|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:20 pm
 Even for those born into the desert such temperatures could be exhausting. Those born with solid black coats, or better, black coats with darker black markings and vice versa, it could be unbearably hot as their fur soaked up the heat of the sun. Ursa was one of those lucky lions. So unbearable was the heat, the boredom, and watching one of her friends obliviously fawning after the Captain of the guard, that she had finally just retreated to the comforting shade of the family den, safe within the cliff walls.
She bathed one of her legs hoping to cool off. It was midday, and far too hot to even think of trekking out to the watering hole which was likely to either be crowded or unsheltered, maybe both. The water would only offer so much relief anyway, and then there was the wet trek back which would only lodge sand in her fur...
Yes, bathing sounded the better of the two options.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:32 pm
 Azula was lucky, in her own way. She was not completely black, like her sister, and she had the nice red coat that was so often desired among her peers. For the most part, she found the sun to be of normal barability; now being the worst time of day to be out and about. So she loped home quickly from her morning run, hoping she wouldn't be caught out in the blaring sun for too much longer. Slipping down into the shade she saw she wasn't the only one with ideas of peace. Leasurely she moved down and lay casually beside her sister. Company didn't bother her in the least. It could usually prove quite interesting and she already knew her sister to be above a boring personality. "Escaping the sun too, are we? I know it certainly likes you more than I," Azula yawned.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:33 pm
Azula earned a glance as she settled, Ursa not yet stopping in her grooming until after being addressed. "It is one suitor that I would gladly let you have to yourself if I could, sister dear." She grinned softly, teasing fondly as was her way. "It does seem a little hotter today than usual, or is that only me? It's almost as if the sun is drawing closer with each passing day."
Which made her glad that both Yin-li and their brother Lu-ten were actively working as water seekers for the pride. It made Ursa nervous to notice these things but then again-- anything to keep her thoughts off of a certain spotted guard's apprentice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:35 pm
"Maybe it is," Azula shrugged her shoulders slowly, almost as if to stretch, "I just can't stay away from you. I guess it doesn't take a hint well."
She sat back, closing her eyes, almost looking as if she was absorbing the shade. If there was one thing Azula wasn't, it was a worrier. What happened in the pride, in life...it would happen. They all did what they could and that was good enough for her. She remained aware, of course, but she let little move her...as if her personality itself conserved energy that the desert tended to steal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:42 pm
"Hmm... so then it's a stalker." Ursa concluded, moving over to affectionately groom at her sister's ear. "Still. It's certainly too hot to be roaming about. I don't understand how Uuo can possibly do it, she has all that extra fur on her neck and her paws." She briefly shook her head, then resumed. "Have you been up to anything interesting yet today, Azula, or are you just back from one of your runs?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:44 pm
"Mind over matter, I suppose," Azula answered simply without much thought. She never wondered much about such things...Uuo took care of herself well and how wasn't really an issue to her.
"Interesting?" She peeked one eye open to look at her sister sideways, "You mean different. No, nothing different...just a routine run. I wasn't lucky enough to have anything different happen." She smiled a little, amused at the idea. Yes...different was usually more interesting. Oh well. Ursa grooming was relaxing to say the least.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:47 pm
"Hm, makes sense I guess." Ursa chuckled. "She -is- pretty stubborn, in any event."
And currently oblivious to the fact that her apprentice had a big thing for her, not that Ursa was thinking about that twenty four seven or anything.
"I guess you can only expect so much to happen in a place like this. We are pretty isolated from the rest of the world." Since most rogues couldn't navigate the desert, between the heat and the lack of water, the shifting sands and the poisonous snakes and scorpions, and the mirages throwing them off course. Plus those that did still had to prove they had the right to be there.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:48 pm
"Yes...that is true." Azula nodded and then rolled over, looking her sister full in the face.
"Sometimes...do you wish we were born earlier? Before the split?" She smiled and it was the type of smile that was impossible to desern as serious or joking. "It seemed like the whole thing was so exciting...more so then what we're doing these days."
Azula wasn't restless, really. But sometimes she did wonder what it'd be like if something...well, else was happening. It'd be nice to have some excitement for a change. That'd be amusing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:49 pm
Ursa thought about this question, watching her sister calmly as the tip of her tail began to tick back and forth, something she did when thinking hard. Her thoughts had drifted back to Ozai again. He probably wouldn't have been taken if they had been born back in those times, but then, he might have sided with the traditionalists too.
"... Hmm... it's hard to say. I'm sort of glad that we weren't, but I've always been the odd one out." She and Iroh. She would prefer "boring peace time" to lively tension. It pained her to think that they had been divided, that family had been separated from one another, and not to mention. "Plus, imagine what would have happened to Zuko if we had. He'd have been forced to be a slave, and probably Iroh and Lu ten, too."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:50 pm
Azula paused for a moment, but it wasn't really long enough for indepth thought. The idea had only been a passing one, after all. "I suppose that's true," she agreed lazily. It didn't really sound like she agreed...but she didn't sound like she disagreed either. She was often like that though...too passive sometimes.
"I do wish someone would do something interesting, though," she murmured wistfully. She didn't know what, but she felt like...something needed to start up. Good or bad, she wanted something that would get her blood running, like those morning runs. Ah well. Azula was patient. She hate faith something would happen someday...or she'd do something herself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:51 pm
"You sound a lot like grandma when you say that you know."
Ursa grinned a bit. Azula's name sake, or at least it seemed that way, both biological mother and grandmother were like that, apparently, according to the one time Ursa had asked about their birth mother anyway.
"Hmm... but I do understand. Some days it just seems like there's never enough to do to fill the day. The guards and the soldiers at least have training and patrol, and the Regents are always busy with something, even if it's just their cubs, but there's only so much storytelling I can do. So in that respect, I do almost wish that we had been around for the split. Hm... You know, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to suggest yourself for a duel opponent, you know, for the rogues that are accepted into the pride. You'd get to meet all kinds of interesting characters and hear about the outside a bit, and even if it's not an all out fight at least it's better than sitting about bored?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 10:52 pm
"Do I now?" Azula was amused. She had certainly heard a lot about her grandmother. She secretly hoped to surpass her someday. But it was a low-key hope, nothing life-upsetting. She didn't need such a wish to motivate her to improvement; she did that naturally. It was sort of something that she'd be interested in experiencing if it became possible. For now, though, she knew what she needed to work on.
"I suppose I could," she agreed absently, as if musing over the idea. She had thought about it, though it had never really interested her for some reason. She supposed it was because she knew her strengths and her flaws and having an actual duel while she was still improving seemed odd. Of course, it would be better for her to duel strangers...she knew she'd learn. Mmm...maybe she'd sleep on it and see how the idea struck her in the morning.
~ FIN
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
