Reclining [Quen--plot thread]

[Exodus]

It was with heavy eyes that Exodus found a branch in the jungle that was low enough and bulky enough to carry his large weight. He was...sleepy. Somehow, the constant shade of trees in the jungle always put him to sleep. He couldn't explain it--it was one of those mysteries in life.

He truly was lucky, because he could feel the drops that signified the beginning of a new rain in store for him as he took cover. The sun was setting, as well--if it got too dark before the rain stopped, he would just sleep there for the night.

Ordinarily, the setting sun made everything shine golden and pure--but now clouds littered the sky, the horizon a hazy and deep red, almost like blood. Perhaps something had died today in the world--something important. Exodus took every little sign as an omen from a higher power; the fact that he was trapped in a tree during the rain signified something as well. He was supposed to be there, he was sure of it--he was sure that he was there for a reason...

[Quen]

It was going to rain, she knew--she could heard the thunder in the sky, proud and booming as she ran. She's been walking the edge of the jungle, perplexed as to whether or not she could go in--she was only used to the open layout of the Savannah.

Talking to Rasta had convinced her to do some exploring, but now, she wasn't so sure. She didn't know what was in there, what was capable of hurting her or what to do if she was in any sort of crisis. She teetered back and forth; she needed to make a decision.

It was the rain that convinced her to go into the jungle. There was not another tree in the Savannah until you reached the horizon, and she knew that it was too far away for her to get to before the rain started coming. So, when the first heavy drops of rain began to fall, she sprung herself into a jog, launching herself into the forest.

The first thing that she noticed was that it was very dark. The trees seemed to cover almost everything, and even though she was moving through at a quick pace, she was awe stricken by a beauty that she had never seen before.

The rain wasn't as heavy in the forest, either; she supposed that all of the trees would filter it out at first, or something like that. She would have to ask Rasta about it later.

Without thinking, she saw a tree with a thick base and even thicker branches--they were large, and leapt onto one of the largest ones, the branch low and easily accessible. Under the leaves of the mighty tree were even darker than the forest was on the ground; it was very tall and there were leaves sprouting on smaller branches as you increased altitude in the tree.

There was a prickling sensation as the furs on the back of her flank stood up and bristled, and turned, sure that she was just being paranoid in the forest--

until she saw two wide Lavender eyes looking at her.

She took a deep breath, and said, "Hello." A sniff told her that this was something familiar--a lion. She could deal with that. She took another deep breath; surely he wouldn't mind her sharing the tree?

[Exodus]

Exodus had barely seen her coming. Only her scent, still strongly of the Savannah, could be used to discern her approach. She had been moving rather quickly, presumably to get herself out of the rain, but her sweet scent had Exodus captivated, and for the moment all he was concerned with was that she joined him in the tree.

This was why he had been made to remain here. For her.

And as he made her her bright shape against the shade of the tree, all he could do was stare at her, Lavender eyes open wide as he took in the beauty of her profile.

"Hello," she said calmly, her melodious voice almost as beautiful as she was in his eyes.

He wanted her. She was beautiful, and his decision was purely an instinctive one--one that any other male with eyes that functioned properly would say to her, had they any common sense.

But did she have a mate? Or a Pride?

"What bring such a magnificent specimen like you to our jungle? hunting for food for your Pride?" he asked, his voice, deeper than hers, ringing out towards the rain, which was pouring even harder now.

[Quen]

"What brings such a magnificent speciment like you to our jungle? Hunting for food for your Pride?" he asked.

Assuming that he didn't mind her remaining there in the tree, and to think him for allowing her to do so, Quen answered calmly, truthfully, "No. I left my Pride. I am...a loner." her encounter with Rasta had left her in a hopeful mood, and she was kind to this stranger.

"I don't mind it so much. I just have to adjust, I suppose."

It wasn't until a flash of lighting suddenly permeated the jungle that she was able to make out the figure of the other lion.

He was all black--which Quen thought was a beautiful color--and his eyes were shining like diamonds. He was very...handsome. And he had called her magnificent, so he was charming as well.

"I came to explore," she added, as his frame melded back into the darkness.

[Exodus]

She was alone...there was no one with her, Exodus knew, or she would have mentioned it. She did feel a bit depressed, however, as though something was going on in the back of her mind that he couldn't see, which was probably the case.

"I don't know what circumstances brought you to be a loner," he said, "But you are too beautiful to remain by yourself. You do not deserve such a fate."

He was approaching her strongly, he knew, with no easing or pretending, and he wasn't sure how she would handle that at all. However, it was worth a try, and Exodus was the honest type, so he would not hide behind words as heavily as some others did.

"Come," he said, "If you do not mind, tell me of your departure from your Pride."

[Quen]

He spoke with a deep voice that was gentle, but not authoritative, and actually, she was glad that for the first time someone had asked her for the story behind her self-exile.

She looked down, his shining eyes too much for her to gaze at while she spoke.

"I...had a mate...and children. Three of them. " she kept herself in control with more ease than she had thought she possessed. "My mate was the Pride Leader, and I was the ruling female. But my mate had been challenged by Ktulu..." she trailed off, knowing that if she progressed any further, she would break down like she'd done in front of Rasta.

"And I left afterward. There was no reason for me to stay."

[Exodus]

The rain, the tree, the jungle--nothing else existed while Quen was speaking besides the two of them.

You are taken with her, he thought to himself. Do not let such a bias affect your actions... But this thought was futile--

He already knew that they would.

She seemed not to notice that he was "approaching" her, after he asked of her leaving--there was no question about her cubs; a lioness would never leave them, so Exodus had no choice but to assume that they were gone and that was reason why she could no longer stay.

He searched for the right words to say, trying not to capitalize on her sadness. "But they are safe, where no one can harm them now. And had you chosen to stay in your Pride regardless...you would not have given me the pleasure of meeting you." He leaned closer to her, looking to her dazzling olive eyes, seeking the response that he wanted. "You truly are the Heaven's gift to me this day..."

[Quen]

Despite herself, Quen blushed. "Heaven's gift," he'd said, and for a moment, she actually felt special--like she was needed. For a moment, she allowed herself to be the way that she used to be, with no worries, no fears and a confidence to show the rest of them.

This lion leaned closer, as though he was expecting something, and Quen was suddenly aware he liked her. Eyes widening, for this had not occured to her before, she considered him seriously. She did not want to feel as though she was "replacing" her old mate, Quinn, but...but...

Turning away from his piercing eyes, she thought to retreat from this confident male--but the rain outside stopped her.

Taking a breath to compose herself, she said, "...you do not even know my name."

[Exodus]

She blushed, her eyes widening as she stared at him. It was...cute--a word that he had not had the need to use for quite a while. She quickly turned away from him, and said, "...you do not even know my name."

Exodus said in reply, "I would if you would tell me. And I do not need to know your name to know that you are a treasure. I do not need to know your name to be enamored with you. I need only see you. And you are simply breathtaking. However, I will do anything you ask. I am called Exodus."

He was ridiculing himself in his own mind. These words were flowing freely; never had he been so taken with a female before--never had he the mind to attempt to court a lioness. And in the Savannah, he of several.

She was different. She was special.

He rose from where he lay, taking two steps to bring himself closer to her on the branch, and laying back down, his face mere inches from hers. He felt...dominant. Confident. He felt that he had to have her--these ovewhelming feelings leaving him at a loss for words.

He settled for staring at her eyes since he could not bring himself to speak further.

[Quen]

Her heart was pounding in her chest as she searched within herself for a reply to all these compliments. She was not used to being...courted in such a way. She had only had one mate before, and he had been kind, just like this male, but did not express his love for Quen so openly.

He was enamored, was he? Quen blush only grew deeper, and she honestly felt that this lion was being too nice for her to be able to trust...but his words were still nice, though, and she couldn't find a way around them.

Then he stood, and moved closer. She was not quite sure what to do then. There was not yet enough space for her to back away; she had only just leapt onto the edge of the branch.

Exodus, she thought. That is a nice name. she decided. She liked it.

Exodus was being a bit overbearing, but she did not feel threatened by his approach, which was nice. Looking him over yet again, she forced herself to look into the lavender eyes that were staring at her. She wasn't sure what to do. She did not think that she was ready for a mate yet--the season had only just passed--but...perhaps...perhaps she could remain with him for a little while. She wasn't sure. It was too hard to think with his eyes piercing her like that.

[Exodus]

She had yet to speak, and so Exodus pressed on. "You have gone through much pain; I am not going to ask anything from you that I know you should not be able to give me--you deserve the time to find yourself."

He extended a paw to hers, hoping to convey his deepest concern. Surprised by himself that he could be so smitten with someone so quickly after meeting them still.

A rumble grew in his throat, and a purr escaped his lips unchecked; he wanted to move to cover his lips but he wouldn't dare to take his paw away from Quen's.

He smiled. "And you haven't told me your name yet..."

[Quen]

She sighed, almost feeling like blushing a bit as she felt Exodus's paw upon hers. She wasn't sure whether or not she wanted to play this game; whether or not she wanted to bother conversing with this male as though she was thinking about taking another mate. She was not, honestly, and she didn't want to lead him on...too much...

"I..." she said, and saw the first rays of sunlight shining through the treetops. "I...have to go; the rain is stopping..." she rose, gently tugging her paw from Exodus's. He was a nice lion, she was sure, but nothing changed the fact that she wasn't looking for that sort of company.

[Exodus]

Exodus smiled. Was it a hunt that she wanted? He did not bother further inquiring her name--it was a chase that she wanted, he could see.

He would pursue. However, he hoped that she knew who she was messing with; he was not one to back down from a challenge, and he wasn't going to do so for her, either. It had been a while since a female struck his fancy--one who had been humbled down by life's experiences and knew what sort of lioness she wanted to be. Someone mature, who made decisions in the interest of those around her. This lioness seemed to be the one.

He did not stop her from rising, though it was obvious from the look on her face that she felt rather awkward about leaving so abruptly. She seemed to not be sure of whether or not she wanted a mate, as well, which usually wasn't the case with lionesses. Usually, they were all "gung-ho" about finding a male lion to mate with, having cubs and the rest.

Her disinterest only served to make her more intriguing.