I. video/action (dated to the dawn of July 23rd)

[aslandish]

[ The video opens in darkness, the only sound to be heard the gentle movement of waves lapping against the shore. However, the very moment a tinge of light begins to creep over the horizon, a Voice begins to sing.

It is a Song the likes of which few have ever heard before. It rises as the light grows stronger, swelling with the tide and soaring as a bird may fly. It resonates in the air as well as the earth, a happy sound that could make even the most solemn of men dance to its melody.

The brightness of the morning spills over the waves, glistening with the newness of day. The Song crescendos finally as the sun peaks in the sky, only to diminish and fade into the sounds of the sea.

A few moments pass before the Singer finally appears. Great paws, golden and velveted all, appear first as he steps into view. A large, shaggy lion pads silently to the water edge, the breeze rustling its mane.

He stands there for a little while before turning and walking down the beach. ]


[ ooc: Please have a look at Aslan's PERMISSIONS POST before tagging! Aslan will be wandering around the beach as well as the outside part of the grounds all day. Feel free to run into him! He will respond to this video as well. Also, if you think your character might be able to detect/discern Aslan's true nature, feel free to have them do so! ]

Comments

[strategisch]

[Armin hadn't slept that night.]

[Here there were many nights where he did not sleep, or little, or had nightmares. In his world he was always so incredibly tired from the day that his mind didn't have the luxury of sleeplessness. Here, where there was no point in sleeping or waking at all, his insomnia began. With no-one to trust and no friend to confide in, he was forced to bear it alone and wonder if the terrors would ever cease.]

[He found himself drawn towards the water just before dawn. Sometimes he would come here when he had no reason to be anywhere else. He wondered if it was really the ocean that he had always hoped to see. The waves, the smell, its endless expanse... they all pointed towards it being so. But the discovery felt sad and underwhelming without his comrades by his side. He wouldn't even be able to tell them what he saw.]

[Armin takes off his boots and sits down, letting the waves lap at his feet.]

[Then he hears the Song.]

[He's not sure if he's quite sane. He stands, and turns, but sees no one. The sound seems to be coming from the earth and the sea and the sky itself, perfectly harmonized. He's overcome both with curiosity and fear, as his life has taught him that nothing new is ever good. Another part of him hopes that he actually fell asleep at his desk reading, and this is all a particularly vivid dream. Yes, perhaps he actually did fall asleep, and someone is playing music somewhere...]

[aslandish]

[ It may be sometime before Armin sees him. There are others on the beach this morning, and he speaks with whoever is wishes to converse with him.

Eventually, though, the great lion will appear in the distance, padding quietly down the seashore. His pace is neither fast nor slow, but purposeful as he comes upon the other.

There is an air of calm about him -- a reassurance that lingers in the air. ]

[strategisch]

[After the wonderful Song that he heard, Armin felt compelled to stay at the beach. He sat back down and hugged his knees, hoping that something would happen to explain the event, or even better, that it would happen again. There was a good chance that he was dreaming anyways, he wasn't wasting any time by being here...]

[He feels Aslan approach more than he hears him, his great paws send tiny thrumming tremors through the sand. Looking at him is like looking towards the sun as it sets in the distance, bright, but not blinding.]

[Armin has never seen a real lion before. More than likely none existed within the walls. But he recalls a gentle memory, sitting in his grandfather's lap with a book unfolded in from of him, and a picture of the great cat.]

A... Lion.

[What a magnificent creature. He has to stand in his presence.]

[aslandish]

[ The Lion does not stop his approach not does he avoid the young man. Rather, he comes up to him, stopping just far enough so as not to be smothering him with his presence.

The greeting he offers is simple, yet not without warmth. ]

Good morning.

[strategisch]

G-good morning.

[Armin feels strangely unsurprised that the lion can talk. His stride was so purposeful, and his eyes were so expressive. And he has a sneaking suspicion...]

We're you the one that made the wonderful sound earlier?

[aslandish]

I am.

[ A soft rumble of affirmation. His eyes seems to shine with a light all their own. ]

Was it a comfort to you?

[strategisch]

It was... good.

[Armin, who normally had so many words ready at his side, felt dumb. Good. It was all he could say. It was truly, wholly good.]

[His tongue comes back to him slowly. But he's not frustrated. It's almost a relief to feel he doesn't need to speak so smartly and sharply as he usually does.]

It's not often that I get to hear music, and that was especially beautiful.

[aslandish]

[ Aslan nods once. ]

It is a Song for the Morning.

[ Not quite the Song of Beginnings, which is more powerful and infinite in scope, but similar in certain aspects. He smiles. ]

Would you hear it again?

[strategisch]

[A lion, smiling. Even though he has never seen one before, an animal smiling still strikes him as odd. He tilts his head a little.]

Yes, please.