|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 8:20 am
A Whole New WorldSabin Duvert's Soquili  Kamiki's Soquili  
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2014 9:25 am
Sometimes, Kasim still couldn't believe they had actually done it. Made it, here to this new world. A new world where no body knew them, no posters hanging with a bounty on his head, or the sneers and disgust he saw on others' faces when they saw him. Granted, he could never fully escape the curse of his bloodline - the obvious demon heritage that marred him. But here, in this land where soquili every color of the rainbow (and sometimes all of them at once) roamed the vast lands, the blow was softened.
Nothing eased his years of proverbial trampling underfoot, however, than his rare desert flower, Durriyah. She had chosen him - over her pamepered life, over her family and perfumed stables and palace walls. She had been willing to defy her father, and even flee their homelands .... for him.
Sometimes, Kasim was worried he would wake from this dream to find himself in a squalid, forgotten prison cell.
He had had that nightmare more times than he could count, especially during the long months of the boat ride. That was almost a prison cell. It was squalid, smelled of sick and certainly had the rats. They had to ration food and water (a concept Kasim was not unfamiliar with thanks to the years he had spent in the desert, and he had given portions of his share numerous times to Durriyah... especially... as the time passed and it became obvious that she was eating for more than just herself.)
Kasim was at once overjoyed and filed with fear, and more anxious than ever to arrive in the land across the sea. And... desperately... he hoped that they had made the right decision. As they traveled, Kasim spun stories for Durriyah, his love for her growing by the day along with her sides.
But eventually, land was spotted rising up from the seemingly endless waters and they reached the shore.
Kasim sent Haytham before they even touched the ground to scout ahead, to find them a place where they could settle, and Durriyah could bear her foals.
They did not travel far - Haytham reported that not far from there there was another great desert, but at its edges there were tall trees with needles for leaves, and flowing water.
And it was there, at the edge between what seemed like their old life and the new, they began their family.
Three. Three glorious foals. Two strong sons and a daughter - these were greater treasures than Kasim could have ever hoped to behold. They gave the sons strong, traditional names and hoped that Allah would bless them more than he had Kasim for his early life. Especially as two of them carried on the taint of the demon blood. He shared stories with them - stories of the land their parents came from, and guarded them fiercely. But they were growing up, and every day they wandered farther.
He did what he could - even purchasing the service of a goat for his precious jewel, his daughter Nadirah, who had more of his sense of adventure than a daughter should.
This day, he rested beneath a tree with his mate, Durriyah. The sun was reaching the end of its journey for the day, and he frowned with worry. They should have been back by now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:28 am
Durriyah could feel the nervousness in her mate as he lay beside her under the tree. He didn't have to say a word; his muscles were tense and his heart rate was elevated. She was lying so close to him she could tell, and she arched her neck over his shoulders and nuzzled him, her perfumed hair falling over and spilled onto his fur. "Relax, my love," she said to him her soft, charm-like voice. She knew why he was anxious; but she had great faith in her children. They were the perfect combination of their blood; and nothing in the world bought her more pride. They were beautiful and strong, and she knew they would keep their words.
She smiled and enjoyed the feel of her mate next to her. He made her feel a thousand times more cherished and beautiful than she ever did across the seas; despite the lack of a castle and guards. Faris watched the sun disappearing over the land and frowned a bit. He didn't want to make his parents worry; but he knew he would be later to their side than he had promised. He hadn't expected it would take as long as it did; every other meeting he had made the trip with much more haste...for he had been traveling alone. This time, however, he was making the journey with his own precious jewel, his mate; Miyuki. She was not blessed with wings like he; and therefore they were making the journey on hoof. He prayed to Allah as they approached the meeting point, that his parents would be as happy for him as he was. She was perhaps not what they may have expected, but he loved her more than words could say. He felt such a kindred spirit with his little bandaged beauty; and knew the importance of loving one's soul more than their outward appearance. Miyuki padded over the ground next to her mate, silent. She didn't talk much; and when she did it was only to those she trusted implicitly. She was terrified of meeting Faris's parents; but he had explained to her how important it was to him. She felt, perhaps, if she didn't get their approval, however, Faris might leave her, and that thought made her quake to her core. There were very few Soquili in the world who she opened up to; and none like she did with Faris.
But because of that, she trusted him. He assured her, over and over, that they would love her as much as he did. That they understand what love could be like; dangerous and uncontrollable. She looked down at her paws, then back to him, and nuzzled her face in the sparse feathers of his wings; something that always made her feel better.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 12:21 pm
"MISS NADIRAH!" The little goat Maa'ez called at the top of his lungs at his bonded soquili, Nadirah as she flew over head. She might be his bonded soquili, but she was a hoof full! Especially since the little goat had sworn an oath to her father that he would do everything in his power (as little as it was) to protect her and keep her from trouble.
"DO NOT FORGET, MISS NADIRAH! YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER CALLED UPON YOU FOR A MEETING TODAY!" He called again as she buzzed him, ducking involuntarily even though she had calculated her swoop well.
She grinned playfully and rolled her eyes as, with a final pass, she landed heavily in a cloud of dust. Shaking herself off, she didn't care that there was clumps of dirt in her long mane, or a few scrapes on her knees. The itchy sand in her scarf, however, that was a little irritating.
"I know, I know, Maa'ez." She said as she cantered past him, regaining her footing before the nervous little goat did. "I just wanted to see what was over that last dune... it is so boring here. I wish father would let me explore a little further." He had told her such stories of adventures growing up, and yet forbid her to have any of her own! Even going so far as to get her Maa'ez. She huffed, flicked her tail and continued back towards the grove her parents called home.
The little goat fussed behind her, trying to straighten her tail as she walked. "You should at least clean yourself up first. Your mother will be so disappointed..."
"Mother knows better than to expect anything different." She countered and flicked her tail again, shoo'ing the little goat away.
She could see the crest of the trees now. She'd be home soon.. and only fifteen minutes or so late.
Kasim gave up on resting and had begun to pace, despite his mate's placating tones. It was exactly the combination of their blood that worries him. He was disreputable on a good day, and Durriyah did not exactly mind her ownfather.
"I am sure you are right.." he responded dutifully, but laden with doubt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 1:05 pm
Durriyah stood up herself, carefully shaking out her fur and making sure all her little trinkets were perfectly dangling and not twisted. Some things would never change, and though she had traveled a great distance and had to face some squalled conditions, Durriyah still took great care in her appearance. She was still a treasure; though now she had the power to control who was able to possess her. She was Kasim's and Kasim's only, and she would never stop being his delicate, dessert flower.
"You can send Haytham if you're worried," she said, trying to calm him more. Faris yet an elusive smile breach over his face as Miyuki buried her face in his feathers. This was something she did to comfort herself, and he left his wing fall over her protectively. She was much more delicate and fragile than her frightening visage would have you believe. While Faris was sure she would be able to hold herself in a fight if she needed to, Faris would gladly throw himself in front of any enemy for her.
"We are almost there," he said, looking back at her. Miyuki was the only creature in the word who could bring out such a gentle and protective side of him. "I know you are scared, but I will be right here.
It wasn't long before he was coming over the hill, and he could see his family waiting for him, where he knew they would be.Miyuki tied to take comfort in her mate's voice. He was strong, and level, and steady like the beat of a drum. She trusted him implicitly, and she knew deep in her heart that he would stand by her no matter what.
But she still couldn't shake her self-doubt. She was not a beautiful mare, no matter how many times Faris told her otherwise she knew she was not like other pretty mares. Faris had spoken of his mother before, and how beautiful and perfect she was; what would a beauty such as her think? She desperately wished she could be beautiful for her Faris sometimes....
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2014 8:15 pm
"I'm sure that's not necessary..." Kasim rumbled deflecting at the suggestion of sending his familiar off to look for them. He wanted to. But they were only a little late. No reason to jump to conclusions. But his tension was obvious.
Still... for all he had taken, nothing was more valuable to him than his little family in this oasis of a land. He never imagined he'd have one, and now he'd do anything to protect it.
Just as he was about to continue speaking, he heard movement and saw the shape of figures approaching. He straightened, eyes peering discerningly. Three figures... but that was strange... he didn't think that Zahid was coming...
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
"COMING THROUGH!" Nadirah whinnied as she caught sight of her brother from the side. At a full gallop, with the little goat struggling to keep up, she grinned and lowered her head as she barreled past Faris.
Nadirah may have grown, but she was still very much the tomboy filly that she was a few seasons past, and she loved harassing her brothers... trying to show she wasn't her daddy's delicate little flower... or precious jewel... or whatever her father was using as a pet name.
"Not thinking fast enough, Far-" She whickered, but her words fell from her mouth as she caught a glimpse of a slender, bandaged mare sheltered by his wings on the other side of him. "Oh... oh no... crap... Faris, I'm sorry..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 9:20 am
Durriyah came up next to her mate, leaning against him slightly. She was such a small and delicate mare, it was comforting for her to feel his hard and powerful muscles that were hidden under his short black fur. He was not thick like drafts or warhorses, but there was a power inside him that made Durriyah feel safe. As she came up by his side, she followed his gaze out to where he saw the three figured approaching. Like Kasim, she wasn't expecting their son, Zahid to be coming? But ...was that Zahid? Her eyes narrowed as they came closer. She cast a side-glance to her mate, watching his expression. Faris has been so busy fussing over Miyuki, that he didn't even notice his sister until her voice echoed through her air. She barreled past, before catching a glimpse of his companion. At the surprise of it all, he had wrapped both wings around his mate protectively, his typical no-nonsense frown plastered to his face as he glowered at his silly sister.
"Careful!" he chided, snorting in her direction before lifting his wings to check on Miyuki. Miyuki squeaked at the sudden appearance of another figure, and buried her head in Faris's shoulder as he wrapped his wings around her protectively. While he did tend to treat her like she was some kind of a broken china doll, a part of her reveled in it. She was perhaps more emotionally fragile than physically so, but having someone there to make her feel so cherished helped.
She peered carefully at the new mare, looking at her mate curiously.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Apr 01, 2014 12:57 pm
"Whoooooaaa, hey there!" Nadirah chirped as she awkwardly slowed from a full run to a stumbling trot to finally a stand-stil and she looked backwards at her brother, finally getting a better look. Immediately she felt sheepish as she saw him virtually cradling a shaking mare, wrapped in bandages. Her ears drooped and a wince crossed her face as she circled around, "Oh... oh no... I'm so sorry.." She entreated. Was this some injured mare he had found and was hoping to heal? Nadirah might have just made things so much worse.
"Is she ok- hey... hey miss? Are you okay?" She redirected halfway through her question and directed it at the mystery mare directly. She squinted, confused and curious. Were those... paws? Was that a mare or some... giant wolf.... thing....?
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Durriyah could feel Kasim's muscles tense as he strained to look. He could see the three figures in the distance, and hear the sound of talking, but it was hard to make out. Snorting in irritation at their lack of timliness, and tired of waiting, he gave Durriyah a brief nuzzle of thanks and trotted out to meet them instead.
"You keep your parents waiting, and do not even have the good manners to wait for conversation until we are all together-?" Kasim began, speaking loudly towards the little group before he could quite make them out.
But as he closed the distance, his eyes widened in surprise. That most certainly was not Zahid. Not by a longshot. At first, Kasim was bewildered. She was like nothing he had ever seen before. She more closely resembled the jackals of the desert than a soquili. Her legs ended in clawed paws, and she seemed to bear other canine featurues as well. His first instinct was suspicion. She was some sort of predatory creature... some beast... but... But... there were also injuries. His own flanks were lined with old scars he bore from others who looked upon his demon features with the same prejudice. He swallowed the words before he could speak them.
"Who do we have here?" He asked in as neutral a voice as he could.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 9:15 am
Durriyah nuzzled back, her excitement bubbling to the surface. She had excited about seeing her children again; it was still so alian to her that she had... created these precious creatures. That her pure love for Kasim could actually result in such fruition - souls actually created out of love.
She followed her mate down to the small gathering, were Nadirah seemed to be speaking to Faris and ... someone(?) else.
Her eyes squinted in concern at the bandages of this creature - regardless of who she was her unicorn instinct was at full tilt, and she felt the gold horn on her head began to tingle with her healing magic in result of her sympathy.
"Goodness, are you hurt?" she echoed her daughter. She looked between her mate Kasim and her son quickly, trying her best to access to situation.Suddenly - they were all there. His father, his beautiful mother, and his tomboy sister. All looking to him and Miyuki, putting her on the spot. They all looked so concerned, and he knew exactly why. She did look like a little broken China doll.... her neck constantly bleeding from some phantom wound. He had thought the same when he first met her, but he had some to accept it for what it was - just part of her enigmatic soul.
"Father," he said with a nod. He looked to the dazzling and jeweled mare and lowered his head a bit more. "Mother." He stepped away from Miyuki - just enough to show that she could stand on her own four hooves paws, but he kept a supportive wing on her shoulder, to show he wasn't abandoning her. "This is Miyuki, my mate." He steeled his jaw and looked his father straight into his eyes; almost challenging him to say something disparaging. He was terrified; craving their approval yet at the same time feeling incredibly defensive before they had even said anything.
His mother was so lovely and delicate and perfect...would Kasim understand? Would Durriyah? Miyuki was fragile, she wouldn't argue that. But more mentally than physically so - despite her fearsome appearance. She swallowed nervously as her mate referred to the two newest arrivals as his mother and father. She could only assume, then, that the brash mare was his sister. The family resemblance was obvious, especially in Faris who seemed like a perfect half-and-half compilation of the two impressive Soquili before her.
"I'm not hurt," she finally said as Faris stepped away. She gave him a quick panicked looked, but tried to recover. She knew she constantly look wounded; something that confused many. In her mind, she thought it symbolized her wounded soul.
Then Faris cut everything to the quick - and introduced her as his mate. She made a conscious effort to hold her head a bit higher, standing tall.
"Nice to meet you," she said after a moment. Her voice was soft and was shaking more than she intended it to. It was feminine enough sounding, but had a rough, velvety cadence to it. There was strength in here, just bubbling under the surface. She seemed both completely broken and incredibly restrained at the same time.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2014 1:01 pm
Kasim did not quite understand how she could seem bloodied but not truly be injured. The most he could surmise was that her bandages were old, still bloodied and unchanged, but concealing healed wounds... physically at least. And as the unikalona looked her over, he saw in her quivering muscles and voice hardly a threat. Perhaps more like the jackals of the desert even than he first surmised: bearing the traits of a predator, but with a coward's heart. She looked so fightful.
It seemed to take the other revelation that Faris had spoken a moment to sink in.
"Mate?" He spluttered, shocked, looking between the two of them again. He had never seen this mare. This shy jackal. What about her had captured his son's heart? Despite his mate, Durriyah's, pristine and beautiful appearance, she had a courageous heart - a spirit that continued to surprise the desert thief. True, there were many stallions who seemed to fall for the wilting violets, but Kasim never understood such a thing. An ear flicked back skeptically, and he tried to bite his tongue.
He may have been attracted to Durriyah's strength, but surely, no one but the all-knowing would have thought that they should have been together. Her father was so mortified that he was ordered to death. And had Kasim been of weaker stock, injuries and suspicions of him since foalhood might have led him to become shaken and timid as well.
He swallowed down the exclamations that he wanted to shout, the protectiveness he felt. This was his son. At least he had decided to bring her to him and not disappeared with her. "Please, Faris... tell me. How did the two of you meet?"
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Nadirah did not quite keep her own tongue in check as adeptly as her father, "Mate?!" She also exclaimed, but shook her head in bewilderment as she trotted a circle around the two of them, blatantly staring, "I've never seen anyone that looks like you! Not a soquili at least!"
She looked to Faris, "Why didn't you tell me, brother? Why is this the first we are meeting?" She nudged him with a wing. Granted, he could have met this wolf-mare yesterday and she wouldn't have known. But still.
he should hae told her.
She was his sister. It wasn't like meeting the parents or anything. She could have drug this Miyuki off and pried secrets out of her and perhaps become fast friends. She looked interesting at least. Having grown up with just brothers, it left Nadirah a mix between wanting a sister, and feeling like one of the boys and not wanting to be penned into doing filly-things.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 8:58 am
"Mate?" she echoed, in disbelief as much as the others. She was torn - the protective mother inside her was instantly curious about this lady. Certainly, she was not expecting someone like her for her son. She was the last mare in the world who could judge on appearances, of course, but it was more than just how she looked. She seemed so alien, so distant... so fragile.
But the other part of her was overjoyed. Her heart fluttered in her chest with pride. Was he happy? As happy as her and Kasim? Would there be grandchildren on the way soon?
"Are you sure you're not hurt?" she asked, pushing back her hesitations and questions for now. "You're bleeding." The unicorn blood was strong in her - her bloodlines pure and pristine. Even though she wasn't a trained healer, she new the difference between old wounds and new by the color of the stain. "We met some time ago," he started to his father, relaxing just a bit. So far, he reaction was reasonable. He carefully lifted the wing off Miyuki's shoulder, giving her an encouraging pat before doing so. "It was nothing special," he admitted, "He just ran into each other and got to know one another."
He looked over to her and smiled proudly. "We are alike in many way, though it may not seem like it. We understand each other."
He turned to his sister. "I'm telling you now," he said defensively. "There has to be a first meeting at some point. Yours is now." "I'm sure I not hurt, thank you very much Miss Durriyah," she said, kindly but as firmly as she could muster. Thankfully Faris has prepared her before they met, so she new their names, though she hoped it wasn't rude to use it before being formally introduced. "I know it looks like I am, but I assure you. I've been this way since I was a foal," she said evenly.
She watched as her mate explained their meeting - it was true. The meeting itself was entirely uneventful. They had the same awkward conversation she had with everyone when they first met. No, she wasn't hurt. No, she wasn't a skinwalker or born of one....
...but as they got to know each other, they just really seemed to click. Faris was broken, too, though not as obviously so as she. They understand what it was like to be preemptively hated for what you look like.
Finally she addressed the tomboy sister. "I'm not a skinwalker, if that's what you are asking,"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 07, 2014 1:10 pm
Nadirah sighed indignantly, blowing one of her stray bangs from her eyes with a huff. "Yeah, well, it should have been sooner! I'm just saying. Gotta make it this biiig formal thing." She huffed again with an eyeroll.
She turned her attention to Miyuki, trotting around her in a circle, giving her a thorough look-over. "Skinwalker? No, I mean... I guess you kinda look like one. I've never seen one before. Not that I'm scared or anything." She ignored the disapproving look from Kasim.
"I just mean, well, by not in a soquili that you look a little like a wolf or a fox or something. But not."
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Kasim cleared his throat, directing his foals' attention back to him. They may stand nearly as tall as he did, but it was hard not to see them as the cavorting foals of just a few seasons past. Had they truly grown so much? Taking mates... it was difficult to believe that so much time had already passed since he and Durriyah had traveled to these strange lands and made themselves a home.
Kasim wanted very much to ask Faris "why".... but he had not been granted a private audience with his son. At least, he thought to himself again, at least he had brought her here. If he were stern, then they might just leave.
And.... besides, Kasim thought, her meekness was just a different reaction to what might be a similar background.
"I am glad that you came to meet us, Miyuki." Kasim fumbled a little with her foreign-sounding name. "Please, tell us more about you. Allow us to get to know you as my son has."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 9:01 am
"Since you were a foal?" Durriyah wasn't ashamed to let the confusion on her voice; how could that be? She didn't understand the concept...if she had open wounds why could they not be healed? Had she ever tried? Her knowledge of the outside world was still rather limited in the grand scheme of things. S he did not know much about mutants or skinwalkers; perhaps a few warning tales but never face to face with such a contradictory creature. It was difficult for her, having such a pure and strong unicorn blood, to stand the sight of blood.
"Do you hurt?" she asked, temporarily forgetting this wasn't some wayward foal looking for help but instead the mare her son had chosen for his mate. The sound of Kasim's voice asking about their meeting seemed to snap back into the here and now.Faris narrowed his eyes at his sister. "You're making it into a big thing right now," he gruffed at her under his breath. He never had much patience for his tomboy sister; she was always much more excitable them he was; not that he wasn't extremely fond of protective of her deep down - he just rarely showed it.
He opened his mouth to speak on Miyuki's behalf when his father started to ask questions, but he help back. Perhaps he should wait to see if she wasn't to speak for herself. "No, it doesn't hurt anymore," she told Durriyah, with a note of finality in her voice. That wasn't completely true; it always hurt. But after the years, she had learned to ignore it; now she only noticed the pain when it was agitated, or someone brought attention to it.
"My father looked very much like a fox," she said to the sister. She never questioned it; she was almost grown by the time she even know that having paws was rather rare in the Soquili world. He turned her attention respectfully to the father, not bothering to correct his pronunciation. She didn't want to come off as being rude.
"Despite my appearance, I'm actually nothing special," she said softly. "Faris is my dearest friend, and we've been traveling together for a while. We both look fearsome on the outside, but those who know us well know that we are no threat."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 1:11 pm
"I am not!" Nadirah retorted childishly with a whisk of her tail. "You are." She added quickly, an ear flicking as she caught sight of Kasim's disapproval.
Faris could be soooo serious sometimes. He had grown up to be a stoic grump. So maybe he got to travel more than she did. Its not like she didn't want to. Or sometimes even did, but Father always worried more about her than him. Why? I wasn't fair. Just because he was more serious? More responsible? A stallion? Nadirah didn't see why any of that had to make a difference when it came to safety.
She huffed once more and directed her full attention on the strange mare, Miyuki, ears canted forward. "Your father looked like a fox? How cool is that? My father doesn't look.... well, I mean you can see him right there. Not a fox. Kind of a bat. I guess. But not really. But you look more like a fox than my father looks like a bat."
She rolled her eyes at Farris looking fearsome. He didn't look fearsome. Too serious, maybe, but to Nadirah, and knowing little of the stigma around kalona, Farris was the furthest thing from fearsome.
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
"Nadirah," Kasim said with a singular word of admonishment. It was a tone she was used to in his voice by now - not exactly a warning, but a reminder that she was not being ladylike.
"I am sure that our new guest does not need to be over-stimulated right now." Miyuki, despite her appearance, seeme quite shy and rather more ladylike than even his only daughter.
He dipped his head, not quite with the easy refinement of Durriyah's motions, but respectfully. "I would not say that you are nothing special. You have captured the attention of my son, and that by itself means that you must be." He finally decided to offer her a warm welcome, at least outwardly. A protectiveness that surprised him had grown in the rogue-ish stallion since he had been granted foals, however, and he did find himself surprised by Faris's choice in mates. But he was the last stallion to judge that.
He looked to Faris, "You are happy...?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 19, 2014 4:32 pm
Durriyah detected the hint of finality in Miyuki's voice, and she didn't press any further. While she was convinced that she could probably help the poor thing, its not like she could force her to something she didn't want to do. After all, she trusted her son and this was the mare he was choosing, then she would support it.
Though, for the first time in a long time, she did actually feel a tug of compassion or understanding for her father's point of view. How disappointed in her must he had been when he realized his daughter had fallen for Kasim. She had considered him so irrational...and he was! But for the first time, Durriyah truly understood how much a parent could want to love and cherish a child and demand their chosen mate be perfect.
However, unlike her father, she was able to understand that the heart was wily and unpredictable... and that it was solely Faris' decision and not her own. Faris beamed with pride as Miyuki actually took the lead in the conversation. That spark - that tenacious spirit she rarely showed to anyone outside her closet circle was finally beginning to show. His chest puffed out and he stood tall beside her, his tail swinging contently behind him as she talked.
He didn't continue to argue with his sister, especially after Father stepped in and put her in her place. But he kept watching her out of the corner of his eyes. She was so naive, and a part of him did almost pity her; Father was so much more protective of her and because of this, she didn't quite understand how cruel the world could really be. In this lands, even, the Kalona were not nearly as feared as they were in other places (according to the stories told to him by Kasim at least), but there would still plenty who would be quick to judge you on appearance alone.
When his father asked if he was happy, he actually smiled. "I am, Father," he said, nodding his head respectfully. He was so relieved his parents were taking it well. He was terrified they would be furious, even if it would have made them hypocrites.
Parents can be very irrational sometimes. Miyuki addressed Nadirah first. "I'm glad you consider it interesting," she said, "but unfortunately many others take our fox-like appearance to mean we are akin to skinwalkers. I'm sure there many would-be friends out there that I have never met because they would not speak to me. But I have never even seen a skinwalker before."
She cast a glance to Faris and smiled sweetly. "Even Faris thought I was a skinwalker at first, but thankfully he was either too brave or too foolish to deter him from getting to know me."
She then looked back to Faris' father. "You flatter me," she said respectfully, "And I'm very honored you have been so welcoming to me. I have to admit I was a bit nervous about coming here, because I know how much Faris admired you, and I did not want to disappoint you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
