a ghost in your presence. )) [Open]

[tou]

Her lithe figure turned as she faced him, the varge finding himself staring into her oculars, mesmerized. Tou blinked multiple times as he listened to her, each sentence like a strike to his flesh. The Shire took a slight edge backwards, as if her confrontation was cornering him like a a cat upon a mouse. He felt disgusting - as if a layer of grime was smeared upon his pale hide - when her accusations made him think back to what he had done. The brute hadn't quite realized it would have hurt her as much as he did, hadn't recognized that she felt for him like he did towards her - or at least her actions and emotions indicated to Tou. Crown descended in the general direction of the terra firma, stopping when he was about eye level with the lass. Whilst her monologue injured his pride, he refused to back down now. Internal conversations passed about his dome - What kept him from leaving her again? Well ... you. His voice was low, tones soft, almost sweet, at least for one who had never known such a way of speaking. Muscles tightened a little, as the creature braced himself for rejection. He could take it, he was tough. Or, that was what he told himself.

[twi]

Gone was the resolution Seraph had so recently possessed, replaced by a sudden relaxation of her muscles. Her shoulders slumped, as though in defeat. Defeat was far from her mind however, and she stared at the Shire with new eyes.
“For me?” she repeated softly. “But why? I don’t…I don’t understand.”
Seraph was beginning to get a glimmer of what he meant, contrary to what she had said. Could it be? If only. She wanted Tou to declare himself, she wanted him to be blunt with her. Either he cared or did didn’t. There was no middle ground.
“Please,” she whispered to herself, “Please.”
Her eyes had suddenly taken on a pleading look and they burned into Tou, as if she would consume him with her gaze. She wanted to walk up to his white body, to press herself against his side and then everything would be okay. She would forget her pain, both physical and mental. But she did not dare. She refused to make the first move. If he loved her, he would have to tell her himself. She would not help him anymore.

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[tou]

Tou's main frame eased a little, tendons loosened as the refusal he had expected to be pelted with wasn't found within her words. In fact, she seemed to possibly be touched by his words, but perhaps was cowering behind a thick wall, fearing the removal of such a barrier. But the baron couldn't blame her, for he found himself in the same position. His sights had dropped to the ground, only returning to her own gripping view when he felt it searing into his crawling flesh. Lone hind limb extended backwards unintentionally, as if his instincts were urging him to run from what he didn't understand before it was too late. To fear that which he couldn't grasp, couldn't comprehend, lest it reign over him and conquer the boy. But Tou fought against this, tightening his muscles, refusing to flee as his reflexes insisted. Seraph, He started, forcing his tongue to cooperate and not to stutter as such a vital time. I think ... he paused again as he held his blue gaze onto her own, looking for whatever reaction she was going to give to his next words. ... that I love you. The words caused his tongue to tingle, his throat to tighten a little, his heart beat just a little quicker, and all because he knew it was true. He didn't know what this "love" word had meant before he had spoken it nearly moments ago. Had never experienced its caress, never known its contents. But he was sure that was the word he had sought for, that summed up everything she did to him by just being in his presence. The buzz in his skull, the fluttering of his heart, the butterflies in the pit of his stomach - he knew he couldn't be imagining it all.

[twi]

Seraph's heart stopped. It did not just skip a beat. It stopped in its tracks. Her pulse raced and her pupils dialated. So he did feel for her. And she was so glad. All that time she had been so scared. The pain in her skull was gone, replaced by a flowing warmth spreading from her heart. All of a sudden she was ridiculously happy. Slowly, deliberately, she walked up to Tou and touched her cheek to his.
"I'm glad Tou, because those are the words I've been waiting for you to say for so long. Because I love too and everything's alright."
And everything was alright. The sun was shining through the clouds, giving the snow a diamond quality, sunlight reflected off so many crystalline facets. The world was beautiful.
"Will you stay with me forever?" Seraph asked, searching his face. There. She had voiced her one doubt. If - no - when it was put to rest, she would completely and totally trust him. She would give gim her heart.
"I'll go with you, all accompany you on all your wanderings," she added quickly. She could not lose him no or it would shatter her.

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[tou]

Her response honestly baffled him - so all this time he had been thinking he was a fool, having feelings for this girl whom he had known for such little time. Had thought himself crazy for falling for her - him, a nomadic gentle giant with a gruesome past. Whose heart had been bound behind irons and chains, padlocks and safes. But somewhere along their short adventure, she had found the key that fit each and every lock, allowing such bindings to simply fall away.

However, a thin barrier still encompassed his heart. Fabricated from little more than doubt and self loathing, along with a hint of trepidation. He couldn't help but leave such a wall up, for Tou till feared being crushed by his own weight, quite metaphorically speaking, should something come between the duo. The beast was afraid that perhaps she'd see something in him later on down the road she didn't like, find some flaw or something of the sort that would surely send her on her way - he knew he was full of them. As her hide came in contact with his, a thin band of warmth spread from that spot, flourishing and growing as it spread beneath his flesh, soon warming his entirety as it creeped along his structure. Slightly hesitantly he returned such a caress, velveteen maw stroking along her jaw line. I promise. Tou spoke to her, having every intention of keeping his word. However, her following voiced statement managed to cause him to pause.

He hadn't quite thought of such a thing. Here he was, a vagabond, putting his heart on a platter for this lass. He couldn't possible put her through the things he went through. Every element, of every day, never ending. He nudged her neck lightly before rejecting her idea. No, you shan't tag along like such. Tou shook his head, absolutely refusing. When his dome came to a stand still, he continued. It would change the life he knew forever. Would go against everything he knew, everything he had known for as long as he could remember. But if it was for her, he'd be fine with it. I'll stay here with you. The boy confirmed, tail making a single flick at his rump. You said you wished to settle down in a place you wouldn't mind enjoying for days on end. And if such is your want, I simply wish for you to be content. He spoke, tones affirmative, stern, as if he wouldn't accept any other suggestion. A small smile drifted onto his facade, his ears, for once, not monitoring his surroundings so extremely.

[twi]

As the last shreds a doubt fell away, Seraph knew that she had found the one she had waited for all her life. Throughout her seven years, all her other friends had taken mates at young ages, but Seraph had chosen to wait. And wait. Though still in her prime, the mare was self-conscious of being slightly older than almost all the others she had encountered, the only one having yet to find a mate. Looking at Tou, her Tou, Seraph’s heart sang within her. He was worth waiting for. He had just told her that he was willing to give up his very life, all that he had known, all for her. She doubted a greater sacrifice could be made, for giving up one’s literal life for death was a quick transition and then all was over. Choosing to devote to her, a rich life that still lay before him, touched Seraph immensely. Surely she too, should make some sacrifice
She looked at Tou a moment, thinking. Then she smiled at him, saying “Tou, I will never fully understand just how much you are willing to give up, all for me. Yet know this; simply being where you are is a paradise to me, beyond imagining. I would be content at the ends of the earth and back, so long as you were at my side. Yet since you make your offer so sincerely, I have no choice but to accept, however I do offer terms of my own. We will wait for the perfect place before choosing to settle down, accepting nothing less. I do not mind whether it takes us our whole life times to find it, for time is of no matter.”

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[tou]

Tou's heart practically swelled within his chest cavity, the creature simply brimming with joy. Such was apparent upon his features as well, a placid grin painted upon his facade. Her words honestly touched him, striking a chord in the boy's darkened soul. So while he was willing to give up everything for her, she too was glad to change. She would gladly travel with him, through wind and rain, heat and cold, across whatever lands they so tackled in search of such a perfect location to call home. With gliding movements, Tou proceeded forward, dome lowering as his cheek brushed across her own, muzzle drawing across her jaw line before he spoke. So it will be, m'dear. But only the best of lands shall suffice for my lass. Words drifted, before he offered another small smile. Structure shook, mane whipping at his neck as he ruffled away the flakes that had drifted from the trees onto his hide. The snow had accumulated a good bit, was was still capable of being trekked across if need be. Well. Shall we go forth, or bed down for the night? He asked, looking up towards the atmosphere that was beginning to grow colder and darker, the boy not caring either way.

[twi]

Seraph laughed at his words. Lass? She grinned at him before replying, “I don’t care either way. Perhaps we should try to find a larger shelter, one that will fit us both.”
She eyed Tou carefully, wishing that she could read thoughts. How nice it would be to have aura-reading abilities. Her eyes roved over him, missing no detail. What was he thinking? She realized the eagerness in her eyes and looked away, blushing. She most certainly did not want to rest for the night. Why, life was only beginning! As she looked around her, she saw the world through new eyes. She felt new, as though she had been reborn. She was happy to be beautiful. In the past she had wished that she was different, a bit less exquisite so that she could tell whether the attentions paid her were sincere or simply a result of her looks. She could trust Tou though and knew that he was not like that. Life was good.

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[tou]

The leviathan smiled in return as he answered, agreeing. I concur. Not entirely sure I could even step foot within this one. Tou noted, eying up the shelter he had originally spotted. He zoned out a little as he wondered if he had subconsciously picked one he couldn't fit it so he'd be able to slip off, to logically excuse himself from her presence. Such a thought disturbed him greatly, though he forced it back, not allowing it to worm its way to the surface. He felt as if eyes were roaming across him, snapping him out of his zoning session, his own gaze instantly returning to Seraph. Tou's suspicions were confirmed as he watched her gaze seem to prod at him, as if she refused to not miss a single thing about him. The Shire immediately felt self conscious of his looks. Despite the well toned muscles that lined his entire frame, the relatively well groomed coat that blanketed such brawn, and his general handsomeness, he felt as if he were not good enough for such a gorgeous lady as herself. His skin crawled beneath her scrutiny, the boy continuing their dialogue in hopes to draw his thoughts off of such issues. Alrighty. We shall rest up for the night if and when we find a suitable place, then set out tomorrow. We'll need our energy. He insisted, a light grin displacing his features. Caudal appendage flicked neatly at his flanks, his happiness practically emanating from his hide.

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Apologies for such a long time responding. D: I don't really have any access to a fast enough computer until weekends, and only sometimes during the week. :x

[twi]

Seraph’s head dipped once in acknowledgment.
“Do you think there might be another cave in the area?” she asked, casting her gaze around as though there might be one within eyeshot. She hoped so. The wind had picked up, and with it the sting of snow and ice.
She snorted playfully, lifting her knees in a lively trot. She wanted to increase her pace to a canter and then a gallop, but her headache crouched not far away, ready to spring at any aggravation. She tossed her mane and flicked her tail, the picture of excitement. She could hardly wait, for what she could not begin to describe. He was hers and hers alone. Hers. She smiled to herself. Now she would just have to mend her slightly flirtatious ways, for not only was he hers, she was his.
She carefully bend her head against the wind, beginning their slow march into the forest.

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gahh sorry, so short. [/size]