Fraga'lamura
Rei
Rei was walking with unusual caution today. There were foreign scents in the air that seemed to indicate the area was being occupied. He believed the strongest he was picking up was that of a lioness - which was always nice, of course – but there were other softer scents he didn’t recognize.
Curious, the orange lion picked up his pace, keeping a close eye on the surrounding area. He didn’t want to be caught unprepared if there was a mother with cubs around. Not that he thought there was a high change of being confused for a threat but it never hurt to play it safe.
Fraga’lamura
Mura had been playing with her sisters when she decided she needed a break from all her siblings. She tried to be discreet as she moved away from, instantly thrilled to find herself suddenly alone in the vast savannah. She giggled and ran after butterflies, the perfect image of bliss for a few minutes, until finally she started running out of things to do on her own. She had just decided to turn back and head for the den when she spotted something big approaching.
It was… very orange. She lowered her head and tried to stay hidden in the tall grass as she gave the male a quick assessment. He had a mane and his tail was like mom or Keena’s which meant he was a lion. She immediately looked back at her own tail and wondered briefly why it was so different from her mother’s. She didn’t understand why she and her siblings were so different especially when it was clear they were all her true children.
Rei
One particular scent was getting stronger but Rei failed to see the cub hiding nearby. He lifted his head and sniffed loudly, the uncomfortable feeling of being watched by an unknown creature growing in his mind.
“Anyone there?” he finally called out when he failed to spot any movement. He couldn’t shake the idea that maybe he wasn’t alone. Of course, it could be simply a hare or another creature of even less importance but the purple-eyed lion couldn’t help to feel curious about who might be watching him from a hiding spot.
Fraga’lamura
He was big. Mura’s little heart beat frantically. Her mother was hunting which meant she might not be that close if the young girl were to need her help but Keena was close enough. Strangers could be very dangerous, she’d been told and Mura wasn’t sure if she should sneak away or wait until the big orange thing left. Getting the sweet Keena into a fight, however, sounded like a terrible idea.
She decided it was best to simple wait until the beast was gone. With slow deliberate movements, the little cub tried to settle herself into a comfortable position. It was easier said than done and unfortunately her location wasn’t that obliging. The minute she tried to lower her body, her tail got touched the tall grass blades around her and a distinct sound of rustling could be easily picked up by an attentive ear.
Rei
The lion was just about to leave when he heard the rustling. His head turned abruptly and he finally spotted a small bit of… white? He took a view steps closer and leaned to the side in order to get a good look at the small shape and finally spotted the little (leopard?) cub.
“Hello…?” he said quietly, hoping she wouldn’t be too scared of being approached by a strange lion like this. She was cute little thing, all white and pink. So girly.
“Are you hiding from me? I’m Rei.” There. A small smile and a friendly introduction would hopefully be enough to put the little cub at ease.
Fraga’lamura
No! She’d messed up and now he was coming her way!
The little cub took a few steps back and hissed, instantly puffing into a ridiculous ball of ruffled hair. The male easily towered over her tiny white body and she crouched low under the weight of his shadow.
“Don’t come any closer!” she snarled fiercely - or at least she thought it was fiercely though the overall effect could probably be best described as amusing. “Or I’ll call my mom! She’s a warrior and she’ll beat you up!”
Rei
“Easy there, little lady. I’m not going to hurt you.” He spoke calmly as he leaned back to sit. Such a feisty little thing, she was. She was probably scared out of her mind as well so it was best not to stay for too long. Facing the wrath of an angry mother didn’t seem to be a particularly appealing prospect at this moment though there was a good chance the cub was overstating her mother’s abilities in order to feel safer and to keep him away.
“You don’t need to be afraid of me. I’m just passing through, okay little leopard?” he tried to keep his voice soft and gave the cub a friendly smile. “What’s your name?”
Fraga’lamura
“I’m not a leopard, stupid! My mom is a lioness!” the cub said, visibly offended. She wouldn’t have minded if he’d called her a lioness but Mura liked to think she looked a lot like her mother and it was hard having a complete stranger stating that she was somehow different.
“And I’m not gonna tell you my name, you’re a stranger.” That last word held as much scorn as she could possibly fit into it and the cub hissed again. “Go away or I’ll scream! And my aunt will come too and you’ll be in real trouble then!” Well, not that the sweet aunt Keena looked like she could deal some damage but he didn’t need to know that, did he?
Rei
“Well, you have a leopard tail. Not like mine, see?” She was probably adopted then and the lioness that had taken her in never told her about it. Maybe this was a subject he shouldn’t be discussing with such a young cub without her parents’ presence.
“I don’t see your mother. Does she know you ran off?” he lifted his head to look for the lioness and sure enough he spotted someone not too far away. She was probably looking for the cub. Things could end really badly if she were to start screaming right now… a hasty retreat sounded like the best plan right now.
Fraga’lamura
“That’s ‘cause…! It’s none of your business!” Mura hissed angrily as her frustration seemed to grow. She didn’t know why her tail was different. And she didn’t like being questioned on it. It was not like she could change tails even if she wanted it! Why did he care so much about it, anyway?!
"They’re close. I’m going to start screaming now.” She threatened with a nasty frown, taking a few steps back in case the adult was planning on physically stopping her.
Rei
“All right, all right…! I’m leaving.” Rei said quickly, already imagining the worst case scenarios that could come of this little random encounter.
"Okay? I’m going now.” No need to get involved in a fight just because his curiosity had gotten the better of him again. The orange lion bowed his head just a little and stood up. She looked so angry! Why did he give such a nasty first impression when he met cubs? “Goodbye, little girl.” And with that he turned, chose a new direction and started walking away.
Fraga’lamura
“Yeah, do that.” The cub spit the angrily with the face of someone who was going to make the biggest pout of her life. She watched the male leave with the same cross expression, deeply wishing she’d never met him. Then Mura wouldn’t have been afraid or plagued by questions. Maybe she should just go ask aunt Keena about her tail. She was a clever grown-up, she’d know why it Mura's tail was so different from her mother’s.
The little cub gave the current focus of her attention a light swish before she turned as well and started running off to the den as fast as her little legs could carry her. She wanted to tell the others about the stupid lion and get some answers to the questions this little conversation had brought up.
- FIN! -
