♪♪ [Hill Garden]🍃 by Eastern Sage
♪♪ [Sorcery]🍃💚 by Kupla

Dexter sits hunched over by a small stream at about midday, taking a break from the winding path he’d been hiking along for some time. Giving his legs some much-needed relief and a chance to satisfy an ever-growing thirst. One might expect him to lap up water from the stream with an excited vigor, but no. Instead, sitting frozen at the water's edge, captivated by the stream’s natural beauty. The amber gems of his eyes tracing the flowing surface, glistening as it reflects the sun’s rays and mirrors the blue sky above. Carefully taking in the features from upstream to downstream, somewhat surprised there aren't any fish visible. After some time passes, he's thrust from the hypnosis with a quick shake of his head. Cupping some of the water in his paws, but yet again, the refreshing touch of water to his lips eludes him. Finding himself stiffening up to prevent any sudden movements, with little more than a soft smile growing on his muzzle that he can't hold back. The stream's calming ambience suddenly interrupted by the rapid batting of feathery wings, a flurry of movement that makes his ears twitch involuntarily in response. A growing sense of amusement rising within as the batting of wings gives way to a graceful landing. A gentle touch given by a curious Blue Jay perching on his cupped paws, surely a resident of the area, Dexter presumes.

The Jay looks up at Dexter with a head tilt, causing his smile to grow ever so slightly, even more as the Jay looks down to the water he’s holding. A barely audible chirping being sung before the avian’s head bobs for a quick drink. The urge to give a few soft head pats with his finger is undeniable, but he resists. Knowing full well he'd spill the water if he does, potentially scaring off the bird. "Hmmmmm..." Dexter thinks for a second, the idea crossing his mind to use his tail tuft to give a gentle brushing gesture. But this idea is quickly dismissed after a glance to his side. Seeing his blue tuft of tail fur dipped into the stream, no doubt fully soaked by now. "Yep, perks of being a lion. Never missing a chance to be clumsy in some way shape, or form." Speaking as he rolls his eyes, laughing at himself on the inside. Dexter then shifts his eyes back to watch the bird. Opting to just sit still and be patient. Not minding doing so at all, as by now he could barely register his thirst. Suppressed by his enjoyment of the bird’s comforting company while it lasted.

A few brief minutes pass before the bird looks directly up at him again, now standing tall in the center of his empty paws. Dexter says in a soft voice, “I can hold more for you if you want.” The bird’s head tilts to one side, then to the other in a confused manner. Dexter then did the same with a more friendly and inviting flavor. Spurring the bird to repeat the same back at him. Adorable, but at the same time, Dexter wonders what the bird thought about his words. A seed of curiosity that branches out to much more. But even this is stifled as the bird begins to hop around his cupped paws. A slight giggle escaping his maw from the bird's small feet tapping against his palm and fingers in rapid succession, giving him a slight tickle. Looking all around to observe various parts of the natural realm. Then, fully turning away from Dex to look down towards the seemingly glowing stream. Water's surface still glittering in the sun's rays like before, but this time with a few fallen leaves sailing along. Adding to the calming atmosphere that Dexter is delighted to share with the Blue Jay. He then wonders if the bird would just hop down to the water’s edge. A prospect that made his ears perk up, excited at the thought of having a drink beside the bird. Even sparking hopes of the bird accompanying him once he took to the path again.

That hope quickly dashed as the bird’s wings flutter, leaping from his paws with a powerful flap. Wings spreading wide, giving Dexter a better view of the majestic feathered structures. Some droplets of water that clung to them flick off in the flurry of motion, appearing like little gems as they sparkle in the sunlight before landing on blades of grass below. A subsequent series of energetic flaps propels the Blue Jay towards the tree line at impressive speeds, resembling a blue dart. Only taking a few seconds to disappear into the forest. Dexter’s smile fades with a slight flattening of his ears. Eyes scanning the seemingly endless collection of trees with the hopes of seeing the bird again, but to no avail. Lost somewhere in an ocean of leaves. He let out a deep sigh, then abruptly turns back to the stream. The movement causing his tail tuft to whip from the water, sending more droplets that sparkle like treasured beads into the grass behind him. But this goes completely unnoticed by Dexter because he's frozen once again. Looking down with his eyes locked to his own reflection on the rippling surface. For a good while, he sits there staring, letting the stream’s song tickle his ears while an occasional light breeze would comb through his mane fur. A combination that soothes him, even if he's too deep in thought to truly appreciate it. He breaks the peaceful ambience eventually. Slightly opening his maw to softly whisper a few words that felt much louder than their actual volume, yet carrying a noticeable strain. “Yeh... I know...” A response to his deep thoughts. An acknowledgment of sorts. He then takes a moment to look back up, then around to take in more of his surroundings. Followed by an awkward stretch, alleviating the tightness in his body that had built up from sitting in this position for so long. He then places both of his paws in the water again, only pausing to take note of the contrast between the day's warmth cradling his frame and the water’s coolness flowing between his fingers. He feels a strange sensation from the two meshing, intriguing him, yet pushing it aside as he lifts some of the water with his cupped paws to drink.

The process repeats for a minute or so, ceasing from the slow rising of his frame as he stands once again. A series of stretching motions follows, punctuating his stay in this spot with its unique serenity. Only giving some thought to how long he'd been here, but quickly dismissing his curiosity on the matter. Dexter lets out another deep sigh, setting off to make his way back to the path to continue his journey. Carrying with him a sense of ease, not so much from the refreshing, cool water that massaged his throat. Or the time spent resting his legs. Rather, that gentle touch, something that stuck with him. Sometimes that’s all it takes. A gentle touch, a soft nudge, to keep going along these winding paths. A touch that's true strength exists within the symbolism, rather than the extent of applied force. Even with that, he'll admit he's not quite sure where this path is taking him... But then again, when did that ever truly matter? A thought tracing his mind as he places one footpaw in front of the other. Progressing further and further into the unknown. "Just have to keep pushing along," Dexter thinks to himself. No matter the outcome. For better or worse, seeing it through to the very end

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Older pic and a longtime fave from Lunalei. Had it on the mind a good bit lately so figured why not? Though newer stuff is coming fairly soon too! Ya know… the thing I keep saying I’ll do then proceeding to not do x3 Keep getting hit by all sorts of stuff from so many different angles, but just gotta keep on trying right?

By  Lunalei
Dexter belongs to me  DexterLion