Hold on to the night...
The roguelands were always fascinating to Mizu. Ever since her twin had gone she'd been lonely, and being in the lands he was swept into made her feel good. Her parents were gone; she was of their final litter and passed before she left, the lioness remaining to tend her aging parents. They were gone, and she was alone now. Like her name, Mizu flowed through life, however, trying to find her place.
Wandering paws took her place to place, seeing happy families and warm greetings, but she never stayed. She never fit in. And every time, she swept away in the night in silence, searching foi that which could make her complete. Make her whole. Tonight was no different.
Meiah was restless and the young female prowled the Roguelands, not bothering to hide. Bah. This was terrible. Tanwyn was nowhere to be found and she ached after fighting Shinigami, but her head was swimming with confusion. On one paw, she wanted to make ger Grandfather proud, to take the place he assured her was hers. But then... The Child of Deathscythe spoke differently, and spoke of her grandfather as manipulative. She simply didn't understand anything anymore... She was taught that the Warrior-Gods were right and just. For now... She just needed to clear her head.
Mizu spied the sulking form of another female and approached, moving next to her and walking, pacing the lioness and walking beside her. The two were silent, but the younger's ear twitched, listening to the older lioness' footsteps. Mizu looked over and smiled, and Meiah blinked, weakly smiling back. Mizu blinked, and playfully headbutted Meiah, surprising the female.
"Hah?!"
"What's wrong, lady?" Mizu smiled at Meiah kindly, sitting neatly. Meiah blinked, sitting herself, and shook her head.
"Just... A lot of confusion. Family problems and pride problems."
"That's too bad... I never fit into a pride myself. And family problems are tough. Fighting parents?"
"No." Meiah looked down, grimacing. "My mom's dead and Father wants nothing to do with me. All I've got is my uncle and grandfather, but... A descendant of one of my pride's warrior-gods told me... I'm being used."
"Well, what does your heart say? What do you want?"
Meiah blinked. She stuttered, shaking. "I... I don't know."
"Sure you do, kid. Everyone wants something from life, be it home, love, family, friends, or even a hug. But you must want something."
Meiah was silent, looking at her paws, then to Mizu, smiling slightly.
"I want to make my mom proud. She passed of a plague when I was a baby."
"See? You do know what you want!"
"No.. Because I don't know how to do that."
Meiah looked down at her paws again, the normally proud female silent, frowning. Thewre was silence, besides her breathing, several seconds, and Mizu looked to the younger female, smiling kindly.
"I don't know your Mom. I knew mine. A mother's love can't be erased, and she wants you happy, healthy, good, and strong. A mother wants their child safe and comfortable and to do what it taught to them. But most of all, she loves you. I'm sure seeing you sad would have broken her heart."
"Mom taught us a lullaby a long time ago. She sang it to us when we were falling asleep.... My siblings and I loved hearing it. It always helps me feel better even today." Meiah smiled again, closing her eyes, thinking of it, swaying slightly. Mizu watched, and smiled.
"May I hear it?"
"Hear what?" Meiah looked bewildered. Mizu laughed.
"The lullaby, silly!"
"Oh... Uhm... Okay." Meiah blinked, looking sheeping before opening her mouth, singing softly.
"Now my little ones, don't you cry
In your dreams may you soar up high.
In your lovely dreams of peace, hope and love,
May you find the joy you are searching for.
And when your dreams are not so sweet, may you wake and feel warm.
I am here by your side, so you needn't cry,
Just spread your lovely wings and fly!"
Meiah trailed off, a warm feeling sweeping the lioness' lithe form as she shut her eyes, smiling contentedly. The song always brought warmth, and Meiah shook herself out, smiling next to Mizu with complete contentment. Mizu smiled, nodding.
"That was beautiful." She smiled.
"Mama sang it better." Meiah confessed, looking red. Mizu laughed gently, shaking her head at the younger female.
"But that's normal! Mothers always sound better!" Mizu laugherd good-naturedly. Meiah blinked, then nodded shyly. Mizu beamed.
"I want to be a mom one day." Mizu smiled wistfully. "Find someone to love and settle down with in a place we belong, and raise them to be happy and healthy."
Mizu looked wistful, thinking of the dream she had, pourring comfortably as she closed her eyes, smiling. The laughing, the calls of cubs, a male rubbing against her... It would all be wonderful... If only she could have that dream.... That wish.... Mizu's tail curled and uncurled, and Meiah watched her silently, smiling slightly at the other female before padding to headbutt her in return, a smile on her maw.
"Hey, now. Let's not get our head in the clouds, ma'am. There might be hyenas or something looking to fight out here."
Mizu jumped, then lasughed gently, nodding.
"Ah! True, true.... By the bye... I never caught your name."
"Mine? Mah'Rie'Meiah Khushrenada. You?"
"I'm Mizu." Mizu beamed, ignoring Meiah's facepaw at another clanless female. "Can I just use Meiah?"
"Sure. Everyone does."
"I can see why. You have a long name." Mizu smiled, shrugging. "It's just easier to use nicknames. I'm Mizu, nothing else, but then, I'm not special."
"Special?" Meiah stopped. Mizu nodded.
"To have a long name like that... Your name must mean a lot. So your special. It's the only explanation I have for it."
Meiah smiled a bit.
"I'm glad you think so, but.. I'm not that special. Just young." Meiah shook her head, chuckling gently. Mizu snorted.
"Don't discount yourself, Meiah. EVERYONE has a special traity, even you. You just need to figure it out. Don't assume you offer nothing and just be contented with that. What would your mother think?"
Meiah went quiet, then frowned, thoughtful, then grinned, smiling at Mizu.
"Your right. I know what I should do. Thank you. Will we meet again?"
"Of course!" Mizu laughed. "We're friends, aren't we?"
Silence, and Meiah beamed, nuzzling at her.
"Friends."
Both females smiled, nodding farewells, before moving, parting ways, and were soon both in seperate places, asleep for the night.
