|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Apr 13, 2008 8:28 pm
How long has it been? A moon? Two? He had lost track of time being bound into his den, it seemed he had been broken for so long that he had forgotten how to walk. How to move. His usual soulful eyes seemed only half of what they were since then. His paw was still hurting him, it looked fine but it was what was inside that hurt him.
The full, cafe brown mane fell over his face, his crimson blood eyes gazing through them at the paw that hurt him so. The den wasn't as lonely as it was before now that a certain someone came around more often than he did for her. Since he has been den ridden, he hasn't really got the chance to run about every morning like he used to. He hasn't been able to hunt for him. He was missing out on so much. It only took a few short moments before he lost interest in things and grew more tired and lazy. If only his father could see him now . . .
The large, golden lion curled up against the back walls of the den upon a pile of grass and leaves that he had gathered himself as a bed. Many would not see it at first glance, with his back turned to the entrance, his mind was a bit lost. Ophos was his best friend, the only friend he had that wasn't part of his family. He had seen a few moments of the assault on Safuma, he was stuck where he was, standing there and watching as she pleaded. He hesitated. What had been going on since his father's departure? What happened to the Code that he cherished and followed so faithfully? All this time he had said he was following, everything he did was by his Code . . . but was the Code an excuse for him to do as he pleased based upon what he was taught? However, he had no other choice but to swallow himself and do what all his elder had told him-If you cared about someone deeply, you would do anything to protect them even at the cost of your own life. Looking at himself; he almost did.
His eternal clock told him it was time to get up and run but his body refused. He lifted his head and looked over his shoulder to see if she was around. He was uncertain if she was, he was still too tired to tell. He simply let his head fall down with a heavy sigh.
Things have changed and he wanted things back as they were . . .
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:53 pm
However long it had been, the lioness felt it in every bone of her aching body. Her injuries had been slight in comparison to her friend, but she had suffered nevertheless. She still limped on one leg, and it was likely there would always be some sort of misstep in that leg, but it didn't hinder her hunting. Perhaps she was lucky in that regard. There was many a time that she didn't believe Ezekiel would ever get up again. Not due to physical injury, but to a hurt to the heart. If there was anyone that knew the importance of friendship to the young lion, it was his childhood friend. The idea that someone he had held so dear could have done this much damage was infathomable, but it had happened. And they would have to survive.
She brought him whatever food she managed to bring down on her own. In the beginning it had never been very large, but as she got better she'd managed to bring down larger and larger game. It was enough to satiate them both; perhaps not a family, but enough for the two of them. That was all that mattered for now. Day after day she hunted, brought water on the largest leaves she could find and rested at the front of the cave, as if she could protect him from anything else that attempted to intrude on their lives. Her family knew where she was and knew the barest details of the situation, but they had no need of her at the moment either way. She was where she needed to be at the moment and that was all that mattered.
At that particular moment, she was resting at the front of the den. Her eyes were closed, but she was very much awake. She couldn't sleep, so she had taken to listening to pass the time. The sound of his mane rustling caught her attention and her eyes snapped open as her ears pivoted towards him. She didn't catch his eye, but she saw his head flop back down and her ears twitched as she heard the sigh. For a few moments she felt incredibly awkward, as if she intruded on something or another, but she soon stood and made her way over to him. Hesitating, she leaned down to lick his nose, "You going to spend the rest of your life in here?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 11:32 pm
Zeki lifted his head to her, making direct eye contact. For a brief moment, he gave a smile before placing his head back down. His heart was mixed in pain and yet happiness. Pain because of what Ophos would have done to Safuma, that it was Ophos to start with, and that he hesitated to jump in to save his best friend... from his other best friend. However, he was happy that it was Safuma, he was here in his home with her, and most of all she was safe. The young male rolled onto his back and looked at her with eyes that were slowly returning to their glossy, soulful appearance.
"I'm sorry, Safuma. I've kept you inside for too long, maybe we should go out or something. . ."
Zeki rolled over to his feet with a quick wince and looked at her with a slight melancholy expression. All this time she has been tending to him and she too had an injury. What sort of male was he? Where was he Code? How could he be a honest and proud lion after all this and yet, he still believes of those series of promises and vows in his heart. With a deep breath, he raised his head and smiled, taking a posture that he normally carried. His head held high, his eyes on his other, a soft, confident smile, chest out and standing straight.
"For taking care of me for so long, lets head to the water hole. No hunting for you today, its time for our little princess gets a little time to relax with... I dunno, maybe a friend... a devilishly handsome male?"
He gave a soft smirk and looked at the entrance. It had been a while since he last crossed its threshold, but for Safuma, he would gladly do it. If he was willing to throw himself into the path of a raging hyena, what is a trip to the water hole?
Deep down, he felt that she was his friend, but it wasn't the feeling of friendship that drove him out there that day . . .
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 8:36 pm
Her crimson eyes held his own, trying to see through the obvious sadness and into his thoughts. What was he holding up in there? Was it anymore than the obvious? At the same time she was trying to convey to him just all she felt in one glance. Her own sense of betrayal, even if she had only barely trusted Ophos for what he was. That she had trusted him at all was against her nature and though they had not been friends, she felt that sharp pain of a traitorous attack. From now on, she would know to trust her instincts.
Stepping back slightly when he rolled over, her lips slowly spread into a smile as she saw that subtle change in his expression. It was a sign of life, or at least more than she had seen from him in sometime. Flicking her tail from side to side in a slow, gentle arch, she nodded her head in encouragement but said nothing. Of course she wanted to go outside, the sun was low enough on the horizon that the heat of the day was gone and sliding into a cool night.
Watching him stand, she was ready to assist him if needed, as well as she could anyway. She had grown since the attack, but she hadn't grown much. Apparently her body had decided that while she had been a large cub at birth, she would be a medium-sized lioness at the end, or maybe the injuries sustained during the fight had left her stunted - who would know? Turning her head with a soft chuckle, she nodded, "I think I can handle that." But can you? her mind added, but her lips didn't follow suit. Instead she merely walked ahead of him, running her tail against his chin but ever vigilant lest he stumble. She was attempting to lure him out of his reverie and glanced over her shoulder to check whether or not it was working just yet.
Safuma had had plenty of time to consider her feelings for Ezekiel, the question was whether or not he reciprocated them, and when the right time for revealing them would be.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 9:00 pm
Zeki purred softly as she spoke. Again, that soft, kind, caring voice, why was it so weird. He had not quite figured out why it reminded him of his mother, but it was a nice reminder of a face he has not seen in so long. The male moved against her movements to feel physical contact of her presence to assure him that she was still there beside him and alive. However, the whole tail-chin bit made him smirk a little. It was one thing that his uncles have told him that a female was interested. But why would Safuma do it? That was the curious thing. However, he wasn't about to think about something like that for the moment. Today was for Safuma, a gift for taking care of him.
"Today is all for you, consider it a gift for taking care of me. Anything you want, you'll have it. I promise."
He limped softly from behind her, smiling. He was certainly that he could get her anything that she wanted at this point. At this point, he was prepared to give it his all to make her happy for having her give up so much of her time for him. Saving her was his own reward, but apparently, she saw it differently. Too bad he saw it differently himself. He brushed against her lightly, flipping his mane from his face to show those red eyes some more. They were slowly becoming back to what they were before; soulful, bright, full of life and passion.
"It's going to get dark soon. Best hurry if we plan to catch the fireflies."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 8:51 pm
Safuma was not used to being the nurturing part, no matter how naturally it had ended up coming to her. Somewhere in her mind, she still thought herself to very much be a cub. Even as much as she had wanted to grow up, she was forever young in the back of her thoughts. She was always looking for adventure, always looking for games, but now she was learning that sometimes adventure didn't always end up being the safe way of living. She was just glad neither of them had ended up, you know, dead. Hopefully her limp would go away, but even so, she had proven that it didn't hinder her hunting and that was all that mattered.
As he managed to limp ahead of her, she couldn't help a soft chuckle as she hobbled her way after him, "What a pair we make. Already stumbling about like a bunch of seniors." She snorted, but stretched her leg so that maybe her limp would be less pronounced. It worked, sort of. It hurt worse, but she could still put her paw down without feeling stiff.
For Ezekiel saving her, Safuma saw the only even exchange as helping him to get better. Perhaps she would save his life one day, in one way or another, but until then she had done her part as his best friend; and unrequited love. She couldn't really claim unrequited just yet, as he didn't know, but she wasn't sure exactly how to tell him. It would be awkward to do so tonight, since they would have to return to the den together if he didn't feel the same way or not. But she felt as if tonight was the perfect night to reveal it, especially if he did feel the same.
Crimson eyes narrowing slightly in concentration, her thoughts were interrupted by the mention of fireflies and she looked up at him. That life she was so accustomed to was beginning to flicker once again in his eyes, and that brought her own smile to her face, "To miss them would be catastrophic!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:37 pm
Only a few thoughts ran through his head this time. More positive than those back in the den. Ezeoha would be proud that he risked his life to save her, he would compliment him and then come up with something to mock him that went along hte lines of never mating or never experiencing love. Trig would be extremely proud and compliment how that was how he was suppose to act in such situations, putting another before himself. Kinari would be disappointed that he had lost the fight, but would definitely smirk to know that the female that he was trying to save was safe and... dare he say it, increase his chances with her. Trigger would have something along the same lines. His father... oh yes, his father. Too many words to describe what he would say and feel like, something only his presence could sum up at this point. Where he was, Zeki had no idea. He missed his father's company, his cubbish and playful behavior that would always match his son's. That guidance that he looked for from time to time was not here to seek. Those wise words that he got were not from his father but from another's maw. Mayhaps one day, that luge will return home, hopefully, and he better have a good damn reason for being late.
Zeki smiled over his shoulder as he continued to limp. It was something he will have to endure and hope for the best of recoveries from it. His limp was a lot more noticeable than Safuma's being the one who was hit with much of the force and a lot more ferocity. He was just glad that it was he who took it and not her. Even if his Code was a lie or what, it was definitely something he lived by. Looking at Safuma and her smile, he remembered why he was taught to make it in the first place.
"Yeah... what a pair," he murmured softly with a smile.
The male looked up ahead and saw the private little waterhole that was just a ways off from his den. The tree that looked over it was a clear sign. The soft flickers of greenish white was a nice addition to the scenery. The fireflies were active tonight. Looking at them flicker in the night sky, he recalled what he was told about their mating dances from a special little blue snake. He certainly had feelings for Safuma, he had feelings of love for her, but somewhere in his heart, he still saw her as his best friend. Was it weird to love a friend? Was it weird to say 'I love you' to someone you've always played with when you were little, back when you thought girls were... 'icky'? Crimson eyes looked over at and only a smile brought to his maw. She was definitely a different lioness from when she was younger. She was bigger, much more beautiful, and more attractive, that was for certain. Perhaps it was rude to stare, but maybe just this one time.
"Yeah... catastroph-"
And so he trips. Another habit he inherited from his father.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:14 pm
Whether he was proud that he had risked his life or not, Safuma wasn't so happy about it. She didn't like that her friend had been put into danger, whether it was his fault or not to begin with. Whatever had made the hyena attack, she hoped it didn't happen again, and she was sorely irritated that she had ever trusted the vicious creature, no matter if she had been a thoughtless cub or not. She should have told her mother about the vermin then, rather than let it escalate to him attacking a princess on pride lands. If she had been in the Roguelands, perhaps she might have understood the attack, but not on her own lands. The very memory of that violation was enough to send a shiver down her spine, if she stopped to think about it. Luckily, in Ezekiel's presence, she had enough to think about rather than remembering the stupid mongrel. She had to find someway to thank him for saving her life, no matter if she approved of him risking his own or not. Hopefully taking care of him now would be enough to ease the guilt of gratitude, heavy in her soul. It was a debt that needed to be repaid, somehow in someway.
Of course, she was also left with that most unfortunate sensation that wallowed in her heart. Those feelings for Ezekiel that had begun to fester since the attack, as if the blood shed there had been the nourishment for the seed that had been planted when they were nothing more than cubs. When he looked back at her to smile, she didn't worry about what it was that he had said, but instead merely matched his expression with a soft grin of her own in reply.
There was no clear definition between the time she had thought of Ezekiel as nothing more than Zex, her dear friend, to the strong, passionate male that she saw before her now. He was her friend, all the same, but there was something more now. Something that she couldn't very well ignore, even if it turned out that he didn't feel the same at all. He had grown up to be just the kind of lion she had thought he would, and she had definitely not been disappointed in him, even when he had left her for a short while. Now they were grown up, and there would be no avoiding the inevitable. Clearing her throat, her brow furrowed as she tried to find the words, "Ezekiel, I..."
And suddenly he tripped. He had said something before, but she hadn't quite caught it. Lost as she'd been in his crimson eyes and her pursuit of the right way to phrase as she felt. Quickening her pace so that she leapt to his side, she frowned as she lowered her head to study him, "Are you all right?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 20, 2008 8:29 pm
Zeki puffed a breath up to blow away his disheveled mane. Why of all times must he be this clumsy? Was his father, was Ger this clumsy? Such a klutz it seemed. He even inherited his father's notorious cowlick that never seemed to go down no matter what he did, but it was not something he bothered with anymore. He just did not care because it was part of who he was-who Ger was. Genetics were unavoidable, one cannot choose them by birth. They had to accept it and work it to the best of their abilities to make the best of their lives. That was what he did and here he was. A tall, well toned, handsome male who was great friends with this female beside him. His crimson eyes looked up at her and a soft chuckle escaped his maw; she always had that sort of affect on him.
"Yeah, I'm alright. Just big ol' me being a big ol' klutz," he uttered, pulling himself up again. He nodded to himself and to her before starting off again. The special water hole wasn't too far away at this point, maybe a few more moments and they will be there resting under the nice shade of the acacia tree. Ezekiel turned his attention to Safuma. Something she said, it was cut off before, and it was bothering him immensely.
"Say, what were you saying before? You said my name, my real name. Was it important?"
Not even this one could deny his feelings for Safuma. During the fight he had said she was his friend and nothing more, but as the time grew from then to now, something inside him demanded her attention. Her touch. Her presence. Something inside of him wanted her to be close by forever. He knew the feeling, he was taught about weird butterflies and all that weird stuff. He was nervous, though his expression did not show it, he was quite nervous walking beside her. Zeki did his best to hold his high and noble, proud and bold posture. At least the appearance should make her feel safe at the very least.
In the distance the water hole came into view. Not many were there. by the time they were, the place quickly cleared out. The large acacia tree loomed over its trunks all around giving plentiful shade. The water was rather warm due to teh sun warming it, but the water was cool in the shade. this was one of his favorite watering places to go to when he wanted to talk and socialize.
"And here we are, Safuma. Today, I am all for you, if you want something I'll do it. I guess... switching places for the day."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 2:08 pm
Safuma adored that cowlick, she adored his clumsiness, she adored the way that sometimes he spoke a little too formal for the given situation. He made her smile when she thought she wouldn't, he made her comfortable in the most compromising situations. And yet, he couldn't make this feel any better. He couldn't make this whole ordeal any less awkward or the feelings any less hard to express. If he did, there would be no reason to express them and the two of them could go on as if nothing was any different. They could continue on through life, find their respective mates and start families, remaining friends all the while. No, instead this had to be difficult and she had to get over it because she couldn't imagine living life like that, raising a family without Ezekiel. It was ridiculous; they were friends, she had never intended on being anything more and yet, she couldn't help how she felt. There was no denying it anymore.
When he called himself a klutz, she chuckled softly and watched him as he pulled himself up to start off again. Her scarlet eyes were careful to note any discomfort on his part so that she could leap in to help if he needed her there. When he turned to look at her suddenly, her eyes widened and her head pulled back a bit in surprise. His question made her calm down, guilty as she felt her confidence ebb away and she shook her head with a forced smile, "No, not at all. Just don't be so clumsy, okay?"
It was a tease, and the sudden natural melt of her smile was evidence of that. Flicking her tail idly, she tried not to think about how close he was. She forced her mind to keep from straying to fantasies of a family together, of cubs playing infront of them as the little family took a walk to the watering hole. Watching the various prey animals take notice of the lions and make their nervous ways off through the brush, she almost wanted to curse them for leaving her alone with him. She wouldn't be able to bear the silence, she knew. His words fell on deaf ears, or rather, she heard them but didn't respond just yet. Her paws kneaded the fertile earth beneath her, the words tumbling over and over in her head.
When she did speak, the words were blurted out as if she had simply exploded from keeping them in for so long, "Ezekiel, I love you." What else was there to say? She turned her round crimson eyes to him almost sheepishly, afraid she might have just ruined everything.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 26, 2008 9:29 pm
Safuma was the usual thought in his mind when it came to friends. Long ago, when he was a cub, his father had told him stories about his own youth. Going away from the Pride Lands, living with the Leopard named Kujack, and suffered home sickness. The main thought on Ger's mind was his mother, whom Ezekiel has yet to meet, his best friend Ezeoha, and his best friend Trina. He had physically torment himself from a conflict of promises and desires. In the end... well, the finish product of it all stood before them as the adult lion. While he was away from Safuma, living with Ezeoha, he could not help but think about her from time to time. What was she up to? Was she having fun adventures? How was she getting along with her family? Why hasn't she come to play with him yet? When will he see her again? She made him happy. She made him laugh. Her smile made him smile. Her laugh made him laugh. When he had met Akida, something told him that he was her male friend, kinda a paranoid feeling, luckily that was not true. But since, he had wondered if she did find a mate. He had been gone for a while... She could have found a mate and already started a family. It rubbed him the wrong way thus making seeing her again a priority. Luckily, that scenario never happened.
His heart had been in the right place all along, his mind had misdirected those emotions to... other thoughts. His heart was calling and it was only now being heard.
"I can't make promises like that, Safuma, but I'll try my best to be more careful."
Ezekiel stared at her, utterly shocked at her comment. She. Loved. Him. She loved him? She loved him! She loved him... she loved him. No matter how many times he ran the comment in any way possible in his head, the way she spoke it... completely sincere. A silence lingered as his crimson gaze remained on her, blinking. She loved him too. She really loved him. He had thought of them as friends but this is a step-no, this was a leap.
"I love you too, Safuma," Zeki gave that soft, charming smile. Oh how his Uncle's influence reigned now. This was a female that he had feelings for. Something inside triggered a bit from the recesses of his mind. To charm her, to please her, to make her happy, that was what he said just moments ago. Today was her day and he was here to do as she wanted.
Smiling, "So I guess this makes us mates, huh?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 3:40 pm
In some very real ways, Ezekiel had always been almost like family to the jilted heiress. She hadn't gotten to spend much time with her parents, and her own harbored feelings for the loss of the reign she never even knew had led her to avoid her family in general. The amount of times she had had any sort of "Mommy and Me" time with her mother could be counted on one hand, or paw as it were. He had been her constant companion, despite the short vacation from one another ( not exactly short at the time, but in the grand view of things, did it really matter? ) they had remained quite close. She trusted Ezekiel with everything; including her life and now, her heart. She might have found someone else, if he hadn't come back when he did, but she would never have forgotten him and certainly never gotten completely over him. The idea that he might have found someone else, however, was terrifying in a strange way. She certainly didn't mind if he flirted with other females, or did what he would, so long as in the end she still had her time with him. None of that had changed, even with the recent confession.
"Do, please. If try is the least you can do." She smiled softly at him before the conversation had turned to more important things.
She loved him. She loved, adored, admired and desired only him. She could have choked on the words, but she had forced them out all the same. Safuma had always been a no-nonsense kind of lioness, and even these sorts of feelings were no different. Touchier, but still no need to keep hushed up.
When he spoke, when he agreed, her heart nearly stopped. He felt the same? Her lips curled in an answering smile to his own, breathing a soft sigh of relief as she watched him. She was unable to tear her crimson eyes from his own matched pair, tail falling still behind her as she waited for something else. His question, or perhaps it was better described as a statement, made her laugh outloud and she nodded, "I guess so."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 4:36 pm
Boldly, Ezekiel reached a paw to her cheek and pressed his muzzle softly against hers, a nosing sort of thing with a purr. It was definitely an indescribable feeling, but one that felt utterly right. Just moments after he rested his forehead against her, smiling. So right. Totally right. He loved her, he accepted it. He adored her, he knew that. He admired her free and fiery spirit. And something deep down desired to keep her safe, protected, loved, and ever lasting happiness. Fur so soft, scent so sweet, it was incredible how he had noticed it before... she was beautiful.
Smiling, Ezekiel pulled away after licking her nose and laid himself down by the water hole, looking at her as if calling her over. The loud per he emitted beckoned her.
Ezeoha was this what it feels like? Was this what love felt like? Such a burning feeling inside... Thoughts of past lessons ran about his head. It seemed, tonight, I'll understand why Uncle Ezeoha does what he does...
Since they were mates now, was it wrong to woo her still? At least his lessons were put into some sort of use. Ezekiel watched her from where he was, purring for her.
"My... you look gorgeous tonight, my love."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
