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 Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 4:47 pm
It was still thrilling to wake each morning beside someone who loved her like Tangir did. As Raska improved, the nights were filled with less worry and more comfort. To feel breathing beside her in the middle of the night that was watching over her just as much as she was over him... the entire experience was indescribable. But Raska was turning out to be quite a little spitfire, a great delight to the grey lioness.
She had spent the last few days and evenings telling Tangir about her life thus far. She had told him all, as well, including her girlish infatuation with a sweet-talking male. She had traveled with him for so long, believing him to be true, but not realizing it wasn't normal for a male to leave every night from his partner's side. It was only when she'd announced her pregnancy that he'd revealed his true nature. The panic on his face had been so counter to the joy and love she'd expected to see, and when he'd left that night, he hadn't come back.
It wasn't until she made friends with other females later that she had learned he likely had been sneaking off each night to woo other girls. Once this was suggested, it all had clicked into place, ressurecting minor details in her memory that had never made sense at the time... odd scents on him in the morning, a sedate smile before they'd even had breakfast. Little things she'd overlooked at the time out of devotion to him, but learned bitterly later were her downfall.
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 5:03 pm
It was amazing, having Delphia open up to him as Raska had healed. He'd never had a female trust him to this depth before, and the whole thing left him in awe of her love. While he was grateful that Raska was becoming her spunky self again, there was no denying that his whole world was now shifting to revolve around the lovely lioness.
As she imparted her tale, he had gritted his teeth against his fury at the cold-hearted jerk who had broken her heart so. What kind of fool would throw away the kind of devotion Delphia had had for him? But he kept his anger set aside, useless to either of them so long after anything could have been done about it. So instead he listened and vowed to help her forget those dark times.
But his serenity was tested as she told him further, of her pregnancy. Heavy with child, alone in the roguelands, she had wandered alone. Early in her prgnancy she'd met and spent short periods of time with other females. But later in pregnancy she'd been completely alone. He blessed the gods that she hadn't been injured during that delicate time, but her further story was not so blessed.
She had given birth to four cubs. Two died within the first day, and a third had hung onto life weakly for a week. Delphia herself had been half-starved, since her belly had kept her from hunting properly before the birth, and the cubs had drained what little energy resources she'd had left. It wasn't starvation that had killed the third, though, but a vulture who had swooped down and carried the tiny cub off when Delphia was turned away.
Such tragedy! It ached his heart for all she had lost, and yet left him marvelling that she had such a sweet attitude on life now. It definitely explained why she spoke of her son with such fervent love. All the love and devotion she had been unable to give to her mate was poured into raising her one child. His respect for her grew by leaps and bounds, and he discovered how much he could love her was without measure.
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 5:13 pm
How he listened attentively! It made her terribly self conscious, but she endured it with a warm sense of appreciation. His gentle consideration stirred her to open up entirely to him, showing him all her fears and happinesses, despite the worry that this would drive him away. It was time to trust, time to love, time to let happen what would happen. And what happened was something wonderful.
Raska was watching them with amusement one morning and they murmured together, before finally coming over to them slowly. Delphia paused in surprise, glad to see the small feline moving so well, if slowly. Raska did not even hesitate, but reached a paw and began climbing up the lioness' side. Caught off-guard, Delphia froze, for fear of jostling loose the still-recovering genet. She settled gingerly but securely on Delphia's back, just behind her shoulder blades. Delphia couldn't see her anymore, but blinked widely at Tangir.
A small and chipper voice behind her head spoke up then. "I like her, guard. I think you should keep her." Tangir's grin was full of delight and mischievious delight. Before either of them could respond, Raska spoke again. "But if you don't mind, I think we should move on. It's time, and I can travel easily from here." And with that, she snuggled down deeper in Delphia's fur and seemed to fall asleep.
She couldn't help it. She stared at her lion beloved and burst out, "Does this mean she's claimed me?" After all, Tangir's back was undeniably a better perch, but the genet had made her choice clear.
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2011 5:24 pm
If Raska had indeed fallen asleep, the deep bellow of laughter he let loose would have woken her immediately. As it was, one of her ears angled towards him, and he swore her whiskers twitched in a suppressed smile. That Raska... he was learning just how much fun she made life with her odd ways. "Yes, my love," he answered Delphia with an affectionate chuff. "She has claimed you." He rose from where he had been curled close to his mate, pausing to stretch his back in a relaxed gesture. "But she is right, we should be moving on. We've been here long enough that the herds are beginning to avoid the watering hole."
He watched her as she rose carefully, likely flexing muscles she rarely used in an attempt to not jostle her 'sleeping' burden. "But the question is, where should we go?" He tipped his head inquiringly down at Delphia, who was so much smaller than he was. So small, yet so strong! "Or should we just go where the wind takes us?" His smile was playful and light-hearted, an expression he was growing used to since meeting her. What made it so worth it though was her responding grin. "Well then," he said lightly, "let's start out and see what happens, shall we?" Together they turned into the rising sun, setting off at an easy walk from their oasis where it all had began.
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