01-21-2010, 06:54 AM
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Word Count: 716 - SoSuWriMo It had been too long since she had left. In the meantime, Aiyanna had come by to speak of what was happening, and she had left again, too. Leland had come by — this would be Dawali's secret. Asha would never have to know the condition of her previous... fling or whatever it had been. Still, to this day, Dawali thought of the husky male from time to time, and with a great sadness in his heart. Leland had left the conflicts he had created in AniWaya behind, and it seemed to the chief that somewhere along the road he had walked, the husky had died. Not physically, for in that sense he had returned, but with nothing left of the friend Dawali had once known. Asha needed never to know that, for by now the Chief was certain that Leland was truly dead, both physically and mentally. It was better if his daughter thought he had simply up and left to seek a good life elsewhere, than if she should carry in her heart that great sadness of knowing that her friend had been utterly broken by his life. She sprung from atop Aidan and almost flew at him, and his lanky arms wrapped themselves around her immediately. Perhaps too tightly, but what could a father do? He had been worried sick, but no one would have known, and he would not have spoken of it. It was better to wait in silence and see, than to voice one's worries and enlarge them. But now as she was here again, and he knew that nothing could harm her (for he would never let that happen!), he realized that perhaps some of his weariness came from this. Never knowing how one's daughters were holding up was a great strain on him, perhaps a greater strain than he had anticipated, and half of that burden lifted itself the moment he could verify that yes, this scent, this form, this lanky russet female was here now, and she was safe. Aiyanna's doings were still in the dark to him, but still he felt immense relief. Still hugging, he relaxed a little — perhaps she would like to breathe? — Though she still clung to him. Family reunions in this tiny little trio of Amaras usually happened this way. Sickening to some, perhaps, that these emotions were displayed so openly, but to the old Chief it was how this world worked. His family was what he held most precious in this world, above all else, even his own life. Asha spoke into his shoulder, teased him in a way, but still he knew her; she really did want an answer to the questions, even if they were playful. His hands released her and landed on her shoulders, pushing her away from him so he could look her at her properly. "Well, now. Does this face look like it's cranky anymore?" The best liar could not have pulled it off, for his face was one big grin from ear to ear. The reds and grays were split in two, separated by a long row of pearly whites. He was healthy, though he was older than most, and you could see it on his teeth. Still, a part of Dawali knew what she had meant, but he did not like to complain. If she wanted to know, she would continue to interrogate, but there was no time, for he would ask her things first. "How have you been, child? And where have you been? Aiyanna came by, she said you were with the tribe, and then she returned to you. I hope everything is well over there?" Here came the part where he hoped that her answers would soothe the worries that held his heart, the part that Aiyanna owned. He had never been as close with her as he was with Asha, never finding the time in times of war as one of few medics. And then they had traveled, and she had been lost to him for so long. He was glad that she was still alive, but by any scale that was not enough for him. He would not really be satisfied unless he had them both here, but he knew that that would not happen. One could always dream, though. |