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 Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:26 am
Maa-nefer ||
And he'd trusted her with the truth anyway, the significance of that wasn't lost on her.
Though it was true that she wasn't defenseless anymore she couldn't claim to be acapable enough fighter to keep up with the likes of trained warriors. Her lessons with Gaddith had taught her what she'd need to know to survive beyond simple hunting lessons, if it ever came down to it, but she also had to take things like her willingness to to injure another and her stature into account. Neither were particularly strong. So really, she understood. And the way that he said it- "currently" -implied that it wouldn't always be that way if he had a choice in the matter.
She'd already known that his visit wouldn't be a permanent one just by the nature of their greetings at the border, but she hoped that goodbye wasn't too near on the horizon just yet.
Maa-nefer watched him quietly, listening, tail slowly moving over the grass as she once again took in just what he was saying. She'd only really heard of what went into making a kingdom through her history lessons. Hearing just some of the ground work he'd need to lay out did make the task seem that much more daunting, but she hoped he could see it through. He seemed determined enough. She didn't want to think that there was a chance that he might not succeed, that his dream would fall short. He had a noble cause and she wanted to hear only of good things in his future, even if some of those things came with a price. It would be hard work, from the sound of it. She wished she were strong enough to go along.
"Is there anything that I can do to help?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:31 am
Sion ||
The lion made a face and shook his head slowly. He wouldn't ask her to risk anything for something that was already a long shot. Lions would rise and fall, dreams would come and go, some would see reality while others would die with the final breath of their dreamer. Such was the way of things, but if a few fools didn't take the chance once upon a time ago, there might not be any prides standing that day. The pride lands must have had an interesting history to have brought about this many lions in a place as safe and plentiful as this. He craved the knowledge but it seemed far beyond his grasp. He couldn't ask Maa to impose on the lions here, not when they might not think the best of her for it. He had no way of knowing how the nobility here performed.
"I'm still repaying your kindness, remember?" He nudged her shoulder playfully. "I cannot linger for too long, but I do hope that you continue to look to the border. If ever comes a day when I can provide a place, you are the first I will welcome into it." He shrugged. "If anything, I can give you something to hope for. It's not the best of gifts, but it's all I have to my name. That and my word that I will try to return for another visit."
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:46 am
Maa-nefer ||
As she'd expected, somehow. But she smiled all the same, ever the optimist, praying silently that the gods would be kind in allowing him to keep his promise, to keep him and his companions in good health on their journey.
"I will."
There wasn't even any question about it. If he could take the foundation of his upbringing and turn hardship into a goal, a purpose, if the only thing that she could do to contribute was to give him the promise to continue to watch for him then she would do as he asked.
It seemed like the goodbye she wanted to see put off would be approaching faster than she'd anticipated. She leaned in and brushed her head against him, under his chin. It only lasted long enough for Maa-nefer to establish the contact before drawing back again with a small smile.
"Every morning and every night, just like always."
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 12:51 am
Sion ||
"Thank you." He said quietly. "Perhaps that is the real definition of a home. Having somewhere to go where someone is waiting."
The gesture made him freeze for a moment. He hadn't expected any sort of contact short of friendly nudges and bumps. It was something he hadn't had in quite a long time- a tender nudge. The lion's equivalent of an embrace. Shock became warm, sincere gratitude and an almost tragic longing for such contact again. Not since his mother...
He swallowed the emotions and fought them from his features. "Perhaps I should at least lay down for an hour or two. If I don't rest, I'm afraid Kefira will have my tail." He nodded over towards a nearby boulder. "Perhaps we might enjoy the sun for a bit longer? I know it's just morning but I've been on my paws all night."
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 1:03 am
Maa-nefer ||
If that were true then surely by this point in time Maa-nefer had managed to find three homes. Her birth pride, her friends (each as close as family), and now Sion. She kept those thoughts to herself for the time being, smiling more at the direction of his gesture.
"That might be a good idea. Something tells me you wouldn't want to be on her bad side."
She said it playfully, but oh- she meant it, too. She had no doubt that the female could be quite stern when crossed, not that it was a bad thing.
It wasn't terribly unique but she was reminded of their first meeting all the same. The time of day was reversed, though, and of course Sion was doing much better in the present than he had been back then.
"This is one of the best times for it, actually." Aside from the fact that the bolder might be a little bit chilly, it would be a good contrast to the heat of the sun, though. Without further ado she headed them in the direction of the spot that he'd picked out, ready to settle down next to him and enjoy some companionable silence, because she was sure that he'd probably need at least some sleep. She'd let him rest until either his companions followed their trail or he woke on his own.
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 6:19 pm
Sion ||
"Not hers, no. I would show up with a head full of lumps." He paced over to the boulder and slowly settled himself against the ground. It wasn't until he was off them that he noticed the ache in his paws. The lion nearly melted into the ground as he crossed his paws and laid his head down against them. It was a waste of time... but if he dragged behind, the other two she would know.
"Don't let me sleep for too long. Just an hour or two please. Any more and I'll be slacking off."
He closed his eyes and sank away from formality and gave in to exhaustion. Vilhelm would give him a few lumps for allowing himself to lay prone in front of a stranger in a pride that wasn't his own, but he trusted Maa. "Feel free to rest yourself. I'm sure you were up quite early." He sighed. "Two hours. No more."
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Posted: Sun Jan 12, 2014 7:36 pm
Maa-nefer ||
While it was really nothing that she wasn't used to- rising early -Maa-nefer wouldn't exactly say no to a brief doze in his company, or being trusted to watching out for him while he got some apparently much needed rest. Maa found the spot next to him to be the most comfortable, easing into the grass beside him with her front paws semi-tucked to her chest. One look over her companion suggested that he would be quick to drift off.
"Alright, not too long. Rest now."
It didn't take long for Maa's head to dip down to rest on her own paws with a quiet shift. It was just so easy to feel at ease around him, listening to his breathing next to her, watching the rhythmic rise and fall with each inhale and exhale... and just like that Maa-nefer drifted off alongside him.
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