Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Large latte tinted paws muffled the steps of the young lion as he walked through the forest. The young man was here in search of treasure and education. More he was here back in his home to investigate. He was also hoping to inspect some of the fauna that lived here as he had not done after he had moved in next door to James. Not that he didn’t love his new home, but he did miss the mass of sprawling greenery that was his birthplace. The trek here had been far shorter than when he had gone to Orion, though when he was going to Orion, he and James had been carrying a massive gem-egg.

Brilliant baby blue optics looked around the area. He was searching for a good place to perch and just watch the area for a short time. He was also looking for a place with plenty of food and water for animals to want to visit. He would be fine watching the many smaller lesser Gembound, he had eaten mere hours before his trek here. He had eaten three two Rabbits and a Pitch Rat. He could manage to sit for many hours watching the wildlife here in Eridanus.

Slowly the young lion trotted towards a small pond where he knew was plentiful with water, food, and was safe from most predators. The little clearing also had a large rock for him to perch on and watch the creatures around him without difficulty. It didn’t take him more than an hour of walking to find the little clearing, he was careful to watch his every step as he approached the pool and observed the lesser gembounds currently there grazing or getting a drink. Aristotle made himself comfortable in the underbrush for some time to watch.

Currently grazing in the small field with the pond, was a large jungle deer buck. It was smaller than James and sported a beautiful set of antlers that he wore as a crown. His pelt was a pale grass green, and his stripes were a striking onyx black. His antlers were a beautiful stark white color and three eyes were a brilliant green that watched the area as he grazed. Aristotle settled in watching the buck, he was clearly nervous. The young lion wondered if the buck could smell his presence in the underbrush. The buck had his head down eating, but his elongated ears shifted this way and that as it listened for predators.

Suddenly the buck stood up stark and his hide shivered. It was as if something else had come into the clearing, but Aristotle couldn’t see what. He let his gaze fall from the buck and look around the clearing for what had startled the creature. Aristotle found nothing in the clearing that would cause the deer to startle. Then just as the young lion’s eyes fell back on the buck, the flighty creature took to hoof and bound off into the forest.

With a deep sigh the young lion wandered out of his hiding place and over to a soft spot of grass and lay down. He had seen them before, when he had first hatched. The brightly colored birds with the rainbow feathers, it was small but beautiful. He wanted to study them for a while, watch them, learn more about them. The young lion gave a gentle stretch and lay down in the grass to watch the creatures and plants around him.

Though he was waiting for one specific bird to come down. The Rainbow spinner. He wanted to watch them a bit more than he had before. However while he waited he decided to practice a bit of his skills as he had come to call them. Closing his eyes the young lion took a deep breath to focus his energies, Then gently he sent a wave of energy into the ground.

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

The young lion lay there with his eyes closed focusing on sending energy into the ground. He could feel a small single tickle under his outstretched paw. He focused harder sending more of that powerful warmth into the ground. He was trying to make more plants emerge. He wanted badly to bring more life, he wanted to be able to do what he saw Titnaite do. If he could gain energy from the world around him, he wouldn’t have to eat as often.

Taking a deep breath he focused harder sending yet another wave of his own energy into the ground. He was focused on making plants bloom. If he could do that maybe he could start growing healing herbs or other things he could experiment with. If he could make them grow into seedlings, what would stop him from making full grown plants!

If he could do that, James would surely impressed with him. James had so many skills in his repertoire that Aristotle had a lot of catching up to do. James could use his skills freely, all Aristotle could do was make plants emerge from their seeds. If he could work his way up to making them become full grown plants, James and Elspet would surely be proud of him.

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

There it was, a small tickle under his paw. But this time there were more, at least there were two places where it tickled under his paw. With a proud purr, the young lion lifted his paw to examine the three little sprouts that had emerged from the ground. They were small and still young, but it was clear that they were strong and alive. Their vibrant green color assured Aristotle that his magic was good.

The young lion lay his paw beside the new sprouts, his brilliant baby blue eyes inspecting the three little sprouts. They weren’t much, but Aristotle was proud of his work. He had done it three times in a row back home, and twice now. What would happen if he kept going? Would he soon be able to make full plants grow? He couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to make full plants come to be. He wanted so badly to be able to do that, if he could do that, he could make James’ bed even softer by making the grasses even more lush than they normally would be growing inside out of the light of the orbs.

Aristotle couldn’t help but wonder if he could use this power in Orion to grow plants in his homes, plants that could cure things or help with his education. He was planning on dissecting the next creature he caught before eating them. Titanites words still stuck with him, he was made the same as many smaller creatures, at least he assumed so. So looking inside another lesser gembound would surely give him enlightenment into his own works wouldn’t it?

Suddenly the young lion was pulled from his own musings as he spotted movement in the corner of his eye. There were several of them, brightly colored rainbow birds. The ones he had come to find. There they were not far away. Apparently he had been still enough to gain their curiosity. Slowly the young lion lay his head down as he looked at the small birds, their brilliant feathers gleaming in the light of the orbs from above. Aristotle made sure not to move to much as he didn’t want to startle the beautiful little birds. He waited hoping for one to come closer. That didn’t take long as one bold little bird hopped up to stand just a few inches away from his outstretched paw. The young lion turned his head to look at the little bird. The two of them sat there for a few moments just looking into each other’s eyes, he couldn’t help but feel a small connection with the little bird.

Sitting there watching each other the little bird began to sing. It cheerful song lilting through the air, his large rounded audits shifted to catch the little birds beautiful song. Slowly the young lion closed his eyes listening as the other little rainbow colored bird began to join in. Then just as soon as they had appeared something seemed to startle the little birds as he heard them all take off at once in a flurry of rustling feathers. Opening his eyes Aristotle looked around the area.

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

With the birds gone Aristotle slid to his paws and stood up. If he stayed here he probably wouldn’t find any more creatures to observe. Slowly the young lion wandered out of the clearing and off into the less travelled paths of the forest. He was looking to observe more wildlife. His slender tufted tail gave an inquisitive wave as he walked. He had been born here, but had not taken the explicit time to explore much, as soon after hatching he had met his best friend James.

Brilliant baby blue eyes looked closely at each plant he passed. He stopped at each plant to investigate its outer appearance and make mental notes. Later he would test the effects of the fruit of said plants on perhaps a rabbit he was able to catch. Or perhaps a rat, however a rabbit would be easier to keep as he could grow it food, or at least make it sprout. He could start growing food for James and his rabbit. That way James would never have to ever worry about going hungry ever again. He was sure even in the driest environment he might be able to coax seeds from their shells, at least as long as his energy held out.

He wasn’t sure just how much energy he had, as he had never truly pushed himself. He had used his skills three times in a row. That had been enough for him. However he knew if he wanted to grow stronger he was going to need to push it a little. In order to learn his limits he had to test those limits first. However he had not been doing anything to push himself. Perhaps if he tried a bit more he would be able to do it better. It had to be like hunting, the more he hunted the better he got at it. The more often he caught prey. It seemed a statistic that he found infallible, the more practice you had at something the more often you succeeded at it. Then the same should be said for using his skills shouldn’t it?

The young lion was taking in everything around him as he came to another clearing. This one having no pond, but instead fruit bearing bushes dotting its small field. He wondered what would cause the trees in this one area not to grow, but instead the bushes and grasses grew lush and plentiful here. Walking forward into the clearing, Aristotle moved slowly inspecting the grasses here. They were healthy bright green sprigs. As he moved closer to one of the bushes. They had dark blue leaves and snowy white bark. Moving to the fruit the bush was bearing, Aristotle sniffed at one of the clusters taking it’s scent. They smelled sweet and delicious, almost like the fruit aunty had given him. Aristotle plucked several of the berries and moved to a spot. Taking another step the young lion dug a small hole and dropped one of the berries into it, the rest he set aside. This would be where he would practice until he could no longer.

Sitting down on his rump the young lion took a calming breath, however his visit here to Eridanus was simply to relax and try to focus on his skills. He wanted to be better, to do better. He wanted to be like James, though he wasn’t big on the whole protecting the realm kind of thing. He was interested in healing and finding uses for the plants around them, he wanted to learn more and more about the world around him. Slowly Aristotle closed his eyes and cleared his mind of menial thoughts. He stretched out his right forepaw and placed it on the ground, then he focused on the seeds he had just placed in the earth below. He took a slow deep breath and let it out as he sent a wave of energy into the ground.

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Focusing he pushed more energy into the ground and into the seed within. He focused on trying to bring the seedling to the surface. He coaxed it towards his paw pad while giving it more energy. There it was, that feeling he was searching for, but it was strange and twisting. He felt more than one sprout but they were winding together seemingly to create one spiraling sprout. At least that was what it felt like. Slowly the young lion tilted his paw to the side, all the while focusing on sending more energy into the seed. Finally with his paw completely on its side, he stopped feeding energy into the small little sprout, it had grown to about two inches tall and was beginning to change from a vibrant green to a snow white.

A bright smile began to spread over the young lion’s muzzle. He was rather pleased with himself. The young lion picked up another berry moving a few steps away, he dug a small hole and dropped the little berry into the hole. Using his nose he daintily covered the berry with dirt with his nose. After doing that, the young lion sat back on his haunches once more. Perhaps he could make another bush like the one he had before.

Taking a deep breath the young lion calmed himself. Closing his eyes he rested his paw on the fresh dirt. Breathing slowly the young lion sent out another burst of warm energy into the ground. He felt for the seeds within the berry, and sent his energy down to them. He focused on willing the sprouts to come to the surface.

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

His focus was there, firmly on ground and the seeds contained within. He urged the little green sprouts to push their way to the surface through the dirt. He urged them up and out to tickle his paw. As the seedlings emerged they began to twist together. Again he slowly moved his paw to allow the little sprout to emerge. And there it was, another set of three sprouts growing around one another. It was such an interesting thing. He was getting rather good at this wasn’t he. It was almost becoming a second nature to him.

Aristotle looked down at the little sprout, another wave of pride bubbling up inside him. He was really getting used to using his skills. Even if it only seemed to be this and hunting. Somehow he had to be able to use his mind and his skills together to help others. For a moment the young lion looked around at the bushes around him. If he kept it up there would be many more berry bushes like the one he had plucked the berries from if he kept this up. He couldn’t help but wonder if he practiced enough, would he one day be able to use skills to grow a full tree that bore fruit? Would he be able to grow great fresh fruits for aunty and James?

A bright smile spread across the young lion’s muzzle. Aristotle looked around the clearing, as he scanned the bushes he noticed something. He had gained an audience. Sitting in the bushes munching on the berries and watching him, was a large flock of the small rainbow colored birds. It seemed they had become as interested in him as he was in them. One little rainbow hued bird hopped boldly up to investigate what the lion was doing up close.

The little bird hopped around the sprout and inspected it. Every once in a while it would let out a soft chirp or tweet as it hopped around the sprout curiously. It looked to Aristotle’s paw and back to the sprout chirping excitedly, the young lion did not move. He merely sat watching the little bird. He had never been this close to one of the little birds before. He wanted to touch it so badly but knew that if he moved it would fly away. For a moment the little bird stopped and leaned back preening its back a long rainbow hued feather falling in a spiral to the ground as the little bird flew away.

Aristotle blinked confused as to what had just happened. Shaking his head the young lion reached down and with a paw and lifted it to his ear tangling it in the fur of his ear to make it hold. He now decided to use the feather to decorate the gem in his ear. Giving a swift wave of his slender tail he walked back over to the pile of berries and picked up another one. Moving to another free space in the ground, the young lion dug a third hole placing the berry within. The young lion placed his paw on the dirt once more and repeated his process.

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

He was starting to feel a slight strain on his body from using his skill repeatedly. However tired he was, he couldn’t help the brilliant grin that spread over his muzzle, as he felt the tickle of a sprout beneath his paw. This time only one had come up. But that was alright, he had still made a bush sprout. It was a small and vibrant healthy green little sprout. The young lion sat panting softly from exertion. His muscles shook tiredly but he knew he needed to try again. At least once more, he had to try.

The young lion stood up shaking his head. He walked over picking up another berry, from there he moved to another empty space where a new bush would grow nicely. He dug a fourth small hole. Dropping the berry in he used his nose to cover the berry with dirt. Giving his body a shake to free himself of the shaking, he sat down.

Once more the young lion placed a large paw on the small dirt mound. He focused and sent out his energy once more.

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Focusing the young lion sent out energy into the ground and into the little seed. He coaxed it from its shell and out into the dirt. He pushed more energy into the little sprout and coaxed it from the dirt up under his paw. It was just as if he had become a false light orb for these little sprouts, yet strong enough to make them bloom in mere moments.

He hadn’t realized just how taxing using his skills could be, but he wanted to keep going. Standing up he forced his legs to move and went and picked up the bunch of berries and took to his next spot. For now he’d bring the bunch with him.

Again he dug a small hole in the ground with one paw. Then gently plucking one of the berries, he dropped it into the ground. Gently with his nose he covered the berry with dirt. The young lion stopped for a moment. He could feel a tickle in the back of his nose. Suddenly he sneezed hard. The young lion shook his head and blinked twice, that hadn’t felt good at all. The dirt building up in his nose had finally caused him to sneeze.

Giving himself a shake he again sat his paw on the mound of dirt and sent out a wave of warm energy.

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

It seemed his energy would hold out. He pressed his energy into the ground. He focused on the seeds within their shells. He pushed his energy into them to coax them from their shells. It would seem that his energy would only affect one. A little sprout pushed from its shell and into the moist disturbed dirt. From there it pushed through the dirt and up into the bottom of Aristotle’s paw. He had done it again, another sprout had emerged into the world to become yet another new bush. He smiled sitting up and letting his face turn towards the light orbs above. A soft sigh left the young lion.

He had to keep going until he couldn’t anymore. He had to push as hard as he could. He had to catch up to James. James was so much farther ahead of him. He had so many skills, and he only had three. He didn’t want to be left behind. But that shouldn’t matter, James had a mentor and he was on his own. Maybe he could ask Titanite to teach him how to use his skills. He seemed to be perfectly in tune with the world around him. He had drawn energy from the very ground he stood on. However that was what worried him, Titanite drew energy from the world, and he GAVE energy to the world around him to make it come to life.

Aristotle sighed and picked up the last four berries he had from the bunch and headed to a new spot. This time he didn’t so much as sit, as he just let his rump hit the ground behind him. He swiped his tail to the side just in time to keep it out of the way from being sat on. Closing his eyes he took a deep breath, placed his paw on the mound of dirt and sent out another wave of warm energy.

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

It seemed the young lion had caught a second wind, a deep surge of energy went out into the ground. He felt two sprouts break free of their pods, and out into the fruit. He felt them push from there into the dirt, and out into the air beneath his paw. It was a tickle as two of them grew up into the bottom of his paw. He sat back nearly exhausted, his body shivering as he stood for a final time. He wanted to try one last time. He could feel his body begging for rest.

He leaned down picking up his last few berries and drug himself to another spot a little ways away. He had worked his way halfway across the field planting and sprouting bushes. Again he let his hindquarters hit the ground as he “sat” on the ground. Once more he dug a small hole and placed a berry in it. Though this time he used a shaky paw to push the dirt back in.

The young lion took a deep breath and let it out slowly, he was clearing his mind and steadying his body. He gently let his forepaw rest on the mound of dirt. He was exhausted, but he was going to give it one more try. He closed his eyes and sent out the warm energy into the ground once more and into the seeds.