Warming Up (Sirinity)

[Caesar Lions]

Caesar's paws moved slowly over the ice, his claws digging into it to keep from slipping. It sounded muffled scratching, and left marks in the cold floor. He tried to keep it as quiet as he could though, for Sirinity was still buried in his shaggy mane, warmer now, but still cold. Too cold for too long.

His nose was at work, sniffing around the place like a hound. Scents of all kinds flowed through his nostrils and into his lungs, released with short bursts of air only to be replaced with new smells from around the cavern. He found some old blankets, their fibers preserved by the ice. They smelled like faded perfume and cologne... a bit of dried leaves... and... horses? Yes, that was the last scent. The clean, silver polish from the saddles and reigns. He picked them up in his jaws and piled them together next to the old firepit before laying her down softly in them. He chuckled. She almost looked like a baby bird in a poorly made nest. Maybe it was a good thing that he wasn't a father bird.

Now to light the fire. His brown eyes glanced over at her quickly, making sure that she was still asleep. Bust as an extra precaution, he pulled one of the blankets over her sleeping eyes. He knew that she couldn't see him while she slumbered, but if she were to awake, then his identity might still be saved. He transformed, his back legs becoming human. His forelegs becoming arms. His scruffy mane becoming his mangled hair, and his face once again taking on his true appearance. Caesar.

He strode over to the wood pile, his feet sliding slightly as they passed over wet ice. Thank God that Prince Elliot had been a wise man. Caesar shrugged. They probably had to stock up on wood. It would make it a little easier to sneak away without a bushy tree in your arms, would it not? He built up a structure for the flames, making sure that the wood was a near perfect tent. The logs clanked together quietly, emitting a hallow tone through the echoic cave. He shivered as he searched for a match. It was much colder in his human form here, without his lion mane to keep him warm. He felt like a chicken in an icebox, and his skin mimicked it with goosebumps. Finally, his fumbling, freezing fingers found a matchbox, and he sparked the wood. Up the fire went. First came the cloudy smoke, with the scent of cherry and apple wood. It danced high into the air, away from them. It felt its way along the ceiling until the cold air claimed even the white fire's breath. Then there was fire. Golden flames seemingly dipped in silver as their heat reflected the snow. They kissed the cold air and brought new heat to the room like a warm blanket that far surpassed any of the others that Caesar had found.

He was about to transform again when he looked at his leg. It was pitiful, covered in blood. The pain was gone for now, taken away by his adrenaline and the chill of the mountains. But still, it needed to be cleaned up a bit. He broke off an icicle and let it melt slightly in his hands before running it over his wound. It wasn't as bad as it seemed, once the blood was washed away. Two puncture wounds remained from the beast's fangs. The Chupacabra wasn't designed to tear flesh. Simply drain the blood from it. He was lucky that the monster didn't decide to feast.

Once that was done, he transformed again and helped Sirinity sit up for a moment. He placed his body beneath her head and shoulders so that he might act as an extra blanket. He was warmer than any hundred-year-old sheep's wool or wolf's skin. Caesar rested his head on the blankets and closed his eyes, waiting patiently for her to wake up. Her sweet perfume came to his nose again, though he didn't sneeze. This time he sighed happily and enjoyed the scent that no longer tickled his nostrils. She would be alright now, and he didn't have to fear for her life any longer. The beast was gone.

Now his mind would not let him rest. What was this feeling that he felt? Only when he was with her did he feel such a way. She made his heart race, made his thoughts calm. She made him more of a showoff than he already was. When she was near him, he felt a desire, -no -a need to impress her. She was different than anybody he had ever met. She was exciting, brave, confident, and she wasn't afraid to cry. She was just enough to make him feel needed and useful, but not too much to make him feel like a babysitter. She was.... extraordinary. His soft eyes opened and looked down at the little slumbering girl that confused him so, as if just by looking at her he might understand. But no, his mind was still incapable of finding an answer for his strange feelings.

He wanted to hear more of what she had to say. He wanted to listen to her and her soothing voice. He wanted to know what else stirred within her mind before they were so rudely interrupted by the creature. He wanted to know why she was so troubled about love. It was quite an interesting topic to listen to, or at least when it came from her rosy lips it was.

[Sirinity Godspeed]

Siri could feel the change in temperature as it happened. But still her body refused to respond and her eyes didn't open. Then finally after her shoulders were pushed up and her head was aganst something. Siri blinked as she saw the fire and the blankets. "What?" Siri muttered. She didn't understand what was going on. Then it came back to her, everything that happened.

Siri slowly sat up. She saw the lion then. Siri blinked then smiled. She remembered how she had thought he was Caesar. Maybe it had been her imagination. But then she saw it again. The glint of something in the light. The coin. Siri grinned then looked at the lion. "Are you ok?" She asked him. By this point Siri knew that the lion understood everything that she said. Siri knew that he was Caesar whether the lion would admit it or not.

[Caesar Lions]

The cat nodded and began to purr before tilting his head to the side, the thick mane upon his neck following after. He was trying to return the question. Had she been okay after her fall? Caesar's ears flicked forward hopefully, and his eyes sparkled in the firelight when he looked at her.

The cavern wasn't cold at all anymore, but the fire refused to melt any of the ice. This meant that it was warm and dry. He found it strange how such a thing could happen, but he decided not to think about it. That's when he noticed something about the firepit. It was made of crystals. All beneath it and all the rocks around it were crystal, and they sent rainbows over the cave walls. His amber eyes glimmered with amazement, observing every sparkle. Caesar looked up, spotting a heart-shaped rainbow casting on the ceiling. He looked away from it, refusing to look again. He was terrified of love. Yet here he was, in Lover's Hideout.

[Sirinity Godspeed]

Siri giggled when the lion licked her. It felt really weird. "I'm fine, really fine!!" she said laughing. She couldn't help but laugh when she saw him. He was the only one to ever make her laugh. Then she she saw the crystal. She looked around the cave as it glimered in the light. "OH wow." she muttered. She looked at Caesar. She knew it was him. She would just let him think she didn't know. She smirked. "It is so beautiful." she said before she leaned against his soft fur and placed a kiss on on his head.

[Caesar Lions]

His whiskers went stiff when she kissed him, his blood warmed his entire body, his heart beat faster. His eyes went wide in fear, and he got up from the nest of blankets that he had made for her. He crossed the cavern and settled on the opposite side and turned to face her. The fright on his face was uncontrollable, and he couldn't hide it. His eyes went from soft to cold, cold to soft as he gazed at her. He didn't know whether to be happy or scared. His heart felt as if it might explode, either from love or fear, he didn't know. But one thing he was sure of. Caesar was absolutely terrified of love, and yet he had fallen in it. That much was clear when her lips met his skin. Before he could stop himself, he let a growl from his throat that explained all of his confusion in one tone. His feet carried him back beside her, though his mind urged him to run the other way. His heart followed his feet, wishing to be beside Sirinity. Miserable, he gave in, laying down beside her again and resting his head on his paws. But now he couldn't look at her.

(Thought I'd add in something for a little change in pace.)

[Sirinity Godspeed]

Siri didn't really understand at first. The lion had gotten up and crossed the room as if to avoid her. And then the growl made it worse. Did Caesar truely hate her. Did her not care for her at all. And yet here she was falling in love with him. She knew she was...... she cared about the lion. The man. She didn't care what he was. The fact was a Siren had fallen in love with the sea hound.

Siri looked at the lion as it padded it's way back. She watched him sit next to her. She saw his eyes unable to meet hers. And Yet Siri couldn't look at his eighter. She loved him she knew she did. If he didn't love her back.........What an idiot she was!! A sea hound falling in love with a Siren?! AS IF!!!!!! Siri felt stupid and alone. And she almost didn't notice the warm tears as they fell from her face.

[Caesar Lions]

Her sorrow seemed to fill the very cave that shared its name. Her tears salted the air that reached his nose, that filled his lungs. Surprised, yet reluctant, he turned his head to hers. His heart sunk at the sight of those teardrops. His fright rose with the sinking of his heart. Not love! God, don't let it be love! But it was. Love, love love. Beautiful, shocking love. Confusing love. Frightening love. Wonderful love.... Forbidden love.

His entire body shook now with the awkward combination of love and fear. It moved without his mind's permission, following only his heart's commands. He reached out to her face with one paw. But slowly, the paw became a hand, and the foreleg an arm, and so on until he was human. His necklace hung about his neck, his legs only covered by shorts. His body covered by an old and thin shirt that offered little warmth in such a place as Lover's Hideout.

His fingers brushed against her cheek, wiping away the tears that fell from her eyes. His heart was racing against his chest, and his face shown all his terror of love. But his eyes sparkled with that of which he feared, love. They pleaded for her to understand, though he doubted that she could.

Caesar opened his mouth, as if to speak, but not a word formed from his lips. He was left gazing at her, jaw open, shivering, breathing shallow, and fingertips still resting upon her face.

[Sirinity Godspeed]

Siri felt the paw against her face, but Siri still could not face him. That's when the paw changed. She felt it against her face the changing as Caesar's fingers touched her face. Her eyes shook but she still hadn't looked at him yet. He had changed infront of her. He wasn't hiding his secret anymore. His breathing calmed her spirit as the tears started stopping. He felt his warm hand against her face as he wipped away the tears that were there.

Siri then finally turned to face him. She could see the terror upon his face and it made her heart sink deep within her chest. He truely did not love her. Or so she thought until she saw his eyes. His beautiful eyes. Siri's own heart pulled itself back together. She didn't truely understand what it ment but she did know that some part of him. No matter how big did care for her.

Siri watched him try to say something but no words came from his lips. Siri slowly placed one of her own hands on the one he placed on her face. "I am sorry if I have caused you any pain...." was all she could say to him. She truely loved Caesur but she knew the conciquences of it. She knew the dangers she was putting herself in and caesur probably knew as well. But she couldn't let anything happen to him, she couldnt'. Siri looked into his eyes looking for some kind of hope that might of been lingering there.

[Caesar Lions]

When her hand touched his, the man shivered. Caesar shook his head, finding his voice, even if it was shaky. "Not pain." he told her, pulling her hand away from her cheek, letting her palm rest within his own. He didn't know what he was doing, or if he did, he had no control over it. The love for her, that had until now been dormant, took over the command of all his actions. This only scared him all the more. "Fear." he told her. "Fear of love." Less than an hour ago he was curious and questioning what this feeling even was that she gave him. This emotion that was so strange to him. Now, that he knew indeed it was love, he was terrified. He smiled at her weakly, "I fear it worse than the Chupacabra."

[Sirinity Godspeed]

Siri didn't know what to say to him. She didn't know how to respond or even tell him the truth. The look in his eyes kept her heart alive but it also brought its own pain to her as she listened to his soft voice. He was scared and had ever right to be. Though his fear was not the same as Sirinity's but she did not know that. She was scared for their lives and he was scared for the feelings. Siri shook her head as she let go of his hand. She pulled away and turned her back to him.

"I fear we have put ourselves in grave danger. By us being together we...........are indangering ourselves." Siri mummbled. Her eyes skimmed the cave until they landed on something dark. It was the pit. The pit that held the soul of the lady who had been thrown to it a long time ago because of the same mistake Ceasar and Sirinity were doing now. Siri couldn't help but stare at it. It held the past and the future in it. "Maybe all of this was a mistake. A mistake we were fooled into believing in." Siri muttered. This was tearing at her very soul but she knew the truth in those words.

[Caesar Lions]

His heart sank. With every move that he made, his body shook like a terrified pup before the hungry puma that was love. With every move, it devoured him. But still, as the teeth of passion sunk into his heart, he became used to the suffering that they brought, if one could become used to suffering. His hand reached out to her shoulder, pulling her back so that she might lean against him and he could hold her. "That's a lie." he told her, his trembling fingers combing through her hair softly. "I don't believe it for one minute, and neither should you." His eyes followed her gaze to another chamber far away from Lover's Hideout. In the center was the dark hole, and he knew that she was staring at Death Pit, Death Pit. His fingers stroked her chin lightly, pulling her face away from that direction to face him. "Danger, maybe. But not a mistake. Never a mistake."

(Ooc: Death pit isn't inside Lover's Hideout. It is another chamber within Sorrow's Cave that Lillian and Elliot were chased into when they were found. Within Death Pit, is of course, Death Pit, the dark hole into witch Lillian plummeted to her death. So the term "Death Pit" both refers to the chamber and the hole, but it isn't within the chamber of Lover's Hideout. Just thought I'd clarify. )

[Sirinity Godspeed]

Sirinity looked at Ceasar as she felt tears run down her face. "A mistake, I wish this was a mistake but in truth ............. I love you. And I can't stop the feelings I have for you. It just......won't go away. Ever since I met you on my ship. I could never forget you." Siri looked away. She knew she had oppened her mouth again. And said something stupid compleately and utterly stupid. And now she probably would never hear the end of it. Or worse, Ceasar would never want to see her again.

Admin Edited: Sorry, but I couldn't see the green lettering. I did put a color on it for you though, since you like colors. Feel free to change it, I just couldn't see.

[Caesar Lions]

"Stop it." he told her. "Stop it. You're scaring me." It was true. If falling in love, and letting it rule him wasn't frightening enough, she was acting like it was their doom. Caesar's fingers met her chin again and diverted her gaze a second time. He wouldn't let her look at Death Pit. "Look at me." his voice was soft and comforting, gentle. He stroked her cheeks and wiped the tears away, letting her head rest in his palms. "Now look there." he said, turning her head carefully to the heart-shaped crystal shine on the ceiling. His fingers softly caressed her face as he rose, then departing from her skin. He stood in front of the heart, so that it appeared behind his face. "Now look at me again." he told her, before scooping Sirinity up into his arms and turning, so that he could see her own beautiful face with the heart behind it. It made his pulse race. "So I can look at you." he ended his talking, admiring her beauty. The fire kept them warm, even though his clothes offered little heat. He set her down on her feet again, his hands finding their way to her hips. To even his surprise, he began to dance with her, even though there was no music to be heard. His arms continued to wrap around her, holding her closely in an embrace. He pressed her head against his chest, still gliding slowly over the ice. Holding her. The more he fell in love, the more fear came to him. But the closer she was to him, the more the fright left. His lips lowered over her eyes, kissing them softly for the first time, as if selling his soul to her tears so that they might no longer fall from her pretty face.

[Sirinity Godspeed]

Sirinity listened to him as he said to stop. She knew she was probably just making things worse but she feared for his life not hers. But the cold thoughts melted away when she felt his warm hands on her face. A weird feeling went through her body through her veins and all over the place, but it was a good feeling to have. Siri turned when he said to look at him. That's when he showed her the crystal and she couldn't help but admire its beauty but it was even better when Ceasar moved infront of it. Something raced inside her heart. And she knew that she would never be able to love anyone else but him. She looked back at him instantly the second time he asked. But she was at a total suprise when he scooped her up in his arms. She automaticly put her arms around his neck. But it wasn't long before he put her down again. Sirinity didn't know exactly what had happened between them. And for once Sirinity didn't care. She was careless and felt free for the first time in the longest of times. Then the two started dancing. Siri didn't know when it had started exactly but Sirinity didn't care. She followed caesar's lead as the danced to no music but in Sirinitys eyes there was plenty of it. The water dropping silently in a steady beat the wind outside. Everything was in perfect harmony. Sirinity's heart skipped a beat when Ceasar kissed her face. And she could hear it pounding wildly in her ears. But this time she was not going to make a fool of herself. She gently pressed a hand to his soft check rubing it gently. Then before anything could happen Sirinity moved his face just enough so that her lips could touch his.

[Caesar Lions]

His blood froze as their lips touched, just as it had when she kissed his head. How, minutes ago? It seemed like hours. Maybe even days. But this time, he kissed her back, with such gentle passion that it surprised even him. Caesar guided himself and her across the floor, around the cavern, as if it were their stadium, the crystals their audience. When they had made a full circle, all the way around Lover's Hideout with their slow dancing, he kissed her forehead. "Who knew that a Siren could be such a lovely dancer?" he complimented, his gaze with hers. "Or so beautiful a woman?" A mischievous smirk played over his face, and he bobbed his head to one side, inviting her to dance a little faster with him. He waited for her answer, taking her by the hand and giving her a little twirl. "I'll dip you." he promised.