[PRP] Little Annoyaces, huh? [Banquo/Pha'Ess]

[T-Kai]

It was not unusual to find 'Ess napping. It wasn't even unusual to find her in a tree, napping with a leg or tail off the branch. What WAS unusual was that she was near the borders of the forest, rather than in the center. In all fairness, it was a nice, warm day, and she felt like napping in sunlight, rather than the dappled shade of the deeper forest. However, there were slight issues with that plan. Namely a small, whining voice she was pretty sure belonged to one of the cubs that had recently been born. Flicking her ears, she grumbled low in her throat, opening one eye to see exactly what was disturbing her nap.  

[Mogami]

Banquo had decided to visit Citro in the groundlings’ forest but the striped lion was having a rather tough time getting past the edge as a small ball of fluff insisted on following him around and getting on his way. He had merely exchanged a few words with the cub – most of them curt answers to satisfy the little one’s curiosity – but now that the little thing knew his chosen profession, it seemed to be impossible to get rid of him.

“For the last time.” The pale lion said slowly in his deep tone when the nasally whines of the young cub stopped for a moment. It was painful just to look at young cub and the Scholar was doing a very good job at avoiding eye contact with the little thing. “You are too young to have lessons.” And certainly a groundling cub wouldn’t need his services… he would most likely remain in the forest as an adult and he’d learn everything he needed through his mother – who Banquo was hoping would appear soon as he’d almost stepped on the stubborn little thing more than once.  

[T-Kai]

Phess chuckled to herself lightly when she only heard the conversation, but as she came nearer and saw the sharp expression on the pale lions face, and the way he was determinedly avoiding eye contact with the rambunctious little one, her features softened into sympathy. Leaping out of the tree, she grabbed the cub by the scruff of his neck with her paw.

"If I'm not mistaken, your mother is looking for you. You're supposed to be watching your sister."

The fluffy cub winced. "But Pheessss-" His outbreak was cut off by a raising of the eyebrow. He grumbled. "Later Auntie."

She wasn't actually his aunt, of course. But in the forest of the groundlings, everybody was family - Phess especially took to calling people siblings. The cub scampered off, and Phess turned her gaze to the golden-eyed lion.

"Are you okay now, brother?"  

[Mogami]

The striped lion looked up as a leopardess came to his rescue, making the cub disappear with a just a few words. He wasn't used to being addressed with such familiarity and, honestly, Banquo wasn't sure how he felt about it. He supposed he appreciated teh feeling to some extent as he'd gotten used to driving others away with a fiery gaze or cold demeanor. This was much better, he was sure of that.

"Yes, thank you." he said after a brief silence, slowly leaning back to sit. He felt he owed her an explanation even though she'd probably understood the situation perfectly on her own. And still he feared that she would assumed he was refusing the cub because he was a groundling or, even worse, give the impression he didn't like kids at all. He already had enough trouble getting students without having such rumors going around - and, in the Suka'Fumo, rumours did spread like wildfire. "I'm Banquo, a Scholar. He seems interested in learning but he's far too young for my services."  

[T-Kai]

"That or he's just interested as to why someone new's in the forest."

Pha'Ess shrugged, a fullbody movement from her shoulderblades to her tailtip that made her fur ripple
slightly. Alot of groundlings were often described as over-familiar, and whilst she wasn't particularly physical, Phess wasn't one to censor her words or be stand-offish.

"Why are you here, anyway?"

Or not be blunt, as you turn out.  

[Mogami]

Banquo considered her alternative explanation for the cub’s insistent behaviour and he would gladly take it as true. Between that and the possibility that the young little lion might continue to pester him for lessons, the Scholar would much rather her words to be true.

Unusually still, his golden eyes travelled through the leopardess’ marking until they finally settled on her eyes. Her question didn’t necessarily catch him off guard but he did take a very long time to answer.

“I’m looking for someone.” He said simply, wondering briefly if perhaps the female knew Citro.