don't worry about me

[v a l i d ||]

Her Mother was her Mother. A lady she adored above all others and strived to be someone she was proud of. Close where they, her dearest Mother and only relative. She knew not her father, or if any uncles or aunts existed but she did not question such things. Her history could remain a blank and she would have no quarrels. She was born in the Desert, like her Mother the lady had said and that was enough for her. After all, how many could, when asked about their history, say oh so simply ‘My history is that of the Desert Rose’? Few and far between.

Then again few knew what the Desert Rose was, what it symbolized and spoke of. Not that it mattered overly so to the little romantic that was. Not that it mattered, for she knew, and that was enough for her any day... every day. Some days you just gotta take it as it is. That's what that one guy said... the one guy her a mother had traveled with. What was his name again? Calamity? And with that no-good soon of his in tow? No-good being almost laughable. Epidemic could never grow to be the 'womanizer' his father was, or so ma'ma always said...

Our little missy walked with a sway in her step. Hips moving with a nice enough beat as she continued along without notice to the birds that skulked so close. Nibbling on the mutilated remains of some hapless creature, so fragrant the perfume of death as it floated in the air. Constant reminder to the other prey animals that the end of their life was very much a possibility at any point in time. Then again... the end of anyone's life was a possibility at any point in time, wasn't it? Mean really...

Her black lips pursed in a debating manner as she went along so simply. Delicate form moving about the long grass with utter ease as an eye was kept open for snakes. Tail flicking to and from keeping time as she went on along. Her cheerfulness and good mood obvious as her gaze came to meet a grand old tree. One with limbs large and well spread, with lush greenery providing quite a heavenly paradise at it's trunk...

*can't think*

Mother, you worry too much.
Honey, I don’t worry enough.
Promise I won’t be gone long.
That’s what you always say.
I'll Be back before dusk.
You always say that, too.
Well... I lose track of time.
You be careful.
I always am.

[Lassiel]

He rested under the limbs of a large tree, back against the thick trunk and gaze facing forward. Dark eyes scanned the horizon, although he wasn't really seeing anything. He was...zoned out, if you will--a young male enjoying his time in the sun, muzzle open slightly and eyes half-closed. How wonderful it was to be carefree! Sure, he had no pride to speak of and no easy way to get food, but he was free to live his life as he willed without his pride leader watching his every move and constantly breathing down his neck. The old man was paranoid, certain that everything Morduin did was to bring him down. Why would he need to do that? Most of the females in his pride were relatives and thus...well, you get the picture--no self-respecting male would do that. But the old lion didn't see it that way, and he kicked him out of his comfortable spot. Ah well--he had begun to think it had turned out for the best.

A soft breeze blew about him, ruffling the small mane and causing him to open his eyes. Well...what have we here? A lioness was making her way toward his tree--and had not yet noticed him. Well, that matter would soon be remedied. For the moment though, he kept his peace, preferring instead to watch her. Her golden hide gleamed in the sun as graceful legs brought her closer. A pretty young thing then....But how many out there aren't? He chuckled lightly at his words before heaving himself to his feet, mane falling roguishly over his chocolate eyes. Shaking the mane out, and in the process making it thicker looking, he settled onto his haunches, wondering how long it would take for her to become aware of him.

[v a l i d ||]

Innocent until proven guilty, hun.

How long would it take until he had her attention? Not long. Then again such a handsome devil, it never took him long to be noticed, did it? Though admittedly perhaps this dashing rogue had more of her laughter then her respect or fatal attraction, but, alas what could she say? Love at first sight was a heavenly thing but never her style. She enjoyed being a tease, she enjoyed seeing a tease at work, she found it the basis of a much more interesting and ‘fun’ ‘bond’. Hmm, all the same though thoughts trickled on about other things she wasn’t working so fast. Mean really personality was a key aspect. Though men seemed to forget such things - with their just going out to find a nice tush to bring home. Always forgetting that women left unsatisfied could be a curse on the ears.

But, what had given him away? His scent, of course. Though a touch young [but who was she to say, after all, considering…] and not really a pride-master yet, he had quite the distinct cologne that was, no question, masculine. Aside from that? Simply a guess as she felt eyes upon her. Eyes she searched out with a mild curiosity, her fluent walk stopped as she examined the tree quite keenly. Looking at the young gentlemen before gaze rose to the branches, the arms and all else… Lovely tree, she commented inwardly before her view lowered once more to see the male so content in his sit. Her eyes, of such lighter hue revealing nothing but slight curiosity as she debated a coarse of action. A glimmer of dangerous devilishness flickering across her gaze in but a flash, before hiding once more in the depths of her eyes as she strolled forward once more. Deciding to be forward, and perhaps a little helpless, ditzy angel was due for the play. "You ever wonder why some trees just attract people, while others just... don't?"

[Lassiel]

Ah, she had noticed him. But how could she not? Did his scent not call to her as her's to him? Hard thing to miss, really.As she stopped, seeming a bit unsure as to what to do, he readied himself for a quick jog toward her--just in case she decided to make a break for it. Couldn't let 'em all go, could ya? But no, her curiosity got the better of her as her sleek stride covered the earth again. Brave? Foolish? Or perhaps--and he personally liked this one the best--perhaps she knew exactly what she was getting into? If so...well, he was in for a fun time.

He loved messing with the ladies, and it was even more enjoyable when they played the game in return. Didn't mean he wasn't for the helpless type though. Always so willing to accept any aid offered from anyone. Not the safest thing for a young lioness to do, but he was not the type to take advantage of them. No--such things disgusted him. He would amuse himself all he wanted with them, but when it came down to it, Morduin just simply did not see the excitement in leaving broken hearts behind.

I prefer to think it is the people under the tree who attract others--not the tree itself. Confident that she wasn't going to leave now, he flopped back to the ground, examining her with his chocolate gaze, eyes gleaming playfully. So what do ya think? Was it my wonderful looks, or my charming personality?

[v a l i d ||]

Innocent until proven guilty, hun.

“Oh I just don’t know handsome.” She offered a simple shrug as her eyes made such a dramatic appearance, fluttering in such a way that suggested she just couldn’t be bother by such questions of what she valued, looks or acts. Which… was an utter lie. Like any romantic [For could she deny?] she paid keen mind to the details. And, admittedly she shared similarity with the lady-killer before her. She enjoyed variety. Where she did take pleasure in the confident and ‘full-of-it’ men of the generation she couldn’t help an interest in the cold ones too. Those who thought so simply that they held no need or attraction to women… And then, of course, you have the shy ones. So sweet and so kind, so gentlemanly but so not knowing what to do. Fun it was to walk them through, give them a taste and then the tools to ‘go get her’. For there was always a ‘her‘. A sweet little thing that the never worked up the courage to talk to. She liked those, quite dearly. After all there a few and far between those men who needed a gal to give him the nerve to go get the ‘real’ gal. So much fun to mess with… so unlike the other fools who needed their ego stroked so much… and yet, unlike the opposing where he didn’t enjoy leaving broken hearts in his wake. She had to admit she had a touch of a record… Was it exciting? Not really, it was more like ‘deserving’. You see… some men didn’t know how to treat a lady. Some men needed to be taught a lesson and what better way to do that then twisting their insides and leaving them so in pain? But, all the same when it came down to it. What did she value more? Well… she hated to be cliché but personality had to be it. After all she would have to do much more then just stare into his handsome eyes. She’d have to talk to him and such… and when he spoke he had to have something valid to say so…

She knew what she was getting into? Hmm… Not exactly. Had a good idea but things rarely go as planned, do they? Course not so she allowed room for some odd happening… but, had to admit she really did, indeed, have a good idea of what would happen. Or, what could happen. Yes, preached to for quite the many hours of what could happen but… she figured herself pretty safe. She was young, and children weren’t really a possibility yet. And thus the act wouldn't really be done, would it? Hmm... she figured so. And besides, she had a habit of picking out the right guys. Guys that were gentleman enough [or bold and reckless and violent enough] that she could 'relax', per say with the knowing that... if some big bad man came around, there was quite a very good chance that a fight would occur. True, a fight may not erupt over her, exactly, but... They'd still give her enough time to get the hell out of dodge if that was what she decided to do, right?

She walked her way over. Eye contact coming as she came closer, which gave him quite the interesting scene. Eyes of such hue allowed to ‘kiss and tell‘, her gaze hardly piercing or unnerving, but more casual and lacking in ferocity. She came closer without halt, stepping daintily over him with precise steps when she was near enough. Fur tipped tail gently caressing his cheek as she offered and essence of playfulness in response to his own. But, also a sense of illusiveness as she continued past him to the tree. Peering upwards at it with tail gently swaying to it's own beat as she started her round trip of the great landmark. Softly rubbing against it with one shoulder as she disappeared behind it and then reappeared on the other side. A light smile tracing her black lips. She liked this tree and she was feeling the notion to like the tree's company, “My name’s Iris, what’s yours?”

[Lassiel]

I'll have one here soon! I haven't forgotten!