This new land was so different from where he had grown up. It was certainly not a bad thing, it was just so green. It was also quite peaceful here, and he could understand why. The place was nearly walled off from the world. It seemed such a perfect place to settle down and reflect, and since the ceremony from which he had joined that was what he had been doing quite a lot. Well, at least when he was not out hunting. That in and of itself felt relaxing, it was just something he could do without worrying about hurting anyone, other than the prey that was. On this say he lay out in the open, side leaning against a rock as he stared through half-lidded eyes at the mountains in the distance.
Talasi had just finished hunting training with Nirav. He had gone off with other things to do and she had taken the time to simply wander around, as she had been prone to do since coming here. With each passing day she still loved to just explore this place, having yet to grow tired of how beautiful the area was. This day, however, was a little different. As she made her way along one of the many paths she had taken she spotted ahead another lion. A Large black one, one whom she was not too familiar with. "Hello there!" Talasi called out, a large smile spreading across her face.
A voice called out a greeting and Erebos turned his head to see who was talking. A light brown lioness was heading his way. He had not expected anyone to come along, having hoped for a bit of time alone out here, however it seemed he had chosen the wrong spot for that. Not wanting to seem rude, however, her stood and nodded towards her. "Hello there."
Talasi stopped beside him and turned out haze out across the plains ahead of them. "It so nice and quiet out here, isn't it? I just love taking walks and enjoying the scenery." She smiled over at Erebos. "I'm Talasi."
Erebos nodded quietly as she spoke. It seemed his quiet time alone was indeed over, at least for now. "Yes, it is very nice out here." He replied, looking from her to the mountains and then back. "It is nice to meet you. I'm Erebos."
“It is nice to meet you as well, Erebos.” Talasi looked him over, now able to get a better view of the dark male. He seemed only vaguely familiar, though she could not quite place why. “Are you new to the Ela, Erebos?” She asked, hoping that might help to determine why she did not recall seeing him much.
“I am new. I joined this pride not too long ago during what I believe was called the Tree Ceremony?” He replied, sitting himself back down. Since then he had not met a whole bunch of lions, but then again by the sounds of it there were multiple clans within this pride, and he had gathered after that from older members that the clans did not meet together often, so he was not surprised.
“Ahh, yes! I remember that. It was the first time I saw all the clans together! I hadn’t even realized there were so many more lions, though I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised, hmm?” Talasi chuckled. That must have been where she saw him then, and why he had only seemed vaguely familiar to him. “Well if you need any help, or just a friend in general you are welcome to come looking for me. It’s always nice to find friendly faces in a new place.”
Erebos returned her smile faintly. “Thank you for the offer of friendship. If I ever need anything I’ll have to keep you in mind then. I have been trying my best to fit in as of late, and it has not been too hard. Mostly I have just been helping with hunts and, well.” He paused, trying to think of how to continue.
“Enjoying the scenery?” Talasi asked, quirking a brow as she smiled. “Understandable. I did the same thing until I found a friend of my own in the pride. Well here’s hoping you continue to enjoy your life here, and find more friends to share it with.”
“Yes, and thank you.” Erebos fell silent. It had been a while since he really had anyone to hold a conversation with, and he was unsure what to say next. “Have you any family in the pride?” He asked, having nothing else come to mind.
“Family? No, not yet anyways.” Talasi replied, her thoughts drifting to Nirav for a moment. She made a mental note to introduce the two of them together sometime, if for no other reason than to help Erebos feel more welcome. “What about you? Any family come with you?”
Erebos shook his head. “No. I do have family, but I am unsure where they have gone off to. We split some time ago and I have not heard any news from them since. I assume they are well, my family grew up in a tough land and thus we grew up to be tough as well. It does not stop me from wondering how they are, but I would have no idea where to look if I wished to find them.”
“I see. Well it’s always better to hope for the best then, hmm? Who knows, maybe one day you will cross paths again.” Talasi turned to look at the mountains, a faint smile on her maw. “Well, I think I’ll leave you to the scenery and continue my walk.” She said, nodding lightly at him. “It was nice talking with you, Erebos.” With that she turned and walked away from the black lion, her thoughts drifting between memories of her family, as well as how Nirav was doing that day.
Erebos simply nodded. “Enjoy your walk, Talasi.” He replied, returning her light nod. The lioness then left, walking across the plains between them and the mountains. He watched her for a moment before lying back down against the rocks, gaze shifting back to the mountains as he drifted back into his thoughts.
(Word Count: 1041)
