rumbe, bumble, toil and trouble!

The tall, gangly teen feels disarmed every time the pretty lady speaks. Her words are laced with a beautiful accent that lifts and softens each syllable. An awkward smile rests on Kore’s lips as he listens to her, feeling suddenly self-conscious of his own, cracking voice. His words feel heavy and clumsy next to her lilting voice and he silently curses his own, changing voice. The exotic beautiful offers more of her strange, beautiful words which has the teen’s cheeks flushing as he turns to help remove the trapped paw, his lips pulling further back over his saber fangs as he tries to concentrate on the task.

Then, she repeats herself but, in the language, he understands and the teen’s cerulean eyes turn, looking to capture her beautiful rose gaze. A warm, gentle smile works its way onto his lips as Kore repeats her name, “Angelique.” He tries the word out on his tongue, rolling it around for a moment and, as if by some strange miracle, his voice takes on the deep tone that will be normal after this awkward stage. Suddenly, he remembers himself and drops his gaze back to her trapped leg as he mumbles, mostly to himself, “A beautiful name for a beautiful lady.”

Realizing she probably heard him, the teen darts her a glance and offers a shy smile before he returns to his work. With time, the paw slips free and Kore takes a step back, not wanting to make her uncomfortable. Heat crawls up his neck as she thanks him and he shuffles his paws before giving her a small shrug and saying, “It’s okay. I… I am just glad you aren’t too hurt.” Suddenly, she is leaning forward and the gangly teen stills, shock rippling across his features like a wave as she leans in to gently place a kiss upon his dark cheek. The heat is back, flooding his face as his lips curl upward, a dreamy, love-struck look taking up residence on his face.

Angelique speaks up again and his expression falls, head shaking sadly as Kore says, “No, I haven’t. But, I haven’t traveled very far so they might be somewhere else!” He looks to her, trying to offer her hope. It is true that his world small, limited to the river and the few neighboring lands, so who knows what lays beyond them. Eyes turn to look around the area and the teen says, “Lady Angelique, we should move to a different place. This land is unstable and prone to earthquakes.” Turning his gaze back to her, concern tilting her voice, Kore asks, “Are you okay to walk? Do… do you need any help?” Voice lifts and cracks with his ending question, heat burning across his face as the awkwardness creeps back into his frame. The shy smile also reappears, as he waits to see if she needs help.


"Kore Regni"