Nostalgia [open]

[Jason]

The heat of the rock in the land would make most creatures experience heat stroke if their exposure was too great. Gray stone and soot went as far as the eye could see, occasional interrupted with pits of magma. The scent of brimstone pervaded the air. However, another foul odor was joining it, the scent of burnt hair. It came from the lip of a petite volcano that skirted the edge of the territory once claimed by Meurtrier. Two great, black monsters sat on the edge, clearly relaxed. They resembled felines, but their build was heavy, horns protruding from their skulls and large, ebony wings sprouting from their shoulder blades. Each had hints of a deep, dark red on its underside and wings. About them lay the corpses of large felines, lions, tigers, and other exotics. There were at least a dozen. Bones littered the rock, most cracked with the marrow sucked from them. It was a grisly scene. The only differences between the two were their scars, which umbers in the hundreds, and that one had some platinum streaks in the mane that stood along his spine. Both had long, well maintained fur, with claws that peeked from the paws and thick fangs that reached to their chins.
        The one without platinum streaks grabbed one of the bodies and placed it on a small shelf of rock over the lava. He removed one that had been sitting there for quite a while and placed it between them. The lion body was small compared to the twin monsters and looked quite roasted. Then the creature with the pale streaked mane spoke, “Honestly, Jasper. I do not question your abilities or the effectiveness of the idea which you propose. I wonder instead if there would be a better way to employ your theory.”
        “You are getting to far ahead. Neo, I’m simply planning extraction methods at this time. I don’t yet have a steady supply of coca leaves. Thus we need to plant some in the Veldt. I will worry about what we use them for when I have the means to apply the chemicals.” The corpse was delicately eaten by the pair, no flesh left, organs and muscle gone. The bone marrow was savored, though some of the larger bones were left untouched and set aside for later.
        The brothers had come to this land for a relaxing meal in a land that brought back countless fond memories. For two creatures of such great age, nostalgia was something to be sought out. There was no need to rush about when one did not need to worry for their life, knowing that they would never grow old and would be reborn if injured fatally. The life these two lived was quite uncommon.
        “Very well. Shall I go about attempting to acquire materials for which you need to make your tools, dear brother?” A slightly amused expression appeared on Neo’s usually bored features.
        “That would be splendid. I would wager that there are some exciting minerals in this place, too.”

[LAD]

Shinku Crimson


Blackened by the ash and soot of the lands, bright white eyes glimmered - the only bright thing on this beast as he glided across the lands. Familiar scents trickled here, old Meurtrier scent - and new so it seemed The errant thought of was Meurtrier returning here crossed his mind - but he doubted it. Meurtrier hadn't been here for so long... He could honestly say he missed one face in particular. Two scents he knew very well from his time as a kid also crossed his nose, and with a spread of his wings, he took to the skies.

There. Among the ashes were two very large creatures, sitting near the lava of one of the mini-volcanos, with what seemed to be a feast surrounding them. Shinku circled the area, keeping low to the rocks, and then landed some feet away behind the two creatures. He paused only momentarily - should he call Jasper his father after so long?

He didn't see any reason as to why not. Besides, Jasper was deserving of that title regardless. Just as he would call his mother such after so long. The ending tidbits of their conversation flitted into his mind, and his ears flicked forward, head tilting to one side curiously. "Father, Uncle Neo," he called out lightly to them, then took a small fitting glance around up close, "Quite the feast you have going on.... What would tools exactly would you need for something as such?" Curiosity peaked, he wouldn't let it go.

Shinku folded his wings neatly against his body after giving them a light stretch, and merely waited now.