And it's all in the name of love

vettealya

Spring was in full bloom, her embrace melted away the bitter cold of Winter's frigid grasp. Days would begin to bleed into the night, taking away her most precious time to simply exist within the dark of the nights. But here, in these woods, one would think autumn had already cut Summer from the picture, greedily devouring her time that was already seemingly too short. Leaves were reds and orange and golds, but never scattered on the ground. She didn't like it, and as a matter of fact: she didn't like much of this place. She had grown fond of the salt in the breeze, and the booze that tapered off her breath and smoke that rolled from the bar as the doors swung open and closed at its entrance. She enjoyed the brawls and the off pitch broads singing their little sing-songs to the patrons. But while all of that was missed, the ache in her heart that was always tucked away when she entertained herself was not missed- it was almost non-existent.

Daylight was breaking, critters were waking and the sky lighting up above them. Tucked away in the side of a large tree trunk, their bodies were tangled comfortably so. Her chin rested delicately so atop her lover's back, mismatched hues blinked slowly as she watched Rhychdir sleep, waiting patiently for her to wake- she had timed it almost precisely, down to the little twitch of her muzzle as she was pulled away from whatever dreams she'd been caught up in while sleeping. Every morning, since their rekindling, Vettealya would keep them awake as late as Rhychdir would allow, and come morning light she would watch her wake as she prepared for her days work. Since their reunion, Vetteayla learned of the new place Rhychdir found herself in- it was almost fitting- and she's despised the thought of it all ever since. An army, a king, a protest-no, protests. And now that their children were here, she hated it all even moreso. The most gut-wrenching part? Rumors of a war that would all too quickly turn from rumors to a call to arms, and anyone with their feet planted on these grounds were expected to run to the call.

It all turned the gears in her head and tightened the knot in her stomach, but even with all of that to worry for she still had this moment to let the warmth of Rhychdir wash any and all of it away. Her ears twitched as she listened for the change in her lover's breaths as she woke from her slumber. She buried her snout in her fur, letting her face feel the realness that was Rhychdir back by her side.

speaking

RHYCHDIR BRADSHAGH

The days turned longer as time passed, the foliage of the Redwood becoming more vibrant as time passed, and new leaves grew upon the branches of the trees that reminded Rhychdir so very much of home. It wasn’t quite the slope of the volcano, but it was enough to keep her sane in between her patrols and visits to Vettealya.

Things were more chaotic in Rionnach, more so than Rhychdir could ever have imagined things would get. With the protests in the past, things had gotten even more tense in the air. The orders had been passed, and she knew well enough of the draft to know that anyone not involved in the army needed to get involved. But, it had her thinking, in all honesty, if she were to be truthful with herself… it wasn’t right.

In seeing the divide that had happened within the country, she didn’t feel anymore as if she were doing the right thing — things had turned from protection to almost offensive towards normal citizens that she had normally been charged with protecting, as befitted her rank. Things were different now. They didn’t so much align with her values in life, or what she had thought that she would be doing within the kingdom of Rionnach.

She hadn’t slept well, despite Vette’s side being pressed against her, despite the other woman being tangled with her. She had fallen asleep not too long ago, and it seemed that a dream disturbed her enough for her mismatched eyes to open suddenly. Slowly, Rhychdir lifted her head, turning slightly to look over at Vette as she felt the other woman bury her face into her fur.

“Morning, love,” she said quietly, her voice raw from a lack of usage, tinged with the strain that had become everpresent since things had become so different in Rionnach. She wondered, briefly, trying to remember if they had ever directly spoken of it. “How did you sleep?”

"fire and flame"

code by claerie