[PRP] Starting Over

[Vashtya]

Binti sat perched upon a small rise, fur ruffling in the breeze. Peaceful moments, such as these, were slowly becoming more common, as Us'kali's legacy grew up, and no longer needed the constant (and often impatient!) attentions of the onetime rogue. Well, technically, she remained separate--while she'd done her best to raise Us'kali's brood with the beliefs and values of their deceased mother, she'd been forced to rely heavily on Ama, who had, without her ever noticing quite when, shifted from an annoying momma's boy to being a solid presence that she could rely on.

Not that she'd ever tell -him- that he was that important to her...he'd get a big head. Additionally, while she'd learned to adapt, somewhat, to being a member of a pride, rather than the stubbornly independent individual she'd been well into adulthood...she still hated to admit that she couldn't do everything -herself-.

But, with the cubs grown, she couldn't help but wonder how much longer her presence would be tolerated, here--after all, she was certainly not ela, herself...and while no one had ever brought it up, either overtly or discreetly, she had begun to feel unsettled--for the first time, the thought of being on her own again wasn't entirely pleasant.  

[TormentedAngie]

Ama quietly padded up behind Binti, smiling to himself as he watched his companion gaze upon the horizon. His own mane tousled and damp from the swim he just took, he looked like a bit of a ragamuffin compared to her simple elegance. Silent, he took his place beside her, curling his tail up around his paws as he sat down.

She'd been the strong one when his mother had passed on, taking on the responsibility with him without a second thought. He'd admired that more than he'd let on, knowing that she hadn't had to do it, and that he would've managed on his own if she'd taken off. But Binti had stayed with him and helped him raise his siblings. Now that the monsters were grown, he often wondered what kept her there, but none the less was pleased about the fact that she was still around and hadn't left yet. A part of him wished to turn to her, to ask her to stay, but something always caught in his throat before he could. Unconciously, Ama reached over and nuzzled her shoulder, wuffling softly before returning his gaze over the horizon side by side with her.  

[Vashtya]

Having spotted the tattooed stranger making slow progress towards where she and Ama sat, Binti turned her gaze from him to Ama, swatting lightly at his nose with one velvety paw. "At least wait until you've dried off!" She spoke with the slightest of growls--the only indicator that she wasn't really annoyed being in the slight grin that played at the corners of her maw.

Embarrassed by her own teasing, she turned back to the other lion, who continued to make slow, steady progress in their direction. "Do you think we should go to meet him, or wait until he reaches us?" She finally asked. Had it not been for his tattoos, visible even at this distance, she'd have been far more wary at the newcomer's presence.

However, the presence of this new lion meant that she ran the risk of being asked to leave, since the pride as a whole didn't seem particularly welcoming to outsiders--not that she could blame them for being wary, what with their history.  

[TormentedAngie]

The male chuckled, grinning from ear to ear at her minor display of affection. It wasn't often shown, but certainly wasn't taken for granted either. "I am drying! Blow drying..." he lifted a paw to indicate the breeze around them.

Ama's attention turned shortly thereafter to peer towards the lion advancing towards them. The dark feather gave way to who it was, and he nodded. "We should perhaps meet up with him, so that he doesn't need to go quite so far. Unlike his feminine companion, the idea of her being asked to leave never crossed her mind. Ama knew those who knew of Binti already accepted her as one of their own, if only due to her dedication to his younger siblings. It never occured to him that she might not realize that yet. However curiosity killed the cat (not literally!) and he did indeed wonder what brought the nvwati all the way out there to greet them.

Standing up, Ama nuzzled Binti once more before striking off in his nvwati's direction. It wasn't but a couple of moments before they were within speaking distance of each other and he called out to the older lion. "Tawa'di... greetings from the Sky clan. What brings you all the way out here?" He bowed his head in respect for the older one, then came to a stop in front of Tawa.  

[Vashtya]

Snorting at Ama's teasing remark, Binti shook her head. No, it wouldn't do to let him know how entertaining she found his easy good humor.

Binti inclined her head, following Ama's example. "The pleasure is mine." She began, tilting her head slightly to the side as she watched the elder lion. He reminded her of Us'kali, in a way--perhaps it was the way he carried himself, or that wiser-than-dirt look in his eyes--however, whatever it was that was similar, Tawa'di was somehow...more.

Shaking her head in an attempt at clearing her mind, Binti cleared her throat. "And I am Binti'Sokota." Lowering her own head once more in his direction, chagrin colored her words--she'd been staring at Tawa'di vacantly without even having introduced herself!  

[TormentedAngie]

Before he had a chance to introduce her, Binti had done the job for him. Go figure, she was independent and didn't often let him have the pleasure. But as that's all she offered, he did have the ability to explain a bit about her, and so jumped on that chance.

"Binti became acquaintances... traveling companions with my mother after the plague hit. I found them together, and we invited the lovely to join us on our return home. When mother passed on after my half-siblings were born, she helped me to take care of, and raise them. For that, she has my eternal gratitude. She has taken on more than most anyone would, Ela or otherwise." Ama proudly praised her on everything, hoping that it would help Tawa in understanding her just a bit more.  

[Vashtya]

Scuffing one of her forepaws awkwardly in the dirt, Binti studiously avoided looking directly at Ama. "The credit goes to them, and to Ama for their temperaments turning out so good in spite of my bad influence, I'm afraid." Binti returned, not used to, or really able, to accept such high praise.

"And, I'm sure, because whether they knew her or not, their mother was one of the most amazing lionesses I've ever met." Perhaps, in fact, the only lioness she'd ever really respected on such a deep level. Flicking her tail, she snuck a quick glance at Ama, before turning her attention back to the elder, giving him a slight, fleeting smile.  

[TormentedAngie]

Ama raised a brow in curiosity at Binti's confession of credit being his for the cubs and such. She had never been a bad influence on their lives, in fact he wasn't sure if he could've done it without her in the first place. "No, I agree with Tawa. The credit goes mostly to you, Binti. I surely couldn't have managed on my own." He did, however, catch the glance she tossed at him, as well as Tawa's chuckle at the lioness' inability to accept such comments. It was a rather endearing quality about her, one he liked to capitalize on now and then, despite knowing he'd pay for it, more than likely with a rock upside the head later on.

He did however, feel the need to steer the conversation in a different direction before she got too uncomfortable. "And you Tawa, how have you and yours faired? Well, I hope?"  

[Vashtya]

Shaking her head, Binti gave Ama a narrow-eyed look, before grinning ruefully. "It almost seems odd, to see them all growing into themselves--I have a difficult time, some days, separating the young adults they've become from the cubs who were so small and helpless..."