A Look Around (open)

[Odette Merale]

Odette's shop was a few days from its' grand opening. Slowly she walked through the Zoo, checking things out and looking at the different animals. Quietly she walked past their enclosures. Though no one knew, she was reaching out to them; checking their well being. A smile began to cross her lips and she couldn't help the subtle purr that came through her vocal chords as she passed each animal by. They all seemed very content and happy, even if they were in captivity. They seemed to understand that they were safe, well fed and cared for.

This made her happy as she walked around. Marvelous scenery, and delicious smells came from all around her. Crimson eyes watched everything around her as she moved with the crowds through the wonderful and inspiring zoo. The animals were beautiful, and she was happy. Things might actually start looking up for her. A welcome thought. A thoughtful look on her face and she sighed with content. Part of her wanted to hide, and shift..and pretend to be an animal on the loose. This made her laugh a little to herself. Best not to start off that way in a new town. Content to stay like she was she laced her fingers behind her and continued on her exploration of the Zoo, and all its wonders.

[Lien Braska]

The young girl strolled down the path way leisurely, and though while most were here to look at the animals, Lien had come for the overall scenery. She wasn't usually one for crowds but today she was doing just fine in them. Her black hair was tied up in a tight pony tail, and she wore a simple light green tank top, blue jeans, sneakers, and her infamous baggy black hoodie. With a yawn she moved over to another animal pen and gazed inwards at the large tree in the middle of the gorilla cage.

Tilting her head she remembered the other night... of the man and that strange staff and what it had spoken to her. Her dark magenta eyes went out of focus and she spaced out a bit as she took a step back and bumped right into another person. "Oh shit.. sorry.." she turned, wanting to make sure the other person was alright.

[Odette Merale]

A bump snapped her from her revere. Though like all felines, she was light and agile on her feet. A few toed steps and she made a soft sound. Blinking crimson eyes, she focused then on the girl who had bumped her. A smile and she chuckled softly. "No harm done love, it's fine. Are you alright?" She asked, and moved to steady the girl should she need it. "This is quite a crowded place, close run ins are bound to happen." She said with a light and melodic voice. "I am Odette, and you are?" she asked the girl, curious as ever. The gorillas watched on with wavering attention.

[Lien Braska]

Lien blinked a bit at the pretty woman, a strange calm about this one that she had only ever experienced with people who were similar to her in... well nature itself. Still she heard the words the woman said and couldn't help but flash one of her killer smiles. "Yeah I'm built tough." she nodded a bit, though the saying was probably a bit strange as Lien was 5'3" and only 110 pounds, a light bump against her would have seemed a bit more hefty but she had lived a long time on the streets and so that had made her a little stronger. "I'm Lien Braska, the meeting maybe sudden but it's very nice to meet you Odette." Lien stuck out her lightly tanned hand to the woman, feeling rather polite and friendly today.

[Odette Merale]

Odette looked at her through kind, curious eyes. She was pretty, and had a dazzling smile. A small demure hand came out to shake the girls hand and she nodded happily. "It is quite nice to meet you as well Lien." She said, and shook the girls hand. Her grip was strong but feminine. After a moment she let go of Liens' hand and looked to the Gorillas behind them. Their attention wavering but she smiled. "They know more then people think they do. You know. People can be quite insulting to animals who are just as intelligent as they are." She said and tilted her head lightly. "Don't you think?" She asked Lien, her focus still on the magnificent being before her behind the enclosure fence.

[Lien Braska]

Lien gave her a firm hand shake before shoving her hands back into her black jacket pockets. She turned her attention to the creatures that were caged as she listened to the woman's words. She glanced to her and gave a nod. "People are disgusting creatures if you ask me. We'd all be better going back to being cavemen where only the strongest survive but sadly that won't happen unless technology takes over." she gave a soft amused look on her face. She preferred nature of humans any day... but she was in high school and she had to deal with idiots every single day. Though some weren't bad, some were so bad it almost made her want to quit.

[Odette Merale]

A slow nod and Odette looked to Lien. "Aye, the are. There are those, however who are like diamonds in the rough." She said with a smile, and she gave the Gorilla's a soft bow. "Thank you my friends, for your beauty and grace." Slowly she stood back up and looked back to Lien. "So, I am new around these parts, what is good to do?" She asked, curious. She still had a few days before her shop opened, and she wanted to see as much as possible, and get to know her way around this new place.

[Lien Braska]

Lien watched the woman... she was thanking the gorillas which was truly unusual. She seemed very in tune with nature which was something Lien usually was... but she didn't have the same communication with this woman as she did plants. It had to be a different kind of natural thing. But the woman spoke to her and Lien stuck her hands in her pockets as she thought. "There's a lot of places around here that are pretty cool. It kinda just depends on the person. The mall is okay if you like that kind of thing... but I'm more of an out doors kinda gal. We have an awesome hot springs, a beach front, there's a big row of green houses I frequent in the desert south of the city. If you're hungry we have a ton of restaurants as well." she gave a slight shrug as she explained, unsure of what fun things the woman liked to do.

[Odette Merale]

Odette's eyes lit up when Lien spoke about being an out doors type of girl. This she liked greatly. "I like hot springs, and the beach. Those both sound very nice." She said thoughtfully, twirling a strand of her snow white hair about her slender fingers mindlessly. "Green houses you say? I bet they are beautiful. I was going to mention to you that you smelled of earth and flowers." She said, having a keen sense of smell being part animal. A smile and she looked to Lien. " I would like to see these green houses if you are up for it?" She asked, hoping the girl wouldn't mind the company.

[Lien Braska]

A slight blush tinged Lien's cheeks when the woman mentioned that Lien smelled of Earth and flowers. The greenhouses were not the reason why... Lien knew that very well by now but it was a difficult thing to explain. Even in Shadow City, she was a bit of an odd ball. But the mention of a trip to the green houses was one Lien would never pass up. "Sounds great to me. Some of them are privately owned but I've kinda been given free range into any place I want when it comes to plants. I'm a gardener as a part time job... just kinda recently took it up since a friend of mine suggested it." she turned, starting to head towards the exit of the Zoo. "I usually take the bus... it takes about an hour unless you have a car." Lien was still young, she didn't have the money for a car nor the desire to even get her license. She would take her bike from time to time if she was traveling far but mostly preferred to walk everywhere.

[Odette Merale]

Odette tilted her head lightly when she mentioned the bus. She hated crowds so close to her, but she would deal with it since she had a new friend to ride along with. "That sounds fine, yeah I do not own a vehicle. The thought of riding in a box powered by miniature explosions has never appealed to me." She said with a smile and gestured for Lien to lead the way to where they were going. She was anxious to see the place that Lien seemed to spend much of her time, she had a sneaking feeling that gardening wasn't just a hobby of hers. There was something special about the girl who smelled of earth and flowers. She just had to figure it out.

[Lien Braska]

Lien nodded a bit. "I like public transportation... less pollution." she explained as she headed out of the zoo and towards the bus stop before looking at her cellphone. "And actually it should be here in about ten minutes or so." she turned to back to the other woman as she shoved the phone back into her pocket and smiled at her. "I don't think anyone has actually gone with me to the greenhouses... they tend to be pretty warm inside and a bit muggy but I always just feel so at home. I grew in the city, with so many buildings and concrete. All the plants there were basically planted and planned plants. Not really as beautiful as nature growing wild like the forest around Shadow City or the high school. You would think the greenhouse would be the same and yet... the large ones are like.. tropical forest."

[Odette Merale]

Odette nodded when Lien told her the bus would be along shortly. Genuine interest in her eyes when Lien spoke about the greenhouses. This girl had a thing with plants, and perhaps that was what made her special, perhaps she was gifted with Flora. She was curious now, to see these places..that being a weakness of hers. Her curiosity. It often got her into trouble. "I am more of a winter being, but they sound lovely. I cannot wait to see them." She said, and smiled back at Lien, her enthusiasm contagious. "Nature, in it's full splendid glory is quite amazing. There is nothing like it indeed." Odette liked that Lien could appreciate Nature. So many people took it for granted, that it was seemingly infinite, when in fact it was quite the opposite. "Have you ever seen a northern pine forest in the middle of winter? It is something magical, and pure. Beautiful." She said, remembering the scent of the new fallen snow among the pine trees, and she purred softly without realizing it was happening.

[Lien Braska]

Lien smirked a bit, her interest peeked just a tad bit more as she listened to the young woman speak to her. "I really would never have pegged you for a winter being. I think more of a spring for some reason." she shook her head a bit. "I've never been the northern pine forest, only to Big Bear. It didn't snow in LA but when I backpacked here to Shadow City I saw many things. Nature really is just a completely magical thing." Lien's ears picked up on the vibrations of the purr. It was a soft purr but pretty, reminding her of the cats that had sometimes snuggled with her when she had slept on the street.

It was strange to hear but definitely not the strangest thing she had seen or heard around this town. But! it did help her understand something about Odette. She had to a shifter and they were a huge part of nature just like Lien was. So she took a bit of a chance, as not everyone understood or appreciated her unique talents. "I, uhm... I have chlorophyll in my veins and I can communicate with plants.. sometimes I can even see through their perspective. Sadly the chlorophyll means I can't give blood transfusions.. and my blood is basically poison." She gave a shrug, watching Odette's face to see if she would reject her like others had.

[Odette Merale]

Odette was pulled from her thoughts and she looked at Lien with curious crimson eyes. The purr faded and she smiled brightly. "I like the spring time." She said thoughtfully and then blinked when Lien revealed herself to her. She knew it! Flowers and earth it all made sense. Glee spread through her and she yipped softly. "I knew there was something special about you! That is amazing!" She spoke in an excited whisper. "I knew you were talented, I felt it." She said joyfully. Since Lien had gone out on a limb, she would do the same as a sign of respect and returned trust. "I am a snow leopard. I used to live in the northern pines." She said with a hushed smile. A kindred spirit, how wonderful this was indeed.