|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun May 23, 2010 3:19 pm
The young lioness was now resting on the low branch of a large tree after taking one nice cool swim in the water, tail dangling placidly down. The low perch she’d chosen was not too far from wild dogs, just far enough for her to keep observing the animals and the beautiful landscape without being interrupted by other predators who might’ve seen the tell-tale signs of a successful hunt.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 26, 2010 2:45 pm
The sun had risen on another early summer day, perfectly pleasant and sunny, a long way away from the dead heat of later in the season, further away from the promise of drought and dryness. It was the sort of day that promised relaxed attitudes and lazy afternoons and full stomachs, without stress or strife.
Vár wasn't sure she liked it. Of course, she did enjoy the way the sun heated her broad wings and a gentle breeze ran through her fur, but she wasn't sure she was up for relaxation. It never really suited her. But there wasn't much to be done about it, so she had resigned herself to her fate and turned towards the scent of water on the horizon, a vague notion of getting a drink, perhaps a meal or a nap, or at the very least a place to wait until she was summoned away again, whenever that would be.
And the waterhole seemed it would provide a suitable distraction, hardy trees and lush grasses telling that this place stayed wet a great deal of the time. It was pleasant enough to look at, peaceful, but as the sandy goddess padded towards the greenery she scented blood and heard dogs and birds. Not quite abandoned then, and unless she was quit mistaken the flash of lightness above the water was another cat. While Vár wasn't exactly a social creature, she couldn't very well turn away if she'd been noticed, it would be rude, so she continued forward to the waters edge, paying no attention to the corpse or the scavengers as she approached.
"Greetings," she called as she neared the other, offering the smallest of nods. She hadn't spoken to a mortal in quite some time, and how they would react was always a mystery.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu May 27, 2010 4:02 pm
Fenja’s eyes widened as she noticed the winged creature moving closer and she stood very still trying to look calm even though her muscles tensed almost immediately. There were many names for these creatures, each pride usually having a specific denomination and meaning to them but the most common term as far as Fenja’s experience went was God. Or Goddess, to be precise, as the lack of mane clearly implied in this particular case. Some were respected, others feared – and usually not without reason.
The larger lioness’ greeting did ease Fenja’s natural caution just a bit and, as childish as it may be, she felt slightly better to be eyeing the other from a slightly higher position.
“Good afternoon.” She replied automatically. It was rather rude to ignore someone’s arrival especially when they were being polite but she wasn’t quite sure what to say in this case. Should she show some sort of deference towards her? Fenja settled on a slightly more pronounced nod and a tentative smile. “You haven’t masked yourself.” It wasn’t really a statement as much as a veiled question.
“Are you here on business or pleasure?” this was a lovely place after all and there was a good chance the goddess wasn’t here on any kind of serious business.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 3:43 pm
Vár stopped at the edge of the water, broad paws resting on the damp soil, less than an inch from the near still water. A long flash in the deeper water betrayed the location of a crocodile set on making itself scarce. She watched the mortal, carefully emotionless, noting the hesitation, the nod.
Well, not friendly, exactly, but she hadn't run away so that was something.
"No," Vár replied, not bothering to say anything else. It didn't seem like she needed to, it was sort of a pointless statement anyway. And why would she need to, she had no intention of tricking this lioness. And if other Gods did, well, that was their own lack of moral character speaking, not hers.
"Oh," she blinked slowly, drew her mind back to the present at the question, "business is slow, so I guess pleasure. This seemed like a suitable place to pass the time."
A moment of silence passed before she remembered that niceties usually lasted longer and required slightly more dialogue than had occurred, prompting her to add, flatly, "and you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 5:01 pm
The mood was somewhat awkward and Fenja had to admit a good part of it was most likely her fault. But in the absence of a hostile response she was more than willing to be a little friendlier! The young lioness walked with ease on the branch, smooth confident steps showing she was quite used to it and then slid down the trunk of the tree with a very noticeable lack of the previous grace. She was still cautious, keeping more than what would be usually considered a respectful distance from the pretty Goddess but she moved closer nonetheless, admiring the size, pleasant colors, ornaments and, of course, the wings of the other.
“Me? Pleasure, always. It’s been a while since I’ve had anything that could be remotely called business. I’m usually alone.” And as if her dripping tail and bright coat weren’t obvious enough she continued with a grin. “I like to swim. And this is a good place for me to hunt.” She watched the glimmering waters for a few moments before introducing herself. “I’m Fenja.”
She waited attentively to see if the Goddess would show any interest in her name and maybe even be willing to give her own back in return. It was probably a good way to see how she felt about mortals, Fenja figured.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 5:43 pm
Vár watched the lioness move out of the tree with debatable ease, mildly surprised she was doing so, but mostly just happy she wouldn't have to crane her neck up anymore.
Although her face remained blank, she couldn't help think how very lax today's youth were, so carefree and aimless. It wasn't very responsible at all. Structure was the key to a well-led life, as far as she was concerned, laziness and idle-paws were far less admirable than dedication. But she supposed she shouldn't be surprised, very few these days seemed to understand that work was important.
Of course, she couldn't talk, herself, after all she herself was slacking off at the moment, as much as it bothered her to do so.
"I see," she answered, noting the dampness of the others shimmering fur. The water was not Vár's favorite thing in the world, but it seemed to suit this girl.
"Well met Fenja, I am Vár."
She didn't bother to explain that she was a Goddess, as it seemed obvious, or her domain, which she made the often-false assumption that everyone knew. She, as many Gods, was blessed with an over-abundance of self-importance.
"I take it today's hunt was successful?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat May 29, 2010 8:12 pm
“It was. With the landscape and the wind in my favor even Lady Luck decided to grace me today. It’s not always like that., I'm more familiar with the feeling of an empty belly than I'd like, you know?” The bright lioness looked very pleased as she sat comfortably with a very audible thump, – proof that she was sure there was no imminent threat - a low chuckle rumbling in her chest. Fenja eyed the Goddess curiously, wondering if she could break that serious expression. “I forgot, you don’t eat, do you?”
There is a God of everything, someone had told Fenja, somewhat jokingly she believed. Who, she’d forgotten long ago but the thought came to her like a soft whisper inside her head.
“If it’s not an impertinent question…what is your field of work…” No, that wasn’t the right word at all! “Your... gift?”
That didn’t sound right either but it was an important thing to know. Fenja didn’t want to step on a Goddess’ toes and risk being cursed for a misunderstanding. That still happened, didn’t it? Cursing mortals… She’d never met anyone who’d experience it so maybe someone dubious had played a joke on her when Fenja was younger. The whole cursing thing sounded a bit unrealistic… not that she was going to take any chances anyway.
But in the eventuality that her question might go unanswered Fenja she added another one very quickly. “Vár, how does it feel to fly?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 6:03 pm
"It was probably more skill than luck," she answered, honestly. Luck only got you so far, after all. Or so she assumed, honestly hunting was made perhaps embarrassingly easier with a set of wings.
She sat down carefully, curling her tail around her legs. She didn't usually sit down and have conversations, but, as she was well aware, she had nothing better to do, and anyway it seemed only polite considering how easily Fenja had relaxed.
"I eat," she said, not volunteering any more.
She flicked her ears slightly, confused not so much by the question as by the phrasing, "Gift? I am the goddess of Oaths, if that is what you mean."
It wasn't a gift, so much as a field of work though, she thought. Being a God was considered by some, she knew, to be a boon, but it was no gift, as often as not it was a burden. But it was to be shouldered with the knowledge that it was your calling. Nothing was to be done about it.
"To fly?" she was caught off-guard. It wasn't a question she was used to. And how do you even answer that? How does it feel to walk? To breath? It was far too... obscure for her tastes, too poetic to be truthful.
"It feels like running, I suppose. I am afraid I am not the God to ask."
She felt a slight twinge of guilt, she realized she'd quite failed to answer the question and once again provided only the slightest amount of conversation. So she continued, a bit hesitantly, "Do you live here?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon May 31, 2010 7:03 pm
Vár’s compliment – at least that’s how Fenja interpreted it – made the bright lioness’ tail twitch excitedly. The Goddess’ cold demeanor wasn’t bothering Fenja at all, she was willing to answer the young lioness’s questions and that was good enough for the bright girl. No time was wasted when there was knowledge to be gained after all.
She ate. Now that was an interesting piece of information as the young lioness was quite sure that not all Gods did. Fenja’s eyes widened just a little as she leaned forward, ears sticking out from her head with keen interest.
“Oaths?” There really was a God of everything… At least she was fairly confident that she’d never made or would ever make such a thing as an oath so there was little chance that she could do something to offend Vár - or so she thought. And not just because she was naturally wary of any form of commitment but because oaths were often related to concepts Fenja tried very hard to avoid these days. “You mean like… promises? Like love or friendship promises?”
“Like running? That doesn’t sound as fun as I’d imagined it… I thought you could just glide up there with the wind in your face, birds following you around, amazing sights unfolding in front of you. Can you glide?” Fenja’s head tilted comically to the side as her expression changed to a deeply focused frown. She couldn’t hide a slight disappointment towards the way her last question had been so quickly answered. “Me? Oh no, no. I’m a traveler, I just keep walking. This place is tempting but I’ll be leaving soon.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jun 01, 2010 3:36 pm
Vár blinked, taken aback by how very... intent the lioness was. Excited, maybe? She should probably view it as an untoward expression of emotions but it seemed rather harmless, even if it was slightly unsettling to be at the center of such keen attention.
Vár didn't often inspire excitement.
She winced inwardly, holding in the almost reflexive need for denial. Oaths weren't promises, they weren't, but not everyone knew that and it wasn't strictly their fault, so she needed to explain it. Unfortunately, "Sort of, but not really. Promises are for children and those who are weak of heart. An oath is greater, sacred, and should never be broken. Those who enter into them must be serious about their pledge and dedicated to keeping it, because the punishment for breaking them can be severe."
She glanced to the side for a moment, flaring her nostrils slightly as she thought, "I can glide, but birds don't usually follow me. There's wind, and sights, but it's the same things you'd see on the ground only further away," she said, slightly dismissively. The romance of flight wasn't something she'd taken the time to deeply consider. She couldn't really do anything about the girl's disappointment.
"Why, are you going somewhere? Don't you have a pride?"
Vár had very strong beliefs about prides. They were structured and orderly and they accomplished things. They gave lions something to dedicate themselves to that was greater than themselves, a calling. That was important.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jun 02, 2010 10:50 pm
Fenja was resisting the urge to paw at the goddess’ wings. A part of her kept demanding that she poked those fascinating feathery things while a different side of her – thankfully, the side that was winning – ordered her to stay put and not upset the goddess. That might’ve been allowed when she was little, but Fenja was sure she wouldn’t get away with it quite as easily this time.
Fenja didn’t or at least pretended not to notice Vár’s mild discomfort at her somewhat intense approach and her tail flicked excitedly behind her as she carried on.
“Mmm… severe punishment doesn’t sound too good.” Fenja said lightly obviously not too worried. It’s not that she was dismissing Vár’s strength of the intensity of her punishments but the bright lioness assumed that an oath was just something she’d never do and, therefore, being cursed by the goddess seemed very unlikely at the moment. She just couldn’t figure Vár out! She was a goddess, big and strong. And she could fly, oh gods, she could fly! Fenja would do almost anything for a taste of that ability. Hunting was probably ridiculously easy and she could travel anywhere without a care in the world – no lions, not even a Firekin, could match a lioness this big. As far as Fenja could tell, Vár had all the reasons to be a happy, carefree lady. Maybe it was the stress of her “job”. Everyone lied, everyone broke oaths. Vár probably had her paws full “punishing” the foolish mortals who were brave or stupid enough to make such a binding contract with the goddess. “Is that why you’re so serious?”
She regretted asking the personal question almost instantly, afraid that she might offend the gifted being in any way that might close the precious fountain of knowledge. She didn’t have time to apologize, however, because the goddess suddenly brought up a very touchy subject when she least expected it.
“What…? Pride…” Her ears were suddenly shaking as her will and instincts fought for control of her body. While her mind seemed to force them to remain upright, Fenja’s tail quickly curled around the lioness’ body and she leaned slowly back as the hairs on her neck and back stood on end. She eyed the goddess in silence for a few moments. When she finally spoke, a small smile dangled in her lips but her tone was flat and her eyes were blank and emotionless. “I travel to nowhere and everywhere. I want to see everything there is to see in the world. Well, the good things at least. I want meet different people and learn all I can. I want to visit strange places and meet different prides and learn their cultures. I wasn’t very…”
Whatever was coming next was left unsaid because Fenja clamped her mouth shut and stared very determinedly at the glimmering waters, a light frown slowly pushing her temple down. She looked very much like a little sulking cub who’s just been scolded.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
