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 Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 6:38 am
One week later…
Yuma was lying at the entrance of the den he shared with Anya, stretched out on his belly, snoring lightly in the sunshine. He was taking a rest day, partly to relax and partly to be around in case his companion needed him for anything. Ever since the incident with one of the Guardians of the pride – Altair – she’d been switching between moods. Some moments she’d be okay; smiling and talking a little. Other times she’d be jumpy and frightened and words would take longer to form.
It was almost as if she’d forgotten how to talk during her period of silence.
At least he knew the true reasons behind it now. And at least he knew her true name. Oftentimes he’d catch himself calling her Tuli and she would smile quietly and he would fluster and apologise.
He shifted in his sleep, front paw twitching in chase of dream-conjured hares.
Anya lay at his side, glancing out across the lands. She wasn’t really aware of her surroundings though. She was lost in her thoughts. Her memories flitting across the backs of her eyes, reminding her of bad days gone by. She thought of Altair’s frighteningly familiar face and his apology – sincere and shamed. She thought also of his openness in meeting with her again to discuss what had gone on. But part of her didn’t want to. She just wanted to forget now. And yet…she had a feeling that Altair wanted to know.
Perhaps he intended to seek his brother out.
Either way, her moods had been shifting rapidly these past days. Sometimes she’d feel safe and happy and she could smile and speak – albeit quietly. Other days a flash of memory would make her feel suddenly unsafe and shaky and she’d withdraw into herself again. She’d come to realise that the healing process was long and drawn out and the scars on her face that made themselves apparent when she dipped her head to drink would never completely fade.
She was just glad she was here and that she had friends who she could rely on.
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Posted: Fri Feb 25, 2011 7:31 am
Runako was just finishing up another morning patrol. This time he had spent his time carefully walking back from across the desert edge. Despite the warmth of the sand against his paws or the sun light that warmed his pelt, the lion was ill at ease. Normally he would be running back to the pride, eager to train or to find some other work to do. But now he was too busy thinking. Already the same worry that haunted him even when he went to sleep last night haunted him now during the day.
Was she okay?
He knew that she had been upset when she had seen Altair and he couldn't help but to worry about her. "Anya." He whispered looking towards the bright sky that was overhead. Last time that someone so important to him was injured, he just ran away. This time he had never been there in the first place to protect her, but that didn't prevent him from wanting to protect her from now on. He had swore never to run away from a dear one again. That feeling went further than being a guardian of the pride - she was important to him, something that went beyond kinship that was shared between pride members. Innocently he supposed it was a close feeling formed with friends.
Runako stopped as he realized where his paws had taken him. There lying in front of the lion were two very familiar shapes. Anya and Yuma.
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 3:53 am
It took her a moment to notice him, but when she did, the shadow in her eyes was chased away. Smiling a little, she rose onto her paws - careful not to disturb the sleeping jackal at her side - and moved towards him. Her trust in Runako was unwavering and had been since their first meeting. There was just something about him that made her feel comfortable. Something about him that no other male had.
"Hello Runako." She spoke quietly, lacing her words with a purr. "Are you on patrol?" She cast a look behind her to check that the jackal was still asleep.
He was.
"Or...do you have time for a chat?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:21 am
Runako felt a wave of relief to see her smile. Maybe she was feeling better then. At least he could hope. The lion smiled back though he couldn't help but to let out a soft purr of pleasure at hearing her speaking to him. Even though it had been a week since he had first heard her voice the lion just couldn't get over it. Something about the way she spoke-
Focusing he nodded, "I was." He replied softly, "But I'm finished now and have plenty of time." The lion looked at her with curiousity. What were they going to chat about? Was it finally time to learn more about this incident concerning Altair? So many questions ran through his mind, but he just quietly nodded, "Of course."
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 8:36 am
She cast another glance back towards the jackal and then motioned for Runako to walk with her. Best not disturb her friend from his slumber.
"I was...well, I've been thinking about what I should do from here." She hung her head as she spoke, as if ashamed that she was unable to make this decision. "At first I thought I'd rather forget about it all. Just block it from my memory and move on. After all, no one bad can get me here and the lion who hurt me, he thinks I'm dead. And, even if he does come here there's lions here who can come to help me. Lions like you." She paused and cast him a thankful smile. "But...but I think this lion hurt Altair, too."
She drew to a halt and looked up at Runako. "I think he might go on hurting lions. If I...if I tried to remember. If I gave information to Altair, maybe he can stop anyone else from getting hurt." She sighed. "I don't know what to do..." She trailed helplessly. "What do you think?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 9:17 am
Following her gaze to watch the sleeping jackel, Runako nodded in understanding before quietly following after her.
As she spoke the lion moved to walk beside of her and soon was matched step for step with her. He watched her from the corner of his gaze while thinking about what she was saying. Everything that Anya said made sense to him, but the mention of this other lion being a threat made him nervous. He didn't want Anya to do anything that would hurt her, but...
He was torn.
Runako didn't say a word for a time even after she asked him what he thought. Honestly, he - well he knew what he would do, but would Anya feel the same? "If he's a threat, it's best to try to and help Altair take care of him. Especially if the information you have is important." He admitted before looking back at her, "But he worries you so much." The lion grew quiet again. The lion gently placed a paw on top of her's and looked her in the eye, "Whatever it is you decide, Anya, I'll stand by you."
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:13 pm
She nodded, smiling gratefully up with him. "I think I should help him but...I'm not sure I remember exactly where I was and...and it was so long ago. It might not be any help at all." She sighed. "And I don't know if I should help him find...find his brother. What if he got hurt because of me?"
She paced, seeming distressed at the idea of anyone else getting hurt. "He's got family, too...I just...I don't know." She shook her head. "If I...if I go and find him, will you come with me? I'd ask Yuma, but I'm not sure whether he would agree with me getting involved in this and--"
"And?" Yuma interrupted, padding softly up behind them. His eyes were still glossy with sleep and his ears were crooked atop his head, but he'd clearly overheard enough to get the gist of their conversation. "Tu--" He sighed. "Anya, if you need to help to be able to move on, then how could I not agree?"
He moved to stand next to Runako.
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 1:41 pm
"Are you certain about that?" Runako asked softly looking back at her, his gaze soft but serious. "Just a general idea might be enough to help Altair to finally get a scent. Plus, Altair is a guardian like me. We aren't supposed to hide from things like this. Not to mention we're tough. So don't worry so much for his safety because it's his duty, our duty, as guardians to protect everyone."
Honestly Runako was worried about that too, but he knew that Altair was strong. But would he hesitate in front of family? Like he, himself, did long ago? The lion frowned faintly. It wasn't his business so he shouldn't - but if Altair needed help, he was definitely willing. Runako looked back at Anya and nodded, "Of course."
Ears twitching the lion turned to look at Yuma. "Ah." He let out a sigh of relief before smiling at the jackel. "He has a point." Commented Runako looking back at Anya. It seemed that she had their full support.
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 2:40 pm
Anya smiled at the lion and the jackal and felt suddenly extremely lucky to have the support of such wonderful friends. Yuma had been a bit of a moody creature when he had first taken on responsibility of caring for her and it pleased her greatly to see him so changed.
"You're right. Altair...he can take care of himself, I'm sure." She put on a determined expression and moved closer to them. "It's decided then. With you two with me, I'll be able to find the strength to help. I'm certain of it." She moved to nuzzle the jackal who begrudgingly accepted the show of affection with a small tail-wag.
Then, sidestepping, she reached up to nuzzle Runako. The contact had her fizzing with delight - a surprise but a welcome one. Then, slowly she backed away. "Do you...do you think we should go now?"
Yuma gave a small shrug. "If you feel you're up for it." He cast another look at Runako and couldn't help but briefly wonder if something was going on between the two of them. They'd grown closer, certainly, but perhaps the boundaries of friendship were being stretched? Yuma had to admit that he rather liked Runako, though he could not help a pang of jealousy at the thought of Anya moving on.
What would happen to him when he was no longer needed?
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 2:56 pm
That was good. Runako nodded in agreement with her statement. Altair definitely could take care of himself. And the lion realized that if the other guardian needed help, then he was willing to put himself out there as well against this threat. Looking at Anya, Runako felt a touch of something. He would do anything to protect her.
His thoughts tumbled to a surprised halt as she nuzzled him and the lion couldn't help but to feel the warmth from her touch even as she backed away. His gaze stayed on her for as long as possible until Yuma spoke, "I agree. If you feel up to it we can leave now to speak to Altair."
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Posted: Sat Feb 26, 2011 3:05 pm
"I...I think maybe we should go now...before I-I change my mind." She gave them an awkward smile and then turned to glance in the direction of the dens. She wasn't sure which one housed Altair and his family but was certain that it wouldn't take too long to find.
With a small sniff, she turned to make sure they were ready and then set off across the sand.
Like Altair, she had come to realise that hiding, ultimately, did little good. No good for yourself or for others. She could pretend all she liked that this could all just blow over if she looked the other way. But, someday it was bound to resurface and when it did, she might not recover. She had a feeling that Altair was feeling exactly the same. He had come to realise that his fears had to be faced of live controlled by them forever. No, as scary as it was, Anya knew that if she didn't do this now, she'd eventually come to regret it.
She couldn't allow that to happen.
Yuma, with another soft sigh, moved to trot at her side, his tail and head parallel with his spine. He wasn't sure whether he was happy about this or not, but one thing was for certain. He wasn't going to let her know he doubted. He would be there until the end.
He just hoped the 'end' would be a happy one.
/fin.
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