Mael never considered himself an idiot. More like a suborn cheetah who refused to learn skills that would help him. He had become thin and gangly since he left his family. Before he was well fed and strong. He did his best to stay in shape when he was with his family. Now days though he had little mussel on him. His last meal had been days ago, too long for him to remember.
As he walked in the jungle he spotted pink against the green of the bush. Could it be a prey animal? He thought eagerly. His body lowered closer to the ground as he walked toward the pink creature. However when he was closer he realized that his prey was much larger then he was and was in fact a beautiful leopardess.
He could hit himself for thinking she was some sort of prey. His eyes narrowed as he watched her. A small smirk fell on his face when he noticed what was beside her. A fresh kill by the look of it. Plenty for her, plus some for a poor helpless cheetah like himself.
He stood up and walked out of the bush, a big smile goofy smile on his face. “Hello friend,” he said cheerfully.
Puteri had caught her meal and was currently resting after the long hunt. The prey was heavy and it took her a while to drag it where she wanted it, near her temporary den. She had recently given up trying to find her old mate. It was time for her to move on with her life. She had been so focus on finding him that years just went pass her like the wind. And now she was an older leopardess who didn't have much to show of her life.
Her family was separate and spread out. She wasn't the chipper young leopardess she had been before, instead becoming and untrusting and distant. Everyone grew up eventually, but the idea that she would become so bitter as she aged was something different. She didn't like the person she became. She wanted to go back to how she was. For goodness sakes she couldn't even trust a leopard who saved her life. The moment she could, she ran away from him.
That's it, she thought to herself. She would change her ways and try to revert to her old self. No more would she push away. From here on out she would do her best to be more open and trusting of others unless there was a reason not to trust them.
However she wasn't expecting someone to show up so quickly. Her eyes narrowed when the strange cheetah showed up. “What do you want?” She asked quickly, guarding her food. It was more then enough for her, but wasn't about to share with someone she didn't know. She paused for a moment. I should hear him out first, she thought, looking at his straggly body.
Mael was expecting someone more... kinder then this leopardess. When she was just staring out in the open she seemed so calm and cute, but now he was pretty sure it would be difficult to con her out of a meal. However there was a split second when the innocent looking cheetah returned. He calmed down and stepped closer to her.
“I was just looking for some company. I've been alone for so long in the rogue lands that I miss having a pretty face to talk to.” Though honestly he could just talk to himself while looking at a pond and still have a pretty good conversation, while having something good to look at. Right now though it was time to make her feel like she was the one who was beautiful, the one that was on top of the pillar while he acted lucky just to be in her presence.
He passed by the food and sat down next to her. “I am not here to bother you, so if I do so I can always leave and you'll never have to see me again. But, and I hope you don't get mad at me for saying this, you look just as lonely as I do. Would you allow this unfortunate lonely cheetah a chance to talk to a gorgeous feline like yourself for just a little bit?” He asked hopefully.
Could it be any more obvious that he was flattering her for a reason. She let out a sigh. No one called her gorgeous for a while, so it wasn't too bad. Plus he wasn't bad to look at. Instead of answering his question she went to her meal and ripped part of the leg off, and tossed it over to him. “Eat up you look hungry.”
She didn't like how he talked about how lonely she looked. Because the truth was she was lonely, lonelier then she felt in months. And now having someone remind her of it made her feel that much alone. She took a big bite out of her meat, ignoring all manners that she had been taught since was was able to walk. Now wasn't the time for manners, she thought. She wanted the cheetah to know who was the boss and that she wasn't one he wanted to cross.
She didn't seem happy with him, Mael decided as he took a bite. But she also wasn't mad at him, which was a good thing. He glanced at her through the corner of his eyes. It had been a long time since he had a little fling. Perhaps if he got on her good side he could romance her a little bit.
“My name's Mael by the way.” He gave her a grin. “Thank you for sharing your meal with me. I've gone a while without eating.” He said honestly. And to think that if he hadn't met her he would have gone even longer. He ate slowly, enjoying the taste of every bite. There was no telling when his next meal would be, so he ate carefully.
“What is a lovely leopardess doing out here anyways? Shouldn't you be with your mate somewhere?” He asked.
Puteri just frowned. “Sometimes females don't need a mate to drag them down.” She responded harshly. She had done quite fine by herself other then the feeling of being alone washing over her ever night. Her eyes looked at the cheetah. He didn't mean any harm by his comment, she thought. All he was doing was seeing if she was single. “I'm sorry. I'm just a little irritated, but not at you. Just at life in general. I live out here in the rogue lands by myself.”
She felt weird saying it, but she felt a little lighter at the same time. It was the first time she admitted that she was alone, without a mate and without her cubs. She finished her portion of the meat. “My name is Puteri. I am sorry if I come off harsh. I'm not always like that.”
“It's fine my lovely Puteri.” So she was single. Single and lonely, just the way he liked them, Mael thought. He scooted closer to her, taking in her smell. This was the type of hunting he preferred, finding beautiful ladies and letting them take him home. “We all have our moments when we don't understand our feelings. If you need to talk about it, I'm all ears. I mean I owe you big time for letting me eat this meat and allowing me to enjoy your company.”
She frowned. “I'm not yours.” Puteri said as she moved away. “I've met enough rogue males to know what you are after. I do not mind sharing a meal with you but that's all you get. Nothing more nothing less.” It irritated her that he thought he could just come into her life and expect that she would just fall for him after a couple lines.
He quickly shook his head. “That's not what I want. I just am grateful! I feel like I am in your debt now.” He said , going closer to her as she moved away.
She rolled her eyes and stood up. “You can finish that up. I am done. If I catch you following me I will not hesitate to attack you.” She gave a soft growl before walking away.
Mael tilted his head to the side as she walked away. Well at least I got a free meal, he thought. Though, I don't think I am done with my lovely Puteri yet. He watched as she walked away. If faith would have it, he was sure they would meet again.
WC: 1,450
