Sozin slunk back to where he had left the blind leopardess beneath the trees, a dead gazelle clenched in his jaws. Usually he would leave the gazelle alive for a while longer, but he had a 'guest' and therefore, shouldn't play with his food. He smirked a little around his kill. Really, a blind companion was perfect, as so long as he controlled his voice, she wouldn't pick up on his less then 'innocent' nature. Of course, he did need to watch his tone far more carefully now that he was with someone who was trained to pick up on changes in voice. Speaking of which. He needed to call out to her, so she knew he was approaching. “Sweet Lady?” He called out, keeping his voice soft, although he could not see her yet. Perhaps she had fled? He scowled. No. She would not. Would she? His mood fast plummeted, annoyed to think his toy had left him.
The clouds above them had begun to form, a darker gray that threatened rain, so Sozin ducked beneath the trees, wanting to find some protection from the rain which would soon form around them.
Kanya knew that Sozin was on his way back even without him calling out, the wind was at his back. "Over here!" She said as she stepped out from behind a baobab tree trunk. "I've found something I think you should see." Kanya ducked back behind the trunk facing her surprising find. She didn't know what it looked like but she knew what it felt like, what it sounded like, and what it smelled like. Apparently some time ago this ancient tree grew a sapling right beside it and as the two trees grew they joined at a point slightly above her head. Kanya knew from trying to climb the tree that the younger part branched back out shortly after touching it's parent. The meeting of the two left a small cave that some smart creature widened into a decent size den by digging at both the trees and the dirt. It was large for lepard but would be comfortable for a lion so for the night it would keep the rain off of Sozin as Kanya slept above him where the two trees separated.
Sozin heard her call out and changed his course, seeking out where her voice came from. He could not find her from scent, as the wind must be blowing towards her, not towards him, which left him at a disadvantage, but his hearing was good and he found her rather easily.
She was standing near two entwined large trees, and Sozin noted the den between the two which another creature had widened and made available to them. Sozin smirked, pleased with their spot but took note that it was not quite large enough for two. “Where will you sleep, Sweet Lady?” He asked kindly, though his real interest laid in the fact that she might be leaving now that he had a den. He did not wish her to go yet, and she would not go until he was ready, he decided firmly. Though they could always squish into the den together, he thought, with a smirk, pleased that he did not have to hide it from her.
He had placed the dead gazelle on the ground before he spoke, which now laid in a tangled heap by his feet, though he would move it closer to the trees if the rain started. Water-logged meat was disgusting.
"Well I figured that I would sleep up there? After all the trees are my home even if I can't see them." Kanya nodded to the place she determined that she would spend the night. "That den is large enough for you but would be close quarters with both of us and," She smiled, "that gazelle you brought for dinner." Kanya laughed softly just as thunder rolled across the darkening sky. "Soon the rain will begin and when it stops the world will begin anew." Her face was turned up to the sky and her eyes were closed as she enjoyed the feel of the rain laden wind rustled the branches of their tree. "Can you hear the rain coming Sozin?" Kanya practically whispered as her ears strained to pick up the faint patter of falling water coming closer.
Sozin nodded, before remembering that she could not see it. His mouth twisted in a smirk, even as he spoke kindly. “Ah, so I will not be gifted with your presence tonight?” He asked, sounding sorrowful but slightly playful. He glanced down at his kill and back at her, knowing he should have been impressed with her ability to know what it was, but anyone with a nose would have been able to, if they were smart enough to use the senses they had been given.
However, he was impressed at her ability to think of the rain. He tilted his head, straining to hear what it was that she clearly could but after a moment of silence, he found he could not hear anything at all. “No,” he admitted rather dryly, before adding in a slightly kinder tone. “but I find it fascinating that you can.”
He lowered his head and grasped the gazelle, moving past her to drop the kill at the mouth of the den, as a the rain above them began to fall gently, only a light drizzle for the moment but it looked like it would grow heavier soon.
“Join me in the den for a while?” He requested quietly, reluctant for her to raise to her sleeping spot. It would be difficult for them to talk if she did so. They could sit comfortably in the shelter, without having to be too close anyway. Sleep would have been cramped though.
Kanya smiled over at Sozin, "It just takes practice and once you are able too you can hear the world as no other can." She felt him move past her towards the den but she payed no attention. Instead she turned her face back to the clouds and stuck out her tongue so she could taste the first drops of rain. They were clear and pure as only rain water could be but soon the light drizzle took on the aspect of a heavier, long rain. With a sigh she turned towards Sozin, ducking into the relative dryness underneath the leaves.
Kanya nodded at his invitation, "Give me just a moment though." She was no more then damp but Kanya figured that she should try to at least shake any excess water from her if possible so that is what she did on the other side of the tree. It didn't take her more then a moment before she was back and standing outside of the den. "Are you sure there is enough space for both of us?"
Sozin inclined his head, disinterested. Perhaps it would be worth it to learn. It might prove useful in a battle, he mused,as he settled in the den. “Perhaps,” he said, nonchalantly, not committing himself to learning to hear better. It was not something life-threateningly important, and so he did not need to know it. Perhaps she might wish to teach him some day, but for now, he was happy with his sight in tact and not being dependent on his hearing as she might be.
He was surprised when she did not rush under the shelter of the den, and instead stood out beneath the pure rain water, seeming to soak it and up try to drink it at the same time. She had her head tilted up, clearly enjoying the experience of the rain, unconcerned with the water. After bidding him for him to wait, she moved around the tree to remove the excess water she had gained on her coat, before slipping back around.
“We will fit,” he assured her coolly. Leopards were not worthy of his time or space, but this female was more interesting then most lions he had met, so perhaps she was worthy of his space. He shifted back, moving himself further in so that she might squeeze in with him.
Kanya heard him shift but still she hesitated. She didn't know why she hesitated, Sozin had been nothing if not polite but still something warned her for caution. Not sure what was causing it Kanya couldn't help but shake it off telling herself that there was no reason for the chill she felt suddenly. She entered the den and carefully positioned herself so Sozin had plenty of space.
She listened to the quiet patter of the rain on the tree leaves, the near silent beat of Sozin's heart, and the music of the wind in the grass. Not sure what to do Kanya remained silent until she got up the courage to ask, "Sozin what brought you to this area?" She was curious but she still hadn't shaken the slight feeling she got earlier so she wasn't sure asking was such a good idea.
Sozin watched her enter the den, feeling her move close to him but leaving a space between them. Was that purely a physical movement, or was she distanced from him mentally still too? Sozin found he did not like that idea. It was no fun if the person was not completely involved in him. They would not be quite as crushed, or so easily swayed if they did not feel close to him.
As she spoke, Sozin's face was cold, though his voice was warm - bordering on gentle but he could not quite pull that voice of successfully. "I am a wanderer," he explained calmly, "my feet brought me to this area. I have no set home, so I wander until something captures my interest enough to stay." A compliment to her, carefully veiled incase she was not ready to recieve such a compliment.
"And you, Sweet Kanya? What brings you here so I might stumble upon you?" Another compliment, though he was trying to be careful not to lay them on too thickly, for fear he would startle her away rather then draw her closer.
"Oh yes you mentioned that you have traveled far." The conversation was just a hour or two ago but of that part of it Kanya primarily remembered the shift to singers and such and only remember him mentioning wandering as a side note, much like Sozin's veiled complements. As their combined body heat warmed up the small space Kanya slowly relaxed. She was still uneasy but she squashed that part silently and vehemently saying that there was no reason to be uneasy.
She had to think a moment about his question, so many things brought her to this point but what was important? "Well I would have to say that being on my own brought me here. All my life there was someone nearby until recently and I have found that relying on oneself is a powerful thing. To know that the growling in your belly can only be fixed by your own four paws is something that I truly was unaware of until about three days ago." Such freedom, while hard, was something that she was just beginning to cherish.
Sozin nodded, before realising that she would not see it, so instead he made an affirmative noise to her comment of his travels. He had told her before, but it was a safe topic, so he did not mind if he had to repeat it once or twice. He kept watch over her, from the corner of his eye as he stared out at the brewing weather. She seemed less tense, after a little while, which pleased Sozin – he told himself that it was purely because this meant she was trusting him, and would make his games later that bit more fun.
He was intrigued when she spoke. Ah. So this was her first time on her own? Perfect. She would be easier to trust, Sozin believed, since she was used to relying on others. “Those first months alone can be very trying.” Sozin agreed, sounding sympathetic. “But the freedom is liberating, as I'm sure you are aware.” He paused, as if he was hesitant to say his next words, though the pause had been faked. “Though there are those around who are willing to be of support to you, if you need it – even for brief moments.” Sozin told himself it was an act, but there was something about the female that seemed to draw out emotions he had long since buried. He did not like this feeling, he decided, but did not strike or lash out at the female, content to sit a while with her and simply...be.
Kanya smiled softly and nodded in agreement, " Since it really hasn't been that long for me I can only assume but for me it is like a fledgling bird taking her first hesitant flight. She soon learns to swore in the sky with a free heart and I know that I will be like that if only given a chance." She faced the outside world, the rain was still falling but it was a soft patter rather then a waterfall it was just a few moments ago.
"Sozin would you ever accept support unless you truly needed it?" She faced him and wile she could not see him she felt like she could, if only in her imagination. "I think that if the need arose you would only accept it if there was no other choice. I had that choice once and if I had to repeat it I would still take it but it still - " Kanya faded off. She didn't know how to explain what she meant and the events leading up to meeting Berhanu still gave her nightmares. Facing the storm again she placed her head on her paws and closed her eyes, listening to the storm and Sozin. For her the conversation was over, it was not something she really wished to dwell on but if he wished to talk about something else rather then enjoy his meal that was up to him.
Sozin was constantly surprised at her eloquence. Not many people could speak so well and make images with only their voices, and yet she seemed to have this gift. He was impressed, reluctantly. He glanced out at the weather as well, considering her question as she continued on to answer it for herself.
“- Still, you want to prove your own worth, without the help of another's paw,” he finished, sounding rather dry about the statement. “I can understand, and you are right. I would never accept the help of another unless it was necessity.” He inclined his head. He was surprised when she had faced him, and had taken in her features. The world around them was growing dark but he could still see her features.
“No help then,” Sozin said, his voice sounding soft, a gentle deception. “Simply company, for as long as you want.” Not need. This female likely did not need anything from Sozin, but Sozin was not ready to shrug her off and move on. He wanted to learn more, and know more. He had to wonder who he was setting up for a fall – her? Or himself?
