You know how all those stories, the ones where the universe means to use all it has at it's beck and call to stop one man from getting to his goal, the effect of Murphy's law abandoning regular conventions as it starts to place it's obstinate foot in the hero's way. Everything that could go wrong will and the hero will at point find a point in which he's convinced it's not possible, only stopped from giving up by a deus ex in the form of a small event provoking a memory that forges his nerves to push on in the face of inevitability. Perhaps he just ignores the inevitability itself and in doing so, creates a new one, one bound for success and not failure as most tend to seem. Either way, the hero finds himself before his goal at the last second. It's a success followed by a happily ever after. End of story, closing of the saga, continuations left to speculation.
I digress from my original point. TL;DR stands as Hero has trouble and overcomes it all for the happily ever after. Now, look at our story. Is it the same, following the same flow a stereotypical archetype? In a short answer, I can admit it mostly is. See, our hero himself finds himself late for a meeting with an important person in his life. One that has a time limit to it. But, our story differs from the above reading of the summary through one large key point. One that will be told when we reach the end. So with out further ado, shall we start?
Rather dark and foreboding was the night as the sheet of black it brought was dispelled momentarily by the roar of the heavens, white flash filling the sky and shaking windows. A storm like no other it seemed. Had this of been a night of normal, the roads would of seen them to the appearance of many individuals, all mysterious to each other, some in pairs or groups, some walked solo, but a night like this saw only one traveler. Swathed in a heavy cloth used to beat the rain from him, he took slow trudging steps through the storm, making sure he was taking his time not to slip. What he carried in his arms was more important to him than anything, the way he held it, firm but gently, was the clearest indication of it.
The howling wind buffeted The figure as he strode into town, flapping cloth whipping around him as he walked into the bar, the wave of heat from the roaring furnace striking into the room with a wave of heat, the male sighing in relief as he shut the door to that cold world behind him, murring in the gentle warmth soaking through him. He lifted a free hand to undo his hood, thick stiff ears coming to press up into the ears, flicking about as they warmed themselves up. The now reveal jackal took steps to place himself by the fire, the patrons of the inn more concerned with their drinks and conversations.
The jackal sat by himself as a small dragon approached him, young in looks but well known around the place as the bartender's apprentice. “Arrc, you look sad. Is something wrong? Can I get you a drink or anything?” The dragon offered in worry. A shake of the head answered his question. “Thanks, but I'm fine. Just warming up. I'm heading to a house to give a special gift for someone but I don't want to freeze to death on my way over.” He laughed softly. The dragon smiled at him and looked at the package. “Is that why you were gone for a week? You were making it?”
“No, not exactly. Making the gift was easy, it was hard getting the materials for it. Took a fight against a manticore and a few wyverns to make it, but...” He said softly as he looked at the dragon. “...Well, I'd go through any danger for him.” The dragon smiled at him. “You love him a lot, don't you? I've never seen you willingly do something dangerous before. When are you gonna give it to him?” The dragon asked, taking a seat near the jackal, grinning. “I want to give it to him before the festival day begins, so I should probably get going.”
The dragon chuckled and grinned. “I'll say. The festival day starts in about 10 minutes, so you should get going on that.” The jackal's jaw hung down as he looked at the dragon. “Dammit Ruka! I got to go, we'll talk later.” He said as he sprung to his feet, heading to the door in a hurry, back into the storm. The rain began to pound at the fur's face, obscuring his vision till with a few words of power, the rain began to divert around his body, streaming to the ground without wetting the mostly dry jackal.
He started to take in heavy breathes as he ran through the streets, cornering quickly. Left turn, straight for a block, right, left, 2 blocks and one more left. It was 1 whole minute before he was in front of the house, panting heavily as he drew his knuckles rapt against the door, a pounding echoing into the house. Several minutes passed before the door opened, a red hooded skunk staring out at him. Before he could open his mouth, the jackal darted his face forward, pressing his lips to the male skunks, taking him by surprise, keeping him in the kiss as he murred softly.
He pulled away only minutes later, drawing back, a strand of saliva connecting them together before he smiled at the skunk, who's face went from surprised to joyful before the jackal thrust out a package to him. Looking it over, the skunk unwrapped it slowly before getting the full look at it.
It looked just like his other jacket, the only difference being a small stitching over the inside, one written with the words. “To Aixen, with love.” He smiled at the skunk, happy to have given his gift. “I made it from Manticore mane and Wyvern scales. It's as strong as any armor and magic resistant...I didn't know what to get you, so...Happy Valentines Day!” He smiled widly at the skunk, closing the door behind himself to spend the time with his mate........
As I said, it's similar. Forgive me for skipping to the end of the story, but what happened from start to then was inconsequential. What was important was what made the story different from most. See, most stories have an end. Hero meets the person, happily ever after. Prince Charming marries his princess and the story ends. What makes this different is that the story doesn't end here. There's more to the two, more to their actions, their life, and their romance. It's not a story I can tell, simply because it still needs to be carved out.....I never told you? Oh, My bad. You see, I'm the jackal in that story. It's how I know so well, this story is far from over.
