ORIGIN

The gourd banjo in his lap, the young lemur sat atop a tall tree as he stared down at the landscape below. In his paws were a few scraps of leather and a bit of birch tree scraps. Another image had come to him today. Of a thing for writing symbols and labeling things around the world. It was an image that bugged him while he sat in the branches of the tree and hummed a few bars from a song. He wanted to make the writing thing... So, he would. Amongst the roots of a tree he'd found an old kill from something small. A squirrel or perhaps a rabbit, either way he picked up the bones and used a rock against a femur to carve a pointed needle. In the needle he threaded a bit of his own fur, plucked from his body and twisted together, end to end to make a sort of long thread. If he ran out it was easily replenished.

After a while of staring blankly at the needle and "thread" he looked down at the strips of leather and began to use the bone needle to bound them together into a sort of book. Then came the bits of birch paper which he sewed in between the leather to make a sort of primitive misshapen book. It was rough but it would get the job done, he supposed. He set the book aside and picked up his banjo then began to strum a few lines. After a moment of catching the rhythm and getting the tune he began to sing in a tenor voice.

"
I hear the wind call my name
The sound that leads me home again
The sparks of the fire
A flame that still burns
To you, I will always return

I know the road is long
But where you are is home
Where ever you stay
I find the way
I run like the river
I follow the sun
I fly like an eagle to where I belong

Can't stand the distance,
I can't dream alone
I can't wait to see you
Yes I'm on my way home

Now I know it's true
My every road leads to you
And in the hour of darkness
You light gets me through
You run like the river
You shine like the sun

Yeah!

You fly like an eagle
Yes you are the one
I see every sun set
And with all that I've learned
Oohh
It's to you, I will always
Always return
"

He sang the song twice over again, strumming louder and more confidently while his voice rose over the treetops and to the ceiling of the cave. A herd of cave deer below looked up to him, their eyes blinking up at him curiously but warily.

He'd just finished his song for the third time when he noticed someone making their way towards him. He grinned, despite himself, and continued to strum his notes but without the accompaniment of his voice. His pale gaze watched the approach of the little critter while his dexterous fingers continued on with the notes. Then, she was leaning upwards and posing that question. He gave gentlemanly nod and touched one paw to his forehead as a sort of friendly gesture before returning to playing.

"Well, howdy there lil' lady." He strummed a few more notes before finally putting the banjo down on his lap. One leg and his tail dangled over the branch while his other leg as bent in a casual and relaxed way. His pale eyes seemed to hold the warmth of the nonexistent sun despite the pale hue. "I'm just playin' my banjo an' singin' a lil' song. It's mighty relaxin', y'know... Just sittin' in a tree, playin' notes for the cave deer." His eyes took on a new glint, a playful one. "'Though, I wouldn't mind playin' for a lovely gal like yerself either." He picked up the banjo again and began to strum a little tune.

"
With eyes like sweet ole cocoa,
'An a coat as shiny as the moon!
It's turnin' my head all loco,
'Cause I'm 'fraid she might end up leavin' sooooon!
"

He gave a little yip and a laugh of joy as he slapped his knee. He didn't know quite where the lyrics came from but they certainly were true. Why, this young female's eyes were so pretty and her coat just so nice... He shook his head... Golly. What was up with his head?

The lemur showed his teeth in a most pleased grin when she mentioned she liked the song. That was great because he'd made it up right on the spot! There was always the chance that he would accidentally offend her or make her upset by his choice of lyrics. "Well, I'm glad it took yer fancy." He put one paw at his stomach and bent slightly in a little bow but not too much or else he would likely fall.

His ears perked when he was questioned on who he was. Not one to miss out on polite introductions the lemur placed his banjo carefully on the branch then stood up with his rear paws tightly gripping the branch. Now, when he put the paw at his stomach he gave a nice, full-sweeping bow. "M'name's Tennessee, m'lady. 'An if I'm right to say I do reckon I'm a lemur." He stood up from his bow and peered down at the young creature before him, friendly smile never wavering.

"What about you, lil' lady? What sorta critter are ya?" He hadn't seen anyone like her before... Or actually, he'd hardly seen any sort of creatures at all in his young life. He just had a really good memory of... of something, giving him ideas on how to make things and how he should do things and speak.

"That's right, sweetie pie, Tennessee. Though..." He gave a wink. "Yer the only ten I see." Another hoot of laughter as he slapped his knee. Gee, wasn't that a brilliant little line? He was quite fond of it, actually. Perhaps he should use it more...

A hyena? Oh yeah... Now that he thought about it, that sounded about right. Just like a puzzle fitting into its right piece. "Well, ya can't be the only one. Perhaps they're all jus' hidin' in one spot an' ya gotta find'em. Stay thinkin' positive!" Surely she couldn't be the only one! He'd seen all sorts of creatures around so there had to be more than one hyena.