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 Posted: Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:07 pm
How could this had happen? Where did he go astray? Did he do something wrong?
The loud claps of lightning exploded the air with roaring thunder that only echoed above the hard thuds of the rain. Alone he sat beneath the gnarled acacia tree that loamed over the disrupted surface of the water hole. How long? How long has it been since he and that male seen each other? Of course they did not part too well, but he was sure that he loved him too. But with all said and done, he had moved on without him and here he was.
The dark red male sat, looming over the water down at a reflection that was hardly recognizable. The rain bombarded the adolescent mercilessly, not caring of who he was or what he was going through. Nature could be cruel as could those one would believe to be friends. Alone he sat there, his heart aching. Looking at the water with only a violet eye staring back at him, tear filled and through them, a scarred soul.
"Mother... Father... Brother... was this destined to be me?... The son of Athrun, God of Loneliness to follow under his father's domain?..."
Yadumu murmured softly, almost inaudible through the sounds of rain and thunder. His best friend was happy in her pride. His son was off to seek his name and was, perhaps, better off. He was smart and strong, he could take care of himself. He would not put it past the younger lion to not have already started a family. He prayed his daughters were alright too.
As the drops of water beated down on his body from all angles, he just continued to loom over the water's surface, staring back into his soul.
His heart broken. His soul scarred. His mind lost.
Uncertainty remained as to what to do with his life. He was just, alone.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:32 pm
Really, he needed to get better about goodbyes. How frequently had he done this now? Simply up and left without so much as a word to anyone else, slinking off in the dark of the night to satisfy his need for travel. And not once had he invited his companions to travel with him. Simply put, the thought had never been entertained for long, and Erebos would up and leave without consideration of the other party. It was just the way he and his world worked, really.
Well. It had until now, anyway. Padding along the dark in the rain, his mane plastered about his body and face, Erebos found himself rather in want of company at this point. Just someone to be able to turn to and laugh, or share an understanding smile with. ...Gods, he really was going soft. Sighing, he shook his head lightly- enough, unfortunately, to spread the mane all over his eyes and inhibit his vision.
He really needed to get out of this rain.
Picking up his pace to a slight jog, Erebos found himself heading in the direction of a rather lonely looking tree- perfect for at least getting him out of the rain for now. Putting on the most charming smile he could muster as he slowed to a more dignified walk, Erebos strutted over toward the tree, perfectly ready to warm his way into the heart of whoever lay there. Clearing his throat loudly, he began.
"Why, hello there! Terribly sorry about bothering you out here, but..." he spoke loudly and richly, despite the downcast tone he was forcing himself to take. All about the image of it, really. "I've been traveling for quite some time now, and I was wondering if you wouldn't mind some co-"
His words quickly died in his throat as he finally got a good look at the male under the tree. Horribly caught off guard, his step faltered slightly, ears pressed to his head and eyes wide with shock and horror.
"...Dumu?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 12:49 pm
Picking up his head at the voice, he stared off into the distance ahead of him unsure where the voice was coming from. It was a male's voice but it certainly wasn't that cheerful, jolly voice he was hoping for. It was richer and more... upbeat in this stormy weather. The youth's dark red fur was even darker now it was wet, clinging to his skin. It wasn't until his name was spoken did he get a clear idea of where this other being was now that his voice was louder and unhindered by the rain.
"E-Erebos, w-what are you doing out here?" He asked, hoping his voice would be lost in the down pour. Luckily for him, the rain did a wonderful job of hiding his tears and he could think up reasons for the other symptoms of his current state of mind. But it was so easy to recognize this male. His mismatched eyes, the mismatch toes, the inky black fur and wonderful mane, and the mysterious scar over his eye.
"And you aren't bothering anyone," he replied in a more melancholy tone , turning himself back to the tiny waterhole. If you'd consider me being a "anyone". Turning back to him with a forced smile, he added, "And you have been travelin' a bit, haven't you, Erebos?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 1:55 pm
There was a slight catch in the other's voice- barely noticeable, but with the way Erebos operated, it was the kind of thing he had learned to pick up on. Adjusting himself so that he was his usual, charming self, he quickly and quietly padded over, laying on the ground a slight distance from the other. Offering up a kind and sympathetic smile to the boy, Erebos looked him over as he spoke.
"Something just tugged at me to travel out this way, and I'm glad I did. You seem a bit..." Pausing to consider his words, Erebos looked over him once-more, rather displeased with what he saw. The boy could fake happiness all he wanted, but his body language was giving him away. Biting his lower lip, Erebos hummed lightly.
"Well. I think you've seen better days, to put it nicely." He spoke softly, attention still fixed on Dumu. Offering a weak smile, Erebos shifted himself as to be more open-seeming, crossing his paws in front of him. Drawing a deep breath, he looked away from Dumu for a moment.
"I'm glad I'm not a bother, at any rate. 'm hoping I can at least help you feel a bit better." Turning to Dumu yet again, Erebos finally let his smile fall.
"I feel like I'm getting older, kid. Traveling's not as grand as it used to be."
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:07 pm
Dumu could keep crying and the rain would simply hide it, brushing it off as the rain running down his face. His sobs and sniffs could be excused as he was getting sick from the cold out here. He would have bought it, he knew his mom did once when he had hurt himself falling in the rain. Dumu could try to be jolly and happy, but his heart would not be in it. Things just seemed a bit more distant than they really were.
The seer gave a brief laugh as he turned his head toward the older male, "I knew you were going to figure it out, too, Erebos, I... I didn't need to use my abilities to figure that out. Anyone could have..." Without forcing himself to do it any longer, he sat upon his haunches, overlooking the tiny waterhole, uncaring as to one would say or do. Still, he kept his ears opened for Erebos' words.
"Better days, great days, but those days have been over for a long time since my son and daughters ventured off on their own lives. My brother is gone with his own life and my parents are happy with a new litter and themselves. Where am I but a vagabond? Sure I may have had cubs, but they're grown now and I look no different! You are lucky to be getting older, Erebos, you are privileged! I will never have a mane like you and just the same, I will never be as big or strong or handsome or amazing as you, I will just be the same all my life until the day...." he cut off, turning his gaze back to the rippling pool of water. He could figure out the rest. It was unfair that he was cursed with this, he was really happy and proud to carry the same affliction his father has, but now, it seemed like a burden.
Yelling like that at the only person around that seemed remotely caring to him, it just made him hurt a little more inside. Soft sobs escaped his maw as his eyes closed shut. Damn it all.
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:39 pm
He was... hurt. Erebos had honestly thought that he was beyond caring at this point, seeing as he'd managed to keep such a clean track record, but... this was killing him. He could certainly maintain composure and suave as easily as he always did- it was habit at this point, almost like breathing, really- but hearing this... gods, if it was possible, it was breaking his heart. Any trace of a smile gone, Erebos simply listened as Dumu went on about his family. What he hadn't known! The boy was the son of a god, never to age... he had KIDS, for crying out loud! That was probably what shocked Erebos the most; he looked so young... probably due to the lack of aging... but he had a family. Were they near the same age, then? How long ago had this been? Gods, how old WERE his kids now?
Trying to shake his own connections out of the story, Erebos returned to listening attentively. His ears flickered back- shame? Discomfort? He wasn't sure, really- at the mention of his own aging, and then the barrage of compliments that soon followed. Looking away for a moment, Erebos rose from his laying position on the ground and padded over to sit next to Dumu. Leaning over and resting his chin upon the other's neck, Erebos murmured quietly into his ear.
"I'm sorry, Dumu. I'm so, so sorry. If I'd have known, at all... I wouldn't have left so quickly. I'm so, so sorry..."
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 2:56 pm
Just by mentioning them, something inside reached deep into his heart, pulling out the memories of those he mentioned back into his mind. Akiiki, his beloved younger brother. If he remembered correctly, he was possessed with a spirit and was probably mated at this point. His brother has always been the strong one and the one who could easily take care of himself. No doubt he has an interest in his mind at least. Athrun, God of Loneliness, and Azraceri are probably happy with their lives in the Dawnwalker pride. If memory served him right, they have a recent litter to care for. Memories of everything else just pained him even more. His son had wandered off during his rites of passage for his pride in the swamplands with his sisters and mother. Soo probably found a better male to have her heart and family with. And yet he was still here, in this accursed rain that continued to beat on him. When the first drop hit him on the nose, it nearly made him cry and things simply snowballed from there. In fact, his body felt numb in the cold, the rain, and the crying.
Jerking his head up, his eyes wide, he looked over his shoulder to see that big, black form rest against his tiny body. The soft, but soggy, mane engulfing one side of him. W-what was he doing? Dumu questioned as he stared dumbfounded. And to apologize no less!
Was he trying to pull at his heart? It as already faintly beating to live on and here he was pulling at it's strings to wake it again... and it is almost working.
"Erebos... w-why?..."
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 3:21 pm
When Dumu fell quiet, Erebos took the opportunity to shift over slightly, resting so that it was practically impossible not to be brushing against the younger lion. Remaining silent, he simply gave the boy time to think; it was the best thing to do when you finally confronted your problems, after all. If he spoke at all during this time, it was murmuring gentle nothings into the boy's ears, of nonsensical promises and comforts. Not lies, mind you, simply things Dumu probably had no need for. It was more for offering a quiet reminder he was there, as comfort and as a friend. Closing his eyes and letting silence take over once more, Erebos simply waited.
The boy needed time to think, really. And maybe he did, too. He hadn't spoken of his own tattered past in some time, abandoning so many women for the call of the wind. And that last one... Euthalia, wasn't it? How many hearts like hers had he broken? Sighing gently, Erebos pushed the thoughts from his mind; this wasn't his time to be recovering. No, the important one now was Dumu. Maybe, if he really tried, they could find some kind of peace in one another.
"Why not?" He hummed gently, still not moving from his close position near the boy. Simply breathing for a moment, trying not to be troubled by the world, Erebos mumbled gently once more.
"It'll be alright, Dumu. I promise. It's going to be alright."
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Posted: Sat Jan 03, 2009 5:03 pm
He turned his head away from his, though, it was still impossible to escape him. He wanted to, to get away from Erebos in fear that he might harm him like others, but his body would not move. Was it because he knew that this one meant him no harm? At least for now. Was it because he felt safe with him, in his slight embrace? What did he do to deserve Erebos' presence and comfort? With his mother's words, what did he give up to gain someone like him in his life? Though not intimate, it was a good bond between them. Was it because of that day so many moons ago when they had met? What had happened that day escapes him now...
He could feel the other's warmth engulf him, cover him as his mane brushed against his mockery of a mane. But what was profound was that he felt no rain upon most of his body . . . because Erebos was there sheltering him. His violet eyes, slightly red, slowly edged around his shoulder to look up at him. What surprised him was how comforting he was, he had a similar air to a few he had met before, but he was still different... and even while touching, nothing in his mind was racing or voices calling and talking or images of this male and his past. Did his powers not work with him? Why his powers were not working, he wouldn't know, but he was a little glad that he wasn't being bombarded with another's personal life without their consent.
But still...
"Because I hardly know you," he replied sheepishly. "Or is this pity?"
The eye upon his forehead, which sometimes he believed was his father's to watch him, seemed to almost shimmer in the dark rain, or perhaps it was just refracting the sky. Dumu lowered his head with a slight laugh.
"And... my cubs, they are adults by now."
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 7:15 pm
It wasn't the greatest he could do- honestly, he wasn't even laying it on that thick anymore. There was something terribly endearing- a thread of common feeling, he supposed- in seeing poor Dumu. Alone. Like this. It was almost like seeing himself, younger and lonelier- desperate for company. Maybe the kid would've wanted to be alone, but- when he'd been left by his gal, stuck on his own... he'd sure as hell wanted someone around. Actually, that'd explain a LOT about Dumu's lack of confidence- Erebos didn't know of many lions who'd just snap up on their merry way after being kicked around by life for a while. Maybe that was just who he was.
"A little pity, I suppose. Mostly empathy. But- I think everyone needs to be pitied, at some point. S'not always a bad thing" Erebos mused, once more nuzzling the boy gently. Gods, he was so tense- probably didn't have many comforting figures in his life like this. Sighing gently, the darker lion shifted slightly to better fit his own comfort- hopefully not disturbing Dumu. Blisfully unaware of the implications of the boy's powers, Erebos was struggling not to become lost in his own thoughts- working to keep up the conversation so that Dumu could overcome this obstacle.
"Lack of knowledge shouldn't be synonymous with a lack of kindness. That's my rule, anyway." He added, cocking his head a bit to the side. Flicking an ear to push away some of the water, Erebos scowled a slight bit.
"And maybe that's the sign that it's time to get up, move on- see the world, y'know? That's how I'd see it, anyway. I'm not saying forget about the past, don't get me wrong-" a laugh, here, almost sad despite how melodic and rich it was
"-you gotta learn from it. Or it comes back to bite you. But... you can't dwell in it forever. Otherwise, you just miss a hell of a lot of the world."
A pause, then.
"...Have you traveled much, Dumu?"
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 8:25 pm
His father a mighty god, a being of unfathomable strength and life, immortal and yet he seems mortal enough to be bound to his mother. A lowly mother who has lost so much in her life who's loneliness drawn the god to her. His wings embraced and her heart soared. Their love bloomed the two cubs, one bearing a mental demon and one bearing the curse that his father had afflicted. Forever youthful in appearance. While others grow older with wisdom and strength, he remains the same only to push beyond limited limits and to die just the same as anyone else. Falling for a love that just seem like nothing but a phase. Pulling on the strings of his heart over and over like a kite in the wind or a puppet for a show. That was it. He was a puppet for a show and a fool for falling for such emotions and love for a lion who clearly did not desire him in a mutual way. Perhaps he was too young for it. Perhaps he was ignorant and stupid, but his heart hurt the day they separated, to get a hold of themselves better, but he wanted him still.
Soo, the swamp lander female who's future would be bleak without his interference. A promise made him return to the sightless female and with a litter, she would remain safe tending to the cubs. While the rules of the pride prevented a male such as him to be around during the birthing, it was something he never got to witness. And because of that, he was always cautious of his presence. With them grown and off on their own, he too sought to find that lion again.
Curse him.
Curse himself.
Curse these powers.
If only he was blissfully ignorant, maybe he could have continued to live the lie, not knowing what that male was up to after they had separated. Maybe then he could been better off. His heart's cracks were slowly chipping off into the darkness of his current emotions. He scowled.
"Empathy you say..." he murmured, staring past his outstretched paw into the raining horizon. Everything seem bleak. Pity wasn't a bad thing, but Empathy? Could he really say so without this one knowing little to nothing about this lion? How could he say empathy? Did he go through so much heart break before? Did he have to always be wary when near others because of his powers? ... his powers that did not seem to work much anymore. Even while this close, nothing about Erebos was pouring into his mind like a broken damn of memories into the already flooded reservoir inside his head. The dark red lion, that was much darker now due to wet fur, shuttered at the nuzzling. A sign of comfort and affection. Where was father. Where was mother. Where was Aki. Where was anyone? Why must it always be a stranger that toys with his heart and comfort?
"Time to give up on him and move on, is it?" The seer questioned, turning his mane-covered face toward the dark lion. His lilac eyes glanced at him from the corner before looking up into the dark clouded sky, the rain's constant pitter patter, the sparks of lightning occasionally lighting it up.
"You want me to forget loving this stranger who showed me so much because he ended up hurting me, is it that? So what do you suppose you would be? Another stranger I'd end up getting close to only to have you crush me someway?" He spoke lowly, his voice had very little spirit or joy in it, opposite of the male's laughter. Why was he so cheery? .... Why was he so spirited?
Erebos paused which case his eyes to fall back to the corner to look at him.
"Not since he left me. Even then, we hardly moved."
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