[ P ] take a hit of euphoria

khepri tiamat

The seasons changed and the world went on... it was strange to think about, honestly. As the leaves began to fall in preparation for the coming winter, he and Sif's children grew each day and everyone's lives went on despite what they had all lost. He sat at the edge of the lake, the wind coming off the water slightly chilly and mingling with the oddly warm autumn air. They were still here and those he had lost were still gone but life moved on with or without them. Khepri drew in a breath and closed his eyes, tilting his head towards the sky and imagining his sister looking down on him from some heavenly cloud. He didn't know what came after life, he suspected it was nothing but blackness, but now more than ever he hoped it was something good. Something she deserved.

He opened his eyes again at the sound of Sif's paw steps coming closer. He had invited her out here today to scout the lake for potential homes they could retire to once their last litter grew of age. He also wanted to take her here because she knew she liked it here. Caring for young ones all the time was not exactly a way to get someone in a loving mood and this little... date, he supposed it could be called, was his intention of doing just that. Not that either of them were hurting for love, he just wanted today to be different than the norm. So they ask one of the family to babysit and set off for the lake that morning. "How are you feeling today?" he asked, turning his head to the side and looking at his beloved. His stare was warm, honied eyes shining with happiness for all they had despite the sadness locked within for all they'd lost. Today was not a day he wished to waste wallowing.

"We are all young and naive still."

SIF ASGAUT

It had been a long time since she had stepped foot in this land of clear waters and solitude from civilization’s ever pleading grasp that refused to allow any chance at peace. She missed coming here and her mind buzzed with how quickly she had rejected the venture out here with Aurora not all that long ago, during those festivities. There was still a strong sense of discomfort in the air at the thought of the borders being open and a new land exposing them to potential new dangers from abroad. None of it sat well but it wasn’t like there was anything she could do about it as her tail twitched left and right, calmly descending toward the lake’s serene grace and where she caught sight of her husband trailing along the earth. It wasn’t an unusual sight, however, usually she was here first. It had been a little hard to draw herself away from her kids today.

Her ears twitched as he greeted her with a caring question and she shrugged after a pause, her ears twitching up before tilting back with a bit of shyness. “It’s a little odd for us to be alone after all this time. I keep expecting to hear someone yell Mama or catch sight of the next accident that leads to a boo boo,” she giggled, gliding up to his side to gently brush her cheek against his before she would continue on down the little tilt of terra that fell away into the waters. A paw gently skimmed the top of the liquid, making ripples dance out for further than one would ever find her swimming.

“I’m debating on giving up my position once and for all instead of playing hot potato with time off to watch the family. I’m not getting any younger either. I want to spend what little life I have left with you, be it days, weeks, months or… years yet,” she smiled warmly, turning her head back toward him. Some silver hairs had started to pepper her once perfect black though not nearly as much as one might expect for someone going on seven. Age had been kind to her, making her appear and feel younger than she knew she was. Her ears tilted knowing he was steadily approaching nine himself and that worried her with when she might lose him to something as benign as age or as simple as a common cold. She wasn’t about to comment on that though, wanting to be there when that happens, preferring to be a little vaguer. Meeting Ismailia had made her realized just how old they were getting and that inevitable truth around the corner.

table by rae - manip by amphi

khepri tiamat

Khepri chuckled at her comment and nodded his head agreeably. "It is strange to be alone but... I quite like it," he said with a grin as he looked at her. It was important for them to spend time alone together and while their lives had not been hindered by their children they did not get the privacy and time they needed always. "I want to spend what little life I have left with you, be it days, weeks, months or… years yet," she said, reminding him of their age as she talked about retiring once again. He nodded firmly, thinking along the same lines. His job allowed him to work and see his family a fair amount but perhaps it was time he thought of retiring all the same. Or perhaps be a part-time teacher, if anything.

"I have been thinking of dialing back my hours at least. I feel sharp enough to continue teaching for a while but I'd like more time with you and the kids, too." he said. While it was a somber conversation, he did not feel sad talking about it. Khepri was not afraid of death and had contemplated it many times in his life. It was the deaths of others he feared, over himself. He did not want to be the one left behind. But where did you go after death? Would he be reunited with Nassar, with... Rose? His lips thinned slightly and he turned to look at Sif, knowing that she would somehow understand. He had been lucky to find love twice over in this world but when he reached the end what would be waiting for him?

Only time would tell.

"I think you should resign and once the boys are old enough, we should both retire out here." he said. The kids could make the trip easily and they could get some peace and quiet from the city. "Unless you've decided you'd like to stay in the Manse?"

"We are all young and naive still."