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 Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:37 pm
I had a dream... A crazy vision... It may sound strange...
This intuition... but it was truth... Beyond description...
And somehow I knew that it was real...
Introduction:
Welcome to my SOA-index. I'm a horrid bunny who can't stop getting these wonderful characters, so I finally decided to make one giant multi-page blog for each of them and any I get in the future! Below is a list of them and what pages they can be found on. Eventually I'll have a "T.O.C." up for each page as well. For now, heavy construction time!
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Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:57 pm
1.] Ausi'Juu -- True Colors
@@@@@@1. Introduction & About
@@@@@@2. Bio-overviews & Family Lines
@@@@@@3. Breeding Status
@@@@@@4. Plot & RP Status
@@@@@@5. Contact Info, Credits, & Disclaimers
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Posted: Tue Jul 18, 2006 10:58 pm
I Dreamed a Dream ยป aim log; Kimya'ukilia / Afa'kivul Mother was growing old... and Kimya hadn't been ready to face it, no more than Hakan originally was, but at least Hakan confronted his fear instead of running away from it. Even if he was in denial, at least he was with mother.
As for Kimya, well....
She had thought of returning home... but... it pained her to think of the disappointment she'd face, or that she may have brought. The grown lioness laid listlessly amidst the tall grasses of these freelands. Ever since wandering away from home, Kimya had been avoiding going back. She was afraid of what she'd find upon her return, afraid to come back to find her family split apart.
It was all just too much to think about. She hated being so alone now. Not even so much as Mrost or Mbaya were around to show as familiar scents! The only company she kept these days were the stars and the moon in the sky.
The grasses rustled as the peppered female turned her back towards the moon and rested her eyes, drifting.
But what if the moon had a face...?
~~~~~
Life seemed to have lost all meaning after all that transpired, first Hakan's disappearance, and then their mother's death... not long after that she and Kamal had just ended up in different directions. Before she could register what happened Kimya had found herself all alone.
Now grown, and no longer the helpless cub she'd once been, Kimya'Ukilia trekked almost aimlessly across the lands. She'd only left the desert terrain unexplored, now.
Night was approaching, almost quickly it seemed. It was strange, but from where she sat perched atop of the rock in the middle of a sea of grasses it almost seemed as if the sun was hurrying to set. That really just went to show how much attention she was paying to her surroundings. That was her life now, meaningless, and she'd actually found herself silently cursing her namesake from time to time.
Silent Purpose.
Her mother chose that name for her, explaining one day that she had given them each significant names, but Kimya's was the most poignant. She and her older brothers had given her mother a reason to live, and she had been theirs....
But Kinja was gone now...
It still hurt. Weeks, months, she didn't know how long it had been, but what felt like so long after the former Pridelander, former Firekin Queen passed away the ache was still very much alive, even if slightly numbed. The young adult felt the p***k of tears in her eyes, but lowered her lids. She had no energy left to cry today. She just wanted to take what comfort she could from the solitude among the stars.
Though to some the sun might have appeared to set quickly, to one solitary lion, the passing of day had been an eternity of nightmarish sleep. However, Mwezi was no ordinary lion; and as the sun finally sank under the horizon, he crawled out from the darkness, his dim glow faintly illuminating the sky as his struggle was rewarded. He stretched out his wings in a full, wondrous spread, glorious shades of white, silver and blue.
A curse was spat under his breath, bitterness evident on his handsome, otherworldly face and a coldness in his eyes. Not often did he take mortal form and walk the earth that was like a prison to him; he longed only for the sky. However, like a spoiled child with too many toys, he had long since grown tired of his normal games. His supposed 'servants' were doing fine, he thought. Better than those wretches who dared to spout praise to his brother. And tonight the voices in his mind were at work, speaking of change; of curious thoughts he had long denied and yet found himself thinking again. There was one who he had been watching.. In silence, in secret. Her entire being was inferior to his own, and yet she plagued him like a disease. This was not the first night he had seen her. But tonight he would succumb to those thoughts and desires.
As he stepped through the open plains, heavy paws covered with thick fur in a mix of dark and light, he eyed her with longing that he felt no reason to hide. The thoughts and feelings of his immature heart were, at their core, selfish ones; what he wanted, what he felt. Unlike his elder brother, he had never experienced compassion. His games were merely games, and everything he did was in some way to benefit himself.. He stood before her, unsure but not afraid. Fear was weak, and he would sooner die of his own foolish pride than ever admit his own weakness. "Why do you sit here alone?"
Kimya was not expecting to have company that night, nor any other night for the rest of her life for that matter. She and strangers did not get along. She'd even been attacked by another cub just for asking for a name when she was barely old enough to leave the den. From that moment on her luck with others seemed on a steady decline.
Kimya didn't much care anymore.
She had not seen any of the lions she could actually call friends in days, and seemed content with the prospect of withdrawing in on herself. It felt so much better to be silent, it hurt her heart to speak now, like a heavy burden.
None the less, the arrival of the second lion caught Kimya's attention, and pulled her from her stupor.
Kimya had only ever encountered one god in her life, and her mother had never thought highly of them. Mrost, she'd met him face to face on the borders of the elphant graveyard all those months ago. He'd been a cold and uncaring being of frightening size and even more frightening temper... Now, here she sat in the presence of one-- she would know that immortal apperance anywhere she went now, the wings were a complete giveaway.
She stared back at the deity and felt a small pit of something cold settle in her stomach. This could not possibly bode well for her, though far be it for her to say she feared death anymore. What reason did she have to fight to hold onto this world? Perhaps she'd be fortunate enough to be reunited with her mother on the other side (if there was such a thing) when her time finally came. Would it be tonight?
"I'm nothing more than a rogue passing through, great one." She murmered, genuinely humble in the face of one whom was blessed by the heavens themselves, no matter where his alignment might lie. She did not like to judge others by assumptions and past experiences, nor could she quell the caution her memories forewarned her with.
Mwezi lowered himself to his haunches and gave her a good, long look. It was clear she held his full attention, but the look in his eyes was a strange one. He wasn't even sure what drew him here; he only followed for the yearning was becoming unbearable. Having any sort of lasting interest in anyone other than himself, mortal or god alike, was strange to him. It was almost unpleasant, in fact. But somehow, her presence made it easier to bear.
He enjoyed the respect she showed him a little too much, even if it was only muttered in passing. He expected nothing less than respect from her, despite his diminished appearance. "You are no rogue." He stated matter-of-factly, his features softening from their usual brooding contortions. As though she could ever be considered such. She was the daughter of one touched by divinity, and in his mind that elevated her from the usual mortal riffraff. He "Where are you passing to?"
The material portion of her mind could not help but note that he was very handsome, and not only that, but she also caught sight of his scars. Had he been in a battle of some kind? Apparently. She'd seen Mrost when he was injured as well, and was not surprised to find that this god also could be wounded, but a flicker of compassion stirred in her heart, though she kept silent about it.
"But I no longer have a pride to call home..." She insisted quietly, tone gently confused. What did he mean, she was no rogue? She'd been born a rogue, and despite her temporary home, she was without now, and would die as such as well wouldn't she? She had no want to rejoin others. She only wanted to live the rest of her life in solitude where she could not bring anyone else down with her. "I don't know," She admitted. Might as well be perfectly honest. "no where in particular."
Her expression shifted from passively neutral, to one a bit more emotional drained.
"I've no wish to rejoin any pride, it pains me to be around others."
~It only reminds me more of what has been lost.~
But why did he concern himself with such things? No one else had...
The god gave a soft sigh as he moved closer, eyes fixed on hers as he murmured in a soft, low voice. "I understand your pain, Kimya'Ukilia."
Mwezi spoke her name as if he had spoken it a thousand times and longed to speak it a thousand more. His tail swished in the air as he continued on, his words comforting. "But I also understand the pain such unbearable loneliness. Something I would wish on no one.." He paused for a moment, giving little thought to his words as he spoke them. Nothing he did tonight was a result of rational thought; it was all from an impetuous passion he was tired of ignoring. "..Least of all, you."
His body ached to draw closer to her, but for the moment, whether out of propriety or what bit of pride he had left in reserve kept him from it, for now.
"...."
And likewise her brain was giving no better response. For all the moments wasted for lack of words before, this was the first time Ukilia had been struck speechless by someone elses' doing. She felt the familiar sensation of her heart abruptly stopping mid-beat, pausing, it felt like minutes passed before it resumed, it had actually been mere seconds. She suddenly felt uncertain of herself, for whatever reason she did not know or understand. She was naive to any untoward intentions he might have for the simple fact: She'd never been come onto before, never been hit on by one of the opposite (or same) sex.
Yet something about the way the male said her name, the way his eyes watched her, something about the way that he even moved. No, she wasn't quite foolish enough to think he could possibly be coming onto her. Why would he? First of all, so out of the blue, second of all, he was a god, what intrest could he have, physical or otherwise, in a lowly mortal-- that was the impression she got from Mrost anyhow. Maybe not all gods thought of them that way?
Regardless, Kimya found herself wanting to be closer as well. He had given her a taste of things she'd not had in a long time. Comfort, compassion, want.
"How do you know my name...?" She asked with awe, not even Mrost had been able to tell that much, or maybe it was just that he didn't care to. Kimya's eyes had lost their somber edge now, however, and she gazed at the god before her with insecure eyes capable and actively reflecting all of her emotions (the miniscule hope he stirred, the uncertainty, the akward embarassment, the want, the hurt, all of it), like windows. "How do you know about me...?"
Mwezi smiled, his expression suddenly gentle despite his intimidating stature. His eyes lowered, as if searching for his own meaning in his words. He seemed lost in himself as his emotions overtook him, deeper than anything he'd previously felt. "This isn't the first time I've set my eyes upon you, nor the first time I've become aware of your existance."
He met her gaze once more and finally stepped closer, all of his inner barriers shattering at his lightly glowing feet. His pride meant nothing to him in this moment. There was something he wanted, something he needed more than his own superiority, and keeping distance from such a 'lowly mortal' would deny him that. He was finished denying himself. He moved next to her, nudging his nose against her cheek and exhaling, his breath hot. His body grew warmer as he neared her; exhilaration building and all thought and worry leaving. It felt as though he was flying but more beautiful even than that. He lifted his head again and smiled as he looked into her deep blue eyes, speaking with words that given such deep meaning should not have flowed so naturally and lightly from his lips. "I love you."
She felt her body tingle with electric energy, adrenaline, and her fur began to bristle as he drew closer. By the time he'd come to stand at eye level with her every muscle in her body was taunt with a nervous sort of anticipation, her breathing baited once more. His words sent a shiver down the length of her spine, and she shuddered almost visibly in the dark of night before this celestial being.
At his physical ministrations she felt something within her sort of "click". Her body was still tense, but her breathing had returned. It suddenly felt difficult to do so, her chest felt tight, painfully so. It was as if someone was putting a taunting amount of pressure on her lungs, making it damn near impossible to take in precious oxygen. It hurt to have him so close, but it hurt worse that he seemed so far away.
She was already feeling a little scared by this surge of new emotion, this desire drumming her heart against her rib cage like the thundering hooves of wildabeast on the move. Even at her best she'd never felt so alive, she craved more of it, ached for it.
But then his words sent her mind reeling back to reality. Loved??? That wasn't possible! It seemed so strange from her position, she'd never known this lion, this god, she didn't know so much as his name even now, yet he was confessing feelings of love for her? Was it guilt she felt, or disbelief? Kimya'Ukilia did not know what to say in response in light of this.
"Love...? Me?" She whispered, feeling her body's urge to submit, shown against her own better judgement as her eyes slid shut and the beginnings of a pleading purr began in her throat. Oh, goodness, but what should she be listening to right now? Her mind, her heart, or her body?
"Please.... might I know your name...?"
She felt simply awful for asking such a thing, following such a confession that she wasn't sure of, but found she did not care if she was or wasn't. She wanted to forget that she was alone, she wanted the lonliness to stop, she wanted to forget her pain, even if just for one night.
He kept himself dangerously close to her; if she wanted to move away she was free to, but he felt more 'right' there then he'd ever felt before, and he wasn't about to move. He purred in return, eyes gazing adoringly into hers as the closeness of her form warmed him. As he admitted to her his feelings, he was admitting them to himself. But it was more than a desire, a lust, or even love. He yearned for love, to be loved; something in all of the lifetimes of his age he had never once really felt. He needed to be loved.. He needed her. The immortal motioned with his head upwards as the moon was now full in the sky, shining down dimly but brightly like a silver pearl. "My name is Afa'kivul. I am a great light of the heavens."
As he looked upon her beauty, his content and affection started to fade, making room for a new sensation.. Pain. If only he had more time with her.. But the hours would soon tic away, and he would be gone.. Or face the wrath of Radhi-nuru yet again. He mentally scorned the name, thinking resentfully on their last meeting, adding the separation of him from his new love among the list of things his cursed brother had unfairly inflicted him with. His dark eyes filled with a bittersweet sadness. Should she accept him, he would have to tell her of the limits of his existance, and be parted from her for another day of seemingly endless sleep.
She could not explain these feelings she felt all of the sudden. It was a strange warmth, and it somehow felt out of place with the rush of passions clashing against her senses. He was having affects on her that no other had ever stirred. What was this?
She felt her body grow uncomfortably, but plesantly warmer under her fur in modesty and excitement, in light of the way he continued looking at her. No one had ever looked at her that way before, it only served to make that strange feeling grow further. Was she falling for him? But they'd only just met!
She seemed even further humbled as she heard his title. The light of the heavens? He meant the moon, didn't he? The same great heavenly body that she'd sought solace from for all these weeks, traveling under it's guiding light when the world was asleep? Her voice sounded rich and delicate hanging on the night air as she spoke her own confessions, dropping her tail to curl around her legs and lowering her eyes hesitantly, but not withdrawing from his presence, feeling almost shamed, so lowly in the face of such a high being. It was the very first time in her life that she even felt unworthy of looking another in the face, god or not.
"Afa'kivul, my lord... I... I'm sorry, words fail me, Great one. I'm honored that you would find time to speak with me..."
And she meant it.
He seemed distressed by something... She'd noticed a sorrow to his handsome features before she'd averted her gaze towards her paws. What, she didn't know, but she knew how she could find out.
"Does something trouble you...?" She asked in a gentle murmer.
The god seemed to instinctively puff out his chest at her admiration. He had always enjoyed his own praise, but from her lips, it seemed even more a pleasure to his ears. In the next few moments, he found it hard to speak; he could only gaze upon her with adoration. His heart was filled with happiness, confusion, sorrow and anxiety. He was so close he could almost hear her heart beating, his body merely inches from hers; but he longed to be even closer. He wanted to touch her, to feel the comfort of her body against his. Why did he care so much for her? He himself didn't know. But watching her walk alone in the darkness for so long, the darkness of his making, he felt as though she was meant for him.
Mwezi's ears pricked forward at her query, his thick brows furrowing with concern. His gaze searched deep into her eyes as he gave his reluctant response. "I have come to you this clear night, bearing my feelings freely and without restraint; and the reason for this is because I have little time for subtlety. As much pain as it brings me, when night ends, so does my rule over the sky. And with the dawn comes my time of sleep.." He hesitated, his voice trembling with ache. "..and the torture of my separation from you."
And perhaps she was meant for him, perhaps it was fate that brought them this far, but if it were Kimya was blissfully unaware. His explanation plucked the strings in her heart. It seemed so strange to be feeling these things for someone that was still a total stranger to her, though perhaps these feelings were amplified by her own aches. Who knew how the heart worked. It was different in each case, but whatever path it was taking now, it was becoming obvious that she had quickly become infatuated with Mwezi at the least.
She raised her eyes to his once more, her own reflecting his pain. It hurt her as well to think they'd have to spend time apart, but she wasn't willing to give up just like that.
"Then I'd wait for you," She confessed, seeming to immediately grasp the concept he shared, that time was short, and time was precious. There was no time for logic, she felt the sense of joy he did, and she wanted to sieze it as well. It was unlike anything else she had ever known before...! Feeling a bit bold, Kimya ventured a chance and inched a little closer, just a bit uncertain at first as she brushed her head against his mane and felt the thrumming vibration in her throat that was a loving purr. "however long it took."
For him at least, his heart had a longer time to bloom in the many times he had silently watched her, his longing for her growing. But still, these sensations that at first were but a tiny ache of his heart had all at once erupted into an uncontrollable urge. This love was new and widely unknown to him. He gladly submitted to her closeness, laying his head gently on hers and moaning softly, enjoying the intimacy but at the same time insecure of himself.
He had finally revealed himself to her, boldly and unafraid; but what he thought would be the hardest part only brought with it new worries. He did love her, deeper than she would know. Now that he felt for himself what it was like to have her near him, he never wanted to be apart from her again. He wanted to cling to her and not let go of this feeling that once he had experienced he desperately feared losing. "And I will return to you as soon as I can, love."
It was as if a permission had been given, and Kimya no longer felt the need to restrain herself so. Her next move was more bold, but still just as soft as the last. Her left paw raised and somewhat wrapped around him, burrying her face into his mane slowly and nuzzling into it. It seemed cruel, that after they'd found each other their time would be cut short, but Kimya was not the type to complain. Ever. She was simply grateful that someone like him could fall for someone like her, and that she'd even been blessed enough to meet him, for him to confess such to her. This was nothing even remotely like her last immortal-encounter, not even. His close proximity gave off a warmth, she could just live the rest of her life like this, and everything else wouldn't matter. She could deal with any pain so long as they had one another.
Her eyes stayed shut, her purring becoming louder that he might even be able to feel it reverberating against his own body. "Then I'm yours,"
It was as if time stopped in that moment. That was all he needed to hear; she was his. He smiled wistfully and wrapped his own forearm around her, drawing her even closer to him. Everything else seemed so far away.. She was the only thing that mattered now. In this moment, his miseries, mistakes, disappointments, they melted away in her presence. His eyes stared out, unfixed, as he soaked in this moment. If only it would last for an eternity. She was all he needed, and he would be all she needed.. He would make sure of that.
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Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:49 pm
Requiem of a Dream ยป aim log; Kimya'ukilia / Afa'kivul He came again that night... the crescent lion from her dreams. As Kimya lay there underneath the expanse of wide open skies, she wondered if such a lion existed, such a god, and if he did, why was it that her dreams were so vivid, and yet she'd never met this diety before? Was it a sign? What an odd matter to dream about for something like that...
Her eyes cast upwards to where the pale jewel hung in the night sky, surrounded by the distant twinkling lights... Why was Kimya still here.... and what was she waiting for so far in the middle of no where...?
~~~~~
There was nothing but darkness surrounding Afa, the lion god who lived his life surrounded by a dimmed sky of his own making. But this time, even his glow was extinguished, leaving nothing but an inky black. It was his nightmare; his time of sleep.. There was no comfort in it, and he yearned for freedom again; this time not for the sake of taking back the territory he deserved, or to light the way for the wretched mortals; but for one single lioness, and her eyes which shone like stars, and the warmth of her gentle touch. And yet despite the moment in which he first touched her soft fur, it was still as though she were a distant dream.
What an all-knowing being was he, that he was incapable of understanding even his own heart? When first he had seen her, so long ago, as she trembled in the darkness unaware of his gaze. She had seemed like all of the rest, and yet something about her struck a chord within the fibers of his very being; her loneliness, her sadness, it mirrored his own. She would understand him. She had to. As the nights past and he continued to watch her, she slowly began to take over his thoughts, both in the world of waking and that of sleeping. His nightmares were eased by the vision of her face. If only to touch her, to hear her voice.. She captivated him. He fell for her so hard, he hadn't even realized it until there she was; his one lovely dream.
And now his dream was real. She was his, and the only thing in his mind was going back there where they finally met, and being near her once again. What was love?.. He wasn't certain. But he knew whatever it was, it was in her he found it.
She had always favored the twilight hours, ever since her world had slowly begun to crumble from beneath her very paws. Time spent during the day had become nigh unberable, as the sun, once a blessing and a welcomed sight in her youth when she longed to be allowed outside again to play, became a taughting reminder of the happiness that was lost to her. It's ever bright and cheerful disposition seemed to draw out every creature from their hiding, and more often than not they seemed content to express their joy to the rest of the world.
Really, she was not bitter towards them, or anyone. Kimya had never been bitter, she was a touch too innocent for that. Yet, still. She'd taken to traveling only at night. The moon and the stars, the silence, the peace she found while everyone else slumbered away... it was all she dared hope for... until she met him.
Her moon in the sky, quite literally, her reason for being. A kindred spirit to always watch over her while she was on the move... He was like her, she'd always thought: Surrounded by the stars, yet they seemed so far out of reach, scattered, everywhere but nearby. He rose when she rose, and they walked the paths together in solitude.
Who would have thought that in her darkest hour, the very being that gave her such peace during her nightly wanderings had been watching over her? Did that perhaps explain why no harm had befallen her yet? Maybe. She could have been attacked at any point during her travels, there were still dangerous rogue males wandering, but she'd found herself in an almost uninhabited part of the lands instead. It was here, in this very spot that Kimya met her first and only love. Afa, the god that put provided the nurturing light for all the world to sleep to.
How she hoped he would return soon. She missed him terribly already. It was difficult to fathom that she had fallen for him so hard, so fast. His kindness and compassion, his very presence alone had given her heart reason to sing again. She felt.... dare she think it? Overjoyed... wanted, needed, loved, and the lonliness and the pain from yesterday was near completely no more.
Kimya found sleep easily during the day, so emotionally spent after their reluctant farewell, she fell fast asleep and did not move from her spot (hidden under the rock, both for shade and to hide herself from view) until well into the evening hour. She'd had to rise to try to hunt, for it had been nearly two days since she ate last now. She had only managed to bring down a baby zebra, pure luck, absolute luck. The herd had long since passed through, but there were stragglers. The one she picked off was a little gamey, but it was food.
She sat there now atop of her rock again after leaving what remained of her kill (which wasn't much) a safe distance from their meeting spot. It wouldn't due to have hungry jackals or scavengers come harassing her. Her thoughts drifted to her mate, eyes shut as she meticulously groomed her paws, clearing the blood from her fur.
It would be time soon, he could feel it. He grinned, invisibly in the blackness that covered him, as he felt his body begin to wake up and realized that Radhi-nuru would soon expire. His body twitched with anticipation as he waited, minutes like small eons as they lingered on. Every inch of his body was aching to be near his beloved Kimya'Ukilia again, and he felt almost physically ill without her. Her smile danced through his brain, consoling his restlessness.
As he delighted himself with thoughts of her, an idle thought surfaced whil he impatiently awaited his time to rise.. Though only a short time had passed, did she still feel the same as last night? Did she keep her promise to wait for him? Worry crept through his mind as though the shadows that stifled him were seeping into his skull. What if she had changed her mind?.. She wouldn't do that to him. She couldn't. He was desperate now, just to be free. With the passing of time, his doubts became paranoia. What was she doing while he was sleeping?.. She wouldn't leave him, would she? Perhaps she was used to the solitary life.. Maybe he had frightened her. He struggled in the darkness. He had to be free!...
Kimya sat in wait, unaware of the frantic thoughts racing through her lord's mind as she watched the sun began it's decent behind the horizon. Though she still hungered faintly she put the thought and all others out of mind. It was almost time, and she wouldn't leave her perch now and risk missing Afa now. She wouldn't be able to stand it!
It was almost frightening to have her thoughts so utterly consumed by just one being, though that wasn't to say she didn't still think of her family. She wondered if her mother was watching her from somewhere in the sky, if she knew if her sons were safe. Kimya wondered if Kamal was alright wandering on his own... It was her one regret, being seperated from her brother, but her thoughts had wandering paws had taken her further and further away from him. She tried, instead, to have faith that he was unharmed. Perhaps Afa could give her news...
The female's new companion was completely unaware of any concerns she was having, far too wrapped up in his own troubled mind. His mind was swimming with ludicrous suspicions that intensified with every second, until finally, night had set once more.
As the moon rose into the sky, its light glowing fiercely red, Afa shot towards the plains in a full run. When at first he had been so sure of her affections, now he wondered if she would even be there to greet him, all thanks to the voices in the corners of his mind. She wouldn't leave.. What reason would she have?..
He let out a rumble as his scarred body moved through the endless grasses.
She heard his approach suddenly, and rose, eyes and ears intensely trained on the area from which he came. Her heart began to beat faster with anticipation, and she finally felt whole again. Her ears quivering delicately.
She couldn't stand to stand by and wait, however. Moments after her realization Kimya'Ukilia's claws retracted and extended, scratching the ground benath her paws as she sat anxiously on her perch, calling out to him. "Afa____!"
He slowed as he finally heard her voice, relief washing over him like a tidal wave. He approached her with a desperate, craving look in his eyes, still panting deeply from his run. She was still there. Suddenly he felt guilty for doubting her as he did.. He just wanted to be near her now and forget all of his previous uncertainties. He hungered for her touch.
"I'm glad to see you.." He murmered softly. Without another word, he moved next to her and collapsed, burying his face in her fur. He was finally at peace. This feeling of her beside him was all he desired.
Once again, Kimya remained oblivious to any doubts that the male had. She was so relieved to see him again that it wouldn't have mattered anyhow.
The moment that he was near her she picked up a soft, steady purr, a deep, rattling sound in her chest and throat. Her eyes took in the sight of him as he settled down beside her, and then they were touching. The female's neck turned and angled enough that her face could bury into his mane again, and she couldn't help but groom at his fur with near overwhelming affection. She really had missed him, but once again in the back of her mind a little voice made note of how strongly she was reacting. Infatuation could be a dangerous thing, she should slow down some before risking rushing into anything too soon.
Not her words from the night before, however, no. She meant those with all honesty. She wanted to make him happy, and she wanted to wait for him, however long it took, he truely did make her feel whole again and she wanted to do the same for him. His story of lonliness hit just the right chord, she had known that lonliness for weeks now, they really were kindred spirits, more so than she had ever imagined. Goodness, before last night she didn't even know that the moon had a mortal form TO think of that way!
"I missed you," She informed him, seeming to calm just barely from her initial excitement to see his familiar form coming for her.
Afa shut his eyes and nuzzled her arm, as he matched her sound with a deep purr of his own. Suddenly with her warmth around him, it was as if he was suffocating and taking his first real breath, both at the same time. He wanted to drown in her presence for just a few more moments.
He felt so weak in that moment. How did this mortal hold so much power over him? It worried him to think he had no restraint over himself anymore; his actions were controlled by nothing more or less than feral passion. But despite all of his inner warnings, his adoration for her only grew. He didn't want to let her go.. Ever. He would offer her anything in his power if only she would stay here with him.
"I missed you too.." He muttered before lifting his head gently to meet her gaze. He smiled as the stars reflected in her eyes. "Tell me, love. Is there anything you need?"
It was for the best for certain that Afa had picked Kimya, and not another. Anyone else might have thought to take advantage of their new found knowledge, but not Kimya. Even if she hadn't felt the way she did she would not have thought twice (or once for that matter) about using his feelings against him.
His question did bring about her attention again, and she pulled from his fur to gaze up at him instead. He smiled at her and gazed into her eyes, and as she gazed back into his she felt like she might loose herself in them. She intended to answer with 'Just this,', but before she had a chance to ask that, or even think again of asking for insight on her family, an unplesant vibration unsettled her stomach from the inside and gave off a gurgling noise.
Oh, dammit, maybe she should have tried for seconds after all, but there really wasn't anything around here within her capability to catch.
Kimya immediately stopped, looking a bit flustered, though not panicked. How embarassing! Like a child that couldn't even feed itself yet!
Afa blinked and playfully lifted his paw, gently poking at her soft stomach. He had almost forgotten how frail the bodies of mortals were. "I see."
That wouldn't do at all. He begrudgingly stood from his comfortable position and nudged her cheek with his nose, before turning and scanning the fields with his eyes. His gaze could much that was unseen. After a while, he smiled and leapt from the perch on which they rested. "Come."
He started off in a direction that might have seemed quite random, but he knew exactly what he was looking for. He could smell the herd up ahead...
Kimya felt her skin heat under her fur, around her neck. None the less, what was done was done now, and she once again felt her mate rise from her side after curiously gazing out over the grasslands. What was that about, part of his powers? She was rather quick to follow, getting to her paws after him and moving to his side.
She leapt down beside him, taking two quick steps to catch up and then falling into a quicker pace to keep that way. He could take fewer strides, where as she had to step more often due to her smaller size. She'd always been the smallest in her family to start with as it was.
He turned his head to offer her a loving glance as she moved to his side, his heartbeat quickening. It took a few minutes for them to get where they were going, but soon a large, dark shadow could be seen on the horizon. Further on the tall grasses gave way to a clearing, where a herd of preybeasts rested for the night. Once they were only a few yards away, Afa slowed his pace and turned to Kimya, rubbing softly against her side and whispering quietly in her ear. "Stay here, and be careful."
His fur dimmed from its usual luminescent glow and with it, the sky started to darken. The herd shifted nervously as the light of the moon began to fade, offering Afa shadows from the eyes of his prey. He moved closer, stalking along the ground until he was mere feet from one of the largest of the adults, then sprang forward, tackling it to the ground and snapping its neck in a flash of action that sent the rest of the herd into a frenzy. Once his kill was down, he gave chase at a few more in attempt to herd them away from the direction where he left Kimya.
She felt his eyes on her without having to look, but did anyway, she did so, and in such offered him a soft, small, affectionate and trusting smile in return. The trip proceeded in silence from then on out, but it felt comfortable. They had, after all, been walking together companionably in silence for months, even if she hadn't been aware of it. That same comforting feeling of the moon on her back surrounded her now as she instead basked in his direct presence.
It seemed it wasn't long after that he was brushing against her, and she responded immediately, eyes half lidding as a soft purr started again. She kept it low, however, not wanting to alert the herd of shadows up ahead. Her head tilted in towards him to brush his body as he passed, and her tail whipped once behind her watching him go.
So he could control how brightly the moon shone? That was something she hadn't realized. She was a bit fascinated by this as she settled down, eyes training away from him to glance up at the sky, then back again.
It all happened so fast, he must be quite the hunter even without his powers! She waited for the time being while the commotion settled, giving her heart a chance to do the same. It was only natural for her to feel such a rush and a desire to join the hunt, and her claws had left track marks in the ground where she lay in wait, picturing how the hunt would have gone had she participated. Some night she'd like to hunt with him, it seemed like a thrilling prospect...
The herd was on the move, and Ukilia was on the rise, eyes scanning for scavengers, other predators, dangers. The scent of the fresh kill called to her, but until she had a definite go ahead from Afa she would not move. She had learned many a lesson for disobedience in her youth already.
A few moments later, the herd had finally dissipated from the clearing. Afa lifted his head to the sky and letting out an ear-piercing roar; one that seemed to shake the earth itself. The light of the moon seemed to return, as if to signal his companion closer, and he moved back over to the fallen beast. It was a feast enough for just the two of them, and he himself felt no need to indulge in it.
The god felt a sense of satisfaction at his accomplishment. Truly, it was a small feat, but he found pride in providing for his mate. His dark-tipped tail swiped at the ground as he waited eagerly for her return.
She felt it too, but on a much milder or humbled scale, and for different reasons. She was quick to make her way back to his side, purring her gratitutde and showing it in mostly otherwise silent affection. She buffeted her head against his shoulder in typical feline show, rubbing there for a little bit. By now she was definitely ready to nourish herself again. On top of her scarce diet in the last two days, the life of a rogue had never been easy. Her mother had only ever been able to do so much on her own with three hungry mouths to feed. The best they'd ever eaten was when they were all old enough to put their efforts together. She'd grown thin and remained small due to this diet of theirs... But now it seemed there would be nothing to stop her from putting a bit of muscle and weight back onto her figure again. Somewhere, deeply seeded within her mind Kimya wanted to look her best for her mate, and she knew that right now she did not. It endeared her to him even more that he wasn't bothered by this, that he didn't care, no more than she did that his wings were broken as they were. It saddened her to know he'd endured what looked to be a horrendously painful experience, but he was perfect in her eyes. How could he not be?
"You were quite impressive, love..."
There... she tried out the pet name that he'd given to her as she turned her eyes to gaze up at him, not sure what others she might use. She supposed they'd come to her with time. (With time. Yes, she was already convinced that this, their love was permanent, that it was real. He wouldn't leave her within the next few days or weeks, he'd continue to want her companionship, just as she wanted his. In no way were these thoughts paranoid or obsessive. They simply were.)
He returned her display of affection by turning to nuzzle her head. Was this what it felt to be mortal? Or simply how it felt to be in love?.. He was certainly not a mortal, but he enjoyed it all the same. Afa felt as if he had finally found something more important than all of his bitter rivalries and childish games. In the back of his mind he wondered if she was just a new, exciting toy to play with.. But he had never cared this way for the other mortals under his 'protection'. He played with their lives, watched them and guided them and played them against his brother like a game of chess with living pieces.. But she was different. He kept his distance at first because of this fact. But he didn't grow tired of her as the nights went by; he grew more infatuated by her.
The god beamed happily, seeming to stand a little taller at her complement. He vowed in his mind to provide for her always; he wanted to be the only thing she would ever need or want for.
Kimya offered him yet another smile and shut her eyes to purr louder at his ministrations, but she did want to eat before the food might go to waste, so reluctantly ended the moment and began to do so, hesitant for a moment as she wasn't sure if he inteded to eat as well. It was his kill, after all, though she felt a touch of warmth shiver down to her stomach like a flurry of butterflies. He'd done this for her, and it felt both similar and different than the instances in which her mother had provided for them. This left her more flustered.... but not without appetite.
She settled down on her haunches and placed a paw on the hide of the dead beast, digging in her claws to hold it steady as she took the first bite, pulling with teeth made for just such a thing. It was so much better than the gamey runt she'd pulled down in the daylight hours, and it felt heavenly to have fresh nourishment slide down her throat, settling in her stomach. She didn't realize she'd been that hungry that her sense of taste was so hightened.
Kimya continued eating, spotted hide illuminated by the light of the moon. Her tail flickered lively behind her from time to time as she had her fill.
When she could eat no more without feeling bloated (and that was not a feeling she'd willingly experience) the lioness pulled back. She had managed close to half of the kill, which did say quite a bit considering the beast was roughly her size in length, but twice it in width and height. Oh yes, that hit the spot. Her contentment knew no bounds.
Her tongue darted out and began to wash at the fair fur around her muzzle in an attempt to clean the blood away, but it not only coated her muzzle, but her paws as well. She'd have to use her paws to clean her face, and so she decided to switch for the time being, sitting up beside the male and his kill and lifting a paw to groom. Without meaning to at all she presented the perfect image of grace, even being as thin as she currently was.
He sat quietly admiring her as she ate, his ears giving the occasional twitch as they were tickled by the wind. He made himself comfortable beside her, taking an occasional bite of food now and then, if only so she wouldn't feel awkward about eating alone. Funny how such a completely boring, everyday mortal task seemed infinitely more interesting when he was with her. Surely, she was not mortal. Her poise and beauty were nothing short of divine.
He rumbled softly as she started grooming and without a word (as he was very often a god who rarely used them), he instincively gave her a few loving licks on the maw. It seemed the perfectly natural thing to do.
Her cleaning went for a bit uneventfully, until Afa leant over close and placed his "kisses" to her muzzle, effectively washing it as well. Not for the first time that night did Kimya feel her body go aflush with heat-- everything he was doing was a first time experience for her, she couldn't help it. The only others who had ever been this close to her had been family, and that had been ages ago.
That aside, it felt plesant, very plesant, and she was feeling a bit shy to be enjoying herself so.
Kimya's attention shifted, eyes focusing on Afa with a glimmer before they eased halfway shut, and after allowing him those few moments she then returned the favor, just as much to show affection as to help clean his fur as well.
Afa gladly accepted her grooming, his face flushing at the warmth of her return kisses. Though the land they shared that night was nothing extraordinary, to him it was a paradise. Nothing could ruin this moment, not even his imminent sleep. He didn't fear it now, for he trusted that she would be waiting for him.
Yes, even though he had failed to take the sky from his unworthy brother, in the end Afa had gained something more wonderful than anything Radhi-nuru had. It might have been a petty thought, but he was happy to have beaten his elder sibling in something.. Maybe the most important thing. He had won such a goddess that his brother would never call his own, and experienced a love that was his alone. His eyes wandered back to his mate as he thought. She was his alone, and his brother couldn't do a thing about it..
Slowly, his brows began to furrow. Or could he?.. Suddenly, his earlier thoughts began to resurface. He feared what might be happening during his sleep; this time not her own actions, but those of ones around her. No one would dare touch her, least of all his brother. Would Radhi-nuru try to take her for his own if he discovered her?.. Afa's heart began to pound against his ribs. Something would have to be done. "Kimya.." He spoke, looking down at her petite form. "Listen to me." His gaze was filled with urgency as his face distorted into a frown. The look on his face was likely almost frightening to see after two days of nothing but smiles and wistful glances. "When I'm not here with you, I want you to find some place to hide away." His gaze turned upwards as he continued on. "I need to know you will be safe when I'm not here to protect you.." He paused, turning back to her, his frown deepening with a distant, reflective and angry look. "...When it's his turn to reign."
Kimya was beginning to grow even more comfortable, but as the mood shifted she looked to Afa, noticing it immediately. His look did catch her off guard, it made her wonder if she had done something wrong, something to upset him. He clarified quickly, however.
"Someplace to hide..." Where COULD she hide that would be safe from male predators? "Of course..." She murmered, looking a little worried. "I'm not sure where I could go, though."
Afa leaned closer to her, his stance protective. He lifted his head high and looked around for any place within her ability to reach. He would find a place for her.
It took him a while to find it, almost hidden from his view. But it was there, he felt it, his light gently bouncing off it's entrance.. It would be a few hours' journey from here, at least for a mortal. After some minutes of tense silence, he turned his dark eyes back to her and stood once more, motioning for her to follow. "I have found a place; it will take some time for you to reach." He smiled. "But I will walk with you, while I can."
Kimya followed his instruction after the silence spanned, and rose to her paws again, glancing back to the way she had once traveled to come to this place, towards the field where they met. Somehow she felt as though she would not see the lands that had been her home again, and it did sadden her in a sense... However, this was her life now, she'd chosen it, and she would stand by that choice, even if it meant letting go of her past.
She looked to Afa once again and offered a small smile, hoping her sentimentality wasn't showing, or giving off the wrong impression. She was happy to be with him wherever they went, but how isolated would she be now? Now that she had a reason to smile again, the idea of company wasn't so depressing anymore, and yet... and yet she was giving that up now. She knew that strangers were dangerous, oh, she knew, and obviously her mate did as well.
That settled things then.
"Alright," She consented, moving in stride with him once more. Tonight might end soon by the time they reached this shelter, and she was leaving behind everything else, but in the end it was all worth while to be able to see her love again each night for the next years to come.
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Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:52 pm
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