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 Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:13 am
Despite having spent a long night tangled up against the powerful body of her lover, pinned in such an intimate embrace that their stripes seemed to fuse, Shiva was awake early the next morning. The silence of the savanna disturbed only by the trill of crickets sawing their legs together at this early hour. She was slow to lift her head from where it was pillowed by Mwali's surprisingly soft fur despite how it was shorter than her own. To better cope with the desert heat, she assumed. Careful not to disturb the lumbering giant twisted tightly around her as his side moved in the slow rhythm of sleep.
There was a lingering exhaustion in her muscles and Shiva could barely remember having fallen asleep while trying to make heads and tails of their positions. It took several moments of blinking before she realized that her head had nested on the curve of his flank, facing her in towards his body. Pale gaze following the line of his spine all the way to that lusciously full, garnet mane. A cheshire grin warming her maw at the recollection of the night before. Mwali had certainly brought out the wild cat in her. Face nuzzling against the warmth of his body and the masculine scent of him that now masked her own. Purring almost under her breath with a quiet laugh, though the high of being claimed by such an amazing lion was quickly fading with the realization that she would need to leave him soon. Did I wear you out? Poor Mwali..
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:17 am
Mwali was blissfully unaware of those thoughts, sleeping peacefully beside her. The evening before had been surprising to say the least. He was well tired by the time the moon was starting to think of sinking again.
Gradually the pull of the waking world became more obvious, though. She would notice, likely, because his muscles tensed slowly as the natural relaxation of sleep wore away. Already he was seeing flashes of images from the night before, and before he'd even opened his eyes a slow smirk of satisfaction came to his muzzle.
Judging by her actions he had to assume safely that she was already awake.
You're quite the fire starter, it would seem. He rumbled.appreciatively, leaning in towards her to run his tongue over her cheek.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:19 am
Admittedly, Shiva wished her companion would have slept for a while more so that she could have enjoy him a little longer. Listening to, as much as she felt, Mwali stir beside her. Ah well, she already knew it was a long shot to wake up before him, let alone be able to take advantage of the chance to enjoy his company in the quiet before he awoke. This would have to be enough. Shiva could already feel the sun beginning to warm the earth as it peeked over the edge of the landscape in the far distance, burning off the coolness that seemed to creep in as night fell. Before long it would be time to move anyway.
At least she could still enjoy some satisfaction, the traces of that sleepy smirk upon Mwali's muzzle was a compliment all on its own. Still, she couldn't help but laugh quietly at his comment, though the mirth failed to reach her eyes. Allowing herself, even leaning into the gentle touch of affection as she returned it with a nuzzle. Admitting, with uncharacteristic modesty, I had help.. but I'm pleased you enjoyed the night.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:20 am
If he'd believed in reincarnation (which he didn't) he'd have suspected she was indeed a Firekin in a past life, which even if mortals reincarnated she probably wasn't since Shiva was just... Shiva. That was explanation enough for sure.
Hmm... I wouldn't mind a few repeats. He replied, shutting his eyes again and resting his head against hers.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:23 am
Content to soak up Mwali's warmth as he leaned his head into her own, the comment caught her off guard. Enough so to cause Shiva to jerk, craning her neck backwards to peer at him. Damnit! Why the hell did he have to go and ruin everything by saying something like that? The satisfied smile fading from her expression which had quickly gone flat, uncertain of how she should feel.. or rather what feeling she should be conveying to him at a time like this.
Well... I'm sorry to disappoint you. And truthfully, she really was, willing herself to be strong in the face of the soldier. Why did it all have to end so abruptly? It was all his fault. If he could have just enjoyed it quietly--if he could have kept their future, the future they didn't have, out of it--perhaps Shiva could have lingered a while longer. All that was a far distant dream now. Forcing herself to gather her paws until she was standing, though she wobbled a little at first. Damnit. He was as amazing a lover as he was anything else. Did Mwali have no faults at all? If there were any, she was having a hell of a time finding them.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:25 am
It was the first time since leaving his pride behind that the former soldier (as he now thought of himself) felt caught off guard. He was left reeling a bit, she turned about face so fast-- or it seemed. Mwali actually stared at her, satisfied and unguarded expression dropping rather quickly in favor of a stupefied shock for a moment when she jerked away and followed suit with that comment.
Disappoint? And why exactly is that?
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:29 am
Giving her lithe frame a careful shake to dislodge any dust that might have found home in her pale fur after the night prior and a long, languid stretch it seemed a gesture of indifference. In truth, Shiva was mentally preparing herself for what she was about to do next. The confusion in Mwali's expression threatened to knock her off balance. Don't look at me like that. You knew from the start this could never be. The fact that he could stare at her in such a way, as though she'd been the one to knock him off balance was heart breaking.
No. Those feelings aren't possible.. I barely know him. Shiva tried desperately to reason with herself, though the ache in her chest said otherwise. She knew all she had to, to know he had been meant for her all along. Because..
Straightening into a proper stand she carefully stepped out of the circle of his limbs before turning to gaze at the lounging king. ...I've decided I need to continue traveling on my own. So... I'd appreciate it if you didn't follow me, anymore.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:32 am
His expression changed again, shifting into a wary look, guarded, bracing as she acted as though they hadn't just... well, EVERYTHING in the last seventy-two hours, really. It was hard to put just a few words on it that encompassed it all better, the raw emotion.
And then his expression shifted again, blank.
I'm not buying this load of crap, just so you know.
It said.
He rose casually, giving himself a light shake, not caring about the dust even though it showed much better on his dark coat than it might have on a more color neutral party.
So I'm to believe that you want-- There his voice rose in pitch skeptically. --to continue roaming these lands? What's more, you want to do it alone?
He spoke with all the skepticism that his confidence bolstered, watching her with a dark gaze that was only dark because of the weight behind it, rather than anger or irritation.
Right. There's a problem with your plan.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:34 am
I don't want you to follow me. Was all the striped lioness could say, never taking her eye off him even as she backed away. As though she didn't trust him not to tackle her as soon as she turned her back, though she wasn't sure why such a scenario would have even struck her. Shiva knew it wasn't what he'd asked, but it was the only thing she could admit honestly. Of course she didn't want to roam the ugly rogue lands forever. Of course she didn't want to do it alone, but what other choice did she have?
There is no other choice. The words were spoken aloud to strengthen her resolve, forcing the hard decisiveness that pooled in her eyes. A shield against Mwali's brazen voice and effortless confidence that made her feel so small and foolish. Negating his issue with her plan before he could even say what it was. It didn't matter what the problem was, she wouldn't change her mind no matter what he said. Or at least, Shiva was trying to convince herself as much.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:36 am
The problem, Shiva, Mwali began, with no regard to the fact that she'd failed to acknowledge his statement. Is that I have no intentions of letting you leave to entertain whatever fancy you've taken up in that head of yours. There'd be little point in joining your pride if the sole reason for my interest in joining is off parading around with these wild morons.
He sneered at the thought, but quirked an eyebrow at her. They both knew who'd win if she really forced him to give chase, after all.
My scent is all over you, last night is still fresh in your mind, isn't it? Do you really think that I claimed you last night only in body? Just for the sake of some carnal desire? You're mine now, my banu. You're staying with me, and it's hardly a matter of liking it or not because I know that you would...
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:41 am
It's not a fancy!! You think I like it out here?! You think I want to be stuck in this heathen's wasteland?! Gentle voice seethed with hatred for the first time since they had met. Hatred for her situation and for the life she was forced to live now that she had nothing. Shiva envied Mwali, he still had a home to return to with his head held high. A quick pause suddenly cutting between them as the rest of his words began to pour into her ears.
Joining... my pride? There was a hint of confusion in her tone. The.. the Ukuucha?
She had to repeat it in clearer terms, more for her own benefit than for his. Shiva no longer had a pride! Hadn't she already explained as much to him? The snide expression on his face made her back up a little further warily, until she was the edge of their cozy enclosure. A frown tainting the beauty of her features as she stared at Mwali. ...it didn't mean anything. I just.. I wanted to spend a night with someone who has everything.. because I don't have anything anymore.
His banu. Why did the words bring tears to her eyes? I can't go back there. Not after what I've done. I thought.. if I left I could find a Pad to bring home with me, someone who would have been proud to have me. My Pad.. he never even tried to get me back. He never wanted anything to do with me. But it's been too long.. they would kill me if I returned now. Laughable isn't it? I left so they would realize what a prize I was.. but I'm worth nothing to them now.
Glancing down at the white of her toes she fought against the lump in her throat that dared to make her voice quiver. Stubbornly lifting tear glossed gaze to meet Mwali's gaze as she spoke. I'm condemned to these lands.. so what would you do Mwali? Would you condemn yourself with me? Would you be so stupid to throw away your pride to live in a place like this.. with a lioness like me?
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:43 am
If you could say nothing else about Mwali you could at least say that he had patience. He gave her a moment for it to catch up with her, for her to hear what he said, and once he was sure he made his move. She had no idea how tormented the idea of no longer having her made him feel, he wasn't even fully aware of it himself since he'd never allowed himself a moment to ponder the idea. He drew closer to her as he scented her tears, his voice steady as he answered her questions.
I'm not not the idiot that your previous pad was, Shiva. He began, another step. Personally I don't give the wet side of a hyena's backside what they think. Whatever his reasons for letting you go, his loss is my gain. You don't belong out here, WE don't belong out here. I'd much sooner let the fools try to lay a claw on you than let you go. Let them try, and let them see how many fall at my paws for their efforts.
Even he couldn't stand up to every male if that was their intention, but his mind was already made. If she didn't back away she'd find he'd closed the distance and stood before her now, staring her down firmly, though not unaware of her tears.
You're mine now. Your life is no longer theirs to decide what to do with, and I have no intention of letting any fool think or try to claim otherwise, I don't care if they're low rogues or the king of the Ukuucha.
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Posted: Sun Mar 20, 2011 6:47 am
Mwali was an imposing beast, but Shiva stood her ground for the sake of what little dignity she had left. Frustrated that her resolve wavered with every encroaching step he took towards her, torn between running away from the entire situation simply to avoid it or running to him. The only place she wanted to be.
Despite better judgment, plush ears swiveled attentively, waiting to hear the insane--and really, that was the only word that could properly describe or even begin to explain his behavior-- lion out before she lifted her voice again. As they stood nearly chest to chest, Shiva craned her neck to meet his eyes. Mixed emotions stirring beneath the surface of Shiva's muted expression. You could have anyone... and you deserve far better than a loathesome kajira.
It hurt to refer to herself with such terms, even if it was the truth. Admitting with an amused tone, tainted by sorrow, I've always dreamed of what it would be like to have a Pad like you.. but the reality was far better. I'm lucky just to have known you.. and I know.. you've been starstruck by my perfection, but I'm sure it will fade in time and you'll realize what a bad idea this is.
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Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:50 pm
He reached out to wrap a paw around her, drawing her close much like he had the night before. This time, though, Mwali rumbled and sat down, tucking her against his chest.
Are you trying to decide for me how much I consider you worth? Such a choice should be mine, you realize?
He wasn't really scolding her, but it was his way of reassuring by pointing out the facts as they were.
I've already seen you at your 'worst', Shiva. If you think that you can chase or frighten me off then you don't know me as well as I thought. I'm not letting you go, and if you leave while I'm asleep or distracted then I'll follow you until I've tracked you down again, no matter how many times it takes.
Though, alright, truthfully they wouldn't be a very good Pad and Banu pair if it came down to that.
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Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 6:54 pm
She knew better, knew she wouldn't be able to turn away ever if she didn't turn away now and yet in spite of the fact--or perhaps because of it--Shiva allowed herself to yield to Mwali's strength. Sinking into the warmth of his solid body and short, sleek coat where he gathered her. Nose twitching gently, breathing in the savory scent that filled her senses and shaking her head from where she hid in the eave of his body. What happiness would he find with her? He knew better than she did what he wanted, but that wouldn't stop her from trying to dissuade him. N-no, I know... I would never undermined or dismiss my Pad--
The possessive had thrust itself upon her tongue before Shiva could even consider correcting herself, though she considered it now. Pausing in obvious contemplation, however discreet she may have wished to be there was no denying the thought upon her mind. She continued resolutely, no point now. He already knew how she felt. Had known for some hours now most likely, because her Pad was rather astute like that. ...his decisions. It's just.. that I know the trials that await.. if we were to return there. I'll be returned to Atash to await my fate.. though it's likely he would let me rot long before he ever decided what to do with me. I can't imagine you wouldn't be received well for capturing me, but they'll expect better of you than to consort with a lioness considered unfit to belong solely to any one Pad.
A pride that was bred into the very fiber of her being made Shiva bristle at thought of it. Their problem with her was that she was too fit! Unlike her father they were cowardly Pads, unable to control a female of such fine breeding and rank and thus she was accused of being the defective one! It was pathetic really, but alas, surely many a fine beybanu in the making had fallen to the same stigma.
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