It was one of those quiet afternoons. Codail and Muscail were both looking after their little ones while Esu'me stretched out not far from them. She was just far enough off that se couldn't see them...but not so far off that a yell wouldn't bring the twins running. The two had insisted she go and get some exercise not related to chasing the cubs around. And she had to admit...her half-lame back left leg was grateful for it.
She settled herself beneath a tree, enjoying the song of the birds that flit about, and the combination of warm sun and cool shade on her back. She wasn't safe yet...but she was so close....So very close...
Mito moved casually over the land, looking around thoughtfully and he tried to make mental notes of just about everything around him. Something had happened- no longer was he content to spend his days lying flat on his back on a good rock, sunning himself and taking it easy. No, now he liked to roam. Walk around for hours on end just to see what was around him, even though it hurt his large feet and hauling all his fat about was no easy task.
Why did he enjoy it so much?
Confused with his own recent alterations, the fluffy green male almost failed to notice a lady lying not too far from where he was walking. One slight deviation from his course later and he was moving towards her, warm smile on his face. Meeting the locals was another big part of what he liked to do when he roamed, though admittedly he had always been a open lion. Just an open, stationary lion before.
"Hello," he offered, "nice day, isn't it?"
Esu'me startled a bit, and relaxed instantly. The lion who had greeted her was no creature of His. She didn't need to run again. She smiled softly and nodded her head in greeting, speaking up with a soft, somewhat quiet voice.
"It is. There seem to be many of those around here...Which suits me perfectly." She laughed. "Much harder to keep little ones out of trouble when they're cooped up because of rain." She often thought in those terms lately...it was just natural for her. She WAS helping watch over several younglings, most of them faster than her.
"Little ones?" Asked Mito was a broader smile, "you're a mother, then?" He hadn't seen the others on his way over, having approached from the other way. This being the case, it was only natural for him to assume that he was walking in on a family that was headed by her. Kids. Somehow, Mito felt he had some... somewhere. And not just his adopted wild dog daughter, Laika.
With his somewhat lax attitude on mating, there was a very big chance kiddies were running around with Mito markings and he just didn't know it yet.
"Must be nice," he offered after a thoughtful moment, "to play with little ones all the time."
Esu'me would have had a visible flush if her fur was paler. She chuckled and shook her head. "No...I am no mother, not yet." She waved a paw in the direction her adoptive 'family' was. "I'm staying with a family...and since I can't hunt well, I watch over the little ones when the mothers go hunting."
And she enjoyed every minute of it. No matter the trouble they got into, or the grief they caused her and the twins...Esu'me loved cubs. "I've not seen you around before...You are a wanderer?"
"Ah, my mistake," laughed the male, tail flicking against the ground, "yet, hm? Well well." He said nothing more than a leading muse on the matter- just grinning. So she had some plans, it seemed. He was a little jealous. Perhaps one day he would find more than a sex buddy out there.
Not that he was complaining about his sex buddies, mind you.
"I shuffle more than I wander," Mito replied, swaying from side to side casually so his somewhat large stomach swayed along with him, "but, yes, I am. I just like to roam these days. Can't say I've seen you before either, though. You and your family just passing through?"
Esu'me shrugged, giggling a bit at his displa of his weight. "I'm not sure. We've been rather...sendentary lately. I think the cubs' mothers are investigating a nearby pride...They've been searching for a home for a while now, from what they've told me." And she hoped they got it. The twins deserved to rest their paws after all they'd been through.
"I...I come from far to the south and west." The brought up a pang of sadness. She missed her brother and mother and father and all her relatives...But it was they who had helped her get the chance to run. She would not ruin things by going back. Not yet.
"Oh really? Well, not to sound snobby, but there are homes here in the rogue lands. We might not have a pride but we do have our communities. Something like a pride, I'd imagine." Though it was a loose thought, considering he'd never actually been part of a pride. Visited a couple, but never joined. To him they were the kind of places that were nice to look at, but not to settle down in.
For now.
"I see," Mito said, noting the sadness that seemed to consume her expression for a moment, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have been so rude. Wasn't my place to be asking what you're doing out here anyway, only to offer my welcome. OH! And talking of rude- I don't think I've even introduced myself yet." He bowed his head towards her, smiling, "I'm Mito. And you are?"
Esu'me blinked and laughed softly, nervously. "Oh no, you're not being rude. It's just...the mothers are rather drawn to the lands the pride resides in. They told me it reminded them of where they came from." Though what she'd heard of the pride so far...it just wasn't for her. At least, not now.
The nervousness faded and she smiled broadly. "I'm Esu'me Kibou. It is a pleasure to meet you Mito." And for her, that wasn't just politeness. Her father had taught her the value of good conversation, and having such a conversation with someone she didn't know was a wonderful treat.
"Likewise, Esu'me," Mito replied contently, sitting himself down. His large paws sank a little in the shifting earth, but he didn't seem to mind. Or notice, for that matter. When you've lived so long being a plus-sized lion, some things tend to become quite common. In any case, he wasn't the kind to care much about how his body was looking, anyway. Mito was fine, happy, with the way he was.
Flabs and all.
"Well, what do you think about this pride? I mean, you're going to be joining up with them too, right? You should have a thought on the matter. And I must say I'm rather more interested in that." He took a moment to shake his mane, feeling it clinging a bit too much to his neck for his liking. Some time after this he would have to have a bath.
Esu'me shook her head. "No...I will most likely continue on, since they'll have help with the cubs again. I'll visit...but I'm in search of a safe haven." Se smiled sheepishly. "I met the two mothers because I was running from the one the left me with these scars." She indicated the paler scars scattered over her brown pelt. "But I think I've run far enough to consider finding a home again."
He was not one of His creatures, so Esu'me did not fear mentioning it. Besides....large as the lion was, if he took offense, Esu'me was certain the twins' larger frames could keep her safe. "But...the pride is nice. It has a rather mystical feel to it. But something about it just...reminds me too much of where I came from to be comfortable for me."
"I understand," Mito replied, "I mean, I guess I really don't. I've never been running from anyone, but I do get what you mean. Loosely. And, I know it's not really much, but if you ever need a place to crash while you're trying to find that haven of yours, you're welcome to look me up! My den's more than big enough for two, and I don't mind taking in guests for a night or two. show some rogue hospitality, you know?" It was the least he could do after she stayed to talk with him.
He felt a little bad for her. Getting attacked by some pig-headed male. Or female, he supposed, as she hadn't specified, but he was putting his money in male. "Mystical, hm? Ain't my cup of tea, that's for sure. I'm more of a... I don't know. Non-mystical mammal, myself."
Esu'me gave him a look of thanks. "That's the second time a rogue has been kind to me around here...Thank you." First the twins, and now Mito...Esu'me was beginning to feel her old self again. Like the world wasn't so bad anymore.
She nodded. "Yeah...I don't mind mystical, since some of the best stories are of a mystical bent....but I rather like my paws and head down here, on the earth." She pat the ground beneath her in emphasis. "I'm afraid I'm a rather simple lioness...Surround me in little ones, friends, and family that I can craft for and tell stories to and I'm perfectly happy."
"Runner up, huh? Well, I guess I can live with that," he mused playfully, "and you're welcome. There's really nothing to be thanking me for, though."
Mito chuckled as the talking progressed. "You sound like me, only I don't actually have that many friends... and no real family... and I don't think I know what crafting is... and I really suck at telling stories," he paused. Where was he going with this? "Hm. On second thought, I guess you don't really sounds like me. More like, how I would like to be SOME day." He chuckled in spite of himself, climbing back to his feet. It seemed like a good time to move on- he didn't want to distract her from the little ones for too long and he needed to get back to his own place before it got dark. For a lion, he was really bad at moving in the dark.
"It was very nice to meet you, Esu'me, and I hope our paths cross again someday." He bowed his head again, pleased.
Esu'me couldn't help but laugh brightly. It was still quiet, like her voice...but it was heartfelt. "Someday is a good thing. Gives one a goal without feeling pressured." She rather liked the idea of kinship with someone else...even if that kinship was between what she was and what he wanted to be. "And I do have reason to thank you...Most others I have met just ignore me."
Her smile reached her eyes now. "I hope we meet again some day as well. Maybe by then we'll have family and friends to talk about!" That prospect made her gleeful inside. To have friends and family again...that was her greatest desire right now.
"You can count on it!" Mito informed her rather proudly, "I bet I'll have more friends then you," he added with a wink and a teasing smile before he turned to leave. The life of a rogue- no time for really getting to know others. Maybe that was one thing living in a pride had over this free-style life of his. Something to consider, anyway, as he made his way back to his den.
As he departed, he peered over his shoulder, "I'll be seeing you sometime soon, I'm sure!" He turned his head back to his path, moving along with a content smile and a warm feeling in his stomach.
