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 Posted: Wed May 18, 2011 1:16 pm
Smiling softly as she padded along the shoreline, she turned her head to gaze out across the ocean. It was such a beautiful day, the white crests danced lightly across the deep blue of the water, mimicking the fluffy clouds over head as if dancing for the joy of it. It was a perfect day and her spirit couldn't have been any lighter.
This pride, the Kizingo'zaa, had accepted her with open paws and pretty soon she had almost entirely forgotten her life before the pride. The roguelands seemed more like a bad dream than a part of her past and she was more than happy to forget it.. though it was not as if she had much choice in the matter. Her memory was legendary for being so terrible and her sense of direction was equally as bad. But thankfully she was never truly out of sight of her new pride and with her new duties as a healer, she had little to no reason to go wandering too far from home.
This morning she was out looking for a certain type of seaweed which had a very nifty little trick of being a relatively powerful cleanser. She had seen nasty wounds practically heal over night after a few applications of fresh seaweed, so she wanted to gather a stock and see what dry seaweed was good for. But for that, she had to go out and gather the stuff, and it had been such a lovely morning that she had decided to get her tail in gear and start her hunt. For the time being she was simply combing the beach, but she knew she would likely end up by the rock pools later on as that was were the plant usually turned up at low tide.
Smiling softly she let her eyes drift from the dancing, joyous waves to the sparkling sand that spread out before her. Yes, today as the perfect day to find new things.
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Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 12:26 am
Chance a glance down the shoreline and the Kizingo healer would find a mountain of a beast emerging from the tides, thin streams of excess water cascading off the peaks of clumped fur. Born on the mountain slopes the stranger's coat was shaggier than most to bare the bitter cold weather with little shelter. Even soaked to the skin and slick-furred he was an undeniably monstrous male. Paws leaving deep, wide impressions in the sand as the surf peeled away from a muscular build made evident by the recent drenching.
Breathing in the salty sea air twinged with the bubbly aroma of foam and the gritty, mineral scent of sand Ozark sighed heavily. Despite such a gorgeous morning--dark back soaking up the heat of the golden sun--the pride's newest Usher couldn't find the will to express gratitude for another new day.
Vibrant blue eyes, still as undisturbed water, carried a heaviness from several days of unrest. It was the first time Ozzy had left the twilight caves since bringing the terminally ill twins and their deceased mother to the wide mouthed cavern. Separated into chambers the dutiful death dealer had settled down on bed of thick furs with the tiny cubs after properly disposing of the limp body. Their frail, straining breaths were heartbreaking but the healer that had tended to their discomfort had assured Ozark that he had done all he could to ease their pain. All that was left for them was the sweet release of death.
Two sleepless nights later the quiet giant was washing the scent of death off his fur. It was a shame he couldn't do the same for the unsettling weight on his heart. Lifting his head to stare up at the sky above, though for Ozark there was only darkness.
Today even the birds cried mournfully as they circled overhead, their calls echoing over the crashing sound of the ocean at his back.
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Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 3:45 pm
The dark shape raising out of the ocean waves instantly caught her attention. For the first few moments she thought that maybe it was one of the huge fish that sometimes beached themselves on the glittering sands, but almost as soon as the thought appeared, she shook it away, for this was no giant fish... even with the thick fur slicked back she recognized the figure of the male, and a moment later, as the sea-soaked shape moved higher out of the water, she even recognized his colouring. It was an Usher that she had seen here and there very briefly but had not actually met him yet. he always seemed so busy with some serious task, she had often wondered about him.
A moment later the thought that followed on the heals of her jumbled thoughts was a question.. Why was he in the ocean? Maybe he was hurt? That thought instantly spurred her into action and before her mind could catch up, her paws were flying over the sand as she bounded down the beach, her small body moving lightly over the loose going. Slowing down as she got closer she dropped to a trot, only to stop a few feet away from him, her mind suddenly catching up with her feet as she stood, entirely tongue-tied. Maybe he wanted to be alone? Nonono.. she was a healer! She had to find out if he needed her help.
Swallowing her sudden nervousness at her unusually bold action, she crept a little closer, head automatically lowering shyly. "Umm... Hi there... I was wondering if you were ok..." She could feel herself blushing brightly under her fur and settled for chewing her cheek as she awaited his reply, really hoping she hadn't just made a very large male upset at her.
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Posted: Sun May 22, 2011 9:01 am
At least they feel no pain now.
Yet the knowledge did little to ease a troubled mind. The twins had barely known life at all outside their mother's womb to have it taken away so suddenly. Granted, having contracted the illness of their matron before birth their fate had been sealed perhaps long before tasting the air of this both cruel and miraculous world. Allowing his head to drop finally from its tilted position, Ozark tried to ignore the cold chill that raced down his spine. Even on this deserted ocean beach he was far from alone.
When finally clear of the ocean waves, the tall lion gave himself an exhaustive shake to dislodge the majority of the water that persistently soaked his fur. A secondary, less intensive, jarring followed until thick pelt was once again light enough to begin taking on a naturally plush appearance. Tousled by the heavy caress of a breeze, carried by the body of water that seemed to know no end to its depth.
The crackling swish of bubbles in the surf as it grazed the shore and the crashing collapse of heavy, curling waves were nearly too loud for Ozark to hear anything else. Nearly.
It was a distant sound at first, a hurried rhythm. An ironically ghostly whisper which evaporated under the waves as each lick reached as far as it dared towards the dry sand. Drawing nearer at a rapid pace it wasn't long until the blind Usher knew for certain that he was being approached, canting his head in the direction of the stranger.
You have company..
Nodding almost to himself, Ozzy silently attempted to assess the form that had suddenly lost speed and grown timid. The wind was of little aid, carrying scents that did not completely engulf away from his nose teasingly.
...a lioness, well.. it's a stretch to call her---
A mild mannered voice lifted across the din from where the small female stood. Her reaction wasn't unexpected, it was one the imposing figure had become familiar with in his travels through the rogue lands. Even those on the mountainside who had known him all his life showed a certain sense of uncertainty in his presence. By the weight of her step it seemed a relatively accurate estimation that there wasn't much too her, a strong gust could have blown her away. It also seemed fair to assume she was female by the pitch of her voice, there were other things he knew by means outside of his own hypersensitivity, but it wasn't information Ozark intended to rely on. He'd been lead astray and embarrassed by impish prophets before, their word was taken with a grain of salt these days.
I'm fine... I'm sorry if I worried you.
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Posted: Thu May 26, 2011 3:08 pm
Delicate ears flicked forwards as she blinked up at the large male, a shy but very sweet smile curling her muzzle upwards becomingly. It was a great relief for her to hear his reassurances. He was a very large male and if he had needed help say, walking back to the pride, she wasn't totally sure she could have done much for him, as he surely outweighed her by several hundred pounds.
"Nono... don't be sorry. I'm a healer, is my job to worry about others." Knowing she was still blushing like some shy cub, she tried to gather herself but the faint tingling that had started in her toes made it very hard to concentrate on being Healer-ly... "You are wet... are you cold?" She had noticed how the strong breeze played with his soaked mane and knew from experience that the chill of the water grew sharp and sometimes painful as soon as one left the water's depths. He seemed tired and she worried about him catching a chill. With all that body stood in the presence of the wind it was a very real possibility.
Feeling her heart beat pick up a little at the idea of him becoming sick, she stepped forwards and scooted her body round, touching her shoulder to his gently. "Did you want to come to my shelter? I have dried reed grass and there is some of yesterday's ibex still left..."
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 2:22 pm
You don't need to.. Ozark quietly assured the shy female at his side. As the winds changed and swept towards him to blow the mane from his face the sea foam shared the breeze with another, far more alluring scent. Mild, distinctly feminine and just a little sweet. The healer's aroma suited her just the same as her angelic voice did. I come from hardy stock.
It was a somewhat awkward thing to say, no matter how true it was. Almost as if he were gloating about his mountainside heritage, though Kioza would have been quick to back the brute in assuring that the socially awkward male was not the egotistical sort. Feeling her slender frame slink around his muscular limbs, brushing her fine figure against him, the stray balked. Stepping out of range of her touch, though slowly so as not to cause her to end up off balance and fall over. I'm fine.
Could she smell the lingering scent of death that clung to him? Ozark knew well how to handle corpses, but a living, breathing lioness? That was another matter entirely. Without vision, touch became a far more intimate encounters than most realized. To feel her was to know her. Something Ozzy wasn't sure he was quite comfortable with. Breath tight in his chest, making his voice stiff and clipped. I.. should get back to my duties.
Somewhere behind him a wizened voice chuckled, causing dark ears to flick backwards and pin. I think she wants t'show you more than just her shelter, heheh..
Tsst.. shut up old man.
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 2:38 pm
His words didn't sound at all cocky or overly egotistical, rather they seemed very sensible to the small healer, since now she was standing somewhat closer to him, even after he scooted away from her light touch, she realised just how very big he was compared to her. She was used to being the smallest adult in the pride, but none of the others were quite so large as this one and it was only now that she truly understood just how much she had missed.
However it still worried her if he ever needed help moving from one place to another... there was no way she would be able to support his weight.
Tilting her head in innocent confusion as he ended up a pace away, she blinked in puzzlement, but it never occurred to her to take offence at the action. Rather she was worried that she had upset him somehow, or perhaps he really as hurt and just unwilling to let it show. One ear flicked as he spoke and soft amber eyes grew worried once again.
"Are you sure? I can at least get you dry and warm... and really, the ibex will go to waste if it is not eaten. I can;t finish it myself and I've not had any patients come to visit today...." Her soft voice grew even softer, if such was possible, her concern for him evident as was her gentle care, for she meant well and was genuinely concerned for his health. She didn't seek to move away or otherwise act in such a manner that might suggest she could sense anything unpleasant about the male.
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 3:18 pm
Just take the damn offer! A little release might get the stick outta your a**! Back when I was your age I had girls lined up from coast to coast to get a little action! Nothing like getting a little fur to he---
Startlingly clear, electric blue eyes slid shut behind heavy lids. Ozark was going to try hard to pretend like he couldn't hear the spirit of a decrepit lion chastising him for not being more forward thinking in procuring ways to ensure his own genes saw their way into future generations. And that he didn't then proceeded to regale him with tales of his own sexual conquests, like Oz needed to hear that.
Ultimately this was turning into an increasingly more awkward situation the longer he lingered. So it seemed a perfect excuse to escape into the solitude he was far more familiar with. At the lovely healer's expense unfortunately, but sometimes sacrifices had to be made to ensure that Ozark didn't come off as more of an a** than usual.
I'm sorry.. Meant as a means of dismissing himself, there was an honesty in the words. He really was. The female had been nothing but hospitable to him. Perfectly sweet, if he was going to be truthful, but this was a bad situation that was sure to become worse if he didn't find some way to weasel away. Carefully giving the brunette a wide berth to avoid brushing against her--or worse knocking her over--Ozark continued several paces up the shoreline towards where the scent of dirt and trees grew more fragrant.
Pausing to glance backwards towards her with a half apologetic expression. The other half seemed to be a muddy mix of emotions that ranged in unfamiliarity. Thanks for the hard work..
Healers and Ushers. They were two sides of the same coin and if nothing else Oz could appreciate the petite lioness for her occupation which made his a less painful one to endure on most accounts. The fact that she didn't have any patients at the moment was a testament to her hard work, though also a little surprising. She definitely seemed the sort many males in the Kizingo would have happily faked sick for. Then again.. maybe they didn't because she already had a mate?
s**t. Of course that thought would only occur to him just now. Well.. whether she did or whether she didn't. With his scent on her fur, Ozark was liable to find out soon enough. What could you do?
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 3:30 pm
The silence stretched on, making the lapping waves behind them the loudest sound she could hear, but she didn't mind, watching the male's expression was rather interesting, even if he did look rather frustrated or maybe just tired.. the second possibility worried her of course, but still... she found herself rather fascinated by him, the way he seemed to be holding back so much, letting only a little of himself impact the world around him. She rather though it was a shame, for though she knew little of him, he seemed like a nice lion, very studious and with much to teach others about the world. Certainly she herself longed to get him to speak a little... to open up just a tiny bit. Her curiosity was surprising, but it was here and it seemed like it was going to stay, as she let the silence stretch on wards just so she could delay his inevitable leaving.
When he finally broke the silence, she couldn;t help the knot of disappointment that settled in her belly. She o rarely saw the male and this was the first time they had spoken, for all that had passed between them was so little, it was still words of a kind. To see him leave now left her feeling oddly forlorn, like she was loosing something, even though she never had it to begin with.
Smiling as he paused and looked back, she dipped her head politely, voice soft and hopeful with her reply. "If you ever need me, or just want some company, my den is always open." Maybe that alone would ally his fears as to any possible mate back at her den, for no mated lioness would offer such a thing so easily. Not that Asali was that way inclined, she was just young and perhaps a little too innocent, that, along with her occupation left her vulnerable to those of darker minds, but so far it seemed as if luck alone had kept her safe.
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Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2011 4:43 pm
You coward! That's what's wrong with lions these days, they've all lost their chestnuts! Back in my day...
Even as the surf crashed upon the beach, Ozark could still make out the grumbling complaints at the shoreline. Luckily, the shore was where he had passed on and where he would remain. At least, that was how it had always worked in his experience and Ozark had come to think of it this way. As their bodies decomposed in the place where they had fallen, they left behind a piece of themselves with the land. A piece that manifested into a spirit who seemed to possess little more purpose than to annoy him.
Most seemed trapped. Too deeply tied to the life they once had to let go and move on.
Resisting the urge to shake his head at the stranger and in doing so look even more peculiar than he probably already did to the lioness, Ozark returned his focus to her once more. The offer to visit her at her den certainly seemed particularly inviting for a mated female, but given her friendly personality it didn't seem entirely out of character. Too bad Oz wasn't the sort to seek out company. Perpetually tied to the duties of his rank, he seemed to use it as an excuse to make little time for socializing. Offering a simplistic nod of agreement before disappearing into the tree line.
Despite the exhaustion of several sleepless nights, he could hear the distant spirits calling him to their fallen bodies.
Wanting to be found.
Wanting to fine their closure.
It was a call that he couldn't ignore.
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