Welcome to Gaia! ::

He was out on his normal route today, just along the outskirts and a little bit of a trek into the Rogue Lands. Just to warn any passersby of the potential danger of their further travels. This was of course never meant to frighten anyone, only to keep everyone safe. All travelers had quite a trek before they hit the safe zone, and even then, an even longer trek before they hit the point of no return.

He was nearly done with his routine when something caught his eye, and boy was it out of place. The area was densely populated, hardly any trees, and those that were present weren't exactly the most lush green you'd ever see. There was no grass, merely sand. So this wild dog, who appeared to be a very bright green was very easily spotted among the otherwise very pale yellow landscape.

For a moment, the leopon was struck dumb, but it didn't last long. His curiosity soon took over. The rogue lands weren't the safest place, and those that traversed it usually took precautions. Yet here was this guy, walking around without a care in the world! Of course, Mezlijin knew if he were to simply walk into the open he would be outed as well. But he also knew, he was well equipped to defend himself. Something he had no idea if the wild dog was capable of.

Shrugging off his worries, he slunk out from beneath his undergrowth and lurched forward. Waiting a bit before finally calling out to the male. "Hey uh ... 'scuse me? D'ya mind if I come a bit closer?"

Mezlijin had noticed the wild dog's startled jump when he spoke up, and he cringed at the action. Most definitely had no been his intention. He'd have to remember to apologize to him, should the strange dog allow him to come closer. With all of his concentration stuck on the idea of accidentally startling the male, he hardly had the ability to focus on the strange looks he was now receiving. Which wouldn't have bothered him anyway, he'd grown accustomed to them! And sometimes, he found them quite funny.

Mez smiled happily, allowing his teeth to show a bit as he sped up his steps. Glad that the wild dog had accepted his request, "Ah great, thank you very much!" He called, now closing the distance between them and bowing his head in greeting to the stranger before him. Or so, he was a stranger for a few moments, but no longer. "Ah you have a very interesting name Manoth!" He paused for a moment, before continuing on, he would have to try and pronounce his full name at least once. It would be a challenge, but it was so intriguing! "I'm Mezlijin, but you may call me Mez if you prefer. I guess its a matter of personal preference! I uh ... I apologize for startling you earlier, its a bad habit of mine. Should probably learn to gauge the sound of my voice when I call out to someone huh?!" Chortling once more, he nudged his shoulder playfully against Manoth's and offered another smile.

"Oh? Well you may think that, but I beg to differ! I think its quite interesting! But then, I was raised by a lion with quite a long name, so I have a love and interest for those with long names." He smiled, a bit awkwardly this time, but still proud of his comment. He was quirky, sure who wasn't? But he was still himself, and he was darn proud to be himself! "Shortening it would be quite a help to those who aren't quite as strange as myself I suppose," He laughed once more and made an effort to calm his overly friendly attitude.

Clearing his throat a bit, he nodded solemnly at his new friend. HE was quite the sharp one wasn't he? "Ah yes, you're right about that. There aren't many to be found out here, and I suppose its for good enough reason." He shrugged off the comment for the moment. Knowing full well he would be coming back to it soon enough. Though he wasn't expecting it to be this soon.

"Me? Oh, I was on patrol for my pride." He boasted, nudging his head towards the direction of the Kitwana'Antara. "We're a pretty secretive sort, so we tend to warn others to steer clear of our borders. Not that any of us will hurt them, but there are things within our lands that can." He frowned a bit before turning his attention back to Manoth. "But you need not worry Manoth, my friend! You are quite safe on your route, and before I go, I will give you a more accurate depiction of where you should steer clear of." Nodding once more, he tried to offer another friendly smile, but he knew there was going to be slow comings, when it came to coming back from that talk. "How about you, what brought you out here today?"

For the first time since meeting Manoth, Mezlijin finally picked up on his curious eyes. He wasn't sure how it had escaped him before, but now that he was noticing it he couldn't help but let out a small chuckle. "I can't help but notice your slightly confused glances. Have you never seen one of my kind before Manoth? Not that i'm offended, so please do not fret! I get questions and strange looks quite often, I take them as badges of honor!" Chuckling yet again, he sat before his new friend and tried to look as truthfully unoffended as possible.

As conversation continued, he simply waved a paw at Manoth's next comment. "It will be no trouble at all, I assure you! It's what i'm here for afterall! But please don't misunderstand, we would love to meet you, in fact there is a border in which you can come and visit from. Though as you venture further in, there are dangers beyond our control that can affect you. We ourselves are quite harmless - as I assume you can see!" Another sheepish grin crossed his face as he began to daydream about Manoth's different journeys. He'd been on a few himself, but only when given specific permission to do so. Those without permission were not allowed to leave, and when given permission it was a strict course from point A to point B. Manoth must have quite the life.

Mez picked up on the nervous chuckle and shook his head at the male, everyone always felt so ashamed or rude to ask questions around him! He had never understood exactly why that was, but he wasn't about to start asking now. All he could do was continue to encourage others to ask questions, instead of hide behind their fears and curiosities. "Well I can tell you one thing! You were half right!" He cheered happily, as his tail flicked back and forth with excitement. This was his favorite part, explaining his background to those who had interest in learning.

"I am a leopon, which means I am half lion, half leopard. My Mother was a leopardess and My Father was a lion. When the two came together ... well you got me! You can also call my a hybrid, but that's a more general term for all hybrids ...there are cheetons and leotahs as well! I bet you can guess what they're crosses of!" He grinned once more and winked at Manoth, as he listened to his next question.

"Oh yes, there are many like myself out there! I myself have 5 brothers and sisters! And I know a pride not too far from here that lays claim to many hybrids. We aren't the most common thing you'll ever see, because many lions tend to look down on us. So we tend to keep to ourselves. But we're out there, you just have to keep your eyes peeled for us!"

"Oh yes, it happens!" Mez nodded happily as he thought of his own siblings back at home. "Though as generations go on it gets harder and harder to produce hybrids such as myself. Because we begin to develop fertility issues." Mez's ears flattened as he realized that someday his own children might run into such issues, unlike himself who had been lucky enough to escape that curse. He knew the ways to avoid his children inheriting such a curse, but there was no proven 'cure' for infertility. "I was graced with the ability to have children of my own, but others of my species aren't so lucky. But such is to be expected when tampering with the elements, I suppose!" Shrugging his own shoulders, he looked back to Manoth.

Mezlijin couldn't help but let a laugh escape as his friend explained what he had actually meant. "Oh! My apologies! I guess I misunderstood you there haha!" Slapping his paw to the ground at his own silliness, Mezlijin paused before continuing on. "Oh yes, there are a few like me! Not as many as you'd expect, but I would say perhaps a pawful or two. We're really sneaky though, as you ... have already seen!" Again he chortled to himself as he thought back to his accidental startle.

Mezlijin nodded ecstatically at Manoth's suggestion and his tail began to wag in a bit of an excited motion. "I actually have a daughter of my own! My mate and I took her in just recently, the poor thing was lost and abandoned just outside out borders. No idea how she got there ... didn't even know her own name." The leopon stopped in his tracks, too upset to continue on. "She's safe now though, back in our den with my mate as we speak. Probably snoring away the afternoon - she has quite the set of lungs on her!" He was a proud Father to say the least, but he didn't brag as much as one would expect, he felt awkward shoving his children down other's throats. Partly due to his species downfalls, and partly due to his best friend's very own difficulties in having children.

"Oh yes, I assure you there are plenty here to keep you safe from those who would hurt you near our borders. As well as to keep you from harming yourself within our borders!" Nodding his head once more, he caught sight of the sun's position in the sky and did a double take. Was it truly that late already?! He'd need to be getting back soon, otherwise Theseus and Perseus would have his hide!

"Ah, you'll have to excuse me this time friend. It's getting later than I expected. If i'm not back soon, i'll have some worried paws on my shoulders. Shall I show you those safe paths before I go on my way Manoth?"