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Post by Moon on Jan 15, 2014 19:50:34 GMT -8
Darkness stretched out before her, reaching as far as her sharp eyes could see. Nothing but utter blackness everywhere she looked. Not a single light flickered into existence. She was utterly alone. Or at least that's what she thought. From beyond her sight, a pair of deep blue eyes studied her from afar.
'Hello?' A cool breeze ruffled the young woman's soft umber hair. Her own orange eyes flashed as they darted about, searching for any signs of life. She brought her arms in close together and rubbed them with her hands, feeling a chill settle over her skin. She exhaled and watched her breath climb into the darkness.
She opened her mouth to call out to the blackness once more, but quickly shut it when a sudden movement caught her eye. A flash of blue and then it was dark again. The woman's brow knitted together. She reached down to grasp her knife, but only grasped the bare skin of her thigh. She gasped and glanced down at her sides. To her horror she was completely defenseless. No knife to protect her and more importantly, no fur clothes with which to keep her warm from the obvious cold breeze.
Before she could even begin to comprehend her situation, a form burst from the blackness. The woman felt herself become momentarily weightless before her back slammed against the ice cold floor. Air escaped her lungs, and her head throbbed in time with her heart. She barely registered the feeling of being crushed beneath something. Something warm and furred. She opened her eyes to face whatever was on top of her, but she stopped dead. Her blood ran cold and she felt her heart quicken. Cool, unforgiving, blue eyes stared back at her. She opened her mouth to scream, but no sound came from her.
Helpless and afraid she turned her face away and closed her eyes, going completely limp. She felt the hot breath of the wolf stab at her skin. Tears streamed down her face as the memory overtook her.
Tears, that is what had jolted the young woman from her sleep. She had woken up with fresh tears staining her deer-skin pillow. Careful to keep her movements quiet and her mind quieter, the woman maneuvered her way out of the small tent she had built for herself and her partner. Not wanting to disturb her partner she left her furred shawl wrapped around him like a blanket.
The grass felt cool under her feet, taking away the stress of another night devoid of sleep. She sighed as she walked over to the water's edge. She glanced into the water, gazing at her reflection. She wasn't surprised when she saw her dull eyes staring back at her. She reached down to splash some cold water onto her face. Perhaps leaving Chance for some journey to find herself wasn't what she needed after all. She was still so afraid of at least half of the world's population, and she was so rarely trusting of people. She shook her head. "No, I need to do this on my own. I have to find a way to not be afraid any more."
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Post by clouds just clouds on Jan 15, 2014 20:47:41 GMT -8
Granted, his plan of action hadn't gone the way he wanted it to. How long ago had it been since he separated from his brother--truly separated that is. When he was younger, the two were rarely together even if they were in the same proximity of each other. Survival made them act like same person. Soon, though, it got suffocating. Everyone called him that nickname: Jayjay. As it all dragged on and the group grew, and when Jeremiah left him for those buffoons!, Zachariah never felt so alone.
It felt as if he slowly was beginning to drain out from existence. It got to the point that he wanted to scream at them and correct them; No! No!! I'm Zachariah! Not Jeremiah! And then her. Of course her. In the end, he eventually chose her over him. Don't ask him why he travels alone, because he doesn't know the answer. A small smile lifted his lips; it was a sad smile, one that was given when happy memories were long gone. He could still remember his brother's pink-pinched face when Zachariah chose her over him.
He paused. It had been late at night that he walked through the forest. The moonlight played against his skin. Lifting his head, he breathed in serenity. Zachariah reminded himself of a cat, but it only made sense. Anigma blood ran through his veins. Don't get him wrong, after all this time Zachariah did go to see his little brother. As the years passed, the definition of "little" became more than just age. While he finally sprouted legs and arms, his brother remained small. When his voice crackled and deepened, his brother's remained the same as a child.
It was now understood as the curse. His sharp teal eyes opened and he took in the darkness around him. His pupils thinned and his body shivered; perhaps a good run would feel good. Slowly, he felt his body quiver with pain and it fall. He landed with thick, heavy paws and a thick coat. That had been another difference. While Jeremiah remained a cub, Zachariah's own form was that of a young adult.
He tested his claws on the dirt before dashing forward. As he's grown older, he has began to appreciate this form more. Freedom whispered on every single movement of his joints. Slowly the knots in his muscles eased away and his body warmed. He sprung over a fallen tree and dashed as fast as he could. The best part it was that he could do it all so silently.
When his lungs burned, he slowed. Ahead of him, he could hear water whispering. As stupid as it might be, Zachariah figured that he was the only one in Anaiora. He walked past the covering of the trees, blindly walking up to the late. He dipped his muzzle into the river then shook the water off his whiskers.
And then, he began to drink. As water quenched down his throat, he finally took the moment to pause and smell. Someone else was here. The positive thing was that he was down wind, the negative thing was that his white fur was a beacon against the dark night. For now, he kept his ears perked and his tongue in the water. If whoever it was approached, he would either make a run for it like a true animal or fight.
Cloudyapologizesforthepost. Isthisokay?
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Post by Moon on Jan 15, 2014 21:46:05 GMT -8
ItsgoodIloveit~
The woman hadn't even noticed the appearance of another being. She was too occupied with the images that flooded her vision whenever she closed her eyes. She drew her legs closer together, wrapping her arms around them in a vain attempt to keep them warm. Fatigue weighed heavy on her shoulders and she could feel her head falling. Her head came to rest on her knees.
Her breath billowed out from underneath her arms and the woman stared down at her lap, trying desperately to stay awake for fear of another nightmare. She was so tired. So tired of sleepless nights, or sleeping in the cold winds of winter. She wanted so badly to just be over this whole ordeal. But something was keeping her from reaching what she wanted. And to be quite honest, she wasn't all too sure she knew what she wanted to gain from this trip. Sure she was all for the 'finding herself' Annabelle had called it when she was in support of her departure, but she wasn't even sure what that meant.
Cold blood eyes flashed behind her eyes and she jerked herself awake again. She sighed and shook her head. "It's no use, I'll never get back to sleep at this rate." Her tired eyes gazed at the water's edge. "Maybe if I take a quick dip." The woman stood and walked back over to the tent. She nudged the wolf under her shawl.
Couldn't sleep again Mimi? This is the third night in a row. You've got to get some rest. The wolf yawned as he glanced up at his partner. Unlike his partner's eyes his were bright and alert. He reached up and touched her hand with his nose. For me at least? You know I worry about you.
Mimi couldn't help but smile as she stroked her partner's head in turn. I know you do Damos, but the rest you get keeps me going. If you sleep for the both of us, I'll be fine. She began to shimmy off her bottoms. But right now I need you to keep watch. I need to take a dip so I can clear my head. He snorted and frowned his eyebrows. She couldn't help but giggle. Okay okay, clear our heads. Better?
Damos shook his head, but a wolfish grin revealed his true feelings. He watched her as she undressed and walked back over to the water's edge. As she lowered herself into the water, he stood and padded over to where she entered the lake. He could already feel the surge of cold energy that tingled all over his body as his partner moved deeper into the water.
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Post by clouds just clouds on Jan 15, 2014 22:09:08 GMT -8
Far off he heard the murmur of a woman's voice. He stilled his drinking and focused on her words. Confusion filled him. Lifting his snout from the water, he narrowed his gaze. Perhaps if he could get closer... Not much could be said about trying to meld into the grass, but he tried. He lowered himself and carefully stalked forward. Each step was careful and delicate. Then he got closer. His ears perked. Something else stirred, and by the scent of it, they were wolves.
Before much else could be thought, the female dropped her pants. Panic shot so quick through Zachariah he was sure that anyone could feel it in a mile radius. Somewhat gentlemanly, he dropped his head and closed his eyes. His fur heated from the little bit he saw. Does this count as being a peeping Tom? Because I really didn't mean to. His thoughts were some what of an explanation for why he stayed.
So much of the scent was so familiar, yet he couldn't place it. He dared not to think of her, only because if it wasn't, he would be crushed. How long had it been since he had seen her? His heart tinged painfully. His ear flicked as the sound of water hit his ear. When he opened his eyes, he caught her back. Once again, heat swooped through his body. He clenched his teeth and shook out his fur, as if trying to shake out the inappropriate thoughts that followed.
Now he was stuck. Approach the strange woman and her strange dog, or just leave? Zachariah dug his claws into the ground. How long had it been since he has had contact with someone he could talk to? But approaching her when she is so vulnerable is almost asking to be branded a pervert. I'll leave before they notice me. At least, he promised himself that, but he stood and began to walk forward.
Of course, he kept his head low. Not of shame, or of embarrassment, but to attempt some courteousy. With his nose to the ground, he really couldn't get a better smell, even if he walked closer to them. He wondered how long it would take for him to be spotted, and he also wondered if he would fight or run. Most likely run.
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Post by Moon on Jan 15, 2014 22:33:05 GMT -8
Mimi ran her fingers through he hair, savoring the cool chill the raced down her spine. The cool touch of the lake was strangely comforting. Despite her already shivering body, the lake's cool water seemed to soak the stress from her limbs. She leaned back and let herself just float. She was absolutely relaxed. Or at least, she was until she felt a jolt of panic strike her senses. She slowly submerged herself into the water and covered her torso with her arms. Her bright orange eyes darted along the treeline. There was no mistaking it, she had definitely felt something.
She almost laughed at the feeling of embarrassment that followed. Obviously, she had caught a peeping-tom. Still a concern, but not the one she was expecting. At least from what she could tell, whoever was there with her, felt embarrassed to have even been there. No one who was a threat would feel that emotion. Damos, could you be a dear and welcome the unwanted guest?
My pleasure. With that Damos moved off into the woods. He aimed to sneak up behind the intruder and push him out into the open where the two of them could get a good look at him. He saw a flash of white in the grass and sniffed the air. Mimi, something seems...familiar about our guest.
Mimi felt her hand move to her tiger necklace she never took off. Her hear skipped a beat. It couldn't have been him. It just wasn't possible. The amount of time that had passed since she had last seen him was, almost ten years ago. It couldn't have been possible that he had developed feels for her. Before she could stop herself his name flew past her lips. "Jayjay?"
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Post by clouds just clouds on Jan 15, 2014 22:52:40 GMT -8
The sound of movement twitched on his ears, except that he lost the dog. Dread filled his stomach. Granted, he was more of the studious type, so if it came to a fight, he was dead. If he couldn't run, that is. His muscles tensed. He could turn now and run. Zachariah watched the forest, loneliness streaking through him. And then he heard it: Jayjay? Despite himself, a surge of feelings rushed up his throat and created a chuff.
Even if he criticized his situation. I'm not Jayjay... He could still run now, and never see her again. But it was her! How could he not of recognized her scent? Maybe because he never took the time to memorize it. He turned and broke out into the open so he could be scene, but he wanted to bolt. What if she thinks I was staring at her? Words, he knew, would fail him. Even if he read so many, and had so many, they always came up short and clumsy, especially for her.
For a few moments he stood and stared, not at her, but the reflection of the moon. And he finally gave in. Just as another chuff escaped him, his body shivered and changed into one of a crouching man. He kept his head down, and he stared down at the ground. Ten years. How long? Ten. His heart beat painfully in his chest.
He might as well been a mute because no words escaped him. At least he knew at this angle, the way his hair fell, the blake streaks hidden in his hair could now be seen. It was his trademark. Well, Jeremiah's too. His body shivered again. I don't want to pretend anymore. I exist... I really do exist... He tried to find his voice, and when he did, it came out far more unsure than he meant it to: "M-Mimi? I-Is it you?"
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Post by Moon on Jan 15, 2014 23:21:12 GMT -8
Time seemed to crawl to a stop. The only sound that she heard was the beating of her own heart. She closed her eyes, focusing only on the sounds around her. Slowly, she became to ignore all other sounds. Then, she heard it. A soft chuff. She opened her eyes again, focusing on pinpointing the source. Damos, don't move. Not just yet.
A million questions raced through her head. All were too fast for her to really focus on them. Instead she chose the most important question to focus on. Was this a dream? Lately she had known herself to play mind games with herself. Images of her past would float by her. Sounds would whisper in her ears and she would turn to see no one there when she was sure there was someone. She drew her necklace charm close and kissed its face. It had to have been him, the aching in her heart was just too real to be otherwise.
Still she had her doubts. So this time she tried again, a bit louder. "Hello?" She frowned when no one answered, chalking it up to her overactive imagination. Before she could turn something pulled her back. A feeling of familiarity. And there he was, before her very eyes. No longer the boy she remembered fondly, but a man. His teal eyes entranced her and she felt helpless in his gaze. She could not look away from those eyes she had longed to see once more.
She almost missed her own name. She blinked. "It...can't be. But it is." Tears stung her eyes and she hastily wiped them away. A smile graced her lips and it felt foreign there, but she didn't care. She nearly jumped out of the water and ran to him, but she was quick to sink back down. She could not present herself to him in such a manner. She felt heat color her cheeks and she turned aside, brushing a handful of hair over her exposed chest. "It's been too long, friend." Even that word felt foreign to her. For all the time she spent wishing for him to be there, she knew that word would not express her feelings. But she did not want to appear forward. "You've grown."
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Post by clouds just clouds on Jan 16, 2014 8:22:55 GMT -8
He wanted to look at her, just to see her face. Maybe some more, but that was one part of him that he could tuck away. In fact, he wished that she could be dressed so they could see each other face-to-face. He tried to keep his head down and his gaze averted. Right now, he was calculating. Laughter freed from his lips. He's grown? "That's the understatement of the year." He was proud of himself for not stuttering. If he's grown, she's changed.
No, they both changed. Mimi just didn't know how much. I'm out of my brother's shadow now. He wanted to speak these words so badly, but she wouldn't get them. "Do you have a towel? Where is Damos? He's hiding in the forest, isn't he? I would like to see him fight a tiger. But not me," a sheepish smile liftes his lips, but his cheeks were as red as blood. "I am not that good of a fighter. He'd be disappointed." How long had it been since he had spoken to someone?
Finally, he stood. Even at this age, he hasn't fully mastered long legs. And it didn't help that Mimi was here, much less naked. His knees shook lightly and he cursed himself for acting like a toddler just learning to walk. First he located her clothes, and then he glanced around for something to use as a towel. He didn't really see anything. Picking up the clothes, he carefully walked towards the edge of the lake. At a safe distance, he put the clothes down and then shrugged off his jacket. "Use this to dry. I have fur." Fur as in transforming abilities.
Then he stepped away from the clothes and turned his back on the lake. Zachariah walked towards her tent and sat down with his back to her. A long, shaky sigh freed from his lips. First, he closed his eyes and tried to picture her as he remembered. "H-How are you? It's really late to be taking a swim." His voice shook at that, even if he was trying to tease her. "It is late, right?" Zachariah glanced up at the sky, trying to decipher the night.
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Post by Moon on Jan 16, 2014 17:07:40 GMT -8
Mimi giggled at his remark. Of course they had both changed, this much was true physically, but Mimi wasn't so sure they had changed internally. She knew she hadn't changed as much as she thought. She was still the same scared little girl from ten years ago. There were things that still frightened her. Her smile faded and she cleared her throat suddenly in deep thought.
She glanced up sheepishly at his question. "Well, no I don't. I wasn't exactly expecting to find someone else here. Let alone a peeping tom." Her smile returned as she lightly teased him. Though the thought of him seeing her stark naked made her cheeks grow red. She wondered just how long he had been there, and how much he had seen. "Damos is behind you actually." She gestured to the wolf as he emerged from the forest just beyond. A faint smile was on his wolfish lips. "He wouldn't hurt you, he's a bit too old for rough housing anyways."
Damos snorted indignantly. I am most certainly not old! And if he was anyone else, I'd have taught him a lesson. He stuck his head up high and trotted alongside Zachariach as he approached their camp.
Yes, but he's not. He's Jayjay. Still... Mimi watched him as he moved about. He doesn't seem the same. Not quite as confident as I remember. She nodded her thanks to him as he brought over her clothes. As soon as his back was turned she waded over to the water's edge and pulled herself out.
Well you certainly aren't the same person you were. I know you think you are, but I can tell you Mimi, you aren't. You've grown into a fine young woman. Damos brushed past Zach, nuzzling his hand as a sign of appreciation. He padded over to the tent's entrance and laid down there.
Mimi frowned. I guess so... She was quick to slip on her undergarments, followed by her flowing skirt. She zipped up her sleeveless blouse before slipping into her furred waist ornament. She shivered a bit as the wind bit into her skin. She reached down and picked up Zach's jacket. As she put it on she caught the scent of him. She inhaled deeply, savoring the smell. Her heart fluttered as his familiar scent overwhelmed her senses. With a smile she walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Her forehead was pressed against his back. She was glad that he was not facing her because she would not have been brave enough to do this otherwise. "I'm sorry for getting you wet. I just...it's been so long and I've really missed you."
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Post by clouds just clouds on Jan 16, 2014 17:42:06 GMT -8
Zachariah's mouth dropped open at her accusation. "I-I wasn't peeping! I was going coming towards you and you began to strip!" He crossed his arms and glared at the ground, and a blush filled his cheeks. To himself, he muttered, "Besides, if I'm a peeping Tom, I fail at it because I didn't see anything." When Damos brushed past him, Zachariah combed his fingers through the wolf's fur.
A smile lifted his lips as he watched Damos. He could hear a shift of movement behind him, but he didn't dare to look. Instead, he worked on calming his heart and uncertainty. It seemed so sudden, her arms. He jumped, at first unsure with what to do, and then he suddenly relaxed into it. His anxiety still lingered, but it was only but a small pebble in his stomach.
"Mimi," a smile lifted his lips. His voice still shook with uncertainty, but this was easier. He laid his arms over hers. "I missed you too. And don't worry..." His eyes fell to the ground and he tried to swallow the lump in his throat. "I've actually been traveling on my own for some time." He winced at the way his voice cracked. "I-I haven't talked to too many people lately." He wondered if he could bring up his brother, to explain it all to her.
And then he shut the idea down. Too much to handle at one time, right? Zachariah took in a deep breath and then slowly tried to turn around so that he could face her. "Can I look at you now?" His hands were careful. He didn't want to seem too intimate, but he needed to see her. Zachariah gently tried to rearrange her hair. His breath caught in his throat, and all words failed him.
Lamely, his hands fell to his sides. He tried to offer a smile, and his cheeks seemed stained with a permanent blush. "I-Is it too much to say...?" His voice cracked and failed him. His pupils thinned, in frustration of himself, and he glanced away. "You're pretty." He muttered, and then he bit his lower lip.
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