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Post by Picasso on May 16, 2013 15:41:50 GMT
Darkness had fallen over Hexasol as the large lion padded through the burnt orange forest. The leaves crunched beneath his paws with each step he took, making birds stir in their nests. It was a clear night, but the sky was shrouded by the thick branches. It was cool, but not too cold to feel uncomfortable. Denim knew it wouldn't be much longer before a shelter would need to be found so he wouldn't freeze to death. It would be the first winter without Natiri or the Iris Pride, and Denim couldn't help but feel nervous. He had always relied on somebody. He had never been a true loner, and the thought of having no warm body to keep him from succumbing to hypothermia was a frightening thought. He just had to hope winter would be kind this year. Denim was not built for the cold climates of Hexasol; he thrived in the heat of summer. Exhaling an icy breath, Denim weaved his way through the trees until he came to the clearing. Avalon Lake glistened in the moonlight, and Denim walked to the water's edge, lapping up the cool, fresh water. He let the liquid easily slide down his throat, before lowering to his haunches.
The lake was void of any life that Denim could see. The silence was blissful as he closed his eyes and begun to absently hum. Being alone was both a grace and a curse. He loved the tranquil peace he got from travelling by himself, however the clawing loneliness could often choke him. Most animals were frightened of the sight of a lion thundering through their land. They would take cover and hide, and Denim could do nothing but watch helplessly as fearful eyes would run into the distance. The lion had to accept that he would never be able to easily approach a canine or a feline. He scoffed at the thought of forming another friendship. He'd had friends, and he'd lost them all. Weary, Denim now knew how his father felt, as he lived his last months in a cave by the ocean. Panja had been alone then, after leaving the Iris Pride. Denim couldn't help but see the similarities.
An owl hooted in the distance, startling Denim out of his thoughts. There was no use trying to sleep in the open. He would get himself killed by a pack of dogs out here. Struggling to his paws, Denim began to walk around the lake, paws dipped in the cool water. A scent made Denim still. Sniffing the air, the lion looked around. Everything was still. He swore he could smell something - or someone - familiar, but Denim couldn't place it. Feeling uneasy, Denim narrowed his eyes. He felt as though there were eyes watching him, making him feel uneasy. Clearing his throat, he stared out into the darkness, "Who is there?" He called out, voice gravelly from lack of talking. Good god, when had his last conversation been? Too long. If he kept up like this, Denim would end up talking to himself.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2013 15:57:09 GMT
Marlee had been resting on a tree at the edge of the lake, thinking to herself quietly as one paw dangled off the branch. She was watching the sun fall, the moon rising to claim the earth for another night, when her ear flicked to the side, picking up a sound. Marlee lifted her head off the branch, looking in the general direction and tilted her head slightly in curiosity. Her eyes tracked a shadowy figure as it came toward her and silently, she stood on the branch, balancing perfectly. It was then the scent washed over her, and she realized who the new feline was. "Denim..." She mouthed the name, not making a sound, as she stared in astonishment. So he was okay. He was alive and looking... somewhat well. She watched him as he was below her on the ground. She debated on saying something, or just letting him wander off. She sat on her branch, claws lightly gripping the bark, as she leaned slightly to look down at him.
"Hey there, stranger. You seem a bit lost." She purred softly in amusement, hoping Denim would recognize her as she leaped off the branch, landing on Denim's back, and then jumping to the ground. She walked up to look at him face to face and sat calmly on the ground. "Long time, no see Denim. How are you? Are you doing well?" She wanted to make sure he was alright, and to help him to the best of her ability if he wasn't. Her beautiful golden eyes watched him closely. She wasn't judging him, nor was she going to. She was just... Watching. It'd been so long since they had last seen one another, she was in shock, but also very happy to see him. He was one of her best friends in Iris before he left. And when he did, she didn't really have anyone.
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Post by Picasso on May 16, 2013 17:05:49 GMT
A noise made Denim turn on his heel. His eyes widened at the figure that was approaching him. For a split second, he thought it was the lynx he met a few weeks back, Sky. But the scent was all wrong. As she female stepped into the moonlight, Denim staggered back in surprise. Her voice was uncanny. It had been years since he'd set eyes on her. Marlee. Eyes wide, Denim just stared at her. They had been friends, once upon a time. She had been aware of his betrayal of the Iris Pride. She'd known he used to sneak out of the Pride to visit Natiri, and she hadn't told a soul. Denim had been eternally grateful for her kindness. Denim had been all but a cub, and Marlee had always appeared so much older and larger than him. Now? Now, Denim was larger than her, and wasn't that ironic? She hadn't changed one bit. He couldn't stop the smile that broke out on his face.
Denim and Marlee couldn't risk meeting ever since Denim left the Pride. Whilst he had left voluntarily, Alex made sure to exile him, just for good measure. If any Iris member set eyes on him, they were to attack. But Denim knew Marlee wouldn't do that. Already, he could see the kindness in her eyes. Relaxing, Denim walked towards her, unable to keep the smile from his face. "Marlee," He breathed, smelling the Iris on her, "It has been a long time, hasn't it?" He couldn't help but wish Marlee wasn't an Iris cat. No matter how long they had known each other, he couldn't fully trust her. Not really. She was born and bred in the Iris, and she was standing beside Alex and the rest of the corrupt cats, slaughtering innocent canines. What was she trying to accomplish?
"I am well," He responded, picking his words carefully, "How is the Pride treating you?" Denim was shocked that Marlee had recognised him. The last time they'd spoken, Denim's mane had been all but a furry tuft. He'd still been a cub with a breaking voice and gangly limbs. Now, Denim held himself steady and composed. "You don't appear to have changed one bit." Denim joked. A warm feeling settled in his stomach. Meeting with Marlee would have been suicide a year back, but he felt comfortable by the lake. No one would know of their correspondence here. They were free to become friends again. That is, if Marlee would like to be. Denim had been wandering the city for so long alone, he just longed for a bit of company.
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Post by Deleted on May 16, 2013 18:11:22 GMT
Marlee watched Denim for a long moment, golden eyes taking in his every feature. She kept her calm stance when he asked about Iris, wanting to be limited on what she told him, but she could not lie to Denim. "Like vermin." She said softly. "All they care about is winning this stupid war. All I wish for, however, is peace. And that won't be achieved if we keep killing every canine that lives in Hexasol." She snorted. "The only thing that will come of it is more unnecessary death." She concluded, taking a moment to relax herself, as she realized her fur was starting to bristle a little. She let out a soft sigh and shook out her pelt before looking at Denim once more, all calm returned to her expression. "How is the solitary life treating you, Denim?" She asked curiously, wanting to know of her friend's whereabouts.
It was then the sun disappeared from the sky for good, and the birds stopped singing their songs for the day. Marlee looked at Denim and purred softly. "Come. I know a good place to sleep for the night." She offered and stood, walking past Denim and rubbing gently against his leg as she did so. She had missed her friend dearly. As she padded onward along the edge of the lake, she listened for signs of Denim following, and kept walking. "There is a cave ahead that we can rest in tonight." Implying that she wasn't going to return to Iris quite yet. She didn't want to. She wanted to catch up with Denim, to be his friend again. Soon the cave came into sight and Marlee picked up the pace to a steady trot and stepped onto the sandy floor of the cave, paws sinking slightly. She looked back at Denim.
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Post by Picasso on May 16, 2013 22:12:38 GMT
Denim was shocked by Marlee's reply about the Pride. He knew she had been oppressed by her father, but he had no idea how strongly she felt about the insane cats that ran his old Pride. He couldn't help but wonder why Marlee was still in the Pride when he was so revolted by it. Denim guessed her father had died since Denim had left, giving Marlee the freedom she had craved so badly. Her father had been cruel to keep Marlee trapped within the confines of their territory. She would live in ignorance if she was disallowed from exploring the rest of the city. He remembered the days Denim used to sneak away to meet with Iri, and how it had filled him with a rush of excitement and adrenalin. Had he made Marlee jealous in those times? Had she longed to be the one, running into the unknown? A pang of guilt hit Denim's heart. She was free from her father's chains now, and Denim was happy for her. She looked more relaxed, happier.
Before Denim could question her position on the Iris Pride, Marlee begun to speak of a nearby cave. Denim let out a short laugh, "A cave, Marlee? Are you going to have your wicked way with me?" He winked at her, before following the lynx around the lake to the cave. It was a fraction warmer in the cave, and Denim looked around. It was inhabited. Lowering himself to his haunches, Denim shot Marlee a questioning look, "If you hate the Pride so much, why do you stay? You could've been like me; a loner." It wasn't much. Denim lived his life in solitude, angsting over his lack of friends. A pack would do him good. However, since the Lexis was gone, here had nowhere to join. He had heard whisperings of a gang forming to take the place of Lexis, however he knew nothing more. Wary of the fact Marlee was still Iris, he made a mental note not to mention it to her. Granted, she was his friend, but she was an Iris. If Alex got hint that another gang was forming, he would send his army to eliminate them immediately.
Denim replied about his life in solitary, "It is... different. I do not miss the days where I lie awake, listening to the screams of slaves two rooms away from me." Those were dark days. "However, I hear the slave population is dwindling in the Pride. Will it be gone for good?" He questioned curiously. Slavery had been something Denim despised since cubhood. Ever since his own brothers and sister had been held captive by The Tempest, it was just cruel. There should be no prisoners in war; they should at least die in dignity.
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