The trio had settled into an easy day together, though the morning had started on a rather… bumpy… note. Hadaya had not expected, when he set out yesterday, that he would get involved in judging a contest of strength between two complete strangers, and yet that was exactly what had happened. He was glad it had not gone poorly, and both combatants had emerged without any serious injuries. Hadaya had learned that Jeshi was born in the pride and raised there, and was actually a rather gentle sort, though he tried to be tough. He was young, and there was something about him that Hadaya had not yet been able to put his paw on. Rizardon was a visitor from another pride, it seemed, and was looking for help to bring back to his home to boost numbers and get through the winter there. He lived in snows, which was not something Hadaya had much experience with, as he had always lived by the sea, and now in the Pridelands. Not really snowy, as far as he knew.
Rizardon liked the look of this place. It seemed quiet and calm, for the most part, which he liked in small doses. Visiting different places was actually pretty interesting, though it was not his usual job. He spent most of his time digging out ice for dens and igloos, or cutting ice up into biig chunks and clearing out avalanches or other build ups of snow that were inconvenient and unwanted. He was a good worker, but now he wondered if there was more to life than just doing his job. This was a pretty good job, after all.
Jeshi was feeling sheepish for how he had acted when he met these two at first. He not only ran Hadaya over and got all tangled up in him, but he also picked a fight with Rizardon just because he got insulted and upset about it. He had acted like a lion much younger than he actually was, and that was not the kind of name he wanted to make for himself. He just wanted to be a good lion and a good member of the pride. He wanted to be a guard, and he supposed embarrassing himself and being teased for it had been a button he was not aware he had. Now he knew, thanks to Rizardon’s lesson, to keep his temper a bit more in check.
The three were sitting down at the edge of the pride, in a small little watering hole area. The grass was green and soft still, though that might have been from the spattering of rain that had been falling now that the weather was changing. It would all start dying off again with the winter, he was sure, as nothing really liked the cold, but for now it was green and rather lovely. Especially near the drinking hole. Hadaya was sitting atop a sun warmed rock, while Rizardon was standing near the water and Jeshi was sitting nearby the red lion.
“I am very sorry that I got so mad at you, Rizardon,” Jeshi said, for what had to be the hundredth time. Hadaya looked over, smirking a bit and watching the younger lion as he shuffled his paws awkwardly against the ground. That was a motion Hadaya was more than familiar with, considering how often in his life he had been awkward and confused. Rizardon, not so much. He was a confident sort, and he did not ever really understand why lions wasted time feeling bad for themselves or for their actions. Instead of regretting everything, Rizardon simply chose to fix what he could, and move on with the lessons he got from it all. But he had always been a simple sort, at least as far as philosophy on life went.
“Don’t worry about it,” Rizardon said with a laugh, swishing his tail behind him. The tip of it looked like fire, though it did not have that same kind of glow as it moved, and was clearly made of fur. Still, he liked his tail, and sometimes looking at it helped him to feel warm. But living in as cold a place as he did, little things like that went a long way to help him steel himself against the elements.
“I do worry about it. That’s not the kind of lion I am, honestly. I just… I got so mad. And it’s not even you. I was thinking about this girl and… and…” he trailed off, frowning at the floor now with such intensity the stones at his paws might catch on fire.
“A girl?” Hadaya got up from his rock and walked closer to them, though he was within earshot the whole time. He smiled, gentle and understanding but certainly amused. He sat near Rizardon, who also turned to look at Jeshi more directly, grinning ear to ear to hear the real reason Jeshi had been so snappy and quick to anger. It was as if it all made sense now. Ladies could make a male do funny things, and when one was so young, it was clear that this was a new experience for poor Jeshi. Hadaya knew love, and had lost it, a few times. He knew families and the happiness they could bring. He was a full supporter of pursuing love. Rizardon had no experience in that area, though, and would likely have nothing to say in this conversation. Well, nothing constructive, anyway.
“What kind of a female, hmmm?” Rizardon asked, grinning still. He shook his head, not wanting to tease him immediately, because he wanted to hear the story.
“She… helped me with a problem. She was very understanding and she said she wanted to spend time with me again, but I don’t know… what that means… or how to do that. I think she won’t find me very interesting, so I was thinking that if I fought you or hid that I had embarrassed myself then she would never know… and she might hear good rumors about how strong I am. Or… or something like that. It sounds silly now that I’m trying to put it in words. I don’t even really know her but… I want to.”
Hadaya smiled brightly, eyes shining a bit.
“Listen, Jeshi,” he said, taking his turn to offer the young lion advice. Rizardon had done it earlier, after their sparring match, where Hadaya was out of his depth. But this was something more along the lines of what he was used to. His speed, so to speak. Not fighting, but matters of the heart. That did not make him an expert by any means: he had experience, but there was no perfecting the art. That was what made it so wonderful and terrifying at once. “I think you should stop over thinking things. Believe me, I’ve had that problem a lot. I get so wrapped up in how I think others see me, I almost ensure I am making it even worse. If you just relax and be yourself, I’m sure you’ll find she likes you. After all, she wants to see you again already, right? So you must have done something right that first time, and you weren’t focusing on it then, were you?”
“No, I guess not…” Jeshi frowned thoughtfully, glancing up from the floor for a moment to briefly look at Hadaya before dropping his gaze again. “Maybe.”
“Listen to him, Jesh,” Rizardon said with a nod, “he seems to know what he’s talking about. You think too much, just like you did with me. Just relax a bit more, you’re just too uptight, huh? Don’t forget to enjoy yourself when you’re doing all the things you think you have to do, at least.”
“You guys are… are really nice. I appreciate that you’re trying to help me. Maybe that… maybe that’s what I’ve been needing. I don’t really talk to anyone about stuff like this, not even my family. I’m not sure why it’s easier to talk to… well… strangers, before yesterday.”
“Don’t worry about it, Jeshi. I might not know you very well, but I like what I’ve learned so far, and I’m happy to offer you what advice I can. I mean, I know it’s not much. It’s just kind of… I mean. There’s not a lot I’m good at, and I’m certainly not some sort of love guru, but I… I do want to see you happy. If that’s not creepy to say.” Hadaya wrinkled his nose and looked at Rizardon for confirmation, who took a moment to consider. Maybe it was a little creepy, but the intention was there.
“Well… thank you, really.”
“Alright, so let’s talk about this lady. Is she pretty? What’s her name? How’d you meet? Come on, Jesh, I want to hear all the details!” Rizardon laughed, bouncing a bit in excitement and then fixing his eyes on the younger lion. Hadaya looked at Jeshi expectantly as well, smiling encouragingly.
Jeshi did not say anything, smiling and slowly realizing he had somehow managed to make two friends out of one fight.
Word Count: 1,525 in Google Docs
