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 Posted: Thu Mar 27, 2008 1:37 pm
Time seemed to go so fast now, and he had trouble remembering up from down. Gosh, had it been so long since he too was a little kit? Had it been so long since he'd fallen in love? Since he'd been scolded? All of these things were distant memories now. Even his conceited attitude was slightly off, though his pride was in full gear, as usual. Only Araphel could push past those barriers, and his little mate was ... well... that's just it. She was little. Tiny even. Leaving her alone made Kohta nervous, though he couldn't quite say why. Ara-babe was his pride and he loved her with everything. Her and their kits. Though... he supposed they weren't kits although he hadn't seen them in a while. They'd grown and gone and left Kohta feeling the despair.
Still. Life went on. He had his Araphel, and once in a while his children would stop in. Today though, as he sat on a very familiar hill that overlooked a river, he was mainly looking for Araphel. Wondering where his precious mate had gone, and if she'd be back soon. As he did this, he felt a sort of soft nuzzle against his legs as his daughter Xanabel brushed up beside him. A soft but shockingly surprised smile lit up his face.
Xana was the spitting image of him with Ara's silver hair. And though seemingly derogatory, for better or worse, she was daddy's little girl. He'd always been quite close with her for some reason, and hadn't ever regretted it. She used to tell him things, but now... was all a mystery.
"Xana... it's so good to see you... and happy too. I'm glad."
"Where's mother?" She purred out, curiously looking around. There was a slightly nervous air about her today, and she knew it. She was early, earlier than she'd asked Ifrit to come and earlier than she expected him to be anyway. And anyway... not many people could find her father if he went out wandering with mother. Though, it was usually father who lost mother. She was the hardest to find and she'd always been so good to Xana, just like her father had. There would never be any denial that Xanabel had the greatest parents in the world.
"Out... somewhere..." Kohta returned with a sigh, obviously distressed that he was unable to find his mate, but also too prideful to say he didn't know. He kept wanting to stay by her side and protect her, but she was independent, he knew. She'd never really approved of how angry and protective he'd become after her little accident that day.
There was a light giggle of a laugh as Xana sat down beside her father to wait with him, looking at the sun over the trees and how it glowed like fire. Beautiful, like all the rest of the world.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:30 pm
In truth, Araphel hadn't really gone too far. She was just wandering around in the small forest below that hill, amusing herself by stalking small animals and then scaring them just to watch them run away. She knew that she could have caught them if she wanted to ... but there was no need right now. She wasn't really hungry, just having fun.
Quite suddenly, there was an almost amused sort of chuckle close by. "Enjoying yourself, Mother?" a familiar voice asked.
Araphel spun, startled for a moment, before she saw the form of one of her sons pushing through the brush. "I am, actually," she replied, tone just a bit guarded. In certain ways, Soreda reminded her of Kadaj - what little she had seen of him. As he had grown up, Soreda had slowly distanced himself a bit from the family, getting quieter and more thoughtful ... and at times, those thoughts and the actions that followed had an edge to them. Sometimes, it was just in play, but sometimes ... it wasn't. A strange mix of her own parents, she thought. Still, though, he was her son ... and she loved him no matter how he might act.
It seemed that Soreda had no plans for trouble today though (or at least not yet he didn't), because he just nodded slightly. "I think Father is looking for you. He's up on that hill with Xana," he said after a moment, tilting head in that direction.
"Oh..? I guess I should go assure him that I haven't been eaten by a monster, then," Araphel replied at that, with a little smile. Turning she headed for the hill... and when she glanced back, she saw that Soreda was following her. Well, if he wanted to come along, that was fine... so she slowed down a little so they were walking side by side.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 9:03 pm
In the moments that followed, it definitely seemed as though Kohta had developed some sort of super powerful Araphel-sensor. The moment Araphel had begun to trek up the hill, a part of him knew she was coming and dashed out to find her. Would she be all right? What had she been doing? Probably playing again... why couldn't she take him along when she did so? He'd feel so much better if he was able to keep his love by his side. "Ara-babe!" He called out when he saw her in sight, and then another kit next to her, and in shock and pure delight, he called out to his son as well, "Soreda's with you as well?"
Following all of this was Xanabel, who seemed very pleased by her father, despite all of his oddities and behaviors. Most were unexplainable, but she enjoyed them. There was little she didn't enjoy, for she loved life of all kind and sorts and everything had a thing about it that made her smile. Padding after him quickly, she saw her mother and suppressed her excitement. Although she was closer to Kohta, she did so love her mother! And oh! Soreda too! "Mother! Sore!" She called out to them happily.
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:04 am
Araphel laughed softly as Kohta came bounding toward her, and started moving faster as well, to meet him in the middle and kind of rear up to rest paws on his chest, nuzzling at one cheek. "Hello there," she said, with a quick smile. "As you can see, no dragon or monster has come along and eaten me today ... especially not with Soreda around," she finished, glancing back over her shoulder.
Soreda's greeting was far less ... exuberant. He merely flicked an ear as he walked slowly up to the little group, a small twitch of lips a faint smile at Araphel's words. "Father... Xana. It's been a while," he said, voice softly, pleasant. He did love his family, though he wasn't always the best at showing it.
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:12 am
Flicking his own ears back and leaning his head down to cuddle his mate, as well as wrap a protective paw around her, he chuckled lightly, not as amused as she. "Don't joke..." he warned, licking her cheek and feeling overly content now that he was with her again. He was most at peace in these moments, and then he tossed a grin to his son after he was comfortable. "You did a good job son." He winked a little, able to be a good father as usual (when he wasn't obsessively trying to protect everyone that is.)
Xanabel padded the rest of the way over, pleased. It was nice... one of their siblings was currently missing, but mostly they were all here and that's how it should be. Soon maybe she could be like this with Ifrit... would he like that? He was the sun to her and she the same for him. Their love was glowing like her parents... could she be that way? She wanted to. Yes. Very much. Keeping her ears pressed down against her head, she went over to bop her brother playfully and grin at him, "Quite a while..." She curled her tails up around her and sat down, looking at the sky for a moment. He'd be here soon, she supposed. But maybe she could bring it up lightly first? "Mother, father... do you remember Ifrit?"
Kohta's eyes narrowed a moment, and he chose not to speak, allowing his mate to be the first to answer their daughter. Whatever this was about, he had a feeling he wasn't going to like it very much. Him being... well... him.
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 11:21 pm
Araphel purred at Kohta and bumped her forehead against his shoulder in an affectionate sort of manner. Though his protective nature could get on her nerves sometimes, still she loved him. And she always would...
She blinked then at Xana's question and tilted her head toward her daughter. "Yes, I remember him..." she said, in a curious sort of fashion.
Soreda offered Kohta a little nod of his head and then lifted a paw to smack Xana in return ... lightly. Then he sat down and waited quietly ... to see where this was going.
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 9:31 am
And speaking of Ifrit, he was how approaching the small group, eyes searching through the collected bodies until he sorted Xanabel out from the rest and then moving in her direction. When he got closer he nodded his head in greeting to the gathered family members, looking Soreda over curiously. He was going to guess this was one of Xana's siblings. "Good day."
He wasn't going to speak much else just yet, as he didn't know where the conversation stood, so he just sat down near Xanabel and waited with an easy grin on his face. Though to judge by the not-quite-glower on Kohta's face he'd timed this just about right.
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 7:04 pm
Luckily, very luckily, Ifrit had approached before Xanabel could return with an answer, or perhaps a statement she didn't want to say. Like the sudden rising of the sun, his immediate presence beside her warmed her and she unconsciously found herself moving closer to him and leaning on him. As she'd always done. "Ifrit..." she muttered quietly, looking up at him with love-filled eyes of teal. Then she looked back to her parents, and even to her brother, and wondered... what could she say? How could she say it? Nervously, her ears flicked backwards as she thought of her answer.
Kohta stuck protectively and loyally next to his mate, shoving her back very gently with a light lick placed precariously on her cheek. She was a sweetheart, and their children were good. Ifrit? He wasn't sure about. There seemed to be something slightly annoying about him, slightly sketchy, but still. What did he really know? Xanabel didn't tell him things anymore. He lowered his muzzle a moment, thoughtfully and nodded to say he did know this Ifrit, and he wasn't happy about it.
Speak of the devil, and he shall appear.
"Hullo..." Kohta said plainly, puffing out his chest to show authority. He was head of this family, and right now... Ifrit was an outsider. He didn't care if this guy was Xana's friend or whatever... he could be a threat. He was too touchy after everything to take any chances with his family. Funny thing was... if Ifrit tried anything, Kohta would surely lose.
Laughing cutely at father's antics, a short sort of apologetic laugh for her love, she nuzzled his side and looked at her parents, still thinking and praying that perhaps Ifrit would make things easier and help out. He knew she was afraid of this... she'd said so. And he knew her so well. Loved her so much. He would know... she prayed, closing her eyes lightly. What to do? What to do?
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Posted: Sun Mar 30, 2008 8:43 pm
Araphel made a little pleased sound at Kohta as he licked her cheek and then glanced up when Ifrit came up and sat down next to Xana. It wasn't hard at all for her to tell what was going on there ... not with the way that Xana reacted to him. She could also tell how nervous her daughter was, and so she smiled slightly at Ifrit, nodding head in greeting. "Good day to you as well," she replied.
Red eyes shifted from the newcomer to Kohta, and then Araphel, rested on his sister for a moment and then returned to Ifrit again. From his own stance and the way he looked at the other, it was clear Soreda didn't know quite what to think of him. Araphel didn't seem to mind his presence, but Kohta ...
Finally, the lighter-furred kitsu settled for a wordless nod in greeting - willing to wait and see what might happen next.
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 7:00 am
Ah, Araphel. Ifrit was glad for a mother-in-law that seemed to be so understanding; though apparently if it wasn't the mother that was going to be disapproving, it was the father. And he really didn't have any idea what to make of Soreda yet. But it would work out in time... he hoped.
Ifrit raised an eyebrow at Kohta's antics, though Xana's laughter prompted his grin to return. "Dad" wanted to play big man? Ifrit didn't have a problem with that unless he did something stupid. Like... actually attack him, or upset Xanabel. Not that Ifrit would hurt Kohta unless there was no other way to get him to stop, but words and a glower from Ifrit tended to have more effect than other peoples'.
For now, though, he just kept smiling and kissed the top of Xana's head, enjoying this moment of calm and happiness before things potentially blew up. "So, Xana invited me to come along with her to see you guys..." He wagged his tails. "So we could tell you something." He glanced down at Xana with a soft look. "Do you want to say it or should I?" He did indeed know how nervous things like this could make her... but he wanted to give her the opportunity to tell her folks what was going on if she could manage. Otherwise he didn't mind telling them. But he was trying to be careful not to look like he was bossing Xana around, either, with how Kohta was acting. He had a feeling that would go over real well, however incidentally his trying to help Xana out of an akward situation might appear that way.
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Posted: Mon Mar 31, 2008 6:56 pm
Wordlessly, Kohta remained in the background of it all, waiting for the wrong move. Ever watching. He'd be damned if he let any more bad things happen to his precious family, and although Ara-babe was being nice, and he seemed to genuinely care about Xanabel, Kohta didn't like it. Araphel was too nice sometimes... no wonder he worried so much! Unconsciously, he pulled her closer to himself, nuzzling her tightly. His mate was one of the few he could be himself around, most of the time. But when he was fearful for her or anyone in his immediate family, he didn't think very much.
Sweetly, Xanabel let her eyes soften and muscles relax under his his kiss and loving smile. That was something she could handle. It seemed to be easy to get along with him every day they were together. Easier and easier. And she never wanted it to end... it was like finding something new and shiny everyday, and making it shine more all the time. It never lost that glaze and it was always beautiful, always precious. Somehow, she got a feeling they would be like that. That their love could be that way.
Her tails curved around his, and she flicked her ears back, looking up at him and finding her strength in those eyes. This was easy. It was everything else that could be difficult. Somehow... it was just that simple.
"I'll... I'll say it," she said quietly and then looked her father in the eye, staring him down but kindly, and then sweetly to her mother and a little nervously to her brother. "Ifrit... Ifrit and I..." she paused, sitting up a little straighter, "Are together. We're in love." She looked up at him, shimmering and glistening like she always did for him. She was proud for saying it, but now a little fearful of the reaction this would receive.
Kohta paused a moment, staring at his daughter. His ears pressed down against his head and he seemed to growl for a moment, before shrugging his shoulders and trying to roll this away. Rational. Rational. His daughter was in love with ... that... big fuzzy orange thing that could hurt her. Could hurt his precious Xanabel. Did he like this? Nope. He didn't like it at all. But... one look from Xana, and he knew he had no choice. The eye contact contained an entire conversation and he sighed lightly. In a morbidly depressed and not at all encouragingly happy voice, but with shining eyes, he said, "I'm happy for you dear..."
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Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:45 pm
Oh dear. Araphel could already see where this was going. And even as Xanabel started talking, the smaller bobtail stepped down quite firmly on her mate's foot - just to discourage him doing anything to ruin it. Not that she really thought he would, but... just to be sure. Besides, it wasn't as if she weighed a lot, so she couldn't do much real "damage" by reminding him in this way to be nice. Or try to, anyway.
Soreda blinked at the two of them calmly, glancing from parents to his sister and Ifrit and back again. So ... they were together..? Well, that was nice... though he could tell that Kohta didn't like it. But he could have predicted that. His father was extremely protective of all of them. Soreda understood why, a little.
His mother was so much smaller than he and his father that it only made sense to want to protect her. But Soreda also remembered a time when he had been smaller (if only by a bit) and remembered the strength that he had seen in Araphel then, and even now. He wasn't so afraid for her... or for his sister.
So he padded forward and licked Xana's shoulder almost encouragingly. "Congratulations, Xana," he said softly.
Araphel swelled just a little with pride for her son, and for Kohta too, that he was trying so hard. Butting Kohta's shoulder almost playfully, she murmured, "Be nice," and then bobbed her head to the young couple. "Yes... congratulations to you both."
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Posted: Thu Apr 24, 2008 9:41 am
Ifrit was ever so grateful for Araphel's firm support. He knew it was for Xana, and only vicariously for himself, but he appreciated it all the same. He knew better than to underestimate any woman, human or kitsu, no matter their hight. Though he too was a protector at heart... and he was glad that Xanabel needed him. He silently applauded Kohta's self-control, as well. When he was human, he'd had a little sister... and, well, he wasn't sure he'd have been so nice about something like this.
But he loved Xanabel. She loved him. As long as she wanted him to be with her, he would be, come hell or high water. He belonged to her, now.
And ah, how Xana sparkled! The smile he'd put on for her family melted into a silly, happy grin just for her. She sparkled for him, he glowed for her. Sometimes literally, but not right now. That would probably have freaked Kohta out. "Thank you," he said softly to the collective congratulations, heartfelt or not, but he never took his eyes from Xana. There was a softness in him at that moment that only Xana could bring out in him... like a big, shaggy, starstruck puppy.
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Posted: Fri Apr 25, 2008 10:58 am
Kohta glanced at Araphel and grimaced slightly. His eyes were slightly narrow at the moment, but still, it didn't much matter. How might he be joyful to give up his daughter to this giant fuzzy thing that couldn't even protect her from one harmful kitsu? How might he be okay with that? And yet... the way he looked at her. The way she stuck close to him, almost as if she'd be completely lost without him. And he sighed, turning his frown into a genuine smile as he nuzzled his own mate playfully. "I'm quite nice," he murmured back, standing a little straighter and smirking at the couple. Yet in his eyes, he was obviously warning Ifrit that if any harm befell his daughter, Ifrit better be prepared to get it good. He wasn't going to tolerate any nonsense with even the slightest possible unhappiness for his family.
Xanabel preened herself happily at her mother and brother, butting him back playfully and then smiling gratefully at her mother. Her father was a different story, but she saw he was changing his tune. He had to. She was sure she wouldn't have been able to stand it if he was upset with her about this. "Thank you daddy..." she whispered, mainly for herself. Though, his smile seemed to brighten at even her muttered words. Her ears flicked back as she looked up at the big orange fuzz that was her new love. Pawing at him gently, she smiled softly for him. Butting him a little playfully, she seemed to swell with relief. "Thank you... for coming with me Ifrit..."
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