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demonstrationevi (10:37:12 PM): Asadaki ran as though his life were in jeapordy. It wasn't, in the back of his mind he knew that he could run back at any time. He could complete the sacrifice. There was still time. He could still complete it... and yet... and yet... it was Biku. His sister. His beloved siste Biku. He had spent half his life worshipping her, protecting her from harm... how could he do her harm now, when she had barely experienced life? He didn't want to live without her... she meant more to him than that. She was his living goddess.
How could he kill his goddess? And so he ran. Until his legs burned and he felt as though he would throw up. He could feel his sister on his back... she had been light at first, but now she was so heavy that he could barely move. But he couldn't stop. He couldn't stop. Not until they were far enough away. Not until he was sure no one would ever find them. Not until he knew he would never have to let her go. Until he was sure he was in a place she would never be hurt.
The training had worked too well. It only occured to him now, he worshipped her too much. He saw her in a light of perfection that he could not escape. He couldn't hurt her... and yet he was the only one who could. He was the only one allowed to hurt her. And anyone else who tried... even the pack who had ordered him too, could not be trusted. They were the enemy. Even his own pack... was the enemy.
VoiceOfDoom1739 (10:43:45 PM): Because she couldn't think what else to do, Dabiku clung tight to her brother. She wanted to let go, to go back to what was meant for her... but she needed HIM to finish it. She needed her brother more than anything. So if he ran, all she could do was go with him.
Yet, she couldn't stop staring back over her shoulder until her neck grew sore, watching the hill recede and feathers and petals go flying out behind them from their garb. Yes, it was all coming apart before her eyes. Her whole life. What was she supposed to do with herself, now that her life's purpose was gone?
Well, Asadaki would tell her, she supposed. Asa always knew what to do, and Asa always took care of her. She nestled her head in his hair and whimpered softly. Why did this have to happen to them? She'd spent her whole life waiting for this, and now it was gone. "...Kiruhu..." She whispered the name of her intended to herself, over and over again.
She'd never get to see him...
demonstrationevi (10:59:55 PM): Asadaki finally stumbled, and crashed to the ground. Still, the entire time, he made sure that he took the full brunt of the fall, face down in the dirt. Biku wasn't harmed in the slightest. He had to protect her. He had to keep her safe. She was his life, his everything... his very purpose depended on her. And now he had taken her from her own purpose. What now? It was his choice... he would have to decide for them both.
He lay down in the dirt for a long time, trying to catch his breath. He could barely catch it. When he did, all he could say was, "It isn't fair... it isn't fair... I'm so sorry Biku... God Kiruhu above us... I'm so sorry." But while he was, at the same time... he wasn't, "I couldn't let... I couldn't let you... see him yet... not when we... not when there's so much more out there for us..."
He looked over his shoulder, trying to catch sight of her... to know what she was thinking, "One day... one day I'll... I'll send you to see him... but not now. I can't..." He closed his eyes, trying his best to fight off tears as it all crashed into him, "I can't let you go yet... please forgive me... I want us to find something better... something more... there has to be more for us... I want more for you."
VoiceOfDoom1739 (11:08:34 PM): Biku gritted her teeth and cringed as the ground rose up to meet them, but was surprised to find that she got not a scratch upon her. Only Asa was hurt. She frowned, looking down upon him, then quickly leapt off to groom herself, lest the dirtiness taint the purity in her soul.
Once she found herself satisfactorily clean, she seated herself on a rock and listened to Asa. At first she said nothing in reply to him, only listened... after all, she'd been trained to listen, never to speak first, to always let the gentleman engage conversation and otherwise be quiet and gentle in all things. And so she listened, and once he ran out of breath to lament with, she supposed his appology to her warranted a response.
"You need not appologize, Asa," she said, staring down at her paws. "You did what you thought was right, and for that none can blame you." A chill breeze picked up, and she shivered and winced at it. "I only..." she began, then pondered a moment how best to arrange her words. "I only fear that my intended... may not take me now. May not accept me. I have been stolen... if we wait too long, I may grow too old and too ugly for him." She shivered at the thought. She'd been meant to stay young and beautiful forever.
Finally she glanced up to look into his matching set of eyes. "And what of our people, Asa? My intended will be displeased... he will take it out on them... I fear for our mother and father, and our tribesmen..." She stared back behind her, but the lands they'd called home were far from visible.
demonstrationevi (11:21:53 PM): Asa looked down and shook his head, "You are more than they are. More than the tribe. More than anything, equal to our God as you are his intended wife..." He placed his paws over his head, "So why couldn't I... I should have been able to... but I couldn't hurt you. There is more in this world, I know there is more in this world for you. More in this world for us..."
He thought about it, trying to make sense of his own actions, "Perhaps it was his will... your intended's will that I not kill you on this night. Perhaps he wants it of you, that I take you to see more of this world... yes... that must be it. There is no other way I could falter in my calling."
There very much was and he knew it. He couldn't kill his sister. She was perfect. Ideal. A picture of perfection on this earth. He couldn't take her away... he couldn't not have her in his life. He couldn't live like that. Not without her. She was his entire purpose... as soon as she was gone... he was no one. He couldn't be no one. He couldn't be nothing. He couldn't live in a world that would be so ugly... his only desire would be to join her. To protect her even after death.
VoiceOfDoom1739 (11:31:19 PM): Dabiku blushed and turned her head away, unable to look at her brother straight. She'd never really thought of herself as "equal" to anyone, let alone their god. She was a gift, a thing to be handed off, and she was happy enough to be used and traded as was seen fit. It was what was meant for her, after all. And since she was supposed to be obedient, then how could she be equal? It made no sense to her.
But Asadaki's carefully constructed rationalization did make sense to her. She was a smart girl, well schooled in the finer things, but she was naive and sheltered. She didn't think like Asa did, couldn't. Everything she knew was what she'd been told, and while she knew it well, she could hardly think outside of it. And so her eyes alit when he spoke this, and she turned back to face him. "That... that could very well be," she granted him. After all, if she wasn't meant to be taken from her purpose tonight, then Kiruhu ought to have struck them down. He certainly had the power.
Yes. Yes, perhaps this was what he intended for her. Perhaps Kiruhu had decided he wanted a more worldly bride. Now Biku almost smiled. Well, then she would do her best for him. She wouldn't fail him. She'd be the bride he expected her to be.
But...
"But what do we do now?"
demonstrationevi (11:44:44 PM): Asadaki took a very, very deep breath. The first one he had managed since they had stopped running. "Tonight...we find a safe, clean place for you to sleep. I will guard you... for you must remain clean. That way, even though you will know more of this world, you shall still be as clean a soul as you have always been."
He smiled at her, finally able to lift his head, "You are the greatest gift which could ever be offered, my sister. One fit only for a God. You must be versed in all things. I will guard you on your journey. Tomorrow, we will find a direction, and we shall continue on it and accept signs from your intended as we go. You will see this world, and be even more beautiful for your knowledge of it."
He hung his head a little and closed his eyes, forcing himself to stand up, "And I will protect you... and when the time comes and your intended gives us the final sign, I will send you to him." That might give him some time... some time to keep her there. To stay with her. To keep her away from their God... perhaps until she was too old... too old and she would have to stay with him... stay and make their world beautiful. How could he go on without her?
...but how long could he keep it up until she really did discover that he was making everything up as he went along? Would she be able to forgive him...? No. No. Nonsense. She would always forgive him. She needed him as much as he needed her. And no one could take her away. Not even their God. He would protect Biku until she died. Or until he did.
But nothing could kill her except for him. Perhaps they would live forever, until he finally could kill her.
VoiceOfDoom1739 (9:52:07 PM): Tears began to p***k at the corners of Biku's eyes. Asa... he had done so much for her, for a simple prize as her, and as hard as he might try to explain and justify she would never comprehend the lengths he went to for a girl who was not for him, who was supposed to die. Even the meaning of family was lost on the sheltered young lady. However, she had to admit as she surveyed the land around them... "I fear we may not be able to find a clean enough place for me to rest."
She frowned, her brows furrowing. In the place where she'd grown up, there had been a cave for her--the floors were matted down, and the walls cleaned and fresh grasses laid down for her daily by their mother. She couldn't imagine any other place in the world as being as pure. Could she ever really go to the place that was meant for her?
But Asa was making his vow to her, here and now, to fulfill his given duty when the time was right and when Kiruhu demanded it. "Do you promise, Asadaki?" She needed a promise from him to be sure. A real promise. After all, she'd always trusted him to kill her tonight, and he had not...
But no, this was her twin brother, her Asadaki, the one born to free her from this world, her match. He couldn't possibly tell her such an untruth. He was here as her guide and her guard and the one to sacrifice her. So she smiled on him, and shook her head. "No... no... I will trust you, Asa, to show the world to me and to help me." She rose to her feet, stretching her legs, ready to see the world and bring all its beauty into her. "Lead the way, my brother."
demonstrationevi (9:57:47 PM): "I will always do the right thing for you, my sister. Trust me when I say that I will always do that which is in your best interest, this I swear, to our God and every other one which may grace the night sky, and the daylight which keeps you as pure and beautiful as you are." Asadaki swore to her, "You are the light of my soul, dear sister. Your purity is perfection." He said, bowing his head.
"I shall find a place for us to sleep, and if it is impure, I will purify it, and find flowers sacred enough to protect your paws from this unholy ground. And if none are as they should be, then I will make them so. I shall purify them myself, on this holy night that his lordship bid us go on a journey... I will make it right." Asadaki promised, "No matter what happens... I will always make it right for you." His twin sister. HIs Dibiku. How could he ever let her go? How could he ever escape her, and did he even want to? No... No, he couldn't let her go. He needed her.
And he would lie to her for as long as she believed him, "Come now... let me find you a place where you may sleep in peace, and I shall guard you so that none shall make you the slightest impure."
VoiceOfDoom1739 (10:05:34 PM): Dabiku, still teary eyed, shaking slightly like a flower on the breeze, nodded her head to accept Asa's bow and his promise. She knew well that her brother was honest; he had always been respected by their people, and for that respect he must always have been honest. "Thank you, my brother, for everything you do for me."
It was of great reassurance to hear that Asadaki was prepared to purify any impure ground for her so that she may find rest. And she was grateful, really. But she couldn't help but wonder. "Asadaki, when were you taught the purification rituals?" It had always been her mother who had purified her dwelling for her. Not even their father had done it himself. She had thought, all this time, that her mother was the only one who knew how. There was much that Dabiku did not know, and must learn. Asadaki would teach her. Asa knew the ways of the world, and she trusted him to show them to her. After all, it was his job to be worldly, to watch over her, and to send her to her rightful place. It was what he was born for. How could he stray from that path? No, he was just taking a unique way around it.
She came to his heels then and stayed there, walked always a few steps behind as a proper lady should. "I thank you again, my brother," she said. She would never be able to stop thanking him for his valliant efforts.
demonstrationevi (10:16:48 PM): "You need never thank me, for nothing brings me a greater joy than doing whatever you need, Dibiku..." Asadaki swore to her, speaking from the bottum of his heart, "I will do whatever I can... Don't fear, I had to learn many of the rituals in case our mother ever passed away, and to teach to the next Dibiku when it came to that." He told her, searching for sacred flowers that he could use for his sister.
"Do not fear, I know how to watch over you, I would not have done what I have done unless I knew how to keep you pure. I would never let anything jeapordize you for your beloved... I could never do that." Asadaki told her, meaning every word... but why couldn't he do it? Why couldn't he kill her? Why couldn't he save her? Why couldn't he condemn her?
It was because he only half believed it would be the right thing. She was ideal. She was perfect. Never. He couldn't let her go... he couldn't... but how long could he keep up the charade? How could he fool her forever? How could he let her beauty fade, so she would grow old and die? He didn't know... "Ah, here is a good spot. Wait here, I can see flowers just beyond the bend... I'll bring tem here, but do not lie down until we are sure you will be safe. I will keep you pure." He quickly trotted off, not wanting her left alone long.
VoiceOfDoom1739 (10:24:14 PM): Dabiku nodded solemnly, making a mental note to remember not to thank him any longer, as per his request. It would be hard... her gratitude to him was boundless. Still, if he asked it of her, it was all she could do to repay him to follow whatever little request he might make.
And his explanations assuaged any minor doubts in her mind, leaving behind only her boundless trust and her open mind. She was ready to accept all she told him. She knew he meant the best for her, or he would not have gone to such great lengths for her. She wanted to thank him, but she now knew it improper to do so. "I see," she said. "Then they have trained you far too well for your role." Perhaps the fact that he was able to wisk her away as Kiruhu desired instead of kill her as told only meant that Asadaki had completely perfected the position he was born for in a way that no other Asadaki, not even their father, had done.
She came to a graceful halt when cued, and surveyed the area he had picked. It was shaded and sheltered, with brush overarching like a cave ceiling. It certainly felt homey to her... She stood waiting at its entrance and, as commanded, did not move an inch until Asadaki returned with the flowers to purify the area. "Good luck," she told him as he retreated, then turned her eyes to the sky, comforting herself with the notion that Kiruhu was up there watching over her.
How could he kill his goddess? And so he ran. Until his legs burned and he felt as though he would throw up. He could feel his sister on his back... she had been light at first, but now she was so heavy that he could barely move. But he couldn't stop. He couldn't stop. Not until they were far enough away. Not until he was sure no one would ever find them. Not until he knew he would never have to let her go. Until he was sure he was in a place she would never be hurt.
The training had worked too well. It only occured to him now, he worshipped her too much. He saw her in a light of perfection that he could not escape. He couldn't hurt her... and yet he was the only one who could. He was the only one allowed to hurt her. And anyone else who tried... even the pack who had ordered him too, could not be trusted. They were the enemy. Even his own pack... was the enemy.
VoiceOfDoom1739 (10:43:45 PM): Because she couldn't think what else to do, Dabiku clung tight to her brother. She wanted to let go, to go back to what was meant for her... but she needed HIM to finish it. She needed her brother more than anything. So if he ran, all she could do was go with him.
Yet, she couldn't stop staring back over her shoulder until her neck grew sore, watching the hill recede and feathers and petals go flying out behind them from their garb. Yes, it was all coming apart before her eyes. Her whole life. What was she supposed to do with herself, now that her life's purpose was gone?
Well, Asadaki would tell her, she supposed. Asa always knew what to do, and Asa always took care of her. She nestled her head in his hair and whimpered softly. Why did this have to happen to them? She'd spent her whole life waiting for this, and now it was gone. "...Kiruhu..." She whispered the name of her intended to herself, over and over again.
She'd never get to see him...
demonstrationevi (10:59:55 PM): Asadaki finally stumbled, and crashed to the ground. Still, the entire time, he made sure that he took the full brunt of the fall, face down in the dirt. Biku wasn't harmed in the slightest. He had to protect her. He had to keep her safe. She was his life, his everything... his very purpose depended on her. And now he had taken her from her own purpose. What now? It was his choice... he would have to decide for them both.
He lay down in the dirt for a long time, trying to catch his breath. He could barely catch it. When he did, all he could say was, "It isn't fair... it isn't fair... I'm so sorry Biku... God Kiruhu above us... I'm so sorry." But while he was, at the same time... he wasn't, "I couldn't let... I couldn't let you... see him yet... not when we... not when there's so much more out there for us..."
He looked over his shoulder, trying to catch sight of her... to know what she was thinking, "One day... one day I'll... I'll send you to see him... but not now. I can't..." He closed his eyes, trying his best to fight off tears as it all crashed into him, "I can't let you go yet... please forgive me... I want us to find something better... something more... there has to be more for us... I want more for you."
VoiceOfDoom1739 (11:08:34 PM): Biku gritted her teeth and cringed as the ground rose up to meet them, but was surprised to find that she got not a scratch upon her. Only Asa was hurt. She frowned, looking down upon him, then quickly leapt off to groom herself, lest the dirtiness taint the purity in her soul.
Once she found herself satisfactorily clean, she seated herself on a rock and listened to Asa. At first she said nothing in reply to him, only listened... after all, she'd been trained to listen, never to speak first, to always let the gentleman engage conversation and otherwise be quiet and gentle in all things. And so she listened, and once he ran out of breath to lament with, she supposed his appology to her warranted a response.
"You need not appologize, Asa," she said, staring down at her paws. "You did what you thought was right, and for that none can blame you." A chill breeze picked up, and she shivered and winced at it. "I only..." she began, then pondered a moment how best to arrange her words. "I only fear that my intended... may not take me now. May not accept me. I have been stolen... if we wait too long, I may grow too old and too ugly for him." She shivered at the thought. She'd been meant to stay young and beautiful forever.
Finally she glanced up to look into his matching set of eyes. "And what of our people, Asa? My intended will be displeased... he will take it out on them... I fear for our mother and father, and our tribesmen..." She stared back behind her, but the lands they'd called home were far from visible.
demonstrationevi (11:21:53 PM): Asa looked down and shook his head, "You are more than they are. More than the tribe. More than anything, equal to our God as you are his intended wife..." He placed his paws over his head, "So why couldn't I... I should have been able to... but I couldn't hurt you. There is more in this world, I know there is more in this world for you. More in this world for us..."
He thought about it, trying to make sense of his own actions, "Perhaps it was his will... your intended's will that I not kill you on this night. Perhaps he wants it of you, that I take you to see more of this world... yes... that must be it. There is no other way I could falter in my calling."
There very much was and he knew it. He couldn't kill his sister. She was perfect. Ideal. A picture of perfection on this earth. He couldn't take her away... he couldn't not have her in his life. He couldn't live like that. Not without her. She was his entire purpose... as soon as she was gone... he was no one. He couldn't be no one. He couldn't be nothing. He couldn't live in a world that would be so ugly... his only desire would be to join her. To protect her even after death.
VoiceOfDoom1739 (11:31:19 PM): Dabiku blushed and turned her head away, unable to look at her brother straight. She'd never really thought of herself as "equal" to anyone, let alone their god. She was a gift, a thing to be handed off, and she was happy enough to be used and traded as was seen fit. It was what was meant for her, after all. And since she was supposed to be obedient, then how could she be equal? It made no sense to her.
But Asadaki's carefully constructed rationalization did make sense to her. She was a smart girl, well schooled in the finer things, but she was naive and sheltered. She didn't think like Asa did, couldn't. Everything she knew was what she'd been told, and while she knew it well, she could hardly think outside of it. And so her eyes alit when he spoke this, and she turned back to face him. "That... that could very well be," she granted him. After all, if she wasn't meant to be taken from her purpose tonight, then Kiruhu ought to have struck them down. He certainly had the power.
Yes. Yes, perhaps this was what he intended for her. Perhaps Kiruhu had decided he wanted a more worldly bride. Now Biku almost smiled. Well, then she would do her best for him. She wouldn't fail him. She'd be the bride he expected her to be.
But...
"But what do we do now?"
demonstrationevi (11:44:44 PM): Asadaki took a very, very deep breath. The first one he had managed since they had stopped running. "Tonight...we find a safe, clean place for you to sleep. I will guard you... for you must remain clean. That way, even though you will know more of this world, you shall still be as clean a soul as you have always been."
He smiled at her, finally able to lift his head, "You are the greatest gift which could ever be offered, my sister. One fit only for a God. You must be versed in all things. I will guard you on your journey. Tomorrow, we will find a direction, and we shall continue on it and accept signs from your intended as we go. You will see this world, and be even more beautiful for your knowledge of it."
He hung his head a little and closed his eyes, forcing himself to stand up, "And I will protect you... and when the time comes and your intended gives us the final sign, I will send you to him." That might give him some time... some time to keep her there. To stay with her. To keep her away from their God... perhaps until she was too old... too old and she would have to stay with him... stay and make their world beautiful. How could he go on without her?
...but how long could he keep it up until she really did discover that he was making everything up as he went along? Would she be able to forgive him...? No. No. Nonsense. She would always forgive him. She needed him as much as he needed her. And no one could take her away. Not even their God. He would protect Biku until she died. Or until he did.
But nothing could kill her except for him. Perhaps they would live forever, until he finally could kill her.
VoiceOfDoom1739 (9:52:07 PM): Tears began to p***k at the corners of Biku's eyes. Asa... he had done so much for her, for a simple prize as her, and as hard as he might try to explain and justify she would never comprehend the lengths he went to for a girl who was not for him, who was supposed to die. Even the meaning of family was lost on the sheltered young lady. However, she had to admit as she surveyed the land around them... "I fear we may not be able to find a clean enough place for me to rest."
She frowned, her brows furrowing. In the place where she'd grown up, there had been a cave for her--the floors were matted down, and the walls cleaned and fresh grasses laid down for her daily by their mother. She couldn't imagine any other place in the world as being as pure. Could she ever really go to the place that was meant for her?
But Asa was making his vow to her, here and now, to fulfill his given duty when the time was right and when Kiruhu demanded it. "Do you promise, Asadaki?" She needed a promise from him to be sure. A real promise. After all, she'd always trusted him to kill her tonight, and he had not...
But no, this was her twin brother, her Asadaki, the one born to free her from this world, her match. He couldn't possibly tell her such an untruth. He was here as her guide and her guard and the one to sacrifice her. So she smiled on him, and shook her head. "No... no... I will trust you, Asa, to show the world to me and to help me." She rose to her feet, stretching her legs, ready to see the world and bring all its beauty into her. "Lead the way, my brother."
demonstrationevi (9:57:47 PM): "I will always do the right thing for you, my sister. Trust me when I say that I will always do that which is in your best interest, this I swear, to our God and every other one which may grace the night sky, and the daylight which keeps you as pure and beautiful as you are." Asadaki swore to her, "You are the light of my soul, dear sister. Your purity is perfection." He said, bowing his head.
"I shall find a place for us to sleep, and if it is impure, I will purify it, and find flowers sacred enough to protect your paws from this unholy ground. And if none are as they should be, then I will make them so. I shall purify them myself, on this holy night that his lordship bid us go on a journey... I will make it right." Asadaki promised, "No matter what happens... I will always make it right for you." His twin sister. HIs Dibiku. How could he ever let her go? How could he ever escape her, and did he even want to? No... No, he couldn't let her go. He needed her.
And he would lie to her for as long as she believed him, "Come now... let me find you a place where you may sleep in peace, and I shall guard you so that none shall make you the slightest impure."
VoiceOfDoom1739 (10:05:34 PM): Dabiku, still teary eyed, shaking slightly like a flower on the breeze, nodded her head to accept Asa's bow and his promise. She knew well that her brother was honest; he had always been respected by their people, and for that respect he must always have been honest. "Thank you, my brother, for everything you do for me."
It was of great reassurance to hear that Asadaki was prepared to purify any impure ground for her so that she may find rest. And she was grateful, really. But she couldn't help but wonder. "Asadaki, when were you taught the purification rituals?" It had always been her mother who had purified her dwelling for her. Not even their father had done it himself. She had thought, all this time, that her mother was the only one who knew how. There was much that Dabiku did not know, and must learn. Asadaki would teach her. Asa knew the ways of the world, and she trusted him to show them to her. After all, it was his job to be worldly, to watch over her, and to send her to her rightful place. It was what he was born for. How could he stray from that path? No, he was just taking a unique way around it.
She came to his heels then and stayed there, walked always a few steps behind as a proper lady should. "I thank you again, my brother," she said. She would never be able to stop thanking him for his valliant efforts.
demonstrationevi (10:16:48 PM): "You need never thank me, for nothing brings me a greater joy than doing whatever you need, Dibiku..." Asadaki swore to her, speaking from the bottum of his heart, "I will do whatever I can... Don't fear, I had to learn many of the rituals in case our mother ever passed away, and to teach to the next Dibiku when it came to that." He told her, searching for sacred flowers that he could use for his sister.
"Do not fear, I know how to watch over you, I would not have done what I have done unless I knew how to keep you pure. I would never let anything jeapordize you for your beloved... I could never do that." Asadaki told her, meaning every word... but why couldn't he do it? Why couldn't he kill her? Why couldn't he save her? Why couldn't he condemn her?
It was because he only half believed it would be the right thing. She was ideal. She was perfect. Never. He couldn't let her go... he couldn't... but how long could he keep up the charade? How could he fool her forever? How could he let her beauty fade, so she would grow old and die? He didn't know... "Ah, here is a good spot. Wait here, I can see flowers just beyond the bend... I'll bring tem here, but do not lie down until we are sure you will be safe. I will keep you pure." He quickly trotted off, not wanting her left alone long.
VoiceOfDoom1739 (10:24:14 PM): Dabiku nodded solemnly, making a mental note to remember not to thank him any longer, as per his request. It would be hard... her gratitude to him was boundless. Still, if he asked it of her, it was all she could do to repay him to follow whatever little request he might make.
And his explanations assuaged any minor doubts in her mind, leaving behind only her boundless trust and her open mind. She was ready to accept all she told him. She knew he meant the best for her, or he would not have gone to such great lengths for her. She wanted to thank him, but she now knew it improper to do so. "I see," she said. "Then they have trained you far too well for your role." Perhaps the fact that he was able to wisk her away as Kiruhu desired instead of kill her as told only meant that Asadaki had completely perfected the position he was born for in a way that no other Asadaki, not even their father, had done.
She came to a graceful halt when cued, and surveyed the area he had picked. It was shaded and sheltered, with brush overarching like a cave ceiling. It certainly felt homey to her... She stood waiting at its entrance and, as commanded, did not move an inch until Asadaki returned with the flowers to purify the area. "Good luck," she told him as he retreated, then turned her eyes to the sky, comforting herself with the notion that Kiruhu was up there watching over her.
