Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle let out a humph sound at James as he stuck his tongue out. Then he explained how it worked to reproduce. He gave a shrug out of curiosity wondering why they had genitals to define gender if they were all born from one creature severing part of them to give life to a new stone. The young lion waved his tail over the ground in thought. They were defined by what was between their legs, at least that was how gender was defined. The young lion couldn’t help but wonder why that was. If they reproduced by spawning another gem, then what was the use of having an internal reproductive system? Sitting there thinking the young lion tilted his head in thought as he gazed at the gem-egg.

So he would have to give it life in order for the energy inside to take form. But what would that mean? How did one give life to a gem? Finally looking back at James Aristotle opened his mouth and spoke. If that’s how it works, then what are these… The young lion sat up straight and pointed to his groin. For? If he was so smart then he should know that too. Not that he knew either way, but he had learned about the animals he had eaten and many of them had reproductive systems that were either external or internal and were defined by their looks and what dangled down below as it were.

A bright smile spread over the young lion’s muzzle at his best friend’s reaction to him growing a tree. Aristotle couldn’t help but puff up a bit with pride. Of course, he was proud of himself, but seeing James in awe of something he could. It just made him happier than he could put words to. Aristotle grinned up at his friend who seemed at a bit of a loss for word for a moment. Yeah, pretty cool huh? It started back when I made those sprouts when you introduced me to Titanite. I started practicing after that. The young lion wasn’t trying to boast even if it would seem that way to some, he was just proud of what he could do. Though he nervously rubbed his left foreleg with his right paw bashfully. He didn’t think he was that good, but it would make researching plants far easier.

Plodding back over to James the young lion nudged his best friend. But it’s nothing compared to the AMOUNT of skills you have. I can just feel things and, well, grow plants. He was proud of what he could do, but it was honestly nothing compared to what James was capable of. With a smile Aristotle walked back into the back doorway and into the main room. He sighed looking at the debris pile. It was getting smaller but they still needed to work on it. Hey James, you think some of these long posts and boards could be used to reinforce the things leading up to the top? I wanna be able to use the top and things leading up to grow plants. Aristotle was already growing a love for plants and the world around him.


@James

James immediately looked away from Ari, squeaking in embarrassment, "ARI!! You don't- You don't just blatantly show someone your- you know!! It's gross!!"

He turned around completely, flushing so hard he was actually concerned about bursting a blood vessel. He shook his head and swallowed, "I don't know why we have... you know. Besides, I don't really look at people's privates, or judge gender on looks, anyway. But um... maybe some creatures don't have 'parts' like we do. Like the dragons or... other creatures. So magic is used to spawn instead. I-it's just a theory, anyway."

James scrunched his eyes shut as he turned around to plod past Ari, shaking his head as he went. What a friend he had...

"Don't compare your skills to mine, Ari.
For they're nothing alike, therefore they can't be compared. You grow plants- life! The very things that allow us to live. I eat plants and your food eats plants, giving us both energy to survive. I can do useful thinks like move objects and defend, but I can't grow a plant by myself. I can only nurture what's already grown,
James said wisely, before finally opening his eyes to enter the house once again, "And to answer your question... possibly.
We'll have to see how strong the up-floor is. If it can hold weight. Mine caved in, but the steps are difficult for me to get up anyway, so I just use them to put stuff on."

James looked around and started to shove things out of the house again, until it was mostly bare, and then dragged in one of the boards. He stared at it and strained, trying to lift it up to create more of a ramp to the upper floor.

The boards floated up to lean on the upper floor, held in place on the other side as it met the wall. He pressed on it a few times and looked at Ari, "Go test it."

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

A bright raucous laugh left the young lion as his best friend looked away in embarrassment. Aristotle didn’t see what the big deal was, they were both males genetically. Not to mention they were as close as brothers. But, I mean… It’s already out there, and we’re both guys. Besides that doesn’t answer my question. What do they do for us? He really wanted to know the answer. If they weren’t for reproduction then what the hell were they bloody for?

SO he didn’t know either. Well that would be one more thing for him to have to find out. Maybe someone else he came upon eventually could answer his question. Then he mentioned a creature that didn’t have genitals. I’m sure they have them like birds, and they’re on the inside protected by the body. Besides what's a dragon? Another creature for Aristotle to investigate in the future. If it’s just a theory then you don’t really actually know. Aristotle stated matter of factly, he wasn’t trying to be rude even if he came off that way, just looking at things from a more scientific standpoint.

Then James walked past him talking about not comparing himself. He couldn’t help it, he could only do one thing, and that was just grow plants. He knew that a lot of things ate the stuff he grew, but that didn’t mean he liked being a one trick cat. Yeah, I know James. But that doesn’t mean I like being a single trick lion. You can do so many things. It’d be nice to be able to just do more than what I can. The young lion slumped down a bit as he sat there.

Aristotle watched James move the boards and he helped using his physical strength to push and pull debris out of the house. When James called for him he turned around smacking his nose on the door frame. He stopped for a moment rubbing his now sore schnoz. The young lion inhaled letting out an exasperated sigh before heading inside to see what James needed. He told him to test the board and he nodded. He was getting pretty heavy and filling out muscle wise so if it could hold him now it should do fine.

Boldly Aristotle stepped up and onto the board with all four paws, testing the strength of the board. It seemed there was still some strength left in the boards and structure as he made his way up to the top landing and stood there. There was just enough of a ring of the upper floor left to created planters as he wanted. Scanning for a moment the young lion realized it was going to be an undertaking to move dirt up here. However he was determined to make this home his. Seems sturdy enough, it didn't bend or crack under me so it should be good. with that the young lion made his way back down the ramp.

@James

James flushed deeper as he shook his head, "Yes, well... I rather like guys. They're um... pleasing to look at. And I feel weird looking at you in that way-"

He coughed and trotted off again to move another rock out, the room almost clear, "Well, I know a lizard named Dragon- but dragon themselves are giant, winged lizards. With mouths full of teeth, bellies full of fire or ice or other elements. They breathe it out like air, and they have long, sharp claws. Easily bigger than both of us, even multiple of us stacked on top of each other."

He turned to look at Ari and huffed in amusement, "What, you think I came out of the egg like this? No... I could only barely light a small flame. A wisp, it's called. I learned over time that I could learn new abilities with guidance from my teacher. He knows many of the spells I can learn or have learned. But... I can introduce you to Eythan.
Casting spells isn't all there is, and you should learn how to use your claws to defend against enemies.
We've been lucky, so far. But he can teach you to fight. He's teaching me."

James watched Ari walk the ring of floor left behind, nodding gently at his work. Good. He wouldn't fall.

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle couldn’t help the broad grin that took its place on his muzzle. So James liked other boys? That was just like Aunty having a wife and being a girl. The young lion perked up straight smiling. You’re aunty’s exact opposite then! She likes girls, you like boys. The young lion seemed a little over enthused at the fact that his best friend liked boys. Even if he didn’t see him that way, he was fine with that. He liked just being friends with James, he didn’t think he could honestly see him any way other than that.

Aristotle stared off for a second, imagining the huge beats that James was describing. He wasn’t sure his imagination was going to do them justice. I’d love to meet one and ask how they breathe their element. I would love to ask them so many things about themselves. Do you think they’d talk to me? The young lion mused aloud then asked his friend. He would love to meet such a creature, he had met a giant creature known as a mantis before. He was green and great big and tall, and he had such sharp blades for hands. He had been called Morpho. He had met him here in Orion before he left for Eridanus to find Aunty.

Then James spoke of introducing him to someone else. The young lion tilted his head. He could defend himself just fine. He was a very successful hunter and taking down deer was no easy task. They had sharp hooves and powerful legs, and the bucks had sharp antlers they could gore you with. He had already been learning how to fight on his own as it was. He didn’t really need to be taught by anyone else. It was just instinct to know these things. James, I already know how to fight. I take down prey as big or bigger than myself. They have sharp hooves and antlers they stab you with. It’s not easy hunting. I learned how to defend myself by fighting Pitch rats. The young lion had done what he had to do. He didn’t have the other connections that James had, but he had still learned on his own.

The young lion made his way up to the upper floor of the building once more. Then he stepped out onto the remnants of the upper floor. He was judging just how much energy he would need to grow the trees as big as he wanted them and was judging the height of the trees. He walked half way back down the stairs and leaped the rest of the way and walked the lower floor judging where he would need to plant the trees to keep them from damaging the upper floor when he grew them.

Standing in the center of the room he moved everything remaining in the center of the room away and began moving stones to make a large ring, he jumped over them to stand in the center and look up. It was perfect. Here he dug a medium sized shallow hole. With that done he walked into his sleep room and grabbed the mango seeds and apple seeds, and came back to the hole he had dug in the center of the ring. Leaning down he placed both kinds of seeds together in the hole and covered them up with dirt.

The young lion took a seat, stretching out a single paw to hover close to the mound of dirt. The young lion felt with two tendrils of magic and wrapped them around the seeds attempting to coax two, one of an apple tree, and the other a mango tree from the ground.

It didn’t take long for him to feel that familiar tingle and rush as the two trees sprouted and burst forth to their flowering stages. Their upper branches just barely brushed the ceiling of the upper floor. The sweet scent of the mango and apple blooms drifted down into the room. Aristotle looked to James and smiled brightly. Think we could find some pretty stones and gems to hang from their branches? The young lion asked his best friend, wondering if he would help him decorate his main room.

@James

James raised a dainty brow and snorted, "Have you ever fought another Gembound like us? What about something smart?
Something that can think fast and react faster."

He shook his head and sighed, "There's a difference between hunting and fighting. I don't know how to hunt, but I know how to fight. Even I could learn more about myself. I'm a good spellcaster, but I'm not a great one. I can always learn. You know as well as I do that I couldn't have helped you out just moving these rocks a few weeks ago."

There was always room to learn.

James just had to convince Ari that learning from others wasn't a bad thing. It would take time if he could do it at all.

He continued to move stuff out until he was sweaty and tired, but everything was gone. Finally. He came back to see the trees sprout from the ground and looked on in appreciation. James stood there for a few moments, a sad look in his eyes before he nodded slowly at what Ari said.

"I can turn some stones into lights," James said, "And I have a few gems to spare."

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle huffed giving a flick of his tail. I don’t need to. I don’t intend to HAVE to fight. I intend on learning about the world around me. Not fight it. If it came down to it, he could always run away and not have to fight. He knew better than to approach groups, and if it came to one on one he was pretty sure he could use his brute strength or speed to deal with whatever he needed. Besides he would cross that bridge when it needed crossing. Fight all you want but I intend to heal the world around me, not hurt it. He had decided a few days ago that he wanted to use what he was learning to heal those around him who needed it.

I. DOn’t. Want. To. Fight. Aristotle emphasized each word as he spoke. He hadn’t been clear apparently. He didn’t want to fight. He just didn’t, he might be strong but he didn’t want to fight unless he absolutely had to. Unless it was a dire situation. He strode past James as he worked on moving debris and timbers. He was putting everything in neat piles of what was usable and what was trash to be turned into mulch or something else. That was that, he wasn’t going to fight unless he was backed into a corner, and the same went for learning to fight. Nothing had given him reason to be fearful of his world and he certainly wouldn’t start without reason.

A heavy sigh escaped the young lion as he stepped back from his new house trees. Heh House tree. He snickered to himself. Then looked around thinking. I think some vines growing on the trees lower branches, and running to the upper floor would look nice with glowing gems, if you think we could find enough. We can work on it over time there's really no rush. Aristotle mused softly then looked to the stairs and how under them was bare. The young lion hummed in thought as he looked at it. Perhaps he could make some glowing dye or paint of sorts to have Aunty decorate under there.

Sitting down under his new living room tree, he stared up at the canopy in thought. He wondered if maybe Aunty wouldn’t mind living with him until her wife woke up. He wondered if Aunty ever got lonely. Slowly the young lion seemed to get lost in his own thoughts as his tail waved back and forth across the dirt in thought. Aristotle’s left ear twitched as it caught James speaking. Huh? Oh.. What? He thought for a moment trying to remember what James had said. Oh, yeah I think that would be really nice. A few large stones made into lights, the smaller ones just there to reflect the light of the larger ones. I only want to do it in the main room though. He hoped it wouldn’t be too much work for them. He could go back to Eridanus to collect some vine sprouts and even some herb and berry seeds for his new garden. He would start one not only inside but also out. If by the end of it this wasn’t the greenest house in Orion then he needed to try harder.

@James

James huffed right back and pinned his ears, tempted to fling a kick at the other, but refrained. Friends didn't kick each other unless they well and truly deserved it. He just desperately hoped the other would never meet a creature like Alpha.

James trotted out past Ari with his head down, ears still pinned and his mood soured as he made his way to his house. He filled a net full of some stones about the size of fists before going back to the house and dumping them all out. He made himself comfortable and got to work, trying to light each stone up carefully. There were about 12 in total to do.

The first few lit up with a bit of straining, the new spell still something he needed to practice. He set each stone aside as he lit them up, tiring more and more with each one lit.

He paused to glance at Ari as he came in, blinking slowly as the other spoke. He said nothing in reply, focusing on his task, while also losing himself in his thoughts.

@Aristotle

Ari

Hope is but a waking dream

Aristotle stared at his friend tempted to take a swipe at James with his. Just show him how powerful he was when he needed to be. Instead a deep low unheard growl rumbled in his chest in frustration. He couldn’t help it; he didn’t want someone to teach him. He felt better learning on his own. He had learned to hunt and use his energy on his own, what was the reason he couldn’t teach himself to fight?

The young lion watched James walk out in a tizzy. Aristotle just sat there, the deep growl rumbling in his chest still. He was frustrated at his friend and didn’t exactly know how to deal with it. Instead he paced the room for a moment and went and sat in his bedroom for a time with Abraxas. He sat there staring at her for a while, he had recently decided that Abraxas was a girl even though he honestly didn’t know if it was a girl or boy. But the energy he felt, it felt like a girl to him.

The young lion wandered out just as James left and came back with an assortment of stones. They were very pretty and he couldn’t help but admire them. The young lion sighed and watched James work. James… I just don’t learn well from others. I prefer learning on my own. He spoke softly his voice gentle. He didn’t want to argue with his friend. He had just gotten back and didn’t want to fight with James. He just didn’t learn well when others tried to teach him.

@James

"... You haven't seen what I've seen," he said, his spells pausing in their tracks as his breath hitched, "It was... bigger than me. And you. With teeth and a breath that stank like meat. Acid eyes and sharp claws... six of them. And spiny quills on it's neck and back. All I could do was run."

James' voice grew bitter and his ears pinned, brown eyes growing hard, "... S-so I told myself that I would learn to fight. And I wouldn't have to be afraid. But... how am I supposed to fight against that? I'm small. And weak. And afraid."

Frustration welled up and he stood up, so mad and upset that he was about to burst into tears, "B-but you're small. And gallant, with teeth and claws and a mane of fur instead of quills. But you're not afraid and I-I don't why why!"

James didn't get it. He didn't get why he started to shake at the very thought of that monster. Why he started to shake when he got too overwhelmed- why he was scared of everything. Why couldn't have he have been born with teeth and claws? Tears welled up and he suddenly let out a squeal and reared, smashing his front hooves down as he practically threw a tantrum, head down and rump flung up as he kicked out and smashed his feet into the wall, the action jarring his bones and snapping him out of it.

He realized he was crying and shaking harder than he ever had before, ears pinned and legs threatening to give out on him.

"... I hate this, I hate-" he snapped his jaws shut and lowered his head, sniffling softly, "... Why can't I be you? W-why am I so pathetic, and small?"

He didn't want Ari to be able to protect himself... he wanted Ari to protect James. The thought was so selfish that it made James physically hurt to realize, and he started to stop, horrified at his thinking.

@Aristotle