The Ties That Bind, [P]~Sanu

[Solstice]

For the moment, there was nothing more to be said. Nor would she be able to say it even if there was, because for all intents and purposes, the universe had just exploded around her.

Struck completely mute by the emotion welling up within her stomach and breast, Sol leaned forward, wrapping one of her arms over Sanu's shoulder and round the back of his strong neck as her irridescent ivory beak touched his in a deep, long, passionate kiss. Around them the rest of the world, which had already faded into obscurity as they had begun to make their feelings known, now fell away completely as her breathless heart soared high into the stratosphere, bourne aloft by those strong, powerful talons and stunning purple-stained plumage of her precious, noble knight. His scent enveloped her like the thick, comforting wings of a mother around a newborn chick, and her blood roared with a blazing inferno of excitement and ecstasy as her mind began to spin, locked in dizzying rapture at the sensation of his presence and their close, electric contact. For the first time since that night so many years ago when she had taken her young siblings under her wing, caring for them and looking after them until their parents came home, she felt really, truly, happy.

Part of her wished that moment could have lasted forever - that they could both have died then and there, so close to each other in unspeakable bliss, spending the rest of eternity locked in that special moment with nothing to ever break their wonder and delight. But as much as her soul cried and rebelled at the thought of it, her logical mind dragged her back from the edge before she became completely lost to her emotions, forcing her to consider the real world once again. They were not mindless beasts, they were civillised Griffins with proper ettiquete and morals to consider, and for all her overwhelming flood of emotion, she knew that she must take the time to do things the right way. Besides, she would have to consider Sanu's feelings too - although he had just accepted her, she still did not know just how fast he wanted the relationship to progress, or what he felt comfortable with.

Reluctantly, and with an act of supreme determination and willpower, she slowly pulled back from the powerful kiss, allowing their beaks to part. "I will!" she murmured quietly, barely able to ennunciate the words thanks to her lack of breath and tense, shaking muscles. "I will be with you for all eternity and beyond!"

Slowly she padded alongside him, lying down lightly by his flank and gently leaning her small form on his muscular body, reveling in the sparks of nervous energy that every touch of their soft plumage sent racing up and down her spine. Questions were beginning to form in her mind, questions that needed to be asked - What implications would their pairing have for their respective Prides, and who would forsake their title to join the other in their home? Where and when would the ceremony be held, and what would it consist of? How long, indeed, should they leave before formalising their relationship in such a way, to allow time for them to adjust, and perhaps meet one anothers' friends and family members before finally going ahead with it all? And yet, for now she found herself unable to make such queries - she wanted to leave this moment unbroken for as long as she possibly could, enjoy it as much as she was able before such worries came tubling in. She could ask later, in a few moments or a few centuries, however long it took...but for now, while there was just her, him and the beauty of the peaceful glade surrounding them, she simply could not bring herself to break that wonderful atmosphere with anything besides the deafening beat of her overflowing heart...

[Sanu]

When Sanu’s beak connected with Sol’s, he didn’t know what to expect. He only imagined such a situation happening between him and her that would involve a kiss, but his imagination could never predict how it would feel. He remembered the kisses his parents gave him when he was younger and they were often short and not packed with much emotion. This kiss was unmatched by all of those he remembered combined and tripled. The surge of emotion was greater than the pain he had experienced on the day his parents died, but it was in no way painful. The feeling was blissful, freeing, and warming. It was like the powerful sun’s gentle heat, the world’s life giving exhale, and the universe’s unknown infinity. The words to describe the powerful love that the kiss shared between them is nearly impossible to fully describe.

When they separated it felt like hours had passed and even then it felt too short. For the instance that he caught looking deep behind her eyes he saw the overflowing well of love of her soul and knew that it was all for him. The joy that filled him along with the warm, fuzzy, homely feeling was something he had missed feeling in his childhood days, but Sol had taken him back there. He had found true love with the gryphoness he had lived with since his return from mourning on his own for the only loved ones he had. She was the love that he was not going to let go.

Once Sol had settled in by his side, San returned the gesture that she had done to him every time he broke down and by extending a wing over her back. He let it lie lightly on her back and extend to the ground, covering her from side to side with wing and body. He embraced her warmth and joy, and shared his own with her. He slid his foreclaw under and along her’s until his claw was under her own and interlaced his fingers with hers. A sudden shudder struck him and his exhale was shaky. So many things that he only wished and imagined happening were being granted like a procrastinating genie finally thought he should grant them. His emotions were making him sick it was so much to take at once like eating a meal too fast. Tears of what seemed like a not so possible love to him began to flow from his eyes. His joyful smile still remained present on his face as he looked Sol. There was always something about her that made him look back at her time and time again and feel a sense of relief and connection.

Sanu's head began to fill with questions about their future together both near and far. Most were similar to the ones that Sol was thinking about as well. Which one of them would sacrifice their new pride and join the other so they could be closer? When would they announce their love to close friends and family to plan on holding the partnering ceremony? Some were just self worries, others were very important to face that it would better to confront them sooner than later. San leaned his head close to Sol's and let their damp cheeks connect in a love nudge. He closed his eyes and saw here through his closed eyelids. He was going to answer the question that was on both of their minds, which probably took the higher priority of the majority.

"I ended up in the wrong place by the end of the great migration," Sanu began with a soft, flowing voice. "I have found the pride that I belong in, but it is not here. It's with your pride Sol, that I should be calling home in den that I share with you. It should be easy for me to have the pride elders here to give me permission to do so. Your position of leadership is too important to just leave, pride mistress." He allowed the inside joke to leak into his sentence from their past. "I will gladly make the move to be closer to you."

San was sincere to his heart and his mate. He would much rather give up his position as a messenger to be with Sol. She had the role of a leader for so long he did not want to see her give up the status that she was suited for. It should be easy enough for him to get a new position especially with Sol being the head of the pride and able to make the call of where he would do the best. Everything should be easy after the arrangements had been made. They would finally have time to connect their minds and allow their relationship develop into something so much stronger.