She stared out at the forest, contemplating hunting. She was feeling tired, and a little lazy, so she was seriously thinking about skipping her hunting for the day. It wouldn't be the first time, especially since the only person she really hunted for was herself these days. She could do without for a day.
She thought about her youth, how desperate she had been to prove that she was a good huntress that she had hunted every day. What a fool she been. Of course, she was a fool now. Or at least, making one of herself over Rayek. She shook her head. No sense worrying about it now.
She thought for a long moment, then decided that she would go back to her room. There were things she could do. For one thing, she could take care of her weapons. Walking through the Palace always disconcerted her a bit. She didn't like the place, preferring to be outside.
Rayek knocked on the entrance to Ebony's room. He had kept the head cloth for a few days, but at last it was simply too disoncerting. He had to return it.
Coming to her rooms, she was surprised to find Rayek outside of the door. "Are you looking for me, for once?" Her voice was dry, yet affectionate.
He had been waiting with increasing impatience. Hearing her voice behind him, he jumped slightly, but smoothly covered it up. Her dark eyes were warm with the affection he heard in her voice, and slightly amused. Getting right to the point, he said "I have something to return." The head cloth fluttered in his out-stretched hand.
That surprised Ebony, who shrugged it off. "Well, then, come in. Leetah taught me how to make something called tea long ago. She says you used to like it. Share a cup with me and explain why you're returning the cloth."
"This... is not mine," he said as she led the way in.
"It was. I thought you would appreciate its return." She grinned softly, making the tea as quickly and efficiently as she could, knowing that he would soon grow tired of her company.
"It was at one time. But now it is yours, and has been for countless years."
"Not countless. Cutter counted most of them. But I understand. You probably think me a fool, don't you?" The words held no malice or anger. Merely amusement. "I wouldn't blame you, you know." She felt a bit ridiculous, making conversation for both of them. But she felt rather . . . uncomfortable right now.
Rayek held his tongue on the comment that Cutter had counted far fewer of the years than she thought. Let the past lie where it was. Instead, he said "I do not think you a fool."
"Why not?" She was honestly confused.
"I do not pretend to understand why you feel as you do," he shrugged, "but I know you are too intelligent to be a fool."
"Here you are," she said, setting the cup of tea down in front of him. "Don't worry. That scene in the Palace's hall won't happen again."
A smirk graced his dark features. "Of course not. Deberra has no power of speech anymore."
Ebony looked surprised. "I noticed that she's been awfully quiet since that day. What did you do to her?" Inwardly, Ebony sighed. So he was avoiding the topic of their discussion. She decided she would explain, or try to, once more before letting it drop herself.
Rayek's smile was undeniably satisfied. "Something similar to my stun-spell."
"That wasn't what I meant, though."
"... You meant later, didn't you?"
"Yes." Her smile never wavered. It was better to discuss it, rather than letting the feelings lock down.
"Oh." His fingers were fiddling nervously. He frowned at them and they stopped.
"I assure you that it won't happen again. It was wrong of me to tell you what I did." She shrugged lightly.
"It's not wrong to tell the truth," he said, his voice low.
"You weren't ready for that truth, though. You may never be." She stared at him, her smile softening.
A small, reluctant smile quirked his mouth. "But think how confused I would have been if all I had heard was what you told Leetah and the others."
That earned him a slight blush. "Why should that be confusing? I merely said that I would treasure the chance to be your lovemate. I figured you'd be used to such things by now."
"You seemed to care about my wishes in the matter... no one else thinks that is a consideration." He stared down at the tea. He knew human tribes that believed you could tell the future through tea. What future was he looking at, he wondered.
"I'd hardly be a good friend if I didn't care about how you felt."
"To them, it's just a 'tumble in the furs'," he grimaced. "It's as though they have no idea that it can mean something deeper. You'd think they all learned from Kahvi."
"You know, I don't think I've EVER had 'just a tumble in the furs.'"
Rayek's eyebrows shot up. "Ever?" he asked, as he took a swallow of tea.
"The last lovemate I had died just before we were going to be lifemates. I only know because his brother told me how he felt. Other than that, I've mated once or twice, but there's always been a reason for it."
"I am sorry," he said, briefly lifting his eyes to hers from the mug.
Ebony shook her head gently. "It doesn't hurt anymore. It was so long ago even I barely remember." She took a drink from her cup, then grinned. "How do we always fall into such depressing topics?"
"It's the inescapable effect of my presence."
Ebony laughed. "Nonsense!"
"Truth," he retorted.
"Nope. False indeed. In fact, your smile always makes me feel a little happier."
"Your life must be dark indeed then. I have so little cause to smile these days."
"That is what I'm trying to change."
He stared mutely at his tea again, non-plussed.
She grinned again, finishing off her tea. "It's cold, you know." She motioned to the tea.
His eyes flashed back to meet hers. "It would be better for you to choose a more... attainable target, Ebony." Leaving the rest of the tea, he stood. "I know about spending your hopes. Walking through a sandstorm covered in sunburns is a more pleasant experience."
She stood with him, going over to him before he could leave and grabbing his wrist in a loose grasp. "I've waited countless years yearning after you. And I never expected you to find out, let alone love me back. You aren't a target. You're a wish, one that can never be. I know that as surely as I know my own soul-name." Her eyes still weren't angry, but they had lost their amusement. "Right now, the only thing I want is the chance to be your friend. A true friend, one you will actually talk to. Barring that, what companionship you give me will be enough. I won't press you for your love, because I know that you may never feel ready or willing to give it. And I would want nothing less than your love freely given, were I to get it."
"And now . . . you should go. You have better things to do than to sit here arguing with me. If I can help again, just let me know." She turned away, gathering up the headcloth in her hands and slowly folding it back up.
"I still think that you are leaving yourself open for disappointment," he said quietly before he turned and left.
She shivered softly as she heard his words, but did not turn. Instead, she looked down at the folded cloth tenderly, brushing her fingers over it. "I'll always care about you, Rayek," she whispered softly.
Ebony shook her hair, sending droplets of water everywhere, before glancing down at her drenched leathers. "Moonshade is going to KILL me," she muttered in frustration. She glanced back outside from the safety of the doorway to the Palace to see a sheet of water. "I hate it when it rains here!"
Raking her hand through her hair, then wiping the dripping water from her brow, she shrugged in resignation. There was no way she would be able to get any hunting done in this weather. She pulled off her soaked moccasins, padding with bare feet across the cold floor of the Palace towards her rooms. Not surprisingly, she left a small river of water after her as she trudged down the hallway.
ShenShen giggled, rapping smartly on Rayek's door. "Oh Rayek!" she called out in a singsong fashion. She waited for him to open the door, anxious to see his face. "Rayek! There's a rat in the Palace!"
Rayek's face tightened with displeasure, but he kept his attention on his book. Unconsiously, he hunched his shoulders into the wall, hoping that Shenshen would give up... no such luck, of course.
A rather snobbish grin began to form on her face. "Rayek! It's a BIG rat! And half-drowned."
"I don't see what you're making a fuss for," he said indifferently. "After all, you've been here for many years."
Angry at his snub, though she was doing much the same thing, she Sent a picture of Ebony, trudging through the Palace, leaving rainwater and mud everywhere. "That should get you rather riled up, my high and mighty Master of the Palace!" she muttered in fury. And turning, she flounced off.
**Is there nothing any of you hold sacred?** he snapped at both Shenshen and Ebony.
Surprised at the sudden outburst from the recently silent Rayek, Ebony jumped, then Sent a white-hot burst of anger back at him.
**Be sure you clean up that trail of mud,** he replied icily.
How dare he? she thought in fury. **I hope you go outside and drown,** was her acid reply.
**I have sense enough not to go out in the rain,** was the snide reply.
She finally reached her room, throwing down the remnants of her leathers. At his Send, she lost it. Throwing on a wrap that Ahnshen had made for her long ago, she near-ran to his room, knocking on it while Sending sweetly, **I got something for you while I was out hunting. Open up so I can give you the kill I got for you.**
The only response she got was a mental wave of indifference.
**Come on! I worked hard for this!** She waited impatiently. **Please?** She tried once more.
Her last sending was properly contrite, a not-quite apology for her anger from before.
The door spiraled open in a swirl of magic, accompanied by an irritated sending. **If I do, will you then go away?**
**Just as soon as I give you what I got for you.** she Sent, stepping into his room, and going to him. Her wrap fell loosely around her body, accentuating what curves she posessed nicely. When she was right in front of him, she held out the neatly cleaned ravvit she had snared for him. "And Rayek?"
"What?" he asked, his voice supremely uninterested. He took the rabbit indifferently.
"I just wanted to answer you properly about what I hold sacred." With that, she dumped the rest of her water-bag, still near-full, on his head. Turning, she stormed out of the room, calling out over her shoulders. "And I hope you roast over the human's cookfires!"
Grimly Rayek wrung the water from his hair and rummaged for a dry tunic. "Why do I even bother?" he muttered.