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Adaala's life had changed drastically over the past few weeks. Her pride was dissolved and she had found herself alone in the rouge lands. Not long after that, her sight had left her, leaving her in a world of darkness. Her carefree and spirited nature had been shoved aside, replaced with hopelessness and loss. How was she to survive if she couldn't see? She had no idea where she was, she was starving, she was at the mercy of the elements...

But then, she had been saved. A friendly lion had taught her how to take care of herself, how to see without seeing. She could live off small prey and fish when she found water, she could rely on her nose and ears and feeling the vibrations in the ground to get around. Soon she could sense when a tree was in front of her, or a rock, and she could move gracefully around it. She traveled through the rouge lands in this fashion, slowly but surely. She knew she'd have to find a place to call home sooner or later.

Finally, she needed to rest. The young lioness found refuge from the blazing noon heat under a tree and rested her head on her paws. Ever since her friend had gone his separate way, she had too much time to think. Adaala thrived off company and being alone for so long was starting to make her weary. Her tail twitched as a fly landed on it, not wishing for the company of insects.

Adaala almost wished she hadn't flicked the fly away after she laid there for a few minutes more. The buzzing would have kept her company, at least. She sighed softly before licking her paws, finding that stimulation of some kind was better than none at all.

A strange presence made her lift her head, though. Someone was coming. Someone very large, very powerful. She couldn't put her paw on why, but it made the fur along her spine stand up just a bit, as if she had just rubbed up against another lion too long and static clung to her. She turned her gaze forward, her ears intent on the sounds she was able to pick up.

The voice startled her a bit: she didn't realize the other lion was so close! He certainly had a gentle step for someone so large. Adaala tilted her head just a bit at the question, surprised by the genuine concern in that voice.

"For the most part," she responded, not wanting to invoke the pity of others. She could take care of herself now, after all. But in the grand scheme of things, she was horribly lost. "Although I admit I am unsure of where I am." Her ear twitched a bit and she got to her feet, feeling as though it was needed. "Who are you?"

Talfrid. That was an odd name. Adaala could only assume she was far from her old home now. The lions out here had such different names...perhaps she'd meet someone that had one that sounded familiar to her. Even though her pride was gone, the members were not.

The question kept her silent for a while. Her lack of sight was still a rather sore subject, but she could tell that he meant no harm in asking. She knew she had to get used to it, anyway. "I am," she finally said, her voice soft. "There is no harm in asking." She was glad it wasn't horribly obvious, though. When she had been found by the kindly lion who had helped her learn how to live with her disability, it had been painfully obvious. Now, at least, she had to be asked.

"Towards the sun when it is rising or when it's setting?" she asked, more curious about this pride than was probably acceptable. She had no idea what it was like, or how far it was. But if this lion came from it...well. Perhaps they'd all be as kind as he. "And what sort of homelands? You are quite chivalrous, Talfrid, but I know very well that it is quite easy to be the exception to a rule."

After a beat, Adaala rose to her paws. "I am called Adaala," she added, feeling the need to give her name as she had so willingly given his.

A god...Adaala wasn't sure what to do. That would explain the odd feeling the other lion gave off, she supposed, but...how did you act around a god? Should you act any differently? He didn't seem to be demanding anything of her, and he certainly had been polite...

"Forgive my ignorance," she murmured quietly, bowing her head out of respect. "I had no idea." Then again, had she really expected a normal lion to be so kind?

"I am not sure that I would remain a visitor if if is as hospitable as you say," she said as she lifted her head again, ears forward. They were her eyes now, and she relied on them heavily to give her information. "I am looking for a new pride as mine was dissolved not long ago. They would not be opposed to a new member, would they?"

She had no idea if there were pelt requirements, or if there were too many lions. Some prides had some very particular rules that needed to be followed.

Adaala's ears turned down as she thought. She did need a pride, and this was apparently a god...where was the catch? Certainly there was some ritual she'd have to do, or some pact she'd have to sign. The place sounded promising, though, if she had to be honest. Kind lions, accepting of all, and with so much land she'd probably never leave home again.

"Fly?" she repeated, her ears shooting up as she stood a bit straighter. Did he have wings? Or was it just something all gods could do? "I..." It was far, so walking would take too much of his time, she was sure.

"You would have no trouble carrying me?" Adaala asked quietly, unsure if that was what he was suggesting. "I could walk if need be. It just might take some time."

Adaala was quiet for a while as she weighed the situation. Flying would get them there much faster and she wouldn't be a burden to the god. Walking would save some of her dignity but it would take weeks, possibly. She knew Talfrid wouldn't judge her just from the tone of his voice, though, and she finally nodded as she reached a decision.

"We shall fly," she said softly. "I do not wish to keep you from any duties you may have, and I am quite tired of wandering about in the rouge lands." She bowed her head out of respect before moving forward, unsure of how to go about climbing up on the other lion. "I am in your debt," she added when she got close enough. "Had you not stopped, I am not sure if I would ever find a safe place to rest."

Adaala waited for Talfrid to make a move, not wanting to bump into him on accident. She wasn't even sure mortals were allowed to touch gods, but evidently she had assumed wrong. Or, perhaps this god was just a diamond in the rough. She had heard stories of other gods being unforgiving and cruel, violent and uncaring. There had to be some kind gods out there, though...the world was full of enough unhappiness as it was.

A light brush to her shoulder alerted Adaala to where the much larger lion was, and she moved hesitantly, lifting a paw and reaching out until she felt a strong back under it. Carefully, so as not to dig her claws into the god's back, she shifted her weight to her front paws to climb up onto him.

"I am not too heavy?" she asked warily. Even as a cub she had been fairly independent and she was still getting used to relying on others for help. A sort of peace settled over her as she found a comfortable position, though. A security that she was safe, unable to slide off Talfrid's back no matter what he did. She wasn't sure if there were some sort of harness holding her on, but for the life of her she couldn't feel anything other than the body beneath her.

Adaala couldn't say she disliked flying. The wind was moving against her face as if she was running, but no energy was being exerted. Of course, if she was the one doing the actual flying, that might be different. Still, she chatted with Talfrid the whole flight with a small smile on her muzzle. He didn't seem to be exhausted, either. She wondered if he had wings or if he just sort of floated through the air. It didn't feel like any wings were working under her, and she did know that gods were very powerful beings.

Once they were on the ground, Adaala thanked Talfrid for his help and felt a sort of calm settle over her. She could smell water, there was grass under her paws that felt lush and full of life...this was home now. She could sense many other lions in the area - perhaps not directly in front of her, but certainly close by - and she relaxed. She wasn't alone anymore.

FIN