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Post by kahara on Dec 20, 2013 8:55:26 GMT -5
(Whenever you feel like replying, no rush.) ASESINO
Three healthy little babies now called to her, she rarely left the comfort of her den. Jasper and Neo could help out, and they did, because family meant everything. That and she didn't trust certain individuals to be left alone near her. Not that she was incapable of handling herself, but with young lives to care for, it was a risky business. Something did weight on her mind. It plagued her like a pesky mosquito. Alighieri. Or Dante. Whatever one wanted to be called by. She needed to talk to him.
For closure? No. It was hard to say; but there was a distinctive drive to speak with him. To find some sort of comfort; no, nostalgia.. no. She pressed her paws against her forehead and grunted in annoyance. This disturbed Morgan, her albino baby, who let out a protest. As if to say, hey ma! Chill out! Trying to sleep! Asesino ran her tongue apologetically across her children and leaned back into her den, eyes locked on everyone who passed by. |
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Post by Vee on Dec 20, 2013 9:12:47 GMT -5
The Ash Leopard was never far away from the Crimson family, especially now that Asesino has had her litter. Alighieri spent most the days - since finding out and congratulating her - acting as an extra pair of eyes. A sentinel to help insure the safety of this precious litter. Thoughts of recent dramas kept him motivated and highly wary of most others.
His timing couldn't have been better to appear, aparrently. Although he was usually up above the dens anyway, at times he'd also pop in to make sure the mother was okay, if she needed anything. Now was one of those times. With a stretch, Alighieri gracefully leapt down from the platforms, only to turn on a dime and enter the den where who he sometimes confusedly considered his daughter was nesting. He didn't get too close, though. "Morning, need anything?"
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Post by kahara on Dec 20, 2013 9:20:14 GMT -5
ASESINO
Just in time. As if he'd heard her thoughts. "Morning. Yes, I'd like to speak with you, privately." She eyed him closely and then, once sure he'd be of no threat to her or her cubs, waved him in with her tail. Though she pointed toward a spot farther from her young. Asesino had time and space to think. Her mind clearer than it had been when she first found out. A proper discussion without yowling was more than in order. |
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Post by Vee on Dec 20, 2013 9:27:01 GMT -5
A brief flicking of his ears expressed uncertainty. Alighieri was still a very confused individual and most decisions and reactions - especially after the DarkStar incident - came with more thought than it would be for an every day creature. The Ash Leopard felt torn between two different personalities, or sometimes both of them at the same time.
But he obliged her and entered the den, laying where gestured. His long tail wrapped around and over his paws as he quietly waited. Crimson eyes were intent on her.
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Post by kahara on Dec 20, 2013 9:34:37 GMT -5
ASESINO
"Thank you," She gave him a faint smile, glad though not surprised he had taken the seat. "I know.." Asesino cleared her throat, cold air filling her lungs. She wrapped her tail across her cubs. "We got off on the wrong paw. I've had time to think, to collect my thoughts." Enough time to calm down and to prioritize as well. Though Alighieri didn't need to hear that. "Father." It was such a foreign word. Dante had been dead for ages, but in some odd, inexplicable way, here he was. There was no way to feel right about the situation they found themselves in. Asesino had been there when Dante died, but she never felt remarkably close with him. There was that undeniable respect and the admiration; but a close bond? Between war-tattered father and immature-at-time daughter?
No.
The corners of her gums twitched up into a faint smile. "Are you here to stay?" Her tone didn't hint at anything; whether she wanted him to say yes or no. It was his decision, but their conversation had to - properly - start somewhere. |
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Post by Vee on Dec 20, 2013 9:46:44 GMT -5
Alighieri listened, but the moment she uttered father his heart felt like it skipped a beat. Dante Donovan rarely had time to express love towards his children in life, but a bond existed. The same bond carried over into Alighieri when Jasper Crimson did the thing.
The Ash Leopard did not need uphold the same reputation as his previous life, however, which enabled him to be that bit more expressive now than he once was. His demeanor became particularly warm immediately after Asesino regarded him, he smiled in return and he sat upright.
The question that followed on the other hand...
"I admit I haven't thought that far ahead..." He confessed. His current life as an Ash Leopard still showed strongly, such as living in the moment, and being more solitary than a Blood Beast. "I'm here now."
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Post by kahara on Dec 20, 2013 11:47:45 GMT -5
ASESINO
"You are." She echoed his statement in a matter-of-fact tone, acknowledging his presence as if she could not see him before her own eyes. In a way it was as if he wasn't there; an illusion brought on by the stress of everything. A fantasy, just for her. Asesino had more wits than that though. This was real.
"It's a decision you'll make eventually, but, I guess there's still time." She brushed to topic off. To pursue it meant to make Alighieri potentially uncomfortable. Even worse, it would only taunt Asesino herself with the possibility, the idea, that he may stay longer. As a more prominent figure in her older days.
"What of the superiors?" She was still unaware of what had happened between DarkStar and Alighieri. At least, unaware of the details surrounding it. Asesino had been preoccupied with filling her needs and preparing for the birth before that all went down. Her question allowed for a large range of answers; she knew this. |
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Post by Vee on Dec 20, 2013 14:34:34 GMT -5
The smaller male nodded slowly in agreement. He'll come to figure things out eventually.
Alighieri laid back down, becoming more relaxed again. A slow blink showed that he trusted her and felt comfortable. Crimson eyes momentarily laid upon the young cubs snuggled close to their mother, but returned back to Asesino. "They say I'll be safe." He stated, but not without uncertainty, he didn't know if they really covered his identity from public knowledge, but no one really talks to him except Asesino and the Crimson brothers anyway.
Usually one would call it rather lonely, but the Ash Leopard was fine with it.
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Post by kahara on Dec 20, 2013 15:01:39 GMT -5
ASESINO
The mother wasn't sure how she felt about it. That being his glance toward her young; through trusted as he was, instinctively she was guarded. And then his reply. The king, queen, captain, and commander knew. And they were going to keep his identity a secret. It was good start, that was something she could count on, but could she count on them specifically? Asesino didn't lack faith in the superiors, but she didn't exactly beam with positive reinforcement when it came to how they handled situations. Well, 'cept for the new queen, she proved rather open so far and Asesino found it hard to pick at her. And Circa. Leave it to the men that she should find fault in.
But was that the answer she wanted? It didn't feel like it. As reassuring as it was. "Any intentions of doing more than just being a member? A normal everyday subordinate?" Or did he have plans? Was he going to try and be king again? Command? Captain? Advice, perhaps?
And an even more pressing question came to mind.
Did he know who Cocaine's mother was? |
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Post by Vee on Dec 20, 2013 15:12:08 GMT -5
These were questions he had to think about. The idea of leading again was awfully tempting, but at the same time would he be cut out for it? Biologically Alighieri was not even a Donovan anymore, and if there's one thing his previous life strongly believed is that Meurtrier should always be under the rule of a Donovan.
And that's not to mention the conflicted state of his mind anyway; identity crisis of sorts.
After looking away for a moment, with restless irises indicating how deeply thoughtful he was, he looked back to Asesino and gave her a reply. "I've had my time, and I am no longer the same as I used to be. The throne must always be held by my blood--... the Donovan line."
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Post by kahara on Dec 21, 2013 6:12:01 GMT -5
ASESINO
That was a reply she could be satisfied with, giving him a nod almost at once. Though she knew of the stories. That.. "Once, though, I hear a slave took control." A quiet snort slipped up; but within the confines of her private den, she did not care. "I hear she killed Former, took the throne, and was almost immediately tossed out." Former was Funeral's son and grandson of Morpheus. She didn't really have much time to get to know Former, couldn't even remember the slave's name. Not that such a mark in their history deserved to be remembered. A thought occurred.
"The Donovan line is consistent of just you-- Dante and KIller --yes? There is no Donovan line without the other?" Worry began to settle in her gut, but she did her best not to show it. If KIller was a Donovan in of herself, did that mean Cocaine would try to take the role of king someday? Asesino wasn't sure how she felt about that. He was her half brother, but that didn't mean she felt any sort of connection to him. Nothing like what she felt for the Crimson's or her blood brothers and sisters, born both of their father, Dante, and not some stranger who had won over their mother's broken heart. |
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Post by Vee on Dec 30, 2013 5:02:26 GMT -5
Alighieri frowned, for the moment it would seem more like Dante was here than the Ash Leopard himself. He was glad to hear that the slave's reign didn't last, for it was not her place.
The next question however... Like Asesino he too thought about Cocaine, and the possibility of the Commander taking the throne. He simply didn't approve of it. "The royal line can only truly be descended from both KIller and I. No other, or not just one of us."
It was clear by the gleaming in his eyes that this was extremely important to Dante.
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Post by kahara on Dec 30, 2013 9:15:48 GMT -5
ASESINO
She seemed both content and worried with this reply. Cocaine continued to wander in her mind. As much as he may have appeared to deserve the title after his long term loyalty and hard work, Asesino was, much like her father in a way, old fashioned. Or perhaps she was just a little bit entitled to her bloodlines. The mother closed her eyes and sighed, giving a nod.
"Then if only descended of one, they are not a Donovan." Not that she had ever really considered Cocaine to be a Donovan. He had taken on his own last name anyway. The more she thought about surnames and bloodlines, the less she worried. Surely it would make sense to everyone else to have a Donovan always in charge. "Thank you." Asesino wouldn't argue should he leave the den, though she was also open to questions now as well, for his sake, so that he could catch up. Well, catch up in the eyes of his daughter. Information perhaps not always correct, or as it should have been seen. |
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Post by Vee on Jan 4, 2014 13:30:59 GMT -5
Alighieri simply nodded, confirming her statement. A Donovan was descended by both Dante and KIller. This meant KIller's children after Dante were not Donovans, and that Draig was not a true Donovan either.
Silence fell between them. Alighieri did not leave, but he became more relaxed as time went on despite the few words they exchanged. He just appreciated the quiet company for the moment while thoughts flew around in his head. He still had such a hard time fitting metaphorical puzzle pieces together in his head, so a lot of the time the Ash Leopard was quiet.
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