Decisions (Midnight)

[Relairah]

OoC: Hey Midnight, sorry it took me so long to get this up :/

iC:

The night was waning, the furthest reaches of the horizon already beginning to turn to a lighter shade of blue and the stars starting to fade. It was a pleasant night, at least the weather was pleasant. There weren't many clouds and a soft breeze rustled through the tree leaves and the tall grasses. It was peaceful now... while the villagers were still asleep. This was a field outside the village some ways, trees on the sides, thinner between the village and a forest starting opposite. It was here he often came to be alone and to think.

For many of the previous hours, his mind had been racing, hardly as peaceful as the surrounding night. Recent events had played and replayed in his thoughts. Now he sat beneath one of the trees on the far side at the edge of the forest, staring out toward the distant horizon. He had been in his wolf form for some time now... but he wouldn't change. Not quite yet. He knew Midnight was still somewhere around and he felt it was best to deal with one thing at a time.

His thoughts had finally culminated in a decision on his own part. One that he was sure Midnight would be happy with. Now he simply waited for her. It was quite obvious he was at a peace now as opposed to before when he had been pacing, even talking aloud. But now he simply sat, the breeze toying through his golden fur and the feathers of his wings.

[Midnight]

((That's okay, I'm just glad your back even if its only temperary. )

Midnight paced up behind him, sitting down next to him and looking off into the distance. She didn't know what he was thinking. Not now. Out of respect she didn't have a connection with his mind, therefore couldn't read his thoughts. But she could read body language well enough to know that he was calm.
She could smell him, feel his body heat. He was so close. She didn't even know how to describe her feelings. Whenever she was with him she just felt safe. Safe and....something else. Like she belonged. Like now she finally had a purpose in life; somewhere that she knew she belonged there. By him. At his side.
She would respect his decision, whatever it was. She only waited for it, sitting still, watching the wind warp the land, slightly bending the branches and making the grass sway gently.
She finally swung her head around to look at him, waiting for his soft, deep voice to say something.

[Relairah]

OoC: Haha thanks XD I don't mean to be so in and out... it just sorta happens lol

iC:

Fluffy triangular ears swiveled in Midnight's direction as she approached and sat next to him. He knew she wouldn't have taken long once she knew he was calm. He glanced at her then, golden eyes soft with a slight glimmer in the coming light. It was strange to him, slightly, that everything had come to this in such a short time. Briefly, he recalled not too far a distance from here when they had sat by a stream and he had told her he wanted her to be certain then too. It was clear to him now... he supposed.

"Midnight," he paused, "I accept." His words were soft, as if a whispered secret in the darkness: even though the fact was far from secret now. If she allowed, he would attempt to place his head against hers gently, to feel her fur against his. At this point, he wasn't sure if there was anything more for him to say. So he waited for her response.

One thing at a time, he reminded himself

[Midnight]

Midnight's ears twitched at the sound of her name coming from his voice. His next words were a joy to her, though she remained still. "Thank you." She replied in the same soft voice.
She closed her eyes, and breathed in his scent. She pressed her side to his, feeling his body heat. The breeze chilled her, and he felt comforting and warm. And safe.
Faint noises could be heard from the village, even as late as it was. Loud noises. Clanging and shouting. Midnight stayed pressed to his side and shivered with fear. The sounds targeted a memory within her, though she couldn't remember why those sounds were dangerous. All she knew was that they weren't good.
But she trusted Ainoko to keep her safe.

((Sorry about the wait. Ps I didn't have anything particular in kind for the noises so..))

[Relairah]

OoC: It's all good

iC:

Ainoko enjoyed the moment with her while it lasted, a smile coming to his lips. It was warm out, especially with them side by side, yet she shivered. He knew she was happy... ears perked and he caught the faint noises himself, not having noticed them at first due to his focus entirely on Midnight. That was bad and he silently scolded himself. It seemed trouble was brewing in the nearby village. It didn't happen all that often, but at times...

At first, he ignored it, but the sounds began to grow louder, closer. Suddenly, it dawned on him that one of the villagers must have spotted either him or Midnight earlier. He knew the villagers were wary of wolves in the area - especially if they got within a particular distance of their homes. Usually, he didn't worry about it, but this could be troublesome.

He shifted slightly, turning his gaze in the direction of the noise. He wondered if it would be smarter to run off into the trees or face the oncoming humans. At this point, he didn't really feel like dealing with a crazed mob intent on killing. Or perhaps their purpose was to run them off. Either way, bloodshed was not on his agenda right now. "Let's get out of here," he said to Midnight with a smile, rising to his paws and taking a step deeper into the trees. "C'mon, I want to enjoy some time just you and me... now that we've arrived at this decision." He smiled reassuringly, and if she agreed to follow, he would take off, not quite running but not walking.

Soon, the trees would get closer together and the brush thicker, finally leading to a creek, the water gurgling over the rocks at the bottom.

[Midnight]

Midnight felt him shift, and also looked in the direction that he was. When he suggested leaving she was only too happy to oblige. She followed quickly after him.
She stuck close to his side until they reached wherever they were going. It didn't really matter to her where, as long as it wasn't far.
And him. As long as he was there.
Keeping her ears perked, she listened intently for the sounds again. Midnight didn't want to get ambushed or something worse.

((the others will be longer, I swearz!!! ))

[Relairah]

OoC: Haha no worries XD Length is not the most important thing to me

iC:

Ainoko stopped at the creek, panting lightly and looked at Midnight, mostly to make sure she was right there with him. On seeing her he smiled and moved to lick her cheek gently if she allowed. His ears flickered in the direction they had come, and hearing nothing but the sound of early morning, he knew that the villagers would not be a bother to them or a threat.

"That was fun," he murmured, hoping she agreed. Suddenly, his earlier thoughts about his human form flashed through his mind once again. He didn't want to keep it from her. It was important. But was now really the right time? Perhaps he was worrying about it too much.

He sat back and rolled onto his back, staring up at the trees, their tops entwined and waving lightly as a breeze blew above them and through the forest. "Midnight..." he paused, "Why did you choose me?"

[Midnight]

Midnight looked up at his words. "I suppose so." she said, a smile in her voice. He licked her, and her heart fluttered. When he laid down, her cheek was still tingling from his touch.
Midnight moved to his side and sat facing his stomach. She twisted her head around to look him in the eye. Just seeing him made her smile softly. His question took her by surpise, though. She straitened up and considered her answer. There was a lot of things that she liked about him. He was pretty much her opposite, older, more reserved. She was hiper and always putting herself out there. Even their color was opposite. Black and white, blue and gold.
She liked the fact that he had wings. She liked that he was big and tall. She liked his eyes, his paws, and his 'other side.'
As she had that thought, she heard his quiet uncertainty. 'Stupid habit.' she thought. He would feel her mind, no doubt about it. "I'm sorry," she admitted, "but I already know." She thought some more, and replied.
"I just like you. I like everything about you. We fit each other like gloves." At that she smiled.
Walking over to him, she curled on her side and rested the back of her neck pressed to the side of his. Her back was also pressed against his side. After some time, she had an idea.
"We can try something with your human side, if you want." If he agreed, she would tell him the idea. "Well, I would know how hard it was if I had to give up half of my life," she curled her head back to look at him warmly. Midnight continued. "So, if you ever need to go back, I'll just tag along. Most everyone would think me as your pet. So no one will question me. The bandana helps...." she trailed off uncertainly, staying quiet and waiting for his reply.

((challange accepted))

[Relairah]

OoC: What challenge? o.o

Also, I keep forgetting about Midnight's ability to probe minds.

iC:

It had been some time since Ainoko had last felt Midnight's mind pressing against his own, yet it wasn't hard to recognize it as her. The first thing she said caught him off-guard - mostly because he hadn't put two and two together for a moment. Usually, thoughts passed through his mind in a semi-conscious state of them, and he had to think for a moment why she would have said that... what it was she was saying she already knew. 'Oh! Right... of course...' he thought to himself. He didn't say anything and she continued, answering his question. It made him smile lightly and he nuzzled her gently, if she allowed.

"Okay..." a pause, "thank you," he murmured and then there was a moment of silence.

It didn't last too long as suddenly Midnight had an idea, which wasn't so strange. He looked at her, raising a slight brow. "What is it?" Once she explained, he raised a slight brow and a low chuckle rumbled through his throat and he released it in a small laugh, facing the tree tops once more. "Please don't misunderstand. My thoughts have been rather chaotic about it, yes, though moreso worried that I might scare you with that form given recent events. Cercius. The villagers. It is true that I frequent the village now and again, but if I never returned, it truly would not be such a large issue. I enjoy switching between my different forms for various reasons. The feeling of strength. The exploration of what I can do in each form. Fascination with the differences. But honestly, there isn't any physical necessity to switch from one form to the other for any particular period of time. It's just choice."

He paused, turning his gaze toward her. "I would never consider you a pet. That would be degrading. Don't worry. If I need to change, I will." Another pause. "I'm glad you know. It saves me a little trouble trying to show you and explain myself and all that." But there was still much for her to learn. That would come with time. In any case, he moved to lick her once again. "Let's put that aside until later. Right now it's just you and me..."

[Midnight]

Midnight leaned into his nuzzle, closing her eyes blissfully.
As she listened to his reasoning, she smiled happily as she thought of another his she liked about him. He explained his position in detail, making sure that it was understood.
When he was finished, she smiled again. Midnight stood up and moved behind him. She draped a paw over his neck and laid down beside him and gently groomed his ears, face, and neck. If he allowed, she would continue this for several minuites.
Until she remembered.
Her tongue stopped in mid-lick, and she stiffened. Slowly, she broke off all contact and sat up. She looked down at his midsection, dread filling her. She looked him in the eyes and sighed.
"Now I have to tell you something. I don't want to think this far ahead, or make you think that I expect it from you, but.....I'm just.....it's...." Midnight broke off, tears filling silently down her face. 'It's not your fault.' She told herself. 'Quit it.' Hastily she wiped her face on the inside of her forearm and forced herself to stop crying. After a few seconds, she looked him square in the eye. In his mind, the faint whisper could be heard:

'I'm barren.'

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[Relairah]

He smiled at her when she rested against him, enjoying the feeling of her touch as she groomed over his fur. But suddenly, she was stopping and his brows furrowed, eyes watching her with concern. "Midnight, what is it?" he asked softly, shifting to show her he was focused. Ears were perked in her direction, and he waited, placing his paw on hers if she allowed.

Finally, the thought came to his mind. He was a little shocked, briefly. The idea of pups.. well... he honestly hadn't given it much thought until now. It would have been nice to know before... but... he supposed he couldn't blame her. He knew already that she was young, still learning. Probably had feared rejection. He was silent for a moment and finally released his breath. "It's okay," he murmured, moving to press his head against the fur of her neck and rub gently. "It will be okay..."

[Midnight]

Midnight watched the shock and surpise cross his face. She was happy that he knew, and relived he was ok with it. She leaned into his head, smiling. She would stay like that until he either moved to groom her or do something else, or just stayed still as well. She would go with anything he did,happily.

[/size][/center]


((Sorry its short))

[Relairah]

Ainoko simply enjoyed her for a few moments, a relief flooding through him that their secrets were now known to each other. As the light began filling the forest, he glanced around then on Midnight. They had been up all night... and as he thought about it, he was tired. Closing his eyes, it did not take long for him to fall asleep.

---

Hours passed, the sun rising high in the sky and Ainoko awoke with a start, letting out a grunt as his body rolled. Blinking, he looked around a moment and then was glad they were by a stream. Reaching down, he splashed some water on his face, not really surprised he had woken in human form. It happened now and then. Combing his fingers through his hair he looked around for Midnight. If she were still asleep, he would smile, reaching down to stroke the fur of her face and neck. If she were awake he would rub his hand behind his neck, slightly embarrassed. "Good morning..."

[Midnight]

Midnight was tired too, and fell asleep with Ainoko.
She was roused the next day by gentle hands on her fur. She stayed still for a moment, enjoying the feeling before opening her eyes. She got up and shook herself. Taking a few laps of water she glanced around once more, testing the air for human scent. It was hard with Ainoko standing beside her, but other than him she detected no other humans.
It was odd how he still smelled generally the same, just more human-ey. She figured since he was acting normal that it wasn't a big deal he woke up in human form. Midnight also noticed that going into a village like Abunage must be hard since his appearance would possibly frighten the villagers. The only way he would be able to go into a town, she thought, was if it was an anthro accepting town. The villagers of Abunage would probably chase him off or worse.
Shaking off these thoughts, she glanced at him for a second. He wasn't much different than other humans she had seen, other than the obvious appearance differences. Looking at the water, she bet none other were like he was.
She looked back over at him now, wondering what they should do next.

((Sorry for the wait ben kinda busy ^^)

[Relairah]

Ainoko had to admit he was a bit taken aback at her coolness upon awaking to him being in human form. He had actually been expecting a different reaction though perhaps he shouldn't have considering she already knew... or had known beforehand. Still, she hadn't ever seen it. He decided it was probably better not to spend too much time worrying or dwelling on it and instead he simply smiled at her. "I hope you slept well... Do you want to see around some more? Perhaps we might stop in the village or head back toward the wolf lands." He awaited her response.