-Skeletons in the Desert-

[Mama Z]

The earth beneath them was as dry as old bone. Easily it cracked on its own from the mere pressure of air upon it and flaked away like parchment floating away from the grasp of a lovers hand. The moon was overhead, it was doing its best to cool the raging heated world, but it didn't matter. Heat was still evident all around them. And to think, this land held so much promise in the beginning, but some how managed to get on the wrong side of the mountains. Few creatures would ever roam here, and those who did often became like the ground around them: dead without a drop of moisture to spare.

This was all how he liked it. Claws dug into the dirt with ease. Underneath the endless layers of sand and compacted mud, they rested there. The bones of the dead screaming out to be released. To once again roam the world along with the living, even if they had to follow his orders to get what they wanted. It was a beautiful chorus of energy and an addicting one at that. Now, though, was no time to dwell on their hunger but his own.

Limply he began to once again walk from the spot, leaving only 8 holes in the ground. His mouth hung up, breath coming in short pants to keep his overly thin body from over heating. His fur was thin, it actually appeared there was no fur only skin. Over the areas that rested bone, was the color of a yellowed white, the other areas where muscle and tissue would lay was only black, giving him the the appearence of a skeleton costume. His eyes were sunk in, appearing as if they were merely black holes in a skull. Ears had long since disappeared, now only stubs rested there, completing his outfit.

Blackened tongue lolled out gently, it too was dry and it appeared as if it hadn't tasted a drop of fresh water in years. He was on the brink of dying, having spent too long in this unbarable heat, too long away from contact from any wolf where he was starting to lose his mind. Zerxes came to a slow hault and eyes squittened. In the distance he could make out the distinct shape of others trapped in this hellish wasteland. A mirage? He hoped not, almost tripping over his paws, Zerxes made his way over to them, wanting contact.

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[Felypsa]

It was perhaps one of the few oases in the entire expansive desert. It was a very small body of water, a slight depression in the endless sand, which collected whatever rainwater fell. There were a couple of well-placed trees that kept just enough shade to prevent all that water from immediately evaporating. But it took a great amount of luck to create such a place in this eternal desolate area.

There was a wolf standing in this oasis, one which Zerxes had luckily spotted. This wolf did not seem to be suffering despite the sweltering heat and his own polished fur coat. It was grey-white in color, inconspicuous, unremarkable. But his wings!…so enormous, so powerful, lined with lean muscles that could be discerned despite their thick feathery covering. The wolf could hide beneath this wings and be passed off as nothing more than a large pile of feathers.

But he did not; he never did; he never hid from the harsh world in which he was forever wandering. He was called Der Heilige by those who had once been blessed by him and were forever grateful to him. But this might have revealed too much, so in normal society, he went by the simple “Heil.” He was unremarkable, as stated before, but for his huge wings and his eyes, which almost no one could meet, they were such a piercing, soul-penetrating blue. Bluer than the truest blue you could find on this planet.

Because Zerxes had caught sight of him, he would no doubt be led to this blessed oasis. Heil knew he was coming, he could see him and his desperation, but he did not move from the shady area by the side of the water. Who would want to brave the harsh light of the sun again? Instead, Heil watched silently as the strange skeleton-wolf made his way towards him. He did not seem to care that Zerxes had such an intimidating or bizarre appearance. He simply watched, as silent and steady as a stone gargoyle.

He did, however, take a few sips of water, as if to prove its purity and goodness, indicating to Zerxes to help himself as well.

[Mama Z]

'Life, beautiful, full life....' these simple words were making a small song in his head, one he kept repeating over and over, driving him onward. He was panting hard by the time he reached the lucious oasis. Any breath, any moment now, he would surely keel over from the strength of the sun, from the power of the desert itself. Paws left the dead earth to touch down on seemingly softer, more lush dirit. He eyed the water briefly, as if making sure it exsisted. Watched in a hypontized matter as the other drank and it rippled melodicly.

But he made no move for it.

Derranged eyes looked at the other, letting only his breathing break the serinity of the moment. What brought this creature with large wings out into this hellhole. He looked back at the water then moved for the shade of the palm tree and plopped directly in the center of it. He would have to mvoe as the sun made its rounds, but for now this would due. Oh what to say! What does one say when the only voice you have heard for the past few weeks was your own?

Head lifted to observe the clear sky, stubs for ears would round slightly, indicating hew as pulling them back if he had them. A dry smile suddenly lifted his lips, revealing a second row of yellowed teeth beneath the outside indication. "Nice weather we are having." His voice was hoarse, awful even to those who could tollerate it. A dying wolfs words, wanting to forget the idea that death was surely coming for them.

Others would have gone mad from being alone so long, from the thought of dying. Not Zerxes. He was stronger then what he appeared, having been second in command to a powerful pack. He was calculatinng, observent. He couldn't go mad...

...he already was.

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[Felypsa]

The handsome young wolf watched the other with his penetrating blue eyes, his head tilted slightly, waiting. When Zerxes did not make a move to drink, the wolf let out a small sigh, as if to say, It’s never too late, though it always seems like it. When Zerxes spoke awkwardly, his voice harsh and grating on the intact wolf’s ears, Der Heilige merely smiled. It was a strange smile, an uplifting smile, as if it truly were nice weather they were having.

“Only in the eye of the beholder,” said Heil. His voice was deep, charming baritone, sweet as cold, pure water. It was as quenching to the thirsty ear as water is to a thirsty throat. “I find this oasis charming. A refuge from the heat. There is always one in life.”

He looked closely at Zerxes, as if trying to determine if he was seriously dying or just on the exhausted. “There is always an oasis in life,” he repeated. “I always try to take advantage of it whenever I come across one. I suggest you do the same. It can make a world of difference.” He took another sip of water.

[Mama Z]

He gave a dry, cracked laugh as he watched the water once again ripple. It wasnt the oasis that caught Zerxes attention, it was who came to it. They were always looking for something and when theyf finally found it, how they utalized it was an amazing feature all in its own. Some die of happiness, others die from lack of willpower to believe it, and others just pass by thinking it another marage. 'I'll take advantage of it later.' He commented then shifted into a more cozy position.

'What brings you into this place?' He asked still eyeing the water with little amusement.

[Felypsa]

Heil simply gave a careless shrug, acknowledging to each one’s own. He suspected he was very different from this Zerxes; they were perhaps as different as they were similar. Heil had met a lot of people in his unnaturally long lifetime, and a few were like this creature, but not exactly like him. But such was the way with just about everybody; uniqueness was not a joke, but a subtle truth, unrealized until you have seen enough snowflakes to determine it. Heil did not bother trying to analyze Zerxes; that would only be a waste of time. A person could spend ten lifetimes trying to analyze one as complex as Zerxes, and still manage to understand a small part of him.

“What brings me here?” Heil echoed. It was a question he had been asked many a time, one he always answered the same. “Everyone and everything. You. Me. This oasis. This heat. This desert. This world.” He gave that careless shrug again. “Does it matter how or why I got here? I am here.” His tail absently swished through the water slowly, causing delicate ripples in the pond.

“I have said enough.” He nodded once, an invitation to Zerxes to take up the role of the conversationalist. Whether he did or not, Heil would not move save for his tail, slowly swishing through the water. He was not a creature of many words, and he had said plenty already.

[Mama Z]

'One has only said too much when there is nothing else to say.' The tone that came out was lazy, but it was still hoarse. He shifted in his spot, getting more comfortable against the shade and comfort the oasis provided. A dry chuckle came out and his tail flickered harshly. 'Im here because this is where I belong.' He continued without missing a beat, 'I decided long ago that a pack life was only a good thing once in a while.'

Indeed, he came from the pack of the Hellions and was second in command. That is, until the bastard of a leader fell in love with a worthless bitch. His tail flicked again, this time a bit harder then before, almost like swatting a fly. Little goodie two shoes ruined everything, had to second guess everything. And worse then that, he had to follow orders from the Alpha female. He stared off into the distance, remembering everything all too well. Oh he was still part of the back, but if his mighty leader needed him, he would call. The bones in the ground where his pack mainly now, they talked to him, followed him, begged him for mercy. Even this wolfs bones were calling out. Soon, they would be part of the Earth and under his control just like the rest of the dead things in the world.

[Felypsa]

As Zerxes spoke, Heil’s tail slowly moved through the water, sending ripples all the way through the lake. The waters stirred and trembled, reflecting the sharp blue sky and the blazing white sun and the darkness of the shade. When the other wolf finished, Heil nodded slowly, seriously. His eyes were like the water, reflecting Zerxes’ expression, almost empathizing, feeling what he was feeling…Heil listened and understood.

“The feeling of belonging,” the grey wolf with the enormous wings remarked, “is ephemeral, like so much in this world.” He glanced at the sky, then at the water. “This oasis. Life. Even death. Eternity is only a myth.” He did not expect to be believed. No one truly believed the things he said. They question him, they mock him, they prove themselves superior to him. Never do they believe him. Never do they listen.

The role of the listener is to listen, but rarely is a listener listened to. Der Heilige understood this better than anyone. He spoke little because of it. When he did speak, he kept things concise and precise. Succinct. “Ephemerality is to be endured. Or enjoyed. Eternity is to be looked towards. But never realized.” Heil drank some more water, commenting, “It is good here.” The statement was ambiguous; what was he referring to? The water? The oasis? The world? His precious ephemerality? Heil was not one to clarify or specify; he was one to speak on occasion, but mostly listen.

[Mama Z]

(I so forgot about this thread o.0)

Bony tail pumped down once more before stilling. Dead gaze was set directly on the creature which stood so short a distance from himself. This one was hard to read, and even harder to understand if one did not listen carefully. So little words, yet so heavy in meaning. Then all of the philosphical he was ended with a simple "It is good here." Indeed it was god, but smelling blood in the air would only make it sweeter.

Claws seemed to preen the ground slightly, once again hearing the bones howl and wail. 'It is.' He said shortly looking around the dead wasteland. 'IT could be better though, always could be better.'

[Felypsa]

oOc| haha that's alright...i'm running out of cryptic things to say ^^;

“I hope you find what you are looking for,” Heil said suddenly, looking at Zerxes. “To arrive is better than to travel indefinitely.” He knew that people so often sought a better life, unwilling to be content with their current circumstances. Those people would never be happy, for once they found one thing, they would want another…they are always looking for things they cannot have, and thus are forever restless. He would not wish such restlessness on anybody.

It was not clear whether Heil realized he was being mysterious. Really, he spoke only the thoughts that ran through his head. He was simply observant and thoughtful. And he could tell that Zerxes was seeking something. It showed in his remark that it could always be better. Maybe it could, but Heil was perfectly satisfied when something was just good, as it was here. “Satisfaction is ephemeral too,” he muttered, more to himself than to Zerxes. “Dissatisfaction is always on its heels.”