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 Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 4:26 pm
It had been a long time since the young leopard had grown independent from his family. Not soon enough, in Celile's opinion. He wouldn't miss her very much. Baji was never far behind. He was a bit clingy, but Poi couldn't send him off to fend for himself. He enjoyed the company, regardless of the boy's constant blabbering.
The pink feline licked his bloody maw as he consumed the last bit of meat from his kill. Beyond the overwhelming scent of the corpse, Poi picked up on a familiar scent. A flood of nostalgia came over him before he even recognized it as Caitan. That leopard was always such a mysterious figure. And his behavior... so worrying. Poikilo remembered the chat he and his larger brother had when they were just cubs. They were almost adults now... He wondered if Caitan would go looking for mother soon.
With a sigh, Poi returned to his paws and walked briskly towards the source of the scent. He was here, there was no doubt. "Caitan." He said, gazing around for the white and teal form. His tail flickered and a lazy grin came to his face. "Ahah, there you are."
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 4:54 pm
 Caitan looked down from where he had been laying along the branch of the tree he had decided to rest in for the few hours he could spare before he was to meet back up with the black and red leopard who was teaching him how to refine the skills he had learned on his own by trial and error.
If he was surprised to see his brother, it did not show on his muzzle or in the pale eyes that seemed to have grown colder somehow, more remote. He did however uncurl himself from his branch, and flowed down the tree with a boneless grace that screamed predator if it screamed anything.
" Poi, it is good to see you again," Caitan's voice was almost as dead as his eyes, but there was a trace of warmth in it when he said his brother's name.
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 11:43 pm
Poikilo never let his nonchalant grin fade, even as Caitan slid down the tree with the skills of an advanced predator. Even as he looked into those soulless eyes. Even as he realized whatever was left of his brother was nearly gone - he was only staring at the empty shell.
Poi had assumed being separated from Celile would improve his behavior. Oh how wrong he had been.
"Yeah, it's nice to see you again bro." With the words, a sharp pain struck his chest, but Poikilo remained casual regardless. He has endured worse pain than this in the past. Poi was reluctant to ask about Caitan's activities since their last meeting. He already had a vague idea... It was frightening, but perhaps Caitan would reveal something less horrific. He could only hope. "What's new?" Poikilo tilted his head, his trademark lopsided grin exposing his white fangs.
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Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 10:27 am
Caitan managed a ghost of a smile, thought it did not reach his eyes, " Ah, nothing exciting brother mine." His voice a low, near rumbling purr. Nothing like the cub he had once been. The pale leopard made it seem as if the many months that they had been apart had held nothing more then a few lessons in hunting and days laying in the sun.
Caitan came to sit just in front of Poi, his tail curling around his paws, though his body was neatly balanced. If he had to, there was no doubt that Caitan could move very quickly to either retreat or attack.
" And you Poi, anything new? How are Baji and the others?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 2:10 pm
"Aw, what? Nothing at all?" Poikilo displayed a playful smirk - though inside, he couldn't decide if that was good news or bad. The young leopard pushed his troubling thoughts aside. His brother was alive and well, and that's all that mattered.. right? If you could even consider those emotionless eyes alive.
A white paw casually rose to rest on Poi's chest and smooth his fur down. It was a habit Poi had developed once he discovered the wonderful world of females and the thrilling challenge of trying to impress them. That, however, was not a sort of discussion his brother would be amused by.. At least, that's what Poi assumed.
"We're surviving fairly well, I suppose. Baji never stops talking, and I haven't heard from Ume... You know, the usual." Poikilo could go on and on; he found his skill with words were exceptional for his age. Though, Poi wished this encounter wasn't so awkward... so stiff, and mechanical. It was as if he was meeting a stranger for the first time. He has never felt so stuck before.
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 11:29 am
Caitan's eyes flickered to the movement of Poi's paw, just a quick glance, an assessing one that decided it was a gesture of habit, not of malice, It happened so smoothly, it was almost not noticeable.
" I had always feared for gentle Ume, I doubt he is still alive. As for Baji. I am surprised you have managed as much as you have with his never ending stream of useless noise."
Catin stood then, or rather more flowed from his feet to come to curl around Poi so that he was behind him, chin resting on Poi's shoulder like they had when cubs, when they comforted each other late at night when mother had been asleep,
" And you Brother Mine, how have you fared so many months away from our dear, sweet, mother?" Catin's voice was like the time before the sun set and night fell, when you sought shelter before the stars peppered the sky.
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 1:03 am
Poikilo couldn't hide the cringe on his face as Caitan revealed a truth he hadn't yet come to terms with. The simple words were like a stab to the chest, as he was always quite protective of his brothers... But it was true, Ume was never really fit to live independently. It was even impressive that he managed to survive so many years with Celile. Despite Caitan's pessimism, Poikilo still hoped that his gentle brother was still alive somewhere. With this little glimmer of optimism, Poi quickly let the gloomy thoughts drift away.
The young leopard chuckled, gently shaking his head at the comment about Baji. "It's not so bad once you learn to ignore it." He explained with his lopsided grin. "Though... I think I was born with a very unique skill of ignoring Baji." Poi chuckled, subtly nodding his head as he recalled fond memories of his loudest brother.
Poikilo was almost shocked when Ume crept closer to rest on his shoulder. It was then he was hit with the nostalgia of their less-than-pleasing childhood. Poi no longer felt comfortable expressing his feelings, but he still wished to tell Caitan how much he missed him. He held it back. It was too feminine... too girly.
"I feel absolutely liberated, Caitan." He said with complete honesty. "Don't you?"
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 11:05 am
Caitan's purring voice was toned with a dark, humorless wit," Liberated, yes you could say that. Though I think the feeling for me is more...unchained. I have no one to hold a leash around my neck anymore. Its proved very emancipating for me."
He wound his tail around Poi's belly, pleased just to be near his brother, " I have missed you Brother Mine, but am thank full you have been far from me. Our paths have taken different routes. Mine the one you always saw in me as a cub. I have found a teacher Poi, darker then I."
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Posted: Tue Nov 08, 2011 3:25 pm
The young leopard found his brother's endearing terms toward him rather unnerving. It was difficult to distinguish whether he was being heavily sarcastic or not... especially considering he addresses Celile the same way. Poikilo quickly shunned the thoughts, it was disturbing to think Caitan could hate him the same way they hate her.
Poikilo remained unmoving as Caitan finally revealed a vague description of his whereabouts since their separation. His paws flexed, his white claws emerging to slice the dirt at his toes. It was the only sign of his fierce disapproval. "A teacher, Caitan? Why do you need a teacher." His voice was firm, but knowing. That wasn't a question that needed an answer.
Poikilo felt helpless, all he ever wanted to do was protect his brothers... But how in the world was he supposed to protect Caitan from himself? Maybe it would be better... for the both of them... if he simply embraced the demon Caitan was becoming.
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Posted: Wed Nov 09, 2011 10:16 am
Here Caitan's voice almost became wistful, as if mourning the time they had been cubs, " Because Poi, better it be that I direct what is in me, know how to control it, use it where it may do some good then have it be only darkness. What would you rather I do Brother Mine, kill some random creature because it annoyed me, or kill one I was sent after because it was like me and deserved the fate I would give it?"
He purred gently in his brother's ear, rubbing his cheek against Poi's, "Someday the same type of killer will be sent for me, perhaps even my own teacher, but at least the blood on my claws will not be those of the innocent."
Caitan held Poi a little tighter with his tail, " Everything good in me Poi, though it may seem terrible to you, came from my love for you. I found a way to use those words you gave me, tried to teach me, as best I could.
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Posted: Thu Nov 10, 2011 12:00 am
Poikilo sighed his defeat, his head turning away to gaze into the distance. Caitan made a very good point. Though channeling his blood thirst to murder murderers isn't exactly what Poi had wished for in his brother's future.. it was better than a bloodier, more demonic alternative.
Turning to smooth Caitan's cheek with his own, Poikilo made his surrender clear. Though he refused to admit it verbally. He was afraid to hear himself say it... But despite himself, he would still love his brother.
"Train hard and stay on top." Poi said tenderly. "The last thing I want to have happen is to lose you..."
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Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 8:54 pm
Caitan nuzzled into Poi like he had when they were cubs, enjoying the moment for as long as he could, " I intend to stay alive as long as I can Poi," Here he hesitated for a moment, before swallowing and taking a breath, almost nervous before speaking again, " If by some cruel twist of fate Brother Mine, I should have cubs...I do not want them to become like me. To know me. If it come to that, may they come to you?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 1:07 pm
Poikilo's ears quivered as Caitan began to become nervous. This was unusual for a typically stoic leopard like him. With his words, Poi was shocked. Was Caitan even capable of loving a woman? And then came Caitan's question. Poikilo hesitated... Caring for orphaned cubs would squander his ability to allure a lady (or two) of his own. But Poikilo understood his brother's serious concern... And it would be against his nature to refuse.
A crooked grin graced the pink leopard's features. "Of course, Caitan. If you think I'd be a suitable father figure... I'd be glad to."
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Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:42 am
Something seemed to ease inside Caitan, and his cold eyes closed for a moment as if the last thing that had caused him to hold onto his old life had been set free.
" Thank you Brother Mine," he purred into Poi's ear, his voice once more sinfully dangerous, " You always were far to good to me."
Suddenly he stilled, his body going taunt, like a prey when a predator is watching it and it knows it. " Do not move, Poi. Not a muscle." He whispered very softly into his brother's ear, his words a mere warm breath.
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Posted: Fri Nov 18, 2011 6:33 pm
The young leopard nodded and smiled, always too happy to help his brothers. "Better believe it, Caitan. You owe me one." Poikilo smirked.
Poikilo's playful behavior was quickly swept away by Caitan's warning. What was the matter? Whatever it was, it had to be serious to make his brother behave this way. Poikilo remained collected, and kept his questioning eyes on his brother. Anxiety tried to squeeze its' way in to his thoughts, but Poikilo easily rejected it.. a handy skill he had learned while living with Celile. Poikilo wanted to speak, to ask what was wrong, but he figured Caitan would let him know when the danger was passed. Patiently, Poikilo waited.
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