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 Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 8:25 pm
Maa-nefer ||
It had been a night to remember, truly. They'd all met their share of strangers in the past, but Nefer was still struck by how easy conversation seemed to flow. He was the first rogue they'd encountered who was not only friendly, but downright hospitable. Granted they were all just passing through in the end, but there was something distinctly sad about their approaching parting. The idea that they might not cross paths again was a little upsetting, but she supposed they'd been traveling long enough that she should be used to goodbies by now. After all the time she'd spent in the pride where lions (because the pride was indeed mostly lion) rarely departed she didn't really adjust to the rogue lands well in that regard.
Still, she tried to keep her tone light as she and Sion walked along side one another. They'd reached the edge of the Pridelands already and while Matifu, Kinyago, Gaddith, Jian Xue, and Amavasi went on ahead it gave Maa-nefer and Sion a chance to have a private moment. She was the first one to meet him, and now she'd be the last one to say goodbye.
She allowed herself to walk a few more steps, then stopped and settled down on her haunches in the grass.
"I still can't believe how fast time goes..."
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 8:49 pm
Sion ||
The rest, the food, and the company had done more to lift his spirits and fill his body with strength than anything he had encountered in present memory. The conversation with Maa had been easy, charming, and pleasant. While he had avoided his own past, origins, pride, and even his own ambitions, she had opened up and had told stories of her own pride. A land in the golden sands, watched by the gods, protected by guardians, and filled with tradition. It was inter sting to hear about different cultures and while he knew he had to move on, he was curious about the sort of pride at who's border they now stood.
Sion walked smoothly. What remained of his hurts and exhaustion had tapered off into a simple ache here and there. Nothing that would trip him up or force him into a limp.
He looked out towards the pride's central structure- pride rock Maa had called it- and nodded in agreement. "Indeed. It tends to take us all by surprise. Just yesterday I was looking at a small, mane-less face. Now I cannot keep it out of my eyes."
He turned down to her. "I suppose this is where our paths divide. It was a pleasure."
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 9:15 pm
Maa-nefer ||
"The pleasure was ours, especially mine. I hope you find what it is you're looking for out there, and you'll be safe."
Despite the fact that they'd been talking comfortably for the last couple of days she hadn't missed the fact that she still knew very little about her new friend. Only that he wasn't at liberty to stop and make home there in the pridelands, or stay with them.
For a moment she hesitated. She didn't want to linger too long and have him leave so soon, but she knew she couldn't- and shouldn't keep him either.
"Sion... do you think we might see one another again?"
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Posted: Mon Jan 06, 2014 9:33 pm
Sion ||
The male laughed and shook his head lightly. "Please, no need to flatter me. You provided me company, and the protection company brings in the wild lands. You also provided me with a meal and a good night's rest. I had thought it would be some time before I found even one of those things." He dipped his chin slightly. "If anything, it was an honor and I am indebted to you and your company for your hospitality. If I can keep my eyes forward, I may one day be in a position to repay you."
A short silence followed. There was a part of him that wanted to stay. He'd not met a more pleasant group of individuals. It was a rare thing to find, one he was loathe to put behind him. However, he had made his mind up long ago. There needed to exist a place where anyone, regardless of species, birth, or ability, could live a comfortable life. That place, he decided, should be overseen by the only individual he had come to fully trust- himself. It was vain, perhaps, but he had seen the darker side of things. He knew what it was to go hungry, to fall under angry paws, to suffer loss and the fear of solitude. Most nobles couldn't claim even one of those hardships as their own, so they grew apart from the creatures they were trusted to serve.
Her question echoed some of his quiet thoughts, cutting him off before he could mentally drift to the question himself.
"I don't make a habit of making promises. They are fragile things that are too easily broken. With a broken promise comes broken trust-" He looked over. "But I do hope we meet again. I have a long road ahead of me, but this landmark is quite unique." he nodded towards Pride Rock. "If I see it on the horizon, I will make certain to pass by to see how you have settled here."
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Posted: Tue Jan 07, 2014 11:48 pm
Maa-nefer ||
It's hardly flattery if it's the truth. Can we agree that the pleasure was mutual, at least?" She smiled again, a bit wider, and with a bit of a twinkle to her eye this time. She did, however, add this with all sincerity. "I'll hope too, then... Do you know which way you might be headed from here?"
If she knew which lands he might pass, from her lessons if not first hand, she'd be sure to share whatever helpful advice she could.
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Posted: Wed Jan 08, 2014 11:28 pm
Sion ||
This banter could last for hours. He wouldn't mind the time spent in good company but the both of them had better things to do than spend the rest of the daylight hours flattering one another. He had his road to follow and she had hers- not to mention hers had several individuals waiting to seek an audience with the local ruler. He'd not keep them.
Her question was met with a thoughtful sigh and a slight turn of his head. In truth, he didn't. He was only seeking a kingdom. It wasn't as simple as securing an unclaimed plot of land with ample resources to sustain a number of lions. No, he had to first find those willing to seek with him. Perhaps others who had come from rough beginnings and had suffered. Those who had no place else to go. Those who were new into the lands and sought their own uncertain fates.
None of that was a decent answer. He didn't want to tempt her into an uncertain future either. Knowing the female, she would worry after him and might be tempted to follow, if only to keep him on his paws when his strength failed him. Instead he smiled and turned back to her.
"Onward." It was a simple answer. Confident enough to give the illusion of a set destination and purpose but vague enough to be truthful. "I may find myself passing this way in the future. Perhaps you'll see me? I'll try to linger as long as I can in case there's a chance we might share the shade of a stone again one day."
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Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 12:01 am
Maa-nefer ||
He was right to assume that, because truth be told she would have worried, though it wasn't in her nature to get hung up on things. Had he insisted he'd be alright she'd put her faith in his words- there wasn't much more she could do at that point. They weren't familiar enough to justify leaving her friends behind, at least not yet.
Maa-nefer was a truly loyal lioness, but she understood boundaries. She didn't want to see him go so soon, but eventually the ache of goodbye wouldn't feel so fresh, and it would be replaced by the hope of a reunion "tomorrow".
"I'll watch for you, then, for as long as we're here."
She smiled, rising to her paws once again so that she could see him off properly. Rather than sending him away with meloncholy or mixed signals she would see him off, glad to have made a friend in such foreign lands.
"Take care of yourself, Sion." She added.
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Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 9:32 pm
Sion ||
She would watch for him. The simple phrase brought out a softer, warmer smile that radiated into his gaze. Not since his mother had someone been so keen to look for him- not in a positive way at least. This lioness was soft spoken, gentle, but exceedingly positive and trusting. In many ways, she was much like his mother. Perhaps she had been right all those years ago- perhaps males did take a shine more to females that held the qualities under which they were raised.
"Find comfort and a good life here." He said quietly. "If you find that it does not fit you well, perhaps I'll happen by with an alternative. One day."
It was as much of a hint to his ambitions as he had allowed, but there was an unspoken offer there too. The lioness left her homeland, crossed the wild freelands, and was now at a place she knew only through stories and here-say from others. The uncertainty alone must have been difficult, and he didn't want her to feel trapped here. There was always a way out if one was ever needed.
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Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:03 pm
Maa-nefer ||
The mood felt much lighter suddenly, maybe she was imagining it, but she felt even more hopeful than she had just moments before. Maa-nefer was no seeress, but she also suddenly had a strong feeling that this wouldn't be their last meeting- call that a hunch if you will, but she made the decision to put faith in that hunch.
By that point Matifu was calling her name. Maa-nefer hadn't noticed how far ahead the group had gotten until she turned to see them all waiting for her to catch up. Turning her attention back to Sion again she offered one more smile- "I will. Good luck... Be safe."
They really had to part now... If either of them lingered any longer they'd never actually get anywhere. She inclined her head in his direction by way of goodbye, then turned to head towards her friends. One day she'd look to the edges of these lands and see him there again, maybe with an offer for a new life, maybe just to visit- that much she couldn't say, but one day she'd have her answer.
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Posted: Thu Jan 09, 2014 10:06 pm
Sion ||
Sion watched her go with a quiet, resigned smile. Her friends stood waiting, eager to have her among their number again. The company had been a very good one with a variety of characters. Gaddith, the large black male, had been from a pride different from the others. He hadn't gone into as much detail as Sion would have liked, but it sounded like he had become something of a reject.
There would be a place for his kind, and any who simply wished for a safe place in which they could rest easily. No threat of war hanging over their shoulder, no fear of a premature death at the claws of their kin. It was a tall order, but if he had to give himself purpose, he would have nothing else.
Lifting his head and turning himself about, the pale lion continued on his long trek. Forward. The only destination he could name.
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