Lakota & Ktulu

The Poisoner & The Constrictor

A whirlwind of thoughts tear up the space in her mind as she walks, a ghost in the fogs of the passing storm, appearing only in wraithlike images. She shudders and tries to force down the fear that springs into her throat at the word. There was a reason Oxy's boggart had chosen to show her Ktulu's wraith-state. Lakota had always believed to never fear anything, not even death, because it would grab you in every spot you were weak and drag you down into the rocks like a siren singing a ship to wreck. But she feared it more than anything, that state that had taken her beloved away from her, that had made the sickest parts of the Constrictor surface. Had made the Poisoner doubt herself, far more than she already did. After all, how could she possibly compete with Archibald and Apollo? But her heart wouldn't waver, even as it hurt with the agony of her own inability to believe what Ktulu impatiently told her. She loved the cherry dame beyond realms she'd ever experienced, and it scared her. She was terrified to love again, to have something so precious, so rarely found ripped away from her. Feared that something worse than death would rip Ktulu from her, that she would have to see the ruby eyed warrior happy in the presence of another.

Aodaun rubbed comfortingly against her side, drawing her spiraling thoughts away from that topic. Encouraging her to focus instead on the actual love she held for the Constrictor. Memories slid, from foggy to focused, before her mind's eye as Aodaun presented to her every moment she'd ever had with Ktulu. Sparks slid along her skin and she shivered with the desire to feel that strong hold again, to hear the whispered affections, to feel the warm slide of her maw against her skin. Her heart swelled, and Ao was rather smug at her side as he saw the effect on his bonded. Or rather, the effect Ktulu had on the Poisoner. She was helplessly in love with her.

A roar broke their reverie, and at first Lakota startled, back twinging angrily despite Alleo's words ringing in her head. She'd been stretching it, at least, since their encounter. Aodaun was the one who recognized it first, fluffy ears perking as his canines flashes white in the fog, a thundering bark escaping his own lips as he ran in ecstatic circles around his bonded. She nearly tripped over him, successfully halted by his antics, and turned to stare into the fog, searching for the voice of the companion she'd heard. "Eytan! Tan! Tan! Tan!" Lakota heard from her bonded. Well, that confirmed who it was, at least. Moments after that tendril of thought had been transferred from the ice bear to its bonded, the grizzly came barreling onto the scent. And with him, came a voice.

"Eytan! Stop!"

Lakota's heart stopped and her eyes went wide, tongue fumbling over the name that was breathed from her lips. "K-Ktulu?" Her eyes lit up like a supernova, and she turned to run towards the shape of the mare she could see getting closer. "Ktulu!" She cried it like the joyous thanks for an answered prayer, whinnies escaping her unbidden as she kicked her heels up like a foal and ran towards her mistress with wild abandon. Aodaun similarly went bounding towards Eytan, fully intending to capture him midway for some fun romping. The Poisoner hardly slowed her pace, fully intending to launch herself at her loved one for the embrace she'd been hoping for since she'd escaped the pinning stare when the Sanctuary had been released.

Lakota & Ktulu

The Poisoner & The Constrictor

From ahead she sees Ktulu's form pause, more like a jerking halt than anything else, but Lakota wastes little time wondering why. Is it really a shock to hear her voice calling out the Constrictor's name? Though, it had been quite a while since Lakota had last seen the beautiful huntress, she wouldn't deny how much she too had missed her beloved lady. Too long, in fact. But after the two had gotten separated, the Poisoner hadn't been able to find Ktulu again. Part of her wasn't sure she was ready, yet, to face Ktulu again. Being on her own again, away from every living soul that knew any possible information about her, had lifted a heavy burden from her shoulders. One she hadn't known she'd been bearing. But it's only a breath before Ktulu is moving again, just as desperate to bridge the gap as Lakota is, and her heart does a series of acrobatics, thumping so loudly the Constrictor must surely hear it. Her very soul ached to be against the warm body of her huntress, to be tucked close and safe and loved against her perfect fit. Her missing puzzle piece. Her perfect love removed in the absence of his life, had the Gods reconstructed the two of them to refit one another? To be each other's new soul mate?

Whatever the reason, the distance disappears, and Lakota couldn't help the exhilarated laugh that erupted from her lips as she crashed headlong into Ktulu's chest. It was like deja vu, but she welcomed those memories, for she would greet Ktulu this way for the rest of her life if she could. They collided like a beautiful crash in slow motion, and Lakota slackened submissively in Ktulu's embrace as she was forcefully tugged closer. There were to be no complaints on her end. She reached up and tugged the taller mare down similarly, resting her cheek upon one deep red shoulder as Ktulu held her tight across her back. The Constrictor's breath was warm and delightful across her flank and she shivered happily, wishing the fog could embrace them and never let anyone stumble upon them to ruin this moment. And by the Gods, how this one mare had changed her! With every look and brush of her coat, Lakota turned into a giggling mess of love and adoration. All pretenses of power, of grace and authority, melted into shameful weakness all for the name of love. But Lakota was comfortable in the knowledge of herself, of Ktulu. Knew there was no shame in letting go of that power, because Ktulu would be there holding it safe for her, keeping her safe just as she would keep her Constrictor safe.

"I've been looking everywhere for you."

It was barely audible over the noise from the two bears rolling about and tagging one another, Aodaun relishing the return of his playmate, but she heard it clear in her harks all the same. "No more looking. I'm right here. I'm not leaving again." It was hard to say, but her entire trip around Helovia she'd been preparing herself for these words. A promise that she wouldn't allow her self-doubt to push her from Ktulu's side, that she wouldn't give in to her fears and let it control her. This time, she didn't intend to ever let herself out of Ktulu's sight, nor the cherry mare out of her own. Her words were tremulous with the strength it took to say them, and she pressed her cheek closer to the warmth of the taller mare, taking strength from her presence.

A shiver wracked her entire body and a soft gasp parted her lips at the ghost of a touch across the sensitive scar tissue along her back, electric shocks going through her, tangled threads of pleasure and pain confusing themselves in her brain. The strangled, murmured apology broke her heart. Frowning, she reached up and wrapped her teeth and lips around a clump of her beloved's mane, pulling it stubbornly. "Hush, you. I told you, you didn't mean it. It's just um...sensitive..." her face was a little warm as she meekly said it, but she cleared her throat softly. "No self-deprecation when you're holding me, I demand it miss Constrictor." She hid a smile in Ktulu's shoulder, words a play at dominance that tried to waver with her own amusement. Maybe that would garner a reaction, considering Lakota had always willingly been the submissive one in their relationship and everything they'd ever been before. At least it would hopefully knock her out of her sadness over what she'd done to mar Lakota's coat.

Lakota & Ktulu

The Poisoner & The Constrictor

A swallow slid through her throat as she tried not to fear the words she spoke. It was hard for her to promise, but she knew it was natural for Ktulu to not believe her, especially since their first fight had nearly torn them apart because of such a reason. But if it made Ktulu feel at peace...it was just hard to say it again, when she was struggling with her own honesty. Perhaps that would make Ktulu understand she was trying, to see how hard it was for her, but that she was doing it regardless. "I promise. I mean it." And it was hard to say and it forced her voice to meekness, but she said it with as much sincerity as possible. Ktulu had left no room for argument, but she didn't want to fight it regardless. "I don't want to be away from you again..." a little embarrassed, as she admitted it, and it reflected in her tone.

Whatever she was distracted by was destroyed in one fell swoop as teeth nibbled at her scar. She jolted and gave a choked moan at the sensitivity, body wrecked with shivers. "S-Stop it!" she squeaked, reaching up to pull chidingly on her mane once more. "It's sensitive..." barely a mutter. Glancing over at Ktulu when she went quiet, knowing she was lost in thought by the look on her face. Every emotion she'd ever seen on Ktulu's face was practically memorized, after all, which was why she was so good at reading the huntress. Instead of fighting what Ktulu was surely thinking, after nibbling upon her scar, she let her be. Sometimes it was fruitless, and no matter how many times she said it Ktulu wouldn't believe her.

Though, Lakota hadn't expected her to be that lost in thought. Laughing softly she accepted the soft touch to her cheek, turning to rub her own muzzle against the underside of Ktulu's jaw from the height difference. "Everywhere. I needed time to recover after the Sanctuary. I just met Arah again..." her tone dropped and became tense, still unsure how she should react to that reunion. Frowning softly she fell into her own thoughts for a few moment, mind flittering over what had transpired mere minutes ago. Shaking her head slowly she cleared her throat softly and gazed back up lovingly to the other mare. "Where have you been? Have you seen Apollo, is he okay?" Voice a little more guarded here, not sure what emotions she was feeling well enough to let them be heard freely.

Lakota & Ktulu

The Poisoner & The Constrictor

A soft tremble righted the feel of her canvas, the sensitive after shocks still reverberating within her muscle tissue. Soft black lips curved like raven feathers bending low as Ktulu's soft touch removed itself. Demanding for it to return was fruitless, if the scar was still too sensitive to touch, but she so desperately desired it that she couldn't help the want to speak the words that may convince Ktulu to resume her ministrations. So instead the lithe dame pressed impossibly closer, taking in all she could get from the deep cherry mare, wishing there was a way to get even closer. It simply wasn't enough, her soul cried, for them to be so physically bound. And yet their mortal bodies offered such beautiful embraces such as this. Were they human, perhaps she'd have a lesser appreciation for her bound form, but she was blissfully unaware of such matters. All she cared for was that Ktulu had returned, and she quite possessively did not intend to lose her once again.

"What did she want?"

Lakota halted, eyes creeping wider as she realized what the answer was. But the Poisoner would not lie to her mistress, no matter the consequences. She would not shatter Ktulu's trust in her just to keep Arah safe, especially when the fae with the antlers was more than capable of being protected with her herd affiliation on her side. "Truthfully? She wanted a place by my side as a mate. I told her I couldn't. We waited out the storm together, and things were fixed. You shouldn't worry about her," she added softly, not quite sure of where Ktulu's boundaries lay on the line of possessiveness or jealousy. It was always Lakota who was the jealous one, because so few ever paid her any mind, and Ktulu had an entire list of suitors. Admittedly she was quite curious as to this side of her mate, if it even existed.

Soft muzzle pressed to her forehead and Lakota cooed internally, eyes fluttering closed as she moved into the touch, enjoying the little kiss she could not return due to her beloved's tiara already holding a dagger, unlike her own. Warmth flooded through her, unable to be contained, as Ktulu's smooth words registered. "I wanted to find you first." With so many doubts because of Apollo, those words were salvation to the Poisoner, who had to refrain from hiccuping softly in relief. So great was her well of emotion that she nearly missed the question aimed her way, and she blinked owlishly for a few moments more. "No...I've been avoiding most everyone. But even when I look, I've yet to find him." A saddening thought, considering she held him in high regards, and worried for his safety. Humming softly in contemplation she reached forward to slide her cheek along Ktulu's, sure that she could never get enough of the physical attention her Constrictor allowed.

Lakota & Ktulu

The Poisoner & The Constrictor

They are like magnets, their bodies and minds so in tune with one another that when Ktulu tenses as if preparing for battle, Lakota's body instinctively mimics the action. Once her brain catches up she relaxes, wordlessly brushing her muzzle in soothing strokes across Ktulu's skin, knowing the words held a lot of weight and information that couldn't be simply viewed and accepted at face value. It took a few moments, ones that Kota did not mind letting slip away in her lover's embrace, but eventually the Constrictor spoke once more. Her voice was thick with possession, with jealousy, and Lakota slid backwards without letting her lips leave Ktulu's skin. Pressed her muzzle to the side of Ktulu's before retreating to stare her calmly in the eyes, love melting her own into pools of liquid violet. "There is no stallion nor mare who could ever live who could tempt me or steal me from your side, Ktulu. I am yours, and I love you." A smile curled her lips, not just comfortable with but happy with the declaration of near ownership Ktulu had over her. She was Ktulu's, and Ktulu was hers. Like marks branded upon their skin, forever owned, warning off all others that tried to get too close.

Of course Lakota couldn't stay away from her mate for long, moving forward to allow their bodies to touch once more. It was like an addiction, and the withdrawals kicked in the moment she moved away from her beloved. Ktulu relaxed slowly but surely, and Lakota smiled to herself. No, she would never trade Ktulu for anybody else, no matter how much Ktulu could annoy her sometimes. She just loved her more for those moments when they butted heads, because they always ended up back in each other's presence with apologies on their lips. Lakota trusted Ktulu without fail, and when the dame spoke, she nodded in quiet belief. They would find Apollo.

But things to do?

Lakota looked at her quizzically, but knew the mare was intending to expand, and surely enough the words came to touch her harks in the soft gruff tone she knew so well. Dark sapphire ears flicked as she mused on the matter, already imagining life within borders once more, safe and protected by kinsmen and with Ktulu at her side. Warmth bubbled in her stomach at the idea of a potentially peaceful, worry free life with her mate. Maybe...maybe they'd even want to raise a family. But she was still too nervous to approach the subject with Ktulu, didn't dare to when she herself was just as tentative with the idea constantly in the back of her head. "I think you're right. I can't stand the thought of...of running into another wraith." A shudder crawled across the expanse of her body.

"I follow where you lead, Ktulu," she murmured lovingly, smile a little mischievous as it naturally always was. "I trust you. And I agree. The Edge...we have much to make up to them, as well. It's time to be in a herd again." Soulful violet eyes, normally guarded and unreadable to all others, turned to land upon Ktulu's carmine. Smiling she bumped her nose playfully against Ktulu's cheek. This could be the start of a great future.