He was feeling irritable still after his encounter with Finar-si, but knew he had only himself to blame for that one. He had tried to pass off his negative energy and it got doubled back up on his shoulders again instead. What was he thinking picking a fight with someone else, even if she had technically "started it". It had been that haughty and belittling air about her that pushed him so far, bringing back those angry memories...
Well, thankfully he'd come up to the mountains intending to enjoy the brisk air up there, not get bogged down again by the past. He kept his wings tucked to the sides as he trailed along slowly, but otherwise in plain sight. He wasn't expecting to run into mortals up here, so there was no need to worry about being seen.
Though Rio didn't know it, there were quite a few mortals in the area, and Kioo was one. The lioness, however, had wanted to escape from her peers, and so she had pushed through the tribe borders, into uncharted territory. It was peaceful out here. Without the complications at home, the lioness could really appreciate the beauty of the mountains.
She walked quickly, her body held in an nonthreatening but confident manner. If there was one thing Kioo had gotten from her experiences, it was confidence.
Rio stopped abruptly as he heard the other's approach. Was it another god that was lurking up here or a mortal? Rio felt himself growing tense. He wasn't entirely sure he could handle it if it was a god, not after his last disasterous run in. A mortal might be a little more welcomed, as they tended to be on their better behavior around his kind for various reasons.
He was relieved, however, when a very mortal looking lioness came into view that he didn't recognize. They could still be a god in disguise but he'd take his chances for now, and find out soon enough.
"I didn't realize that there were mortals inhabiting these mountains already. This is certainly a surprise." He stated calmly as he stood in her path, purely by coincidence.
Surely his long absence from this trail and this area said all that was needed, too, in the regard of the lands population.
"There have been for a long time, I suppose," she said, eying him with vague interest. Kioo had never met a god before, but she didn't feel intimidated by him. If anything, he seemed like just another lion, except with wings. "But I just came here recently to help the pride grow."
The lioness tilted her head, approaching a bit more before stopping, leaving a suitable distance between the two. "My name is Kioo. I've never seen a god around here before."
"It's entirely plausible given how long it's obviously been since I came this way." Rio conceded calmly, his usual smiles and grins decidedly absent for the time. "Hola, Kioo, I'm the god of Flight, you can just call me Rio." He answered and explained, not seeming bothered nor put off by her calm and tame curiosity. As if to give her a better look the god shifted his wings from his sides and gave them a brief rustle.
"Ah, I see. I would imagine you have plenty of other places to be." Her tone wasn't sarcastic and her expression was easy, calm. "What is it like, being able to fly? I watch the birds sometimes, and they just look so... happy. Free. I think all mortals daydream about that sort of freedom."
"I could show you if you'd like." Rio replied with a roll of his shoulders, and why not, it'd be good to do something nice for someone else, and mortals seemed to get a special thrill out of experiencing what he did every day. He had a weakness for mortal females with such a wish, and children, or he'd never offer. His first love had wanted nothing more than to see what it felt like, but he had failed her... He'd come to think that he still encountered her spirit now and again though, and made it a point to grant this wish whenever he could.
There was an uncharacteristic look of wonder on her face. "I... you could?" Her purple eyes traced over his frame, half skeptical, half intrigued. "I'm sorry, I don't understand."
Rio chuckled a bit, straightened, and stepped closer, wings tucking in again. "It doesn't work quite that literally... First, let's find someplace where you can sit that won't block this path."
Besides, if he did this for one, who knew, he might be asked to do it for another, and another, and another, and he wasn't sure he felt like getting tied down answering or denying requests.
She was curious and not at all nervous about following the stranger. He didn't seem like any threat, and she knew this territory better than he did, even if he did decide to pull something funny. "Sure," Kioo said casually, still watching him. The longer she looked, the more she noticed about him. He had a cheetah-like tail, less mane than a mortal adolescent and much less than a mortal adult, and almost hawklike feet. The lioness kept herself entertained with these musings as they trudged to a more private place.
Rio ambled along at a comfortable pace, only slowing to stop when they reached what seemed a suitable spot moments later, out of the way and not immediateely visible. He motioned "ladies first" with one paw, swishing his tail and tucking both sets of wings in to his sides and his tail so that he'd be able to fit as well without crowding her at all. Of course he planned to put up an illusion as soon as they were out of the way, but just to be sure they had room to move if need be.
"Go ahead and get comfortable. I recommend lying down or sitting up, but not standing."
"Okay." Kioo crept into the space, curling up on the grass after she had kneaded it a bit. "So, what exactly are you going to do? I guess it'd be best if I'm prepared, although I don't know how fully prepared I can be for such an unusual thing."
"It's a bit hard to explain in words..." He reasoned, his own words rolling from his tongue in smooth tenor, bordering on alto tones, but with a broken manner in some places.
"Just try to relax. This won't hurt, and it's not at all dangerous."
Well, he could at least prepare her that much, or so he tried before stepping in closer and settling down to sit before her, shutting his eyes.
"Just close your eyes and relax."
Kioo close her eyes, taking in a deep breath. She did not typically like plunging into the unknown, but when would she ever get another chance like this? The tip of her tail flicked, the only physical sign of her anticipation.
Once she had settleed in and seemed to be relaxing Rio began to weave the illusion in her mind. It took his full concentration because he had to focus everything into her five senses.
Soon enough though, the darkness would fade as blue skies filled her vision instead, the feel of the wind against her face, through her fur...
It was hard for Kioo to keep her eyes closed, because her natural reaction to such a breathtaking experience was a gasp and widened eyes. Was this what birds and gods felt every day? Jealousy, an emotion the lioness rarely felt, filled her. Why did mortals not get to share this experience? She tried to look down, wondering what the land looked like from up above.
She'd experience the full deal, a bird's eye view and all. Rio watched quietly as he maintained the illusion, and wouldn't have been surprised to learn she was jealous, just another reason that he avoided sharing this gift.
"Of course, those sudden thunderstorms do cause problems." He rumbled, but then rose with a small smile. He'd leave Kioo to her dreams. The illusion wouldn't last too long, and when it finally faded she'd still be in the same spot, perfectly safe. It was better if he took his leave. Usually following this little show were questions, lots and lots of questions, and though he was curious to learn a little more about this pride, he had things to do that he'd best return to now. "Pleasant dreams, Kioo. Pleasure meeting you, chika." Rio purred, angling to slip past her and lift off again from the ledge.
Not bad for a random encounter.
