End Of An Era [Winks]

[Deleted]

My steps were slow and nervous. My eyes darted every which-way. I felt like my heart was going to come out of my chest. How was Winks going to react to what I had to say? It was only yesterday that Korra told me the news about her unborn cubs; King's unborn cubs. The news had been shocking to me. I had held Korra and Winks' relationship in such high regard that the idea of them splitting up, over infidelity no less, had shaken my very belief in true forever love. A tear rolled down my cheek as I thought about the poor cubs that had already been born, Tamara and Royal. Tamara was a daddy's girl, no doubt about it. Royal was more like Korra. I had a feeling that all of this would weaken the siblings' already fragile relationship. Would Winks and Korra unknowingly put their cubs at odds?

At the moment, it was not the cubs I was most worried about. It was me. I had to tell Winks something that might infuriate him to the point of violence. I hoped that rather than be surprised and angry, he would see it coming and understand. I could only imagine what he must be going through, and to be completely honest, I didn't blame him. Not entirely. Sure, he could have worked harder on his relationship with Korra, but in the end, it was she who crossed the line and got pregnant by another male. Her actions were going to take a toll on everyone in Winks' coalition; Korra, Winks, Tamara and Royal, and now me.

I stepped hesitantly into Winks' territory and growled loud enough for him to hear, hopefully, and to let him know I was here to talk. He would smell Korra on me, no doubt, and know that we'd spoken recently. He would know that I knew about the situation. I hoped to see Tamara as well, and part of me hoped she would be here to keep the conversation calm. I sat, waiting nervously for Winks' arrival.


Character- Asali
Tagged- Winks, Tamara maybe?

[EmilyColeman]

"If you are here to defend Korra or her new mate then please leave, Asali. If not, your perfectly welcome to stay for a while" Winks said, coming out from behind the bush where he'd been skinning a rabbit.

[Deleted]

I winced at Winks' words but didn't hesitate as I walked up to him. His appearance from behind the bush was startling and his tone already sounded angry. I shook my head. "No...I'm just here to talk." I stopped a couple feet away from him, tail flicking away the summer flies. It was warm and the buzz of insects was characteristic of the summer season. The last part of Winks' dialogue was comforting, and gave me hope that this would go better than I had originally anticipated.

I sat down and curled my tail around my legs. My eyes glanced to the ground then back at Winks. "For the record, I don't support Korra's decision. I understand how harmful it was to your family, and not just you and her." I paused, thinking of the not-so-little ones. "She is my best friend, but I don't think she handled it correctly...how is Tamara?" I asked. I decided to wait a while before coming out with my decision. I wanted Winks and I to be on good terms. We had had many ups and downs but if the old Winks was still in there, then my first potential friend in a long time was still in there. Besides, I didn't like conflict.

[EmilyColeman]

"What Korra did was wrong, evil and stupid. She wrecked our family and ruined my childrens's childhood and possibly future life. Tamara suffers from panic attacks and depression now. She misses her mother but hates her at the same time. Royal ... well, i see him sometimes but we've never been close. King? If i see him i'll rip his throat out" I informed.

[Deleted]

I resisted the urge to wince at Winks' harsh words against Korra. I understood where he was coming from, however, so I also resisted the urge to defend my friend. It would help no one to try and defend her decisions and her choices. And I wasn't even sure how I would start, seeing as I, too, disagreed with Korra's actions. Maybe not as vehemently as Winks, however. "I...I agree that it was wrong..." I said softly, leaving it at that. I wouldn't tell him that she tried to talk about their problems, because in the end, it was Korra who cheated and left. At Winks' description of Tamara, my heart broke. "Panic attacks? Depression?" I repeated, horrified. "Poor Tamara," I choked out, trying not to cry over the cub I'd helped to raise. Suddenly I was nearly overwhelmed with a longing to see the young female, to see exactly what this situation had done to her, and to help her overcome it.

His words about Royal were matter of fact and unfeeling and I felt bad for the lack of relationship between him and his son. What a mess, I thought in defeat. I supressed a chill at his threat against King. I still had yet to meet this male that Korra thought was worth wrecking her family over. I flinched as I realized how cruel my own thoughts were about my friends choices. Truly I would be there for her; but that didn't mean I had to agree with her, or like this situation. I was part of this family she was giving up. I decided to get right to the point. "Winks...what do you want me to do?" I asked. Would he tell me to get the heck out and join his former mate? Would he banish me from speaking to her?

[EmilyColeman]

"Do? What do you mean?" I was confused.

[Deleted]

Winks wasn't following. "Well, I just mean..." I hesitated. I really hadn't wanted to be the one to bring up the possibility of my leaving, but nevertheless, that is what it had come to. I sucked in a breath, nervous and afraid of what Winks' response would to be to my proposition. "It's just that...well, Korra isn't with King. She's alone right now, and pregnant..." I stumbled over the word, hoping it didn't hurt Winks to bring it up again, or anger him. "And well, you know she is my best friend. And I agree with you that she's done this horrible thing. Maybe you want her dead, maybe you even want those cubs dead, but you don't wish Royal to lose his mom, do you? And she's going to need someone to take care of her." The words rushed out of my mouth and I inhaled as I finished, taking a step back unthinking as I waited for Winks to explode. He had a temper, I knew, but I was hoping he would at least see my point. "It only has to be temporary...if you even want me here..." I added softly. I truly didn't want to leave Winks here alone, and I had a soft spot for him now after what Korra did to him. But Korra needed me more right now.

[EmilyColeman]

"It's your choice" I said flatly and turned away. "Yes Asali, i hate Korra. But i don't want her or her new cubs dead. I don't wish harm to them, but if it comes to them ... i won't really care. She means nothing to me now, like i don't to her. Royal might not want to loose his mum, but he probably will. Tamara did ... you know what will happen to him if he does. I don't really care if you go with Korra" I shrugged. After all, it was her choice.

[Deleted]

It's your choice. Winks turned away, and I followed slowly. His words were neither angry, nor supportive, but I felt relieved that he hadn't exploded at me about it. Maybe Winks wasn't so angry after all? Underneath it all, maybe he was just as hurt as I was over everything. But did he feel the same hopelessness and loss as I did?  He claimed she meant nothing to him, but they'd had a life together. Could it really be true? He said he didn't really care if I left. Instead of feeling completely relieved that he hadn't put up a fight, I felt oddly hurt. Did he want me gone? Did he not care if he ever saw me again? I wasn't sure half the time if we were even friends, but I often thought of him as one. "Are you sure?" I asked tentatively. I didn't want to him to change his mind, but I didn't want him to be angry when I left either.

I sat down, sighing as I thought about Korra and the cubs and King and everything. "Guess I was right about not trusting others after all," I said softly, thinking of what Korra's choices had meant to Winks.

[EmilyColeman]

"Your choice. But Korra isn't the only lonered one!"

[Deleted]

I wasn't sure what to make of Winks' remark. Was he talking about him being alone now, or did he mean that if I left I would no longer be welcome here. Either way, his words stung. I didn't want him to be alone, to have not only his mate walk out, but then the only other cheetah in his coalition as well. On the other hand, I didn't want to be unwelcome here either, to not see Tamara anymore, or Winks even. I walked around Winks and stopped in front of him, a little closer than I felt comfortable, when I could easily tick him off right now. However, I wanted to straighten everything out now. "Be honest with me, Winks. Please? Do you want me to come back after Korra is settled somewhere? Because I will, if you want me to. I'm part of this coalition and I have no intention of ditching you. I just have to help my friend. But if you want me to walk out of here and never come back I will honor that. But you've got it wrong; it's not my decision. It's yours. As far as I'm concerned, you're still in charge here, and this is still my home, no matter what Korra has done."

I exhaled as I finished my little speech. But now I was at the mercy of Winks. It was up to him whether I would be allowed to come back, or whether I would leave here alive for that matter. I was tired of the back and forth and the impassive answers. But now I was wondering if I shouldn't have just kept my mouth shut.

[EmilyColeman]

"Go to Korra if you wish. Come back if you wish. Ditch me if you wish. Go get Tamara if you wish. So many choices, so little time" I smiled improbably.

[Deleted]

I let out a frustrated sigh, but Winks smiled so I just gave him a slightly annoyed smile back. "You're something," I muttered with a smile. I walked a few paces away, then sighed again and spun around to face him again. Winks could really push some buttons. However, his smile reminded me of the cheetah I'd met back before I knew Korra, then younger version of himself who swam with me in that pond and made me laugh. In response, I felt myself warm to him, rather than get angry at his yet-again-vague answer. "So I'm free to return, then?" I asked, though it was more of an observation.

I walked back over to him and sat down. Now I needed to speak to Tamara. I was even more nervous about that. "Where is she?" I asked quietly, feeling my heart constrict as I imagined what the girl must be going through. My smile faded as I asked the question and I met Winks' eyes, truly worried about Tamara. I hoped he could see that and that he would see that I was truly planning on coming back for both him and Tamara.

[EmilyColeman]

"Your more than welcome. Tamara, i believe, is back at the cliff side. In the flower valley"

[Deleted]

Winks' simple response caused me to breathe a sigh of relief. He went on to tell me where he guessed Tamara would be. I smiled and gave a respectful, thankful nod. Before I turned to go, however, I went up to him and whispered 'Thank you,' and licked his cheek. Then I turned and scurried off to the presumed location of his daughter.

[Close, and start one in the Flower Valley, or continue here?]