Painted MooseRunning rampant in through the plains was a young lion with little care for propriety. Xabryel tossed his full mane out of his eyes, and kicked his paws up, whooping to scatter the birds from the trees. He grinned and gave chase, running in circles before taking off in a full run again. Life was so…so beautiful! He could feel the energy of the area running through his blood, and propelling his thick legs to move forward.
The large, over-excited lion tossed his head to the side, happy just to be alive and full of the spirit of the day.
Seaki
It has been a rough day on Nawiri's shoulder so far. The cold from the air in the pride's lands did not help at all, and the soothing rocking of the waves only ached it further on this day.
So it was only logical that the young lioness sought a warmer area. Perhaps an area not so cloudy - somewhere she could sun her shoulder and push away the ache.
Of course that meant leaving the lands - if only for a time. She could not protect herself out here, after all, and she would have to return home quickly.
Painted Moose
Xabryel wasn’t used to speaking with others, nor was he very adept to speaking with them once found. He was only ever able to properly communicate with members of his family without sounding like a total basket case. Unfortunately, his lack of socialization as a cub meant that he’d become a rather…odd adult.
Needless to say that when he came upon Nawiri, his smile brightened and he bounded over closer, calling out as he went. “Hey, hey! Miss, hey, hey, Miss!” Did she live here? He hoped she did, because then she might be able to tell him where he needed to go.
Seaki Nawiri nearly jolted back in surprise. Normally, she didn't ecounter such loud creatures. Or at least none so happy, and never a lion. "Um, Hello," she said hesitantly.
She sat down to take the weight off her shoulder. It was a lot warmer here, she thought, so this would have to do for now.
Painted Moose
Xabryel slowed to a stop, a little warm flush to his cheeks, only just now realizing just how offputting his behavior may have been. "Sorry, I'll tone it down, just got a little carried away." He tossed his mane out of his eyes and smiled. "It's just...really nice out, isn't it?" Standing as tall as he was, it really was blaringly obvious how large the lion was. "But, yeah, do you live around here? Would you mind telling me where I am? Got lost from my father a while ago."
Seaki
"That's quite alright. I'm just not used to it," she gave a small laugh. The last lion she encounted, in fact, was quite a grump and had snapped at her. The thralls in the pride where pretty solemn, so the cheerfullness was a bit odd.
"I live closer to the ocean. We're not far from it," she tossed her head in the direction of the pride. "Those are the Myrsky Syntynyt Lands over there."
Painted Moose
"I'll keep that in mind, then." He tucked his legs underneath him and sat before him, content to rest his legs for the time being. Xabryel Craning his head, he looked towards the direction she motioned and nodded, murmuring the pride's name under his breath. "An ocean pride, huh? Do you do a lot of swimming, then?"
Seaki
Nawiri nodded. "Sometimes. The ocean can get dangerous with the storms. Most of the others stay within the land and come out here." Of course he didn't need to know that they pillaged other lands and stole things for their gain. She didn't and that was the point.
Well, she couldn't. That was also the reason she was out here for right now. At least he was kind, she thought. The priestess wouldn't approve anyhow. "What are you looking for anyhow?"
Painted Moose
"Well, that seems to make sense. I guess it'd be safer to stay away from the Ocean than get swept up by it." Though he'd never seen the Ocean himself, he'd heard stories, and not all of them were pretty. "Oh, home, I guess. My family travels in a big group, and I was out scouting with my father when I got lost." Xabryel shrugged. "I'm not worried though. I'll find him eventually. What, uh...what are you doing out here though?"
Seaki
"Oh, are you a nomad then?" she asked, curious. She had never quite been too far out of her pride's lands, not including the time she had pressed her new-born cubs into the paws of another, not wanting her children to be looked at oddly. She did not have a mate and their father had been a god, after all! Not that it mattered too much now. Her children were safe - or she assumed.
"It's pretty cold near the ocean. I have a bad shoulder, and it aches. I came out here for warmth," she explained. She wasn't quite so old, but injuries chose when to hurt.
Painted Moose
"Yep, roam around as I please, when I please." Xabryel beamed. "It's kind of odd at times without a home of my own, but I like it, all the same." He'd never known a life outside of travelling. Since he'd been young his mother had given him to the care of his father, and it had all been history from then on. "What happened to it, if you don't mind my asking? Or has it always been bad?" He had expereinces with bad joints; his grandfather had a bad hip, but that was from a crocodile attack in his youth. The injury had gradually worsened with age and left him with an ache. "Is there anything I can do to help you?"
Seaki
"I had an accident when I was young. I lost a fight with a small landslide." She laughed, trying not to be bitter about it, but it kept her from becoming a reaver.
She gave a pause. Warmth helped. Sometimes body heat from others helped, but she didn't want to ask. They was way too personal. But then, since when did personal space really matter.
"Would you mind sitting near me for a bit, against the bad shoulder I mean. Heat helps sometimes," she was quick to explain. Sometimes a pair of thralls helped her with it, but she wasn't there now! And she wanted a relaxing day in the sun is all.
Painted Moose
"I'm sorry to hear that, but I'm happy to know such a young one was able to make it out okay. Luck, or the Gods, must have been on your side." He knew if it had been his luck, he would have died within the first few moments. Xabryel blinked, his eyes widenening and his cheeks darkening a little. He coughed, and nodded. Stiffly, with the anxiety of the young around the gender they were attracted to, he moved to sit beside her and leaned up against her. "Is this...okay?"
Seaki
"Oh, perfect," she said. Luck of the Gods! Perhaps he was right. Perhaps she was lucky to be alive at all. It made no difference really. She could not change her past, just hope the gods will bless her with a new shoulder one day. She had heard of miracles happening.
She settled next to him. Perhaps this would be a good day after all.
