Finally Opening Up (Taj and Anastasia)

Taj:

        It was another new day on the island, another warm, bright, and crisp morning. The golden sun was always a pleasure to see. And what a great timing to have breakfast. Taj began to feast on one of his hares he hunted yesterday evening. It wouldn’t fill him for most of the day, but it was better than nothing. He’d dine again in peace, sure that he could handle any scavengers. And after his encounter with that last tigress, he was on high alert.

Anastasia:

         A new day in a new place. It was a pleasure to have the rays of run warm her pure golden coat. As one paw placed over the other, the tigress would glance across the landscape with her light green eyes. ‘This is an odd place’ she thought, ‘I need to know my way around this here if I plan on staying.’

Taj:

       As soon as his feast had started, it was over in the blink of an eye. That’s one thing that the male hated when hunting prey. The size has to fit his vivacious appetite. It always had to fit. He desired the joy in savoring his kills, taking large portions and devouring them with his huge jaws and long, sharp daggers. But he loved hares, so there was bound to be an exception.

       Now taking the time to look at the newcomers and residents alike, something caught him in awe. It was a tigress, with a streaking gold pelt, and stripes that almost masked themselves to match her coat. She was like any other tiger he’s seen thus far in Bonfire. Of the many tigers that shared the island with him, she was new to his fiery orange eyes, which sparked his curiosity. With a mixture of admiration as well. She was new. She has to be. Maybe he could properly introduce himself, and show her the place altogether. But how would she react? His last fight with Aluka made him more wary and hesitant around females. And most other predators in general. But she wouldn’t attack him…would she? Possibly not.

  Taking the bait, he rose off of his rump and gracefully approached her. “Good day, Miss” he parted is lips to produce a gruff tone, “I couldn’t help but take note of your pelt. Its…rather stunning for a tiger to possess. I hope you can forgive me for interrupting you.”

 Anastasia:

       A deep voice startled Anastasia, with her gaze shifted to catch a large Siberian tiger before here. He was approaching, with the intensions of speaking. She’d tense up naturally, with her fur bristling on the back of her neck. It was to be expected when confronting new faces. But she doesn’t know how he’ll react which conflicts her fear and excitement. But fortunately, he had some courtesy of space as he ceased walking, just feet away from her. At a respectful distance, she listened to how he was attracted to her because of her light coat. “How do you do, sir?” a light response came out. Placing her forepaws together, she’d cock her head back, with her chin resting bellow her chest. Her ears were drawn back and her tail curled up to touch her spine as she added, “Thank you, kindly for the compliment. I usually don’t get much recognition for my coat. But you can sort of say it’s a gift, though I’m not the rarest jewel in a pile of treasure.”

Taj:

      He nodded as the female accepted his apology. She seemed rather nice, at the moment. But as she placed her paws together, and drew her chin to her chest, he knew for sure she had some respect, and grace. She was also polite, and how she done everything in one motion. It was so smooth. So elegant. He admired that in a female. Especially a polite female. He likes politeness. “You sure seem new to me, I’ll admit it.” A chuckle left his jaws as he twitched his tail tip in a content mood. “I would like to know your name. If you don’t mind me asking of course.”

  Anastasia:

      He had an honest tone in his voice. Of course she was new to him, both cats have never met. However, he was speaking on a different term of new. It had to do with how she looked. Her golden cream pelt was shared amongst others of their kind. Yet he wasn’t aware of that. If that was the case, she was more than happy that he took greatly to it, and not reject her for being different. “If you say so” she huffed, picking up his next remark. Her name? Of course she’d tell him. She didn’t mind sharing it as long as he wasn’t like most males she’s met. So aggressive, possessive, and cruel. She’d now right away whenever she first come to meet males.

   But he was different, much more mature and courteous. Which opened her up. “Of course, I’m Anastasia.”

Taj:

     “Anastasia.” Her name reverberated in his head. A perfect name for a tigress. And she’s fit the bill. But how would he reply? She deserved something better than the generic and bland responses most males would give to females. She deserved more. “It’s a name that’s as rich as honey. I admire such strong names” his lips parted once again as he made up with words.

 Anastasia:

      Rich as honey? That’s new. A compliment that needed a proper sign of gratitude to match it, for it was just no ordinary one. “Thank you very much, Mister…” she would pause, stuck in her own sentence. Of course. He didn’t introduce his name. How could he forget? He was probably caught up with her that he didn’t think twice about himself. Raising a brow, she’d grin at him, waiting for the brute to finish her sentence.

Taj:

     Taj was listening to the remark she was giving, but squints as her as she had come to a halt. He wondered why she stopped halfway. ‘Mister…’ It rang a bell in his mind. He didn’t tell her his name! “Oh! I’m terribly sorry” a grunt blurted out, “How rude of me. I never gave you my name.” His ears fell back as he gave a bashful smile, “I’m called Taj.”

 Anastasia:

       She saw how embarrassed he was for not giving her his title. He seemed to be very sophisticated in how he address himself with others. Much more than she was now that she thought about it. A reassuring smile fell upon her muzzle, with her ears flattened. “It’s okay, it’s not a big deal” Ana says, “And I have to admit Taj is a very pleasant name. You have a wonderful name.” From there, it seemed that both tigers had indulged in a day’s adventure. He’d shown her the place and what it was like, and they shared a few short stories here and there. But nothing too serious between them.

   It was early evening as they were still in each other’s company. “This…this is an odd place” Anastasia would state to Taj, “But it’s lovely as well.” A sudden growl from her empty stomach detracted her from their conversation. A clear indication of her not eating at all today. “I hope you can forgive me, I have an appetite coming in. Haven’t eaten since yesterday.”

  Taj:

    His worries faded away, as Anastasia took a liking to his name. She could have done it simply make him feel better. But he wouldn’t think too much of it. He was liking their conversation and didn’t want to change that. “You’re the first one to ever say that about my name” he explained, “Thank you.” And from there on, they both continued with their day, together.

     Taj was enjoying the company of his own kind, for once. It was the first time, in a long time that he’s ever been with another tiger, for such an extended period of the day. He’d usually give a brief conversation and quickly turn the other way. Make himself scarce. He’d even avoid his favorite places whenever others were around. He wasn’t no social butterfly at all. But she was probably the first one to keep him from straying. Her looks for one, and her whole demeanor for another. Night was approaching, as the last of the sun faded over the horizon. They sky turning from a lavender orange, to bluish black.

    “Yeah, this island has is own wonders” Taj spoke, with the female just inches from his own bodice, “But that’s what I like about this place. Despite how small it is.” A sudden growl had startled him as he glanced at the tigress. It seemed that her hunger was setting in, as they spent the whole day without eating. How was he not hungry too? He would have known. But he doesn’t. “Hungry, I see” the amur chuckled, “Uh, you don’t have to hunt, if you don’t choose to. I have hunted two hares last night. I already ate one, and I’m more than willing to share my second one. That is if you want it.” Taj didn’t want to force Ana if she didn’t accept his offer. So a mutual question was in order.

 Anastasia:

     She took note of two hares that Taj had mentioned. One he ate and the other he offered for her. So was a good hunter. An experienced hunter. She could tell he missed no meals, as he was so defined. So fit. So built. A fine specimen with a bulky frame. He’s seven hundred pounds of pure masculinity. Of course, she too can hunt, but he was very polite to her, and had the pleasure of showing her around, why not play along. “Um…sure” words administered from her, “I’ll take it. Traveling takes toll on you once in a while.”

Taj:

    Taj was delighted that she took his offer. “Right this way.” Nudging his head over his left shoulder, he led Anastasia to a nearby boulder. There, he dug into the earth, grabbing the other hare with a delicate latch onto its broken back. “Dig in” he muffled, dropping it before the dame, then scooting his kill at her paws, “It’s still fresh.”

 Anastasia:

     It was almost surprising to her as she followed after Taj. He hasn’t yet shown his hostile, stereotypical side. She was sure of it. Or maybe he wouldn’t at all. The tigress kept her mouth shut as she chartreuse colored eyes fell on the hare she was bestowed with. It wouldn’t fill her up for long, as she thought about how the first hare satisfied Taj’s hunger the whole day. But it was better than nothing. “Thank you, Taj.” Taking the small prize, she lied beside him, at a respectful distance, and ate.

Taj:

   He watched as she began to eat. She was still in his presence, while tearing into the kill he worked for. Didn’t she feel some kind of way? Even if he gave it up for her? Maybe she was too relaxed to even consider that he could easily take it back. But he wouldn’t do that. He’s not that kind of male, at some point. Respecting that his property was hers, he allowed her to eat in peace. He lied on the edge of a cliff, looking out into the endless ocean. The sun had already faded over the horizon, as night had come. The scene was beautiful at sunset, but he was even more enchanting at night.

  Anastasia:

    Anastasia was finished with parts of the hare that was to be consumed. The less desirable bits were left for the scavengers, if any would pass by in the hopes of an easy meal. Remembering that Taj was around, the golden female would approach him. As he was focused on the view from the cliff side, she carefully spoke as not to startle him. “Beautiful, isn’t it?” she says in a soft tone, almost whispering.

Taj:

   His paws were placed over one another, tail twitching contently, with the voice of Ana not going ignored. “Hm?” he gruffed, “Oh, yes. The ocean, as some call it. It’s endless…and beautiful.” A dry bellow followed, “I sit here almost every night. Thinking back at my past, and what I’ve been through. Just…taking some time to myself.” He didn’t mind sharing that. He was a loner. Saying that he enjoyed his solidarity was to be expected at times. It didn’t battle with his reserved personality.

Anastasia:

   “I see.” She could respect that, as she too thinks to herself. Thinking about her own past. Her home. Her family. How she was stripped from her sister and mother by an invading male. Separated from them…never to see them again. They were alive…but where? Since then, she’s been searching for them. Which is why she ended up here, really. Her sister and mother probably were living solitary lives as they should. But it didn’t stop her from her mission, and it won’t stop until it was complete. For now, she would speak with this pleasant Siberian.

  “Sometimes, I look up into the stars” a soft voice bellowed from her maw, “Oh! And I love high perches, I feel like I’m up in the sky, just miles away from earth.”

Taj:

   As Taj gets to know a little more about Anastasia, he learns that they both share something in common, besides their love for hare. They both had a love for high places, no doubt about it. “High perches, eh?” he quizzed her with a smile. Sitting up to her level, his pale orange irises would look into her light greens. “Why don’t I show you a high spot? It’s none like any other for sure.”

Anastasia:

    She wasn’t surprised that he also had a love for high places. His proposal was enough to clearly show that. As she arrived, she could tell that this small island didn’t have many perches that were high. Yet Taj had a lay of the land, so if he knows of one, she would know too. “Lead the way” said Ana.

Taj:

   “Gladly.” This was a good chance for him to show off his physical peak on the way there. How his large powerful legs gave him the chance to leap from rock to rock, until he reached the top of the cave. Standing up to such an amazing feat with graceful bounds. “Here we are” Taj would say with a deep confident voice, “The highest point in all of Bonfire.”

Anastasia:

    Again, Anastasia followed him. She too made leaps on the rocks with such ease. Reaching the top of the den, she felt like the sky was limitless. She was on top. And I felt amazing. Astonishing. Break taking. “Wow. So this is where you come to?” she questioned the large male while looking down below in awe, “It’s wonderful.”

Taj:

    He grinned at her, watching as she was taken away by the height they gained. “I’ve been coming here ever since I first arrived” he explained, “This is another place of peace I enjoy. And it’s a good feeling, to know that most animals don’t even notice I’m up here, looking down on them. It’s a great feeling.”

Anastasia:

   “I can understand” Ana responded with clarity in her voice, “I love it.” Turning to Taj, she gave a warm-hearted smile, “I have to say, my first day, and now night here is like none other. I wasn’t expecting this, at all. Thank you, Taj, for such hospitality. I hope…” she paused, looking around with her green eyes, before locking them back at Taj, “I hope I meet other tigers like you. I hope I meet other animals like you in all honesty.”

Taj:

   He nods, “It’s my pleasure. I’m happy that I was able to give you a visual of the island thus far.” His flame orange eyes looked into her spring greens. She was a nice tigress. Not once did she lash out at him, and she had some respect. She held herself with such goodness, very well. Taj wanted her to become his friend. A close and respectful ally. “I hope that you meet others like myself. If you plan to stick around for a while, maybe we can cross paths again. As friends.”

Anastasia:

   Her ears flicked as he used the word ‘friends’. She wasn’t too bother by it, and he deserved a platonic friendship, if it were to materialize. Maybe if she saw him again, it would give her and idea on what she considered him as, in terms of being friends. “Certainly” Ana replied, “I can used a friend. The world is rather lonely. Someone you can rely on counts.” Releasing a soft sigh, she went on, “I wish I can stay, but I should be going. Again, it was great meeting you for the first time.”

Taj:

   Her words spoke the truth. The world they lived in was indeed a lonely place, and he indeed was living a lonely life in it. A few friends could lighten him up every once in a while, when he needed if of course. And she would be the first. “Until we meet again” Taj dipped his head in a proper farewell, as she turned to walk away from him, “Anastasia.”

Anastasia:

  Anastasia made her way to the edge of the cave walls. She looked down at the earth, judging the length she had to jump to. It was short, a very easy descend to the ground. As the amur tiger spoke her name, she paused. Turning to give a final look, the golden Bengal would smile again, giving him a playful wink. “Taj” she finished with an elegant voice. With that being said, the tigress reached for the walls as she landed on the earth safety. She’d think about Taj as they parted ways. He was not like any male she’s met before. During the whole day she’s gotten to know him a little bit. He addressed himself well, and she liked that.

  There was a chance they could be friends. Surely, he was someone she’d want to meet again. She was positive that things will go right if they did.