He stopped eating while she spoke, mesmerized by the visions his imagination was providing him.A colourful river so great that even during the dry season it remained vast. Vast. Hmm. He wasn't sure he could put that into context.
"How is it vast? How long is it? How wide?"
She finished the fish she worked one, and looked even more thoughtful at that. "That is... a good question." She pondered more for a long moment.She then reached out with one paw and drew a rough outline of the shape, as her mind saw it from her travels, of the great lake in the dirt with a claw. "I started my journey around the lake about... here..." She makes a small circle. "It took me at least a week, if not more, to get here...." She marks a spot about halfway around.
"I lost track of time, I admit... And I stop to enjoy the scenery, so I am not always the best person for these... It took me at least 2 and a half weeks to get back to were I started, and at that point I went off in another direction."
He nodded, brow furrowed in concentration. Two weeks and that was only a portion of the great ocean river? It was difficult to grasp. He wanted to travel there one day and see it himself. Perhaps he'd pray about it later.
"And the width? How long do you suppose it would have taken you to swim to the other side?"
She smiled a little and shrugged. "That I cannot say. But I would certainly say I could not do it, for it would be more then I can manage in a day and I would surely drown if I tried to sleep while swimming, don't you think?"
She scuffed out the image after a moment, and shrugged. "It is a lovely place. I doubt I will go back, though."
He had been smiling widely up until the point where she mentioned that she may not go back. If an experienced traveller like her didn't want to make the journey again, what hope did he have?
He sighed, "Oh. Why wouldn't you? Is there some other pride who makes passage difficult?"
She blinked in surprise, as she takes a mouthful of fish, and shakes her head. Swallowing, she laughs. "No... I just rarely go back... Forwards is my usual direction." She paused, and looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I admit, I'm less inclined then I was when I was younger to that... If I felt an urge, I might go back, but... I don't know why I would?"
"I may attempt it," he said, not sounding sure of himself in the least. "Perhaps that is why the gods have sent you. They want me to visit this 'ocean' myself..."
What he would do there he had no clue in the least. But if the gods wanted it then who was he to argue? After all, maybe they would reveal their plan once he'd arrived?
She stopped eating, and studied him, curiously. She fiddled with the fish she had previously been nomming, pondering his physique and what little he'd told her of himself. "I wonder... It seems an odd and round about way to go at it, it seems to me, but who am I to question gods?"
"Still... How are you at running distances and hunting? It can be hard, and you need to be able to care for yourself at all times if you go alone. If you go as a group, everyone has to be able to help, at least some, to be sure no one is left behind or injured."
He frowned, "Is it so far?"
He looked away, ears drooping downward in the most pathetic pout he was capable of, "I am a quick runner but I cannot run distances. Hunting," he couldn't lie, "I could not hunt so well as to substain myself over a long journey."
She couldn't help but feel sad at his pathetic pout, and said "Well perhaps you can get friends to go with you?" in an attempt to make him smile, or at least feel better! "And I am not the best to ask, for my route here was not a straight one. I do not know the direct distance from here to there if one went the most direct route..."
"I fear my tribe would not wish to spare the warriors for such a quest at this time. I will remember your story always. If not me, perhaps a son, or daughter will reach the ocean's banks and return to tell their tale," he perked up a bit at the thought that one of his successors would be able to make the journey in his place.
"Do you remember anything about your journey, Ayomide?"
Her whiskers went forwards as he perked up, glad he was no longer unhappy. "That would be lovely, I'm sure! I hope this will be so for you, then, surely, Okena'Nahuatl."
She nibbled the fish again, as she nodded. "Yes, it was long, sometimes very dull... But often enjoyable. The feeling of the wind along the fur of your back, the way the different lands feel under foot as you run... It's exhilarating, exciting, amazing. And meeting new and interesting people is always a good day too."
He beamed as she spoke, sitting up straight and proud. Yes. Even if he did not make it to this ocean he would be sure that one of his children could. They would be trained as priests and warriors. It seemed the most noble of tasks and it was surely what the gods would have wanted.
He was about to thank her for bringing this news to him (as prophesied in his dream) but stopped short when she mentioned meeting all the new and interesting people.
"Interesting..." he ear flicked and a flushed crept across his face. "You don't mean..." me?
She tried not to giggle as he straightened up. Well that WAS much better, he looked much happier now that he'd heard that. She just smiles and finishes the fish she was working on.
His reaction to the second part had her tilting her head in interest. A flush? How unexpected. And rather endearing, to be honest. She smiled at his words. "Well like you for instance, certainly... How often is it that a girl is chased down to be asked if she's a god? Now that's a unique experience." She winks at him in a teasing, but friendly, way.
He laughed nervously, "Well... one can not be too careful now can they?"
He shifted a little in place, "Well... uhh..." he'd never met anyone like her before either. "How long do you think you'll be staying still?"
"I suppose not... Are gods regulars in these lands, though, that it worries you?" She sounded genuinely curious, since she'd never met one. "I would like to meet one, I think, it would be a unique experience!"
She blinked some and smiled, shrugging. "I don't know... I am... comfortable here, at this time, so unless and until I feel the need to move on, or I am... sent away... I will stay."
"No," he shook his head. "But one can never be too careful. I can not imagine anything worse then enraging a god who on a whim decided we were not hospitable enough. And a priest no less!"
He sighed and lay down, "That is good to hear. I would like to speak with you more. I should be heading back soon though. I could speak with the elders and ask if this is permitted or if they would allow you within our boarders."
She smiled and nodded. "I suppose I can see that, yes. It wouldn't occur to me, but then all I have ever had to take care of, over time, is myself, so I don't know what it's like to care for others, let alone what it's like to be a priest."
She sighed softly, as well. It would have been nice to have him stay longer, as company, but ah well. "All right... I certainly would enjoy seeing you again."
He looked up at her then stood, "Thank you kindly for your hospitality today." As a rare joke he added, "If I was a god you would surely be blessed. Would you allow me to return for a visit tomorrow? I will be sure to eat before I come so you need only hunt for one."
"Of course, it is always enjoyable to share a meal with good company." She stood as well and nodded, then laughed at his joke, with a bright smile. "I am glad to know I would earn your blessing! And of course, I would be pleased to see you. If you needed food, I would share, but if you prefer to eat from your tribe's stores, that is well too."
He gave her a small but polite bow and then turned back toward the river, "Tomorrow then! It has been good talking with you, Ayomide!"
With that he jumped into the river and began the swim across.
Ayomide settled down again and watched him go, with a smile. This new aquaintance was proving to be interesting, and she was enjoying it.
