04-09-2017, 12:42 AM
Ruan
He released a silent breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding as Jinju accepted his wordless invitation to join him at his side. Things between them had been tense for a while, for far too long. It was entirely his fault, and he would do whatever he could to make it right again. He needed his girl. Somehow, he would resolve things between them. But later. In private.
She introduced the stranger, Aten, and commented on his desire for a home, then tucked herself at his side. He couldn’t help but reach for her, just briefly, touching her neck then her jaw, her cheek, breathing in her scent. ”How are you dad,” she asked, tilting her head to look at him. He stared back, his eyes blank but soft for her, and gently shook his head, just barely. He was okay, sort of. Mostly. But they’d talk about it later when they were alone. There were things he needed to talk to her about, questions to ask and also maybe questions of hers to answer.
So, he directed his attention back to Aten, watched him with a steady and mildly curious gaze as he leaned almost imperceptibly into Jinju’s warmth, comforted by the solid contact after so long of keeping himself so isolated. The man bowed down to him, deep enough that the hair at his feathered limbs brushed his chin, then straightened again.
Ruan tensed just a little, unaccustomed to such traditional formalities, although the action was appreciated and answered with a silent nod of acknowledgment. Perhaps in another land, in another life, he would have been treated that way where his title would have been something more proper, more formal. Something like King. But he was a humble man, and here in the Taiga they were wild hearts and free spirits.
Some referred to him as Alpha of a pack, a handful of their numbers shape-shifters. Maybe others didn’t think much of him at all, even. To him, he was just Ruan. Caretaker of the forest and its peoples, responsible for their wellness and safety. Their futures. Their happiness. Their protection. Every one of them was family to him, and it was rare that they allowed just anyone to become a part of that family. A solid unit, each one of them a fierce guardian of the forest and each other.
Aten referred to it as a kingdom, and Ruan gave a small shake of his head. Not a king, not a kingdom. We are a freedom. A family, a unit, a pack. Everyone has each other’s backs and can trust one another with their lives and their family’s lives. His shoulder rolled in a casual shrug. Whether you fit in is yet to be seen. The Taiga requires loyalty, integrity, strength. Choose for yourself if you are worthy enough. His words may have been short, brief, but they were given with a kind smile and a hope for the future. Aten looked to be strong, and could have potential to be a trusted ally, a member of this pack, this family. If he felt he could hold to their values.
He sighed quietly, shifted his weight and gave Jinju an apologetic sweep of his lips to her cheek. If you’ll excuse me, there’s somewhere I must be. Blue stare turned back to Aten again with a short nod. It was nice meeting you. Find me if you’d ever like to speak more about anything at all. He didn’t tell him to look after Jinju, she was immensely powerful and could take care of herself. And he didn’t ask her to keep an eye on Aten either; Ruan felt he could be trusted. So with a dip of his head and quiet steps, he dismissed himself and retracted from their meeting, hoping Jinju would find a friend in him if he was worthy of such a treasure.
She introduced the stranger, Aten, and commented on his desire for a home, then tucked herself at his side. He couldn’t help but reach for her, just briefly, touching her neck then her jaw, her cheek, breathing in her scent. ”How are you dad,” she asked, tilting her head to look at him. He stared back, his eyes blank but soft for her, and gently shook his head, just barely. He was okay, sort of. Mostly. But they’d talk about it later when they were alone. There were things he needed to talk to her about, questions to ask and also maybe questions of hers to answer.
So, he directed his attention back to Aten, watched him with a steady and mildly curious gaze as he leaned almost imperceptibly into Jinju’s warmth, comforted by the solid contact after so long of keeping himself so isolated. The man bowed down to him, deep enough that the hair at his feathered limbs brushed his chin, then straightened again.
Ruan tensed just a little, unaccustomed to such traditional formalities, although the action was appreciated and answered with a silent nod of acknowledgment. Perhaps in another land, in another life, he would have been treated that way where his title would have been something more proper, more formal. Something like King. But he was a humble man, and here in the Taiga they were wild hearts and free spirits.
Some referred to him as Alpha of a pack, a handful of their numbers shape-shifters. Maybe others didn’t think much of him at all, even. To him, he was just Ruan. Caretaker of the forest and its peoples, responsible for their wellness and safety. Their futures. Their happiness. Their protection. Every one of them was family to him, and it was rare that they allowed just anyone to become a part of that family. A solid unit, each one of them a fierce guardian of the forest and each other.
Aten referred to it as a kingdom, and Ruan gave a small shake of his head. Not a king, not a kingdom. We are a freedom. A family, a unit, a pack. Everyone has each other’s backs and can trust one another with their lives and their family’s lives. His shoulder rolled in a casual shrug. Whether you fit in is yet to be seen. The Taiga requires loyalty, integrity, strength. Choose for yourself if you are worthy enough. His words may have been short, brief, but they were given with a kind smile and a hope for the future. Aten looked to be strong, and could have potential to be a trusted ally, a member of this pack, this family. If he felt he could hold to their values.
He sighed quietly, shifted his weight and gave Jinju an apologetic sweep of his lips to her cheek. If you’ll excuse me, there’s somewhere I must be. Blue stare turned back to Aten again with a short nod. It was nice meeting you. Find me if you’d ever like to speak more about anything at all. He didn’t tell him to look after Jinju, she was immensely powerful and could take care of herself. And he didn’t ask her to keep an eye on Aten either; Ruan felt he could be trusted. So with a dip of his head and quiet steps, he dismissed himself and retracted from their meeting, hoping Jinju would find a friend in him if he was worthy of such a treasure.
