The sky had finally grown dark and cold, with the silence eating up any signs of life normally found active in the day. While it had been long awaited, the moment that was now here held a minute sense of trepidation. For it was tonight that would forever change how Lia continued his life. If only he'd dare to step forward into the night and face it. With yellowed ears pressing back, the large male lumbered out from the dens, giving a casual and passing smile to any other lions that glanced his way. There was no need for concerns. Although his eyes took care to note all the small details of his family. Of his home pride, maybe for the final time. But oddly enough, that thought came with no sadness. In fact, it was almost exciting in an unknown sort of way. And so with careful steps, the lion proceeded on to the borderline of the pride.
Ow, how boring it was to wait around with absolutely nothing to do. And the fact that it was night wasn't helping at all, as it tried to tempt any aware minds into a deep slumber. Opening her mouth in a wide yawn, Kusu shook her head as she continued to lounge about. But even with this relaxation, the lioness was smart enough to take safety precautions. Afterall, she was in pride territory and there truly was no rest for the wicked carnivores, now was there? So here she sat, perched in a tall tree with just enough foliage to cover her silhouette. Goodness knew she wasn't one to stick around for too long, as she was a traveler through and through. Although the payment of free food scraps did weigh down her motivation and tummy. Not that she was complaining, but it had been agreed that tonight was the final night for any more meetings. After that, she would be gone and out. If only that damned lion would hurry up. It didn't take long though for her to make out his form, and soon he was within ear reach of her position.
Pale blue fur tickled across his face as the male was forced to peer upward, knowing that this was the tree they had predetermined to meet at. And Lia couldn't deny that he felt a joy in his heart to know the rogue lioness had kept her end of the bargain. For days now, the pride had noticed an outsider perusing around the pride, but payed her little mind since she obviously meant no harm. Just another wanderer. But Lia had, in a moment of his lethargic boredom, taken a keen curiosity to the outsider. Who was she? What stories did she have of the world beyond, that he'd yet to explore. Heh, it's amazing how bribes of food can supply so much information and inspiration to such questions. "Hello there, Kusu' Masanna."
Lips peeled back in a sneer and the lioness twisted her tail on the branch. "It's about time you've arrived. Pride life has surely made your type lazy." Despite her agitation, Kusu made no motion to move from her spot, and simply peered down at the lion. Pft, such a pampered house cat, this fellow was. Did he really aspire to live life out in the rogue lands, away from such comforts like this? What a fool. Her blood red eyes turned away from Lia to look out at said rogue lands. Her own lands, which were summoning her home with great fervor. But a deal was a deal and she had more things to answer before she could depart. Else she feared the adult brat would follow her like a lost gazelle with even more questions. So with a sigh, Kusu broke her silence. "What more do you need to know, eh? Haven't I told you enough by now?"
Hn, such a temperamental rogue this Kusu was. Perhaps that was another reason why much of his pride had quickly ignored her presence. Thankfully, Lia had an abundant supply of patience and found these meetings easily tolerable. So in reply to her sharp barking of demands, the male only grinned softly as he sat in the short grass. "Ah, you have been very informative these past few moons. I thank you for that." Indeed he had learned many things of the lands around him. Such as the migration paths of large prey, or the distant locations of watering holes and other fierce prides. But there was one more thing he desired to know. "Tell me blue lioness, where are the lands of snow?"
"Pft, the land of snow? What sort of idiot do you take me for?" Ah snow, that substance of myth and story telling that all animals dreamed of seeing. A sort of heaven compared to the exhausting heat of these lands. Why, this male could travel the rest of his days and still be disappointed in the end. Kusu stood heavily while her pink tail tuft twitched thoughtfully and her muzzle stretched in a frown. She had waited this long, just for this? A fool daydreaming of snow? "Just who told you such things to fawn over, eh?"
"No need to get upset, it was merely a question." The male blinked in slight confusion and tilted his head. Why did the lioness react so fiercely about that topic. But to each their own, and he had been respectful enough to never question her about her past. Needless to say, that was a topic no one cared to openly share or stupidly breech. "I had only heard it in passing one day. A pair of lions with ghostly pelt traveled across our pride. And they spoke with such honesty and eagerness of returning home. To their lands of snow." His voice drifted off as he tried imagining such a landscape, but failed to picture it. Hopefully, he peered up to the moody lioness. "I had only wanted to ask another traveling rogue. Were they delirious from their own travels? Or did their words ring true?"
With a gracefully leap, Kusu was free from the tree and back on the solid earth. Such sappy hopes and dreams this lion was bickering, it was boring her to death. Stepping away some distance, it appeared as if Kusu wouldn't even reply to the others worries. Besides, the night was still early, and she hoped to cover alot of ground by sunrise. But before that, she paused and smirked over her shoulder. "As crazy as it may seem, there is such a thing. As snow I mean. But you'd have to travel where the earth meets the sky to find it. Heh, good luck with that. You'll need it." Giving an empty wink, Kusu then fled the pride land without a second thought or care. A new day was waiting for her.
