Today wasn't a good day. And Kutakia wasn't in the best of moods. A cold front had swept over the African savannah, and dark grey clouds rained drizzle down. And if there was one thing Kuta hated more than anything in the entire world, it was being wet. The onyl time he accepted it was when he drank, and if he accidentally splashed himself. But otherwise, it was horrible and stupid. Who ever created water that got you wet? Ridiculous.And to make things worse, there was no shelter anywhere. No trees, no rocks. Just open desert. He was tired, making the usually optimistic, merry leopard somewhat grumpy. One foot was placed in frotn of the other, time after time, as he continued on his way across the savannah, searching out anything that wasn't sand. He was beginning to develop a hatred of that, too.
Múscail, however, was the direct opposite. The lioness rather enjoyed the rain, and it helped to lift her spirits. She could already feel herself growing heavy with cubs, cubs that she was still trying to accept. Cubs that had been forced on her... At least the rain would help to hide her tears...
She had to wonder why they kept coming.
Ugh. He was starting to get hungry, too. And you couldn't see anything through this stupiid rain...no, wait. What was that?! The grey landscape before him seemed to have a large, white-ish lump on it. Another creature, perhaps? Forcing his tired limbs to quicken his pace, Kuta trotted forwards towards the intrusion, slowing as he drew close enough to realize that it was a lionness.
"Hello?" he called out, grateful beyond relief for the company. Being alone was so boring and...well, lonely. Something seemed a little off about the femme, though - she didn't seem all that happy.
"Oh! Hello," Múscail said, starting slightly and shifting to wipe the tears away from her eyes. She then turned to give the leopard a small smile.
Kuta's warm smile could've lit up even the darkest of caverns, as he moved forwards further now she knew he was there. He hadn't wanted to scare her, after all. His smile faltered a little as he spotted tears on her face, her paw quickly moving to wipe them away, Unable to stop himself, Kuta's smile faded altogether, preplaced by a more concerned expression,
"Forgive me - but are you alright?"
"I'm good... I just... Have a lot on my mind," Múscail said, offering Kuta a reluctant smile. "I've been through a lot recently."
Kuta nodded in understanding - she was leaving something out, but he wasn't going to push her to say something she didn't want to. That was mean, and Kutakia didn't do mean. Instead, his warm smile returned, made to look a little silly due to a wet patch of fur flopping down over one of his amber eyes.
"Can I at least escort you to some shelter? I'm Kutakia, by the way. Kuta, for short."
"I have a feeling I know this area better than you. There's an oasis not far from here," Múscail said lightly, grinning and shifting to get up. "Just follow me, and I'll lead you there."
Kuta knew full well he had no idea where any shelter was, but it had seemed like the gentleman-ly thing to do. And now he only looked silly, grinning sheepishly as a faint blush spread over his cheeks in embarrassment. But he'd made the lionness grin, which was an achievement in his books. To make someone smile everyday - what an awesome thing to achieve.
"Admittedly, I don't know around here very well. At least let me catch us something to eat when the rain clears up?" he tried, following her as she began to walk. It suddenly struck him that he didn't know her name, though, "I never caught your name?"
"Fine. But you need to know that you're hunting for more than just me. And I'm Múscail," she said, laughing softly as she led Kuta to the nearby oasis. Where she'd first met a Dawnwalker...
Hunting for more than just her? Kutakia narrowed his eyes in mild confusion, forehead furrowing as the clogs in his mind slowly began to tick, eyes widening and his mouth forming a small 'o' shape as he finally realized. He had thought she looked somewhat plump.
"You're in cub?!" came the surprised exclamation, Kutakia sounding more surprised that anything else. If she was in cub, why was she alone? Surely she'd have her mate with her? "Even more reason for me to help you feed - getting enough shouldn't be a problem."
He was a fairly good hunter, and could bring down a nice, juicy, plump waterbuck without much trouble.
"The cubs... Weren't conceived under the best circumstances, but I will raise them like any good mother should," Múscail said lightly, laughing softly at the look on poor Kuta's face.
...Ah. That explained it. Sympathy flooded the leopard as he quickened his pace for a few moments, to bring himself level with Musicail rather than a little behind her. "I'm...sorry for hear that, Musicail. I'm sure you'll be a great mother, though."
He always tried his best to cheer others up, just as he was now. He smiled once more, glad she was laughing. Laughter was the best medicine, after all.
"My dear sister was a good mother, so I have a feeling I'll be a good mother too. Or at least a decent one," Múscail said lightly, smiling and nudging Kuta with a small smile.
Kuta purred a little at the nudge, nudging her back softly, but in a clearly friendly way - he didn't want to seem like he was doing anything else! Oh no. He simply walked beside her, smiling to himself, looking out for this oasis she'd mentioned.
Múscail couldn't help but giggle slightly at the nudge, and it wasn't much longer until she spotted the oasis. Even from far away it was beautiful. Dense trees around a gorgeous pond filled with fresh water...
"There it is," she said.
Oh, it was so pretty! And sheltered, which pleased him most. Just the chance to get out of this horrid drizzle! Trust his luck, though, it was already beginning to clear up. With a somewhat irritated sigh, he smiled at Muscail to ensure her that the sigh wasn't directed towards her.
"It's gorgeous - how did you find this place?" he spoke, already moving towards it.
"My visions led me here once, and I've been able to find it ever since," Múscail explained, trotting forward to go into the shelter of the trees.
