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 Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:23 am
A few days laterEvening, it was usually evening when Remus came to visit here, Ember thought, his eyes straying to the door once more before he pulled his gaze back away. He was being foolish. Sure, it was true that he hoped his friend would be here tonight, but he was acting sort of desperate, waiting and watching like that, wasn't he? He didn't want Remus to think he was desperate, even if he was. With a sigh, he flicked his tails boredly. He almost wished he'd brought Yrre along, if only for entertainment. But the kit had taken to running off whenever Ember took him anywhere, and he wasn't up to a game of hide-and-chase tonight. Remus was nervous. In his mind he wondered if it was a good idea to even be out so close to the change, much less plan on giving Ember the map before hand. It would make telling him he could not come for a few days even more awkward. If nothing else, we wanted to explain to his friend that he would not be around headquarters -or any where else- during that time. Opening the door, Remus immediately felt eyes upon him. Jerking his head upright he spotted Ember watching the door. He brightened dimly & trotted over. "Good evening, Ember." "Evening, Remus!" Ember echoed, happily getting to his feet. As if to answer his thoughts, here Remus was in front of him! For a moment, his eyes narrowed as the niggling notion that his thoughts were being read passed fleetingly through his mind. This made him especially uneasy, worse than other things even, though he didn't know why. But he swiftly dismissed the thought as foolish paranoia and beamed at his friend once more. "How are you this evening?" he asked enthusiastically, nearly bouncing in his eagerness to please the other. "Well, I hope?" "I am well, I suppose. Though I fear something will come upon me the next few days." It was not really a lie -in fact it was the truth- but Remus detested the deception none-the-less. "It is fortuitous that we are both here. I was hoping to see you before..." He paused, his troubled state of mind evident on his features. "Before I am unreachable for a few days." "Oh! The map." He pulled it out once more. "I've been having the damnedest time trying to get this to you." Remus' grin at that was more natural. Unreachable? Ember couldn't help a disappointed pout from crossing his face before he forced himself to smile, nodding. Of course, Remus had other things to tend to, other friends to visit with..he couldn't be expected to spend all his time with Ember. Turning his attention back to the present, he automatically took the map, opening it up to look at it. "Whatever would I need a map for..?" he asked curiously, looking back up at Remus in confusion. "I...I mean, I apprecia- thank you." Remus wondered at the pout, but could not bring himself to comment. He did not feel comfortable talking about his condition. Truth was, he was frightened Ember would not wish to be Remus' friend should he know. He was ashamed. Forcing himself beyond that Remus smiled, a slight twinkle in his eye. "Why to visit my home, of course. Don't tell me you've forgotten." Remus gave him a sad & slightly forlorn look, a mix of natural emotion & joke. With her head held high, Nari trotted into the main room. She had seen her sister for the first time in days, so her mood was good. Carrying only her fan tucked into her obi, she made her way to the couch and hopped up onto the cushions before looking around hte room. Seeing Ember and Remus, she smiled softly, but made no movement towards them - Ember didn't seem to care for her much. Ember winced at Remus's forlorn-ness, and guiltily shuffled a bit. He hadn't forgotten, he'd just thought that when Remus had invited him it had been something one would say, but not actually mean. As Remus looked slightly sad, though, Ember did the first thing that came to mind and reassuringly nuzzled against him. "Course I haven't forgotten," he replied, stepping back as he realized he might have overstepped some boundries. Not everybody liked being touched as much as he did, he scolded himself, especially by him. Idiot. "When...when will you be back, for me to visit?" Remus Noticed Nari's entrance -how could he not?- but gave her little more than a nod of acknowledgement seeing her wisdom in not interrupting. Wise, after the way Ember growled at her the last time. Remus still did not comprehend that. He did not resist the nuzzling, accepting it with quiet grace even if he was rather unfamiliar with affection from ones outside his family. "I've a few more days yet. Before I... should not go out. It is better to get the map to you sooner. I won't be away exactly..." Though away could describe it -at least as far as his mind was concerned. "I'm simply not well when the moon is full." He winced, fearing he said too much. Sometimes it was to easy to speak to his friend. "You're welcome to visit any other time but those days. I fear it's something of a recurring condition. I'm not fit company then." That was an understatement. Seeing Remus's nod, she inclined her own head and waved a paw. She would wait until Ember had left.. if he left before Remus did. Ember saw Remus's nod, no matter how small, and looked to see who he was nodding to. When he saw Nari there, his ear drooped slightly in disappointment, but he smiled and nodded to her as well. No point in being rude; she hadn't done anything wrong. Remus had accepted his comforting, but had said nothing- and that worried Ember more than if he'd pushed Ember away. He didn't know what his friend was thinking, whether he was disgusted or pleased or merely indifferent. probably too distracted by Nari, a bitter part of his brain whispered, and his ear drooped further. "I, uhm...I could bring you soup and stories?" he offered as Remus mentioned he was unwell when the moon was full. It had to be horrible, being sick so much. But had he just offered stories to Remus? Remus had a library to himself, he didn't need Ember's stories..."I- that is, if...if you want me to, I mean I know you can..I mean, I'm sorry. Sorry." Remus was both relieved & worried with Ember's offer of comforting ill-health cures. Relieved, because Ember had not it seemed drawn conclusions to his true condition; worried, because now he had to find a way to keep Ember from wanting to help without hurting his friend's sensitive feelings. He sighed. "I wish you could, for that sounds wonderful. Unfortunately, I may see no one during those days. No matter what I may want. Even Chroma is not permitted near, though she knows & understands little more than I am away." "Or at least she used to." He added lower & under his breath, realizing that his dear sister's relationship would leave little room for her to worry about Remus; or to even notice he was gone. Louder he went on. "Please, do not apologize. I am honored that you would care enough to offer." His smile was soft, reassuring, & fully honest. Nari blinked, then waved a paw at Ember as well before pulling out a small book and sticking her nose into it - glancing up occasionally at the pair. Ember frowned, nervously shifting his weight from one foot to the other and ducking his head so his hair fell forward. That was awful, that he didn't even get to see his sister during that time when he was sick. How terribly lonesome her must get... "I wish I could visit..." he murmured sadly, "I'll...I'll miss you." he admitted sheepishly, looking up at Remus from behind his hair. "Could...c-could I write you letters, or something? It must be terrible, to be sick and all alone, for so long..." "I wish you could too." Remus sighed. "For I will miss both your company & conversation." It was meant to reassure but it was the truth too. He blinked. "Letters?" The thought had not occurred to him. In his few lucid moments during the day he supposed he could read letters. "Why I never thought of that. I suppose so. During the day. Trelweny could get a letter to me with my lunch." Midday was his most aware time of day during the changes. Remus made a mental note to mention to his human this possibility. He practically beamed at the thought, the more he tumbled it around in his head. To have some sort of contact! Why it would be almost as good as his memories of Hogwarts days when his friends became animagi for him. "That's a wonderful idea, Ember! Thank you!" In an uncharacteristic display of affection, Remus gave him the equivalent of a kitsu hug. Ember froze for a moment, unsure of himself and what to do. He was usually the one offering contact, not other kitsu. But it was nice, he decided, returning the affectionate guesture happily. "Of...of course." He nodded, grinning goofily. "I'll write you nice long letters- if you promise to read them, and write me back." He really hoped Remus would write him back- he knew otherwise he'd get far too paranoid that he was being laughed at, or his letters simply being ignored. "I'll do my best." He was grinning like a fool but he did not care. "I promise to read them, though my responses might be short & I do not know what my penmanship will be like in that state." Like those memory years of Hogwarts in the other 'life' it was as if his curse was not quite so bad. Even the hope of a break in the loneliness had that power. "Ember, you have no idea how much this means to me." Had Ember not been covered in fur, he would have been blushing right about now. "I-...I-...They're j-just letters, Remus." he replied, but was pleased nonetheless. He loved making people happy. Giving a soft purr of contentment as well as amusement, he grinned. "And I expect you to read them all." he added boldly, smiling shyly, "I won't write them if you're not going to read them..." "Oh, I most certainly will read them." Remus felt giddy. "It's only for three days you know. Well, three days a month." He chuckled, not really paying full attention to what he said for a change. "It will be a new thing, but I look forward to it." His smile wavered as a thought formed. "I do hope I'll have time to make decent replies, though I've no idea how well I will be able to. I've not tried to write while un-well before..." A frown of worry creased his brow. "I suppose we shall have to deal with that when the time comes." "What're you sick with, anyway...?" Ember asked meekly, hoping once more that he wasn't crossing a line."I-I mean, you don't have to tell me, but maybe I can help you..? There's a book for everything, and no one kitsu can find and read them all...and so two are better than one, right?" The way Remus talked about his illness with such sadness made Ember wonder, and want more than anything else at that time to make everything bad go from his friend's life. (OOC Nari: *is busy eavesdropping, pretending to read her book*) He had been afraid of this. The questions. He supposed it was better than if Ember had figured it out. Of course, if he had figured it out then Remus would not have to feel nervous as he tried to answer the questions without telling the full truth. "It's magical in nature. A curse of sorts. It followed me into this form from the life I remember living before." He looked pained, and indeed he was. "I... I don't think I should say anything more, only that there is no known cure & only one known pacifier for my condition." He sighed. Remus hated keeping Ember in the dark, but he did not dare tell him -for Ember's safety. "A curse...?" Ember asked slowly, though what had truly caught his attention was the mention of a past life, a different form that Remus remembered. Ember often found things he could almost remember...but he also found that remembering hurt more than anything. Perhaps remembering was what made Remus ill..?"I think I know what you're talking about." he informed Remus soothingly, again nuzzling against him, comforting in the only way he knew how. "I don't know that I can help, as I...I have the same problem, mine just isn't quite as bad, or the same as yours..." That startled Remus. "You have a curse?" Ember was jumpy & jittery & easily hurt, but Remus had not noticed anything untoward about his friend. But then, you don't really know much about him, do you Remus? He winced at the revelation. Not that it mattered now, but he knew very little about Ember -even what he liked outside of books & learning. You have a curse...the words rang inside of him, and he felt a familiar twinge of greif for something he lost, something he missed, something that he couldn't remember, couldn't remember but made him want to tear his own heart out of his chest. He winced, closing his eyes against the army of violent and hateful thoughts. A curse. He supposed one could call it that. "Yes, I am cursed..." he replied with a nod of his head. "As you are, Remus. Cursed, though perhaps not quite as badly as you. I, at least, can leave the house when I am....unwell." Unwell, he supposed, referred to the periods of time when one was remembering the most, and therefore most dangerous to themself and others. Poor Remus.. He did not know whether he should feel relieved, worried, or something completely different. Could they possibly be talking about the same thing? No... if Ember was a werewolf he would not be able to leave the house. Unless he did not care about accidentally harming others. That thought sent shivers across Remus' back. "I... ah... well." Remus smiled sheepishly. "It seems that you are nearly as uncomfortable as I on this matter. Perhaps we should let it rest?" A trace of hopefulness joined the smile that was an attempt to lighten the mood. "Unless... you would rather not." "Y-you are...uncomfortable talking about it." Ember repeated softly. He'd been happy he'd found somebody who shared the same ailment as well as his love of books, and wanted to talk about it and share about it... but he wouldn't do anything that could potentially upset Remus. "We can move on to other things, if it pleases you..." he replied meekly, "What...would you like to talk about?" "I have spent two lives keeping my curse both secret & unspoken, it is hard to change quickly now." Remus butted Ember's jowl with his head gently, almost in apology. That Ember was hurt or disappointed by his request was evident. Remus wished he were better at this sort of thing. "It would please me to change subjects. Perhaps in time this one will be easier for me." He felt like such a cad, causing his friend pain simply by not telling him the truth Remus disliked concealing. It was not fair. But then, it had never been fair. Remus felt lucky to be blessed with those short moments of peace & happiness & feeling loved he had been granted. "Oh, anything. Books, the weather, favorite foods, family, females." His eyes darted swiftly to Nari & back. Suddenly he wondered how much she might have overheard while reading. Too late now. "What do you like to do other than read?" "We will talk again about it, I hope..." Ember agreed, laughing almost soundlessly as Remus headbutted him. And he did hope that. Remus seemed trustworthy enough...especially since he had such an awful secret of his own. As Remus offered subjects, Ember listened for any he could comment. He couldn't help but notice that when he mentioned females, he glanced ever so quickly at Nari, who was still reading a ways away. He felt his heart twist painfully in jealousy, and decided to ask about what Nari really was to Remus. At least then he'd know... "So, uhm, Remus..." he began in what he hoped was a casual tone (though he got the feeling it was nothing close to being that). "Are you and she-" he jutted his chin at her, lowering his voice so that she hopefully couldn't hear him, "-you know, an..an item?" Okay. That knocked Remus off guard. He blushed furiously & he could feel himself getting warm. "An item? I highly doubt it." He too, kept his tone lowered. "Nari is sweet & intelligent & she shares our love & enjoyment of books, but it is highly unlikely that she would be interested in someone like me." Remus tried to ignore the memories of his conversation with Nari where she had mentioned she would like to find someone with the qualities she said he had when she was older. "Besides, she is an angelic. If only for that, she is out of my league." It was as if a weight was lifted from him; voicing those thoughts that he had kept silent upon while speaking with Nari. Would telling of his curse be similar? Remus did not know, but did know it would take him time to be able to do that. "Why do you ask?" "She's not out of your league..." Ember muttered reluctantly, again shifting so that his hair fell like a curtain before him, obscuring his eyes. "I ask because I'm not blind, Remus." he added very quietly, as though is he spoke any louder he would break. "I see the way you light up whenever you look at her, the way you've been sneaking glances at her ever since she came in. I was curious, and I'm your f-friend, so I thought I'd ask." He stubbornly ignored a part of him that was loudly laughing at his hurried explanation, asking him if he was serious, and wondering who he thought he was fooling. "She's pretty." Remus found himself saying off-handedly, & immediately regretted it. He sighed. "I have no experience with romance save what I read in books, or what I glean from watching others." Like James & Lily, or Chroma & India. He sighed again. "I consider her a friend, despite her youth... & well... I cannot deny... that is..." Remus let out his breath in exasperation at not being able to find the right words. "Even if there was a chance at anything more than friendship with Nari it would not be possible. My curse..." His whole body sagged & his voice went hollow. "I have no right to subject anyone to that." He sagged to the floor, his mind wondering. Glancing up at Ember through the other kitsu's hair Remus' eyes were pleading. "I did not know this crush of mine was visible, but surely if it is then those times I've been excited to see you, my friend, were even more so. I have never tried to gloss over my joy that we are friends." "Besides..." The scholar felt himself blushing again. "I... um... probably 'light up' whenever I see any pretty female who has bothered to speak to me. Unlike Sirius, speaking with females has never been easy for me." Head tilted at the two males who were now speaking softly enough that she couldn't hear, Nari tucked her book away and padded over to them. "What are you two whispering about, hnn? It's not nice to keep secrets " Shaking her head, she grinned at them, half-scolding and half-teasing. The wizard blushed anew beneath his fur. From the warmth he feared his entire body was blushing, were that possible. Remus was glad he was already laying down. He felt all wobbly, wondering if she had overheard them talking about her. "Lady Nari, at times I fear my life is nothing but secrets." Oh, how he wished it was not. But if he was not always worried about keeping his secret safe, what would he do? "Secrets.. always secrets. It's not nice to keep things from your friends." Sitting next to him, she bapped him lightly on one ear with her [folded] fan. He snickered & ducked his head in shame at the fan reprimand. "Some secrets are there to protect one's friends." He was purposefully avoiding Nari's original question. Remus knew that when pressed, that was one secret he could not hold for long. Blinking, Nari paused, fan dangling in the air. "Surely your secret isn't that bad - that it would cause harm to your friends?" Nari had her secrets, as well, but none that would cause harm to her friends.. or that she particularly kept hidden. Dang. He had jumped himself from one uncomfortable 'secret' to another. "Some can." He responded sadly, glancing down at his paws. Thankfully he never had... though the potential certainly was there. "This was..." He fumbled. "Just guy talk." Remus finished lamely. "Guy talk, hm?" She raised an eyebrow at him, not truely believing, but willing to let it drop. "Keeping a secret like that must be difficult on you, then.." She frowned, shifting her paws. Remus whimpered. It was hard to believe, but it was harder not to tell Nari what he & Ember had been speaking of when she was willing to let it drop. It did not help that he was curious what the angelic would think about it. Her opinion meant something to him whether or not he was attracted to her. Remus' head dropped onto his paws in embarrassment. Whimpering again he let out a sigh. "All right." He said with resignation. "He asked if you & I were an item." Remus felt himself warm again. What he would not give for a darker hued pelt at this moment. "I've no idea what put a notion like that in his head." "An.. item?" She repeated the last few words, then flushed crimson. "I.. ara.." Nari lowered her head down to his. "... And?" He half wanted to bolt upright -at least his head- at that single word spoken so close to his head. In the end Remus did not move but to shiver from nose to the tips of his tail as he held back the impulse. "And? And what?" The words were almost muffled by his paws. Bloody Hell! Why had he gone & mentioned that anyway? "Hnn. That is an odd subject to bring up.. I suppose." He could only nod mutely for a moment. Ember was his friend... why should it bother him if Remus possibly liked Nari? He liked Siggy too, though that redheaded kitsu he rarely saw. Remus felt himself blushing again. The only two female kitsu he had spoken with that were not considered by him to be Chroma's friends & they were redheads. He gave his head a little shake. His thoughts had been down this path before. Too often down this path. "Yes... an odd subject to bring up." "So, um... how are things with your sister?" Remus tried to bring his head around to look Nari in the eyes. "She managed to detach herself from Obi-Wan for a few minutes to come visit me." Nari grinned wryly. Nokomis was.. busy.. lately. "You'll be going away for a few days?" She frowned lightly. "That's good. I'm glad you were able to spend time together." He closed his eyes. She had heard that much at least. "I fear I must. In a night or two, & only for three days." "That is no fair.. but I suppose neccesary.. You will be missed though." "No... it is not fair." Had he not been thinking just that earlier? Remus sighed. "But it is very necessary." Her words made Remus feel warm all over in a way different than blushing did. "Ah... Thank you. I shall miss you too." In those moments I am lucid enough too. He thought in frustration. Then Remus sighed, thinking perhaps he should be grateful that the time would seem to go faster for him because he was incapable of thought when changed. "As long as you are coming back.. it will be alright." She yawned, lowering her head to her paws. "It is late." "I cannot seem to stay away." His eyes were heavy, & though the call of his bed at home was great his weariness & knowing his friends were here won out. "It is very late." He agreed with a yawn, falling asleep where he lay.
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:29 am
The Next Day (2 nights before 1st night of the full moon)
With a yawn, the chocolate kitsu stirred in his black wizard's robes. The surface beneath him was hard -much firmer than he was accustomed to. Attempting to stretch, he found himself unable to move for the pressure of warm bodies on either side of him. Warm bodies? Remus' eyes opened gradually, though the shock was strong enough to cause him to stiffen. Then he remembered & slowly relaxed. It was kind of nice, he admitted to himself with a guilty sigh. Now he understood why Chroma would take so many of her nights with India. I could certainly get used to this... He shook his head to clear that thought. He could not. Sighing, he decided it would be prudent to wake his companions.
Turning his head slightly, Remus licked their muzzles just behind the nose. First Nari, then Ember. He spoke softly & gently to ease their waking. "Nari... Ember... We've, ah... overslept."
Nari blinked, then her eyes opened wide as she registered where she was, exactly.. and who she was (partially) laying on. Flushing a deep crimson, she scooted slightly over, so that she wasn't laying on him anymore. "We must have fallen asleep..."
Ember was curled into a tight ball, his back barely touching Remus as he slept. But it was enough; it had to be enough. He'd scooted closer in the night, a thing he could say was for body warmth if nothing else. Because it was nothing else, right? Right. He wouldn't let it be anything else.
As Remus gently licked him, he smiled, waking but not opening his eyes. He sleepily snuggled closer, murmuring something to himself. On some level he was awake enough to know that he was taking advantage of his own sleepiness, but he decided he didn't really care.
Remus chuckled, for both of his friends' reactions amused him & touched his heart. "Yes. We were all very tired last night." He tried to look as if it was in very poor form, but he could not. Instead he grinned, laying his head on his paws in front of him & closing his eyes to the merest of slits. He knew he had no right to feel this happy, but he did. "I cannot say I am sorry." He cocked an ear at Nari. "Are you?"
He tilted his head slightly to brush Ember with his ear. "Ember? Are you going to remain asleep?"
"Noooo... I wouldn't say that, it's just.." She played with her paws, still flushed.
"Wh'kinna question's that?" Ember mumbled, burying his face in Remus's side. "Course not, m'awake..." He'd rather not be awake, though. He'd enjoyed the company and security of others- both Remus and Nari -while he slept. If it meant he could continue feeling this safe and warm and snuggley, he'd gladly stay asleep for the rest of his life.
He was in too good a mood to blush himself, though some part of Remus felt he should. Though he was awake, the last vestiges of his wonderfully restful sleep lay about him like a silken blanket. His inner laughter rumbled along his body, & he wondered if part was not because Ember talking into his side was tickling him. It felt so much like a dream despite the fact that he knew it was real.
"Just a question, Ember." It did not bother him that his friend was close. In fact, he rather liked it. Ah, innocence.
On some level, Remus knew he should be reacting more like Nari. Somehow he found himself unable to do so. Or unwilling. "Just what? Nothing transpired. I assure you I did nothing but sleep." He smiled, showing a side of himself he never dreamed he had. Well... perhaps he had dreamed it, but never given it any credible thought to its existence within him. A content side, one with more confidence than he usually felt. Perhaps the lingering feel of slumber. "Please, do not be upset."
"Oh! I'm not upset! I've just.. never fallen asleep like that before.." She had fallen asleep in the middle of the HQ's floor before - but that had been alone! And not curled up with a certain male. "It is nice to wake up next to someone.."
"It is nice." Ember agreed with Nari softly, a hint of envy in his voice. He sat up, sleepily annoyed, and looked around before flopping back onto Remus. If he threw Ember off, he'd gladly go, but if he was allowed he'd take full advantage of being able to snuggle a bit longer with his friend. "I don't often find myself waking up with other around me..I like it."
Remus nodded into his paws, a slightly silly smile curving his mouth. "Yes. Yes it is. Probably why I am so loathe to move. I've not slept at headquarters since I was a kit; and I was always alone. Waking between friends is a pleasant memory to take with me..."
Though only visible through slits, the darkening of Remus' eyes was plain enough. It quickly passed & he smiled softly once more. "But I do not want to talk about that." He wondered at Ember's tinge of envy but shrugged it off even as he laughed softly at his friend's repositioning. "Kitsu are a sociable species, are we not? Is there anything wrong in what transpired? I would like to think not. There has been precious few times I have felt this relaxed & at ease. It would be a shame to darken it in anyway."
"Why would there be something wrong with it? We are friends, after all.. If nothing happens, then.." Which wasn't possible, anyways..
"you deserve to be relaxed and comfortable all the time." Ember replied, before he knew what he was saying. "I-uhm, I mean, you're s-so nice, and all, and kind...you deserve happiness." Well, he thought, that certainly helped things. Idiot. "Course there's nothing wrong with sleeping with others...after all, it was just sleep."
He smiled happily, though his brow quirked at the trailing off of Nari's speech. "Nothing should be wrong with it. That is my point. Though whether I was attempting to convince you or me I do not know." Another chuckle rumbled through him. "Thank you, Ember." His tails flicked happily at the compliment, though it was clear that even in this happy state Remus held a oddly low opinion of himself. "I do not know how I came to have such wonderful friends, but I thank the powers-that-be I do."
Still he was curious, & his new confidence gave him some boldness Remus was unaccustomed to. "Then what, Nari?"
"If nothing happens.. then it is alright.. right?"
"We love you because you're wonderful." Ember replied, teasingly serious. He loved that he could say what he meant, and that Remus wouldn't get it. Loved it and hated it. "Nothing happened, nothing wrong..." he repeated in a murmured chant-like rhythem. "Nothing wrong.."
"That is certainly my opinion." Remus smiled -almost winking- as he started to stretch in place. Well, as good a job as he could do with Ember snuggled so close. A wistful little sigh escaped him that Nari had felt the need to move so soon. "I could certainly get used to waking like this."
Love? Remus was not as naive on meanings as his sister, but all his book smarts would not help him here. It made him feel light & carefree. With his friends at Hogwarts love was never spoken; except perhaps James for Lily. He shuddered with pleasure that his friend Ember would be so open about it & nuzzled his head with gratitude. "Nothing wrong at all." He laughed then, full & deep. "In fact everything seems so right I worry that to do something might shatter the dream."
Remus, you read too much
"Shatter the dream?" Nari smiled. "You sound a bit.. whimsical, Rem." Nestling closer to him, she brushed against his cheek before peeking over him at Ember.
"It'll be gone soon anyway..." Ember muttered reluctantly, gazing blankly at Nari. He got the feeling that she understood him where Remus did not, and she was the one Remus obviously wanted, right? "We'll have to get up eventually, and then it's back to the way things always are, and always will be.."
Remus laughed again, softer this time. His eyes were opened fully at last & they sparkled with happiness & the slightest trace of extra moisture. "I do, don't I?" Snuggled on one side, nestled on the other, Remus did not feel a bit as if his personal space was being encroached upon. He felt warm & cared for & liked for who he was, not what he was.
"Must it?" But he knew Ember was correct, though he prayed he was not. "Perhaps this can be part of the way things are." It was a stretch. His own thoughts betrayed him. "Or something like this..."
The laughter flickered in his eyes, threatening to go out. He did not want to break this... but he felt his dear friends had a right to know the truth. Oh! How he did not want to tell them! Yet at the same time, he did. A twisted part of him wanted to test whether the dream would last when confronted with the horror that was his existence. He sighed, postponing the moment.
Feeling the change in Remus's mood, Nari shifted her head to the side. "What is wrong?"
As Remus sighed and his eyes dimmed, Ember purred softly, again burying his face in Remus's fur, this time at the neck, and nuzzled him. "We c-could...could do this again?" he offered hesitantly, avoiding Nari's eyes for fear of seeing pity there, or contempt. He already knew he was a fool, he didn't need her to remind him. "I mean- I, that is, if you two w-wanted...wanted to?"
"Nothing new." He smiled sadly, his eyelids drooping feeling Ember's purr. "We could... I know I would want too." He let his eyes close, as if that would make what he needed to say easier for him. "I should tell you..."
He sighed heavily. It was harder than he thought. "I should tell you both what is wrong with me. You deserve to know the truth... then you can make informed choices about me."
He turned his head to each as he opened his eyes once more; giving them a sad, wan smile. "I should tell you... but I do not quite know how."
Nari purred lightly, giving Ember a small smile over Rem's back. "You will finally tell us?"
"Start from the beginning," Ember suggested, batting lightly at one of Remus's ears. "It surely can't be all that bad, if you're still who you are, and so, so...well, you, in spite of it. But uhm...why d-don't you go ahead and tell us?"
"I remember a life in a different form before I hatched as a kitsusagi. It would be like a dream, if there were not others -also from this 'life'- who not only remembered their own lives but remembered me as I remembered them. It was odd, but I grew to accept it, & over time it stopped being so much of a hindrance to me."
He paused, collecting his thoughts. "I tell you this, because my curse came from an event in this 'memory life'. When I was only a young boy -a kit, if you will- a wolf bit me that was not a wolf. This creature was a man who changed into a wolf when the moon was full, & the one that bit me was likely the worst of his kind in viciousness, vileness, & pure evilness."
"He did not kill me as sometimes was the case. Instead I was infected with his disease, his curse. I did not know until the next full moon."
Remus closed his eyes, shutting back the tears. "I had become a cursed being, unable to control the beast that would transform within me when the moon was full. I was shunned & feared wherever I went, with only a few friends & mentors who knew the truth & allowed me to be myself, to become a wizard, to attempt to lead a normal life."
"I won't tell of the dark times that happened in that 'memory life world', for it does not pertain to what I am telling you. Instead I will skip ahead."
"When I hatched from my egg, a kitsu pup, I had full memory of everything that had happened in my 'other life' but it was often too much for my developing mind & emotions to handle. When my human -who somehow has knowledge about my history- built a special shed near our house "just incase" I did not at first wonder at what she meant. The first full moon I experienced as a kitsu... I remember starting to itch, & becoming angry & irritable. Having been keeping a close eye on me for signs Trelweny looked at me sadly. She picked me up -I was not so far turned as to fight her, though I was angry- & took me to the shed where I was bolted inside."
He shuddered forcing himself to be strong & continue, knowing he must not stop. "I never recall the nights... & the days are little better. Trelweny had hoped that being a kitsu already might nullify the curse of my other life, but it seems this was not the case."
Lowering his head to the floor in defeat, like a supplicant awaiting judgment Remus spread his paws before him. "There is no cure... And only one known potion to reduce my threat & give me some mind during a change. It leaves me virtually defenseless, but at least my mind is not in the grips of the beast."
"However I've not encountered Severus since I was a kit, & he was the only one with skill enough to brew such a difficult potion properly."
Finished, he waited with little hope for their reactions.
"That.. is horrible! To be cursed in such a way.." She nuzzled his cheek, trying to comfort him as best she could. "Perhaps one of Severus's children could..? Maybe?"
Ember sat silently as Remus told his tale, whining only once in sympathy as he told of how he was locked up in a shed- a shed!- while he was...this wolf-thing that lived inside him. Like Isaeus, he thought, then frowned in confusion. He supposed this was another of those accursed memories, though he felt no urge to harm himself. He just didn't know what he meant by'Isaeus'. Ah, well. He had to focus on Remus, his own feeble rememberings and pain seemed small in comparison to his friend's troubles.
"Remus, that's...that m-must be horrible for you!" Ember exclaimed, his ears drooping in distress at his friend's misfortune. "We obviously must find this...this 'Severus', so he can help you!
"I too have...memories, though they're vague, and I really don't want to remember most of them because they tend to...to, well, cause things to happen that shouldn't. But nothing such as the...the wolf? The wolf, that lives in you."
They had not left him. Remus was in such shock that their words at first did not register. He wanted to embrace them both, & the tears he had been holding back in pain now tumbled forth in disbelieving joy.
"You haven't left..." He murmured in muted wonder. "You haven't left..."
A smile formed beneath the flow of his tears. As if on instant replay, Nari & Ember's words came to him. "Severus' children? Why I had not thought of them. I suppose... well if they have their sire's penchant for potion brewing it could work." He did not look entirely convinced. "I would feel better should Severus tell me which of his offspring could do such a thing. I trust him in this."
Ember's encouragement bolstered him. Strange how it was comforting to discover they had another thing in common. He wanted to ask about Ember's own 'other life' but felt that somehow this was not the time. "Werewolf, to be precise. Not exactly a true wolf, though there are similarities. Wolves do not have the penchant for violence werewolves do, and are nowhere near as large. A wolf kills to feed or defend... not always so with a werewolf." He shuddered, terribly glad that he was locked away during his own changes.
"You really.. thought we would abandon you because of your curse?" Nari frowned, then nipped on his ear. "No true friend would do such a thing." [friends my.. ] "And yes.. the only one I know of who shares his affinity is Tsu. The one whose pillows I steal."
"Left?" Ember asked in a small voice, wondering if Remus had made up that story just so that he could make Ember leave him alone. He cringed, his mind glossing over the rest of what Remus said, locking onto the idea that Remus was just trying to make him go away. "I...I'm sorry..." he mumbled, tears springing to his eyes as well as he hopped up to back away from Remus and Nari, eyes kept carefully on the floor. "I'll...if...if that's what you w-wan't, I c-coul..y-you didn't have to say those, I would have..." he trailed off, his voice wobbling dangerously.
It was as if magic that the Carmilla happened to be walking with her mate that night. It was pure chance that she decided to go home and check on Absynith leaving Severus to finish his walk quietly into the headquarters. He ignored Nokomis's little sister and the others. Dunderheads though they were. He didn't particularly feel like company at the moment. He would rather sit in quiet contemplating of the recent copy of "Potion Making Monthly"
He scrunched his wet-furred face, trying to recollect Tsu. Yes... she had been there when he was a kit, meeting Severus here for the first time. She had been sparing words with Lucius Malfoy. Remus shuddered. Severus & Dementor where nice & he liked them, but Lucius... even the memory left a foul taste in his mouth. If he was different, Remus did not see a change for the best. "I... saw Tsu once or twice. Someone warned me of her pillows when I was a youth as well, though she never seemed to notice my own borrowing. Probably because I always put them back. Or my young age. Severus mentioned how she could hold her own..." His face wrinkled more. "Or something like that. I was just a kit, & still overwhelmed by the memories that I thought could not be mine."
At Ember's words Remus was suddenly very alert. All thoughts of making the wolvesbane potion fled before this new realization. Ember misunderstood! Wild fear flashed in his eyes.
"No!" The cry was a plea as his head spun to face Ember in his retreat. His side where Ember had just vacated it was suddenly cold, but nothing like the chill in his heart as his fear surged up anew. "Ember no! You've got it wrong! I don't want... I couldn't want for you to go!" Amber eyes still moist from the recent tears of joy welled up anew. "Don't you see? I was afraid... I was afraid you'd not want to be my friends if you knew the truth... afraid you'd desert me." His voice lowered, becoming little more than a whisper. He felt defeated, so close after he had felt victorious, and his body emulated that. His head fell, his shoulders slumped, his tails hung limply in desolation. "Please, please don't leave... not like this... not like this..."
"Yes.. we fight frequently over those pillows." She grinned before his sudden outburst startled her, sending her scrambling. "O_O;"
Ember gave a sharp whine of dismay at Remus's panicked plea and defeated slump, but refrained from rushing back over to cuddle with him once more. "I-...I, are you sure?" he asked timidly, shuffling his feet. "I m-mean..I'd understand if you wanted me to go. And. It...it would be f-fine if you did, though I'd prefer...a-anyday, to stay..." He whimpered miserabley, frowning at his own bumbling foolishness. Had he just kept to himself in the first place instead of hoping he could maybe have a friend, he wouldn't have set himself up to be asked to leave. You utter fool, Ember.
The dream was crashing down around his ears. The nightmare was at hand. Oddly his mind drifted. I have not seen Dementor in a while... A trick of his mind to put aside his current dilemma. His heart ached from it, & his sides were chill. Should he go to Nari, apologize for whatever it was he did to drive her away? Should he go to Ember, explain how he never wanted him to go away? He was only one kitsu.
If possible his body sunk lower. "It is my fault... I have hurt you, my friends. It is as if the curse is more than the curse, for the harm it can do in passing." He would continue to cry if he could, but his tears seemed to be all used up. "Please, if you are still my friends... do not shy from me..."
With that Remus buried his head beneath his paws, unwilling to watch them leave, & his heart ached painfully as he drew ragged breaths. The dream... the dream is fading...
A look to her side took in Rem's hiding of his head. "You startled me, that's all!" Pushing her nose in, she tried her best to bring his head back up. "We're not leaving you."
"Not leaving you..!" Ember repeated, bounding back over to curl protectively as best he could around Remus, crooning soothing words as he did. "I was just- I thought you wanted me to go away, and...and so you were going to extreme measures t-to get me to leave you alone, because you're too nice to ask me to go..I...I upset you, I'msorry, pleaseforgiveme."
He had buried his head so as not to see them leave, but it also prevented him seeing their return. Remus was pleasantly startled to feel Nari digging under his paws for his head then to have Ember burrowing into his side like a kit. Muffled, a choked-laugh escaped Remus' throat as he lifted his head in disbelief. "Really?" Instead of wild fear, a wild hope surged in his eyes, as though not daring quite to become a full-fledged hope. He looked from one to the other slowly, questioning. "I cannot take much more of this... this uncertainty; this polar shift of where I feel I stand with you. Not so close to a change."
He had not moved since he woke, but Remus felt physically exhausted. "I could not bear to lose you... either of you." He tucked his head to touch Ember's. "There's nothing to forgive... though I will since you ask it. You are my friend. Friends forgive each other."
"Can you forgive me?"
"What is there to forgive?" With a playful growl, she grabbed hold of one of his ears and tugged, gently.
Remus was set to answer her when Nari got hold of his ear & tugged. He could only blink, open-mouthed in wonder. After a bit, a relieved chuckle escaped him. His eyes shone, not quite able to believe what seemed to be his luck. They knew his secret & still wanted to be with him.
Tired but giddy, Remus tried to use a paw to bat Nari from his ear. It never made it, finding itself lost in the tactile contact of her waves of red hair. Remus shivered lightly & dropped his paw. Let her have the ear. Small price to pay.
Closing his eyes, Remus wondered again his fortune. To sleep once like this as an accident, but now there was no such excuse. Tomorrow he would have to go, but for now... for now Remus would bask in his friends' contact.
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:30 am
Next day (night before 1st day of the full moon)
Stretching as well as he could front to back without jostling his companions, Remus breathed in their scents happily. This time tomorrow he would be in the throws of the monster within, but now he was happy. He had fallen asleep, still a mass of raw nerves from all that had transpired. Even know he was still exhausted; at least emotionally. His body was reminding him that he needed to move. Sighing, Remus knew he would be moving all too soon. He had to get home, where he could be rendered safe for the next 3 nights. Normally he would have gone already, just in case the lunar month had been judged incorrectly. Perhaps he should have, rather than endanger his friends. Still, he could not get over how wonderful it was to wake up beside his friends.
Fondly, he nuzzled Ember & Nari's heads affectionately. "It warms my heart that you both are still here." His smile saddened. Remus did not want to say good bye just yet.
Ember smiled as he felt Remus stretch, automatically snuggling a little closer and purring softly. It took a moment for his groggy mind to comprehend Remus's words, but when they finally got through, he frowned a little. "Course m'still here, Remus.." he murmured, forcing his eyes open and smiling reassuringly at his friend. He wrapped his tails around himself and partially over Remus as well, and added softly "Wouldn't leave even if you asked me to." This last part may not have been strictly true- he'd do anything that was asked of him, nearly- but it more showed how much he cared about him.
Nari's ears flicked at Remus and Ember's words, and she mrrd a little, but didn't wake up. She was quite content to stay put, at the moment - even more so knowing that Remus would leave soon.
Remus grinned, happy & sad at once. "You seemed ready to leave last night when you thought that was what I wanted..." His soft voice held the sadness & pain it had caused him, but there was gladness there too for Ember had not left.
"I fear I will have to leave soon. Sooner than I want." Painstakingly, Remus tilted his head to gaze out the Headquarters' skylight. "I would be safely away from you both before tomorrow night. If I stay too long... my heart might overcome my head & keep me here."
An undercurrent of thought marveled that it was strange, Ember being the one talking while Nari remained 'asleep' -their early roles of the previous day reversed. Remus did not mind, enjoying both their company & proximity. How quickly things could happen.
"I could dream we could always be so close, my friends."
Ember gave a quiet whine at Remus's talk of forever, and closeness, and hearts ruling heads. His own heart had sped a bit at these words, and he did not like to think about what that might imply. He also didn't like that Remus would have to go soon, to be locked up and alone until the moon waned. "So stay..." he suggested childishly, "If you were locked up the first time the curse came upon you as a kitsu, how do you know that you would even hurt one of us? I must admit, I do not like the thought of you staying alone and miserable for these next few days...Or let me come with you, I'm not afraid of being hurt." Physically, he added silently to the end of his statement, he was not afraid of being hurt physically. If he was hurt, perhaps it would subdue the beast within his friend, making it less awful for him.
"Perhaps.. it will give you something happy to remember in those moments you have control of your mind. Ne?" Nari murmured, still not stirring from her spot. How well she and Ember would get along once Remus had left.. well.. that remained to be seen. (probably pretty well, considering Ember isn't growling at her anymore ) "I think, Ember.. that he would rather we stay here, as.. if he were to hurt either of us in that form, he could never forgive himself, no matter how we forgave him."
Fear flashed in Remus' eyes as terror surged through him. "I have been caged, here... in this form, yes. But not before, in my other life. I did terrible things then... better to be locked up & keep those I love & care for safe." His eyes were full of emotion, so many emotions at once. "I know I am not myself at night. The wounds I inflict on myself as a werewolf..." He shook his head avidly. "No. I will not allow it! When I am the beast nothing matters! I could maim you for life or kill you... or worse!" He shuddered at the thought of bringing the curse upon another, much less his dear friend. "I'm larger than I am now... then. I can tell my the claw marks I make." He did not qualify that most marks were on his own flesh. "There would have to be more of you, larger than I to stand a chance." A whimper started, deep inside him, gaining intensity. Amber eyes pleaded. "I will not risk you... you're too important."
He tossed a grateful glance at Nari. The angelic seemed to understand. "Nari's right... these memories... they're more than I could hope for to see me through. I would feel better, knowing there was no one to hurt but myself.
"But I do not want you to be hurt, nor alone when you're in such a way!" Ember cried, his tails flicking in distress as Remus spoke of self-inflicted wounds. Something about that clicked for Ember, and he whimpered once more, dropping his eyes to his paws as a memory roughly shoved its way into his mind, making it hard to breathe.
Words, such hurtfully true words the moth-girl always spoke to him. He knew that one day he would have to choose- but hearing her saying such things was unbearable. He couldn't imagine living without either of them. His nails brushed over scabbed and re-scabbed palms, and he hesitated for only a moment before letting his claws (for that was what they were really- too sharp to be regualr fingernails) dig deep into the flesh of his hand as he let out a sharp hiss. Cool hands clasped one of his own, inspecting the damage and then sympathetic eyes met his. He jerked his hand away.
Ember shook his head to clear it, frowning in confusion. Hands? Like...a human? And who, exactly, could he not live without? It seemed to matter greatly then to him, but now he couldn't even remember. A wistfulness came over him, and he had to take a moment to remember what they had been talking about.
"I am not afraid to be hurt, to be killed..." he murmured, eyeing his paws and envisioning human hands there with a shiver. That was too weird. "I'm not important, and you shouldn't view me as such. I'm truly pretty worthless, when all is said and done."
Nari smiled softly and nodded at first.. She understand that much at least - that Remus could never bear to hurt either her or Ember. Then she frowned as Ember spoke. "You are not worthless! Remus does not think you are worthless!" She nudged Remus's head a bit, looking across at Ember, but speaking to the one in between. "When you come back.. I will heal you.. "
Remus' heart sunk. How could Ember have such a low opinion of himself? He was far too emotional at the moment to see how similar it was to his own self-depreciation. He could only gaze at his friend sadly. "You are important to me. I would be devastated to find you hurt, & it would destroy me to discover I was the cause." He shook his head firmly. "No. My friends are more precious to me than my own happiness. Surely you can see that?"
Involuntarily Remus leaned into Nari's nudging, letting his eyes close to slits through which he attached Ember. "mmm? You can heal?" Wonderment played along his body, though his voice merely sounded sleepy & faintly amused. "That would be... wonderful. I usually hurt for days after..." he let the rest trail off. Why keep mentioning it? They all knew what he meant.
A cool breeze had drifted into the garden that littered the kitsusagi's playhome ever so suddenly from the northern part of their little world - a sign of possible rain following through, the smells of both wet grass and that scent that mornings at a campground only brought from new winds.
As a lone figure walked along side the recently paled moonlight - something that he was very aware of, and stressed about day in and out recently - his firelit eyes glowing around the scenary, large legendary like black wings layig languishly behind him tucked across his back like a long cloak - the color insignias of his last two rune-holders breaking the black. He was happy to finally be freed once more, hoping that the expense of the one he had plagued for these years wasn't injured from his sudden absense.
Never the less, the SoulEater Rune - all in his ashen and reddened glory watched over the new home he had deemed worthy, for signs of hopeful activity, the ringlike fires in his left eye reacting to the attendance and closeness of his three other allies - which comforted him to a sort.
He was always the kind to be alone.
Ember closed his eyes at Remus's words, and moreso at how he leaned in to Nari. Upset by the combination his own ideas of self-worth or lack thereof, jealousy (no, not jealousy, he corrected himself, he had no reason to be jealous), and the strangeness of the memory he'd just experianced, Ember curled in on himself, his body shaking with surpressed tears. He knew- knew! - he was worthless, though he didn't know how or why he knew. All he lived for was to please others, and he wasn't very good even at that. He was a failure, a nobody. He didn't deserve such friends as Remus....and perhaps Nari as well.
Nighttime was never her favorite time, but Solaris paid it little attention. The most that made her notice the time of the day was that the colours of the flowers she'd been playing 'with' started to grow darker. It wasn't too long before the brightly coloured Kitsusagi found herself stranded in the pitch black between Sun's set and Moon's rise.
Alone and scared, she'd huddled in the flowers by the side of the path heading towards the Kitsusagi playhouse she frequented, until a pair of moving lights caught her attention as they came down the road. Her eyes widened, a grin breaking across that sun-streaked face. Whereas any other, reasonable Kitsusagi might have been afraid the light brought only hope for her. The moon's silver edge began to illuminate the path then just as she jumped out of the flowerbed, her strong legs pushing her into the air as her wings spread out. With a few flaps, legs bounding in the air as if running on land, she was in a good position to dive bomb the poor soul that was out at this time of night.
"EEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeee," She squealed in pure joy as she struck something, scrambling to her feet over whatever it was a moment later. No sooner had she gotten to her feet did she center her weight on her back legs, wings flaring to keep her balance so her fore paws reach up to clasp what should have been the cheek area of her poor victim. The golden furred female leaned in, nose a hair's breath from where she assumed the other's nose was, it was still too dark to see much after all. It seemed she was getting ready to say something quite important when a happy drawl rung out from her maw, "I like shinneeyyssssss..."
He worried that Ember did not speak, & the way he curled into himself silently worried Remus to no end. He sighed. "I know it is too much for me to ask... but please cheer up. I would like to think of you as being happy while I am away." He nuzzled Ember gently, & smiled at Nari. "It would gladden my heart."
Slowly Remus stretched, knowing the inevitable was close at hand. He would wait for a response, then bid his friends adieu. It was for the best.
Honestly one who hunted souls would be infamous for their inability to be shocked or scared due to what they should have seen - but in SoulEater's behalf.. he was not quite that lucky this time around.
Infact, it had been the time when he was least expecting a sudden rush was when he was suddenly jumped at from a blind spot, his firelike eyes widenening in shock as he looked over to what have had possible creeped up behind him and scared what little bejeezus he had left in him (Which surprisingly was still in an everlasting supply, now that he came to think of it...)
The lordlike Rune's wing also happened to grace the winds and open as the female's paws grasped onto his chin and face - almost as if a large cloak had suddenly caught an updraft, his black wings furrowed out, the odd one or two floating away, some spattered with the red and gold and green that marked the past existance of the souls he had cared and watched for - and in the end mourned for the loss of one. The added darkness around his body only brought out the glowing ember like pelt on his body, as his now enlargened eyes subconsciously viewed the soul of the one infront of him ...
"By the Lady Leknaat's name!" was all that came out instead, losing all of his train of thought when she suddenly gotten close only to exclaim in pride of her love for all that shimmered, for it nearly befuddled the rune. ".. am I truely that noticable?" was what rang out in the end. The voice that escaped was nearly a hushed whisper, one given to him in his form, noticable to all who were close. Almost fitting.
"I will try to cheer him up while you are away.. he could use a few good friends, it seems.."
With a sense of ease and grace, the golden-hued angelic stepped through the forest surrounding the kitsu HQ, casting light on everything near him, as if it were daytime. He seemed to not notice this, or if he did, he ignored it. His wanderings were those of boredom, and a wish to remain somewhat solitary. It was not that he did not enjoy the company of others - he enjoyed it, at times, and others, well.. he did not. There were few he held in high esteem enough to tolerate them at all times - the other three who had been born at the same moment as him forming most of that circle.
Ember threw himself at Remus, unable to keep the tears from spilling from his eyes any longer. Nuzzling at the other's neck, he attempted to regain control, finally calming enough to smile wetly at his friend. "I..I w-will do my best to be happy." he promised, "So that you can b-be...at ease, whenever possible. I will...I w-will write you those letters, if that's still alright, and bring them to your owner so that she may give them to you...I h-have...have that map you brought to me." He swallowed around the lump in his throat, again smiling at Remus, this time somewhat sheepishly. "Be well, my f-friend, and hurry back to us."
Solaris Gaianna's grinn never wavered, even as the darkness swarmed around her captive. Indeed, the seeming glow from moonlight from his pelt reflected a bit on her own brightly hued one, casting more shimers of gold and orange about them. The light even caught a few of the feathers that loosed themselves from her own wings, floating down to meet his own. "Firebug!" She pronounced with a click of her tongue ant the end, poking his nose with her own before an eruption of giggles sounded in the air.
Solaris leaned her head back then, tossing her head so that her orange bangs flew all around her head before setting back with another giggle, "Do youuuuuuuuuu like shinies?" The female cooed out, looking down at him once more with that obviously happy air about her. "Shinies are my friends!" There was a gasp, before he was once more nose to nose with her, "You're my friend too!"
The way she said it left no argument to be made by the poor rune, and those who knew Solaris would be sure to pity his soul were they ever to meet him. Bouncing back up once more, the Firefly-like Kitsusagi litterally began to bounce, getting up off of him to hop in a circle around him. After twice around, she settled back with her head tucked low to the ground, hind quarters up and shaking in a playful gesture. "Glow-Glow come play?" Her bright blue eyes pleaded with him, like a forlorn little puppy and a definite, hopeful whine could faintly be heard.
He had opened his mouth to thank Nari when the force of Ember throwing himself at Remus knocked the wind out of the wizard. He was smiling as Ember spoke. "You do that." His tails swished low with sad-happiness. "Thank you, Nari. Thank you both." He nuzzled them affectionately in goodbye. "I do not know what I did to deserve such friendship & loyalty, but I am glad for it." Forcing himself to stand, Remus was awkward. Not only were his friends still quite close -Ember was practically clinging to him- but the scholar had hardly moved since two nights ago. He continued to nuzzle them, letting their scents permeate is nostrils. He did not want to forget. "I will hurry as fast as I am able to return."
It was an effort to draw away, but Remus steeled himself to do so. "Until we meet again..."
His bow was deep, but there was a happy shine to his sad amber eyes as he turned to leave his friends for the ordeal ahead.
"You have our love!" Ember called after him, still quivering as he watched his friend go to pain and isolation. He could not normally say such a thing so easily, the l-word being an uneasy one, but he felt it might be alright this time. Remus needed to know he was loved, if he was to endure such pain. He watched until Remus was out of sight, then slumped, resting his head on his front paws and sighing heavily. He hoped Remus would be okay. Then he remembered that Nari was still there, and glanced up at her. He wasn't sure he was up to being on guard around her; he was emotionally exhausted after being so distressed over Remus. He still was distressed, but he needed to just file away that distress, for there was nothing he could do at this point in time but wait for Remus to come back. "Will he be okay..?" he asked the female in a small voice, meekly keeping his gaze on the ground. "He'll come back, and he'll be fine?"
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 1:31 am
Day 1 of new moon
The door opened, revealing the primary hues of Chroma's pelt as she peeked eagerly into the headquarters looking for India. It had been far too long since she had seen him. Of course 'far too long' in her mind covered the time it took for a nature call, but that was to be expected of one so newly in love. Or at least newly realizing she was in love. Not seeing him right away she pouted but bounded into the room anyway. Her eyes brightened, seeing familiar kitsu in Ember & Kaida, though she only remembered that they had spoken with Remus. dark cloud passed behind her eyes, knowing he was locked up again. She did not understand, & it still bothered her that no one would tell her why. Chroma wanted India's comfort now.
Instead, she pranced over to the others. "Hi, Friends of Remy!" Her bright & bubbly personality buoyed her. Only then did she notice the sickly kitsu & her face became confused. "Hey... what's wrong with you guys? Doesn't anybody ever feed you?"
India sulked in the corner, trying to shy away from the ever growing number of Kitsu occupying the HQ. While he was normally a hard one to bring down, large crowds made him nervous. A patterned ear twitched idly towards the conversation, but he made no move to remedy the fact that he could barely hear a thing. As soon as a rather familiar face made an appearance, however, he brightened a bit. But as soon as he noticed her moving up to the crowd, he slipped back. Hearing her rather blunt statement, he smirked lightly. "I'm not sure that's the nicest way to approach them, Chroma." He called out, sitting as far back in the corner as possible with his all black tail across his paws.
There were so many kitsu, so many. Ember flattened his ears, wincing and taking deep breaths to calm himself. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Remus's little sister there. And that distracted him immediatly. What was her name again...?
As he thought, he shook his head at Kaida. "N-no, you didn't do anything wrong, Rhian's just a bit skittish..as..as am I." he admitted this last part with a sheepish grin and a shrug of one shoulder. "I'm nobody too" he added, directing this comment to Tarak, "But even nobodies tend to be called something. I am called Ember. Do you have something others call you?"
As Rhian skittered backwards, Ember moved with her, continuing to act as a living shield between her and some of the other kitsu. Before he thought about it, he reached out to steady her, murmuring soothingly in response to her growl. However, when Chroma- oh, that was her name!- made the remark about nobody ever feeding Rhian, he growled softly himself. Remus's sister or no, she had no right to say such hurtful things. She should know better.
Kaida gazed at Rhian for a few seconds and then to Ember. "skittish?" she asked him curiously. She had never seen a skittish kitsu before and it scared her a little bit. 'Who could be skittish of me? are there other kitsu here that I don't know about?'
---
Azura glanced back at Kaida and noticed her blood-sister behind another male sister. She canted her head to one side and noticed that Rhian was also like her. Azura was about to take a few more steps towards Tarak when she heard a kitsu ask her loudly what was wrong with her and Rhian. She let out a scared yelp as she scurried behind Tarak for protection.
Rhian blinked up at Ember in a startled manner as he steadied and soothed her, mewling a little. Slowly, she got back onto her feet, legs shaking slightly, ears still flattened back and tail between her legs. "Can... can we get away?" she asked very softly, peering at Chroma and the others in a nervous, spooked manner. "Please? There... are a lot of them.."
"India!" Her eyes lit up & her tails wagged, almost as they were beckoning to her mate. Knowing without knowing that he would not come to the group, Chroma made a step towards him only to take full realization of his words to her & the reactions of the kitsu around her. Suddenly she felt she had done something very, very wrong though she did not understand what. Her ears drooped & her tails stilled. Her face crumpled, as Chroma felt confused & miserable. She made herself as small as possible. "I'm sorry. I’ve done something dreadful, haven't I?"
Slowly, she started to slink backwards. India... She whimpered sadly. He'll make it all right.
"Ah, but how can you be a nobody when you have friends? I don't think that girl behind you would consider you a nobody for protecting her?" Tarak blinked, more at himself then anything. Just where had THAT come from. Deciding that he might be considered rude if he didn't answer the question given to him he did so. "But if you insist, you may call me Tarak."
The sudden movement of the blue female nearby spooked him as she darted behind him. The only visable reaction was that he jumped slightly, but soon turned his glance to the one behind him. He frowned slightly and turned his emerald gaze to the one kitsu who'd sparked such an action. "Aww..now that wasn't very nice...." He trailed off as he turned back to the female hiding behind him. "Hey it's okay. She didn't mean any harm..." He whispered gently in an attempt to soothe her.
A sigh rose in India's throat. No matter how naïve he knew his mate could be, he saw no reason for the others to get so upset. He knew she meant no harm. Well, they didn't know, he supposed. Still, he couldn't help feeling overprotective and angry at them, especially Ember, who had the gall to growl at her. Standing, he moved towards the group, something he would normally refuse to do. He met Chroma as she slunk back his way. "It's alright..." he whispered to her, trying to keep the others from hearing as he assumed the role of offering her a sort of forgiveness. Nuzzling her shoulder, he cast a wary gaze at the others. Some of them seemed scared. Of what, he couldn't determine.
Kaida sighed at Ember's answer. "Oh, I see," was her only reply. Slowly, she turned around and started walking away from Ember and Rhian. She didn't want the two to get more scared than they already were.
---
Azura glanced at Tarak for a few seconds before crouching down behind him. She began to shake again as Chroma spoke again. She closed her orange-hued eyes slightly as she saw Chroma slink backwards. Shaking her head, she lifted her head up and rested it on the male's back, a little happier now that she had some protection from the other kitsu.
Rhian mewled soflty up at Ember, blinking owlishly up at him, only to relax a tiny bit as he soothed her, sighing softly and hunkering down a bit more to just watch everyone with a nervous light in her blue eyes. "All right," she whispered, watching India and Chroma intently, finding Chroma the most alarming of the kitsus around.
"Oh, India!" She wailed, turning into his shoulder. Chroma had never felt so bad -at least not that she could remember. "I was only worried that..." Sniffs. "I mean they're hungry!" Whimpers. "Nobody should be that hungry!"
Tears were coursing over her blue under-eye markings, but it was hard to tell for Chroma kept burying her face into India's fur. "Doesn't everyone want friends? Why'd they hide 'ndia? Why?"
Ember's words came to her, confusing the simplistic minded kitsu. "Wha's 'polite'? And 'offend'? Polite makes me think of Remy... but 'offend' sounds... hurtful." A little gasp & her blue eyes grew wide with fear. "I was hurtful?" Her bottom lip quivered as the tears fell down. "How is worry hurtful?"
This hurt her head. It was confusing. She wrapped her tails around India as best she could, pressing into his side. Their love was so simple... why were these other kitsu so hard?
"I was only worried..." she mumbled again, with a soft sob.
Tarak seemed to ponder for a moment before speaking a loud, not talking to anyone in particular, so much as talking to the entire group. "I believe everyone is just too busy being afraid of each other to realize that no one here means any harm..." Tarak seemed to shrug before continuing. "It's just all one big misunderstanding." He turned his gaze over to where Chroma and India were. There was a hint of sorrow in his eyes at the female's reaction.
"Just one big misunderstanding..." He seemed to trail off as he turned his attention back to the female behind him. Tilting his head, he smiled at the one who was using him for a pillow, his eyes meeting hers. "And just who might you be?" He asked curiously.
Though he hated to have to sit in everyone's presence, trying to calm his nearly hysterical lover, he knew it had to be. He wasn't going anywhere now. Sighing, he leaned to her, nuzzling her gently as she wept. "It's okay to be worried, but..." Again, he let out a sigh. He couldn't really tell the truth and still be the completely understanding and comforting mate he wanted to be. Still, he found that Tarak's message did help, somewhat.
"The way you said it was... too blunt." Canting his head, he glanced at the group for a moment, then returned his attetion to the yellow femme. "Some Kitsu can become offended that way. Perhaps they had no one to care for them or feed them. Then you would be making them sad. Or maybe they don't like being pitied. You pointing out their little problems could upset them if they don't want others to look at them just because they haven't eaten." Shutting his eyes, he resisted the urge to bring a paw to his forehead. "You have to try and be more calm and understanding in such situations. That way, you won't offend anyone."
Ember cringed as Kaida turned to go. "Wait, I didn't...d-din't mean to make you upset." he exclaimed, completely overwhelmed. "I'm sorry, j-just...sorry." He keened softly, casting an apologetic look to Rhi before curling in on himself, closing his eyes and trying to block everything out. There was just too much at once, and everybody was getting upset, and he hated it. It was his fault Chroma (and by association, India) was upset, he couldn't make Rhian unafraid, he'd managed to get into a mild disagreement with Tarak, and now Kaida was leaving too? Man, he really was a failure at pleasing people.
Kaida glanced back at Ember as he yelled that he was sorry at her. She narrowed her crimson eyes slightly as she flicked her ears slightly. 'What a bothersome bunch of kitsu,' she thought to herself bitterly. 'I don't even know why I bother being kind to them.' She growled at herself for growing soft for a few minutes as she continued to walk away from the group of kitsu.
---
Azura looked at Kaida as she walked away from the Ember and her blood-sister. She whimpered slightly as she wagged her limp tails slightly, but then stopped as Tarak asked what her name was. She glanced at him for a few seconds before saying "Azura" to him in a soft voice.
"A miss-under-standing?" It was a rather large word for Chroma but its meaning was clear. She thought on that & India's explanation as her beloved talked. Her head cocked & her tears slowed their flow. "Blunt? Like a club?" Remy & Trel say I'm si'plistic & honest. Sometimes too honest." She gazed imploringly into India's orange eyes. "Was I too honest again?"
She sighed shakily, feeling lightheaded from the crying. "I do try, 'ndia... I do. There's so much I don't under-stand. I'm not like Remy... my head can't think like he does.
Chroma whimpered again seeing Ember cringe out of the corner of her eye. She recognized him from having talked to her brother, but more listening to her brother speak of him. Remus would not be pleased that his friend was upset. She hung her head, thinking Remus would be displeased with her.
That in mind, Chroma unwound herself from her mate & licked his nose. There was something she had to do. "One moment." She stepped away from him, trembling. Keeping her steps light she re-crossed the distance between them & the others. "Remy came home happy... so happy... he talked of you, Ember, & the angelic til it came time for him to be locked away." She blushed uncomfortably. This was a lot of thought & speaking for her. "I've never seen him so happy. He'd want you to be happy too."
She sniffled, turning to catch glimpses of the others. "I'm sorry... I really am. I... don't think." Her blue eyes were pleading, truly regretful. "I won't bother you again... 'less you want me to. But if you need a friend..."
It was too much. She ducked her head in a sort of nodding bow & dashed back to India's side, pressing into him fiercely. Chroma hoped she had done all right.
Tarak was curious at the female's actions. She whimpered as she watched the other kitsu walk off, as if she wanted to follow yet she remained by his side. Another thing was WHY would she want to? The other kitsu seemed to be in a foul mood if anything. Oh well, he shrugged it off. When the female behind him whispered her name, it brought a smile back his mouth. "Why what a pretty name you have Azura. It is a pleasure to meet you, and if you haven't heard by now you may call me Tarak."
His eyes traced back the floor until he saw Chroma standing in the middle of the group. What she said at first was clearly not for his ears so he tuned it out. When she looked at them though all he did was offer a smile. Some might call it simplistic, he prefered innocent, and it was quite endearing to see her up there. He turned back to Azura and nudged her gently. "See? No harm. Why don't we go over and introduce ourselves?"
India smiled, accepting her warmly as she returned to him. Now he could go back to being that comforting mate. Setting his chin atop her head, he gently wrapped his tails around her frame, the more sensitive, solid-colored one clinging the tightest. "That was nice, Chroma," he whispered, trying not to tickle her ear, as he was so close. "It's always good to apologize." Bringing his head down, he rubbed his cheek against hers, then licked at her fur as if trying to wash away her sadness.
Azura held back a wince as Tarak gently nudged her. She glanced at him with a slightly scared expression on her face, but nodded slightly, agreeing to go with Tarak to introduce herself to the other kitsu. She glanced over where Kaida went to, but didn't see her 'sister'. Sighing, she flicked her limp tails slightly and waited for Tarak to walk towards Chroma and India.
Feeling surrounded by her mate, Chroma was beginning to feel more like herself. At least more like the pleasantly sleepy self that seemed to arise more when the pair was alone together.
"No Harm..." She repeated softly, not quite believing it but wanting to. She still ached for no reason she could explain. Introductions were always good. "I'm Chroma, & this is India." She inclined her mate. "We're each other's." That was added with slightly goofy grin.
Chroma knew India would want to lay down & cuddle soon; possibly sleep. So did she. Still, she was curious about these other kitsu, so she tried to emulate her brother best she could.
Thinking she felt India yawn beside her, Chroma discovered how tired she herself was. "I think..." She knew that was saying a lot. "We could all use some sleep. Start fresh in the morning."
"At least in my case." She murmured low, for India's hearing only.
Letting herself be led to a comfortable spot, Chroma eagerly curled into the familiar curves of her mate's sleepy form. Lulled by his breathing Chroma followed him to sleep easily.
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 4:39 pm
Dear Hello Greetings
Remus,
I promised to write to you, and so I have. I hope that you are well, and that you come back to me us soon. I miss you, and watch for the waning of the moon eagerly.
I think you will be surprised, upon your turn, by how beautiful Nari's become in the short period (has it truly been that short a time? It seems forevermuch longer...) that you've been ill. She's grown into a lovely young woman...I know that you admire her, so I thought that you might like to know.
So, what news do I have to bring you? I have made a friend since I last saw you, one whom I'm quickly growing fond of. Her name is Rhian, and she has a pretty smile. She seems to be nothing but skin and bones, however, and is very cautious (yes, even moreso than I, my friend) and wary of others. I suspect neglect, but I wouldn't disgrace her by asking about it. She seems to trust me a bit now, though her sister, Azura, does not. I shall have to introduce you on your return.
And now, I go to follow the map you brought me. I'm nervous, to call upon your house without you there to greet me, but I must if you are to recieve your letter. Wish me luck, for I sometimes think I couldn't find my way out of a paper bag.
Yours,
Ember.
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 6:41 pm
((I'm going to presume letter was on the third day of the full moon, since Remus gets out tonight. My fault, for not thinking or acting soon enough to make the journal before last night. ^_^))
Remus re-read the letter as he lapped the last traces of supper from his bowl. A pained smile graced his maw as he imagined Ember struggling with what to write & he lightly closed his eyes. Clearly, Ember preferred reading to writing, but that hardly mattered. What was important to Remus was that he had written at all. Not merely written, but delivered his missive too. It must have been difficult for Ember to knock on their door & to give his letter to a stranger. Remus was supremely grateful he had. Not only was it nice to hear of the world outside his shed, but it was like a balm for his soul knowing he had a friend like Ember.
He stretched with more energy than normal. His self inflicted wounds tug uncomfortably & Remus licked at them absentmindedly. With a happy yet rueful sigh he refolded the letter, placed it back on the tray & pushed it out the door flap to where his guardian waited outside. The poor little guy had to be near Remus or perish, but even the guardian could not stay with him while Remus was crazed. So Trelweny made the guardian a pet-palace just outside the door so he could be as close to his charge as possible. Remus knew he fussed from being unable to be hidden under his robes, but what was there to do? Belatedly, Remus realized he could have told Ember & Nari of how close he had come to disemboweling his familiar before he was able to escape through the small flap that first change as a kit. It had bothered him so much at the time that Remus had tried to bury the memory. Now it tugged full-force at his mind & heart. He was firmer set now in his resolve that no one -especially those he cared for- be near him during a change.
Curling onto a bedraggled & mangled pallet in the far corner, Remus heard the lock of the door flap click & sighed. One more night. He consoled himself by thinking. One more night & I can see my friends again.
With that he closed his eyes & waited for night to descend.
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Posted: Thu Jul 13, 2006 7:15 pm
Thursday 13 June 2006 - first night after full moonRemus felt like he was back in school, for all the books he was carrying in his robes. He only brought a small book for himself, but he had three others he was carrying as gifts & they chafed uncomfortably. His guardian contentedly chattered near his shoulder blades obviously glad their separation was over. For this month. Feeling much more chipper than he usually did just after a change, Remus shifted the books he carried & winced audibly as he entered Headquarters. From where she slept with India, Chroma's ears twitched at the familiar sound. "Remy?" She murmured sleepily. "Is'at you?" "Remus please, Chroma-dear." Her brother replied softly padding over to nuzzle her head gently, though he winced as he did so. "Yes, it is I. Have you been well?" Chroma licked his chin sleepily, not yet ready to wake up. "I was worried... India said I was blunt. Ember growled at me." She sniffled in her half sleep. "I said sorry... but I don't know..." Whether she was talking in her sleep or not, Remus could not be certain. Her distress was evident, even if he did not fully comprehend what had transpired. "Hush, Chroma-dear. All will be well. You shall see." He licked her brow reassuringly & she leaned back against her mate, satisfied. "Thanks, Remy."Padding away, Remus did not bother to correct her. He knew his darling sister was too far asleep to hear him anymore anyway. Alchemist.exe Rhian stretched out against one wall of the building, purring softly in her lazy state, before opening her eyes to look at the Kitsu who entered. She blinked slowly, cocking her head a bit after lifting it, watching him speak to Chromo from where she was laying with India. Autumn_Fury Ember slunk into the room, looking sulky, but as he did his normal room-scan, his eyes fell on a familiar kitsu, and he lit up, bounding over to pounce his friend. "Remus!!" he cried happily, glad to see his friend was here, and whole. "I was worried! How are you!" dbz2004
Kaida strolled into the main room of the HQ, her ears pricked up high and her head held down low. She let her tails drag on the ground, bot minding if they picked up any dust. The floors needed a good dusting anyways. She canted her head to one side as she heard voices nearby and she stopped in her tracks. Slowly, she slinked into some shadows and waited for someone to dare get close enough for her to pounce on them.
Autumn_Fury Before he could help himself, Ember's tongue darted out to lap lightly at Remus's cheek. He then froze, mortified, mind racing, and decided he'd pretend it hadn't happened. He just couldn't explain it, he couldn't. "You got my letter!" he exclaimed, beaming. "I'm, um glad!"
Ember frowned, noting how careful Remus was being. "Are you hurt, Remus..?" he asked unhappily, gently nuzzling his neck. Alchemist.exe Rhian watched from the shadows as Ember so happily greeted Remus, quickly figuring out that this was the friend that her friend had been missing. She smiled softly, sitting up a bit and just keeping quiet, a warm light in her blue eyes. Drawing back so he could see his friend, Remus inclined his head towards an open spot of floor near some gentle shadows. "I... hurt." His face gained a pained yet mildly sheepish look. "I have something for you, but I should like to lay down."He reasoned lamely. "I hope Tsu does not mind if I borrow one of her large pillows for the evening."Dragging one of the larger ones away from the main pile gently with his teeth, Remus positioned it within line of sight to both the main door & his sister but otherwise not in plain sight to others wandering casually around the room. Mau  With her wings safely tucked away over her kimono, Nari stepped into the room, kimono trailing along the floor. She glanced about shyly as she stepped in, not quite sure what to make of her newly grown form. dbz2004
Kaida heard footsteps coming from the other side of the room and she canted her head to one side. she could hear the voices of three other kitsu, but she was a little scared to go over to them. She didn't want the same thing to happen when she approached Ember and Rhian.
Autumn_Fury Ember say next to Remus, looking over him worridly. "Where do you hurt, Remus?" he asked absently, so focused on him that he didn't even see Rhi in her corner until he scanned the room again. When he did, he smiled briefly and made a come-here motion with his chin, then looked back to Remus. "Something...for me?" he asked in confusion, frowning a bit. "You...I mean...what...what did you..? You d-din't have to..." dbz2004
Nic quickly followed her baby sister into the room, a flashy smile on his maw. "Now, now, dear sister. There is nothing to be worried about. Your onii-san will protect you from..." he let his sentence fade away when he spotted a pretty female kitsu. Smirking, he sauntered over to the female kitsu to flirt with her a little bit.
[Alchemist.exe] Rhi blinked in surprise when she saw Ember notice her and gesture for her to join him and Remus, glancing around a bit to make sure he was motion for her, and not someone else. Slowly, carefully, she got to her feet and padded over to the two of them, hesitating a few feet away and waiting to be noticed again, not wanting to just barge in. Nokomis Midnight A semi screamish squeal came from noko as she was chased into the room. She was having fun. So was maul. However any onlooker would think the nightmare was trying to devoure her intestines as she was now on the floor tickling her with his maw. She squealed and shrieked and kicked attempting to get away. maul however wasnt letting her up any time soon. His only hope was that kenobi would see this and get so mad he exploded. He had been turned around, fluffing the pillow & so missed Nari's entrance. Turning his head only so far that he could see Ember, Remus smiled sadly. "Nearly everywhere, dear friend. Everywhere I can reach with claw or teeth." Which was as he had said nearly everywhere. His ears perked at the sudden sound of a scream, but Remus resigned himself to being too injured to do anything about it. Withdrawing all but his own small book from within his robes Remus made a pile of books beside the purloined pillow. Pleased, he smiled to himself before curling into a loose ball on top of the pillow. Glancing at Ember merriment danced in his eyes as Remus tapped the top book. "This," He paused waiting to see that his friend was clear he spoke of the large tome. "Is for you."He idly turned the book so that Ember could read the title. Werewolves: Fact & Fiction in the Wizarding World. "I thought you might like to know." Remus added with a light shrug as he watched his friend's face, nodding politely to the half starved kitsu nearing them. Mau Her eyes widened as Nokomis and the nightmare flew past her, then shook her head, mostly in disgust that her sister associated with such creatures, much less was friends with one. Wrinkling her nose a bit, she turned her head back towards the rest of the room, shifting her paws as she loked for Remus. Then, as she saw him sitting with Ember, her eyes brightened a bit and her tails wagged. "Remus!" Alchemist.exe Rhi had been ready to step forward, when another Kitsu appeared, speaking to Remus in a happy manner. Her ears tilted back slightly and she mewled a bit, beginning to back off into the corner again to hide. dbz2004
Kaida started to inch her way over to the three kitsu that were on the far wall of the room. She didn't bother listening to Noko's shrieks. She was used to that sort of stuff.
Distracted slightly by his sister, he turned his gaze away from the female kitsu to see what was all the commotion Noko was making. During those few brief moments, the femme gave him a disdained look and walked away from him. Sighing, after making sure that his sister was alright, Nic turned his gaze back to where the femme was to see that the spot was empty. Lowering his head in shame, he started to head over to Noko and Maul to break up their little 'funtime.'
Autumn_Fury Ember whined softly in sympathy at Remus's hurts, ears drooping slightly. His eyes widened almost comically as Remus showed him his gift, a large book. Tears welling in his eyes in gratitude, Ember again nuzzled at Remus's neck, seeing as puncing him would probably hurt. "Thank you so much!"
He then remembered he'd called Rhi over, and looked up, wondering where she'd gotten to. As he looked up for her, however, Nari made her appearance, and Ember sagged slightly. She was beautiful. As soon as Remus saw her, he'd forget all about Ember. "Hi, Nari.." he greeted softly, his voice slightly bitter. Mau "Hello, Ember." Nari gave the other kitsu a small smile and nodded her head towards him. start of the post that wasn't Remus glanced up happily. "Nari! You're here too?" He could hardly believe his good luck. Tilting his head to indicate she should join Ember & himself he casually hid the title of the second book with his robe sleeve.
He worried about the scared kitsu backing away, but knew it was not his place to intervene. Other than smile gently at her, to show it was all right.
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Posted: Fri Jul 14, 2006 7:45 pm
Next Day Page 2295Groggily Chroma stirred, stretching slightly into her living pillow. A happy smile touched her maw & she turned to nuzzle the dark kitsu beside her. "India... I think you're rubbing off on me. How's come I always wanna sleep around you anyway?"saedusk The nuzzle woke India from his light sleep. And he was obviously equally groggy. Blinking a few times, he cleared his vision. Actually, he'd almost forgotten that he was asleep next to her. He was used to her leaving and then returning later, while he still slept. That also reminded him of Roy. Well, he'd taken the other's advice and returned to her side not long after he'd left that day. "Mm... no idea." He mumbled in answer, nosing at her head. "Maybe I'm magic..." he continued, voice as joking as was possible at the moment. The bright hued kitsu had to agree. Then she giggled, shoving her nose under India's chin. "You make me feel all gushy inside... like a banana!" She peeked out just enough for her eyes to dance with laughter at his, remembering. "Speaking of bananas... I'm hungry. Are you?"saedusk "Gushy like a banana...?" He had to chuckle at that. At the mention of hunger, India felt his stomach grumble slightly. Trust just the word to get his stomach going. Of course, he would've eaten with her were he hungry or not. "Yeah... I suppose so," he answered, moving to rise. "Besides, who can resist bananas? Hopefully we'll find some this time." He shook, airing out his fur. Chroma rose with him, bouncing a little. "Well, we didn't check the counters then! I was too little! I bet we can see the countertops fine now." Nodding emphatically she hopped a little towards the kitchen; doubling back when it seemed India was being too slow. Grinning playfully, Chroma flipped her tails in a 'come hither' way & bounded off to the kitchen. Chroma did not really mind her mate's slowness. Her thoughts rarely ran that deep. To her, being slow was part & parcel of what made India, well... India. She would not try to change him... just tease him a bit. No matter what she said. saedusk Despite her thinking he was too slow, India continued at his tired rate. He wasn't exactly tired at the moment, but he found it rather entertaining to have her hop back to him and then ahead again. He shook his head. She had too much energy.
Once they'd reached their destination, he was forced to squint for a second. He'd forgotten how cleanly this place was. It was almost annoying. Blinking at the brightly lit, pristine kitchen Chroma let out a soft whimper. "Couldn't they have the lights on a dimmer or somethin'? 'specially if they're gonna have it so much brighter in here than the main room."Not waiting for a reply, Chroma awkwardly stood upright on her hind legs with her forepaws on the edge of the counter. India wanted bananas... she would find India bananas! In his out of the way corner, Remus stirred fitfully. His many wounds stuck uncomfortably to his robes & his paw hurt from the awkward angle he left it resting around the pile of books. Thankfully Tsu had not come by, noticing the pilfered pillow upon which he slept. The usually dignified could not believe he had fallen asleep like that. No He recalled, crinkling his brow in memory. You passed out from the pain, foolish kitsu. saedusk India thought for a moment, as if trying to get his mind to come up with a witty responce. The brightness was distracting. "Now, if they did that, Kitsu would be in here all the time snatching food. Everyone would eat too much." Well, that was the best he could come up with. Raising a brow as she stood to reach the counter, he merely shrugged. Less work for him to do. A slight smirk placed itself across his features. Ah, he'd end up paying her back somehow. Pain & shock. He had read in Ember's letter how Nari had blossomed while he was gone, but to see her... that was another matter entirely. That, mixed with the pain had been enough to send the wizard into a deep mental oblivion. Only he had not known he was the fainting type. dbz2004
Kaida sighed as she wandered down the hallway, not bothing pricking her ears up to hear anything. She had her red and black ears pinned back against her head as she took very light footsteps. She didn't want to bother with her hearing just get-not unless a kitsu popped out of nowhere and decided to talk to her.
Alchemist.exe Rhian was curled up in a corner, intently watching the Kitsu that her friend Ember was so fond of, blinking slowly and purring a little a bit as she watched him reawaken. Her blue eyes were barely open, giving the illusion that she was asleep, and she kept her breathing slow, hoping that she wouldn't be noticed. Autumn_Fury Ember blinked sleepily as Remus stirred, his eyes feeling dried-out and tired. He'd not slept much over the last few days, and less last night over worrying over what he'd say and do, and about Remus's wounds.
"Hey..." he greeted his friend softly, glancing at the page number in his new book that he was on, committing it to memory, and flipping it shut. "You...are you okay? You fell asleep so suddenly..." It was fun being able to look on the counters. Chroma was not allowed to do this at home. She sniffed around eagerly for the familiar scent of bananas, walking oddly down the length of the counter. At the far end she caught the scent just before she spotted them. "Nanas!" Chroma exclaimed happily pulling herself onto the counter, her hind end dangling & scrambling for a moment against the slick lower cabinet doors. Once up she swung her head around to beam at her mate. "They look ripe too!"Snagging the bunch off of their tree she hopped of the counter gracefully; more than making up for the ungraceful way she ascended. Grinning around her 'catch' Chroma placed the bananas in front of India. "Go ahead! I know they're your favorite."Remus chuckled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, my friend. I suppose it was not wise to leave my home so soon after the change... I usually give myself a day to recoup." He smiled again, trying to be reassuring. "I suppose despite your forewarning. I was not prepared for Nari's maturity." The scholar admitted, with only a trace of blush warming his cheeks beneath the chocolate fur. "It is always a wonder to see how quickly adulthood comes."saedusk All the while, India watched, a grin of sorts playing on his maw. For a moment he debated throwing out some dry comment, however he resisted. Something about this room put him in a mood, but he found he was able to handle himself when it came to ridiculing his mate. Well, he found he really couldn't.
When she placed the food in front of him, he smiled, stepping forward to lick her nose. "Thanks," he said, bending down to pull one from the bunch. As usual, he bit the middle, the ends falling cleanly to the floor. It took a while, but he chewed down the big bite and moved to peel the remaining ends before eating the insides and tossing the end peels near the trash to be deposisted later. Remus chuckled sheepishly. "I'm sorry, my friend. I suppose it was not wise to leave my home so soon after the change... I usually give myself a day to recoup." He smiled again, trying to be reassuring. "I suppose despite your forewarning. I was not prepared for Nari's maturity." The scholar admitted, with only a trace of blush warming his cheeks beneath the chocolate fur. "It is always a wonder to see how quickly adulthood comes."dbz2004
Kaida flicked her ears slightly before walking into the main room. She paused for a few seconds before twitching her ears slightly. Shaking her head, she started to walk into the room, not knowing that remus and Ember were in the room. Not paying attention to where she was going, she accidentally bumped into Ember and she backed up a few feet. "Sorry," she said in a soft voice. She bowed her head down in shame.
Alchemist.exe Rhi shifted to stretch out a bit more, purring softly as she kept watching Remus and Ember, blue eyes opening more now. Curiosity was there, as she was most definitely intrigued by how the two acted around each other. Her ears perked, just enough for her to be able to hear what they said. Autumn_Fury Ember smiled sweetly at Remus's admission, feeling something break inside him. He was careful not to let it show, not to upset his ailing friend, but he could not keep his eyes from clouding over slightly with grief. "Yes..." he agreed vaguely, nodding, though he wasn't sure what he was saying. "Beautiful, as I said..."
As he opened his mouth to say something else, he was knocked into, and he tumbled and skittered a ways away to cower, thinking that he'd been attacked. "I'msorryI'msorry!" he cried, ears flattening against his head, his eyes tightly shut. Determined to make a better go of it than the last time, Chroma picked out her own banana from the bunch & bit down hard. She was mildly surprised when it sliced in three just as India's did & she could only chew on the center thoughtfully, dumfounded. By the time she remembered she did not care for the peel & grimaced she was already swallowing her mouthful. "Ugh!" She exclaimed, lying down to lick out one of her ends. "I'll never understand what you see in the peal, 'ndia."saedusk "Only the middle part of the peel," India admitted, stalking over to pick up the peel ends he'd tossed. A little bit of banana mush had found its way onto the clean floor. That bothered him enough to move the ends into the trash. "Dunno, I just like it." Once the ends were rightfully deposited, he returned for another banana. "I guess to me its just like the peel of any other fruit," he mumbled around the banana he'd just picked up. He blinked, not quite fully awake as the female smacked into his friend & sent Ember into something like a panic. His brow furrowed, not understanding what could be wrong with his friend even as he wondered at the markings of the female. They were somehow familiar... "Kaida!" Remus said happily; pleased that he had remembered. "You have grown, Miss Kaida. Quite lovely I must say too." He blushed, feeling his age old insecurity around females surfacing as well as recalling that she could not see herself. He coughed, embarrassed. "It's all right, Ember. Kaida likes books too."About to nod for the female to join them Remus caught himself with a mental rebuke of her not being able to see it. "Kaida... would you join us? I have something I've been meaning to get to you, ever since we met when you were still but a juvenile."Autumn_Fury Ember whimpered embaressedly as he realized that it was just Kaida who'd knocked into him. Idiot, letting his stupid paranoia get away with him. "S-sorry, Kaida..." he murmured, moving back to sit by Remus and resisting the urge to simply bury his face like a kit into Remus's fur to hide his embaressment.
Chroma wrinkled her nose. "Yeah... I guess so..." The femme did not seem totally convinced. "It doesn't crunch though. And it's pithy." She added in distaste with a little shudder. "Not that I care if you eat the center peel. 'ndia!" It was a funny look she gave him: half worried, half laughing. "I just won't be eating any more of them!" The proclamation was heightened with a nod of her head as Chroma sucked out the banana from her second end. Cocking her head coquettishly at India she asked. "You don't care if I check out what else is around to eat, do you?"[Alchemist.exe] Rhian had lifted her head in alarmed manner as Ember had scrambled back in a panic, blinking several times and mewling softly, ears perked up straight. But, she quickly settled down again, retreating back in a state of silence, watching her friend with worry. saedusk India idly peeled his last end, his claw sticking in the soft center as he seemed to grow suddenly lazy. He merely shrugged at her explaination, a little grin pulling at the corner of his maw as he acted uninterested. It wasn't until he caught the little gesture out of the corner of his eye that he fully viewed her. Rasising a brow, he shook his head. "Knock yourself out," he said, wondering momentarily if she would take that literally. Nah, he shook his head again, though this time at himself. Remus nuzzled the top of Ember's head lightly in a comforting gesture. "Have you met Kaida before, Ember?" From the corner of his eye he saw the sickened kitsu react with Ember & wondered at it. "If you like, you can tell your friend that I do not bite..." His voice trailed off sheepishly. "Well, I do not bite others at any rate." Remus tried to divert his eyes from his self inflicted wounds but found himself unable to. Giving her mate an affectionate lick at the base of his ear, Chroma bounced over to a cupboard. Pawing it lightly she opened the door, only to be disappointed with what she found. Not to be deterred, Chroma checked the next one, then the next. Mostly cooking supplies. Her nose wrinkled unhappily. "This place is designed for humans & anthros! I can't cook!"Flinging open the refrigerator she yanked the crisper open & grabbed a carrot. Her previous disappointment forgotten Chroma gnawed the crunchy treat gaily. Autumn_Fury Ember automatically leaned into Remus as he was nuzzled, a quiet purr slipping from him. It felt good, so good to be touched by Remus, even in so simple a guesture. But Remus had asked him a question, hadn't he? Oh right, he had to answer...
"Yes, I've met her." he affirmed with a nod, then blinked at Remus's next words. Friend? He looked around in confusion, and realized that he'd been so wrapped up in talking to Remus that he hadn't even seen Rhian sitting there. Idiot. "Rhi, hello!" he called, "C'mere, I want you to meet my friend." saedusk How quickly her tune could change. India shook his head, laughing lightly as she finished her search and came up happy, even after the disappointment of coming across so many mere supplies in the process. Stretching idly, he pulled one last banana from the bunch, which actually only left one. Leaving his chosen fruit, he grabbed the last one and hopped up, setting it on a rather random spot of the counter before returning to eat the one he'd taken. "Good?" he asked, just before biting into his banana. Alchemist.exe Rhian looked startled when her friend gestured and called for her to come over to her. Slowly, she got to her feet and stepped forward, mewling a little and stopping a few feet away so she could wait to be introduced, but, as she waited, she carefully looked over remus, curious. Remus could not help but chuckle. In some ways Ember reminded him of Chroma, with her one-track mind. Thinking of his sister, his eyes darted to where she had been sleeping with India only to find the spot empty. Trying to push down his brotherly fear, he listened intently, catching the sound of voices from the kitchen. Remus could just hear enough to convince himself they belonged to Chroma & her mate. With a wry grin he forced himself to return to calmness. He smiled warmly at the thin Kitsu before speaking gently. "Hello."Beaming at her mate, Chroma's eyes glistened happily. "uh-huh!" she managed before setting her teeth to grind the hard vegetable with gusto. "A'most as fun as eatin' 'nanas!"Autumn_Fury "Remus, this is Rhian, the one I wrote to you about." Ember commented, nodding his head once and inching a little closer to Remus in hopes he'd nuzzle him again. No matter how foolish that may be..."Rhi, this is Remus." He hoped anxiously that Remus would approve of Rhian, and that she would of him. There was little he knew that was more awkward than having two close friends who didn't like each other. saedusk "Almost," he agreed knowingly. It almost sounded as if he'd actually had a carrot before. "Plus, there's no nasty peel to slow you down, eh?" He added, grinning slightly as he moved up to his mate in an attempt to steal a bite before she ate it all. He pondered merely slinking up close and making himself smaller than she, waiting for a bite to be offered. But trying to snatch a bite was more fun. Alchemist.exe Rhian purred softly, smiling warmly at Ember, before bowing her head politely to Remus. "It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Remus," she said softly, moving to sit down beside Ember, purring softly to him for a moment. She rather liked Remus already... he seemed very nice. Remus smiled warmly, not letting on how Ember had spoke of her being skin & bones, which was an apt description. "The pleasure, Miss Rhian, is all mine." He bowed his head slowly, being mindful of his wounds. His blush faded, watching the female take the other side of Ember. Females were always easier for him to deal with once he mentally 'set' them with a friend. As if that made them safe somehow. "Well," Chroma paused, surprisingly thoughtful. "I guess you could call the whole thing a peel really." Her nose about to crinkle she made an odd sound like a pout mixing with a mew as her mate stole the last bite out from under her. Chroma watched him a second, not quite pouting & mostly caught off-guard. "Hey that was mine!" She exclaimed at last, arching her brow coyly. Then a mischievous glint sparkled in her eye. "so... whatcha gonna give me for it?" She asked, her tails swishing playfully as if indicating that should he not do something she would. dbz2004
Kaida hard Ember's apology faintly, her ears still pinned back against her skull. It was then that she decided to p***k her ears up to hear better. She heard remus' comment about him having a present for her and she immediately turned her head in the direction of his voice. "A present? for me? How kind of you," she said in a soft voice. She twitched her ears in the direction of Ember as she sat down on her haunches. Indeed, they both had met before. Sighing, she scooted towards Remus a few inches, not knowing that another kitsu was about to approach them.
saedusk Rather than even bother looking threatened, India merely flopped over, chewing on his ill-gained piece of carrot. A sly grin found itself on his maw when he finished. "Sorry, I don't have anything," he said nonchalantly. Yawning, he flipped over, laying down all the way. "Just what are you gonna do about it?" Oh, he was asking for it. He knew he was asking for it. But he just couldn't resist. Yawning once more, he stretched and shut his eyes, feigning sleep. Still, he had to fight to resist the urge to peek. Alchemist.exe Rhian blinked slowly, before smiling softly at Remus and nodding slightly. "I'm glad to finally meet you. Ember speaks of you fondly... you're a good friend of his, and... I hope that you and I can become friends as well," she said softly, purring a bit as she stretched out beside Ember. He smiled again, wondering when he became so easygoing around others. Remus felt he was being more self-assured than he felt. Moving his free paw he tugged the bottom book from what remained of his pile & pushed it towards the sight impaired kitsu. "I found this for you, Kaida. It is a book..." He paused knowing that would probably pain her in some ways. "But you read it with your paws. I have been learning its letters myself, & though it takes some time it is not impossible."
"I have learned that most of the classics at least have been reprinted in Braille."Chroma had been waiting for him to finish the carrot. Trelweny had told her time & time again how easily food could choke a kitsu -or other living being- & the last think Chroma wanted to do was hurt India. When He lay down, she hunkered into pounce position with much anticipation. "I think you have something..." She grinned, thinking this was a great game. "I’ll have your laughter!" With that she pounced, intent on tickling her mate unmercilessly. Well, tickling intermittently mixed with gentle nips & light licks. Still... it would be much fun. At the sound, Remus looked at the kitchen hearing his sister's attack cry & belatedly wondered how India would fare. dbz2004
Kaida reached a paw out until it hit the book. She canted her head to one side as she gently slid the book closer to her and she opened it up. Gently, she let the tips of one of her paws scan the pages to discover raised dimples on the pages. She twitched an ear slightly as she tried to feel what the words were supposed to be, but she got frusterated easily. Pushing her frustration aside, she put on a happy face and smiled cheerfully at Remus. "Thank you so much. I will cherish this for life."
Mau A small yawn, and ears perked at the sound of voices. Nari was buried in her usual oblivion of the pile of pillows, for the most part unaware of the rest of the world.. until she heard a certain voice. With a blink, she stretched and poked her nose out into the main room - mostly still hidden behind the pillows. Remus looked.. exhausted. She frowned, then shook it off and stepped out of hiding, smoothing her kimono out as she went. "Rem-chan, Ember!" Autumn_Fury Ember blushed as Rhian told Remus how he'd spoken of his friend, and was grateful once more for having fur to cover his flushedness. "I, uhm, it's easyto talk about you like that!" he commented hurridly, wincing at how defensive he sounded. "You're wonderful..." he added softly, wondering if perhaps Remus would catch on to what was probably obvious on his face. He no doubt looked absolutely infatuated, because, well...he was. But if Remus didn't ask, he certainly wasn't going to go out on a limb and tell him. Alchemist.exe Rhian's eyes lowered when Ember spoke of Remus so kindly and she laid her head down on her front paws, stretching out a bit as she just fell silent once more, simply watching the two of them talk without bothering to put in her two-cents. saedusk Though he knew without a doubt that this was coming, his reaction time was still slowed. Unable to get away, he could feel his mate's weight. Well, he wouldn't go down without a fight. Not this time. Wriggling around, he pawed at her, trying to get in a good few play-bats before he was likely incapacitated by the tickling. There was no way he could forget what happened last time. He was deathly ticklish. An unheathly thing to be around Chroma. He let his sincerity ring in his voice, knowing she likely could not see the honest kindness in his eyes. Remus could not imagine a life without books, much less without sight. How do the nightmares do it? He wondered. Feeling more was needed he added, "Since this is a learning book, both the Braille 'dots' & the letters they represent are raised. Though if you have any trouble I will be glad to aid you if I am able."Remus started at the female's voice, so full of new maturity in tone & timbre. It was a little easier to slowly turn his head. Though his racing heart bespoke him to hurry, Remus moved with care for his injuries as well as for the easily spooked Ember & Rhian. "Nari! You have grown beautifully into adulthood." He stopped for the blush that overtook him made him feel overly warm. To hide his embarrassment, he nuzzled Ember. "Thank you, dear friend. You are easy to speak of too. Trelweny asks when my quiet friend will come to read in our library." Though he puzzled at Ember's look of adoration he did not put too & too together. Of course, had Ember been female he still would not have put it together. Though he was getting used to having such close friends, Remus still harbored too much belief that he was unfit for romantic involvement. So any overtures sailed blissfully over his over-analyzing head. "I think it is you who are wonderful."Chroma gave her mate room to fight back. She did not want him hurt, as she still feared he had been the last time. So she squirmed with happy teasings into & out of his grip, licking his nose or nipping the soft places of his ears. She wanted fun but she wanted it to last. When India got a good tickle in on her, Chroma dissolved into giggles into his fur. Mau She paused mid-step, flushing furiously at the compliment briefly before gathering herself and continuing on. She gave Ember a small smile before sitting next to Remus and looking him over. "You're badly hurt.." Alchemist.exe Rhian glanced about a bit, humming softly, before slowly getting to her feet, a tiny purr coming from her. She nuzzled lightly at Ember's ear, before heading over to her corner again, quickly moving to curl up there. She felt too out of place... and it was starting to hurt, for some reason, to see Ember moon over Remus... dbz2004
Kaida nodded her head slightly and bowed down low to Remus. "Thank you again. I hope that with time I am able to learn this new language and become fluent in it." She quickly turned to the beginning of the book and started with memorizing the simple alphabet.
Autumn_Fury Ember winced as he heard Nari's voice, as had become habit these days. He bristled at the title she gave Remus, stiffly nodding his hello to her, and gave a sharp whimper as Remus told her she was beautiful, unable to help himself. However, when he mentioned his owner's wishes for him to come to her library, and when he said that Ember was, of all things, wonderful, he nearly forgot these unhappinesses. Almost, but not quite. He nuzzled against Remus with a thankful purr, both for the comment and the restatement of the invitation to visit his library, and then trotted off a ways, deciding that Remus would probably prefer it if Ember just left him alone with the Wonderous Nari who called him Rem-chan. He half-wondered if Rhian would follow him, but dismissed it. She'd probably rather stay with Remus and Nari too, he thought bitterly (though he failed to notice that she'd already gone off to her corner again), seeing as they were both so wonderful and he so...desperate, and clingy, and stupid. Alchemist.exe Rhian watched Ember go, blinking slowly, before slowly getting to her feet. As much as it ached, she couldn't let him go off alone. "Em," she said softly, trotting a bit to keep up, startled that she had managed that speed - she had only been able to walk for the longest time. "Are you all right?" she whispered, looking up at him with worry in her blue eyes. She hated to see him hurting... saedusk India's laughing slowly stopped and he sighed as the tickling ended. For now he was safe. However, there was a little part of his mind that told him as soon as she recovered, he would be tickled again. Ah, the trials of love. Trying to protect himself from such a fate, he flung a soft paw around her, pulling her closer. Perhaps he could get her to relax... then there would be no tickling. His mind slowly plotted such.
Had anyone told a little kit verson of India that he would grow to plot ways of escaping tickling, he would've told them that they were crazy. Remus smiled that Kaida liked her book. To Nari he said lightly. "It is nothing new. I am simply glad I am the only one I could reach." There came a slight chittering from his robes, & Remus ducked his head in shame. "My familiar reminds me that he is certain to stay away those times." Remus almost slipped; almost spoke easily in front of Kaida & Rhian of his 'condition'. How easily he could lapse in Ember & Nari's company. He set his jaw. His brow crinkled as Rhian & Ember each got up & left separately. Rhian seemed fond of Ember & he wondered that his friend did not pay more attention to her. "I apologize... I hope I did not offend..." There was a hurt look in his eyes, not understanding why his friend should desert him yet not go with the female. He did not think there had been an argument. Perhaps he was too close to coming out of the change to have noticed one. He was relieved to see Rhian approach Ember & sighed. Chroma shivered lightly as her mate's paw encircled her. Halfheartedly she tickled again, but she was not in it. She lay on top of him, pressing her body close. If anyone had told her she would be spending this much time still or sleeping, she would have denied them with a laugh. Funny, she was finding stillness to be nearly as much fun as wild & wonton romping. She nipped playfully at India's fur near her muzzle. "India... are we gonna sleep in the kitchen again? It's bright in here." She peeked her light blue eyes up at his & batted them playfully as she had seen Keyna the kyunru do. It always made her eyes look so innocent, & Chroma fancied herself nearly innocent right now. Nearly, for she was tempted to tickle her mate again should he start drifting to sleep. dbz2004
If kaida had heard the little slip-up Remus made, she made no motion to indicate it. Instead, she continued to study the alphabet, clearly engulfed in the book, her eyes glazed over slightly.
Mau "I think.. perhaps it was not you who offended." She gave him a quick rub on the cheek before going back to poking at his wounds. "I can heal them, if you'd like.. " Autumn_Fury Ember slumped sadly, resting his chin on his paws. His ears flattened, and his tails flicked back and forth in distress as he closed his eyes and tried to will away his jealousy. Remus liked Nari. He should not be surprised or hurt when he complimented her, or spoke well of her...it was not his place, and was an awful thing for a friend to do. Surely, Remus must hate him for such behaviors?
As Rhian softly questioned him, he silently shook his head, keeping his eyes screwed tightly shut, this time to keep from crying for sheer hopelessness. "No.." he finally replied, his voice tight and choked, growing more upset with every thought of Nari and Remus, Remus and Nari. "N-no, Rhi...I'm...I'm...not. saedusk Letting out a long, draw sigh, India feigned annoyance. "Well, I suppose we don't have to." Carelessly, he swished his tails around, purposly brushing them against hers. "However," as if part of his act, his tone was regal. He told himself he was merely 'in character.' "It is rather difficult to move with you on top of me." Even with that said, he made no move to remedy the situation, nor did he remove his paw. Alchemist.exe Rhian mewled up at him, whimpering a little and looking even more worried as she nuzzled at him a little. "Is there anything I can do to help?" she asked quietly, blinking owlishly and brushing her tails lightly against his, hoping and praying she could do something to make him happy again. Remus sighed, his emotions reeling, his head confused. "Really?" He felt like a kit again with that question. He hurt too much to go after Ember & secretly the romantic in him hoped that something would come of Rhian's apparent fondness of the brooding kitsu. Oblivious that he -Remus- was. He winced each time Nari poked a wound; as gentle as he presumed the angelic was attempting to be. "I would not ask it of you... but neither would I be able to deny your aid, lovely creature."At India's tone, Chroma's head jerked upright to look at him half-cocked. Then she giggled. Feeling his paw around her & his tails intertwined with his, Chroma did not wish to relinquish hold either. "Perhaps we could roll out of the kitchen." She eyed the door questioningly. It looked wide enough. If they were careful. Experimentally, Chroma wrapped herself around her mate & leaned trying to pull him along with her until India was on top. Mau "He is not fond of my nickname for you, I think." Nari grinned, and ceased poking at his wounds for a few minutes. "I would rather see you healed and feeling better rather than wincing everytime you're touched." Autumn_Fury "N-no..." Ember repeated in response to Rhian's question. Though he was slightly comforted by her tails brushing over his, she was not Remus, and Remus was busy no doubt being stolen away by Nari. Wait, what? He blinked in confusion at his own thought. When had he started thinking of Remus as his? Nari couldn't steal what he didn't have, he told himself firmly, glancing over at the two in time to hear that Nari wanted to heal Remus...and in time to hear Remus call Nari a 'lovely creature'. That was the last straw. Ember burst into tears, curling in on himself and pulling his tails tightly around him in hopes that he could muffle himself so that he wouldn't disturb anybody with his foolishness. Alchemist.exe Rhian looked horrified when Ember began to cry, quickly moving to nuzzle him and trying to get him to calm down. "Oh, Emmy..." she whispered, whimpering softly and nuzzling him allthemore, wishing desperately that there was something more to be done. She couldn't help but to feel a little bitter towards Remus and Nari, despite knowing that there was really nothing that they could do. saedusk Despite the strange pulling feeling that went along with being rolled by his mate, India let it be done. Once he was on top, however, he put his paw down, literally. No matter how slow they were going, the rolling messed with his stomach, especially after eating three bananas. "Unless you wanna be cleaning acid banana out of your pretty fur, I suggest we exit the normal way." Laughing lightly, he lifted himself from her, nosing at her shoulder as if telling her to follow. Not that he doubted she would.
Exiting the bright kitchen, he was grateful for the dulled look of the main room. But the large group of Kitsu bothered him somewhat. No matter how old he got, large crowds still bothered him. Well, at least he knew most of them. Then again, happening to known Ember as he saw the other in such a sad state made his stomach flip, even though they didn't get along well. Still, he knew it was none of his business. Slinking over to the corner, he laid down and stretched, waiting for Chroma to join him. The wizard's ear twitched. "Nickname?" He tilted his head, wondering what Rem-chan could possibly mean. "So long as you do not call me Remy I do not see where a problem could be." He shook his head, clearly at a loss. "If it would make you happy, please, feel free. But do not tax yourself for my sake. I m used to letting these wounds heal naturally."He started painfully to hear Ember burst into tears, wincing at the jolt he gave himself as dried scabs pulled off where they were attached to his robes. His eyes were soft with worry. "Ember! He's hurt? But what could have made him hurt?" Remus did not see any cause for his friend to cry like he was. The sick kitsu seemed to be doing her best to console Ember, but even Remus could see that whatever Rhian was doing it did not seem to be enough. He could only hope it would be. Chroma pouted only a moment before rolling onto her feet & following her mate. She did not slink, she did not bounce, but she almost ran to his side. Touching him again, Chroma began to groom India, beginning with his head. "You sleep." She told him firmly. "I'll give you a bath & join you."Mau "His pain is.. an emotional one, Remus. He is very fond of you. And, the nickname..." She stopped, glancing over at Ember, sympathizing with him for a moment before taking in Rem's reaction to the movement. Her eyes widened. "You're hiding injuries! Remus, can you even move?" Autumn_Fury Ember continued sobbing raggedly into his tail, not even realizing that Rhian had gone. All he noticed was how much it hurt, it hurt, it hurt. He almost wished he'd never met Remus, never found how wonderful he was. Then he wouldn't be in pain now. "Reeemus..." he whimpered amid his tears, "please...." He supposed he could understand that. "I am fond of him too..." Somehow Remus felt he was missing something, but it slipped from his grasp. "It's just a nickname..." His heart ached to see his friend weep so. He tried to duck his head in shame, but the effort was too much. He sighed heavily instead, lowering his eyes. "Barely." He admitted sheepishly. Finishing her mate's 'bath' Chroma began her own. For some reason tonight, she wanted them to sleep together freshly clean. Odd, considering she was not the keenest on baths to begin with. Mau She grinned. He really was clueless - about Ember anyways. But it wasn't her place to tell - and Ember may not have been pleased with her had she revealed the secret. "You.." Sighing, she laid down next to him, curling up as close as possible. "I cannot imagine the pain you're in right now." Closing her eyes, and resting her nose on his back, she began healing him as best she could, a faint golden glow surrounding the both of them. (healing will drain her, but.. depends on how badly he's wounded.. it won't hurt her, unless she heals often or resurrects someone altogether.. just make her sleepy) Autumn_Fury "l'veyou.." Ember mumbled hoarsely, his voice grainy with tears. He'd worn himself out, it appeared, with his outburst, for his entire body seemed to loosen as he relaxed, drifting off into the sweet escape of sleep. He'd deal with his confusion and such later, right now, he just wanted to sleep until everything went away. Remus sighed, letting his head fall with one last pleading glance at Ember for him to come back & let him know what was bothering him so. He closed his eyes, recognizing the signs of someone having cried himself to sleep. His human often did that; & Remus at one point was not beyond it himself. It hurt to think that Ember was pained enough to cry like that. As gently as he could, Remus tucked his head around Nari, feeling the warmth of her healing glow. "I hope you never have a chance to feel the pain, Nari." He sighed again, this time almost happily. "Thank you."His eyelids flickered. Just enough to catch sight of his sister settling down for the night with India. Satisfied, he let himself be lulled to sleep by the warmth of Nari's body & her healing magic. Mau Nari was silent and still for several minutes as she concentrated on healing Remus. Her power was enough to heal the wounds he had, leaving no trace of scarring, before she grew weary. Glancing over at him and finding him asleep, she rubbed her cheek against his briefly and mrred before resting her head on her paws and, sparing one last look at Ember, yawned and let her eyes close. "Rem-chan.. heart " Her sleepy mumbling was soft, not loud enough for anyone other than Remus to hear - if he was awake at all.
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Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 10:40 pm
Upon Waking -15July2006 Page 2311Mau Nari stirred a little bit at the sound of her siblings arguing, but she chose to ignore it rather than to interfere - which would be pointless. Her older brother and sister always fought over something or another.. thankfully, not so much as her older sister fought with their grandmother. That was enough to turn the family temple into a war zone. Peeking at them with one eye half-opened, she shook her head and burrowed her face into Remus's robes, partially to drown out the noise, and partially just to be closer. Mau Remus: I'm dreaming, I'm dreaming, I must be dreaming.. xd Poor thing. As the sounds of the argument ceased, Nari lifted her head slightly and glanced around the room. Nokomis had left - and Nic had settled himself into the couch with a book. ~Good.. the argument is over for now..~ With a sigh, she shook her head and nuzzled Remus's cheek, mrr'ing softly. "Are you feeling better?"
He blushed, belatedly realizing he had missed answering her question. "Much better. Thank you." He returned the nuzzle, more tentatively.Mau "Have pleasant dreams, did you?" She smiled, rubbing her cheek against his happily. "It's strange to not have Ember here, isn't it? Last night, he fell asleep over there..." Her eyes wandered to the spot where Ember had collapsed, with the other kitsu trying to comfort him.
He leaned his cheek into her rubbing, startling himself when he felt a purr forming within him. The purr dwindled at her mentioning Ember. It was not fair for him to feel so wonderful -even only in a dream- when his dear friend was so hurt that he had cried himself out. Eyes full of sadness Remus followed Nari's gaze.
"Yes. It is strange. I wonder what caused him to leave." His voice was low & thoughtful as he tried to replay the evening in his mind. "I still do not see a cause for it."
Remus sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping. "Perhaps I have not been a good enough friend to him..."Mau "..." Frowning, she lowered her head. "You really.. don't know, do you?" Mau "It is.. an affectionate term." She blushed, and looked down at her paws. "One that would not usually be used with a friend.. unless they were very close. And.. Ember likes you.. a lot."
The way she said the last really confounded him. "I like him too."
He let out his breath with a frustrated sigh. "Why do I get the feeling I am missing something completely obvious to everyone but me?"Mau "I do not want to be just friends with you - neither does Ember." She shot him a pleading glance to the side, hoping that he would understand that meaning.
[okay, now if he misses that.. xd <3]
Wait... Ember wanted the same? That was not part of a dream. It brought him crashing down that this was very likely real. His eyes widened, his brow furrowed, & Remus was suddenly very glad he was already lying down. "But... that's quite... unbelievable. Perhaps you are confused. My condition..." He shook his head incredulously. "There are better choices for you, better choices for Ember..."
His eyes jolted suddenly even wider. "Ember is a male!" His thoughts had finally progressed far enough for that to tremble his delicate sensitivities. He was rather old fashioned in many ways. "It is preposterous that he should..."
He glanced at Nari's dear face, perplexion on his own. The argument fled him. Remus deflated gently & his eyes softened. "When the two of you in your own turns mentioned love... you did not mean the love between friends?"
Remus was shaking with the sudden realization. His flight instincts were up, to no avail. Nari was laying on much of his loose robe. He was blessedly trapped. But if all she said was true... what could he do? She deserved better than he could give her, no matter her feelings. Ember... what would he do about Ember?
Mau "You do not choose who you fall in love with, Rem-chan. It simply happens. And Ember and I have not discussed this - but I can read from his behavior.. He did not like me near you at first.. and later tolerated it." Feeling him go tense, she looked over at him. Would he flee? She hoped not.. regardless of his "condition" which was.. not much of anything to her - there were much worse things to be afflicted with. "I wish I could cure you.. then you would not have to worry about your 'condition'" She frowned, and scooted off of his robes, so that he could flee if he wanted to. The door to the potions closet closed with a slam, and Tsu huffed as she glared at the pair curled up on what was, undoubtably, one of her pillows from her pile. She let out a low growl, but hesitated from yanking said pillow right out from under them. If one of them had not lived in her household, she would not have hesitated, but.. Golden eyes widened at the slamming of the door, and the appearance of a very annoyed female kitsu. Isis had only the smallest of awareness of who Tsu was - she had very little interest in most of the kitsu within her household. The two twins, one of whom lived elsewhere, held much more interest to her - for they held the power over life and death, a power granted to few. Nokomis Midnight Hoshi yawned carrying a egg in his clutch. it wasnt his however azrael was out on a mission and he was egg sitting. Couldnt leave the little egg alone now could he? Flying up to a perch he settled the egg between his tails and glanced over to a pair of golden eyes he hadnt seen in a long time. Yet at the same time he wished she wasnt there. Azrael certainly hadnt told her about the egg yet. " Good evening isis" he said calmly. He certainly could admit to himself he was much more calm than he was in the old days. Being a healer himself he had grown up. very quickly. Particularly with four nightmares in the house now.
Severus groaned from his hidden spot. " Tsu stop slamming that door!" he barked out sounding meaner than he had really sounded. He stood his copy of " Most potent potions" falling to the floor. He was glad no one was watching him , mostly because as the book fell it revealed he had been reading The quibbler. He streached out slowly with a yawn looking over at his sons marius and armand who were sleeping curled around various objects. He was glad they were adults. means that when they got into trouble he wasnt the one that got yelled at.The slam of the door didnt just alarm a few others. A little tan nose stuck out from beneath the mass of jedi robes. Noko glanced carefully up at obiwan before snuggling back in though keeping a look out. She could see the smile on the jedi masters face as she curled in against him again. It was good being an adult. However her curiosity was piqued when she saw nari and remus. She smirked wishing nari would just jump in and kiss the boy already. Mau Isis narrowed her eyes on the younger angelic. Most particularly, on the egg he carried with him. It wasn't his. That much was obvious to her. Stretching her wings, she fluttered over to him and investigated the egg before giving him a look. "Why are you looking after an egg that is not yours? "You try having your things stolen all of the time." She growled in response to her father's harsh bark, ears flattening against her head. She really hated people stealing her pillows. Nokomis Midnight Severus groaned but his protest was answered quickly as his friend lucius who had also woken up but was rather unhappy about it even if it was tsu, whipped his wand out and had deftly transfigured a flowerpot into two comfy pillows. Severus snorted and walked over checking his daughter over. " there problem solved. " he said as lucius curled up muttering and was quickly back asleep.
Hoshi looked down at the egg and made sure it was stable so it wouldnt fall. hed hate to have to explain to an angry azrael why his daughter was now scrambled eggs. " Babysitting. " he said simply," Havnt you ever babysat?" he asked with a wry smile. He doubted the beautiful angel ever had.
He sighed heavily. Feeling his robes no longer pulled by Nari's weight upon them he tilted his head to look at her in this new light. She loved him -miracle of miracles- yet she was willing to let him flee if he wanted to. Part of him still did, though the sharpness of the instinct was already dulling.
Remus stayed put, feeling a dead weight in his gut in contrast with the fluttering lightness of his heart. He was being selfish, to stay. "I have been selfish... like a child. I want you both beside me... perhaps I was foolish..."
"Perhaps I am being selfish & foolish now. I should leave..." A tear slid from his eye as he turned to gaze at her face. "I am weak. I no more want to leave you than I want you to leave me."Nokomis Midnight " such familial love" he said curling closer around the egg. " will you say the same about your own children?" he finally managed a comfortable position. " there was issues. Gemini has moved on. Got quite an admirer in an angel named Rumil. " he said glancing down at the egg. " Azrael however.met moonsprite. However its not my story to tell. Hell be back hes doing an..errand. " he said wincing. He knew exactly what the errand was. Lives ending.
Severus sighed walking over to lupin and nari. Grabbing the pillows he yanked giving them a look of " please forgive me but its to shut my kid up" and heading over to tsu dropping them" there " he said before grabbing the other two pillows from lucius who was about ready to transfigure tsu, and cart them over to nari and lupin before going back and flopping down on a couch.
Noko giggled from underneath the jedi robes. she could see the whole thing though the only thing her giggles got her was a blue and black wing curling tightly around her. she sighed happily. this was the life.
His blood raced within him. "Do you really think so?" With his paw Remus brushed her hair down so it could not tickle his nose. So soft. He worried that Ember's reaction of the previous night would be the norm & sighed, letting his head rest near Nari's.
"My decision... " Of course there would have to be a decision. He could not simply let things be assumed. Remus decided to return to that thought when his thoughts were more controlled.
"I suppose not. Though it makes me quite unsafe." Remus tried to relax, but the noises around the room were distracting. His body seemed to react to each kitsu in rounds. It was a little unnerving. why is it every time Severus does show up it is inconvenient to ask him about the wolfsbane potion?Mau "Yes.. but only for a short time.. Things like that can be worked around." She blinked as Severus yanked the pillow away, but then laughed. She understood too well Tsu's moodiness about "her" pillows. "Would you like me to ask? Tsu, that is.. about the wolfsbane?" Tsu had been in the middle of another protest when the pillows were dumped on her head. Stopping, mouth open, she blinked before gathering herself and glaring at Lucius. "Try to cast that spell on me, I dare you :p" Isis sighed. "I do not care his reasons. He goes through mates too quickly." She frowned at his words. "Would you take love so carelessly, that you would throw mates aside? Whether or not they heal afterwards, it does not matter. I am tired of him claiming love, when there is no love there." [Isis = idealist. you stay with the person you love. FOREVER. XD] "As for my children... I will most likely never have any." Stretching her wings out, she gave him a small nod. "Enjoy your babysitting duties." And with that, she fled to the darker corner of the rafters.
He felt himself chuckle & marveled at it. "We should bring in pillows of our own. Or perhaps I should transfigure more on my own." Remus chortled, almost in embarrassment. In all this time, he had not thought to transfigure or bring his own pillows. Why should he, when Tsu was never here & her pillows went unused so often?Nokomis Midnight hoshi snorted in anger yelling at her retreating form" His first mate DIED. do you get that DEAD." he glared. " brat. " was all he could mutter out before curling around the egg again. Whatever love he had for that angel was slowly drifting away. He was to tired of trying as the realization that he wasnt perfect hit him. Therefor he settled himself down resigned to not try anymore. Severus's ears perked at the words wolfsbane. He chuckled from his couch" As angry as she is at the moment i wouldnt chance it miss. " he said moving around to lay on the floor and read his new copy of " Culdrons and more supplies. " catalog. (noko:* SNERK*) Lucius snorted waving his wand quickly casting a silencing spell on her. he would get sleep tonight if he had to put a leg locker curse on her. Mau "Ahhh.. but I have a secret weapon." Grinning, she waved a paw at him before trotting over to the pile of pillows in the corner. There were a few moments of silence, with most of the conversation taking place in signs, thanks to Lucius's meddling, before Nari made her way triumphantly back to Remus. "She will ask Severus to teach her how to make it.. " Nokomis Midnight Severus smirked over at lupin and whispered over" i should have thought of a silencing charm a long time ago. Could have quieted the entire house down with one wave. " he said chuckling before looking back at his paper. " if its wolfsbane you need you should have asked. "
"It is a very difficult potion..." he began warily, not wanting to doubt the daughter of Severus' potion making skills yet at the same time already trusting her father's.Mau "Yes.. but Tsu can always be found easily - she does live in my household.. and she is the only of Severus's children to have inherited his love of potions.. and his ability.."
He pawed at his ears to rid himself of the nagging voice. Do you even love her? Are you being a hypocrite as well as selfish? "I have never permitted myself to love..." He muttered into his robes, audibly answering the unspoken question.Mau "If you don't want to.." Her ears dropped a little - especially when he muttered in a voice low enough that she couldn't hear.
He drooped, almost seeming to wilt. "There is so much to process... & it is heady stuff." Remus flashed her an apologetic smile. "My emotions are in turmoil. Now I have watched you speak with one on my behalf who only moments ago seemed ready to eat our spleens over a pillow."
It could almost be endearing, the sheepish look upon his face as Remus ducked his head while trying to keep eye contact. "I simply do not know what to make of it all."
"And truth be told... I do not know what I feel either." His voice trembled, nearly breaking over the confession.Mau "Ah.. well, as I said, I have a secret weapon." Her tone was cheerful again, and she leaned over to whisper to him. "I promised we would both stay away from her pillows from now on. She is so sensitive about them." She glanced over at Tsu, who was still glaring at them to some small degree from the corner. "I am not trying to demand answers now.. I.. had a hard enough time with my own feelings."
At her understanding words, Remus touched his nose to Nari's. "Thank you. I do not want things to become awkward between us."
He sighed, coming to another realization. "I should go home." He did not want to... it felt somewhat like running away. "I need my human... & time to think without your loveliness distracting me."
He paused to smile almost winkingly at her; his attempt at flirting. Then Remus returned to normal. "Before I go... he turned to grab the last book in what had been his pile. "Something for you...""It's not much... " He uncovered the book from beneath the pillows sheepishly. Stones, Gemstones, & other Minerals of the Earth: A Practical Guide to their Magical Uses & Properties the title read in shimmering letters depicting what could only be images of said stones behind the text. "It is not exactly standard reading, but it is a helpful book..."
Why had he chosen that particular tome to bequeath her? Who wanted to read about rocks anyway?Mau "It would be a bit demanding for me to expect your attentions 24/7, wouldn't it?" She could understand that - he neded to see his family and his guardian.. and.. she blinked. "A gift for me?" Taking the book from him gently, she read off the title and poked through the first few pages before squealing lightly and kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you!"
Before he could change his mind, Remus turned & walked away.Mau She waited until he was out of the HQ before dragging herself to one of the couches and curling up into a ball. She -was- worn out still, and would be for a little bit longer. But first.. Propping open her new book, she hummed softly to herself while she read.
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 8:04 pm
Shutting the book with an irritated 'humph!' the robed kitsusagi returned to his pacing of the library's large floor. Remus J. Lupin had been through every title of the library for anything that might help him make peace of his mind & emotions. The only book that came even close to mentioning something about 'what to do when you find out your two best friends love you' was a romance novel from Myranda's personal section. It did more than make Remus blush & he wished he had not found it at all. I cannot do that! I'm not... I don't... Even in his mental commentary Remus did not want to complete that thought. Why does a GaiaCom have romance novels anyway?!? The thought perplexed him, for the android had Artificial Intelligence as well as an emotion chip but she had never indicated anything that would indicate an interest in romance. I suppose even machines can get bored...
He sighed. He had managed to distract himself once more from the issue closest to his heart and yet he was no closer to feeling any better about it or having any inkling how he would feel about it. And soon he would have to face Ember, knowing. Remus started the circle again. Of course finding & reading that book made him wary of asking Myranda for a book on the subject; she would likely think he wanted more of those trashy romance novels. Remus shuddered. Perhaps another kitsu could... but not him.
The door to the library opened with a bang and a green kitsu with a darker green mask-band strode inside. "Well this wasn't where I expected to go. Shippou's been hiding for hours... I figured he had to have been the first one to use the spare room door today."
"Locke..." Remus began about to explain, his guardian translating. Well, a little. Locke had referred to the room's magical property of being whatever room was needed or wanted by the user. One of the things Remus & The talaye Weasley twins had been able to work together on besides the clocks & watches that showed where each member of the family was at any given time. Unlike the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts, their door could lead to multiple rooms at once. To find someone in those rooms it was possible to think of them to pick the right room -as long as they were not wanting you in particular not to find them. If you did not think of a particular room, function, or person you would open the door to find the first room that had been occupied that day. So Locke had stumbled into the Library with Remus, who had squirreled away there after receiving silent consolations from Trelweny upon getting home. He had not felt like talking then, but the human's hugs, pettings, & eerie understanding of his feelings had been enough to calm him & set Remus briefly at peace. His eyes arched at his current companion. The eldest among them, Locke rarely acted his age.
This seemed to be no exception. Locke eyed the pacing kitsu in shock."Woah! Remus!" He whistled with surprise. "How long have you been cooped up in here anyway? Two days? You're gonna pace out the carpet! Myr won't like being asked to conjure a new one." Remus shot him a look that clearly said he wanted to be left alone.
Locke eyed his 'little' brother thoughtfully. He knew what most of the family thought of him, and for the most part they were right. Still, his heart was large & compassionate; especially where his family was concerned for he considered their multi-species household as his family. He sat down, purring his concern. "Do you need to talk about it, Remus?"
The wizard spun incredulously about to face the cait, his black robes & Gryffindor scarf billowing out as if from a hidden wind. He stopped short, seeing Locke's sincere expression & ducked his head in shame for his near outburst of anger. "I don't know."
Now Locke might often be out wondering Gaia for adventure & treasure, but he knew his family. He knew their quirks. For Remus to be shifting into contractions, Locke knew he was quite distraught & emotional. That was if the pacing had not already given the rather sedentary scholar away. But Locke knew that look; he knew that tone. "Girl trouble?" He queried gently, raising a brow.
The kitsu sat with a thud, flabbergasted. "How?"
Locke chuckled, looking very much the bandit he hated to be called. "Why else would you not talk to Trel about it?"
So he knew that too. Remus looked at his 'brother' with new light & respect. Then he sighed. "It is... & it's more as well."
"I am not worthy of being loved. What do I have going for me? I cannot subject another to what I am."
"Remus! Listen to yourself! Are you saying we -your family- shouldn't love you either?"
"Well, I didn't ask..." Remus sputtered in confusion.
"That's right. You don't ask. We love you, even though you were-out on us once a month." Locke grinned, holding up a paw to keep Remus from interjecting. "As for what you have going for you: you are intelligent, kind, gentlemanly, considerate, well-spoken, compassionate, strong, loyal... I could go on. To have those with being what you are... do you realize how rare that is?" Remus shook his head mutely & the cait jumped on his silence to press onward. "All of these are traits females claim they want in a mate. Now some aren't being truthful, I'll give 'em that. Some want the rogue... or the 'bad boy'." He grinned impishly, the twinkle in his eye indicating he was thinking of his own mate, Aqua.
Remus squirmed uncomfortably. The list was frighteningly similar to the one Nari had spoken he had when she was still a juvenile. Had she already been falling in love with him then? Locke caught the look & winked. "I see you've already found one that loves what she said she was looking for." Remus stared openmouthed. Was the wizard that easy to read? Locke had some empathy to be sure, but he was no empath. "If she loves you, what's the problem?"
Swallowing hard, Remus located his voice. Technically, he was able to chitter again... his guardian still being the one actually doing the talking. "Nari could do better than me. She is out of my league; an angelic." To his own ears it sounded lame. He was not surprised when he heard Locke scoff.
"Nari? The one who healed you, right?" At the questioning look in Remus' eyes, Locke gave him a quirky grin. "Chroma told Aiden when she came to check in on you. She likes the 'glowing, pretty-dressed, winged kitsu' who makes her 'Remy' happy." He winked again, before getting back to business. "Look, Remus. If she loves you, she loves you. She obviously sees something in you that puts you on her level, or maybe she doesn't care about something so petty. To which I say kudos to her!"
Remus felt the odd tugs within him: Wonder that Chroma should leave India to check up on him, shame that Locke should have to retell him what Nari already had, curiosity if he could let himself love her similarly, & still dumb bafflement about what to do with knowing Ember loved him the same as well. His cheeks heated with distraught embarrassment at the thought. Locke eyed him curiously.
"That's not all... is it?" He asked, yellow eyes bright, voice soft & entreating once more.
"Not quite..." Remus admitted, lowering his gaze.
Locke eyed the book resting on the table. Without a word he padded to it, flipping it over to read the back description. His eyes widened with surprise, & possibly a little admiration. "You've got two in love with you?"
Remus' head shot up, fear entering his eyes when he saw that Locke had discovered the trash novel. "...eh"
Using his paws carefully, Locke flipped awkwardly through the book. He could read, but seldom took the time to do so. As he skimmed, a confused expression crossed his face. "YOur best friends? Nari... & Ember?" The look on the cait's face was one of horror. Obviously for suddenly feeling he was in over his head & out of his field of knowledge. Remus could understand that feeling.
"yes..." Remus admitted almost in a whisper. Locke gazed at him sympathetically, sorry for his initial reaction.
"But... well.. you can't mate with another male... Can you?" Cait could not, Locke knew.
"Kitsu can." Remus confirmed with a sigh. "But I do not think I can." With another longer sigh Remus flopped to the floor. "I know I love them as friends, or even family... but how do I... What will I...?" Lying his head on his paws, Remus blew the bangs from his eyes. "He is easily hurt. I do not want to hurt him."
Sighing as well, Locke went to the larger male & rubbed his head to Remus'. "I'd ask Aiden, for Audios too mate regardless of gender, but he like you is fully female-romance oriented."
"I saw Ember when he came with that letter for you. Timid. I don't know him enough to tell you how he'll react... but I know if he loves you he will likely do his best to accept your decision."
Locke nuzzled the larger head again. "You cannot stay away from them, Remus. All the thinking in the world will not fix this for you. But Love will."
Looking up into Locke's big, yellow eyes Remus knew he was right. "I will go..."
"Tonight."
Remus smiled. He did feel a little better. Perhaps even a little closer to understanding himself. "Tonight."
A wide grin spread across Locke's face. "Just let me know how it turns out before you've got kits on the way. You're too quiet for your own good sometimes."
Remus blinked -not having thought to kits yet- then chuckled. "Certainly."
"All right! Now lets leave this stuffy room! We need some air!"
With tugs & prods on Remus' robes, the cait drug the lightly chuckling & willing Kitsu from the Library, to see what the night had in store.
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Posted: Mon Jul 17, 2006 10:18 pm
That Night, Kitsusagi Headquarters Page 2329Mau Nari yawned and whined, flopping over onto her back and looking across the room. There was no one there - which was mostly how she liked it.. save if Rem or her siblings were present. Noko had been.. earlier.. but had been "occupied" with her lover. ~*sigh* Remus has been gone two days..~ She frowned. What she had done had been extremely forward - especially for her.. and if he didn't come back.. Nokomis Midnight Noko walked slowly in a bit of sulk in her step. she hated when obiwan had to leave. gods she missed him alot. glancing up she spotted nari and finally alone. she padded over and slowly laid down by her sister. Definantly not normal from her usual glomp sweetdeily Home Late. The little sensor in his head was blinking with alarming ferocity. He had counted one of them- not the other. Which wasn't a surprise- one usually was hard to account for- even though she was sweet, in her own way, and nice- again in her own way- she was always making him worry. They were both always making him worry. He turned the page in his book, not really reading the words, more intent on flicking his eyes from windows to doors. What time was it anyway? He shuddered to see her creeping down the stairs in something less than what he counted as clothing. His nose gave a nervous twitch- a normal habbit when he was thinking about Noko. Nari's twitch was somewhere between his stomach and his gut when she was about to get upset. Five year old temper tantrums had never been as scary. Finally acknowledging that he would have to investigate the location of the source of the twitch, he left the safety and relative comfort of his room and headed for Nari's last known location . She, at least, wasn't MIA. Noko had been spotted earlier... with... again his nose twitched- smelling trouble- the Other.Males were a worry- especially around his little sisters. He knew something would have to be done eventually. It was death or a very stern talk. They were both, however, a little extreme. So he would just try and be in the room as often as possible- far less aggressive and thereby easier to keep Noko out of trouble. Not that she was always in trouble... but... "Narrii?" He was in the living room, having bypassed Noko's room because if she were in, she would probably object to the invasion. Or he was just avoiding the invasion. As long as there was no invading, he would be fine. Mau "Ara..." Nari blinked and twisted her head towards her brother as he entered. Then fell off the couch onto her back. "Ow." Nokomis Midnight Noko suppressed a groan as nic entered. she lifted her head up to look at him being sure to sooth whatever overprotective brotherness might be entering that head of his. " ....were not doing anything wrong were just sitting here well nari was " she said with a grin trying not to laugh at her sister. Mau Picking herself up, she dusted her kimono off and sent Nokomis a look. ">p I didn't ask you for your opinion, nechan no baka." Glad that no one else had been around, she settled herself back onto the couch, trying to be as ladylike as possible. sweetdeily Surprised- yes it was true- to find them both in the room he nodded to Noko. She was no longer MIA. His nose rested and gave up it's twitching. "Are you two hungry?" The offer might of been for him to cook. In which case, it would probably come across as a threat. Cooking was, to place it lightly, not his forte. In fact, if he were threatening to cook, he usually could be negoicated with to order some sort of take away. Or at least to be reasoned out of the task by one of the other two. Nokomis Midnight Sighing noko laid her head down again" i had dinner with obiwan" she said thinking back to her jedi." however im sure nari would love some food" she said a smirk on her face. Mau Nari blinked. "You know perfectly well what happened last time you touched my kitchen." The tone had a hint of a threat to it - as if promising something just as horrible would happen to him should he dare to touch her kitchen again. Nari was the resident cook of the family, after all, and she had staked out the kitchen as hers and hers alone - it was one of the few things she was possessively touchy about.
It only barely registered that Noko & the other male were there beside her. He dashed quickly to the angelic as fast as he dared for the load he carried.Mau "Ahh..! Rem-chan!" Nari clapped her paws together as Remus made his way into the room, pausing only a second or two to wonder what he was carrying. "Did you have a good rest?"
Suddenly he felt very shy, & he chastised himself mentally. Of course things will change... He stepped closer, wanting very much to touch her.
Then he remembered his treat. "Ah... I brought chocolate frogs. It's a good batch. Dark chocolate... Trelweny insisted. I think it gives them a better jump."
Gingerly he nudged the bag forward, offering to share.Mau "Chocolate... frogs?" She tilted her head as her nose wrinkled slightly, then more so at the mention of them jumping. "They are alive?" She, like most females, wasn't overly fond of slimy things.. and had never heard of a chocolate frog, thus having no idea that they were simply magical candies. Hopping off the couch, she made her way over to him and tentatively poked her nose into the bag he offered.
He smiled softly, remembering. He had needed the chocolates' cheering ability earlier. Now, With Nari so close he wondered why.Nokomis Midnight noko stood peering up from the couch to what the frogs looked like. she wanted to see one hop but she knew that they were nari's gift so she kept quite. However if they truely did jump that would be the coolest thing ever. Mau She flushed a little, both embarrassed with herself and because of Remus's movement. "Chocolate makes you feel better? After.. the full moon?" She poked the bag open, then grinned as she saw the folded boxes. They may not have been fancy - but she thought they were pretty all the same. "I make candies, sometimes.. but not ones that move." Reaching into the inner folds of her kimono, she drew out two small clear bags, both tied with a pretty ribbon. One held a number of sugared star candies, in multiple colors. The other held a small batch of cookies. "I am the only one in my family who can cook." She grinned, and nodded towards Nic. "Do not eat Nic's food - no matter how he assures you it is good. Unless you wish a trip to the hospital." Nokomis Midnight " or you just enjoy getting your stomach pumped" she added with a shrug still waiting for a frog to jump.
He gave with wonder at the candies & cookies. "They look delectable." Then he gave her a wry little grin. "I myself am only moderately accomplished in the kitchen. I can cook well enough I suppose. At least it is safe to eat if nothing else.
The bag was huge, with well over 60 boxed frogs inside. It was meant to be shared. He glanced over at Noko after her comment. "Would you like one, Noko? I dare say Nari & I would be sick if we tried to eat them all."
Carefully he withdrew a boxed frog & set it on the ground. Grabbing the box's string closure between the pads of his paw he positioned his maw directly above the box but did not lean down. With a tug he pulled the string, releasing the frog to hop into the air. Adjusting for the angled trajectory of the frog Remus shifted his head & chomped, catching the frog mid-air.Mau Nari watched quizzically as Remus set up the box so carefully and caught the frog in his mouth. "How odd! Food that comes to you." She let out a small laugh before grabbing a box and tossing it at her sisters head. "Would you like to try some of my candies?" She set the small bags down on the floor and nudged them towards Remus before snagging a chocolate frog box for herself. sweetdeily Nic's eyes narrowed as he was about to speak when Remus entered. Nari's... friend. He shifted, tail drifting uneasily around. "No candies before a meal, Nari and you too Noko. Besides... they don't look all that safe. I'll taste test one after dinner... Remus, are you joining us?" Of course, since Remus seemed fairly trustworthy- from what he'd seen of the other, he was welcome to be Nari's friend.... but sometimes Nic worried. Well, most times Nic worried. "I promise not to cook, Nari. But if you need a hand...." Which was probably another death threat, but hey, it was the thought that counted. That and he felt safer about leaving Remus with Noko more than Nari. Noko was more trustworthy with the nice ones. Or at least that's what he prefered to imagine. Nokomis Midnight Nokos eyes widened and she let out a massive squeal. " That is the COOLEST THING EVER!!!!" she said laughing. " Do it again do it again!!" she exclaimed happily at this point entertained just by watching it. Mau "Oniisama.." Nari paused. "Remus, do you want to have dinner with us? I'll be making dinner, I guess.. since onichan can't and oneechan won't."
He hoped that the words conveyed his meaning simply enough. The wizard was not quite sure he was ready to voice more in front of Nari's kin. "I will heed your advice about Nic's cooking."
The Wizard winced a bit at Nicodemus' words. "My apologies. I did not know dinner was..." He blinked. "Certainly. I would be honored."
"They're quite safe, I assure you. The magic only causes them to jump. Usually only the once."
He chuckled lightly, not wanting to offend the other. "I suppose I could assist Nari in the kitchen. If she would have me."Mau "If you want to.. it is easier with someone to keep you company. ^_^" She brushed up the two bags of sweets and tucked them back into her kimono before putting a paw to her chin. ~What to make..?~ Nokomis Midnight reaching a tender paw over she released a frog squealing as it bounced then catching it in her mouth like remus had. she chewed and swallowed and collapsed into a fit of giggles. " these rock! " she said giggling but not eating anymore. Nari's food alone was to die for. ~ make something with chicken!~ she suggested looking from her spot at nic, even though he was upside down to teh way she was laying." chicken sounds good. Real good. " she mused outloud to her brother. sweetdeily Nic nodded, a rare moment when he saw Noko's desire for chicken- it was a good dish. Wait that was meat... well, he supposed just this once. "Alright, we'll all go and give Nari a hand. Many hands make light work. Also a working power source..." The last was a quiet musing of his own. Offering a paw to his sisters so they could get up. No, he knew Noko hadn't volunteered- but he didn't like the mushy vibes coming off Nari and Remus. He would keep her safe from the nice guy's stuttering. Couldn't have her getting in trouble. Ahh, he felt like she was still a baby sometimes, all small and cute. Well, still small and cute- but not as small and cute. He also remembered Noko as a baby.... all small and well... Nokoish. They grew up on you so fast! What would he do to protect them when they got into a relationship he couldn't pretend to be in denial about? His little sisters. "Imoutotachi... aa." He sighed. So young, so impressionable. So nice. He just wanted to wrap them in a blanket and keep them out of harms way.
Remus chuckled at Noko's first frog experience. "I am glad you like them." He would be sure to bring more. It was always a good idea to make a good show with a paramour's sister. Especially as close as Nari & Noko seemed to be.
He was a bit disappointed at Nic's suggestion that they all help prepare dinner but Remus could not refute that many hands made quick work & contented himself that at least he would be near Nari.Nokomis Midnight She knew what he was up to. " you go in that kitchen nari will kill you. " she said flat out staring at his bravery." Oh come on nic" she whined looking at him and rolled over. " She likes remus and..remus is a good guy. I wouldnt let him near nari if he wasnt. " truth was she would mostly because this was the most shed spoken to him ever but she wasnt about to reveal that to nic. Mau Nari raised an eyebrow at her older brother, wondering what exactly he was up to. "I would much rather not have you in the kitchen, oniichan. You are not.. exactly.. the best influence." Even if it wasn't her kitchen..
Really, this soon after learning of Nari's feelings and starting to let himself feel Remus was not inclined to start any trouble with a potentially over-protective older brother. He knew where Nicodemus was coming from, going through the same with Chroma. Remus liked to think he had been more reasonable about it, but then he had known India better than Nic knew Remus.
"But if the girls think it best, I could promise that nothing but cooking dinner will occur." He managed to look up to catch the male angelic's gaze. A promise was nothing to Remus without eye contact.Mau Shaking her head, Nari gave Remus a mock-horrified look. "Nonono! Last time he tried to chop carrots there were pieces of wood in with the carrots! (10 points + a cookie for reference)" She glanced at her sister, then grinned. "You can handle him, ne Noko-chan?" With that, she bounded off towards the kitchen, grabbing ahold of the end of Remus's scarf lightly as she went past. sweetdeily Nic's gut flipped back and forward. Nope. He wasn't buying it... but still... Nari looked embarrassed. Sighing and rubbing his paws together he shrugged. "Just be careful- Nari's still my little sister." A braver, more adventurous kitsu would have added 'and I'll kill you if you hurt her' but that wasn't Nicodemus' nature. He gave in. Better to see his sisters happy than... well... not so happy. Sitting in front of the sofa so he could talk to Noko he smiled. "And what have you been up to then? You seem to know an awful lot about what's going on..." Of course, he might know more too, if he were brave enough to venture forth and uh... well, do stuff. But why take the chance of being run-over when he could read about it. Or experience it vicariously through his two baby sisters. Nokomis Midnight ~ i HATE you nari ~ she emphasized through their link. Any moment now. It was coming she could feel it. Annny moment..
"And what have you been up to then? You seem to know an awful lot about what's going on..." yup. she was right. there it was. The words of doom. It was as if the gates of mordor crashed down around her. She wouldnt be shocked to look over and see an eye of sauron around somewhere. She needed an answer. quick! " nothing much been haging out with obiwan and Yazoo.." she realized the mistake she made. Never. Ever. Mention boys infront of her brother.
"Wood? In the carrots?" He finally managed to choke out. "Please tell me he was using a wooden cutting board."Mau ~I don't caaare :p I would rather not die of food poisoning, thank you very much.~ She let go of Remus's scarf as she entered the kitchen and immediately began poking her nose through the available foodstuffs. "Yes, he was.. Now you understand why he's forbidden from setting foot in my kitchen. He is not even allowed in for a snack, or to make himself tea-" She would spare him the memory of that particular incident... Nic trying to make himself tea and burning the pot beyond recognition. "- Luckily for him, I do not mind making him snacks." sweetdeily Nic nodded, having not yet digested the words that had escaped Noko's mouth. "Ahh, friends, that's goo-" Yazoo... and...Obiwan... "Those would be boys, right?" He asked in a small, quiet little voice. Boys were... and his little sisters... why? Why today? Of all days? His precious little girls... all grown up- hanging out around... boys His gut gave a jerking motion and he sneezed.
He would keep his promise -though it had not been asked of him- but that did not mean he could not say her name with underlying meaning. Besides, he liked how her name felt on his tongue.
"What would you have me do. I am yours to command." Belatedly, he realized how that must sound. "For preparing dinner." Remus quickly clarified, should brotherly ears be overhearing.Mau "Mouuu.. It would be easier to cook with my own things, but at least this kitchen is well-stocked." She paused at the way he spoke the last bit.. then busily poked her nose back into the cupboard, dragging out rice and vegtables and everything else she would need. "I would imagine you, unlike my brother, know how to cut vegtables properly?" Grinning, she set the vegtables she needed on the counter nearest him.
He held the knife poised over the helpless veggies, chopping the ends off, cutting out the few bad spots, waiting for her answer.Nokomis Midnight Noko looked at him innocently. " bless you. And yes they are boys. Yazoo is my other onii-chan." she stated happily. " I met him when i was a kit. Hes a bit protective. like you" Mau "Just thinly sliced will be fine ^_^ Ne, have you ever had Japanese cooking before?" While he worked on the vegtables, she gathered the last few things she needed and began working over the rest of the meal.. [which right now.. would be.. sukiyaki, noodles, and onigiri.. xd if you let her, she'd make enough food to feed an army though]
"I do not believe so. If I have, I doubt it was authentic." He made an apologetic smile. "It would be like me saying I have had Chinese, when I have only sampled Chop Suey."
"I fear I do not even know the names for Japanese dishes."Mau "I see.. well, you're in for a treat then.. I've been cooking since I was little. Oba-chan taught me.. she tried to teach Noko, too, but Noko never really was interested.."
The talk of this & that 'chan' confused him a little. He was glad vegetables were more forgiving than chopping ingredients for potions. His slight variances if size were hardly noticeable in vegetables to be cooked & eaten. I a potion he would have to start anew. Sometimes it was not a good thing to be so much of a thinker.
He finished the vegetables quickly & lay the knife down. "Where would you like these, Nari?"Mau "You can set them here.. and then keep me company." She had already gotten the rice started, and the noodles were easily done, as was the meat. Having Remus in the kitchen was slightly distracting, however.. she tried her best to cook as she always did, humming lightly under her breath. [hehe nervous nari could be a bad thing. or not]
"Nari, could you tell me what all the chan names mean? I am finding it difficult to know of whom you are speaking sometimes."Mau "Oh. Oba-chan is my grandmother. Oniichan is my brother. And I call Noko oneechan sometimes. Or.. if I want to show more respect, I will use -san instead of -chan. I'm sorry.. it is habit for me to call them as I do in Japanese, rather than English. <3" [noko wants to get oba-chan, too.. and make both the girls lives miserable.. lols!]
He wanted to hug her. Remus was not accustomed to being so near her & yet not touching. He had not thought it would be a problem. In ways it was not. It was his dawning love that made it more difficult, he supposed. Sighing he laughed silently at himself. Knowing he would not break faith Remus set to watching Nari, studying the way she moved about the kitchen the way he might commit to memory the words of a book. Perhaps it would give ration to his growing feelings.Mau After several minutes of silence from Remus, Nari blinked over at him. "Is something wrong?" By this point, she was patting rice into little balls - the basis of onigiri. Mau "No one has ever watched me before.. it's a little odd. But nice." [why do I get the feeling he's not paying attention to her cooking so much as.. XD lols]
Then to change the subject. "Nicodemus seemed to permit me to join you in here with more decorum than I was expecting."Mau "Because.. he trusts me more than Nokomis." Nari flashed a smile at him. "And also, Nokomis vouched for you as trustworthy. They are both equally protective of me. It can be a bit vexing at times, especially when they team up against me." Before moving on to hte main course of food, she offered him one of the [now] finished onigiri. "Try this. It's just rice, salted a bit with katsuobushi, dried bonito, in it and wrapped in nori, seaweed."
He accepted the onigiri with a tender smile, feeling bold as he let his paw touch hers in the transfer. "I will not be ruining my appetite for dinner?" He jested lightly, before taking a bite.
He chewed, contemplating the taste & texture. After swallowing Remus grinned. "I like it." He probably would have liked it had it tasted like sawdust, but that was beside the point. "What did you call it?"
He took another bite, savoring it a bit more than the first. It amazed him how rice could taste so good.Mau "As long as you eat only one, you'll have plenty of room leftover. And they are called onigiri. While you may not know Nokomis well, it doesn't mean she hasn't watched you." Nari shook her head. "In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if she had been lurking in the shadows everytime we talked.. to make sure her baby sister wasn't endangering herself." Although she was grateful to have protective siblings, they did tend to take it to the extreme at times. sweetdeily He blinked at his little sister. Older brother... wait... that didn't make a lick of sense. He was sure he didn't have any brothers- just two worrying sisters. So... wait! His brain clicked. What if this Yazoo fellow was her boyfriend? No! Not his baby sister! He was changing her nappies just weeks ago! (Or at least it felt like it,) Wait... no... then what about this suspiscious Obiwan fellow? Was she just saying brother when she meant that... "I have a nice boyfrie- book! It has manly muscl- many muscles. It's about seafood. Yes. Seefood. I need to sit down." Although he was already sitting, he flopped back, wings squashed under his body. It wasn't all that comfortable, but that wasn't the cheif concern here. Ancestors- all of them- his little girls were... were.... Getting involved.... A sniffle passed his lips. But they were still so young- so impressionable! He didn't want to be an uncle! What happened to the days when they used to run around screaming 'boy germs'? Maybe if he could find a potion to turn them into children again.... That would solve all his woe. As children, boys wouldn't try anything shady. And he could give them piggy-back rides again! Less worrying! Less boys! More nappies... well... maybe not that young. It was a definate idea.
Remus still thought he was lacking in worth where Nari was concerned. The only reason he was able to let himself begin to feel beyond friendship was Locke's reminder that it was Nari's choice, not Remus', where here feelings blossomed. If even there was any choice at all.Mau She glanced at him in alarm when he almost choked, going silent for a moment. "I suppose they would have tried to discourage you from talking to me again.. and tried to do the same to me. However, there is no reason for them to try.. You are sweet and kind <3 Not a danger to me.." [except.. under full moon, which noko would know about. Nari and Noko have a mental bond, so.. something like that.. would be known by the both]
Then what Nic & Noko would have done struck Remus like a stack of bricks. "Even from being friends?" He felt small. Even though they were talking about a 'what if' from the recent past, the fear of possibly not having Nari in his life quelled him. Sure, he had obviously passed muster... but Remus did not always think like that. Not when it was easier to think lowly of himself. Not when his acceptance of Nari's affections was still so new, & his own feelings only starting to be discovered.Mau Cai snorted as he lugged a massive bag into the door of the kitchen, cursing lightly to himself in draconic tongue when it actually stuck in the door. Why did his bond have to make him run her errands for him, anyways? Mutter. Mumble. Curse. With one last tug, the bag dislodged itself from the door frame and sent him tumbling straight into Nari's legs. And sent the contents of the bag - Japanese style bowls, cups, chopsticks, as well as some minor sauces and vegtables - scattering across the floor.
Nari jumped when the small creature bumped into her leg, then grinned. "Cai!" Then frowned as she took in the small mess he had created, before shaking her head and picking the items up. Setting them carefully on the counter, she turned her attention back to Remus. "Remus.. you can't hurt me.. a few scratches, maybe.. but you wouldn't.. kill me."
He did not want to comment on Nari's statement with this 'Cai' nearby. "You are right, Nari."
Remus kept to himself the rest... that she was right he would not. The beast he became; well he could only keep her away, those times. It was not Remus who attacked then, though everything he did as a werewolf was still upon his own head. Mau Cai could have cared less at the other kitsu in the room. As long as he didn't pose a threat to Nari, his interest was low. And he obviously did not see Remus as a threat, for he grumbled and stomped off to the main room.
"Sorry about him.. ^_^; He can be grumpy if woken up." Nari started putting the food in the dishes Cai had brought, all the while eyeing Remus. "You do not sound like you believe that.."
Forcing himself to meet her gaze, Remus smiled. His eyes were pleading. "Let us talk of something else a while."Mau "Yes, I know.. you are not willing to hurt others. I would rather you feel that way." Nari eased over to him and brushed her nose across his cheek before scooting back to her spot. "What would you like to talk about?"
Then he paused. "Have you seen Ember?" Besides Nari, he was the one most in his thoughts & heart. "I... do not want to hide from him." Although he knew their meeting would be awkward when it came. Sadly, Remus regretted that the wonderful dream with Nari on one side & Ember on the other was likely to remain a memory only. Wonderfully beautiful, his innocence of their feelings for him could never be recovered.Mau She sighed and shook her head. "No, I have not seen Ember since.. well.. that night he was crying." She finished setting out the food on the dishes, and gave him a sorry look. "I'm sorry."
"I shall simply have to keep watching for him." He concluded with a light shrug.Mau "Perhaps.. he has not sent you any more letters? I know he sent you one while you were.. ill."
"I will look for him later." Remus smiled gently. "For now I will enjoy your company."
He blanched, realizing how horrible that could sound. "Nari! Forgive me! I did not mean that how it must have sounded." His head drooped as he counted himself a hopeless fool. "Things are very confusing."
"Is there anything else I can do to help with dinner?"Mau Nari mrr'd a little. "You worry so much about offending.. " Glancing over the dishes, she shook her head. "I think I have everything.. if you want to take some things out to the main room? <3"
"Yes. Certainly." Placing ready dishes on a tray Remus pulled out his wand. "Wingardium leviosa." The tray with its load lifted easily. Keeping the wand aimed at the now floating tray Remus directed it out of the kitchen to the waiting members of Nari's family.Mau Her eyes went wide at the spell that he cast. "That must be.. very handy." She grinned. It would definitely make life easier at times. Mau "Perhaps you will have to teach me how to use it.. ^_^" She trotted after him as he moved out to the main room. Blinking, she glanced about the room, noting the absence of her siblings. "Mouuuu. >_< They would whine at me to make dinner and then disappear." She gave off a small growl before turning to Remus and giving him a smile. "More food for you, I suppose. <3" Mau "Well, someone has to eat all this food I made :p" She mock-scolded him, before he closed the space between them and rubbed against her. The result of that was a furious blush, but she didn't move away. She glanced across the room, a bit upset that her siblings hadn't stayed around long enough to eat, but at the same, glad to be alone and not have Nic bothering Remus.. although that would come later. Mau "Arigatou ^_^" She purred before taking a small bite out of the proferred onigiri. "I think we'll have lots of leftovers.. <3" Mau
"Perhaps I should leave it out for the others.. it will not spoil.. most of it.." She allowed herself to be flopped down, curling up against Remus as she did so. Although it was an odd shift from his practically avoiding contact with her in the kitchen to now..
What was wrong with him? Or perhaps it was something right. The skin under his fur tingled, his veins seemed to course with a quicker flow. All he knew was that it had been a terrific strain not to brush against Nari at every opportunity in the kitchen & now Remus felt there was a need to make up for that lost time. Suddenly, he was nearly ravenous. For one who often picked at his meals, Remus' appetite surged.
"Then let us eat what will spoil first" He murmured into her ear. "Tell me which to bring closer." Yes. Magic would certainly be very useful. But useful to what? Remus could not bring himself to name it. Not yet.Mau
"The onigiri will keep the best.. it is only rice.. The sukiyaki and soba should be eaten soon." She ducked her nose under the edge of her kimono, but wrapped her tails around his in return. Now she was very glad that there was no one else in the room.
A quiet part of his mind marveled even more at his boldness. Especially as Nari was hiding her nose in her lovely garment. He would probably be embarrassed for his actions tomorrow, but tonight... Remus could hardly keep himself in check.Mau Nari blinked. "You can comand those spells without speaking them" She was amazed at the ability he held. "I would rather watch you enjoy them." Removing her nose from the edge of her kimono, she rested it instead on one of his front paws, one tail flicking idly, the others still wrapped up in his.
The comment held little of his usual self-depreciation. He brushed his nose against her muzzle by his paw. "As you wish. Though I would enjoy sharing with you more, I think. You should partake of that which you brought o culmination."Mau She smiled, glad to hear the change of his tone when he said that. He so often put himself down, or made himself seem unimportant. "If you wish it, I will."
He brought a bite gently to Nari's mouth. "You will tell me if you are feeling full, will you not?"Mau Tilting her head towards him, she gave him a look. "You wish? What do you wish?"
"Another bite?" He offered playfully.Mau "Hmm.." She didn't seem to fully believe that, but allowed it to be for now. "I'm glad you are enjoying it. Who usually cooks for you? Your human?" (a note about nari.. once she's attached herself to someone she will be purely devoted to that person's happiness regardless of her own needs or wants.. which can be really, really cute.. but sometimes quite annoying, because she's quite happy to play the servant XP) color=chocolate]"That depends. Trelweny cooks, Myranda cooks, Aiden cooks." He shrugged. "Sometimes I cook for myself & Chroma as well. We do not always eat together, the entire family. Often many of us our out on our own, so there is a very loose meal making structure. Mostly we fend for ourselves between organized meals, which we have at least once a week, Trelweny's orders." He chuckled softly at the thought, glad his human cared enough to both let them have their freedom but wanting to check up on her family regularly. Most checked in more frequently, but they rarely were all together in one place. This train of thought did not bring him far enough away from the matter closer at hand. Remus had thought that once they lay together as they often had his need to touch her would abate. He wondered that this did not seem to be the case. Contemplating, Remus returned to eating. Mau
"I see. In my family, it is grandmother and I who cook. Nokomis and grandfather deal with the potions and cures. In my human's home, it is quite.. disorganized." She shook her head at the reminder of that.. "Always, someone is coming or going.. there are those who will not be socialized along with those who are annoying to be around."
"My family gets along rather well, for the most part. The Weasleys can be a bit of a handful much of the time, and so can the fae, but for the most part our personalities mesh well together."Mau "Yes, most of ours work well together.. but there are an odd few who refuse to fit in. Mostly, I leave them be." As he curled up against her, she tucked her wings down so that they weren't in danger of being crushed, or in danger of poking him in ways that would be uncomfortable. While she did wonder at the change, she couldn't think of a reason why, until- she remembered what he had said to Nic. She hadn't really been paying attention, so the promise had escaped her, for the most part. "Why did you promise Nic that only making dinner would happen in the kitchen?" Nari, for all intents and purposes, was beyond innocent. [she really. REALLY. is. and since Noko isn't really her wild child self and is devoted to a certain Jedi, nari doesn't get to pick up non-innocent things from her sister xd ]
Remus forced himself to relax, breathing in the scent of Nari's hair. "I offered the promise to ease your brother's mind about letting me be alone with you."Mau "Oh.." She blushed as the realization hit her. "Oh! That.. but that is not. There is a time for that, ne?"
As you are right now? No! You mean you did not give in your desires as soon as you were out of the range of your promise & knew her brother was not around? I... Nari's not an object! He shivered slightly as he argued with himself in his mind, burying his face deeper into her auburn hair.Mau "Nic is frequently reminding me as such. But.. I think that, if you are in love with someone.. " She was quite comfortable with him, not minding the closeness, and rested her head on her paws. At the feel of him shivering slightly, she turned her head. "Is something wrong?"
He laughed brokenly into her hair. "Is what I have done any different?"Mau "But.. why should it be a bad thing? You are not the type to take advantage of someone, and break their heart. That is what Nic worries for. He does not want us to have to go through that. But if you care about someone, it doesn't matter." She tugged lightly on his ear, trying as best she could to get him to show his face. "Besides, what we are doing, now, there is nothing wrong." [cuddling. but oi, that could go wrong in many ways, with no one else about] Mau So that was why he was upset. Rubbing her nose under his chin, she purred a little. "Yet, have I told you once not to? If you had overstepped, I would have.." [<3 nari]
He purred deeply, tilting his head back in pleasure. Words failed him.Mau Nari grinned, and continued rubbing her nose under his chin. She was glad, at the very least, to see him happy.
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Posted: Wed Jul 19, 2006 10:15 am
That Night, Path to the House in Bass'ken Woods Page 2341Chroma had slipped out from India's comfortable grasp upon hearing her brother's voice talking with Nari. It had been hard, not running to him, but she had promised Trelweny to report when Remus returned to the HQ. A promise was a promise. So she had slipped from her mate's side & out the door.
Now she was running home, all the way to Bass'ken Lake & beyond. To their home in the woods to the east. Nearing the house she slowed, smelling something familiar, but not family. Familiar... & scared? Chroma blinked. It was something like fear at least. Mindful of something India had told her Chroma kept her pace slow, so as not to startle the family's 'guest'.Autumn_Fury Finally, he reached the house. Looking around to make sure nobody was there to see him, he reached into his pocket and retrieved the letter. About to set it on the doorstep, he paused, looking around again, and then pressed his lips briefly to the envelope. He then set it down, casting a mournful glance at the house, and turned to begin the trek home. His vision already was wavering, and he didn't want to make a racket with crying. Then somebody would surely come outside and find him...
She had not moved, but could not keep still nor silent as the clothed kistu neared her -almost- hidden hiding spot. "Ember? Whatcha doing here? Remy went to see you & Nari."
Sure, he had been speaking with the angelic when Chroma left but the flighty pup knew her brother. He would want to see both of them, sooner rather than later.Autumn_Fury Ember cringed at the other kitsu's voice, thinking he'd been found out. He turned to see who had caught him, and his eyes widened as he saw Chroma there. Great, just what he needed. He was sure that Remus's sister didn't like him in the least. Why did it have to be her...?
"I'm...I had a...a letter, for your brother." He replied, his voice raw and scratchy from so many tears over the past few days. "I...was just saying goodbye, so I suppose...p-perhaps I should bid you farewell too, even though I d-displease you... I'm sorry for any troubles I've caused you, Chroma. Please...g-give.. Re...Rem..." he paused, swallowing and shutting his eyes tightly, ears pressing flat against his head. "Give your brother my best wishes, and make sure he gets my letter, please. Tell him I couldn't say goodbye in person..."
She ducked her head to get a better view of his face, still studying him oddly. "I thought you didn't like me! You growled at me!" A whimper escaped her throat. "You make Remy happy... how could that diss-please me?" Her nose crinkled over the big word.
Something was not right though. "Does your letter say where you're going? Remy'll worry, you know." Chroma was inadvertently blocking the path in her curiosity. "I'll make sure he gets it, sure, but I know he really wants to see you."
"But you'll see him when you get back, right?" Sometimes, naivety had its drawbacks. Autumn_Fury "I'm...no. I'm n-not...coming back, Chroma. I'm saying goodbye, because I'm never seeing your brother again. He'll be even happier without me, I'm sure....he's got Nari after all, he probably won't even think of me."
He sighed, wishing she would just move so he could go home...he'd already convinced himself to do this once, he didn't want to have to convince her too.
"B'sides... Nari is Nari & you are you." She pointed out, childishly before sniffling again beneath her tears. "You can't never see him again. You're s'posed to visit the library. He's been talking 'bout it, 'an he doesn't norm'ly talk much. Not at home. He's always talkin' wit' you an' Nari..." It was getting harder for her to talk, the words becoming jumbled as they tumbled from her thoughts. She had been so glad to see Remus happy. What could she do?Autumn_Fury Ember closed his eyes, his heart twisting painfully in his chest. "I already hurt him..." he replied hollowly, "I don't deserve to be his friend, or to even see him. He can bring Nari home to the library...I...it hurts too much, Chroma, it hurts here." He tapped a paw to his chest, reopening his eyes to look at her. "I'd love to come, but I can't see him anymore...for his sake."
"His sake. Our sake. Your sake. Around Remy everything's a secret & it's kept quiet for my sake. Or your sake. Or his sake. As if hurting someone ever made the hurt not come! Protecting from hurt doesn't keep it away!" She was crying now. Bawling really. Chroma lay down heavily upon the path, holding her head down with her paws covering her eyes.
"You can't... go 'way... forever..." Chroma managed to choke out through her tears. "Maybe... someday....?" She choked, sputtering a little on her own tears. "Runnin' 'way... ne'er... fixed things..."
"b'sides..." She whimpered. "Remy'll... look for you."Autumn_Fury As Chroma started crying so hard, Ember found that he too was crying. "I'm sorry..." he sniffed, shaking his head, "I have t-to...to go...I asked Remus not to look for m-me..." he added, sitting next to her and awkwardly nuzzling the younger kitsu. "He'll understand. He w-won't...won't g-go looking for...m-me."
"Go." She said, her voice hollow. "Just don't run if Remy does happen to find you... okay?" Light blue eyes pleaded with him. "And leave it open to maybe coming to see him again... at least someday? Forever... is an awful long time to promise something so... unhappiness..."Autumn_Fury Even as Remus's sister asked him not to run, he shook his head. He couldn't do that. He would do everything in his power to avoid meeting with Remus. It would just cause both of them too much pain.
"I will be unhappy forever anyway..." Ember mumbled, not exactly knowing why this was so, but knowing it with all his heart nonetheless. "He, at least, deserves better...better than I, as a friend or any...anything else."
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Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:44 pm
Confrontation Page 2348Mau Nari woke up slowly, blinking as she tried to remember where she was. Recognizing the warm body curled tightly against her, she flushed as she remembered the night before. ~You'd think I'd been drinking sake..~ With a small smile, she snuggled back up against Remus. dbz2004
Kaida was in the same room, reading the same book Remus had given her a few weeks ago. She let the tips of her paw reach the end of the book before flipping the page and she continued to 'read' the braille book. She was taking in more information from the book than she had when she was younger. It made her feel happy whenever she had her book nearby.
Autumn_Fury Ember cautiously stuck his head in, peering around anxiously for Remus or any other threat. He froze when his eyes fell on the sleeping form of his friend- nonfriend now, he reminded himself sadly. But as long as Remus was asleep, he supposed it would be alright to stay, as long as he was out of sight of him. And so, he warily crept in, positioning himself so that he could see both Nari and Remus, but could also easily duck into hiding -or the door, given enough time- if Remus woke. Mau Her ears flickered as she heard the sounds of movement. It wasn't Remus - his steady breathing told her that. Lifting her head, she first saw the blind-female, then she saw what looked like Ember creeping around the doorway. "Ember..!" Autumn_Fury Ember froze as his name was called, cringing and turning slowly to see who it was. Nari. Well, it could have been worse. "N-Nari..." he whispered, casting a worried glance at Remus, "G-good...good evening. Please d-do not wake Remus up." dbz2004
Kaida's ears pricked up when she heard a female kitsu's voice from the other side of the room. Not taking her paw off of the book, she raised her head up and gazed around the room, her ears pricked up high to hear if there were any other kitsu in the room. "Ember?" she asked herself quietly. "Is Remus also here?"
Mau Frowning, she glanced at Remus. "He is worried about you.. and wants to talk to you.. where have you been hiding?" Autumn_Fury Ember sighed softly. "I am sorry to worry him. I...I, uhm, left a letter at his house, for when he returns...but I am not ready to talk to him, nor will I ever be." He smiled weakly at her before letting his eyes drift down to settle on his sleeping friend. "I have decided to say goodbye to both you and Remus...though I could not tell Remus personally, and so I wrote him a letter. It just...it hurts too much." dbz2004
Kaida heard another voice arise, this time a male's. She flicked her ears slightly as she turned her gaze down at the book again. She didn't want to interrupt the two kitsu's conversation.
Mau Her frown deepened as Ember spoke. "So instead of bringing your dear friend happiness, you will break his heart because it is too painful for you?" Autumn_Fury Ember's eyes flicked momentarily to the blind kitsu, licking his lips nervously. "Yes, K-Kaida, he's here..." he answered, still keeping his voice down, and turned back to Nari. "I will cause him pain either way..." he informed her flatly, "At least if I leave him with you, he will have a chance to forget me and recover. I would rather not force my...my affections on him, thank you." And so there it was in the open. He thought that Nari probably knew, but now she would know for certain. Ah, well, he'd told Remus in his letter as well, it couldn't hurt for her to know. Mau "You think that he will forget you." She glanced over at the young female, before turning her gaze back on Ember. "You are making it easy on yourself, not on him. And I know of your feelings towards him.. especially after the last night.." Nokomis Midnight The only thing noko needed to see was the hurt and confused look on her sisters face. That was all it took for her evil side to come out. Her eyes flashed yellow as she sat and blocked the door listning to embers words. " My arnt we just a bag of emo. " she stated harshly. dbz2004
Getting a little curious, Kaida pricked one ear up to listen on Ember and Nari's conversation. From what she heard so far, it was about Remus. She canted her head a little bit, still concentrating on both her book and the two kitsu.
Autumn_Fury "Of course he will forget me." Ember replied briskly, eyes narrowing at the female. "He has you to help him forget. And I'm certain you'll do a very good job of that." Okay, so, maybe he was a little bitter. But he was happy for them too, really....at least, that's what he told himself.
At the angry words of an unfamiliar voice, Ember flinched. "I, uhm..." he murmured uncertainly, turning his eyes to stare at the floor, so as to not look at Noko. "I...I'm s-sorry, miss, I d-didn't mean..." Mau Nari gaped, the hurt clearly written on her face. "I would never make him forget you, or help him to do so! You are his friend! You.. you..!" Her voice rose sharply as she spoke, and she was shaking. "If you can't see beyond your own wants..." Chroma stopped surprised in the doorway unable to get in. She was trying to slink into the headquarters, but there was an angry angelic blocking her way. Chroma exhibited none of her usual spunk. Around her neck she carried a bag but the weight of it was not enough to bring her down. At least not physically. The clock at home indicated that Remus was still here. Trelweny had decided -after hearing Chroma's tale about meeting Ember as he left the house- that Remus should have the letter sooner, rather than later. She did not want to be the bearer of such news. She was about to scan the room for India through the wings of the angelic, not really seeing anything else in her unaccustomed melancholy. It was Nari's voice that caught her attention & she listened eagerly. Ember's voice, on the other side of the one in the doorway... all arguing. And over by Nari was Remus' sleeping form. Chroma was confused. And a bit angry. Though hearing them berate Ember cheered her slightly in a saddening sort of way. Sucking in her breath, she drew herself up. She knew Ember would try to run should Remus wake. He had said as much; that she could remember. The doting little sister was tempted to make certain he had no where to run... or to simply hold him down should it come to that. But that was later. A maybe. This was now. "She's right, Ember. You should understand. Remy can be almost as self-depreciating as you are." She scowled at him pointedly. "How would you like it if the roles were reversed? Would you want to be told in a letter? Or from someone else?"Having felt Nari shiver, Remus subconsciously curled tighter around her to comfort her. His right ear twitched as if brushed by a feather but he made no other movement. Chroma smiled at the angelic & stepped up gratefully, some of her brightness shining though. "If you're keeping Em here for Remy, there's nothing to be sorry about.""It's only un-savable to you! not to Remy!" She was not going to cry. Not again. Chroma did not like crying. It burned her eyes. In his warm spot, Remus stirred. One paw reached for Nari, the other patted the empty space where his sleepy mind thought Ember should be. His ear flicked, knowing it heard his friend's voice. "Ember?" He mumbled hopefully in his sleep, not quite waking yet. In his dream, his friend's voice was enough to have him there. Chroma watched on pins & needles. Remus blinked sleepily up at the angelic, smiling softly. "Nari..." Then he remembered, as if in a dream. For of course to him it was. "Ember... I heard Ember." There was a wistfulness in the tone. He stretched lazily & nuzzled Nari before glancing about him. His eyes blinked against the sleepiness that still gripped him. "What's Nokomis doing in the door? & Chroma..." There was something familiar about the lump at Noko's feet & Remus felt his heart skip. "Ember!" He called happily, his face lighting up. Remus nearly tangled himself in his robes trying to get up & only managed to flop A kitsu length closer to the door. He smiled sheepishly, though his eye still beamed his happiness. "I was hoping I would find you, Ember."Remus' ears drooped & Chroma went to his side, whimpering. "Running away? But... why?"Crawling on his belly he neared Ember, Chroma keeping beside him. It saddened him to see his friend turned away & curled upon himself. "Ember?Remus paused, paw extended to reach out for Ember when his friend recoiled from him. His face took on a mask of pain & he withdrew the paw excruciatingly slowly. "Because of your feelings for me?" He repeated Nari's reason achingly. He was willing to try muddle through what was certain to be awkwardness, but... "You would have me go away? Please, Ember... dear friend... tell me why. I cannot do what you ask of me without some understanding."His eyes & tone pleaded & Chroma lent him her support. "Your friendship means too much to me. You mean too much to me. I do not understand why you want to go." "Letter?" Chroma backed down at her brother's tone. "It's here, Remy." She indicated the bag forlornly. "You'd not been back since he brought it."He only half heard her. Remus was shaking his head at what Ember was saying, whether in denial or disbelief it really did not matter. "You make me happy, my soul's brother. Do you not see that? Only when you leave me or talk of leaving do I ache so."Soul's Brother. Now that he said it Remus understood what Trelweny had tried to explain to him while packing up the chocolate frogs. For he loved Ember. Perhaps not how Ember loved him, but more than a friend, more than a sibling. He had not understood over the frogs. The Frogs! He thought wildly, turning to Nari with hope. "Nari! Would you get the bag of chocolate frogs? The chocolate might help him feel better!"Wild hope filled his eyes, nearly blinding him. Momentarily forgetting how Ember had recoiled Remus touched his paw to Ember's shoulder to reassure him. "The frogs jump, but when you eat them you will be cheered."Chroma's tails wagged gently, daring to hope & also looking forward to having a chocolate frog herself. His eyes spoke his thanks to Nari even as Remus brushed his cheek to hers gratefully. Stealthily, Chroma backed out of the bag she wore to snag a frog for herself after Remus grabbed one to hand to Ember. "I'll read it. Here have a chocolate frog. It's not a real frog. Just magiced to jump when the box is opened."He turned slightly. "Chroma? The letter?" But Chroma was not there. She had taken her box a little bit away & was holding it down as she pulled the string. Instantly, a dark chocolate frog sprung out of the box, going the length of a kitsu teen tails & all. Full of her usual vigor, Chroma chased after it. Once caught, Chroma chomped the frog happily. "Beft baft fet!" She proclaimed around the treat. Grinning at her antics, Remus pulled the letter from the bag she had left behind. As his eyes progressed down the page his form slumped, the wildness fading as if it had never been. By the time he reached the end the letter was flat on the floor & so was Remus. His paw held the letter down as he stared at it in disbelief, unable to speak. Remus nuzzled Nari, almost automatically. He had grown accustomed to being physically familiar with Ember & Nari... it almost pained him not to be. He sighed heavily. "You never intended to see me again." His eyes were moistening, he could feel it. Just as he could feel the lead filling his heart & the dryness of his throat. "You would say goodbye... by proxy."His voice sounded hollow, even to his own ears. He breathed deeply when Ember returned to what Remus considered his friend's accustomed place by his side. He could almost pretend things were back they way they had been before. "I did not perceive on my own. Like you, I did not believe myself worthy of love. It was enough to feel I might be lucky enough to have dear friends, though I never thought I deserved them."
"How could I see the depth of your love when I thought it impossible?" He shook his head sadly, more at his own blindness than anything else. "Nari had to explain it to me. She saw what I did not when you left my side & cried yourself to sleep."Remus licked her nose, meeting her eyes briefly, thankful even now for that. He had been so naive, so oblivious. "You say you do not deserve... well, perhaps no one does. But my cait-brother, Locke, clarified it to me that love is given whether deemed it is deserved or not."He sighed, wishing Ember would not be so difficult. "As for the way of love... I cannot help it, nor can you, that our ...uh..." Remus glanced at Chroma protectively. "Our preferences are different. It is not a fault. I am willing to, well, try to work something out. So that we can still be friends."Remus continued to ramble. "If you really wish to leave... I will not hold you back. "Remy!" Chroma exclaimed with surprised reproval, jumping up. He gave her a look that seemed to quell her. Or perhaps it was the tears in his eyes. "As I love you, I must let you go." He finished sadly. "Though I wish there was another way."He felt torn. On one hand he felt as if his heart were breaking, on the other as if it would burst. Tears coursing down his cheeks, Remus nuzzled Ember in return. His tails fanned out to cover the tails of his dear friends. "I do not want you forever gone from me, nor do I wish for you to sour." How much easier it would be to be selfish. Even so, which way was more selfish? His tails wrapped around theirs. Chroma, seeing them together normally again took it as a sign that all was well & searched out a place to sleep. "I want you both near me, if possible." Remus made a funny face, cursing once more that he had ever read that trash romance. "But if you are uncomfortable..." He sighed heavily, shifting in his robes. He did not want to say it. "Perhaps we could take a break? Be pen pals for a bit at least? If you have to leave, I don't want to lose you forever."He tried to smile jovially, but it wavered shakily. "If I am not always reminding you, perhaps you will meet someone who can return your love. All the way."
"Not that I want you to leave!" Remus nuzzled Ember, almost passionately. "I needed a break once I realized how things were. As long as it's not forever. As long as we decide together." He nuzzled each in turn, hoping his words captured well enough what was in his heart.
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Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:47 pm
Wake-up Call Page2372A white & blue angelic fluttered into headquarters purposefully. He had never been there that he could remember, but his instructions had been clear. He chuckled with amusement. Odd to think that he -who flew over the seas- should need directions from a candy-corn stripped little kit. His orange eyes scanned the room, looking for those that matched the descriptions he had been given. Seeing the robed one between a dark male & a lovely female angelic he blinked in surprise before laughing heartily. "HaHaHa! That's the way of it, Lad! Good for you!"He had been told, but seeing was believing after all. Fluttering over he nudged the slumbering wizard lightly. "Wakey-wakey, lad."Between Ember & Nari Remus stirred. "Hmmm?" He opened one eye sleepily. "Forgive me... but who might you be?"The angelic laughed boisterously. "I'm AearHwesta, your wakeup call." He winked lewdly. "Long night, eh?"Remus flushed, knowing exactly what the angelic was implying but at a loss of how to argue his innocence. Mau The presence of a new voice made Nari's ears flick lightly, but she didn't wake. Was unwilling to wake, was a more accurate way of saying it. She was having far too nice of a dream, one that didn't involve angsty Ember, just Remus. [ xd ! <3] Remus finally managed to get out with some amount of dignity in his voice. "Unlike some, I do not rush into things." If I can help it... He amended silently to himself. Stretching carefully so as not to disturb his friends, Remus cast a wary gaze upon the new angelic before him. "Pray tell, why have you taken it upon yourself to give me this unwelcome wake-up call?" Remus did not mask the displeasure in his voice, but the other hardly seemed to mind. Instead, he batted his wings as he laughed again. "Gol-ly lad! I'd not asked for this delicate honor of prying lovebirds from the embrace of their lovers. Remus flushed & sputtered unheeded. No siree! You see, Trelweny wants you & that lovely sister of ours home soon. Doesn't want you to forget the trip she's got planned." AearHwesta winked, as if implying he knew what would cause them to forget. "So she had that black witch fem-bot of her explain it to me & Trin..." "Trin & I." Remus interjected moodily. The angelic continued on as if nothing had happend. "to fetch you,with plenty of time to say goodbye to your paramours." The angelic grined like a scamp. "Where then, is Trinity?" Blue shoulders shrugged casually. "You know Trin, she'd rather stay at the house. Doesn't like to see the kits she played with yesterday as adults today & all that."Through all this banter something finally clicked in Remus' waking mind. "Wait... our? You're in our family?"The angelic whoot'ed uproariously. "Ding! Score one for the scholar!" Shocked, Remus could only shake his head. Mau Nari growled lightly as the other voice continued, burying her ears under her paws as she tried to hold onto her dreams. It was a valiant effort, but a failed one, as she finally gave up and blinked awake. Taking in the blue angelic standing before them, she glanced aside at Remus. "Who are you? o.o" He flashed Nari a debonair smile & a wink, bowing flamboyantly. "I am AearHwesta, Remy's long lost 'brother'... of sorts." The angelic grinned impishly. "It is Remus, if you please, AearHwesta." The wizard retorted, then calmed himself by nuzzling Nari affectionately. "Morning, sweet Nari." AearHwesta looked surprised. "Really? My bad, lad! Trin just called you Remy & I didn't think to doubt her." He laughed in an embarrassed sort of way, and actually did look remorseful for the slip. Looking at him, Remus shook his head in confusion. "You are an enigma, AearHwesta.""Thanks!" The angel accepted as a compliment, cheering immediately. "You're a dandy yourself.""I think life has just become more interesting." Remus muttered lightly for Nari's ears alone. Mau "... So it would seem.." Her eyes had widened at the odd angelic, and she shook her head. "He is.. odd" With that he flew up, made a loop-di-loop, & landed beside Chroma & India. If he had heard Nari's words he either ignored them or did not understand. "I hate to admit it, but he is right. With everything else going on I'm afraid it slipped my mind to tell you I'd be gone this weekend. I might be able to sneak in for a moment tomorrow, but only long enough to apparate in for a very short time before returning." Remus licked her nose, gazing into her eyes. "Please forgive me for not telling you of this sooner."Mau "Oh.. " She frowned. "Going away again so soon?" Rubbing her nose against his, she sighed. "I guess it's not your fault, ne? You have to go spend time with your family from time to time.. " Remus ran his paw gently over her hair, stroking the locks fondly. He glanced to see that Ember was still asleep, not wanting to upset him needlessly. "I love my family too..." He blushed, then glanced at the angelic talking to Chroma and made an odd face. "Though AearHwesta might take some getting used too."Mau "Yes.. My family was fairly small.. until I came into my guardian's home. It was certainly interesting, to suddenly have so many siblings." She purred, flushing lightly as he rubbed against her. She would at least have her dreams to keep her company while he was gone. He shuddered, the memories achingly clear. Then it passed & Remus clung to Nari lovingly. "I have been much more fortunate, this life." He pressed his cheek to hers. "I will miss you, Sweet Nari. Ember too." He flicked his tails gently. "You know that I will return as soon as I am able."Mau "Of course.." She licked his nose, then rubbed her nose under his chin. "But enjoy your time with your family, as well. heart " He purred as she rubbed under his chin, his eyes closing. If only she knew what that did to him! "Come on, Romeo... it's time." The laughing voice drawled above them. Remus opened his eyes unhappily, to see Chroma dangling in the Angelic's grasp, his forelegs under her armpits. She looked so comical -a mix of unhappiness & eagerness on her face- that Remus had to chuckle, wondering if she had been force-lifted or if she had asked for it. Either was equally possible. "I suppose it will not be enough to say I will apparate home in a minute?"AearHwesta laughed his booming laugh. "Not this time. I'll not have my ears burned for not delivering you both home as ordered."Remus sighed. "Well, you have been more than generous." He rose carefully, then ducked his head to touch his nose to Nari's. "Take care, Nari. I will see you again soon. Tell Ember for me when he wakes, would you?""You can write him you know, if the weekend is too long. The witch can conjure them to us." He grinned, meaning to help. Then a confused look crinkled his eyes. "Dunno how we'd get a letter back to you." He shrugged, as if deciding that was someone else's worry. "Ember knows the way to our house." Chroma piped in. Remus grinned, Nuzzling Nari goodbye. "Do as you wish, Nari. I will see you soon.He reached down to touch his nose to Ember's head, then gave Nari another nuzzle for good measure. Then he obedinetly followed his aerial family out the door.
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Posted: Tue Jul 25, 2006 6:14 pm
Family trip - gathering & getting there((RP incoming))
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