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 Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 2:46 pm
Elsa was getting a bit more used to the lands beyond her Kingdom, her Pride. There was far less snow the further away she got, the sun climbing higher and the grass not only visible, but browned and dried. She was still prone to over heating, but she was trying to keep herself hydrated and moving at a reasonable pace for her body.
The more she learned, the easier it would be to come out here, to help others, to bring more new faces back to her pride and rebuild what was almost lost. She was feeling more optimistic, though she would never lose that air of caution.
She knew better than most that nature, that balance, could easily be upset. Whatever had caused the ice that now strangled her home, it could happen again. It could be worse. She tried to be respectful and kind to everyone she met, so her curse, if that was what it was, did not get worse.
Today, she was looking for some water, wanting to cool off but certainly feeling better than she had in days past. She was figuring this out, and that was good. Her spirits were up and she was keeping her eyes open for others.
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Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 3:26 pm
Astari had been gone a good long while. She had gone into the roguelands willingly on the task to scout out potential allies, as well as to try to draw others to the struggling pride. It also helped that she could watch the herd movements on a wider scale than those who remained in the pride. She was afraid some of the hunters were likely to have to go out in groups that ranged quite far, following the herds for extended periods of time in order to bring back what was needed. it was not a perfect situation by any means.
Additionally she had not really succeeded in finding anyone this time around. She'd met the odd male who was a slave and refused to do anything about it. She was still puzzling over that one. It completely baffled her how a big, strong lion like that could be so wholly cowed. She was drawn from her thoughts, though, at the surprising sight of the queen up ahead.
Astari greeted the queen with sincere pleasure, being one of her supporters. "Queen Elsa, its good to see you exploring," she said with a smile. "What do you think of these lands?" She waved a paw to the non-snowy expanse around them. Astar herself preferred them, which was partly why she'd chosen to become an envoy for the pride. Not that she'd ever entertain the idea of remaining out here permanently. Zizi was her home, and that was that, regardless of how cold and wet it might get.
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Posted: Tue Feb 18, 2014 3:56 pm
Elsa was surprised to run into another member of her pride, considering how few there were, but it made her heart soar even higher. She smiled brightly as the lioness called to her, smiling because it would have been a much different greeting if this was one of the lions that hated her for what she was said to be.
"Hello there," she said gently, bowing her head and smiling at her. Elsa was a kind lioness, and appreciated the support she got from others. She looked around at the grass, the yellow, as well as the sparse trees and dirty rocks. There was no snow, and nothing looked clean and smooth like the ice mountains did.
She wondered when the last time water had fallen here, but then, with the sun burning so high in the sky she could easily see it drying just as quickly as it came. It could have rained that morning, for all she knew.
"It's very warm," she laughed, shaking her head. Her icy blue pelt did not take to the sun light very well. "But it is nice to see different colors, to find fresh food. And I've met a few kind creatures out here, who want to come back to the pride. It's very nice out here so far... though I don't think I like how the ground can burn my paws if I walk on it too long."
Her feet were sensitive.
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Posted: Wed Feb 19, 2014 6:03 pm
She felt rather foolish at that point, her queen's comment reminding her that Elsa was not accustomed to the dryness and heat of the savanna. Ducking her head in apology, Astari hurried to accommodate her queen. "Oh, you must be parched," she said with concern. "I know of a place not too far where we can rest and get a drink." She turned her head this way and that, casting for the ever-so-faint scent of growing things that preceded finding water. Ah yes, that way!
"If you can endure a little more walking, we could be there before long," she offered Queen Elsa, pointing her face towards the waterhole. "There should be some thick brush there for some shade, I think. Maybe even a tree." Then she cast the other lioness a feral grin. "Not to mention prey like to linger there too." She could hunt them both up a snack while the royal lioness rested her poor paws. "What do you think?"
Now perhaps it was presumptive to address the supreme ruler of the pride in such a familiar fashion, but honestly it was the best tactic out here. Direct communication was always best, rather than dancing around something in a courtly and elegant manner. Astari was delicate with words when it was required, but generally was quite frank in expressing herself. Thus far the queen hadn't seemed to mind, so the pale lioness kept on treating Elsa as merely another member that she highly respected.
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Posted: Fri Feb 28, 2014 11:53 am
"Oh, thank you," she said gently, feeling a little sheepish for acting so delicate, but she supposed she couldn't hide what was true. She just was not built for being out in the sun all the time, and much preferred the quiet cold of her home land over the sunny rogue lands. Maybe she was just a little bias, considering she had been raised since being a cub in the snow.
"I think that sounds like a very nice place to rest a while, and catch up. I'd love to hear what you've been doing out here, who you've met and what you've seen." She smiled sweetly. She was a very down to earth sort of lioness, not ruling with the iron paw others might enforce, and certainly not holding herself too high or away from those she was meant to rule over. She needed to know what sort of lives they were living, and the only way to do that was to live it, too.
With the added bonus of everyone thinking she was cursed, and treating her like it. Except the rare few, who she appreciated all the more.
She padded along with the other female quietly, smiling and looking forward to the shade and to just relax and chat with someone else. She looked at Astari and hummed thoughtfully, appreciatively. She would owe the other a favor, for being so nice.
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Posted: Fri Mar 07, 2014 12:54 pm
The waterhole was, as promised, an oasis of cool shade, clean water, and a slight breeze in the bargain! Astari was privately relieved that it had turned out to be so nice. It would have been embarrassing to have it turn out to be a dried husk of a hole with dead plants and no shade... which wasn't beyond the realm of possibility out here. Waterholes dried up all the time, and places of succor turned into deathtraps. Taking a slow breath of relief, she walked with her queen to the water's edge for a drink before sprawling in the shade. She left the densest of the shadows for Elsa, knowing her delicate snow-queen would benefit from it more than she herself would.
"I haven't had much luck of late," she began, flicking an ear to discourage a fly, "finding anyone who seeks a home like ours." She didn't like to admit it, but she felt obligated to tell the truth. "I did find a male once who might have done well, if he'd had the backbone to leave his captors." She wrinkled her muzzle up in disgust. "I really couldn't understand. Not a lion in sight, but here was this big male, cowering on the ground with bleeding scratches, refusing to tend himself, refusing my help, and completely unwilling to get up and leave as he clearly had the opportunity to do." She cast an exasperated and baffled look at her queen. "I still don't understand why he insisted on remaining a slave, but I wasn't very well going to drag such a defeated and useless lion all the way back here. He'd probably start crying for his master." She gave a short, abrupt growl, almost more cough than anything. "We need strong, brave, determined lions, not weak-willed slaves."
She gave herself a shake, sending a soft cloud of dust rising and releasing the tension she'd gained from the memory. "How is the pride doing?" she asked in her turn, ears tipped forward. She might not have any relatives in the pride any longer, but she still cared deeply for the well being of it as a whole. Perhaps someday she might have a family of her own... but with no current beaus, such prospects were too distant to do anything but dream of.
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2014 3:32 pm
Elsa was thankful for a drink of water, quickly drinking enough to cool her body and refresh her from her travels so far. She sighed and looked over to her companion, who was already resting in the shade. Following after her, she curled down into a nice spot under a tree, where the shade was thick, and sighed. After a moment she stretched her feet out and got very comfortable.
This was much better, and she was already feeling rapidly refreshed.
"Some lions choose to live different lives than the ones we know or understand. I am sure that a lot of creatures would question the snow we surround ourselves with, or living in the mountains as we do... there are so many different sorts out here, in these wild lands, and in other prides. I'm sure there are some out there who would like our home, as well as those that don't."
Elsa was calm and patient, sweet and quiet. She tried to keep an open mind as much as she could, considering. There was enough intolerance, even in her own pride, from those that did not trust blue and white pelted lions for fear of this 'snow curse'. She smiled at the other lioness patiently.
"I think we could help anyone who wanted to help themselves, and could offer a safe home for the weak as well as the strong. It's true, we need lions who can help us build and protect our pride, but I wouldn't turn away anyone that wanted to be there, just as I wouldn't force anyone who didn't want to be there to stay."
She could understand the frustration, though, and wondered why someone would chose what sounded like a terrible, abusive life. She did not claim to understand the world, and found many lions to be strange, to say the least. She could only ask everyone to do their best, and hoped that frustrating encounters like the one Astari seemed to have had did not deter her too much.
"I think the pride is doing well. It is still snowing, but the storms are lightening a bit. The season seems to be shifting, slowly. We may see the sun again soon, from the island," she almost laughed at that, though she was hoping it could be true, maybe. One day, anway.
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Posted: Wed Mar 26, 2014 4:54 pm
She frowned thoughtfully as her queen pointed out the right of others to live as they wished. This was entirely true, of course, but it still chafed at the purple-marked lioness to think of that spineless male, laying on the ground like a stunned cub, refusing to get up and save himself. Her expression was an odd mix of frustration, resentment, thoughtfulness, and acceptance. "Yes, you are right," she said at length, heaving a deep sigh, "and I wouldn't turn that male away, if he suddenly appeared and asked to join us. I just... lack your patience with such cowardice." She cast her queen a regretful and apologetic look. She was queen for good reason, and Astari would never even dream of trying to take on such a role. She had no illusions concerning being unsuitable for any sort of leadership role.
Her expression brightened at talk of home, though. She leaned forward and absorbed Elsa's words avidly. "Really? Oh, that could be wonderful! I do love the snow, but that ice gets to me. It gets between my toes and cuts my pads," she sighed, stretching one paw wide in front of herself and examining the travel-hardened sole. "Snow is nice and soft," she said almost to herself, "but the ice... the ice is unforgiving." She shuddered her hide, sending another soft puff of dust into the air. "How are the hunters doing? Are they finding enough prey?" She glanced around them at the somewhat empty land. The closer one got to the pride, the less prey there tended to be. It was troubling.
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Posted: Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:53 pm
Elsa smiled at her companion and did not seem fussed with her in any way. She knew all too well what those emotions were like, intense and boiling in a sudden moment, and how hard it was to walk away or to accept something when it felt so wrong. She had also learned not to rise to those moments, but no one was infallible. She had her faults, and she gave in to her fears and anger just like anyone else. Elsa just had to make sure she didn't do it when it would hurt her or the pride, and sometimes it was a very difficult task.
Remaining calm at all times, trying to keep herself a little detached and aloof, while at the same time connected and caring, was an incredibly difficult balancing act that she was still getting the hang of. Sometimes she leaned too much to one side, and it never turned out well when she did.
"I think our stores should be filled soon. It might be a little tight for a while, but when the ice is thin enough to break through and fish again, we'll be alright. Everyone is doing such a good job, though there are so few of us. I'm really proud of how everyone is working, to keep our home alive."
She needed to do her part, as well. Finding a nearby pride and establishing trade would likely be a vital part of their survival.
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Posted: Thu Apr 03, 2014 11:00 am
It really would be good if they could fish again. She managed to stifle the urge to lick her lips at the thought of fish, but only just. Fish tended to be one of her favorite meals, though she herself had very little skill in catching them. She was completely reliant on the capabilities of others in order to enjoy such a delicious morsel. She beamed at the blue lioness as the pride was praised. She knew not everyone liked working for their queen, but at least things were getting done!
"Speaking of jobs," she replied, rising reluctantly to her feet, "I should probably go back out and do mine." She was determined to find someone who had the strength of body and character to come help the pride grow larger and stronger. They had to be out there! She unconsciously struck a heroic pose as she looked into the distance. "Time to find those who will help the pride prosper." She relaxed and flashed Elsa a bright smile. "You take care, Queen Elsa. There are many of us to do the roaming for you, but only one of you." What would they do if they lost her? Astari was certain that all ties that bound the pride together would wither away, and they would every one of them need to find a new home. It would disastrous. Shaking off her worries, she began to trot off to the south, a different direction than she'd come. "I'll return soon... hopefully with new members!" With that last farewell, she broke into an easy lope, tail waving in optimism.
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2014 11:58 am
Elsa smiled and nodded her head, feeling warm in her chest as she watched the other female. It was nice to see others from her home who were so determined to help them restore themselves, and to find new members to help them grow. She would contribute as much to that as she could, of course.
"It was a pleasure speaking with you. Thank you for all your care and hard work. I look forward to seeing you again, and hearing all of your stories."
She would get ready to head back out there soon as well, though for the moment she thought better of it. It would do her better to rest for a little while before she struck out and went with her new plan, of finding a nearby pride and hopefully making an ally and friend of them. She watched as Astari bounced off and felt restored in spirit, at least. It was a good motivator, to see others with so much enthusiasm and strength of spirit, and she was very proud to know the other lioness, let alone have her as a member of her home.
Their pride would be well again soon, she just knew it.
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