The Ties That Bind, [P]~Sanu

[Solstice]

"Hold. State your Pride, and your purpose."

"Solstice Autumnstone, Pridemistress of the Clymetur Range." Sol replied evenly to the challenge as she sat down lightly in the thick, springy grass, still soft and comfortable despite the chill of winter, a testament to the Debonair Gardens' natural beuty. Even the trees of the forest stretching out into the Garden terretory from here on the border still held on to a large stock of their autumn leaves, painting a luxuriant red and yellow celing against the dull grey, cloudy sky and insulating the gaps between the trees from the worst of the cold. And while the Terra Griff prefared wide, flat, open spaces herself, she could certainly appreciate the beuty and wonder of the thick forest, and understand what it's inhabitants saw in it to make it their home.

She met the gaze of two of those inhabitants now, the two Sentinels who had come to investigate her approach. It didn't surprise her that she hadn't been recognised, since so many even in her own Pridelands didn't know her by appearance as yet, still getting used as they were to the newcomers. But she did know that her name at least was known enough in the Gardens for that to be recognised, so the two watching her should have no trouble in letting her past. She dearly hoped so, at least...she really didn't want to waste any more time than she had to, considering her purpose for coming here. It had been far, far too long, and now she was finally finding the time and oppertunity to come, she was very excited and egar to see him. "I seek the male called Sanu." she announced to the Sentinel pair, her emotion clearly visible in her broad, excited smile and audible in her upbeat tone. "We are old friends from before the exodus, I'm here to see how he's getting along."

"I know him." one of the guards muttered, and his companion, casting a sidelong glance to confirm the statement, nodded.

"And we know of you too, Pridemistress. You aren't our enemy, you may pass. I hope you'll understand, though, that your presence will have to be reported to the Pride Elders...mainly a formallity, we trust our Range allies."

Solstice nodded understanding. "Of course. And thank you for your assistance." Her sky blue gaze turned to the other figure. "I don't suppose, though, that you might be able to give me directions to his nest perchance? This is my first time visiting him here in the forest."

"I can guide you there." the Sentinel responded, checking his friend for agreement and recieving a nod in return. "It's not far. I'll take you on my way to the Elders."

Sol couldn't help but clasp her paws together before her as she sprang to her feet once again, nodding energetically. "Thank you!" she replied, falling into step alongside him with a distinct spring in her gait. Thoughts of Sanu always had this effect on her, particularly after the quest to find his childhood home...just thinking about him made her feel happy and overjoyed, like a warm, bubbling spring deep in her heart that overflowed with exhilaration into all her muscles and halcyon glee into her mind. Initially she had wondered at the effect, uncertain quite how to respond or react to it both for her own good and for Sanu himself, however as time had passed she had allowed it to consume her, revelling in it's wonder and enjoying it's marvelous sensation. She knew exactly what it ment...ever since that moment back home on the moors where her viewpoint of him had shifted from the young, needy child to the handsome, respectable, dignefied adult, she knew precisely what these new and incredible feelings were. And perhaps in some ways, the fact that Sanu had chosen to join the other Pride was a good thing, as it gave her some time to consider, to think carefully about the situation and prove to herself wether what she was thinking was indeed true. This she had done over the interviening months, and now she was convinced beyond all doubt...her feelings were inescapable, real, and oh so very deep.

Sanu himself...it was entirely possible that he still knew nothing of her change in attitude towards him. Until now she had not had the chance nor the strength to tell him, worried that such news might somehow scare him off, and while she had largely been herself in all the interactions she had had with him, she had perhaps held off just a little, not quite showing the true extent of the emotions within. Still she was scared that he may take it the wrong way, or might perhaps refuse to reciprocate such feelings, however she knew all too well that the time was fast approaching where she would have to be honest with him. She could not hide her heart forever...eventually she would have no choice but to open up to him, to be completely honest and brave whatever consequences such action would bring. And she respected him, and cared for him, enough to accept whatever decsision he made. True, if when she finally revealed her love he rejected her in some way, it would be a crushing blow, a sharp talon right to her heart, piercing deep into her soul and tearing her to pieces. But she was not one to cling, to fight emotional wars and guilt trips for her own ends, or even to become bitter and angry. Her kindly nature would not allow such things for anyone, and Sanu certainly would deserve better even if he chose against her. It was his choice to make, and while she would mourn, she would respect his right to make it.

But that moment of revelation had not yet come, and until it did she could surely enjoy love's high while it lasted, couldn't she? She didn't know when the moment would arrive, but when it did, she would be ready. Might it even come today? Perhaps, but she would not force the issue...time only knew, and would tell in it's own inscruitable way. Until then, she would not worry or fear...she would simply revel in the wonder of her feelings, and exault in the company of perhaps the best friend she had ever had, Sanu...

(OOC: Sentinel guiding Sol is an NPC, feel free to use him in an intro if you wish.)

[Sanu]

The gray clouds floated slowly overhead. The thinner kind that was just thick enough to cast a drab light onto the land below. A slight breeze carried the gray wisps lazily to the east. A large blanket, stretching from horizon to horizon, that kept the day at a fair temperature and the overpowering light of the sun off the inhabitants below. It is some of the best weather all winter that the Debonair Gardens had seen.

The usual weather for the winter was chilly, strong winds from the north along with heavy rains and on some occasions, snow. That was the first winter in the Gardens for Sanu. The young gryphon had never experienced such a force of nature in his old pride. Back in Sirius Moors, even in winter, it was mild and winds were still warm. He survived that first winter, because he had picked one of the better caves that faced away from the winter storms fury.

A small knoll, covered in younger trees than the surrounding forest, was one of the few that the peak overcame the tops of the trees. About half way up this particular one are two caves, one belonging to Sanu and the other to another member of the pride. They were both vacant as both of the owners were out and about, but Sanu was not far from his cave.

At the top of the hill, Sanu was lost in thought. He was lying on his back under one of the deciduous trees staring upward into its tangle of branches and twigs. He wondered how it kept alive even in the brute force of winter when the water washes away the soil from around its roots and the wind made it creak as it swayed. He was also lost in the soft, warm colors of the leaves. The browns, oranges, and, faint yellows rustled together in a beautiful mosaic of fall colors. He smiled as he felt the warmth inside him that seemed to be radiating from the tree. He was amazed by the brilliance of nature and wondered why he had not seen such beauty like this until know. What had opened his eyes?

Sanu was unsure of the specific event. It might have been a gradual thing that became more and more evident as he grew up and had a better knowledge of things. Maybe it was because he was leading a good life that was easy and did not require a mass amount of labor. He had loads of free time and never much on his mind, or anything that could trouble him. Maybe he could get better answers from a more knowledgeable gryphon like the elders, instead of having to ponder the thought for the rest of his life trying to find an answer.

Sanu rolled from his now warm spot in the grass and stretched his wings out a little before taking flight. The cave and general area where the pride elders usual made themselves cozy was not far out, but the trip was enough to be able to continue his pondering. What else had he seen in his life that was beautiful? An image of his mother came up in his mind. He could still remember every little detail about her, he once even described her in his mind with beautiful words.

Her well kept feathers almost glow with the sunlight shining on their beautiful fog gray. Her breast is peppered with a glossy black that seems to change colors in the natural light. Her eyes gleam a brilliant gold that hide the true fire of her soul behind them. Her slender, well built legs ripple majestically with her every step. Her fur is a soft chocolate brown with little streaks of lighter browns that seem to intensify her curves. Her beak is coal black and has always been as such. As she spread her wings for flight the suns warming light reflected of her feathers making them appear as those of an angle sent from the lords and ladies of the sky.

Thinking of her brought tears to his eyes, not of sadness, but those of joy. Thinking of her made his feathers stand on end. He could remember everything about her when she was alive still so well. How kind she was, how forgiving, how nurturing she was. He had seen her fire before she had died the fight that she put up to save him, to ensure that he would live to live a long life. She wanted him to feel love and warmth that she was unable to finish giving to him, but he had seen such fire elsewhere. Yes, he had seen it in Solstice. He has never seen her defend him against a threat, but he has seen her love and her protection when he was in need of support.

Sanu was in a deep thought. He was almost stalled for he forgotten to flap and the head wind was the only thing keeping him aloft. He had little consciousness about his surroundings, which direction he was flying, and who was trailing him. Sol and the sentinel that guided her were gaining quickly on the lonely little one. The sentinel recognized Sanu immediately and called ahead to him, “Sanu!”

The shout fell on faint ears, but it was enough to shake him out of his trance. Sanu broke his glazed stare from the ground below and scanned both sides of him, but did not find the source of the voice. Again the voice called to him and he felt his ears try to point directly behind him. He lifted his head over his shoulder and found a pride mate trailing him with another in tow. The coloring was instantly recognizable and he felt his heart leap in his chest. “Sol,” he whispered.

[Solstice]

Even as the Sentinel called the first time, Sol had already begun to beat her large wings a lot harder, accellerating like a twig caught in the current of a fastflowing river towards the grey shape in the sky above. Her heart was soaring far higher than her feathers ever had as she drew close, a beaming, slightly mischievous grin radiating from her lips like the sun in the height of summer, and thanks to her impressive speed in the air and Sanu's distracted nature, she was on him before he had the chance to react.

"Saaaaaaaannnnn!" she exclaimed with delight as she ploughed into him in a mid-air tackle, wrapping her arms around his waist as the two of them reeled from the firm yet in no way painful impact of her small frame. "It's been too long, I've missed you!" She hugged him tightly for a second, resting her head between his shoulder blades happily, before she realised that their combined weight was causing them to plummet towards the ground and quickly pulled back to allow him room to use his wings, spreading her own plumage to assist their recovery before they hit the floor. Her paws remained lightly on his waist, however, unwilling to break the contact unless absolutely nessecery as she craned her neck over his shoulder to see his face. "How are you?"

[Sanu]

Sanu had heard Sol’s wing beats grow louder as she neared, but he was not ready for what she did. His heart leapt into his wingtips as her added weight sent them into a near freefall. “It's been too long, I've missed you!” she said as she laid her head on his back. He would have said something back if had not been scared by her, because his mind was thinking of one thing, get more altitude.

San felt her move herself out from in-between his wings, and felt their fall come to a stop. He wheeled his head around to see that she had spread her wings as well and was trying to climb up and away from the ground. He joined in with her effort and they both began to regain the altitude lost in their fall. Once back at a safe distance from the ground he relaxed his wing beats to a steady and less forceful beat. Sol brought her head right next to his own and said, “How are you?”

“I’m a still recovering from your little scare, but other than that I’m feel great with you here,” San said and rested his head against hers. “Next time you want to scare me out of my wits make sure we’re on the ground or a lot higher up,” he whispered to her.

The sentinel that was flying the trail position, quietly made his way up to the pair locked together in flight. He grinned as he saw how they were embracing each other and San was the lucky bird to have such a beautiful mate. “Sorry to disturb this lovely meeting, you young couple, but I still have a let the elders know that you are here Pridemistress Autumnstone.”

“What?” Sanu squawked at his fellow pride member’s words. Young couple? He now realized that Sol had not let go of his waist and they were kind of holding this hug longer than any he could recall, but it all felt so natural. He did not force himself out of the hold of Sol, but remained how he was. He began to ponder the thought of them being a pair; oh if only he was a little older it would probably seem less weird for them to be together.

[Solstice]

“Next time you want to scare me out of my wits make sure we’re on the ground or a lot higher up.”

Sol dipped her head to her chest in embarrassment, a hint of a blush visible on her cheeks through her blue-grey plumage. "Sorry." she murmured appologetically, her beak holding a meek smile. "I didn't think, I was just so excited to see you. I'll keep it in mind in future."

At this point the Sentinel interrupted their conversation, and she couldn't help but notice San's reaction to his words. The other Terra Griff sounded so shocked in his exclamation, as though the thought of the two of them being close had never even occured to him, which of course was probably to be expected and was no real surprise. Still, it did spark a slight hint of worry somewhere deep within Sol's mind as to how he might consider such a prospect...was his shock pleased or filled with discomfort? And would it be repeated if she spoke up herself?

Squashing the concern before it could manifest itself, she turned her mind to other matters. As she had thought before, she could deal with all of that when the time came. For now, she needn't worry about it. "I'm not disturbing you, am I?" she asked, thinking of his being on the wing as they approached. "Were you going anywhere important when we arrived?"

[Sanu]

“You, disturbing me,” Sanu said with some laughter in his voice, “never. I was actually going the same place you were. I had a question that was bothering me and I was hoping the elders could help me answer it.” He paused as he attempted to remember his question. He almost lost it when Sol scared him out of mental thought. He now remembered what it was he wanted to ask, because he compared Sol to his mother in spirit and soul. Their similarities were amazing to him.

“Looks like you and I are heading to the same place, maybe I can escort you the rest of the way,” San said, “I’ll check. Hey, Mar!” he shouted back to the escorting friend, “I can take Solstice the rest of the way; I’m heading to visit the elders myself. You can continue doing your job at the border.”

“Only this one time San,” Mar shouted up to him. “I’m going to check with the elders later and if I hear that you never got there I’m going to come over and pluck some of your wing feathers, later. Don’t work too hard you lucky bird!” The sentinel began to angle into a sharp turn return to the prides border, a big smile on his face.

“I never do!” San shouted back, before his fellow pride member was out of earshot. “Well, that means we really have to get there, because he is serious about the feather pulling. Thankfully it’s not that far ahead. About another minute and we should be able to see cave area. So what brought you here to the lovely Gardens.”

[Solstice]

"You did." Solstice responded with a beaming smile. "It's been a while since we had a chance to spend any time together, we haven't seen each other since that day in the Falls a few months ago, and I wanted to see how you were doing, how you were getting along."

She let out a slightly whistful sigh as her expression became more distant. "Truth is I intended to come a lot sooner, I'm sorry for leaving it so long. We've been exceptionally buisy over at the Range, with settling in and all, and I've had a few problems in the Pride to deal with too, they've taken up a lot of my time. But I really don't want to lose contact with my friends, no matter how buisy I get..." She flashed him another warm smile as her face rose again. "...particularly you, San."

[Sanu]

“I’ve been getting along just fine here, Sol,” Sanu answered. “I love this place the trees, the ground, and the flowers. It is truly amazing when you have loads of free time to stop and enjoy the little things. I have seen so many beautiful things in my spare time. I’ve seen how the flowers are the heart of the bee community and how the woodpecker helps the tree by removing the bores from its bark. I have seen so much beauty in places that I have overlooked several times, like…” He choked on his last word. His mind squeezed his throat to hold back the one word that it did not want to be expressed, you.

Her sigh immediately caught his attention to listen in. San listened to her apology of her lateness. He could never blame her for being late. There were so many duties and tasks that came with being a pride leader that he could not foresee himself ever taking on in the neat future. Then she smiled her smile that made him feel lighter, and the last three words from her beak echoed heavily in the air, “particularly you, San.”

“I understand completely Sol that it takes you a while to get some free time to come visit me,”Sanu said, “and you don’t need to apologize for it. I can understand that you have a busy job being a pridemistress and being in a new environment is hard to get settled into when you’re so busy.”

San broke his stare from Sol to take a look ahead to see how close they were to the Elder’s usual resting area. They were almost over them now and needed to descend. “Well, we’re here. We can talk more on the way to my cave or where ever we want to go in the pride lands,” he said and began to sink down to the gathering area of the Elders. He couldn’t have this talk with Sol, if in fact how she was emphasizing her words were trying to get a point across, in the open like they were. He was shy about expressing his love out in the open for he felt like all the world’s ears would be listening in on them waiting for him to finally get the message. He would be more comfortable with carrying on this conversation at his cave.

[Solstice]

"Okay." she responded with a broad, innocent smile, for once in her life completely oblivious to the emotion around her, unusually so for her empathetic personallity. She had intended to speak to him about her feelings at some point, but right now this had not been her goal, rather simply emphasising their friendship. She didn't seem to realise the slight embarassment the comment had caused.

Spreading her wings wide, she allowed herself to glide lower, following Sanu down slowly towards the tree coppice below. Her smile still graced her beak as, for the first time in many months, she really felt happy and carefree. Being promoted to PM had been a great honor for her, but it was also such a massive responsibillity, and just occasionally she found herself wishing she could simply be an energetic, fun-loving young girl again - the same girl that was stored up inside, crying to get out, but had to constantly be pushed back while a more serious, adult Solstice took over. Here, though, she felt she was finally getting a little space to breathe, a chance to drop her title just for a moment and allow her real self out for some air, and it felt so liberating. In many ways, she didn't want this day to end.

She dropped down to the grass lightly and paused there, sitting down quietly as she folded her wings across her back, waiting for Sanu's guidance. For all her rank and title in her own Pride (factors which she never really cared for in a status sence anyway) this was San's home, and his show. As a visitor, she would simply follow his lead.

[Sanu]

Sanu braked heavily before coming in touch with the ground, preparing to do one of his new landing styles. He extended a single foot and pointed his toes down. With a half beat of his wings his toes hovered mere inches from the ground. As his last thread of upward momentum he set down lightly on his toe and rolled to the heel and set down on all fours finally. He liked his new landing styles with the graceful movement and how it made him feel older and more experienced for his actual age.

San began to walk forward into the larger opening. As he walked by Sol, he brushed his wing along her side to indicate to follow. He proceeded into the center of the clearing and cleared his throat. He could not see the Elders, but it did not mean they were within earshot. They were most likely in their cave chatting or avoiding the weather even though it was quite nice outside. “Elder Ash, Elder Crawl, and Elder Willow, I request an audience,” San said clearly to the other side of the clearing where the mouth of the Elders cave was just behind the brush and trees. He looked back at Sol and added, “You have a visitor from Clymetur Range.”

Time seemed to have crept by as Sanu waited for some indication that he had been heard. Finally, some sound came from the boarder of the clearing and one by one the three Elders of Debonair Gardens emerged from the brush. They all walked with a stride that showed no weakness and kept their heads high and strait. They came to a halt in formation two wingspans in front of San and he bowed till his chest touched the grass, which they returned with a nod of the head. He regained his composure waited for them to make the first call.

“Who has called for our audience?” questioned Elder Willow.
“A fellow pride member,” answered Elder Crawl, before Sanu could even open his beak, “This is Sanu. I have met with him plenty, helping him establish his home in our pride.”
“You mentioned a guest from Clymetur Range as well, who is it?” Elder Ash asked giving a hardly noticeable tilt of his head.
“I will let her announce herself to you,” Sanu said, looking back once more at Sol.

(The Elders are NPC; you may use them as you wish.)

[Solstice]

"Solstice Autumnstone, honored sirs." Sol responded to the query, giving the Griffin equivelant of a curtsey to the three aged figures. "Pridemistress of the Range."

"Ah yes, the newcomer." Willow muttered, nodding his head sagely. "It is good to finally meet you. Do you come on buisness from your Pride?"

"Not this time, sir." Sol replied with a smile. "At the moment my buisness is purely personal - visiting a very dear friend." She extended one of her large wings over Sanu's shoulders as she spoke, pulling him closer in a slightly rough hug as she flashed him a broad grin. "Sanu and myself were Pridemates back in our old home, I've simply come to see how he is getting along, and to catch up with any news he might have."

[Sanu]

“Ah, I understand that there is a bond here that just needs some catching up to do to be at peace for a while. Then we shall not hold you any longer from what time you need for you both to get synchronized,” said Elder Ash.

The other two Elders nodded in agreement to what Elder Ash said. “If that is all you require of us then we shall leave you two to be alone,” said Elder Crawl.

Sanu almost spoke right away, but just before he said something he caught his tongue. He looked up at Sol and decided to put his question off for later. “I do have a question that I would like answered,” he began, “but it can wait until Sol and I have finished. I should be back later to ask it.”

“Very well,” said Elder Willow. “Farewell, Pridemistress Autumnstone and until later Sanu.”

The other Elders said there goodbyes and began to retreat to the comfort of their cave. One by one they disappeared into the brush until it was only San and Sol in the clearing. “So, where would you like to go for us to talk,” San questioned, reaching under Sol to hug her around the chest with a single foreclaw. “We can head back to my cave or go elsewhere on the pride lands; I am totally OK with what you choose.”

[Solstice]

"You know this forest better than me." Sol responded simply, smiling as she shrugged her shoulders with a carefree air. "Perhaps you could suggest somewhere."

Her brow knitted slightly, however, as she suddenly seemed to take on a more serious air. "I'm sorry though - I didn't stop you from asking whatever it was you wanted to ask, did I? I hope I didn't cause the Elders to leave too quickly if you still had need of them...do you want to stay while you ask your question? I wouldn't mind."

[Sanu]

“I have a place we could go that is very beautiful,” Sanu said. “I don’t visit it often enough, so I think it would be great for us both. There is a tree in this forest that is the biggest I have seen and probably ever will see. I’ll just show you it, because I don’t think words do it justice.”

San released himself from Sol and took a few paces to the side to allow some room for him to stretch his wings. He extended his wings to their full extent keeping them level with his back. He did not need the stretch for his muscles were still warm and loose.

“Sol, right now you’re here and I might as well spend what time we have together for today now. The Elders will always be here another day for me to talk to. You came here to talk with me, not wait around for me. Let’s go to that tree I mentioned; we can enjoy each others company there. Follow me closely, my dear,” Sanu said laughing at his own gentlegryph words. He flapped his wings and gently lifted off and set his course for the river. I would not take them long to get there even on a gliding pace.

[Solstice]

Sol grinned too at his speech, mentally whispering to herself that she would be quite happy to wait a good while as far as Sanu was concerned, however he had lifted off before she could comment on the matter, and neither did she think this would be the best time for it anyway. Instead she spread her own large wings and lept up into the bright sky after him, performing a little flip of joy in the cold air as she swung round on his tail. Again the sence of freedom and escape from the trappings of her responsibillity was high in her heart, and she felt she could fly the length and bredth of the terretories and beyond without stopping.

Angling her wings downwards, she swooped below him comically as they drew level, weaving from side to side like a little chick daring him to chase her. Despite her antics, though, she spoke up with a slightly more level, grown-up air: "It sounds wonderful!" She rolled smoothly onto her back, carefully keeping her wings tense to stay aloft through gliding despite being upside-down, and her expression suddenly became thoughtful as she fixed San with a questioning gaze. "By the way I've been meaning to ask - what brought you to this forest in the first place? I noticed you heading this way when we first arrived, in that group with Abiyram. What made you pick all these trees when you were used to the Moorlands?"