"Long time no see, my friend." Aapep called to the hybrid as their eyes met and their paths intertwined. For a moment both males stood face to face and then they broke into grins and moved towards one another.
Kani'noe was a timid leopon but he knew Aapep well and was always pleased to speak with a friend. Besides that, he was more eager now to meet others as he had found his rhythm thanks to the rain and its own unique music.
Speaking of which...
"Looks like rain." Kani'noe added as a way of greeting, casting his gaze skyward.
"Rain isn't all so bad." Aapep reasoned. "How have you been?"
"Definitely not! Haven't you heard? I found my rhythm by the rain." He slung the drum around his neck to the ground and patted the firm skin stretched across its top. It was decorated with blue raindrops to symbolise the element that had given him his inspiration in music. He tapped the drum lightly with a claw and grinned across at the striped male. "In fact, I'm secretly hoping it will rain."
"I hadn't heard. I suppose a belated congratulations is in order then, Kani." Aapep smiled, showing his teeth. "Well, I think it will, you're right. The scent of rain is heavy in the air and those rain clouds have been brewing all day."
He swished his tail and cast a glance around. "In fact, if it does indeed rain, how about having a celebration?"
"A...celebration?"
"Indeed! I'm a dancer, you're a drummer. With the rain added to our music, it's certain to bring in quite a crowd!"
"Oh, really? Well, I guess we could. Actually, that would be really nice. It has been a long time since I've played music with another."
"Then its agreed! Lets bring on the rain!" Aapep replied.
The two males moved out towards the open land where the rain would reach them and their playing would roll out across the lands. It was a good thing, music. It lifted the spirits, healed the soul. After his mother's death, Aapep had not much felt like dancing. But now a days, he could barely keep himself from it.
And, as they moved out under the clouds, the rain began, pattering across the land with its brilliant rhythm.
"Oh no, it's ahead of us!" Kani'noe panicked, quickening his step to take his place beneath the bough of a tree. Once there he unhooked the drum from the leather strap around his neck and set it before him.
Aapep, not minding about the rain, moved to the centre of the clearing and dipped his head, waiting for Kani'noe to start playing. The playing started a few moments later, the rhythm slow and practised. The lion cocked an ear, listening intently, and then, as the drum roll increased, he began his steps, moving out in a wide circle, shuffling his paws in a precise and equally practised fashion. The drums enhanced the quick steps of the lion and intermingled with the rain so well that it was as if the rain worked with them, too, in knowledge of what it was creating.
Kani'noe, concentrating hard at first, soon lost himself in the rhythm, allowing his paws to almost take on a life of their own. And, when he was comfortable in what he was doing, he opened his eyes and looked out through the cascades of rain to where the striped lion danced.
Aapep was almost soaked through, now. His mane hanging in long strands around his face and shoulders. Yet he moved so easily on his paws, despite the fact he was a large and bulky lion. The recent adventuring had taken its toll a little on him and he had lost weight, perhaps that helped his movement, too.
They continued their dancing and playing until their paws hurt and, regretfully, they retired to shelter underneath the boughs of thicker trees where the rain could not penetrate.
Panting, Aapep sat and shook the rain from his mane, sending a shower of water all about him.
Kani lifted a paw across his face to shield himself from it. "Watch where you're flicking your mane about, Aapep!"
"Oops...sorry!"
The hybrid snorted. "I do wish it rained more often, though."
"It rains enough to keep us alive." The lion reasoned. "And we appreciate it more when its not a daily occurrence, don't you think?"
"I guess..." But he didn't sound that convinced.
"Its good to see how much you've improved, though, Kani. I remember you as a youngster, sort of nervous and shy. You've definitely improved a lot."
"Thanks! But I didn't do it alone. I had some help."
"Help? From who?"
"A beautiful lady." Kani smiled softly. "She brought the rain with her."
"A lady?"
"That's right. But not any lady. She was special. She had wings."
Aapep arched a brow. "What?"
"I know, I know, you don't believe me either, but it did happen. Honest it did. Just after I returned home from my drum quest. I was really down in the dumps, lying all alone near the borders. Then, she came, and she inspired me with the rain. She loved the rain, too."
The lion shook his head, speechless. "I don't know what to say, Kani."
"It's all right, you don't have to say anything. Whether its true or not doesn't matter. You found your rhythm and your very good at playing the drum now."
"That's right. I was so happy. Before that I was so worried I was letting my family down. My siblings were gifted with music and I felt like...like I didn't belong. But now I do. I've earned my right to stay here and play music and that makes me happier than anything."
"I'm glad everything worked out for you."
"Yes. It worked out all right for you, too, didn't it?"
"How do you mean?"
"I dunno...just...mastering your natural talent, being recognised for it, being accepted into the pride. Finding...love." The last he said with some sadness.
"I am very lucky." Aapep agreed, sensing immediately they were breaching some sort of difficult topic.
"I'm...I'm what some call...a hybrid." Kani'noe replied sadly. "As such, I don't think I'll ever find a mate, Aapep."
"Why not? Okay, so you might not be a full lion, but Kani, you're not that much different."
"No...its not just appearance. I...I heard rumours that hyrbids like me are...are infertile. Unable to produce offspring."
"Oh..."
"What girl is going to want a male who can't give her a family?"
Aapep's ears drooped. "You could always adopt or...or maybe you can find a hybrid female to be with? Kani, don't give up. Anything is possible." He didn't know what else to say. He couldn't possibly understand what it must be like to face the prospect of never having the love of a mate. All he knew was that he could not live with his Mawi Mai's support.
"I...I don't know. Maybe."
"No maybe about it! Chin up, Kani. Just wait and see. You'll find your girl someday."
The hybrid forced a smile. "Yeah, you're right. Anything can happen!" He paused. "Well, I'll let you get home. Thanks for earlier. Much appreciated. And...thanks for being a friend."
"No problem. Take care." Aapep turned and padded away.
Kani'noe, after a moments hesitation, turned and headed home, wondering whether his girl was out there, waiting for him. Would they meet? Would they fall in love? He hoped so.
/fin.
