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 Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 12:06 pm
 Quiet footsteps echoed through the temple as the pink-coated Maluess continued on her way. All was still in this section of the temple, which brought a smile to her muzzle. It was much too early for many Malu to be awake; she didn't personally know any others who awoke and were up and about before dawn. She rounded a corner and proceeded up a small set of stairs, turning towards the east. She finally arrived on an elevated terrace, though only a few feet off the level ground of the garden, and sat down, closing her pale eyes.
She opened them after a moment's prayer, staring out at the desert's horizon, and a warm smile graced her muzzle. "I am ready now," she murmured, ears perked and eyes set on the eastern horizon. "I am ready to witness your unmatched beauty. I beg that you accept the humble offerings I bring to your altar each night so that you may allow us all to witness the magnificent and gorgeous display that is your talent and beauty. Because of you, each day begins, so I humbly ask you accept my prayers and offerings so I may witness such a miracle." With that she bowed low, eyes focused on the horizon. Sure enough, a mixture of pinks and oranges appeared, blurred and unfocused by the early morning heat, and the sun had its first peek at the temple. She smiled happily, content to sit and watch the display until the sun had finally emerged fully from behind the horizon. She closed her eyes, bowing her head. "You have my most humblest thanks for allowing me to witness your daily miracle," she murmured before opening her eyes, a soft smile still playing on her lips. She raised herself then, and turned to go, pondering on what she should give her goddess that night.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 12:33 pm
 Nyota grumbled unhappily as he stretched his lanky form against the ground, before struggling upright. It was early, very early, as it was still inky black outside. Nyota wished fervently that he could go back to the soft embrace of sleep, but he'd made a promise to his God that he would visit early this morning, and he would keep that promise no matter what. He wobbled, unsteadily, he eyes adjusting to the darkness, as he made his way over to a small creek, and he drank deeply from the clear water. The cool water helped to wake him, and he walked off, more steadily and somewhat more cheerfully. He made his way over to one of the nearby fruit groves and picked a bunch of sweet, ripe grapes, that he carried gently in his mouth. They were not for him to eat, but were rather an offering for his God. Now that he was ready, he made his way swiftly to the temple, as the sky began to lighten somewhat. He reached the large building before the sun rose, and he walked quietly and reverently inside to where the statue of the God of Luck and Fortune stood. The figure smiled kindly down at him, as Nyota bowed deeply, gently placing the bunch of grapes at the foot of the statue. He then genuflected before it, his muzzle moving, quietly reciting his prayers and thanks. When he was finished, he rose, and bowed deeply again. After that, he stretched his stiff muscles gently and gazed around him, curious to see if there were any other Malu gracing the temple at this early morning.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 1:15 pm
As the pink Maluess turned, her bright eyes lit upon a handsome Malu not too far off. Such a wonderful mix of browns, tans, and cream. She smiled, flicking her large ears forward, and fluttered her long wings a bit. "Hey!" She called out to him, running towards him quickly. It was a wonder she wasn't the only one awake at such an hour, but now that the sun was up, others would probably be awake by now, too, though she couldn't see anyone else besides herself and this newcomer.
"Good morning!" She said cheerily as she slowed to a halt before him, dipping her head respectfully to him. "Pardon the assumption, but have you come to pray to your deity this early, as well? I thought I was the only one who rose before the great sun in the eastern sky, but it appears I was mistaken." Goodness, he was even more attractive up close, she thought, allowing her bright eyes the pleasure of studying him up close for but a moment. She smiled again, fluttering her white wings before forcing them to stay at her sides, and focused her pinkish eyes on the Malu before her. "My name is Aimi," she offered, dipping her muzzle again, "and who do I have the pleasure of addressing this fine morning?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 1:34 pm
Nyota let his blue gaze wander, though he did not see any Malu besides himself in the temple. He turned away, rather disappointed, but stopped when he heard a voice call. He turned, and was delighted by the sight of a young Maluess rushing toward him. He stopped, and turned, a smile already gracing his muzzle.
He listened with amusement as the pretty young Maluess spoke, and he looked her over politely. She was a vision in shades of pink, with the most interesting markings of white and a purple shade. He felt rather plain in comparison, but then the young Maluess introduced herself as Aimi, and she was obviously waiting for him to introduce himself. He chuckled softly and bowed deeply, his antlers gently touching the floor of the temple.
"Good morning. I am Nyota, and the pleasure is all mine. Yes, this morning I wanted to come early to worship. I follow the God of Luck and Fortune," he said proudly, and his muzzle turned up in a smile, mirroring Aimi's. "I believe he noticed my early worship as I feel very fortunate to have met you here," he added with a wink.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 3:56 pm
Aimi smiled, dipping her muzzle again politely as he bowed. She hadn't been shown as much respect as this before, and the thought made her blush a bit. At his last comment, she couldn't help but let out a soft giggle. Cheeky, this one.
"Nyota," she repeated his name, trying to get a feel for it, and found it pleasing to hear and to say. A warm, delighted smile graced her muzzle as she adjusted her white feathered wings at her sides once more. "It is a great pleasure to meet you this morning, Nyota. I am sure your God is pleased with you, and I feel very fortunate to have met you, as well," she said with a smile.
"I rise this early every day, for I worship the Goddess of the Dawn." A certain amount of pride showed itself on her pink face, though her smile stayed warm as ever. "I pray to Her every morning before and after Her time, short though it is, and leave offerings at Her altar each night in hopes that She will again bring the new day the following morning. She has not withheld Her beauty from us once yet, for which I am grateful." There she was again, going on and on about the Goddess of Dawn, oh dear. He probably didn't want to hear about any deity save his own.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 4:13 pm
Nyota was enchanted. All Malu were quite proud of their Deities, but Aimi spoke of hers with such unbridled admiration and enthusiasm, that he couldn't help but becoming a little smitten with the Maluess. He was very devoted to his own God, and found that he admired other Malu that shared his feelings. He also enjoyed learning about all of the different Deities, as they were each as unique as the Malu that worshiped them.
He smiled at her, to reassure her. "That's wonderful! Your devotion is obvious, and your Goddess has seen fit to bless you with a disposition as bright as the rising of the Dawn." From another Malu, this phrase might seem corny of fake, but from Nyota, spoken in his softened, deep tones, it was turned into poetry. He was a rather calm figure, though he had a fervent and quiet joy in life.
He fluttered his wings gently, and he gazed kindly at Aimi. He wondered if she thought that he was merely a relentless flirt, like other Malu, but he knew that his words were genuine, and were meant merely to compliment, and to speak the truth.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 4:53 pm
The pink Maluess blushed deeply at his compliment, averting her pinkish eyes towards their feet. She couldn't help but notice his were a lovely shade of black that complimented the rest of his neutral-colored coat. No one had ever complimented her on her devotion before. In fact, no one had ever offered her a sincere compliment before.
"Thank you," she murmured, forcing her bright eyes to gaze back up at Nyota. She figured it would be rude not to look at someone who would pay her such sincere compliments; she couldn't think of him as a relentless flirt if she tried. Feeling positively ruffled, she fluttered her wings a bit, adjusting them to a better position at her sides. She had intended the action to help her regain what she had lost of her composure, but it hadn't worked well. Perhaps a compliment to him would work better? She tilted her head to the side, studying his face carefully. Such lovely eyes. "It seems to me," she began, "that your devotion to your God is equally obvious, as is His decision to bless you with a personality and lovely coat to match the good fortunes He gives you." She wasn't sure if that would be appropriate, but the pink Maluess certainly hoped so. Aimi hadn't ever complimented many so sincerely, so she was very rusty at the practice, and she hoped he wouldn't think badly of her for it.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 5:49 pm
Nyota's smiled happily, ruffling his feathered wings as a sign of obvious pleasure at her words. Of all the possible things that she could have said, the words that she had chosen were the best. After all, Nyota's strongest pride was in his devotion, and in his pride of the gifts that were bestowed upon him. He gazed down at Aimi in obvious admiration, his blue eyes shining. He pranced in place a little, a clear sign that he was pleased.
"Thank you, very much, for your kind words. I try to be as devoted as I can, in gratitude for the gifts that he bestows, such as the one he gave me today with your company." Nyota observed Aimi, and thought that she seemed nervous. Perhaps she didn't receive compliments often . . . now that was absurd. A pretty, young, devoted Malu such as her must receive compliments all the time, thought Nyota. He blinked a few times, and then smiled, unsure of what to say.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 6:43 pm
Aimi couldn't help but allow a delighted smile to grace her muzzle, unable to stifle a soft giggle that surfaced. She was relieved that he had liked her compliment, as she had hoped, and had paid her another in return. At that, her pink cheeks turned a shade pinker, though she hoped it wasn't noticeable.
"You're very welcome," she offered, giggling as he pranced in place. "As I said, your devotion clearly shows. I try to be as faithful as I can to beautiful Goddess Dawn and offer what I hope will please Her, as a thank you for the lovely gifts I receive from Her. Not only am I happy to awake early each morn to greet her and to pray, but also because She allowed me to meet you this morning." Her voice held a proud tone as she spoke of her Goddess, as it always did, but she hushed her voice to a soft murmur when she spoke the last comment. Such a handsome, devoted Malu as Nyota should be used to compliments, he deserved them. She blushed a bit, averting her eyes again. "I apologize for not saying so sooner, but I thank you for all of your kind words," and here she gazed up at him again, a little hesitant. It wasn't often she spoke to someone this way. "I hardly ever get compliments from anyone, so I apologize if I seem a little nervous." She offered him another smile, though as she had said, this one was with a little bit of nervousness. She hoped he wouldn't think badly of her after that, but he didn't seem the type to scoff at anyone.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 7:44 pm
Nyota's expression turned to one of mild shock and indignance. "Really? I would think that you would get plenty of compliments. You obviously deserve them. Though, I suppose, if compliments are given too often, then they are given too freely. You are welcome for the kind words, but you truly deserve them, and I thank you in return."
It was certainly a masterful dance they were doing. They both seemed nervous, and a little uncomfortable, yet Nyota knew that they were both happy to be near each other. Nyota himself was not used to compliments. It was rather odd because he was a very social Malu, but he did not know many others of his kind, so with the little social interaction that he'd previously had, not much of that had been compliments.
Nyota wondered if there was somewhere that they could go where they could get to know each other better, yet nothing came to mind. During most days, he merely wandered the forest, basking in creation, so now, he was at a loss.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:08 pm
A light blush touched her cheeks as she shook her head to his first statement. "No, I hardly ever get compliments. Most others are too busy worrying over their Gods or other Malu to notice me. I don't mind not getting compliments too often, though," she said with a bob of her muzzle and a truly happy smile, "because that makes the ones I do get just that much more special." Aimi inwardly hoped he would see that comment for what it was; a true, sincere thank you for his kind words but without actually saying the words 'thank you' at all.
"You truly deserve them, as well," she told him, a warm, more comfortable smile gracing her pink muzzle. "I have never seen such a devoted Malu with such a handsome coat and personality to match his wonderful mind." Usually it was one or the other with males, she had learned. Either they were gorgeous and no one was upstairs, or they were brilliant but unapproachable due to looks or their dangerous attitude. She opened her muzzle once more to speak, but before she could even begin, her stomach rumbled loudly in protest. She immediately closed her maw, a rosy tint appearing in her already pink cheeks, and she allowed herself an embarrassed giggle. "I apologize for my stomach's rude behavior, but I feel it has had enough standing around and talking." There was a pause where she hesitated; she was indeed hungry, but she did not wish to leave the company of this fetching Malu yet. A brilliant opportunity opened up, and she offered him a delighted smile. "Would you care to join me for breakfast? I know the perfect spot not too far from here."
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:20 pm
Nyota's muzzle turned up in a smile, and was about to reply, when his stomach did for him. His gaze turned sheepish, but he grinned and replied, "I think my stomach has responded for me. I would love to join you." He had blushed somewhat at her compliment. Because of his unusually plain coloring, he was not often called handsome, and he was delighted. He had obviously fallen in with particularly good company, and he was definitely enjoying himself. He certainly felt lucky today.
He bowed to her again, and smiled. "Your kind words truly grace me, and I thank you. Not many Malu find that my coat is particularly handsome, as it is rather plain, though I am of course fond of it." He didn't want to appear vain, but he was proud of his coloring. Before he could say another word, however, his stomach rumbled again, and he laughed.
"After you then, my lady. Onward to breakfast!"
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:40 pm
Aimi had nearly held her breath awaiting his response, and she couldn't help but prance in place a bit, allowing a delighted smile to grace her muzzle, though she couldn't help but giggle as his stomach agreed with her own. She fluttered her snow-white wings a bit before pinning them to her sides, and in an instant she had sprung to the side, bounding off towards the grove she frequented. She didn't go too fast, as she didn't want to leave Nyota behind, but she did want a bit more exercise before breakfast, so she kept her pace quick and light.
"Plain?" She exclaimed over her shoulder to him as she continued her sprightly pace, not believing her ears. "Your coat is absolutely magnificent! How could anyone find it plain?" She really didn't know. Plain, in her opinion, would have to be the exact same, boring, dull color all over. No markings, no other colors, no nothing. That would be plain, and this handsome Malu was definitely not plain.
And, just as soon as they had left their meeting place, they arrived at the grove. The pink Maluess slowed to a walk as she wound her way through a couple bushes and trees, and within moments found herself right in the middle of the grassy clearing. She smiled at it happily, noting the blueberry bushes to the side, the stunted apple trees in front, and a few raspberry bushes next to those. This was why she loved this little grove, it had such delicious fruit. She took a few more steps in and turned to allow Nyota through the foliage as well, half-hoping he hadn't seen this grove before so she could be the first to show him its beauty.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 8:51 pm
Nyota watched the delightfully bright Maluess bound off for a moment before springing up and following. He listened to her response as they trotted along, and smiled to himself, quite pleased that she didn't find him to be plain. And then they were there, at a grove that Nyota had never been to before. That was odd, as he had spend a lot of time exploring, but this was one he hadn't seen, and he marveled at its beauty, his jaw open slightly, panting gently, pulling in the sweet air.
Like the many other groves in the area, this one held a variety of fruit, and Nyota pranced around happily, noting the small, stunted apples, the blueberries and the raspberries as well. He happily trotted over to the latter and picked a few of the delicate, ripe berries from the bush. He glanced over at Aimi to be sure that she also had food, before he let the small berries slide over his tongue, delighting in their sweet and tangy taste. After he had eaten a few, he remembered his manners, and walked over to where Aimi stood.
"Aimi, this is beautiful! I've never seen this grove before. How ever did you find it?" he asked, curious to see if she was as fond of wandering the area as he was.
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Posted: Sun Aug 12, 2007 9:22 pm
The pink Maluess inhaled deeply, taking in the sweet aroma of the clearing, and pranced around a bit, pulling some berries off both types of bushes, and laid them all down in the middle of the clearing while Nyota ate his. She walked over and placed her forepaws on the side of the low apple tree, but even though it was stunted its fruits were still hard to obtain. She stretched out her neck, and fluttered her wings before she managed to reach an apple. She pulled it off the tree carefully before returning to her little pile of fruit, and placing the apple next to it. She repeated this process until she had a second apple, then placed it next to its twin.
Satisfied, she settled down to eat, carefully picking up several of the juicy, dark berries at once, savoring their wonderful taste. After swallowing them, she giggled at Nyota's enthusiasm. It was certainly a treat. "It's absolutely gorgeous, isn't it?" She murmured, looking around them at the small clearing affectionately before returning her gaze to him. "I found it after praying one morning. The early morning sunlike was shining through the trees, and the shadows of leaves were dancing, and I simply had to go through the bushes. I love to explore the different areas of the temple and its gardens, but I had never bothered to look in here before. I'm very glad I did," she said with a bright smile before nodding to the apples. "I picked one for you, too, if you'd like one." And she waited, allowing him to choose his first without actually saying so.
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