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 Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:06 pm
In the heat of the day, when the sun was at the highest point in the sky, nobody really felt like doing much of anything, Strychnos included. With the majority of his pelt being nearly pitch in color the lion was content to take refuge in the shade of some jutting boulders where the dirt was cool--or at least cooler than the land in direct contact with the stretching rays of golden sunlight. There was a sorry excuse for a watering hole half a mile to the west but honestly, Styrc couldn't be bothered to jackass himself all the way over there. Chin resting heavily on a forearm set aglow in the darkness by neon markings.
Like most poisonous creatures even he had signs of warning that suggested others keep their distance least they be sorry.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:07 pm
It was hot, or at least hotter than the coast of the sea line Kai thought as she squinted her eyes looking for a piece of shade, anything would do. Her black upper coat felt as if it was about to catch on fire and roast the rest of her body and her tongue! It was like sands rolling around in her jaw. She wanted water, she wanted shade, she wanted to be as far away as possible from the vile part of land called the grasslands. Her only problem was she was lost. With little a little hazy memory of a former past Kai really had no idea where she was or where anything should have been other than she felt comfortable living along the edge of the sea and that her paws hurt.
“Watttteerrrr….. sshhhaadddeeee wheerree aree yyooouuu,” she replied almost singing a loud plea.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:11 pm
With eyes a watery, muted shade of green Strychnos watched this desolate brush drowsily. There wasn't a whole lot going on at this hour, most of the other predators were--like Stryc--taking cover under what shrunken umbrellas of shade they could find. The prey beasts, given their numbers stood around, milling mostly. Taking advantage of the fact that their stalkers were simply too overcome by the heat to bother ambushing them and so for the most part they simply stood around, basking in the chance to avoid having to run about to keep from being made a meal of. Everyone seemed to have gotten the memo that it was time for the daily lull of activity except for a dark silhouette slinking across the open terrain in plain sight.
Disbelieving what he was seeing Strychnos blinked several times and lifted his head to try and get a clearer view thinking at first that it might be a mirage. But after staring, unblinkingly, for several moments with his nose nearly peeking out into the burning sun the rogue was certain that what he saw was no illusion. Ears pricking forward attentively to her humorously trilling call for help, clearly she wasn't the brightest lily in the lake. What the hell are you doing out there. You're going to fry your brain.
In the back of his mind Strychnos wondered if she hadn't already, adding as if to be sure she understood his meaning. Find cover.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:16 pm
She was confused. Not that she was confused by the words that were spoken to her… actually no she was confused by those as well. Kai stared at the grass, she didn’t know who was yelling at her or what was meant by frying her brain. She was sure at this point her blood was probably boiling underneath all of her fur as she stood there.
“Whose there?! And I’m… LOST!......” She yelled in return realizing that the last phrase of his words made sense.
“Oh… umm….. I don’t know where to find cover! It’s hot…and….. I don’t know where cover is I keep looking but…. There’s no trees” There was a lack of driftwood or even the familiar trees that scattered the sea line and caves were obviously not an option leaving her pretty much out of luck. Kai kept looking for the source of the voice but everything was rather hazy, much like her memories.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:19 pm
Are you kidding me? Strychnos muttered in disbelief, not quite loud enough for her to hear given he was speaking mostly to himself. Clearly she was not the brightest lioness he had ever come across and yet despite the fact that he knew nothing about her he felt oddly compelled to help. Maybe if only to see her reaction when she realized that the cover she sought was right under her nose. As was he. Slithering from the shadows created by the rocky overhang his slate figure nearly cringed to return to the suffocating heat. Strychnos.
He answered her first question in a single word as his lean frame stepped up from her right flank. Without the wavering lines of distortion that spanned across the grounds when they were glanced across from a distance it was easier to examine her, taking note of the dark rosettes and attractive sunset hue that laced along the edges of her underbelly. Well obviously beauty and brains didn't run in her family, but at least one was enough. Careful to keep a measured amount of space between them--though it was a fairly unconscious habit by now the rogue arched a brow. There's cover everywhere.. if you know how to look for it.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:25 pm
“Strychnos….” Kai replied whispering the name that her ears had picked up over the humming noise of the grasslands, or maybe the faint humming noise was from her imagination she was unsure. Looking over her shoulder she realized the voice she had been hearing came from the black colored lion who appeared out of the haziness of the desert heat.
“Oh… hello you are Strychnos then… Umm I’m Kai….. or at least I think I am…. I’m not sure but you can call me Kai for now,” she replied giving him a faint smile as she tried to tell herself that she wasn’t crazy. It sounded crazy she was sure of that however she didn’t want him to think she was…. Well completely nuts.
“Ummm.. that’s the problem I don’t know how to look for it… I mean I’m use to being around the beach with trees… where it isn’t quite this hot or…. Or at least I can’t remember living anywhere else but the beach or at least…. Yea….” Kai didn’t know how to explain it, she woke on the beach, not born but woke up and anything from before that she couldn’t remember. She gave a bit of a nervous laugh, unsure of really what to do she felt rather like a bird who couldn’t naturally fly.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:27 pm
That's what I just said, isn't it? Something seemed very wrong with this lioness, though Strychnos couldn't quite put his paw on what it was about her. She seemed out of sorts to say the least, but it had a feeling that was less temporary than a bout of heat stroke. She was uncertain of her own name? Not entirely certain what to make of that the rogue was at a loss for words. How did anyone get lost on the open plains? It wasn't as if there was anything to impede one's vision to cause the sort of confusion that was clouding the female's mind.
Sighing softly in an attempt to clear his thoughts and ease the tension that was beginning to pinch through his shoulders Strychnos decided to focus on one problem at a time. Turning his shoulders back towards the direction he had come from a nod indicated he wanted Kai to follow him. Hopefully her head would be a little clearer once she cooled down a bit. This way.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:36 pm
“Oh…… sorry” Kai wasn’t entirely sure what he had mentioned about what he had just said though the words made it sound as if he wasn’t entirely happy with what she had said. Her ears dropped rather low despite the smile she kept placed on her muzzle. Maybe it had been repeating his name? She had to, she was afraid that if she didn’t she would forget who he was just like everything else. Then what would she do? If she forgot it all again how was she suppose to find the hazy memories that she wanted back?
Letting her tail curl around her hind leg she nodded before following him to where the shade was.
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:38 pm
Don't sweat it. The recollected lion tried to reassure as he lead the way back to his spot in the shade. A spot far too small for two lions to fit together comfortably or at least comfortable enough for Strychnos' taste. Luckily for Kai he was willing to give up the treasured coolness in a moment of not-so-thoughtful chivalry, side stepping as he inclined his head towards the jutting rocks. Lay there. Cool off.
Waiting for her to settle into the shade the dark male sank heavily onto his haunches under the energy draining sun. With the first problem out of the way it would be easier to address the second and then--hopefully--Stryc could leave with a clear conscience. No need to stick around and get mixed up in some stray's problems. That was the last thing he needed. Alright, now.. you said you were lost. Where you headed?
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Posted: Tue Apr 10, 2012 11:39 pm
Kai immediately flopped down in the shade, it took her a moment to realize that if the two of them were going to sit there she was going to have to not hog up nearly as much space. Shifting her paws she moved them to where her hind paws were neatly tucked underneath her body and her paws in front of her. It was far cooler sitting in the shade then it was walking through the hellish light of the sun though she could swear that little heat waves were coming off of her own black coat.
When he asked her where she was going she gave a bit of a smile, as she shuffled the dirt underneath her paw.
“Umm… well I was trying to head back to the beach…. Though from there I am trying to find what I lost… and who I lost…and well who I am… You don’t know me… I mean you haven’t seen me before have you?” She had to ask, Kai thought hoping he wouldn’t think it completely strange of her to.
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Posted: Mon Apr 23, 2012 2:58 pm
Despite the polite invitation to lay beside her in the shade Strychnos remained seated in the scorching heat, his back most likely burning a darker shade than the charcoal hue he currently bore. After spending most of the afternoon under the cover of his hide away he could endure the sun for a while. In fact, if there was any discomfort at all in the snake hunter Stryc hid it under a flawlessly aloof front. Cool stare watching the loose earth being pushed beneath her touch awkwardly as she tried to find a way to answer his questions.
Apparently they weren't as basic as he'd initially thought given the trouble Kai had answering them.
You're a long way from the beach.. Strychnos mused almost to himself, wondering under his breath how she had wandered so far. That question answered itself when he realized that the lioness didn't have much of a memory to call on. A frown settling upon his maw as his shaggy head was given a brief back and forth. Can't say that I do.. don't think I can be much help to you..
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Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 5:49 pm
Her smile faded just for a moment when he told her that he didn’t know or had seen her before, she shouldn’t have been surprised considering that many haven’t. She hoped that for whatever reason that those who did know were all still together out there looking for her or at least she hoped that was true instead of the lingering idea that she was always alone.
“Oh… well…. Thank you…. Though…” She looked at the ground before giving a light shake of her head and looking back at him trying to put a more cheerful smile on her face.
“Do you know which way I should go to head back to the beach? I mean a way I can easily get there following something.. maybe water?” She had high hopes in considering that there was a stream or river nearby but it was not uncommon to find rivers and or streams to dump out into the ocean or at least water somewhere.
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Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 5:53 pm
The frown that has lodged itself deeply upon his visage didn't budge much. Despite her polite thanks for what help he had offered didn't seem well deserved and because of it Stryc could only regard the gratitude with a lame shrug. He couldn't accept what he hadn't earned. No matter how much he preferred his solitude, he couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for the poor, lost lioness. She seemed so... helpless some how, but what could he do? Not a damn thing. A curt voice reminded him from deep in the recesses of his own mind.
Worthless burden. An even more bitter tone, familiar and female in origin echoed from distant memories. Glad for the distraction of Kai's voice, the Poison King was somewhat relieved when he realized her next question was one that he could answer competently. Yes. He knew this barren wasteland like the back of his own paw. Directing her towards a river wouldn't be difficult at all. Shifting his weight under the brutal leer of the sun, Strychnos answered calmly. Daring not betray to the other whatever emotion might have been lurking beneath washed out irises. There's a river far to the east of here, never had the inclination to see where it lead.. but it's the biggest one in the area. Better chance than any of the others that it'll lead you where you wanna go.
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Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 5:55 pm
Kai looked in the direction to the east, she couldn’t see the river though she wasn’t in the least bit surprised that she wouldn’t be able to see it from where she was. It had to be further away from what she hoped but at least it was a start to getting back to the familiarity of the only home she could call. The soft sounds of the waves lapping on to the shore with the sweet scent of sea salt lingering in the air, she missed it all and she found that the further away from it the harder it was to sleep. Even the river was better than being in the open plains even though they were not at all the same as being in her familiar home.
“Thank you Strychnos at least I can get home somehow this way…” She gave him another faint smile as she remained sitting in the shade, she would wait until the sun was lower in the sky before trying to make her way to the river and follow it.
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Posted: Sun May 20, 2012 5:58 pm
Throwing himself a bone for once the lion nodded half-heartedly, accepting the thanks this time. For some reason he couldn't stop himself from somehow diminishing his offered aid. Perhaps the idea of being without use had been too well ingrained into his psyche. Strychnos didn't stop to think about it. Sorry it isn't more.
He meant it, no matter how flat his tone may have been or how listless eyes flicked across their surroundings. Already he had stayed too long. Invested too much in aiding a complete stranger, even if her peculiar coloration attracted his eye. One last glance absorbing the almost soothing citrus color along the edge of the cape of black Kai wore. Good luck Kai. If I were you, I would wait until dusk before beginning to journey again.
And with that last piece of advice--granted it seemed more like common sense than advice--the slate lion picked himself up and began to head away. Not bothering to heed his own counsel.
[ FIN ]
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