lupei
What the truth is, I can't say anymore
For the first time that he can ever recall, Lupei feels nervous. It’s not really an emotion he likes to dwell on too much - sets him up for failure before he’s even begun the task - but he can’t help feeling it settle between his shoulders like some nameless weight. Child rearing wasn’t really in his nature; Lupei never stayed around for long once the initial fun was had. But (as was the case with pretty much everything involving Zojja) he couldn’t find it within himself to abandon her like the others. She’d taken too much without even having to ask, stolen bits of him that he’d been all too eager to leave unguarded. Zojja is the only mare in his existance that’s made him realize he even has a heart. So, when the dun wolf yips a greeting from behind, causing the black behemoth to swing his head around with an elated, toothy grin, he can’t help but feel the sensation grow to a crushing size in the center of his chest.
She was as striking as he had remembered, bold and unchanged by motherhood as he would have otherwise thought. Her nose against his fur elicits a rumble of pleasure from the beast, and he turns about to nudge her with the full force of his broad skull. “Nowhere near as much fun as you’ve been having, I’m sure.” He retorts, chuckling in the easy pleasure of her company. He’d forgotten how much the quip of her voice had pleased his ears. He, unlike her, has changed quite a bit. Perhaps not so visible in his form just now (although the blue scar of a lion still shows proudly against his shoulder) it would soon become obvious to Zojja that the once dashingly handsome stallion was, well, bald. He braces, trying to tell her - but he’s cut short.
There’s a high cry that erupts from the underbrush, and it breaks their concentration, causing Lupei’s head to turn in order to peer behind his mates back. A pair (A PAIR) of colts tumble forward, and in that single moment, Zojja is forgotten. All of Lupei’s fears, his incessant worrying, they vanish. He’s a father. Truly. His mind sharpens, and he knows now why Astri sacrificed so much of herself for him. His eyes dart back to Zojja, watching silently as she turns away to push the younger, finer colt forward into his gaze. Wyrm. Kudu. His … sons. Without a thought, the wolf shifts, twisting in upon himself before springing outward like a dying star, growing, multiplying until he becomes horse again, wholly. He peers over them now, casting his shadow and smiling in wonder. A hairless wonder.
“Lupei.” He replies to them, marveling at their curious stares. “I’m your father.” The teal and azure stallion states, raising his head to smile at Zojja. His sleek neck and tailbone ignite, sprouting blue-white flame in place of hair, flickering against his skin but never scalding. “I’m not the only one to blame for mischief in our genetic pool.” He scorns playfully. He turns his attention back to them, curious stare returned before asking them, “Are either of you gifted?” Wyrm needs no prompting, taking to the task as if to show off by transforming into an exact replica of Lupei’s wolf form, imitating only the shape of his scar by changing the color of his coat hair where the scar would otherwise be. Lupei is speechless, eyes roaming slowly away from the once emerald green colt to his smaller counterpart. “And you?” He questions, waiting for a silent moment before his son grins mischievously and ignites upon himself to become a living, breathing body of flame.
All he can do is shake his head. “Incredible.” He murmurs, eyes locking with Zojja’s. “Simply incredible.”
ooc: Love it! Love them <3 you hit Wyrm's personality right on the head.