[PRP] All the Pretty Horses [end]

[underthered]

Lefika smiled broadly. This place... it was so beautiful. It was so open, and yet so communal. And she began to think that maybe, just maybe, this was the perfect place for her and her son. That perhaps she'd finally found the place she'd always been looking for and never known it. And everything she said sounded fine by her... if it meant she could be part of this place, and make a home for her son. "That sounds lovely, and we cannot wait to meet your family. Thank you, mister..." she trailed off a moment, then smiled a bit sheepishly. "I am afraid I did not get your name, good sir."

Sepoko came dashing up the beach and landed now next to his mother, catching his breath. He had caught bits and pieces of Hadithi's speech as he ran, and frankly... Sepoko wanted to know what he was getting into. "Wait... wait..." he said breathlessly. "Muses? What do you mean, 'muses'? What kind of muses?" Sepoko was perplexed. He thought he'd heard of muses before... but more as a figurative thing than anything else.  

[Kisoni]

"Hadithi," He managed to answer Lefika before Sepoko's breathless inquiry. The male blinked at him a moment, an amused sort of air about him as if to say that not knowing the muses was a funny thing. Of course, to one that had grown up hearing these voices, it pretty much was. "Muses..." Hadithi paused, thinking of the best way to explain this concept. It was always a strange thing for him to try and explain to someone who didn't know. "The spirits."

With one dark paw he gestured to the world about them, "The voices of the things around us. The spirits of the sand, the air, the ocean, stars, trees... The living examples of true perfection upon this planet, which we should strive to emulate."

Hadithi gave a soft chuckle, "That is.. more of our Family's belief. We realize most outsiders do not share this, nor wish to, but those who do are Kizaa born, whether they know it or not. It is a special thing to know the voices of the Muses, for only then are you ready to rejoin them in the next life."  

[underthered]

Sepoko nodded as he listened. "Oh, I see." Except that he didn't, really. Not yet. Well, he could understand and respect that this lion could percieve everything as having a spirit... but he wasn't really sure about the voices so much. He hoped his doubt wasn't showing on his face. It was his understanding that someone who heard voices was crazy.

He had an awful long way to come.

Although, looking at his mother now, he thought that he'd never seen her look so much like an eager little child.

And indeed, Lefika's eyes sparkled as she listened to more of Hadithi's family's belief system, and her tail lashed wildly. "That is beautiful, Hadithi. I wish I could hear what you hear, and see the world the way you do." And she glanced down then, as though ashamed that she could not hear the voices of the Muses, for the more she thought about it, the more sense it made to Lefika that all the things in this world should have a spirit of their own. Perhaps that was why she had felt so exhillerated on that first day out of the woods.  

[Kisoni]

Hadithi chuckled softly and reached a paw over to pat one of hers in an almost fatherly fashion. It was amazing how normally childish he was when compared to the more sage-like figure he made in the moment. He'd likely spoil it with another butt-wriggle in a few moments, though, he usually did. Though he didn't miss Sepoko's hesitance, he also didn't call the boy on it. there would be plenty of time to talk to him, it seemed, and Sepoko could always hang about the lessons he'd be giving his own cubs.

"Well, all you really have to do is listen." He chuckled softly, then began to chant with the same whisper of a voice. About him, a breeze swirled through his mane, laughing, "Que que na-to-ra, you will understand.. listen with your heart, you will understand. Let it break upon you... like the waves upon the sand..."

Hadithi's gaze broke from the surf at his feet and he smiled up at his new companions, "Though.. something tells me without the voices... you're still very much our Sister." He gave a nod and rose to his feet, shaking himself. "We normally stay a bit further north, in some caves along the cliffs there. There are many of them, and they provide good shelter in the storms. Feel free to make yourselves a place there, if you like, though... i would stay away from my mate right now."

The male looked somewhat sheepish and gave them a grin, "She's a little.. ah.. high strung about the cubs at the moment. It'll pass, though."  

[underthered]

Lefika, too, felt the breeze encircling them, and was enchanted by it, but she heard nothing in it... not yet. But there was time for her still. "I will try," she said to him. "And thank you. Thank you for your kindness." With a small, graceful bow she stood and walked right past him, head high, going north as Hadithi had indicated. Maybe... maybe she really was finding the place she'd been looking for. She didn't know, but she had to find out. She had to look. She had to see for herself.

She didn't call for Sepoko. If he wished to follow, he would come. She could not tell him whether to go or stay; the decision was his. He was his own.

At first, Sepoko didn't even notice her go. He was distracted by the wash of the sea and Hadithi's words. What did it all mean? What did it mean for him? He smirked very slightly at Hadithi's warning and chuckled. "We'll take you word for it."

Then he finally looked up and saw his mom going, and for a second, his face went slack. No 'Come, Sepoko'? No nothing? She just went? And that's when Sepoko realized that, for once, he had to decide... decide on his own... and he wasn't sure if he was ready. He never really had to make up his own mind about much before... and this was big. Huge, even.

Was this... for him?

Well, he couldn't decide... not yet... and he wouldn't be able to decide until he knew more. And there was only one way to sort that all out. "HEY MOM! WAIT UP!" he hollered, leaping to his feet and scampering after her. "Thanks, Hadithi," he said as he darted past him, the sand shifting and flying about him, meeting the wind.  

[Kisoni]

Hadithi watched the boy with a smile as all these things flashed through his mind. The poor thing really wasn't sure what he wanted to do... but that was fine. It was always good having the young about, especially one who seemed as bright, if quiet, as this one did. He nodded his head to him as he was thanked, and gave a soft chuckle. For awhile, Hadithi simply sat on the shore, watching them head up towards his home--now, theirs as well. He had a good feeling about those two.

After awhile, the lion shook his mane out and dragged himself back up again. he had work to do.