#direbcrn

[mczenrath]

  Hearing the doors close behind, sealing the space between her and the undead filled her with relief. Unknown - was always frightening. What were they and how they worked? It was still unknown to Sadira. However, once inside, Sadira’s focus directed at the shiny floor, high walls and pillars that held up the roof, decorated by detailed craftsmanship. If the citadel was already a sight from the outside, the interior stunned her with dark beauty - enough the discussion between Xerxes and Mozenrath wasn’t noticed by her.

As soon as the light filled the room, Sadira knew this place was true storage of magic - her own collection, merely something she could call a collection - just a small shelf. Just how much of sand magic was there, still unknown to her?

 ❝ It’s amazing… ❞ she quietly gasped, stepping deeper inside the library. Passing the comfortable spaces to study the writings - expensive looking rugs and chairs. My. She had no idea where to start - or what each shelf even contained. The shelves covered the walls with unknown literature. Knowing her curiosity, the library could have held there for a day, if not several. Slowly, she approached the shelves, glancing books and scrolls tidily packed there. Even with permission, she found the amount intimidating to even pick one.

    ❝ Hmm. I’ll keep that in mind. Right now, I don’t even know what I am looking for… ❞ Sadira shrugged, before continuing her adventure inside the library. Indeed, the way she studied sand magic was motivated by selecting random scrolls and seeing what seemed to fit her plans. Now, she wasn’t sure how to proceed. She had consumed her entire shelf - maybe she could ask him later for advice. Maybe later. After all, they had just barely learnt to know each other. Her finger traced the backs of scrolls - making sure she wasn’t missing any. Part of her, just admired the detail of the covers.

   ❝ OH! Alright! Sorry… I got lost in thought! It truly is enormous place…! I think it’d take the entire week if we didn’t hurry. ❞ She turned and walked quickly back to catch his steps that already led out of the library. Now, she could’ve noticed the little shift in his tone - but being his guest, she gladly followed his request to move on their tour, excited to see where they would head the next.  ❝ You must spend quite long days there? I surely would. ❞

   Warm library light pooled into the dimly lit foyer to reveal their steps before they were taken. Detail to their surroundings became more clear now. Stone surfaces reflected the dancing flames of oil lamps & wall clung torches. The distinct scent of frankincense lingered in the air. Below their feet, obsidian tiles appeared cracked & uneven in places from spells gone awry years past. One would need to watch their footing in the halls of the citadel. For Mozenrath, he already knew the rise & fall of the flooring below them to act as the perfect guide for his unsuspecting visitor. Maneuvering around one sizable dent in the ground, the sorcerer avoided talking about the destruction in his home by answering her curiosity as a distraction.

   ❝ You could say that. ❞ Days, weeks, months? Try years. He was nearly positive he had read each text in that room at least twice. It's not as if he had much else to do other than educate himself in between the mundane tasks his master had given the young necromancer. Now that he was alone, those books were the only thing that spoke to him... besides Xerxes. Wouldn't it be pleasant to have someone to discuss readings with? To perhaps study alongside? More realistically, how long would it take before she hated him, like everyone else? Only time would tell. ❝ I would spend many long nights in there. Sleep doesn't always come easy to me when there's a new spell on my mind. I just couldn't rest until I had put it to the test & mastered it. I'm sure you understand. ❞

   It wasn't a far-fetched assumption. Sadira had become a witch of the sand by her own merit, which meant she had put the work into it...all by herself. Nobody was ever there to teach her as single spell, nobody to encourage, push, or correct her. Regardless, she would eventually need a magical tutor of sorts if she wished to progress in the magical arts.

   Some how, he didn't think they would have any trouble locating one.

   ❝ Just wait...there's more. ❞ He spoke enticingly while gesturing towards a small room. Inside was a winding staircase that led upwards & out of view. ❝ Care to join me on the roof? ❞

   Proceeding inside, Mozenrath started to ascend slowly, one pale hand gliding along a twisting rail. He paused for a split second, just to ensure she was following. When their eyes met for a moment, he hid an awkward half smile by turning forward & continuing their ascent, albeit at a quicker pace this time.

   ❝ I swear it's worth it. ❞ Mozenrath promised as they approached the top. At this point, he wasn't sure who he was trying to convince. Stepping out of the tower & on to an enormous balcony, the sorcerer spun on his heels to face her once more. He held his arms out to present the grandeur of the scene ahead & grinned proudly. Before them lay an impressively large ornate rug, where many cushions of various size & color were piled up in comfortable areas. There were even a few books left out, pages saved by inky black quills as if he were coming back to them later.

   More noticeably was a large pedestal situated in the background, closest to the edge of the terrace. What looked like a silver branch stood out as it shined in the darkness. The object was big & curled upwards towards the heavens in an unusual way. Leading Sadira closer, the Lord of the Black Sand began to chuckle. It wasn't a boastful or teasing laugh as was his usual manner. This one was more genuine, as if somebody had told him a good joke.

   ❝ The first time I saw this, I had no idea what it was. ❞ He ran a finger along it's solid base & raised a brow at her. ❝ Humor me...what do you think it is? ❞

[mcrgiana]

+ @direbcrn​

Lights went out all over the city, save for a few late-night owls. Like her, they remained awake to extend their productivity from the day. Whether they were catching up on cleaning, studying, or simply enjoying the diamond encrusted sky, all could feel the peace & comfort nightfall brought their desert. The drop in temperature was always so welcoming, not to mention a break from the blinding sun. As for the young seer, her evening was occupied by a trip outside the kingdom’s walls. Something was pulling her towards an unknown location. Guided only by instinct, Morgiana ventured out into the open Seven Deserts on horseback... alone. After about thirty minutes of travel, she brought her steed to a halt. The kingdom of Agrabah was still, though barely, visible in the distance. Thankfully, those shining golden domes were like a beacon even in the dark. The Oracle had come across dilapidated ruins, half swallowed by the dunes themselves. This was the same place she had seen in her dreams... but why? What was so important about the foundation of an old building? Dismounting, she approached the rubble. Her sandals crunched the powdery sand beneath her soles, emitting a slight squeaking sound as she walked.  Hesitantly, Morgiana reached out her hand to touch a broken wall. When she did so, her eyes flooded with light until she was blinking into a completely different scene. The wall was now restored. An ornate tapestry rested beneath her palm. When she turned, she found herself in the middle of what looked like...a temple! It was gorgeous. White marble floors, stained glass windows framed by ivory, & breath-taking vaulted ceilings above that made her feel incredibly tiny. The sight caused her breath to hitch. It was a shame the building was no longer in existence. Suddenly, her surroundings were distorted by a new sound. Eyes fluttering, the light disappeared from her vision & she was once again staring at the ruins. Addressing a stranger she couldn’t see filled her with dread. What if they were an enemy? Nobody knew she was even out there. Grasping the handle of her dagger, the seer spoke out into the darkness. “W-who goes there?”

[devilofthecresentisle]

@direbcrn

Martha had been in the pridelands for a little over a month now but something was still bothering her.....she still didn't like how the hyenas were treated and had questions as to why this was.

She walked along the edge of the pridelands, as what looked like an all black spotted hyena, drawn out whooping coming from her and echoing over the area. If she knew hyenas, the whooping would absolutely draw the attention of any nearby.

"Where are they...?" She took a break from the whooping, sitting down and scratching her ear.

[mczenrath]

Meanwhile, Mozenrath & Sadira off-camera starting an evil partner/relationship, probably during the duration of King of Thieves.  Moze: SHE ONLY SHOWED UP AT THE WEDDING TO MAKE FACE, LOSERS.

[mczenrath]

“ you’re my family. of course i came. ” (;__; from SADira)

protective sentence starters

   Now, this was embarrassing. When the lone sorcerer decided to let her stay, he didn’t exactly consider everything that would entail. Days had turned into weeks, weeks into months, & slowly she was worming her way into his heart. He hadn’t forced her to pick the bedroom near his & he didn’t think twice about it... except for tonight when he was snapping up in bed, gasping for air. The mattress around him had been soaked in sweat. His skin glistened slightly under the wavering candle light while he sighed ( & shuddered ), placing his shameful face in his hands.     “How long have I been... was I-...” He mumbled between his fingers. This was a man who loved being in control of everything around him. When he was asleep, however, his body would occasionally react to events happening in his subconscious... without his say-so. Night terrors, they were called. Sadira standing in his room now could only mean one thing: he had been screaming. “I’m sorry... I should have warned you...”

[cosmicpcwer]

@direbcrn liked for a starter.​

    “Okay, I gotta know: do sand witch’s sandwiches taste like sand or are sandwiches made by sand witches sans the sand? OR, are sand witches so superb at sandwich assembly, their sandwich strengths soar above their sand witch skills? Which wich is it?” 

[sixba]

A Change in Plans

Kill Him. 

Those were the last words uttered in the canyon as Simba bolted for his life. Hyenas were chasing him, a trio. The very same trio he had encountered in the Elephant Graveyard. Why were they even here? Why were they so hellbent on killing him? Where did they even come from? 

As the lion cub ran for his life, he came to a cliff with growls and teeth snapping behind him. Should he even jump? Turn around and face his attackers head-on? No. He needed to get out of here as fast as possible. Shutting his eyes, the cub took a leap of faith rolling down the cliff face landing in the thorn bushes below. 

Yes, this could be a safe place for now. How dumb would they be to try and follow him in here? Two of the hyenas stared down into the thorns growling until one fell and yelped climbing back up. That showed him! Simba needed to stay still and wait until dark to move again. Maybe they’d forget all about him in the meantime. Catching his breath, the lion kept his ears perked up as a precaution hoping that they’d leave soon and go back to wherever they came from so he could make it out of his former homeland alive... If the Great Kings allowed it.

@direbcrn

[sixba]

“I’m making it my business.” the cub retorted as he narrowed his eyes. Hyenas couldn’t be trusted even if you turned your back for a single millisecond.  That was a fact. Simba had to be careful too. He couldn’t get too cocky since nobody was really around to help other than a few distant giraffes grazing from acacia trees. If there was trouble, they’d arrive by the time it was too late so the cub had to keep his cool. “If you got invited here by somebody then I’m uninviting you. Get. Out.” 

@direbcrn​