Life was good. Anameleth had chosen to nap while her sister had taken the little ones out to play. She was curled up under one of the sparse trees found in the savanna, enjoying the dappled sun on her back and side. Ah...the things her demon brethren missed out on. The feel of the sun on their fur, the sight of a clear blue sky, the beauty of a sunrise and sunset...All the things Meleth had come to love.
Of course, she liked things about the night too. The frail beauty of the moon, the way everything seemed to gain a sort of...eeriness. But she was often awake during the day now, keeping up with her little niece Cacao. Not that she minded. She only wished she could give Circe nieces and nephews in return...The brown lioness sighed. One day.
Dysini'mbus moved with a graceful ease as he made his way across the savanna. His fur was light, so the sun did not bother him as much as a dark coated creature would fair. He was used to traveling in the heat of the sun, having done it most days in the passed years. The leopard male was not one to settle down, even for more then a day. He would return to the same place, yes, but he would never stay.
As he fastened his pace, eager to be away from the sun, he spotted a figure resting under one of the very few savanna trees. Slowing his movements, he narrowed his eyes to see what it was. It appeared to be a small-ish creature, perhaps a adolescent, though from a distance, the male could not tell the species. He didn't hesitate as he made his way towards the tree, wondering why, what could still be classes as a cub in most's eyes, was out on it's own.
Meleth didn't know she had company until they were only a couple of lengths away. Then she heard them. She started a bit, red eyes opening quickly to see who was there. A leopard, male if she was observing right. And with such pretty markings. She smiled slightly, and nodded to him.
"Good day. Seeking some shade as well?"
Dysi slowed as he approached the figure. As he drew closer, he could see the signs of a lioness, she was still small even as he approached, and he wondered if he had guessed right. Was she still an adolescent? He couldn't be sure.
"Greetings," he responded, returning the smile lightly. Had it been a male, he would have kept walking, to be honest, but the female seemed kind and she was unthreatening for the moment. "Yes, but I would not dream of taking your shade," he said without hesitating. "I will find another tree, I was merely curious as to who resided under this tree." His smile grew a little, his light eyes kind.
Meleth shook her head. "I do not mind company, so long as it is pleasant. And it's always interesting to meet new creatures." She scoot a bit, so she wasn't quite in the 'middle' of the shade. "And you seem pleasant company. And better suited to days like this than I." It was always nice to run across others who had some knowledge of manners. "My name is Anameleth."
Dysi tipped his head, moving into the shade instead of standing at the edge like he had been. "If you are sure you don't mind," he said, giving her another chance to back out before he lowered himself onto the ground in the shade, he left part of his lower body, feet and tail, out in the sun so he would not cool down too much. This also allowed for more space between them, so as not to crowd the female.
"Thank you," he responded, to her compliment of company and he glanced at his light fur, then to her dark pelt and laugh softly. "Yes, it seems I am. Are you waiting out the sun so you may move on or is this your territory?" He asked, curious.
He nodded to her. "A pleasure to meet you, Anameleth. I am Dysini'mbus, but most call my Dysi."
"I do not mind." He was proving to be pleasant company! Wonderful! "It is a pleasure to meet you Dysi." The slight smile never left her maw. "Mmm...I'm just waiting. My sister took my nieces and nephew out to play, so I thought I might enjoy some peace." Little ones were nice, but so hard to keep up with. Especially since she didn't have much energy herself. A sad side-effect of her cubhood, along with her size. "What of you? So you live around here."
Dysi nodded, pleased to hear that she was not by herself, since she was obviously small. She seemed to be a kind lioness, as she continued to smile the whole time she spoke. It was obvious when she spoke of her family that she spoke with fondness. "Ah, you are lucky to have a family to be with," he said, no jealousy or envy in his voice, simply pleased that she had it. He had grow up in a full family and believed it to be the only way for it to work.
"Me? Oh no, I have no home, I travel and rest only when I find somewhere suitable. I meet a lot of people this way," he said, laughing quietly.
Meleth nodded. "We're much the same way. We travel, rest when the little ones need it." She laughed softly. "It is a good way to meet others." She tilted her head. "It must be lonely at times, without family." She knew it had been lonely for her until she'd met Roho, then Circe. Lonely, and hard. "I hope you one day have family or friends to travel with."
He had a smile on his face as he thought of what it would be like travelling with a family. It would be great fun, he knew, because no matter how far you travelled, you would not be alone. Dysi missed not being alone. He inclined his head at her words. "Yes, it does get lonely, we are not all fortunate with such a wandering family," his words were not meant to be cruel, but he was teasing. "Thank you," he said, with a smile. "I hope someday to have a large family to be with, but for now, I am...content on my own. When the gods decide to bless me with a family, I will be ready." He shook his head, dispelling such meloncholy thoughts as he remembered all the lonely nights. "How many nieces and nephews do you have?" He asked, to change the subject to something lighter.
Poor boy. Though...it was nice, running across those who could understand how precious family was. A lesson it took meeting Circe for her to learn. "I hope the gods bless you with a large family as well." She took his change of subject with ease. "Two nieces and a nephew. And they're adorable." Her smile grew. "They're sweet, and well-behaved. Though one of my nieces has a talent for being rather oblivious."
Dysi smiled lightly at the hope she expressed, dwelling on the thought for little more then a moment before continuing their new conversation. He wished it too, but it was no time for wishing right now. "Ah, you are very lucky," he remarked, watching her smile grow as she spoke of them, "many cubs tend to be hard to control. Your sister and you must be doing a good job raising them." He chuckled at the thought of the oblivious cub. "I'm sure that will cause some frustration down the line."
Had she been pale-furred, she might have blushed. As it was, her dark fur hide the rush of blood to her face. That was a new compliment! Her surprise at his words showed in her slightly shocked expression. "I...I suppose we are." Her smile returned. "We try our best. And..." She sighed, laughing softly again. "Yes, it may cause some frustration. Especially once she's old enough to have males interested in her." A dark gleam entered her eyes. "But I'll be very thorough on what a boy's intentions toward my niece are." No...a male that did not intend to truly make her nieces happy wouldn't get past her and her claws.
Dysi didn't seem to realise that he had surprised her until she spoke and stumbled slightly on her words. For a moment, he feared he had insulted her when her smile slipped from her face. Seeing it return was a good sight, he decided. "You should be proud of what you have accomplished."
He laughed richly, remembering how he was when his sisters had begun to seek mates. He had a feeling that none of the cubs under this lionesses watch would get their heart broken, if their aunt had anything to say about it. "I see that the males should watch out for you, should they approach your nieces, and what of the boys? Will you protect them from the girls who are after them?" He was curious, though teasing slightly.
Meleth was proud. To have another realize that she and Circe were doing their best...it was rewarding. And far different from when they acknowledged it themselves. Perhaps the approval of others wasn't needed...but it certainly did lighten one's mood. She laughed, a full one this time, rather than her normal soft one. "Oh yes...I may be small, but I know how to take advantage of weaknesses." She liked this male. He was smart and personable. If she ran across him again later, she wouldn't mind in the least. "Ah...it will be less direct, but yes...I'll make sure my nephew doesn't get his heart broken as well. Need to be careful not to injure his sense of pride though. I've noticed most males hold their pride in high regard."
Dysi tilted his head as he watched her laugh, enjoying the full rich sound that it was. It was nice to hear, a lightening sound. He couldn't help but chuckle a little himself, as she spoke of being small. "Should I be worried for my safety then?" He teased, though he could tell that she was serious. She would be a dangerous lioness to cross, he knew, especially if someone threatened a cub in her care.
"Ah, I do not think you need to worry of offending his pride too badly, though feelings pass easily, if givent he chance. It seems most males enjoy the fact that someone is looking after them, even if they won't admit it out loud," he said, smiling to himself.
She smiled widely, the closest she would come to a grin with someone not her sister. "Only if you try something untoward. But since you seem to be a gentleman..." She laughed softly. "I do believe you're rather safe." This was, by far, one of the best conversations she'd had outside of Roho and Circe. She held back a yawn, as being up since before dawn was tried to catch up with her. "Mmmm...I'll still be careful. But...that is a nice insight. I will certainly keep it in mind." She'd observe her nephew as he grew...see what sort of male he grew into.
He chuckled lightly at her comment. "Ah, but you only see what I am arond you, who knows what I am like with others? I could be lulling you into a false sense of security," he teased, poking his tongue out lightly to prove that he was just joking. It's true, around other males, he was not like he is now, but he would never do anything to harm a female.
He nodded his head, knowing she would listen to his comments. She seemed the type who wanted to help, rather than hinder. She would be a good aunt, and a better mother something, he was sure.
He glanced up at the sky, realising that it was getting later in the day and glanced back at her, wondering when her family would return. It would not be a good idea for him to wait, he assumed, for them to return in case they thought she was in trouble, a strange male lurking with her. "Will your family return soon?" He asked, still reluctant to leave her on her own, especially if her family was not due back for a while.
He was right, of course. But he didn't seem the type. Meleth had gotten good at reading others because of how she'd grown up. "Well...if that's the case, I'll deal with you when it comes to that." She teased right back, laugh traded out for a good-natured chuckle. Thinking of the amount of time between between when Circe had gone off, and now, she nodded. "I think they will be. They've been out long enough for the little ones to tire themselves." The little ones would sleep well that night. It was reassuring.
He chuckled, low and gruff sounding at her tease. "I'll watch my back then, shall I?" he responded, shaking his head in amusement. Glancing at the sky once more, he sighed with a type of regret. "I shall take my leave now then, I would not wish to inconvience you or your family." He lifted himself to his feet, glad that the sun had stop heating his fur unpleasantly. He smiled at the small lioness. "It was a pleasure to meet you, Anameleth. I wish you and your family well." He smiled at her, knowing it was unlikely, but possible, but, "perhaps we will meet again some day and I can return the favour of shade." When she had spoken next, he would turn and leave, and he knew that it was unlikely they would meet again, though he would certainly hope for the best.
Meleth stood with him, giving a small bow. "It was very nice meeting you, Dysi. And I do hope we meet again someday, so you can return that favor." It had been nice talking with him. His company had been good. "I wish you well." It wouldn't be until he was out of sight that she would lay back down, and await her family. It was always nice when she had good company to pass the times alone with.
