Post by sarah on Sept 23, 2010 12:01:31 GMT -5
Libby was raised with the knowledge that her father passed away when she was barely more than a newborn. She had no proof of either truth nor falsity to such belief. She never questioned her mother aloud though after Caitlyn was born without a paternal figure identified, the blonde-haired Zuutaean secretly nursed her fair share of doubts. Even so, one did not ridicule the leader. Her mother was a strong person, demanding of her oldest daughter, thus ensuring Liberty was faced with all of the lessons needed to offer the wisdom required in order to take over the alpha position. As a young child, Libby spent the majority of her time with childhood friends, namely Elena and Jarrett. As adolescence bloomed, that time was sharply curbed until she sat near the window watching her two closest friends kick a ball back and forth while she studied yet another piece of tribal history. By the time she reached sixteen, she spent more hours with her face in a book than she did interacting with peers. In fact, the company she was most often accompanied by at that point were council elders and other adults holding important rank. There was no longer time to pine for a father who never really existed in the first place.
Her mother’s death occurred shortly after Liberty shifted for the first time. It was a consolation she was grateful for; her maternal parent was able to rest knowing her firstborn had successfully shifted. Soon after, Libby was thrust into the headlong rush of staying ahead in a stream of seemingly endless expectations and required duties. Her relationships with others, save for Elena, suffered. In a moment of weakness and primitive need, she slept with an outsider in that same year. Up until that point, she had zero experience with intimacy. The man was an unknowing stranger offering temporary affection and she had snatched it up in a drunken stupor. That particular scandal led to the first set of rumors circulating about the newly appointed Zuutaean leader. Libby knew already that once she was seen publicly with Jeremy, it would set off the next set of whispered rumors regarding her personal life. The gossip would surely spread like untamed wild fire within the small reservation.
On many days, the unspoken challenge was simply to sit down long enough to eat lunch without a single interruption. If she managed to make it through a meal, Libby considered it close to a miracle. The last couple of years had passed by so fast she barely had time to mourn the death of her mother much less secure any sort of close bond towards her sister. It was partially why she favored her days with Jeremy. He represented so much more than just another handsome face in the crowd. She saw in him the rest of humanity, both determination and love, and consequently felt a renewal to her birth righted privilege.
Her eyes rose to meet his gaze when he smiled down at her. Her mouth curved upward into an automatic, answering grin. His frequent kisses were addicting and she felt that same rush of warmth spread through her slender frame as his lips caressed her flesh. She distracted herself by toying with his shirt, allowing her mind to wander into more private speculations. She asked if he’d stay overnight a bit naively yet now she couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to lay beside a man she was genuinely attracted to. Liberty wasn’t sure what she was feeling but she did know she didn’t want it to stop. As deep as her loyalty went and as sure as her dedication towards her people stayed, Libby was falling for the ex-marine standing before her just as unwaveringly.
She laughed lightly when she startled Jeremy out of his reverie. It was amusing to see the observant man become zoned out and rather appealing to hope she was the cause for it. She smiled as he explained where he lived, nodding once with understanding as he brushed off the house as anything but spectacular. “I live with my younger sister, Caitlyn,” she said, “or Katydid as I call her. The houses here are all on the smaller side. There weren’t any built before we came here so most went up as fast as possible.” She paused, thinking about where Jeremy lived and found herself glad he was near Sam Uley’s territory. “Sounds like you’re in a good spot,” she added before teasing him about the sand. His reaction to her silly threat instantly brought a blush to her cheeks and a laugh to her lips. Libby was used to flirting and she’d heard all sorts of lines similar to that one, however, the fact that it was said by Jeremy brought a wave of goose bumps to her arms.
She watched his playful demeanor, unable to ascertain whether or not it was done completely in jest or not. A joke was on the tip of her tongue, readied to be lashed out with the same mirth she’d done countless other times to aspiring potential suitors. She could play the part of flirt well and had done so on numerous occasions when she was out with Elena. It was safe to kid around without going too far. No more room for mistakes. That was her protocol now. Liberty did not go beyond a teasing word or humored wink…not until now did she feel the desire to, least not to anyone else besides Jarrett. Jarrett was still a sore spot, an ache that didn’t quite fade completely. Jeremy’s tender touches and easy smile were the perfect combative recipe Libby needed without consciously understanding. He was the sun chasing away the clouds and she responded to him just like a spring flower opening its petals for greater light after a long, cold winter.
“That could be arranged,” she finally replied, her voice a mixture of amusement as well as sudden hesitation. Jeremy may have several affairs under his belt but Liberty didn’t. She was caught in that lingering desire of wanting more yet finding herself withdrawing from such yearning. It was almost as if she needed Jeremy to hold completely still so she could merely run her hands over his frame in exploration. That thought effectively chased out whatever else she’d been about to say, her gaze riveted to the glimpse of muscles unintentionally flexed whenever he moved his arms.
She had no knowledge of Piper’s offenses nor had she spoken to the female cougar recently. Libby was told Piper was spending her free time with Paul, one of the wolves from Sam’s pack. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that but she wasn’t going to deny Piper her fun as long as it doesn’t cause too much of a ruckus. Some of the Zuutaeans previously expressed their distinct dislike for the situation; worries which Libby managed to put at ease. The question of what would happen should Piper and Paul continue their relationship onto a higher level had raised more than a few eyebrows but after consulting with one of the Elders, Libby felt confident there would not be a future issue. Zuutaeans were merely rightfully proud and there were some who looked down their noses at the La Push inhabitants. Liberty always presented a neutral front for her tribe and pride to see, neither claiming superiority over others nor admitting to being equals or subordinates. It was how she preferred to handle all of the situations she dealt with; pure neutrality until forced to choose an alternate option. Had she known about Piper’s discrepancies, she may well have decided they were reason enough to reevaluate her former decision of not getting involved between her fellow shifter and the Quileute native. As it was, she didn’t know and so Piper was free to do as she pleased.
Jeremy cursed then, apologizing for the Zuutaean tribe’s run of bad luck. She nodded, smiling as she heard him say he was glad they’d met. That part was very true so it wasn’t all bad luck having to move into another country in order to salvage one’s cultural secrets. “You’re right,” she told him happily, “maybe it’s fate.” She was grinning, only half joking. She hadn’t ever considered love at first sight before but now she could only guess at what this was between them. It was more than lust for she felt deep inside her that they were in it for the long haul. It was refreshing and invigorating, making her feel light-hearted and content. She met his kiss, leaning upward to feel his lips against hers. She wanted to hold him longer but the abrupt expression of uncertainty upon his face left her watching him expectedly. The question which followed caught her off guard and the joy on her face slipped as her mouth settled into an even line of contemplation. Somehow she knew it wasn’t the right time to tell him everything and yet she didn’t want to lie to him. What if he found out later on? It wasn’t a secret Libby was the leader of Zuutaea after all.
She thought fast, trying to decide on how best to reply. Her pride was there bubbling at the surface, ready to erupt and eagerly claim the title she knew was hers alone. Her worry over Jeremy being turned off by it was also present, creating an odd contrast to her thoughts. “I’m ah…” her words trailed off as she cleared her throat and regarded him with the strength she possessed somewhere deep inside. “I help run this place,” she finished, settling for a partial truth. “Someone has to keep the peace what with all the cougars around,” she continued, feigning a laugh as she hurriedly flicked a strand of golden hair behind a shoulder. She felt a stab somewhere near her heart, knowing she had purposefully eluded Jeremy’s inquiry. She vowed to herself she would tell him everything soon. Her hand laid upon his arm, a serious gesture meant to reassure. “I promise you, Jeremy, I will explain more tonight,” she offered, “but let’s wait until later, alright? It’s nothing bad.” She smiled then, fervently praying that he would accept her powerful stand in the Zuutaean community.
They talked about change as she walked beside him, nodding agreement to what he said. “Sometimes I don’t think the fighting will ever stop,” she commented, “it’s up to the rest of us to pick up the pieces and make do. Better than make do… to live without following the same footsteps of those who prefer battle. It’s why I… well, it’s why I try to accept everyone no matter who they are…give them the benefit of the doubt.” She quieted, knowing she may have confused Jeremy with her little ramble. Libby was thinking about vampires of course, Aro specifically. Hadn’t he contacted her to extend his wish for peace? “But what do you do when you’re not given that option? If you saw your people being killed, you’d fight, Jer,” she said softly. “Isn’t that part of being a marine? To willingly defend your own. I would too,” she added, looking at him with curiosity after she asked him to tell her something she didn‘t know about him.
“Scars from your time in the service?” she asked, guessing that would be the likely source. Worry fluttered around the pit of her stomach despite it not making any sense. She hadn’t known Jeremy when he’d been injured yet the thought of him getting hurt made her want to hold him close and not let go. “Two tattoos,” she repeated, flashing a smile, “that’s two things you told me. What are your tattoos of?” She didn’t ask to see them directly but she would have liked to. He repeated the same question to her, making her laugh as she considered how to answer. There were a lot of things he didn’t know about her, the bulk of them being pretty major. She couldn’t tell him the biggest one; that she was a cougar. She also didn’t want to discuss her failed one-night stand. That left a handful of options and she weighed them quickly before speaking. “Alright, that’s fair,” she agreed. “and I’ll tell you two… number one, I am not sure I believe my father is dead. Two, I was going to wait until later to tell you this…” She stopped talking, turning to face Jeremy as her hands reached for his. She didn’t want to walk any further. They were tucked inside the beach’s neighboring wood line, their voices muffled by the natural cover. “Jeremy,” she spoke his name, the depth of her eyes filled with trepidation as well as fierce, raw pride. “I am the Zuutaean leader… “
HAHA i was copying and pasting one of heather's posts on another site...bc i have to reply...
Her mother’s death occurred shortly after Liberty shifted for the first time. It was a consolation she was grateful for; her maternal parent was able to rest knowing her firstborn had successfully shifted. Soon after, Libby was thrust into the headlong rush of staying ahead in a stream of seemingly endless expectations and required duties. Her relationships with others, save for Elena, suffered. In a moment of weakness and primitive need, she slept with an outsider in that same year. Up until that point, she had zero experience with intimacy. The man was an unknowing stranger offering temporary affection and she had snatched it up in a drunken stupor. That particular scandal led to the first set of rumors circulating about the newly appointed Zuutaean leader. Libby knew already that once she was seen publicly with Jeremy, it would set off the next set of whispered rumors regarding her personal life. The gossip would surely spread like untamed wild fire within the small reservation.
On many days, the unspoken challenge was simply to sit down long enough to eat lunch without a single interruption. If she managed to make it through a meal, Libby considered it close to a miracle. The last couple of years had passed by so fast she barely had time to mourn the death of her mother much less secure any sort of close bond towards her sister. It was partially why she favored her days with Jeremy. He represented so much more than just another handsome face in the crowd. She saw in him the rest of humanity, both determination and love, and consequently felt a renewal to her birth righted privilege.
Her eyes rose to meet his gaze when he smiled down at her. Her mouth curved upward into an automatic, answering grin. His frequent kisses were addicting and she felt that same rush of warmth spread through her slender frame as his lips caressed her flesh. She distracted herself by toying with his shirt, allowing her mind to wander into more private speculations. She asked if he’d stay overnight a bit naively yet now she couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to lay beside a man she was genuinely attracted to. Liberty wasn’t sure what she was feeling but she did know she didn’t want it to stop. As deep as her loyalty went and as sure as her dedication towards her people stayed, Libby was falling for the ex-marine standing before her just as unwaveringly.
She laughed lightly when she startled Jeremy out of his reverie. It was amusing to see the observant man become zoned out and rather appealing to hope she was the cause for it. She smiled as he explained where he lived, nodding once with understanding as he brushed off the house as anything but spectacular. “I live with my younger sister, Caitlyn,” she said, “or Katydid as I call her. The houses here are all on the smaller side. There weren’t any built before we came here so most went up as fast as possible.” She paused, thinking about where Jeremy lived and found herself glad he was near Sam Uley’s territory. “Sounds like you’re in a good spot,” she added before teasing him about the sand. His reaction to her silly threat instantly brought a blush to her cheeks and a laugh to her lips. Libby was used to flirting and she’d heard all sorts of lines similar to that one, however, the fact that it was said by Jeremy brought a wave of goose bumps to her arms.
She watched his playful demeanor, unable to ascertain whether or not it was done completely in jest or not. A joke was on the tip of her tongue, readied to be lashed out with the same mirth she’d done countless other times to aspiring potential suitors. She could play the part of flirt well and had done so on numerous occasions when she was out with Elena. It was safe to kid around without going too far. No more room for mistakes. That was her protocol now. Liberty did not go beyond a teasing word or humored wink…not until now did she feel the desire to, least not to anyone else besides Jarrett. Jarrett was still a sore spot, an ache that didn’t quite fade completely. Jeremy’s tender touches and easy smile were the perfect combative recipe Libby needed without consciously understanding. He was the sun chasing away the clouds and she responded to him just like a spring flower opening its petals for greater light after a long, cold winter.
“That could be arranged,” she finally replied, her voice a mixture of amusement as well as sudden hesitation. Jeremy may have several affairs under his belt but Liberty didn’t. She was caught in that lingering desire of wanting more yet finding herself withdrawing from such yearning. It was almost as if she needed Jeremy to hold completely still so she could merely run her hands over his frame in exploration. That thought effectively chased out whatever else she’d been about to say, her gaze riveted to the glimpse of muscles unintentionally flexed whenever he moved his arms.
She had no knowledge of Piper’s offenses nor had she spoken to the female cougar recently. Libby was told Piper was spending her free time with Paul, one of the wolves from Sam’s pack. She wasn’t sure how she felt about that but she wasn’t going to deny Piper her fun as long as it doesn’t cause too much of a ruckus. Some of the Zuutaeans previously expressed their distinct dislike for the situation; worries which Libby managed to put at ease. The question of what would happen should Piper and Paul continue their relationship onto a higher level had raised more than a few eyebrows but after consulting with one of the Elders, Libby felt confident there would not be a future issue. Zuutaeans were merely rightfully proud and there were some who looked down their noses at the La Push inhabitants. Liberty always presented a neutral front for her tribe and pride to see, neither claiming superiority over others nor admitting to being equals or subordinates. It was how she preferred to handle all of the situations she dealt with; pure neutrality until forced to choose an alternate option. Had she known about Piper’s discrepancies, she may well have decided they were reason enough to reevaluate her former decision of not getting involved between her fellow shifter and the Quileute native. As it was, she didn’t know and so Piper was free to do as she pleased.
Jeremy cursed then, apologizing for the Zuutaean tribe’s run of bad luck. She nodded, smiling as she heard him say he was glad they’d met. That part was very true so it wasn’t all bad luck having to move into another country in order to salvage one’s cultural secrets. “You’re right,” she told him happily, “maybe it’s fate.” She was grinning, only half joking. She hadn’t ever considered love at first sight before but now she could only guess at what this was between them. It was more than lust for she felt deep inside her that they were in it for the long haul. It was refreshing and invigorating, making her feel light-hearted and content. She met his kiss, leaning upward to feel his lips against hers. She wanted to hold him longer but the abrupt expression of uncertainty upon his face left her watching him expectedly. The question which followed caught her off guard and the joy on her face slipped as her mouth settled into an even line of contemplation. Somehow she knew it wasn’t the right time to tell him everything and yet she didn’t want to lie to him. What if he found out later on? It wasn’t a secret Libby was the leader of Zuutaea after all.
She thought fast, trying to decide on how best to reply. Her pride was there bubbling at the surface, ready to erupt and eagerly claim the title she knew was hers alone. Her worry over Jeremy being turned off by it was also present, creating an odd contrast to her thoughts. “I’m ah…” her words trailed off as she cleared her throat and regarded him with the strength she possessed somewhere deep inside. “I help run this place,” she finished, settling for a partial truth. “Someone has to keep the peace what with all the cougars around,” she continued, feigning a laugh as she hurriedly flicked a strand of golden hair behind a shoulder. She felt a stab somewhere near her heart, knowing she had purposefully eluded Jeremy’s inquiry. She vowed to herself she would tell him everything soon. Her hand laid upon his arm, a serious gesture meant to reassure. “I promise you, Jeremy, I will explain more tonight,” she offered, “but let’s wait until later, alright? It’s nothing bad.” She smiled then, fervently praying that he would accept her powerful stand in the Zuutaean community.
They talked about change as she walked beside him, nodding agreement to what he said. “Sometimes I don’t think the fighting will ever stop,” she commented, “it’s up to the rest of us to pick up the pieces and make do. Better than make do… to live without following the same footsteps of those who prefer battle. It’s why I… well, it’s why I try to accept everyone no matter who they are…give them the benefit of the doubt.” She quieted, knowing she may have confused Jeremy with her little ramble. Libby was thinking about vampires of course, Aro specifically. Hadn’t he contacted her to extend his wish for peace? “But what do you do when you’re not given that option? If you saw your people being killed, you’d fight, Jer,” she said softly. “Isn’t that part of being a marine? To willingly defend your own. I would too,” she added, looking at him with curiosity after she asked him to tell her something she didn‘t know about him.
“Scars from your time in the service?” she asked, guessing that would be the likely source. Worry fluttered around the pit of her stomach despite it not making any sense. She hadn’t known Jeremy when he’d been injured yet the thought of him getting hurt made her want to hold him close and not let go. “Two tattoos,” she repeated, flashing a smile, “that’s two things you told me. What are your tattoos of?” She didn’t ask to see them directly but she would have liked to. He repeated the same question to her, making her laugh as she considered how to answer. There were a lot of things he didn’t know about her, the bulk of them being pretty major. She couldn’t tell him the biggest one; that she was a cougar. She also didn’t want to discuss her failed one-night stand. That left a handful of options and she weighed them quickly before speaking. “Alright, that’s fair,” she agreed. “and I’ll tell you two… number one, I am not sure I believe my father is dead. Two, I was going to wait until later to tell you this…” She stopped talking, turning to face Jeremy as her hands reached for his. She didn’t want to walk any further. They were tucked inside the beach’s neighboring wood line, their voices muffled by the natural cover. “Jeremy,” she spoke his name, the depth of her eyes filled with trepidation as well as fierce, raw pride. “I am the Zuutaean leader… “
HAHA i was copying and pasting one of heather's posts on another site...bc i have to reply...