AJ groaned softly and let himself tumble over to the dusty ground, teal mane splaying out around him. Having dark fur really sucked on hot days like his. Thankfully the male had found a low-hanging cliff to hide under that provided some shade and relief from the heat. It was still dreadfully hot, but it was better than being out in the sun. In fact, he was starting to travel at night more often. It was cooler and easier on the large. Not to mention he made more distance. When traveling by day, AJ always had to stop and find somewhere to rest during the hottest parts of the day. Usually by the time it was cool enough for him to continue, it was nearing dusk. Converting to night travel would be so much more efficient, but AJ found that he didn’t get to meet as many people as he did when traveling during the day. Which was a shame, really. AJ like company. He missed the hustle and bustle of pride life. He missed Kekipi too. The thought of the female made AJ’s heart twist painfully, and the lion sighed. There would always be a place for Kekipi in his heart, but they had not been meant to last. They wanted different things in life. Their split was for the best, but that didn’t mean the male couldn’t miss her companionship.
AJ sighed, staring blankly at the purple blob trotting across the savannah, shape blurring and dancing in the heat. He envied those who could tolerate the heat like that. The fact that the lioness in the distance could was surprising, considering the black blotches that splashed across her coat. Blotches…that AJ recognized. The male shot up to his feet, focusing his eyes. There was no doubt about it. He knew that lioness! She had saved him from that nasty wild dog weeks ago! What had been her name? Leeta? Lila? Lilly? Leto? Leto! ”Hey! Leto! Over here!” He roared, trying to get her attention without leaving the shade.
Leto’s ears swiveled back and forth. She could have sworn she heard someone yell her name. The lioness looked around with a scowl. Where could it have come from? Surely the heat wasn’t getting to her, making her hear things that weren’t actually there? No, there in the shade of the rocks, was a lion with a teal mane, standing in the shade. Leto would remember that mane colour anywhere, she thought with a smile, trotting towards the male. It was AJ, a big softie she had rescued from some conning canine in the past. Leto had been quite intimidated by his size upon first meeting him, but once she took the time to sit down and chat with him, the lioness had found AJ to be adorably sweet. ”AJ my friend! It’s been a long time, hasn’t it? Been keeping yourself out of trouble?” She teased, stepping into the cool shade. AJ laughed, giving her a bright grin. ”As much as I’m able to. Can you sit for a while, chat with an old friend?” Leto nudged him with her paw. As if she would say no to that sweet face. ”Of course. I’m in no rush.” It was both true and untrue. Leto had finally figured out exactly where the ocean was, and was heading there as quickly as she could. However, she could stop for a few hours in order to catch up. It was good seeing AJ on better terms than their last encounter. ”What has you all holed up here in the shade?” Leto could guess why AJ was staying out of the sun, but it was a nice conversation starter.
AJ laughed at her question. ”Unlike some lions here, my coat doesn’t take to well to the heat.” And it never would. At least he was able to take shelter when he could. Plus it did make him pretty stealthy during the night. Not that AJ really had any use for stealthiness, unfortunately. ”So how is your exploring going? Have you found anything particularly interesting?’ If AJ was a bit braver, he would go out and explore as vigorously as Leto was. But, being scared of confrontation, he stuck to simply wandering about and seeing what he could. His first glimpse of elephants had been a real shocker. ”Well, sort of. I found a destination I’m heading towards.” A destination? Perhaps to some sort of landmark or religious site? AJ’s own pride had never really been all that religious, but he had met a few lions who hailed from prides with many different forms of worship. ”It’s called the ocean.”
”The ocean? What’s an ocean?” Leto smiled at AJ’s confused expression. That had been her reaction too, when she had first heard the word of it. She had only heard of it in stories, and now was on her way to see it in real life. ”The ocean is kind of like a very large lake.” At least, Leto assumed it was. That is what she had been told, and the lioness didn’t know enough about oceans in order to give a more accurate description. AJ smiled politely at her, but Leto could tell he was largely unimpressed. ”It stretches on farther than the eye can see, out into the horizon. And the water is constantly moving back and forth along the shore in waves that can reach up taller than a lion and are as loud as their roar. And there animals that live in the ocean, some so big that they make an elephant look like a tiny little cub.” That had AJ’s jaw dropping. Leto had a hard time believing it herself, seeing as no one had ever really seen these creature in real life, but there were stories of dead ones washing up onto the beach, feeding prides for weeks to come. The lioness imagined it must be nice, having nature just give you food like that.
Bigger than an elephant? Surely there was nothing that could be bigger than an elephant! AJ just couldn’t wrap his mind around it. He really wanted to see one. Not to mention that the concept of an unending water source was quite intriguing as well. AJ imagined there must be many prides that congregated along the banks of this ocean thanks to its resources. Lots of prides…”Where is it? This ocean?” The male asked.
Leto chuckled. She knew AJ would be interested in the ocean. ”It’s to the East. Just follow the rising sun until you cannot walk anymore, and you should be at the ocean.” It had been where the lioness was headed when AJ had called her over to chat. ”Why don’t you come with me? We can go together.” She offered. It would make hunting a little easier too. More lions meant bigger prey, and bigger prey meant better meat. ”Oh, I couldn’t. I need to travel at night mostly, and it appears you’ve been traveling in the day. I’d hate to slow you down.” Leto nodded. She could understand. ”Well I must be off then, AJ. I do hope I see you there.” The lioness said with a dip of her head.
”And I you. Safe travels.” AJ smiled, watching Leto’s retreating figure as it began to disappear into the haze of the heat. The ocean. He was going to the ocean. The male rested his head on his paws, teal eyes slipping closed. It was a good feeling, having a destination. A good feeling indeed.
Final Word Count: 1257
