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04-28-2013, 06:49 AM
 Her smile makes you wonder where she's been No longer does the sun shine beautifully upon the trees of her home for long hours at a time, creating moving images of dappled golden waves upon the grass below. Heat, too, has diminished as the seasons lovingly curtsied, bowed, shook hands, and lovingly bid each other goodbye and good luck as one retired and the other took over. Orangemoon was a hard time for Lakota, the hardest season she ever had to face. Every time she caught a glimpse of orange, her heart ached for a past she could never have back. Aodaun did not understand this pain, and often watched her with sad, worried eyes of violet that were a shade or two darker than her own. He was young still, oblivious to the ways of the world, and the heartbreak he felt through their bond made him whine and paw at her legs in confusion. Lakota brushed him off when the heartache was too fresh, or would lower her muzzle for him to wrap his stubby arms around and comfort him when she was still sound of mind and logic. Ithrim plagued her thoughts, but she was relieved to discover that it was a fond sadness she felt. Slowly, Lakota was beginning to let her deceased love go. It was hard, but she knew she had to try and follow through with the promise she had made to follow his dying wish. For her to find love again. And though she had discovered it in many ways since arriving in Helovia, there were only one or two sparks she had truly shown interest in for romance of any sort. It was tentative at best, especially considering her own personality that seemed to be much like a hedgehog or a porcupine- soft underneath should you somehow manage to flip it over without hurting yourself, but with spiny needles that kept all others from even trying to approach it. But, in the end, Lakota has decided that it is time she lets Ithrim rest. He deserves it, and with every day she forces herself to watch those orange leaves until they break off and fall, and with every one she says some new sort of goodbye. I love you, be safe where you are. Or maybe it hurts to say goodbye, but I know you're waiting for me when I am old and happy. And slowly she lets go. And it is long overdue, but love makes you crazy, and Ithrim's name both brings her great joy and great sorrow. Instead, she focuses on what she has accomplished. Here she stands on earth she has fought for, and won. In her veins runs magic that allows her to heal those she cares for, and harm those who try to hurt them. Aodaun trots at her side, a protector inside the body of a small child. He will grow into a polar bear of large proportions, with the fighting ability to match, but for now he is a babe that needs both nurturing and tutoring. He loves her, and she loves him. She thinks of Ktulu, the young leader she would die for. Ktulu is a sister and a child, a leader and a friend. Kota couldn't imagine ever following someone else, and she is relieved to have finally found a soul she clicks with so easily. They fell into their odd friendship without truly realizing it, and Kota wouldn't have it any other way. So as she's strolling the cool meadows, twining between trees like the dark panther of a mercenary she is, Ktulu's name catches her ears. Lakota is always there for her Chieftess, a silent force in every encounter where she is needed. But not only does that start her hooves in the direction of the voice, it is the voice itself that draws her. How could she not know that voice? She has heard it since she was young, first in tiny babbles of a newborn and then in eloquent strings befitting a mare that would eventually have to take the throne from her when Lakota killed their father, was tortured, and aided in escaping by the mare with that very same voice. Found once more in a wood where all travelers came, only to disappear soon after joining their band. Many emotions claw their way to the surface, fighting for attention and clamoring for dominance. Joy, because she loves Hana and is happy that she has returned. Worry, because Hana had disappeared without a word and without a trace. Anger, because her herd is on the same level of importance as her family, and Hana had deserted both without a second thought. There are more, the shades of grey in the black and white world of emotions she named originally. Long dark legs take her onward, royal plum eyes glinting in the sunlight that was scattered between the trees. Ao whined softly, and she mentally shushed him. Obediently he returned to her side, knowing what was coming was important now. Instead of trying to sort through her conflicting emotions with his young mind, he sent her waves of comfort and love to try and help calm her. Lakota had so desperately wanted to find her sister, but they had been planning an invasion that could start at any moment, and she had been busy recruiting, preparing, sparring. She could not abandon all of them for her sister, forsaking them for one person, no matter how much she loved her. Oh, how she had wanted to, but her military brain had refused to allow her such sentiments. It was a short walk, one she didn't particularly enjoy and even tried to prolong. These trees had become as much of a home to her as the ones of the Deep Forest had, and she navigated them with ease. Refusing to allow the turmoil to show upon her face, she took a slow breath and eased herself back to the cool facade she always wore. Calm, collected, elegant. Aristocratic. Even after leaving her crown behind in the dust of her old home, she was still a princess in mannerisms. As if melting from the shadows, the smooth gait with which she approached her sister was slow and languid. Violet irises never left her sister's ruby. Aodaun was a presence at her side that her sister was not familiar with, but that was her fault from the conclusions Lakota was able to draw about her disappearing act. Of course she always tried to never assume, but the worry and ache in her heart over the possibility that Hana had been disgusted by her life as a mercenary had never truly left. Stopping in a perfect pose of profession and importance, fully claiming her title both as a medic and a fighter, she inclined her head slightly to her sister. Reaching out to share scents, brush muzzles, but her face was withdrawn and far away. There was fresh hurt and betrayal in her eyes, plain for Hana to see, for her baby sister had always been far too good at reading her expressions. It is time to speak, and Lakota hopes the wounded tone does not bleed through. "You have returned, little sister. Tell me, where have you been these past few months? I do not remember you being a deserter," she spoke cooly, as if she were discussing the weather, but that last quip at the end was meant as a punishment for her sister's disappearing act. Lakota had raised Hana this way, alongside Alleo. Never were they direct with her when it came to their disappointment, unless she had committed a crime they considered serious enough for direct confrontation. They had always been a subtle family; Lakota in her kindness, Hana in her strength, Alleo in his darkness. They all held attributes, and yet only let them show in the slightest of ways. Ktulu would come in time, Lakota knew. She always did, eventually. The poisoner and the Chieftess always found each other in the end, either by coincidence or by some sort of magnetism. She would come especially now when Hana had called a conference with her. Lakota watched her, emotions flickering like weak flames in her eyes. Hana could surely catch them, but she was one of the very few who likely could. Kota hated that she loved her sometimes, but this was the babe she had saved from death for being an unnecessary heir. The teary-eyed sweetheart with the pink gaze that she had raised in a tumultuous mix of elder sister and mother. Her heart was owned so completely by the kindly natured fae, and in her eyes Lakota saw every memory of when Hana was but a spindly legged newborn sleeping like a precious bundle between the warm sides of herself and her elder brother. She could never hate her, and she could never take out the hurt Hana had inflicted out on her. They were sisters, and that was perhaps one of the strongest bonds forged in all of time.  |
