They had moved as they talked, a meandering route along the mountain until finally they reached the Falls, easy enough to locate with the sound of them. Dmitri had paused for long enough to take a drink, unused to speaking so much and finding his mouth rather dry. Besides, it gave her a chance to speak, to digest. It was a long, somewhat sordid tale of the lands before that they had been forced to flee, the Savante more than the Katona, though the tigers had followed in their wake. Though, he was the only one who remained. Perhaps he would have considered leaving if he hadn't believed himself a loyal warrior of the Mother, and if he'd thought he had anywhere else to go. But this place suited him well enough.

Now, though, he had exhausted his story of his past and how he came to stand before @Carina at that moment, and so he waited patiently to hear what she might have to say about all that. She hadn't run screaming, at least. That would have been... unfortunate, not to mention awkward.

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At the very least, Carina was enraptured by his story. Jealous of his beginnings but not in any spiteful way but simply glad that he had had as joyous a start as he did. Hers was not so profound but once she had found Tiamat, everything had felt a little less terrible. Carina's real family was vindictive and her sister had harbored a ridiculous sense of jealousy that had cost Carina her planned future. Though, she supposed her future had always been uncertain anyways. Значит, семья, в которой ты живешь, довольно большая? So, this family you live with is quite large then? She asked, wishing more than anything that she knew any of her family outside of her vindictive sibling. @Dmitri

^{ART BY RABBIT, CODE BY CALA}

Очень, he replied with amusement. Very. They had only come to these lands with a few of their members, but in the intervening years the Savante had blossomed, blessed with multiple litters by the Mother. He was happy for them, but it was sometimes bittersweet, as he wondered what it would be like to have a family of his own. Of course, that would require actually talking to others, and as he'd commisserated with Juliette all that time ago, that was difficult. Though he'd gotten better about it since they'd promised each other to better get to know the others within the pride, and look at him now, basically chatting with this woman. This was different, though, as much an excuse to use his native tongue as it was to get to know someone new. Мне пришлось привыкнуть к тому, что у меня под лапами находятся детеныши, he said with a slight shrug. He didn't even know whose they were most of the time these days. Just assumed they were some flavor of Savante from their markings and coloration. Это не самое худшее, к чему мне приходилось привыкать.

@Carina

"I have had to get used to having cubs under my paws."
"It isn't the worst thing I've had to get used to."

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While she had never been a strong believer in fate or destiny, perhaps karma, but the former two she at least knew someone would've called this. A coming together of two individuals for a pivotal atmospheric point. The idea of him being surrounded by a large family did ease her mind somewhat in knowing that at the very least he had folks to protect and those that would protect him. Carina hardly knew a soul and while she liked to think that what Elaine at the Passage had spoke of were true that they protected their own, she had no solid proof of it. All she knew was that the women had the strength to keep their crown and that was a large portion of trust.

У меня такое ощущение, будто я знаю тебя всю свою жизнь. I feel as though I have known you my entire life. And it was true! She felt as though she and @Dmitri had not only met in the last few hours but rather had known each other since their youth. Two souls bound to one another and subsequently molding together and that alone was enough to bring forth her comfort. Guiding her closer to him not just mentally, but emotionally and physical. The longing to be near to the striped creature all the more prominent with each passing second. A longing in her soul that she had never the privilege to indulge upon given the walls that she always unintentionally put around herself. But with him there were no such walls.

^{ART BY RABBIT, CODE BY CALA}

Воистину. Пути Матери неисповедимы. Indeed. The Mother works in mysterious ways. Because he could only believe it was some twist of fate or paw of the gods that would bring them together. Perhaps the Mother had something in mind for him, some reason for bringing this woman into his life. He would believe in her and take this as a sign.

His ears pressed forward in interest as she came closer, lowering his head slightly in silent encouragement for her to approach further if she wanted. Приятно иметь возможность поговорить с кем-то еще, he admitted. It is nice to have another to talk to. He hadn't, not for a long time, and it hadn't really occurred to him how much he had missed it. Well, now he knew. But what to do about that?

@Carina

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It was highly likely that she was reading too much into it or feeling her own wants more than she ever had and thus began to get the idea that @Dmitri wanted the same things that she did. Not just the surface level connection but the more intimate side. The one that could soothe that gnawing need in her heart of actually having someone that not only could she depend on, but they could depend on her. Тогда мы не разочаруем Мать. Then we shall not disappoint The Mother. While she did not share in this religion that he did, she knew that disrespecting the gifts with one with such a title was not at the forefront of things to do. Instead, she volunteered herself most willing and put herself forward. Giving every opportunity to the hefty tiger before her to let this newfound friendship flourish properly. fade/exit

^{ART BY RABBIT, CODE BY CALA}

He honestly wasn't sure what the Mother would think, but as she agreed with his comment and drew closer, he allowed himself to believe that perhaps this truly was a blessing from the deity. Some sort of sign. What else could it be? He would accept, then, because not only was he interested in the woman but he also wasn't about to question the Mother. And so he smiled and nodded in agreement with her words, pressing a little kiss to her cheek before he swept her into his embrace, careful as always of the size difference between them. A warrior through and through he might be, but he was capable of being gentle as well, when the situation called for it.

-fade-

IC Summer:

Rolling SummerBreedingAttempt 1d50: 35
Your breeding attempt was successful! You may now submit your cub request in the maintenance forum.

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