The clay felt cool and slimy between his toes as he worked, sculpting it into the vision he had in his head. This creation would be a large, shallow bowl, something to place large pieces of meat or fruits to be shared. It had been a request, a commission one could even call it. A friend of Raaisel's was soon to be having a litter and wanted something to place items in for the cubs to easily access. Seiki smiled, smoothing the surface of the bowl out, envisioning his own children taking items from the piece in front of him. It was perfect aside from one small thing. His eyes scanned the collection of shiny pebbles and other sparkly odds and ends. Settling on a piece of blue glass, the lion places the smooth side in the center of the bowl.

"Perfect." Bright cerulean blue eyes gazed at the bowl in its completion. It was all but perfect, the bottom lying flat, the sides perfectly even and there was even texture on the outside to give it a bit of character. The blue glass was just the cherry on top. He could almost picture the children admiring his work as they took an item from it.

Frowning suddenly, Seiki found his heart aching, he thought he would have had children of his own by now. His head was still foggy, questioning where and who the white lioness with the gentle pink eyes had gotten. His time in the swamp had been peaceful... and productive... but he was starting to question if there was more to life than just work.

Yudu, a crane who had come to befriend Seiki peered at his friend for a few moments before stalking over. Opening a wing out, Yudu patted the dark starry pelted artist. "Pebble for your thoughts?" Green eyes glimmered as the crane awaited his friends reply. It hurt him to see his friend acting so strangely as of late, especially after the disappearance of Seikis trading crew.

"Yudu..." Seiki leaned into the crane for a moment before pulling away, eyes focusing on his latest work. The crane stood where he was and peered down at the Seiki’s newest creation. “What lovely craftsmanship. You are getting beet with each passing day.” Bending over, Yudu took a closer look at the designs on the side of the bowl and moved his head side to side watching the glint of the glass reflect light off it.

“Now that is certainly neat!” Pointing at the glass in the middle of the bowl, Yudu smiled at his furry friend. “Who will this lovely piece be going to?”

Seiki’s smile slowly returned as the crane appraised his work, his chest bubbling with pride as every part of the bowl was carefully inspected. As Yudu finally got to the center piece of his work, the glass at the center of the bowl, Seiki took extra time to inspect Yudu’s face. He wanted to know what is was like to discover the little shiny gem at the bottom. Much to Seiki’s delight, it seemed Yudu was all be enthralled with the glittery piece. The question that followed, however, quickly hid the lion’s grin.

“Raaisel’s friend is expecting…” Seiki looked at his clay caked paws and sighed. “She wanted to get a gift for the expectant mother.” Yudu cocked his head to one side and pondered why the usual bubbly lion was now so very low in energy. Tapping his talons on the earthy floor, Yudu suddenly had a thought.

“Perhaps you need time away… to meet others?” Yudu was hoping Seiki would catch what the crane truly meant by meet others. It wasn’t every day that he would suggest finding a mate for a friend, especially for someone as close to him as Seiki was. It certainly didn’t seem like a bad idea, having someone around to help the artist out in more than just a business sort of way. There were so many creatures that called Seiki their friend, but none of them were truly close. Just work relationships or those that came and went.

“Are you lonely…?” The words left Yudu’s beak before he could stop them, causing the crane to panic as Seiki went rigid, freezing right where he stood.

It was one thing to feel lonely, but another altogether to be called out as feeling lonely. It wasn’t as though he didn’t appreciate the friendships he had and the company he shared with all the swampland creatures. No, it was just… he wanted someone around him in a different way. He wanted someone to share his heart with, his dreams… his talents. He wanted someone to love.

“Yudu…” Seiki’s eyes were stinging as tears rushed forth, “I really think I am.”

Standing silently, Yudu watched his friend breakdown into a tearful upset. He knew the only thing he could do for him now was stand by and lend an ear. If only he had the ability to fix the problem easily. Deciding it was time to move closer, Yudu wrapped the petite lion in his wings and let him continue crying, patting Seiki’s back on occasion.

After several minutes, Seiki started to feel normal again. He hadn’t realized he had been holding so much inside of him and for so long. He knew there were big chunks of his past missing, but it normally didn’t bother him. It had only been recently when he started dreaming of the pink eyed lioness that his heart started to ache. “Thank you, Yudu.” Seiki stepped away and smiled faintly at his friend.

“I needed that more than you know.” Blinking away the rest of the tears from his eyes, Seiki took a deep breath in and slowly let it out. Perhaps it was time for a break from the studio… He had met someone a few months back when he had wandered off to find things for his art. Perhaps he would get lucky and meet someone new again. Turning away from his latest creation, Seiki wandered to the entrance of his little den and studio.

“Yudu, I am going to get some air. Could you mind the studio for me?” Yudu nodded and looked over at Seiki’s work. “Shall I make sure to get some sun on this piece?” Seiki looked over at the pot and then at Yudu, nodding as he realized his mistake in leaving it.

“Yes, I would appreciate that.” Turning back to his destination, Seiki took his leave knowing full well that the crane would take care of his current masterpiece.


[Casting Call - Seiki; Word Count: 1097]