The sun had just started to peek over the horizon, making the sky a soft pinkish color. As the sunlight hit the large lion's face it made him grimace, and with a large yawn he shifted to roll over onto his other side, sprawling out now that the sun was not bothering him. In fact it only made him more drowsy, his thick mane soaking up the sun's warmth. His mind still clouded with sleep, he stretched a little, his large paws then relaxing down onto the stone... and warm fur. He shifted, his grip tightening around the lioness' waist.
Until he realized what he was doing. He was suddenly wide awake, blinking over at the other citizen. Blink... blink. He stiffened suddenly and sat up right quick, the fur on his back bristling.
Nyao chuckled lightly as Maximus moved away from her, she didn't mind, she'd been ha;f mauled by those in the throws of a fever before it wasn't exactly a big deal to be hugged by a sleepy lion. "Good morning to you too." She grins pushing her bowl towards him, it shimmered with a clear liquid and smelt quite strongly of mint. "To waken you nd freshen your breath."
She puurrs slipping to her paws on a lythe manner and stretching out her long supple limbs. "You slept well i hope?" she whispers ignoreing his awquardness, it was not good to dwell on these things, she almost thought him as shy he moved away so quickly, but she knew it was improper and he had been taught that as well as she, she had simply, let those things slide, ill lions did things they wouldn't usually and she truly forgotten what personal space was over the years
"Uh." He stammered a little, still blinking at her in suprise. He hadn't expected her to stay... HAD she stayed all night? He swallowed heavily, his throat feeling tight. This was scandulous! Undignified! The gods would surely be displeased... He'd make a sacrifice to Juno.... Oh, he hoped he hadn't been improper to her while he was drugged up...
He relaxed after a moment and cleared his throat, anxious eyes flickering down towards the bowl. He sniffed at it for a moment cautious, unsure whether to try it or not. If whatever she'd given him last night would make his judgement lapse so much, what would this do?! Still... He did trust her. He stared at it for a moment more, then glanced back up at her with a slightly disaproving frown. "...Yes. I slept very well, thank you." He had slept well, at least... For a long time too. All evening and night, which was a rare thing for him. He looked and felt much healthier.
Nyao let a grin rol over her maw, he looked so bashful, it was endearing, but she wouldn't say anything instead she decided an anecdote was necessary to calm his thoughts, he was clearly purturbed. "do you remember old anafist? She was one of the lions whom died, she was an old girl, very wise, i remember as a youngster, barely given my medicine bag and I was sent to her. She had such a fever, halucinations and spasms of her limbs. She mauled me something terrible she did, still hold the scar under my belly where she raked me. Poor old girl, I will always remember her fondly." She looks up at Maximus pushing the bowl closer to him. "Trust me, it will freshen your mouth and get rid of that funny morning after a long sleep taste" She grins at him, "I drink it often in the morning thats why I have such nice breath." She fully realised she was rambling but she wanted him to relax and this was the best way in her oppinion to get a paitent to calm down.
He continued to eye her doubtfully... But... well, if it was only mouthwash... And he did kind of have a bad taste in his mouth from sleeping so much. So he finally nodded a little and bent his head down, eyes closing as he lapped at the minty liquid. It tasted rather nice after all, and after a few slow sips he found himself drinking it down to the last gulp. Indeed he felt much more refreshed.
Once he was finished he sat up again, shaking out his mane a little as he watched the lioness for a moment. He didn't mind it, in fact it did make him feel a little better. The distraction of conversation was welcomed. "Yes, I remember her... She was indeed a kind soul. It was a shame that she had to leave the world like that. But, the gods' will be done..."
The soft blue lioness smiled at the lord of the lands with one of her gentle dazzling smiles. "makes your mouth feel nice doesn't it" She purrs picking up her bowl and slipping it in to the otter skin bag which hung around her neck. Rolling her shoulders to remove the kinks she nods gently. "You look much more refreshed today." She grins a little knowing smile and stood swaying her tail. "Always trust the medicine woman,s he knows best." She chuckles heartily it was a bit of a pun, she felt that Maximus knew best for the pride but she certainly knew what was best for him health wise, that after all was her specialty. "Perhaps a little stroll in the sun to waken you from your doldrums and we will both be ready for the day ahead hmm?"
He nodded a little, smiling gently at her. Though sometimes he found her a little too forward, the amount that she cared was touching. She really was a good healer... and a good citizen.
His mind started to wander to a conversation he had had with Atia a few days ago... She had started to pressure him into finding a mate, but... Well.... He just wasn't ready. Not yet. The idea of going for a stroll was nice though, and he nodded while pushing himself to his feet. "That does sound nice... And I do trust you, Nyao."
The pale blue lioness nodded and turned for the entrance of the den, walking with perhaps a little more swagger than usual. She knew she would have to get on with her work at some point, there were wounds to be checked and people to see but she could leave that, at least for a while so she could stroll with the lord of the lands. "Have you ever thought about the healing power of water?" She asked in an off the cuff manner "you know once, i gave a lion a bowl full of water and told them it would heal all their ills and it did, sometimes sickness is in the mind you know?" She looked to Maximus and smiles. "You look bright eyed and bushy tailed, if you don't mind me saying so." She chuckled, she couldn't help but admire his large bulky form framed against the shadows of the den. He was a magnificent specimen of a lion and he looked so much more relaxed, a good sleep did him the world of good, perhaps she would push a good nights sleep on him once a week, but thatw as somthing to be discussed another time, she didn't like to push her luck, as much as she knew that ceasar thought her a good healer, and she could push a little harder than most she knew where to draw the line, most of the time.
He averted his eyes away from her when she started walking, his lips pursing slightly. He didn't say anything though... It was good that she was relaxed around him, though there were moments he wished she was a touch more respectful... but Maximus was not the type to have his people grovel at his paws. That would not do either. So he started to walk beside her, his eyes squinting as they stepped out of the cave and into the brighter sunlight.
"Ah... It is a nice day." He muttered, glancing up at the Apollo blessed sky. "Apollo's mane is very bright today." He smiled at her lightly then, then continued at a nice trot. "Is that so? Mmm, I suppose a good night's sleep did my good... As you suggested..." He chuckled softly. "Perhaps Nepture blessed the water as well?"
Nyao chuckled and bowed her head gently though it was towards the sky, "he shines brightly on all of us and heals our ills." She purrs trotting along beside him. "Without him the herbs would not grow." She looks to Maximus nodding at the way he walked, the way he moved, she did this in her usual way, inconspicuous, checking his movement maing sure there was no limp or game paw, she never missed even the simplest of sprains. "neptune blesses the waters well but water is water my lord, life giving but not a miricle worker. Sometimes all it takes is the suggestion of wellness to feel better." She looked at the king and bowed her head gently "And if I do say so my lord your step seems fresher this day, it seems the sun shines brightly upon us all now that the shadows have past."
He chuckled softly, bobbing his head a little in reply. "Of course, of course... I suppose you're right, in a more practicle sense. But you can never forget to thank the gods for what they've given us... Even the simplest drop of water, Nyao." His tone was light, not really chastising.
He smiled again then, his chin lifting as she complimented him. "Thank you. I feel a lot better."
Nyao smiles brightly swaying her tufted tail happily, she was glad to see him looking and feeling more like himself again. "I should go." She looked at the bright clear sky closing her eyes for a long moment. She was offering her thanks, worshiping the god of the sun, though she did it silently, she would at some point offer a sacrifice, though perhaps to some it wasn't a sacrifice that she gave, her most potent of medicines were offerd to the gods to grant her another well paitent. "We must do this again some time my lord." She purs bowing her head low, casting her eyes to the ground, the time was to be formal once again, she had treated him as she would any other paitent but now those privaleges would be lifted it was time to return to her natural way. After all she respected him above all others. "Perhaps I can join you on your morning walk again my lord, I do so enjoy our strolls, they are always so enlightening" she whispers lifting her head and casting her gaze towards the dens.
He frowns pensively for a moment, following her gaze towards the small cave. He shifted uneasily, mulling over the offer. He did enjoy talking with her, and it would surely be a good start to a day... Surely it couldn't hurt.
Finally he cleared his throat, glancing back at her. "...Of course. Though I will hope you'll have the patience to wait outside my den for me next time... it really is not decent to wake up to an unmated female beside you..." He muttered, his tone apologetic. He did not wish to offend her, but he couldn't let the pride think he was so indecent.
Nyao smiled at him and bowed her head gently "Of course my lord, I just had to make sure you woke up today." She lifted her gaze, a shimmer in those bright pink eyes which spoke of a tear she was holding back, she didn't cry though she hurt to see those she cared about in pain. "thank you for your paitence my lord, I promise I will wait outside from now on." With that said she turned quickly, there were things she had to do, things she couldn't put off for a day, though perhaps on their next walk she would speak to maximus and shed that tear for him.
Maximus noticed the glimmer at the corner of her eyes, and it made him frown slightly when she turned away. He almost called out to her to make sure he hadn't offended her, but... He didn't. He wasnt sure what he would say. He couldn't rightly ask her to go into his den every night and morning!
So he only watched her go, letting out a heavy sigh before he turned to walk in the opposite directon. He had much to think about today...
