Legadema:Legadema moved across the plains at a slow pace. She was trying to figure out what to do with her life. Most of her brothers had gone off on their own and she was still hanging about her parents. And they were thinking of having more cubs soon, so she was starting to feel like she might be in the way if she stuck around. But she didn't really know where she would go or what she would do. She'd heard a bit of news about an interesting couple of prides, maybe she should try that. Living among lots of other creatures, marking sure life ran smoothly.
And she always wanted to make new friends.
She sighed as she climbed up onto a large rock and flopped down, a huge red mark standing out as clear as day among the yellows and greens of the savanna's grasses.
Murchadh:He shook out his mane as he glared up at the blistering sun, ah it did not favor those with darker pelts he thought with a snort.
Loner, the word described his lifestyle perfectly. His sister had left when they were teens, leaving him to his own. He missed her, but she had plans, wanted to go out and explore the world, and well he'd never had given a chance to think of such things.
The protector, the provider, he'd seen to it that they'd always been safe, their parents not wanting to share their time with cubs, had left them at an early age and well..He shook his head, there was no reason to dwell on such things..
Then he saw the oddity among the rocks, a brow arched before his instincts kicked in, was this creature hurt?! He quickened his pace towards it..
Legadema:
'Dema rolled over on her back and covered her eyes with the back of one paw. She didn't like being off on her own, she was a social creature. It was hard to not be when you had seven brothers and sisters, mom, dad, and a caretaker in Zaphod. But now everyone was gone but her parents and she wasn't getting to be so social anymore.
Nothing else was really a problem. Hunting wasn't so bad considering the size and power of her remaining family members. And she really did love her mother and father.
But part of her also wanted to start working on her own family. Find a mate as strong as her papa who did his best to put up with her competitive nature and snuggly demeanor. Someone to share adventures with and argue with and make up with and all the ups and downs of finding your other half.
She hated puzzles.
Murchadh:
He paused, staring down at the oddity that had turned into a lioness, a brow arched as he looked her over once, he grinned a little before he caught himself and cleared his throat. "Ah..Excuse me miss. Are you alright?" he asked, his head was arched in a proud manner, if not just tilted slightly to the side as he watched her.
She was..odd, he thought with a smirk, if not soft on the eyes. He silently scolded himself, he wasnt some sort of cad! Eyeing females like prized possesions, he had more respect for the female sex than that!
Ah, if his sister could see him now, the taunting and teasing she'd riddle him with, he shook his head, shoving those thoughts far out of his mind.
Legadema:
'Dema's paw moved from her eyes and she blinked her brilliant red eyes up at him, just one more mark of her proud, burning heritage. She gave him a somewhat lopsided smile and tilted her head a bit to one side, mimicking the male's head tilt.
"Yeah, fine. Why?" she asked, her face changing to equal parts mild confusion and curiosity. He was a charming male at first glance, coming over to her with his concern. And he was rather attractive, too. Her family didn't so much have the qualms some of the other Firekin on "proper colors", but she couldn't help but find black and fire-like colors attractive. And he had really interesting eyes. Bright like the sky, but they were green too. Kinda like right before or after a storm.
Murchadh:
Murchadh couldnt help but give her a once over again, her eyes were bright and firey, they seemed to almost flicker like an actual flame. He smiled now, "Well, I saw you out here, like you are now and thought that you might be injured or something." He confessed, he had to admit, it seemed he was a sucker for a damsel in distress, though finding her just fine, was a relief.
He flicked an ebony hued ear as he glanced around, making sure that he was approaching another lion's mate unknownly, he looked back at her. He'd surely skin another a live if they did it to him, he was a tad selfish with those he cared for, and even more selfish with his affections, they were strictly reserved for matters of the heart.
Legadema:
Dema smiled again, rolling over and putting her head on her paws.
"My, you're sweet. All worried about me and you don't even know me," she replied, tilting her head to one side. She thought about adding the fact that she didn't need help. She was a strong girl and could take care of herself. She'd been in her share of scrapes, though she'd never been in one with a fellow lion besides the training with her mother and father.
"I'm Legadema, but my family usually just calls me Dema." her head dipped slightly with the introduction, glad to meet another lion. He seemed a little nervous around her and she couldn't help but wonder why. Sure, she was a large lioness, bigger than most rogues because of her heritage, but she didn't think she was that intimidating, was she?
Murchadh:
" Murchadh..Its a pleasure Legadema, wow thats an very interesting name." He said with a laugh, before he said her name again, letting it roll of his tongue like a purr before he nodded in what seemed like approval, not that she needed his approval.
"And well, I dont think it's sweet its more of..well the right thing to do. Im not one of those brutes who cares nothing for the world, but rather I like to believe I can give a helping paw to those who need it I guess." He gave a simple shrug of his shoulders, he wasnt a prince but he tried to live by a certain code of conduct..some thought it stupid, but its what he did none the less.
Legadema:
'Dema laughed at his response, amused by the way he said her name.
"Murchadh... That's also a very interesting name." She really liked the way he said her name the second time. It was weird and she had never heard her name said quite like that before. Her tail flicked back and forth with her pleasure.
"Right thing to do, or not, I still think it's sweet. It's nice to meet someone who cares about the welfare of others," she added, lifting her head and one paw so that she could casually rest her chin upon its back.
Murchadh:
He sat down, letting his tail flick out behind him as he found himself comfortable with her, something he didnt find easy to do with others.
This, this was much more pleasurable than he had found most encounters with others to me. He smiled at her, as he rolled his shoulders lightly.
"Well, sweet or not, I guess it has to be someones job to actually care, and Im more than happy to shoulder the burden." He nodded, his eyes sparkled.
Legadema:
"I like to think I would try and help someone in need, too, if I ever come across such a situation," 'Dema replied, glancing off to ponder that for a moment. Would she really? Yes, she hoped she would. Her parents certainly would, though she figured her father might be a little more wary of anyone he ran into. That was her daddy.
"So, besides running to my aid, what brings you to this area?" She hoped she didn't sound suspicious. It was true this was the area where she had grown up and where her parents lived, so technically it was their territory, but she didn't want to drive him off or anything. He was really nice company.
Murchadh:
He nodded his head, he'd heard that before, how another would like to think they'd help but sometimes he questioned about the truth in those words, and how many others would actually step up and do it without a second thought.
It was risky, and he'd gotten his fair share of brawls because of it, but it never stopped him from still trying.
"Well, I suppose I was just following my paws, lost in thoughts of long since past.." He admitted, he didnt have a true home to return to, only found places to sleep when he couldnt take another step, hunted only when his belly threatened to quit on him all together, he was a rogue in every sense of the word.
Legadema:
'Dema smiled, amused at his reasons for coming there. Or, lack of reasons was probably a better term.
There he was, lost in his past and she couldn't get her mind off of the future. Sometimes she wished she could see the future, like Zaph could. But then she'd probably just get anxious and paranoid over it. He seemed to, anyways.
"How funny. You're thoughts are on the past and I can't get my mind out of the future. And yet both trains of thought brought us here," she replied, tilting her head to one side, eyes narrowed just a bit to soften her smile. Despite her size, she really was a very sweet individual. Unless she was riled. That was a different side of the bright lioness altogether.
Murchadh:
"Hmm, that is quiet amusing..Well, the past and future always meet up sooner or later do they not?" he wondered out-loud as he took a glance at the lioness, she was unlike anyone he'd ever met before, and he found himself wondering how he could "run" into her again possibly.
He smiled at her in return, now. He licked his muzzle absent mindedly, the suns unforgiving nature to the dark coated had been forgotten until thirst nagged at him now.
Legadema:
When he licked his muzzle, 'Dema's eyes shot wide and she immediately shot up into a sitting position.Her darker brothers often did that when they were hot and dry-mouthed, little cues she had picked up over their youth.
"I'm sorry! You must be ridiculously hot, I didn't even think about it. There's shade not far from here and water, if you'd like." Her words were a little rushed, every bit of her ready to hop completely up and lead him towards one, the other, or both. She never really had a problem with the heat. While she had a good bit of black on her, it was in places she was usually lying on. Now her father, his thick mane was all black and one of her brothers was mostly black, like Murchadh. It must be horrible for him out here in the open like this.
Murchadh:
He chuckled lightly, she had picked on something he did without thought, something his sister had never learned in all their years together.
Dema, was more impressive than any female he'd met so far.
"Theres no reason for you to be sorry. But shade, and water would be a great addition, though only if you joined me?" He asked gently, he'd never really asked a girl to the watering hole before, hell he didnt ask many of them anywhere, but did more as what they needed until he was no longer of any use to them.
Legadema:
Dema's smile grew again and she nodded a few times, standing as she did so and turning back towards home. Another reason she had gone wandering off was because the heat drove her father into the den, and her mother went with him. She thought it best to give them some time to themselves.
"If you'll come with me, then?" she asked, though it was more of a suggestion than a request. She started walking, glancing over her shoulder to make sure he was still coming.
And she really wanted him to come with, she realized, because she wanted to do something nice for him. Not to mention it gave him more reason to stick around her and he had asked her to stay with him if they went to the shade. For some reason, she wanted to know more about this interesting male. Especially if he was from a pride.
"Do you come from a pride?" she asked, striking up a conversation for the walk to the wateringhole and shade.
Murchadh:
"Of course." He said with a grin, he followed behind her, her hip to his shoulder, he couldnt help but glance over, heaven help her if her father was around watching them, he'd be dead for sure..but he still couldnt help himself!
"My parents might have, but most likely not. And they werent in one by the time my sister and I came along." He offered before he shook his head, "But Im currently not in one, might dampen my ability to help those in need.."
Legadema:
"Just one sister? I wonder what that was like." Dema paused in her questioning to laugh a bit. "I was born sixth, with five older and two younger brothers and sisters," she explained, smiling over how crazy it had been. It always seemed like one of them was always getting into mischief.
Her smile twitched a bit, threatening to fall with his comment on prides. He did have a point, if he was tied down to one place he would have a hard time helping others. She wanted to help others too, but... Well, she didn't know what she wanted to really do.
"My parents were in one, before I was born. It was called the Motoujamii, huge, powerful lions the color of fire and ash." She was good at telling stories, mostly because she liked them so much. She just seemed to have a way with the words sometimes.
"But they left and came here with my grandfather and aunt and their friend. We've been in this area ever since."
Murchadh:
"Yeah, though Im sure our parents had other cubs. They were crazy for each other, didnt have time for us though and after they figured that out, left us completely." He shrugged as if it happened every day, and the sad thing was sometimes it did.
"Well, thats interesting. I dont think Ive been that far out yet to hear of them, but of fire and ash.." He looked to her and grinned. "We'd fit in eh?" He chuckled, "Though, I suppose one could still be a helping paw in a pride, I mean, theres many of others around, someone is bound to need your aid."
Legadema:
Dema paused in her strides, giving him a sad look. She couldn't imagine her mother and father abandoning her and her siblings simply because they didn't have time for them.
"That sounds horrible," she replied before shaking her head and starting to walk again. She kinda wanted to find his parents and knock some sense into them, which she could do. But she wasn't the vengeful type. It was just so horrible and they sounded like pretty crappy parents. She didn't know how he could shrug over it!
She tilted her head back and forth a couple of times, shrugging with the action to show that she was on equal sides of the issue of fitting in with the Firekin.
"Yes and no. We look the part, but I don't like them. They kill or kick out members that aren't mostly red, orange, black, or white and my father would be very disappointed," she explained, knowing full well that her father greatly disliked the Simo, the rebels of the true Firekin. He'd rather be a rogue than ever go to them. She nodded at his other comment.
"From what I've heard, you work together to make a pride run, so technically you're always helping someone out."
Murchadh:
He came up beside her and just shrugged his shoulders, "It was always clear that they loved each other, they loved us..but it wasnt enough to keep them around. Some just aren't meant to be parents." He'd never really dwelled on it, but he made him slightly uneasy about having cubs of his own one day, what if he turned out to be like his father?
He shook his head, "Colors don't truly mean anything about a lions character, they shouldnt just see anothers outter apperance. Though, Im glad your not dwelling within that pride.." He shook his head, he had no desire to be near anything that sounded like that pride..it was disgraceful!
He nodded his head, "Helping is what Im best at..." He gave a charming grin.
Legadema:
Dema could imagine parents loving each other so much that they would abandon their cubs as much as she could imagine her own parents abandoning her siblings and herself. She shook her head and pondered his other words. True, she wasn't a Firekin, wasn't raised by their ideals, would never join them, but... She felt her blood was superior, stronger, faster than anyone else. She had a flame burning inside of her that few others had. And it was her family's duty, the duty of those who refused to join the rebels, to go out and spread that fire. The blood would be diluted, but if they kept it strong and proud, it would go on and that was what matter, what the goddess wanted.
She smiled at his last comment.
"Well, for future reference, I can usually help myself," she replied with a small laugh, confidant that she could take care of herself. She'd never been in a situation where she needed aid.
Murchadh:
He nodded his head, he could see that she was a strong lioness, but even the greatest needed the aid of another from time to time. "Well, just in case..Just give my name a call.." He flicked his tail behind him, he'd come running to her aid, and he knew it. There was something very different about this lioness...
He rolled his shoulders, the bite of the sun was making his joints loose and relaxed, causing aches here and there, nothing the nices cool air wouldnt kink out.
Legadema:
Dema smiled and dipped her head once as they headed for the watering hole she knew of. It really didn't take long before they were there and she stepped into the shade of a small group of acacia trees. They were a few strides from the water, but it was a clean pool, a few brave herdbeasts drinking and grazing on the far side. She wasn't hungry as she settled down in the shade, smiling at Murch, so they had no need to fear of her. She knew if she moved around the lake, they would spook.
"I'll keep your name in mind," she finally said, coming to the conclusion that she liked his company. She had doubts she would ever call for him in need of assistance, but for someone to talk to, to spend time with? Sure, why not?
Murchadh:
He watched the beasts as he crept slowly to the waters edge, he wasnt interested in them anymore than she was at the moment, and would prefer not to spook them either, lowering his muzzle he lapped at the cool water until his belly had taken its fill.
Lifting his head, he licked the droplets of water that clung to his fur before turning his head and watching her, silently as she rested in the shade of the trees. A grin tugged at his muzzle at her comment, he hoped so, surely her would be on his mind for some time he thought as he turned and carried himself on sure footing towards the shade. "Willing to share the shade?" he grinned, teasing lightly.
Legadema:
Dema snorted in good humor at his silly question.
"I'm not queen of the shade and there's plenty of room," she replied, waving her paw about her at all the shade. It wasn't a terribly huge amount, but it was enough for them and probably four or five other lions of their size to be able to lounge in without having to touch one another.
She should be heading back to her mother and father soon, they would be waiting for her before they went out hunting, but she wanted just a bit more time with this fascinating male.
Murchadh:
Laying in the shade, he stretched out his limbs, wiggling his toes lightly before he laid his head back, looking at her from this position up her into an interesting position in his gaze, he grinned.
"Queen of the shade indeed." He chuckled, "It sounds fitting.." He nodded his head before he sat up, looking at her in the correct position. "I shouldnt be keeping you.." He said finally, thought he didn't want to see her go yet. But knew, that, the time for her or himself to depart would be approaching soon.
