Welcome to Gaia! ::

He hadn't strayed too far from the coast. He'd come to love the sound of water lapping on the shore and the calling of the sea birds that thronged in the skies. The salt air was pleasant on his senses and he spent ages following the sandy shores away from the island the young lioness had pointed out... Yet he wandered back. Part of him wanted to leave, wanted to press on and find his place, while another part reminded him that he had told her he would be in the area. Thus, the silver coated male found himself in a stretch of uncertainty as he stood before the tide, the chilly, salt water washing over his lightly tipped toes. There was something comforting and overwhelming when looking into the distance. His eye could see for what felt like forever. What was on the other side of the big water? It had to end somewhere... Such musings occupied his mind as he tried to forget about the more unpleasant things, like missing family and his former pride members who had dispersed into the wind.

The hefty male inhaled deeply, relishing the fresh, sea air. As much as he wanted to move on, he wanted to linger here. Maybe he could grow old... Well, older, and die here. It was a pleasant enough place, after all. In the distance, he could see the island that the young, yellow lioness had pointed out. It felt like that had been ages ago and he found himself wondering if she had made it back safely and, if so, how she was doing.

Anasema'hadithi inhaled the salty air deeply, his massive chest swelling as the invigorating scents toyed with his senses. It was pleasant to say the least and the moon's soft glow made the entire scene seem almost magical, not that he was the sort to believe in magic. He turned his gaze somewhat, on the off chance, and caught sight of a lone figure standing further down. His green eyes focused on her... Her vibrantly yellow pelt, somewhat familiar, delicate features, and knew in almost an instant exactly who she was, though she appeared so very different from the last time he had seen her.

She was no longer a child, but an adult, and though he hadn't expected it to, his heart fluttered in a way it hadn't since he had been a young ruffian, still wet behind the ears and getting a feeling for the world around him. His voice caught in his throat for a moment, but he cleared his throat with a quick, curt "ahem," and moved back to the shore, his water logged paws leaving deep indents in the sand as he made his way towards the lovely, young lioness. He couldn't leave without saying anything, yet proper words eluded him.

"I said I would, didn't I?"

She'd grown... A lot. His eyes traced over her vibrant, flower yellow fur and dark patterns. Shells, beads, and golden strands adorned her features in an adultly way, a way he had never envisioned her looking only a short time ago. She had, indeed, changed since he last passed through these parts. Her features lit up as she spoke, her eyes brightening in a way that brought a smile to his rubbery, feline lips.

"I've been many things, but I sure as heck am no liar. You can quote me on that." His stroll here had been an easy, almost leisurely one. He wasn't in any particular rush, nor was he aware of the young lives that would soon be born a short way away, in Maestros Del Mar. In his mind, he was still a wanderer, a rogue with little in the way of life or responsibility. Part of him liked the wandering lifestyle, while another part desperately craved for what he had in his old pride, a place, a family, meaning.

A pouch hung at his throat, full of the leaves he often ate to quell the pain in his old wound, but he otherwise did not look too terribly different than he had the last time he had come through these parts. Perhaps a tiny bit thinner, but his coat was still glossy enough and his emerald eyes were vibrant and healthy. He was doing well enough for himself.

"If I didn't, I'd not fault you for thinking it." He settled on his scarred haunches, the feeling of still warm, yet cooling sand on his legs was comforting and the smell of salt in his slightly waterlogged leg fur was pleasant to him, as well. Why did he stray from the sea when he enjoyed it, so? A rumble of a purr began in his throat as the younger lion leaned against him. He was truly happy here and her presence was all the more wonderful. He quite liked her.

"You do, too. Just beautiful. Like the sun's come to the earth." He nuzzled her neck, taking comfort in her scent and weight against his body as they stood on the sandy shores. It was here that his heart felt torn and conflicted. He'd promised he would come back and, sure enough, there he was. He wanted to stay, though. He wanted this tender moment to last forever and he never wanted to leave. He loved it here, just as he knew he loved Glittyr, though he hardly knew her and they had only met once before.

Gown up she had. To be fair, she was only a moon or so shy from being an adult the last time they met, so she hadn't grown much. That really didn't matter. What did matter was that she was there and so was he. He adored her, even if he had trouble admitting it to himself. She was a younger lion and he was no spring chicken. He also had pressing family matters to attend to, even if it felt as though the cause was lost. His sister was probably dead, but it was that slight sense of doubt that kept him wandering the continent like a lost puppy. As much as he wanted to settle down and pledge love or find a pride, he couldn't settle himself or live with knowing he may have failed her.

But these gnawing thoughts of worry and doubt were kept at bay, at least for the moment, by the loving lioness that greeted him and he wore a smile that seemed to threaten to completely overtake his face as he nuzzled her.

"You're a lovely lady, have been since I met you... I've missed you something awful, Glittyr." His tail wrapped around his haunches, the tufted tip flicking slightly. There was no room for thoughts of the future or negative memories from the past to pester him when in her presence.