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 Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 12:20 pm
Tatenda listened to her answers as he groomed, being very good at the task being half bird and half feline. Not a drop or speck of snow clung to the sandy fur of his friend. It was good to hear that things were well on her end, even if their frequency was low. Guess the winter did more than just be cold. "I'm glad they're doing well." Short ears shot up suddenly, and Tatenda glanced to the side curiously. He knew he had heard something, almost like a crunch. His frame jumped slightly when he found the source of the noise, as another snow pile dropped from some tree branches. At least it was from a tree further away that couldn't reach them. "Eh...I can't wait till the leaves return."
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Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 6:16 pm
Aether saw Tatenda's ears shoot up at about the same time she noticed him turning to the side. About to ask what was wrong, she was startled by another huge clump of snow falling from a tree about ten feet away. While they were not hit by the snow, it reminded her of winter's frozen perils. Glancing up at their own tree, she silently hoped that it would not decide to drop its load on those seeking shelter below it. The tree limbs covered in snow as well as the gray sky seemed to loom ominously. Cringing a bit, curled closer to Tatenda, her source of warmth. Hearing his wistful comment, she replied, "Me too. At least then we won't have to worry about being knocked down by what the trees can drop on us." Aether glanced up again, searching for any sign of weaking branches or falling snow.
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Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:42 am
The male turned back to Aether when he felt her shuffle closer against him. Then he too peeked up at their own tree above them. It was also covered in snow, but it didn't seem heavy enough to drop ontop of them. Or so he hoped, and if it did, he'd be sure to get his friend away from the target spot quickly. He flashed a smile back to Aether, nuzzling her nearest ear. "I promise, those trees won't lay a flake on you." Not while he was around. "But yes, and imagine all the flowers and grass to come with the leaves! Then you can really play hide and see." And he'd be the one to stand out more in the bright colors, unless he hid in a shady tree.
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Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:46 pm
Aether smiled as Tatenda nuzzled her ear, murmuring softly, "Thank you." She nuzzled back, liking the feeling of the fluffy fur on her own soft nose. She listened to his description of how spring blossomed forth from the very soul of the icy winter season, sighing as her mind pictured the luminous flowers and lush grass that so clearly complimented her own pastel coat. "Yes, it will be wonderful to see the seasons change again." Leaning into her companion, Aether was distinctly aware of how their bodies fit together. She wondered vaguely if this was what true friendhship felt like. While not as solidary as Tatenda, the female did not have many close friends. She was very involved in her adopted family and knew other ulaya, but did not always interact with such individuals as often or as intimately as with Tatenda. She did not want to end this moment, sitting with him while the snow fell from the trees surrounding them. It felt... perfect. From these confusing question and emotions a question finally sprang forth. "Tatenda, what does love feel like?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 10:43 pm
Tatenda fluffed his fur, much like a bird may do to his feathers when feeling proud. Though it was a quite feeling that he wasn't even aware of. He smiled lightly at Aether's tone of voice, a sort of dreamy calm as she thought of the spring to come. It was much better than the rigid and harsh winter around them. "Heh, I agree." He did miss the warm sun. And it would mean more time for him to spend with Aether, playing games and having fun. Not that he didn't mind just resting and keeping warm with the other either.
The ulaya took this quiet moment to close his eyes, and just enjoy his peace. It wasn't often he got to spend time with another. And with how many other ulaya wanted to stalk and hunt him, friends were a rare chance. Tatenda rested his cheek on Aether's head gently, just so relaxed in this moment. So much so that he almost missed the female's question. "Hmm?" Eyes opened from their half sleep and widened when he put the sentence together. "L..love?" That's the first time ever he said the word aloud, and it made his face warm and blush. He ducked his head in the other direction, trying to hide his reaction. "I...I'm not sure actually. Like you, I didn't grow up with parents, so I'm not too sure how or what it's supposed to look like."
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Posted: Tue Jan 15, 2008 8:18 pm
((Sorry for the delay...My teachers have buried me in homework over the past few days. ^^; ))
She listened carefully to his response, nodding slightly. Aether's eyes didn't appear focused; her thoughts and 'sight' was internally focused. She had been wondering about the meaning of love often recently, especially different kinds of love. It seemed that, as spring approached, she had heard more and more females commenting on those they 'loved.' The young female had overheard two specific bubbly individuals discussing their male companions only a few days before. She had been suprised and had turned her attention to such questions of love. Specifically, would anyone ever love her?
Aether saw Tatenda blush at her question. He seemed to be avoiding her eyes, as if embarrassed to be discussing such a topic. She immediately felt guilty, hoping that she had not made him too uncomfortable. Feeling that she owed her friend an explanation she said, "I have just been wondering about it for awhile. All those I meet seem to connect thoughts of love with springtime and mating. Even as they long for warmer weather, they also long for loved ones." She paused, considering her own life experiences so far and how much she still had to learn about the world around her. "I don't understand how they feel. This, in turn, brings about a sense of emptiness within me. It seems that I have...missed something." Aether scrunched up her face, feeling that she was not conveying her thoughts properly.
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Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 7:40 am
(no worries deary) ^__^
Lowering his ears, Tatenda glanced down to the female leaning against him, absorbing her moment of silence. He could tell she was deep in thought by the darkening of her eyes, and he didn't want to interupt her. Despite how curious he was, and anxious because of the tense pause. He hoped he hadn't upset her in any way. But..he had given her the best answer he could at the moment. Was she still pondering that topic? The ulaya blinked out of his own reverie, finding his nose had rested softly ontop Aether's head as he waited for her to finally speak.
Been wondering it for awhile? He listened politely to her spoken thoughts. Friends relating love with a change in weather? Well...yes. He had noticed that as well. With flowers blooming each year, it seemed ulaya paired off most fruitfully in that time. And to see such relationships, whenever Tatenda would risk walking by the other ulaya, it would make his chest swell with an untold emotion. But what was it? Ruby eyes blinked suddenly, and he adjusted to look Aether in the face. "Please. Please don't feel sad. Or empty." And he smiled softly, nudging against the side of her face. "I'm sure whatever you're missing, you'll find it when you're ready. I'll even help you look for it, if it makes you happy." But...something inside Tatenda was nagging him. But he told it to hush, not wanting to be selfish or rude.
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Posted: Wed Jan 16, 2008 10:03 pm
Aether smiled at Tatenda's sincere and selfless words, curling up close to him again as she did so. Her golden eyes glowed with their own inner light, giving emphasis to the feelings that she could not express. Only this companion could quell her darkest fears and banish her sorrowful thoughts. Only he could replace such gloomy dispositions with warmth, like the sun breaking gloriously through the clouds of her own stormy day. "Thank you," she whispered while her face was nudged. She paused in speaking in order to nuzzle back. "I will try my best not to be sad or empty...for you. I will do so for you, if it will make you happy." That mirroring of their responses almost went unnoticed by Aether. Didn't friendship involve wanting to make that friend completely happy by any means necessary? Such centering on Tatenda's emotional state brought to her attention a discrepany in his behavior. Speaking slowly while hoping that she was not mistaken, Aether asked, "Is something bothering you?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:45 am
A soft smile came as Aether drew nearer, Tatenda curling his form to her side as much as he could to make a comfortable corner. And it was only then that he finally did realize the cold air on his opposite side, remembering where they were. It made him wish spring was all the faster to come. His face pinkened slightly as he thought of the other things spring represented too, but now with more...clarity? More meaning?
It was Aether's nuzzle and voice that pulled the male back to the present, and his eyes glanced back curiously to hers. "F...for me?" But, Tatenda couldn't understand why. He had said those things for her alone, and it baffled him how easily she reversed the endearment. And yet...he felt touched by her kindness. A kindness he felt he wasn't living up to, wasn't deserving. Tatenda clenched his jaw, burying his face in the fur of Aether's neck to hide his troubled eyes. Must he really answer? ....Yes. "I...I'm sorry Aether. I don't know what I'm thinking, but, I'm being a horrible friend." He peeked up at the other, hoping she'd understand and not shun him. "I want what's best for you. For you to find happiness. But in the same moment....I don't want you to leave." He didn't want to let her go. And he was too distraught to see that his emotions were being misread, that he was mistaking selfishness for something else.
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:18 pm
Aether glanced down at her friend as he buried his face in her neck. It felt nice and warm to her, but she intuitively knew that the emotions driving such an action were not positive ones. About to voice her concern and emphasize her questions again, her sensitive ears picked up his distraught words. Such phrases stunned her, silencing any comforting interjections she would otherwise have thought of. The first true feeling that broke through the haze of shock was utter and total confusion. Tatenda thought he was a bad friend? Sensing the pain in Tatenda's voice, Aether finally regained enough control to respond.
"Oh Tatenda," she murmured, her voice soothing quiet. "You aren't a bad friend at all. You have always been so wonderful to me. I love being around you, spending time with you." She bent down, taking advantage of his peeking face to gently lick his cheek. Then wrapping around him, she continued her serene comments. "I'm glad that you want me to be happy. But, for me, being happy means being around you." A sunny smile broke out on her face as she finished, "I guess that means that we feel the same, want the same thing. I don't want to leave either."
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:35 pm
Tatenda clenched his jaw tightly, his face feeling warm again. But this time it didn't feelt good. It stung with embarrassment. Males weren't expected to acts so, so emotional and weak. But he couldn't help it. He felt overwhelmed and choking. Now, he was viewing spring more as a time for his dear friend to leave than anything else. Tatenda didn't want it anymore. He'd rather be here, in winter with Aether.
Brown face shook in denial to her words of comfort. He may act wonderful, but his thoughts could be so selfish. Eyes widened when she licked his burning cheek, ears shooting up to her words. Did she say love? But, what did she mean? Tatenda glanced at her lightly, forcing himself to calm down. She...she didn't want to leave either? She was happy around him? He gave a lopsided smile, closing his eyes bashfully. "I guess that's the power of friendship. Having same wants and needs?" Dare he say what was choking him up? Even if he didn't know the words, would it get the jitters out of his tummy? Would Aether...be mad at him?
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:45 pm
Aether felt relief flood her as she saw Tatenda calm down, preventing himself from hyperventilating. His smile made her heart soar, solidifying her belief in his improved state. Despite his admission of the power of their friendship, Aether could almost sense that he held something back even now. Perhaps he did not speak of what it was because he himself was not sure of the intent or consequences? She hoped so. She hoped that the reason was not that he didn't trust her. Aether's heart sunk at that thought, but forced her cheerful nature to push such discomfort away for her friend's sake. She was not sure if she should ask Tatenda about what he had not told her. That had triggered a substantial amount of pain last time. She hesitated, then decided to speak. "Is there anything else wrong? You can tell me; I swear that I won't be angry." Her eyes gazed into his, conveying her sincerity. "I want to be here for you, always."
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Posted: Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:54 pm
The male continued to glance at Aether. It stunned him, how easily she could stay calm and help him. How she'd mask any of her own thoughts while comforting others. But right now, at this moment, Tatenda needed to glimpse her own feelings. Moreso than the words that bloomed from her mouth. As much as he adored those too.
"Aether." His paws rubbed themselves together nervously. The tuffs of his ears fell out of sight as his ears lowered, him considering her question. And then he took a deep breath, in and out. Everything would be okay, in the end. With a small wave of determination, Tatenda leaned down and for the briefest moment rested his lips on Aether's. It was...nice. Calming. But just as suddenly, he pulled back, turning his eyes off to the side. His cheeks were as red as tomatoes.
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:27 pm
Her ears perked up as Tatenda said her name. His nervous gestures had her on edge too. Would he tell her what was wrong? She tilted her head to the side as he took his deep breaths. Aether suposed it was better than hyperventilating, but it still worried her. About to tell Tatenda that he need not tell her what was bothering him if it made him even more uncomfortable, she was quite unexpectedly stopped. Tatenda's mouth had gently settled on her own. All of the female's thougths stopped; for a moment, she forgot to breathe.
Her lungs started up again as Tatenda pulled away, looking as if his head was radiating heat with how red his face was. With the renewed production of her respiratory system, Aether's mind regained its vitality. Her thoughts formed a wave that raced through her, bringing a torrent of emotions with them. That wave soon passed, seemingly sweeping away all feelings and leaving her mind blank except for one thought. That was nice. Leaning forward, she nudged Tatenda's red cheek, turning his face toward hers. Catching his eyes with her own, she smiled. This time, it was Aether who moved forward to press their noses and then lips together in the gentlest of kisses.
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Posted: Sun Jan 20, 2008 8:45 pm
How could he do that?? Already his mind was catching up with what just happened, berating him for his actions. It didn't help any that he couldn't really regret doing so. But he should have asked, not just bothered Aether with his random actions. What if she didn't even want that? Or had....had been wanting it from someone else? Ruby eyes clenched shut to that thought. Could she really? Though, if that did make her happy, then...
His thoughts shut up and eyes shot open again to the nudge. It left him perfectly paralyzed, waiting for whatever fate his friend felt he deserved. His tongue was too tied to apologize quickly, and he tried to keep his eyes diverted. That is until she turned his face herself, and the turkey ulaya dropped his ears like a troubled puppy. But wait....she was smiling? And her cool nose was suddenly pressed to his, making him dizzy with the different temperatures. Then...she was kissing him. She was kissing him! His feathers stood on end and the male just...sat there, speechless and in a sort of high. He must be dreaming..
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