Interruption

[decimus]

(OOC: Usernames will be modified as soon as we all stop being stupid and remember the password)

Zurina:

“Mother…”

Zurina lay under the stars, her eyes wide and the bright moonlight shielded only by the few trees that swayed gently above her. Exhaling drowsily she took a moment to lap at the water in front on her paws. She was, as she often was, spending the evening in her own private oasis.

She’d discovered this tiny secluded place by accident, whilst being taken hunting with her grandmothers as a young cub. Tiring easily, her mind drifted and eventually her feet wandered, almost without her realisation (and certainly without that of Sarabi and Sarafina). She’d found this little place and felt so peaceful she’d fallen asleep automatically, unaware of the panic that she’d caused back home until she was roused by a rather angry Simba.

It was as though home ceased to exist while she was here. She adored the Pridelands, knew she’d never be around so much beauty and love for as long as she lived. But she liked to be alone to think, to be uninterrupted by worried eyes and prying questions. And with her Mother gone, there was plenty to think about. And only one lion’s presence to worry about…

[decimus]

Decimus:

His tortured eyes followed her every languid movement, crouched in the thicket he’d come to regard as his own. Not wanting to disturb this picture of perfection but unable just to spectate any longer. He’d been a spectator for too, too long…

He’d watched her since cubhood in an amused, frivolous way, constantly considering how easy it would be to kill the dreamy young thing, so sheltered and unprepared for life, not built for hunting and too protected to consider that anything could attack her. Then as she grew, so did his fascination. She acquired her beauty, grace, dignity keeping that essence of otherworldly vulnerability that didn’t exist in the Outlands. With everything they’d been through they were toughened and seasoned, their lionesses beautiful, brave and fiercely independent. She was unique, and just as he craved the most unusual or difficult kill he craved her. He needed to be involved. To own, to possess. And it drove him mad. His weakness

“Hello Princess…”

He’d spoken almost without realising, his voice a low growl as he slinked forward slowly, searching her face for reaction and wondering if he could stop her if she tried to escape. His calculating mind reasoned that it wouldn’t be difficult.

[decimus]

Zurina:

“Decimus…” She gasped, snapping instantly out of her revere and leaping to her feet, stumbling backwards. It was her own fault, as usual she just wasn’t paying attention, and now she was stuck and alone. “M-my sister will be joining me soon. I’m not afraid. S-so you just leave, leave right now.” Ironic, considering it was her trying to flee.

She lied, of course, she was afraid and Kiara was nowhere to be seen. She wasn’t scared of his appearance specifically. He wasn’t hideous to look at and yet she was repelled. Repulsed that something so big, so dark and so… intense could exist in her world. It frightened her. But she couldn’t look away.

She remembered when he’d first approached and she’d run away, terrified that she was about to be slaughtered. The second time she’d maintained her composure, offered a façade of politeness until he started talking wildly, in a way she’d never been warned of. And he’d shouted and raved. That was when she’d first told her Father. And that was why she sneaked away by moonlight.

“Please.” She added barely above a whisper, tearing her gaze from him and attempting to glance behind her..

[decimus]

Decimus:

For some reason he always found this fear, her resistance, both infuriating and endearing. This time was no different.

“Now don’t be like that, Zurina. I just want to talk to you,” he remarked, trying to sound casual as he slinked behind her, blocking her exit. “It’s been a very trying day. I was hoping that you could make it better.” He relished the moment when she stumbled against him and he moved his face so close that his mane brushed against her face. “Come on, stick around. Just to talk. I don’t bite.” His eyes glinted mischievously, with as always a touch of the sinister.

[decimus]

Zurina:

Both horrified and exasperated Zurina tried to reply, “I-I told you, I want nothing to do with you!” And her sense of outrage grew, so did her confidence, though her voice was still soft. “If my Father knew you were here…” What would Simba do? What would her Mother do? They’d be calm, cool but certainly not cruel. And they’d never show fear. If she couldn’t hunt, order and rule like her family perhaps she could still behave like them. Clearing her throat and taking a brave step even closer to him she spoke louder, in harsher tones completely alien to her.

“You’re an Outlander Decimus. I’m a Pridelander, a Princess. And I’m going home now. Goodbye.”

[decimus]

Decimus:

He stared back into her wide steady eyes, listened to her pseudo regal talk and though he was closer to her than he’d ever been before, it seemed to put worlds between them. And for a moment, for the first time since his Mother’s death he felt a genuine sense of sadness. Of utter helplessness. “I can’t help it! Don’t you understand? I can’t HELP being an Outlander. What can I do? Oh Zurina, just tell me, what can I do?” His fevered brain thought of anything he could say, or do that could convince her that this was right. And as he did, he remembered.

"Don't let Zurina get too much of a hold on you. I know you've got kind of a fetish for her, but remember where she's from and who she is. The Prideland Princess. Definitely not the sort of creature we'd want to associate ourselves with."

"You're a romantic fool, Decimus. You follow the Prideland Queen and King... and chase a Prideland princess for her love. I'd say go join them already, but unlike the Queen and King, the Princess you'll never have."

And at last a kind of bitter amusement filled him as he realised Kuru was right. She was right. Everyone at home who’d secretly gossiped, laughed or complained about him was right. This was pathetic. What has this, this THING reduced him to? This silly, petty little temptress. Who in the whole of the savannah did she think she was?! He wasn’t just anyone; from the moment he was born he’d been told this and he knew it. He TOOK what he wanted.

“Enough,” He snarled, spitting at her face. “You can play at being royal and regal for as long as you want PRINCESS, and look on me and my pride as though we were dirt. But I’ll get you. And anytime I want, because it’s that easy. YOU’RE dirt Zurina. You’re poison. And you’re mine.” He surged forward wildly in an attempt to pin her, outstretched paws slicing into her shoulders. He wanted to tear her face off. Or maybe he just wanted her the one to be cowering on the ground.

Continued On: "Disappointment After Disappointment"[/size]