Airi:She was careful as she slipped away from home, making sure that no one followed her, especially not her brothers. They were her brothers and she loved them and all, but... Stifling, that was the word. Each in his own way, her brothers tried to smother her. Makai with his forceful nature, Hisoka's calm, patient meddling, and Ifrit's underhanded manipulation, every one of them was too protective at times. Gods forbid she ever tried growing up and trying to find a mate like Mama'd found Papa.
Of course, she had no idea that her parents had met when they were little more than her age.
She just needed some time away, some time alone. No brothers, no sweet sister, no mirror-copy twin, no Mama, no Papa. She understood why it wasn't the best thing to be completely on her own, but she wasn't going far from home and her siblings came to the trees all the time on their own. Worst that could happen was that she fell again, which she wasn't about to do because she wasn't going to go climbing today. Just sit and relax and surround herself in the plantlife and breathe.
Airi stopped next to a tree, leaning one shoulder against the bark as she closed her eyes and did just that, breathed.
Niyebe:
The entertainer was always practicing. His singing, his dancing and the way he spoke. Being upbeat by nature and sweeter than anyone in the pride. This time he was singing. On his off days, he'd be in the center with the rest of the cubs that made their way there. Its where the adults wanted them to keep an eye on them. He knew his mother was probably around watching somewheres and it didn't bother him. She hated his entertainment route and he loved every minute of it. Older adols to full adult ladies would feed him such nice compliments that he knew he'd make it big.. but not without his brothers. Never would he leave them behind.
Then it was his sister. His song, and when he would sing alone was about her. How beautiful she was- how she was their flower and how nothing in the world would take her place and he would change the color of the sky if it meant her safety.
His voice was delicate and beautiful.. then when he looked up to hit a high note.. He saw 'her' again. His voice dropped... "Uh..um.." He stuttered. "Oh hi.. are.. you ok lil beautiful??" His eyes blinked softly as they began to soften with her in them.. It was the girl that fell on him not too long back.
Airi:
Airi's eyes snapped open at the sound of someone singing and the music stopped, her eyes meeting those of-
Oh dear. Her ears flicked back and she looked so terribly embarrassed. She'd fallen on him before. And even worse, Makai had yelled at her in front of him. It had just been the worst day of her life, she was sure of it. Even cuddling with Chihiro and telling her all the terrible details of her falling out of the tree and Makai and, and, and here was the cub she'd fallen on and good gods, what was she supposed to say to him now?
Wait, was she okay? Li-lil beautiful? Had he just called her beautiful?
Unaware of his entertainer aspirations and the possibility that he called all ladies beautiful, Airi's cheeks warmed something.
"What? I mean, yes, I'm okay, I was just..." What wouldn't sound stupid? Oh, bother it. "I was just taking in the moment."
Niyebe:
He was sweet, and his smile showed it. Even so much as -cute- that was the -look- he was going for. "In the moment, I see..ah.....Is there a chance I can share this moment with you~?" He took up to her side and looked in the same direction as her, but it was just the boring sight of the priests and priestesses. He tilted his head.. then looked at her. "Do you.. want to be a priestess when you grow up?" He hadn't pinned her as one, but hey! Angels like her should be in the path of righteous, his family just wasn't that godly conscious like those that followed faith. "Hmm.. I mean. Being as cute as you are- you can be anything like a healer or anything! Just not anything that could include getting hurt." He softly sighed as he remembered how his sister BOASTED about having a scar. It hurt and ailed him to THINK his sister would be happy to scrape her beauty away..
"My apologies for not tending to your wounds when you fell from the sky~ I heard only angels come from there- I should have been more careful and catch you." Although sounding completely corny, he had really meant that. If it meant to take care of another, he would have done all that he could. Just that wasn't the right time nor place where he could have thought of anything more than he had.
"My manners... Niyebe, Son of Katapatan and Ubi." He bowed his head lowly.. "I... wasn't graced to have caught your name~"
Airi:
"Ah, yes, of course you can," Airi replied quickly, but he was already stepping to her side and looking off. He didn't seem all that impressed but that was probably the problem, he was looking. A small, shy smile spread on her maw and she was about to tell him that he needed to close his eyes to share her moment, but then he was asking about the priests.
"Oh no, I don't want to be a priestess, I do want to be a healer," just like her mama, and maybe her papa someday. He was working towards it, after all. "How did you guess?"
Well, it wasn't like he HAD guessed, it seemed he'd just been picking at anything at random, anything that wasn't a guard of course. And he hadn't said entertainer, even though he kept saying she was pretty. Didn't matter anyway, there was no way she'd become an entertainer. Papa had made absolutely sure to completely discourage that in all of them. Turned out okay since it seemed none of them were really interested in that pursuit anyway.
"It's okay, I wasn't really hurt, I was just..." The warmth spread on her cheeks again and she ducked her head slightly. Gods, she was so embarrassed! She'd fallen on top of him and then humiliated in front of so many cubs by her hot-tempered brother. "I'm sorry I fell on you. And I'm sorry Makai made such a scene about it. He just gets... carried away."
Katapatan, she knew her! She was one of Mama's friends. So she had cubs Airi's age, that was nice. Maybe she'd see more of Niyebe, he seemed to be nice company.
"My name's Airi, Lúhuì'Huā's daughter," Airi replied, giving him more of a dip than the head-nod, a sort of curtsey. She remembered how she wasn't supposed to talk about Papa, things seemed to be changing but she still wasn't sure if she was allowed to yet. Best to just give Mama's name. "I'm very glad to have gotten to- ah, to meet you."
Niyebe:
"A healer is good. Although I totally recommend not wearing creepy skulls on your head-" He was about to continue but his thought was cut short by here apologies.
The cheetah was sure he was understanding the 'moment'. His world was not about closed eyes, but about appearances and the world around him. Everything he could touch and see for himself. Ears opened as she spoke, and a smile naturally came from looking at her. When her cheeks tinted red, he leaned closer and softly brushed his paw against the flushed cheek. "No need to be sorry, I'm thankful you weren't hurt but most importantly that I met such a beauty." As he looked back at the Priests and Priestess setting up shrines and walking together upon the ridge ledges of the pride's wall he gave a nod. "Siblings are quite the pawful. Especially my radiant sister."
Lulu!? His eyes widened, truly surprised. "Woah, I didn't know -SHE- had cubs!" He almost sounded, fearful. Hardly anyone knew. But mother knew- mother should have told him! Although now that he knew her mother, he.. wasn't a fan of her- and wondered how such a beautiful creature came from such a spooky-scarey mother. Now his comment about skulls made him slightly embarrassed, "How did you come out so pretty and your mum so.. scary?" Questioning with huge eyes looking up at her. "You are...so gorgeous though! WHYYYY! HOOOWWW?" One paw lifted dramatically asking the sky.
"So you like- dead things too!?"
Airi:
"Oh, no, I don't think I'd like wearing skulls. They're heavy and hard. I think I'd like just wearing cloths." Like her grandmama. Grandmama always wore such beautiful cloth, and flowers. But she was the boss lady's seer, maybe only she got to wear things like that. Still, Airi would much rather dress like her grandmama or not at all than wear skulls, even if she wanted to be a witch doctor.
Her eyes widened several fractions when he pressed a paw to her heated cheek and her blush only got worse. No one had touched her like that, not her brothers, not her sisters. Perhaps Mama or Papa might have, but this was most certainly different from Mama or Papa touching her.
"I.... I didn't hurt you, di-did I?" she stammered, her ears drooping slightly at the thought. He didn't look like she'd hurt him, she didn't recall he had looked hurt that day, either, but the guilt was still there. She smiled a little and nodded when he mentioned siblings, even though he couldn't really see it looking away like that.
The shy smile fled when he rounded back on her, exclaiming about her mother. The things he sputtered, Airi's ears flicked back and she leaned away from him, one paw rising to curl against her chest as if she might leap up and into a run in an instant.
"My-my mama isn't scary. Why would you say that?" Even his compliments didn't help her feel better for all the other things he was saying. Yes, her mama was a little bit different, so was her papa, but she wasn't scary. And nobody ever saw her like she was with Papa. Mama wasn't scary at all. She turned away.
"No, I don't like dead things at all." She should go, she probably shouldn't have even told him who her mama was. It was still sort of a secret after all. She didn't really understand why she couldn't tell anyone about Papa. Her brothers seemed to get it, but she hadn't been able to figure it out. But it didn't matter, he promised that one day soon, he wouldn't be an entertainer anymore and he would be with them always and even if it was a secret he loved them and Mama more than anything in the world. "I should go home..."
And it didn't make sense that he'd think she was so pretty and her mama so scary. She always thought she looked more like Mama than Papa. Well, okay, she looked more like Papa than Mama, but her colors were from Mama and she didn't have all of Papa's markings, not like her brothers. Ifrit and Makai looked more like Papa and their uncle.
Niyebe:
Niyebe was raised to be proper, and strong. Like a prince of sorts, and raised WITH the heir cubs. All the teachings passed down, so they could be their right paws, but Niyebe thought otherwise. Rebelling against his mother so they could have a club- entertainers. They loved sharing females and making them feel gorgeous and loved. Maybe it was mother's lack there of that pushed them this way. Although the downside was the 'rumor' mouthed and physical appearance and Airi was his IT. She had a glow about her that kept him wanting to be closer to.
Too bad her linage was crossed with the pride's scariest female. Rumor had it that she was 'crazy' and haunted. "Because- she wears skulls.. and she talks to herself.. and she mutters things. Some say she had haunted those that help her pick her herbs, some have ended up dead~ but those are just rumors.." Of course this was all heresay, what normal entertainers would say. He didn't know how to -shut it- or if he was saying something wrong. She HAD to know about this though? Why had she acted so surprised? Softly he rose his paw to her face and put her mane back. "You are beautiful~ and spooky as your mother is- does not reflect you." Looking at her with soft eyes when she said she should leave. This was the FIRST time someone wanted to leave his presence.
Dumbfounded, he pulled her face against his, so their noses could touch. "I .. don't know if my words have upseted you, but I assure you that I don't mean any ill intention.. " His eyes full of wanting to be in this moment, as if it were his last. Thus why he showed so much passion. "I shall walk you home then? Like before, I know how to hold my ground and I can protect you. If you will have me that is~"
Airi:
As much as he seemed to be trying to fix the situation - and, oh, Airi could admit that she understood that was what he was trying to do - nothing that Niyebe was saying was making her feel any better.
"You're afraid of skulls?" Sure, she didn't want to wear skulls herself, but that didn't make her mama spooky. Mama had a good reason for wearing them, she made bad things sometimes. It wasn't clear if the cubs were supposed to know that or not, but Ifrit had said Mama did it and he was always right about those kinds of things. But Mama was also a very good healer. She wasn't spooky at all when she was taking care of someone.
He touched her face and she flinched away a little.
"I talk to myself too, sometimes, and my brother mumbles. It helps me think when I'm stumped with something." Frankly, Ifrit probably did it because he was saying things he knew he shouldn't say. But Airi had never caught what he was saying, so she couldn't speak for why he did it. When he touched his nose to hers, she drew back again and stomped a paw.
"My mama isn't spooky!" As soon as the words left her mouth, she pressed a paw to it and a look of horror came over her face. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to yell at you I just, I just..."
Tears were filling in her eyes, she was frustrated and more than a little bit hurt. Mama wasn't scary, but she'd heard so many bad things about her mama when people thought she wasn't listening or when they didn't know just whose daughter she was. And it hurt that they thought so ill of her mama just because she was different or dressed different. She was the best mama in the world, but no one seemed to care about that.
Niyebe:
He withdrew his face from being so close.
"No- not of skulls. The fact that she wants something dead upon her face. Poor taste, with one so gentle of the paws. Mysterious." Shaking his head. "That is understandable but-" Then when she admitting to her brother having the ill symptom- he shook his head. Then looked away. Being a night and shining armor- wanting to save her... When she yelled at him he lowered his head.
Listening to her voice, he lifted his head up and his paws. Holding her cheeks, a slight brush to carry away her tears. "I didn't realize it upset you this much. Spooky cou- Nevermind." Softly kissing her forehead. "Thats enough of that. Here... Lets get you home.." Turning and took a few steps away. "Its getting dark." Quiet. Then he turned around to her. "Im sorry. And.. if I hear of anyone speaking about her. I will make sure it is quieted." The seriousness in his voice and seriousness in his words. As an entertainer he heard much about the famous Shaman.
Airi:
Airi sniffed and closed her eyes when he wiped the tears away. Makai would call her a cry-baby, Ifrit would just roll his eyes. This wasn't exactly what she was used to, but it felt... nice. Niyebe had said some bad things, but he apologized for it and looked like he really meant it.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have gotten mad. Papa says it isn't lady-like," she said between sniffles, doing her best to give him a smile. It faded again and she looked down for a moment.
"I just don't like hearing people talk like that about my mama. She's really very wonderful, she just... doesn't really show it. She has to be tough and maybe a little scary sometimes, but only to people who deserve it. If you met her, I bet you'd think she was just as wonderful as I do."
Aiti watched him move away from her. He was right, it was getting dark and quiet. She should go home. But he was still offering to escort her home. Surely that meant he didn't hate her for her outbursts. Or falling on him. The small smile returned to her face as she moved to his side and brushed her shoulder against his.
"Thank you, for understanding. It means a lot, really."
Niyebe:
"It isn't." He offered a warmer smile.. and he could finally understand why she was upset. Yes. It was because of her mother. Although meeting her now would scare the living snots out of him. Especially at night but now he knew where he had treated on wrong territory he bowed his head. "An open invitation? As late as you are home, likewise for my family. Probably worried." Anything to get out of meeting her. Not yet anyways. "Well you must have gotten your sweetness from someone right?"
Nudging her a little and winking at her. "Anything for you~ Airi~" With that smoothness at the end when he said her name. Taking her on the path to her mother's den. He'd known it, and known to stay away. If he knew Airi was there- he would have kept more an eye for it... He'd make up for lost time for sure.
Airi:
"Oh, no, I didn't mean now. You're right, it's too late," she replied with a shake of her head. On top of that, it being late meant that her brothers and sisters would be at home as well. Makai had been so mean when she'd fallen on Niyebe, she didn't want to cause another confrontation. Especially since Niyebe didn't have anyone to be on his side, except her of course. But she wasn't much of a backup in that kind of thing.
Airi giggled and shook her head.
"I think you're flattering me." She wasn't exactly sure how she felt about it, but at least it made her feel better. She hoped he'd come by, or at least that she could see him again. No one had ever called her sweet or beautiful but for her papa, and papas didn't really count in her mind.
Niyebe:
He headed straight to where he thought was the den of the doctor. His ears went back when they drew closer.. He'd have to tell his brothers about how he felt. He would only come to notice their den because of the scent. It matched that of Airi's and ... her brothers that he had gotten close to. Giving her a nod as he stopped in front of the short tunnel to her den. "I guess this is it." Turning back towards her.. Giving her a good long look to sear her look in his memory. He was flattery of words with her, but they came out so easily. Where his parents lacked emotion, he was given it ten fold. Expressive and all.. But Niyebe held something deep too. Most didn't see it with the sweetness he had to offer.
But getting drawn to Airi...
"Your stop." Drawing close to her and softly brushing his cheek against hers. "Til next time.. dearest angel."
Lúhuì'Huā:
It was then that a figure moved to be seen through the shadows. It was her mother no less. Lulu took a few steps then stopped cold. Tilting her head towards her daughter with just a few distance. A small smile formed... Noting that the boy she had been with, was Kata's son. Especially with that unmistakenable marking. Then turned around and went to retire back in the den to give her daughter some time. What would Djinni think of his daughter being with an entertainer... She couldn't help but smirk to herself.
Airi:
Walking back to her den in the quiet was... nice. The silence between the was companionable rather than awkward and it continued to help towards making her feel better than she had been moments before. Airi forgave him, he had only been spouting rumors after all. He'd never actually met her mama, so she supposed she could accept that he'd have just the same misconception of her as everyone else. Hopefully his view would change for the better soon.
They stopped before the entrance of her family's den and she blushed when he touched his cheek to hers again, dipping her head in a shy response as he pulled away.
"I hope it isn't too long to wait," she replied softly, glancing up at him through her eyelashes with a shy smile. He was so nice to her when he wasn't putting his foot in his mouth. She turned and rushed into the den before he could say anything else. Or, more importantly, before she could say anything that would embarrass herself.