Out in the Wild Wild Nowhere

[breggo13]

The wind that so rarely blew over the Savannah ruffled his fur, pulling at his mane before once again, disappearing into the landscape. A ghost's breath, nothing more. Kerberos looked out where the wind came, carrying a faint ocean scent that still lingered before his nose. The lion continued onward, his paws quiet at he seemingly flowed across the ground, moving at a slow jog. His pale eyes scanned the horizon time and time again as he wondered if he was yet far enough from the border's and Zews' hunters. He knew the lionesses' strength and his mother would be leading the hunt. And so, he strode on. 

It had been a few days since he had rested for more than a few hours, pushing himself to his limit time and time again. Today was the last day he could do this crazy pace - then he would need a full days rest. Looking at the wasteland around him, bare and empty of anything past dried out long grass and the grey skies above, signaling change, he had to keep moving. He needed water - and soon. In the distance, he could faintly make out a small oasis. Sighing and hoping it wasn't another hallucination, he trotted along, tongue hanging from the side of his mouth. 

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((OOC: Join to meet Kerberos for a good time and to explore characters))

[Leto]

The oasis had been a lucky break, although if he hadn’t found it he would’ve been forced to dig for water. Most of his people from the Ti'wenkai Federation, particularly not Xaxios'h like him were accustomed to the lack of water but Leto had experienced it more times than liked to admit, it had been a part of the survival training ops during his Seeker initiate days. Groups of initiates sent in a blind march into the most barren eastern portions of Corazan and told to find the way back home; without guidance or help from anyone along the way, water and food had been scarce and by the time they had made it back to HQ, the signs of the ordeal would mark their bodies and minds. It had all been to prepare them and him for situations like this, the times he would be stuck far from home, in the middle of potential hostiles with little in the way of obvious food and water.

But the ice-eyed seeker was not showing any signs that he was struggling, in fact it almost seemed like he was thriving. Resorting to eating insects and digging for water had thankfully been something he hadn’t need to do upon finding the oasis after three weeks on the road, the occasional bird or other creature that came to slake their thirst provided him with a meal, albeit sporadic. But the winds were shifting and Leto knew he had to keep moving if he hoped to reach his target destination by the end of the summer, and then make it across the mountain pass before winter hit; if he missed it, his mission would’ve easily been delayed by almost a year, and the Brass could not wait that long.

However the shifting winds drew attention to something else than just a change in the weather, a scent lingered on the blowing air; the scent of lion, Leto had made a point to try avoid any and all contact with Yunkai barring any accidental encounters. But the fact that he had set up camp around this rather isolated waterhole he should’ve expected that some point or another he would encounter other travelling lions, no one owned these lands that much Leto had learned the weeks he had spent crossing it, there were no scent marks anywhere.

The soldier rose to his paws and stared out into the savannah, nose twitching and vivid ice-blue eyes scanning the billowing yellow strands of dry expanse trying to spot the approaching stranger and perhaps build himself an idea of just who it was he was bound to face, but all he could read so far was the gender; it was a male.

[breggo13]

Kerberos continued to trot on, his paws barely making a sound against the earth before he suddenly froze mid-step, his nose breathing in a distinct male scent. He took a few moments, deciding on how to react, his ears twitching but at this point, the northern wind came back, ruffling his fur and reminding him of his fate. He had to keep moving and whoever the stranger was mattered not to him. He needed to drink and to rest. With a whip of his tail, he continued on, his movements appearing as relaxed as before but his eyes taking in each and every motion around him.

He huffed as a few locks of his mane covered his eyes but didn't slow down until he came up to the trees. Looking back, he scanned the horizon, determining that no one was following him, before turning to enter the shade, his paws feeling the earth underneath, claws hidden. The male lion was close - that much he knew. And yet, Kerberos just couldn't care less. Coming to the edge on the pool, he started to drink the cool water before plunging into it and letting out a contain sigh.

[Leto]

The stranger kept on his approach despite the fact that it was clear they were now both aware of each other’s presence. Leto was standing underneath the cluster of acacia trees that congregated near the waterhole, pale ice-blue eyes intently locked on the male that made his audacious approach of the waterhole. The soldier had made no claims to this patch of water and his camp was only temporary so in truth this male would find no hostility from the soldier, but only wariness; he didn’t know this guy, and he was wise in being cautious. After all you never knew when Yunkai could suddenly turn aggressive, especially if you overstepped some pivotal cultural norm, or accidentally offended them.

Deciding to approach Leto strode towards the water with a confident gait watching as the other outright submerged himself into it. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t contaminate the only water source around.” Leto stated plainly, clearly disapproving of the other male outright taking a bath in his drink, the soldier’s voice held a slight accent making clear that whatever language he was using to commune with the stranger was not his native one. Leto’s eyes scanned the form of the male, the other was dark, close to black even Leto was surprised he hadn’t died of heatstroke yet; black was a highly disadvantageous colour went crossing hot terrain. Other than the coat colour Leto had to admit the stranger wasn’t bad looking indeed if he was to be bold he would outright consider him handsome, but then most males or indeed lions in general out here were easy on the eyes, they had to be as only the young, fit, clever, and strong could ever eke out a living on the road.

Leto himself was close to the pinnacle, of physical perfection; a testament to an entire lifetime as a soldier, he was toned covered in lean yet strong muscles. The only perhaps unsettling bit of his visage would have to be the eyes, intense ice-blue eyes with a slitted pupil resting on a sclera as black as the void; which made the colour of his eyes stand out all the more.

[breggo13]

From the cool waters, Kerberos looked at the stranger, now glaring at him in the open. He was a big lion, sleek fur draped over a finely muscled body. He was older than Kerberos as well, a good number of years not that it phased the lion. The ice-blue eyes were different but then, Kerberos' own gray ones were startling. More so for on most days, they almost lacked any color at all.

"And I appreciate a cooler climate. Not all of us can always have what we want," Kerberos replied, his voice steady. He simply didn't care - the water was healing to him, a reminder of good times. Not that good times lasted, he though bitterly, as he started out of the water, his long black fur dripping with water and his silver mane covering his eyes. He stretched, his muscles painfully extending as he moved but he knew pain was temporary - the relief that would come with the motions would be tenfold. It has been a while since he went swimming, not since the last day he spent with Lanna, the young female lynx, his best friend that remained back...it didn't matter where. That day had been amazing - just the two of them, fooling around and chasing fish, drying off on the grass among the olive trees. Nothing like this wasteland.

[Leto]

The glare didn’t faze the soldier, Leto would not call himself big by any stretch of imagination indeed in comparison to most males in Ti’wenkai the ice-eyed soldier was on the lean side though toned, nor was he particularly tall as far as males went, he still eclipsed most females but for a male he was actually kinda short, at least going by the standards among his own people. To most Yunkai he might’ve seemed both big and muscular but in truth he was neither. The soldier’s ears folded back at the other’s reply, the soldier watched the other male studying his movements; they were stiff almost as if the lion was in pain, though Leto knew that one could easily very sore during long marches especially if you were not used to it.

The soldier sat down on his haunches and proceeded to give himself a minor cleaning licking the side of his paw and rubbing it across his muzzle. “So.” He began through licks, having closed his eyes yet the rest of his senses remained trained on the other male. “What brings you to this miserable place?” he muttered softly, attempting to start a conversation for what reason Leto honestly didn’t know, barring the fact that he had nothing better to do; he didn’t have plans to leave before the sun set, which would make the temperature a bit more bearable for travel.

[Mercy]

(OOC: Hope you guys don't mind if I jump in with Abeni..)

Abeni crouched nervously on the long, slim brown branch of the acacia trees. Her muscles quivered as she clung to the offshoot and her heart was pounding so tumultuously it was a wonder the strangers below hadn't noticed her yet. She wasn't even sure how she had made it this high. She hated heights, but she hated conflict more. Normally she wouldn't have gone to such lengths to hide herself but she was in an unknown land and had been feeling rather reclusive the past few days. And when Abeni wanted to be alone, any attempt at companionship would inevitably lead to uncomfortable silences, or vicious outbursts. She just couldn't deal with that right now. The unbearable heat hadn't made her feel any better either. Abeni attempted to take a quick glance at the ground and suddenly the earth swayed back and forth. Ohhhh, why did I do this? I should've just made a run for it. Better to have wandered the wastelands than hide in this clump of trees you idiot! Her stomach twisted uncomfortably as the vertigo clouded her vision again and she clamped her eyes shut.

Her fear scent must surely be clouding the air by now. Maybe she was high enough that the males wouldn't detect it. The one male nearest her was decidedly bulkier than the other. His tan hide and dark mane were a sharp contrast from the black pelt and silver mane of the other male. The silver-maned lion's scent had reached her first. She had been lounging in the shade of the oasis by the waterhole when a slight breath of wind had brought his scent to her. She had leapt up, spotted the black form and panic had overwhelmed her. Coal-black claws extended, she had clawed her way up one of the largest acacia trees, past the first extending branches, through the first layer of leaves, it wasn't until she had reached the upper-most layer of the tree that she had paused. She had sunk into one of the crooks of the acacia and then dizziness had set in. Gasping, she had immediately stretched herself out using all of her claws as anchors. It wasn't until the large male was almost directly below her that she had noticed a second lion, his mane rippling in the breeze. The wind was not a comfort to her here. It's cool breath had been welcome on the ground but not in the treetops. The branches swayed and creaked and Abeni's heart was in her mouth as the branch she clutched at creaked unsteadily.

Abeni's muscular shoulder clenched and unclenched as she attempted to steady herself on the limb. She was a strong lioness but she didn't want to test herself on the two lions below her. She attempted to relax. The males would hopefully drink or swim their fill of the pool and then be on their way. Then she could climb down (How exactly was that going to work?) and continue on her quest.

Suddenly, Abeni realized that a sharp pain was piercing her right front paw. Her old wound! It must've opened up as she had climbed up the tree! Blood trickled down the raw edges of her pad as she stared at the ugly dark gash. She had cut herself on some rocks a few days ago and the wound was still very sore. She winced as the biting wind coursed through the trees again. She had to stop the flow of blood. She attempted to sit up in the crook of the tree but dizziness again made her clutch at the wobbly branch. Leaves fluttered down and her muscles shook constantly as the wind continued to race through the trees. The ache in her muscles as they continually trembled was almost unbearable, and along with the deep cut in her paw.. How long must I suffer this? she wondered in a state of despair. She didn't even know how to get down. Her heart stopped. The blood.. it had seeped onto the branch... the branch was moving again.. and then.. a single drop fell. The scarlet bead fell and she watched sickened, as it hit the water with a slight plop!

[breggo13]

((OOC: No problem! I am sorry about being MIA yesterday - had friends over))

"Fate and circumstance,"Kerberos replied, his voice raspier than usual. He never knew why his voice had deceived him but rumors had it, his mother attempted to kill him when Zews' mate died through chocking him. Her paws had been pressing into the cub's throat when she was discovered and came to her senses but the small black make had been forever tainted. Kerberos himself didn't remember the details of the events, remembering rather vaguely how tender more care turned into fear and terror. He was never close with his pride - not that he wanted to be.

Licking the water off his nose, the male rogue moved towards the shade of the trees, his senses focused on the other male. Not that he feared an attack but he learned to be cautious. All through his youth, he had to be cautious to survive till the next day. Lowering himself down with a content sigh, he stretched out his limbs and yawned before glancing once again at the stranger, evaluating. "I could ask you the same question."

Another breeze pulled at his wet fur pleasantly but a new scent reached his nose. Fear. Frowning, he focused a bit more on the scent, sniffing the air and trying to pull out that particular fragrance. Among the initial sense of fear, he could just distinguish it was a female lioness. But where? Plop, the drop in the water made his look up, his pale eyes searching the tree branches above his head and cursing himself silently for not thinking of it sooner. He was simply tired which was obviously no excuse. Not for him. Arrogance meant death.

There, in the branches at the very top, Kerberos could see a female lion, clenching on for dear life with black claws and wild eyes, a small trail of blood making its way from a paw and down the branch, the metallic smell now becoming more clear. Her tan fur seemed to be standing up a bit of her back and her tail, if only it could, would have wrapped around the branch like a monkey's. He tilted his head, observing, attention divided between the female and the male on the ground, ready to react to any situation.