Breakdown (Aleksi)

[Tebridiar]

In pieces... before she could turn around. Hopefully Luc was as brave as his owner.

He did seem like a big pussy cat, he loved being petted and scratched... Tebridiar even lent out a shaky finger to awkwardly tickle his ear. It was a big step... the first thing she'd touched that would probably eat her if given half the chance in the wild.

"Well, Kayiri really did like me in my horse form, Ill admit. Bonding with him, hmmn... Ive never really thought about that. I'm waiting untill I'm absolutely sure, you know? I don't want to get my hopes up just to have them torn to shreds again. But he is nice. Im not sure if he's my type yet, though." Tebridiar had never really thought of "her type". She'd eventually work it out.

"Don't worry, you weren't bold. Its curiosity, and everyone needs to act on it once in a while." Tebridiar lead Aleksi and Luc to an area of Endrykas that was a bit out of the way, it had a bit of a clearing, covered in grass that reached up nearly to the knees. It was quite tickly, and soothing.

"I like this place... its so quiet. I sit here sometimes, during the day. Crowds tend to get to me a little." She giggled to herself, walking barefoot amongst the flora. Luc seemed to be having a good time, he was practicing stalking a little moth. He didn't seem so scary after all.

[Aleksi]

Aleksi started giggling as she saw Luc play around... He didn't seem so happy in a while.Her eyes moved back to the girl lightly, just before whispering
I'm not sure I'll ever have a man in my life... it's a bit... strange for both me and them, I guess...

Her mind went completely blank for a second, before she actually shook her head once again and whispered
I understand though... you should be 100% sure that he is the one before making such a commitment...

It was unusual for Aleksi to be this calm, this gently and emotional around others. It could be cause of the fact that this was a woman, and a little less scary then she was, but then again, Aleksi has spent time around Drykas women and she didn't like it one bit
You're different.... Most women around Drykas hate me.... or hate being around me... I think they think I'm stealing their men in the battles... strange...

[Tebridiar]

Tebridiar loved her laugh, it was really quite beautiful, like a song with no words. That panther meant everything to her.

"You shouldn't need to have a man, really. I think your to independant to be tied down like that. I can't imagine me being a.. a wife. But I see what you mean, it might be strange for the men, marrying a woman as tough as they are." Tebridiar did sort of understand. She could relate to people better than most other Kelvics could, and although she was driven by a mad instinct to forge a bond, she knew not everyone was the same.

"I don't think I can make a commitment yet. I'm going away for the winter, Ill see a lot of people. I might find someone then, who knows? A man..." she smiled. "or a woman."

Tebridiar clasped a hand over her mouth. She shouldn't be so open about that. The thing was, she wasn't very sure of her sexuality. To Tebridiar, love was love, whether it was with anyone, of any gender. But she had learned not everyone felt the same, and she had also learned to keep her mouth shut. She seemed to be breaking all sorts of boundaries with Aleksi around.

"Um, anyway... these Drykas women shouldn't hate you. They must be stupid... how can you steal a man while your fighting? And they should have faith in their husbands, I think. They should get to know you before making their minds up." Tebridiar rarelt got this heated about things like this, but somehow she was a bit... angry... that anyone would judge Aleksi. Because she knew what it was like for people to hate you before they even knew you.

"Well, I guess... Ill show you now." Tebridiar whispered, half to herself. It was different than the time with Kayiri. She literally had to show Kayiri, or he might not have believed she was a kelvic. Now she was showing this girl completely out of her own will. She'd never done this before... she'd never totally willingly changed in front of someone.

So, she began taken off her clothes. But for some reason, this felt different too. Like she wasn't embarassed. Like she... no. She had to get that thought out of her head. She took off her little waistcoat, and peeled off her shirt, and then her trousers, and she was completely free. She looked at her skin, it almost glowed in the moonlight. And she turned around, for some crazy reason, and looked into the eyes of Aleksi. They were beautiful like lush green fields encased behind a pupil.

And then, she changed.

She was a horse now. She felt a little dizzy, which was normal, and she felt at one with the world around her, the grassy shoots brushing against her long legs. Her glossy reddish-brown fur looked radiant, and she whinnied happilly.

She felt so alive.

[Aleksi]

Aleksi smiled as she saw anger on the girl's face. It felt good being important to a person. Her eyes moved all over Tebridar's face, hair, body.... she started at her, with no embarrassment or restrictions, checking every inch of that interesting creature out closely
I am starting to.... question if I actually am going to be with a man myself.... it's a bit strange for a Drykas woman to be with another woman though..., grinning she continued with the same, soft voice but then again, what isn't strange about me...

Her heart started beating a bit faster as soon as Tebridar stood up, not sure why though. Her eyes followed her every move and with no shame, she moved closer to the girl and right as she transformed, Aleksi's fingers were moving up the beautiful, reddish-brown fur on the horses's thigh
You're extraordinary beautiful Tebridar, both inside and out in all your forms...

Aleksi didn't know what she felt at that moment, but her gaze and her fingers wouldn't move away from the girl. Yes, she treated her as a girl even now... she knew it was a girl deep inside and the admiration wasn't because Tebridar was a horse, but because of what she was inside and the horse form allowed her to show it

[Tebridiar]

She was so gentle.

Aleksi seemed in awe of her, stroking her thigh. Tebridiar nuzzled her hair. Her senses were much better now, she could see a lot more clearly, and could smell better. She smelled so sweet, mingled with the smell of iron and grass. Aleksi had barely any imperfections on her skin, accept the scars. She could see them clearly now, even under the ink. They stood out, but they weren't ugly, they were beautiful. They were part of the girls life, her passion, and they showed her feats and her bravery.

If only she could speak, she could have said a million things right then. She new Aleksi had been looking when she transformed, when she had stood there, with nothing but thin air between them. Tebridiar couldn't describe how she was feeling right now, she hadn't felt like that before. She was already scared incase she'd never feel it again.

She lifted her head up, and blinked her blue eyes. She took a sniff of the air. It was so fresh, it was invigorating. It filled Tebridiar with a strange kind of bravery. So she decided to act upon it.

Tebridiar took one last look at Akelsi, she wouldn't be able to see so clearly as a human... and she transformed again, practically in Aleksi's arms, wearing nothing but her skin.

"You looked so beautiful. I could see everything... so clearly. I don't know how to describe it..." she gasped. She was shaking, for some reason. But she wasn't cold... she felt warmer than she had ever done before. What was happening?

[Aleksi]

Aleksi's heart rushed like mad when Tebridar blinked like that. For the first time in her life, all of her emotions were out in the open. Her arm lightly wrapped around the girl as if she wanted to keep her safe while transforming back into a human and her fingertips, well, they gently traced the girl's face and ended up on her lips

Shhhhhh, shhhhh, Aleksi whispered, kissing Tebridar's forehead lightly. Tears were filling her eyes, she knew what she was doing wasn't right, wasn't something that would keep either of them safe, but she couldn't stop.

Her big, green eyes never left the young woman, they never even tried to as the palm of her hand gently stroked that soft, warm cheek. Tebridar was blushing... and so was Aleksi, but neither of them seemed to know why.

[Tebridiar]

Tebridiar felt serene, and untroubled. But was she doing what was right? Was she really up for this...

What am I doing... she thought to herself. She was leaving for Syliras very soon, she couldn't get emotionally involved... she'd just met Aleksi, but it felt like she'd known her a lot longer. Being in her arms, it was like she was safe. She felt natural.Yet, she was conflicted. It felt right and wrong. But people wouldn't understand. No one would...

"I..." She started. "I... I have to go, Aleksi..." She stuttered. She was having one of the best nights of her life, why was she ending it? "I'm leaving for Syliras in a few days... I need rest... I'm sorry..." She felt so bad. She was sure Aleksi felt the same warmth, the same feelings. But she couldn't be sure. Tebridiar gently removed herself from the embrace of those cosy, inked arms and went to collect her clothes. She quickly put them on, and went to exit the clearing.

"Aleksi, I..." Tebridiar didn't know how to put it into words. She felt like she had been ripped. No one else made her feel as relaxed as this, she wasn't tense or worried with her. Why was she leaving? And with that, she walked away. She hated it... everything in her head told her it was right, it would be for the benifit of everyone involved. Aleksi had other things to focus on, so did she. But her heart shrieked in protest, it felt like it was being crushed. She leant up against a post, clutching her chest.

"Why has everything wonderful got to end..." she sobbed.

[Aleksi]

Aleksi's strong arms were now stone. She wouldn't..... no, she couldn't move them. In her head, they were still holding the young, Kelvic girl. They were still holding that innocent, gentle creature, keeping it safe and away from the world.

Her mind went blank, her heart stopped and her eyes closed to stop the tears. Wind blowing against the skin that was touching Tebridiar's just a minute before was driving her crazy. For the first time, she hated all the gods and creatures people believed that make destiny. For the first time in her life, she felt alone, empty, even with Luc's big paw on her knees.

She had to stop her, even though she knew that being around the Kelvic girl will bring no good to either of them, she had to go after her... at least... at least to say... No!
She will not say goodbye, she will not let her leave. But what could she do? Keep her and then what? Get both of them killed? or even worse, enslaved by the men of her kind.....

She stood up, still thinking about what she should do once she catches her and running, running as fast as she could, as fast as her legs could carry her.
No.... Tebridiar, please don't leave.... not tonight.., she whispered quietly, as she ran to the wall where she could clearly hear the girl breathing
I will not keep you away from leaving, I promise.... I'll even help you get out of the camp safely, when the time comes... just don't leave now

She couldn't believe what she was saying. That Aleksi, the strong warrior people were scared of. The one that has killed a panther just two days ago. The one who was talking about scars to the same girl she's begging to stay now.

Was this one more thing she could have been proud of? Was this a battle she just lost?
Aleksi didn't know. But Aleksi didn't care either.

[Tebridiar]

What? She'd came back?

Tebridiar was so confused. Confused about everything right now.

"Akelsi..." she gasped. She was so surprised, she could barely speak right now. She just just stared for a while. The Drykas infront of her was desperate, she looked pained... her dark hair was framed with white moonlight, and her eyes were the saddest thing she'd ever seen before.

"I don't want to leave. That was one of the best moments of my life, Akelsi... but you must understand... what would people say... what if they found out?" Tebridiar was frightened. Not everyone approved of a relationship like this. What if Kayiri didn't? She wouldn't have a home... he couldn't find out... And Jerroa, what would he think... he couldn't find out either...

"I feel so confused..." She sighed, shaking her head. "I've just met you, but it feels so different..." She paused. Tebridiar didn't have to leave now. She was leaving for Syrila's in probably over a week. It gave her a bit of time... she didn't have to leave just yet. She didn't want to... But she didn't know where this meeting might lead to. It was exciting and a bit scary...

"Akelsi... what... what do you want to do?" She whispered, her voice just carrying to the girl in front of her.

[Aleksi]

Aleksi bit on her bottom lip, looking to the side with a deep sigh. It was painful, it was strange and way too emotional for her. Her eyes filled with tears once again, at just the thought of bringing this woman in danger. She did it, not on purpose, but she did it.

No Tebridiar, listen.... nobody will find out, they won't have anything to find out..... I will not ask you to give me your freedom or your life, that my dear is your decision to make, and I'm quite sure it wouldn't be a very bright one, even though.... I'd love it, to be honest
She was blunt, scared and at the same time amazed. This woman felt the same way she did.
Aleksi was feeling something for another creature, for someone other then Luc. Her life, Luc's life and Tebridiar's life were in danger, and yet... the only thing she could think about was Tebridiar's face in the moonlight, before her.

Stay with me tonight, we'll talk... and I will keep it clean, for your sake. No matter how different, Drykas man is a Drykas man... I do not wish him to get mad.... He may not be able to hurt me, but you.... I would never forgive myself, she sighed again, deeply, hearing Luc growl as one of the guards got closer.

And yes, it's a lovely night tonight, but as I've told you before, you should either keep yourself close to a Drykas woman around here, or to Kayiri... It's not safe, rolling her eyes, Aleksi smiled and made a face just like if she was saying Stupid guards... their timing sucks