She was a pretty thing, this lioness. Slender - though perhaps a tad too thin for his tastes - with a noble face. Her markings were unusual, too, and the paleness of her pelt was attractive. Made her seem delicate, perhaps. Beside him, in the grass, Panna observed the female, too, cocking her head as if trying to decide what they were doing spying on another rogue. She wasn't sure whether it had to do with the fight Merikh had been in or not. Was this an old acquaintance of his?

"I'm going to speak with her," he said at last, "join me or stay here, whatever takes your fancy." And, with a grunt, he pulled himself up onto his paws and sauntered towards her, flicking his tail with interest.

She saw him almost immediately, her face flickering through a number of emotions ranging from surprise to panic. A second later and she was cowering back against the shrubs - though seemed to correct herself a moment later by taking a hesitant step towards him. Rogue life, it seemed, had not treated her all that well. Or perhaps it was Tomorbaatar who had not treated her well. Ah, well, Merikh couldn't blame him for that. Given the chance, he'd likely treat her badly, as well. In fact, he was rather tempted to do just that.

"Sorry, I was resting when you came near. Couldn't resist a hello. Nice to talk to another feline after all this time."

She eyed him disbelievingly.

"I travel with a snake. She grows wearisome after a while."

Again, her eyes narrowed and the tips of her fangs glinted at him from her mouth.

"Why the nervousness? Rogues not treating you well? A female like you...well, if you were mine, I'd treat you like a princess. If you're lost...then maybe I could point you in the right direction?"

It took him longer than he thought it would to break down her defences and by the time she decided to engage him in conversation the moon was up and Panna finally decided to join them - though the serpent kept her distance so as not to spook the lioness.

"I lost my home, too," Merikh sympathised, "I hope you have more luck in finding a new one. I never did...trapped in limbo. Someday, perhaps, I might find a place I can call my own. I met someone once who said home is where one's loved ones are, no matter where that might be. With that in mind, perhaps the unclaimed lands could also be known as home.But I have no loved ones."

Panna stirred softly in the grass.

"I thought I might have someone like that."

"Family?"

"No...a friend." She gave a short laugh, "maybe not even that. I liked him, though, but he treated me badly."

"Ah," Merikh gave a sympathising sound, choosing the moment to shift closer to her, rolling a stone idly beneath his paw. "He left?"

"He shouldn't be far. I could track him if I wanted."

"You want to be more than friends with this male?"

She paused and did not reply for the longest time. Merikh knew when to push and when to stand back and so he waited for what seemed like forever. He cast a glance towards her to make sure she had not dozed off and in that moment, she spoke again.

"He was not kind but...I still liked him. Does that make me strange?"

He chuckled kindly, "not at all. You have a thing for bad boys. You won't be the first or the last. I like to think I'm something of a 'bad boy' myself."

She looked at him and, after a moment, erupted into laughter and he used the moment to draw closer to her, nudging her shoulder with his. Oh if only she knew the darkness that lingered in him. He could be charming and sweet, yes, but he was a killer, too, with no conscience to speak of. His plan for her was already settled in his mind, not caring what it did to her in the slightest.

"So, what bad things have you done?" she smiled, seeming eager to hear it.

"Oh, wouldn't you like to know?"

"That's why I'm asking,"

"I've broken hearts. I've torn flesh. I've carried a venomous snake upon my back."

Panna gave a sudden hiss at that. She was a constrictor. Not venomous at all!

The lioness eyed her warily at that. "Is she safe?"

"Yes. With me. With my friends."

She paused at that, then relaxed a little and Merikh noticed how she leaned into him a little. His heart quickened and, after a moment, he realised how easy this would be. She was a lonely rogue looking desperate for someone to accept and care for her and he was there, so readily offering his friendship. Drawing away the darkness to give her hope.

"There was this one lioness I had my eye on, so long ago," he said in a whispered voice, "I loved her with all of my heart. But she played games, tempted me and left me in the dust. I tried everything that I could to win that lady's heart and do you know what worked in the end?"

Her eyes were on him then, "what?"

"Playing hard to get. My brother taught me that if I was too available, then I was not interesting enough to be a good mate. So I found another female to focus on and, after a time, the love of my life noticed me and the table's turned."

"So what happened?"

He smiled softly, "she tried to earn my heart and, eventually, I let her have it."

"And where is she now?"

"Gone. Taken by sickness." A lie. Shameless. But what could he say? It had her attention and the soft, sad eyes watching him was enough to stir his heart. If he was the type of lion who wanted love, he thought he could find it with her. She was naive but she had fire and spirit. Given time, she'd be a fine mate. Just...not for him.

"I am so sorry," she whispered.

Finally, after so long of talking, he leaned in to nuzzle her, using it to judge her reaction. She allowed it - for the briefest of moments - then pulled back.

"I do not wish to use you to make him jealous."

"I had my happiness, even if for a little while. It is time for you to have yours." He leaned in again and this time she did not pull away. She was warm and remarkably eager and, finally, he knew that his time had not been wasted.

Across from them, Panna gave a soft hiss of disapproval before leaving them alone, retreating into the grasses to hunt...or to sleep. Whatever she was doing was not important now. This night would be spent with a female and, knowing that she was interested in Tomorbaatar, it would be all the sweeter. Ah, how the tables had turned after all these years.

/fin