<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #993300 solid; border-top:4px #993300 solid; border-right:4px #993300 solid; border-bottom:4px #993300 solid"><tr><td><font color=#993300><div align="justify"> -- <font color=#993300>~i wish i wasn't this way...~</font> Shadow felt so strange, light if you will, everything he had wished for in his life was starting to come together. Or maybe the onion was going to his head, either way he felt, happiness, rise in his heart. But he couldn't say that he loved her, he wasn't sure himself if he was capable of such emotions. Veaji hadn't protested when he had cuddled into her - did she feel the same way about him. Was it possible that she had feelings for some half breed of the two worst mutations in this world?! Did she even care?! he sighed for a moment, confused with all the questions screaming in his head, her sweet voice shattering the flurry of untangible words.<font color=#993300>"well, we can have these in a soup or you can have them as a cooked side dish - the onions would be cooked in a pan first - to soften them up and added to the meat as a flavouring of sorts...you can do so much with it. So question is do you want to help make the soup - the main course, or both? " </font> His throat was so dry at this moment - he could really do with a nice cool drink of wine to soften his tongue a little, but that was for meal times, reluctantly he pulled back from Veaji to fetch himself a drink of apple from the fridge, he poured one for Veaji too - just in case. <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-top:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-right:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-bottom:4px #FFFFFF solid"><tr><td><font color=#FFFFFF><div align="justify"> <font color=#FFFFFF>~But please don't break it~</font> Veaji felt a little bare, almost naked, when Shadow moved away from her. It was as if she was shaved bald and left out in the cold. She shook her head to clear of her thoughts. What had made her this way? She wasn't suppose to be feeling this way. She galdly took the apple juice and downed half of it down as if it were some alcohol that would get rid of her thoughts. Unfortunately, it was not, and her thoughts stayed. It doesn't matter now. Now, she would have to answer Shadow's question. She didn't want him to know anymore about her changing. <font color=#FFFFFF>"I guess I'd help with everything. I mean, a person like me... have to learn some things to survive. I want to learn about cooking now." </font> She set her glass down on the counter and moved toward the bag of vegetables. There were still several more. She was unsure if Shadow wants to use all for today or keep it for the next. <font color=#FFFFFF>"So are there anymore that needs cutting? Or should we start boiling the soup?"</font> Her tail nervously twitched behind her. Was she going to surprise herself and Shadow again or would Shadow give her one surprise himself? She lifted her amber eyes to look at him for just a second and then looked back down at the bag, as if inspecting the vegetables. Does he feel the same way she feel? He seemed a little different. <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #993300 solid; border-top:4px #993300 solid; border-right:4px #993300 solid; border-bottom:4px #993300 solid"><tr><td><font color=#993300><div align="justify"> -- <font color=#993300>~i wish i wasn't this way...~</font> The strange sensation was felt in the ardens stomach - like someone had released a ball of butterflies in there. He knew feelings of lust and hunger, but this was different, strange to him. He swallowed again as his tail flicked in the same pattern as Veajis' But what would he do? The possible senarios flashed in his mind. One was continuing as nothing had happened - teach her how to cook and sit in awkward silence. Or did he walk up to her, and kiss her like his heart was screaming for him to do. Her beautiful sunny orbs connected with his own glowing ones - a faint pink with the emotions running through him. For him, his eyes really could give him away. Again he swallowed, giving a gentle flicker of his wings as he walked silently forward. She was talking in those decibels his ears seemed to rejoice in. Another swallow this time of the apple juice, glass empty, he placed it down beside hers, his paw brushing by hers. <font color=#993300>"well, we'll do the soup to begin with an- " </font> Silence fell upon him as he took in her pretty features - it was now or never. With his free paw he rested it in the crook of her neck his digits softly pressing into her tan fur, he would let her go if she so wished, he would never force her to do anything she didn't wish to do, Again he swallowed, blinking as no noise reached his ears... it was just like the movies - when the hero saved the damsel - and those precious moments when you just knew that they were going to kiss. And even when you were playing the hero, those same fluttering heartbeats would do somersaults. Just like when you watched it on the big screen. <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-top:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-right:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-bottom:4px #FFFFFF solid"><tr><td><font color=#FFFFFF><div align="justify"> <font color=#FFFFFF>~But please don't break it~</font> Veaji was ready to forget the akward moment when Shadow opened his mouth to start teaching her again. Which meant that everything would be going back to normal. But when he stopped mid sentence, intuition told her otherwise. True enough, she felt his paw behind her neck and it was as if he were pulling her closer to him. That was when her insides exploded into a rush of sweet adrenaline that went from wherever it came to her head and heart. There were heartbeats pounding in her ears and if Shadow was looking into her eyes, he could see her pupils dilate. She felt as if she were a little girl again, before everything happened. Before her mother started being strict on her. Those times were her happiest. It was like waking up on the day of her birthday; excited about being showered with many presents and having surprises. Now, comparing this moment with her happy past, she couldn't decide which was more exhilirating for her. Being here right now in this situation, made her thinking unclear. It was so totally new and strange. What was stranger was that she actually liked it. There are certain moments when all thoughts cease to come and the body moves by itself. This was the moment for the beige and rust coloured female as one of her paw lifted up to touch the dark arden's face, caressing him gently. She moved a little closer, black nose almost touching his. This nervousness inside of her, What was it? In all her 19 years, she had never felt this way before. Her whip-like tail was wrapped around one of her legs to keep it from twitching anymore. She looked up at Shadow, offered him a simple smile. For this was the only thing she could give at the moment. Her thoughts, her words, and her logics were all thrown out of the apartment window with just that one touch. <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #993300 solid; border-top:4px #993300 solid; border-right:4px #993300 solid; border-bottom:4px #993300 solid"><tr><td><font color=#993300><div align="justify"> -- <font color=#993300>~i wish i wasn't this way...~</font> Time stopped for Shadow while he looked at the beautiful friend that was in his grasp. How could something so perfect, ever see him as something more? Was it really true that their feeling were the same? would they one day fall in love? Love; it was such a beautiful and wonderful word to think of, and when the tested it on his inner voice it whispered of the pure joys he had only ever been able to dream about. The rusty colored femme was thinking on his wavelength, her pupils had dilated as his would have if he had been born with them. For once no words bubbled up into his mouth, his eyes connecting to hers with the soft touch of her own paw. Part of him was shaking with the antcipitation of what would happen in the day, weeks , months and years to come, but the time had come to finish the silent promise, to show it was not a mistake for the pair. She smiled at him, a small genuine smile that pulled every heart string in his body. And smiling gently back at her, he took the final step to their feelings being finally admitted. To begin with their noses touched as his hand rested in the subtle curve of her waist, pulling her in to kiss her ever so softly upon her lips. There was no tongues, for this kiss was a chatse one. Showing his loving feeling for her rather than those of lust. His heart was doing somersaults tenfold, and he had to eventually pull away. And my how he hoped she would react positively to this - and not run away. <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-top:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-right:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-bottom:4px #FFFFFF solid"><tr><td><font color=#FFFFFF><div align="justify"> <font color=#FFFFFF>~But please don't break it~</font> Where did she go right? She was an outcast, a murderer, a hater and perhaps a few more. But here she was, never guessing that she would come to know love and be loved again. It was true, she cannot deny the fact, she was in love. How else can she explain it- this strange feeling that cannot be described in words? She allowed him to rest his hand on her waist again and she allowed herself to be pulled toward him. One touch of the nose turned into a kiss she knew would be the sweetest in her life. Her first kiss. She was thrilled. When they pulled away she felt as if she were floating on top of cotton clouds. But being Veaji, anybody could guess that she wouldn't be the one leaning in for another kiss or jumping for joy. No, she was evil for a long time and it was hard to come to love. She did not run. She had been running all her life and she knew she cannot run away from something like this. She did not react either. She just stared. Veaji couldn't believe what fate put her into. If this was a dream, she never want to wake up. If this was real, she is the luckiest Anubi in town. All this while, she was falling more and more for this black arden who was just a form of company to her and she didn't know it. Now, he was more than that. And what luck- he had fallen for her too! The room was filled with pregnant silence. It was as if time really did stop. Then, a movement. Veaji wrapped her arms around Shadow, hugging him. She nudged her nose into his neck and now her head was below his chin. "<span style='color:white'>Are you real? If you're an illusion, please don't go.</span>" she managed to mutter. For once, she didn't mind that she was being vulnerable. <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #993300 solid; border-top:4px #993300 solid; border-right:4px #993300 solid; border-bottom:4px #993300 solid"><tr><td><font color=#993300><div align="justify"> -oh god that was just too cute ^-^, brilliant post!- <font color=#993300>~i wish i wasn't this way...~</font> So this was love, true, sweet love. For the first time in his life he was truly happy, everything he had witnessed and done was a faint memory in his mind. Those thoughts of guilt and pain washed away with the gentle kiss he had waited for in his dreams. He wouldn't mess this up and he wouldn't try to go for another of those meaningless sex relationships that only lasted a week at best. He would look after Veaji, treat her right and take her places she deserved to go. She would never want or fear anything if he could help it. But he wouldn't smother her; for he loved that little spot of rebel in the depths of her heart. But shadows head began to worry at the stare her amber orbs were stuck in. She wasn't horrified was she? Did she regret it already. He felt like mentally bricking himself though, as she hugged close to him in a show of affection that was so new to him. Her delicate arms wrpped around his torso, her fine muzzle nudging under his. <font color=#993300>"i promise i won't go... " </font> He whispered to her, his own head resting lightly on hers, as he too wrapped his arms around her, providing a safe warm cocoon for her to snuggle into, and even if this was only an illusion for either - it was the best one he could hope for. It was this closeness that also let him take in her scent (not that he was being a pervert). Taking this as an oppurtunity for chase affection he kissed the back of a beige and rust ear, murmering a few sweet words followed by the promise of a delicious meal that he would make for her, in a minute of course. <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-top:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-right:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-bottom:4px #FFFFFF solid"><tr><td><font color=#FFFFFF><div align="justify"> ^o^ Thanks. Yours too! Always well writen ^^ <font color=#FFFFFF>~But please don't break it~</font> What would her father think of her now that she have fallen in love with a hybrid? She was too happy to care. Her tail uncoiled from her leg and swished from left to right at a moderate pace. Veaji was sure this simple smile would be stuck to her face for a very long time. Her heart was so full she was afraid that it would burst. She hugged Shadow a little tighter when he kissed one of her auds and whispered into it. One thing, it was a little ticklish. Another, she loved it. Speaking of food, she was getting a little hungier. She brought her head up, hands still around the arden's torso, to look at him. She really did like looking at him. "<span style='color:white'>Right. You still have to teach me sometime.</span>" She said to him. Perhaps now she could look forward for everything in a different way. Her life would be different, hopefully. No more waking up in trees or streets, no more killing or being hunted, no more gloomy old ways. Today could be a start. The cooking could be the first step. <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #993300 solid; border-top:4px #993300 solid; border-right:4px #993300 solid; border-bottom:4px #993300 solid"><tr><td><font color=#993300><div align="justify"> -sankee you ^_^- <font color=#993300>~i wish i wasn't this way...~</font> It was finally time for Shadow to live with some normality in his life, but he wasn't saying that Veaji was a common find, oh no... just that for him, normality, was the rareist thing of all. If it ever did come to the days where he would have to meet her father again... he would protect her though and maybe her old friend Dev would be around those lands too. He was really liking the fact he had taken his time with Veaji, they had undergone so much together, the battle they had fought together, the hardships, the games and that hilarious run from the hospital he would remember for the rest of his life. Her delicate head moved from under his maw to look up at him, feeling the warmth escape from his neck he looked down to see why. She was looking up at him now with those golden eyes he could watch for hours, every little fleck imprinting further beauty in his mind. She spoke in her lovely tones he remembered hearing in so many situations and he smiled again at her<font color=#993300>"Of course, we can have a barbeque tomorrow if you like... " </font> His nose pressed against her own for a brief secong before a playful lick was administered as an afterthought, he would put the meat on to cook and they could sip wine, and she could have the grand tour of Khumdaps new habitat.<font color=#993300>"i'll just put the meat in the oven...and then if you like we can have a look around the city for a little while, oh, or we can scrap this cooking stuff and go out anywhere you want" </font> He said nuzzling lightly into her as he pulled her into a tighter but not choking, embrace again. Even Khumdap had come out to see why it was so quiet and was watching the pair with a cocked expression. <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-top:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-right:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-bottom:4px #FFFFFF solid"><tr><td><font color=#FFFFFF><div align="justify"> <font color=#FFFFFF>~But please don't break it~</font> Shadow's playful lick came as a surprise. She never knew this sort of affection. Though surprised, she didn't say anything. She liked hearing the tone of his voice. It brought a certain comfort into her heart to hear it. She was certain that if she were in the middle of a battle and chaos, his voice would bring some form of peace and calm in her. "I suggest we stay," she said while enjoying the embrace. "I would like to have home-cooked food. It's been a long time..." She trailed off her sentence. True, it's been a long time. Approximately since the day she had run away from her village. So she wanted to experience it again since she has no home and she's in Shadow's for now. Veaji's auds were sharp in hearing and when she heard the silent pad of Khumdap's paws, she pulled back from Shadow a little. Knowing her affection for Shadow and his to her was still new. Therefore, knowing that someone was watching, anyone watching, gave her the feeling of shyness. She could already feel the hotness on her cheeks. "Oh, just Khumdap..." she muttered to herself. She turned back to Shadow, offered him a smile. "I'm sorry about that. Let's start cooking anyway." <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #993300 solid; border-top:4px #993300 solid; border-right:4px #993300 solid; border-bottom:4px #993300 solid"><tr><td><font color=#993300><div align="justify"> -gets off her white pasty ass- <font color=#993300>~i wish i wasn't this way...~</font> It was so hard to break from the long awaited embrace and as he backed a little so he could turn the oven on, he pulled her beside him with a soft wing, sometimes he forgot about these appendages of flight. His smile ened up placing a soft lick to her cheek bone, a slightly more playful form of couple behaviour. It must have been an hour or more before dinner was finally ready, the steaks were cooked and garnished and a huge side of helpings bordeed off the edges of the plates. Wine of both types sat in glasses on the table in the living room along with some more cool fruit juice. Shadoes head was still reeling though, it was amazing to think of how he had finally sngged the girl he wanted, and he knew it would not be like any other he he had ever been with. And soon he would be more fit to take her better places, but his leg was still to painful to go any place far.<font color=#993300>"Dinner is served" </font> <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-top:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-right:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-bottom:4px #FFFFFF solid"><tr><td><font color=#FFFFFF><div align="justify"> Thanks for bringing it back up ^^ <font color=#FFFFFF>~But please don't break it~</font> It is amazing how the sense of smell give you pleasure. Right now, Veaji felt as if she were in heaven. The smell that came from Shadow's cooking was overpowering. It is also amazing how the sense of smell could affect other parts of Veaji's body. Her stomach for instance, was growling like mad once she took a whiff of the smell emitting from the now cooked food. A little embarassed, she hoped that it wasn't loud enough for Shadow to hear. However, she noticed that Khumdap had cocked her head to one side as if she had never heard a hungry stomach before. Heck, maybe she had never. Veaji sat down at the table, feeling just a little nervous. She poured herself a glass of fruit juice for she dared not touch the wine. She never drank alchohol before and, as much as she hates to admit it, she was scared of it. She also know full well that alchohol does not do good for her performance. She picked up her knife and her fork. In her mind, she saw her ownself, many years ago, do the same thing. She cut the meat open and put a piece in her mouth. Again she saw herself do the same thing. At the long table, many Anubi were seated and beside her, her father. Why were the memories coming back now? She pushed those images at the back of her head and savoured the delicious piece of meat. She smiled at Shadow. "You sure are a good cook." And soon, she would finish her meal, with a satisfied smile and a full stomach. <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #993300 solid; border-top:4px #993300 solid; border-right:4px #993300 solid; border-bottom:4px #993300 solid"><tr><td><font color=#993300><div align="justify"> -IM SO SOWEEEEEE- <font color=#993300>~i wish i wasn't this way...~</font> Eating with a quiet grace, he tried not to let it show that he had heard the rumbling of belly thunder. Khumdap was less accustomed to such niceties. It was still playing on his mind...where Veaji lived. And it was a battle to not bring it up in the conversations that usually would follow a meal. Even his tail at a jitter to it as he swallowed his wine in another attempt to keep his trap shut. If it hadn't been for the sudden absence of Veajis' mind...maybe the uncomfortable situation would have been talked about. His concern was for her just now. Things were coming together with them... but she was still a little distant. Maybe it was too formal for her - wait- he forgot at times of her old heratige. What a pair. Pulling his face to the side in a soft smile he watched her quietly as she finally came back to the meal, and a compliment didn't go amiss, He was glad that he could get an opinion from someone. His plate was cleared now, with only a few straggling bits of salad fighting on the plate for freedom. Oh how he wanted to just lift Veaji up just now and yell for joy...it was such a mix of emotions...as soon as she was done... darn he'd kiss her to death. And with a good nights sleep to come (though he would sleep on the sofa) He couldn't wait to spiol her with a lavish breakfast in bed. <font color=#993300>"Thanks, i try... meats not to dry is it?" </font> <tag /></td></tr></table>
<table width=410px" cellpadding=0 cellspacing=2px bgcolor=#000000 style="border-left:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-top:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-right:4px #FFFFFF solid; border-bottom:4px #FFFFFF solid"><tr><td><font color=#FFFFFF><div align="justify"> It's alright (= <font color=#FFFFFF>~But please don't break it~</font> The meal Veaji had was satisfactory. It has been quite a long time. Setting her utensils in a neat order on the plate, she had finished her meal. The fruit juice was gone and a slight smile was etched on her maw. She looked kind of sweet for that moment. Like a little girl who had a great day. But for those who knew her knew better for behind that sweet look, there was a monster inside. Not like she tried to be. She just was. However, starting from now, maybe things were starting to change. Who knew? "No, it's just fine," she replied to Shadow, looking up at him. "Perfect." And she meant it. She did feel a little new. Not only was Shadow the only one to get through her over these years of darkness, he was also a good cook. She tried not to be bothered about her past for she felt just a little imperfect for him. "I'll do the dishes." Before Shadow could do anything or say anything for that matter, she lifted her hand and with just a flick, the dishes started moving by themselves. It was a small trick she picked up when her grandmother was still around. Many a times she would watch with great interest when the plates and utensils started dancing their way to the nearest sink and be cleaned without anyone touching it. She had watched her grandmother closely and started to mimick her. A few plates had been broken and few spoons bent but the learning process had been fun. Curious Khumdap sniffed suspiciously at the moving dishes and even tried to catch some of them. No matter how much she bounced, jumped and clawed, they were always out of reach for her. Soon the table cleared and the dishes cleaned. Veaji looked at Shadow with new eyes, new realisation. She still could not believe that she was here, in his home, in this situation. She was lost for words again. "Thanks for dinner." <tag /></td></tr></table>
