Down to earth (Sage)

[Delgato]

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[bg=000000] His light paw steps were silent as Delgato slipped through the shadowed forest. The lithe Snow Leopard stretched his pace out, moving into a smooth run, twisting through the shadows. Shadowed ears flickered backwards as he listened carefully for any sign of prey. Sleek dark pelt rippled over agile muscles, ebony claws digging into the earth to propel him forward as he pushed on even faster. His long, ringed tail stretched out behind him as he curved around beneath bushes and over fallen logs. Del's paws barely brushed the ground as he whipped through the forest, finally skidding to a halt and sending leaves flying into the cool air. His sapphire eyes vanished for a moment as he blinked, and the full shine returned to pierce the dark undergrowth as he moved forward in silence, his jaw open slightly to taste the air. The atmosphere was wet and heavy with scents of prey, mud, and decaying vegetation. Darkened ears swiveled around, pulling the slightest sounds into his mind. Quickly, he was close the the ground, pale stomach fur just a mere inch from the ground. His tail whipped around to pin itself at his flank, and his eyes narrowed as he pressed through the small gaps between bushes. There was prey up ahead, and he was going to fetch it. Each paw was placed carefully as he picked his way through the shadows, light nose twitching, whiskers flicking. His ear moved fractionally as a soft noise interrupted his focus. The prey that Delgato had been stalking bounded off into the night. Del spun around, his ears flat against his skull as a growl rose in his throat. The stars above the thick canopy sparkled down through minor slits in the leaves, enhancing the silver glow of Del's pelt. He took a few steps forward, into a larger moonbeam that made his fur shine white against the stark obsidian dapples. His tail lashed furiously in the midnight air. "Who interrupted my hunting?" He growled, his gaze sweeping the surroundings with sharp accuracy. Muse: Eh. Not the greatest... Other: This'll be fun!

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[sage belleza]

All was silent except for birdsong in the trees. No leaf stirred, no breeze blew. It was calm and peaceful all around. Then, something golden flashed through the trees faster than lightning it seemed. The leaves fluttered, swirling into the air before landing soundlessly on the forest floor once more. The disturbance was none other than Sage Belleza. Her legs were pumping, aching for rest, as she ripped through the forest with grace, her piercing blue eyes scanning the area in front of her. Snap! She had stepped on a twig and skidded to a halt. She smelled the air and scented a male leopard, snow leopard by the scent. Suddenly, something came bounding toward her. She tilted her head and saw it was a large rabbit. She crouched low and swiped a paw at it, missing by a whisker. The rabbit screamed and bolted to the left. Sage pounced, killing it quickly, and padded over to the male. She dropped the rabbit at his paws. "I believe it is yours." Her soft voice rang like a beautiful bell.

OOC: I know, it's a crappy post. Forgive me.

[Delgato]

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[bg=000000] A shrill rabbit scream pierced the air, and Delgato's ears flashed upward. His muscles tensed as he took two paw steps toward the sound. His gaze caught that of a beautiful female leopard. He watched in silence as the rabbit flashed past her, and her paw snapped out to kill it. Del's eyes narrowed as she approached, setting the limp prey on the ground in front of him. The sleek male snow leopard showed no emotion as she spoke. Her voice was so sweet, though, it made him want to ask her so many questions, to keep her talking. His gaze was serene as he quietly lifted one paw to push the rabbit toward her. "No, you caught it. It's yours." He replied, his tone light and calm. "I can catch another. It's no problem." His tail twitched slightly in amusement as he wondered if she knew about... No, she can't know. Nobody knows except for the royal family. He winced slightly, just a flicker of unease for a moment, as he remembered that he now fit into that royal family description. Delgato suddenly realized that, caught up in his thoughts, he'd been staring at the slender leopard. He didn't look away, however. Merely shifting his gaze to meet her beautiful sky blue eyes, he introduced himself. "My name is Delgato. Erm, Delgato Arei." Again, a slight wince. He'd only recently discovered that he was part of the family that he'd despised for so long. He still wasn't used to tacking on 'Arei' at the end of his name. Shaking his head, he sighed. "Ignore the name. I might have royal blood, but I'm still a loner at heart." He blinked, twitching his tail. Del settled onto his haunches, closing his eyes for a minute as the cool breeze played with his sleek silver fur. The dark markings beneath his eyes were hidden for a moment as the wind puffed it around, hiding the marks beneath the lighter underfur. He spread his paws, feeling the chill from the dark earth soak up into the fur between each pale toe. His ebony claws sank into the soft ground, and his sapphire eyes opened again. "Might I inquire your name?" He asked, his gaze questioning. Muse: A bit better. Other: Del's never the best around girls..

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[sage belleza]

Sage purred with amusement as he pushed the rabbit toward her. "I insist." She smiled, her golden pelt shining brightly in a patch of sun that bathed her fur. She nosed the rabbit back at him. "I can catch my own." She snorted a giggle and flicked her ears. A rustle made her drop into a crouch and she lunged into the bushes behind the male. Moments later, the golden beauty reappeared with a large mouse in her jaws. She put it on the ground between her forepaws and looked at Delgato. "Its a pleasure, Delgato." She took a step toward him, flicking her tail with curiosity. Then he asked for her name. Sage rarely gave her name away to anyone, but this male seemed nice enough. And besides, if he tried anything thinking he could overpower her then he definitely had another thing coming. "I'm Sage Belleza. Most call me Sage, but I'll settle for Belle too." She circled the male, inspecting him. Without realizing it, she brushed his thick coat. She jumped back in surprise and then shuffled a paw on the ground, trying to hide her embarrassment. "Beautiful day we are having." She stuttered. She blinked her ice blue eyes at him, admiring his size and how strong he looked.

[Delgato]

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[bg=000000] His eyes flickered with quiet emotion as she nudged the rabbit back towards him, insisting that he keep it. He opened his jaw to protest, but snapped it shut as she dropped into a crouch and flashed by him. His tail twitched lightly as he waited for her to return from the brush. Del settled onto his haunches, lapping at his chest fur quickly to smooth out his rough appearance. He didn't normally interact with others, and when he did, he never bothered to spiff up his appearance. Something about the pretty feline made him want to look his best, though. He shook his head, growling under his breath. "It's just your socially deprived mind trying to keep her around for long enough to strike up a conversation." He muttered to himself, shutting up as she slipped back out. Delgato studied her slender physique as she padded lightly out in front of him, setting her prey down as he introduced himself. He almost replied with a startled, 'Pleasure? But.. I'm hardly a pleasurable acquaintance!' He managed to gather his thoughts and keep from saying it, however. "Sage. A beautiful name." He mewed calmly as she began circling him. Her beautiful golden pelt ruffled against his sleek silver fur, and he shifted slightly as she flinched away, looking embarrassed. His sapphire eyes glittered mischievously. Time to flirt a little, perhaps? "I'd have agreed with you earlier, but now that you've showed up, the day's beauty seems to.. pale in comparison." He mewed smoothly, taking a step closer to her. "Excuse me if that was rather cheesy." He grinned, flicking his tail around to lighten the mood. Muse: Awesome! Other: Lol, cheesy pickup lines are all he knows ;D

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[sage belleza]

If leopards could blush, Sage's face would be bright red. "Thank you." She purred and rubbed against him. "It is not often I am complimented. Especially by any of the royal family." Sage's eye brightened with pleasure. Then he complimented her again. She studied her paws with barely hidden joy. She jumped to her paws, as she had been sitting down, and walked up so she was almost in his face. Almost. Then Delgato said it was a really cheesy line. Sage giggled. "Yes, it was. But it was kind all the same." She said, her soft voice ringing beautifully. Shadows stretched around the leopards. Sage realized it was nearing night time. Her tail flicked irritably. "I must go find shelter for the night." Reluctantly, Sage turned her back to Delgato and started to walk away. Her tail lashed as she stopped and looked back. For some reason unknown to her, Sage wanted to stay with Delgato a little longer. "Would you like join me?" She asked, her voice chirping with excitement. She padded back to him quickly, brushing against him and circling around him, brushing against him the entire time. "Please? I could use some company." She purred encouragingly.

[Delgato]

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[atrb=background,http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb404/InfernoLarka/DelgatoTable2.png] He'd made her purr! She was rubbing up against him now, thanking him for the compliments. Her next few words made his eartips burn, and he flickered them lightly, as though they'd caught on fire and he was trying to twitch away the flames. "Right. Royal family... I'm going to have to get used to that." He mewed quietly, pressing his muzzle against her shoulder briefly. He closed his sapphire eyes, taking in a deep breath, and when his eyes opened, Sage was right in front of him. Del looked down at his paws in shame as she agreed that it was, indeed, a cheesy line. But, she said it was still kind. He lifted his gaze, smiling. "I'm not the greatest when it comes to talking." He mewed calmly, standing up. His tail swept along the ground as his thoughts collected. He might have royal blood flowing through his veins, but he'd much rather be out here, in the wild unknowns, with another loner. It didn't matter to the weather, or the trees, or the prey, what kind of blood ran through you. It was the heart and soul that mattered, and his was that of a loner. He would never understand those fancy workings of the royal family, and he knew he'd never quite fit in there. He belonged out here, in the forest. Auds swiveled upward as Sage spoke again, this time announcing that she needed to find shelter. Delgato looked around- it was getting late. His expression fell for a moment and he faltered, trying to grasp at the words that escaped him, struggling to find something to say that wouldn't sound creepy or stalker-like, but would keep Sage in his company for longer... Before he had to think too hard, though, she'd solved his problem by returning to his side and inviting him to join her. Excitement sparked inside the sleek silver snow leopard as she pressed her pelt against his. He purred, pressing back softly. Sudden courage washed over him and he stretched his muzzle out to press his nose against her cheek lightly, smiling. "I would love to join you, Sage. Nothing would make me happier." He replied, picking up the rabbit. "Where to?" He asked, his voice muffled by the fur of the prey he carried.

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[sage belleza]

Sage's eyes brightened and she pressed against him happily. Delgato had an effect on Sage like no other male had before on her. Delgato was the only male that could make her heart beat fast and slow at the same time. He made her heart skip, and her pelt spark like lightning in a storm. What made her do her next action, she would never know. She reached toward Delgato's face and licked his cheek. Embarrassed and a little surprised at this unexpected action, Sage stepped back a pace. "Um... I found a cave the other day that I really like. It is nice and peaceful there with some tunnels that we can sleep in." She mewed gently. Picking up her mouse, Sage flicked her tail for Delgato to follow her as she disappeared into the undergrowth. The moon rose in the sky as Sage finally reached her cave, her paws aching, and walked into the cave. Dropping her mouse in a corner, Sage flopped onto her belly and let the cold cave floor relax her weary legs. She looked at Delgato and smiled, her tail swishing softly on the ground behind her. Sage's sky blue eyes pierced the darkness like swords as she longed for Delgato to curl up next to her.

[Delgato]

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[atrb=background,http://i1204.photobucket.com/albums/bb404/InfernoLarka/DelgatoTable2.png] Sapphire eyes glittering in happiness, Delgato followed the beautiful female eagerly. He was pleased that he could make her smile so joyously- he rarely had luck with talking to anyone other then family. That pretty much left him with no one, as his directly immediate family was dead, and the remaining felines that he shared blood with were royalty- a place where, even with his lineage, he didn't quite fit in. Delgato's dark paws led him carefully and quietly after the agile leopard, towards the dark mouth of a cave. He paused outside as she slipped in to rest. Delgato hesitated, his ebony tail tip flickering ever so slightly. Shifting his grip on the rabbit, he slid inside and paused to let his eyes adjust to the shadows. He glanced around, placing his prey down beside hers and moving to stand a pace or so away from Sage. His eyes were inquiring as he studied her, letting his forepaws slide forward so that he was lying on his stomach, facing her. His heart was tugging him toward her, his inner mind trying to talk him into getting up and settling down beside her, but his better instincts told him not to. He might not be as precise and as careful as the king and queen and their children, but he was still a gentlemen. He would ask. He would not simply ignore the fact that he was a step away from her, nor would he leave her waiting in despair. "It's a rather cold night. Perhaps two pelts pressed against eachother would keep one warmer then sleeping apart." The statement was said with the suggestion of a question, asking her permission to curl up beside her. His mouth curled into a light smile as he waited for her reply.

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[sage belleza]

Sage smiled with a soft purr in her throat. "Perhaps." In one swift, graceful movement, Sage was on her paws. She shook her golden pelt and padded the few paces over to Delgato and settled down beside him, pressing against his silver fur. Instantly, she felt his warmth seep into her tired bones. She sighed happily and scooted a little closer, enjoying the brush of his fur against hers. "Delgato?" She asked softly, her blue eyes looking at him, ears forward. Sage waited until he answered. "Thank you." She purred gently. A few moments passed before she continued. "For staying with me tonight. Its nice to have company for once. Most tend to stay away from me." She sighed with despair and laid her head down on the cold, stone floor of the cave. She flicked her tail, feeling it rest on Delgato's tail. She didn't pull her tail back, however. Sage let her tail stay where it landed as her thoughts jumbled together in her head. Sage had never really known her family. She left them when she was still quite young and reckless, wanting to explore the world and learn its mysteries. And the world had given her Delgato tonight, hopefully longer than just dawn.