you don't know

you think you own whatever land you land on, the earth is just a dead thing you can claim. but i know every rock, and tree and creature, has a life, has a spirit, has a name

The way of life prior to this migration had been perfect if Talisa were ever asked such a question. While she couldn't rightfully say that it had been flawless, it very well had to have been close. Life had been like a still picture where she could go wherever she pleased without fear of trouble. Nature could surely do the trick but she hardly ever dared to go where she might not return from. Now that these strangers had come into Amaryllis, her territory for exploration had drastically shrunk and kept her nearest to home as much as possible. Not for fear of self, but for fear of her people being in trouble.

I do, yes. The Noble answered with bravado, the confidence in her voice unwavering as she explained what she felt about her trusted Creator. While I trust in Maua and the events that they have arranged, I can't begin to understand them. My kin worries, as they should, but I think that They have brought strangers to our home in an effort to teach us. She pauses and takes a breath, returning her gaze to the dark earthy company that had chosen to be taught and to be told. What They have to teach us... I cannot begin to fathom. Talisa wanted to learn from Maua and what was in store but she had a feeling that the Creator was wanting her children to see for themselves. To wade through the troubled waters for a little while before explaining their plan.

Just as the flamingos that Farrow described certainly had their own plan and he was certainly not a part of it. Alright then. Flamingo Pond equals no go. She chuckled, teasing him as she did not doubt that they chased him from their pond. They could be territorial, if they felt they were endangered and judging by the teeth and claws that lions had she couldn't blame them. The pinker the flamingo, the more aggressive they can be. It means that they are healthier than those less pink. Therefore much stronger. Talisa had done a lot of nature studying when she was younger and considering how closely they lived to such a massive flock, studying them had been rather easy.

+5 Preach your beliefs to someone (2/2)

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@Farrow

He was admittedly surprised the hastiness in which she answered his question. This Maua had undoubtedly planted the seeds of fervent adoration in their believers, and while most would have found this naïve and weak, Farrow felt somewhat comforted by it. The island needed lions who could fall back on such an optimism, a silver lining among the throng of chaos and destruction that tended to follow those driven by their own personal desires. While I trust in Maua and the events that they have arranged, I can't begin to understand them, she admitted, My kin worries, as they should, but I think that They have brought strangers to our home in an effort to teach us. There were indeed many things Farrow thought rogues could teach them; he himself had learned more traveling the world than he could have ever learned had he stayed in the small clan he'd been born into years ago. He knew the great many lessons driven into him by experienced travelers and elders of ancient villages, but he'd also learned the harsh lessons of an unkind world, the nature of both the landscape and the strongest of its inhabitants that often sent him home licking his wounds and reconsidering his desire to continue his lifestyle. What They have to teach us... I cannot begin to fathom. “Not an easy lesson, perhaps,” he began, choosing his verbiage cautiously, “your family is smart to be cautious.” He did not want to mislead Talisa. If anything, he felt an unscratchable itch to protect her. Even if it meant being more pessimistic than he would have liked.

Their dark topic lightened once more, and Farrow's seriousness fell away as Talisa smiled. Alright then. Flamingo Pond equals no go. Her laughter flitted on the warm breeze, and Farrow leaned back onto his haunches, joining her with his own bellowing. The pinker the flamingo, the more aggressive they can be. It means that they are healthier than those less pink. Therefore much stronger. She was surprisingly knowledgable of the wildlife in Amaryllis, and for that Farrow was thankful. He'd been seasoned enough to have encountered the majority of animals he'd met so far, but he would never turn down the good-natured information she had to give. “Oh yeah? I bet I could take on the pinkest, biggest one,” he jested, boldly reaching forward to bump his shoulder against hers, “I'll bring it right to you. Then you'll say: 'Oh Farrow, you're the strongest lion in all the land'.”

@Talisa

you don't know

you think you own whatever land you land on, the earth is just a dead thing you can claim. but i know every rock, and tree and creature, has a life, has a spirit, has a name

When it came Them, she would speak freely and without the worry that should come with speaking on a religion and a belief. Perhaps it was because she had never been in the presence of someone who didn't believe in Maua at all. Despite the changes, the cleric had had to rearrange her thoughts and to put it out there that these strangers were also Maua's children. That they were here because of her and when doubt attempted to seed, looking to their Creator was the best comfort they she could have. Not an easy lesson, no. Talisa reiterated, agreeing with him that the family was smart to not give into this easily or to pick a fight. From what she had gathered from a few of her kin, there were a few decent folks but a lot of them seemed to itch for a good fight. Taking prides left and right without the knowledge of who might have been here before them.

Despite all the darkness that had followed in the last month, she had a whole two and a half years of nothing but beautiful. To not share that with others would be a travesty to her entire being. To bring light to the even the darkest places. So with his jest she smiled big, grinning widely at him as he bumped his shoulder to hers. A motion of comradery as he came to express that he would bring it to her and lavish him with the greatest praise. Oh? Would I now? She puckers her lips as best she could and rolled her eyes, I'm not so sure that sounds like me. You must be mistaken. Talisa was no fan girl but she would be impressed if he came out of a flamingo fight unscathed. But y'know, if you do happen to take down the biggest, baddest flamingo out there.. feel free to bring it to me and I'll try to put on a good face. Because really, who wouldn't want someone to bring them some delicious food? Plus, it might feel nice to show Vermeda Brook that there was kindness in an outsider.

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@Farrow

She did not fight his cautioning, and for that Farrow was thankful. He'd seen too many times hopeful lions welcoming blights into their prides, only for it to destroy them from within. But he had also seen the fruitfulness of such bold decisions, hospitality and nurturing bare great heroes. Farrow himself had his own hide saved by a few good-natured medics and caravans found him sputtering wounded through the mountains. Talisa reminded him of them; but perhaps it would take a lot more understanding of her and her culture before he could tell just how tenderfooted the natives were compared to the more enthusiastic rogues. He was content to leave the topic behind entirely, however, enjoying the pleasantness of this moment while they had it. He would not spoil their good time with the stark reality of her new world. Just what sort of ceaseless whiplash had she and her kind experienced since he and his kind had first arrived?

Oh? Would I now? He notices the roll of her eyes, and it stirs a toothy grin from him, I'm not so sure that sounds like me. You must be mistaken. It perhaps didn't sound like her much at all, but Farrow often liked to imagine pretty lionesses gawking at his accomplishments. Such rewards had been few and far between, and he was not as much of a gentleman as to turn down their affections. In fact, Farrow could be rather boyish and base himself. But y'know, if you do happen to take down the biggest, baddest flamingo out there.. she began again, and Farrow arched a lionish brow, feel free to bring it to me and I'll try to put on a good face. His grin fell away into a more settled smile, content to seem her more comfortable around him than she had been in the beginning. Farrow had no true ill intentions beyond his desire to leave no place unexplored, no treasure unfound, but he could understand her hesitance among the throng of her altered life.

“So this means I get to see you again?” he asked, and did not hide the inclination in his tone.

@Talisa

you don't know

you think you own whatever land you land on, the earth is just a dead thing you can claim. but i know every rock, and tree and creature, has a life, has a spirit, has a name

The dark that loomed overhead was at the forefront of her mind for the majority of her days lately. Now that she woke up and said her blessings to Maua, it was immediately wrought with wonder as to how the day would go. The situations that could potentially befall her kin for the day was long when it needed to be. Therefore, the dark was just about all she had to think about when out beyond the Brook. So she was more than thankful that the conversation had turned from the land, to flamingos, to - as he had noticed - a potential second meeting.

It was true that she hadn't intended for it to sound so fulfilling in the way that he might have asked, but she wasn't abhorred by the idea either. So she gave a low sigh and shrugged her shoulders. It's possible.. she started and hoped he could see the grin on her face as she leaned to bump her own shoulder back at his, but only if you bring me the flamingo. Girl's gotta eat. She hoped he might bend to the wiles of a hungry woman but if he truly wanted to see her again then that was the best way to go. She was out to help herself just as she was out to help the Brook. This might help their relations with the outsiders if they could see the generosity as she was. Sure, this could potentially lead to something if she wasn't careful but so far, there had been no show of reasons to be wary. Besides, she'd have a whole pride behind her should trouble come knocking.

code by corvus

@Farrow

It's possible.. she began, and Farrow's gaze narrowed, but only if you bring me the flamingo. Girl's gotta eat. A soft laugh rose in his throat before he nodded firmly. A meager flamingo may not be enough for a whole host of lions to enjoy, but it would provide a unique snack for a lioness her size and stature should he catch one big enough. Though, he wasn't sure if he himself would enjoy defeathering it in order to get to the few scraps of meat it offered. One could burn enough calories trying to eat it as they would get actually eating it. Her shoulder bumped back into his, and the reconnection of their fur sent a welcomed warmth through him. It had been far too long since he'd gotten so close, and Farrow was half-tempted to swallow her into a lionish hug. Every man's gotta cuddle at some point. And on a road so long and arduous, there were always ones willing to share a bed for the night.

But before he could even consider such a thing, he had work to do. Farrow knew well the nature of giving and taking, and Talisa had given him a task too tempting to turn his nose up at.

He rose to his paws, shook out his mane, and let out a large and bellowing yawn. Then, he turned back toward the native woman. “I'll be off then,” he began, pointing his nose in no direction in particular, unsure of where the Flamingo Pond quite was. No matter. Farrow loved exploring, even if it meant getting a little sidetracked. “Gotta catch you that flamingo.” And then, just as quickly as he arrived, he had charged off into the wilderness once more.

Exit Farrow

you don't know

you think you own whatever land you land on, the earth is just a dead thing you can claim. but i know every rock, and tree and creature, has a life, has a spirit, has a name

There was no amount of preparation she had for the influx of strangers to Amaryllis. There had never been any reason to believe that her home would be opened up to those she wasn't familiar with since birth so meeting them now was an odd but welcome experience. Talisa wished that her family and kin could recognize the good that could come out of them while also being wary of who they could be.

Meeting Farrow had been so pleasant and easy, a feeling that resonated within her breast as she felt like she'd acquired a fondness for the brute. Especially since he seemed rather keen on finding her a second time and offering up a flamingo for her kindness. So as he expressed that he would need to go find a flamingo, she inhaled and exhaled and nodded her head. Pushing aside the guilt she felt for befriending so many of these non-native individuals when she knew she needed to be more cautious. Yet, this new experience held her captive; to be in the midst of something that was far beyond what you'd grown up knowing... it was intoxicating. She needed more. See you soon then, was all she could find the words to offer as he charged into the wilderness to fetch her a Flamingo. To which she hovered within the Fields for a few more minutes before moving to stand, awkwardly reveling in their shared moment before trailing back to the Brook. exit talisa!

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@Farrow