LEFT ARM OF THE WOLF

The man, or rather wolf, was beginning to adjust to his newfound senses. The world was almost a scenery of grey, whites, and blacks. The coldness of the African night seemed to not bother him as it normally should, his head tilting before looking down. He felt the need to open his mouth as a long tongue rolled out to his surprised, gazing even further down and around he'd begin to see he had adopted the form of a wolf. How interesting.

The large black beast would hear a voice, the feminine one of one he recognized well. His head would tilt to gaze upon her, taking in what she said. He hoped he'd be able to talk- and found himself actually able to. "This is fine." The man would comment on the wolf form, simply accepting it instead of changing it. Perhaps a new perspective would aide him well in this transition. It was almost ironic how well it fit.

He'd take a few limping steps forward, considering he was missing a leg. "Arjana, where are we? What is going on exactly?" He'd question, not panic'd but more curious.

"Where are we? Good question. I'm still trying to define it myself. I can't tell if this is my inner world, or a landscape generated by me. Maybe it is the inner-world of Africa as a whole? Regardless, it is a place everything connected to this place resides after death. Not in soul, those pass on you know? Kind of like a blueprint and file that contains all the information of that soul's existence."

She giggled a bit before she got down on all fours and crawled over to him with her face near his own. Even though he was a canine at the moment she could still see 'him'.

"It is quite fitting for you haha."

If he let her she reached out to touch his fur, trying to pat his head and neck to give him a pat while she waited to answer any questions he had.

"It'll feel like we are here a while, hence why I said you should be prepared to spend a few weeks. The leg should slowly reform and once it does it will be connected in the real world as well."

"Perhaps it is a shared realm, between you and 'Africa'. A library of information needed so you may act. Very impressive. I must admit, the inner scholar in me is.. fascinated."

The wolf would reply in what was the normal voice of Atlas, displaying some sense of understanding. Truth be told it was quite.. alot to take in even for him. His mind was among those of geniuses, realistically, but his pursuit of information was usually relegated to military endeavors. If he was to be here for what could be weeks, then he would be a busy man.

The feeling of her hand upon his fair caused him to tense, before immediately relaxing. He would sit like a dog rather hard, causing a small shake before his head leaned into it. His tail would begin to wag, before regaining his senses letting out an awkward chuckle. Man, that felt good. "That feels nice. This place retains.. almost like a brief afterimage of those things connected to Death. Should I pass, a piece of me would reside here now?"

"Do you really think it would be something so big just for me- errr, us?"

She blushed a bit, she had never considered that this was for her but something she could access. She had always considered herself something of a guest rather than an admin or something of sorts and that she shared it with Africa.

"You're very cute as a dog Atlas."

Giving him a wide grin she put a bit more effort into his scratches until he asked the very big question of whether he would remain here after death.

"Yes.. I think. I cannot tell until the time actually comes but Vastime has a deep spiritual connection to this land, regardless of where anyone were born. It is home and even when you're away, you're still here in some capacity."

Arjana had wondered before if she intervened soon enough could she cause spirits that had this connection to automatically undergo a konso or come here rather than pass onto the Soul Society, or become a hollow. It would simply be as though an immortality was offered to people of Africa rather than a copy being left behind.

"People who are often destin- who forge their own great paths rarely know it."

The man would impart those words on her in regards if this was all truly for her, and he believed it. Perhaps this african tribal girl was meant for something great, or simply had stumbled upon it. Whatever it was allowed her great access to the world around her, and she sought to do good with it. To aide the simple folk of this land, to unite the old and new. He respected it.

He wanted to cultivate it.

The man would pant a bit letting out something akin to a dog whine, but out of pleasure. He felt some.. perhaps embarrassment himself. But giving into the doglike nature made him good, it made him feel.. connected. That loyalty he felt to Vastime felt amplified, and as her hand ran through his fur- a connection with her. This place was truly something unique.

"Such a compliment I don't deserve, but I shall return one. You are very beautiful, yourself, Arjana."

The man would begin to lay down, placing his head within their lap. His eyes closed as he settled into the scratches. It felt nice. Even as she did so he'd speak.

"Vastime and Africa souls and destiny seemed intertwined. Those who come here, I hope they find this place. Perhaps then our people shall truly know happiness. This is worth defending."

"Hmm..."

That was... big. She was always very humble and liked to think she was just her, nothing big or destined for greatness such as people like the King of Vastime or Queen of Shadow Fall. She was always just little Arjana to herself and so hearing it said got her all flustered but she smiled in a deep appreciation for his words.

"Thank you Atlas."

Idly she would trace his glowing marks that was marked in paint on his actual body, still giving him some attention while she moved one of her hands under his neck and gently massaged it.

"It is worth it."

The wolf would have his head go limp, allowing it to rest fully on her lap. His eyes closing, entering into what was basically just a level below sleep. He simply wanted to enjoy the now, and what was happening. The primal instincts of the wolf mixed with his ideas as a man seemed to contrast against each other. For the time being, he was simply content resting against her as she dragged her fingers through his hair, massaging him.

"It is nice, not being a Duke today."

The weight of the world which rested squarely on his shoulders was lifted, relaxed even. He was able to let his soul simply be nursed by this woman, to allow him to grow as he needed. His arm would be restored, and with it a piece of him reignited in the flames of life. He would serve faithfully, once again.

"Something of a free holiday tagged on hmm?"

When he seemed ready to fall asleep she adjusted her position so that she was laying parallel to him and nestled her head into his neck while giving him a gentle and consistent patting to the back of his neck. Evidently exhausted by the tenuous work of restoring his arm in the morning.

"You should rest, there's so much of this vast place for you to see... if you want."

With that she gently fell back asleep to be ready for the week they had open to them to use.

Atlas eyes closed for the moment, thinking to the future. Of what greatness lay ahead of him. For the first time within his mortal existence he felt free, as if any choice made in the future was by his own volition. He may have lost an eye, but he has never seen so clear in his life before. So as he went into a dreamless slumber, he would awaken at the end of this with something akin to.. a new beginning.

When the week passed and his eyes opened, his nose seemed to sniff the air as if to check if anything has changed. His singular eye open to peer around, looking for the African woman would was to be his salvation.

When their week together was over Arjana finally brought them out, Atlas' arm was about healed and reconnected spiritually as well as physically like it had always been there. It had only been a few days in reality and while the body wasn't starving or dying due to something akin to a hibernating state it was still tired and stiff while being very thirsty.

"Welcome back."

She noticed how her throat was dry and it made it harder to speak but still doable. Shakily getting up to grab some water for the two of them while she began to rub off some of the dried paint that had become flakey over the period.

"You should drink Atlas."

Grabbing her cloak for a bit of modesty as meaningless as it was at this point to wrap around her, after all he had spent a week looking at her undressed. It wasn't any different now except that she laid back next to him and closed her eyes lightly.

"How is your arm?"