|
Post by tallstone on Jul 14, 2009 21:09:56 GMT -5
how could we know? that song, this show, we'd learn so much about ourselves.
[/color] HE didn't know what he had been expecting, whether he wanted her to press forward and see her eyes soften in that delicate way that warmed his heart, or if he wanted her to agree with his turmoil thoughts, to say that Northwind obviously didn't know what she was talking about -- or, a voice whispered in his mind, most of all to tell him that he was very certainly crazy and delusional, that of course Northwind loved him, because if she didn't why was she still with him and carrying his kits ?
A cold shock went through him as he was reminded of that very fact and although every rational thought told him that Northwind couldn't cheat on him again, that she had long cast away the only cat she claimed to love, the cat that had stolen the heart of a cat that so tightly held his own, had stolen Northwind away from him, Tallstone was still unsure whether the unborn kits were his. The small life wriggling in her belly - he could imagine their soft mews and how he would instantly fall in love with them, as he did Cinderpaw and Talonpaw, and how he would be bound with another invisible tie of fate to the cat that caused him so much pain.
Just like with every single memory that he made with Northwind, and with that every single piece of his heart that she managed to crush, Tallstone could remember in avid detail of their first real argument, a spat that had all the pent-up emotions come reeling out in an emotional roller coaster in a way that surprised him -- surprised him that both of them hadn't already exploded from tension. Apart from the obvious details that he always remembered when he recalled her (the exact shade of her fur, the coldness in her eyes and the anger in her beautiful face), he remembered what he was feeling and how much he had been prepared to tear himself away from her and her strange presence that pulled him around unwillingly like a lovesick kitten. He remembered bracing himself for the very words that would shatter his world and hers.
Imagine his surprise when she hadn't said them -- said the complete opposite, indicating to the young life dancing around in her belly.
But he couldn't be thinking of that now, when all his attention was diverted to Morninglight in front of him, a sudden force pulling at him -- so much like what often happened with Northwind every day. However, as much alike it was, it was also impossible different -- softer, gentler, a much safer likeness that he felt he could wade around in (something that let him choose what to do, no matter how much of his mind was in a muddled state) instead of the giant storms that Northwind created for him, the dangerous crashes sending him toppling toward the icy darkness that was his mate. If the beautiful, enticing marbled she-cat was a fiery tempest, then certainly the pale golden-furred she-cat in front of him, like gentle prodding, was a much softer occurrence, a quiet breeze blowing softly, but something you wanted to follow all the same.
When she spoke her response, his eyes grew cold and his body stiffened, her very words sending a shocking blow to his system that not even Northwind could mimic. Of course, Northwind herself inflicted a sort of pain different than any sort of cat -- but that was only because he had given himself to her, given her his heart with no expectations at all. However, for some reason, Tallstone thought this was much worse then the continuous darkness that flooded his heart, staining -- it was like taking the little shattered pieces of his heart, after he had given them to you all taped together, and smiling openly at it, giving him a sudden hope, before throwing it violently to ground, grinding the remains with the heel of your shoe then forcefully pushing it back into him, hoping somehow that the little shards would make its way back again. Perhaps it wasn't exactly like that, but in the state that Tallstone was in now - utterly shocked, though not gaping, but revealing a cold dislike, a sudden disgust and disappointment for -it felt all too much the same.
he stared at her in disbelief for several moments, his dark gaze burning into her coat even if as she looked away. "yes, I suppose it is," he bit out, his voice chilling and his eyes crackling ice -- the very same ice that exhilarated northwind to no end, but for some reason, he was sure that it might send a shock through morninglight, perhaps shake her out of this -- this whatever it was, that she was in.
hating how she couldn't look at him, hating how she had said such words that she knew could break him like northwind did again and again, tallstone stood up and stiffly walked over to morninglight, making it impossible for her to not look at him. his eyes hardened... -- then softened at the look on her face, the pain so clearly evident, and although he couldn't pinpoint the source of it all, his heart clenched and he flashed her a warm smile, quietly admiring her sweet features in a way that he had never looked at northwind.
instead of berating her with all the words that were suddenly on the tip of his tongue, his lips stretched into a wide smile that could not possible be false - as if he had read her mind, knew about her doubts and wanted to prove her wrong - before he stretched forward, gently nudging his cheeks with his nose and flicked his tail in a what looked to be random direction, his eyes sparkling. "come on," he mewed softly, eyes impossibly warm, before he danced off into the flame of the night, knowing she would follow.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/font][/color]
|
|
|
Post by morninglight on Jul 15, 2009 19:46:16 GMT -5
Morninglight
Surely, he would be the death of her. At the moment where she thought she had mustered her courage to perform the simply task of turning away from him, he just had to lure her back in when she was frantically trying to escape. She had thought that was that. A few cutting remarks about Northwind, probably nowhere near the amount of sympathy that Tallstone was expecting-and that Morninglight was capable of giving, and she thought things were finished. Tallstone would find another she-cat who could provide him the emotional support he needed, and she would be left alone in welcomed solitude. To her, he was quicksand, and the more she struggled to free herself, the more she was ensnared to an inevitable demise. She should have never ventured out to begin with. But regrets were not going to help her particular situation.
She could feel his eyes burning with blue fire, could feel the heat scorching her golden pelt, but she maintained her gaze, hoping that she could hold out much longer than he could. He would decide she wasn’t worth his time, and head back to camp, and this whole thing could smooth over.
But he was much closer now, practically in front of her, blocking her carefully chosen spot to the point where she had to look at him. Emerald eyes scanned upwards, catching the light, until she met his, soft, open, warm, not the same Tallstone who had accepted her neutral words. If was as if he had never heard her. He said nothing, watching her as if had never seen something quite so captivating, or dare she say it, beautiful. Her cheeks burned with a rose colored tint and she wanted to run as fast as her golden paws could carry her. But that feeling was nothing compared to the desire to move in closer, feel his face upon hers, his warm breath on her cheek, to hear him tell her that she was loved, and wanted, and needed. But that was an impossible dream that neither Tallstone could grant her, nor would he have mercy and squash the hope buried deep within her heart. She didn’t have enough words in her vocabulary to silently curse StarClan for this so-called blessing.
It was as if StarClan had heard her prayers, but were just feeling particularly malicious today. He moved in closer, smiling all the way, in such a genuine and sincere way that Morninglight struggled to find reason to doubt it. But she had to doubt it for the sake of her sanity. His nose pressed against her cheek and she flinched away, scarcely believing she still had that will-power left in her. Every minute with him sapped away her remaining strength, and she struggled to not lean into his embrace, pulling away quickly, angry, bitter, hurt, that he would continue to do this. Speed was the thing, if she allowed herself time to think, she couldn't trust her own actions. Her instincts, unaffected by the desires of her heart, were morally correct.
Still, he had to know what it cost her to be with him. To have lived countless moons with Northwind, to raise his kits, to try so hard for her approval and love, to watch her love RavineClan unconditionally, and have nothing left over for the strong tom who never left her side...he, better than anybody else should understand her predicament. It seemd like he was not beneath inflicting it upon others.
She met his eyes now, seeing the pointlessness in avoiding his gaze, her eyes sharp and cold, chips of green ice or polished emerald stone, that his warm gaze could not melt. Yet his request...this wasn't the way she intended the story to go. He was supposed to immensely discouraged by her words, not beckoning her off to who-knew-where. She glanced back at camp. All she needed to do was shake her head and she would be home safe, lonely, but safe. But the pain that she would inflict on him, after he had confessed everything to her and she had turned him away...she would do anything to not see that expression darken his features once more. He had done the same for her, kept her secret, been there for her, non-judgemental, protected her without a second thought or question. Whatever his motives now, she owed him this.
She stood up, somewhat reluctantly pulling herself to her feet, avoiding his eyes, and nodded once, beckoning for him to lead. She was playing with fire after all. She deserved to get burnt.
|
|
|
Post by tallstone on Jul 15, 2009 22:01:07 GMT -5
how could we know? that song, this show, we'd learn so much about ourselves.
[/color] THERE it was again, that very same something that made him act out, become impossibly rash and brazen -- but most of all, make him do things that he would never even think of doing before. Like this, like whatever he was doing now, as he danced forward into the flame of the night, letting his paws lead him where his heart was. He had used to think that his heart lied with Northwind and although that very same part of him was assured that Northwind had a possession of his heart, giving her the power to clutch it tighter and tighter until it finally shattered, he knew that Morninglight had the other part, the ghost of a heart that she had left.
She would, if she knew this, not crush it in her paws like Northwind seemed to - he thought - find a strange, averse pleasure in doing constantly, but Morninglight would surely cater to his heart, holding it with gentle hands and slowly nurse it back to health. And, if she did just this, his heart would slowly heal and he would return to the very same cat that everyone thought had died. as the very sudden thought struck him, his eyes flashed again, and although he did not realize it just yet, he would know that not only was Morninglight his best friend, not only did she have this strange power over him that not even StarClan could explain, but he needed her -- not like a cat needed air, gulping for breath because they simply do not wish to die, or like he needed the drug that was Northwind but more like a plant needs sunlight, or like a person drinks air instead of alcohol, not because they have to but because they want to.
He took a deep breath, pausing in his steps, and casting a backwards glance in her direction, feeling strange. He fell into step with her, cautiously stealing glances and wondering what was bother her -- something told him that it was his fault, that he had hurt her almost the same way that Northwind hurt him everyday but his mind could not make sense of that choice, because if that was true, then what caused such pain to foster in her heart - and surely it could not be anything close to the same inky black darkness in his - and there could not possibly be any way that she had given him the same strength that he had unwillingly given Northwind.
He stumbled again, so caught up in staring at her and tranfixed by her presence that he hadn't been able to think straight, that he almost bumped into Morninglight again, almost waiting for that rush of pleasure that would course through his veins when they touched even briefly -- however, he saw the look on her face and the pain he caused her, so when the time came, the tom immediatley jumped away, stumbling further so that he fell to the ground instead of on her.
For a moment, Tallstone was in a daze and he paused in his actions, feeling the dirt skid against his flanks and his legs bump roughly against the floor, leaving scratches on his dark fur. He stared into the open space before him for a moment, the fresh memory of her sunsplashed pelt and green-touched eyes still on his mind, and his eyes became a sudden swirl of confusion, wondering why he felt so lightheaded, but also impossibly guiltridden, as he felt the sudden absence in his mind of the two cats that he had always thought he loved the most.
However, as he heard her pawsteps, the tom turned to her and while still on the ground, sent her a bashful smile as he pushed himself to his paws. He let out a soft laugh before smiling brightly at her, cheeks flushed a soft red color, feeling suddenly conscious of her. Then, the warrior turned and danced forward. Molten blue eyes flickered, as if trying to look for something that wasn't there, before they lit up in honest joy and grinned. The tom flicked his tail in the direction of the hills, watching in part-awe and as he glanced back, in part apprehension, as the dimming sunlight washed across the horizon, bathing the surrounding area in quiet colors that warmed his pelt.
he then lay down on the grass, his heart feeling impossibly light and Tallstone turned to her, opening his mouth to say something, quirky and charming, something to make her give him the laugh and smile he so longed to hear. however, his voice got caught in his throat and he held his breath, not being able to look anywhere else but at her. "beautiful," he mumbled, not being able to stop himself and his blue eyes burned with a passion that he did not think he had. Then, as if the moment had never existed, he turned away with a gentle flush of his cheeks and added awkwardly ash he gestured towards the sunset, ".. the, uh, sunset.". he chuckled, filling in the strange silence that followed and forced himself to stare at the wide expanse before him, wondering what it was that made him bring her her and what that was that brought him to her.
because, he knew, even if he had said those words, he didn't mean it. that all he thought was beautiful, was her. not the sunset, not northwind, but her.
"speech"
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/font][/color]
|
|
|
Post by morninglight on Jul 15, 2009 22:28:58 GMT -5
Morninglight She hated him. Passionately. Had she had a mind to do so, she would have smacked him upside the face for every loving smile, gentle caress, and the thousands of others things he did that made her knees feel weak and her heart dance. He moved around her, keeping time with her pawsteps, and not-maybe even purposely so, making sure that they never once touched as she followed him to wherever it was he wanted to show her. She followed him, head raised, the gentle slope of her jawline and neck exposed, eyes trained straight ahead.
What a tease. He lured her in with soft words and warm smiles, pushed her away with chilling force, and then without warning, succeeded in reeling her in once more. However much she didn’t like to admit defeat, she was here wasn’t she? He had won and so she followed, at the mercy of his changing thoughts and fickle heart that she could not hope to explain or understand.
He laughed, he smiled, he blushed, he danced, but all these actions were lost upon her. She did not look at him and could not look at him, lest she surrender what remained of her dignity. The sunset was lovely of course, a golden orb set in a background of soft pink, purple, and orange streaks that brought out the best of both of their colorings, the vivid blue of his gaze, the emerald glow of hers. He laid down and sat down beside him, maintaining a respectful distance that was to be expected of just friends.
She heard him mumble, the words were distinct enough and although she gave no inkling that she had caught the hidden meaning of his words, she blushed slightly and nodded. “Yes, lovely,” she murmured, trying to keep herself in check in a situation that grew to be more dangerous by the minute.
She sat in silence for a moment, trying to remove Tallstone from her mind, to bask in the glory of the setting sun, to ease the drama and tension, fear and apprehension that had marked her day from the time she woke up. While Loststar was far from her mind, she appreciated this time to relax and cool off before subjecting herself to the life of the warrior she had signed up for. But she had to know. Foolish as it was, foolish to bring it up, to ask him, to admit that she knew there was something strange going on here, that this was not simply a meeting of friends but something more. While the thoughts danced in her mind all day, saying it outloud would inject a permanence to the words. And she would not have the luxury of taking them back, if his response was not ideal. But she knew she had to do it.
“Why are you with me?” she asked quickly, the first note of passion and emotion she had shown in awhile, as if all the hurt and bitterness she had been containing had somehow broken loose. “If you have Northwind?” She turned her gaze to him and this time, she did not look away. Whatever his answer, her next step was unknown.
|
|
|
Post by tallstone on Jul 18, 2009 20:06:44 GMT -5
how could we know? that song, this show, we'd learn so much about ourselves.
[/color] IT was then that he suddenly wished that he could tell her everything. In life there are several fleeting moments in which decisions are made, those that are later regretted, and for Tallstone this was one of these moments. As he watched her from the corner of his eyes, his eyes glinted sharply in the dimming light and his gaze faltered when he looked away quickly. tell her everything, a voice said, how much of an idiot was he? he closed his eyes, shifting so his body turned from hers. Tallstone bit his lip; he couldn't take this.
Then tom swallowed thickly, opening vibrant cobalt optics to stare hard at the scenery before him -- his eyes flickered just like the wavering lights painted across the sky, as the pale color dipped low below the horizon and reminded him of a time when he did not feel as if he was torn apart, when he felt that he had a heart, and a time in which he had constantly wished he could stop time. The sunlight caught the sky, the low sun glimmering softly behind his blue-eyed gaze, and he found himself suddenly mesmerized by the he of it, old memories reflected in flashing eyes.
the world was quiet as a profound silence settled over the camp, where two toms sat at the edge of it -- one tall, the other small. the small-ish one was coated into perfect cinnamon rivers, but upon a closer glance, imperfected ivory seemed to scald it. a cat that had eyes that were a bright gold, mirrored by the brilliant blue of his brother. his shoulders were just as slight as his brother, but his legs were a bit more normal-shaped (instead of lanky) and carried quite a bit of muscle on them. the taller one, on the other hand, was coated in a mess of dark-colored tabby markings, the base a mix of smoldering black and much softer bronze. it was almost an off-gray. the tall-ish cat was angular in figure and more limber in stance, standing a head above his brother.
they both seemed fairly young, perhaps only a few moons short of their first assessment. the sun was setting, painting a calm atmosphere over the camp and the toms sat splayed forward in the sweltering heat, clearing exhausted.
".. quite a day, huh?" the smaller one laughed. the taller one grinned in response. after followed a silence both of them relished in until: "you really like her, do you?" the taller one asked. concern laced his voice, as any older brother's should. "i guess. patchpaw is really something," dustpaw sighed and then swooned in exaggeration. "you understand, you have northpaw to pad after," he teased. then he grinned bashfully, laughing openly, when tallpaw sent his brother an annoyed swipe, followed by a roll of his eyes.
their relationship was obviously close as they continued their small chitchat, eyes crinkling in the same way when they teased or bumping shoulders with the other when they were teased. if either had looked back on them then, it would be nostalgic. at the moment, however, it was a cute scene to watch and laughable one to enjoy in.
if only they knew this would be the last peaceful moment they would share -- alive.
the current tallstone blinked the thoughts away feverishly, the events of his late brother's death instantly flashing before his eyes and making him sick to his stomach. Back then, Tallstone had always hoped that when he finally had a mate and kits, he would be able to protect them like he hadn't Dustpaw -- but Talonpaw had died, causing Cinderpaw a similar grief as himself, and Northwind only "loved" him for the sake of her kits (a rather selfish task, anyone would agree), and then, the only cat who would have shown any glimmer of sympathy for his situation, seemed to hate him -- even worse, however, the warrior had hurt her. And for some reason, that fact hurt more than any of Northwind's or Cinderpaw's or anyone else's tears ever would.
He risked another lingering glance at her, but was suddenly caught offguard by her sudden question. His mouth went instantly dry, as if a burr was caught in his throat, and as much as Tallstone wanted to look away, erase the memories of the day and return to his regular, though certifiably painful existence, he could not -- his eyes were glued to hers. His eyes suddenly burned with a passion he did not quite understand, like two blue moons burning brilliantly with smoldering rivers behind them, and although he opened his mouth to say something, he could not. What could he say to that?
And then, upon noticing the sudden emotions that filtered through her voice, he felt something he hadn't before. Tallstone could say that Northwind never failed to break his heart again and again, shatter it into a million pieces with each one of her cold glances, her indifferent movements, her tendency to ignore him wherever she went -- to not be able to give herself to him, as he felt he did for her. However, the feeling that suddenly struck him like a glass arrow mocking his glass heart, was .... for lack of a better word, different.
His breath caught, the wind knocking out of him, and while his eyes may have darkened, a flash of emotions filtered through open anguish, there was something deeper that made this different. The warrior was not quite sure what made Northwind and Morninglight different. Obviously, everyone loved Northwind and she, somehow, felt it unfair that she got everything she wanted so easily, that anyone who fell in love with her - like him - aside from the obvious were fools who did not know what love was or simply fakers -- like him.
Then, it struck him. Tallstone, no matter how much he did not want to admit it, knew that he had wasted years on Northwind and yet, looking at Morninglight, he had to say that even if Morninglight did what Northwind did, had the popularity the marbled she-cat easily obtained and cast him away in nearly the same manner as she would her fans, Tallstone did not think he would have the heart to feel the same way -- to be torn by both childhood love and bitter hate. His heart clenched -- he was positive that he would like Morninglight no matter who she was, whatever kind of cat she became in whichever life (with or without him) and while he could not consider this love at this point, something inside him was vaguely sure that it was close.
At these thoughts that suddenly came crashing down on him, like an impending wave, Tallstone felt surprisingly light-headed. He was in a daze, his eyes fogged over with hidden feelings, and instead he looked at were with a sure-fire gaze that perhaps said everything about him. It was not joking, nor completely serious. It was not him trying to get something out of her, to make her sympathize and provide him a shoulder to lean on. No, this was complete and utter honesty of his heart.
Because he didn't think he could muster anything else, he looked at her and then lowered his gaze, suddenly feeling their close proximity as if flames had scalded his coat, sparking every place where his pelt almost touched hers. "what if I said, " he whispered, slowly lifting his eyes to hers. " that I didn't want Northwind anymore?"
His eyes plainly said what he did want -- more than anything, of this he was sure. Tallstone had always faltered when it mattered. As a kit, he wasn't sure who Northkit was and simply accompanied Dustkit's antics when he told him to follow. As an apprentice, Northpaw intrigued him, but so did a lot of others. And as a warrior, he agreed to the pact because he thought he was supposed to love her - as if it was written in the skies, since everyone seemed to be talking about that - and did what they wanted him to do. "and that..." he meowed, his voice still passionately low. He swallowed thickly, eyes burning into hers. "... I want you?" For the first time in his life, he was going to do what he wanted now.
And he wanted her.
"speech"
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/size][/font][/color]
|
|
|
Post by morninglight on Jul 19, 2009 14:37:13 GMT -5
Morninglight For a moment, no several moments, Morninglight could do nothing but stare. Sure that her ears must be deceiving her, a practical joke of StarClan, exhaustion from the long day, or perhaps she had simply misheard him, she goggled at him like he was an alien creature, a foreign object. After several minutes passed reluctantly, dragging their feet as silence fell between them like a thin veil, she had to laugh. It was almost comical really, the very idea of him not wanting Northwind was so absurd it she almost ignored the passion in his eyes when he looked at her. A small laugh escaped her lips, a short bark, not necessarily of amusement, but the laugh one gives when the joke is not at all funny but it would be considered rude to sit in silence. Her laugh died in their awkward moment, and she was forced, for all her stalling, to confront him.
His eyes burned and she wanted to gaze into his forever, yet run and hide at the same time. He wasn’t kidding…, that thought struck her as quick as lightening and almost as painfully, especially when she realized she didn’t know what to do about it. What could she respond with? Morninglight silently cursed her moons of inexperience over these sort of things, her last “fling” or sorts was moons ago, with Loststar…not that he lingered on her mind whenever Tallstone was around.
StarClan knew, she wanted this. To spend her moons with him, to have someone gaze at her captivated, whisper to her, have a best friend and confident, and be one in return, to have kits of her own…there was not a single doubt in her mind that was what she wanted. But it wasn’t always about what she wanted. Cinderpaw! The thought flashed guiltily through her mind and she winced at the thought, of her, breaking up his perfect family, after Talonpaw had died. To accept, or even answer, Tallstone’s proposal was to deny Cinderpaw the family that he rightfully deserved after so much hardship. Yet would he thrive more by seeing his father happy, rather than to see his father pretend to be happy? Was ignorance truly bliss? Or would he, and kits usually always know, figure out that his fairy tale family was less than perfect? These thoughts weighted heavily in Morninglight’s mind, as she shifted her weight uncomfortably, staring down at her paws, all too aware that Tallstone was waiting for a reply. “What if?” she said softly, still looking down at her paws, unable to look him in the eye, afraid that she would see a glimmer of amusement, the passion would disappear from his eyes as he admitted that it was all some sort of joke, and she would wake up, safe and snug in her den, relieved and horribly alone.
What if indeed? She opened her mouth to answer him, her throat dry and raspy, the words stuck on her tongue. Just tell him no. Tell him all the reasons that this is a stupid terrible idea. That wouldn’t be an unimaginable feat, Morninglight could think of several reasons that should prevent any rational cat from saying yes to this. Yet as the words died on her tongue, she stammered a response, “I…I…I…” she replied, trailing off even though she finally summoned the courage to look him in the eyes. Emerald eyes met dazzling blue and she gasped.
She could see it so vividly in her mind. She was at the center of RavineClan watching, half-worriedly, half overjoyed as several kits tumbled around the camp, exchanging squeaks of surprise and the blows of tiny paws. They rolled around in the afternoon sun, light playing upon their mixed tabby hues, eyes flashing in excitement as they played out of the nursery. Morninglight had never experienced such a feeling of contentment, pure joy as she watched her kits play happily, their whole lives ahead of them.
This scene was momentarily interrupted by a coming presence, a strong figure of brown and silver tabby marks, bright blue eyes. He appeared at her side, nuzzling her cheek affectionately in greeting, a low purr rumbling through his form. She breathed in his scent, her worries washing away, her purpose in life solid and unmovable, as she watched him bound over to the kits, laughing and playing with them as if he were a kit himself. Even with the tensions between clans, the presence of dangerous forces, she was happy, she had a family again…
She snapped out of it, meeting his expression once more, and with startling clarity, she realized she wasn't going to allow herself to be sacrificed again, to let her happiness fall on the wayside, because it was best, it was the right thing to do. She only had one life to live, and while she had liven it to this day as a stepping-stool for others, she realized, even with a little reluctance, that it was finally her time.
She regarded his features with a softness that had not graced her face in quite some time, ever since he had confessed that Northwind did not love him, her eyes glowing, her face illuminated by this sudden job, this guilty pleasure of having him want her and nobody else...She had every mind to throw herself into his embrace, to stammer words of joy and love, to press her cheek against his, but, and she couldn't forget, this was all hypothetical.
"What if you wanted me intead of Northwind?" she repeated, taking a deep breath, this time, keeping her eye trained on him instead of a nearby image to distract herself. "Then..." she paused, not sure how else to say this. "Then I would be yours," she finished simply. But the sparkle in her eyes, the soft smile dawning on her face, told him everything that she could not put into words.
After a moment, she watched him grin, felt her heart warm as his eyes lit up and his face radiated light. Then, suddenly, he laughed happily, pressing his muzzle to hers, and led her off into the flames of the night once more.
|
|