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Post by Shu'al Raethir on Jan 7, 2009 17:36:30 GMT -5
Akuji snorted on surprise at her quick outburst, but let her be on her way alone. Something bothered that mare down to her core, and it concerned the Clydesdale deeply. He finished off his drink, then left a coin on the table as a tip (For a server he never saw) before exiting the pub. He stood outside for a moment, feeling the cool night air on his skin. Why was she so upset? A previous relationship must have gone bad. A heart wrenching pang hit him as he remembered his beloved Kikka, a palomino that had been, well, his wife. Maybe something similar had happened to Elu. An impulse hit him, and with a stamp of his hoof, he broke into a quick canter after the receding form of Elu. "Hey, wait up!" He called as he approached her. His green and grey eyes were full of sadness and concern as he gazed at her, "What's bothering you so? I don't ike seeing anyone- especially my friend- in so much turmoil." He reached out a hand to place upon her shoulder, but hesitated, not sure how he'd be received.
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Post by Autumn's Nightmare on Jan 7, 2009 17:45:48 GMT -5
Elu froze; she slowly looked up at him. She looked at his hand, then forward. "I uh..." She looked around, then back up at him. "I was courted for several years; he was a paint mustang mix." She flinched at the thought of him. His long, ebony hair caressed his tanned body. His soft green eyes, looking down at her, his soft chocolate spots were bright and perfect against the white. He had black socks on his legs. His tail was long and rich. He was timeless. She shook her head. "He ended running away with my sister. We had been a 'couple' for almost six years." She fought the tears. They stung at her eyes, burned as they spilled over. She looked away and wiped the tears out of her eyes. "Relationships, they bother me. This happened less than a year ago. He ran with her when I was at....war..." She took a deep breath, and then looked in his eyes. "You remind me so much of him. The way you talk, the jokes, I can't help but have these feelings for you, and I shouldn't. I can't help it.”
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Post by Shu'al Raethir on Jan 7, 2009 17:59:09 GMT -5
Akuji put his arm around her shoulders in more of a brotherly fashion than anything else. "Some stallions have the need for a herd." He said softly, reflecting on his father's behavior. "My own father...He couldn't sit still. He was with my mother for years, but after I was born it was like he felt his duty was done. He up and left, never to be seen by our herd again. "But, you gotta stop living in the past and look what you've got right in front of you. Now I don't mean me, I mean life in general. How are you supposed to get on if you can't trust another, hm? I... I was married, once." Akuji started softly, looking down. His open hand reached into a pouch and pulled out a wedding band; simple, gold, pretty. "She was a gorgeous palomino. After 3 miscarriages, she had twins. We were so happy." Akuji's voice was full of pain, and he himself fought tears, "they were a perfect mix of her beauty and my strength. So brave. I... I left one day on a hunting trip, see, we're from a Thracian horse tribe, and we're omnivorous... Well, the twins followed me without my knowing." Akuji choked in his words for a moment, fighting for control of himself, "They were only 10 days old. They went into the forest...And a pack of wolves got 'em." Akuji clicked his teeth together, forcing himself to swallow despite his dry throat, "I found them on my way back. I could hear Kikka calling for them. I brought the remains of the two back. She killed herself that night." Akuji let himself fall silent for a few moments, "We had been together for many years. She was the one that consoled me after my father died. I haven't forgiven her yet for leaving me to suffer, but I have moved on." A tear escaped his eye, and he let it be. None followed it.
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Post by Autumn's Nightmare on Jan 10, 2009 23:07:57 GMT -5
"Oh Akuji, I'm...I'm sorry." She looked up at him, her eyes brimmed with tears once again. She quickly looked away. Before she knew what she was doing she wraped her arms around him, hugging him. Her head was resting on his chest, her arms tight around his waist. "If I had known, I would not have been so rude." She stood there for a few seconds, her tail flicked, making a gentle 'whoosh' sound.
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Post by Shu'al Raethir on Jan 20, 2009 0:35:12 GMT -5
Akuji ran a hand through Elu's hair gently, "I just want you to know that you're not alone. Most everyone has had a relationship go bad on them. But, I guess they are like learning to walk- you gotta fall on your ass a few times before you get it right." he smiled gently, "I miss Kikka and the twins terribly, but that is in the past now. After a few years, I decided I want to try to love another again. I know there is that fear of abandonment, and every mare I have tried to court since pierced me with fear that they would love me back, then break me again. But I still want to try." Akuji hugged her tight and kissed her forehead gently, "I don't want to pressure you in the least, though. I am perfectly happy just being friends for now. What say you about going and getting a hotel for the night, on my tab. I haven't slept in a good hotel in ages."
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Post by Autumn's Nightmare on Jan 20, 2009 18:17:46 GMT -5
Elu Held onto him for a few moments before backing away. She wiped the tears away from her gentle features. She looked more like a child now than ever. She Nodded at what he said; "I'm happy with being friends, with time that might change." She smiled at him and backed up some. "Yeah, lets find a good place to stay. I'm exhauted." She pulled her cloke closer and slowly started to walk forward.
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Post by Shu'al Raethir on Jan 21, 2009 2:11:47 GMT -5
Akuji smiled, his green eyes twinkling mischievously. He found that he loved this mare with all his heart, and he hoped that whatever trouble they were heading into tomorrow wasn't going to separate them. A large, green sign caught his eye as they walked. "What about there?" Akuji asked Elu, pointing to the 'Lazy Weyr Inn'. He trotted inside without waiting for a response- patience wasn't one of his skills- to talk with the innkeeper. "Same room or separate?" Akuji asked Elu, his voice and expression surprisingly innocent. He had stayed in many hostel type rooms where many men and women slept in the same room, and he didn't have any naughty intentions for once in his life.
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Post by Autumn's Nightmare on Jan 21, 2009 17:44:22 GMT -5
Elu gulped and looked at him. "Same, if it'll be cheaper." She looked at the inn keeper and smiled a charming smile. "Same room will be fine." She looked around to see a few small charms and what-not for sale. Deep in the center of her eyes was worry. She was scared, she knew it. She was falling for him, and falling perhaps too fast.
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Post by Shu'al Raethir on Jan 22, 2009 10:10:32 GMT -5
"Well, I do have one centaur room left. Ground floor. To your left. Last door." The man handed Akuji the key, "And it's 2 silver shillings in advance, then 5 silver shillings per night. You can pay the 5 when you return the key." Akuji took the key and reached into one of his many pouches, pulling out 2 silver coins and handing them over. "Thank you sir and lady, enjoy your stay. Oh, and dinner will be served for the next 2 hours, if you care to join. Breakfast is served from 5 to 10 in the morning. One silver shilling per meal." The innkeeper smiled brightly; Akuji grunted to him in response before turning and heading down the hallway. He stuffed the key unceremoniously into the lock of the last door and turned it- the door popped open obligingly. Inside was a simple room with few decorations. True to most inns with centaur rooms, the beds were just a bunch of thick, large blankets and pillows on the floor. The weight of an average centaur was too much for wooden bed frames, so this was the way innkeepers had gone- and most centaurs were pretty okay with them. The clydesdale pulled off all of his pouches and weaponry, relieved to be wearing just his white tunic. Which needed washed. It wasn't really white anymore. Akuji pulled out another silver shilling and offered it to Elu. "I'm exhausted, so I'm just gonna crash for now and catch breakfast in the morning. You goin' for dinner?"
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Post by Autumn's Nightmare on Jan 22, 2009 18:35:14 GMT -5
Elu followed after him. Part of her was nervous; the other half was excited. She found the room to be comfortable. She took off her cloak, revealing the same armor that she had on before. She looked around the room and sighed. "If you'll excuse me..." She walked over to the corner and took off the piece of metal and other garments under it, and replaced it with a loose shirt. It was a soft green, with dark green buttons leading up the front. It made her look less threatening, and more of a little girl. She turned to face him again. "I don't need to eat; I'm fine, thank you." She smiled at him, the opened up her bag again. She took out a brush and started to brush her hair. The golden locks went through the brush with no argument, and sprang from flat back to the perfect curls. She shook her head, making it all go normal again. "I think I will look around a bit, see what else is going on. Perhaps see if there are any good trades going on." She smiled, once again at him, and left.
She went to the social room, where many creatures were about. None, of witch, seemed to be a centaur. She sighed, and then just walked around the room. A few humans were there, as well as a few gremlins and such. She set her stature to make it look like she was lurking, and meant to do nothing more. She heard a gruff voice, and it caught her ears attention.
"...that tha old bird 'as gone crazy! She talks to 'erself and bewitches peoples. I says to 'er, 'Ya don't say, do ya?' They took her off to the home for tha crazy, or so he say." She passed by that conversation. Nothing worth her patience over. A young lady, of some race, something she had never seen before, was sitting on a mans lap. She was tracing her fingers over his lips, tempting him. Elu rolled her eyes, but froze. Her eyes grew wide. She slowly backed up, and went back to the room. She quietly shut the door behind her, and went strait to bed. "We leave at dawn, after breakfast.”
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Post by Shu'al Raethir on Jan 22, 2009 23:33:12 GMT -5
Akuji looked away while she changed, then shrugged and put the coin away as Elu left. He, too, took off his shirt and tossed it atop his things, then folded his legs down onto the bed. Within moments, his human half was sprawled gracelessly atop the mound of pillows and his horse half was stretched out in a way that his chest remained partially upright to prevent suffocation, yet still be sprawled. His arms hugged the pillows under his head and to his bare chest, and the Clydesdale was nearly asleep when Elu came back in. Her voice sounded... Anxious? Perhaps. Akuji cracked one green eye open to glance over at her. "Suits me fine. What's got your tail ruffled?" The stallion mumbled, removing his face from the pillow to be coherent. To accentuate words, he swished his own black, wavy tail rather flippantly.
((Yes, I am working on a drawing of his position. It's totally awesome. (The pose, not my pic. XD Who knows how my pic will turn out.)))
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Post by Autumn's Nightmare on Jan 24, 2009 10:41:59 GMT -5
Elu cringed some as he asked what was wrong. "An old...Not so much an enemy, but more or less, a person that tormented my family for decades. He's here. I want nothing to do with him." She walked over to her bed, making hardly any noise. She could not help but look at his form as he laid down. Her cheeks flushed some and she looked down. She let her horse half settle, her legs tucked under her. She slowly rolled onto her side and grabbed a pillow. She tucked it under her waist, and hugged another one resting her head on it. She stared off into this distance, thinking of things that she shouldn't be. She let out a tiny sigh and closed her icy eyes. Elu's tail swished a bit, out of some annoyance, and soon settled, falling asleep.
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Post by Shu'al Raethir on Jan 24, 2009 19:56:01 GMT -5
"Mm. Someone to be avoided then." Akuji said in reply, looking thoughtful for a moment. He shrugged his shoulders and hugged his pillow closer, burying his face in it falling asleep quickly. A perfectly silent sleeper, Akuji didn't snore or move at all through out the night. His dreams were random, wild, and full of adventure. He saw faces he hadn't thought of in years, chased enemies he had long killed and forgotten. Kikka and the twins came to him as well, smiling and beckoning. All faded, and last he saw the troubled, beautiful face of Elu, staring off into the distance. See, too faded to be replaced by the darkness of deep sleep. The stallion awoke early the next morning, Slowly pushing his human self away from the pillows with his arms and pushing his hind legs into a better position in which to push himself up when he decided to stand. Akuji's green eyes remained closed for the time being, his mind slowly dragging itself into consciousness.
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Post by Autumn's Nightmare on Jan 24, 2009 21:38:46 GMT -5
Elu's mind was troubled. She had a lot going on, and not enough time to sort it all out. Too many emotions and memories she wanted to forget. They all played before her, from the first moment she had learned her family was murdered, the truth of her late fiancé, her secret child that was murdered as well, and then the mixed feelings of Akuji; fear, want, and need. All three. All three, it was too much to handle. In the middle of the night, she started to say his name, she was twisting and turning. "No...Akuji....don't go...." She groaned, and then went silent. She was hugging her pillow extremely tight; the lines of the muscles on her arms were almost bulging. It was obvious; she was hugging him, begging him not to go. The look on her face, it was obvious she was hurting. Eventually, her body relaxed, and moments after Akuji woke, she sat up, her legs fighting to follow her brains order to sit her up. She threw her hands up to her face and looked around. She saw him standing; it was okay, he was still there. She slowly dropped her hands and slowed her breathing. She was staring at him, her eyes taking in his body again. She looked up to his face. "Good morning, Akuji." She slowly stood and stretched.
Her blue eyes were darker; the shards of midnight blue were taking over. This happened when she was scared. She closed her eyes tight, and then opened them; they were still the same dark, confusing blue. She briskly looked around the room, and let her gaze fall on him again, unsure of what to do now.
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Post by Shu'al Raethir on Jan 25, 2009 12:16:09 GMT -5
"Good Morning, Miss Elu." Akuji replied softly, slowly opening his eyes and glancing over at her. Her eyes seemed troubled, but Akuji decided it wasn't his place to go invading in on her dreams and thoughts if she wasn't being forthcoming about them. He stretched his chocolate brown human half first, back popping to his pleasure. Then the stallion stretched his horse half with a yawn, exposing his back teeth which were sharp and long, like a wolf's. "You mentioned an enemy last night. So I suggest we grab our things, breakfast, and get a move on to go find this sorceress lady or yours." Akuji got his brush out from one of the sadle bags and brushed out his mane and tail thoroughly before grabbing his off-white tunic and pulling it on, covering the section of his mane along his back. His first time wearing a human shirt was uncomfortable because of that, but he had adjusted quickly, soon getting used to wearing his sword and bow with quiver on his human back as well. His large hands picked up his saddle bags as well, turning his human half and buckling them on with years of experience. He did the cinches tight, but comfortable. If he got into a fight, the bags would slip off or be of any hindrance. Last but not least, Akuji strapped on his scabbard and quiver before digging a pick out of his left front saddle pack. He lifted his front leg carefully and used the pick to clean the rocks and dirt out of his hooves. His hind legs were the hardest, requiring him to lean against the wall and stretch the hind leg forwards and up towards his face so he could clean them out. "Ahh, much better. You can use it if you like." He placed the pick on the dresser in the room, getting the brush from the dresser and putting it into the slot it had come out of. All of this finished, Akuji did some other stretches, preparing his body for a long day. He didn't normally go through all of the stretches, but because he had slept laying down, he had to loosen the stiffened joints.
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