Dust [OPEN]

[kavu]

[glow=brown,2,300]KAVU[/glow]

FROM DUST YOU DID RISE
SENT OUT TO LIVE LIFE
SENT OUT TO LEARN
TO DUST YOU SHALL RETURN

The ancient saying seemed to blow across his mind as the wind blew wisps of sand over the hills of sparkling sand. How could something so desolate seem so beautiful? How could anything so foreign feel like home? The wind blew his sand colored mane in front of his caressing blue eyes that scanned his surroundings. The warm air seemed to warm his heart and the open skies seemed to free his soul. His eyes closed and he enjoyed the wind blowing his mane around in a frenzy.

Here, he could live. Here, he could spend a lifetime.

Legend:
Thoughts
"My words"
"Others' words"

ancient saying by miyuki - do not steal

[Saila]

There was little to no shade in the drylands, and the scorching heat wasn’t being cooled by the rains that seemed to be never ending lately. Under one of the few covers of shade along these lands rested a milk chocolate hued lioness, a paw over her eyes to keep the sand from getting into them. Her ears flicked every so often, as if on the alert for any new sounds that would give alert to someone passing through. Her nostrils widened slightly as the scent of another entered them, a scent she didn’t recognize. Nearly leaping to her feet, the small lioness scanned the area with red eyes, finally finding the origin of the new lion smell. From where she was standing, she could tell the lion was a male, and he was definitely larger than she was, though that wasn’t saying much. He nearly blended in with the sands of the desert. Watching silently, Saila tilted her head. She’d never seen him before, and she was curious as to who he was.

Most of all, she was curious as to what he was doing in such a desolate place like this. Granted, she was here, but only because she had wanted some time to herself. She’d spent more time than usual around the other lions in the pride earlier that morning and it had about drove her mad. Yes, she was thankful they’d accepted her when she’d come to them in a time of need but it was going to take some getting used to, being in a new land with a whole new pride. To be honest, it unsettled her ever so slightly. Settling back on her haunches, the brown lioness continued to watch the male with her red eyes, still curious as to what he was doing in the area.

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[kavu]

[glow=brown,2,300]KAVU[/glow]

The scorching heat penetrated deep into his skin, and felt good, almost normal. It wasn't hot, just warm. He loved it, and it felt like home. The reaches of the sands were so far, that he felt so small and insignificant for once. Like dust. Something about these sands seemed untouchable, not ravaged by time and unaffected by outside influences.

He stood and watched his surroundings for a moment longer, then climbed to the top of a nearby dune. The golden sun was slowly lowering down below the distant horizon. Suddenly, at the higher vantage point, a different color appeared in the distance. A chocolate brown speck, in the vague shape of a lioness, sat in the dwindling shade. His ears were erect, his nose useless because of the angle of the sandy breeze.

He wasn't sure of the status of his relationship in this situation. He hadn't a clue if this lioness was a member of the Drylands Pride, if he was allowed to just pass through, or if she had even noticed him yet. In any case, he had to make his move. The choices were endless, but the logical ones seemed a little out of his reach at the moment. Confront her? Ask her if I can just pass through? He stood motionless for a moment, lost in thought, and opted for none of the above. Nonchalantly, he continued to walk in the direction of the unclaimed sands in the distance. She had to do something, now it was her move.

Legend:
Thoughts
"My words"
"Others' words"

[Saila]

Red eyes kept their focus on the seemingly handsome male. As he moved, it was with a grace that was rather entrancing, and a confidence that seemed to just belong in a place such as this. It was as if he had been away, and was returning home, like a soldier returning from war. It seemed as if he was relieved to finally be back in the home he had been away from for so long. As the brute grew closer, the small lioness rose to her paws again, her gaze and stance wary of the brute. Yet, when he drew near, a feeling of calm came over her. Tilting her head, confused and intrigued, the lioness chuffed towards the brute, as if asking who he was and what he was doing in the desolate dunes.

The breeze was less down in the dip she had been resting in. There was no blowing sand to irritate the eyes or the nose, though the warming heat was still just the same. The chocolate lioness kept her red eyes on the brute, silently hoping he would draw near so she would find out who he was. That was rather unusual for Saila to have a desire to converse with another. The little lioness was always wary and shy of others, especially ones she did not know. Yet, there was something alluring about this particular brute. Perhaps it was the way he carried himself with confidence, or the calming aura he seemed to have. Whatever it was, Saila found herself desiring to know the male.

Settling back onto her haunches, she chuffed again, louder this time. This was her form of greeting to all lions, whether she knew them or not. The chocolate found it easier and more like to elicit a response most of the time than simply yelling out like a fool. Flicking her right ear slightly, the female waited patiently to see what the large brutes next move would be, though she still silently hoped he would draw nearer to her so she could get a better view at the very least.

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[kavu]

[glow=brown,2,300]KAVU[/glow]

He wasn't one that was suave with words, nor one that knew exactly what to do in such situations, but though no words had been said, she like this lioness. Not so much that he would risk what he was heading towards, but enough to wish to know her.

She's beautiful.

The wind continued to blow the sandy mane that framed his face and soft blue eyes. His strong legs sunk into the sand as he stood and watched the feline in the distance, chuffing. He chuffed back, softly at first. He repositioned his paws, thinking about what should be done in the situation. He decided that he couldn't avoid speaking with her any longer, and so he walked over to her, with long and careful strides.

Once he was two body-lengths from her, the wind still blowing his mane around, he stared gently at her. It's not that he didn't want to speak, but he found words no longer useful, much less required.

She really is beautiful.

Legend:
Thoughts
"My words"
"Others' words"

[Saila]

Chocolate brown lioness rose to her paws as the brute grew nearer to her. With every step that brought him closer, her heart seemed to pound faster within her chest. Her face remained soft, almost welcoming, a sign that she had no intentions of causing harm to the male. Once he was close enough, she chuffed out to him softly once again, the sound carried on the gentle breeze, There was no denying that the brown male was handsome. As the breeze picked up pieces of his sand colored mane and tossed them into his face, the lioness already felt a peculiar twinge in the pit of her stomach. The feeling caused her breath to hitch in her throat, and she lifted her red eyes to meet his.

There was something different about this particular male that she could already sense. Though, she was rather unable to place her paw on exactly what it was. He’s rather handsome. But she would never speak such a thought aloud. There was always this lingering fear in her mind that if she spoke what she thought, there would be someone there to laugh or reprimand her or pick on her for it as there had been in the Outlands. Her past often haunted her, no matter how hard she tried to let go and move past it. It seemed to her as if there was no escaping the things that had happened to her at the paws of the outsiders. Yet, there was something different about this brute standing a few feet from her. Already, she felt as though she could trust him.

Though she still found words unnecessary, her desire to know the name of this brute was starting to burn its way inside of her, so she called out to him softly, her voice carried on the gentle breeze blowing between them, I’m Saila. Who might you be?

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[kavu]

[glow=brown,2,300]KAVU[/glow]

He could hear her chuffing as it seemed to float to him, gently on the wind. Her stare left him thoughtless, though he could feel his heart pumping away in his chest. She spoke to him, "I'm Saila." He immediately thought that it was a beautiful name. "Who might you be?"

He looked her over, her stance, her eyes, and her overall self. Nothing said she had any intention of misusing the knowledge. Although he wasn't sure if he could live with himself if he decided not to, he gave in.

"Kavu."

Legend:
Thoughts
"My words"
"Others' words"

[Saila]

His name filled her with a type of joy the lioness had never known before. A smile seemed to form on her maw for the first time in what felt like forever, yet it was natural and not forced. Standing in the presence of the brute, the lioness’ spirits seemed to lift, Well, Kavu. What brings you to the Drylands desert? She was curious now, hungry to know more about him even though they had only been in each other’s presence for a few minutes. Perhaps it was just the lioness, but it felt almost as if the air about them was suddenly charged with electricity. Gazing at the handsome brute with her red eyes, Saila tilted her head slightly, a signal that she had a desire to know him and was interested in anything he had to say.

Allowing her eyes to scan across the desert for a moment before turning her full attention back to the brute before her, she spoke again, The desert, as beautiful as it may be, is not somewhere many lions travel through at this time of the year. Though, this time of the year was normally vastly different from the way it was right now. It seemed as though the weather had decided to play tricks on all the territories, and where it shouldn’t be raining it was and where a drought shouldn’t exist, it existed. Saila had heard word of even the Vinelands drying out, and that was rather alarming. It had caused her to wonder just how the Outlands were faring, though she could not really find it within herself to care much on how those horrid lands were faring with the weather. It was as much as they deserved, in her opinion.

Inhaling deeply, she took in the brutes scent. He belonged to no pride, from what she could tell. It was not unusual to see a vagrant crossing through the desert, but they had never come so close to the drylands as this one had. Perhaps his intentions had not been to come this close, and the thought that she was possibly the reason for him drawing so close thrilled the lioness. None had ever taken much interest in the female, especially in the Outlands. She’d been too small and too much of a pushover in their eyes to ever be worthy of much. The thought that this brute could think differently and see her in a different light was a rather exciting thought.

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[kavu]

[glow=brown,2,300]KAVU[/glow]

"Well, Kavu, what brings you to the Drylands desert?" She tilted her head, an obvious sign of curiosity. She continued, "The desert, as beautiful as it may be, is not somewhere many lions travel through at this time of the year." He looked out at the horizon, the single, golden color that melded in to everything he saw. The warm, comforting wind that blew crystal-like sand everywhere. For the longest time he thought he was the only one that could see the beauty, but no longer. Saila understood, and he let her in.

"It is beautiful." He paused for a moment. "Which is perhaps one of the reasons I am here. I had been here before, many, many years ago. I cannot stay for long, although." Throughout his explanation, he continued to stare at his breathtaking surroundings.

Legend:
Thoughts
"My words"
"Others' words"

[Saila]

She followed his gaze and nodded at his words. Then, she rose to her paws and drew nearer to him. It was as though some invisible force was propelling her forward, yet there was no resistance from the lioness. Peculiar as it was for her to so willingly approach another, she was not alarmed by her rash decision. Casting her gaze in the same directions as his, it was like the horizon of the desert rose to meet her and called out to her. A desire to see what was beyond these lands welled up in the lioness, and without warning, she spoke, I would like to join you, if that’s alright. I’ve never been accepted here. I merely exist. I don’t want to waste away in a pride that doesn’t even know my name. She was unsure of how he would respond to her plea, but she hoped that he would allow her to accompany him.

Standing there, her eyes scanning the horizon, the flames of desire that suddenly rose up seemed to begin to grow. Saila had never known anything outside of the Outlands and the Drylands. There was never a significant difference between the lands that had caused her to wonder if there was more out there, or even a place where she would finally be accepted. Now, that suddenly changed. She was curious, wondering if there was a place for her somewhere beyond the rise of the desert horizon, or perhaps even a place with the brute standing next to her. The curiosity and desire reflected ever so slightly in her gaze as she glanced briefly at the large male. Oh, how she hoped he would agree to having her accompany him on his wanderings.

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[kavu]

[glow=brown,2,300]KAVU[/glow]

Saila's sudden approach did not surprise him, but it was unexpected. Yet, not unwelcome. As the two of them stared out at their breathtaking surroundings, it wasn't the magnificent view that made his heart pound. It was the commitment she offered.

"I would like to join you, if that’s alright. I’ve never been accepted here. I merely exist. I don’t want to waste away in a pride that doesn’t even know my name."

Here was a beautiful lioness that was willing to go away with him even after just moments of meeting him, and he hesitated. He hated himself for hesitating, but even more for the rash answer that escaped him just then.

"No!" His innards crumbled. "I mean... no. I can't let you do that."

It was not unlike him to reject companionship. He rejected the vague prospect of his dependence on another or his attachment to anyone or anything. He was a wanderer by design; a slippery shadow that only clung to the sun only by his claws. The thought of loving something as much as he did the sand was repulsive. In such a respect, he considered those who fell under such a category in the same class as a leech.

A Love Leech. Ha.

The thought was comical. But to say that the connection he felt with Saila was comical would be a crime.

Legend:
Thoughts
"My words"
"Others' words"