Welcome to Gaia! ::

Nyota stretched lazily in the sun, enjoying the feel of warmth against his tan coat. His wings fluttered slightly back and forth in the breeze, as Nyota glanced around him, blinking slowly, letting his eyes get used to the light. It was not very often that he allowed himself to sleep in a little, but on account of it being a particularly enjoyable day, he had indulged. Now he stood, slowly stretching out his legs, and meandering his way over to a nearby pond. He took a deep drink of the cool water and let it drift down his throat, before he turned in the direction of the temple.

Like many Malu, he had a morning ritual of traveling to the temple to pray and give thanks to his God. His God had always granted him with luck and fortune, so he had plenty to give thanks for. As he made his way, he stopped to pick up a ripe apple that was under one of the trees. He picked it up gently in between his teeth, as he wasn't going to eat it, then he hurried along the way to the temple. He stepped through and made his way into the temple, heading directly to the statue of the God of Luck and Fortune. The god's stone face smiled down at him, kindly. He returned the gaze before setting the apple down at the statue's feet, and bowing his head respectfully in prayer.

When he was finished, he stretched his lanky form once again, before trotting out the door, and along the path, feeling quite giddy. Now he wondered what to do. He had nothing planned, and he felt the need for something interesting. He didn't yet know many of the other Malu well, and he yearned to find someone to get to know.

Nyota stopped as an intoxicating voice reaches his ears. He glanced behind him, and smiled, visibly joyous to see Nashwa. Turning on his heels, he trotted over to her, his natural-colored fur radiantly golden in the sunlight. His blue eyes sparkled, and he bowed as he reached Nashwa.

"Good morning!" he replied, a soft chuckle escaping. It seemed that Nyota always had something to chuckle about. His God has seen fit to grace and bless him with a light spirit and a cheerful nature. Nyota gazed at Nashwa's rather mesmerizing colors, his wings gently fluttering in the breeze, before he laid them down against his back.

He bowed to her, his antlers gently scraping the ground, a proper bow from a young adult Malu to a young adult Maluess.

Nyota was hypnotized by the sound of her voice, which sounded like the purest note of the songbird, or the first shining ray of the sunrise. He found himself moving closer to her, but stopped before he became impolite. He shook his head ruefully, wondering who her Deity was. His own God had obviously seen fit to bless him with this vision named Nashwa this morning, and he was not about to pass up the opportunity.

"Nashwa, it is an honor and a pleasure to make your acquaintance this morning. I am Nyota," he said, his voice pleasant and quietly husky. He smiled at her, unabashed as his eyes took her in. She really was a vision in purple, and her unique markings caught the eye and held it. He felt that his own, plain coloring was rather inferior to hers, and he glanced away. However, he was determined not to ruin this opportunity to meet another Malu, especially one as temptingly beautiful as this.

Nyota was broken out of his reverie by her question. He'd been having a fine time merely listening to her voice and gazing at her, but he did not want to be rude and refuse to answer her question, so he shook himself out, and attempted to sound witty and intelligent. He managed, somehow.

"My wings?" he looked back, and fluttered them softly, the brown feathers glistening in the sun. "No, I can't fly. I don't believe that there are any Malu who can fly, though that would be quite an amazing talent," he added, whistfully. "I guess they are here just for looking pretty, though I think you give me too much credit. I am rather plain. You, however, are quite a stunning sight, if I may say so." He bowed, rather embarrassed that he had actually spoken those words aloud, but after a second, he chuckled it off. After all, his God was not the kind to be embarrassed, but rather took every good situation as being lucky or fortunate. And Nyota felt very fortunate indeed.

Thinking of his God, he found that he was curious as to what Nashwa's was. "If I may ask, who is your God or Goddess, as they have seen fit to bless me with your presence." At any other time, Nyota would have frowned at the words coming out of his mouth. It was not like him to fawn over females, but there was something about this one . . .

Nyota was pleased, even though it broke the usual protocol of manners, and he swiftly went over and plucked a bunch of the grapes he favored, and brought back enough for two, before picking a nice place to sit. He gently sat, folding his legs beneath him, and he smiled over at her, gesturing with his muzzle at the open space next to him.

Even with her promise, he still wanted to wait until she picked her food before he would start eating. He would wait for her, but he would not eat before her. That was just against who he was. His muzzle turned up into a kind of grin as he waited, his eyes kind. Nyota was hungry, but he could wait. After all, she was being considerate enough to wait for him, so he would return the favor.

He eyed the tempting grapes in front of him, and then turned his gaze back to the tempting Nashwa. He sent up a quick prayer of thanks to his God of Luck and Fortune, and another to the Goddess of Intoxication. He agreed with Nashwa and suspected that they were meddling.