...// Solo - Making the Journey
Xe had been traveling for weeks, driven by dreams and a low-but-insistent pull felt deeply in xir bones. Gate's clothing was well worn and travel-dirty, made from various scavenged clothes, cloths and other fabrics that xe had found on xir journey. In a very dusty pack that sat heavily across the Ki'Lin's shoulders there were various impliments that xe had needed to make such an uncertain undertaking: a change of clothing, lighters (not matches...those had gone quite quickly during those hellish Weeks past) in a weird-but-useful plastic bag that said "Ziploc" across one side - truthfully, a lot of Gate's things were secreted away in various of the plastic baggies...they were extremely useful, in xir opinion! Also packed were basic cooking implements and utensils, extra lengths of rope, bungee cord (whatever THAT meant, it was stretchy and very very useful to have) and twine/string; foodstuffs that wouldn't spoil quickly, like nuts and grains (fruits and veggies xe had to forage for as xe went); a bedroll and tent (scavenged from a sporting-goods store), tarp, carabiners and what had been labeled as a "mountain climbing must-have!" kit-thing.
Gate hadn't planned to do any mountain climbing, but xe couldn't know what the future would hold and preparation was key. Xe inteded to be as prepared as xe could at the outset and had supplimented and added to the items carried as xe had traveled.
Green grew greener and more lush, the longer that xe was out; the pull, the call of something also grew stronger and harder to push aside. It was only when xe came upon this oddly lush little oasis within a forest of swiftly growing flora and fauna that xe felt the pull fade some, as though to indicate that this place, with it's softly sloping meadow and pale columns, with bubbling fountain and smattering of low buildings was precisely where xe was supposed to be. "Have I found it, then?" Words spoken aloud but to no one's ear; a breeze licking at Gate's cheeks pulled the words into a whisper, taking them further than xe had intended.
All along the winding paths of the Pantheon, mortals and immortals alike moved; each with their own business, their own secret hearts, desires and worries. Gate's bright eyes followed several, a smile tugging onto xir lips. Here was life! Here more than anywhere else xe had traveled, was LIFE! Mortals and creatures of all different walks were present, doing various tasks or just laying about and enjoying the bright sky above. Gate had been quite surprised to find the sky returned one day and even more surprised when stars began appearing - it was a beautiful sign...one that had brought a deep aching pain into xir heart. Valoel had been a child of the stars, and he had loved her deeply - a father's love. The reappearing stars had reminded the Ki'Lin of the daughter he had raised, cared for and lost during the self-same weeks that had wrought such damage upon the world.
Pink eyes shrinkwrapped with tears looked up, then down, trying to keep the liquid from spilling over, but for naught. Gate slowly moved towards one of the thickly leaved trees within the Pantheon's area and leaned against it heavily as tears slowly streamed down xir cheeks; glittering in the bright lighting as they fell to the earth below and were absorbed quickly. "You would have loved this place, Eri...Val...it's as beautiful as..." Gate's voice slowly choked into silence as sobs wracked xir slim frame; it would have been worse but for a small child that came skittering up on all fours; a child of grey and white and orange...a child of strangeness and sharpness with wings, horns and a long tail.
The child sniffed at the Ki'lin and then wrinkled it's nose before speaking, "Crying for girls, Pretty-prey. You not girl!" Gate stared down at the small, patchy creature with a mix of shock, amusement and also that tug parents sometimes got around children that brought back memories. "Not boy either." Joss cocked his head and sat his little butt down near Gate's feet. "Pretty-prey not be sad, Alpha take care of everything! Even prey-creatures. Makes no sense to Joss, but not Joss choice." Strange little creature, it stayed with the Ki'Lin for a bit, waiting until xe wasn't going to cry and giving the Ki'Lin some oddly-constructed information about where xe was.
"Pantheon of the Gods?" Gate leaned against the tree again and rested one hand along the edge of xir pack; xe had been sitting for some time now, just watching the people going about their business after Joss had left. More questions than answers now, but at least there was no doubt that amazing things could happen here...perhaps that was the reason that xe had been lead to this place? "We shall see, won't we?" But for now, xe would just sit and rest while nibbling at some nuts from within xir pack that Joss had left alone. Plenty of time for exploration - there were many lanterns spaced about to chase aside the darkness where it wasn't wanted - and the Ki'Lin just wasn't up to meeting many people...xe wanted to be clean and fresh first.
'Yes, we shall see...'
