Topic: The Return

Sjira

Date: 2013-01-02 11:37 EST
(Taken from RDI room play on 01.01.13. Thank you to all that contributed! :) )

___________

As cold as the day and night had been, she did not expect it to end with such warmth.

For the gentle hearted woman, Tinker, spoken with earlier in the Red Dragon Inn, s?jira had agreed to make her a cloak. There was need for supplies since threads, needles and cloth were in short supply and the markets had not been visited recently.

In the wake of that errand, the small one was returning to the inn.

Thoughts had strayed a time or two on memories along the way, as often they did. But they did not openly pain her as much anymore. It had been years, though deeply within heart and soul they were still borne.

Amber was at the bar and tending, about to take her leave and Kitty was just coming in to take over that shift when s?jira made her way into the walls of the establishment. A few moments of gentle things were said and Katt offered to her a belated Merry Holiday gift of a sewing box of wood to put her needles, threads, and more within.

It was then that Kitty called attention to s?jira, to the stairs known to lead to the inn?s second level and there attention had turned. Shock was an understatement, for pain and joy were hers in a near-drowning, slamming wave against her.

She did not remember dropping the mug of cider that the dwarven Amber had made for her, though it was mentioned later. Then time was briefly lost, and consciousness with it when she fell into a heap of flesh and cloth to the flooring.

When she woke from it, harsh words from Kitty were being hurled at someone and she was being rested bodily to the couch that was not Icer?s, hearthside by the taloned woman.

Surely, she had dreamed it. The lands had ways of playing tricks upon the mind, of snatching forms up by the Nexus, of time slipping differently here and there. But when she heard his voice, she knew it to be him: Panther.

Soon they were in talk with one another, with Katt?s encouragement to follow and in the wake of Kitty?s threats to throttle him good.

Sjira

Date: 2013-01-02 11:39 EST
Slowly rising to his feet, Panther turned towards the couch, speaking softly. ?I returned as soon... as soon as I could.? Speaking mostly to Kitty, though his gaze was on s'jira.

Once Kitty had set s'jira down on the couch, she was nearly lunging at Panther, a clawed finger jabbing him in the chest. ?Shut up. I want you to go to her and tell her the truth. I've watched her wait for you for so long it broke my heart to see it. We can talk later.? And then she was walking away to return to her post. ?I have a job to do.?

Tears unshed were instantly in her gaze. It was his voice heard then and pulse quickened, even as her breath stilled and held. Surely to be dreaming and sought evidence that she was not.

?..s?jira?? He had said when he neared the couch.

It was then she started to weep. From the couch, she pushed self up a bit, but could not manage it fully. Shock riddled every movement. A nod, then another to him.

Panther moved to the front of the couch, dropping to his knees.

He reached to brush a stray lock of hair from her eyes... his hand stopping just short... his voice was failing him. ?By the gods?I am sorry.?

Her own hand lifted to meet his, first at the back of his wrist with a most familiar touch. The cat's eye was still worn, along with the pendant from Elessaria about her neck. They clattered light, quietly as she pushed to sit up a bit more.

Panther swallowed, hard, at the touch, trying to speak, a mix of pain and relief in his eyes, hushed words coming out. ?I didn't know... I was...?

??it was thought you were dead? for so long it was thought? ?Then eased in, if he would allow it, to curl arms about his neck. And she felt him turn his hand to take hers in his for a brief squeeze before releasing it as she moved closer.

His whole body relaxed a bit as she embraced him... as if he'd been holding his breath and just now let it out. Arms slipped about her in return.

Sjira

Date: 2013-01-02 11:41 EST
Weakened by the shock of it all, but the small one held as tight about his neck and shoulders as she could. A whisper so soft, but certain that he could hear her. ?...how you have been missed.?

Still speaking in hushed tones, all but oblivious to anything else about him at the moment. ?I?? Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath, drawing in her scent. ?I'm sorry. For me? it's been just days.? Then asked, ?Did I... did he never visit? In all this time??

She had not meant to miss the goings-on in the room and did not know others had been watching. He was fully within her attention and the distraction was high. ?Days??? That startled her a little and she drew back slowly and looked at him. Tears left her face wet and eyes blinked to steal the bleariness from them to see him clearer. Softly she shook her head. ??not in over three years.?

His eyes closed and his face looked pained upon hearing the words three years.

When he closed his eyes, small hands gentled feather-light touch in against either side of his face.

Then opened his eyes at her touch. ?Before this morning, all I remember is...that summer night, the cool bath...us... eventually making it to...? His voice trailed off.

Softly, though pained, she gave him a slight smile ?...then you have missed much in the lands.? Glad to see him, to be able to touch him, a heart was so full it could have burst.

Her smile warmed him more than any flames from the nearby hearth ever could.
?When I awoke, I realized something was wrong. Falling asleep in summer... waking to winter. It took me most of the morning to figure out where I was, but once I did, I realized something was very wrong.?

She eased in and gave the slightest of nuzzles, but did not get up anytime soon. The shock had truly weakened her. When darkly colored eyes sought him again, she frowned a bit to hear his words. ?...are you unharmed??

A soft chuckle at her words. ?I am fine love... other than having been in desperate need of a hair cut...?

?These hands can offer that help.? How she smiled when he called her that, helping to temper much. She slipped a hand from the line of his jaw to his mane.

?But you?? The concern returned to his voice. ?What I put you through.? Said even as he tilted his head into the touch.

Sjira

Date: 2013-01-02 11:43 EST
His voice dropped to a low whisper, his smile fading a bit, gaze dropping. ?I was afraid... I wasn't sure...?

?...is lived through.? Her hand softly sifted through his mane and eased away to greet his arm. Her head ducked and gaze sought to see his eyes again. Word was nothing more than whispered. ?...afraid?? She had never thought that word ever could describe him.

His tail which had been slowly weaving up behind him dropped to the floor as he lifted his gaze back to her. ?That you had left or...? He let out a slow breath... not sure if he can finish the sentence. ?For me it's been... I went to sleep and I awoke. For you, it's been years.?

?There was a leaving, a few times to Llothgar.? Watchful of his face and nodded that understanding. ?Much has happened. In those years, two were cared for. But it was? they were not meant to be. Always you were thought of?? Most quietly said, not knowing how it might be received by him.

There was a slight wince at those words, not for himself however. A slight shake of his head. ?When I found the loft empty this morning, I was torn.?

?...it felt wrong to stay. You were not here.? A remembering of the day s?jira left the loft and she shook her head slightly because of it.

?A part of me wanted to know you were...happy. Even if it was with another.?

Soft was her laughter, though it was laced in pain. She had endured much in his absence. The small one eased in and hugged his neck for a little while. Eyes that were watching the flooring, over his shoulder somewhere, were as much touched with the wondering as her words were. ?I? was not well for them. Thoughts of you would never stop.?

His eyes closed at the embrace, rising up on his knees a bit to lean even closer. Speaking softly in her ear. ?I was here... this morning. I couldn't bring myself to say anything.?

?...how you have been missed.? Eyes shut and she enjoyed the nearness. ?It is wondered, do you hunger? Food and drink can be brought to --...? Quieting and drawing back a little to look at him with a curious gaze. ?Was something done wrong? To.. not say anything?? Touch did not leave him, half-scared he would be gone.

And breath hitched. Form and else recalled from that morning. And smiled to him, watching him.

A soft chuckle at her first words, then shifted gears back. ?No, I was still... I didn't know if you would want to see me.? He slid a hand up her back, finger hooking the chain holding the green pendant. ?But then I heard you still wore this...?

?...always.? Interjected, she glanced from his face to the cat's eye pendant that never left her.

He took in a deep breath, drinking in her scent. She smelled of scented bath oils, wood and leather, and the hearth nearby. ?I still was not sure what to expect...? He said.

Sjira

Date: 2013-01-02 11:49 EST
Her gaze was warm and endearing. How she smiled for him, though hesitantly. ??and are you upset by what you find??

?I did not know how ... I was upstairs cleaning up, I knew you were here. So I.. well, you know the rest.?

?...the inn?? Whispered and a guess on her part. She knew he was one of the few who could listen to it, somehow. Gentled touch was at his arm, resting.

?Upset?! No. Even when I first found my way to the city and realized it had been more than just a summer and fall I had missed, I still did not know just how long I had been... gone. Even then I was afraid I had lost you.?

A twitch of his ear... a glance towards the bar, where Kitty and Antonio were.

A bit of a smile from her and head lowered. Touch sought the small leather pouch on her dress' belt for a cloth from it.

Quickly turning back, Panther brushed a light kiss across her cheek. ?shush...?

Eyes slid closed when the kiss came from him. Breathing in the very scent of him and easing from the contact.

?I had it easy. I remember none of it. Even if I did?? He let out a somewhat exasperated sigh. ?I would not remember it in a meaningful way.?

?Please?take ease. You are here?? Gentled, softly borne words to him as eyes opened and the cloth was brought to her face and nose.

Panther lifted his head. ?Antonio... a hot cider please?? Called over from where he's kneeling before the couch, before S'jira. ? 'jira dropped hers...?

Face warmed. She had not even remembered dropping her drink and spent a look towards the area of the bar where she had been standing earlier.

Antonio was kind enough to have brought the drink, both S?jira and Panther thanking him for it.

Panther cast a quick glance about the rest of the room before turning his attention on her. ?The room, you kept it up?? A nod of his head towards the upstairs.

And her attention returned to Panther, to give him a nod. ?Yes.? And shifted a little, not sure if he would think her foolish. ?...it is stayed in sometimes. When you have been missed the most.?

?Thank you. It is an odd feeling.? Casting a glance about the Inn once again. ?Knowing I have missed so much, but at the same time, feeling ...? The words are not coming as he tries to explain.

The hot cider was given a cooling breath, but she had yet to sip from it. ?...feeling how?? She was so quiet and patient, almost purely content to have him near as the thoughts of him leaving were starting to fade. Alighted splay of fingerstips against his jaw and smiled to him.

He took a slow breath and let it out. ?You are exactly as I remember?? His eyes locked on hers. ?But you are not. It is like the portal?? Motioning towards the doorway that leads to Twilight Island. ?I stepped through, but instead of it taking me somewhere else, it took me somewhen... else.?

?This heart is glad that you are here?? Though she had second thoughts of ever venturing to Twilight Island again, just to hear what it had done to him.

A smile at her words, leaning forward, a lift of his chin to press his lips to her forehead. ?Can you excuse me for just a moment love?? Leaning back to look to her eyes. ?I should give her a few words...? Glancing towards the bar. ?And then I think you should show me just how well you've been keeping the room...?

Sjira

Date: 2013-01-02 11:51 EST
Gentled laughter, she gave to him a nod. Watchful of him while she passed the cloth over her face once more and started to fold it well upon itself before it was tucked way. Cider then within her touch, she tasted it.

His hand trailed along her free arm as he stood? a tad on the shaking side after having been kneeling for so long. His hand lingered wrapped around hers as he shakes out one leg, then the other... finally, releasing it before stepping back towards the bar.

Panther thanked Kitty for looking out for the small one, but the exchange between Kitty and Panther threatened to not go well at all, but a heart eased to hear Kitty speak with Panther of s?jira as if she were her daughter. ?Which means if anyone harms one hair on her head... or breaks her heart... I will skin them alive and rip their kidneys out through their nostrils. So be good to her.?

This day had aged him in many ways, but he is still who he is, nostrils flair slightly ... be it form the words or the posturing who's to say. ?I would expect nothing less... as I would do the same and more myself.?

Quietly, s?jira left the couch and the scent of her and cider were soon near him. She came to stand slightly off to the right and touch met with Panther?s arm.

Kitty gave Panther a bright smile. She knew she got under his fur. ?Excellent! But I want you to do me one favor.? She pointed to S'jira. ?Get her a big mess of scented bath oils. She deserves them.? Somewhere in the crowd, she heard Katt chime in on that, too.

A twitch of an ear at the touch, his gaze lingered on Kitty for one brief moment, a simple nod to her and to Antonio before turning and scooping the small one up in his arms. ?C'mon love... I think the rest of this? conversation... is best to be had in private.?

A grinning Kitty turned back to Antonio.

Then Panther asked, ?Did you nap today?? Speaking to S'jira as he moves towards the stairs with her.

Such a small, but meaningful smile to know his meaning. ?...yes.?

?Good...? He moved up the stairs. ?Because I do not plan on sleeping any time soon...?

Mirth was a quiet thing, for him alone and nuzzled in close as they headed down the second level hall and out of sight for the night.