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 Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 2:44 pm
 Zuraya was hot. And tired. And despite how unpleasant both of those separate states of being could be, thirsty was winning. The savannah sun beat down on her darkly-colored back like a slave driver, and not only had it been a while since she’d relaxed in the shade, it had also been a while since she’d drunk anything. There was a watering hole up ahead, and although the dark, mud-churned water was less than appealing, Zuraya was aiming for it. Better than nothing, right? Here was the real issue; hot and tired aside, she knew she wouldn’t be the only one headed for this spot. Even now, still a good distance off, she could smell other animals, predator and prey alike, and knew that since this would be the only water around that she was sure to have company. She would have to be careful. Not all large creatures were dangerous, but they could all be unpredictable, and she wasn’t about to be caught off guard. Grumbling under her breath about how annoying this whole situation was, she approached the mud at the edge of the water, gazing in all directions about her to make sure she wasn’t being snuck up on. Of course, there was tall grass everywhere, so even then she couldn’t be sure.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 3:13 pm
Clermeilli-Pie was being careful to only touch as much of the mud as was necessary to get a drink from the watering whole. Why had she gone away from the swamps? It seemed like there was less actual mud there in the swampy regions than here. She hated mud. It showed up too well on her and made her look horrible.
She lapped up some of the murky water, watching for any signs of danger. She could not remember the last time she had been less than vigilant, but she did not wish to learn what would happen if she let her guard down. It seemed a waste to her. The heat made the view shimmer in front of her eyes, but at least she could see.
She lifted her head from the surface and started to leave, when she noted the other lioness come out of the grass. The female looked very hot with that dark coat, and Clermeilli-Pie did know where there was a rock ledge to lay under not too far away. Should she approach the other lioness to offer the shade? It was not her way, but it was tempting for some reason.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 3:27 pm
Zuraya was cautious, but the water was too tempting now. It was horrid to have such dark fur in this heat! As she finally was bending to drink, forepaws sinking into the mud uncomfortably, she noticed a bright blue reflection glimmering on the disturbed surface of the pool. Glancing up, she was startled to see she wasn’t alone. Across the way, there was a pretty sky-blue that stood out against the dingy browns and tans of the summer savannah. Zuraya hoped she wasn’t hostile too, because she was in no mood for running.
Zuraya wasn’t accustomed to being overtly friendly, but she didn’t want to give a bad impression. She spoke clearly, careful to keep her posture non-threatening.
“Hello?” She called across the waterhole, tail twitching with anxiety, “Did I wander into someone’s pride lands by accident? Sorry if I did. Are there more of you anywhere?” She looked around her quickly, afraid she’d see eyes watching her from the grasses all around her. That’s just what she would need right now!
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 3:51 pm
"Hello." She considers the question and the anxiety in the lioness' body language. "No, this is no one's pride lands." Should she admit to being alone? She could just omit that, but the question was asked. "No, there are no more with me." She could not lie to another, but it might not have been the best answer if this lioness was part of a group.
"You seem ill at ease." Clermeilli-Pie tilts her head to the side. She wondered at this. Was it heat, or was the lioness being chased? Or worse. Perhaps she should offer that shade to the female. "You also seem very hot. I know of a stone ledge not too far from here that offers some shade."
She turns fully to face the other female while she waits for an answer. Clermeilli-Pie had been running into a lot of others lately and it was nice in a way. It was actually starting to make her feel more inclined to speak to them and try to make friends.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 4:10 pm
Zuraya watched the other female carefully, but she didn’t show any sign that she was lying. Other considerations aside, Zuraya was more prone to trusting strangers than mistrusting them, anyway, so when Clermeilli-Pie told her she was alone, Zuraya responded with, “I’m alone too. I’m just passing through really, just saw the water and was thirsty…” For someone who so often loved to hear the sound of her own voice, Zuraya felt strangely off-balance today, and her speech was awkward. She had no clue what was going on with that. The heat, maybe?
“I’m Zuraya,” the lioness offered, smiling and giving her head a little shake as if to clear it, “If you know where shade is, I’d be glad to know. I’m roasting out here and I’ve been walking too long, too.” After this and a moment’s though, she also added, “I suppose I am a little ill at ease, as you said. It’s always odd meeting strangers, and I wasn’t sure if I should speak to you at first, in case you weren’t friendly.” Bluntly honest was always Zuraya’s style.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 4:26 pm
"I am Clermeilli-Pie." Clermeilli-Pie jerked her head for the other female to follow. "I am passing through as well... but I have been taking my time. I can show you were I have been resting today." It wasn't a very long walk to the rock outcropping where both females could lay in relative comfort out of the sun.
"Where are you headed?" She speaks again as they lay down under the shade. They only had a short walk back to the watering hole from here, and tall grass to keep them hidden from casual view, so it was a nice spot for them to rest and wait out the heat of the day.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 4:35 pm
When Clermeilli-Pie motioned for Zuraya to follow, she did, keeping a respectful distance behind the blue-striped lioness. “Cler-meilli-Pie…” Zuraya sounded it out, testing the name and hoping she said it right, albeit slowly. As they came upon the rock ledge, Zuraya’s heart leaped. It was such a welcome sight! Had Zuraya not been so exhausted she would have leaped for it, but as it was she simply slunk into the shade and sprawled out, sighing in relief as she instantly felt the burning touch of the sun on her fur lessen.
“Taking your time is good…” Zuraya mumbled, at the moment too blissful to really string together a coherent comment. After a while she realized she might be interpreted as rude and added, “Are you headed anywhere in particular yourself? I am… well, I haven’t decided. I just follow my shadow, mostly. Maybe one day it will lead me to something good.” Like this nice shady outcropping, for example. Zuraya purred with contentment, glancing over at Clermeilli-Pie to see what she was doing.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:08 pm
Clermeilli-Pie watched the other female with some concern. She seemed very incoherent and perhaps a bit too sun-touched. The lioness had at least taken well to the shade, though she looked ready to fall asleep now. Clermeilli-Pie might have just done more good than she had originally realized.
Her speculation was cut short when she heard the purr, and had to think for a moment on what the lioness had said before that. "I... do not know." What was there to say on that? She had just gotten an itch to move from her usual haunts and now she was just trying to find her way somewhere nice.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:32 pm
Zuraya was probably closer to a nap than she had initially thought, but the prospect of actually having someone to talk to after days of solitude seemed better than catching up on a little sleep. She kept talking, although she didn’t move much. An ear would twitch or her tail would flick every now and then, but otherwise she seemed utterly relaxed.
“That seems to be the answer of most of the prideless lions I meet,” Zuraya mused, flicking her ear as if she’d felt something touch it, “They might be looking for something, but they’re not sure what it is yet. I think all I’m looking for is something steady. But I don’t like prides. I don’t want to have to reply on others for things I can do myself.” Here she trailed off though. Was she really doing so well on her own? More than she wanted to admit it, she’d been suffering in the heat, and now it was catching up with her just how much. How close HAD she just cut it, anyway?
Unsettled, she flicked her ear again. “Maybe I just don’t know how to trust others. It’s not easy to let yourself depend on someone.” Zuraya was garrulous right now, perhaps just happy for someone to talk to. But she also had the feeling that she just plain sounded odd to Clermeilli-Pie.
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Posted: Sat Sep 25, 2010 5:52 pm
Clermeilli-Pie stretched out some and looked content. The company was nice and the conversation reflected the predominate issue on most Pride-less minds. "I guess I do not plan to be alone forever." She lowers her head to her paws and sighs. "My parents would want me in a pride... they spoke of a pride as a great achievement for any lion..."
She watched the ear flicks of the other female with some amusement. "Trust is to be earned on both parts, from what I have seen. Depending others can be simple, if you let it." She flicks her own ear and turns onto her back, looking at the other lioness upside down. "Perhaps I will find a pride, or perhaps I will make my own. "
They talk a little longer and, she offers to travel with the other female for a while. It would be a very nice way to spend a few days or maybe a week, with company. Maybe a friend would come out of this. And it would work to the benefit of both females to have a team to hunt for a bit.
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