[PRP] Not So Solitary (Shortened Way & Seafoam Voices)

[hybridic]

The sun had not yet risen, but there was a soft glow to the horizon in the east as Shortened Way emerged from the entrance of the cave system that the Borderwalkers called home. The bitter, dry cold of the borderlands night had not yet broken into the beating heat of the day, but warmth was beginning to seep into the rough dirty sand on the sides of the dunes that faced the slowly rising sun.

The buck -- all lean and wiry muscle, his coat dusty with sand and grit -- was all but indifferent to the temperature, whether hot or cold. Born and bred in the borderlands and preferring from a young age to spend most of his time alone in the wilderness surrounding the tribe's cave system, Shortened Way had trained his body for endurance. As he stretched, digging his hooves into the cool sand, he let out a small huff of relief -- though he enjoyed his periodic visits back to his family in the caves, he was always glad to get back out to the quiet and peace of the wilderness.  

[LOLLI qAq]

Shortened Way was not alone at this early hour. As the sun gently warmed the sand and clay of the land sensitive hooves and a light body stirred with it. This wasn't new for the acha and usually, during the rare moments he was home, she'd just silently watch him leave again. This time she waited and then followed him out of the cave just a few short moments behind.

She shook the dust and sand from her hide, and smiled as it slid and tickled off of her back scales. It felt nice to be clean and she loved that her body was adapted to the dunes and desert. Trotting up beside him as he walked she didn't say anything. Just fell into step next to him and appreciated the still morning.

hybridic

 

[hybridic]

He paused, but did not look down at her, his eyes continuing to scan the horizon as he decided on his path for the day. "You are coming with me?" His speaking style was clipped, short, like his father's, but the tone of his voice was surprisingly soft, almost musical, like a deeper version of Meets-the-Sea's. The golden glow of his eyes was just barely visible against the brightening sky.

LOLLI qAq

 

[LOLLI qAq]

Her eyes stayed on his face as he spoke. He used it so rarely that it always surprised her how much she liked the sound of his voice. "Of course," she finally answered. Her gaze turned to the horizon but she wasn't really looking. "I watch you leave every morning and wonder what it would be like to see what you see." She let the unsaid end to that sentence hang in the air. He'd know. Their whole family was amazing at hearing what wasn't said.

hybridic

 

[hybridic]

He looked down at her, a quiet puzzlement pulling at the corners of his eyes at her words -- at the unspoken meaning behind them. She was a curious one, this acha; she intrigued him. "You are welcome to see with me," he replied, careful to keep his tone even. "Though it is perhaps not as exciting as you may think."

LOLLI qAq

Hah! You were wrong! It WAS my turn. wbbwahhahahaaahahhaahaaha

 

[LOLLI qAq]

His acceptance of her tagging along caused glee to bubble through her being. She smiled brightly at him and though she tried to hold an equally even tone ... It didn't work out. Instead her reply came out like a song.

"Oh no. Everything in this place is an adventure. The way the sun always sets in different colors on the horizon, the scurrying of all the smaller creatures that live around us, and especially our tribe. You're all so unique and distinct from one another in such fascinating ways. Even the way your own footsteps leave a pattern unique to you is exciting."

hybridic

Ahhhh, not sure if should be happy or disappointed I was wrong. xDD

 

[hybridic]

As Seafoam Voices started speaking in her singsong voice, Shortened Way felt for a moment like rescinding his invitation -- he valued the silence and peace of his solitary walks. But then he paused and listened to what the doe was actually saying, and found himself (to his surprise) moved by her observances.

He looked back down at her, his brows furrowed slightly as if in puzzlement at the fact that there was apparently more to his tribe member than he had assumed. "You are very...observant," he replied. "Your skills will be appreciated." It was probably as close to a compliment as one could get from the buck.

LOLLI qAq

Well we're doin it now, it doesn't matter. xD Did you get my link to the blessing?

 

[LOLLI qAq]

She was definitely taking that as a compliment, and swelled with pride at it. Watching the sands before them she felt a slight twinge of homesickness for the desert beyond, but pushed it away. She opened her mouth to mention it, but closed it again. It was best to keep such things in.

Staying quiet for a spell Seafoam was happy to listen to the rhythm of the dunes and matched her movements to it. Her instinct was to close her eyes and let it take her away, but she kept them open and always watching.

hybridic

 

[hybridic]

It was nearly noon by the time Shortened Way began to slow, scanning the rocky dunes for a cave or an overhang they could use as shelter from the midday sun. Hopefully there would be some water there as well -- either gathered from the last rains, or buried within reach underground, or at least the bit of moisture they could get from chewing on some bedraggled plant. He was good at knowing the right places to go to survive.

Spotting a likely overhanging rock with signs of green life about it, Shortened Way flicked his tail to get Seafoam Voices' attention and then nodded his head in its direction. Speaking was an unnecessary extravagance out here -- this close to the desert and with the sun so high in the sky, opening your mouth would dry you out in an instant. He waited to make sure she saw the spot he had indicated and then followed behind her towards the shade.

LOLLI qAq

SORRY I'M SO SLOW my brain is mush lately, I blame winter and darkness and snow