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 Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:42 pm
 Seasons. Change. Balance. Beginnings, endings, motion. Mothôpô sat in front of the shrine he had set up for spring and rolled a pebble under one paw. What the shrine really needed was some flowers – but those were seasonal. He’d certainly try and plant some, but the shrine had to look nice during all the seasons, and really represent spring, even during the middle of winter. No doubt he’d have to talk to some of the shifters and carvers, get some stone flowers carved or something, but for now…
He placed the pebble at the end of a long swirling chain of pebbles, starting at the base of a cairn of stones and curling away from where visitors were likely to step on them. It was a smooth, undulating design, like a stream or an unfolding flower petal. Just the start, really. He’d have to add more pebbles, make it wider, more visible. Or, or maybe he could place an actual stream there? He wasn’t thinking about it right. Hadn’t he seen a steep little hill, almost a straight drop, a cliff no higher than his shoulder? Yes, it would be better to start there. Prop some flat stones against it, try and make it look both intimate and open, really work with the mountain…
But really. Was that what spring was about? It was about, about opening. Flowers blooming. Things unlocking after winter. He growled and slapped his foot down on the ground, sending some of the closer pebbles rattling away. This was just so, so… frustrating. How could be the keeper of seasons when he couldn’t even capture spring? Pathetic.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 5:57 pm
Raiquen was still working on memorizing all of the paths in the pride. This time though the lion was stopping to check on things that he had previously found to use as markers for the shrines. At the moment though the guide was trying to find the way towards an area he hadn't seen yet. Someone had told him about a keeper who had sworn himself to the seasons. Raiquen was eager to see how the lion had set things up.
Though when he did manage to find a shrine, the keeper that Raiquen saw didn't look too happy. Pausing he stood and watched the other lion moving about. Was he working on the shrine? "Need help?" Calling out, Raiquen slowly made his way over to the other lion.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:16 pm
How he jumped at the other male’s call! It wasn’t that Mothôpô was shy, necessarily, or antisocial, it was just… it was just that he had been spending a large portion of his time hiding from the visitors and other members of the pride. He was sure they were all quite nice, but he much preferred to hide away while others passed through. He didn’t have much to say or much to share, or any particular desire for another’s company.
And maybe he was a little shy and a little frightened of strangers.
He tensed, ready to spring away, but gave himself a good shake and refrained. It wouldn’t do any good – the stranger was there, waiting. Watching. Offering to help? Mothôpô glanced once over his shoulder and, much delayed, he nodded. Yes, he could use some help. Maybe this stranger would have a better understanding of spring. If he was there, maybe he was meant to be? He wasn’t loud or noisy or disrespectful. Perhaps he was even a member of the pride! That would be nice, wouldn’t it? Getting to know another from the pride?
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:27 pm
Raiquen winced when he saw how the other lion jumped. Had he really surprised him that much? Apparently. Shaking his head the guide nodded respectfully towards the keeper. "I'm sorry to disturb you, but I happened to be walking past and I saw your...frustration?" He walked closer with a faint smile, "I'm Raiquen, a guide of this pride."
Slowing Raiquen paused and looked at the male, "So it is okay if I stay a bit...are you the keeper for the seasons?" He shook his head, "Sorry. I'm a guide so finding out is my duty. I don't mean to harrass you...." His gaze softened, "If I talk to much you can tell me to stop. But what is it that you need help with?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 6:50 pm
Mothôpô stored the guide’s name away for later use and hesitated a moment before placing a paw on his chest. “Mothôpô,” he said softly but clearly. It was one of the few words he was still used to saying.
He nodded happily at the other male’s question, glad he wouldn’t have to explain. And he said he was a guide? A pride member then, not quite a stranger. Pride members were… safe. Better? Yes, better. He relaxed slightly and gestured towards the shrine. That. That was what he needed help with. He smiled tentatively, wondering what Raiquen would think of his efforts.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 7:01 pm
Raiquen smiled encouragingly at the other lion. Something told him that this one wasn't much of a talker. Or was it just because they had just met? Either way, he was just happy getting a name. "Mothôpô." He repeated quietly to himself, storing the name in his memory. Lucky for the guide memorization was extremely easy and natural for him. Faces and markers especially stayed in his mind sight.
Walking forward Raiquen sat down and studied the shrine with interest. It was barren of flowers, which was to be expected with the current season. Yet something to him was saying that the image before him was not representing winter. It was more...warm. At least that was what his intuition was telling him. Was that right? The lion frowned. He didn't want to be wrong about Mothôpô's work after all. "If I may ask...How are you setting up this shrine?" He finally asked, "For all seasons or just one?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 9:40 pm
One shrine for all the seasons? Mothôpô stepped next to Raiquen and studied the shrine. That would be easier, wouldn't it? Better? He had planned to set up several shrines in a circle, but one shrine... well he was the keeper of "seasons," wasn't he? His father had come from a drier place than this and had told them how there were two seasons, the dry and the wet. So "spring" didn't even hold the same meaning for all. But seasons... what were they really?
"Spring," he said, pointing to the shrine. His tail lashed behind him and he frowned, less pleased with his work than ever. Seasons, seasons. Yes, he had been going about this all wrong.
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