[PRP] Pushing the boundaries

[Twiddle]

Arak had been traveling over the past few days. He wasn't sure where he was going, and he didn't particularly care. He tried to stay out of the lands of any pride or pack, and kept his nose to the wind for any signs. But he hadn't smelled anything in a while, and had wandered into a more densely wooded area than he was used to. The heavier smells of the forest made it harder for his nose to pick up the telltale scents of the markings left by pride members.

The ebony leopard was also distracted by the new scenery itself. It was far different from the shrubby grasslands he was used to, and he found himself fascinated by the land he had never seen before. The tall trees kept his attention for quite some time, and he found himself half hoping to run into someone that would know the names of them, so he had something to call them. Arak loved gathering knowledge, it was the one thing he collected. And above all else, he loved names. He could name almost any plant, rock, creature or insect he came across, and discovering new ones was very exciting for the loner.

Finally he made his way far enough into the woods to notice the signs of pride life. He began to turn around when a particularly interesting tree caught his eye. He had never seen anything like it, with it's long, curving roots that had broken apart a boulder over time. They crisscrossed and tangled, the long fingers of the plant reaching out into the air in many parts, then curling down below. It had created a dip in the rock that was perfect for resting, and the remainder of the boulder was flat and spacious, with a sunbeam convienantly creeping between the tree branches and warming the stone. Arak settled himself atop the warm rock, closing his lacendar eyes against the sun. He cared little that the smell of lion had become much stronger when he had ventured towards it.  

[Twiddle]

Arak had been enjoying his reverie, his mind wandering to times long gone, songs on the air, sweet smells of family all around. An ear twitched at the sound of a female vocie on the air, pulling him from his past. The smell of lion permeated his nose now, and he breathed in deep. He hadn't met many lions in his travels. Most that he had seen were dull colored, listliss and had no tongue for civil conversation. Still, he wasn't one for prejudice, and as he turned, he put on his best introductory smile.

His lavendar gaze widened slightly at the sight of her. She was... pretty. Beautiful, even. He had never seen such striking markings, especially not on a lion. His gaze ate her up, drinking in the look of her, his mind taking special notes of her wounds. Of course his mind burst with a thousand questions, but he knew his mother would roll in her grave if he didn't formally introduce himself before accosting her with his curiousities. Although his gaze kept wandering to her leg.

He glided easily down the rock, his paws making hardly a sound. He was small statured, even for a leopard, he was not a large creature. But he held himself in such a way that no beast could be taller than him. "Hello miss," His voice purred out, his low baraton a small roll of thunder, "I am sorry I failed to see you before. How I could have missed such a fine sight is beyond my comprehension." He smiled charmingly at her, bowing his head low. "I am at your service, miss. You may call me Arakhor, if it please you." His eyes gazed up at her from his bowing position, shining playfully in the light. He loved nothing more than to shower a lady in kind words, the playful back and forth was a game he loved to play.  

[Twiddle]

Arak's smile widedned, glad to have someone that could hold a well mannered conversation with him. He kept his head lowered as she spoke, and only lifted it back up again when she had finished speaking. He nodded in the right places, and when she declined his compliment an aghast look came upon his face. "You, my lady? Why, you can't possibly think you are not deserving of the very best compliments. Why, you're as lovely as the moon as she dances her nightly dance with the stars. As lovely as the waves as the kiss the shore. Your voice is as refreshing as a cool breeze in the summer sun. You, my lady, are deserving of all my meager words can provide."

He chuckled warmly when she asked where his manners came from. "Yes, indeed. My mother taught me to be respectful of everyone. I learned myself that a lady such as yourself is deserving of more than most." He eyes twinkled playfully as he eyed her leg again, noting how she held it to her chest. "I see this easily and wonder; how could a being as lovely as yourself ever come to have wound such as this? Miss...?" He let the last trail off, realizing he still didn't have a name to call her by. Names were almost as important to Arak as anything else. He knew how much power a name posessed. How there was a level of control over such things. He remembered every name he encoutnered, especially so with a lady as lovely as the one before him. He appreciated beauty, and when a name suited the being, he couldn't help himself but fall a little bit in love every time. Whether it was a constellation, a flower, a rock, or a lioness. When a beautiful name and a beautiful being came together, Arak couldn't help but open his heart just a little bit.  

[Twiddle]

Arak smiled warmly as she thanked him, nodding once more, in a way that portrayed there was no thanks needed. At the compliment to himself his smile grew into a smirk. He wasn't used to compliments himself, even though he gave them out lavishly. He noted that her leg was definitely freshly wounded, as she sat to take her weight off of it. He followed suit, hoping to make her more comfortable by also sitting down. His long tail wrapped around himself comfortably, beating against the ground in a soft melody.

He made a more informal bow as she mentioned her name, purposely glazing over her comment about her leg. He tucked that information away for later use, since she was obviously unwilling to speak of it now. Even though his curious nature burned away at him, he was a sucker for a good story.

His chuckle was musical as she inquired about his reasons for being out and about. Should he tell her the truth? That he was merely wandering the lands aimlessly? He felt like that was so... bland. He loved speaking to others, especially one as intelligent as the lioness before him. He knew that to keep someone entertained, you really want a good story. Which she also seemed to posess in plenty by the way her eyes went off to a different place for a few moments.

Arak decided that honesty was his best option in this case. He had the feeling that although she seemed to enjoy the compliments, this was not a lady to be won with fancy words and lavish tales. This was a lady to be won with showing her his true personality. "I am afraid," His eyes sparkled with humor as he spoke, "That my being here is a complete coincidence. I am merely traveling, and stumbled upon encountering you. I do think today is my lucky day." His smirk returned as his tail continued its subconscious tune on the grass.

"If I may be so bold, is there anywhere you think a lonely soul such as myself should visit before I continue my venture?" He eyed her coat again, his eyes drinking in her beauty. "I am afraid I am quite a sucker for a pretty sight, especially waterfalls and streams. And perhaps, a beautiful lady could make that sight even more so.." He trailed off, hoping she would accept his subtle offer to take a walk. He was honestly curious about the lanscape, and after speaking he found himself realizing how thirsty he really was.  

[Twiddle]

He gave her a playful grin when she teased him. He got to his feet as she stood. As she spoke about her leg again he wondered at it once more. The curiousity he felt was like a burning coal within his stomach. He wanted so badly to hear her tale, but he knew better than to press the issue.

Instead, he stepped in place beside her, and easily matched her slow going pace. He stood close, not only because he wanted to be close to her, but also so that she could lean on him if she so chose. He wanted to make sure that he was there in case she stumbled.

"Even with one less leg, your beauty shines just as bright." He grinned at her again, knowing that this line was over the top, even for him. "May I ask where it is you're whisking me off to?"  

[Twiddle]

Arak liked this female a lot. She was quick witted and kept up with him, mentally if not physically. He laughed a rare, carefree and totally uncovered laugh. It had been a long time since he had found a companion that was this easy to talk to. He felt like he could truly be himself around her, and he was relishing in the moment.

"Well, I suppose those other options sound like a place you could whisk a young, unsuspecting leopard like myself to." He looked over his shoulder at her playfully, batting his eyelashes in his best damsel in distress face.