Return... -- The River

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Date Posted: 21:22:49 01/11/03 Sat
Author: Erashun and Atumi
Subject: Return...

A white ghost moves through the shadows of night, listening to the familiar burble of the river. Standing at six and a half feet at the shoulder, this massive, lion-maned Korat was once a common sight in this territory. Has it really been a full year...? The male ruffles his luxuriously long fur as he pads along the river, whitely silver claws barely imprinting the rich soil. A blade of the same polished-silver hue glints on a proudly-held tail, and Erashun raises his long muzzle to sniff the nightwind. With an earflick that sends a silky tassel brushing his skull, the white tosses his head, the long beard tipping his chin waving.

"It's been a while... Erashun."

The black steps out of the shadows and lets his supple form be highlighted by ruddy moonlight. Brilliant teal eyes glint as Atumi regards his old friend. New scars marred the white, a new weight layered his strong shoulders but... but the indomitable spirit was unchanged by recent hardships. The black grins quietly, approaching Erashun on silent and deadly paws.

"As it has, Atumi."

Deep silver eyes examine his friend in turn, and the white sees that not much has changed, though a generally good pack must be in the making for Atumi to seem so... content. Erashun moves forward and before the black could protest, uses his powerful tail to 'hug' Atumi to him, the black's chest and muzzle pressed against a muscular white shoulder. Teal eyes snap open wider, startled by the white's unusual display of affection, but light pressure is returned by Atumi's own light grey blade before he pulls away.

"It was a long and fruitless journey, mri'fao. I have come back to better myself."

Erashun's impossibly deep voice speaks what the black has already guessed, and Atumi nods. Settling to his haunches, the black watches as his friend settles to the earth, silver and teal gazes now at a level and with hardly a foot separating them. Like brothers they are, these kindred spirits, and though Atumi would shun any offer of affection from another Korat, Erashun's brotherly love was taken without reservation. And only to the white would Atumi speak freely, without restraint, and only for the white would Atumi lower his emotional barriers.

"How goes the pack, brother? It seems well."
"'Tis. We have promise and little mutiny within these. Barring the usual one or two."
Erashun sniffs the nightwind. "Several stripeds."
"Aye. Odd they are, flocking in number here. I deem our reputation has become common knowledge."
"As it should be, Atumi, as it should be. Have you any need of help?"
The black inhales slowly, regarding the white as though he were mad. "Erashun, your training is always needed. I am glad you have returned, and the 'mates would benefit from your skill. But there is no urgency. Train yourself first, mri'fao."
The white snorts lightly, sending ripples down his long fur. "My training comes from teaching others. I will kill him, Atumi, make no mistake. But I will do it on my time and not his."

Atumi laughs outright, mirth in his eyes. "You glutton, you think I would underestimate you?" he chuckles, abruptly losing the more formal tone they had been conversing in. Erashun mimicks the liquid tenor laugh in his own deep bass. "I know, mri'fre. I feel no pressure to train these chirrlings you've brought in, but I will all the same." The white scents the wind briefly, flicking a long-tufted ear. "Only one of any particular age, hmm? Gathering younglings for a reason or by accident?" Atumi rolls his eyes mockingly, "They flock in dreams of glory, these youngbloods. All except the kembahr are near Shula's age or younger." At this, Erashun's silver eyes narrow. "There is a kembahr? And Shula keeps this Korat around?" Atumi nods, a glint in his eye warning the white of his enmity towards the aforementioned individual.

Erashun chuckles again, raising his long muzzle to look at the stars through wise yet fresh eyes. "It has been a long journey, brother. And I smell your exhaustion." An amused glance is tossed to the black, "I assume you used energy a bit too much today. We both need sleep 'fore the morn." Atumi nods, punctuating his agreement with a yawn, and slides down into a laying position... feeling secure for the first time since li'fre had left. His eyes close and he slips into sleep long before Erashun lays his head down to rest.

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Upon awakening... -- Erashun and Atumi, 17:44:13 01/15/03 Wed