Long legs padded across the grasses as jade colored eyes scanned the surrounding area searching for prey of some sort to bring back to the lady he had been caring for since he had first met her. A sigh escaped his maw when he saw no sign of a prey beast. Frowning he continued onward moving into the vegetation hoping that his luck would prosper there as it had not it more open space.
"I do hope Miss Maua will be pleased with whatever I catch." He mumbled to himself as the thought about the black lioness. She was still as frail as ever but he could tell that she was getting stronger. They were able to travel more distance and she was more content to be left alone for longer periods of time. Something he was rather thankful for if only because it gave him more time to himself.
--
Aveil moved, pawsteps steady as the teen made her journey, following scent.
She wasn't giving up on her mother; not now, not ever. Kingu was upset, so was everyone else... But Aveil felt responsible for finding her.
The lioness cub couldn't not look. She movmed through the vegetation, lost, and stopped, looking around. What could she do? The trail had to be somewhere near.....
--
It wasn't long before the cheetah spotted someone moving rather confusedly. Furrowing his brow he tilted his head. Should he help? What if they didn't need his help? His mind raced with questions while his maw opened and the words simply spilled out. "Hello there! Do you need help!"
By the time he realized he had said something it was too late, he had already spoken. Shrugging internally he trotted over towards the feline.
--
Aveil's ears pricked and she rose up, looking over and blinked, studying the newcomer.
Mostly white... How pretty! The female turned, sitting and bowing her head in greeting.
"Hullo... Do you live around here?" She asked hopefully.
--
He smiled at her trying to be reassuring, to show her that he wasn't going to hurt her. Not that he could even if he would have liked. It was a young lady and it was against his morals to do anything other than help. Shaking his head at her question he replied, "I'm sorry I'm not. But I have been in this area for a while." He paused studying her. "I'd be happy to help you with anything you might need miss."
Damn him and his all to caring, kind nature. Whenever anyone, or anything for that matter, need help and he could help he had to. "I'm Kika by the way." He introduced himself dipping his head in greeting. He had decided to simply give her his shortened name, otherwise it would have been more than a mouthful.
--
Aveil listened carefully-- normally, the lioness was hot blooded, curt, short... And definaitely unpleasant. But being alone like this, she was afraid. The lioness looked up, and nodded politely.
"My name is Aveil." She said quietly. "I'm looking someone... Gold, white markings... Very timid... Have you seen anyone like that?"
She looked hopeful....
--
"It's nice to meet you Miss Aveil. You have a pretty name, if you don't mind me saying so." He told her smiling again as he listened to her discription of the person she was looking for. His brows knitted together as he thought about. Frowning he slowly shook his head. "I'm awfully sorry but I haven't. I can help you look however, if you'd like me to." He added quickly as to not completely dash her hopes.
After all if that happened, well...well he'd feel pretty damned guilty and that wouldn't do at all. Not one bit.
--
Aveil looked crushed until he offered to help. She'd never seen a Cheetah before... And he seemed nice....
"I'd like that.. Thank you."
She hesitated.
"Sorry if I seem rude... What are you?" She tilted her head
--
"You're welcome. I'm more than happy to help." He replied cheerfully glad to see her relatively happy and not disheartened. Her question didn't bother him at all, surprisingly enough it he was asked the question rather often and at this point it was something akin to a simple greeting. "I, Miss Aveil, am a cheetah. Distance cousin to lions." He told her beaming rather proud of his species. "We're the fast animal in Africa."
"Don't worry, you weren't rude at all. Many people ask the same question."
--
"Ooohhh." Aveil blinked, shrugging. "I... Kind of thought you were a boy lion."
She looked embarressed, but recovered rapidly, offering a grin.
"So are there many cheetahs in Africa?"
Ah, so many questions..... Probably not the time for them, but, it might help.
--
He chuckled at her reply. "I suppose it wouldn't be too hard to think like that." He shrugged. "Though I'm a bit lanky to be a lion." He held out a paw shaking it in the air before her. "Bit leggy too, at least that's what I've been told." He stated jade eyes looking down at his own legs. They were rather thin and long. Not that he minded, they were good for running and that was what was important to him.
"There aren't as many Cheetahs as there are lions but there are a few." He replied nodding.
--
Aveil looked enthralled.
"Are all Cheetahs tall?"
Damn, she sounded immature. But Aveil had to know. Curiousity demanded it; and her tail swayed happily. She couldn't wait to say she met a cheetah!
--
He had to think about that. He wasn't entirely sure. He had met some rather small cheetahs, and some rather big. It all depended. "I can't really say Miss Aveil." He tapped his chin with his paw as he thought about it. "Every cheetah's different."
He shrugged. "I guess it's the same with every species isn't it?" Pausing he remembered that she had been looking for someone. "Oh! Should we be searching for your...mother?"
--
Aveil nodded.
"I'm sorry, I just.. Never met anyone but lions before." She shook herself out. "I guess curiosity got the better of me."
She rolled her shoulders, shrugging guiltily.
--
He chuckled moving forward and lightly patting her upon the head. "It's alright, I don't mind." He told her smiling. "I like curiousity." Kika stated oblivious to the fact that he was flirting, even if it was unintentional. By trying to make her feel better he complimented her and by complimenting her he was flirting. Silly, silly boy.
"Where did you last see her?"
--
"Home, I'm afraid.. I was... TRYING to trail."
If lions could, she would blush, and she gave the male a hopeful look, eyes widening a bit.
"But I lost her scent...!"
--
"Trail? Do you mean follow her?" He asked his brows knitting together as he thought about it. Why would her mother leave her? He wasn't quite sure but he figured there had to be a reason. When she started to freak a little he spoke to her in a calming voice. "Relax, it's alright. I'm here to help you so we'll find her alright?" He asked.
He inhaled deeply. "Could you take me back to your home so I could maybe find her scent myself? Or she may already be back home."
--
"I... Could..." Aveil fidgeted. Would it be OK? Well, if it found her mothers...
"It's not a bother, is it?" She seemed worried, looking up to the male in concern.
--
Kika shook his head bothered that she asked, but only a little. "Not a bother at all." He declared with a very firm nod. "If I can help you I'd like to do so in anyway." He commented. It had been how he had been raised, the way he had been taught. Always put a woman first. Cater to her needs then your own. It's the polite and proper thing to do.
"Don't worry about it."
--
"Okay..." Aveil nodded, and turned, leading him towards the others at home...
Maybe... Maybe he could help.
