Thoughts had been playing on her mind all day. It was a terrifying thing really, going and looking for someone you hadn't seen since you were nothing but a cub. Though from what she remembered, Takk hadn't always been the greatest creature. She remembered bits and pieces, but nothing of any value really. She didn't remember anything about her family either. She had been alone so long, she had just thought that was the way it should be.

Truthfully, she wasn't even sure Takk was still alive. But that hadn't stopped her from wanting to know. She had told Azrael's her intentions. She had hoped that he would be supportive.. She half wondered if he would go with her. But she had decided this was a trip she should make alone. He had been angry, he hadn't wanted her to leave the jungle. She knew it was for her safety, but she had to do what she had to do. Inside, she knew she needed to know if Takk was alive.

She had to admit, it had been a long time since she had seen the rogue lands. She wasn't the best at navigating, but she knew where she had last seen Takk. She knew how to get back there at least. She had asked a few of the birds in the area, they had told her that he was alive. He was well, but off on his own in a pride that was considered dangerous to outsiders. She was sure she could hold her own. Absolutely positive of it.

Though the closer she got to these lands, the more she felt.. off. The birds had warned her, but she hadn't believed it would really be too dangerous. After all, if Takk was really there, wouldn't he protect her?


Takk had changed a lot in his life. He was a conceited man, and he was used to getting what he wanted. He didn't really have to ask much, being a Bokor. Others were wary of him, but he didn't feel that they needed to be. He wasn't a monster, or not by comparison to others of the same rank. He wasn't a dangerous lion, unless you crossed him.. He felt like a noble man, holding his head high wherever he went. He carried himself as proud and as tall as was possible.

He hadn't thought about Andais in years, truth be told. He hadn't been close with her as a cub, and he had just assumed she was dead. As meek of a thing as she had been, surviving the rogue lands would have been near impossible.

The gemsbok colored male made his way around the border. Normally that wasn't something he was into, but today.. Today he was on a mission. He had been told by the Loa that he was to return with a special flower. He hadn't been told the specifics of said flower, but they called it the flower of death. So he could only assume it was meant to kill in some way. He could only hope that it wouldn't kill the creature picking it. He knew that his female would not be happy if he died. Though she was dark hearted enough that it was possible she wouldn't be upset about him.. No, she would be upset he left her alone. It would be about her, such as it always was.

This flower was proving hard to find, and he was growing frustrated. He shouldn't have had to work so hard in order to find this flower. Why on earth hadn't the Loa followed him, whispering their words about where the plant was growing? Ah, right. That would be far too easy. The Loa did not making things easier for anyone.

When he reached the edge of the secluded, dark forest lands, he stared out at the savannah. It had been a long time since he had traveled out there. Thankfully he wasn't going to have to tonight. He really didn't miss anything about the rogue lands.. It wasn't the way he had been meant to live his life, and he had known it from a very young age.

His red eyes glittered as they looked. And they began gleaming with pride once he saw the purple and black tinted flower, nestled deep into a thorny bush. He didn't care about thorns, or pain, and instinctively he walked over towards it. The flower almost radiated with an evil aura. It made him grin, and he reached his large paw in, ready to pluck it.



That's when Andais saw the prey colored lion. At first, she had assumed it was a gemsbok, and that it had strayed from it's herd. But upon further looks, she realized that was truly her brother. Her heart thudded in her chest, beating wildly. She wasn't sure if she had expected to find him, or end up with no closure and return home as clueless as she had started. But seeing him again, caused her a pang of regret. Maybe she shouldn't have come after all.
But she knew she was here now, and she needed to be brave for the first time in her entire life. So she had to try to find her voice, any way possible..

"Takk." She called, her words not affectionate, but not truly cold either. They were almost emotionless, giving no insight to her feelings whatsoever. She stared at him with her amber orbs, feeling as if she might pass out at any moment.


The voice caught him off guard, and he yanked his paw back, hissing at the thorns that embedded in his paw during it's retreat. He hadn't even picked the damn flower. It still sat there, nestled in it's bed of thorns.
He placed his bleeding paw onto the earth, before turning ever so slowly. He recognized the female at once. Or at least, he thought he did. She looked like his sister, the only memory he had of her anyway. He frowned, clearing his throat.

"Andais.." He said, his voice not as emotionless as she had managed. No, he had a lot of resentment to his missing sister. He also knew she needed to get away from here. It wasn't a place for someone like her.

"You shouldn't be here. Though, I'll admit. I thought you were dead." He said, and stepped out from the border and into the rogue lands. He couldn't let her get too close, or others might see her as a challenge. He was thinking of her, though he wasn't sure he would for long.

"Takk, I-.. It's been so long." She said, her voice breathy as she offered a little smile. Though her friendly smile was only matched with a wry grin.

"How on earth did you find me? I took great pains to make sure I didn't exist in your world." He said, looking at his paw absentmindedly, and noting the blood had stopped.

"Well.. No pun intended, but some little birdies told me."

"I must make sure that I eat them if I see them." He answered, arching his eyebrow. He always spoke very clear, emphasis on his words and he seemed very well spoken. He cuold have been a leader, had he been in the right place.

"Eat them? Wh-.." She stopped and then sighed. He hadn't changed much, and if he had, it was for the worse.

"I'm going to let you go away, this time." Takk said, arching an eyebrow and clearing his throat. "I will let you walk away, but if you return.. I don't know that you will be so lucky."

"You don't even want to talk to me?" She asked, sort of surprised that he wanted her gone so quickly. Though the laugh he uttered at that made her shrink back a little.

"And what did you expect, Andais? A tearful reunion? Me asking you how you are, and if you found anyone to bear you any whelps? No. I have no interest in the life you lead, and I have thought you dead for some time. I would prefer you remained dead, really." He wasn't being cruel, only honest, and that was something he was good at. He didn't beat around the bush.. Except maybe when it came to explaining why he was flirting with other females to his mate. But otherwise, he was a pretty straight-forward character.

"Go home Andais. Go home, and live your life. Don't return. It's not safe here, nor do I particularly want that family reunion you were seeking." He turned, and went back towards the direction of the bush. Andais stood there, mouth agape as she looked at him. This was it. This was the last time she would ever see her brother again. And of his choice.. he wanted nothing to do with her again. He had moved on, and she had not. That was the difference between the two.

His paw plucked the flower easily this time, and he cast her one more look before turning and head back into the forest. Back into his home.

"Goodbye Takk.." She said, and she managed to release a tear. She wiped her eyes, and then sighed. She needed to return home. Azrael had been right all along..


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