Twilight Embrace

It’d been a long day of celebrations, much more than Kyrie was used to; and she was starting to get a bit on edge. The sun was just beginning to set, and she knew she had to do this soon, or she’d never pluck up the courage to do it ever again. It was the perfect time, legend says that bonds made during this time lasted forever…. Right? 

Tightly grasping the fingers of her mate; she met her gaze a little shyly;

“Laila….. Would you come somewhere with me?” 

The other Shiji blinked in slight confusion, Kyrie was a creature of few words usually, preferring to stay quiet and only speak when absolutely necessary. Laila studied her face; looking for a clue, but saw nothing but slight discomfort perhaps… she couldn’t quite put her finger on it but it seemed …. Strange. 

“Of course…… Where are we going?” She asked gently, aware that her mate was uncomfortable. 

Kyrie merely shook her head slightly, pointing to the edge of the forest they’d travelled through to get to the Festival celebration. 

“Not far……” 

The pair walked hand in hand, the smaller shiji shifting her fingers more and more nervously the closer they got to the forest. She stopped on the edge of the trees, glancing left and right slowly. ‘here somewhere…..’ 

“Wait here,” She offered quietly, giving her mate a small kiss on the forehead before disappearing into the trees. 

A few minutes pass, Laila waits patiently, but starts to become increasingly concerned when the darkness of night starts to set in. She takes a few steps towards the tree line, planning on finding her little partner, when the familiar white glow of said partners markings comes flashing back between the dark trees. Breathing a sigh of relief as her mate comes closer, she tilts her head to one side gently in curiosity; Kyrie was hiding something behind her back.

Nervously; the smaller shiji-long returned to stand before her mate, shifting her paws with anxiety; a small blush appearing on her face. She tilted her head down shyly, attempting to hide the blush behind her fur. Laila tentatively reached out a hand, placing it gently on the others shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.

“Kyrie…? Whats wrong….?” The worry seeped into her voice; this was so not like her mate at all. 

The smaller shifted again, her blush deepening; ‘Come on Kyrie….. Just ask her……’

Taking a shaky breath; the smaller Shiji withdrew her hands from behind her back, revealing two dainty white flower crowns; that she herself had made for this very night. Holding one out in front of her; the blush glowing bright red across her cheeks, she lifted her head; her eyes searching out those of her mate. In a quiet voice, she whispered 

“Laila…. Will you be my Soul Partner?”