Relax, deep breaths

[veraj]

Veraj was lounging in his usual hide out, the vines that grow in the high corners of rooms. They gave his enough support and just enough give to be comfortable there. The snake rested his head on one of the plants and closed his eyes. "Today will be a good day," Veraj reassured himself. His eyes remained closed, hoping that someone would need him today. The snake loved his job and would do anything for the cats who came to him.

Veraj greatly enjoyed working with felines, they were graceful, knowledgeable, and just regal. Ever since he was a hatchling he knew that the canine world was not one for him. Once he moved to the equine empire, he knew that wasn't the place for him either. The canines, too rough and dirty, and the equines, too calm and collected, were both things that he refused to work with anymore. The cats here were clean but just prickly enough to have some problems.

Veraj admired the feline's way of thinking, their religion, and their social pyramid. Even though he was a feline at heart, religiously he was a canine. He felt bad thinking about it in the cat kingdom but it was true. That religion just made sense to him and it was what he had grown up with, it was all he really knew. If he was born in this country his stand on religion would be different.

The ball python stopped thinking and closed his eyes once more. In the back of his mind he knew someone would come to him but he wasn't sure who. Veraj hoped for someone important, those were always the most fun to listen to. The snake loved his job and thought of him as somewhat of a back bone to the social pyramid, not recognized but important.

[Paxx]

It was an upsetting day. It was gloomy out, the rain that had fallen the night before left a damp and wet dog smell all around the castle of the felines. The smell of wet fur was something that the Oracle, Paxx hated most of all. It seemed that everything was bothering her this morning. The aging feline got to her paws and began to stretch out her back, it stung with a sensation of pain. Everything seemed to be out of the works with this feline. The cat's back let out a small crack, only to have the feline hiss in discomfort. She laid herself back down onto the ground in her misery, thinking of how this could come to be.

Hunting. Yes, that seemed like the most probably cause. This cat was not the hunting type, and when she did go out and hunt, it wasn't good for her. Her structure and body type may have been built by generations of hunters, but she herself was not a hunter. Out of physically shape in the ways of hunting, this cat was not meant to run and take down full grown animals; even with her spirits by her side. Paxx knew this was the probably cause, taking down elk was not something she would do everyday.

Her back acked, and her head throbbed, burning with a sensation of a loud thunder echoing through her ear drums every minute. The cat rolled to her back and laid there; staring at the ceiling. She herself was a magic user, the darkest of all magic was on her side; and her spirits would come to her aid if she needed them. She could easily heal herself if she wished; but, healing was not her strong point; she was much better at cursing and hexing rather then healing. The cat knew if she attempted to heal herself she would result in more pain, note to self: learn how to heal.

Paxx signed and turned back to her stomach and looked around, no one seemed to be around, so she could make a break for it while she could. She would not want any feline to find out about her ailment, how odd it would be. The oracle was the type of cat that should never show their weaknesses, to anyone; except perhaps one.

Paxx lept from her den, that stood high off the ground in one of the castle walls and onto the floor. The jump only made her hiss and growl in agony, it was not like her to experience such pain. The cat shook it off and made slow, laggish movements to the door, where she would seek out the one creature that she knew would help her. Down the hall and to the left she struggled to walk; the pain only keeping her angry and fueled to keep going. Perhaps it was stress, perhaps it was not. Loki and herself both shared allot of stress, and they both knew of a certain Nagetier that could help them both.

Paxx walked through the castle and came to rest near veins that grew in the castle; hidden in them was a large snake, its eyes closed and its tongue occasionally finding its way out of the serpents mouth to taste the air.

"Veraj."

[veraj]

Yes, the ball python seemed to be asleep. No, he was not. Veraj was fully awake when his favorite snow leopard came in. She was in agony it was easy to see. The snake hated seeing her like this. The Oracle was supposed to be the one holy one in the kingdom and yet the spirits didn't help her when she was ill. How sad...

"Paxx, I was wondering when you would be back again. Sit, sit. Tell me what happened to you." Veraj was very calm as his eyes fluttered awake. The python was never one to be upset, angry, or even frazzled. His calm manner helped with his session when ones let him know their personal secrets. He was always very calm, a listening ear, a shoulder to cry on. It was strange that snakes just like him could be so angry, so vicious.

The snake slithered down the wall and onto the floor near the snow cat. She looked to be in great pain. He shook his head as he coiled himself ready for his first session of the day. Paxx was so kind and couldn't believe that anything could or would do that to her.

"Honey, what happened?" His voice, like velvet, smooth and soft. It hinted a bit of concern too because in all honesty he was concerned. His head bobbed slowly side to side. A way of keeping his focus so he didn't fall asleep. The snake had little to no stamina and since he very rarely ate, it didn't help. Veraj had to put all of his energy into doing just one session even though he craved days of endless sessions. This snake was one to really give everyone everything he had in him. Ready to serve the Oracle, his head moved slowly from side to side.

[Paxx]

Paxx saw the snake stir and became a bit more relaxed, or as much as she could possibly for now. The oracle took her paw and rubbed her face with it before looking at the snake. Seeing him move she knew that he was indeed awake and she sat herself down on the ground. She watched the snake move about, it was a rhythm that no other creature possessed.

Snakes were magical creatures they were; gifts from the spirits, they were creations that slithered their way into many hearts; that is, if they didn't eat them. Yes, the snakes could be cruel creatures, horrible and violent, sharp teeth with dislocating jaws; some would say they were devils spawn, but not this one. No, not at all; Verja was a simple snake, smooth and gentle, a healer; with almost the same mind set as Paxx. Goals that including serving their master, Loki. Snakes could be cruel, Paxx knew this; but not this one, and she saw them as magical beings, gifted by the spirits.

Paxx left herself lay down on the ground, she was not one to be comfortable around many; however it was different with the snake. Paxx was calm with the snake, she greeted him as an old friend every time they met. Paxx was always calm around him, and did not urge herself to get away from him like she did many other creatures. It appeared that the only 2 beings she was actually comfortable around was Loki, and the serpent healer.

Paxx looked at the snake with her giant purple eyes; looking him down with the eyes of many, many that were not her own. It was almost as if a proud parent had sent their child to a doctor, and if anything happened, mother and father would not be happy. Paxx was the personified version of the Spirits child, and they cared for her the best they could; but mortal illness's was something they did not help in. Spirits were spirits, not miracle workers. They had put their trust in Veraj, and knew he would take care of her; so they had nothing to worry about.

"Well, you see...Not too many moons ago I aided in a hunt of an elk for a young cheetah. Foolish of me to do so I know...It didn't appear to be a bad idea at the start; but now, all i feel is pain. It appears as if the spirits are punishing me for doing so, but I know that is not true. Perhaps a mortal disease has struck me, I am not the hunter type, i know, but I knew i had to do so for the other feline. You know how much other felines disgust me, and yet; it is my job to aid them, as I did. And now this has happened upon me. Is this what happens to kindness, Veraj?" paxx said with a huff, perhaps it was the elk, and maybe it wasn't but her aches and pains could come from anything; whether it be pain from the hunt, or from other things beyond her control.

[veraj]

Veraj listened intently, she deserved his full attention. He took a little time to respond to her. The python needed to compose his thoughts before he went rambling on about the Light. His head bobbed as he thought.

"The spirits are not punishing you for doing good, Paxx. Your body is upset because you do not hunt as much as your body would like. As you know, snow leopards are made for hunting and since you do not hunt as much as your body would like, it is a little upset. You are capable of so much, Paxx. You need to know that." Veraj hoped that his tid-bit of info from school would help her. The ball python closed his eyes to compose his thoughts. Slowly his eyes opened and he looked right at the snow leopard who was laying down. A small smile spread across the snake's face.

"How long have you been an Oracle for this kingdom Paxx?" Veraj was slightly curious but he knew that the answer would lead into his next mini lecture. He was determined to get to the root of the problem, even if the cause was just below the surface.

The python thought of therapy as gardening. His job was to deweed the patient's mind to let the beautiful flowers grow. If he didn't get the whole weed then it would pop back up and the process would have to start all over. Veraj liked to do a good job gardening his feline's they deserved the best. As well, the snake did not like to go back through things unless it was completely necessary.

[Paxx]

Paxx let her head rest against the ground, watching the snake with feline eyes with hawk like precision. The feline was feeling ill and she knew the snake would heal her, but she did not like the process of it. Yes, it could be relaxing, and sometimes it was; but she mostly just wished she would never get sick; and never have to worry about things like this. mortal illness was something she was not fond of -something no one is fond of- There was a sense of calmness between the feline and the snake, something that Paxx was rather familiar with.

"I understand what you say, Veraj. Perhaps I do need to get out and hunt more often, but it is so much easier to have one fetch a meal instead...besides. My duties lie within this castle and it is not like me to wander away from it, it is most dangerous to do so. Perhaps it is just not what the spirits wants." Maybe that was true, the spirits did not want her to be a huntress, they wanted her to stay within the castle walls, like a good oracle. She was a good feline, she was, she listened to the rules, and often did what she was told, however, sometimes she could be bad, like now. If the spirits did not want her to hunt, then perhaps she shouldn't, even if that meant not helping out other felines..

"Almost a full year, Veraj." She answered him without question, she knew better then to question the castle healer. He worked in ways that she did not know of, ways that were different then most healers. many of the feline healers that came before him were weak in skill but great in annoyance.

There was always a method to the snakes madness, whatever the sense of asking her how long she was oracle, she did not know; but he was wise, and knew that it would all make sense; eventually.

[veraj]

"Just for a thought but in your year, how many times did the spirits punish you for doing something nice? Be real with me though, I don't want any made up numbers." Veraj smiled trying to show the semi-relaxed feline that he was sort of joking about the last part. His head swayed as he talked to his favorite Oracle, even if she was the only one.

"Since you are asking for my opinion," The python hoped she was, Paxx did come to him for advice. "I think it would do you some good, even if you don't like it, get some small exercise after you feel better." Veraj gave the white cat a sincere smile. Even if the snake wasn't a doctor, he knew a thing or two about he body. At that thought, the python decided next time he ate or had excess energy he would do just that. The snake didn't get out much and decided it would be good for him too.

The last time he ate was probably a good one to two months ago. He was due for another meal sometime in the near future. It was nice being a snake, only have to worry about eating every couple months. It gives lots of time for other, more important things.

Veraj watched to see Paxx's reaction. She was an important client and friend and didn't want her to be offended. The snow leopard wasn't fat, in fact she was quite slim, but she needed to keep her body used to some sort of labor, right?

[Paxx]

"You speak the truth, Veraj. The spirits would not harm me, for I am their bridge...however, it is still a thought in my head that they brought about this; sending the lost cheetah my way. But it is understandable. Perhaps the spirits are telling me something..?"It was more of a statement then it was an actual question. The snow leopard lay flat on the floor, the cold and slightly damp floor was rough but her thick coat kept her warm and comfortable. She purred very quietly under her breathing as she kept her purple eyes on her serpent friend.

It was true, the spirits would never harm her directlyand what the spirits wanted, they would get. She held them inside her like a sickness, something that would never depart with her until the day came when she took her last breath. She let out a large sigh as thoughts came to her head; the spirits must want her to do something about herself; or this would have never happened.

"I suppose I am slightly 'out of shape' however, as much as I feel sore I also feel uneasy, as if a mighty storm has ripped straight through me..." She wasn't sure if this feeling was a foreshadowing impulse, or if it was a some sort of disease she picked up, somehow.

The cat was the farthest thing from being a 'fat cat', why, this cat was almost on the completely opposite side of that. The snow leopard was unusually small for her age, and feline type. She was slender, thin, and somewhat delicate looking. Even though her breed was meant to stalk and kill with power, the cat did not look it on the outside. She posed the strength to take down large animals, but not the stamina, maybe it would be good for her to get out more; but that meant speaking with other felines...

"Perhaps it would be best for both of us if we got out more...We both have our fair share of going many moons without eating..." Which was true, paxx often let the royal guards, and on rare occasions Loki go out and get her food; she very seldom did her own hunting. The cat was often consumed in her own work however, and did not find the time to eat, or even ask for it; and she knew the snake was just the same.

This was why the two could be so close, their similarities kept them together, and their friendship strong. they were birds of a feather, or more like fangs of a feline...or something along those lines. The two served their master with pride and happily carried out their duties.

[veraj]

"Paxx, enlighten me, I am not trying to be rude I just do not know the way of the spirits but do tell, what could they be telling you? What does a lost feline mean to the spirits?" Veraj was simply amazed by the understanding of such things. Spirits. A strange concept to the snake, it made sense. But how could old people who died tell the future to a snow leopard? It made sense it just wasn't logical.

"This storm will blow by, don't worry. As all storms do. You just need to get used to it." Veraj felt like a hypocrite talking about exercising when he didn't do it himself. His stamina was too little and he ate less than the feline, as most snakes do. They didn't need as much energy to move as the large animals did, he didn't have to carry any fur, fat, or muscle with him. The snake was glad he wasn't any larger than he was then, four feet was enough for him.

"Yes Paxx, it is not healthy for you to not eat. Us snakes are made for going months without food. That is what we are built for, due to the fact that mice are so darn fast but anyway..." Veraj laughed slightly, it was funny to him. Snake humor? "But I agree, I do more than other snakes. This session is about you though, what can I do for you?" Veraj felt as if the weed had not been pulled out but just had some ripped leaves. Yes, some was gone but the perpetrator would regrow the leaves and move on infesting the garden that is Paxx's mind. He just couldn't let that happen, he was a therapist and more importantly Paxx's friend. This problem would be solved, weather or not she wanted it to be. But obviously that was what she wanted, she was talking to him, wasn't she?

[Paxx]

Paxx brought herself back up to a sitting position where she began to lick her paw clean. She had a habit of doing so, and as she thought her ears twitched. Information ran through her head in a race like fashion, pondering how to respond. A lost feline could mean allot to the spirits with many different feelings. Paxx's tail swayed back and forth and her ears twitched nervously as she awaited a thought to come to her head.
"Why, Veraj. It could mean a various amounts of things..such as a lost kingdom...a kingdom in danger, or a kindgom in the mist of the unknown..." The oracles eyes were a deep violet and as she thought and these images flooded her mind they began to glow a deep purple color with a shimmer of blue. "...A kingdom in danger of submission, or the idea that belonging as one is not too far away...The kingdom is in danger of a violent revolution...or had gone through one, leading to a new birth, revival...The paws of a strong nation must be refreshed with the blood of warriors." The ideas went through her mind quickly and to spit them out as she did was all she could do in response to them. the spirits flooded through her veins, filling her with the knowledge and forecast to the future. Not all was easy to decode however, it was up to the oracle to truly know what all the signs and feelings meant, this took years of practice; which Paxx had on her side.
"This lost feline...signifies our kingdoms rebirth...our revolution is near...and we shall rise above obstacles that have been put in our path...revival.." Her ears flickered as she thought to herself, this made sense to her but she wasn't sure about the serpent. Veraj often always understood her spiritual rambling, so she wasn't too worried about that..
The snow leopard looked down at the serpent, the shimmer in her eyes fading back into their unnatural color of a violent violet. The ghosts of the past were hidden in her eyes, she saw the world for one thousand eyes other than her own.
"Perhaps my mind is being told to be used for higher purposes, am I to seclude myself into the castle once more. My actions outside the castle could be dangerous...maybe this is not a well thought out idea; for an oracle to hunt on its own. My kind may be built for speed and strength, but I, am built for the spirits...Can I not hunt, Veraj? Or should I do so more...the answer is most complicated to decode...The spirits can be very confusing when I am not in full attention..." Paxx shivered slightly, and her ears twitched from side to side. Paxx lowered herself back down to the ground as she stared at the ceiling, so much to decode in so little time; time she did not have.
"Veraj...I wish to know what I should do...There is so much in my mind, and so much to do. There are prisoners to get information out of..." Her teeth bared at this thought, she did not enjoy torturing of others, as it had to be done; and it was a great stress reliever."I must consult my master, Loki on some very serious matters of what the spirits are asking of him...I must wait for the new messenger to come back...and I need to consult the high priest of the canine kingdom...Our views on the world are different...but I have a few ideas under my pelt i would like to discuss..." her ears twitched, whether or not she was being devious or being helpful, it was uncertain. It was clear that this cat was stressed, and quiet tired when it came to this thing called 'living'.

[veraj]

Veraj listened in deep thought. His mind wondered about how someone could know so much about something you could not see. But wasn't that what he was doing? Dealing with something you could not see? Emotions were not something to be handled lightly with but you could not see or touch them. The thought of spirits had always fascinated him though. The Light was something that was apparent to him thought. Everything clicked, there was nothing that was questionable. Spirits just seemed to be complicated where Light and Dark were so straight forward. The snake never let his emotions or religion effect the way he weeded through minds though. He very much enjoyed his job, it was what he was made for.

He nodded with the sudden coherence of the subject. Veraj swayed back and forth keeping his mind alert. The motion helped during sessions with important figures. He wanted his full attention because he believed the deserved it. Ones who did not hold power were entitled to his help though, don't forget that, it was just that these problems were not only the problems for the important one. They were the problems of the kingdom, the whole state was on the line when talking about these troubles.

"This kingdom is great, Paxx. Not one cheetah could be the down fall to an entire society. It is just to hard especially with an empire as great as this one. Let this cheetah flow to the back of your mind, she may be of very little importance considering she is only a messenger." The python shook his head slowly, affirming that what he said was true. Veraj was one to speak his mind and he held back very little. What he said was always true, or at least in his mind.

"You see Paxx, exercise is the body's natural way of renewing its self. It helps get needed stress and pent up anger out in a natural healthy way." The python smiled. He believed that statement and he always has but he sometimes just didn't use his own advice. Maybe the therapist himself, needed a therapist.

"If you have things more important than this, why did you come to me first? You can take a break from my advice for a while. Maybe think it over, come back later when your work load is over and your mind can be more free to relax." Veraj smiled again. He was a happy reptile and loved giving his advice to others. It was nice to have someone to want the advice he had. Therapy was really his neck of the woods.

[Paxx]

Paxx nodded in understatement, She knew that there was more important matters to attend to in the kingdom other then a small feline; but she couldn't seem to shake her mind free just yet. Loki and Paxx had been going through what seemed to be the stress of war. Loki was effected far sooner than Paxx, and it appears that she had finally given into the temptation of stress. the cat laid flat against her back on the stone flooring, pondering her life and what important things she had done.

Paxx knew better then to let herself be thrown into such fits, but sometimes it could not be helped. This was when she was glad that Veraj was around, he was always there to help her when she needed, which she was quite happy about.

"There is so much that this could mean, I feel as if the spirits must be saying something, nothing is said to happen without a cause and a reason. I just cannot seem to put a paw on this cause, what have I forsaken myself to?"
She spoke with a hint of cry in her voice. Normally this feline was plastic and calm on the outside, but stress had gotten far past her inner core. This white feline was breaking, but it was going to take alot more really make her break.

The stress of the war was becoming a large weight on her shoulder, a weight she couldn't share with anyone else. Perhaps running outside like a barbarian and killing elk would be good for her...
"I come to you Veraj for you seem to be the only one I can talk to. All these other felines, they are fake fur...They are mindless killing machines. Even Loki can be a brute sometimes...But not you. You are always calm, Veraj, and that is something that I find I am fond of." She spoke with a slight smile on her muzzle. The cat was tired, but speaking with the slippery snake always calmed her down.

[veraj]

Veraj closed his eyes thinking of what he could do for the poor feline. She was obviously stressed or else she wouldn't have come. But for some odd reason it seemed worse this time. He was ready to help Paxx but he wasn't entirely sure how so he bobbed his head for a little bit. Then it hit him suddenly, breathing exercises. Yes, he agreed, it sounded dumb. But these simple things really do help and there was no harm in trying, right? He took a deep breath himself.

"Let's try something, Paxx. This is something that you can try anywhere at practically any time." He smiled at the genius idea. "Take a deep breath, hold your breath for three seconds and let out that breath for six seconds. It helps your muscles." Oh yes, the idea sure was nice. Veraj actually started doing them himself. These were actually his favorite exercises believe it or not.

Veraj listened to his feline companion. She was right, most other cats, besides herself, were much more brutal and bloodthirsty. Paxx was different and sometimes he wondered if it would have been better for her if she was more like them. But without Paxx, the kingdom would likely crumble beneath the paws of a sadistic killer, not that he didn't respect the chief. He surely did, he just wasn't the calmest of folk.

"Thank you, Paxx." He bowed his small head in appreciation. "You too, are different from your fellow felines. Calm, collected." Veraj smiled a reptilian smile. He, without a doubt, loved it here.

[Paxx]

Paxx paused for a moment, almost thinking that this was something that was childish. Deep breathes. Something that she was always told to do when she mediated when she was young. Silly exercises in her mind were now a big part of her life; and as much as she thought of it to be annoying she knew that it would help.

A big part of her training was indeed deep breathing, it was tended to calm the soul and mind, wipe away any impurities. Paxx knew it would help, but for some reason the feline always felt as if they were a tad silly.

She nodded gently with a tilt of her head. Her eyes were shinning brightly in the midst of the room. Her unnatural eye color was a rareness in the kingdom, and she knew it too. Felines would turn their heads to catch a glimpse at her eyes; to see the oracle in her pride. She locked eyes with the snake in a gentle fashion; watching him like a mother would her prey.

it was strange to think that a creature such as Paxx would have such a deep embedded maternal instinct. Even though the fate of this cat was already determined as she knew she would most likely never have kits of her own; she had a powerful desire to protect and take care of. The cat felt a desire to protect the snake as well, the two had been good friends as well as allies for quite some time.

The feline took in deep breathes, filling her lungs with fresh air and exhaling the old air that filled her lungs; cleaning out her imperfections. The cat did this for a few moments, as it slowly began to relax her. Veraj was right; this was helping.

Paxx knew it was strange to be so calm, but it was the way this feline was raised. the ways of the temple were calm and gentle, nothing like the world that she lives in now. The village was brutal and cruel. Nothing like the world she grew up in for the first 5 years of her life.

"I appreciate your kindness and your help, Veraj. It really helps out alot. There is alot of worries that go with this job. Especially when you replace such a cruel and corrupted one previously."

[veraj]

Veraj closed his small eyes. Breathing was a nice thing. Something many take for granted. Sad, it is amazing how much people take for granted. So many things, food, shelter, water, health, so many other things that one may need but may not have. These royals basked in the never ending amount of such things. But on the other hand so did he. Charity work would be one that the small snake would look into. He mentally noted that and hoped he would remember his note.

His eyes gently opened noticing the gentleness in Paxx's eyes. Her eyes were an unnatural color, yes, but that had never fazed the snake. He was used to it. Her eyes though had something hidden beneath them. Almost a sense of motherly love. Although he liked the idea of Paxx liking the snake so much, it may not have been safe to feel that way about him or anything else that was not an orphan itself. Veraj wanted to open up that topic so he could see everything but she spoke first.

"Ah, well thank you Paxx. Some work better than others I guess." A slow smile spread across the snake's mug, he quite liked praise. "Do you want kits, Paxx?" The question was simple but held so much potential. Veraj wanted eggs at sometime but he had never met another snake with such class as himself. No, the python did not think of himself as one that was better than others. Some beings just did not fit the cut for a potential mate or friend. It was a role he held highly so not just any being could fulfill it.