Waning Twilight

[Rythos]

He lay in the glade, the light of the setting sun dappling gently around him as he waited, waited, waited... He could feel the heat of the day leaving his white-furred pelt while it stayed deeply in his mane, keeping him warm as long as he needed to be. He gave it a shake and yawned, blinking his blue eyes at the darkening sky. He licked at a paw, ear flicking gently, and he waited ever longer.

And then he came, like a shadow from the darkness. He emerged into the glade on soft paws, black pelt still hot from the day. His gentle, pink-tinted eyes blinked back at the white one, and his tail wagged softly. They said nothing, for they both knew why they were here, and it needed no words.

Nothing could be said when they only desired to escape the world.

[Rythos]

"I've waited for you, Noc," came the white-pelt's soft voice across the glade. The black-pelt looked up as it crossed the thin stream, mouth falling open. He passed the last of the stepping-stones, approaching the white pelt and touching noses with him. The white pelt pulled away, looking concerned. "But you know I can't stay long."

"I wish it was different, Di," sighed Noctus, the black-pelted one. "Still, we can watch the sun set together." He stared up at the sky of changing colors, feeling the white of his mane releasing the summer heat and cooling him slowly. It was perfect for him, the way the heat was perfect for Diurne.

[Rythos]

"Indeed we can," Di's voice was as soft as the wag of his silken tail, and his own eyes drifted upwards to the great expanse above. "But then, I must go - as you well know." Noc's ears flicked back to press against his skull. He did know, and he regretted the knowledge. Yet, there was nothing he could do... he would have to bear the fact.

"...has anything new happened while the sun touched the sky?" he asked his white-pelted partner, eyes still to the sky. He saw the shoulders shrug, and the light voice answered again.

"Not really. The K9's ran rampant again, I could have strangled them." Noc gave a gentle, rumbling chuckle. Yes, that sounded just like his Di, didn't it?

[Rythos]

"...Noctus?" The black Volpe turned to look at him as Diurne spoke. "Why are we the way we are? we have only sunrise and sunfall together - we are from different worlds. Yet," He stood, looking over his companion. "We are the same. We have similar bodies, and both have flecked manes about our necks." He blinked his pale blue eyes, looking questioning. "Why is this? I've always wondered how two so different should be so alike."

[Rythos]

Noctus tilted his head at his companion, wondering. ".. I don't know, Di. Maybe because everything has to have something in common?" The white Volpe shook its head, and Noc heaved another sigh. "You can hardly expect me to know the answer, Di. You know how I am." He was beginning to get a little irate - he was hardly deep in the least! Why was he asking these things of him in the first place? He just... didn't understand it.

[Rythos]

He didn't understand, Diurne knew that. Noctus had always had a mind more focused on reality than Di's wandering mind. Perhaps it was better that way. "I know, Noctus," he said, mouth lolling open. "I was only wondering aloud, really. I don't have an answer any more than you. It's just... how it is, I guess." He didn't guess - he knew. He stared up at the darkening sky again, and slipped back into thought.

[Rythos]

Noctus tilted his head, face clouded with confusion. He... didn't understand Di sometimes. He didn't think he ever really would. He guessed it was better that way - he listened, but he didn't draw on the conversation. Just let things work their way through Di's mind in their own time. "... if you say so, Diurne." He follow his partner's gaze to the sky. "I trust you."

[Rythos]

Twilight was quickly fading into night, and Diurne felt his strength fading. He had been up since dawn, after all - it was natural for him to be tired. Stretching out, he got to his feet. A yawn split his jaws, and he straightened, shaking out his great jet mane. "It's time for me to go, Noc. Day's past, and night is here." He flicked his tail, blinking his eyes softly. "Will I see you at sunrise?"

[Rythos]

Noctus felt an unhappy emotion rise within him as Diurne rose, knowing what it meant. He listened, ears slipping back on his head. "Of course." He stood as well, padding closer. He stretched out his muzzle, brushing it delicately against the side of his partner's. "I'll miss you," he said quietly as he drew away. "As always."

[Rythos]

Diurne pulled away from Noctus as well, looking into his eyes. "And I'll miss you," he said, his voice just low. "Return to the stream at first light - I'll be waiting." With those words to part, he turned to face the stream, and sprang lightly across it in a single bound. He didn't even need to look over his shoulder as he bounded through the thicket - he knew Noctus was standing on the other bank, watching with pale eyes of gentle pink, as he vanished from sight.