Quiet. It was quiet tonight.
The dark patterned male prowled through the foreign darkness, neither awed nor intimidated but intrigued. New. This whole world was so new. So full of new things, new places, new people…things to learn. Knowledge to possess. Opportunities to seize. New.
It was a fascinating thing really.
The young male grinned, bearing fangs in a dangerous humorless mimicry of a smile. Even as a cub the innocence had begun to fade away, and now that he was at his coming of age it was long gone. No one needed to know though, no one ever needed to know. Knowledge was power. He would give them no power over him. Not now, not ever. Not Zarha waiting for his return, not Obadias sleeping only a short jog behind him. No one. Never.
Knowledge. Power. Recognition. Soon, soon he would have it all. But first there were things to be done. Steps to be taken, roles to play and scenes to act out. Life would go on. He had time. He had all the time he’d need. Patience, endless as the darkening sky stretched on above, the thick clouds dyed red in the late twilight. He could wait, and watch, and prepare for the moment when his opportunity was come. To act too soon was rash, to miss the chance pure foolishness. Precision. Patience.
But there was more to life than mere waiting. Actions needed taking, to learn one must put forth an effort. He would learn nothing letting himself be lost to silly dreams and sleep. His brother was the lucky one, the gifted one, the one who learned even in his dreams. Anwar hated the drowsiness, fought sleep claw and fang for it deprived him of the time he could be spending elsewhere. Learning. Preparing.
His expression relaxed into coolness once again, he allowed his tail to lash once before continuing on his way. He would scout ahead, learn the lay of the land under cover of darkness, and be able to better lead his younger sibling come morning. Obi didn’t need to know how Anwar knew these things, he could simply follow in amazement, in the adoration that stroked an ego the young Pad pretended not to have. Better to take the initiative, to gain the edge he could gain. Every pawstep was another on the road to his goals…
Another lion was out beyond the lands that were her own tonight... having decided it was far past time to, perhaps, search for other allies outside the pride. Those she could bring in, demons to be sought out, and converted... gathered within the fold. But more specifically ... gathered beneath -her- banner, her cause. More and more, as she watched the goings-on of the pride the dark lioness hated what she saw. Sil'in Drathir may be a strong demon who had been able to kill the brother she had despised for most of her life. And she was, in a way, grateful for that. But he did not deserve to be Aran'shale. How -that- had come about, she was still not certain. Surely this was not what the gods actually meant to happen.
Well. No matter. She had plans to fix that. Long-reaching plans... and for those plans to be successful, she had to find more followers. Lifting her head, Rhaen scented the wind, and a smile spread over her maw as she detected another lion nearby... a male. Hmmm... there were several possibilities there. If he was weak, she could beat him for fun ... if strong, see if he had a demon within. Or even if there was no demon ... well. It was perfectly possible to create her -own- little followers, with the help of such a male. Turning her paws that direction, she composed her expression into one of mild curiousity. Just an innocent girl out exploring the night. Mmhmm....
Anwar paused, listening. His pawsteps were no longer alone, there was another presence here now. What should he do then? He was alone, in unfamiliar territory, but that should hardly be of consequence to him. Surely he was clever enough to devise a plan under even the most trying of circumstances, surely he knew enough to escape almost any situation. Almost. For in all his knowing he knew there was more still to learn and know. But only experience would give him that.
Turning, his expression relaxed into a vague and calmly friendly one, the wicked gleam in his eyes concealed behind a blank look. The young lion had practice with this, perhaps more than could be deemed part of a healthy childhood. But no matter. It was what made him who he was today…and helped to prepare him for who, and what, he would be. Someday. Patience.
“Hello there,” he called softly as the other came more into his sights. A lioness, her fur so dark that if it weren’t for the patches of redness he would never have spotted her. Or, at least, not so quickly. Interesting. Very interesting that he should find a lioness so quickly. But she was not the one. No, he was going to capture a star, not just another lioness. But…interesting. He had been entertaining a rather intriguing idea…
“I hope your evening has been as lovely as mine is,” he continued, turning as though waiting for her to catch up and hiding the frustration at the way his voice still resembled a child’s. Just because his mane was only partially in did not mean he had to speak so… liltingly. Well, perhaps it would be ‘cute’ or, better, ‘disarming’.
Oh -my- ... how very adorable... a youngling! But obviously old enough to be out on his own, and greeting strange females in the dark. Rhaen chuckled to herself mentally. The young were -always- so much easier to manipulate, really. Shrugging one shoulder slightly, she moderated her voice to a softer tone when she replied. "It is a nice night..." At least he looked fairly capable ... perhaps her second plan might work.
She seemed soft enough. Not a threat at least. Had she been a male come to defend his territory…he might have been in a bit of trouble then. But Anwar knew about girls. From sweet little Suha and her storytelling, to his playful predictable sister Pari, to his own devious schemer Zarha… girls were difficult to get to know, but, like everyone else, had a place he could fit them. From ants to zebras, everything had a place…he just had to learn what it was with her as well.
“I do hope I’ve not intruded on anything, I’m a bit new to the area,” he apologized, though he tried to retain a cocky sort of expression…but sweet…darn it, how was he supposed to be all these things at once anyway? This plan might be a bit flawed after all… curses. “I’d hate to think I was disturbing you.” Was that too sappy? He’d hate to be all woo-y and such. But, well, maybe it was necessary. This was just a learning experience, whatever happened would happen and he would know better next time.
Oh dear, he really was very cute. Rhaen smiled at that, and shook her head. "No, no not at all... I was just exploring a bit. It's much nicer at night, don't you think?" she asked, tilting head a little bit. Should she warn him about the big bad pride of demons near here, or let him figure it out himself someday. Hmm...
Anwar smiled brightly. “Yes, it really is. I like watching the stars come out, it’s much better than sleeping.” All true really. The only deception here was his tone of voice. Someday he would have a star. Obadias saw her falling from the sky, he would have her for his own. A star. No one else would have a star, no one. Surely that was worthy of note! Capturing a star…
“It’s quiet too. Peaceful.” Which wasn’t that great really, since he was so accustomed to his little brother waking him to sob out his latest vision. Had Obi stopped having them? Or just stopped sharing? He would have to address that…delicately though.
"Mmhm," she hummed softly, looking up at the stars, since he'd mentioned them. That seemed logical enough, right..? Of course it did. Hm... what to talk about now... Bring up his age would likely be a bad idea. But family ... now there was a safe topic. Probably.
"Do you have any siblings..?" she asked, trying to sound curious and interested.
Siblings? Why would she ask that? Uh-uh, don’t over analyze…yet. Storing it away, he let his ears splay backwards slightly, an action he’d noted on several cubs that usually garnered a ‘oh how adorable’ sort of response.
“Yes. I’m my father’s second son, and I have…lots of brothers and sisters. Five full siblings though, one older brother, two older sisters, one younger brother and a younger sister.” Was that too much information to give away? Well…no, he hadn’t shared how he had several mothers, or the fact that his mother had had cubs before she met his father. And he’d said nothing of the missing mother, the one who’s cubs were not father’s. She was long gone…stupid female. His father was the greatest pad there had ever been, she’d been foolish to cross him. “What about you?” Asking in return was only natural, right?
Rhaen's eyes widened a bit at that - honest reaction. She barely remembered her own siblings ... aside from Iartuupe. But she -did- remember that he had killed the rest of them. He'd tried to kill her as well, but she had been smart. After letting him claw her up a bit, she had held her breath and laid very still until he thought she was dead. Hmph. Perhaps asking about family hadn't been such a good idea after all. It just brought back memories like that. But then again... half-truths were -wonderful- things.
She contrived to look sad and murmured, "I had several siblings when I was young. But most of them were killed ... in an accident, with my parents. I was on my own for a long time until I heard that one of my brothers was near this area. But he died recently as well..."
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Anwar murmured, dropping his crimson eyes to one side and letting his ears sag. In reality, he felt very little at all in regards to his own life, why on earth should he care about some stranger’s? But he supposed if Obi were to be killed he would be upset by it. So it was only natural to say he was sorry for her loss or something. Well, he knew how to seem sad, had learned all the cues. Mostly because when he saw them he knew he needed to do something quick or his sister was going to start crying on him. He hadn’t seen very many males react like that, probably too proud.
As if pride ever won a war. As if honor ever toppled a foe.
“Ah, how rude, I haven’t introduced myself,” he said suddenly, eager to move on from what seemed like a depressing topic. And the awkward pause followed by a quick scramble for a topic change wasn’t something unheard off. Actually, it seemed quite common. “I’m Anwar.”
She blinked at that, seeming to perk up a little bit. Actually, she didn't much care either ... about her dead siblings. She'd never had a chance to know then anyway. And the way her family was ... tch. She or Iar probably would have killed them later anyway if they proved to be weak.
"It's all right..." she assured him quietly, then offered a semi-shy little smile. "I'm Rhaen."
“Well then, Rhaen, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Anwar said politely, trying to make his voice as warm and inviting as possible without sounding sleazy. And then…he paused. What did one say now? They’d discussed the weather, they’d mentioned family, they’d introduced themselves… usually he’d just let the other person steer the conversation, but then how was he going to get what he wanted? It was so much easier to work someone he knew more about…
…maybe he should spend tonight learning about her. And tomorrow…or the next day, find her again…? Maybe that might work…
