Seaki
It was early morning, the sun just cresting over the horizon. Meltem was leaving the familiarity of the forest to go roam around the savannah. The sun was in her eyes making her squint or turn away. Instead of trying to walk directly toward the sunrise, unusual for a ninja as it was, she headed slightly to the side. She loved the way early morning smelled. It was still cool and slightly damp from the night. Soon it’d be scorching.
The lioness paused to take a long look around. She didn’t have any agenda for the day and planned to just go with the flow. A meal some time the day would be ideal. That’s what I need, she thought. A good fast chase to get the blood flowing. Most of what she “hunted” didn’t move very fast or at all.
Are was up as the sun rose. She liked to start her day early and start on her adventures. Unfortunately, her companion Ilwe was a late riser, often sleeping half the day away. It was aggravating, but she knew how to move with him gripping onto her shoulder. She walked slowly, making sure not to jostle the raven too much as she moved.
She gave a small yawn as she began her adventure, walking along the open plains. She wasn't sure sure where she was headed yet, but that was the sheer beauty of it. She could end up anywhere, and she was aching to get going again.
As she headed toward the sun, Meltem thought her eyes were playing tricks on her. For before her she thought she saw a second sun rising. She paused to stare. How was that possible? She had never before seen two suns. There wasn’t enough water here for the sun to be glinting off it.
After watching for some time, she realized that it wasn’t truly a second sun, but a feline colored bright like a sun. She grinned at her own folly. Curiously, she headed toward the second sun. It was a female cheetah she become conscious aware of. “Hello!” Meltem greeted as they got closer.
Are was actually startled for a moment by the greeting. She had thought she was getting closer to a puddle a while back, though she hadn't been thirsty enough to give it any thought. She was extra surprised to find that it was actually a lioness. Her fur glittered like a pool of water and she looked remarkably like it. She did not doubt the other could blend in easily with her surroundings.
Are actually found her heart racing a little at the startle. "Hello!" She greeted cheerfully in turn. She wouldn't let her surprise stop her from having a nice conversation. She wondered "Are you from around here?" The cheetah loved to know as much as she could about new areas, and she was quite curious. Ilwe, of course, stayed unawares upon her shoulder, even after everything.
“Close around here.” Meltem gestured broadly back toward the forest. “Figured I’d have a change of scenery today. What about you?” There was plenty who just wandered through. It was kind of sad to make a new friend and then lose them, probably never to meet again. The land was huge after all. Some rogues tended to roam far.
“Ooooo is that a bird on your shoulder?” The sleeping lump on the cheetah’s shoulder caught her attention. Wistfully she thought of someday getting a familiar for herself. The pride was still small, so the familiar selection was rather small. The lucky few who had bonded to a familiar sometimes flaunted them. Maybe she’d come out here unconsciously looking for a friend for herself.
Are looked towards the forest the lioness had gestured too and gave a nod. So the outskirts of a new place! How exciting! She wondered what it was like, and maybe, if she was curious enough, she would snoop around later and look for something exciting. That was always fun!
Her attention quickly turned to Ilwe when he was pointed out, though. "Oh yes! This is Ilwe. He's a sleepy little thing, though, I wouldn't be surprised if he slept through this whole conversation," she admitted. The bird was a heavy sleeper, but then again, he did have a cheetah to defend him while he did so. "He's been with me for a while now. We travel together, all over! All the more fun, I think." Are liked her adventures, after all. She would probably never give them up!
“Aawwww. He’s so adorable. My pride values familiars. There’s not many living here yet, so I don’t have one. How did you attach him? Did you want a bird or did it just happened?” Meltem gave another wistful look at the sleeping bird. How would she ever pick a familiar that was just perfect for her? Birds were so pretty and could get a, pardon the pun, a bird’s eye view. But the other species had their own advantages.
“I’m Meltem. It’s a pleasure to meet you.” She wondered if she should lower her voice as she didn’t want to wake the bird. It hadn’t appeared to bother him yet though. “Mind some company for the day? I got some time on my paws.” The lioness asked awkwardly. There was no telling if the cheetah wanted someone tailing her.
Are tilted her head a little, humming. "We grew up together. I was just a little cub when we came together. I don't quite remember how, though," she apologized. She couldn't remember not having Ilwe with her. She shrugged her shoulders a bit, jostling the vit who just ruffled his feathers and remained sleeping.
"I'm sure my mother had a bird as well, and I think Ilwe here may have been the son of that bird..." she said thoughtfully. She gave a grin. "My name is Are. This is Ilwe, but I've already said his name a few times," she gave a small chuckle. "He is a good companion. He keeps me out of trouble a lot," she admitted easily.
“Ah, you’re lucky to have him so long. I need to look for a familiar myself.” She smiled gently. It must be so nice to have a buddy to reply upon at any time. Meltem nodded as the cheetah said how she thought she’d gotten the bird. “I’m hoping one of the familiars of the pride will breed and maybe I’ll get a baby.”
“It’s such a pleasure to meet you Are and Ilwe.” Are. What an odd name. It didn’t sound like a name at all even. “I’m sure he is. That’s the nature of a good companion.” She smiled at the pair, although one was still asleep. It was amazing how readily the bird slept on.
"I'm sure you'll find a nice companion some day," Are said cheerfully. She didn't know what she would do without her little bird friend. Ilwe was her best friend, and she was sure she wouldn't be able to live without the blue raven.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well!" Are said enthusiastically. "Perhaps I will come this way again, and you will have a familiar then?" She wasn't quite used to calling her friend a 'familiar' so she stumbled a bit over the word. She could feel Ilwe shifting about on her shoulders, like he was getting ready to wake. She probably should head off soon - the bird didn't like to be terribly startled when he woke, after all.
“One will come along!” Meltem agreed with the cheetah. Until then she’d have to continue on without one. “I’d want one who could be a good friend. Like you two. With my work I could use an extra set of paws, or feathers.” There were so many options.
“Thanks! I hope I do. I’d be happy to show him or her to you!” She laughed, thinking of how proud she’d be. As if sensing the restlessness of either the bird or the cheetah, suddenly she looked back over her shoulder. “I should probably start heading back. Farewell Are!” She waved and turned back toward the dark forests.
Are gave a wide grin, nodding when Meltem spoke. Perhaps she would come back in this direction, just to see if the lioness accomplished her goal of gaining a familiar. "See you around!" She called back instead as Meltem left. She had her own adventure to get back to though, as Ilwe began to wake. She trotted off in another direction, with a promise to herself that she would explore the forest her new friend had come from another day.
