Her stomach hurt, it was growing bigger adn she could feel the cubs inside her growing, eager to make their way out. She wasn't sure when it had happened, and felt sad that the cubs would never have a father. She was making her way to the swamp lands, she had heard of the land and pride from a rogue she had run into, and felt that it might be the appropriate place to have her cubs. She wanted to raise them in a place that was a home to them, not in the rogue lands like she had. Currently she was drinking from a small water hole, figuring out how much she could travel each day with out over exerting herself.Gao walked along making his way to the waterhole. He'd gotten directions from a snake, which was something he'd never seen before and he was thankful they were easy to follow. So far he hadn't been out in the rogue lands to long so he wasnt making any headway in his naming quest, but at least he learned how not to get lost.
Gao sighed as he came to the watering hole and dipped his head to drink. He paid little heed the animals around him, as he'd never really known danger growing up in the swamps. It was secluded and their was nothing much to worry about aside from angering the goddess.
Lifting her head only momentarily Hara blinked hard, that lion hadn't been there before. She took a few steps back studying him carefully, worried that he might harm her, which wwould endangered her unborn cubs. Though at the same time, she felt that this lion was new to the rogue lands, still learning the ropes of life. She didn't care much for teaching other people, but she did enjoy a new friend or two. Though she knew nothing about this lion other then he had a beautiful pelt and a look about him that made her smile.
Gao drank for a moment more before the feeling of being watched was too much for him. He raised his head and saw a female looking at him. Gao jaw nearly dropped. He'd seem many females in his pride, but they were all like aunts, sisters, and cousins, even the ones that he wasnt related too.Gao looked her over for a second. The female was like nothing he'd ever seen before. A lioness yes, but her coloring and marking were so bright against her dark pelt. Gao smiled slightly in greeting, but waited for her to make the first move. He did not wish to frighten her and certainly did not want her to run.
The lion had finally finished his drink from the water, or prehaps she had interuppted him. The look that he had was someone who didn't belong in a place like the rogue lands like someone who belonged in a pride. This made Hara very curious, because she loved to talk with various creatures who were in prides, who had families. Deciding to approach him she sauntered over, her head low, but still looking at him, showing that she merely wanted to talk to him. That she came in peace. Stopping a few feet from him Haramu bowed her head, sitting back on her hind legs. "Hello... I'm Haramu Pendu... you don't look like you're from here... might I ask who you are?"
Gao watched the female saunter over and grinned slightly, it seemed he had suceeding in appearing non-threatening. He listen as she spoke and nodded slightly. "It is very nice to meet you Miss Haramu Pendu. You are correct in assuming I am not from here. My name is Gao, for now anyway."
He sighed wondering if he should elaborate but he firgured if she wanted to know she would ask and refrained from going in to further detail. "I take it, you Miss Haramu are from around here."
Hara found it odd to be called missed, and wondered if she seemed like an old lioness nanny. Though she also found herself caught on something else the lion Gao had said. The fact that Gao was only his name, for the time being. This peeked her interest, but she wasn't sure if it was okay to ask him about it. "Why yes... Gao. I've been living in the Rogue lands my whole life. And please, call me Hara, Miss Haramu is too formal, really call me anything but that." She smiled at the lion, and small laugh began to rise in her, but she was careful to hold it back. "Might... I ask what you meant by Gao being your name for now?"
Gao laughed lightly as he was told not to call Hara Miss Haramu. "Sorry," he said smiling, "I was only trying to be polite. I have always been rather serious. I have four sister to protect. But Hara, it is, if that is what you would like."
Gao relaxed a bit smiling and enjoying the company of Hara. He had not had company in day and he was happy to chat with just about anyone, especially a pretty someone. At her question he nodded slighty," of course you can ask. And I am on my naming quest. I have to find a name for myself and when I return to my home, my pride with my new name I will be considered an adult. Everyone me age is being sent out to find their names. It is a pride tradition. I do not mind, I am enjoying my travels and I've always known that Gao was my baby name."
Hara nodded, taking in the information that Gao had given her, enjoying that she was learning something new. She liked the idea of the name quest and wondered what pride Gao had come from. "Do not fret, and try not to be so serious Gao, I'm enjoying talking with you, and this naming quest sounds fascinating! What pride are you from Gao? I would love to know... perhaps when you complete your quest I can come see you and learn of your new name." Haramu was warming up fast to Gao, finding his seriousness to be amusing, though she did have the urge to help him break out of being so serious, at least around her.
Gao sighed and frowned slightly, he been a serious cub and juvenile and he was still serious now. He did not think that would change, but he knew he could not say what his future held for him.
"I will try to lighten up, but I cannot guareentee any results."
His smiled returned and puffed out his chest a bit flicking his mane happy to talk about his pride. "I am from Jini-msemi, the swamps. When we are born we are kept in silence for a month to maintain our purity, then we are present to the pride and given our baby name. It is a wonderful pride and everyone in it is very friendly. When we are adolescents we go on a name quest and when we find a name we return to the pride adults. Many choose a mate after they've returned, but not all."
Gao was enjoying talking to Hara and hoped that she would one day visit him and learn his new name. He'd never become such fast friend with anyone, it was elating.
Hara hoped she hadn't insulted Gao, but tried to shrug it off. The swamps though. He had said he was from the swamp lands. "I'm heading to the swamps... I heard of it not long ago from another rogue and I thought I might go and see it, perhaps try and settle there. How fortunate that I've run into you!" She grinned feeling quite happy about this discovery, and new friend. She hoped he felt friendly towards her anyway. Her cubs were due soon, and she also hoped that the pride would accept her.
Gao smiled brightly hearing the female was headed to his pride, then frowned, "My pride is rather secluded. You might not be able to find it, they have been letting outsider in as of late, so we can have a larger pool of non-family member, but I do not know how long that will last."
Gao smiled brightly, "I sure they will love you however, fore we do need more members. I think I am related to half the members of my pride." Gao laughed slightly although he was completely serious. It was true, a lot of the pride was his family.
The lioness nodded in understanding. "I see. that rogue I came across told me which stars to follow, and gave me a few land marks to go by during the day, hopefully I will not find myself lost." Hara liked the way Gao looked when he was smiling and happy. The frown made him look far too sad and serious, she much preferred his smile. " Well I certainly hope they will accept me. I'm carrying cubs and I don't want them to grow up in the roguelands, it's not the greatest place to grow up..." she frowned look rather sad, but only for mere seconds.
Gao looked surprised for a moment, but then his suprise faded. He should have know such a beautiful female had a mate. Gao smiled," Congratulations. I am sure they will be healty, happy and as lovely as you."
Gao sat deciding to inform her on a few of the prides ways. "There are a few things you should know since you will have the cubs in the pride. First you den needs to be secluded from the pride. Secondly no male is allowed to witness the birth, so you mate will not be able to see them. Thirdly, you must not speak to them from after they are born until the dawn after their eyes open, after which they are presented to the pride and named. You may hum and purr, but no words."
Gao face went completely serious, "You must follow these rules otherwise you will have to get rid of your cubs and you will be considered tainted. The birthing ritual is sacred and I would not want a new member to suffer so or leave."
Gao did not know why but the prospect of her joining was something he wanted, even if she did have a mate and cubs. He felt she would be a good friend.
Hara nodded and committed the words that Gao told her to her memory, not wanting to mess up her chance of giving her cubs a home. She laughed a little bit at the mention of her having a mate. If only.
"Oh no no Gao, I do not have a mate, if only I did, I feel saddened that my cubs have no father. I cannot thank you enough for teaching me what I need to know to give my cubs a good home. How can I thank you?"
Hara purred smiling at the lion.
Gao smiled brightly at hearing Hara did not have a mate, but toned it down a bit thinking it rude. "You don't have to thank me. I am just doing what I feel is right. You are nice and I think everyone deserves a bit of happiness."
Gao flushed slightly thinking of something he would like, "Um there is something though," he said in a shy quiet voice.
He looked up and blushed more deeply, "Would you be my friend and when I come back home to the pride, you'll be the first to hear my new name. Ok?"
Hara's face lit up when she saw Gao smile so brightly, she really did love his smile. " You really should smile more Gao... you have a beautiful smile..."
" I would love to be your friend, I can't wait to meet you again, when you have your new name Gao. I look foreward to that day."
Gao blushed deeply at Hara's compliment, but decided he would try to smile more often. For whatever reason it seemed he wanted to make Hara happy. Gao smiled when she excepted his friendship and said she looked forward to the day he had his new name.
~Fin
