Warning to the Prophet

[dreamsofalioness]

Somehow I always end up coming back after a hiatus and I am following less blogs than are following me.

How does that work?

[dreamsofalioness]

Been a while since I was here.

[dreamsofalioness]

The Timeless Wanderer

[crocodilesinbusinesssuits]

"There’s no need to lie; it’s obvious the thought terrifies you."

"There are open rooms on the south-east wing that you can be moved to.  Would that please you, little cub?"

The closer to his personal quarters she was, the easier studying her abilities and estimating value would be for him.  Keeping her isolated was wise as well.  Other creatures and misfits, when allowed socialization, talked…  

She wasn’t sturdy enough to escape, but a willing subject was better than one coerced.

It was less painful, and torture is a waste of time.

[dreamsofalioness]

Shaking, Ari's awareness of his patronizing, yet eloquent, words was slowly being suffocated in the worry of crowds, of people reaching in and hurting her. Even at the thought, a shiver shot down her spine. Her hands, claws glinting in the light, slowly rose and she scratched nervously at her own arms.

Slowly, Ari nodded. As much as she had trouble trusting the man, to have her own private room would keep her at peace. And the more at peace she was, the easier it was to contact the spirit world.

" Ari stuff. Where Ari stuff? " Suddenly, the Lionborn was aware that her bag wasn't nearby. Her few books she had managed to find on necromancy and prophecy, an old bracelet of her brother's, and her spear. All gone.

[betreff-sieben-deactivated20140]

the list is long; ari && ben

[dreamsofalioness]

- - -

" Maybe you should go first Ben. " As if the pressure was suffocating her, Ari could not bring herself to order first.

[betreff-sieben-deactivated20140]

As she looked over the menu, Benjamin watched her in silence. Just observing, in that way that he did; reading expressions, body language, the words that were there but were left unspoken. A habit of his that wasn’t really bad or good.

Ari eventually decided that she wanted the detective to go first. He wasn’t surprised at all, and had already assumed this would happen. It had just been polite to ask her first. Benjamin gave a small, silent nod before looking over the things on the menu. He decided to get a bowl of French onion soup and some glazed chocolate donuts. With a small gesture, he motioned for Ari to pick something.

Once she had decided and worked up the courage to ask for what she wanted, Ben paid the cashier and waited patiently for their food to be served to them. Stepping to the side, they didn’t have to wait very long before their orders were called and they grabbed up their lunch.

Sitting down at the counter near the window, he began on his soup first. He took care to visibly blow on the steaming broth before bringing to the spoonful to his lips. It was more for show than anything. He ate in silence, only speaking in a few words when his mouth wasn’t full. Once he finished his soup, he paused to think about something. Slowly, he clasped his hands together and turned to look at the little lioness beside him.

”. . After you are finished, I would like to take you to a particular store. It is called ‘build-a-bear’.” Maybe he was thinking of Ari as too much of a child, but it was honestly hard to see her in any other light. And besides, she would probably enjoy making her very own stuffed animal. “I believe you will enjoy it. . Would you like one?” He held out one of the glazed donuts, offhandedly offering Ari one.

[dreamsofalioness]

After Ben decided on the soup and donuts, Ari was left with the difficult choice. Her body shivered and her eyes widened, face red with the exertion it took to speak of what she wanted. Finally, she settled on a chicken soup of her own, too nervous to try anything that she wasn't already accustomed to.

" Build-a-bear? " Ari paused a second, trying to figure out what it was about this store that Ben thought she would enjoy, " Uh... Do not understand. Why would Ari like store where build bears? " Of course, the lioness was thinking of an actual bear, ferocious in its strength. Slowly blinking, she only stared at him for a moment, trying to determine why he would find the idea of building a bear - how did one build an organic creature, Ari wondered - so intriguing.

Slowly, she took one of the glazed donuts, if only because he offered. Even so, her hand trembled as she reached out to grab it. Taking something that belonged to another, even when offered was extremely difficult for the Lionborn who had been raised that she wasn't good enough to take from others. That she was pathetic and sad. At best. Upon tasting the donut though, a look of joy and excitement slipped onto her face.

" Very good! "

[dreamsofalioness]

heartlessbutbeautiful joined the pride

She's quiet... shy. Afraid to address the newcomer and yet all of her manners are telling her otherwise.

" Hello... How may help you. "

[dreamsofalioness]

Kramping Up// Ari && Ture

Where was she?

Ari seemed to be asking that question more and more often lately. So often did the Lionborn wake up in an unfamiliar land that it was becoming expected. When she closed her eyes, Ari never quite knew where she might find herself when they opened.

This land seemed similar to the land of Earth. Or rather the Earth of thousands years past from her knowledge. The one of skyscrapers and rushing cars. Where the air, while polluted, didn't burn at her lungs, blackening them. Where people still thrived. Except something was off. When Ari breathed in the air, it was cleaner than she was used to, but there was fear. Death. As a priestess of the dead, Ari had grown accustomed to how the world felt when suffocating in death.

It felt like this.

[betreff-sieben-deactivated20140]

the list is long; ari && ben

[betreff-sieben-deactivated20140]

Her enthusiasm was like that of a young child, who was juts then old enough to understand and enjoy the holiday season. It was endearing, in it’s own right. The mall was, as she had said, quite amazing. It had Christmas decorations a plenty, hung up nice and neat all around the halls and the stores. He did have to admit, though, the decorating over the decades had become more and more gaudy.

The detective nodded softly at her question, motioning for her to follow him. Her outburst had garnered a few onlookers, but just as quick as they looked over they had lost interest and gone back to what they were doing. It was a busy time of season after all, in a very busy city.

He took them first to the large map in the center of the walkway, and after deciding on a restaurant he began to walk again. Fortunately, the place was on the main level that they were on, so they wouldn’t have to take an escalator just yet.

"I am glad you think so. There is much to look at, and look through, in this mall." He said offhandedly, holding a hand out to signal Ari to enter the restaurant first. Or, more accurate, the bakery. A French place called ‘Au bon pain’. They were greeted by a smiling cashier. It wasn’t really a dine in place, but there was at least some window seats at a counter they could sit at. Benjamin nodded politely at the young lady, asking for a moment to look over the menu.

"Order whatever you would like."

[dreamsofalioness]

Ari had no interest in Christmas as a religious holiday, of course. Her own religion, or at least the sect she belonged to, didn't focus on such things like gift-giving to the dead. Gifts were, of course, not banned. But they were simply not apart of the religion itself. And so, she held a firm interest in Christmas, not as an extension of religion, but as an extension of family and companionship. And with her new-found friends, Ari was stubborn in the belief that she could and would find a way to make this work, to show them how much she cared about them. Within her heart, loved swelled, burning at her ribs and chest. It was wondrous.

Ari followed close behind, the cheerful grin yet to leave her lips. Although Ben found the decorations gaudy, Ari loved them. They were loud and golden and bright and cheerful and everything that her new life seemed to include. Yes, darkness existed, how could it not with being friends with Türe and Benjamin, but it was a different darkness than the one she was accustomed to. It was a darkness that could be fought, that was being fought. So, with bright hope for the future, she skipped along, happiness bouncing with ever step.

As the warm smell of the bakery surrounded Ari, her body loosened and relaxed. The smile remained, but her muscles slackened as she let herself be engulfed in happiness. Sweets. How she loved them, and how her fingers itched to pop one into her mouth. Slightly animalistic, the Lionborn licked her lips as they approached the menu. She stared up at the menu for a few minutes, before shyly speaking up...

" Maybe you should go first Ben. " As if the pressure was suffocating her, Ari could not bring herself to order first.

[mangablug]

[slobbering]

[dreamsofalioness]

gravedigger-deathdealer has joined the pride

[gravediggerdeathdealer]

"Okay then…" he replied in a doubting tone "anyways, is there anything ypu can tell me about this ‘marshland’?"

[dreamsofalioness]

" Umm... Well there village a mile west, " Ari answered, quietly, unsure what exactly she was supposed to say, " And there are bugs here. Dangerous bugs. Bugs that carry disease "

[neververygrave]

[betreff-sieben-deactivated20140]

the list is long; ari && ben

With Christmas fast approaching, Benjamin had made sure to set a day aside for shopping. He didn’t really know what for, though. The lists were long, but mostly filler. He didn’t usually celebrate Christmas. Not with friends. Not with a fiance. Not with anyone. He hadn’t done anything for the winter holiday since he was a child; and that was a long, long time ago.

But things were different now. Somehow, he had managed to accumulate a small niche of ‘friends’. It was still something new to him, so unbelievably new. He felt as if he were at  loss of what to do. How to proceed. It was uncharacteristic of him, to be unsure. Thankfully, he wouldn’t be alone that day. 

He’d driven to one of the New York malls with Ari in the passenger seat of the Honda Crosstour. The ride was filled with mostly Ari’s soft voice, as she told Benjamin about her travels to the world Huu came from. It sounded like something straight out of a Tolkien book.

They arrived to their destination soon enough.

Benjamin started towards the mall slowly. Was this really the best place to shop? Would it yield the best gifts? What would make for good gifts in the first place? What were you supposed to get demons and runaways and gang members; or little lionesses and doorkeepers?

He supposed he would just have to wait and see what seemed right. As Ture once said to him, “I don’t know what I’ll get you, but I’ll find something. Something that yells your name.” With that in mind, Benjamin held the door open for Ari. It was warm inside. He followed after her, holding the second door open for her to pass through first as well.

"Have you been to a mall before, Ari? . . Perhaps we could eat first, if you are hungry. . ?"

[dreamsofalioness]

Ari's fingers pressed against the glass window of the car curiously, exploring the smooth pane. Yes, glass existed in her world, but this seemed cleaner, untarnished from years of watching the dead walk to their graves. Anyways, the world on the other side was still new. The people have purpose other than surviving. Even in Huu's world, the amazement had remained locked onto her face. So many new experiences, like holding hands and kissing and Christmas.

Christmas, what an odd holiday. No matter how many times Türe and Benjamin had tried to explain it to her, she still failed to understand some of its subtler nuances. Gift-giving though. That she understood. And so when Benjamin had offered the Lionborn girl to come along for Christmas shopping, she had leapt at the opportunity, grasping at it with eager hands.

Upon arriving, Ari jumped outside. Instinctively, she folded in on herself at the cold, still unused to the breezes of the north. It only took her a moment through to recollect herself before she was rushing towards the mall in excitement. As the warmth washed over her, it stained her cheeks a rosy red underneath the darker color. A smile burst on her lips as she looked around. It was beautiful. It was busy, bustling even, and everyone in it seemed so alive.

" No. No. Never, " She answered in a eager whisper, " Wait! Have food here too? Wow! " What an amazing concept, that annoying nagging voice in her head reminded her. But, she was too lost in her own thoughts, too lost in the joy, to hear it.

" Ben! So amazing. Beautiful! " Her arms flew out and a loud clear laugh escaped her. Everything was beautiful.

[dreamsofalioness]

To explain my absense

To those who care

As some of you know, I am not the most stable of human beings. It's not something I'm proud of.

A few months ago, after a crying fit because of how ignored I felt on the roleplay side of tumblr, I moved to my personal for the night, intending to come back the next day.

As you can tell... I didn't.

So I'm going to try and ease myself back and hopefully this time not put so much pressure on myself. We'll see.

[dreamsofalioness]

It's so quiet at night when all have slept. It is at times like these that Ari wanders, barefoot, along the rough lands of the cities. She pretends all of the people within are dead. Something about the dead comforts her in a grim way she's always known was odd.

[dreamsofalioness]

gravedigger-deathdealer has joined the pride

[gravediggerdeathdealer]

"I’m guessing that’s pretty far from Wisconsin" Jack said "…are you okay? You look nervous."

[dreamsofalioness]

" ... Ah... am fine. Fine. " Her voice only quickens as her body tenses. The Lionborn doesn't fit in, not quite. Her fingers twitch at her sides and her tails sways back and forth.

[dreamsofalioness]

gravedigger-deathdealer has joined the pride

[gravediggerdeathdealer]

"Hello" Jack replied, smiling "well, you could help me by telling me where I am" he said.

[dreamsofalioness]

" Marshlands of lower Third Land " Ari answered, perhaps a bit too quickly.

[dreamsofalioness]

gravedigger-deathdealer has joined the pride

" H-hello! " A panicked little girl, as she appears to be, speaks up, " How can help? "