Ugh, what a stupid little cub. What kind of child willingly jumped into a pile of thorns whilst chasing a butterfly? And then wouldn't stop whining when all the thorns stung. Honestly, it was pathetic. Kauli sighed, glad the torture of listening to the grizzling cries of the cub as she pulled out each thorn was over, making her way slowly back towards her den. She did enjoy evening strolls. It wasn't quite evening yet, the sun slowly beginning to sink under the horizon, casting a dusty glow over the savannah that wouldn't last more than an hour. But Kauli was glad she was there to appreciate it, dusky brown eyes gazing over the surroundings for a few moments before she continued again at the same, steady pace.
...She was kinda hungry.
Paws padded softly on the sand, sending small clouds of dust from each step that Meia took towards the temple. She had been out all day, getting used to the area around the temple and learning the routes of the preybeasts close by. She wanted to be useful, a good huntress for the pride and therefore was trying her best.
As she glanced up at the sky, she paused to take in the beauty of the setting sun on the golden dunes of the sand.
Kauli was watching her feet, mildly amused by the way the sand morphed around her paws with every step she took. Sighing once more, trying to ignore the grumbling growl in her stomach that was her hunger, the naturally-coloured lionness glanced up, stopping in surprise as she almost ran into another lionness. When had she gotten here so quickly? Kauli blinked, before managing to stretch a smile over her maw, inclining her head in a polite greeting.
"Good evening," she offered, feeling it would have been extremely rude to carry on without acknowledging the stranger's presence, "My name's Kauli." And I'm hungry.
Ears perked forward as Meia heard a greeting as she turned her head to find the source. Another lioness was not too far from where she was. She returned the greeting of her own, "Good evening!" As she got closer towards the lioness she dipped her head in respect, "I'm Meia, it is a pleasure to meet you."
Her head tilted slightly, "Forgive me if I'm being brash, but are you a member of the pride? I haven't met everyone yet."
Kauli offered a smile, pleased the other seemed friendly. The Tuait'tekem weren't a hostile pride, but some individuals weren't the friendliest of creatures. After all, Kauli herself wasn't always the easiest to get along with. She was alright admitting that, since she knew it was true, and didn't want to be anyone else. Meia? "Pretty name," she commented, smiling a little more.
"Yes, I am," she confirmed with a nod, although her smiles soon gave way to groans as her stomach rumbled again, " Ugh, I'm so hungryyyy..."
As soon as Kauli's stomach grumbled she couldn't help but to giggle. "I'd have to say that your stomach doesn't want to settle for just talking," She paused, "I was out hunting all day and have a kill hidden not too far from here that you're more than welcome to take your fill from, if you'd like." She offered it to Kauli as she didn't need it for herself as she did it for the pride afterall.
Kauli felt her cheeks grow warm in embarrassment, although inwardly she was pleased. Even more so when her complaining seemed to produce results, the offer of food brightening her up considerably. The lionness' eyes practically sparkled as she gasped, nodding eagerly, "Ohhh Meia, I'd be so grateful if you would. I've been dealing with injuries all day, and haven't had the chance to catch anything..."
Well, there had been that hare. But it had looked kinda scrawny.
"It's quite alright, I've had my fill for today and was getting ready to bring it back for whoever wanted some in the pride."
She turned around slightly and glanced back to make sure that Kauli was close by. It didn't too long to make her way back to where she had hidden the small antelope that she had caught. It was a nice kil and the sand helped to preserve it rather well.
"Here it is, Kauli."
Kauli eagerly followed Meia, glad she'd run into the younger lionness. She took quick, light steps, although they were a little too heavy to make her a decent huntress. She'd always failed in that field - she'd never been a good dancer. But she was a damn good healer, and that was fortunate considering that was her job. She spied the antelope, eyes growing wide. It looked so...juicy. She looked once to Meia, as if for some approval, though her fellow lionness' words were enough.
And...well. She dove right in.
The other lioness seemed starved as she dove right into the antelope. This made her proud to know that she was useful afterall! As much as she useful to the pride, healers were very useful too.
She let the lioness eat her full in silence as she spent a little time cleaning the fur around her face and paws, she didn't know if she looked approachable or not after a day out in the desert afterall.
Kauli ate her fill, purring as she finally stood again with a warm, full feeling in her belly. Tongue snaking around her maw, cleaning away the last of the blood, she practically beamed a happy smile at her new found friend, oozing gratitude. "Thank you, Meia. That was very kind of you."
Just as she was finishing cleaning herself, Kauli finished eating. Ears perked forward as she heard that lioness' gratitude. "Oh, you're very welcome. I couldn't let another member go hungry when it's my duty to help bring back food!" She paused briefly, "Hunting in the desert is much different from the grasslands, so I'm slowly getting used to it."
Kauli allowed herself a chuckle, nodding gratefully still. She moved forwards, rubbing her cheek against the other's in an affectionate gesture. She was an affectionate lionness, and liked to make her gratitude clear. "You're a hunter then, Meia?" she asked, genuinely interested in her new friend, "How long have you been in the pride, then?" Ahh, she was from the grasslands? Kauli chuckled "Tell me - what're the grasslands like? I've heard so much about them, but never actually been there."
She purred to the other lioness, surprised and happy with the affectionate gesture. With a nod, "Yes! I am a huntress as that's my strong point from living by myself my whole life."
At the question she paused for a moment, "I've been here in the pride for a pawful of moons, not too long. I got tired of being by myself and wanted to find some place where I could feel like home," A thoughtful pause, "The grasslands....is really green. There are very few trees like here, but there is almost no sand. The ground is hard and doesn't move to your paws like the sand does when you walk. The grass is rather tall and for most lions, it comes up towards your chest. I found it itchy most of the time but useful for hunting."
A huntress. Kauli did admire them - so stealthy and sly, able to move without the slightest sound and bring down prey in a fast, deadly yet beautiful show of strength. She'd watched the pride's huntress' bringing down an antelope, when she was younger, and it had intrigued her. In a way she was disappointed at her inability to perfect such an art, but you couldn't be perfect at everything.
Not long, then? Kauli nodded, genuinely interested as Meia spoke - usually she'd nod and offer the odd comment, not really listening. But she was this time, and surprised by what she heard. "It sounds fascinating..." she mused, turning her gaze to the now starry sky, finding herself surprised at how quickly the night had crept upon them, "If you ever need any help finding your way around the pride, or finding anyone, don't hesitate to ask."
As the other lioness made mention of it, she was happy! "Of course, thank you very much for the offer Kauli. If you ever want a snack, don't hesitate to ask. I'd be more than happy to provide for anyone that needs it." She spoke earnestly before her eyes flicked up towards the starry sky as the sun had set.
Kauli's smile lessened, but the warmth of it increased, as she once again nuzzled Meia affectionately, before sighing as she looked to the sky. "We should start back. We don't want to be caught outside the dens when it's dark, a sandstorm might start." She didn't really want to return, wanted to learn more about her new friend. But that could be saved for another time.
"Sandstorms are not fun! You don't have to worry about those in the grasslands but instead you have to worry about floods and very strong storms." She returned the nuzzle with a soft purr before she stood up and stretched.
"And you're right, we should head back now. As tomorrow will be a start for a new day!" She glanced at Kauli with a smile.
Floods? Kauli shuddered - she wasn't a fan of water. Storms didn't seem like much fun either. She smiled, starting back in the direction of the pride, slowing to make sure Meia was following and keeping up. "I've a busy day tomorrow - a few lions to visit, plus any new injuries that crop up."
Coming shoulder to shoulder to the lioness, "Oh really? Are you busy every day? It sounds like a lot of work," She was curious, "Do you help birth cubs as well?"
"Not every day. Just this week seems to be an injury-filled one," Kauli chuckled, picking up the pace once she knew Meia was following. "I occasionally birth cubs, although there are specialist healers for that. I only help if they're busy." The dens were approaching fast, and it upset Kauli that their conversation would soon be over, "Are you out hunting every day?"
"Oh." She took in all that Kauli was talking about. It sounded interesting, to see lions almost every day. She was betting that Kauli knew plenty of the pride by name! She, on the other hand, had a long way to go but in due time.
At her question, she shook her head, "I go out almost every day. If it's not hunting, I go out to study the desert and the preybeasts, since the desert changes every day and it's best to keep up with everything."
Study the desert, and the preybeasts? My, she certainly was an eager one. Kauli was impressed, and allowed herself a smile as she paused in her stride, the pair having reached the dens and now needing to go their separate ways. Kauli wanted to prolong the conversation though, and so continued, "I'm sure you'll make an excellent huntress, Meia. You certainly sound like a natural."
Her face heated up at the compliment, "Thank you, Kauli." She glanced at the dens before looking back at the lioness, "When you have time, I'd love to spend more time with you." She offered, not wanting to just interfer in the other lioness' schedule.
Kauli was glad to have made a new friend - whilst she knew a great deal of the pride, she wasn't particularly intimate with any of them, mostly just making acquaintances. It was nice to have an actual friend, one she could come to for advice, and offer advice to in return. "I'd like that too, Meia." she smiled, taking a step in the direction of her den, "Perhaps I'll see you soon?"
With a nod, "I would like that very much, Kauli!" She bade the female a good night before taking one last look at the lioness before heading off towards her den, happy with the day.
