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Post by cheezeegriff on Aug 25, 2021 10:12:10 GMT
"Oh, dear," Figgy said, raw excitement fading to a mixture of mirth and concern. He pointed at his cheek and said, "You've got a bit of mud... right there... and everywhere else, too. Would you like a hand washing that off?"
He moved to stand beside her, then guided Destiny to the water's edge so she could clean up.
"We should probably head back to the tree, yes? At least until you've recovered. Er, not that I want you to go or anything. You've been really good company!" Figgy bit his lip, a little nervously. "But I suppose you'll want to continue your travels, eventually...?"
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Post by This Land on Aug 31, 2021 21:54:51 GMT
Destiny smiled sheepishly as Figgy guided her to the water's edge. She needed to clean herself up but also take the weight of her legs. The perfect cure for both of her needs was right infront of her. She gently slunk into the water, her body eventually feeling lighter as she slunk in deeper. Very soon she was floating gracefully on the surface letting the water wrap around her body, she immediatley started to feel refreshed. She dived her head under the water to wash off the mud, shaking her head afterwards when she surfaced. "We should probably head back to the tree, yes? At least until you've recovered. Er, not that I want you to go or anything. You've been really good company!"
"But I suppose you'll want to continue your travels, eventually...?"
She nodded slightly in agreement to his first question, giving herself a few more moments before slinking back out of the water. Her shy smile shone as she was complimeted on being good company, but soon tilting her head in curiousity as he started to look quite nervous and suggesting she may carry on her travels. As much as she liked this company, she naturally had become comfortable in her own solitude. Been given an open gate to leave without feeling bad about Figgy's hospitality was very tempting for her. She was about to say 'Yes' but hesitated. This was the first time in the majority of her life where she had been treated as an equal and for who she was without judgment. Even though Figgy seemed to have his life sorted out, she could not help but feel he wanted the same thing she did, acceptance and belonging.
She gave herself a big long shake to drain the excess water from her pelt. She gave Figgy a warm smile as her ears flicked. "I've been traveling to find a place where I feel safe and accepted" she nodded, and paused for a moment
"I...I guess....Back to the tree sounds like a good idea" She smiled again, not without mirrorring Figgy's nervous expression.
The cooler air of the night brushed over her body, she soon realised one of the negative things of taking a dip during the night. A shiver vibrated through her spine. She shook her body again in an attempt to bump start getting herself warm.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Sept 8, 2021 5:10:03 GMT
Figgy gently guided Destiny back to the tree, prattling on as he went, mostly to quash his own nerves.
"... should have taken a dip myself," he said. "I usually just stay in the tree, but I always enjoyed swimming when I was younger. I'm a much better swimmer than I am a runner!"
He then helped her into the tree, using the same technique with the zebras as he did with her, only they were more gently placed around her body rather than wrapped about her neck! Once up he used his magic to grow particularly large leaves, arranging a bed for Destiny among the branches and vines nearby to his own.
"These leaves are so comfortable you'll think you're sleeping on air. Which, if you think about it, you kind of are! If you want to relieve yourself overnight go use that long branch over there. I've dug a pit below it. Just don't fall down, heh heh..." Then he cocked his head, noticing for the first time she looked cold. "Are you alright? You're shivering!"
How anyone could shiver in this balmy weather was anyone's guess, Figgy thought, though she was quite petite. At least compared to him. He walked up in front of her and sat on his haunches to free up his paws, rubbing her shoulders to help her warm up.
"I'm sorry I didn't notice... and I don't think I have anything that can dry your fur either." He looked around as if thinking. "I could grow some extra-big leaves to cover you up, but they don't breathe well and you'll still be wet in the morning..." He glanced to his own bed.
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Post by This Land on Sept 14, 2021 21:58:50 GMT
Destiny followed Figgy back to the tree, this time taking the longer option but it was probably for the best. Doing her stunt again in such a short time and she wouldnt be able to move at all after. She let him hoist her back into the tree, then gazed in awe again as she watched him grow leaves using his abilities. His paws then came towards her, she instinctively flinched but let him carry on. Receiving the shoulder rubs definitely did help.
"Heh, don't worry about the extra leaves, the ones you made will do just fine, the cold will soon pass" she reassured.
She took a hesitant step forward towards Figgy and gently poked his shoulder with her nose. Almost surprised that his shoulder too felt soft.
"Thankyou Figgy, you're a decent guy" she said wholesomely.
Destiny padded her paws over her new leaf bed turning in a circle once before flopping down, resting her head on her paws. She raising her eyes up at Figgy with a smile of appreciation.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Sept 19, 2021 3:43:33 GMT
Figgy’s coat stood on end at Destiny’s touch, and his nose became a little redder.
“Heh… it’s nothing,” he said, though he watched her as she walked back to her nest and flopped down, meeting her smile with his own.
He was about to head back to his own nest but his stomach growled audibly.
“Hey. You hungry again? I could eat more zebra.”
With that he hoisted up one of the two remaining dead zebras, dragging it into his tree where he could work on it. It took a while for his coat to settle down – making him look all the more fluffy in the interim – but with the distraction of food it eventually did.
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Post by This Land on Sept 23, 2021 19:41:18 GMT
Destiny noticed how Figgy's pelt stood on end and the blood flown to his nose. It make her happy knowing that she passed on some good vibes.
When Figgy offered her more Zebra she couldn't help but crack a sarcastic smile "What you trying to do? make me burst ?" she chuckled.
However though, She gazed at the zebra and her mouth could not help but water a little, her stomach telling her she was full but her mind saying never to turn down such an abundance of still fresh meat
"Just a small helping then" she said with a small grin.
She half crouched up and slunk across the branch close to Figgy and the Zebra, Sinking her teeth into one of the hind legs and tearing a chunk off.
The meat went down a treat and she couldn't help but continue to take a few more bites, she started to even feel a little spoilt. This didn't phase her though, it's instinct that if there is food, take it while you can. You just don't know when the next meal is. For all you know all the heards could of moved on and vanished the next day.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Sept 28, 2021 11:31:08 GMT
Figgy ate an astonishingly large amount of zebra. True to his form the roly-poly lion ate until his tummy was fit to burst, and then some. He didn't realise this was odd. Not anymore. In fact he didn't think about much at all when he ate. Usually.
This time, he found it hard to tear his eyes away from Destiny. Here was this magical lioness who'd climbed up his tree and, like magic, charmed her way into his heart. It had only been several hours but it felt like much longer. Still, he distracted himself with more food. Logically, he knew he didn't know her. Not yet.
Only when his stomach was several inches rounder did he flop to one side and sigh deeply. He'd finished before her, mostly because he ate several times faster. The sound of the leaves in the tree and across the grass below soothed his soul, and the sound of Destiny softly eating beside him distracted him from the usual self-hatred he had after stuffing himself silly.
He didn't even notice himself falling asleep.
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Post by This Land on Sept 30, 2021 22:44:59 GMT
Destiny couldn't help but look out of the corner of her eye the quantity that Figgy consumed as she too ate . For every mouthful she processed Figgy took several. It didn't bother or concern her but she couldn't help feeling curious how it could of all started. She couldn't even dream of consuming how much he could manage. Anyway, it wasn't her place. What mattered to her that he was friendly and hospitable and she wouldn't want him to change or explain himself for anything.
After a while her belly had beaten her brain in telling her when enough is enough. She was done! A warm smile of content spread across her muzzle as she carefully rolled on her back to take pressure off her now newly found round stomach. She stretched out all her legs and let out a wide yawn, licking the sides of her muzzle afterwards. Admittedly she had truly spoilt herself where food is concerned. She had never felt so full since she was a young cub growing up, when food back then was in abundance.
She noticed that Figgy had started to drift off, she wasn't surprised after such a meal, she rapidly started to feel sleepy herself. She lifted her head up half way, ready to roll back over to her nest but she paused. She felt like she couldn't and in a way didn't want to move. The weight of her meal kept her pinned to where she was. Her eyes started to drop a little and so did her head back to where it were a moment ago. She sleepingly started to lick her paws clean from the mess she made while tearing up the kill.
She continued washing herself as she heard the calm sounds of Figgy's rhythmic breathing, the surrounding nocturnal inhabitants and the sound of the breeze filtering through the various vegetation. She wasn't too sure if Figgy had actually fell asleep yet but she didn't want to check, if he was she didn't want to wake him. She paused her grooming and focused on him looking calm and content in this abode, his home. This lion that was a little larger then life, but so far has shown the biggest heart she had ever come across. Her smile grew, just in one day she had went from a Lioness wandering and on the run starving and fighting for the smallest scrap of food or bush for shelter, to a Lioness with belly on the brink of busting and laying high up safe in the most accommodating shelter she had ever come across, watching the world go by. All thanks to this lion that she now started to instead gaze upon.
She realised her gaze and quickly shook her head, not out of not wanting to, but out of a slight shyness. She then continued to sleepily clean her paws which soon turned into grooming her legs. Then raising her head a little, she worked her way up, stretching out her tongue to lap the fluff of her chest. As much as she felt sometimes it wasn't necessary as her pelt had a tendency never to always look nice and white, she still liked to take pride in her appearance.
Her head then slowly dropped back down again onto the branch and remained laying on her back. Her half closed eyes looked at Figgy for one last time before closing fully. She very soon fell fast asleep next to him before she could even think of moving to her nest.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Oct 3, 2021 11:15:59 GMT
Figgy didn’t know whether it was morning or evening when he awoke. Being in a food coma of his own creation did that to him, sometimes. He could lose track of hours. Only when he raised his head to check the direction of shadows did he notice a small form curled up next to him.
Once again his nose became hot, and his already generous coat fluffed up like a startled caracal. For a moment he didn’t know what to do, but as he studied her in silence, he noticed she looked… content. Being a slim little thing, it was easy to see a significant bulge in her stomach. And there was a smile on her face.
That put a smile on his own face, and so he put his head down again to rest, ignoring the temptation to snack on the dregs of the zebra, as was his usual custom. He closed his eyes for but a moment…
And when he opened them the sun had moved, but she had not.
She did look very beautiful. Her coat radiant like sunstruck snow. She was so small and petite, especially compared to him, it made his heart ache just to look at her. For a moment he thought about putting his arm across her, but that would be presumptuous. Wouldn’t it? Plus, he probably wouldn’t be able to reach across her and his own bulk. Instead he reached out with his paw to shake her shoulder, but then paused. That would be rude.
Instead he looked over at the zebra’s still-wet bones longingly, then back to Destiny. Maybe he didn’t have to choose. Very carefully, he reached up for the food, doing his best not to disturb the sleeping beauty beside him…
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Post by This Land on Oct 3, 2021 21:27:23 GMT
During her sleep, Destiny eyes flickered and opened them slightly as the warm glow of the rising sun set upon them. She usually enjoyed the morning, she would jump up as soon as the sun breached the horizon. It was her routine to be up at the crack of dawn in the search of any small prey to satisfy her usual constant hunger.
This morning was different however, she still bare and could feel the weight of the unusual feast she had last night. Her belly still felt full and still hard at work processing. This had wired her brain differently this morning, she felt no need to get up in a hurry and just still lay where she were. She took a long satisfied relaxed sigh as for the first time in the morning she didn't feel on edge to get up and go. With this she closed her eyes again and looked slightly away from the direction of the sun so as the light wouldn't be hitting her eyelids, and drifted back off to sleep.
Some time passed and the location of the sun had changed, hitting her eyes again. She lay half in and out of consciousness but kept her eyes closed this time. In her half asleep state she forgot to realize that last night she fell asleep and didn't go to her nest. Her ears flicked as she heard something move, in her mental map it sounded like it was near where the Zebra hung. She just assumed a breeze was moving something. She was too relaxed and lazy to think of anything otherwise.
The sun hitting her eye lids was bugging her again and she just wanted that little longer sleep. Without thinking she half sleepily stretched out her legs and rolled over completely so she was facing opposite the sun. What she forgot to expect was she now had completely rolled into the soft and cushioning pelt of Figgy. Her head and paws now buried into his fur. Her eyes shot wide open in shock and realization where she had infact actually fell asleep last night. She couldn't see anything as her eyes now blocked by Figgy's body and felt her paws now already sank into his body.
She had completely froze stiff with a dilemma. She didn't know if Figgy was awake or she had woken him. Furthermore if Figgy was still luckily asleep, if she moved would she wake him ? She felt trapped in this potentially embarrassing position. In this moment she had to decide what action she should take, both could end in an awkward situation. Normally this wouldn't bother her as we all do embarrassing things, but in this case they had only just met.
All the same however she couldn't help but feel a slight sense of comfort where she lay. Regardless of this she needed to make a quick decision while she had some sort of control of the outcome, before Figgy did.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Oct 10, 2021 3:52:49 GMT
Figgy froze when Destiny rolled over and snuggled into him, though he soon felt her body tense. She must be awake.
“Good morning. Or good afternoon,” he said softly. He didn’t want to embarrass her, though how he could avoid that at this stage, he didn’t know. Destiny was literally pressed into his fur and bulk.
He rolled himself on his ‘nest’ back the other way, to give her more space, though he couldn’t roll too far or he’d risk falling out of the tree. Still, he gave her a friendly smile, pretending for a moment that his fur wasn’t standing on end and his nose wasn’t flushed.
He was about to thank her for staying close to him last night. But then he saw the look of mortification on her face. So instead he apologized. “Sorry.” He put a large paw out to touch her, but left it lying across his stomach instead. “Are you alright? Heh… this is pretty awkward, isn’t it?” He did his best to break the tension with a toothy grin.
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Post by This Land on Oct 11, 2021 22:47:09 GMT
Destiny clenched her eyes shut as she heard Figgy greet her the start of the day. Her hesitation cost Figgy noticing before she could act.
"uhm....morning" she said with a slight tremble.
She felt Figgy move his weight back a bit to give her some space, the first part of of this embarrassing situation was resolved which released part of her relief. The other half was still bottled up as she knew the awkward conversation or explanation was still to follow.
Her eyes were still tense shut as Figgy asked her if she was ok and how awkward this all was. She nodded briskly while remaining in her place. She knew she couldn't stay like this forever and remaining still and frozen would most likely just make things even worse now. She managed to strain one eye open that was in his direction, it was set open a toothy grin coming from himself. Suddenly more tension felt like it had been released from her, something about his look just made her feel a little more at ease from this whole situation.
She cracked a faint grin and nodded rhythmically for a short moment.
"Don't be sorry, it's me in the wrong place, heh" she said, but not without a slight tremble. Her own words reminding her of her own past.
Given the space and Figgy now awake, she pulled herself together and shuffled up to her rear legs in a sitting position before turning her head to gaze out over the lands. If her fur could turn colour based on her emotions, her face would be bright red right now. Instead, subconsciously her rear legs and rump started to turn from white to the colour of the branch.
She looked down at her front legs, she only just noticed that from her paws until half way up, it was the colour of Figgy's pelt. She couldn't help but have a slight embarrassing tremble. Glaring down at her own front legs, she concentrated until it turned back to white, but instead turning brown to the colour of the branch like the rest of the lower part of her body had started to. It was like her body was telling her to try and disappear.
She dropped her head down with a sigh, her tail flicked and wrapped around in front of her.
"It's not the first time" She spoke, but her voice turning into a hoarse whisper, like she was about to crumble.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Oct 12, 2021 7:14:11 GMT
Figgy noticed her embarrassment, the shifts in pelt colour, the posture, the wavering voice. "It's not the first time," she said.
For a moment he was worried Destiny would fall off the branch.
"You wanna talk about it?" he said, gently as possible. "Or, you wanna not talk about it? Whatever makes you feel better. But you're not in the wrong place. Wherever you feel most comfortable, is fine by me, hey?"
Figgy shifted a little, making his furry belly wobble like jelly. But he didn't shift too much. Destiny was so little next to him, he was afraid a wrong move would knock her out of the tree. He found himself turning red and puffed up all over again, so instead he looked upwards into the tree branches, stretching. "There's still one more zebra left," he said at last. "We can talk over breakfast, if you like. Or not talk. Or... not eat breakfast. Well, you can not eat breakfast. I'm going to, whether you are or not." He gave her a wink.
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Post by This Land on Oct 17, 2021 23:16:11 GMT
When Figgy asked if she wanted to talk about it, a shiver ran down her spine. She didn't want to go too much into detail, it wasn't the right time and too soon. However she had led him on from what she said a moment ago. She felt she owed some sort of faint explanation, Figgy after all was the only one that she felt truly understood her, and all in one night at that. She smiled faintly to acknowledge his question, keeping polite but staying silent.
After Figgy asked about breakfast she gently shook her head.
"I'm OK thanks, for once my brain and stomach both agree to have a rest for both of their sakes" she almost chuckled with happy glint in her eye.
Destiny gently lay back down onto the branch and dangled her legs over it, putting herself into a more more relaxed position with half closed eyes as she let Figgy continue his feeding routine.
After a small while she gained the courage to open her mouth once again. Though still slightly nervous at the potential reply, she owed him at least something so he wasn't kept in the dark.
"Since being banished from my pride, I've been wanting to find a place, or someone to accept me for who I am." She then turned her head away momentarily.
"I have tried to mix in with other lions or prides, sometimes spending weeks with them, but I've always ended messing up. This either by embarrassing myself or they freak out when I Inevitably and uncontrollably let slip my...gifts" She let out a faint sigh, but then looked back up to Figgy, with a tremble in her muzzle.
"It's only been one night here...but I have never felt so comfortable and accepted than I have ever been." She let out a warm yet shy smile and rolled her head over her front legs to break what potentially could be awkward silence and eye contact. Or maybe not ? Either way this position would suit both.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Oct 19, 2021 9:10:56 GMT
For the first time ever, Figgy was actually distracted from eating.
He had started eating, but then when Destiny began to speak, he stopped chewing, swallowed and listened.
Once she had finished he didn't reply straight away, just in case Destiny had something more to say. Instead he waited, and the waiting gave him some time to think, too.
"I think it's stupid people don't accept you because you do things they can't," he said. "If I could, I'd arrange for them to get their heads checked. You seem really nice to me! Their loss, I suppose." He shrugged, smiling, then turned back to his carcass for a moment.
"And hey. I really appreciate you not being put off by my... extra roundness, by the way. I can usually overcome it with my irresistible charm," he grinned foolishly, "though there's often at least a minute where they stare at me like a freak. I call it the freak-minute. You never did that. I appreciate it."
He watched her for a moment. Seeing her smile made him compulsively smile back.
"I know I said this before but... s'probly worth saying again. Feel free to stay as long as you like. Er... you know. Even if that's a very long time."
He felt his coat fluff up again and so returned to his meal, though after a few mouthfuls he glanced her way again, grinning.
Then, behind Destiny, on the hazy savannah he noticed a blurry patch of grey in the distance. He peered forward.
"Hey look at that. Elephants," he said, sitting up a little taller. "I haven't seen any around these parts this season."
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Post by This Land on Oct 27, 2021 23:11:33 GMT
Destiny paid attention to everything Figgy had to say with a flick of ear and a slight swing in tail as it hung off the branch.
Her shy smile slowly turning into one of confidence the more he spoke and complimented her.
"I've learnt very quickly not to judge how one looks on the outside. I would be lying to myself if I said it didn't take me by surprise when I first seen you, but If anything your kindness and goodwill was soon quickly the largest thing I can see, and that means everything." She explained with a soft tremor in her throat.
"Plus, your charm was the extra dusting on top" She grinned playfully.
Letting her mouth get ahead of her, she broke eye contact and glanced away with her slight shyness returning and looked out over the lands, gently clawing the branch to keep her paws busy.
"Staying here...doesn't sound like a bad idea. Food and friendship is pretty hard not to turn away from, how long would you like me to stay ?" she said with a slight chuckle and tease.
She then turned her gaze towards the elephants that Figgy had pointed out. She hummed in agreement with another flick of her ear.
"They always seem to live a slow and steady life, with not much worry for anything else, that's the life huh ?"
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Post by cheezeegriff on Oct 28, 2021 2:13:22 GMT
A mix of emotions flooded through Figgy as Destiny spoke. When she talked about being surprised by his appearance, there was that twinge of disappointment and… well, embarrassment. But acceptance in the end. She still wanted to be his friend. That was good, right? Yes, of course it was.
“Hah. Thanks,” Figgy said. He grinned but looking away, a little embarrassed. Trying to stop his fur from standing up again.
Forever? He didn’t say that out loud. Instead he settled for, “For as long as you want. An extra mouth to feed would be very welcome. It might even be good for me in other ways.”
He looked down to the zebra at his paws, the last of the three they’d caught.
“I can’t think of the last time something’s actually distracted me from food, you know,” he said. “Or someone. So… thanks. It’s nice to have company so good I don’t notice my hunger so much.
“And,” he added quickly, raising a paw. “I should point out, it does come with some benefits! I’m told by my little sister that my hugs are to die for.” He grinned at her. “Of course, the last time I saw her I was… significantly smaller.” By now she wouldn’t be able to wrap her arms around him. “But the principle’s the same, right?”
For a while they sat and watched the elephants, walking a little closer.
“Heh… the elephants you know must be different from the ones I know.” When she looked at him curiously he added, “ The last place I stayed…”
He stopped abruptly, raising his nose into the air. Sniffing.
“Uh-oh,” he said. A look of fear crossed his face. Figgy struggled to his feet and waddled to the edge of the platform, as close to the elephants as he could get.
They were headed this way. He could see their big ears fanning out and in rhythmically.
“Ugh… by the ancestors. It’s her.” He looked about, eyes wide in panic. Then he leapt into action. Reaching to the branch above, he began untying the knot of vines that helped kept his platforms suspended. “Quick! Remove the vines. We’ve got to leave this tree bare. I’ll explain as soon as darnit!” The knot wasn't coming undone, so he opened his mouth and bit down hard, ripping it away with his teeth.
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Post by This Land on Nov 3, 2021 20:18:42 GMT
She returned a smile with a flick of her ear. It was extra re-assurance for herself that she wasn't being a nuisance or in the way. Plus the power of 2 would make long term survival more likley, rather then her struggling by herself. In this kind of situation she would feel like a burden, but with him it just felt...right.
"I know what you mean, if you have something or someone to keep you occupied, you tend not dwell on other thoughts".
She flicked her tail and folded her ears, almost like she was feeling slightly nervous.
"If my company makes you happier and benefits you, then that makes two of us. Seems like I'll have to stick around then. Plus them hugs sound intriguing..." she suddenly paused after realizing she let her mouth run away from her, she cleared her throat and glanced away.
"I think the principal is the same, a hug is a hug. It's what it represents, one embracing another. Well to myuunderstanding anyway" she replied.
This talk of hugging brought back bittersweet memories of when she had close company. She didn't want to admit it but she loved it back in her youth, but that was long gone. Being alone for so long she realised she forgot how it truly felt, she could only imagine.
As they sat and watched the elephants, she stayed quiet for a short while and soaked up the view. He mentioned the elephants he knew to be rather different in the last place she stayed, to the ones she has seen.
She raised a brow before the whole calm atmosphere turned upside down. Figgy suddenly leapt up in distress and started to untie the vines. His distress soon turned into panic which in turn made her the same. She leapt up and started to help him cut the vines without question. She was admittingly very confused about all this but she...trusted him. First she tried clawing at them but these were some strong vines, he was very talented in crafting that's for sure. In turn she copied Figgy and started biting down on them. Even though she trusted his instructions, this whole situation instinctively made her speak up.
"What's going on ?" she said muffled while gripping the vines with her teeth.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Nov 4, 2021 23:26:20 GMT
“Those elephants know me. They don’t like me,” he said.
Together they worked on the vines, and slowly but surely, the distant elephants loomed larger. Only when all the vines were gone did Figgy descend from the tree with the last vine, then placed his paw on the tree and channelled his magic.
Several things happened. The magic fruit of the tree fell away. Where they hit the ground they burst apart as if rotten, quickly disappearing among the grass. A strong smell of baboons permeated every facet of the tree, from its leaves to its bark to its branches. And finally, a tangle of roots scooped away a hole into the earth, wide enough for even Figgy to pass.
Together they quickly dragged the vines inside the dark interior of the cave. It wasn’t completely black. There were gaps here and there that let the light shine in. They also brought in the remains of the zebras. More bony remains lay in several corners of the large cave, all covered in vines that grew richly and strongly in the dark light.
Finally, once everything was done, Figgy sealed up the entrance. And just in time too. A booming matronly voice spoke from outside:
“Are you here, gorger? I can still smell your stink,” she rumbled.
Figgy said nothing, but gave Destiny a reassuring smile as he put one claw to his lips for silence.
His silence was answered in kind from above, for a while.
“I need to make sure you’ve kept your bargain, lion. Do you still pervert the circle of life with your gluttony? Or have you changed, as you agreed to do so?”
Again, more silence. Though Figgy visibly sneered.
“If you will not reveal yourself, then I will tear down this home of yours. You will be a nomad, like most of your kind.”
All Figgy did was gaze upwards.
“So be it,” she said.
Elephants shuffled above. Their footfalls disturbed small rocks from the roof of the cave that pattered down on their heads. But then came a creaking and crashing sound. The elephants grunted. Wood splintered, and then there was an almighty crash.
Figgy found himself standing over Destiny, arm across her back to protect her from the falling roof, though aside from a few more pebbles it did not fall. The elephants trumpeted with triumph above them, stomping their feet as if they’d just won a mighty battle.
“Obey the circle, gorger. We will meet again on the grassy plains,” the matron said.
And with that, the herd departed. Though Figgy didn’t dare breathe for a good several minutes afterwards. He stayed holding Destiny too. Enjoying the contact. But holding her to reassure her, he told himself.
At last he let her go.
“Phew. That was close,” he said, sighing with relief. He plonked himself onto the floor of the cave in exhaustion, and seemed to visibly deflate, his roly-poly body spreading widely over the dusty ground. He put his chin on his paws as if he’d sleep, but then raised his head to regard Destiny.
“Really sorry about that,” he said. “I didn’t expect to see her again for a long time. Or ever. Are you ok?” He reached up to brush the dust from Destiny’s snout, but withdrew his hand at the last minute. “Erm… you have some dust… right there,” he said, then wrinkled his nose and sneezed. He also had a lot of rock dust on his back and neck.
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Post by This Land on Nov 11, 2021 0:10:19 GMT
With them words Destiny worked harder to help Figgy clear everything away. She followed his lead to do everything he was doing, whatever it was for, must be for a good reason and the last thing she wanted was confrontations. At the same time she watched in awe as Figgy used his abilities to make things either vanish or in one case make an opening to a burrow underneath. She followed him inside and watched as they were soon entombed. For a split moment it kind of felt cozy. This feeling was soon vanquished by the voice from above. She followed Figgy's gesture and stayed completely silent as the elephant spoke.
Before she knew it there was a tremendous racquet outside, the upsetting sound of Figgy's home being demolished. She bared her teeth and deep rumbling growl escaped her throat out of instinct, though this was drowned out by the crashing above. It soon got worse which caused herself to flinch and was about to shield herself thinking the roof was going to cave in on her. However Figgy had already saved her the trouble and had stretched his arm over her back, almost pinning her in place with his weight but keeping her safe.
They both stay there still, while it seemed Figgy was hardly breathing, Destiny was doing the opposite, taking long shallow trembling breathes. Blood and adrenaline was racing around her body. She eventually began to calm down along with a warm sensation glowing across her body, only then she realised it was because Figgy was still holding onto her. He soon let go and flopped onto the ground, apologizing for what had happened and gestured to her nose about some settled dirt.
In a split moment, she goofingley looked cross eyed at her nose before cracking a faint smile, trying to make light of this situation and gave it a quick shake off.
"Thanks.." she unintentionally squeaked before clearing her throat.
"I'm OK, though you seem to of took most of whatever fell on top of us."
She placed her front paws on his shoulders feeling them sink in a little before giving a few huffs of air through her muzzle to clear the dust and dirt off his neck. A subtle gesture of her thanks.
She glanced up at the roof of the burrow, visualizing what damage lays above. She didn't know Figgy that much but she knew just by his body language alone through this night that this tree meant alot to him and was his safe haven, now its gone. She placed her paws back onto the ground and her ears dropped.
"Your.....your home....I'm sorry" she murmured, yet sympathetically.
She flopped down onto the ground to Figgy's eye level, not before flicking a pebble off his shoulder with her paw.
"To think I held a few surprises, you opened up a whole new underground level, will there get a point where we stop amazing each other huh ?" she huffed letting out a single chuckle,
"But Thanks" she said with a more direct eye contact and a growing smile, which soon flattened a little.
"What she said...I kind of understand what that was all about, you don't have to explain if you don't want to, but I'm here to listen if you need to get anything off your back...well besides all this dirt anyway, heh" she huffed a chuckle again.
She let a moment of silence lay for while, averting her attention by glancing around the burrow surrounding them.
"Is it safe ?"
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Post by cheezeegriff on Nov 13, 2021 3:49:54 GMT
Figgy grinned when Destiny suddenly went crosseyed.
"Heh. That look suits you," he said.
He stood still as Destiny blew some of the dust off him.
"Thanks! After this, perhaps we should go for a swim."
"It's alright. Trees grow back, after all, don't they?" he said. "Though, maybe it would be better to find another one..." he sighed. Though, he was pleasantly surprised when she reached up to blow some of the dust from his mane.
"Eh. Not much to say. She thinks I take too much for my share. Which, I kind-of agree with," Figgy said, flicking his ears thoughtfully. "She had me cornered at one point. Said she'd let me go if I promised to take my proper place in the circle of life, whatever that is. Given I didn't want to be physically harmed, I agreed.
"And for a while, I kept up with my end of the deal. I ate less and I got a little slimmer... but the problem is I just get so bored!" he said, huffing. "What is there to do, aside from hunt and eat? I'm a lion - it's what I'm built for. Easy for an elephant to say I eat too much. They can eat all the time, and it's never too much."
He paused for a moment, looking over to consider Destiny.
"Sorry. Being chased by murderous elephants who want to kill me for what I eat... kinda makes me mad sometimes." He grinned at her. "Sorry to get you all mixed up in this, too."
They waited a while in silence.
"I'd say so," Figgy said. "Let's go take a look."
He walked up to the exit, poking his head out. It was only just wide enough for him and it was a lot easier to get in going down, though he managed to squeeze his middle through eventually. Outside the grass was trampled by the elephant herd, and his tree lay on its side, broken a short distance from the roots. "Tyrants," Figgy said, his belly rumbling. Boy, he badly wanted to eat something. Anything.
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Post by This Land on Nov 19, 2021 23:33:17 GMT
She followed Figgy's lead in getting out, watching him squeeze through the opening in which she continued close behind. For a split moment she had the thought of giving him a helping push but dismissed this idea, she thought it may come across as rude even though the good intention were there. Figgy did eventually get outside on his own accord. She crawled out effortlessly and gazed upon the damage inflicted. Figgy was right, trees do eventually grow back but take time. She wondered if his abilities were enough to help repair the damage but on the other side of things he did mention about finding another place. Maybe it was for the best to find somewhere anew.
Her thoughts were disrupted by a noticeable low rumble coming from Figgy's stomach and the noticeable irritable expression on his face. She could kind of understand his disheartenment at loosing his home. Normally when one is upset or angry you turn to food.
She wanted to help him. Now, she could return the favor from earlier and go and find prey for a fresh meal for him to feast upon as the remains of the zebra surely now covered in dirt, unfresh and not much quantity. This option she knew he would be happy with, after all males and their food is always a guaranteed win in cheering them up.
However, another option entered her mind. He rhetorically asked a moment ago what is there to do except hunt and eat, plus he gets bored easily.
"Well, we could hunt and eat right now, I'll take care of most of the work since you done that last time...." she paused, taking a slow step towards him and brushed herself along his shoulder to give him a small gesture of comfort.
"Or...if you want to get your mind off things and set on another goal, we could have a walk together and find a new place to stay ? "
She huffed a single chuckle in advance to her next statement.
"I'm accustomed to flee from any danger. What just happened right now, I would of normally of vanished in a heartbeat never to see me again" She then paused
"But now seems like I would loose a friend doing that..." She couldn't help but turn her head away with a shy grin.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Nov 29, 2021 7:10:12 GMT
The brush along his shoulder was enough to bring Figgy out of his brooding. At least temporarily. He grinned over at her.
"Food is always good. Though, I'd prefer not to be alone right now," he said, then added a sigh as he gazed around. "Finding such a nice spot will be hard. What do you think? Which way should we look?"
Figgy grinned back, glad she was looking away. She was very pretty, and that bashfulness - intentional or not - made his fur fluff up once again.
"Nah," he said. "I think I'd run away too, if I could. If you disappeared I'd just have to find you." He nudged her back, attempting to be playful, though crossed his paws a little at the last moment and ended up nudging her a little too hard. "Ugh. Sorry! You alright?"
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Post by This Land on Nov 30, 2021 21:57:08 GMT
As she was still looking away, her ears perked up from his words, it was a nice extra re-assurement in a way he didn't mind her being around. Even though she wouldn't of minded at all getting something to eat for him, it was still a nice feeling knowing he was choosing her company over food. Who knows on their travels they could come across food anyway and he could have best of both worlds, they would just have to wait and see.
Destiny hummed gently, scanning her eyes slowly along the horizon. Then noticing a part of it that seemed to be a little greener then the rest. It's never a definite sign that a greener place is always better, but the chances tend to be a little better. She wasn't going to lie to herself too, after what just happened she was now getting increasingly curious at Figgy's abilities and craftslionship and maybe they may shine a bit more in a place like that? Maybe she could get a taste of what else he was capable of ? One half of her was saying not to get too nosy but her curious half was getting a little better of her. Besides, given the choice she felt a little safer in an area of thick vegetation, disappearing in a place like that with her gifts is alot more effective if anything happens, or for her, when it happens.
All in a matter of a second Her cheek's glowed a little from his words, however it immediately was followed by a bitter memory that then made her freeze. Before she could think of it further her upper frozen stature was broken by a hard playful nudge by Figgy, with her legs not budging she tipped over and rolled onto the ground.
'Ooof'
She quickly shook her head from her thoughts and displayed an amused smile before taking a quick stretch, then rolling on her back before picking herself up again to her four paws.
"I'm fine" she puffed a chuckle through her nose.
She motioned her to the greener part of the horizon.
"Maybe over there could be a good place to try ?" she suggested with a slightly inquisitive flick of her tail.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Dec 26, 2021 7:23:48 GMT
Figgy watched as Destiny stretched, then rolled onto her back, and got up again. There was something about her playfulness that made him want to hug her tightly and never let go, though the closest he came was to grin stupidly.
For a moment he didn't register that she was speaking, but then he noticed Destiny looking at him with those big blue eyes.
"Err... yes! Green is usually good. Let's go take a look!"
With that they took off at a leisurely pace, Figgy's broad-bellied waddle no faster than a foraging rhino. He did his best to walk briskly for the first several dozen strides, watching Destiny closely. But already he could see she was slowing for his sake. It was hard to move such a large frame at all, let alone at a lion's usual trot. His belly had a habit of bouncing around his back legs, and all four legs became tired very quickly.
Still, he did his best to hide his discomfort. "What was the land like... where you came from?" he said, hoping to distract her. "Much like this?"
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Post by This Land on Dec 30, 2021 23:06:54 GMT
Her ears flicked up when Figgy agreed and she briskly took the lead. After a short while she began to walk more alongside him.
It was the first time infact they had walked some distance in daylight which gave her a clearer view of him. In the corner of her eye she watched him walk, seeing his size move around the way it did, started to sink in more how much of a burden this lion carried.
Mentally he seemed, if not better, then anyone else she has encountered, but physically it seemed he tried to hide his discomfort with a smile. She noticed he was slowing and his paws started to catch the ground for longer.
She turned her head fully towards him with a brief smile.
"A bit in-between where we are heading and where we now stand, dense bushlands but nothing overly green, a bit bland and depressing" she huffed
"I wouldn't be able to find it, hopefully even if I tried, I've spent more my life almost being away from it then living there, good riddance I say! they didn't want me! to them I was a freak! Cursed ! A nobody! " she blurted out in a incontrollable irritated voice, and she could not help her eyes start to glisten, quickly looking away from her outburst.
She cleared her throat and looked forward, concentrating on the green area feeling a little bit closer in the distance.
"I'm...sorry...bottling things up for so long has its drawbacks" she mumbled.
She kept quiet for a moment, feeling awkward, Before trying to lighten the atmosphere again.
"I blame you spoiling me with so much food, its given me too much energy" She chuckled, giving him a playful nudge with her shoulder.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Dec 31, 2021 10:35:06 GMT
When she walked alongside him it made him glad, though he had to be extra careful not to bump into her with his waddling gait. Funny that she talked about freaks. Next to her, he was the one who felt like a freak. He listened in silence as she became emotional, using the distraction as an excuse to walk even slower.
"Hah..." he said, but that was all he said. It took all the rest of his concentration just to keep up this laborious pace. It was all he could do to study the ground in front of himself and put one paw in front of the other.
She nudged him but he barely felt it, her being so light, and him being so uncomfortably winded and trying to hide it.
"Hah," he said at last, then added, "Well... you could do with a good feed."
Then he stopped, looking at her with utter mortification. His fur puffed up and his nose turned red. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... aw heck," he said, plonking his substantial behind down onto the grass and looking anywhere but at her. "I didn't mean to say that," he said between breaths. "It was really rude. Sorry." He glanced at her sheepishly, then looked away again.
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Post by This Land on Jan 3, 2022 1:29:33 GMT
Destiny's eyes widened and she froze in her path, one paw just inches away from touching the ground. She just stared ahead as the reality sank in. She knew that it was true, but someone else saying it, is more powerful. She knew Figgy meant well with his words and they were not meant to offend. Though she couldn't help but let out a slight whimper. Being reminded that she could do with 'a good feed' for her meant much more than just a happy stomach. For the last couple of days in all the excitement and new happenings, it's like she completely forgot.
She turned her head, looking back at her own belly. Besides the signs of having a decent meal the night prior, she knew it wouldn't last forever unless she does something about it.
She then glanced at Figgy, noticing he had quickly looked away in resentment of his words.
A lot of thoughts were going through her mind. She wasn't offended that's for sure, she needed the reality check. If anything it showed that he genuinely cared about her wellbeing, which just made her appreciate him even more. This begged the problem of what future laid ahead, and would she want to let her trials and tribulations be mixed in with his own? Or should she disappear?
While she thought of what to do, She at least owed this friendly and gentle soul some comfort. Without words spoken, she walked up next to Figgy and sat down next to him. She then gently rest and let her head sink into his shoulder before then leaning against him. Letting her actions be her words.
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Post by cheezeegriff on Jan 4, 2022 1:34:31 GMT
Destiny's silence was worse than any slings or arrows she could fling his way. All Figgy could do was sit in regret. But then she came and leaned against him, head on his shoulder.
For a moment, Figgy didn't know what to do. She was obviously upset, but then, she was also coming to him for comfort.
So, Figgy put his paw on her opposite shoulder. Just this action made his nose turn red and his fur fluff up, like a house cat startled by a dog. What if this was too much? But she didn't seem to mind.
"I'm really glad you're here, you know," he said. That was all he could say.
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Post by This Land on Jan 4, 2022 22:13:20 GMT
Destiny continued to stay right where she was with her head nestled into his shoulder. She didn't know how long to stay in her current position. She didn't know him enough yet to know what he felt was comfortable. Before she had time to think about it too much, she felt his paw wrap around her and placed it on her opposite shoulder.
A sudden comforting warmth rushed through her. She was meant to be the one comforting him, instead it came right back at her. She could feel his fur fluff up, which just made this little moment of a kindling friendship feel even more wholesome and comfortable. That's not if Figgy's soft pelt could get any more so!
She couldn't help but look down suddenly getting shy, yet with a smile growing on her muzzle.
"Same, I'm glad we met" she said almost sheepishly. She lifted her head back up and gazed out in front of her, their destination still far in the distance. She suddenly started to feel a little restless and agitated. She didn't want to be, she actually was enjoying this moment. However she couldn't help the fact that her body was trying to warn her of something.
"Figgy...." She hesitated. Her ears flattened a little and her tail nervously flicked from side to side.
"I promised myself that I was to stay alone..." she lowered her head and her smile flattened.
"But I've soon came to realize with you that having company is healthier for both body and mind" her voice trembled a little. Her pelt slowly started to uncontrollably absorb the colour of Figgy's pelt onto her once more.
"If this is the case, and we stick around with each other for a longer period of time.... It's..." She took a hard swallow.
"...It's fair to tell you that I haven't been completely open and honest about my recent history and current....'situation'." She tilted her head up, one eye locking onto Figgy's face. It widened and started to glisten.
"You mind if we take a shortcut to our destination, by doing what I did last night? I'd prefer not to be out in the open. I'll take the hit with the side effects" she said with a nervous smile creeping up the side of her muzzle. Trying to reassure him.
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Also added Christmassy snow and banner :3
I'm currently getting some uni work done before heading to the post office. What's up with you?