Post by clouds just clouds on Dec 29, 2014 1:17:05 GMT -8
(Probably xD)
A smirk curled Imani's lips. "The cub doesn't want to get wet?" She teased, unable to help herself. "Alright. Just keep an ear out for me, okay?"
Not that she wouldn't herself. Imani swam against the river for only a little and then allowed it to carry her down before swimming against it again. She repeated this process again and again, enjoying the relaxing moments of the strong river directing her where she should go. She wondered what would happen if she just let it take her and carry her all the way back out to the rivers that ran across Adalinda. Or even drown her, and allow her body to give nutrients to whatever found it.
Imani stood in the water and looked up at Areus. "I love my mom..." She said quietly, and out of the blue, but it followed her line of thoughts. "I love her, and... she's another reason why it's harder for me to drop everything and leave, especially since there's nothing else really for me." A sigh left Imani and she crawled out of the water to let herself dry off. "Did you ever love your parents?"
His heart craved what it didn't need; and what it needed, he didn't want.
Areus frowned at her sudden words. They sounded rather odd, especially since they were so sudden. But, instead of asking right away, he decided to answer her question first. "Yes, I loved my parents. I guess they were proud of me and my brothers." There was a pause as Areus was trying to decide whether or not to trek on. But he did so anyway. He felt no reason to keep secrets from Imani. "It was hard to love them after my sister was born, with the way they treated her.. Well, with the way everyone treated her." Areus tilted his head to the side, too curious now to suppress the urge to ask. "Where did all this come from? You were swimming and then suddenly you talk about how your mom is one reason you can't leave.."
Post by clouds just clouds on Dec 30, 2014 16:18:30 GMT -8
Imani blushed and pulled in her own legs, hugging them as she watched Areus. "I... I was just thinking about what it would be like, to go out there..." She waved her hand up. "And I was thinking of leaving, and who it would effect. Do you ever think about that? What would happen if you die? I'm not really talking about if your soul or anything, but the people around you? Have you ever wondered what they would think? Feel? Or if anyone would care?"
She glanced away. "Not that I want to die. I just... I think a lot when I'm alone..." She traced her finger on the stone beneath her before glancing back up at Areus. "Something was different with your sister... right? Like me?"
His heart craved what it didn't need; and what it needed, he didn't want.
"Of course I think about that, Imani," he muttered, his mood suddenly dropping. "It's more now than ever before since my parents and siblings probably think I'm dead. I wonder all the time about how they feel, what they think. They probably think some animal carried my body off, if they couldn't find it. Not exactly an honorable way for a warrior to go." His darkened gaze fell away, dropping to the ground beside him. "Yeah, my sister.. has something wrong with her.. But, my people don't care for those who were born with mental or physical aliments. They're.." Areus huffed. He couldn't tell her. He couldn't say that they were made into slaves. "No, never mind. It doesn't matter." But it did.
Post by clouds just clouds on Dec 31, 2014 1:31:58 GMT -8
Very quietly, Imani whispered, "I'm sorry..." Her gaze cast aside and filled with guilt. She could treat him like what she knew he was--a figment of her imagination--but he... he was real to her. He gave her real guilt inside her chest, real company, and real laughter... even if he wasn't really there. The entire thing, when she really thought about it, gave her migraines. Areus was real. No one else couldn't see him. She didn't really understand that--and that made Areus not real.
Imani shook her head to get rid of the thoughts and she stood to put everything on again, except her mask, before crawling closer to Areus. She sat close.
Close for her.
If he leaned over, and tried really hard to reach out, he could touch her. "Tell me, about your sister.... I know, I think... I noticed you speak carefully when speaking of her. I thought, at first, it was because you loved her and it pained you, but..." She searched Areus' gaze. "I know I don't seem it, Areus. I know I seem small and weak, but... I am strong. I was intended to be the leader of this tribe..." A small weak smile flickered on her lips. Her fingers curled tightly around her arms, which were crossed on her chest, "It's just... a weakness... right now, that I have. Like.... like a terrible, deep cut. Your fine if no one touches it, and if you move carefully, but if anyone touches it, it can cripple you, and hurt you..." A sigh left Imani and she pulled up her knees to bury her face in them. "I'm sorry..."
His heart craved what it didn't need; and what it needed, he didn't want.
Though hidden under his mask, his amber eyes drifted slowly over to her. He held that gaze for a moment before taking in a silent breath, lifting his mask up off his face once more. If she wanted to hear, then he would tell her. "My sister's name is Eione, my youngest sibling Areus' brows collapsed as his saddened gaze fell into the space in front of him. "I don't really know what's wrong with her, but there's... something. That meant she couldn't train with the rest of the kids her age. She'd never fight, she'd never hunt." He took in another breath. "You know our tribe values brute strength and skills in battle. To them, there's no room for people with mental or physical disabilities. So, they spend the rest of their lives as slaves that serve the entire tribe. That's it, that's all they're good for, at least in the eyes of the tribe. They can't own land or have families, not unless their disabilities are mild. Those slaves work on growing crops."
His amber eyes hardened as Areus glanced over at Imani. "But I just want you to know I don't share their views. I loved my sister. Despite everyone telling me to just let it go, I'd always make time to see her, bring her gifts, take her out for walks." A soft smile curled his lips. "As far as I know, she seemed happy. But she's probably alone now, I can't go back or they'll kill her." THe warrior dropped his head into his hands. "They probably killed her anyway," he uttered quietly.
Post by clouds just clouds on Jan 6, 2015 21:20:03 GMT -8
Imani watched him with sympathy filling her gaze. She searched his eyes and looked away. "I'm... I'm sorry..." She whispered and looked at the water. Which would be better? Being put to use? Or hidden away as an embarrassment? She didn't know. A sigh left her and she glanced over at Areus. "Have you ever thought about... sneaking back?"
Well, he probably has. "I-I mean... well, you're not too light on your feet. Me, I've been trained to fight in the shadows. I could..." Her voice died. "Well, someone like me might be able to sneak and get her." Shaking her head, Imani glanced away. "You're... you're really good. Do you know that, Areus? You act tough, and macho, but.. you're good."
His heart craved what it didn't need; and what it needed, he didn't want.
At her words, Areus couldn't fight the smile that curled his lips. He wasn't expecting a compliment like that and he wasn't expecting pride to fill him. She's so cute.. but at this point, Areus wasn't sure how often he had thought that. Areus let out a quiet chuckle. "Well, you're right. We weren't 'bred' for stealth, just strength. And I would never send someone to sneak into the village. That's a suicide mission. They'd be caught before they even made it to the border of the territory." Areus dragged himself away from the water, turning his attention back to the fish. He needed to get his mind off the subject of his sister otherwise he'd be inclined to do something stupid, like actually going to get her. It was too late. "And.. thanks, by the way," he said, looking up at her with a sincere smile.
Post by clouds just clouds on Jan 8, 2015 16:16:59 GMT -8
Imani bit down the indignity she felt at his words. A suicide mission? Her tribe were the masters of sneak and quick attacks. Light on their feet, yet poised and deadly. They were born in the shadows and lived in the darkness with ease. Instead of fighting for her tribe, she forced herself to remain complacent. Plus, she realized, he must have the same view about his tribe--that they're so tough that no one can sneak past them.
And she realized his tribe wasn't real.
He wasn't real.
Imani found an immense amount of comfort at that, but she began to feel a little sting, tight within her chest. The only friends she could ever make were the ones inside her head. What would she do, if he were real...?
"Don't thank me for saying the truth," Imani muttered, smiling softly herself. "Have you had enough exercise for one day? You can walk around now, if you want. But be careful not to make too much..." Noise. Why would it matter if he made noise? A sigh left Imani.
His heart craved what it didn't need; and what it needed, he didn't want.
Areus had heard plenty of dismissals before, and it really did sound like Imani was dismissing him. He stood, stretching for a moment to pop a few joints before reaching down to grab his catch of the day and his broken spear. "Do you want to walk be back?" He asked tentatively. "You don't have to sit here alone, you could help me get back because it's really dark and scary down here. I might get lost," Areus laughed. THe warrior wasn't quite sure why he asked, but perhaps it had to do with how sad the image of Imani sitting alone in such a large dark world looked. Even if she didn't think he was real, Areus didn't think she needed to be alone. "Come on, then I'll be done bothering you for today."