by Mojave » 10/22/2011 2:12 AM
It was sunset when the young kuhna awoke to pain, hunger, and thirst. At first, he didn't remember the afternoon's events, but all too soon it rushed back into his head. Confused, he examined his surroundings, but couldn't find the mutilated lizard or the mess he had made after watching that gory show.
Good evening. Behind Kemnebi, the old khimera lounged on his side, tails curled peacefully before him. To their left, the fire Ialu had built was fading from green, blue, and teal to yellow, orange, and red. Intrigued, he returned his gaze to the stranger.
Who are you? What's wrong with the fire? Wha... whe... He sighed as he stopped the confused questions he desperately wanted to ask- what was that with the hair and the lizard? where are they?
I shall answer any question I am able to, but first you must relax, eat, and hydrate. He inclined his head to Kemnebi's right before taking to his feet and disappearing into the darkness as if to remove the temptation to converse.
Left alone in the warmth of the fire, Kemnebi looked to his right and saw fresh meat, some fruit, and a bowl of water. Now that he saw the nourishment before him, he realized just how hungry and thirsty he was. However, he forgot his upbringing in the desert and swallowed the water first in one gulp. As soon as the cold liquid hit his stomach, he slipped into the darkness to expel the water he desperately needed.
Ashamed, he watched the water absorb into the sand before him. However, before it could sink past his summoning capabilities, he called the water back to the bowl. By letting it sink deep enough into the sand, the course grains filtered the impurities out of the liquid, leaving it as pure as it was when he first drank it. Returning to to his place before the fire, he finished his meal without further incident.
As he finished the last sip of water, the khimera returned and placed himself as before beside the fire. Are you sufficiently refreshed?
Yes, thank you. I am in your debt, though I have no money or possessions to repay you with. It was pointless to offer water, he was obviously able to obtain it. Once again, he felt the pang of the loss of his home, for though it was unintentional, he was reminded of how untalented he truly was.
I fail to see how you owe me anything. It's the least I could do after the trouble I caused you. Though his facial features remained unchanging, his voice was gravelly with grief and shame. As he sighed, however, his face altered to match his tone. I apologize for what you saw earlier, a stranger was never supposed to be dragged into this dilemma.
What I saw... so you know what... what that was about?
Indeed, though I wish I didn't. To answer your questions, I will have to tell you a bit of a long story. If you have questions after that, I will answer them as best I can.
Sounds fair.
You had best relax... The khimera's tails paused in their lazy movements as Ialu realized he didn't know the other male's name. What is your name, by the way?
Kemnebi. Yours?
I have no real name, but you may call me Ialu, if you must call me something.
Kemnebi refrained from responding, the more this khimera talked, the stranger he sounded... like he was from a time so old it was beyond archaic.
Well then, Kemnebi, I suggest you make yourself comfortable. To begin, I suppose I shall have to start with the sire and dam of my experiment. I suspect Zein's corruption began there.