Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira))

Subject: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Mon Jan 14 2013, 20:08

She held more scarring faults than her namesake, a diamond, but for the small brown wolf with the white belly, muzzle and toes, that was not something she could do all that much about and she knew it. Sure she was afraid to be on her own, due to others always trying to bully her, but she knew that was not something that would change.

She sighed as she finally fell in a crumpled heap, resting her skull against her paws. What a pitious sight she looked. She did not expect anyone nice would come to her. Uru. The worthless one...

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Tue Jan 15 2013, 04:29

Ryuu loped through the river, crystal clear water sparkling and splashing through the air in a hundred, rainbow-coloured arcs. He barked, a gruff sound, before pulling himself out of the river. His chest, legs and belly were were soaked through. Ryuu easily shook himself off, splattering yet more water onto the grassy embankments.

He was in high spirits today. The warm sun beat down upon his back, the thick fur soaking up the heat from the radiant sun. His silver-blue fur glimmered, his shaggy coat saying slightly as he trotted forward. He was looking for nothing in particular today, but... he was happy. Happier than he'd been ever since his mate and son died under the claws of his best friend. Ex- best friend.

Moving past a cove of trees, Ryuu paused, puzzled, as he took in the crumpled heap of fur that lay on the ground, unmoving. He raised his head in alarm, vivid green eyes widening in fear as his brain at last caught up with his eyes.

The male wolf dashed forward, a low whine of concern low in his throat. He darted swiftly to her, nudging her tenderly, gently. His eyes traced the multiple scars over her brown fur, and his eyes seemed to harden with fury and soften protectively all at once.

"Miss? Miss?" he called urgently. "Are you all right?"

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Wed Jan 16 2013, 21:06

Uru sighed as she rested where she was. Only to jump to her feet, teeth bared when someone nudged her. Seeing it was a stranger though, she calmed somewhat, though she was certainly wary right now. "Who are you? And why should you care?" The words were almost careless, but more forlorn in truth. She was almost terrified of this humongous stranger right now.

Oh why had she not thought to have someone else come here with her? Her dark rump hit the ground quite quickly though, for she was exhausted.

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Wed Jan 16 2013, 22:35

Ryuu's heart clenched at the stink of fear that permeated the air around the lone she-wolf, even as she jumped to her paws, instantly awakened at his light, nonthreatening touch. And to relax, when she should have been ever more terrified after seeing a total stranger -

Who had done this to her? Who would do such a thing? His very nature rebelled against the thought, and the grey-silvered wolf clenched his teeth, fangs scraping harshly together as he fought the urge to jump up, demanding names and locations - just so that he could make them regret, even for instant, what they had done to such a vulnerable young creature.

His vibrant emerald-green, leaf-green eyes looked fiercely into the younger wolf's eyes - hearing not only her defensive, angry tone, but also the loneliness, the heart-ache she nursed deep under her snappish comments.

So, he did not respond. Ryuu let them wash over him, like water over steel, letting none cling onto him to pull him down into the downward spiral of bleakness and despair. It would serve him no purpose.

The male wolf's eyes softened, shards of sea glass melting into twin pools of warmth. He watched silently as she crumpled to the ground, and he hovered, uncertain if she would welcome his intrusion when so vulnerable.

"I am Ryuu," he murmured gently, softly to her as he lowered herself so that he lay flat on the ground. "And I care - because that is what any decent creature would do."

He tilted his head questioningly, as he gazed upon her.

"Would you like to sleep? I can help you keep watch," he offered quietly. "Or would you rather I distract you with some stories," he smiled, a spark in his eyes.

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Thu Jan 17 2013, 00:47

"Few there are of those," she commented. Only her sister Sarabi and her mother so far. As well as the other wolves of Vernien En' Seere were good to her. She had been abou to reply when she heard someone stalking towards her.

Even as the tawny she wolf leapt at her, another female Leapt straight in the way. Awhile she wolf and stronger and older than bother other wolves.

Urus eyes locked on them both. "They are my sisters. It seems Zira will never stop trying to kill mess but sarabi seems to always show up in the nick of time"

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Thu Jan 17 2013, 07:10

Ryuu smiled with true happiness when she had spoken, uncommonly thrilled by the innocence in her voice, combined with the dry tone. She was, indeed, an enchanting creature. He had not seen the likes of her ever since the death of his mate many moons ago, somewhere in the wilderness of the Chinese mountains.

"Indeed," he agreed easily, shifting his haunches slightly so that they lay comfortably under him. "现在，现在这已经变成了司空见惯的事了！" he exclaimed passionately, before remembering that this was not China, and little to no one actually understood his adopted first language. Ryuu sighed a little ruefully.

"Most of the wolves I've met these days," he translated, smiling with both his sparkling eyes and mouth, "They seem to be uncommonly concerned with themselves, barely sparing a thought for others. Of course," he hastily added, in case she wished to interrupt with a passionate outcry, coming to the defense of those whom she held dear to her heart. "Of course, there are those exceptions. However, I have found that most of us are more willing to look the other way when we see something wrong, instead of trying to help correct the problem."

Ryuu sighed, not noticing his accent becoming thicker, as he spoke the familiar Chinese words, and remaining even after he had switched back to English.

Looking up once more and meeting her, the silver-grey wolf smiled gently, a little abashed. "I do hope that I have not scared you away, m'dear. It is merely my thoughts," he explained in his accented voice.

"Oh!" Ryuu suddenly exclaimed, startled. "How rude of me - I have not even asked you your name! I apologise. Might I knew your name?" he ended, trailing off a little sheepishly, even as his tail wagged in good humour.

The rustle of grass and foliage against fur, and the slinking paw steps startled him into action. In a swift, controlled move, the male wolf was already upon his paws, hackles rising as he bared sharp fangs, moving forward to intercept the newcomer if necessary. No one [i]slinked/i] if they had honest intentions.

Before he could act, however, another wolf - female, he could tell by the scent - leapt in front of him and startling to battle fiercely. Sightly bewieldered, Ryuu froze in place, glancing towards the battling pair first, then moving closer towards the other.

"Um," he hesitated, before shrugging. "Do you want to leave them to it?"

Honestly, he didn't want to fight, if it could be avoided. However, if the older wolf wanted his help, then he would gladly spring to her aid. It would be the least he could do - if appeared that she was the protector of this young she-wolf here.

(OOC: I wrote that Chinese bit myself! *is proud* It seems that I haven't forgotten it yet, despite having no more lessons in school Razz

)

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Thu Jan 17 2013, 19:26

She sat up, for a few moments forgetting that Ryuu was even there as she watched her sister. She did shake her head to say no to him helping her sister. She knew Sarabi would deal with Zira easily. She gave a small huff as she watched, knowing what the outcome would only too easily be.

Sarabi snarled as Zira ran away once more. "Coward!" The white and silver she-wolf turned though to look at her sister. "Why is it, Uru, that everytime you go somewhere on your own, Zira tries to kill you..."

"I don't know Sarabi," she replied. She sighed. "But I think its about time I found my own mate, though I will never leave Vernien En' Seere." Nor Nala or any of the others.

"Then make sure whoever he is is a light. You know the rules of my land, Uru," Sarabi replied. She paused though, looking at Ryuu. "Greetings stranger. As you may have guessed, I am Uru's eldest sister, Sarabi. Also i am alpha of our homeland."

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Fri Jan 18 2013, 05:37

The handsome brute's vivid emerald green eyes flickered back and forth, resting on the still-battling pair, then moving on to the other she-wolf. Her own eyes were transfixed upon her sisters, watching them with that Ryuu perceived to be wary and tired pools of crimson, as though this had happened before - numerous times.

The male wolf shook his head sadly, settling down once more, his tail wrapped neatly over his front paws as he watched the fight with keen eyes. Both she wolfs looked very similar. Their pelts were almost the same shade, with just a few differences, so Ryuu found it troublesome to keep track of who was who.

And then, as quickly as it had begun, the fight was over. He watched still, waiting patiently to regain the attention of the one whom had caught his. He refrained from speaking, even as the she-wolfs conversed, not stepping in to add his two cents worth. This, he knew with certainty, was a family matter, a pack matter. It would be extremely impolite to intrude into the familial affairs of another's pack without an invitation. In both his home country and adopted country, it was considered a most severe breach in manners.

Still, his heart quickened, and his leaf-green eyes darkened a little with protective anger at the words he had heard. Now, he understood the situation better. The powerfully-built wolf longed to fling himself at those who had attacked her, to spill their life-blood and make every single one of them rue the day that they had even thought of harming the she-wolf sitting beside him. Every single one of their blows, of their unkind words, which had served to darken her eyes a little more, to chip away bits and pieces of her soul, of her self-worth - he would, if he had the chance to, make all of them pay in full.

Through blood, if need be.

Neutral-light he might be, Ryuu was not above hunting down the ones who had scorned and threatened those under his protection. And if his methods made him a 'dark', then Dark he would become, for such words were only brands. Just little tags that let others in the world categorise them neatly into little boxes. He, alone, would know that his heart was filled with love for his pack and friends, and killing other was only a last resort - never something to be taken lightly.

And that would have to be enough.

Finished with his contemplation, Ryuu pricked his ears once more, tuning back into their conversation. He tilted his head slightly in contemplation, wrinkling his nose slightly in distaste. She wanted to remain in her home? He shifted, uncomfortable, stifling a low growl of discomfiture under his breath, before inhaling sharply and letting the emotion go.

Ryuu... admired her. She had strength of heart, strength of mind and strength of soul. It would be a waste to let such a precious gem go. He felt, that in time, he could come to love the sweet she-wolf. Already, he felt such tenderness and affection towards her. If she wanted to stay in her home, then Ryuu would willingly sacrifice his hopes of settling down in one of the mountains. Those beloved and familiar mountains, with their cold, clean air and tips filled with snow...

Ryuu met Sarabi's gaze evenly, bowing respectfully to her as one Alpha would do another.

"Greetings," he responded quietly. "It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I am Ryuu, of the mountains of both Japan and China. It is good to meet the one who protects Uru."

His green gaze slide to the other wolf's, and he felt his eyes brighten a little. "I had heard her fall," he explained. "And I wished to help, and to converse with her, if I could."

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Fri Jan 18 2013, 20:39

Sarabi sighed, looking at the two of them. “It is good to know that another will protect my sister, sometimes anyway. Those who are not like Zira who I just fought are always welcome in Vernien En’ Seere. Feel free to visit us, Ryuu. A different place to the mountains, I know that much, but it is a good place.”

Uru sighed. “One day I hope she’ll learn not to keep doing that, Sarabi, but for now, I think home is where I belong.” Where she had all her family around.

“You should come home soo, Uru. Nala is having her pups soon.” Sarabi chuckled. “I best be off. I wish you well, Ryuu, wherever you end up.” She got to her feet and ran off, powerful legs carrying her easily over the land.

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Sat Jan 19 2013, 00:56

Ryuu bent his head, dipping it slightly towards Sarabi as he nodded, agreeing whole-heartedly with her. The male wolf tilted his head, pricking his ears as he listened to Sarabi's words, even as the tip of his tail twitched slightly at her words.

"I will, Sarabi," he replied, giving her a polite smile, as was his custom with those he knew not about. The brown she-wolf looked nice enough, and she would probably grow to become a close friend of his, given time. And also, given that she would not reject him for being a Neutral, as so many were wont to do.

There were those who picked on him, hated him, simply because he refused to pick a side. A side. It was such a limiting thing. Again, there were those categories, those boxes that others loved to draw in order to retain a black-and-white view of the world. However, he would fight either for his survival, or his loved ones, or his beliefs and values.

To him, there was no shame in that. In war, there was no Lights or Darks. They were just names, just labels so each side could differentiate themselves from the other. It was all the same in the end.

He surfaced once more from his thoughts, catching the tail end of Sarabi's conversation. Ryuu bowed his head, nudging the small amulet that rested upon his chest, sighing softly at the pang his heart emitted, as his eyes tracked her movements, before she disappeared into the horizon.

Only then, did he turn to look at Uru.

"Well," he commented, laughing lowly, eyes brightening with laughter. "As fine a wolf as your sister may be, Sarabi definitely isn't the most subtle."

Ryuu leaned forward, nudging Uru's shoulder playfully.

"Was that a hint?" he teased, smirking, before the laughter died from his eyes.

"Uru - I know that this might be quick. We have not yet courted, as is the tradition in my homeland. But I feel... I admire you. And I-I feel affection for you, that I have not experienced in a long time. Might I accompany you back to your homeland?"

Ryuu's eyes softened even more, so that the green of his eyes were exceedingly light.

"I believe-I know that given time, I will grow to love you."

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Sat Jan 19 2013, 01:02

Uru smiled at him. “No, sometimes she is not too subtle, but she can be when she wishes to be. But when it comes to Zira trying to do something against her wishes well, you’ll find subtlety goes right out of her head really.” She smiled. It was good to have her sister around all the time. There were times when Sarabi became quite useful.

She blinked though at his words that followed. He wanted to come home with her? “You want to come back to Vernien En’ Seere with... me?” she could hardly believe her own ears at the moment. It was the last thing she was expecting. “Really?”

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Sat Jan 19 2013, 01:31

Ryuu chuckled softly, smiling tenderly at Uru. He shook his fur, the reassuring weight of the amulet that he wore round his neck always, comforting him and giving him strength to step out of the box of self-consciousness and fear of rejection. He steeled himself, his green eyes very bright, almost blazing.

Ryuu barely listened to the words that Uru was speaking, too caught up in his nervousness, though to his credit, he did do his best to listen to Uru, to hear the words that she spoke. After all, it was only common courtesy. She showed him enough respect by listening to what he said, and he should do the same for her.

He laughed, voice slightly hoarse with nerves.

"Indeed, I can just see that!" he exclaimed, chuckling nervously.

And then he spoke, the words tumbling out from him, as though by an outside force. And, he found, that he could not stop. Even if he wanted to. Which he didn't.

"Yes," Ryuu murmured, shuffling his large paws uneasily, as his ears heated up with embarrassment. He waited nervously, his impatience growing by leaps and bounds as she stuttered, completely stunned.

Ryuu smiled softly, his nervously bristling fur slowly laying flat and smooth along his back.

"Really," Ryuu insisted, emboldened by her reaction. "You're sweet and strong, and you don't seem like the type to compromise your own morals and values for someone else's. I'll gladly return with you, m'dear, and allow ourselves to explore what may develop from this."

Ryuu's ears perked up, his mouth spilling open into a charming grin.

"On one condition." He paused. "As long as you promise that we'll go for a visit in the mountains soon!"

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Sat Jan 19 2013, 02:41

She listened to all of his words willingly enough. "Of course we can visit the mountains. There are many wolves there too, but not all of them are freindly from what I have heard." She smiled at him. Things could not have been better for her at the moment. She was glad to have found someone for herself. She had not wanted to always be a burden for the others to worry about.

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Sat Jan 19 2013, 03:36

Ryuu chuckled affectionately, vivid emerald eyes sparkling with warmth, good cheer, and genuine delight.

"That's brilliant!" he exclaimed, unable to contain his enthusiasm. In his mind's eye, he could just picture the both of them on one of the beautiful mountains that he had seen during his journey to the River. They were all tall, majestic, snow-capped, proudly projecting themselves from the ground, wise and ancient.

Already, the silver-grey wolf could feel the cold, thin air of the mountains, and the burn as it travelled into his lungs. The crisp scent of frost as they travelled higher up, and the way everything would seem so clean.

For a moment, he allowed himself to feel a pang of longing and regret.

After that, he turned his head, letting himself look at Uru once again. His eyes travelled over that sleek pelt, and he lifted his gaze, looking straight into those happy, tender crimson eyes.

He would always miss the mountains.

But ... he guessed that he had gained something better, something irreplaceable from his sacrifice: Uru herself.

So he let the light in his eyes shine forth once more, stepping forward to gently touch his nose to his, swiftly licking her across the muzzle affectionately.

"Let's go home," he murmured.

And they did.

Subject: Re: Diamond in the Rought!! ((saphira)) Sat Jan 19 2013, 03:40

- END THREAD -

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» Think you can keep me? ((Saphira))
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