-- Logged from AIM
Naima gazed out across the rogue lands, as the mid day sun beat down across the savanna. She yawned, and comtemplated taking a nap, but she just couldn't. There was something nagging at her soul, and she didn't know what to do about it. It seemed everyday she just would sleep, hunt if she had the energy, and just gaze out across the rogue lands at others. She realized that she was missing something in her life, and that something was love. She didn't know who she wanted to love, but she knew that she needed it to start to feel normal again. She just felt so distant, like she was watching herself talk to people, not actually doing it herself.
Raylan had found that life had settled into a decent, calm one. She no longer worried over much of anything, except perhaps the influence of those two nutty hyenas on the children. She found life to be easy, not too exciteable, and her relationship with her beloved Enok could not have been better. She didn't truly mind life any more, she wasn't running from anything, and she found that she felt she belonged here more than ever.
With a soft sigh, she let her tangerine eyes shift over the horizon, and she had to admit she was somewhat surprised to see the leopardess. "Hello," she called softly, pausing at a near distance, turning her gaze down upon the restless fem.
Naima was somewhat surprised when she heard someone greet her from her deep thought. Not wanting to be rude, she flashed the lioness a smile. "H-hello." Naima wasn't so much intimidated, but rather she was nervous about her condition of being lonely. Not entirely sure of what this lioness' intentions were, she became suddenly worried, but quickly remembered that if the lioness really wanted to hurt her, then she wouldn't have been so upfront about saying hello. Still coming off as somewhat distant she spoke again. "My name is Naima. I'm a rouge leopardess that wanders here and there, and I'm not really sure what I'm looking for anymore." Naima suddenly felt awkward, introducing herself as if she was introducing someone else. Whatever, if the lioness didn't want to associate with her, then she'd just spend the rest of the day hoping for something happy to happen.
Raylan quirked a confused eyebrow at the female's response, though the smile she had in place on her maw didn't falter in the slightest. It took a lot to shake the lioness, at least since she had come into company with Izulu. That hyena could say some of the strangest things, and as of yet, she'd yet to hear anyone who could top her. The leopard's introduction caused a raised eyebrow, but really nothing more. "My name is Raylan. I, too, am a rogue although I do not travel much because I have young cubs." She sat down slowly, tail flickering, eyes watching her in silence. "My sister once told me where I would find what I was looking for, but even then I didn't realize it until long after it had happened. No one ever knows."
Naima's personality almost instantly changed when Raylan mentioned cubs. She had never really thought about having her own. Well, she had thought about it, but not in a serious manner. Contemplating the idea of it, she wondered if a cub would cure her of the emptiness she felt inside herself. Curious about what having little ones was like she decided to ask Raylan, an actual mother. "I've been sort of tossing the idea of having cubs of my own around in my head. Y'know? I was just wondering did they change you like people say they do? I've always wanted to be a mother, it's just recently I've been feeling very lonely." Naima cut herself off before she said too much, which in turn she thought might lead the lioness to leave for asking so many questions about being a mother.
Raylan frowned at her for a moment, considering the girl. She was mighty young to be thinking about having cubs, in Raylan's opinion. Cubs were a handful, even for her and her mate, and she couldn't begin to think how hard it would be for the female. However, she knew that the only thing she could do was let nature run it's course, for all things happened for a reason in the end. "It is not a decision I would say to take lightly. They are a handful, although they are the most beautiful thing a female can ever do." She smiled, dipping her head lightly, "they can cure lonliness, but they can also cause distress. They will change you, but if you have them at the wrong point in your life, it may not be a good change."
Naima sobered up at this point. She realized that cubs were the worst and the best thing that could ever happen all wrapped up into one. Since nothing really was happening with her, she basically figured that any change at this point in her life would be good change, but she couldn't be sure. "I understand, I think. Did your cubs change you?" Naima was wondering about the change the most. She didn't want to go through one of the biggest events in her life if she wasn't sure if it was going to change the emptyness she felt inside. She knew a cub or cubs would make her feel better, but would they make her welll again? She wasn't physically ill, but she felt emotionally drained from all the thinking she was doing recently.
She smiled and nodded, more than happy to answer her question. If the girl was meant to have cubs, if the gods willed it to so, then who was she to convince her otherwise? "My cubs are my life," she said finally, "I believe I am a better lioness for knowing them, for taking care of them, and they give my life a purpose it lacked before."
Naima was content with Raylan's answer. She finally said what she wanted to hear. She wanted something to focus on, something that would make her part of everyday life, and not just an observer. "Raylan, I want to thank you. You've told me exactly what I wanted to hear." She paused for a moment and took in a breath, because she was about to share something she hadn't shared before. "Lately, I've felt empty, and I just need a cure for it all."
Raylan frowned slightly at her words, tilting her head for a moment as she considered what to say back to her. "I'm not sure cubs will be the answer you are looking for," she said softly, tail twiching lightly. She didn't truly want to tell the girl her dreams were wrong, but she was very young, and she didn't seem to imply that she had a mate. A single, young mother was not something Raylan wanted to be a part of. She answered her question, but she knew, deep down, that her sistuation was much different than the one that this female was going through.
Naima was not content with the words of the lioness. All she wanted was a little encouragement, but it seemed like that was impossible. At this point in her life it seemed like cubs were her only option to cure her loneliness. All Naima was able to utter was a simple, "O-oh." She tried putting on a smile, but it was if her body knew that it would be too deceiving. She didn't know exactly what it was, but she figured that she should probably go wander around some more, since the lioness wasn't that interested in her situation. "Well, I think I'm going to go walk around a little. Clear my head, and think about what I want to do." With that, Naima stood up, and gave a slight smile with her eyes. "Goodbye, it was a pleasure to talk to someone who knew something about cubs."
