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Post by Raenia on Aug 24, 2009 18:37:32 GMT -5
((This is mainly for me and Jade, but feel free to join.))
Lakrai padded quickly along toward the clearing, moving easily around the trees and bushes. The pace might have been difficult for his young son to match, at least on foot. Rivan, however, was awing, and flew circles around his grounded father. Lakrai's wide wingspan was impractical among the trees.
Seeing the glint of sunlight ahead, unimpeded by the thick summer foliage, Lakrai glanced slyly up at his son. "Race you there," he challenged, launching immediately into a smooth run.
"You're on!" Rivan accepted just as promptly, pumping his young wings and focusing on the path ahead. He couldn't reach full speed without risking an undignified crash with a tree, but he could come close.
Rivan passed over his father's head, and Lakrai put on a burst that took him careening into the clearing a paw's length ahead. Rivan tumbled delightedly into the grass as his father skidded to a halt. "Age before beauty," Rivan acceded, laughing. Sometimes he won, sometimes his father did, but they always both had fun.
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Post by JadeAngel on Aug 26, 2009 0:25:55 GMT -5
Emerald had been enjoying the meadow. It was a warm day and she was enjoying watching Nephrite, her newly grown daughter and her youngest daughter flying around playing tag.
She had to laugh as Peridot dove around, fast enough to out fly Nephrite, but slow enough to help Azura keep out of the Syora's reach. It felt nice that her daughters got along so well, she longed for the one who was gone from the valley, and hoped she'd soon see her son...though if she saw Rivan that would mean she'd get to see Lakrai as well.
Emerald shook her head as she refocused on the flying group and wrapped her tails around herself, willing herself not to blush about her previous thoughts.
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Post by Raenia on Aug 26, 2009 13:03:40 GMT -5
Lakrai looked down at his laughing son with pride. It felt so good to really be a father to his son, as he had not been to his older daughters. How could he not be filled with joy by Rivan? To see his son was to swell with joy and pride.
Rivan was on his feet in a moment, still laughing. He saw the others in the meadow before his father did, and leaped back into the air. "What'cha playing?" he asked his sister Azura, diving right in without waiting for an answer. He dipped and turned with the other, trying to figure out who was 'it.'
Lakrai sat up straighter and looked about. His smile broadened to see his two children playing together, with one of Emerald's older daughters, and a green syora. Nephrite - that meant Emerald was here too. Lakrai lowered his eyes, and his smile softened. "Good morning, Emerald," he said as he walked over to sit beside her.
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Post by JadeAngel on Aug 26, 2009 21:36:27 GMT -5
Azura laughed at her brother as he began dodging everyone. She was laughing so hard she didn't notice the syora coming up behind her.
"Tag! Azura's it," Nephrite chirped.
Azura pumped her wings as hard as she could, and turned towards her brother who had joined in the fun. "Not for long!"
Emerald laughed as Azura appeared to skid in mid air to begin her chase of her brother. She smiled up at Lakrai and sat up as he approached.
"Good morning to you as well," she replied. "Peri has a theory, if she can wear out Azura, she'll sleep better. We decided to test it out today, maybe we'll even get her to take a nap as well."
"So how have you and Rivan been?" Emerald asked as she turned her attention to him, knowing that Peri and Neph would watch the two young ones."
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Post by Raenia on Aug 27, 2009 8:02:39 GMT -5
Rivan laughed loudly, wavering in his flight, when Neph tagged Azura. A moment later he realized she was after him, and dropped and twisted to get away. Wings pumping furiously, he looked for someone to put between himself and Azura. Picking Peridot as the easiest to hide behind, he darted around her and hovered to see what Azura did.
"Hm, sounds reasonable," Lakrai commented on her plan. "I'll have to watch Rivan this afternoon and see." His eyes followed the two kiin for a moment longer, then turned down to Emerald. "We've been fine. Rivan's love of flying hasn't abated in the slightest, he flys whenever he can, instead of walking." He sighed contentedly, settling further into the grass. "As for me, I've never been happier. My children are mine, and I love them. What could be better?" With his eyes on Emerald, he couldn't help but thing of one thing that might make his life even more wonderful, but he quickly pulled thoughts and gaze away. Time enough later to think of that.
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Post by JadeAngel on Aug 28, 2009 12:15:15 GMT -5
Peri began laughing as Rivan dodged behind her, especially since Azura had set her sights, and nothing was going to change that.
Azura started to make a circle around Peri, completely ignoring the fact that she could have tagged Peri at any time, she continued after her brother. "I haven't seen you in forever, you're not getting away that easily!"
"It's been too long since we've seen each other, and Rivan and Azura," Emerald said as she settled back into the grass. "Azura and I have missed you boys, we shouldn't stay away for so long. I want her to be able to see you, and I want to see my son."
Emerald hoped she didn't sound harsh, she'd meant it sincerely.
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Post by Raenia on Aug 28, 2009 13:35:59 GMT -5
Rivan yipped in surprise, and tried to dip under Peri to put her between them again. "No fair!" he cried, laughing. "It's not my fault, you know!" He dodged again, trying to guess which way Azura would come at him.
"It has been too long," Lakrai agreed, laughing softly at the kiin's antics. "We've missed you too. We'll make sure to spend more time together, now." He turned his gaze back down to Emerald. "I'm not about to repeat past mistakes." His voice was entirely serious, acknowledging what had been lost even as he promised for the future. "Our children will know their parents. Their family."
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Post by JadeAngel on Sept 3, 2009 23:40:57 GMT -5
((I thought I had replied...but apparently I was mistaken >.>))
Nephrite fluttered down and landed on Lakrai's head, as the syora was not used to two active kiin.
Peri grinned at Rivan and winked at Azura before quickly moving to the side. "I'll see you at the den later Mom," Peri called as she landed and headed towards their overly large. "I promised Sugar I'd help clean out the main den and start to get ready for winter."
Emerald nodded at Peri, "I don't envy you, especially with all the bits of cotton lying around from Sugar's knitting and weaving."
Azura on the other hand had begun her direct descent towards Rivan, now that her older sister had graciously moved out of the way.
Emerald shook her head while laughing at her youngests antics. "I'm glad they'll know their parents. I already lost one daughter, I don't want to loose another child."
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Post by Raenia on Sept 4, 2009 7:15:11 GMT -5
Lakrai quirked a brow and smiled at the sudden weight on his head. "Hello, Neph," he greeted amusedly. Carefully keeping his head still, he waved goodbye to Peri. "Getting ready for winter already," he sighed. "It seems so early yet, but I guess it's not."
He restrained himself from nodding at Emerald's words. "So many kiin in the Valley have only one parent, or none at all. That will not be so of any more of mine, not if I can help it." He thought with guilt of his other children this season. Ryrai was with him, and didn't know his mother. The other two, Lakrai had barely met, as he had not met the mother. And then there was Drienne, separated from both her parents, though she had known her mother for a time. And Sonea, now grown, whom he had neglected for so long. They had a strong relationship now, but it could never make up for what they had lost. What Rivan and Azura would always have. What any other kiin the Dryad blessed him with would have.
Rivan squeaked and tried to dip out of the way, but he was too low already. He thumped into the ground with a laugh, and looked up beseechingly at his sister. "Truce?"
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Post by JadeAngel on Sept 4, 2009 17:20:15 GMT -5
"I win!" Azura crowed as she bounced off of him and ran up to Lakrai. "Hey Daddy!"
Azura nuzzled her father under his chin and settled down to rest. "So, when can we get together again? That was fun!"
It was taking Emerald everything she had not to laugh at her youngest two as she stood up to go hug her soon who'd been bounced and pounced upon.
"Cause seriously Daddy, I don't like not getting to see you whenever I want," Azura murmured.
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Post by Raenia on Sept 4, 2009 18:51:02 GMT -5
Rivan hugged his mother back, and sat up to glare at Azura. "I said truce," he protested weakly, snuggling into Emerald's arms.
Lakrai smiled down at his daughter. "Hey, sweetie." His smile stayed in place, though his eyes were worried. He wanted to make sure his family was a family. It wasn't right that she should have to ask when she would see him again. "We'll get together as much as we can, sweetie. You know I miss you when we're not together, even if it's not for very long." He looked up at Emerald, with their son. "Your Mama and I will work something out, don't you worry." He knew Emerald felt as he did - a child should have two parents. And Rivan and Azura were so good together, too. They needed each other as much as they needed him and Emerald.
He looked up at Emerald again. There was more there than before, too. Rivan and Azura had brought him closer to Emerald. He couldn't help but recall how Sonea and Drienne had been the last straw to drive him away from Sorka. So much was different now. He needed to talk to Emerald.
Quirking an eye up at the syora on his head, he asked, "Neph? Think you can keep an eye on these two for a minute? Emerald and I need to talk."
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Post by JadeAngel on Sept 5, 2009 20:10:42 GMT -5
"Twould be a pleasure," Neph replied. "I saw a bunch of berries nearby and I'm certain after exerting so much energy, these two are ready for a snack,"
Azura perked up immediately as Neph mentioned berries and after hugging her dad once more she stood up to get ready to follow.
"You two better not fight," Azura said pointedly at her parents. "Mama says fighting only leads to trouble, and if she catches me fighting she's gonna have to do something drastic...I don't want her to have to do that to you Daddy."
Emerald had to duck her head as she was sure her fur was no longer bright green, but bright red instead, and she didn't want Azura to see her laughing at her.
"Can't you make them move faster? I'm about to loose it here," Emerald thought at Neph."
"Yes, but if I did that I'd miss the explosion," Neph replied, then said outloud, "Last one to the berry bush is a rotten melon!"
He then launched from Lakrai's head and headed towards where he last saw the bush.
"No fair! I don't know where it is!" Azura called as she launched after Nephrite.
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Post by Raenia on Sept 6, 2009 7:47:27 GMT -5
"Berries!" Rivan exclaimed excitedly, jumping up. "Where, where?" He danced in place, waiting for the syora to lead.
Lakrai thanked the syora, and smiled at the children. "Try not to get too messy," he suggested. He hid a grin at Azura's words, but answered solemnly. "I shall do my utmost to ensure we do not fight. I don't want to find out the consequences - I think she means it."
As the syora started away, Rivan leaped into the air, then landed again, deciding it would be easier to keep pace with the flying syora on the ground. Turning back to grin at his parents, he called, "See you later Mom, Dad!"
Lakrai waved back, holding in his amusement until they were well into the brush. Then he laughed softly. "Ah, I love our children."
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Post by JadeAngel on Sept 7, 2009 0:50:56 GMT -5
As soon as they were out of hearing distance Emerald let loose the laugh that had been threatening to cause her to burst. She laughed until she was all red in the face and glanced up at Lakrai.
It took her a few more moments to finally calm down from the laugh, as a good laugh should, especially since the giggle box hadn't just let a giggle out, it fell over and was wide open.
She wiped away the tears that had formed from her mirth and took a deep breath.
"They are special, aren't they?" Emerald asked in reference to his last statement. "Now, I believe you wished to speak?"
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Post by Raenia on Sept 7, 2009 12:20:32 GMT -5
Lakrai chucked along with her, enjoying her delight. "That they are," he agreed, sincerely, but with a laugh hovering behind.
He nodded to acknowledge her last comment, and took a moment to choose his words. "You heard what Azura said to me?" His eyes were serious. "Our children should not have to wonder when they will see us." He paused a moment. "I ... feel something with this family. I feel something with you, something I had begun to think I would never feel again." He looked down at Emerald, and smiled. "I'm happy, when our family is together. I want it to stay that way." Another pause, as he resolutely collected the words. Once he said them, they would be real, and what was real could be lost. "Will you become my soulmate?"
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