[PRP] I'm Nervous (Lomasi/Shikra x Teet/Tzarach)

[mouselet]

Teet had found a ledge overlooking the valley as a whole. Rather, Tzarach had found it for her when she mentioned wanting to get away without going very far for a bit. Hard to believe they'd been here nearly a year. It was so strange...even the seasons were a bit different in the Aka'mleli's lands. Instead of dying of heat exhaustion, they were in a relatively sheltered valley. And where the lioness lay, overlooking said view, it was high enough to be brisk.

In the time since they'd arrived, the two had learned the pride and their ways. But Teet didn't feel much different inside.

"Did we make a mistake?" she asked quietly.

Tzarach was, for the most part, content to simply perch on his partner and occasionally point out sights to her. He knew that Teet was happy to listen to him with one ear. So it took him by surprise when she actually spoke, interrupting his stream of words.

Then, of course, he had to take a moment to figure out what she meant.

The bird snorted. "Of course not! How many other prides would see me as your partner, and not just an affectation? We've got to consider me too, you know!"  

[mouselet]

Teet had to smile at her old friend's indignation. The simple statement, without being followed by Tzarach's normal spew of words, meant more to her than anyone other than her partner could ever realize. She turned them over in her mind, and found herself forced to agree. Many prides were...special, when it came to the treatment of the smaller races. That even included leopards and cheetahs, for many of them. Aka'mleli was for lions, but at least here avians were seen as full people too.

She was considering teasing the green bird when an unexpected voice rang out nearby. The green lioness turned her head smoothly to get a look at the pair who'd interrupted her reflections.

"So I see," she replied with a smile. "Found us, did you?" Not that they'd been hiding...

Tzarach was busying himself preening his partner as she considered his words. He knew when to chatter and when to keep quiet. But he hadn't been expecting company all the way up here! The green bird was startled into flight by the sudden voice.

"Grakakah! Where did you come from!?" he asked the newcomers.  

[mouselet]

Tzarach "harumphed" and settled his feathers. He was less than pleased about being startled so badly he'd nearly yanked Teet's fur and fallen off his perch.

"Yes, well, green does show up well against grey," he admitted stiffly. "But you shouldn't sneak up on people like that!" the green bird cautioned.

"We can only hope," Teet replied drily to the other lioness. Personally, she found Shikra amusing, but that could be simply because she didn't see the other bird every day.

"I am glad to hear that you're feeling well enough to climb up here," the lioness replied, smiling at her friend. "But what brings you to seek us out?" She doubted Lomasi had come up here just to say hello.  

[mouselet]

Tzarach sniffed, unamused by by Shikra's explanation. She'd been sneaking and he was sure of it. Nevermind that his attention had been focused elsewhere at the time, it was still sneaking! Silly bird. Instead, he turned his attention to the lions' conversation.

Teet listened patiently as Lomasi strung the words together slowly, in order to bring what was troublign her to light. She hadn't expected this particular revelation. The Crown Prince, eh? Now that was something interesting.

However, there was probably a reason why not many people asked the green lioness' advice about their love lives.

"Seduce him," she answered shortly. It was the simplest solution that would force the issue soonest. Not that she felt Umoja was the type to hide from a lioness he truly cared for.  

[mouselet]

Tzarach ignored the question and simply sighed. Trust Teet to be that blunt about it. He, for one, had no intention of contributing to the conversation of a group of females concerning sex. He was prudent that that portion of their lives should remain private, even from a partner.

The green lioness smiled at her friend, the expression shifting into something much more mischevious as she gave the matter more thought. Teet didn't honestly know which of them was older, and didn't much care. In this instance, she clearly had more experience, and Lomasi could benefit.

If she wanted to.

"Well, if it's technique you're looking for, I can certainly show you a few things guaranteed to...excite him," the green female offered, blue eyes glinting with mirth. She wasn't certain how to respond to being the only one to offer the white lioness practical advice, and so overlooked that comment.  

[mouselet]

Tzarach ignored Shikra with dignity. He had nothing worth saying to the other bird. And, knowing her, saying anything at all would encourage her further. He wasn't keeping silent to listen in to the conversation either, not at all. He respected Teet's privacy!

Well, as much as was possible when you were partners.

"Practice," the lioness replied succinctly. "But the offer will stand, if you change your mind in the future." She cocked her head to the side, considering what she knew of the situation and the lions involved.

"Keep in mind, I wouldn't suggest this if I thought Umoja was the type to "love 'em and leave 'em"," she cautioned Lomasi. "But he does seem like he might need you to make a move of sorts to encourage him."

Only Teet could deliver such a double entendre with a straight face.  

[mouselet]

Hmm...the other bird was in retreat. He'd count that a victory. For now. Tzarach nested in Teet's fur as he listened to the ongoing conversation.

The green lioness rolled her shoulders in a shrug. "You've been here longer than I," she pointed out inescapably. "You may not be a sibling or someone born into this pride, but I doubt you're considered a stranger still."

Teet rose to her feet. "You asked my advice, and I've given it. Is there anything else?" she asked, though her tone said "I hope not" quite clearly.