[PRP] Title Pending (Nisi x Mchanga)

[Hopefolly]

Whether or not he intended it, Mchanga had always felt Dad inciting Firekin membership for his acceptably colored children more a peremptory demand than a suggestion. If nothing else, it was easier for him to vilify a lion he'd never see again over coming to terms with the fact it was him that walked here, him that stayed.

Mchanga hated these lands. The heat, the thirst, the lions most of all. A majority share of the biggest assholes he'd ever met, all condensed in one place. The worst of it was that he found himself craving recognition and approval from the most willfully contrary of them, doing whatever he could to garner it while simultaneously treating the few who were decent to him with varying degrees of contempt. Was it the sun melting the sense out his ears, emotional backlash reflecting his mood, or something else? If Mchanga knew, he'd try to fix it... or try to try.

Until he'd officially gained entry, he was permitted in the places they called outposts and garrisons. The one he favored was found in the same direction he'd first approached these lands: from the west.

There was usually someone with enough sympathy or pity to nod him the way of water sources. Once he found them, he rarely strayed. Mchanga was there again, meandering around the oasis to try and find a shady spot offered by the scant (and unusual) trees. Midday was his least favorite time.  

[Meepfur]

Nisitayeshaua was not a lioness prone to outbursts or sudden flares of temper, but sometimes enough was enough, and, well, lately she'd been having one of those times. Considering how much of her time she spent with her aunt, it was a small wonder she didn't have more of those times. Usually, Nisi was able to brush away or laugh off Niwasha'Hewa's traditionalist ramblings - and occasionally rantings - but after awhile they would get old.

Recently, they'd gotten a little too personal. The older lioness was on her about finding a suitable mate, having little red-pelted children, raising them up as proper Firekin, blah blah blah. Now, Nisi was not opposed to the mate and children thing as a whole, but her aunt's version of it was not the least bit appealing. She'd finally snapped at her and stormed off, then headed for the western outpost. It was about as far away as she could get from her father's twin, and there were rogues and huria aplenty. Not somewhere Hewa was likely to follow her.

The trip to the outpost was long, and had given her a lot of time to think and cool down, but while no longer angry, she was definitely still irritated. And now she was also tired, her fur was all full of sand, and her paws hurt. She flopped down beside the water with a huff, noting with equal parts amusement and annoyance that one of the nearby guards was actually rather attractive.

Hopefolly

 

[Hopefolly]

Meepfur

When he looked at Nisi, Mchanga saw a kindred spirit.

If only he knew.

He was a sensible lion, good at reading those around him enough to recognize fellow new blood when he saw it. This was inaccurate, of course, but for the time being Mchanga was more or less convinced his first impression of her was the right one. It was easier to relate to his own kind than Firekin born and raised.

So as not to encroach on her personal space, he scooted over only far enough he wouldn't have to turn up the volume to be heard. "It sucks out here sometimes, right?" If she looked to the sound of his voice, he would nod to confirm it was her he'd been speaking to.  

[Meepfur]

Nisi was considering going to speak to the guard, but...no. She was here to get away from her aunt and her aunt's crazy ideas, not walk right into what she wanted. And anyway, with her luck and family ties, she was probably related to him. Her ancestry was awfully inconvenient sometimes.

Someone who was not the guard she was so not watching spoke up, and she swung her gaze to see a scraggly adolescent and snorted her agreement with his observation.

"Yeah, some days. I'm sick to death of having sand up my nose."

Hopefolly