Crunch, crunch. Salma was walking alone, the Wind Goddess not always available for chat. Sometimes this was good, and sometimes this was bad. At the moment, Salma was lonely. Though she did not know anyone very well back home in the swamps, there was always voices. Laughter. Sometimes playful snarling from the younger ones. Out here, there was only silence.
The crisp grass crunched under her paws. This area was parched, and the trees were even looking under the weather. Salma must have taken a wrong spot. She didn't worry about the possibility of dying though; Mana would be there. She just knew it.
She didn't count on the fact that she wasn't the only goddess curious about her, though.
Momo's ears pricked forward as she watched the small, lonely girl wander the lands. What was she doing? The goddess was playful, caring, and quite too nosy for her own good sometimes. She fluttered down near the girl, waiting to be approached.
Salma wasn't a stranger to gods, and walked right up to this one. Bad ones would probably be dark coloured, have weird things coming off of them, and look spooky. This goddess was petite, bright eyed, and looked curious. Salma was just wondering if she was being followed. Again.
"What're you doing out here all alone?" Momo asked. "This isn't a great area if you haven't noticed already." She tried to not sound to motherly or overbearing, but she couldn't help turning a blind eye to one that didn't seem to know where they were going. No one was going to die on her watch (or so she thought).
"I'm looking for my name," Salma mentioned, though she didn't know if she could ever actually find it. Or even return home. What for? No one really cared. She plopped her little rump down, looking up at the goddess as she perched on a boulder. They always liked to be so high, didn't they? She wasn't bitter, in fact she guessed they were just like mortals in a lot of ways. Weird.
Momo looked stunned. "You lost your name?" Well, that was something. She was wondering how in the world someone could lose something like that when she remembered that there was a pride. They looked for their true names, not some cute cub name their mothers gave them. "Ooooh, are you from the swamp?"
Salma laughed. "Bingo, even if it took you two guesses." This goddess was charming. Was she young? Or just naive? Salma didn't know, but after spending time with Mana she could guess that each were very unique in their own right. "I don't know where to look, though, so I'm just wandering."
The striped goddess twitched her tail. Really, how would one find their name? It wouldn't be written out on a stone or anything. "This area is quite dry, not something you're used to. I'm certain that if you continue on, though, you're not going to find any real water source." She turned around, looking out in that direction. "Well, as far as I can see."
Salma shrugged. "I don't have anywhere else to go. I don't even know if I can make it home once I find my name without Mana's guidance."
An ear twitched. "Wind? So that is why you're so casual with me." Momo laughed. "No matter, I wouldn't mind either way. I love mortals that are so adorable and fun to be around." She swirled her way downwards, legs and wings following in a blur. Salma blinked when the goddess was next to her. She wasn't much bigger, but the wings really made it hard to tell. Simultaneously they made her seem larger and smaller, as they added to her bulk, but could hide parts of her as well.
Momo peered into her face. "Thinking?"
Salma blinked. "Oh, yeah. Well, Mana is friends with my mother, and promised her that she would help me with my journey. So, I guess when I need help, she'll come..."
Momo wondered. Was that wise? Tying up your duties to watch after a single mortal, for so long? She knew that some of these quests could take a while; there was no telling exactly how long it would take. It probably wasn't wise to analyze the actions of another god. She had her own duties to do, and Love never slept. Someone always needed her help, day or night. Love wasn't bound to anything or anyone directly.
"I don't want you to get lost, though..." Momo's voice dropped. "You might die." And that wasn't a possible solution. She wouldn't leave her like that, and have it weigh on her own shoulders. Salma only laughed at the goddess, explaining it with her next breath. "No, Mana wouldn't let something like that happen. I'll be fine, unless you want to come with me?"
The goddess perked at that idea. At least then she wouldn't need to worry about the young lioness needlessly for a while. Momo cared about mortals too much, and it would always be a downfall of her's. She beamed at Salma, pleased with this idea. "I would love to, at least until I can make sure you'll be in a safer, less desolate area. I'm sure we'll find a great watering hole to quench our thirst after this little hike."
Salma giggled. "You're too funny." She was amused at the look that Momo had given her, but then they had laughed together for a moment. It was nice, talking to someone that didn't remind you of your mother. Mana didn't look or talk like Aushitia'moyo, but she had known her, and those stories that she would mention stabbed at Salma's heart.
Would she really return? Salma had no clue.
Momo nodded. "Would you like to lead the way?" Salma paused, remembering that Mana had said something similar when she had first set out in a direction outside of the swamps. It had been terrifying then; a land unknown, dangers unseen, a goal unreachable. Now it didn't seem that bad, but the goal still seemed more unreachable than ever. She glanced around, wondering which direction to take. They all looked the same, crunchy here, dry there.
"I guess we'll go that way?" Salma asked. She only got a nod in return, and with that, she padded off, Momo following her silently. For the moment. She wouldn't be able to keep herself quiet for too long.
