Pakwa yawned and sprawled out on the ground, his tail dipped into a puddle of water flicking idly. He turned his head and rolled onto his back enjoying the view of his mate. This new land was peaceful, ideal for them, there were many young cubs about and Rani seemed to feel at home. Wherever she felt at home was good enough for him, she was his heart after all and as long as they were together the rest would work itself out. "What are you pondering so deeply mon ami?"
Rani sat in peaceful silence, of course even here on the very edges of the swamplands she could still hear the subtle sounds of their new home. There was a soft slapping sound of the water hitting the mossy banks, the gentle hum of insects, and the distant sound of cubs splashing through the swamp. She yawned and glanced back at her mate's question.
"Well I had hoped to find some insight into a new name for myself, we need new names you know Pakwa. Truthfully though, I sort of let my mind go, this place is so peaceful, I love it here. I feel like we really belong..." She murmured.
It felt odd, at times, roaming around the mortal realm so much, but he had reason to enjoy their company again. He and Hamsa had temporarily parted ways so that she could see to some of her duties and he to his, but he wouldn't be far from her. An interesting smell brought him to the borders of a wet, heavy looking area, though. He stared curiously from overhead for a moment before deciding to head down for a closer look.
A few moments later he approached what seemed to be a pair of lions lost in admiration for their surroundings as well, maybe they were friendly. If so, it was a chance for him to chat up some locals and see if any help was needed, or if there were any spots worth checking out for a little R&R. To be on the safe side he made sure to keep an illusion going that hid his non-lion features, such as all three sets of wings, his unusual leg plates, and his tufted ears. Oh, and he should definitely add a tail tuft.
There.
Disguise complete, he emerged from hiding, approaching the two as though just picking up the sound of their voices. "Hola!"
Rani looked up startled by the sudden presence of another, odd she hadn't smelled or heard anyone approaching. Ah well she was probably just caught up in the moment. She smiled at the stranger and tipped her muzzle in greeting. "Hello there stranger, what brings you to the swamps? I'm Rani, and this is my mate Pakwa." She tipped her head over her shoulder smiling at Pakwa.
The male rolled back over surprised as well by the newcomer, he pushed himself to his feet and dipped his head in a friendly hello. "Pleased to meet you." He moved a bit closer to Rani, despite how nice the swamps were he didn't forget that dangerous lions roamed about out in the world as well.
"Sorry to startle you guys, just curious, really... Never been through these parts before." He replied, stopping a respectable distance away with a warm smile, his mood infinitely better now a days, even around couples. "Nice meeting you two, too, seniora, senior."
Extending a paw out with a sweeping motion, Rio bowed his head deeply to both, standing straight again after.
"I go by Rio. So you two are residents here?"
He glanced up and past them towards the looming trees. He sensed another god here, hoping they were the friendly sort, he didn't want any trouble, and he wasn't sure if they'd be paying attention closely enough to notice him this far out from the territory.
"A pleasure Rio." Rani smiled amiably, they were far enough from the prides territory not to worry about this stranger. He didn't look like he was going to try and sneak past them either. She let Pakwa take the lead though she could tell he was just dying to act the protective male.
"We live a little ways from here, we came out to thank for a while. The spirits seemed so calm today, we thought it would be nice to enjoy a little quiet meditation." He smiled and glanced at his mate hoping he had been polite enough. She was normally a bit better when it came to introductions, he was a bit carefree with what he did and said sometimes.
Spirits... Spirits...
Rio strained his memory for recollection of any prides that followed spirits, and there were two religions that came to mind, but only fuzzily, and briefly at that, like he couldn't fully grasp the train of thought before it was gone again.
"Sounds familiar, but, I'm afraid I can't remember anything specific. Must've heard about it from someone, then!" He replied, letting his gaze fall away from the swamp in the near distance. "I hope I'm not interrupting, then." He went on to say by means of premptive apology, amused though. As he had heard there were generally just two references for spirits: The dead, and the gods. A bit ironic, since he himself was ridiculously chatty this everyday.
"Oh non non! You must join us, Rio yes? Perhaps the spirits brought you to us today. Rani and I are thinking of new names to signify our new lives. We are having a bit of difficulty though, it is hard to let go of what one is used to." He sighed softly and glanced at Rani, she would always be his Rani.
Rani smiled softly at her mate then looked at Rio. "Yes do join us, it's such a nice day we'd be awful if we didn't spend it in a few moments of company. Besides Pakwa is right maybe we need a new perspective."
"Oh? Well I can't refuse an invitation like that." The disguised lion laughed, moving to have a seat on his haunches. His ears perked up curiously at the mention of new names. "Really? So you need some help settling on new names? Why don't you tell me a bit about yourselves, if I can help? How'd you two meet?" He grinned, curious.
Pakwa watched the other male sit and then looked at Rani startled by his question. They hadn't really told anyone else of their past, in truth they were worried to. What would others in their new pride think if they knew? He waited for Rani to say something first, she was usually better at deciding how much to say.
Rani eyed Rio a moment as if trying to decide how trustworthy he was, he had kind eyes though and she decided to be honest. Honesty and hard work were the best way to go after all.
"Well, Pakwa used to belong to a pride far from here...but the spirits became...angry." She neglected to mention Pakwa had made a foolish bargain with a very bad spirit. It had led to his prides downfall but she slipped over that bit as well.
Pakwa nodded softly and decided to pick up on the easier part of their tale. "My pride broke apart and I left to find some new place to call home. Rani wanted a place to settle down, to work hard, hunt, and have a family. I didn't think it was very important at first, but now, now I see it is. I wasted much of my time, much of my life before. I was very spoiled, I did not even know how to hunt!" He chuckled and shook his head. "My Rani, she's changed me for the better..."
Rani smiled warmly at her mate and looked back to Rio. "Pakwa's done a lot of the changing on his own. He's worked hard to make up for his shortcomings in the past."
He watched their interaction and reactions as they spoke, but mostly he watched their eyes and their body language. Rio prided himself on being able to tell genuine love from acting, not that he suspected them of that, but it was heart warming to see the way they felt for one another.
"The bond between the two of you sounds like it must really be something... I think you're being modest, seniora. When love touches you it makes us strive to be better creatures, at least, when it's real. It's simple, and it touches us on the deepest level..."
He flicked his tail, sheepish for going on like an old sentimental fool. He'd never been one for speaking like he was so wise, it never did feel natural to him, but he couldn't help himself just now. Hamsa was surely to "blame" for the change.
"Naveen... it means new." He shifted his gaze from the changed lion to his mate, grinning more like his characteristic self. "And Tiana. Princess, at least, so I've been told... and I'm sure your mate will agree it's a fitting name for the light of his life... si?"
"Naveen..." Rani mouthed and then repeated with a smile, it did sound new certainly. Pakwa had turned a new leaf, they were in a new place, and they were going to make a new start together. She gave a firm nod and looked at him to see what he thought of it.
Pakwa smiled at the way his mate said the name, testing it knowing she would be the one using it most often. He liked the sound of it, and better yet he liked the idea that his new name would represent his new life. "Naveen, it sounds most charming no?" He chuckled softly and struck a pose. "I look like a Naveen?" He grinned and nuzzled his mate.
"I think Naveen will suit you just fine, unless we decide to call you egotistical first." she laughed and looked at Rio with a blush. "You really think Tiana for me sir? I don't know about being any princess..."
Pakwa shook his head and pressed against his mate lovingly. "I was once a prince, and if I had found you then, you would be my princess Rani. Now I am not a prince, but you are my princess still, and you always will be. Tiana, it is beautiful, like you mon ami."
"You do." Rio laughed good naturedly, deciding he liked the attitude of Naveen. He didn't feel at all out of place, not when they were so comfortable expressing their love in front of him. "Not to be too forward, but I agree, it's a suiting name for you."
He winked, standing. When he flicked his tail this time the tail tuft was gone, but he wouldn't have been surprised if they hadn't noticed.
"A spirit would know, right?"
Rani smiled and blushed giving a soft laugh and shaking her head. "You are too kind sir, but you've been a great help, I think Tiana and Naveen will suit us perfectly."
"Agreed, we are most glad for your help and company." Then he noticed the tail and his eyes widened a bit, he looked at Rani to see if she saw what he saw.
Rani stared for a moment before looking back up at Rio. "Why your..." She stammered and stood suddenly feeling surprised, Pakwa had come face to face with a spirit once, but she never had!
"I'm glad that I could help." He replied with an easy going, lazy smile this time, tilting his head a little. His domain didn't let him do much in the way of helping mortals of the feline variety, usually, but if he could help in other matters he'd do so gladly.
As they had indeed noticed the change to his tail he went ahead and dropped the rest of his disguise little by litle, starting from his tail and it's wings and ending with his very odd front legs.
"My apologies for hiding the truth. Not everyone takes so kindly to a lion mix and match like myself. Rio, god of flight, at your service."
Pakwa watched in awe as the visage slowly faded leaving behind a very strange sight indeed. Yet it was a magnificent oddity, he didn't feel the unease he had the first time he had dealt with a spirit. This must have been a good one, he must have come as a sign that this new life would be a good one!
Rani watched how happy Pakwa-soon to be Naveen got and she smiled looking at Rio. He was certainly something else, but then again the spirits took all forms. "Thank you...so much for your help..." She murmured breathlessly still a little awed. "If you could offer us a little blessing before we return home. It'd mean so much to us to know our new life is looked on so favorably."
He nodded in silence, thinking over his words. It was obvious too, because of the way he glanced off thoughtfully, one ear twitching a bit. A blessing...
After a moment he had it, grinning.
"I wish the both of you well, may the rest of my kind look after you and any little tadpoles that you have."
He couldn't resist, given their resemblance to frogs, in coloring and name at least, though he'd seen plenty stranger things.
Pakwa gave a deep bow and then chuckled and winked at Rani. "We shall have to work on that won't we mon-ami." He looked back at Rio and smiled "Our thanks, we shall remember your kindness always."
Rani felt her chest warm and her cheeks heated at Pakwa's comment, yes yes they certainly would someday. She just wanted everything secure and stable first. Yet for the first time in her life she felt maybe just maybe things were okay. She and Pakwa had a home, everyone was friendly, cubs seemed to thrive in the swamps. Now with Rio's blessing she thought maybe it was really time to move forward with their new life. She promised herself she'd name one of her sons after him someday, though the boys name would eventually change, it would still be a small fitting tribute.
Rio offered the couple another parting smile, realizing they had already indicated an urge to return home. He'd have to remember this place and maybe see about stopping by again to see how they were doing. He didn't give well wishes or blessings very often, after all, it was natural he'd want to check on those that he did grant them to.
"Take care of yourselves then, you two." He said by way of goodbye, turning to go. He got a slight running start before taking a leap with a powerful beat of his wings, bringing him airborne and higher slowly, eventually fading out of sight.
