A Beacon in the Storm

[Riamah]

After she spoke, whatever power she had held dissipated and left. The words and meaning of them still hung in atmosphere. Vulpesen took them as Ra intended and Ace was sent to go help Shadow in getting what food she needed.

"Vincent knows what to do. He's great like that. When I found him, he was almost a broken man and nobody wanted to buy him. I'm quite glad I did. No matter what though, that look never goes away."

Ra still faced him, her hand within his.

"Thank you for giving me this trust."

As she had done once before, she would move a little slower this time, but would attempt to kiss him on the cheek. It felt more natural now. Knowing fate had been decided hours ago, she vowed to herself she was not going to keep anything from him and would be herself.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen grinned as she spoke of Vincent. He had seen it on the man's face, but he certainly had not felt it in his presence. Vincent was, at least, a content man. And that was proof enough of the sort of person Ra was. As she thanked him and leaned in, the zorren turned his head to catch her lips. It was a light kiss, but still the feeling of lips against his own was a welcome one. He wanted to speak and tell her that she had earned the trust. But for all the skill he had as a spokesman, sometimes actions simply spoke louder than words.

 

[Riamah]

He smiled as she mentioned Vincent. That old man was loyal to her and had said as much before. She took care of him and he in his turn took care of her. Their stations in life were clearly defined, but both were happy with how it worked out.

Her intended kiss to the cheek turned into a light kiss. Drawing in a breath, but allowing it, a sense of bliss filled her. Ra would never forget this day. Not one to deny what she felt or thought with somebody she trusted, she stepped into the kiss.

When it did break, there was only one strong thought in her mind.

"I could get used to that."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

As she stepped closer, Vulpesen let his arms and tail curl lightly around her body. not quite pulling her against him, but certainly not giving any urge for her to stop. When they parted, he smirked at the words that came from her mouth. "So could I." His eyes shined down at hers as they stood in the door way, shedding a soft light on her features. He felt like he could stand like this for hours, but all good things must come to an end. "But for now, should we get some sleep?"

 

[Riamah]

Returning the embrace and giving him a soft smile at his own words that he could get used to it as well. As long as the day had been, she really wasn't that tired. Knowing there would be more time together, she did agree with having to get some sleep.

"Agreed, Vulps. I will see you in the morning. Not making steak that early though."

As much as she didn't want the day and evening to end, they both did need sleep.

"If you need me, my rooms are just a bit further. Good night."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Pressing a soft kiss against her forehead, Vulpesen would step back, reluctantly dropping his arms as he slipped into his room. "I'm sure whatever it is, it'll be delicious." He winced just a bit as his tail thumped loudly into the door, wagging fiercely despite his otherwise calm yet happy demeanor. Still, despite the momentary flash of pain, he continued to wag his tail, or rather, he was unable to stop from wagging it. "I'll keep that in mind. Goodnight, Ra."

 

[Riamah]

Apparently he was just as reluctant for the day to end, but it was bedtime. With the light kiss on her forehead, he stepped away and into his room. With both a wince and a giggle that made her want to cover her mouth, she heard him hit his tail on the door. In the end, Ra just gave into the laugh that welled up and shook her head.

"Must be something to get used to. Good night, Vulps."

With that smile, she finally turned away and headed to her own rooms. Her face warm with a blush and a little bounce to her step. That wouldn't be too noticeable though. Opening her door, she waved one of the lights on and closed the door behind her. Letting out a sigh, she leaned against it for a moment.

It didn't take her long to get into something different and climb into bed. Turning the light off, she laid in bed and thinking. Many thoughts were there about the day, her feelings for what had happened and where things were going. Eventually sleep did find her though.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Grinning at her final words, he closed the door and walked over to the bed, a snap of his fingers lowering the light as he plopped into the soft cushions. It had been a long day, and yet it felt like only moments had passed. Grinning, he rolled over and kicked off his boots before slipping out of his coat and floating any extraneous clothing to a place where they could rest neatly. No doubt Ace would find his way back in some time in the night to resume his vigil. But for now, he trusted that Ra wouldn't allow him to meet any harm. Every instinct as a warrior he had ever had screamed at him to be on alert. But the joy at what had transpired, and the explainable trust in Ra had overridden those instincts. And thus, he quickly drifted off to sleep.

 

[Riamah]

The next thing Ra knew was having Ankhaara licking and nipping her out of bed in the morning. It was routine for them to take a walk outside if the weather was permitting and then get breakfast. She highly doubted Vulps would want to watch the cat eat though. Rolling out of bed, Ra got dressed and ready for her morning tradition with her nexu.

On her way passed his room, she stopped to see if he was awake and maybe wanted to join them for the walk. If he was still asleep, she would let him. If he was awake, then the invitation would be extended and that she would wait at the front doors for him.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Ace's head flicked over from his spot at the end of the bed. His eyes a bit drowsy as he looked at Ra and regarded her, his tail swishing momentarily behind him. Behind the fox, Vulpesen laid sprawled out on the bed. Not exactly a picture of grace, he was completely out his dark hair ruffled while his white streak hung down over his eyes, obscuring it while he lay there. His mouth, while not snoring, was held a bit open, showing the sharp pair of fangs that poked a bit from his upper lip. Behind him, his tail flicked just a bit under the covers, picking up the heightened attention from Ace in some sort of dreamland.

 

[Riamah]

"Keep your watch, Ace, but nothing will happen while you all are under my roof here."

Walking away, Ra went about her morning rutine with Ankhaara. It really wasn't much, just a walk around the castle grounds. Making sure everything was in order and no damage had been done by the storm the day before. It gave them both a chance to get out and breath the fresh air. And the cat got to run and let off some energy from being pent up inside the day before.

The walk being done, they returned to the castle. Ra got the cat her food and went about making herself and Vulpesen breakfast. Just a simple fair, but warm and filling for the day. Sending Ankhaara back to her room, she took some extra food up there for the new fox while breakfast was cooking. Knowing how long it was going to take to fix the food, she spent a little time aquainting herself with Akata. He had made himself at a spot in one of the boxes and was curled up inside. Sitting on the floor, she did not attempt to pet him and would allow him to come out on his own.

After spending a few minutes there, Ra returned to the kitchen to gather up the breakfast and take it to his room. Hopefully he would be awake now.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Get up sleeping beauty. And fix your hair! Vulpesen groaned as a set of paws pounced up and down on his face, and a voice spoke into his mind. Had it been any other being, the consequences would have been disastrous, but Ace's link with Vulpesen ensured that he would never be in danger, even if his bond-mate was half dead with sleep. "Crux, Ace... I'm up get off me." Rolling over, Vulpesen fell onto the floor with a low groan. He really did hate mornings. Not even bothering to stand up on two legs yet, Vulpesen brought his boots over and set them on before putting on a few more clothing items and getting himself cleaned up.

Upon leaving the refresher, both Vulpesen and Ace's heads turned to the door as it creaked open Smiling a bit, Vulpesen looked up at the visitor, his glowing eyes shining just a little brighter, though obviously still drowsy. "Good morning." Despite the casual tone of his sleepy welcome and the way he padded over to sit on the bed, Ra would still be faced with a rather odd sight. Vulpesen had yet to bother with coming out of his four legged stance, and thus he was standing as if he himself were a dog with human limbs, his legs bent unnaturally to accommodate the strange position.

 

[Riamah]

Ra obviously couldn't hear the quick conversation between Ace and Vulpesen, she winced slightly when she heard the thud of him hitting the floor. If that wasn't a wake up call, she didn't know what was. Two heads turned as she knocked on the door and entered when he said good morning.

"Morning you two. Sleep well? Ace you have got to be worn out. You certainly looked like when I poked my nose in earlier."

Tilting her head slightly, she didn't actually say anything about how he moved. He had displayed yesterday he could turn into large fox to ride on, so what he did now wasn't nearly as shocking or surprising.

"Hungry?"

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Ace nodded a bit to Ra's words, and now that Vulpesen was up, trotted over to find himself a place in one of Vulpesen's pockets. "Slept great, thank you." Smiling as he started to wake his mind, Vulpesen took a seat on the bed while his legs let out a loud pop, falling back into their bipedal joints. "Breakfast would be nice. And how did you sleep miss Ra?" Vulpesen turned his head, groaning a bit as a chorus of pops left his neck.

 

[Riamah]

Ra watched as Ace moved away and found a place to sleep within one of the pockets of his shirt. Setting a small bowl of the breakfast nearby to him, she turned to her guest.

"Fancy breakfast in bed? It'll be the first time I've done this for somebody that wasn't sick and needing tending to."

While that had only happened with one person, it was still a new thing for her. Looking at the chair by the fire, she flicked her eyes and that was all it took to get it next to the bed. There she took a seat there with the food on her lap.

"I slept like a rock once I was able to get to sleep."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen smiled and sat back, his tail flicking as he accepted the breakfast. "Thank you." Sitting up to started to eat, glancing at Ra as he enjoyed the breakfast. "I'm not surprised. You have very comfortable beds here." His tail popped up to wave almost like a metronome behind his back. "So what do you have planned for today?" After yesterday's fun with capturing Akata and introducing Ra to his animal crew, he wondered just what other enterainment he could find on Vjun's service.

 

[Riamah]

Laughing slightly at his comment on the comfort of the bed, she started eating her own food.

"You are quite welcome, sleepy head."

The hypnotic wave his tail caught her eye for a moment, but she returned her gaze to him.

"You're the one visiting Vjun. My daily plans are usually pretty bland. Hanging around the house, playing with Ankhaara and taking care of any business that Vincent brings to my attention. Which that reminds me, we need to get food for Shadow brought in I think. Depends on how long you plan to stay."

Sitting back as she ate and conversed with Vulpesen, she hoped he would stay around for a while. If he didn't, then maybe they would go to Veradune together.

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

Vulpesen yawned a bit then resumed his food, cleaning the plate rather quickly as he had at dinner. "Well, I'm still happy to keep you company for as long as you'll allow. Though i suppose you're right about Shadow. She'll be wanting her meals." He chuckled softly and turned to place his boots on the ground. "Last thing I need is for that fox to get mad and buck me off in the middle of the woods."

 

[Riamah]

"You know that food isn't going to get stolen here right?"

Like the night before, she was only about half done with her own food when he finished his.

"Slow down and enjoy the flavor sometime."

That was said with a friendly wink. He could stay as long as he wanted, there would be no time limits placed by her. Once Vulpesen finished eating, he resumed getting dressed and allowed Ra to finish her food.

"I can't imagine her doing that here. There's no woods."

[member="Vulpesen"]

 

[Vulpesen]

He chuckled softly and set his plate aside. "Sorry. But perhaps you'd understand one you go to Veradune. Sure your food may not be stolen, but the longer you take to eat, the less likely you are to finish your meal. Of course, that doesn't mean I don't enjoy the food." Walking over to put on his coat, he smiled as the familiar weight of his gear descended on his shoulders. "Oh even better. She can buck me into a canyon."