Knocking On Heaven's Door (Jagara)

The sun burned bright and high in the sky, casting an illumination of light over the lands of where the shifters resided. Upon the mountain top the rocks and dirt were warm from sitting under the heat for hours everyday and they seemed to maintain their warmth after the sun had settled. Ariun had only been here once before, taking a survey of the lands he would roam as the newest bellator to Eden's pack. Briefly touring the lands to become somewhat famililar of the territory. However, through it all, these dangerous cliffs were the closest he would have to the mountains of his own home. Pain ached in his heart as he thought of home and how far he had come to escape it. The large black cat pressed on, climbing higher and higher in altitude, until he reached the top. Lying down he pressed his belly to the warm flat rock at the very top and over looked the land. It was far and wide and nearly reminded him of the classic Disney movie "The Lion King." Laughter pressed in his throat as he let out a soft growl and purring sensation as he chuckeled in his mind.

Behind him trailing not too far was his companion Krisha, her golden fur glistened in the light as she kept pace up the mountain side. It wasn't as easy for her to keep up with the large cat, but she grew accustomed to it after a while. After all, she wasn't even a year old and at least Ariun provided her with a regiment of staying fit and active. As Ariun settled into his position the young pup came up beside him and lapped at his face, her bright pink tongue caressing the whiskers at his cheeks. Ariun smiled and revealed his large yellowed incisors before lightly pressing the pup away from him forcing her to romp around before sitting at his side. Exaughsted from her hike she passed out at his side, her head resting on her front paws as she curled into the belly of the large panther. Ariun curled around her, he loved her, but it was not the same as how he loved his son. Still, he found it in his heart to always give others a second chance. Even if they were left for dead on the side of the road like Krisha was.

Ariun held his posture as he looked back out over the cliffs, he kept his distance from the other pack members. Was he ready to start his life over and meet someone, anyone? Right now he had all he needed, a leader and a companion. Ariun was beginning to second guess his coming here but overall he knew that this was in his best interest and Krisha's. Only time would tell what was in store for the black cat, resting his head upon the ground he pressed his ear into the smooth rock, listening to the earth. Closing his eyes, he smiled, peace: just how he liked it.

A snow leopard is happiest in the snowy peaks of the Alps, and Titania cliff was about the closest she could get to that within the pack territories. Sure, there was no snow, but at least there were boulders for her to leap across and a beautiful view similar to that of her Swedish home. Eight paws headed up the mountain, one set expertly moving across the rocks in silence while another quietly scraped the ground with his nonretractable claws. The weather was favorable for such a hike, the sun smiling brightly at the feline and dog but without presenting unwanted heat. Half-way up, gusts of oceanic wind began to spontaneously buffet their fur and then pass by just as abruptly, allowing the sun to warm their backs once more. The shifter smiled and looked back to the blue merle Aussie behind her, “Arthas, I think we should come here more often!” to which the dog gave a content bark. Still grinning, they continued on their walk. Jagara had grown to be quite fond of Arthas, whom she had found in an animal rescue shelter. Although she had come in looking for a cat, she saw the Australian shepherd and couldn’t resist. She had wanted someone in her life to give her comfort and support when she needed it and to lay with her on cold, rainy nights when the biting chill of loneliness breached even her well-adapted hide. Arthas turned out to be not only a loyal friend but also a surprisingly smart and endurant dog. She had his Shepherd bloodlines to thank for this.

Within half an hour of a casual walking speed, the pair reached the top. To Jagara’s surprise, they were not alone; there was another leopard shifter with his canine companion there too. ‘How odd…’ The dog, a light amber color, seemed to be asleep and the black panther was curled around her. She let out a gust of air through her nostrils, chuffing at the male to get his attention while Arthas padded up behind her. Under a closer inspection, Jagara deducted that this must be the new Bellator that she had been told of. His name escaped her at the moment though. ‘Aron? Aragorn? Arin? No, none of those.’ Deciding to play it safe and not accidently call him by the wrong name, she walked a bit closer on her wide, ashy paws, her tail that reached a little over a meter in length flicking gracefully behind her.  The female stopped a reasonable distance away, Arthas now at her side, and greeted him with a polite dip of her head, “Hello. I’m Jagara, Epror under Regina Eden.” She could not deny that the melanistic leopard was attractive, but pushed her mind from the subject. ‘Azeroth still watches over me. He always will. I’m just being friendly,’ she attempted to convince herself and gave a little smile at what she knew to be a Bellator, being careful as not to show her fangs. With a look around she added quickly, gesturing to the Aussie beside her, “And this is Arthas.” To this the blue merle opened his mouth in a smile, his tongue lolling out happily. Her grey gaze travelled past the pair and focused on the view. “So what brings a Bellator such as yourself to Titania Cliff?”

They lay there comfortable, each matching each others breathing. When he laid with her, he seemed at ease, and it was almost as if his son was small once more. Curled up into his belly, Ariun keeping him warm. The images flashed in his mind as she drifted off into the lull of sleep, but was awoken by the sounds of falling rocks off the side of the cliffs. Lifting his head, Ariun intently listened to where the rocks were coming from and decided it was nothing of importance, so he laid his head back down. It was however, not long after that he heard the voice of a female behind him. Ariun rose his head and stood up, awakening the small pup at his feet. Blinking away the sleep from his eyes, he did a double take to make sure she was real, before dipping his head in respect to her. He then listened carefully to her words, but could see confusion on her brow, but then a regaining posture and natural essance of her ways. With a quick glance over, Ariun scanned for personal use, to memorize her features and patterens incase of emergency. It was in his nature to study those whom were apart of his pack, now being that he was a shifter of these lands. It was only right to get to know Ms. Eden's personal hierarchy.

As she spoke, Ariun caught her eyes and he smiled at her, looking towards the dog as she finished speaking. Turning his head towards his own and smiled, a chuff escaped his throat in response to her words. "Afternoon Miss Jagara, it is a pleasure to meet you. It seems however, I am already aware of you and it would not surpise me if you were already aware of me as well." Ariun's voice spoke softly towards her, low and deep compared to most males and men his age, or well his look-a-like age. "Arthas hmm, compelling name, strong in his favor." Ariun continued to speak as he mentioned the animal beside her. Sitting back upon his blackened haunches, the large male cat looked down at his little girl and smiled. "This is Krisha and I am Ariun and we came here to find peace, I find the pack life still a little life altering and I needed space. I am not used to this and I fear it will take time to become accustomed to such traditions for lack of better words. Am I not allowed to be here ma'am, I will leave if you ask it of me." Ariun spoke as he alerted the pup that they would be moving.

Krisha stood up and barked at the male shepherd that hung near the female. The cream pup happily barked at the new male that was upon the scene and her tail wagged back and forth happily before she began to walk over to him. Exchanging scents and intellectual conversation held within the mind, or so Ariun assumed before he called her back over to him with a surprising growl. "I apologize, she is curious and still learning to stand by my side. I have not had her long. Please, forgive me Miss, but I assume you come here because it reminds you the closest of home, no? If so, then it is the same reason why I came here, and it would seem that we have something in common." Ariun's voice was seductive and calm, clever in his wording, but he meant no harm by what he said. His words resounding truth over flirtation, if at all he could consider it flirting. It has been a long time since he saw rare beauty such as her's, but with years of censoring his mind and ways and never having sexual relations with a woman, he learned respect was highly more common and easier than lying or forcing his way into a womans heart. Based solely on how he was raised and nothing else, the idea of cheating his way through life was a sickening thought. Ariun caught her eyes once more as he lightly growled to his pup calling her to his side. Then, there was silence.

Jagara found Ariun to be a pleasant surprise. When his gaze met hers, a smile instinctively appeared on her muzzle. His speech was so interesting to her, reminding her of an aged jack rabbit she had once met. The man led his life in Hungary, living in a small village amongst the townsfolk. Despite being over a century older than Jagara, he was very polite and charismatic, and even offered her to live in his flat during her stay there to save her rent, even though neither shifter had any idea how long she would be in town. She ended up staying almost a year there, and the gentleman of a rabbit became a good friend of hers. He even taught her how to play his favorite instrument: the violin. They’d spend rainy nights watching water droplets run down the window glass and playing the night away, one practicing famous masterpieces and the other listening and sipping tea. What a nice man he was! He’d always offer warm beverages and wore old fashioned clothes, often putting on a traditional tuxedo and offering his hand in a ballroom dance around the living room. He never had any intentions on a relationship with her, but was a loyal friend, the only one of his kind that she had met throughout all of her travels. The Jackrabbit also had very interesting origins. He was apparently born in Texas, but raised in England when his parents moved there. He had a western accent but the manners of the old Englishmen. Jagara had only light, friendly memories of the aging shifter… Memories that faded quickly at the sound of the enchanting voice. As he sat down, she said a calm, “Thank you,” keeping her ears pricked as he continued.

At the sudden mention of him being uncomfortable around crowds and that he would be leaving shortly, she quickly tried to dissuade him, not wanting to see him leave when they had just met. Especially since they might run into each other while doing their duties around the pack’s forest. “You’re welcome to stay; I am not forbidding you to tread in the pack territories in any way, nor do I wish for my newest company to leave. However… If you do in fact feel uncomfortable, I will not hold you here either.” She would not keep him against his own will, but it would be nice to get to know someone in the pack and finally find a friendship to rival that of the hare. Jagara walked a little bit closer to the panther and sat down as well, her tail curling neatly over her paws. She looked forward to the conversations that the polite male might instigate.

A rumbling chuckle escaped the leopard’s jaws as Krisha began to interact with Arthas. The long-furred shepherd politely waved his tail and allowed her to sniff him over before gaining her scent. He then proceeded to give a playful bow to the pup, prepared to let her bounce around and chew all over him if she wanted to. The growl that emanated from Ariun’s throat snapped her attention back to him before noticing the pup retreat to his side. The smooth voice that followed seemed to pluck at the long-forgotten heartstrings inside of Jagara, but she had enough self-control as not to let this alter her composition. She smiled, wondering if she really was picking up flirtatious undertones in his calm, well-played words. When the leopardess replied, her voice was as smooth and polite as his, but she too buried small bits of a behavior that was so rare in her. Then again, he would only notice it if he looked for it. “You assume correctly. This place reminds me of my home, even with its differences. And if you’re looking for things in common, I see another two. We’re both leopards of some sorts and we both have canine companions. What’s that expression? ‘Third time’s the charm’?” Looking around, she made her way over to the drop-off, sitting down and flicking her tail off of the edge to let it flutter in the breeze. Jagara glanced back, looking for Arthas who was making his way towards her but was instead caught by Ariun’s charming gaze. Pulling herself away, she turned her eyes towards the scenery, patting the ground beside her with a paw and inviting the panther to join her and enjoy the view as well, while Arthas sat down at her other side.

Her words drifted to his ears, forcing them to flick for a brief moment, as her words seeped into his mind. Resounding off every corner and it was then, he would always remember her voice. It was as if something snapped inside of him, telling him that she would be one of two females he would have to protect, the other being his Regina. It was always like females to take likings to male, it was instinct, but there was a difference between nature and kindness and both the lead females of the pack had a rare kindness about them. Ariun smiled as her words drifted in and out into a tone of mutual interest as he was to her, with her inviting words Ariun lifted himself up from where he sat and hovered over the former spot. Lowering his head he carried himself towards her, each muscle rippling beneath his skin, the fur gliding over his bones and the movements utterly defining against the black pelt to the bright golden sun. Yellow eyes peered upon the beautiful leopard as he took in her beauty once more, nearly speechless for a moment. Turning back to look at the pup, he motioned for her to follow suit, in which she bounded forward to race up to the shepherd. Ariun purred at the sight, finally happy that his little girl had a playmate.

"Yes, I would believe you are correct in your statement Miss, Three is a charm. However, I am sure that with time we will find more, no?" Ariun smiled as he came up next to her and sat beside her, formerly to where she had patted the ground. Ariun shifted as his body moved to his weight as he adjusted to a comfortable upright position. Shoulder's back and holding his head high, he was accustomed to sitting proper and it wouldn't change. With a slight glance towards her, he hoped she didn't think this was a challenge to rank, so he lowered his head a bit to be polite. Then smiled as he watched Krisha roll onto her back and paw at the female's companion. Thinking as to what she had mentioned, he couldn't help but feel the irony but smiled at how it seemed picture perfect. Ariun purred softly, his voice a low rumble, and Krisha lifted her head to bark happily at him as if she understood his contentment. "She seems to like him, I am easily enthralled by this, it's not everyday we meet new people, and I shall stay if you wish it so. You're tone is inviting, also if I felt like I was not welcomed Miss I would have already left." His toxic smile and beautiful eyes caught her's and if he could blush, he would have. "Please forgive me Ma'am, but you are very stunning. Please, I am here. What would you like to speak about?" Ariun cursed himself in his mind and nearly laughed at his boldness but kept contained. Although he couldn't help but think of her and how he wanted to get to know her, if he could let go of his awkward mannerisms and painful past. Or maybe, just maybe, their baggage if she had any, would blend together.

By nature, Jagara was a very controlled individual. Over two hundred years she had neither had a relationship with anyone, nor taken interest in any males. It was because of this that her inner voice was scolding her now, but she could not help nor hide from herself that his smile, his fur, his seductive voice, his deep, expressive eyes, and in fact, all of him was playing with her emotions. The voice tried to remind her about Azeroth and how unfair it would be to desert his spirit now, but she pushed those thoughts away. This was not the best time to be troubled over her dead mate. The lion and panther had something in common, their kindness and politeness, as well as their hidden strength under their sheen pelts. But they were different enough that Jagara did not feel like she was betraying Azeroth by light flirtation, rather moving on as she should have done a while ago. Besides, she was just getting to know him. No harm in that…

Jagara let a pleased purr rumble in her throat as Ariun sat down beside her and Krisha began to play with Arthas, who happily but gently wrestled with her, keeping in mind that he outweighed the pup. The female gave a soft chuckle at his first comment. “I would hope so.” She was sure that they had much more in common, but that knowledge would come with time. Looking over to him, she noticed his upright posture and instead of taking it offensively, she simply raised her own frame into the same position while throwing an amused smile at the panther. In was obvious that he was in no way disrespecting her, from his speech to his lowered head. Jagara simply nodded as he continued, but her locked eyes widened visibly once he complemented her beauty, for she had long forgotten how that felt. Feeling a little sheepish, she turned her head to the view once more, though her eyes kept looking at him. A strong breeze swept by the top of the cliff and, instead of resisting it, she let her tail flicker in the wind and brush the black paws that sat next to her with the very tips of the long fur before hanging limply over the edge of the rock once more. With some effort, she kept her voice smooth and calm, “Thank you, Ariun. You’re not so bad yourself… And well, I don’t quite know. To start, where did you come from and why bother coming here? Your manners are that of a true gentleman, and this is indeed quite rare, as I have met only a jackrabbit who behaved similarly despite two centuries of travels.” It was true, she found the way he spoke and acted proper and even attractive. Unmannered brutes that she had met she found simply repulsive. Sometimes the snow leopard wanted to leave some claw marks on their pelt, and on occasion, she did. Feeling completely in control of herself once more, she turned her face towards him and locked her grey gaze with his while her whiskers quivered in the gentle wind. The top of her black-lined lips curled up in a gentle smile at the panther in front of her, a sweet grin on a usually cold face. Out of the corner of her eyes, Jagara could see the two dogs jumping around and playing with each other. How much more perfect could it get?

How much more perfect could it get? Ariun could hear them both saying. The dogs, their past lives, even themselves. Ariun smiled as he looked her way, he could see it now: cubs, a home, cooking for her every night, protecting her, and even making love to her. A perfect little family. Although, it was strikingly rude to picture such things on such a whim, the idea of her actually returning mutual feelings for him were slim to none and he wasn't about to blurt out that he was in love with her, because he hardly knew her. Although, the feeling he felt were strong, they did not warrant crazy behavior on his end. Ariun smiled at his ideas but turned to face Jagara who's attention was set upon the dogs. Krisha who playfully barked at Arthas, Arthas who romped back with the pup, and Jagara who's smile lit up his heart and illuminated his soul. How could one person suddenly make some feel emotions that have been void for countless years. Suddenly, the move to America was not as hard as he thought it would be. The kindling friendship he felt here, would someday bloom into more. Ariun could just feel it, or maybe the heat was getting to him. As he sat there, he prayed that she would rest her head upon his shoulder, his black pelt moving slightly to adjust to the weight. For once, Ariun felt that the comfort needed to shift and stay human would disappear with her, that he would be able to stay human for longer periods of time. He was willing to give up that natural animal instinct for her, throw away his past and begin a new. He shook the thoughts from his mind and focus on the now.

"Miss Jagara, it seems that good people are meant to come into your life, it is my honor. I am from the rainforests of central asia, somewhere near Mongolia I believe, well that was the last place I was before coming here. I spent most of my life in the darkness of the jungle, seeing daylight only when the mountains were climbed. My world is far different than your world here. One thing being, last names. For example, I would have to take my mates surname, but I guess that's commitment for you." Ariun hesitated as he locked eyes with her, then stuttered before continuing, "My whole life I roamed home, being the only large cat for miles around. There were not as many shifters where I reigned with my son. It was just my mother and father when I was a cub. After their death, I took over their lands making them my own. Call it an inheritance if you wish. They once lived here in America, but they left to escape the constant battles that put threats on our hides and souls. I don't know much about your way of life and mine is a bit barbaric, but I know pride and shame and I am honored to come from a lower way of life. The more simple, the easier. I am still learning technology, it's far different here. It will take time for me to come accustomed to these ways of life." Ariun spoke as he lowered his head, sighing as he took a deep breath. "How about you? My life is petty and boring, I am more interested in yourself. You interest me, me being too complex for myself. Let's talk about you and these lands you call home." He forced the subject change looking one more at Krisha who was on her back kicking her legs in Arthas face.

Ariun’s story of his origins brought a smile to her dark, thickly-lined lips. It was amusing to hear him call his previous nature barbaric when he did not even know how she used to live. A purring chuckle rumbled in her throat as she answered him after watching their dogs play for a moment longer, “Me? I came from the Alps, born and raised like a true snow leopard should be. Once I was old enough to move out of my parent’s nest, I did so. In fact, I don’t quite remember how I left them, or whether they left me, but I suppose it does not matter too much. I came down to the foothills of the mountains, ending up in a little town in Switzerland. I was soon chased from there, for I was young and stupid and did not know how to hide myself. That little story repeated itself several times until I relocated to the French Basque and lived outside of a city in a little cave. Eventually I met a lion and we lived for three years together until…” Her voice had broken off abruptly, and the scene of the lion’s pelt hanging from a banner at the market square clouded her vision. The wail, falling to her knees on the shards of glass, then blood, lots of it as her claws tore through the hunter’s flesh. Jagara looked down at her paws, focusing on them and blinking to regain full control where her memories had allowed her to slip. When she brought her eyes to him again, they were filled with a paradoxical sad cheerfulness; her voice was strong and determined. “I’m sorry. We had almost mastered living peacefully amongst the citizens, but Azeroth had made a mistake once… I went to town that day and found his golden hide hanging from some bastard’s banner like a trophy. Of course, I had my revenge, but little good did that do me. I’m alright now though; two hundred years have given me time to heal. But some scars stick around forever I guess.” At this point, she looked down to her hind legs at the knee joints where long, horizontal gashes cut through the silky grey fur. “For the next few centuries, I travelled around the world to learn. I think that’s why Eden offered me the rank I bear proudly today, since I hold knowledge from many species of shifters. I would sometimes stay with a pack for a while and trade combat techniques, as well as experiment with new ideas. However, I did learn some general skills as well. When I stumbled upon Eden’s pack, I finally decided I would settle down and stay in one place for as long as I live… or as long as the pack shall have me.” A smile painted her face once more. “Your mate’s surname, eh? I happen to never have had a real last or middle name. Talk about barbaric.”

The shifter looked over to her dog and gave a small flick of the ear, hoping Ariun would not notice her silent command. The Aussie walked up to her and pushed his head into her side, as if trying to scoot her over. She had taught him this so he could help move things with her if she needed to and was quite pleased that it had multiple applications. Lifting herself up, she shifted over a pawstep or so and then sat back down on her spotted haunches. Jagara could feel her fur brush against the sheen onyx side and fought to muffle a purr that was threatening to rise into her throat. She felt absolutely naïve for even trying to close off that distance between them; there was no logical explanation why a dashing man like Ariun would want to even look at a scarred woman like her. But there was no denying that she wanted to see him, to hear him, to be with him, for the rest of her days. This was a very rash decision, but she felt as if her rusty heart, immune to two centuries’ worth of men, had just been bathed in oil and now ran like new. She looked to the panther, finding his green gaze and trying to discover the feelings encased in them. Was it wrong to want to be more than friends with someone when your dead lover still walked the skies and watched over you? But then again, if it was wrong, then why did this feel so right?

With a voice as calm as a lake and as seductive as she could manage, she rumbled to him, "Well, it's your turn. Is there anything you would like to ask about?"

The thunder in his heart was heard throughout his body, he was sure of it. As she drew closer, he watched as Arthas pushed her closer, to which he assumed that there was a silent signal involved but he was not going to call her out on it. The idea of having her beside him was comforting and he enjoyed her company thoroughly. Ariun leaned into her as she bridged the gap, slowly shifting his weight to be beside her, but no so much as to be pressing into her completely, he still wished that she would just give herself to him in all ways. So that he may be a man for her always, but he kept pressing that from his mind. Turning to look at her, he didn't realize how close he was to her and her to him, that upon the turn of his neck his muzzle pressed against her's. Their whiskers intertwining and the soft membrane of their lips were pressed upon each others with a bit of sudden force, Ariun lingered a moment, not out of spite but surprise that he had accidently kissed her. Dropping his head, he shamefully spoke, "My apologies Miss Jagara." A smile being kept beneath the smug look upon his face. Krisha barked at the sudden rise in temperate from the two cat's and she seemed to be happy over the situation. Overall, Ariun felt like Krisha was his matchmate in heaven, the whole leading him to Jagara. "I wish to speak to you about nothing, my mind is too fogged to begin a conversation. It seems that I have a being of lovestruck in your presence Miss and forgive me for being so bold, but I wish nothing more than to spend the rest of my existence with you and doing all I can to protect you. Now, I don't know how you feel about me, but I will do everything in my power to get you love me. I will be damned if I don't make you my wife. You deserve a good man in you life, someone loyal and worthy of your power and grace, and I will do my best to prove to you that no matter what has happened in your past, the future will be bright like the glow from your eyes that makes me weak in the knees." Ariun stopped, he was startled at how open he was to her. Before her, he was shy and reserved, but when he was before her he was to prove himself more than ever. "That's love for you, no?" The quirky smile and cocky tone returning as he looked her in the eyes once more, not wanting to apologize for speaking the truth.

Jagara was as stunned as a deer in headlights when Ariun had kissed her so suddenly. By the time she blinked away the surprise and realized what was going on, she felt his lips leave hers as he drew back and apologized. A purr involuntarily arose from the thickly-furred throat; she had not been kissed in years and not protested the act in centuries. Everything, even time, seemed to swirl around her for a moment and blocked her from commenting immediately. Krisha’s bark snapped her consciousness back into her body just as Ariun began to confess his love for her. Once again, the shock hit her like a skillet to the head, her maw opening ever so slightly. The Epror knew that she understood his feelings and returned them, but her tongue seemed limp behind her teeth.

The snow leopard took a deep inward breath and recovered from the stupor. “Congratulations, Ariun. No male has ever caused me a loss of words, especially not at their first meeting,” she paused and continued with a calm, warm tone that faded into a whisper, “And if you so wish, then by all means. Prove yourself, Bellator, for I feel the same about you...” Jagara casually leaned her frame against his shoulder to rest upon it before reaching her muzzle forward, keeping her gaze locked with his. The white strands of her whiskers pressed back against her fur as not to poke Ariun when their darkly-lined lips met in a gentle kiss. She held it for a long moment and then broke away with a little smile. Jagara could not believe what she had just done, but she regretted nothing. Azeroth was in the past… After two hundred years, she decided that it was time to move on with her life. A hint of light amusement warmed her tone as she asked in a manner that reflected the panther’s smile, “Do you like coffee?” Jagara hoped that her words would register in the feline’s head as an invitation, not a simple question.

Though she often protested it, a certain thought hit Jagara. Ariun deserved to be able to recognize her, anywhere. Still leaning against him, she felt her strong body meld into the form of her human disguise. Blonde hair ran down a little bit past her shoulders and curled slightly at the ends. A black leather jacket was zipped up almost all of the way over a red shirt that highlighted the color of her eyes, and dark jeans fell into loosely tied biker boots that reached only slightly past her ankles. Jagara never really considered her appearance attractive and never anticipated such a male in her life. If she had, she would have dressed better… or at least a little neater. Alas, she knew that he needed to know her and learn to recognize her figure. A calm oceanic breeze made Jagara’s hair flutter as she eased her human head onto Ariun’s shoulder.

Two can play that game, Ariun thought as he watched her shift into a human. However, it was upon her transformation that Ariun nearly died, the site of the blonde was beyond what he had pictured her to be. Jagara was stunning, beautiful in her own way. Ariun had always thought that women shifters were better looking in their animal forms, but he couldn't argue that she was beautiful in both. Carefully he took in everything about her, her style, and most of all her smile. It would difficult not to know what she looked like now, Ariun just couldn't get her out of his head. Blinded by his sudden feelings for her, knowing that they would never cease. As she laid her head upon his shoulder, he realized that he had not answered her and that he should do the same justice by shifting so she could see him in his true form.  Being the second one in this pack to see him human, only right, for she was a higher rank and deserved that entitlement.

Ariun's body trembled as he shimmied away from her shoulder, every fiber in his body ached as the transformation began. Slowly, the black pelt began to fade, pulling back into his body. The shape of the large cat began to disappear as a human took hold. Rising from all fours, his back straightened, and he stood before her. There in the light, his dark blonde hair swept to the side from the slight breeze, and his beautiful eyes gazed upon her. High cheek bones were the most dominant facial feature, especially when he smiled, and second his height. Upon his back was a white collared shirt, covered by a dark brown leather jacket which was open and very antique looking. The jeans upon his legs hung low revealing a tightly cut abdomen and were held up by a tan belt, the light blue jeans faded to a flare over his dark carolina boots. Extending his hand, he helped pull her up from the ground, and he wrapped his arms around her waist. He was taller than her, not by a lot, but still enough for him to look down upon her strikingly beautiful face. Rising one hand, he swept the blonde locks from her face, tucking them behind her ear and placed his gentle hand on the back on her neck pulling her into him. Lowering his face to her, he kissed her once more before speaking.

"To answer you, yes, I'd love to have coffee with you." His voice was deep and smooth and he was just as stunned as she was.

To the trained eye, Jagara’s body betrayed her. She remained physically calm when Ariun shifted, but the black pupils surrounded by pools of grey-blue dilated at what they saw. Every aspect about him, from his hair to the beautiful cheekbones to the eyes that seemed to hypnotize her, seemed absolutely stunning. She was helped up in a gentle way, still a little bit too stunned by his appearance to speak. The woman felt her disguise melt away at the heat of his arms around her. The feline heart quickened its pulse; she had to simply accept that there was no hiding the look of enchanted affection on her features. She looked up to the most handsome eyes she had ever come across and suddenly felt free to do what she pleased in regards to her own actions. She let her hair be swept from her face and tucked away, and relaxed as Ariun moved closer to her lips to kiss her. When they pulled away, a small, almost sheepish smile appeared on her face. Carefully, she moved her arms to drape over his shoulders, holding one hand in another behind his neck. The world seemed to melt away. During their romantic embrace, everything was gone; nothing existed except for them, the cliff, and the sun, not the dogs, nor the wind or sea. Her little smile faded into a grin when she heard him accept her offer. “I will be looking forward to that.”

Jagara pulled them even closer together, pressing one human body against the other in a graceful embrace. She closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder for a moment, enjoying their closeness. At that moment, she imagined it all: curling up together on cold, rainy nights, long walks through the territories, and eventually moving to live together, making love, followed by the little thumping of small paws on the ground, and running alongside each other as a family. It was as if she had a vision of their distant future together, one that she never could have had with Azeroth. A deep breath expanded and contracted her ribcage. Relaxed, Jagara slipped a hand behind Ariun’s head and gently pulled him closer to whisper into his ear, the soft skin of their cheeks touching, “In fact, I think I will be looking forward to everything. It’s been two centuries since I’ve began to feel this way about someone. I’m glad that someone is as polite of a gentleman as you.” No shame or regret for her bold words or actions haunted the Epror. How could they if she was truly feeling in love?

As he looked at her, it was as if he had found his soulmate. Someone he would spend the rest of his life dying to protect, impress, and please. To be of service to her every need. Ariun smiled as they kissed once more. Krishna went wild at the sudden love connection between them and she barked happily. It was then Ariun spoke, "Could I accompany you to your home and provide you with a lovely dinner, I fear it's about to rain and I would hate to see either of us get ill or have the dog get wet. To be deadly honest, I don't prefer the scents of wet dog and will avoid it all costs. We could enjoy the walk back together down the incline. I'll stop at the store pick up some essentials and then I shall provide you the greatest mongolian dinner you have ever consumed. Top it off with a little wine and some gentle conversation on the couch. How does that sound my lady?" His voice was soothing as he spoke of the wonderful night he wished to have with her, truth be told, Ariun just didn't want to leave her. Not now, not ever.

As he reflected on her words, all he could do was smile. "I refuse to talk to you about anything further until you agree to have dinner with me." Dramatically he placed his hand on his forehead and swooned to the side, lightly leaning into her, his words whispered from his lips. "My good lady, I fear I am falling ill from lack of nourishment, please, I need food or I shall die of hunger. Please, don't let me die." Boyish laughter erupted heavy from his chest as he shifted back to the larger car. Lowering his head he nudged her to climb aboard him, lightly trying to lift her upon his head so she may enjoy the ride down the rocks. Hoping only to give her a rest and to be chivalrous in all ways. Ariun lowered his body to the ground, waiting for her to make a choice on the ride.

Jagara gave a light laugh at the dramatic portrayal of famine. The laughter faded to surprise quickly as she was being nudged onto the panther’s back. Normally, she would have stubbornly refused and ran down the slope at a blazing speed, if she didn’t shred any ears as a warning not to underestimate her. However, the snow leopard understood that Ariun was just being a gentleman with knightly morals and seated herself on his back with a smile. She leaned down in an almost two-point position and wrapped her arms around his neck for stability. “Well then, I won’t let that happen. I will dine with you today. We’ll go to my little cave I have on the edge of the inner territories,” she said with a tone of confidence. Arthas looked at his feline best friend and wagged his tail at the two cats. Standing up and shaking his pelt quickly, he prepared to follow behind Jagara.

The Epror took a moment to look around the skyline. It was true, there was a storm coming.  There were dark grey clouds that quickly advanced from the horizon, with an occasional rumble in the far distance. However, she knew from experience just how quickly rainclouds could travel.  The four of them had time for now though. Facing forward once more, the female spoke calmly, “I can always get the dogs to run ahead if Krisha will be able to follow Arthas. He sometimes has to return when I am on patrol, so he knows the way.” Though she didn’t know how Ariun would feel about it, there was something about getting caught in the rain that appealed to Jagara.