As unusual as it was for her, to day, Mani couldn't seem to zone out. This was an odd occurence indeed, because usually while she wandered, the dark cheetah could make her mind wander as well. This slightly depressed and frustereated her, but not enough to really be much of a bother. Perhaps she was being told to pay attention today? A valid thought. Though, look out for what? A rock? A lion? The cheetah shrugged as she walked leisurely. If she was supposed to look out, then that was what she was to do.

Linje was trying to relax after his eventful few weeks. The bundle of joy left in his care was not far away, and the leopard dedicated every and all of his senses to her... pinning her ever movement and whimper with eerie accuracy. He would not let this girl slip, like he let the last one slip. In his mezmorized state, a foreign scent came to Linje's nose. It was familiar... but it was so distant in his memory that he did not care to investigate it. Nothing from his past was worth investigating anyway. He let his shimmering white form rest in the dirt, soaking in the warmth all around him. His coat... not quite as clean as it used to be. But Linje had much more important things to fuss over now.


Mani kept walking, he feet started to hurt a little bit. Not as bad as uaual though. Most of the time her feet hurt because of how fast she sometimes walked. In this instance, they hurt because the terrain was more rocky than the last. thus, the heated rocks were starting to bother her slightly tender pads. As she kept walking, a slight breeze brought a fleeting scent to her nose. One that she remembered quite well, despite the aftertaste the memory left. For personal growth, the cheetah knew it was important to meet all sorts of individuals. Was this what she was meant to look out for? Mani continued on, warily followed the scent until in the distance she saw a white pelt bathing in the dirt.

Now the distant memory was getting closer. Even if Linje had put effort into remembering, he would never be able to put a paw on it. Encounters with commoners, slaves, and pets were oh so insignificant, after all. And there was only one in his life that would never fall under any of those categories. Though... this new stranger may as well be a threat to his cub. Come to take her away? Not over his dead body. Linje lazily rose from his resting position to gaze towards the purple cheetah. Memories clicking? Nope, nothing. Linje let his hostile intentions known as he pulled back his lips to reveal his fangs. "What do you want?"

Mani stopped in her tracks as the leopard got his feet and displayed some hostility. Either his opinion of others hadn't changed, or.. he didn't remember her? Though, both of those thoughts rather went together. Mani made sure her stance was non-threatening and relaxed. Not that she could really pose much of a threat to Linje.

" I was wondering if it was really you.. " Mani said. She got a good look at him. Something had indeed changed about him. One obvious thing was that his coat wasn't as clean as when she last saw him. Last time, she'd gotten the impression that he was obsessed over his looks. Now, sure he cleaned himself, but.. not with the same vigour. But, this was merely a first glance observation. Maybe she'd interrupted him before he was about the clean himself.

Linje let his lips slide over his fangs, the female didn't seem to be hostile. A hind paw of the leopard creeping towards the cub nestled in a thicket not far from his resting place. Protective of the only shred of perfection he had left.
"That doesn't answer my question." His voice was dull, as if he hardly cared... but not because the cheetah was unimportant, but rather because HE HIMSELF was unimportant Though the leopard raised a brow, curious about how the female knew him. But it could just be a trick... Linje had learned recently that he was susceptible to tricks. He was an utter fool.

Mani tilted her head slightly, observing the leopard. Everything pointed to the fact he was protecting something. What, she couldn't really place. Though that was odd, because that seemed to go against how he had previously acted.

" Technically, it does. I caught your scent while out and about. It's been a long while, but.. I don't forget anothers' unique scent. "

"Enough!" Linje spat rather forcefully, tail curling upwards to express his frustration. "No games. Get to the point, or move on." His deep purple eyes gazed over the cheetah's unique markings, and her careful disposition. Soon, he became uncomfortable, the regretable memory getting closer and closer... scratching at the surface, wishing to emerge.

Games? That remark confused her for a second. What game was she playing? The dark coloured cheetah didn't quite understand the true meaning of that phrase.

Mani shook her head lightly, " I'm not playing any ' games '. I merely came over to make sure that it was you. I was wondering how you have been. It has been quite awhile since we last met at the watering hole.. "

Mani was still rather sorry about that. She hadn't meant to run into him that way.

Linje could only give a cold stare as the memory cracked the surface. So much regret and anger came spilling through that it was almost hard to bare. "You..." The leopard whispered harshly, surprised that he had even managed the word at all. His expression softened as he gently picked through the short memories he made with the female, each one more painful then the next. Linje let his tail drop to the dirt, his muscles relaxed, his mind at ease... but his chest, flooded with guilt, in turmoil. Linje took a long pause to gather his thoughts....
"So.... Is that all you wanted?"

" Yes, I suppose so. " Mani said, in her usual quiet tone. " I do not mean to interrupt anything. "

She got the feeling that the cheetah had unknowlingly walked into an awkward situation. Not an impossible feat, though. But, Mani could there was something different about how the leopard was reacting to her. She wondered what had transpired, but she didn't wish to be nosey. If he wanted to tell her, then Mani was more than willing to listen. If not, then that was fine as well. It wasn't her place to try and force out anything that..might upset him.

"You are not interrupting." A hint of sadness slipped from his voice as he turned to avoid the females gaze. He hoped she did not think poorly of him, but what did it matter? He didn't deserve much sympathy after what he'd put her through. The sneeze of the cub pulled Linje from his meloncholy thoughts, his head snapping in the direction of the sound. Slowly he returned his gaze to Mani, giving her a look that would allow her to stay if she pleased. With a bit of effort, due to his lack of apitite, and therefore weak muscles... Linje crawled back to his thicket, and curled himself around the little cub.

Mani heard the cute sneeze that came from the thicket. She saw the expression that Linje had given her, feeling very clearly the feeling in those eyes of his. Though she stuck around, the cheetah didn't get too close to the thicket. She got close enough to be respectful to both the leopard and.. his small company. Interesting that he was caring for a cub. Something had indeed transpired, though she wasn't going to pry.

" If you'd like, I can go get some food for you. " Mani said, knowing her voice was quiet. She didn't want to wake up the cub.

Somewhere in the leopard's scarred interior... his inflated ego was again set alight by the cheetah's kind words. But, Linje gazed at Mani with thankful eyes... deep purple eyes that looked almost capable of shedding tears. He nodded slightly, whelling up with a twisted, and unusual sense of pride when the cub snuggled against his warm fur. "Yes." Was the only word the white leopard could manage.

Mani smiled the leopard, feeling happy that she could help out. She knew he had to keep up his strength if he's to take care of a cub, but.. he appeared to be alone. That would prove difficult, expecially whenthe cub starts to venture out. Regardless, atleast for right now, the cheetah would do her best to help out as best as she could. Mani trotted off quietly from the thicket after catching a whiff of some prey. She promised herself that she wasn't gonna come back, until she caught something to eat.