Strength in Differences

[Kaisaan]

Her touch caused a jolt to run through his entire body like a live wire, but Nik didn't move, only the sphere in her hand did, contorting slightly before it stabilized. Part of him wanted to flinch away, just as he wanted to do for any touch, but Kaulu's contact wasn't like anyone else's. She'd never touched him, never made contact with any intent to harm and unlike many he was used to, her gentle hand would not turn vicious in a blink. She hardly touched him at all and when she'd done so now, it had been slowly as if she just knew he was just as likely to bolt as he was to stay. He didn't know how she knew, how she saw so much when so few had seen, but it was working in her favor.

Her words caused an intense surge of hope to flare in his eyes, brightening the glow there and the white-haired Sidhe almost seemed to want to lean into her touch before she departed. He didn't realize his eyes had closed until her hand had left and they shot open again, startled by his own reaction before Nik regained composer and nodded slowly.

It seemed she'd placed a kind of spell over him with just a simple touch, a gentle touch, as the fear didn't come back, not immediately, his demeanor as calm as the water in Kaulu's hand now. Nik gave her a hesitant smile back even as he took the sphere back and sent it hovering back over the water before it gently poured back into the pond. His power faded out of his face, the blue band disappearing, marks shimmering down and his eyes going back to their ice blue, crystal clear hues.

It was then that the Sidhe looked back to Kaulu and he opened his mouth and then seemed to hesitate a moment, swallowing before he moved slowly back to sit and beckoned her with him. Only then did he start again. "Kaulu...Sidhe....they..they don't accept outsiders. They look down on other species. And you know this, but...what races don't know is that Sidhe...they sometimes...break the rules." He faltered, palms rubbing against the top of his thighs, the fear seeping back in. He shouldn't be doing this. They'd find out. He shouldn't be doing this. But he couldn't not do it. He couldn't look into Kaulu's eyes and know that he wasn't telling her the truth, that each day she was waiting for him to trust her, to become her friend...and he was too scared to do so.

Nik took a shaky breath and went on, his eyes slightly glazed over, not really focusing on her. Not yet. "Some Sidhe take...lovers among the other races, but...they never marry and they always leave. But if...if a child is born....they aren't allowed to live. Sidhe, they kill halfbreeds. A halfbreed is the ultimate shame a Sidhe family or people can bear." Nik had gone paler now and he finally looked to Kaulu, his eyes raw with fear and yet determined, too. "My father...he...my mother was a...a human with elemental blood. She....she hid me from him for three months....and then my grandfather he found her, found me and...in punishment he..he forced my father to raise me. As a reminder of his disobedience, his shame."

A bitter smile, faint, crossed Nik's face and a pair of slow tears traced their way down his face before he blinked the rest away, taking a shuddering breath, entire body shaking now, tense. "That's what I am. I'm a halfbreed." A shame. A mistake.

 

[catalyst]

Her touch... or rather, the gentleness of her touch, and her words seemed to do something. To work. Nik's glowing had shone even brighter than before, and soon his eyes closed with her touch. It didn't seem he realized that he had closed his eyes, though, for they only opened when she took her hand away and he seemed startled. He regained his stature though, and they moved together to sit back at the bench.

The woman listened closely as her husband began to speak. It was legitimately difficult for him to say this, that much was obvious. So Kaulu tried to remain a calm posture, sensitive to Nik, as if her calmness might float on to him.

He spoke of how the Sidhe abhor outsiders and other races. But they sometimes broke the rules and took lovers outside of the race. If a child is born, however, it is a halfbreed and they are not allowed to live. Kaulu knew they hated halfbreeds and deemed them shameful, but she didn't know that they were killed. It hurt even Kaulu to know that. And when Nik looked to her with such frightened eyes, pale skin even more pale, it almost broke her heart. He told her the truth of him. Of how he was a halfbreed, his true mother being a human with elemental blood. It all made sense then. Why he didn't look like the rest of his family. Why he could distort and conform water. Why he had those bruises on their wedding day.

That bitter smile, those tears, and the words following afterwards also made the Chaktawe's chest ache and she reached out almost immediately, moving off the bench and kneeling down in front of him. She took his hands in hers, not wiping away the tears because she knew that they needed to be wept. But she looked into his eyes. He thought himself a mistake, and having being told that and being treated so cruelly by his family, he believed it to be true. But she knew better. Anyone that was not a Sidhe knew better.

"Niklomaus," she said his name softly, gently. "You are a halfbreed. There is no denying it," she said, always maintaining eye contact, or at least trying to. "But you are not a mistake. You... you are beautiful," she said with a breath of warm laughter, a smile appearing on her face. "And there is no shame in who you are." She squeezed his hands gently.

 

[Kaisaan]

Her initial movement made him flinch, but then she was before him, on her knees and Nik looked at Kaulu in pure confusion, feeling another jolt as her hands took his own. He stared at her, so very unsure, scared. He could face enemies, was a fierce warrior in battle and a skilled diplomat when given the chance to speak. He was smart and resourceful, eager to learn and even more-so to serve. He could climb heights and do crazy things without feeling any fear at all. He could stand up for those who couldn't stand up for themselves, but when it came to himself, when it came to being accepted or rejected....he was a child again. A very scared child who'd been denied his whole life. It was a strange combination, not one most people would understand and even fewer who'd tolerate it, much less embrace it.

So when she said his name, he could do nothing but look back at her, hoping, fearing, rigidly still. He never looked away from her, his pale blue eyes working swiftly to take in every expression, every hidden meaning, his entire body ready to bolt at any moment should her demeanor change. And then...she said he wasn't a mistake. If that wasn't enough to shock Nik, her next words, both before her laugh and afterward, stunned him.

He felt like he couldn't breathe in that moment and his pale eyes seemed to crack like splinters appearing in a mirror, falling away a few chips at a time, revealing the broken soul beyond before tears flooded and hazed everything over. Nik shook his head, looking down, letting them run and his voice came out as a cracked whisper. "You c-can't tell them. P-please, you c-can't. I wasn't allowed to t-tell. Please d-don't tell."

What he'd done was starting to sink in and the shaking was worse now, his whole body shuddering with shivers. Seven hundred years worth of fear and he'd spat out the entire reason for it to Kaulu, a woman he wanted to be friends with but someone who could destroy him with just one word in the right ear.

 

[catalyst]

Kaulu had expected the flinches but to be quite honest, she didn't care. She knew Nik would stay once he realized the purpose her touches held for him, and he did. He was a frightened soul. A broken, tortured soul. But she had meant it when she said he was beautiful. Because he was. He heard the desert's song, an act that no Sidhe was ever expected to hear. He was willing to learn the ways of the Chaktawe, was willing to help the people and gave them respect. And he was willing to try even after several hundred years of enduring such suffering.

When he started to sob, Kaulu stood from her spot and sat back on the bench, an arm wrapping around his back and the other pulling him close slowly by his head, her fingers gently running through the tresses. If there was one thing she could do for him right now, it was to comfort him, to give him solace, something she knew he had probably never been given. She spoke some of her native tongue instinctively, words of soothing that were unique, words that were only spoken to soothe the people you were fond of.

"I will not tell anyone. Not a soul," she promised. "No one will know. Everything will be just fine. I promise."

 

[Kaisaan]

She was right - he'd never known soothing like this. The werewolves were never allowed near him when he was hurt, when he needed them the most by his grandfather's orders and they couldn't disobey that, physically couldn't. Jemna could have if the pack had been willing to risk her being killed, but Nik wouldn't allow it to happen. He wouldn't let her risk it and he and Marsin had an understanding about that. So he cried alone. He suffered alone and he picked himself back up alone. He'd been deprived of the most basic of comfort his whole life and this....this simple gesture on Kaulu's part was overwhelming.

His scalp tingled in the oddest way with the touch of her fingers and her embrace had made him tense at first, but his spirit knew things his body and mind didn't, and soon enough he was relaxing in her hold, simply letting the tears shake him as his own arms came slowly to wrap around her, almost as if he were afraid of harming her, or pushing boundaries he wasn't allowed to cross. Or like if he did too much she'd disappear and this would be nothing but a dream.

Black hair brushed his arms, though, his face with the faintest of tickles and her fingers soothed away some of the pain in a way he couldn't even describe. But her words, her native tongue flowing so smoothly off her tongue and past her lips, it slowed the shaking as he listened, able to catch her promise then and Nik closed his eyes, wanting desperately to believe it...choosing to believe it as relief swept through him and he slowly pulled back from Kaulu. He didn't want to leave, but was unsure about staying, not used to the contact, to the comfort, not sure when it should stop, how much he was allowed.

His palm came up to brush away the tears, a shaky breath leaving him as his pale eyes finally looked back up at her, not quite stable yet, but not so terrified either, some hesitant trust sitting there in his face. "Th-thank you."

 

[catalyst]

She was glad that Nik did reject her comforting gesture because if he had, she didn't know how else to help him besides keeping her word. She let him cry in her arms and would continue to do so until he was finished. She didn't mind as he wrapped his own arms around her and only held him a bit tighter. She continued to run her fingers through his white hair and when he pulled back, she looked at him for a moment with a small smile before tucking some of his hair behind his ear. "You're welcome," she replied. "Don't be afraid to show that side of you, Nik. I will be here when you need me."

Everything that had just happened was a major step. It was hazardous, so hazardous, but it brought them so closely together in a matter of minutes. And Kaulu would never break that bond. She couldn't. If she had to cut off her tongue not to speak of her husband's secret, she found it true in herself that she would do so.

A cool feeling rushed through her from her fingertips though, and she looked towards the general direction. Someone was coming and she looked to Nik with an apologetic smile. "Someone is coming. We can leave elsewhere, if you'd like."

 

[Kaisaan]

Don't be afraid. He wasn't sure if there had ever been a day in his life when he wasn't afraid on some level.

Nik almost found such a thought morbidly amusing, but he said nothing to it, only nodding and then his attention perking in a different way as she looked away. He had a hunch what had drawn her attention, but it was only confirmed when she turned back to him and spoke. He knew some of the basic powers of her people and had been learning more. Nik gave her a faint smile, nodding slowly to her offer. He'd like that. He stood and after moment's hesitation, offered a hand to Kaulu, too. He'd just pulled her up gently when said person walked into the courtyard and Nik straightened a bit, brows furrowing as the servant approached both he and Kaulu directly.

"Princess, Kauluwehi, Prince Niklomaus, there are...well, wolves outside the city."

Nik's eyes widened, his tone firming, not harsh, but definitely commanding an answer. "How many? What are they doing?"

The servant looked a bit startled as Nik was usually very soft-spoken, but he answered, glancing at Kaulu and then back to the halfbreed. "We counted five, Prince, and they merely seem to be...well, they aren't doing much of anything."

A smile crossed Nik's face. "Waiting. They're waiting." His attention turned to Kaulu then, something like joy flickering in the depth of his eyes, emotions having shifted abruptly at the mention of the canines. "Kaulu, would you like to meet my family? My true family." If she said yes, he'd take her to the stables and bring out his own horse, swing up bareback and offer her a hand down to sit behind him. It would be a quick jaunt from her home to the city and then a short gallop from there to the edge of the desert where five large canines, nearly as big as the horse itself, would be waiting in the sand.

 

[catalyst]

When he stood and offered his hand, she took it just as gently as he had pulled her up. But before they could go anywhere, the person entered the courtyard. It turned out to be a servant and one of the main messengers between the city and the palace. He brought news of wolves outside the city and Kaulu furrowed her brows slightly before looking to Nik. He spoke to the servant, voice firm and commanding an answer. Kaulu stifled a chuckle at the servant's reaction but nodded to him to show that it was all right. When he did answer, Nik turned towards his wife, joy surging through the man as he asked her to meet his family.

"There would be no greater honor," she answered with her own smile. With that, the Sidhe had brought out his very own horse from the stables and offered her his hand once more to sit behind him. She grinned and took it, hopping onto the horse before wrapping her arms around the man. They galloped into the city and to the edge of the desert where Nik's true family waited - five large werewolves almost as big as the horse.

"Oh, wow," she murmured under her breath. She had seen werewolves before, this was true, but hardly ever outside of war. It was at this moment as they neared them that she could see just how beautiful and majestic they truly were.

 

[Kaisaan]

Nik smiled at her words and looked back just slightly with a whisper of his own. "Don't let them hear that. They'll preen." he teased and then stopped the mare under them, hopping down and out of some sort of instinct, he held out his arms and helped Kaulu down as well. He knew she didn't need it. She was a warrior, strong, skilled and proud in her own way, but for some reason he'd felt the need to do it, to show just a fraction of the care she'd been showing him. Of course, he blushed just slightly after he'd done it and looked away quickly, finding that it was a good thing he had as he got enough time to widen his eyes before a body was crashing into his own.

Diamond, his mare, snorted her displeasure and backed away with ears pinned, but she'd grown up around the wolves and didn't bolt even as her master got 'mauled'. Well, nuzzled and licked to death by the youngest member of the pack was probably more accurate and Nik pushed against the large body pinning his own with a muffled curse that just made Jemna chuckle deep in her throat and look down at him with perked ears and a wagging tail.

Nik glared up at her, face shining with slobber and the rest of his body with sand. "I hate you." he growled out and the largest wolf of the pack, a deep black creature with a white patch on his chest, came forward and his form changed even as he did into an anthro-like being, standing a good foot and a half over Nik's own tall stature and completely towering over Kaulu. "Cub, don't lie." He reached down and grabbed Jemna by her scruff, eliciting a startled yelp from the grey she-wolf as Nik was allowed to rise. "Who said I was lying!"

Marsin gave him a look and then looked back to the she-wolf still in his grasp, giving her a slight shake. "And you. It's only been two weeks. Use your brain." Jemna's ears went back, tail curling between her legs slightly as she seemed to wince, looking to Nik and the white-haired male shook his head. "No, no. It's fine. The Chaktawe healed me. I'm fine. It's fine, Marsin." Pale blue eyes held gold ones and the alpha werewolf seemed to judge the truth of those words for a moment before he nodded and released Jemna who promptly shifted up into her own form, about a foot shorter than Marsin, gray hair and fur covering her. She grumbled as she rubbed the back of her neck and Nik smiled a bit before wiping at his face with a sound of mild disgust that made the she-wolf smirk before he looked over to Kaulu.

His attention to her drew the pack's attention as well and Afkii, Unene and Kafta shifted up to anthro form as well, a red-brown wolf, black-white wolf and steel-gray wolf respectively. They studied the woman with calculating eyes, looking from her to Nik and noting that their cub didn't seem to mind the Chaktawe's presence.

"Marsin, pack, this is Kauluwehi." He smiled at Kaulu and his pale blue eyes were truly happy....even covered in sand and his hair damp from saliva. Made him look younger than anything else. "Kaulu, this is my family."

 

[catalyst]

Kaulu chuckled mildly before the mare was stopped. Nik hopped off first and turned to hold out his arms for her, something she didn't expect but... found she liked and she gave him an appreciative smile as she was helped down. But as soon as this was finished, Nik was suddenly attacked by one of the wolves, being pounced upon and forcing him to the warm desert sand as he was being licked all over. Soon, though, the largest of the pack transformed into an anthro-like creature and raised the nuzzling wolf by her scruff.

The scene before her warmed the Chaktawe woman's heart and she giggled quietly to herself. The care for Nik was evident in each of them and Kaulu was happy that her husband was able to find his own family in this pack.

Soon though, attention came to Kaulu as expected and she seemed unphased by the calculating stares given by each member of the pack. When they were introduced, she bowed respectfully before smiling sincerely. "It's a pleasure to meet you all," she said, voice as sincere as her smile. It was a little bit nerve-wracking considering this was Nik's true family, but at the same time, it was much more comfortable than his Sidhe family.

 

[Kaisaan]

"This is your mate? She is beautiful." Kafta intoned, approaching Kaulu and crouching down, reaching out and touching the Chaktawe's chin with her clawed hand, tilting Kaulu's face slightly and making Marsin give a slight growl. "Kafta. Personal space." was the sharp reminder to the she-wolf who was more inclined toward her feral nature than her intelligent one. She gave bared teeth back to the alpha, but rose and backed away, leaving Nik to shake his head and move toward his wife again, speaking quietly to her.

"They can be a bit...forward, but none of them will harm you."

"Well, of course we won't, Cub. She's your mate, and about time, too." Unene pointed out, sharp ears catching his words and the older female came forward as the Sidhe blushed, opening his mouth only to be stopped by Marsin who was chuckling. "I wouldn't bother, Cub. You know how she-wolves are."

Unene was already before Kaulu, studying her with a happy welcome in her eyes, tail swishing, yellow eyes looking deeply into those mirror-black ones. "You have a good heart. I can see it. It is very nice to meet you, Kauluwehi." She glanced to Nik who'd been engaged in conversation with Marsin and her yellow eyes smiled down at the Chaktawe. "I do not think I have ever seen him so at ease around a stranger. You will be good for him." If there was anything werewolves was....it was blunt and truthful and sometimes very forward. It was just their nature.

"What are you doing here, Marsin? The Sidhe gave orders..." Nik spoke quietly, worried and Marsin laid his ears back with a sigh, but a stubborn expression. "They said we couldn't come with you, not that we couldn't take a...detour from our scouting mission and see you."

"You're going to get into trouble, Marsin. You shouldn't have come!" Nik hissed back and the large werewolf placed his hand on the Sidhe's head gently, ruffling his hair with affection. "Don't worry yourself about it, Nik. We are here now and we can't stay for long. Simply accept it."

 

[catalyst]

They were much taller than Kaulu. They towered over her, like high buildings in cities or great temples. She was used to it, but it was still a sight to behold. One of the female werewolves, Kafta as Kaulu learned, moved towards her and held her chin to tilt her face slightly. Kafta earlier said that she was beautiful, which made her advancement a bit more predictable but it was still a little bit of a shock. Kaulu didn't it mind it though, and the other woman backed away with word from the black wolf.

"It's alright," she replied to Niklomaus with a small smile before another voice was heard, telling Nik that of course they wouldn't harm his wife and that it was about time he found a mate. Kaulu laughed softly before catching her husband's blush and quieting down slowly as Nik engaged with the largest canine. The same woman approached her, looking deep into Kaulu's eyes. She smiled warmly at Unene's words. "It is nice to meet you, too. Thank you," she said, meeting the yellow gaze with an openness the Chaktawe was willing to share. She felt much more relaxed now and appreciated this particular crowd's bluntness.

Catching the last of Marsin's and Nik's conversation, Kaulu looked towards them. "Would you like to come to the city? We can supply you with water or food if needed," she offered.

 

[Kaisaan]

Five pairs of ears perked at the mention of food and Nik groaned softly, casting Kaulu a look, laughter in his pale eyes. "Now you've guaranteed their loyalty for life. Just letting you know." Five pairs of eyes snapped to him with varying expressions if indignation, protest or outright agreement depending on the wolf and the white-haired halfbreed merely grinned back as Afkii narrowed his eyes. "Cheeky brat."

Marsin cuffed Nik over the head, earning a yelp much like Jemna's - causing the youngest werewolf to chortle under her breath - before the large werewolf gave a gracious dip of his head to Kaulu. "We would be appreciative of such hospitality, Princess. Thank you." He reached out then and nudged Nik in an indication to start moving, causing the Sidhe to start slightly but go back to the mare, swinging up and again offering a hand to Kaulu as the wolves shifted back to their four-legged form, following the horse as they made their way back to the city. Nik grew tenser as they moved in the streets among the Chaktawe, knowing that all it would take would be information getting back to the Sidhe that the wolves were here and there would be consequences. His emotions were fluctuating a great deal this day and as they came into the main courtyard that held the stables and where guests were introduced on more formal occasions, the halfbreed dismounted quietly, offering a hand to Kaulu again in what would be a growing habit before he looked again at the pack, already shifting back to anthro form.

Marsin must have seen the fear flickering in his gaze as the large werewolf came over and dipped his muzzle toward Nik's ear, speaking softly. "We can not protect you, Cub, but they can't keep us from caring. We wanted to check in on you and we would have found a way to do so not matter they said."

Pale blue eyes closed, Nik shaking his head and bringing a hand up to his temple, feeling a headache starting with the stress he'd flopped around in for the last hour or so. "I'm not worth that risk, Marsin."

An outright growl reverberated through the courtyard at that announcement and the pack stilled, looking over at the two, ears moving back as they recognized that furious expression on their alpha's face. Nik was shrinking back before it, though, an instinctive reaction and Kafta moved to the two, pushing against Marsin with a snap of her jaws that had the large black anthro giving her a growl, too, but backing down, his beta following him. Nik raked a hand back through his hair with a muttered curse and Unene sighed, looking to Kaulu.

"Apologies, dear. Niklomaus and Marsin do not always agree on certain topics." She flicked her ear back to the two in question before offering Kaulu a smile, genuine and not particularly concerned with the disagreement that had occurred. None of the wolves did actually, and Nik was settling again, batting away Jemna's hand as she tried to tug on his hair. "Is there anywhere you would have us to go put your people more at ease?"

 

[catalyst]

The perk of all ears made Kaulu glad she had offered food and water and when Nik told her she had gained their loyalty for life, she giggled and then giggled some more when he was shot looks, retorts, and a smack. But soon they were moving back into the city after all werewolves had shifted into their wolf form and her and Nik mounted the mare.

She had forgotten about the wolves not supposed to be here, but she wouldn't think much of it if she had remembered. The Chaktawe didn't like to talk to much about the Sidhe anyways and if any word were to get out, it'd probably only happen if the Sidhe themselves came into the city again. As they got deeper into the city, Kaulu felt Nik grow tense but didn't know exactly what it was about and soon became distracted anyway as they stopped in the courtyard.

They dismounted and changed once more, everyone engaging in their own conversation before they all heard a growl bark through the courtyard. All looked towards Marsin and Nik. The halfbreed Sidhe was shrinking back and Kaulu stepped forward before Kafta intervened, backing away with the alpha. Unene apologized on their behalf, explaining things. A thoughtful hum vibrated Kaulu's lips as she glanced from Nik to Marsin. Like a father and son...

"It's fine," she replied finally, returning the smile. "Um..." she thought for a second. "I suppose you should meet my parents as well. Would that be alright?" she asked. As if right on cue, Kaulu looked behind Unene and spotted Japikoa approaching them. She was surprised by the foreigners in her courtyard, that much was sure, but she didn't pay much mind as she neared Nik and her older sister.

"I've been looking for you two for hours!" Complete exaggeration, but that was Koa. "Now I see what you've been doing," she said as she moved to Kaulu's side and smiled at the pack.

"Right. Japikoa, these are the werewolves that protect Nik's family," Kaulu said as she gestured to them, looking to Nik to see if he wanted to take over.

 

[Kaisaan]

Unene didn't get to answer and in truth that question would have been for Marsin to decide, before another member of Kaulu's family showed up. The wolves' ears perked up, all them able to see the resemblance and they could certainly smell it, the unique scent family members shared beneath the scent of race. They remained quiet, curious as they listened to the younger girl, dipping their heads slightly at the introduction and Nik moved forward at Kaulu silent question to him.

"Iko, this is Marsin, Kafta, Afkii, Unene and Jemna." The last wolf to be mentioned was studying Japikoa with keen interest and the Sidhe hid a smile, knowing those two would be fast friends if given the chance. They were very much alike and Japi was right around Jemna's age, at least in maturity. He turned to look back at the wolves and then at the two sisters. "Pack, this is Japikoa, my little sister."

The words had slipped out without thought, like they were meant to be on his tongue and Nik froze, faltered for a moment and he wasn't sure what he would have said, the emotion in his chest hard to identify, if not for Marsin's hand on his shoulder and Jemna's giggle, unable to stay still anymore as she went forward to meet Japi eagerly, already asking her all about herself. Pale blue eyes looked up into gold and Marsin smiled a bit before releasing Nik and turning his attention to Unene who was speaking of Kaulu's suggestion to meet the Wayhali and Apayla.

The white-haired Sidhe moved to Kaulu's side then, somehow knowing to migrate to her calming aura. He gave her a look that spoke of uncertainty for what he'd said, wondering if that was crossing a boundary he should not have. He'd liked it, though...that brief flare of....of belonging that had sparked.

 

[catalyst]

Nik answered Kaulu's silent question by moving forward and introducing his real family, the Moonhowlers, to the younger Chaktawe Princess. Then he introduced her to his family, giving her the title of his little sister. Japikoa smiled at that, only reacting positively and beaming with how she had been called his little sister. After all, she had never had an older brother before, or any male siblings, and she was quite fond of her sister's husband. It was going to be nice to refer to him as her older brother. And Jemna was already an immediate attraction, the two conversing and asking tons of questions about each other.

Kauluwehi liked it as well, and when Nik moved to her side and gave her a look of uncertainty, she looped her arm through his and looked at him with reassurance that if any boundaries were crossed, it was into a better region. Today had just been one big day of major steps, all towards a positive outcome. The day she was told she was to be married to a Sidhe, she dreaded the idea. She expected cold harshness, a life of unhappiness after marriage. But it wasn't turning out that way, not in the slightest. It was... it was good. Something that she could say she was genuinely looking forward to, especially in comparison to her original idea of how it was going to be.

"Well, if you're ready, I do believe we're about to have dinner. We can meet the Wayhali and Apayla there?" she suggested, only realizing how late it had become when the sun was starting to lower into its set and the temperature was slowly dropping. If pack wanted to, they would be able to kill two birds with one stone.

 

[Kaisaan]

Her reassurance brought a faint smile to his face and her touch, simple as it was, washed away the uncertainty. His attention shifted to the werewolves again at Kaulu's announcement of dinner and this time he really did chuckle as all their heads swung around. Nik glanced to obsidian eyes then with a nod. "I'm pretty sure that's agreement." he whispered to her and the wolves merely smiled.

It didn't take much time to get them to the dining hall and Nik once again introduced them, this time to Kaulu's parents. The evening progressed rather smoothly from that point, the wolves having a rather good time learning about the Chaktawe and sharing stories of their own people. They shared one or two of Nik, but only of when he was a child and the antics he got up to, one of them being climbing up to a salamander nest on the cliff-side and having to be rescued from the fire-lizard. The Sidhe had blushed scarlet at that point and declared no more stories about him, which had only made the wolves laugh.

The evening had been relaxing, far different than any Nik had ever had with his own biological family and by the time everyone decided to part ways for the night, it was in good spirits. Nik had followed the wolves out to the courtyard again and he was unsure if Kaulu had followed or not as she'd been speaking with Japikoa when he'd departed, though, she would be able to follow easily enough if she wished. The werewolves had made it very clear that they'd be much happier sleeping outside and under the sky. It was just part of their race and they'd been very polite about it, but insistent.

Afkii and Unene, the older members - though, they weren't that old - were already settling in their wolf forms, curling around each other and Kafta was sniffing the air, making sure all was well out of habit alone. Jemna was yawning, trying to pretend she wasn't tired as she attempted to eavesdrop on Marsin and Nik who were standing together. The large black wolf was looking down at the Sidhe with some concern now that it was just the two of them, ears slightly back, gold eyes studying. "Are you truly doing well here, Niklomaus?"

Nik sighed out slowly and nodded. "Yes. I am treated fairly here, Marsin, and Kaulu..." Nik smiled a bit and the wolf perked his ears a bit, a chuckle in his throat as he tilted his head at his ward. "You like her."

A serious expression crossed Nik's face, not the typical reaction that might be expected. "She is patient with me." he replied softly and it was clear in the Sidhe's tone that this quality was one that amazed him beyond anything he could accurately express. Marsin gave him a sad and yet fond expression, touching Nik's head again, large hand gentle. "That is not hard for me to believe, Cub. What have you told her?"

Pale eyes looked up, catching the moon, both truthful and scared. "I told her what I was."

Marsin drew his head up in some surprise and then looked Nik over closely again, hand coming to rest on his shoulder, such power contained into a gentle gesture. "Did you tell her anything else?" He didn't need to ask how Kaulu had reacted. Her kind nature toward Nik told Marsin enough on that already. The white-haired male shook his head, taking a shaky breath. "Not...not yet."

 

[catalyst]

At the dinner table, Kaulu's parents were as welcoming to the werewolves as they were to Nik, especially since they were an open bunch and far much more entertainment than the Sidhe monarch. The families exchanged stories, most of the werewolve's about Nik before he became too embarrassed and declared that there would be no more about him. Everybody laughed or chuckled in some way, and to make Nik feel better, Japikoa chimed in and told of how when Kaulu was little, she'd sneak off to any body of water near her and take her clothes off, only to splash and bring attention to herself by the townspeople. She immediately glanced to her younger sister and tried to shut her up with native tongue but it was to no avail as everyone had already heard the story. She blushed faintly before laughing, covering her face and looking to Iko like she couldn't believe she just told that story.

When dinner was over, the werewolves insisted on sleeping outside. Kaulu didn't follow Nik outside - wanting to give him some alone time with them - merely staying inside and conversing with her sister, rolling her eyes at some of her displeasure but laughing it off with her sister anyways. She could never stay mad at her Iko for too long, especially over something so trivial. When she had had her fill of Japikoa, though, she moved on to her parents and kissed them each goodnight before making her way to her room. Nik was free to do as he pleased, but if he asked anyone, they would tell him where his wife was.

 

[Kaisaan]

"You should. She will find out. Better that she know from your mouth first, Cub." Marsin's voice was quiet, deep and only for them. It made Nik shake his head, though, hand raking back through his hair, not so much scared in that moment as bitter and angry. "I think she already suspects. She's not stupid."

"There is a difference between suspecting and knowing. You trust her. You would not have told her that you are a halfbreed if you didn't. It was a good step, Cub, but you need to tell her everything."

"What difference is it going to make?" Nik spat back. He'd had enough of fear and uncertainty today and now it was just moving to anger as a shield. Marsin recognized this and his ears drew back, but he didn't lash out back at the Sidhe. He only sighed. "Nik, you know the answer to that question yourself." He watched as Niklomaus refused to answer and his eyes followed after the white-haired male as the Prince left, looking like he didn't have a clue where his feet were actually taking him. Marsin was willing to bet it was to solitude. How he wished the pack could stay longer, but they had to depart in the morning. He only hoped Nik would continue to confide in Kaulu while they were gone.

----

A month and a half passed uneventfully.

Nik and Kaulu continued to grow closer. Not just as partners in any endeavor they put their minds to - and they discovered they really were a good team - or as sparring companions as they found their unique styles of fighting could be learned from, but as friends, too. They learned about each other; likes, dislikes, habits, thoughts, dreams they'd had as children, talents, weaknesses. It was sometimes swift and fun, other times slow and gradual, but they WERE growing closer.

Nik's family, his intimate life before meeting Kaulu hadn't come into it, though. She didn't ask, seeming to sense something even Nik didn't; that he wasn't ready to talk about it. But then, that's what made the Princess so very wise and good for the Sidhe Prince. Nik knew he should tell her, knew it would only be a month to two more before they'd go to be with his own people, but right now...he was struggling with the idea. His body had healed completely by this point. For the first time in his life he was moving without pain, without fear of more.

It was extremely hard to make his mind want to be reminded of such things by speaking of them.

It was starting to effect Nik's subconscious mind, though. Or perhaps the problem was brought on by the fact that he WAS getting care now, that he was able to trust those around him and therefore his inner demons thought it was about time he dealt with them. It could have been that reason that the nightmares started. Nik often woke before they woke anyone else - or so he assumed - and he would leave no matter what time of the night it still was. He usually only slept about every three days, a combination of Sidhe and human abilities, but this was forcing him to sleep more often and sporadically.

It had only been going on two weeks, but it was starting to show in exhaustion, today especially as Nik failed again to avoid the dagger Kaulu threw at him. They'd discovered early on that they could train in such a way, that Nik was quick enough to avoid the blades or block them and it gave Kaulu a chance to increase her speed and targeting. Sure, it was a bit risky, but they had known their limits by the time a week had ended. So the fact that the first knife had sliced through his clothes, nearly cutting skin had been startling to both of them, but Nik had laughed it off and they'd continued.

Now he was looking at a bloody slash in his arm, blinking down at it as if he couldn't comprehend why it was there. Red ran and dripped into the sand and the Sidhe looked at it for a moment longer before he sighed, unconcerned and more exasperated than anything as he looked back up to Kaulu and gave her a slightly sheepish smile. "Sorry. I didn't move fast enough."

 

[catalyst]

(( Awe snap, this is making curiosity spark mad fires up in here! ))

Almost two months more passed. Everybody was becoming closer together, Nik and Kaulu included. Throughout the several days, they learned several things about each other, the small things that all friends knew. Likes and dislikes, passions and things they hated, habits, dreams... such things that made everything a bit more easier, a bit more fun... more real. They also learned each other's combat skills and became sparring friends as well as finding they made a good team for anything they put both their minds to.

Kaulu hadn't noticed the change in Nik until the last few days of this week. She caught onto his growing slowness, especially during their sparring sessions and today it was especially bad.

They had built enough trust and knowledge of their limits to be able to work on Kaulu's accuracy and speed for throwing knives with Nik. She'd throw daggers at him and he was always fast enough to dodge the blade, but today she had struck him, fortunately not cutting the skin . He had laughed it off, so Kaulu forced herself to do the same, but then she had struck him again on his arm and actually drew blood, the rich liquid pouring down his arm. His reaction was unconcerned and he gave her a sheepish smile when they met eyes, but she wasn't having it.

She moved towards him, having quickly fetched a cloth from one of the small tables holding other daggers and such weapons. She moved to him, setting the cloth on his arm as she dabbed the blood away gently.

"Nik... what's wrong?" she asked, eyes firm as she looked up at him.