In the few days that had passed since Bekile had met her new friend, she found herself wandering more and more in the grasslands that surrounded the swamps. Both to get some time to herself to think as well as in the hope she would run into the handsome lion again.
Giving himself a shake, Vestip jumped down from the tree that he'd been sleeping in and grunted as he landed on all four paws. He was full, rested, and wanted something to do. Rubbing his nose with his paw, the young male yawned and looked about for something to do. He'd wandered a bit, toward the Pridelands, and then padded back to the swamplands, and was now in the grass once again. He couldn't stay still, it seemed. Something was up with him since he'd met Kile. She made him act like a cub again, and to Vestip, that was a good thing. Trotting and scratching his side against a tree, he grunted and then sat down. Time to groom himself since he didn't need to hunt right now.
Blue tipped ears came up as she heard the faint grunt in the grass ahead of her. Sniffing the wind she confirmed it was her troublesome friend. A wicked smirk crossed her face as she crouched down into the grass and began to stalk towards him.
He didn't know she was near, considering the wind was blowing away from him, he continued to groom his dust filled fur. He wasn't elegant while doing it either. A time or two he'd fall over to start again, picking grass out of his mane and tail tuft, grumbling all the while. His green eyes were closed as his hind leg scratched behind his ear, a rumble coming from his throat.
He really should have been paying attention...Bekile's grin widened as she hunched down ready to spring,her hindquarters wiggling. With a might, but playful roar , she launched herself at the male, slapping his hindlegs with a massive paw before she bolted laughing. "You're it
Jumping at the roar, and the slap, he jolted and blinked, looking about before shifting to see Kile running. So tag it was? Taking off towards her, he laughed and gave his own playful roar and growl. "Hey! That's not fair!" he exclaimed, attempting to catch up with her. It wasn't that hard, considering he was bigger than her. He moved to give her back an affectionate n** before swiping at her hind legs.
Stocky as she was, she was rather agile, nearly falling on her side as she skidded trying to avoid the swipe. Her ears perked up as she laughed happily. It had been a long time since she had played like a cub, much less had someone to play with.
He blinked as she dodged, and attempted to turn with her. However, his paws came out from under him and he slid on his side before scrambling up and running after her. Sure, it hurt, but it wasn't a scratch or anything, so he didn't care. "I'll get you! Just you wait!" He said, smirking as his mane bounced as he ran, picking up speed and leaping on her back. He'd force her into a roll, sending the both of them a few feet before he landed on her, front paws on either side of her head before leaning down to nuzzle at her affectionately and then got off. "You think you're so good.."
Bekile laughed happily as she licked his cheek before he got up. "Yeah yeah. I -know- I am good." She cast him the sly glance, but her smile never went away as she batted lazily at his tail again. "I like being with you. You make me feel like a kitten again."
A chuckle left Vestip's throat as she batted his tail and then moved to sit down, huffing a little. "Mm. I was going to say that. Stop stealing words, you," he said, giving her a mock serious look before moving over to give her a light headbutt and another nuzzle, nibbling on her cheek fur. It wasn't his fault he was attracted to her, was it? She was stocky, curvy in the right places for Vestip and acted just like he did from time to time. She also understood Vestip's continuous search for a home that felt right.
Yawning lazily she tilted her head purring at the grooming. "Tell me about yourself Ves."
Tilting his head to the side, he shifted to nuzzle against her and then purred even louder before sighing. "About me? Well, I was an only cub.. Abandoned when I was able to take care of myself. I've been roaming the Rougelands for a long time now. I've met quite a few... Never settled down, though. Most of who I met didn't understand why I wasn't considering being part of a pride..." Honestly? He still wasn't sure about being apart of something that big. He could see himself staying out in these lands for the rest of his life with a mate, some cubs. "It's great living here. I mean, you meet so many different lions, cheetahs, leopards... Snakes even. I got in trouble for almost eating a snake that was apparently someone's pet... ...or something. I still don't understand that."
Bekile chuckled softly, "I have never met a cheetah or a leopard. What are they like?" She tilted her head to study him curiously.
"Well.. They're like lions, only not as bulky and slightly smaller?" That was what he understood anyway. They had the same kind of hunting styles, for the most part
"How odd." She smiled pondering that before rolling on her back to look up at him comically. "What is it like to live outside the pride?"
Vestip chuckled at her and then batted at her playfully, touching his paw to her nose. "...It's free. Not crowded... Though, it's lonely at times... I like this lifestyle though. Worry about yourself and only yourself. Not cubs or the leader, or anything..."
Her gaze suddenly turned closed off as she rolled back onto her stomach and sighed softly. "But a pride protects you."
"Yeah, but I protect myself too, you know." Did he say something wrong? Females were fickle sometimes, like now. But he wouldn't say anything about that out loud. "I mean... I'm strong, protect myself.. I don't like fighting, but I will in order to live.."
"What about those depending on you?" She suddenly snapped getting to her feet her ears laying back. "Your mate and cubs? Who is going to protect them hmm? " She looked away then, but her tail lashed the air behind her irritable.
"If I had one I'd protect them. I mean, isn't that what a mate and a father's for? Not like I'd abandon them or anything. Why're you so snappy?" he asked, huffing a bit, not liking her like this. It'd been so fun earlier. How'd it turn this way?
She snorted faintly getting to her feet. " You can't always be there to protect them. No one can...." She sighed glancing back at him once more her violet eyes now guarded. "I need to go. I am sorry." Without waiting for him to answer, she turned and padded back towards the lands her pride had claimed, her head hanging low, her tail still behind her.
Blinking as she left, Vestip rolled his eyes and huffed. Great, he'd be irritable the rest of the day and it was her fault. He turned the other direction and walked off. Maybe he'd just go find someone else to bug now. Someone to fight, maybe.
