It wasn’t often that Emory ventured beyond the jungle that housed his home. Typically he had no need to; there was plenty within the jungle to keep him occupied, especially as he threw himself more ardently into his sneaking pursuits. It was good work, a trick he hoped may prove useful at some point in the future—when the calm that weighed over the Mire finally popped.

But he recognized that there was still a great deal to learn beyond the treeline, and so he waited until night to venture out into the fields. Whatever intent the albino yearling had originally left him soon after starting out, his rosy eyes turned practically silver under the light of the stars and moon as he stared upward into the expanse of the clear night sky.

The sight stole his breath away. Had he ever seen the sky, the whole sky, uninterrupted by trees or fog like this? Em doubted it; how could he have forgotten such a sight if he had? He stood perfectly still amid the grasses, wholly out in the open—very unlike him, but at this time of day he had little use for shadows—and kept staring skyward, the upward tilt of his head letting the small fluff of white mane coming in slick back from his pink-freckled face.

@Ratha

there was a garden growing

The swamps were an interesting place. Not only did she explore the area further, Ratha had ended up leaving with a new friend in her roster. @Pompeii was a lot of fun. His goofy behavior and sly tongue made for a wave of future adventurers to come.

But at last, it became time to head home. Being a yearling now felt odd at times. No longer needing to suckle from her mother or learn the ways of life through the brown lioness. Ratha was beginning to do so on her own.

Traveling t'wards the looming mountains. Their steeps forever on watch of where she strayed with a icy promise of her return. The mauve feline found herself within the wide spread of the Celosia fields. Here, a memory of sleeping under the opened sky flashed inside of her mind. Glittering stars winking as they took their places inside of the dark blanket above.

Had she not been so captured by the display above, she would have scented the other yearling. So trapped in such a beautiful scene.

@Emory

from a black hole in my mind

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It was a little while before Emory became aware of all his staring, though it was hard not to after being denied this sight for his entire life to this point. What other things had he missed because of the shelter—the obfuscation—that the jungle provided for him from the rest of the world? As he lowered his gaze with a few more blinks, it made him that much more curious to explore and find those once-hidden gems.

With this in mind, he began to move again, cutting through the tall grasses with his head and tail low, as if hiding though it was still difficult to do out here in the open. In small stages, a scent began to come to him, another individual having passed by recently, and out of a growing habit he altered course to follow. Tracking was a new skill of his he’d begun practicing, and so long as he managed not to make a mess of the thing and get himself caught it would no doubt become another weapon in his arsenal later on.

The trail turned up another yearling, a young lioness whose coloration appeared grayed out under the pale light from above. All but her eyes, anyway; they seemed to catch the light as she, too, stared upward, transfixed. From his creeping place, Emory smirked. It was nice knowing he wasn’t the only one the skies could catch off guard like that. He hesitated, having no intent originally to approach any further than this, but curiosity was getting the better of him more and more these days. What could be the harm?

The albino yearling continued forward, forgoing his pretense of stealth so each step rustled the grass more noticeable than before, and lifted his head to make himself clear. He said nothing at first, thinking as quickly as he could, and said the first thing that came to mind, “Awful lot of stars.”

@Ratha

there was a garden growing

Tail flicked away the pestering dance of wandering flies. The cold yet to end them into a forever slumber due to the slight warmth lingering about. Their need for attention easily ignored, however, as she was too enthralled in the scenery above. Enjoying every twinkle each star gave off. So beautiful this was.

Like many in her family, she wished to be married one day. To say their vows underneath the moon and before the millions of lights. Here is where forever would be with the love of her life. Tied together at that very moment. The thought of it brought a smile to Ratha's face. Lips now a perfect curve upward as ears rounded to the sound of something approaching.

Her gaze dropped to take notice of an all white lion. From his head to his tail, he reminded her of the fresh layer of fallen snow. The first of winter to come soon in the coming month. If not weeks. His eyes a shade of roses. Such a pigment perfectly complimenting his fur. She giggled at his words. "That it is. And, so beautiful.

@Emory

from a black hole in my mind

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She turned to look at him, and Emory blinked. The little pale sunburst below her eye was difficult to miss, its radiating spokes drawing further attention to her pale pink gaze. A gaze that was of an even lighter shade than his own, and twinkled under the indirect light from above. One corner of his muzzle quirked upward in a faint hint of a smile. Could he be partial to pink?

“Yeah,” he agreed, and belatedly looked skyward again with a sweep of his cloud-tufted tail. “I haven’t seen much of them before. Lots of fog back home.” Idle chatter, small talk, was not his forte—that was more his sister, Eris’s, thing—but he tried nonetheless. After all, he’d been the one to disturb her peace; the least he could do was make up for it with words.

Even if those words were hard to come by.

“Didn’t realize there were so many of them,” he muttered distractedly, still considering how much of the world he’d been missing out on by exploring less.

@Ratha

there was a garden growing

His words delivered by unknowledgeable factors of the world itself left her head to tilt. Brow rising in a questioning manor as he spoke of there being nothing but fog at his place of residency. It brought Ratha to pout in the softest way. Her features now a delicate expression of sadness. You have missed out. There are some nights where a collective of colors will paint the skies and bring further beauty to it.

She wanted to describe the dazzling show the Aurora gave when it arrived. However, Rath wished him to see it for himself. Perhaps one day you’ll be able to experience it. Winters are the best time to see them. Her smile returned at the flash of a memory. She being nothing but a mere cub and watching the lights above. Wrapped in the warmth of her mother. Whilst her siblings huddled together beside them.

Ratha’s tail brushed against the grassy earth. Fall was showing promise of its departure as the night’s winds became more intense in their chilled breeze. She made note to find a warm coat to provide further heat. Hunting for one would prove tedious; but, she had no other choice. If she didn’t wish to fall ill or render herself weak in any type of way. I’m Ratha. Lashes brushing against her cheek as she blinked. Easily finding herself take a seat as she waited for his name.

@Emory

from a black hole in my mind

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He was already impressed by the sight the wide open night sky offered at that moment, so it surprised him fully when the sunburst girl went on to describe something even more dazzling. He lowered his head to stare at her directly, a question in his eyes. “Really? Colors?” Was that true? He’d certainly never seen anything like that, had no idea something like that was even possible, but there didn’t appear to be any hint of amusement or malice behind the girl’s statement. She at least believed it to be true.

And apparently it was going to happen soon. The air had already begun to change, slowly, creeping its way toward cool and eventually it would reach the full cold of winter. Emory didn’t have that long to wait. “Huh. Hope I can see it.” He’d definitely have to make plans to come back out this way once the weather really turned. And maybe find a good spot to watch the light show beforehand too.

The girl introduced herself, and Emory followed suit. “Emory,” he answered, foregoing the use of his surname. Starke-Rike was a bit of a mouthful sometimes, and she hadn’t bothered to drag in her family with hers either; so neither would he.

@Ratha

there was a garden growing

Her breath caught. His closeness to give full eye contact had completely caught Ratha off guard and she found herself lost in the depths of those swirling red pools. Every facial expression, each feeling on full display for her to see and she could only nod. Releasing a slow exhale the moment he spoke his name. Emory. Nice to meet you.

A smile stretched and formed fully. Trying her best to calm the loud thunder of her heart. The thumps nearly reading as she giggled. Maybe we can meet here again. Watch it together? Ratha searched his face. A hint of wanting to see him again coming to the surface.

@Emory

from a black hole in my mind

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Under the full weight of Ratha’s stare, it was hard to look away. There was something dazzling—or dazzled?—about the look on her face, the energy behind her candid smile, that made Emory curious and simultaneously…happy? It was an odd feeling—admittedly very few things made him feel much of anything these days—but he welcomed it, leaned into it as he curled one side of his muzzle in a small half-smile. “Likewise,” he echoed, finding their interaction so far nothing but pleasurable.

And perhaps it wouldn’t be the only interaction. She made the suggestion that they meet again later, when winter had come and the lights with it, so that they might watch the light show together, and Emory’s brows shot up slightly with interest. “Do they show up out here?” He’d assumed he might have to chase the cold, seek out someplace closer to a true winter, to see the lights, but if he didn’t have to go all the way there…

Not wanting to come across as if he was stalling from giving any sort of positive response, he hastily added, “I mean, I’d like that. Wherever it’s happening.” He’d travel, that was fine. Anything to see the lights—with company.

@Ratha

there was a garden growing

Great! Ratha nearly shouted in his face. Her excitement at his agreement for them to see each other again had become a whirlwind of happiness swimming in her chest. Um. I mean.. Okay. She knew she had to calm it down. This was unlike her and it got her to wonder what was beginning to happen between them. With her. His face was still quite close as she shifted a bit. Lightly brushing her nose against his in the process.

If she could blush through the mauve color of her coat, she surely would have. Moving to take a few steps back. Tail flicked nervously behind her. A wave of flustering feelings caused her to giggle nervously this time. I... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean.. I... And there she was. Lost in those red petals again. Ratha didn't want to keep feeling like she was entirely doing too much. He just felt.. warm and comfortable. They'd only just met and this lion had her wanting to open up. Show him things she was sure he'd never seen before.

I'd like to see you again, @Emory.

from a black hole in my mind

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