Wild Hollywood (closed)

[Asa]

Goat, fruit, wild vegetables, and bread.

Slipping her hand into his offered arm as they walked the animals all wandering off their own way except for what appeared to be a very old male lion resting under the tree as well.

 

[WatchingCloud]

"Can't say I've ever had goat before, but I'm pretty adventurous."

When Carl finally noticed the lion lounging under the tree, he hesitated in his stride just enough to stumble a bit.

"Uh, escort? I don't think we really need one..." He tried to joke, but the hint of nerves came through.

 

[Asa]

Bannok is older than Dominic. He seldom leaves the shade of the tree.

She motioned Carl over and sat down by the grand ancient lion who simply slowly rolled to his side with his head on her lap and went right back to sleep.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl watched in amazement.

"Do you have any idea how unusual your comfort with animals, particularly of the large and predatory variety, is?"

He sat beside Alexis and marveled at the up close view of the lion. It was no less impressive than it was from a distance.

"I mean that in the most respectful manner, mind..."

 

[Asa]

It has always been normal and natural to me.

She looked over at him.

You can pet him.

 

[WatchingCloud]

His trust in Alexis was almost absolute, otherwise this wouldn't have been possible. He reached out and placed his hand on the lion's neck, his fingers curling into the mane. The strength and heat of the animal was palpable, and yet it was just another creature of Earth with needs and drives.

"Thank you for sharing this with me."

 

[Asa]

We don't know how much longer he has he was nearly an adult when I was a little girl.

She smiled as the lion shifted it's head to look at Carl.

See old friend...

She leaned down talking to the lion as she scratched him behind the ear.

Everything is going to be okay.

 

[WatchingCloud]

When she explained how she'd known the lion since she was quite young, it really began to hit home just how much these animals really were family to be. He'd seen it in her interactions with Zia and Tomo, but now the birth of the cubs and this.

He just continued to scratch the lion's neck and wrapped his other arm around Alexis.

 

[Asa]

She curled against Carl as she looked to the lion with a sadness as she pet him.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl couldn't help but feel a little Lion King vibe about today...not just because of the, well, lions, but the circle of life. Birth, death, life. He decided to keep it to himself, though.

"What brought Bannok here?"

 

[Asa]

Kahena said he was a young male running from hunters. He crossed the boundary of the village and found a hiding place by me. Here under the tree. She said at first she was scared for me as he kept circling and snorting but it was as though I either didn't see him or didn't see a threat so I kept playing and eating the fruit plate she had made for me. Soon he laid down by me and the next thing she knew I was curled up against his side sound asleep.

She sighed rubbing his mane and as if sensing she was sad the lion lifted his head and nudged her with a snort like he had done so very long ago.

He would come and go always seeming to look for me then when I expanded the land and made it a reserve he seemed to stay close around till he was so old he stayed near the tree and we would feed him and watch over him.

 

[WatchingCloud]

"It's tough watching family get old," Carl said, his voice clearly conveying the weight of personal experience. "He's lucky to have found you."

 

[Asa]

She nods.

Yes it is but we should really go ahead and eat.

She vent slid his head off her lap and moved to stand up.

 

[WatchingCloud]

While Alexis got out from under the lion's head, Carl hopped up so he could offer her his hand. Never could get past the Midwestern farm boy manners with which he'd been raised.

He let her sit at the table first and then took a seat across from her, surveying the food. His stomach rumbled at the sight and smell.

 

[Asa]

She told him about each dish as they ate. She smiled softly to him. It was nice to get away from all of the Hollywood madness and back home to her sanctuary.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl appreciated Alexis's description of the foods. Most of it was unfamiliar, yet all tasty. More, though, he liked seeing her smile. She was clearly more at ease here, in her home.

He picked up a bite-size chunk of one of the unfamiliar fruits and leaned across the table, holding it before her.

"So, what was this one again?"

As she answered, he held it closer until it brushed against her lips.

 

[Asa]

She took a bite of the fruit and smiled to him. She in turn held out a different one to him asking him if he remembered which one it was.

 

[WatchingCloud]

"I definitely remember that one," he said, licking his lips. "That's the miracle fruit. It's the one that makes sour or bitter foods taste sweet."

 

[Asa]

Very good.

She smiled and tapped it to his lips.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl opened and took both the fruit and her finger into his mouth. He felt the sweet flavor wash over his tongue while gently sucking her finger until it slid out.

"I'm curious. If that fruit makes other things taste sweeter, how would it change the sweet taste of your lips?"

 

[Asa]

When the meal was done she walked with him for a while. Slowly guiding them to her "private home" here on her reserve. A treehouse built deep through the trees.

Home sweet home.

 

[WatchingCloud]

"Are you kidding? A tree house? That's...awesome!"

He took it all in - the privacy, the connection with nature. It was all "her."

"I trust the inside is on the tour as well?"

 

[Asa]

Why wouldn't it be... If you can get to it?

With that she ran leaping halfway up the single rope entry and began to climb.

 

[WatchingCloud]

Carl just shook his head and marveled, thoughts of Tarzan briefly fluttering through the back of his mind.

He was grateful for the addition of crossfit to his regular exercise regimen. Climbing the rope was familiar enough, even if he didn't do it quite as naturally as Alexis.

"Suppose you've been doing that climb since you were a kid."

 

[Asa]

Yep.

She stood there in the little sitting room. It was a complete little house simply centered within the branches of the outcropping of trees. She showed him around to each room.