Ellie trotted towards the appointed meeting place, her fur dotted with scratches and a couple of small missing patches. She and Winde had made sure to leave enough blood and fur in the area she would have 'died' in to make it believable. Ellie had even made sure the paw prints leading away were deeper than usual, as if carrying someone. Now...She grinned. The pain and time it'd taken to set everything up had been worth it.
She was free, and her mother wouldn't ever know of the stain her little Soot Star was on the bloodline. She picked up her pace, looking forward to seeing her odd new companion.
He had been waiting for her, and he had been waiting for the day he would get to go back to see her. She had been on his mind constantly, though he was hoping that he had been on her mind as well.
He knew that she had more she was leaving.. She actually really loved her family, whereas he felt as if there had been no connection with his own. He had not felt sad at leaving.
He waited at the outskirts, making sure to keep away from the lands, and to keep hidden in the darkness of the trees, watching for her. If he got caught by a demon, he felt sure that they would kill him for being so close.
His current mission, was to stay unseen.
The half-familiar scent was what caught her attention first. Betta. She sped up and crouched down into the grasses. She'd gotten good at being unseen in the lands, especially the borders. Once she was almost within range to touch him...she popped up, grinning, the half-skull of what had been a lion her mother had once defeated perched on her head.
"Heya Betta! All safe and sound but a little bit worse for the wear..."
He squealed a bit, a very unmanly squeal that made him blush when he realized who had just popped out of the grass. He should have been paying more attention. He smiled a bit, though still blushing. He pawed at his face, hoping to remove the redstain from his cheeks.
"I..Im glad that you didnt forget."
He replied, relieved. He walked over to her, nudging her gently with his nose and smiling.
"And you brought some nifty items."
Ellie chuckled. "Sorry about that...I couldn't help myself." She nudged him back. "Of course I didn't forget." Her grin grew and she sat back on her hind paws to lightly bat at him with her front paws. "We were meant to meet, to make our way out there in the world!" No way they would have met otherwise!
"Like 'em?" She stood again, showing off the bracelets and the tail decoration. "They were Mommy's. But she doesn't wear 'em anymore, since she's not a Tirma'eth anymore. But...I figured they could do me some good. And...to remind me of her."
He wasnt sure what she meant by Tirma'eth. But he supposed it was something special, maybe a rank? He smiled and nodded.
"Im glad to hear it. I can honestly say, Ive never been so nervous in my life."
He admitted, his smile growing.
He had a soft place in his heart for this female, and he'd be damned if he'd let her escape because she was lonely.. He would be there for her, every step of the way.
Ellie nodded. "Yeah...but we'll be fine!" She chuckled and started forward, away from the lands she'd grown up in. "We've got each other, and the whole wide world to explore!" She'd never really BEEN in the outside world before...the thought of how big it is made her shiver in excitement and nervousness.
He had only been on the outside world for a few months time now, before running into the female that fateful day. He had grown rather fond of her in such a short amount of time.
He nodded, smiling his big toothy grin. He was getting large each day, but she was still bigger for a lioness. She was the perfect size for the male.
"Yes we do, though that sounds like it shall take some time. Anywhere in particular youve ever wanted to see?"
Ellie closed her eyes a moment, thinking...Then she nodded. "Yes. Mommy always told me about the place she grew up. A great desert to the north and east...It was all sand and rock, with spiny plants and hardy creatures..." She wanted to see her mother's birthplace! And it was far off...so what an adventure getting there would be!
If that was what her hearts true desire was, he would be up to it. He couldnt help but smile as she thought of her favorite place to visit. He had yet to actually travel there, being he came from a Rainforest environment, but he nodded.
Walking to her side, he nudged her shoulder gently, licking at her cheek.
"So it shall be done then."
Ellie chuckled and bumped his neck with her head, careful to not do so too hard because of the lion skull resting on it. "Well then....shall we be off?" Her smile was wide. Free. She was free, and her Mommy was free, and there would be no more secrets or lies or broken dreams. Now...she was just Lith'elen. Just Ellie. Traveling to new places and seeing new creatures with her new best friend beside her.
Betta nodded, feeling the same sort of freedom that she was feeling. He was liberated, free from having to be something he knew he was not. He felt a puff of pride, at his life so far. He was surviving. He was doing more than that, he was thriving.
"Yes, lets."
He smiled, and began to lead the way.
"Long way to the desert, darlin'. To our new destiny we go."
And with that, he started moving forward, ready for the journey.
