.:. Umande'mfuni Lands .:.

[Thalion]

(AIM RP between Moofuls and Thalion
Maji glanced once more over his shoulder towards the pride's lands. He needed a breather... so much to think over. He wasn't at all pleased with how many lions had come freely into his lands without even so much as asking his permission... they could be connected to that pink demon of a lion... not to mention each and every one of them was about starting a family. More cubs for that devil to try for, more lions to protect... less food and water to go around. A mess the lot of it.

The mistweaver prince stepped lightly out into the open, he could see the stars here, could think... he was a large lion though lean in frame rather than particularly muscular. His upper body was horribly impressive, his life of climbing up and down the cliffs of his pride's home had sculpted nearly every muscle to near perfection, a diet of mainly fish left a brilliant shine to his silvery coat and pearly mane.

Green. Green. Everywhere, the green of mid spring. Kwana hated it. Greens, calming colors to most of the creatures in the area, provoked just the opposite reaction in the ex-Firekin. The lioness was on edge, padding swiftly along, jumping frequently if her paw fell on a thicker patch of grass or a bug leapt out from behind a leaf. The slightest of noises startled her, the barest trace of wind rustling through the leaves sent her spinning away.

But through it all, she continued on, tail lashing nervously behind her. She had made her decision; she had left the Firekin lands for good, continuing away against all odds. She had managed a brief stay in the Pridelands without incident. And, if she could endure the greenery there, a bit more wouldn't hurt...right? The blood red lioness was lean and fit after weeks of travel, having managed surprisingly well on her own; the prey had been unfamiliar, but much more plentiful than in the desert, and alone she didn't have to share with the rest of the pride. There was plenty for all, and the lioness was looking and feeling her best in a good age--aside from those blasted nerves.

Maji continued out away from the jungle, his mind fogged over with such problems....Such...problems...Maji growled, shaking his head, It's unfair... the lot of it. We can hardly feed ourselves yet to turn them away turns away help, more bodies to defend the lands though they apparently have no respect for being true to the pride... just a safe breeding haven for all they care. He growled again, pacing in a large circle once free from the trees.

An end to the trees! The lioness heaved a sigh of relief as the jungle came to an abrupt end up ahead. Speeding her pace, she crashed through the remaining brush with no heed for anybeast that may be around. At this point, she couldn't have cared less if someone was around; not much would threaten a lioness anyway. Kwana sprang from the trees, landing in a crouch and panting softly for breath, willing the nerves away. Grass was tolerable...Trees were not.

Maji whirled around at the sound of moving brush behind him, giving a warning growl as he came to a defensive stance, his large shoulders rolling up into the thick mane, his eyes burning... red... no it wasn't the lioness he had allowed in- or the one that had been from the pridelands. This one was different, new. "...another newcomer to these lands?" He questioned carefully, his tone, for the moment, unreadable.

Kwana's head snapped up as the voice intruded on her thoughts, icy eyes fixing on the silvery male. Rising slightly from her crouch, she instinctively sunk into a defensive position of her own. Silver pelt... A Mistweaver, she had heard, and by his words he lived here as well. The Mistweavers were a peaceful sort form what she could recall, but all the same... This male didn't seem to be in a terribly good mood, and she doubted she could overcome him in a fight, even with her present health. "...Merely passing through. I have no desire to remain here."

"Where are you from?" He kept calm, almost too much so. His voice was soft and heavily accented though it fit him well and was often found to be quite charming, "A spy for the outsiders? You have the pelt of a firekin though I've seen many who do but are not... explain yourself, lioness..."

Her lip curled, fur bristling somewhat. "That--" was none of his business, her mind screamed. But her rational sign desperately argued against potentially upsetting the male. Not only did she wish to avoid a fight, but she hadn't spoken with another lion in some weeks now... Clearing her throat, the lioness forced herself to relax, letting her guard down and straightening up, eyeing the stranger with a cool air that gave light to her royal upbringing. "I come form the Firekin desert, aye--once heir to the throne, now in exile. I have sworn against ever returning to the pride, and ask only that I may be allowed to travel in peace."

Maji relaxed as she did, shaking out his mane only to have it settle just as smoothely as before along his form, his head lifting to show his rank as well though more humbly. "...an exile from the firekin? They'd do that to their own heiress?" He shook his head, well that certainly didn't help his opinion for the barbaric red brutes of the sand.

Kwana's blue eyes narrowed bitterly, but towards the memory of her pride rather than this new lion. Lowering her gaze towards the ground, she hesitated but a moment before responding; what harm could it cause, after all? Perhaps pity would move this stranger to leave her in peace. "I was the first born, heir by rights, remaining under my mother's rule until I was of age to take command. But she rose my brother from beneath me, and he stole my throne from under me. I was working towards retaking it when he learned of my plans... It was exile or death."

"Better to live to one day try again than die and fail forever." He said as comfortingly as he could. "...you...look weary." He tilted his head to one side politely, "Forgive my tension towards you... these lands have seen friendler days."

"My thoughts exactly," she drawled, lifting her eyes back to the stranger. "Though, with the recent history of the Firekin, I am not sure I will ever return... They are..crumbling," she admitted, then grimaced, stoney facade fading to reveal the travel weary, confused young lioness beneath. "Speak of that to no one--Though I bear no loyalty to the pride, I would not have them destroyed if enemies were to learn of their present weakness."

Kwana seemed terribly disturbed by her own words, as if even that had gone too far, especially as she had no previous knowledge of this male to assure her that he would keep to his word--even if he did agree to it. "I am fine," she insisted sharply, drawing herself behind her royal shell once more. "Simply unused to all this...green. It is very strange after the desert." She paused, the echos of a smile flitting around her maw. "Accepted, of course. These are hard times for all of us."

"I don't have any desire to spread false news of any pride... nor act on it. We have our own problems, they have theirs. So long as they remain in their respected lands there will be no need for us to act upon them." He assured her, slowly looking to the jungle, "Green yes, but dry... we have been deserted by our god.. the rains have not fallen in a long time... it's not a good time for us."

"I thank you," she replied with a slow nod, faint smile remaining. Something about this lion... It could have been an act, she argued internally, but he had an air about him that radiated trust. Kwana had trusted no one since she was a child--save, perhaps, for the cheetah Kimbio, but he had quite taken with the Prideland's savannah and chosen to remain there. And here was another... But he would have to prove his worth, unlike the foolish cheetah who one couldn't possibly imagine to be malicious. "Ahh, I had not noticed.. The color is harsh to my eyes, it has stood out the most. We have very little rain in the desert... It has simply slipped my mind."

"I'd imagine it's a bit of a shock to one from the desert." He looked to the jungle again, "It's... all I've ever known. I woke up with only the jungle around me, it was greener than... softer, more damp. It's a bit warm now- more than I'm comfortable with." He looked back over to her. Water... yes, she had to have been thirsty. "Would you like to get some rest by the river? I assure you you can leave at any time.

"You speak of the jungle as I speak of my desert," she quietly observed, a far away look rising in her eyes. "Perhaps, if some can speak of it this way...I can learn to tolerate it." She briefly fell silent, then, blinking, refocused on him, debating over his offer. After a beat, she slowly nodded. "I... would like that, thank you."