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He was late.

Sniffing, she nosed a plant on the forest floor idly, ears twitching for the sound of approaching hooves, feeling it's velvety leaves against her muzzle as she inhaled it's scent and story. Every living thing had it's own story, some a little exciting than others obviously, but mortal beings amused her to no end. Granted, she hadn't been 'alive' long, and and she knew such stories would lose their thrill in time, but for now she loved the simple things the world showed her.

Lifting her head, she continued on her way near the edges of the forest, taking her time. Every so often, she'd find something shiny, and with one clawed foot would lift it for closer inspection, turning it to see how it glinted in the sunlight, before setting it back down where she'd found it. She felt no compulsion to gather things that caught her attention, after all this world was a gift to all and should be enjoyed by all.

Finally, glancing at the sun, she returned to where she began, picking a silent path among the layer of old leaves. Laying down in the sunshine in full view, one clawed foot placed nonchalantly over the other, she continued her vigil. She had all the time in the world. He, however, did not. She was well aware of the fact that consciously, he did not even know she'd been sent to meet him.

Time was passing. . .

"I see you, Lord Varian," she said after standing, giving him a bow in respect for his status. Standing back up straight, her alien eyes regarded him somewhat coldly at first, though warmth was hidden within their depths. "Your late. You do realize that, yes? God or not, it does no good to be late. Wars will never be won by Gods who dawdle and arrive after the killing's been done, and the victors are long gone." She was teasing, but the truth was still in her words, time was running short in the war on the Six, and Varian had much to learn.

Walking about him, she looked him over, clucking her tongue lightly as she inspected him. Using one claw, she picked a burr from his tail before she was satisifed with what she saw. "It is time for us to talk, come. Join me," she said, motioning with one clawed foot for him to lay where he chose. Settling herself once more on the grass, she waited for him to decide what he wished to do before asking, "Why have you not sought your Chosen?"

Lalita watched him carefully, listening to not only the words alone but how he said them. She sucked in a breath when he showed her, she knew, a mere fraction of his Torment, and shuddered with the pain. What his poor father had endured was unspeakable. This alone made her understand why he delayed his journey better than anything else. Slowly he closed it off from her, the lingering memory enough leave her shaking like she'd just swum in the coldest water on the island laced with ice.

"I understand," she said quietly. "It is understandable and commendable that you wait for the right moment. Time does ease pain, though pain never fully disappears for those suffering...however, I only asked because you have seen the pain of recognition by others before they realize you are not your father, and sadness once more returns. They once more revisit the pain of that loss...no matter how long you wait, will it not be the same for the boy? Will he not still have to revisit the pain of his loss even if you were to wait ten years from now? Will..."

From far away the sound of raptor's call sounded, a victory at a meal well in claw. Lalita chuckled lightly, "I am being reprimanded for my impudence. A few days will hurt no one...and you have much to learn. I am Lalita, once of the Guardians of Life on the island. In one sense, I still retain that job, in hopes of lessening what I fear is coming in the future...bloodshed. The War is near upon us, but you know that well. Come. Follow me," she instructed as she stood, shaking the grass from her coat as she started to walk along a well worth path in the forest, not looking back to see if he followed.

As she walked, she continued on. She walked with no particular hurry or direction, wandering the path where it would lead. "The Counsel of the Gods, has allowed me to reveal this to you and you alone. The Island was created to be a haven for both azrein and humanoids to coexist in harmony. For years, the Gods said that they could not interfere with the decision of man or beast in the choices they made in life, and so refused to do nothing even when the Six came close in their original plans to kill off everything that this place was created for...until your father died."

She paused, nosing a plant lovingly before moving onward, letting him soak that much for a moment before continuing. "They saw what your father had done...what the King had done...the love they both shared for everyone here. You were born of that." She knew he already understood this, and forged onward. "However, they felt they could not just leave you here to fend for yourself and bickered, as Gods do, over what course to take next. I had learned much in my time as a Guardian, but I was troubled by all I'd seen. I was granted an audience with the Gods, and though I cannot say what fully transpired there, that knowledge has been blocked from my memory, I do remember that I asked for this, to walk with you and share my wisdom so that the path you walk would not have to be tread alone."

Stopping she turned her body to face him. "I cannot tell you what choices to make, nor if you are right or wrong in what you do. I can, however, guide you, share my wisdom, and help you to see things in different perspectives, but I cannot influence you on any particular decision to make one choice over the other. I can only lay them out for you."

Bowing her head, she closed her eyes in clear guilt over her earlier words, her voice soft. "I...beg your forgiveness on my earlier impudence, I was not judging your decision about the boy, it just pains me to know what he must be suffering, and the joy your bonding would bring him. I respect your decision on waiting, with what you suffer only you would know what's best for him as it was."

She raised her head, her heart lightened at his acceptance of her apology. She looked about, as if seeing the world for the first time. The sounds of the insects, the play of the sunlight on the leaves, the chittering of a squirrel above her head, so many little things making up such a vast picture. "It is true, you are the only one of your kind, as am I. In that sense we are alone, but it is only in that sense. We are surrounded by life, some not always seen or touched. Soon, in a few days time, you will be with your Chosen. We may be the only ones of our kind to walk the mortal plains, but I find joy in the knowledge that we never have to walk the path of life completely alone. Guidance and joy comes from sources not always seen by the eye. Maybe...I will find a Chosen as well, that would be a wonder to experience..."