USED TO BEING GONE | Imperia

[Shininglight]

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Shining always had an issue of opening up to others. Painful memories, haunting events of the past were all repressed and confined to his own mind. A dangerous game to play, for his mind was also plagued with never-ending reminders. He had been able to repress them not long ago, kept himself distracted and at ease. Peaceful. Now, they toyed with him even now, in Imperia's lovely little abode. Everything from gentle, subtle whispers to loud screams that took him by surprise, making him wince. Most of the time, it was an imitation of his own voice talking him down. [glow=black,2,300]You're at fault, you're to blame. No escape, constantly running. Disappointment, failure, let-down.[/glow]

He remained still as Imperia moved about, muttering silently. The promise of a bowl of food reached his ears, and Shining felt a bit happier in that instant. Then he heard her inquiry, unprompted and out of the blue. A lucky guess, a psychic insight. It caught him by surprise, and his ears fell a little flat. But he did bless her with a reply, oddly enough. "Won't do it... Won't take another life..." Shining muttered, eyes falling to the ground for a moment. "Not worth it... Rather starve..." His stomach growled again, and he looked up to see Imperia settling at the table, the stew ready to eat. Shine couldn't wait any longer; he took his own seat and dug right in.

Barely a single moment was spared for pause. Shining practically devoured the entire thing. Must have actually been starving. He looked up occasionally, taking in the wolf's words. The tom had seen her about, hadn't he? This was their first real interaction together, though. "'m Shining..." he said through a mouthful of stew, taking a second to swallow. "Lonely... Know too well. Most of life, alone. Couldn't... get close to others. Had to stay away."

He took another few moments to schlurp up some more stew, eyes casting glances around the cottage. It was a rustic little place, the kind that Shine had envisioned to live in. It reminded him of an old home. "Cozy, warm. I like it. Once lived in treehouse. Very tall trees- redwoods. Couldn't see stars. Had to go to ocean. Many nights there. I like stars. Connect to them. Beautiful."