Mery-apet yawned and stretched out, enjoying the shade provided by Het-Em-Seshen, since Ra was high in the sky. In his opinion, mid-day was a wonderful time. Sure, it was hot...but the entire pride stopped and rested. Rest that was needed to keep going in such hot climes, especially for those who hadn't grown up in the desert sands like he and many other Tuait-tekem did. He rolled over on to his back...and promptly onto his belly again as he heard humming. Curious, he got to his paws and followed the humming, ears moving about as he tried to pinpoint the sound. It wasn't long before he found the source; a lioness he vaguely recognized as one of the members who'd come from outside the pride's lands. She was rather interesting looking to Mery, with her small and stout build, and fur that looked like it still had some thinning out to do. But she didn't seem affected by the heat at all.
The lioness just sat in the shade, near the entrance of Het-Em-Seshen, and hummed with her eyes closed, tail swishing back and forth in time. Mery took a step closer, and she stopped humming, her bright blue eyes opening and looking to Mery. He froze, wondering if he'd offended her...but she just gave him a brilliant smile.
“Hi, there!” She shifted to better look at him. “I'm Kilalanungu! But just Kilala's fine. Who're you?” Mery was surprised by her friendliness, but smiled back and nodded to her, sitting less than a lion-length from her.
“I'm Mery-apet. What were you humming just now?” Kilala blinked, then giggled.
“Just a tune a friend taught me when we were traveling together. I always thought it was rather pretty, and for some reason it just seemed right at the moment.” Mery chuckled and nodded.
“It did seem to fit. And it was pretty enough to get me to my paws despite the time of day.” Kilala tilted her head to one side, a curious look on her face.
“The time of day? Ah...are you one of those who nap during the mid-day?” Mery nodded, and the lioness ended up looking sheepish. “Sorry about that, than. I don't nap often myself, not really. I like daydreaming during the mid-day, though!” Mery was starting to like this girl. Despite looking built to fight, she seemed to have a gentle heart.
“What sort of daydreams?” Kilala grinned and stood, looking a bit like a cub getting ready to tell a story.
“Adventures full of action and drama! Gods and demons, princesses and heroes! True love and the creatures who are gifted with it!” She made motions as she spoke, to emphasize what she said. And there was a bright light in her eyes as she spoke. “I've been called silly for it before...but I love imagining what sort of stories could be out there, happening now.” Mery chuckled and nodded.
“I don't think you're silly for it. They sound like wonderful daydreams, the sort that would make wonderful stories. Have you learned any of our own myths?” Kilala nodded vigorously.
“Oh I have! They're all so...exciting! But I'm glad we don't live in times like that. Excitement is a wonderful thing to dream about...but I'm rather happy with my paws in one area. I had my adventure in the rogue lands.” She sat back down, giggling. Mery couldn't help but laugh a bit with her.
“Yeah...I like the peace we have. Everytime I dance for the gods, I pray the peace stays. Especially after the war we fought with the vultures. I'm glad I wasn't around for that.” He wasn't sure he'd have been able to stomach that sort of thing. Kilala noticed the uncertainty in his eyes and gently placed a paw over one of his.
“That was the past. We live in a time of peace now. And besides...” She gave him a bright grin. “Even if we didn't, someone has to honor the gods and keep everyone else's spirits up. Leave the fighting to those of us who're good at it.” Mery returned her grin with a small smile.
“So...you're a Guardian, than?” Kilala nodded.
“Yup! It's the sort of job I did back where I was born, too. Made sure the pride was safe.” Mery looked thoughtful a moment. Where she was born...
“What was it like, where you were born?” Kilala looked surprised that he would ask, then sighed.
It was...it was good in some ways. But in others...it was bad. Everyone is so SERIOUS after a certain age. They don't do fun at all. And we're all separated. The hunters all live in one area, and the nannies and cubs in another, and so on. Parents...really don't see their cubs that often, and if siblings choose different paths, they don't see each other often. Non-lions are considered slaves, lesser than us. And I didn't even know a lion could have cubs with someone not a lion until I met my friend Daizell! But...it was safe, food was never scarce, and everyone was healthy and strong. And it was a beautiful place.” The Artisan-Prince couldn't help but hear a tone of regret in there.
“You miss it, don't you?” Kilala nodded.
“I do...but it wasn't a good place for me. I...I like my daydreams. I like being creative, and smiling, and having friends who aren't lions.” She closed her eyes. “And as much as I miss my siblings, I got to say good bye to them.” She smiled slightly. “I miss things...but I'm much, much happier here.” Mery shared her smile, glad she was happier, that she knew what she felt and why.
“Well...if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm willing to listen. I know that if my heart ever called me elsewhere...I know I would miss here, where I grew up, no matter how happy I was in the other place.” Kilala nodded again, and giggled.
“I shall remember that, Mery-apet. You're a good lion...thank you.” Mery chuckled and nudged her shoulder with his nose.
“You are most welcome, Kilala.” He yawned and laid down next to her, settling to nap. And Kilala took up her humming again, the soothing sound lulling Mery into sleep as Kilala lost herself in another adventure inside her daydreams.
