Ok. So she was straying just a little. It wasn't against the rules, of course, but until now, she had stuck close to her kin as she gathered her feet and her courage. She'd never thought of herself as a coward and still didn't, but she was learning more about herself every day. She was wary, apparently! She also liked to rely on her gut instinct a lot, which was good. Okay, so it wasn't foolproof, but from the rogues she had met, she liked to think she could pick out the good from the bad. Now, feeling more settled, she had edged away from the rest of her group and had struck out a little way. They were still within calling's reach, of course, and if she got into trouble it wouldn't take them long to reach her at a full sprint. No rules were being broken! Maybe just...bent? Besides, if they were allowing females to court outsiders, they'd need a little space, wouldn't they? She didn't mind a little flirting in sight of her brothers and sisters but for other things...

...Well, let's just say she'd prefer a little privacy for that.

She knew the type of male she wanted, if that was any help. Someone kind but strong and with good genes. Sure, it wasn't the romance she'd imagined as a youth, but they were qualities she would have looked for in a romantic partner. Would it hurt to place them on a rogue partner, too? In her heart of hearts, she wanted to find a male who would maybe consider joining later. Someone who would fall for her and do anything to be with her. But...maybe if they at least were passable as Firekin they might come visit every now and then and she wouldn't have to deal with potential huria cubs...hopefully. It was sad, in a way, that things had come to this. Neci was not against the move at all, but it was a shame that there were not enough bloodlines in the first place - to avoid them having to go to such lengths. The romance she had wanted as a youth seemed an impossible thing in her homeland. That was likely not the case for many other prides - as hopefully they would discover.

In any case, she'd caught a whiff of a new scent and, after excusing herself from conversation, had given chase, finding herself amongst a short strip of scrub land where, a moment later she saw the shadow of a shape up ahead. Mmmm. Reasonably large with a nice full mane and...ah, yes, golden yellow. Not her preference, truth be told, but yellow was permitted now so that was no bad thing.

Now, was he single?

She was a little ashamed to say she wasn't all that bothered whether he was or wasn't, especially if he was the type of lion she would never see again.

Part of her also considered that this cold have been dangerous. She could fight a little but she was a huntress by trade and if he made the first attack he could fatally injure her before any help arrived. Yes, he'd also meet a bloody end but she'd rather there would be no need for vengeance.

"Greetings," she called out, soft and sultry. How did one give a good impression? Was she being too forward? Would he even care?

The head turned and there was a flash of red in his mane that brought her a strange sense of comfort. He felt a little like home. Unexpected of a stranger all the way out here. He was not old, by any means, but older than her and though his size was not quite that of a Firekin, he seemed pretty darn close. His eyes, however, were wary. No - more than that. Afraid. That was not the look of a Firekin.

"That is a strange response," she put her thoughts to words, "is there some reason you would look at me as if I were about to tear out your throat? Or am I misreading it?" She hoped she was or she had wasted her time here. She did not want a coward to father her children. She needed someone strong. Someone worthy.

"Firekin," he whispered, sounding afraid and awestruck in equal measure.

Her heart jolted in her chest and for a moment she was shocked into a stupor. Had he just said what she thought he had? How could he know just by a glance at her in this poor light? She came from a distinctive line, perhaps, but only a Firekin would know that. Unless...unless...she swallowed hard, feeling a mix of emotions swell within her. Disappointment that she had potentially found a relative and not someone she could couple with. Then joy at the prospect of finding one of the lost huria - especially now that his pelt would be fully accepted.

"You..." she whispered, drawing closer to him, "huria?"

He was silent a long time, staring at her with huge, round eyes. He might have been older than her, but somehow, it seemed like staring into the hopeful eyes of a cub who had been promised the world and had now had it delivered. His whiskers quivered and for a moment she thought he might cry. Then, suddenly, he seemed to gather his wits about him and gave a fierce nod, blinking rapidly and nodding again and again as if afraid to speak. Afraid that she might disappear.

"I am a descendant of Kidondo and No," she replied as if to help ground him.

His head continued to nod rapidly.

"I thought it was my imagination. The scents..."

So he had given them a wide berth? Afraid of facing his past? Afraid of bumping into the lions who had cast him out so long ago as a youth? She wanted to throw her arms around him and hug him tight. Tell him it was going to be all ok.

"Are you a cousin of mine, long gone from the Motoujamii?"

"No," he whispered and her heart did a little skip. "My mother was Ripuka. My name is Uddhava."

Neci told him that it was all going to be ok.

/fin