Randomness inspired by its first line. XD. -- The Middle of Nowhere

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Date Posted: 12:53:06 01/19/04 Mon
Author: random Trahe male
Subject: Randomness inspired by its first line. XD.

Big creatures eventually learn to tread softly among their smaller kinfolk. We don't like crushing bones with a misstep any more than someone likes having their bones crushed. Our size also means that we have far less to fear, and less reason to be aggressive towards small beasts who would have a hard time reaching our throat, let alone be able to tear it out. Our only threats are among those of our own size or those larger than us.

Still. Trahes aren't built to tread softly. I was having a hard time not stepping on any bodies, let alone smaller things like tails or paws. Those below me were, I'm sure, a little nervous when they saw my grey bulk pass over their heads -- my paws were often larger than their torsos, and my claws longer than their muzzles. If I were that small, I'd be dodging, rather than hoping a thick-bodied Trahe could successfully avoid stepping on me as I held absolutely still.

They were probably trying to display some confidence in me. I really wished they would just move and save me the trouble.

"Ku-rhim-rheo." I glanced to my right and paused, my golden eyes searching for who had said my name in that gravelly base voice. The speaker turned out to be an Ogrepta, the long-bodied Athian close to my own height of twenty-five feet; he was sprawled loosely among the smaller beasts, some actually curled against him, asleep. "Ku, I need to talk to you."

I raised a furred brow, then carefully walked over deathly-still creatures below me to join the Ogrepta. A few Korats moved hastily so that I could sit down and wrap my bladed tail around me tightly, trying to minimize the space that my bulk required. Sometimes, I hated being in a crowd. (Actually, most of the time. I like company, but I also like room.) "Who are you?"

"Gperi. I have a message for you from Za-shen-sai."

My eyes narrowed; my brother and I had not spoken in years. We lived far apart. "How did you meet him?"

The Ogrepta twisted his long muzzle in a shrug. "It doesn't matter. He asked me to tell you that evil has come upon the land, and it is time to fight or die slowly in the darkness." Gperi levered himself up so that he could look me in the eye as he added, "I also bring news of his death at the hands of this evil. Cha, Ku-rhim-rheo."

Cha. Peace. Peace, when my heart seemed to stop in my chest and my blood froze in my veins. My brother was dead with dire words, and this fool Ogrepta wished me peace. But there was naught else he could wish me.

I nodded numbly. "Thank you, Gperi. Cha."

Peace...

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