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+----- Thread: -Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis- (/showthread.php?tid=11225)
Re: -Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis- - Schism - 02-06-2020
The king cheetah reveled in the ability to relax, even for a moment. To not have a constant threat looming over her or forcing her to play some stupid game. It felt nice to finally be free from it all. So used to catering to the wishes and whims of other people, Schism almost didn't know what to do with herself. Except she did, cause she was super tired. After that though? Schism had no idea.
The movements that the dino took around her was caring and despite the fact that he never spoke, Schism felt a trust. Perhaps it was misplaced or a feeling too soon to name but for the moment, she would trust her gut. She watched as he turned and began walking. It took her a moment before realizing that it was a beckon for her to join him.
With slow, shaky steps, Schism began to follow after him. After the adrenaline wasn't needed anymore, it was getting harder and harder to command her body to do what she wanted it to. She had no doubt that she would be hurting tomorrow but atleast she had a tomorrow to look forward to.
Her tail was lifted a little higher as she strode after her savior, the only way to tell that she had more hope for her future.
Re: -Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis- - Sunburned Lily - 02-09-2020
A sort of wonderment fills Acnestis's muscled breast as they slink through the sunlit pines together. He is admittedly on the youngish side: a mere 30 years old. Just entering the prime of his life. This youngness, coupled with his inexperience, has him the closest to nervous such a creature can feel. His massive head flicks to the side as he glances back at the king cheetah. She looks terribly exhausted. Weak. Vulnerable.. yet, content in some way.
The dinosaur breaks free of the treeline within the next few steps. Acnestis pauses a moment to regain his bearings. He shakes himself, scents a whiff of the air, then watches Schism expectantly. Curiously. Though, he is careful not to meet her eyes. The gently gurgling river he had been leading her to is now a few yards away. Quiet. Small. Feeding from much farther North & into the nearby ocean.
Respectfully, the creature bows his head, crooning to her in a tone akin to that of a steam train grinding to a halt.
Re: -Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis- - Schism - 02-11-2020
Age was never of concern to Schism, being of a fit and able body did. If you were a slave that couldn’t do labor then you were dead. Atleast that’s what The Pitt taught her. In fact, that hellish place had taught her many things, despite her denial. Schism’s train of thought drifted to what her life would be like now that she was free. She glanced over at the lumbering creature and corrected her thought. Now that she was in control of her life.
It wasn’t long before they broke from the tree line and Schism let out an audible sigh at the sight of the stream. There was truly no way that she could thank her savior and yet he still wouldn’t look her in the eyes. Her chest swelled with the thought that such was a larger sign of submission and respect then she had ever been given in her life. She started to stride over towards the river, intentionally brushing up against the side of the dinosaur with a gentle touch of her tail following along and being the last thing to leave. It was Schism’s way of showing the strong bond that she felt they had, whether or not he saw it in that way.
Then she continued, dipping down to drink from the river, Schism was still on edge. It was only habit to be so guarded while eating and drinking however, she tried not to dwell on it and instead thought about her new ally. He hasn’t spoken yet, and it made her wonder if he was incapable of speech due to the physical inability or the mental inability. Perhaps it was both? Once Schism had had her fill of water, she laid beside it and looked at the ambush predator.
“Can you speak?” There was really only one way to find out, although her hopes weren’t high. It didn’t really matter though, if he let her then she would stay with him regardless.
Re: -Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis- - Sunburned Lily - 02-11-2020
Soaring delight fills his primordial heart as the female brushes past him towards the river. Pride, as well, that he his instincts to lead her to water were well placed, that she was pleased with his territory, his river. Quietly, he mimics her sigh, exhaling with a forceful crooning after Schism's tail. Such display of affection have been taught to him by the cat he had long ago imprinted on &, despite the lack of that instinctual voice guiding him on what to do concerning it, he knows she is indeed pleased.
She seems on guard as she drinks. Acnestis rumbles, snout lifting high as he scents the air for any intruders, sharp eyes scanning the treeline. Only when she relaxes does he-- he takes a step closer to her, head lowering once more, settling down onto the cool grass. Wind whispers through the open stretch of the river as the cheetah speaks. Acnestis cocks his head to the side. Listening, but not understanding.
He responds by finally meeting her eyes.
Re: -Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis- - Schism - 02-13-2020
She watched as the male settled into the grass with her. Waves of wind gently pushed fur back and forth while Schism observed. As she was ready to drop the subject, only slightly disheartened that there would be no verbal communication, he met her eyes and she froze. It took Schism a while to realize what had changed.
Schism let out a snort, something that she had learned to do instead of laughing, as she realized that their relationship was now mutual. While she wasn’t too well in tune with animalistic expression then she was sure that she could learn. Not to mention the fact that it seemed he could atleast tell the tone of speech even if he couldn’t respond in return.
It gave Schism a soaring hope for the future. She was tired from the activity for the day but her life had been put into her paws and it made Schism immeasurably happy. She glanced at her partner with a curious look. She had never felt such a way before and it was all because of him...him? She didn’t even know what his name was. Or if he had a name.
She assumed that perhaps she should try again. It might do her well to see if he even had a way of communicating such an idea. ”My name is Schism...do you have a name?” She wouldn’t be surprised if he didn’t have any answer for her but it would be worth a try.
Re: -Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis- - Sunburned Lily - 02-13-2020
![[Image: source.gif]](https://media2.giphy.com/media/3oGRFkoGqqLVycWg9y/source.gif)
An energy seems to settle between the two of them. One Acnestis finds strange, yet.. comforting. Right. He rubs his curved snout against the grass to clean it, eyes locked with hers, a sort of aching behind his eyes starting up as.. something changes. He feels as if his mind were somehow more open. More free. Like a new sense has been revealed to him. As Schism snorts, her patterned fur stirring in the wind, Acnestis feels closer to her than her ever thought he could feel to another being, closer than he knew was possible. If he could speak, it would be something beyond words.
He blinks as she speaks again. The beast seems to consider her words. As the wind strengthens, & a distant rumble sounds in the sky. Nothing about his expression has changed.. nothing but his eyes that, only Schism would be able to note, seemed to reflect her happiness back to her. The radiant joy shifts to suspicion as he turns his snout into the wind, sniffing, smelling rain on the fresh breeze. Acnestis mimics her snort & rolls onto his side in the grass. He stretches out, eyes closing, having no answer to her question.
Re: -Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis- - Schism - 02-13-2020
Schism took in a deep breath. The air settling around them made her feel at peace while they gazed at each other. She nearly didn’t even need to look at Acnestis in order to know of his parallel happiness. She could almost feel it. Her feelings amplified with the connection they shared. There was a change in them both, she could tell. A similar feeling to when she found the way to free herself, before the wolf decided to hunt her. Except this time she wasn’t alone.
She noticed him turn his nose up to sniff at the air, and then roll over. She figured it was nothing considering his instincts were better then her own and decided not to worry about it. After awhile though, she slowly padded over towards Acnestis and laid down next to him. Curling her tail around him although being careful that in the case he didn’t want her close, she could back away.
She didn’t mind that he didn’t have an answer, such a primal being would have no need for a name until now. However a word came to mind, one that she had long since forgotten the meaning of but felt it was fitting. ”Acnestis...” Schism had been referring to him as such mentally already. She wasn’t sure how he would react to the name himself though.
Either way she laid beside him, tail running along his body while the wind blew across them both. A new feeling coursing through them both.
Re: -Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis- - Sunburned Lily - 02-13-2020
Warm. That is what she is, with her fur pressed against his scales, tail so expressive as it rests on him. Acnestis seems pleased with whatever it is she has to say & rumbles his agreement. The beast is not wholly unfamiliar with the concept of a name.. he attributes emotions, images, to items rather than words, however. In time he will learn the proper word to call Schism, but for now she is.. the image of cheetah so fierce, even on her last legs, glaring up at the wolf & fighting back with all she has left. To him, she is warmth, a cozy smell. A hot flash of emotions in his forty pound heart.
The scent of rain & her name in his bestial mind blend & mix together, the former becoming stronger with each passing minute. It strengthens to the point that he, having inched closer to the cheetah as they both rested, begins to stir. They must find shelter. For her sake, if not for his, as he does not truly mind the rain-- thus his laying down. It is pleasant to him, even if frigidly cold.
Acnestis rights himself with great effort to once more lay with his stomach to the ground. He rises, head lowering to nudge her to her feet as well.
Grass ripples in the strengthening gusts. The sky begins to darken. He is miffed their simple yet pleasant cuddling was interrupted, but knows something terrible may happen if she is exposed to the chilly February elements.
Re: -Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis- - Schism - 02-13-2020
Schism found the simple interactions to be comforting and calming after a life of strenuous work. Her scars, usually a painful reminder of her time as a slave, had been forgotten since she found Acnestis. Or more accurately, when he found her. She found the cuddling very nice, almost on the verge of lulling right to sleep.
She was glad that Acnestis was content with the name she had given him. She was a little worried that he wouldn’t accept it but afterwards she saw that she had no real reason to be. She did however, look up in curiosity when he stood up.
As Schism glanced upwards she could see the dark tinting of the sky. Acnestis’s nudge was only further motivation to get up. Admittedly she didn't mind getting wet but she didn’t like cold and wet. It slowed her down and was often what caused her illness. Luckily this was Acnestis’s territory and she didn’t doubt that he knew a place for cover.
She rose to her paws and gave a sigh. The moment was good wall it lasted.
Re: -Caught in a crossfire-Acnestis- - Sunburned Lily - 02-13-2020
He noses across her scarred flank, sniffing, tail swishing behind him. A gesture of comfort. She is exhausted. It were as if he is as well. Drained down to his bones, feeling ready to stumble into an alcove within the dense underbrush, collapse, & sleep for days. The ambush predator, however, persists. He offers Schism a grumble of encouragement, turns, then stalks off into the trees.
She is led some distance away. Frost crunches underfoot; birds quiet down, preparing for the storm. The gurgle of the river fades into the background as mist settles between the trees. The undergrowth thickens. It is, however, no issue for Acnestis to trample through. He stops, finally, in the center of a trio of trees. The bushes surrounding are dense; high. Leaves & foliage create a natural barrier against the wind. The soft soil beneath is marred by his very own footprints from days ago.
Acnestis turns, snorting, dipping his head to sniff her once more.