ironysoul: (human - whaaaaaat?)
[personal profile] ironysoul
One hundred years in feline form, and now walking on two legs feels stilted. There was a knot between his shoulders that Al knew he could stretch out if he switched to fur. He could hunker down on his haunches and reach his front paws out far, sinking into a bow that would make every nodule of his spine pop. But while King Peter hadn't expressly banned fur, Al (and for that matter, the rest of the pride) still felt like it was something frowned upon now. Lesser, than their human form. At the very least that they should be grateful for it being restored.

He flexed paws (hands) and reminded himself again that his claws wouldn't unsheathe from the tips of his fingers. A hundred years in fur, and after almost a decade being able to change, he still felt wrong in this one.

At least, in the years since the age of winter, the pride had been restored to Cair Paravel. They'd served as stewards for generations, until Jadis had banished them. Not, Al was forced to admit, that he'd have been a particularly deft housekeeper with four paws. Maybe he could have dusted with his tail. The thought made him giggle.

Date: 2018-07-23 03:05 pm (UTC)
just_edmund: (pic#8450593)
From: [personal profile] just_edmund
Edmund churred with laughter and swatted back. This did indeed feel more like play than a battle, but he still wanted to win. If only to prove a point. He might have an omega's heats now, but he could still fight with the best of the alphas.

Finally came the pounce he'd been waiting for. Mentally, he was ready for it - there just was no way to physically prepare for a full-fledged barrage from a Lion of Al's size. Edmund tried to wriggle free. He kicked up with his back legs, where most of his power originated. With each movement, he resisted the urge to simply lay back and present his neck to Al. Not an easy feat when Al smelled like every delicious thing in the world, his body hot from the fight and surging with dominant energy, while Edmund's was full of those new and frightening instincts to surrender.

He aimed his kick for Al's belly. "You're not the only one who -"

Date: 2018-07-23 07:36 pm (UTC)
just_edmund: (pic#8572587)
From: [personal profile] just_edmund
And just like that, his fate was sealed. It was a move he hadn't expected Al to actually use on him. Not with how chaste Al always insisted on being around him, cautious to the point of putting as much distance between them as possible. Edmund had known nuns less prudish than the alpha Lion.

But today...those were his jaws delicately hugging Edmund's neck, the killing blow that Edmund would honor in combat, while the act itself was...the most dominant Al had ever been with him. Deep in his throat, the Panther King whined. Al had won, yes, and that was a sore point for Edmund's pride. But Al had also just climbed on top of him and given him the gentlest of bites, and every sinuous bone in Edmund's body reveled in it. He couldn't be sorry he'd lost.

He didn't want it to end.

One of Edmund's hind legs twitched and he offered Al a toothy grin. "You're not the only one who won today."

Date: 2018-07-24 01:38 am (UTC)
just_edmund: (pic#8450595)
From: [personal profile] just_edmund
It was strange, Edmund thought as he yielded and Al retreated to his prim starting stance. He'd have thought being around Al would make all aspects of his omega nature more intense. But it wasn't that way at all. The longer he was close to Al, the more like his old self he felt, the proud, jaunty, and incorrigible King Edmund. He ached in all sorts of ways, of course, to feel those teeth on his neck and the alpha's body holding down his own once more, in the privacy of some tent or bower. And somehow those feelings and his true self and his love for Al could all co-exist inside him at once in a kind of harmony.

He heard the announcer declare the victor - "Alphonse Elric!" - and under the cover of the cheers that followed, Edmund flipped over onto his paws and crouched low. A single moment of deference for Al's well-deserved win, while he muttered cheekily, "I didn't know you were capable of lying, Al." He knew exactly what Edmund meant by both of them winning a little. Al had his victory and his title to win...and Edmund had the reassurance that, mis-matched as they were, their bodies could not be more complementary.

Rising up proudly, he lifted his head and grinned, arching his spine and feeling it crackle as he looked out into the crowd. He caught sight of Kala then, and the look on her face was inexplicable. Cold fury, like something about this outcome had not just upset her but ruined her entire day. The outcome...or his behavior during the match? Or...Al himself?

Date: 2018-07-24 04:18 am (UTC)
just_edmund: (pic#8622497)
From: [personal profile] just_edmund
Caught by Kala's cold stare, Edmund was suddenly aware of the pressure of Al's body against him. The shoulder-to-shoulder of pack. His chest tightened; his body gave a small but profound shudder. It was almost more intense than the full-bodied contact, that feeling of solidarity and Al literally by his side, protecting him. Breath whooshed out of his lungs in a creaky...purr.

He pressed subtly against Al. "Well-fought, friend." A slight turn of his head brought his whiskers brushing the silky ends of mane. Edmund could practically taste Al's scent that way. It was glorious. He made no overt moves to deepen the contact, just quivered with silent happiness that Al was still figuratively and literally in his camp.

They were to retreat to their separate tents to transform and redress, but Edmund couldn't let this be the last he saw of Al today. "Come to our den, after Ed's fight?" he murmured beneath his breath. The Pevensies had a very comfortable suite for their own private use, with plush sofas and cushions for lounging by the hearth, a small larder for midnight snacks, and a lavish bath chamber. They could talk with utmost discretion there.

Date: 2018-07-24 01:34 pm (UTC)
just_edmund: (pic#8450594)
From: [personal profile] just_edmund
Edmund had to say, he was proud of Al and how he'd fought. If he had to lose to anybody, Edmund was glad it'd been him. He smiled to himself, hearing so much adulation heaped Al's way, all of which Edmund agreed with whole-heartedly. His talk with Kala had left him with more questions than answers, ones he hoped Al would have, or at least help him sort through the truth of what lay behind the strange changes. He could hardly believe what they said about her was true.

The spectacle that awaited him when he returned to the royal dais, however, was one that defied belief. It wasn't specifically against the rules to transform in the middle of the fight - but it was certainly understood that the agreed-upon form should be kept, and to bring weapons against a Were who was not armed - it went against every Narnian principle. Edmund was appalled. Any pride he might have had in Kala and her skill was swept away by the unsportsmanlike behavior.

Until the moment where she began to shed unnecessary blood. The older Elric had already lost - and still, the Panther attacked him viciously. Edmund sprang to his feet - but Peter was already there, shouting for the match to stop, ordering the guards to separate the two. They had to pull Kala off of the bleeding Lion. Edmund felt like he was in shock. How could she -

"Charges will need to be drawn up," Susan said gravely beside him. Lucy looked ready to play judge, jury, and executioner right then and there, but she had a job to do, cordial in hand, and rushed to Edward's side. And Edmund...needed more than ever to talk to Al.

There were multiple matters for the Pevensies to sort out in the meantime. It was agreed upon that charges would have to wait until the conclusion of the tournament, and that until then, Kala would walk free but with increased security around her. The Pride looked in a worse state than Lucy, and the crowd was tense. The peacekeeping guards would be stretched thin. Already, Susan was at work, calling for rounds of refreshments to be dispersed while they summoned the musicians to entertain and soothe the fraught guests.

At least, Edmund reflected with a worried glance at Al, there would be no danger to Ed after Lucy treated him. Al could rest easy with his brother healed. Still, he'd be upset, and the hours would chafe between the aftermath of the match and when Edmund could finally meet with him. It seemed like another day entirely by the time they were able to escape to the privacy of the suite, where he'd requested a few moments alone with Al. The Pevensies would need to convene at some point privately as well, but the others had nodded knowingly at him when he'd asked them, and he had the room to himself when Al finally arrived.

Date: 2018-07-25 01:43 am (UTC)
just_edmund: (pic#8572563)
From: [personal profile] just_edmund
Prepared to comfort Al, Edmund was instead met with the blast of anger that was so strange to see on Al's face. It wasn't the cold rage of Kala's stare but the heat of righteous fury that blazed in him now, apparent before he even said a word.

Edmund shut the door firmly behind them so that they would not be overheard. "There will be a trial. She's leveled serious accusations against the Lions. Conspiracy to implicate her in past and present rebellions. Threats against her life. This was a warning, she claimed."

He rubbed his forehead with one hand. His head was beginning to throb from the pressures of the day. "There's no justification for what she did out there. I can scarce believe it myself. She wishes to relearn Narnian ways. This - this is not the way."

Date: 2018-07-27 03:50 am (UTC)
just_edmund: (pic#8572567)
From: [personal profile] just_edmund
Immediately, Edmund felt himself rising to the defense as well. He'd run with her. He'd let her scent him. She had never done anything that had given him any indication that she was capable of such savagery.

He exhaled. His drive to fight warred with his loyalty to Al, and even the beginnings of loyalty to Kala. Was this what Aslan had seen in him when he'd named him Just? "Because the truth is not known yet. There are accusations of wrongdoing on both sides. If the Pride is targeting her for imprisonment or death, that's just as bad. And there's no time for a trial right now - and even if there were, we'd need time to gather evidence."

His posture was supplicant, hands clasped in front of him, his dark eyes wide beneath the boyish bangs. He wanted desperately for Al to believe he acted as his duty called for. "I'm sorry about your brother, Al. So very sorry. It won't happen again. She has a guard at her door, another patrolling her hall. So...do the Lions." He didn't want to believe that they were implicated. But he didn't want to believe that Kala had ripped into Al's brother and poisoned him without justification.

Edmund took a tiny, hesitant step towards Al. The surge of authority that the fight had granted him seemed wavering, and yet around Al he had never wanted more to live up to his title. "Please. I cannot only favor you and your kin. Or mine. Justice will prevail, in time."

Date: 2018-07-29 02:06 pm (UTC)
just_edmund: (pic#8450592)
From: [personal profile] just_edmund
Al's anger towards her was justified. But as Edmund felt it turning his way as well, he couldn't keep from cringing. Don't be stupid, he told himself. This isn't your fault. He should be furious at Al for blaming him - 'playing into her hands', was he? - and yet all he could muster was some indignation and a feeling that he needed to defend himself and his kind. Consoling the heat of Al's wrath, though, consumed his heart. He let it.

"After today, her behavior is certainly more suspect. And it won't go unpunished. That, I promise you." Another step, his head bowing, until his forehead could almost nuzzle Al's shoulder. "She could never turn me against you." The murmur was low and husky, almost intimate. Part of him wanted to give in and do what Al wanted without question. Another part wanted to negotiate for Al's favor with it. Or he could just accept that Al was never going to love him, while Kala clearly sought him.

Edmund reached a hand to cup Al's chin. "Perhaps I want you to ask for my favor. Or for me to ask for yours. Perhaps I wouldn't seek it elsewhere if I had - "

Another alpha to guide him.

Date: 2018-08-01 04:52 am (UTC)
just_edmund: (pic#8450600)
From: [personal profile] just_edmund
Edmund flushed a deep, dark red. Embarrassment and anger warred within, competing with those strange new instincts. But instinct couldn't hold back the hurt and recoil he felt at those accusations.

"Enough!" he roared at Al, though his limbs were shaking. "I don't need a presumptuous Lion berating me to justify my decisions. I answer to Aslan. Not to you."

Taken aback was putting it lightly. Edmund felt torn apart by the things Al thought of him now. But he couldn't show it. It would be weakness, and he'd already shown enough of that today.

"I am sorry about your brother," he said again, eyes still blazing with some of that old fire. "I wished you to advise me...but all you've done is insult me and urge me to act unjustly. I see I was wrong to confide in you." Silently fuming, he stalked to the door, unlocked it, and flung it open. "Go. I know it's your dearest wish."

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