Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

The young lion lay sleeping lightly, he had arrived many hours earlier and had collapsed using the deer pelt as a pillow. He had barely made it in the front door before falling flat on his face and falling asleep. However now he was finally beginning to stir. Inhaling deeply the young lion uncurled from around himself though his eyes remained close. A wide yawn parted the little lion’s jaws as he grumbled low in his throat. It was clear he was awakening however he didn’t want to get up yet.

Brilliant baby blue eyes slowly fluttered open to look at the pile of rubble in front of him. His house had still yet to be cleaned out. That was the reason he hadn’t made it much farther than the door, he didn’t have the energy left to traverse around the rubble pile and into his room. However he was safe and he knew it, so long as James was next door.

He wondered if James was even home, or if he had seen him drag his sagging body back to his house. He wondered if James would be worried. He had been gone for several days. He had to look for Aunty, but he also had stopped off at the hidden cave to work on his energy skills. He wanted to be able to come home and show James what he had learned. SLowly the young lion stood up and picked up the deer pelt in his jaws and moved around the rubble pile to the room where his blue topaz gem-egg rested. The young lion moved to one wall and spread out the deer pelt exposing the three pear shaped orange fruit and the mango like ones that were bright reddish orange. He had brought back snacks for James, so he hoped his best friend could forgive him for being gone so long.

However without much more thought the young lion moved around back to the front door and grabbed a large log in his jaws and began pulling it backwards out the door. He began making a pile off to one side of the house. He began making areas for piles of what would be able still to be used and what was too rotted or broken too badly to be reused. It seemed the little lion had plans for the house.

@James

James trotted up to Ari's house, eyes staring off into the distance as he made his way towards it. He had a net around his neck, holding some various items, including branches full of leaves and a few gemstones. Nesting material.

He made his way into the house and yawned widely, muscles hurting after a long training session with a mentor. He walked right past Ari and dropped the net, getting to work surrounding the dormant gem with soft mosses and branches, taking away old patches of grasses that he'd laid down to keep the egg comfortable, not that it felt comfort or warmth just yet.

It was when he met eyes with Ari that he finally realized that he was back, and dropped the branch in his mouth to bound over to his best friend and crash into him, sputtering uselessly as he nuzzled into Ari's mane.

"Ari!! You're back- I was so worried, I thought you were hurt or worse-" he rambled, nudging Ari insistently to check him over for any injuries.

James stopped and looked up at Ari, blinking away tears, "... I was so scared."

Ever since the Town Hall and the terrifying chase with that... monster, James' had been a nervous wreck. Ari's trip had certainly tested his limits, breaking them a few times and reducing him to worried fretting as he paced around the egg, nearly in tears.

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle laughed as he felt his best friend barrel into him. Broad paws went around the equines neck as he nuzzled into the horses mane as well. I’m sorry I worried you, but it took a bit to find Aunty, I did some practicing while I was away as well. His legs slid from around the horse’s neck as James began looking him over for any injury. A soft chuckle left the young lion as he shivered at the tickle from the horse’s snuffling in his fur. I’m fine, I promise. The young lion assured his friend even if his unscathed body was not enough.

Again he hadn’t meant to make James cry. He just had needed a bit to work on some things of his own, and to find Aunty. She wasn’t an easy gorilla to find, despite having such vibrant tattoos. Gorillas are surprisingly hard to find in a jungle. Aristotle mused aloud to his friend with a smile. She should be here soon. Though he wasn’t sure what soon meant, she probably had to tell her wife that she was going with some strange young lion she had met. That was probably going to go over about as well as a bee trying to swim.

I’m sorry James, I didn’t mean to scare you. He stepped back turning in a circle to show he was all in one piece. But see, I’m alright. The young lion again tried to assure the colt that he was alright and he hoped that maybe him coming back would assure James that he wasn’t going to just up and leave. Besides, he had to come back. Abraxas was here. He couldn’t leave his precious behind, and he certainly couldn’t move it on his own. It had taken both him and James to bring it here from the tunnel cave.

On another note, I have something wonderful to show you! Also I brought you treats! The young lion trotted over to the deer pelt on the floor and picked up a mango in his mouth and carried it over to James setting it at his hooves. The skin may not be edible, but the flesh inside is really sweet and has this little sour twang to it. It’s reeeaaaally good. Aunty let me try one she had picked. I thought you’d like them. Also I brought these sweet smelling red things that I found and tried, they were really sweet and crunchy. It seemed that this little lion was somewhat of an omnivore as long as it didn’t pertain to grasses, however he seemed to have a penchant for the sweeter fruits. After you’ve eaten them, save me the seeds. I have something to show you with them. He said with a bright eager smile, it was clear the young lion was excited about something.

@James

James snuggled into Ari's embrace for the brief time that they embraced before pulling away, gently rubbing his tears away as he sniffed Ari gently as he spun.

"... You look good, Ari," he said, looking Ari up and down, "Your mane's growing in fuller and fuller by the day..."

They'd both grown. James was looking less thin, with a toned chest and a rump that was filling out as he grew taller and taller, his small face lengthening and his mane and tail growing by the day. His brown eyes blinked slowly as he licked Ari's face affectionately, happy to see them both growing larger and larger as the days flew past.

James perked up immediately at the mention of treats, zipping forward towards the fruit as they were dropped. He nibbled at an apple and took a bite, groaning happily in delight.

"So sweet!" he chirped happily, before moving onto the mango, teeth nipping at the skin to peel it off before chowing down on the soft flesh beneath.

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

For the brief moment that it was, the embrace between the two boys was affectionate and loving. The young lion letting out a soft purr of pleasure at having his best friend close again. He hadn’t realized just how much he had missed James until they were back together. Now he didn’t want to be apart again, he wanted to always be beside each other. Protecting and watching out for each other. Being apart was lonely, a feeling he did not like.

As the young lion sat back on his haunches he gazed up at the growing colt admiring him. His mane was growing in just like Aristotle’s was. His tail becoming full and elegant, his musculature filling out in all the right places. The young lion couldn’t help but wonder if he was growing up nicely. He wondered if he would be a proud and outstanding example of his species. But he wouldn’t know, he had never met another lion before. Apparently Aristotle hadn’t been the only one admiring his friend, James let fly with a compliment and a bright smile spread over the young lion’s muzzle. You’re looking pretty good yourself studmuffin. Aristotle let his own complement roll off his tongue though he threw a joke in with it. But it was true James was growing up to be a very handsome stallion.Your mane and tail are looking very lush these days, You’re gonna be a lady killer when you’re fully grown. The young lion mused his own thoughts and feelings aloud to his friend.

A bright grin spread over the young lion’s muzzle as he watched his friend happily consume the treats he had brought with him from Eridanus. Now he would just need the seeds to start James his own trees for whenever he wanted an apple or a mango. Do these make up for me being gone for so long? The young lion asked sweetly as he dropped the rest of the fruit at his best friend’s hooves. Aristotle sat back on his haunches as he watched his friend eat the treats happily, as he waited for the seeds within the fruit.

However, sitting there still and calm for a moment, he was letting his guards down and something began to tickle at the back of his neck. It was as if he was feeling someone else’s energy. Standing back up the young lion looked around puzzled for a moment looking for the source of this feeling as it was not coming from within. Then he stopped and looked closely at the gem-egg. It was coming from the gem! There was something inside. Slowly Aristotle moved to place both his front paws on the gem, his hindquarters resting on the ground. You are alive aren’t you? The young lion whispered quietly to the egg.

@James

James flushed embarrassingly red as he snorted in surprise. 'Studmuffin'. He was both flattered and seriously flustered as he quickly tilted his head back down to keep munching on the fruit.

"A-am not," he mumbled, tail swishing back and forth.

He munched away rather happily, distracted from his embarrassment for a moment while he gorged himself on the sweet treats. He raised his head to watch Ari mumble to himself as he walked over to the gem, ears perking up.

"... Not at all," he finally said, head lifting, "We havent hugged nearly enough for me to properly forgive you for leaving so long."

Not to mention to pass the time he'd basically invited a mentor to beat him up as a method of teaching... Though at least it was both of them getting bruised... Not ideal, but whatever.

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

A deeply amused chuckle left the young lion, as his best friend denied his compliment. No, really! You look really good! And I promise not in a… food sense… He wasn’t sure he needed to clarify that with James, but he felt the need to air that. After all, they both had very different diets. He was only supposed to eat meat, but thanks to Aunty he now liked certain fruit, and was open to trying others. However grass and vines and leaves. Those were off the table, they didn’t even smell remotely appetizing to him.

A soft sigh left the young lion as James spoke saying that no it didn’t make up for it. Then continued saying they needed more hugs. A soft amused chuckle left the young lion as he looked up at his best friend. I understand, more hugs and cuddles shall be given. He was okay with having to give hugs and cuddles to make up for having went missing for several days.

Aristotle sat on his haunches, both front paws resting on the side of the gem egg. You’re in there aren’t you Abraxas? The young lion mumbled again to the egg, this time confirming the words to himself. How had he felt that, it had felt like someone else’s energy was touching his own. Aristotle closed his eyes that matched the egg in color and wrapped his own energy around the gem-egg and pushed it inside feeling for what had just touched him.

There deep inside the egg, he could feel it. A hint of magic dwelled inside the egg. A bright grin spread over the young lion’s muzzle as he turned to face James. Abraxas really is alive! Aristotle breathed astonished as he looked from his friend to the egg his paws rested on.

@James

James finished off the fruit and put the peel and the seeds in a neat little pile before approaching Aristotle curiously. He placed his ear against the stone and seemed to listen, but didn't feel anything like Ari did. He huffed and sat down beside the lion, ignoring the comment about him not being food, before nuzzling into his mane gently.

"But we knew that already," James said softly, "Silly lion. But... at least when- or if- you give the stone life, it'll be guaranteed."

The colt yawned gently and shook his head out, quickly remembering that he was practically exhausted.

"... I learned a new spell," he said, "If I light up an object, it'll glow for as long as I live, without drawing on my magic."

James nudged over one of the gemstones he'd brought with him and focused on it, eyes narrowing as he tried to push magic into it to make it glow and shine. He watched it slowly fill with light, casting a soft haze upon the two, glowing, but not bright enough to light a room. James nudged it towards Ari and smiled gently.

"Keep it," he said, "It's not too bright, so you can wear it like a necklace, if you wish. As long as it stays lit, you'll know that I'm alive and okay."

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle watched James as he walked up to the gem-egg and put his ear against it listening. That… Wasn’t how he figured out the egg was alive. The young lion looked at his friend sitting beside him as he allowed his paws to slide off the egg, and rest between his hindpaws. He looked at his friend, he had never been quite sure about the egg, not sure if it was truly alive or not. But now he knew for certain, that there really was life within the egg.

I thought there Might be. I never knew for sure. Aristotle paused his gaze falling back on the egg. But I can feel something from inside the egg. I can feel an energy, it touched mine. It was so warm and curious. The young lion spoke brushing the tuft at the tip of his tail against the smooth side of the egg. I don’t know the first thing about giving life to a stone. Besides it’s not like you know a lot about that either. Aristotle mumbled the last part as he looked at the egg which seemed to hold him in wrapped attention.

Then James spoke of his new skill. He could make things light up. That’s really cool. Maybe we can use that to make glowing gems to decorate my main room once we get it cleaned out. The young lion mused curiously, he of course had plans to plant a set of trees in his main room. Though he intended for them to be small fruit bearing trees.

A light smile spread across his muzzle as James passed him the glowing stone. All he had to offer James was a snack. James was giving him something far more precious. Thank you James. Aristotle spoke his voice cracking as he was touched by the gesture, he picked it up and walked to the deer hide and placed it on his pelt. Then he moved to one of the apple seeds and picked it up gently in his mouth.

With a smile Aristotle gestured for James to follow him as he headed out to the back yard from one of the offshoot rooms that had a doorway leading outside. Walking forward to the center of the yard, the young lion dug a small hole and placed the seed inside. Then with a swipe of his paw he covered the seed with dirt. Taking a deep breath the young lion closed his eyes and focused. Reaching out with his energy the young lion found the seed within the dirt and probed it with magic. Gently he pulled the sprout to the surface, then suddenly with a wave of energy washing over it, the sprout grew to the full size of a tree, its branches covered in vibrant green healthy leaves, and those accompanied by small pink blossoms spotting the tree.

Panting softly and with a vibrant grin, the young lion turned to the colt a brilliant grin spread over his muzzle. What do you think? The young lion was clearly seeking his best friend's approval.

@James

James stuck his tongue out at Ari and blew a raspberry, "I know more than you, dingus! It's between two people or a person and a gem.
One person cleaves off part of their stone, and the other offers a bit of life to put into it. Or in this case, you offer this gem life, and allow it to be a creature."

Thanks Gaul!

He then stood up and shook himself out as Ari put the glowing bauble away, and followed him out into the backyard curiously.

James' mouth dropped in awe as the tree grew above them, shade being provided where there once had been none. He laughed breathlessly and stood on his hind legs to nip a leaf from a branch, munching on it gently.

"... Wow," he said after a moment, "Ari, that's... wonderful! You made a tree- or well, grew one!"

James laughed joyously and galloped around, unable to take his eyes off of it, before bumping into Ari, quickly apologizing. He hugged his friend in childish glee, licking his cheek messily before cantering off, so excited that he could sing.

"You're amazing!" James said, brown eyes sparkling as he faced Ari, "When did you learn to do this?"

James couldn't take his eyes off of the magnificent plant that had appeared before his very eyes, so proud of his best friend that he was getting all emotional.

@Aristotle