[BORDER] Not Again! [ Leomaris & Calypso ]

[Depawsit]

Ahhh~

That had been a delicious meal! It seemed like forever since he'd had such a large and hearty dinner as the one he'd just enjoyed. He was so used to catching small game such as hares that the opportunity to down a gazelle was a welcome challenge. And boy had he succeeded! Leomaris let out a small belch of enjoyment as he lie down in the grass on his back. Allowing the wind to blow through his mane, he had not a care in the world. Which was pretty unusual for the male. He shrugged it off though, hoping that lady luck had finally chosen to shine her light down on him.

Painted Moose

 

[Painted Moose]

So, Fatimah wanted to be a Scout, hmm? The thought itself was slightly laughable. Ever since she had taken the young adolescent into her den the girl had been nothing, but trouble. She was supposed to be teaching the young one how to be a better member of the pride, since she had no family to do it for her, but it had turned out that mothering was harder than it seemed.

Scouting was something that one had to feel; it required patience, a tough core, and initiative. Fatimah had initiative in droves, with a core of stone, but patience? What patience? Calypso chuckled and shook her head. If that girl didn't drive Samawati up a wall then she would get another just as fast!

She walked the border, scanning and perusing to see the direction of the herds, all while not so subtlely looking for a certain Scout. At some point she would have something to say to him, but for now...now it seemed she had bluer problems.

The scent of a fresh kill, a belch...and a very striking male, snuggled up in the grass. She might have left him if it wasn't so obvious that he was a rogue. "Comfortable?" She quipped, moving with a smirk.

Depawsit

 

[Depawsit]

And it would seem, Lady Luck was indeed not on his side today either. He frowned, before quickly rolling off of his back and taking a more respectable standing position. From here, he could definitely get a better idea of what he was dealing with. She was built, quite a bit larger than he was, even with his large belly. And boy was she scarred, probably not the ideal lioness to bump into on such a full belly.

"Y-Yes? I mean no! No I wasn't comfortable, you can have this spot if you want it! I- I was jut leaving, honest!" He tried to remain straight up, but his submissive nature was definitely beginning to kick in. He could feel his knees wanting to bend, and show this female he meant her no harm. But in the same breath, one so stocky and strong? She would likely expect the respect she thought she deserved.

Painted Moose

 

[Painted Moose]

Depawsit

Calypso quirked and eyebrow, bemused with the situation she now found herself in. It was rare she found males with so little apparent dominance, and it was all coming from the rogues. If she told any of her friends, would they believe her? When they were so used to dealing with aggressors? It was almost comical.

He was smaller than her, which wasn't as surprising as it should have been, and his posture was starting to unnerve her. "Calm down," Calypso chuckled. "I'm not likely to eat you; I swear. I didn't mean to make you move, either. Though, I suppose you should. Unless you're planning on joining, these are pridal grounds." Her soft smile was full of the warmth that only the very world weary could achieve.  

[Depawsit]

The female's words did little to calm his nerves, and he continued to usher himself away from the spot. He hadn't meant to intrude on anything, much less a pride! A shiver began in his tail and quickly made its way throughout his body.

"Oh boy, a pride? I-I'm sorry, I don't plan on joining or anything. I-I was just taking a rest after my meal. I'll be on my way!" Leomaris now had his back turned to the larger female, and his tremors continued. She had said she hadn't intended to eat him ... but her size told him he should still be on guard. "Please don't tell anyone about this, I promise i'll be on my way." With one last glance back at the female, he dipped his head in apology. He hadn't meant to intrude on her in any way, he could only hope she as true in her original words and wasn't going to harm him.

Painted Moose

 

[Painted Moose]

Depawsit

Jumpy little thing, wasn't he? As much as she wanted to coddle his insecurities, Calypso was painfully aware that by doing so she would be going against her better judgement. She wanted to believe he was truly this cowardly, but what if he wasn't? What if it was a clear ploy to distract her while others infiltrated the pride? What if he was the one to infiltrate?

And yet....With a sigh of resignation, Calypso sat before him and gingerly lowered herself into a relaxed laying position amongst the grasses. "If you truly wish to leave, I'll not stop you, but I would prefer to have you rest a while longer. Moving about so soon after a large meal is bound to upset your stomach." Would that calm him? Show him that she wasn't that bad?  

[Depawsit]

He hadn't seen her change positions at all, in fact it wasn't until she spoke that he turned his head again. But by that time, he'd already managed to get a few feet between them. Leo's ears perked at her strange change in posture and attitude. She didn't seem the type to do such things, yet here she was.

Tilting his head to the side, he reverted back to facing in her direction. One paw raised to take another step. Should he approach her? It didn't seem there was much she could do to him from such a position. "W-Why are you so worried for my best interests? You're just a stranger to me."

Against his better judgement he took a step closer. Her plea for him to stay had struck a chord, he hadn't quite decided whether his decision had been a good or bad one.

"This is a pride's territory is it not? Isn't it ... dangerous for me to be here? I don't want to be in danger ... I don't even want to be considered a danger myself!"

Painted Moose

 

[Painted Moose]

Depawsit

You can do it, just a little closer. Talking to him was like coaxing a cub to walk. She would need all of her patience just to get him to move the few steps without moving him herself!

"We're only strangers because we haven't introduced ourselves," She smiled. "So, here it is. My name is Calypso, what's yours?" It was truly boggling to her how generally timid he was of her. She wanted to hope he was this way about everyone. It would have killed her on the inside to know she'd frightened off someone who hadn't meant any harm at all.

"Well, yes, it is pridal territory, but you're on the border. And you're with me. So long as you aren't causing any trouble, which you aren't!, you're fine. Take your rest, and if anyone else approaches us I'll say that I was visiting a friend, and I'll escort you to the rogue lands myself. How does that sound?"  

[Depawsit]

Another two steps and he frozen.

"Leomaris." He mumbled shyly, dipping his head slowly in recognition. He did his best to keep his eyes on her at all times, though his mane kept getting in the way. "It's good to meet you Calypso." Pausing his speech, with one paw in the air he looked at her quizzically. "It is a good thing right?"

As he listened to her, he was still trying to gauge his decision making skills.

"I guess that sounds nice ... are you sure it won't be any trouble?"

Deep down he was screaming that this was a bad idea. But he couldn't help but feel, that perhaps there was something good about this lioness.

Painted Moose

 

[Painted Moose]

Depawsit

"Leomaris." She murmured, just to memorize the name. If he ever came to call upon the pride again, it would only be fitting that she called him by his title, after all! "It's good for me, so...I think?" Calypso chuckled nervously, and looked up at him. "If you truly don't feel comfortable here, Leomaris, you don't have to stay. I won't chase after you. I promise you, though, you are safe here."

There were no others around that she knew of, and it was as calm a day as there could be, so there would be little to spook him, as far as she knew. With a smile, she patted the ground beside her. "Come on, now, sit down. I'm tired just watching you."  

[Depawsit]

Her words seemed to do the trick, and finally Leomaris fully slumped over to the female. He dipped his head at her politely, all the while trying to keep an eye on her. Just in case he was misjudging her trustworthiness. "Th-Thank you for that. I wasn't trying to intrude or anything ... I was just looking to rest after my meal."

Lifting himself from his bow, he looked into Calypso's eyes and felt as though he could really trust her. For the first time he offered her a kind smile and adjusted himself to lie down across from her.

"I hope its OK if I lie instead ... my belly is pretty full." Leo chuckled a bit, nervously glancing at Calypso to ensure she was OK with it. "Thank you for your kindness,"

And those were the last words he spoke, before his eyes began to grow heavy.

Painted Moose

END? :3