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It was the promise of the stars; the promise of light in the night sky that drew him from the darkness of the cave. Not that he saw that darkness, it was as he was. What also drew him from the darkness, away from all that he had ever known, was the thought of more. The thought of perhaps finding another to call his own; the thought of potential little ones; the thought of pleasure; all of those thoughts were important.

Finite felt as though there was something more beyond those he called his own. They didn’t quite feel like his own, even though he tried to see them in that way. He wanted to be at someone’s side but those who had drawn him in or those he had drawn in hadn’t felt right. There hadn’t been that connection.

It was his desire for that connection more than the promise of the stars that had pulled him from the darkness. Though both were just as appealing. One merely was more likely to happen than the other; all he sees are the patterns, light and darkness as they surround him.

His nose lead him from the cave, he left behind all he had ever known and while he felt a pang of regret, Finite told himself that if he stayed, he would be alone and he believed that he would find his meaning out there. He would find something just so much bigger than he might have ever imagined.

Whatever waited for him out there, beyond the heat and the crowded world he grew up in, he wished for with all he was.

Though he was more than aware that he had no idea as to what awaited him out there, not really. Murmurs, rumours, discussions. While he longed to have someone at his side, he also often had been picky, unable to stand still long enough to truly befriend others who may have been good for him. Others who may have removed from his aching heart some of the loneliness he's always felt.

How is it that someone can feel lonely when there are so many of us? This is why I have to go.

Finite knew that few would miss him, should they even realize he had gone. This was how little he has bonded with others. It hardly mattered, the fresher air was there, just within his reach and he could feel it before he could discern anything else. The darkness that surrounded him was as all-encompassing as it was just a few feet behind him, still within the cave.

Night. It's night. That's why.

His head held high, his nose to the sky, Finite took his first step into this new world and set forth into his new beginning.

Whatever he would find out there, he would handle it as it happened. He would find what had drawn him from the only home he had ever known and that would be that.

[imgleft]http://matope.pixel-blueberry.com/images/blue/easemytroubledmind_uncert.png[/imgleft] Ease had been having issues sleeping and rather than continually toss and turn and risk waking up anyone else sleeping nearby, namely his twin he'd risen silently, and opted to go for a walk.

Sure taking a walk in the dark like this could be dangerous and was foolhardy but he knew the immediate area was fairly safe. The little 'tribe' they had going on here made sure of it. They kept the area safe, and there were enough of them with various pets and familiars that alerted them to trouble it wasn't problematic for him to be out here like this.

Instead he found himself walking carefully, quietly not wanting to disturb anyone else, and once he was away from the group he walked a little quicker, a little more freely and took a deep breath before letting it out slowly. There was a slight breeze that made his hair flutter around his face but he paid it no mind as he walked, listening to the sounds of the sleeping swamp.

As he walked he saw the flickering of... something off in the distance and curiosity got the better of him. Maybe it was just fireflies. Maybe it was more but he wasn't sure. It was too low to be the stars in the sky, but maybe from the distance it was. He couldn't tell from here. All Ease knew is he was curious and even more awake than he'd been when he'd started out on his little walk. So much for it helping him to fall asleep, it'd done the literal exact opposite. Oh well. time to figure out what those pretty lights were.

It took longer than it should have to get even remotely close, and he realized then that whatever it was, had to be moving as well, and away from him. It explained why it was taking him awhile. As he eased closer his hoof found a brittle branch, a sharp noise filling the otherwise silent area and he froze, heart hammering away. Was whatever it was going to flee? Attack?

There was nothing he could sense from the sky, not in the way he had hoped to. Were there stars? If there were, he couldn't rightfully tell, maybe they weren't bright enough. That was what this was all about, he was sure. Maybe the stars just weren't bright enough. Or maybe it still wasn't quite fully night or--well, there were bound to be plenty of reasons why he couldn't discern anything in the sky.

Tipping his head a moment, listening to what surrounded him, Finite scented the air as the breeze took it past him. There were so many different scents up here, on the surface. So many things he didn't know, things he had no name for. His pacing was unhurried, he merely walked almost leisurely, nose still tipped slightly to the sky. There just was so much to take in!

Something there, however. Something in the distance, the snap of something brittle only a distance off. It made him pause, his ears flicking slightly towards where he believed he heard that very sound. His tail flicked once, twice behind him; its movement still lazy.

Finite knew that perhaps he should have run, but run where? He knew that perhaps this was it. That he'd only managed to make it to the surface only to meet his end and--perhaps it would be enough. He might not have found stars, let alone had he found someone to be at his side, but he'd been out, beyond the hold of the home he'd known forever and that was all right.

He turned his head back in the direction he'd come from, nose turning back up to the sky a moment, mostly because the air was fresh and he couldn't get enough of it. A few moments later, he resumed his slow, mindful walking. Taking in scent, discovering perhaps whatever it was that is around him but, most of it, he was also keeping an ear open for whatever made that sound.

If Finite had been able to see, he'd have realized it was a cloudy night, no stars to be seen really. To be fair, if Ease had bothered to pay better attention he'd have realized the same. He didn't of course look up, which meant he had no clue to the state of the night sky. Just that it was dark out, and it was hard to see anything. He was just guessing the moon wasn't up. Or wasn't in a fuller state. But, seeing as he was occupied by the pretty lights... it was no wonder he was currently clueless.

Ease was closing in, and before long there wasn't much between him, and those lights, and he paused a moment staring at the Zikwa in quiet awe. He'd seen some in passing before, but not this close, really. The colors on the other were eye catching and it took him several moments to realize it was a kin he'd been seeing from the distance and not the stars. So startled in fact there was a "You're not stars!" from him bursting forth into the previously silent air and he paused. He hadn't meant to speak to suddenly like that, without making some sort of a sound first. Though he supposed stepping on that branch might have been warning enough.

"I...sorry. I hope I didn't startle you." the kimeti moved from between the trees closer to the zikwa, a curious note from him as he watched the other scenting the air. This was a new, interesting situation for him.

Eventually, though he still partially kept his nose slightly upward, Finite lowered his features, still scenting but taking in the surrounds all the more. One ear flicked to the side and back slightly. There wee sounds near him, sounds that sounded as though perhaps his steps were echoing further away than he truly was and it actually made him pause.

He prepared to move again—perhaps to find somewhere to settle since his first hopes of seeing something bright enough in the sky to be able to actually see it were dashed. He shook it off a moment, startling at the words that seemed to come out of nowhere but he turned his head in the direction the voice came from, ears turned in that direction as well as he tried to pinpoint its source.

I guess I hadn't misheard the sound. Not that he was too certain as to what it had been. Broken branches were not exactly common back in the caves. He let it go, turning his attention back to this new addition to his surroundings.

"Of course I am not stars. I was hoping to find some, however." Perhaps a hint of disappointment in his voice that so far it seemed as though the stories he had heard and been told held little truth. Though just the same, he perhaps sounded a little baffled. "How could I be stars?"

Finite was aware that he could tell the presence of others of his kind, after all, but not that perhaps his markings made him look like that which he came looking for. This one, however, he could only pinpoint by the scent of him and it was a different sort of scent, something he'd never been near before. "Who are you?"

Hearing the other was wanting to see stars he finally looked skyward into a break in the trees and realized finally it was too cloudy that night to see anything and he shook his head. "Too cloudy tonight to see stars, or the moon unfortunately. Maybe tomorrow will be clearer." well it was possible, but it was also easing into the time of year where it grew darker early, the weather growing colder, and the skies unfavorable. So maybe not.

The question on how he could be starts earned a low laugh. "Because you look like the stars. Not as much up close but when I was farther off, I thought I was seeing some of the sky through a clearing. Though you still look kinda starry close up like this."

He came closer when asked who he was. "I'm Ease. Well. Ease My Troubled Mind, but you can call me Ease. It's... easier." he realized how almost pun like that sounded and winced some. It hadn't been intended that way, really. Why did he feel so awkward? He normally had no problems talking to others, this was...unusual. Maybe it was because it was late. That had to be it. "Who are you?"

"Cloudy." The word was low and soft, one could almost hear the question mark at the end of it but it hadn't been spoken as a question, not really. Finite shook his head, lowering his nose once more. His attention turned to his companion of the moment. A scent he still wasn't able to completely pick up. Something new like most things that surrounded him at this point. "So there are stars, but not tonight... maybe tomorrow. Tomorrow then, yes."

He flicked his ear a moment to the sound of that approach, especially now that he mostly knew where this one was. He listened, mild amusement finding him as he is told that he looks like stars. This was new to him but, then again, the colouring of his pelt has never been of much importance to him. Not in the darkness of that cave. He left it be, turning just a little more and easing a step closer. Not enough for touching but not so far off now, it seemed like.

"Ease." He murmured that shortened name with a small bob of his head. It was a fine name. Before he could help himself, Finite turned his head back to the sky, cloudy or otherwise, and drew in a deep breath. He held it and released it moment later. There still were many scents that were foreign to him but for now, the presence of this one near him seemed to draw them all into a meaningless moment in time. "I am Finite Infinity. But... those who knew of me called me Finite."

He could hear the not quite spoken question in that word, and he chuckled softly. "Mmmhmm. Sky is covered tonight. Hard to see though since it's so dark." well he could see a faint outline of the moon, but even that was hard with the thick clouds. "But yes, there are stars just not tonight. Maybe, hopefully tomorrow. It's hard to say honestly."  Well he couldn't see the future, or predict the weather after all.

"Finite it is." an easy going tone to his voice as he steps a little closer to the other, a curious note from him as he does so. He'd never been so close to an unrelated to him Zikwa before. So he was more than a little curious to say the least. He didn't want to say the wrong thing and come across as rude, but he was very, very curious, really. He finally settled on a more tactful "I've never seen you around here before..." also not really a question, and yet still one really.

"I suppose I'll have to stay another day then." And discover the brightness of the sun, perhaps? Perhaps. After a moment, he shivered as though his body finally registered the cooler temperature that surrounded them. It always was just so hot down in the caves. It felt definitely cooler out here, not that he minded, it would only take some getting used to, most likely.

"Everything is always dark." Was that humour? The words were soft but there was a softly amused tone to things. He knew that there were others who could see more than him, just barely so but still. Those who likely would see the stars better than him, especially if the stars weren't very bright. "Will you tell me when the stars come?" That one also almost sounded like he was planning on staying for more than one day, how strange.

He tipped his head a moment, drawing in the scent that still has stepped closer to him, another soft sound from him, a curious note as he took in what made this one so different. The subtle undertones were not lost to him and he put them to memory for the time being. "This is my first time leaving home. That may be why." Though there he paused, "I can't say I've ever seen anything." There still was a subtle note of amusement to his voice.

"Might have to stay more than another day depending on how long it takes the sky to behave and show it's self behind the clouds again." well it was true, it could be a day, or days, or a week. It was best to let that be known he figured! Just in case staying longer wasn't a possible thing.

Ease noticed Finite shivering though, and he stepped a little closer, letting his larger body rest lightly against the others. "It's a little cold yeah..." duh. Though he was staring a moment at the humor, and there after a surprised pause a laugh from him. "I can't imagine." he really couldn't! It was different than being in the dark on a moonless night he knew that much.

There was another laugh - quicker this time - at this joke and Ease tossed his head in amusement, his mane flying around some as he does so, not that he's paying much attention. "You're funny." it was refreshing! Ease looked around, and then back the way he came. He hadn't been staying in the caves with the rest of the family, but not far from. Sometimes, that extra quiet was needed, away from the dragons. "It's late, I can take you somewhere that's safe and warm to sleep, if you want? You'd have to share the area with me, and a few others but there's room."

"I don't mind staying. I have nowhere to be." There was no desire for him to go back into the caves. He'd left them behind, following his nose and perhaps his heart a little. This was where he wanted to be. Well, perhaps not this exact spot but he figured that he couldn't have been the only one who had left the caves to discover the world as it was. Even though the caves were definitely warmer. They were just too... crowded.

Finite shook the thought off a little, starting a bit at the sudden feeling of warmth that had suddenly found him. It was mostly on one side but it was comforting and he exhaled a soft sigh, a content little note of delight more than anything else. This was nice, even if it was centred on one side and he found himself even leaning just a little closer because, well, warmth.

He shrugged a little, perhaps not even having been certain of the reaction he would get from the humour. He usually always had been the quiet one, the one who kept to himself so this talking to a stranger thing was, well, a bit strange but at the same time, it was nice. "Will you tell me all about the stars when they finally come out?" How hopeful he sounded.

"Soft." The single word was low, curious but he didn't ask otherwise. It had been a quick sort of brush and he wasn't certain as to its source.

"Rest might not hurt." He could feel a sort of wariness in his bones, the idea of settling somewhere--preferably warm--was a nice one and he offered a slight, thoughtful nod. "I don't mind sharing, so long as I'm not a bother."

"Then definitely stick around here. I can introduce you to my twin, and to other members of my family. We live in a large cave near by but I decided to take some time away. The dragons there can be loud." he gave a soft laugh. "So a break from them is a good thing sometimes." oh it was indeed!

He was aware of Finite leaning against him and he smiled some. He was sure he was warmer than the Zikwa was in the end, and that was fine. He was a bit bigger, so more body heat, or something.

The request to be told all about the stars earned a nod, followed by a vocal "Of course I will! I'll tell you in great detail about them all!" he'd never described the stars before, but he'd definitely do his best for the other.

That single word earned a laugh and he tossed his head again, letting his hair fall over the other. "My hair. It's long and can get in the way sometimes. That's what you felt." he chuckled again softly. "A bother? Not at all. We all like visitors!" which was a good thing. "Just walk with me, and I'll take you back to where we were sleeping. I couldn't sleep and went for a walk so I didn't wake everyone else."

Finite wrinkled his nose a little at the mention of a cave. He didn't want to go back into one any time soon if he could help it. He wouldn't be rude, that wouldn't do, but sleeping in the open seemed like a nice change of pace, even if he would still need to get used to how different the temperature was up here. "I'm used to the bats... but not dragons. Bats are quiet." At least, to him they were.

He took in that warmth from the other, letting it settle deep into his bones. It was so different from the at-times oppressive heat of the cave. He swished his tail a moment, merely content to be for just a few moments. It was so nice to meet someone like this.

There he grinned however, a content sound escaping him at being told he would be given all of the wonderful details the stars would provide. This one's voice was soothing to him and Finite found himself quite looking forward to the idea of being told all about the stars that had drawn him from the only home he ever had known.

Ears twitching a moment, he took in that feel of that hair, it was so strange. "It's soft." And it was. Strange and soft but soft was more important and it also tickled.

For a moment longer, he kept his weight settled a little closer before finally, he was straightening, a nod of his head. He was already able to tell this one's scent from the surroundings so following him would hardly be a problem and sleeping just sounded like a very nice plan at that point. "Why couldn't you sleep?"

He noticed the nose wrinkle, only due to how close they were and he chuckled softly. "Don't worry, while I'll head home before it gets truly cold, I don't plan to head that way any time soon. For now I'm enjoying roaming, and doing a little hunting, and gathering. And meeting interesting new kin like you." well really! "Mmm well there's plenty of little dragons, and mom's feathered serpent, and the muskies around... lots of animals. So lots of different noises. Plus those of us who live there."

"Is it? I've never really paid attention since I've always had it, but I think that it's good its soft, right?" well really someone might be adverse to soft, but he didn't think so. It seemed farfetched, but still better than assuming it was a good thing. The question earned a flick of his ears in thought. "I don't know honestly. I was tired when I laid down to sleep, but I just couldn't fall into a deep enough sleep. I think I dozed off a little, but not for long. Tossed around a lot and finally got up before I woke the others in the group and made anyone mad and went for my walk and found you." so maybe his not being able to sleep had turned into a good thing.

"What about you? Was it just the stars that brought you out here? Or something else?" he was curious! Sure he had some nieces and nephews who were zikwa, but this was his first meeting of a zikwa he wasn't in some way related to! It was an interesting learning experience!

He breathed a soft little huff, a shift of his head that could have served as a shrug. "I've just stepped from a cave system, cold or otherwise, I don't know that I'm quite ready to head back into one unless it is an absolute necessity." It really was that simple.

It was strange to hear about all of the different animals that were about this one and his family. He really was just so used to the bats and even then, only so much because he'd also not kept close to many others. He really was a loner in his own way but being a loner was seriously, well, lonely. He was tired of being lonely. Finite was more than aware that this was his own fault for pushing others away and being so picky about potential pairs and friends.

"It's soft, it feels nice." And warm and ticklish, almost. He wasn't used to ticklish. He moved to tag along easily, keeping close enough to follow easily but not be in the way. "I've done that before. Settling down, tired, but sleep being completely elusive." But since he was prone to trying to be mostly on his own, it hadn't really been a problem for the somewhat restless wandering, no matter the number of them still down there. "I'm glad you found me." D'aw.

He sighed at that question however, ears flicking a little as he took in another new scent from near him. Tail almost swishing lazily behind him. "Mostly the stars," a partial lie, "maybe someone to call my own." Not a lie at all that one but he wasn't really going to point out the fact that yes, he was very lonely but that it was his own fault.