Welcome to Gaia! ::

Since his friend Johari had given him the 'grand tour' of the lands, Muroki had more than doubled his daily range - no longer worried he might offend or stray into area he shouldn't. This morning by the time the sun had risen he'd already made it to the edge of his old range and had passed over it without a care in the world. The sandy lion was at ease with himself and the world for now. Muroki was in a fine mood. Meditation had cleared his mind and the breeze was airy and cool...the sun was warm...and everywhere there were signs of other of his kind.

Pugmarks and the rough trails animals had made through the undergrowth. Clear pawprints in mud. A few shed hairs. Scent on the wind. And the most calming this of all? Every single one of them within this mountain bowl was at the very least civil if not downright friendly. Muroki was sure of it. This, he felt, pride was to be admired; especially since it had suffered as his old one had but had regained it's footing.

Pausing at a small waterhole, he paused to sniff at a few marks then get a quick drink. From there he could plan his next move.

"Johari." The warm tone and bright smile Muroki greeted her with spoke volumes. He paused mid step and nodded his head respectfully. Seeing her around the rocky bowl of the pride lands was always pleasant, though it had been a few days since he'd last seen her. Another reason why he loved living here - the intriguing green eyed lioness. She wasn't like the girls he'd met outside. Far more interesting.

"It's such a lovely morning, it seemed a shame to sleep through it." No that he'd ever sleep through the dawn unless there was a very good reason. But he had been known to nap for a long time while the light-paws of the sun kneaded warmth into his fur.

"And how are you, my dear?"

"Of course not." He closed his eyes at her action and added his deeper growling-purr to hers for a moment. After, he gestured with a paw towards where he'd been headed and stepped aside so there was room on the thin animal track to go side by side. Then Muroki started walking leisurely, the long grass tickling against his shoulder and flank.

Muroki walked silenty beside Johari a moment, considering the question. More beautiful? He wasn't sure. There were many places as beautiful though not all in such a pleasant, good way. Some of the most lovely places had been as beautiful as they were deadly.

"Yes and no..."

"For example, where I was born, there's an ocean of sand...all hazy and gleaming under the sun. There's a cave that's not a real cave, all light and colourful and open. You can wade in cool water surrounded by flowers and their rich scent. It's beautiful but in a very different way to this lush place and deadly to those who ignore the heat."

He smiled at her, using his homeland to contrast with hers. Muroki was always willing to talk about whatever Johari wished - and hoped his frankness would one day dispel the awkwardness she often seemed to feel.

"No, it's...a rock that's like a lone boulder, but is massive and hollow. Inside it's like a termite mound or ants nest. All little chambers and dens. The gods themselves must have carved it with their claws."

"My mother used to say that, I think." He added as an after thought, happy at the memory.

"I do miss it. But this place is beautiful, and your pride is one I admire greatly...besides. You're here."

Muroki offered one of his old 'charmer' smiles that he'd used so often in his youth, though with more hopeful sincerity than with the sweet-seeming craftiness of his adolescence. Couldn't go off and leave all his friends and Johari to go be a hermit could he? No matter how much he loved his homeland.

He felt a tug at his heart listening to her words. A horrible mix of happiness at the idea she would want to go with him - and much good it would do his friend to travel a bit, Muroki thought - but then...then the bitter sweet memory of the one's who had traveled with him before. One lioness especially came to mind. Hisani had been very different from Johari, but hadn't she said those words once?

But it was his homeland, where his spirit belonged. His earliest memories were off that place and everytime Muroki was drawn to it. Even the idea of a journey there was as wonderful as it was worrying.

"...thank you, Johari, but I don't want to loose anyone else out there. Why sacrifice this? A good home, a dear friend to wile away the time with, pride to hunt with."