Snow Flower

[Malakim]

His strength was back his body had recovered, more importantly he was happy. Life was as he wanted it, full of comfort and happiness. Even though everything was good with Malakim, the other troll in his life still had problems.

Kiva's speech and understanding of the world had become broken and it was about time he acted like he should, like the being that he wanted to be. There was nothing he wanted more than to make everyone happy to make everything around him be as happy as himself, and though she seemed happy she seemed sad when she was trying to remember something and couldn't quite come up with what she wanted.

Malakim lay awake in their bed, staring at the ceiling coated in the darkness of the early morning. "What can I do to help her? What has made me remember things when I have forgotten them?"

The darkness around the ceiling swirled and pooled, twisting and reforming. He saw the image that the shadows his brother had moved take shape...

"A flower..."

It was the symbol he associated with Kiva, it was the scent he picked off her the first time he saw her. It was the gift he brought home when his soul had splintered apart just to see her smile.

It would take some time, but he had an idea, there might be somethings he could get in order, but it would take most of the day to get everything set.

Malakim rolled towards the side of the bed and whispered to Kiwi, "I need your help friend, I need you to get somethings set up for me..." The whispering went on for quite a time as he explained his plan to Kiwi who chirped eagerly.

Kiwi tilted his head as he questioned Malakim with a squawk, "You leave that to me, just have everything ready by tonight."

The troll smiled as he leaned his head back on his pillow awaiting the first light of the morning, it would take some time for everything to be set up perfectly. Which gave him time to have fun today, something he hadn't done in a long time.

[Malakim]

Malakim walked around the hut pacing silently back and forth thinking of all he wanted to do today everything he wanted to accomplish. There were several plans he came up with and shot down, thinking they were either too hard, too difficult or just plain too random.

The light of the new day began to shine through the window and Malakim ran his hand through his hair, shaking his head he laughed. "Plans are made to be changed and since when was a day fun when you just followed a set path?"

The troll sat at the edge of the bed watching as the light poured in from the window cascading across the room and filling it with warmth. Kiva's red hair always stood out in the sunlight it was beautiful along with the rest of her, there was no better way than for Malakim to spend his morning staring at his desire made flesh and blood.

"When you awake I promise you a fantastic day, because you deserve for me to be better, and at the very least show you a perfect day. Seeing as all my days become perfect because of you."

[Khiskiva]

Kiva didn't really move much in her sleep, even though beneath her eyelids, her eyes raced back and forth. She was having the same strange dreams she always did, which included everything from giant fire elementals, to an old blue raptor, to babies, to snakes. Always there were snakes. Huge fanged serpents that unchericteristically wrapped around her body like constrictors and opened their jaws wide enough to fit her entire body.

"No no no!" She screamed in terror, until she woke up to a beam of yellow sunlight in her ruby colored eyes.

Stirring from beneath the sheets, the Sandfury wiped sleep from her eyes and yawned. In front of her was Mala, who had treated her with such kindness and love that she couldn't imagine being without him. She had no words in her brain to express these feelings, so instead she gave him a joyous smile and said, "Cuddle?"

[Malakim]

Malakim smiled at the beautiful troll across from him, he always felt bad when it seemed as though she couldn't pick out the words that she wanted. Even though he wasn't sure what had happened to her, he knew it was mostly likely because of him. She had left for him and now she was broken because of him.

The hunter lifted Kiva out of the bed wrapping his arms gently around her body he held her close to himself and licked the side of her face, "Let's have some fun today my flower, let us be happy and let me show you what wonderful things there are in this world."

Malakim carried Kiva outside of the hut holding her closely in his arms running his face along her cheek. When they were outside Malakim let out a very sharp whistle, at first there was nothing. Shortly thereafter the sound of wings pressing air out of the way could be heard and Taivis, Malakim's wyvern, landed before the two.

Malakim bent down holding Kiva in his arms and jumped onto Taivis' back he lowered Kiva into a spot in front of the hunter, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and held the reins. "I hope you enjoy seeing the sky up close my flower."

[Khiskiva]

Kiva leaned back into Malakim's chest, her eyes open with an expression of both aloofness and excitement. She knew that they were about to fly, and somewhere in the back of her head she recalled a certain fear of it. There was something about not being on the ground that scared her tremendously, but a gentle whisper spoke nothing but good intentions.

Had she the memory of speaking to wind spirits, she would have realized that it was they who spoke to her. However, all she knew was that a reassuring voice between her ears whistled approving words, telling her that she would be protected, or at the very least warned if some harm should approach.

Letting out a quiet whimper of fright, she tried to instead focus on Malakim. He was holding her tightly, and she knew he'd never let her go. That alone allowed the trolles to trust him, and helped her heartbeat to calm just a little.

[Malakim]

The hunter cracked at the reins and Taivis began to run across the desert suddenly taking flight straight up. While alone Malakim and Taivis often enjoyed the excitement of sudden turns and high flying antics, so it was to be expected that he would continue this tradition with an additional rider. In fact he did it the last time Kiva was riding with him.

Malakim made sure to hold Kiva tightly to keep her from being scared, but he knew there was no stopping Taivis from doing whatever he wanted on there journey.

They flew over the mountain wall into the shimmering flats and a strange noise almost that of a laugh could be heard as they passed by the race track. They wyvern held his arms back and the entire troupe began to plummet from the sky only to have Taivis catch the air only a short distance above the ground, using the extra speed to fly past the gnomish race car.

There was a distinct swearing coming from the gnomish pilot when Taivis began his ascent once again.

Malakim laughed as he gave Kiva a hug to reassure her that everything was okay, "You never tire of bombing people do you Taivis?"

[Khiskiva]

The dive bomb made wind rush past her face, causing Khiskiva's now unbound red hair to stream back into the sky. Taivis' antics caused such a rush in Kiva that she had to stifle back a frightened scream. The sight of the goblins suddenly rushing so close were not something she was used to. However.. when they began ascending into the sky, the innitial fright left her.

Kiva looked at Malakim, a sheepish smile on her face. With a nervous giggle, she excitedly clapped her hands together in an exclamation of enjoyment.

[Malakim]

Malakim smiled, last time they had done this she had been so scared of the idea of flying at all this time Kiva actually seemed entertained by the random flying acts that they were doing. Taivis tilted his head back and noticed the amusement taking that as an okay to have free reign of the skies as he saw fit, no more holding back.

The wyvern picked up speed forcing the air around them pushing harder with his wings. He began to bank left and right rolling slightly back and forth, finally rolling completely over spinning in the air like a giant screw. Picking up more speed Taivis did a large loop in the air.

"Showoff."

Another chuckle could be picked up from Taivis who was enjoying himself.

As time went by and Malakim continued to hold Kiva tightly throughout all of Taivis' antics, he knew they were getting where he had planned as the hunter began seeing a few flakes of snow beginning to fall. "Almost there my Kiva."

[Khiskiva]

Cold?

It was getting cold. Kiva didn't remember much about being cold. Not this cold, anyway. She looked over Taivis' side at the ground below, and saw green turning to white. It was such an odd sight that her eyes grew wide with shock, until she could wrenched her gaze from the scenery back to Malakim.

Pointing frantically at the ground, she whimpered, trying to come up with words for her fear. What had happened to the ground?? Had it dissapeared? Why was it so cold??

[Malakim]

Taivis slid to a stop in Winterspring against the side of hill, frostsabers could be heard in the distance as well as all the other wildlife and furbolgs. It was one of the secrets Malakim kept from most of the world, he loved the snow. There was something about it that made him smile. It was unlike any normal sand troll's behavior to enjoy the cold and snow, but since when was Malakim a normal sand troll.

Malakim hopped off of the wyvern's back holding out his arms to catch Kiva, "Don't worry, it can't hurt you. The cold and snow can be quite fun actually I will show you."

[Khiskiva]

Looking at the ground below, Kiva took Malakim's hand and took a timid step into the snow. It crunched beneath her bare foot, causing a chill to run up her legs. Wincing at the strange sensation, she gasped a little at first, then gave a shuddering exhale and looked up at Malakim with a frightened expression.

She shivvered lightly, in the cold. The environment seemed rather dead and quiet to her, with no sign of any familliar warmth.

".m-mala?"

[Malakim]

Malakim lifted Kiva off the ground seeing that the snow might be too much for her all at once. "Don't worry my flower, this is just different. Different from what you are used to, remember how different it was to be in other places? Like back in Zul'Farrak, you have been to many places. This one is just different, but I will always keep you safe from everything including the snow."

Malakim carried Kiva over towards an uncovered rock protruding from the snow, setting her gently upon it. Reaching behind his head the troll pulled at the cloth he used to keep his hair pulled back untying it and letting his hair fall into a messy mass around his head. Holding Kiva's arm he tied the linen around her wrist. "As long as you have this nothing can hurt you I promise."

[Khiskiva]

Kiva smiled at the cloth around her wrist, then glanced at Malakim's unruly hair. She giggled and reached for it, petting it. When his hair changed color, it also changed texture. He looked much more like.. like something.. something familliar that was locked in her missing memories. People? Certain people, with red hair like hers.

Finally, she nodded at him, understanding his intent to protect her. The snow around them still radiated cold, but there were tiny whispers from what she didn't understand were water spirits. They spoke encouragingly, asking her to join them.

[Malakim]

"The snow is fun my angel, it can take on different shapes and be changed. It can look like something else, but it is always the same thing. It is always snow, no matter what happens to it."

Malakim set to work, it had been awhile since he had played in the snow, it was always exciting and the cold felt good on his skin. He rolled out two small balls in the snow one slightly larger than the other. He stacked the smaller of the snowballs on top. Delicately he poked some facial features into the top of the snow pile.

"See, it's a snow gnome." He laughed as he licked the snow off of his finger.

[Khiskiva]

Kiva giggled mirthfully at the sight of the snow gnome. She grinned, biting down on her thick lips before poking a hole into the side of it's head, then pointed at her own ear. Back and forth she pointed, then poked another hole.

Her body was not used to the cold weather. Her skin, which was usually a very dry looking slate color, turned slightly dark at her cheeks, looking almost purple. With great delight, she discovered that blowing into the air caused a smoke-like effect, to which she giggled at again and tried to catch in her hands. Getting up from the rock, she began gathering some snow of her own. It wasn't long until she too created a snow gnome, this time with sticks for hair.

"Mm!" She exclaimed, pleased.

[Malakim]

Malakim stared at the snow gnome that Kiva had created, it was wonderful. He seemed relaxed that she wasn't afraid of the snow at least not as much anymore. It was important for her to feel safe and relaxed, this day was for her after all.

The hunter looked at the ground and formed a devious smiled, he began to roll up another snowball in his hands this time however he didn't create a pair or turn it into a gnome.

"Hey Kiva." he said, "Catch."

He tossed the snowball towards Kiva with no real force behind it but enough to aim for the desired result.

[Khiskiva]

Before she realized what was going on, Kiva gaught a snowball to her face. She gasped in fright at the sudden cold, as it clumped and dripped from her nose, cheeks, and chin. Shivvering slightly, she looked at Malakim with wide surprised eyes. She tried to come up witht the words to ask him why he'd do such a thing, but instead balled up her own snowball and sent it flying.

If she had been more experienced in snowball fights, she'd probably have aimed for his head. However, this being her first time, she aimed at his stomach; a more surefire target. Unfortunately, it went soaring towards his crotch instead.

[Malakim]

Malakim blinked for a moment from the impact of the snowball. Followed closely by contortions of his face as he tried to fight back the pain."

"Nice... Shot, sweetie." His voice seemingly higher than it was before.

At least the sudden cold helped to dull the pain rather quickly, but still the hunter chose to sit down upon the snow rather than risk another lucky shot from his flower. He couldn't help but laugh though, she had gotten the better of him in just one shot. It was just like her though, to take his breath away in a matter of seconds.

"It seems as though you figured out the idea of a snowball fight rather quickly, my flower."

[Khiskiva]

Kiva gasped when she saw Malakim's face strain through pain. She clasped her hands over her mouth, and ran towards the hunter. Throwing her arms around him in a sort of tackle, Kiva made mournful whimpers.

"Sorry, sorry!" She kept repeating, petting his hair as if he were an injured child.

"Sorry!"

[Malakim]

Malakim smiled as he hugged her back, "Not a problem my flower, things happen no need to be sorry. If I were a better hunter I probably should have moved."

The hunter laid back into the snow with Kiva on top of his chest, he spread his arms and legs out and in several times. creating an imprint in the snow, "You see that is you." He said pointing towards the snow. "You are my angel, and I would do anything for you."

[Khiskiva]

Kiva looked at Malakim's hand, then the snow angel. She looked back and forth, attempting to understand exactly what he was saying. The word was so familliar. It lept from her mouth like a frog off of a lillypad.

"..angel? Me?"

Her voice was a little softer, a little older. Something inside of her bubbled, and she knew that it was the prospect of remembering something very important.

[Malakim]

"You are everything to me, you are the reason I am still alive. You are the reason I want to do good for this world, because there are people like you in it, people worth protecting."

Malakim lowered his head, "I don't know if you remember, but I was a horrible being before I met you, I had nothing and I was nothing. I just tried to live past the next day. Now I know that I have to live past the next day, because I want to see you when I wake up, I want to come home to you, I want to be a better being because of you."

The hunter reached behind him and plucked a flower from the ground, he brushed Kiva's hair aside and placed the flower behind her ear. "You are the flower of my life and the angel of my soul."

[Khiskiva]

Kiva listened to his pretty words, allowing them to wash over her beside the cold breeze. His hand in her hair was bliss, and she tried hard to decipher what it was he said. He called her angel, flower, things that she identified now. Bizarre memories sprung into her mind as she associated these words with past occurances that made little sense.

The one thing that did make sense was Malakim's expression, and his soulful eyes. She thought him wonderful, and didn't hesitate to lean forward and kiss the mouth that called her such pretty words.

[Malakim]

Malakim let his body relax as her lips pressed against his, he let the weight of the world drift from his shoulders and kissed her back. "Even though you may not remember everything my flower, you still know how to make me smile more than anyone else."

The hunter held his arms around Kiva and licked the side of her face as he had done many times before. "I still don't know what happened to you or why, but I want you to know that I still love you my flower."

[Khiskiva]

Kiva smiled at his his tongue, it's soft warmth bringing back old memories. She remembered smelling smoke and blood, dry air and angry muttering in Sandfury. Who was talking? She remembered feeling sad.. someone had died.. but then Malakim's face was beside her's, and she felt better. He licked her cheek.. no.. no, it was her hand first. He licked her hand. He carried her away. He brought her home.

..was that how she met him?

"Love you.." she repeated, knowing that the words were special and not to be shared with many.. yet she remembered saying them to someone else. Someone or something that brought shivvers up her spine; shivvers that only Malakim's calm tongue could chase away.

[Malakim]

Malakim squeezed his arms around the beautiful troll sitting with him. The hunter licked her cheek stopping near her ear, "I have always wanted you to be happy in this world, and I will continue to do whatever I can to make you smile."

Malakim lifted Kiva in his arms and carried her off trudging through the snowy hill he kept his eyes on the troll in his arms but kept moving towards the top of the mountain where the world was quiet and calm.

The top of the mountain was empty nobody came up there anymore, but the view was spectacular the light of the sun became transformed through the clouds and the cold, it was shattered into brilliant colors hues of reds, oranges, greens, and blues.

"I want you to see all that the world has to offer my love, I want you to know of all the wonderful things in this world. I also want you to remember that no matter how beautiful the light is, or the wonderful smell of a flower, that you are the most perfect thing I have ever seen in my lifetime."

[Khiskiva]

Kiva looked out at the cliffs, at the scenery and the lights in the sky. She inhaled it all, both curious and excited at the sighs she was being privy to. It was all so very beautiful, but nothing could take her attention from the troll holding her.

"Perfect.." she repeated, stroking his face lovingly. "Wonderful."

New words were being absorbed quicker, now. She understood more of what he said, but more importantly, she could repeat them, and show express how she felt. Still, it felt like words werent enough. Her kisses weren't enough. There must have been something else, but she'd forgotten.

[Malakim]

He heard her words and smiled, "Perfect? Yes you are, you are everything that makes up the wonderful parts of this world. I just hope that I can help you get back what you have forgotten. I know what that is like..."

Malakim lifted his head looking skyward, "I will do all that I can to make you smile everyday."

[Khiskiva]

"No.." She said, shaking her head. Clearing her throat, Kiva smiled at Malakim and poked at his forehead. "You, Mala.. perfect."

She grinned.

"Wonderful.."

[Malakim]

Malakim tried to turn his face as he felt it warm up to her comment, "I will never be perfect my angel, I have not walked a path of perfection, I do not think I will be allowed to be perfect. I do however get to see perfection everyday in you, and I thank whatever fate brought you to me and however I have managed to find the strength to keep you to me."

Malakim smiled ruffling through his packs, he had brought several fun toys to make the day better. He pulled several rockets and fireworks out of his backpack and launched them into the air, filling the sky with even more lights and sparkles.

"I promised to make this day special for you, my Kiva."