The Juafera- Poppies Rise 2

Soft magenta light filtered through the amethyst window. A soft grunt echoed in the cave like room as Alpha Makai began to stir. He pulled his partner Alpha Zahad closer towards himself until his large arms engulfed him.

Zahad opened one of his revealing them to be a hazy purple color. He bit his lip and tried to ease himself out of his beloved’s grip. Zahad’s long spring like hair fell all the way to his butt. Though typical in the Oluri Mbwa to braid hair when it got this long Zahad was never one for tradition. Zahad’s skin was a rich deep brown similar to that of a smokey quartz.

Zahad looked up at his love and made an attempt to move out of his hold. The clear word being attempt. Makai let out a soft growl and shook his head sleepily. He rolled back over in their bed, gripping onto Zahad like a stuffed toy. Zahad sighed and simply patted Makai’s arm.

It was another hour before Makai finally relented and allowed Zahad out of their grasp. Zahad kissed Makai, nibbling on their lower lip as encouragement to get up. Once Makai sprung out of bed, Zahad had a victorious smile upon his lips.

“Get up my beautiful lump of a wolf. We’re heading over to the Misadime!” Zahad said happily.

Makai tilted their head. Their wolf ears twitched with curiosity at their partner. Makai’s hair was equally as springy as Zahad’s. The tight coils wrapping themselves around each creating a tangled mess. Which was entirely because Makai forgot to cover their head before they went to bed.

Zahad nervously chuckled. “Remember? I drawed the 3rd worst stick to leave for the sol—”

Before Zahad could get another word in Makai pounced on top of him. Makai growled possessively and shook his head. Makai’s body practically enveloped Zahad as if shielding him from any danger. Zahad sighed.

“You can’t keep me trapped up here forever, you know?”

“Can. Will,” Makai muttered sleepily.

“Ugh! You’re acting like a total pup, right now,” Zahad growled.

Makai growled back louder. It was clear they weren’t going to let Zahad go anywhere as long as they could.

Zahad clicked his tongue. With one of his free arms he began to rub the wolf ears on top of Makai’s head. A soft purr emitted from Makai’s chest. He was beginning to calm down. Slowly but surely Makai’s wolf like grip loosened up around Zahad. Enough that Zahad found himself on the verge of escape before the arms crashed down upon him again.

Makai growled and this time Zahad knew their wolf would begin to show if he didn’t stay. Zahad sighed and began to rub at all the parts he knew kept Makai calm. He began with his ears, moving down to his shoulders, and back up to his hair. Any sweet spot of an Oluri Mbwa was their hair—their pride and joy. Makai positioned themselves allowing Zahad free use of both of his arms.

Makai’s coils stuck together, entangled with one another. A sign it had gone unkept. Zahad sighed and chuckled. Though Makai and Zahad were close in age only being in their 70s which was still very early adulthood for the Oluri Mbwa, Makai was still known for his very pup like tendancies. Which was one right now and throwing a temper tantrum.

“Alright you big pup, I’m not leaving right now. But can we get ready? We still have to show our faces to the pack.”

Makai made a softer growl, a grunt more likely. Makai opened their mouth and found themselves struggling to make words. They tried again and only a grunt formed out. They huffed and began to growl but Zahad shushed them. Zahad tapped his temples, and then Makai, reminding them of their little ability. Makai’s eyes softened and they nodded.

Zahad kissed their forehead. Zahad waited for the soft pressure at the forefront of his head. He felt an almost knocking sensation and gladly allowed Makai in. Makai’s voice filtered him. Deep and sultry with sleep still attached though.

“Sorry. I guess today I won’t be communicating properly.”

Zahad flicked their forehead. “Communicating properly my ass. You are communicating just with your mind not your voice. Now, what’s gotten you so worked up about me leaving? I’ve left before for the Misadime.”

Makai let out a distressing whine. “Yes but you’ve never left for the sol festival! The Misadime are not equipped to care for us during that time. And your grandmother has only become increasingly difficult when you cross and meet her.”

Zahad this time let out a growl. He crossed his arms and pouted at the mention of his grandmother. The woman had long since passed of old age over twenty years ago. But still, even in death she liked to harass him and remind him how much he had disappointed her and the family. Zahad felt his eyes roll already at the thought of the very sour woman and meeting her during his meditative state on the Solar Eclipse.

Makai rubbed their head against Zahad. “I’m sorry to remind you—”

“No, no! It’s not your fault the woman is as mad as Zali herself.” Zahad heard the mental chuckle of Makai’s sweet deep voice in his head.

“But there’s something else bothering you about my leaving, isn’t there?” Zahad asked gently.

Makai sighed and Zahad felt their shoulders droop. Makai mentally sighed. “I’ve been dreaming about poppies… and my father.”

“Oh,” the word softly echoes from Zahad’s lips.

A dark atmosphere settled over both alphas. Makai’s father had been a difficult alpha to kill and his spirit even harder to subdue. Zahad made sure, personally, that his soul was buried in the oblivion of the white lilies.

Zahad’s eyes grew a slightly darker shade of purple at the idea of Makai’s father trying to reach them. Zahad’s lips unconsciously formed into a snarl. Makai rubbed his head against Zahad’s and purred. Zahad shivered and calmed at the sound of his partner’s purring.

“Thank you, my love. That is troubling. I’ll talk to the current high priestess and see what I can do.”

“Thank you but I still don’t want you to go.”

Zahad groaned and Makai chuckled.

“Fine then can we at least get ready to see the pack? You know the pups get excited seeing you,” Zahad teased.

Makai let out a nervous grumble and curled around Zahad. It was more like they were trying to curl into themselves than curl around. Makai huffed, and rubbed their head against Zahad’s. They snorted and nodded. Zahad cheekily smiled and kissed his lover’s cheek.

“Alright, let’s get ready. I need to braid your pretty hair,” Zahad chuckled.

Makai blushed and their hair puffed up like a large cloud. It only furthered Zahad’s chuckling as he led him through there large cavern like home. Zahad spoke a simply command and all of their stalagmite chandeliers glowed. Some glowed a different hue infused with different crystals for different lightning purposes. Zahad had choosen a soft ametrine light to fill their personal bathhouse. A light purple mixed with flecks of gold.

Once they had settled into the giant stone basin, Zahad unscrewed the rock allowing the water from the channel to stream into their tub. Makai spoke a command and the heating rocks activated until it was the right temperature creating steam in their bathhouse. Once the tub was filled Zahad placed the rock back in its place.

Zahad lengenthed his claws knowing Makai loved the feeling of him running it through his hair. He got a porcelain bottle filled with soap, slathered it onto his hand and went to work on Makai’s scalp. Makai shuddered and let out a purr almost mixed with a growl. Their wolf ears relaxing as Zahad rubbed them too.

Zahad combed his claws through Makai’s hair. Occasionally dancing them on Makai’s scalp eliciting growl and whines from Makai. All which drove Zahad and his own wolf crazy.

“Does my pretty wolf like his hair being washed?” Zahad giggled, working out the knots in Makai’s hair.

Makai whined in agreeance. Zahad drew a particular claw down the center of Makai’s scalp. Makai whipped around throwing water out of the basin. His nostrils flared and they glared at their cycle mate. Zahad cackled as Makai pressed him against the basin. Zahad pouted and gave them an innocent face.

“What? I’m massaging your scalp my love. Nothing to be so worked up about… pup?”

Makai growled, drawing his canines over his lip. “Do not start something you don’t intend to finish.”

Zahad’s eyes deepened to an amethyst purple. “I always finish my pretty wolf.”

A stark shade of red crossed Makai’s deep brown skin. His skin similar to the color of the dark wood trees that surrounded their part of the mountain. Makai let out a squeak and pushed Zahad to the edge of the basin. They shook their head at Zahad and started washing their own hair.

An exasperated sigh left Zahad and he giggled. He practically had to swim towards Makai while Makai stood comfortably in the basin. Zahad rubbed Makai’s shoulder to which Makai let out a huff.

“Okay, okay, I’m sorry! I thought you wanted some light teasing. I won’t tease anymore and will properly wash your hair.”

Makai grunted and begrudgingly turned around to face their partner. They got into an almost seated position in the water. Zahad shortened his claws a bit so they wouldn’t be as sensitive on Makai’s scalp, but only a little. The occasional whimper or growl would still leave Makai’s plump lips.

Zahad simply shook his head at his mate. “Well, thank you for letting me do this my love but why was your hair in this state to begin with. You usually don’t let it get this tangled.” Zahad said quietly using his claws to slice through a particularly difficult knot.

Makai growled and then it softened into a different kind of noise. “It didn’t feel right or good, it just…,” he sighed, “not good.”

Zahad numbly ran through his claws over and over through Makai’s long hair. His hair was starting to reach his tail which for any Oluri Mbwa was a sign of great pride. But knowing Makai he would most likely want to cut it soon. Zahad kissed Makai’s forehead.

“Did it feel not good or did taking care of yourself feel not good?”

Makai kind of huffed and shook his hand in the middle.

Zahad sighed. “Well we will discuss this when I get back, but for now, I just want to enjoy taking care of you and your pretty hair,” Zahad chuckled.

Makai snorted. “You aren’t leaving the mountain.”

Zahad rolled his eyes. “Oh for the sake of Zali!”

For that morning Zahad and Makai argued whether verbally or mentally about Zahad leaving the mountain. To avoid Makai’s wolf making an appearance Zahad dropped the issue for the sake of peace. But if there was thing to know about Zahad of the Amika Sama, once he wanted something, he got it. And when it came to Makai, he always got what he wanted.

They exited their den stepping out of the many caves that ran through the mountains. The alpha pairing were immediately greeted by wolves in their packs. As if sensing their presence, pups ran up and jumped on to Makai. Makai nervously chuckled as practically an army of pups held him down to the ground. Some had recently shifted and were small wolves jumping on top of them. Makai chuckled and kissed their noses while he patted the heads of the non-shifted pups.

Their parents immediately ran up to the alpha, apologizing for the excitement of the pups. Makai shook his head and ushered the pups away from him and back to their parents. Some pups whined and at the slightest sign of their distress Makai immediately resumed his position of laying on the ground. Zahad snorted as all of this unfolded. It took much convincing and a little prying off before the pups eventually backed off their alpha.

Zahad cheekly grinned at Makai. “So, what was that about the pups not loving you?”

Makai bared his fangs and his lover simply laughed at him. Makai rolled his eyes and took Zahad’s hand in his as they strolled through their lands.

Not much was known about the inner most parts of the mountain. Most thought they were practically villagers living in destitute from the isolation of the world and that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Orbs of light made of solid stone lit the make shift snow roads. The orbs were decorated with different crystals to create a warm light affect.

They passed farmers, herders, and of course the miners as the two walked through the land. Makai and Zahad especially paid their respect towards the miners. It was due to them that any Oluri Mbwa pack managed to get anything done. Crystals were the light (literally) and source of pride for the Oluri Mbwa. Crystals were what made their tribe run within the Juafera trifecta and so the miners were deeply respected.

Slowly they descended towards the edge of their packs territory. Makai’s body stiffened looking at the white impasse before them. He unconsciously growled at the “unknown” territory. And yet with their eyesight, they could clearly see the next pack over.

Zahad looked over at his mate. He could see the golden hue of his irisis tinge with darkness. Zahad rubbed Makai’s thumb, slowly making his way towards him. Zahad stood right in front of Makai’s sight, as if distracting them from what lay beyond.

“Well if you want to stop me, you’re going to have to catch me!” Zahad snickered.

Makai’s ears twitched before he recognized what Zahad said. As the words left Zahad’s lips, he shifted into a rather large wolf. He was at least six feet tall which for an alpha was comparatively short to the rest. He only ran a little down the mountain before Makai immediately gave chase.

While Zahad’s wolf was a mix of greys and black, Makai’s was purely black. As the two sprinted down the mountains, they shortly became a blur. Makai darted in and out of trees to keep up with his partner. Moments passed between them as what would’ve been a day maybe days trip shortened into a fraction of the time in their wolf form. But the closer they got to the base of the mountain the more Makai’s wolf seemed… unstable.

Just before they breeched Alpha Abeni’s territory Makai’s wolf dug its heels into the snowy ground. Zahad stopped, shortly in front of him. He tilted his head and whined confused.

Makai’s eyes, weren’t exactly right. The golden hue had been tainted now with white. Makai’s wolf simply stood there, unmoving, and almost unbreathing. There was just something a little off about the movement. His skin almost seemed to sag off him, like his pelt was falling off. An almost shadowy like trail wrapped itself around Makai. Zahad whined and ran back up to his cycle mate. He immediately began to rub himself against Makai.

Makai’s wolf moved its head at a twisted angle, confused by the affection. Zahad moved a little back and transformed back into his humanoid appearance. He slowed the transformation as to not startle Makai. The fur receeded back into his rich brown, tiger’s eye skin. Bones snapped and changed, growing less dense as well. He stroked Makai’s wolf head shushing him as if we were a pup.

“You silly pup, this is why you didn’t want me to leave.”

Makai snarled but huffed. They twisted their body and shook. The sagging skin kind of reattached itself to Makai’s body but not precisely. It was almost like an imitation of a wolf and not a real one. Zahad kissed Makai’s snout.

“Alright, let’s see if I still remember this.”

Zahad took a deep breath. His lazy lilac eyes richened to a deep amythest purple. Vines grew on his arms and lilies sprouted across the vine tattoos. They wrapped around him. He whispered something, as if whispering into the void. The void spoke back. Zahad’s cala lily tattoos edged themselves off his body and began to wrap themselves around Makai.

Makai snapped his neck and tried to grab one of the lilies. Instead, an almost white like bile drooled out his mouth. Zahad winced. Over the years the signs of the experiments Makai’s father conducted on him became clearer and clearer. But still to this day no one could explain what caused them.

Especially this particular symptom: Makai going rogue. An unfortunate illness that plagued the soul of wolves once their mind shattered. Essentially the wolf no longer recognized the atijan body it was in. It became wild and uncontrollable, no longer recognizing anyone, even itself. The oluri mbwa’s body would begin to kind of rot and fall apart. A physical representation of the mental state. There were ways to bring someone back from this but people didn’t always fully heal, people like Makai.

“Oh silly pup, those are not fang toys for you.” Zahad chuckled with a little tear glimmering in his eyes. His eyes bled ever so slightly, the over exertion of this “simple” (very powerful actually) use of his power was wearing him out.

So, he did as he did this morning. He instructed the lilies to rub Makai’s ears, he slowly moved down to the shoulder, and once more he began back up to the hair or rather fur. But rather than rub one spot of Makai’s body he let the lily vines enjoy all of his body. He rubbed his head, their underbelly, their tail. Makai’s body shuddered, whether in pleasure or pain was hard to decide.

Makai’s body shifted once more. The white bile stopped and returned to more regular form of saliva. The whiteness of his eyes retreated. As if being banished back to the void and the golden hue of his irises returned. Makai’s body strengthened. The skin snapped back, no longer falling apart or deteriorating. Makai was back to exactly how he was before he left the mountain.

Zahad smiled, revealing his sharp and large canines. He collapsed into the snow but burly hands caught him gently. A sharp whine echoed in his ears. Zahad winced but reached up to stroke the face of who these tears belonged to. Makai rubbed his face against Zahad’s.

“None of that pup. You aren’t at fault, but why didn’t you tell me you were having episodes again?”

Makai whined and grunted. He breathed and brought Zahad’s forehead to his own. “I didn’t want to worry you but I didn’t want you to leave either.”

Zahad chuckled. “Has anyone told you, you’re as mad as Zali herself?”

Makai sniffled and nodded. “Only you because you’re equally as crazy to insult her.”

Zahad chuckled and kissed Makai’s snout. “Because that woman needs to be taken down a peg.”

“Goddess,” Makai corrected. Makai shuddered for a moment. They shook their head and gave Zahad a gentle smile.

Zahad frowned.

Makai shook their head. “No, I’m okay. I’m okay.”

Zahad called the lilies back into the body. He dropped to his knees and tried to take deep breaths. Blood dribbled down his face from his eyes. Makai circled his body around Zahad. They rubbed their head against him and whined softly. Zahad sighed and patted the side of Makai’s head.

“I’m okay, love, I’m okay. We’re going to be okay.”

Makai nodded. They nudged Zahad’s head. “You’re not shifting after that. Climb on my back, which part of the mountain are we going to?”

Zahad chuckled. They kissed Makai’s ear. “You always do spoil me. We’re going all the way down to the mountain. Abeni and Addae are accompanying me.”

Makai let out a deep rumble and his wolf lips curled into a kind of smile. “Those pups? Oh this is going to be adorable.”

Zahad snickered. “Oh, I can’t wait to torture those two. Now, carry me my pretty wolf.”

Makai rolled his eyes. Makai helped Zahad up with his nose until he was in a proper standing position. Makai lowered their body onto the ground, allowing Zahad to climb on. As soon as Zahad was properly secured onto Makai’s back, Makai took off. His large ten foot form zipped down the mountain. Zahad whopping echoed in the wind as they ran.

Makai slowed as the other two Alphas, Abeni and Addae, came into view. They stood at the border of their packlands. Just at the edge of the base of the mountain, where the incline would begin, they stood there. They both looked curiously at the pair of wolves.

Usually, Makai didn’t come down the mountain even when it was an Alpha’s council meeting. Even then the meeting always had to be up the mountain towards the peak. Or the closest they could manage to get Makai down was the middle of the mountain. But here stood Makai at the edge of the base of the mountain and it looked like he came willingly. Zahad hopped off Makai, landing in the hard snow. He grinned and dragged Abeni and Addae into a hug.

“How’s my favorite two pups doing?”

Zahad asked with a big smile. Makai shifted back into their atijan form. They cracked a few joints getting them into their proper place. They gave a small greeting and backed away from the party.

“Ugh, how are you old man? What? Your bones too tired that Makai had to carry you down the mountain?” Abeni asked, chuckling.

Abeni’s eyes were a sky blue similar to an aquamarine crystal. Her skin was the color of the earth during spring time—a deep ruddy brown. She had her hair locked up and little moonstone gems decorated them or hung off the locs.

“I’ll have you know my bones are very tired and Makai loves carrying me down the mountain,” Zahad said with a smirk.

Addae sighed and shook his head. His long locs swung in the wind. Addae was the tallest out of the group. Where Makai stood around 6’7, Addae was easily 7’0 or taller. Addae’s skin was similar to black tourmaline.

“When will you two stop acting like children?” Addae asked.

Zahad and Abeni turned and looked at each other.

“When Zahad stops being a loose wolf.”

“That’s rich coming from the mountain base here. You know since you like being available to everyone and every type of atijan under the moon.” They looked at each other and cackled. Addae and Makai simply huffed at how the two insulted each other.

“I’m sorry to inform you but Zahad isn’t going down the mountain,” Makai said softly.

Addae and Abeni gave each other a look. “We kind of expected you to say that,” Abeni said.

Addae nodded and patted Makai’s shoulders. “We knew you weren’t keen on letting Zahad out of your claws, so we expected as much.”

Makai frowned momentarily. “Really? You’re giving up so easily?”

“I mean it would be a damn shame that Nillia wouldn’t have me around. You know, she is still such a young pup, still so untrained in the ways of the lilies,” Zahad said with an exasperated sigh. Makai frowned and shook his head.

“Your theatrics have only gotten worse of the years my amethyst lily.”

Zahad huffed. “And you’ve only gotten moodier, pup.”

“You know as dramatic as Zahad is, he has a point.” Addae said.

“And who better for him to be with than us! He’ll have all the protection and safety he needs,” Abeni said with a smile.

Makai’s scowled and looked away. No, they couldn’t falter. How could they let Zahad leave around this time? Around such a vulnerable time that no one would know how to care for him? For just as Makai had his difficulty around the Sol Festical, Zahad did as well.

Being from the Amika Sama pack made it no easier as the strength of his connection to their ancestral plane was double that of the normal Oluri Mbwa. His soul would begin to feel itself tugged into the other realm the closer the Sol Festival arrived. And with that Makai worried. They worried silently at all the things that go wrong. They worried to the point that their cyclemate’s voice was drowned out of their head. Makai was only brought back when he felt the ticklish vines running through his scalp.

Makai lifted his gaze from the ground. He saw drops of red on the white snow. He hadn’t even felt the prick of his own claws in in his palms. Makai looked up to Zahad’s eyes, shame marking his own face.

Zahad’s eyes were once more a deep purple. They bled ever so slightly as the lily vine tattoos on his body wrapped themselves around Makai. Makai bent down towards his lover and held him.

“Shh, it’s alright, it’s alright.”

“I’m sorry,” Makai said quietly.

“You really do have to stop apologizing,” Abeni said as she decided to hug the kneeling Alpha.

“Wow, you know it must be true if Abeni agrees,” Addae said joining in on the hug. Makai sighed and huffed. They let out a small purr receiving a cuddle pile from the only people he could truly call ‘friends.’

“If Zahad leaves the mountain, will the rest of you care for him?” Makai spoke in a small voice. They could feel the giant alpha rock as he was clearly distressed by the idea of his cyclemate leaving his side.

“Of course.” Addae and Abeni said together. The two looked at each other and blush.

“Pups,” Zahad mumbled out with a snicker. Their cute interaction also brought out an amused huff from Makai.

“Hey, how about we braid your hair pretty wolf? As my going away present?” Zahad said, his lilies still gently rubbing against Makai’s skin. Makai let out a sigh and slowly nodded.

Zahad grinned. “Well you heard the alpha, this is a hair emergency!” Zahad said.

Makai chuckled. He felt the lily vines retreating and making their way back into Zahad’s body. The other alphas sat around Makai, creating a circle in the snow. They divided Makai’s hair into sections with their claws. It wasn’t always preferred as the more professional way would have been to grab a crystal comb but their claws were just as efficient.

Makai calmed with every strand that was wrapped around another as the other alphas began to braid his hair. It was although the braiding was erasing the stress and worries they had about Zahad leaving the mountain. Makai’s body relaxed as he felt their claws on his scalp. He let out a happy chuff sound and his hair puffed up again.

“Oh my god that is so cute,” Abeni exclaimed, “Addae is the same way if you scratch his ears.”

“Stop talking, please,” Addae growled. His cheeks exuded a ruby red blush.

“Oooh, or what Addae? I seem to remember that you enjoyed my talking a lot—”

“Pups,” Makai and Zahad said with slight smirks on their faces. They both chuckled and Zahad kissed his cheek as he finished an entire braid by himself.

Addae and Abeni growled at the older Alphas before continue to braid Makai’s hair. Though Zahad and Makai enjoyed teasing Addae and Abeni about being pups that wasn’t really the case. Zahad and Makai were only twenty years older than Addae and Abeni. Addae and Abeni were only in their 50s while Zahad and Makai were in their 70s. Which pretty much put them in the same range of age of being in quite early adulthood.

“There, how do you feel?” Zahad asked as the other alphas finished braiding Makai’s hair.

Makai’s hair now fell down to his midback. He swung around the 24 box braids on his head. He blushed and bent down to kiss Zahad. His eyes drooped and he once again wrapped his arms around Zahad. They inhaled his scent and closed their eyes.

“I’ll miss you,” Makai finally spoke.

“And I’ll miss you of course!” Zahad said hugging him tighter.

“If you meet anyone cute, you better introduce me to them,” Makai said.

Zahad cackled. “Only if you do the same, if you get out of your hidey hole.”

Makai grumbled and blushed. Tears pricked their skin due to the cold of the mountain air. “I love you, and no matter what Zali and Luna couldn’t separate us if they tried,” Makai whisperd into Zahad’s ears.

Zahad looked at their lover with gentle eyes. He knew Makai couldn’t shake the past. The war that shaped him into the alpha that he is today. But Zahad smiled, smiled anyway in hoping that he could one day see that joyous smile on his cyclemate’s face.

“That is true but I am not off to war my love. I will see you in a month’s time. I just hope you’ll have energy for our fun in a month’s time,” Zahad snickered.

Makai chuckled and kissed Zahad. Addae and Abeni just looked at the very much in love wolves and awed. A pang of bittersweetness both hit them as they looked at each other. They both smiled awakardly at the other. What could have been them played in the other’s mind but alas the lilies didn’t wish it so. And so here they stood now in the awkward phase of friendship and estranged lovers.

Makai loosened his grip off of Zahad. He turned to Abeni and Addae and nodded at them. “Make sure he doesn’t get into too much trouble. I don’t think angry Misadime trekking up the mountains would be fun for any parties involved.”

Zahad scoffed but he knew this was just Makai keeping conversation going. Conversation going on long enough that he didn’t have time to registar the dull ache that would begin when Zahad left the mountains.

“I’m well behaved, it’s these pups you have to worry about,” Zahad said.

Addae shook his head. “I’ll take good care of him. And hopefully stop Abeni from being a bad influence.”

“Please we’re both bad influences,” Abeni chuckled. Abeni swirled her hands raising the snow from the ground. The snow evaporated and reformed into a very large and puffy cloud. Abeni, Zahad, and Addae climbed on. Zahad gave Makai one last kiss before they went sliding down the snow on the snow cloud. Makai’s form shrinking in the distance. But Makai and Zahad kept their eyes on each other for as long as they could.