[PRP] How Soon is Now? || M/J

[Tahja Estes]

Well, the time had come at last. Full heat, and now that she was living out of the protective walls of her home, free of the confusion that her first cycle brought, Johari realized for the first time how alive she felt when like this. (Though perhaps not as daring as Kainda. ;3)

She'd separated herself from the group sometime early, early in the morning, long before the sun would rise. She was trusting that when Muroki woke he'd know to follow her scent, especially since there weren't any others or any signs of trouble. Also, she was sure he'd noticed the change by now, and as she didn't usually tend to wander alone at night, he'd surely know to follow.

They were at the end of the journey at last, just before the stretch of dry land that would lead them to the string of oasis. She ambled along, sauntered, really. She was confident that she was alone for now, staying relatively close to the safety of the group, but maybe walking a line. She couldn't help it, she felt like living a little on the wild side. Once she was sure that she was a safe distance from their band of travelers that they shouldn't wake up, but having traveled far enough that Muroki should be waking up and heading out to follow her about now, she paused, looking up at the moon. Rearing back her head after a few seconds of staring, she let loose a roar of challenge, a call. She wanted her mate to join her, the night was theirs, or would be soon.  

[Successful Edit]

Muroki had known.

Admittedly when he first woke, he assumed that she'd just left for a short time to get a drink perhaps. So he'd dozed. It was a way until the dawn and he need for him o pray, and it might be nice to curl up together - have one of their quiet moments. When she didn't appear for a while, he growled very softly because he felt oddly impatient. He snaked out a paw to touch where she'd been sleeping and found the ground cool and dew forming. That made him get up like a shot

Then he guessed why as soon as he found her trail and started to follow. That scent....Even the roar didn't worry him. No vultures where here for his bride this time. That had been a different kind of call, which he returned. Listened for any more.

He was catching up.

 

[Tahja Estes]

She waited, confident still that he'd come, that he'd join her soon. She felt a satisfied smile pull at the corners of her mouth, a tame grin at his call. He accepted the invitation.

She felt the rattling growl in her throat as she bared her fangs to give another call, this one encouraging, but also beckoning.

Her tail lashed about as she paced in place, eyes glued to the horizon from which she'd come, from which Muroki would come, and her eyes remained glued even after his figure came into view. He was like a golden beacon in the night, brighter than any star or even the moon.

Her look was hazed already as he approached, her eyes half lidded, giving her an almost mysterious appearance. Pausing her pacing for a moment her tail continued to lash, and when he drew close enough she dared to circle around him, starting on his right and moving around his left. As she came around the other side she brushed her body against the full length of his in a true feline gesture, arching her back some before taking a few steps past him, turning some with an ever-present purr. Her king, her groom, and soon to be husband.  

[Successful Edit]

When she came into sight he slowed down his pace to a stroll. This also gave him more time to appreciate the sight of her. Golden and sandy fur had been gilded by the soft light, and those jewel like eyes seemed to glow. Beyond beautiful. There was also this new confidence, that scent, the way she held herself and called - is was intoxicating.

If anyone else dared answer her calls. He roared a warning just in case, though he knew their own group wouldn't, Muroki felt fiercely protective. Any rogues also entranced would be very sorry if they turned up. They'd find that this lion did have claws and teeth, and he'd use them if need be.

But as she greeted him, the worry fell away and he allowed his eyes to close, enjoying the sensual touch. Purring now, he turned to press his forehead against hers. This was Johari's night, it was theirs, friends, mates, betrothed and soon enough, mates in more than name.
 

[Tahja Estes]

The moonlight seemed duller now by comparison to when they'd started out this journey of theirs, as if it too had fallen into the peaceful mood that now settled over the two.

They'd found a sparse little stretch of grass and trees, an alcove, secluded enough for both their wants and needs, and they laid there together now drinking in the moment.

She felt like her mind had settled in a permanent lull, as if nothing could go wrong or ruin the moment they shared now. Lying there more or less in his arms, everything was the way it should be, his body curled around hers. She could feel each rise and fall of his chest against the back of her neck as they relaxed, thoughts drifting. She wanted to put off returning to the others for just a little while longer, for there'd be no privacy like this again probably until the temple could be reclaimed.

Finally she shut her eyes from their lazy attempt at alertness, her tail flicking as the only other sign that she might be awake. "How much longer before sunrise... do you think?" She asked in a murmur, reluctant to harm the intimate silence that had fallen between them.  

[Successful Edit]

"We've still got a while yet."

He opened his eyes a fraction, and rubbed a cheek absently against her, the affection a second habit now. Muroki only glanced at the inky sky to reaffirm his answer - simply noting how far one morning star had climbed in the sky rather than checking the other ways of keeping time until dawn.

Muroki shut his eyes again. Too much bliss here to worry about the time right now. This was the peaceful lull after the start of this walk together. The warmth and the closeness and the calm.  

[Tahja Estes]

Her purring became audible once again, though this time soft, lazy, and she didn't even open her eyes to return the gesture of affection. She felt pride bubbling up inside of her just thinking about the male lying next to her, hers to call... hers. Strong, gentle, intelligent and kind... all things to be admired, and all things that made her love all the stronger. He was her world, through and through, and now their coupling seemed all the more official.

She wondered briefly if cubs would come of this, and hoped that if so their birth could wait until after the temple could be secured. There seemed so much to do in preparation for their new life, but as long as they took it one thing, one day at a time, they should be alright.

"Good..." She replied, brushing her head against his again firmly before shifting to rest her head across his paws. "This moment couldn't be more perfect..." Came another soft murmur, thinking on the claims that had just been made, fleetingly.  

[Successful Edit]

Despite his wish to keep his thoughts at bay, he couldn't help but daydream of the future and what it held for them. This pleasant attitude did skip over the war he was bringing to the vultures, and all that could go wrong.

Instead he imagined moments like this spent in one of the 'cave' dens that honeycombed the Temple, idling away he time time during the heat of midday. Walking with his beloved through the lake, their shoulders at the waterline and flowers all around. Maybe cubs would come of this or later, and they'd play in the halls....

He purred deeply and opened his eyes again so he could see Johari. It was amazing that at the end of a long journey, during which he'd gone half mad with sorrow, there'd been this beautiful creature. Now he'd traveled all the way back with her and still she surprised him. Just when he thought there could be nothing sweeter between them, that he knew all the sides of her personality, there had been tonight.