Salis gasped, almost pulling his hands away to hide them. Only his mother had ever licked him, and that was only on the ears to keep them clean without having to use water, which was bothersome and difficult to deal with for nekos. But the rough tongue his kind had felt good, slightly sandy, enough to catch offensive filth and quickly get rid of it, or latch on to nice tastes, like that the flower secreted when it was plucked from its vine. He smiled, but it turned sad, and he handed the flower to Strive. "I... wouldn't be able to be happy if I know you---or Rue---is left to struggle. And if one of you don't make it. And you end up like me... It would be terrible."

And what of his parents? Their parents? What would they say if Strive or Rue actually decided to take a Falaaz for a mate? Would they be shunned? Would they be forced to leave the city? Or go back to the Falaazi village to live the rest of their days among sadness and gray-skinned, poorly-taken-care-of neko? He didn't think about that. It couldn't be like that. His kind weren't so desperately cruel. Besides, if a Falaaz could find love after their fate was supposedly sealed, perhaps that would give the other Falaaz some much-needed hope.

He shook his head. "Maybe it's better not to think about that. It gets in the way of everything else, doesn't it?" Not that it would be easy to push from his mind. He would continuously think about Rue, and Strive, and, maybe, having to sentence one to either a life as a Falaaz or a life with someone he didn't even love.

"Rue ... he probably won't ever say it, that he loves you, but I know he already does. He's never growled at me like he did over any of his potential mates before, and even the fact that he left this morning without arguing about your decision to spend time with me first is proof that he cares for you more then he ever has anyone else. " He was going to ruin his chances. Strive knew that was probably what would happen, once he spoke his next few sentences.

The pale haired neko did it anyway. "I have to think about it, because I think of how miserable Rue will be if he isn't chosen. I know you care for me too, and that my time is much shorter then his, but being rejected by you would break his heart and make him Falaaz almost immediately, prematurely. I can almost guarantee it. " Strive scrambled up the large rock and wrapped his arms around the other neko, holding him close and tight. Maybe it was a characteristic of their kind, to find someone to care for and feel emotions strong and quick, it certainly seemed so.

"I care for you, I could grow to love you, but he already does... Probably with everything he has." Strive tilted his head to nuzzle the other neko's neck, and let his head rest against Salis's shoulder so his face remained unseen from the other's vantage point. "It isn't fair that I'm telling you this, I know .. But despite everything, he's my brother and I need to take care of him. I know he hates me for always taking away his potential mates, but if they really loved him they would have stayed." Salis was the only one who felt so torn, so desperate to make them both happy, the two siblings who seemed determined to tear him apart.

"I'll take myself out of the running, it will make things so much easier for the both of you." He smiled, knowing that he was throwing away his own chance. It was true though, he hated hurting his brother with this competition which had begun as a test of the Falaaz's heart, and now he hated making things so hard for Salis as well. To think, it had only been a day and a morning. Truly, being a quick feeling neko was not always the best of things.

The way their race felt love was sometimes baffling. There was no room for extensive tail-chasing in their concept of love, as their kind lived only about fifty seasons. But Salis had never been so caught up. And every word Strive sasid felt as if a hand were squeezing his heart tighter and tighter, and filling his veins with ice, and clogging his mind. "S-Strive... I c..." He backed away, but didn't jump to the ground. He breathed in sharply, controlling the urge to let Strive's words force him to cry, as he so easily did nowadays. "I can't let you drop yourself out. Just like I can't just choose one over the other. I can tell you really love your brother, even if you're..." He paused, and gritted his teeth to gather the courage to continue. "... even if one of you was adopted. That doesn't matter."

He slid down the stones and onto the soft ground, tossing the heavy bloom into the water and watching it get swept away. "I don't see how I can't choose both of you. It would save you both... It wouldn't have to be a choice of condemnation. I wouldn't have to feel terrible and you wouldn't have to settle for someone..." After all, the Master took multiple mates. Why couldn't anyone else? There was no law against it, nekos just didn't really do it. At least, not that he could see. And then he could save both of them. And he wouldn't have to feel as if he were abandoning one... And they would all be happy.

His eyes followed the delicate flower, the way it danced across the water, twirled and spun with the current. It felt like the flower was him, he was being swept away by something he simply couldn't control. What that was ... Oh it had everything to do with Salis and the whole situation. Eventually, he shifted so his feet dangled from the rock, on the very edge. He faced the other man with a tilt of his head and a more then serious expression.

Such an idea ... Could he live with sharing Salis, with not knowing where he stood with him all the time? Could he live knowing that his brother would be with the other neko as well, that they would be stuck together for the rest of their lives because they both loved the same man? "I don't know if I can do that, sharing with my brother ..." And sharing just one person at that. "And ... won't there be too much pressure just on you, to please us both?"

Salis paused. He'd considered all that. How much pressure he'd be under, trying to understand both of them, set things right, make sure neither was wanting, or feuding. Hoping both were happy. Hoping he was really what their first impressions had painted him to be.

"I know..." He muttered. Salis pushed himself forward and crouched at the edge of the water, running his hand through it. The water woke him up with a quick shock. "I know how difficult it may be. But I... couldn't live wih knowing I abandoned one of you. I couldn't hurt Rue. And I couldn't force you into a life of semi-happiness with someone that just doesn't live up to your expectations---I'm still having trouble believing I caught you up the way I did, Strive!" It was shocking, really, still. Salis just couldn't see himself the way these brothers did. "But I know I'd be able to keep up with both of you. I'd manage it easily..." How, he had no idea. But there was no way he could choose between either of them. That was out of the question. And he'd make sure neither of them were jealous. He wouldn't favor one over the other. If he just had a chance... And he didn't muck it up.

He slipped from the rock and sauntered over to the other neko, tail swishing through the air. Strive purred as he crouched down beside Salis, tilting his head to nuzzle the other man affectionately. Salis's words held so much promise, gave Strive so much hope for the future. For now he would believe in it, and if the offered dream at happiness shattered for him, well so be it at least he would have known some joy for a while before becoming Falaaz. He could live with that.

He couldn't ever really love anyone, not the true love of a mate towards their soul-bonded love. Strive simply didn't think he was capable of that. He doubted too much, couldn't think anyone would love him enough to want to put that much effort into a relationship with him, or that he could do the same for them. "Alright. If you think you can. " He glanced down at the water and plopped down. "I still have a hard time believing it myself, how caught up I am." Friends .. no matter what happened, they had to be that.

Salis happily leaned against Strive when he sat, flicking his tail so it brushed up against the other neko. "I think I can. If you have faith in me." Surely. Salis could love two nekos at once. He was doing that now, in fact. He adored Strive, and he absolutely loved Rue. What was there not to love? It was as if the two had come together in some dark-light balance. And Salis was the negative space in each, perhaps. But what would others think...? Did it even matter? If they were shunned, would the other two want to live away from the city? Salis had found so many detached and beautiful places, places that were never want for food or water. A grove of trees... A cave nearby... Not far from that big, beautiful expanse of water that never seemed to end. Would they want that if they had to choose...?

He nuzzled the other neko and rubbed his ear against his shoulder. "I'm glad you came by." He admitted. "I couldn't stand another day like that. Whatever comes to be, I want it to be worth it for all of us. I want you and Rue to be happy... But maybe I should talk to him about it... Tomorrow..." Perhaps after he showed the other neko the place he had in mind. Perhaps Rue would enjoy that... All Salis wanted, suddenly, was to see the brothers smile.

Salis asked for the thing that Strive had a hard time giving to anyone. He was glad then, that he didn't need to go on about the subject. He jumped on the other topic of conversation gladly. All the while, Strive had an arm wrapped around the other neko, and was rubbing circles over Salis's arm absentmindedly. "Walking by to check on Rue was the best thing that's happened to me, so far. So I'm glad as well ... Hm he'll probably be happy, I think." Sometimes it was hard to predict how Rue would react to anything at all.

Salis was smiling without really noticing the way his mouth curved up a bit, betraying the faraway look in his blue eyes. "You think he will...?" It wasn't a question directed at Strive, more than a musing on his hope. Salis desperately hoped Rue would be okay with the arrangement. He'd seen the flashes of anger that the other neko could display sometimes and hoped he didn't blame his brother or think Salis to be sick or terrible. No, that would be unacceptable. Salis would never look at himself the same way again.

"I think it would be easier, after all... And even then, perhaps we could have our special places... Your favorite place, and Rue's. And we could spend time together like that if we'd like to get away... or if one would like to be alone..." Alone... what neko liked to be alone? They weren't like their somewhat-close siblings, the jaguar. Jaguar were loners, really. Neko had to share their lives, their love, with another. Or they would die young. It was why no Falaaz was above thirty seasons and showed age beyond their years.

"I already know what place I choose ... It's so amazing here." Strive grinned and tilted his head to nip lightly at the other neko's jaw. There were memories there already, wonderful ones. The glinting of crystallized sap brought such a magical atmosphere to the area, and the neko by Strive's side only enhanced everything. Having that place, just for them, knowing it was theirs, made it that much more special.

"This is our place already." And soon they would have to leave. Then he'd need to deal with his parents. The pair of them would have a hard time understanding what drove their children to the arms of a Falaaz, and the same one at that, but once they met the pale neko Strive was sure they would understand. Of course they would, they were wonderful parents.

Salis chuckled, turning his head to face Strive fully. The pale neko was beautifully framed in the way the sunlight streamed down through the trees and strung sap, like a spirit, but with substance. Life. Strive was right---this was a place he and Salis could share, and no one else. Only them. A place familiar, and safe, and somewhere that no one else could come to to deface, and defile. Not even Rue. But Rue would be seeing a different place. He would see a place that Salis believed was just as beautiful, but in a much darker, mysterious way. He thought that would fit Rue. He thought Rue would love it as much as Salis did. Or, he hoped so.

He sighed, but it was a rather content thing. There was just a bit of caution in the motion. "I hope I didn' get you in trouble with your parents... Or Rue, certainly..." Would they hate me if they met me? He wanted to ask, but couldn't find the courage. Instead, he gritted his teeth and breathed in the damp air above the stream. It was so fresh.

He shrugged at the mention of his parents. "They'll get used to the idea. Don't worry. Rue wheedled his way out of things as usual." Tilting his head he nuzzled the other man. Strive felt his stomach rumbling, growling, but he ignored it. This place was far too idyllic to leave. Sweet scented breeze, golden light, tall trees ... Oh how wonderful it all was. He still had a hard time wrapping his mind around it all, around the fact that this place was his, and Salis's.

Strive had never shared such a thing with anyone before. He did tend to stick nearer the city, because that was where he belonged, hoping to join the military force. They always waited though, the guards, until someone had passed the age when they could become Falaaz. Only once the fatal day had passed, and if he was waited, could he submit his application.

Get used to it? Salis didn't want someone to get used to him... or the concept of their young ones being in the presence or under the spell of a Falaaz. He wanted to be accepted, not... tolerated. Tolerated had been his life, and only just. Tolerated was the Falaaz coming around the city. Tolerated was... bad. It was knowing others talked about you when you were still in the general area, and not being able to stop it. It was being leered at when one's back was turned and watching others give you a wide path. It was the grudging acceptance of their very presence, and a hatred of their scent when they left. It was knowing they were better, and better by quite a large margin. But Strive didn't tolerate him, nor did Rue. He felt a real and true love emanating from both of them in a big way, but he didn't want to stand in the way of their later hopes. What if he did?

He regarded Strive placidly, then put his head on the neko's shoulder. "I just hope I don't stand in your way... Keep you from what you want to do. They might not like me coming into town... or you, after they realize what you and Rue have been up to."

Gently, he ran his fingers through the other man's hair. "What I want most is someone who loves me, and .... it seems like that wish isn't all that far off from being realized. " It was true, all too true. In the end love mattered more then joining the guard. Even being accepted by everyone in the city paled when set aside. Compared to love, nothing else could quite measure up.

Lack of it made Falaaz. They poor beings ... For the most part all alone, turning grey and listless. But Salis was different. Mewing slightly, purring, Strive shifted to press himself closer to the other neko. He was so glad. "You won't stand in my way... or Rue's." They were a stubborn pair.

Salis was glad to hear that. He wouldn't come between the brothers, or their hopes, whatever they may be. He couldn't! What would he be then? A dream crusher, if anything else... A murderer. No, no, it couldn't be that serious---it was his tendency for the overdramatic that fueled such a phrasing, and made him shake his head and lean his head against Strive. Perhaps his namesake would push him on to whatever else he wanted to do. Salis felt he would almost want to stop him, but wouldn't do that. He wouldn't be so cruel as that.

He stared at the water, and then glanced up. The sky was at such a tone that now, a school of fish would begin swimming downward, and as he recalled that, they arrived---rather large, they forced their way between smooth stones, gold and blue and reddish-ping. He crept forward, lunging forward for one of particular size that had become stuck, and caught it up, bringing it away from the water in protective claws. "Have you ever wanted to do something specific? Something for a long time...?" Salis had, but those dreams had been crushed several years ago.

He thought about if for a while as he watched the fish, and Salis standing among them. Strive tilted his head to the side. "I want to join the military, to become one of the ones who guard the city ... Like my father was." But one of the requirements for that was having a mate once the day had come. They took no Falaaz into their ranks. The disgrace along would have made the military forces a laughing stock.

"I'll ... I'll talk to the Master and get permission from him to join! I'm sure he'll understand, once he hears of the situation. He has many mates after all, like you've said. " Simply because he shared a man with his brother ... It still riled him up, thinking of that, but he cared for Salis more every minute spent in his presence. The other neko seemed like he needed to be protected, cherished.

"What will you do with the fish?"

Salis tilted his head. That was something. He would be a great city guard... Strive was headstrong, Salis could tell that much. He nodded. The Master was kind, the whole city did enjoy when he walked among them, visited certain homes, hung around those he considered friends. And with only one guard---a whole plethora was a bit showy, even for a neko. Salis would have liked to know the man, but hadn't had the time. When he thought about it, Salis hadn't had time for very much at all. He'd missed out on so many plans... Plans he'd made on his own. Small, mostly. And he couldn't even get those concluded.

When the fish was referred to, he looked up quickly and slid it across the grass. "For you." He offered. "I don't eat in the afternoon much..." Mostly he ate in the morning, and in the evening. Before he left the village, and after he returned. This fish was gold, and a little amber. Its fins were shining, powerful-looking. Its eye was a clear, shiny brown tone. It wasn't moving anymore.

Strive smiled, bemused at being offered such a gift so soon in this just budding relationship.Thankfully, he tilted his head and grabbed the fish between his teeth. A quick snap of his jaws and the white teeth sliding through scale and meat with ease. Oh so fresh a catch! It tasted delicious. It tasted like fresh water, and oh so wonderful .... After mowing through half of the delicacy, Strive held out the best half to the other neko.

"You should have part of your catch." And then he would have to leave. His parents would worry so if he wasn't back by supper time. His growling stomach had been signal enough that the hour to depart was near. He was loathe to leave the other neko behind. Surely there was a set of rooms available somewhere for the three of them ... Having a place all their own would make everything so much easier, and complicated at the same time.

Salis smiled, grabbing a flat leaf nearby to wrap the remaining half of the catch in. "I'll... take it home with me... It'd be better to not have to face the other Falaaz more than I have to." The way they stared at him... Maybe they were jealous that he could keep what little thread of happiness he still had. What little hope, what color he still had as a healthy neko, other than the gray, limp way their hair and fur became in their personal misery. He didn't want to go, didn't want Strive to go either. Another night curled in his bed by himeslf was almost too much to bear to think about, but he didn't want to leave Strive on a sad or sour ote. No, never. So he smiled. "I know you have to leave now." He said. "But I'm glad we spent time together like this... You have no idea how much it meant..."

He leaned against Strive, rubbing his ear against his shoulder. "I shouldn't go with you into the city... But I hope you'll tell Rue that I'm excited to spend time with him tomorrow like I have with you." He would be so happy to show Rue the cave system he'd discovered... How absolutely beautiful it was. Different, all just like Rue. Strive and Rue... How had Salis come to have a choice between both of them? But he'd neve be able to choose if that time came.

The pale haired neko purred nearly against his will. He relaxed after a little while, tilting his head just so to nuzzle the other man's soft hair. Taking a deep breath, Strive wrapped his arms around Salis and squeezed, tight and hard. "I'll tell him. I'll make sure he gets here." It was more for Rue's sake that he had even begun anything with Salis in the first place. The results had been unexpected and entirely unsought. That was what stopped him, along with his own natural disbelief and distrust, from giving himself over to the other neko.

"I do hope everything works out." Even though it felt horrible to share. Even tough he had wanted someone's love all for his own. It was alright. "It is time to leave now, though." Reluctantly, the younger neko slipped away from Salis, and began backing away, his eyes still locked upon his companion.

A small noise was squeezed out of him with Strive's parting hug, and he returned it before the neko backed away. The sudden space between them felt oddly cold, despite the warmth in the air. He leaned forward, settling down on the ground and twitching his tail to wrap around him in compensation. "I hope so too." Salis replied quietly, placing his hands on the wrapped half fish in front of him. "I'll be looking forward to seeing you again soon..."

He watched Strive back away until he was obscured by foliage and trees, vines and their heavy white flowers, then he looked down at the water. He knew he should have felt happy. Despite his status as a Falaaz he had two others after him, two that actually overlooked his state, his scent, the overwhelming superstition that Falaaz caused bad luck to those still searching for their mates. But he felt negative about it. The looming choice weighed heavily on his mind and he couldn't even bring himself to eat what was left of the fish he had caught not long ago, let alone stand and walk back to his little home. So he set his head down on his arms, twitching his ears toward the slightest of noise.

Once out of sight, Strive loped home. His parents were waiting, stern looks upon their faces. The pale haired cat-man plastered a cocky grin upon his face. "A Falazz!" His mother said, her amber eyes flashing.

"Yes, a Falazz. But a very nice one. Don't judge him until you meet him, Mother."

Strive walked past, and caught a gentle pat from his father. It was reassuring enough, and helped him to sleep when the daylight faded, after he had passed on Salis's message for Rue. Oh how excited the dark haired neko had been! It was a surprise his brother hadn't raced off to sleep on the riverbank on the spot.

But no, Rue waited til the time was right, and morning had replaced night. With soft steps he slipped from his parents' cool home, and padded across the ground, crouching low so as not to be seen. He wanted no one to follow him, not because he was ashamed of going to see a falaaz, but because of how horrible it would make Salis feel. The other neko hated crowds so ... And with reason enough, considering how others had always treated him.

Once arrived at their usual meeting spot, the dark haired man curled up upon the stone where he had first seen Salis, on the very first day. Experimentally, Rue let his slender tail dangle in the water, and watched as different fish approached, nudging at the thing intruding in their space. Amused, he wriggled it around until one of the water dwellers latched on with unexpected force. Yelping and whimpering, he jumped back and flailed about.

"Darn it, pests! I'll .. I'll .. oooww .. " Sniffling, he crouched down and looked at his sad looking tail, with the fish still clinging onto the tip for dear life.

He fell asleep---and remained asleep---in his spot, not waking even as an evening bird crept close to snatch his half a prize from its leafy wrapping and flap away. He curled up tightly, huddling his face underneath his furry tail to keep himself warm. The trees creaked above him, keeping his ears moving subconsciously, following the noise, the sound. He twitched awake when the sky had only just begun to lighten up, yawning and stretching and becoming rather confused when he observed his surroundings. Salis had fallen asleep in the spot Strive had left him the previous afternoon. Shaking his hair and grooming his fur of what might have found a home in it during the night, Salis bent over the water and snatched up a small fish, bringing it along as he made his way out of the area and onto the trail that led to the river.

Would Rue be there already? It was so early, no doubt he wouldn't be. Salis was becoming too eager, and he tossed the fish's rather worthless tail into a bush nearby and dried his hands on his tunic as he walked. Too eager. Rue had a life. Had family to care about, and Salis... He sighed and didn't finish the thought as the little path branched onto the larger, more community-driven one that lead to the docks.

Salis shifted through the tall grass and jumped up onto the wooden dock, making his way to the quieter part of the river. He smelt something---a familiar scent. A little of Strive, but mostly it was Rue. He hurried forward, through the grass and over an old, fallen tree, and found the young neko whimpering at his tail. "Rue, are you okay?" Salis crept forward, inspecting his tail and biting his lip. "Oh no... Don't move." His hand went for the fish, and it flopped until he pinned it down and squeezed its mouth until it opened, releasing the dark neko's tail. "Careful... Rue. The fish here can bite pretty hard and they have really sharp teeth!" He tossed the wriggling creature back into the water, where it vanished almost at once under the surface. He looked back to Rue and stroked the other neko's tail. "I hope it doesn't hurt much..."

He lifted his head at the sound of a familiar voice, eyes widening with silent pleading. Rue stayed still as stone as Salis went through the extraction process, and slumped over in relief once the fish had been thrown into the water once more. He slunk as close to the other neko as he could, and lay his head down in Salis's lap with a soft rumbling. "I didn't think it would try to bite me ..." He sniffled a bit, rubbing his head against Salis a bit all the while.

"Thank you for making it let go." Looking up as the pain ease, Rue smiled with adoration at his companion. He couldn't imagine Salis not being there. The other man knew more then he showed, and was far more complicated then he seemed to be. The anticipation of learning more had Rue purring softly.

Salis couldn't help but smile---a combination of feeling drew it out, a slight amusement at the pitiful tone in Rue's voice and a warm feeling of appreciation as he drew a hand through Rue's hair and over his ears. "Well, it wasn't too big. The fish in the river can get really huge, so it might be better to keep your hands or tail out of the water..." He purred lightly, happy that he had come at the time he did, to help Rue. "I'm glad to see you today." He admitted after a moment's silence. "Really glad... I wanted to show you something like I did with Strive yesterday... A place no one can come find us... A cave. But it's a special cave, really special. And you wouldn't know from looking at it before you get inside..."

Kind of like Rue. Perhaps he had a normal look to others, but Salis got deeper into who he was. He found something unique.