Two Eyes Cenote he will never eat

in the humidity of the early morning, so thick it felt like stark was attempting to breathe in water, he pauses in patrol more often than he would normally; seeking brief respites beneath the shade offered by the cenotes — chasing the shadows like a great mighty beast on the hunt.

he drinks often, fearing dehydration in the grit of red sand that always coats his tongue now.

but muat-riya is his home, and that it feels as such ( despite not knowing nor socializing with many ) fills stark with a warming sense of purpose.

Pretty sea eyes fell upon the early morning light. The Air was heavier than even she had realized it could be, until she stepped out into the light. She left her family behind and began to track the numerous Mazoi as they went about their ways. She didn't want to serve as her sister and mother did. The way they had to simper and beg. That was not something she found delight in. And oh there was power there if used correctly, even as a youngling she could see this. But it was not the type of power she so wished for herself.

She was thrown from her endless musings and wanderings to the large body of another Mazoi. She watched him quietly not saying anything. Not even sure if he saw her. She simply wanted to watch and learn and listen as she always did.

caught in a quiet moment of respite, eyes closed as he soaks up the slightly cooler air the shade provides, it takes him a longer moment to realize that he is not alone.

eyes open and a bit of searching ( for she blends rather well into their surroundings ) until his gaze lands upon her. a girl, young; watching him.

stark rises to his feet, letting out a low chuff of greeting.

Safiya stared boldly back as the wolf moved and stood. He gave her a small chuff and she dipped her head to him in greeting. Stepping a little closer. Their sizes were insurmountable, but there was a fierceness in her gaze when she looked up.

Hello I'm Safiya.

She looked around and dipped her own muzzle down to take a drink and then lifted her head back up. 

You will teach me to spar?

There was a boldness in her question of a wolf that knew her own mind. Hoped that he would agree. Though she did remember her manners at the last minute and added. 

Please.

she is a child not yet full grown, smaller than the ironspine but her gaze is fierce as it holds his own. the part of stark that did not wish to be a soldier molded to the whims of his parents wants to shy away from the fierceness of her gaze. but not all wolves are made fighters: some are born that way and in some small semblance, he envies her for it.

i am stark, he offers in return.

her question is direct leaving no fillers, no small talk to be scrounged from the sands.

he admires it.

if that is what you wish. he agrees.

Safiya doesn't know if she was born to be a fighter, but what she did know. Even already at her young age was she could only serve in two ways given her parentage. She could simper and let strangers take liberties or she could fight and guard and keep her body, soul heart to herself. That was the more attractive option. Ahe had already seen to much as a Fellahin daughter. And perhaps she misunderstood. And yes there was power in the fellahin like her mother her sister. But it didn't appeal to her 

Hello Stark.

She nodded. It is. Thank you.

stark is not skilled at telling age, but he knows she is young. despite that, he could've been fooled if her body had caught up to her mind. she is terribly polite: far more polite than he or his siblings at that age. she minds her manners in a way that made stark feel like he was speaking to someone much older.

he cast a glimpse for her parents or siblings but none arrive.

he hesitates for a moment, wondering if he should be indulging in this. what if it was against her parents wishes?

show me what you already know. fighting was a core instinct, after all and he assumes that play dominance was a thing her and her siblings partook in.