... But, he wouldn't. Now wasn't the time, and he seemed to have to tell himself that a lot. "I am fine, and it possibly my own fault that you have not seen much of me." He craned his head to rub his cheek against hers. She needed someone to talk to, someone to let her emotions show in front of. She was trying to stop being sad, he could tell. "But, I do not think things are well with you. Is there anything I can do to make you feel better?" His red eyes softened with concern and affection. He really did want to make her feel better.
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 10:15 am
The adolescent couldn't help but nuzzle Ezeoha back, already starting to feel better. He seemed to know how to please a female, and be a good friend at the same time.
"Oh, m-me?" she said, sniffling once more. "I-I'm fine, really. Just.. s-some allergies.." China looked away for a while, a few minutes' silence finally resting in. Could she tell her friend about what had happened to her family?
China finally looked up to him again. "Ezeoha, you're my o-only friend in the Pridelands, and I really do enjoy your company. B-but lately, I've felt... lonely.." he said, her voice dropping to a whisper. "My f-family.. remember when I told your grandmother, Sarabi, that my family would come to join me? ... Well.. th-they.... aren't coming.."
The adolescent felt tears already falling like rain to the dry, stony boulder, and finally she broke down and leaned against the adolescent, her body shaking with every sob and cry. Obviously she didn't want to do that, but the weight of knowing your family was either dead or near death was too much to handle.
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 11:10 am
As she couldn't help but nuzzle him back, Ezeoha couldn't help but purr at the contact. He was tempted to cuddle up right next to her and spend the morning doing some interesting things, but he knew better. He forced himself settle with a final nuzzle, his well-groomed mane framing her face for an instant before he pulled his face back and away.
"I know you well enough to know that you do not suffer from allergies," he told her softly, not daring to scorn her, but certainly daring to remind her that she could not hide what was going on from him. Ezeoha was here to help, and once his mind was set on something, it didn't falter away from its task.
Her only friend? How could this be? Chinara was a loveable and sweet female, how could she be lacking friends in the lands that she lived in? He swore he was going to have to go out and find her some before she became even sadder. "Yes, I remember that," he said softly, not allowing pity to fall into his voice. He had a feeling that Chinara would not appreciate him pitying her. All she wanted was a friend right now, someone to talk to, she did not need his pity.
The news stung him a little. He had always had his family, whether he wanted them or not. Ezeoha did not ask how Chinara knew they weren't coming, it was pointless to ask. His heart tore to see his friend crying, and with an effort he jumped up onto the boulder with her. Comfortingly he rested his head at the back of her neck, feeling her salty tears drip onto his pelt. He did not mind. Ezeoha was a stickler for cleanliness, but Chinara needed him, and he did not care if he got dirty. "It's alright, China, I'm here and I'll be the family that you want. I may not be related to you... But I heard from a rogue that his mother considered her close friend a sister, and if you want, I'll be your little brother."
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 11:24 am
At Eze's reassurance, the last little sobs and hiccups began to fade away, giving China time to soak in what he had told her. "I-I don't think you could b-be my little brother, E-eze.." she choked out, looking up at him. A smile crept onto her face, before she turned away to wipe the tears and such from her eyes.
Now, the sun was just barely over the horizon, and China sat to watch it with awe. "Our family was always up to watch the sun rise... but I was the last, seeing as I had to sleep more.." she chuckled, looking down at the boulder for a moment. "We always did everything together..."
Eze seemed oddly... kinder and more of a friend than she could imagine. "E-eze... I-I was wondering..." Chinara started softly. "H-have you ever thought of... raising a family?" Wait. She had to add something, not trying to come off as desperate. "I mean, hypothetically speaking, of course."
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 11:36 am
He smiled softly, feeling her calm down, especially feeling the tears eventually stop falling. Ezeoha had done what he wanted to do. He had calmed her down, had been the friend he liked to be. There was no way he could ignore a sad Chinara, and he was glad he managed to come across her. What would've happened if she had been left on her own? She'd probably be crying for hours, and it would hurt his heart to know that. "Why not?" He said, raising his head so she could see his goofy smile. "I am younger than you..."
His attention drifted from Chinara to the sun's rising, watching with minute fascination as the sky began to change colors. He did this rarely enough, and it made him even happier that he was here at this moment. "Well, now you're the first, because I can assure you, I sleep in all the time, and this morning you were certainly awake before me."
Ezeoha was nearly startled out of his own skin, but he gave no signs of it. Where had that question come from? He looked at her with kind eyes, trying to figure out what was going on in her mind. She did not seem desperate to him at all, and the extra comment only seemed to make him smile a little. Chinara could be adorable when she least realized it. "Of course I have. I may not be on the best of terms with my own family, but that doesn't help me from dreaming of having my own." This was Ezeoha she was speaking to, and what was on his adolescent mind most of the time was having children. "I want to be a father someday." He concluded, looking almost wistful... It would be wonder to have children, to have their joy surrounding him like a warm blanket.
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 11:52 am
China chuckled a bit, knowing his mind and his thoughts. "Of course..." she said smoothly, before licking a paw and dragging it over her face to groom it.
"Who did you have in mind for a mate, Ezzy?" She turned ever-so-slightly, now actually curious as to whom he wanted to mate with. This oughta be a good laugh! she thought, continuing to groom herself. She definitely didn't want to look like she'd been doing.. things.. with Eze, even if he was her friend. Finally, she turned to face him, smiling brightly.
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:03 pm
He did not bother to groom himself, deciding that there'd be time for that later. Chinara's tears were still fresh on his pelt, and though he was itching to clean it, he figured Chinara would not appreciate the gesture. "Of course," he concluded, as if drawing to a close that part of the conversation.
But, 'lo and behold, Chinara managed to surprise him again! His eyes grew wide as he stared at her, and his mind thought quickly over what to do. He could lie and say someone else... But that would put her off. She wouldn't want to be with him when he showed interest in other females. But, yet again, if he told her what he wanted she could get freaked out and never wish to be with him. It was a gambling situation, and Ezeoha wasn't all that good at gambling. He stared at her for a good long minute, and it almost seemed as if he wouldn't reply.
"You."
It was the truth, clearly spoken so she would not mistake his words. His red eyes gazed kindly at her, and for a minute there flickered worry in them. She would surely reject him... This was too straight-forward for Ezeoha. He usually relied on cunning, not on being blunt.
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:32 pm
As Eze spoke the one word she never would have expected to hear, her eyes widened as big as grapefruits. "M-me!?" she squeaked, turning to fully face him. By now, her face was a salmon color, her cheeks fully flushed. "B-b-but.. wh-why?! .. h-how.. I-I don't g-get.. wh-who.." She stumbled over her words, trying to come up with a question.
She knew Eze liked to tease and flirt with her, but who knew he wanted to be her mate?! Usually, he would've been suave and gently lay it on her. Instead, he was straight-forward, as if he'd made up his mind. In the meantime, Chinara turned back, trying to think. "I-I don't know what to.. s-say.. or f-feel.." she admitted, ears lowering shyly.
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:44 pm
It wasn't rejection.
Thank the gods that it wasn't rejection he faced from Chinara.
He smiled gently at her, as if trying to make her feel like her reaction to such news was over the top. "Yes, you," he purred, couldn't help it. What else could he do to convince her to be his? He had placed the truth bluntly at her door, now all she had to do was either reject or accept him. He was sure there were plenty of other females out there in the world that he could get to, and being rejected by one wouldn't hurt his feelings too much... Well, it would, but he wouldn't show.
"You're sweet, you're kind, you're cute, and I know you'd be a good mother to any cubs you had." He explained, nuzzling his head against her shoulder gently, his purring becoming louder and more noticeable. He had said it, and it was good to get it out finally.
She turned back to face him, and he nuzzled his cheek against hers, trying to woo her, trying to show her that he would be a good mate, or at least trying to get her hormones all jiffied up so she couldn't force herself to reject his advances. "Then don't say anything, and take the time to sort out your feelings. I can wait."
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:53 pm
As Eze nuzzled her cheek, it made her harder to think. He definitely was trying to woo her.. the sad thing is, it was working. Really well. He was being so kind, he even said he would wait for her! But still..
"I-I don't know, Ezeoha.." she finally said, feeling the soft, tingling vibrations from his purrs. Imagine her, with a belly the size of Mt. Kilimanjaro! What kind of looks would she get?! Surely his parents and grandparents wouldn't find it brillant. "B-but.. i-if you... promise.. you'll never leave me." She turned to face him, eyes looking stern and hard at him. Finally, they softened. "Y-you're all I've got in this world.." She leaned against him gently, looking teary-eyed once more.
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 12:59 pm
Ezeoha knew no shame when it came to flirting and wooing, but he seemed to be keeping himself under control. His hormones were becoming all excited and all he wanted to do was make the babies NOW. But, he would scare her, and then she wouldn't want him. He had to be patient, had to be sure that she wanted him before moving on to the next step.
She was talking to him, and honestly, he was listening... He was just a little preoccupied with rubbing his head underneath her chin and licking her maw gently. Gods, he hadn't flirted this badly before, but it seemed to be working. At least Chinara seemed to be caving in, he couldn't be sure. He stopped his shameless flirtations to stare seriously at her. He knew when it was time to be serious, and now was one of those times. She didn't want to be left behind, and he couldn't possibly think about doing that. If he really was all he had... it'd be evil to leave her.
"I promise I'll never leave you, Chinara, I swear it," he assured her, his voice strong but warm.
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Posted: Sat Sep 02, 2006 1:05 pm
Chinara nodded, getting a bit more comfortable as she leaned fully against him. Now, she trusted him more than ever. "I know you'll be a good father.." she said quietly, before tilting her head up to his, to give him a lick directly on his maw. She herself had never done this, causing her cheeks to turn red once more.
But it felt right. She had given Ezeoha her complete trust and faith in him, and hopefully he would do the same for her.
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