Raven

[Spotify]

_{Ember sat up and tilted her head like a curious puppy dog,"What was that?"she asked, no hint of a threat or fury in her eyes, just curiosity. With a curious glance , she got up from her comfy spot and grabbed the glass of water. She didn't want a hang over. Once she had Frankenstein most of the cool water, she settled back down in her pillows and tons of stuffed animals. The princess turned her head an plucked her favorite stuff animal, a black panther that had green eyes named Billy Bob, from the mess that was the top of her bed and laid him on her lap. She sat there, peering up at the older Schimba, holding a big fat stuffed panther, waiting for him to speak.}

[Cloudy]

<sub>"What was what?" Jai responded, furrowing his brow. He shifted nervously, uncrossing and recrossing his arms a few times. It was clear that Jai felt... uncomfortable. He didn't think he belonged in Ember's room, especially with Unole leaving very soon to head to the summit. He wanted to ask the King if he could come; honestly, Jai had half-expected Unole to name him the heir to the Schimba people, though he hadn't been upset or let down when Unole name Ember is heir. It is what it is, and Jai moved on. He rolled his shoulder, chewing the inside of his lip slightly.

"What're you talking about?" he asked again, though he had a sneaking suspicion. His eyes narrowed slightly, counting the several stuffed animals that dotted Ember's bed. He blinked when he remembered his old bear that his mum had given him. He still had it, tucked away safely for now.</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Ember tilted her head, peering once more into Jai's eyes. "What was that about? The fight? You almost losing control? I saw you fighting not only Barrow, but yourself. Why? What's so bad about the wolf? You wanted to kill him didn't you?"she began to question him, curiosity in her eyes.

She giggled suddenly when she noticed Jai obvious discomfort at being in her room,"What has the might Jai Templar never been in a girls room with a girl alone before?"she teased, softly. It amused her that Jai was so uncomfortable. Maybe he wasn't that emotionless bastard that everyone made him out to be. She giggled once more ducking her head behind the stuff animal.</sub>

[Cloudy]

_{"No," Jai sighed. "I don't know what happened. It was probably that Barrow caught me off-guard by attacking my feet, and as much as I hate to admit it, it's the first time I've been caught off-guard." He shrugged one shoulder and shifted slightly on his feet. The room was so... girly. So many stuffed animals and girly things and pink and all that weird stuff. It made Jai feel uncomfortable. "No," he muttered. He cleared his throat. "I, uh, think your father wants you. Said something about a... a new guard." Hurt flashed in Jai's eyes for the briefest of moments before his emerald eyes returned to their emotional state. He shrugged again. "You ready to go meet him? Or do you need to snuggle that animal-thing more?" He blinked at the panther-thing, raising a single eyebrow at Ember's antics.}

[Spotify]

Ember raised an eyebrow,"Okay, but considering I'm sure dizzy. You have to give me a piggy back ride."she said, smirking just the slightest. For the record, there was no pink in her room whatsoever expect for on her stuffed lion's bow tie. It was all blues and greens, her two absolute favorite colors. She got up and waggled her finger. Something had changed in Ember as soon as she stepped in her room, she had become like a child again. She frowned,"Wait. A new guard? You may be a pain in my beep but I don't want a new guard."she said, tilting her head again. She glanced away,"Hurry up. I don't want keep him waiting. He's already mad at me for being drunk."she said. She wasn't kidding about the piggy back ride either.

[Cloudy]

<sub>Jai sighed and darted forward in a burst of speed. He swung Ember off of the bed and onto his back, zipping out of her room with inhuman speed. He shot through the house, his form a blur, and made sure that Ember did not fall. When he reached Unole's office he placed Ember onto the ground, curling his hand around her arm. He channeled a bit of his power into her, chasing away the alcohol in her system. With a straight face he knocked on the door and nudged Ember over the threshold.

"Ember," Unole greeted. "Jai. I suppose he's told you then, my daughter? I've found a new guard for you." He nodded in the direction of the corner and a strong, buff man slunk forward, winking his amber eyes at Ember. He wasn't all unattractive, but he didn't hold a candle to Jai. His shaggy brown hair was somewhat unkempt, and his amber eyes were glittering. "This is Alfar. He'll be your guard from now on."</sub>

[Spotify]

<sub>Ember sighed as she became clear headed and stepped into the threshold. Her arm was still warm from where Jai had touched it and to say the very least it surprised her that she missed having her arms wrapped around the young Schimba. ,"Hiya."she said in greeting to the Schimba king and the guard. She looked troubled for a brief moment,"Both of you. Please. Leave us. I must talk to my father alone."she said, her voice no louder than a whisper. She waited patiently for both the Schimba to exit room, before she turned all of her attention to her papa,"I don't want a new guard."she whispered, dropping her gaze. "I want Jai to remain in his position."she said, even quiter.

Ember began to pace,"Did he ask not to be? I know I asked you, but I've grown rather fond of him. Plus, he is at least easy on the eyes. Does he wish to be reassigned?"she stopped and peered at her father.</sub>

[Cloudy]

_{Unole raised a single eyebrow."Jai, stay." Jai nodded and did as he was told. "He wants to attend the summit," he responded and Jai shifted nervously.
"You said you hated me," Jai muttered. "Figured I'd give you a break from my 'cold bastard' like nature." He shrugged. "And yeah, I do. Figure I'm next in line for the throne after you so I might as well. You don't even like me," he said.
"You've made it quite clear you think Jai's a cold bastard. Why are you opposing a change in the guard? Jai will still be around. You won't have to have him stalk you." Unole gave her an odd look. "Alfar's perfectly capable of protecting you as well, if that's what you're worried about. You told me not even an hour ago that Jai ruined your fun."}

[Spotify]

_{That's when Ember's hotheadness took over,"So now your taking my place? How dare you! I'm the heir and what so now you go from protecting me to killing me? I was right when I called you a cold bastard. You're right I don't want you as a guard. You deserve to rot in hell and if I ever see you again anywhere near this house your dead."she snarled at Jai. Her gaze shifted to her father,"And you? Wow. I have no words to say to you, Dad."she practically spat out the words. With that she turned,"You will all leave me alone if you know what's good for you. I have my people to think about."she called over her shoulder, before she phased in the fast animal she could think of. The falcon. She shoot out of the house, heading in no particular direction. No way was she sleeping in that house tonight. She tilted her head, making sure she kept quiet and whenever water crossed her path she dove in and washed away her scent. She didn't want anyone following. Not caring that she was unprotected. She remained as silent as the night only making the littlest of noises when nesscary.}

[Cloudy]

<sub>"Jesus," Unole sighed. "Jai, come with me. She didn't even let me respond." Unole, who had not shifted in quite some time, rolled his eyes shut and focused. He felt the warm heat building in the center of his body and allowed it to spread to his limbs and the rest of his form. He exhaled slowly and when he opened his eyes again, the white stag of legend shook his form before bounding after his daughter.
You will remain where you are, Ember; that's an order.

Jai allowed his form to take on the black wolf and he loped after Unole, ears flattened. Kill her? What? No! He'd be the next in line if something happened to Ember, but he'd never hurt her. No way! He'd end his own life before he raised a hand against Ember. No. No no no no no!</sub>