Raining once again and still he trekked on. Once white fur was stained with mud and grass, giving him a natural looking color, red main looked like blood and he peered out into the raining Rougelands, frowning deeply. He was on his way to the Swamplands to go see a lioness he called Kile. This lion, Vestip, didn't look all that happy to be going here either. He was full of stickers, grass, twigs, and he didn't really care. Slowly, silently, he trekked on.
The big male leopard rushed across the savannah chasing after the young cheetahress. She seemed to be enjoying the rain! he laughed, he had never seen anyone so excited by the savanna's down pour "Silvatica! We should get out of this rain before we both catch our deaths of cold!" he called though he couldn't help but laugh at her.
Silvatica giggled, gambolling across the Savannah in the rain turned out to be avlot of fun, especially with Snoo around. her paws were dirty, and her belly was stained brown but she was having far too much fun to care. As he called, she was about to reply when she saw the looming figure coming through the wetness. "Who's there?" she called, alert and a little frightened as she stared through the rain.
Blinking at an unfamiliar voice, Vestip's head snapped up and he blinked, the sadness still written across his face. There was a leopard and a cheetah ahead of him, from the shames of them. He continued further, getting closer to them before stopping at a good distance. "Vestip. Wondering to the Swamplands. You two?" he asked cautiously, clearly not going to be a danger to them as long as they kept their distance. Something about these two seemed like they wouldn't attack for no reason, which was good. The last thing Vestip needed was another thwack to the head to make his ears start ringing once more.
Snoo stepped forwards and a little in front of the young cheetahress a smile on his maw. "We're just looking for some shelter friend. My names Snoo and the little cheetah here is Silvatica, you look like you could use a place to dry off, why not come with us for a spell, three bodies will be warmer than two." He smiles, he had a feeling the lion could use some friendly companionship, he seemed so down trodden.
Silvatica giggled lightly and rested her shoulder against the big leopard. "Oh Snoo, i want to play in the rain! it's so much fun!" She puts playfully looking at the lion, Snoo seemed to trust him so she instantly did.
Looking to the young cheetah and then back up at the leopard, he nodded. The rain would only come down harder, and he'd end up getting sick. Then what would happen? He couldn't visit her sick. Huffing a bit more, he offered a little smile at Snoo and Sil and then thought a moment. "There's a cave some ways back. Not sure what's in it..." Of course, by some ways back, he meant from the direction he was going. They hadn't seen the cave yet.
"If you play in the rain, little girl, you'll get sick. Then you can't play at all."
Snoo Smiled and moved to the lion quietly. "lead the way then my friend." He smiled gently, Snoo couldn't turn his back on someone in need and clearly this young male needed a friend and some help. "He's right Silvatica, come on, lets get out of the wet, you can play int he long grass int he morning." He chuckled looking at the lion with a smile. "Youth is wasted ont he young as they say."
Silvatica smiled and gave a gentle nod towards the older leopard and joined him walking with her shoulder pressed against his pale fur. "Okay Snoo, I guess I have played for long enough." She smiles over at the big lion and winks. "I'm sure me and the nice lion can play in the wet grass when the sun is shining again huh?"
Vestip nodded and then turned around, padding along the way, slowly so the little one could keep up. Blinking at the wink, he arched a brow and shook his head with a chuckle. "When the sun starts shining, I have to get going to a girl I like," he said quietly. "We fought, and parted ways on a bad note, so... I'm going to patch things up with her..." He looked to Snoo, to see if he had any trouble like that, though he didn't voice it.
It wasn't long before the cave was in view and he veered to the entrance, waiting beside it. "Here.. There aren't tracks, so go in. Should be safe."
Snoo gave a slightly knowing nod, he was an old enough leopard to know the ways of the heart, he wouldn't deny he had feelings and had had feelings int he past for a female. That was long ago though. Stepping in tot he cave he shook his fur off at the entrance and stepped in settling down against the far wall. "it's dry and it'll soon be warm." He smiles brightly.
Silvatica giggled softly "That's okay I'll get old Snoo to play with me!" she purrs bounding in tot he caves entrance copying Snoo by shaking out her thin fur before she simply plonked herself down with her head on his chest.
He stepped in after them, shaking off, settling down near them, but not touching. He had standards, despite there being a young one with them. Huffing a little, he started licking his paws to clean and dry his face. "Maybe he'll play, if he doesn't die first," he chuckled softly. "Kidding, Snoo. You don't seem -that- old." Vestip had met older, after all. Tail flicking back and forth, he watched the little girl and then chuckled. "So... what brought you two together? I mean.. It's a rare sight to see that company.."
Snoo looked up at the male lion and smiled gently, "Silvatica was lost and I promised her I would show her the jungles and the forests before she returned home. Silvatica is a story teller she's searching for new tales to tell." He beams turning tot he little cheetahress and grooming her. "Pah! I'm not going to die of old age, I'm not that old." he chuckles continuing to groom the little female.
Silvatica giggles and paws at Snoo's ears playfully. "Snoo's my big snowy teddy bear, he watches out for me." She grins relaxing against him as he grooms her. "I'm not that good a story teller, I'm no where near the grand master that my grand mother is. I just like to tell a tale or two."
"Well, telling stories takes time, right? Just keep listening to other stories, see how they tell, and pick your own style," he said, watching the two. Honestly, the acted like father and daughter if they were the same species. Vestip hadn't run across any of the hybrids yet, so that concept wasn't even introduced into his head yet. "It's good though, that you have each other... Walking around can be lonely..."
Snoo gave a light nod "Yes it can, Silvatica and I needed friends so this was the best traveling arrangement." He smiled softly and nuzzled at the little cheetah wrapping his long thick tail around her body like a blanket almost.
Silvatica yawned quietly and rested her head upon the big leopards shoulder closing her soft blue eyes "You won't be lonely for much longer I'm sure, you're off to find your one true love right? There's so many stories about love, it's so romantic when a white knight shows up to save the day," she whispers sleepily.
With a little smile, Vestip kept silent so the little girl could get some sleep. Seems that she wore out easily. Then again, he was aching and needing to sleep as well. He wanted too, but he wanted to be the last one to sleep. "White night?" he whispered softly, shaking his head. He didn't believe in romance stories like that. No love at first sight or anything. He knew this female for a while, grew from friends to something more, but not mates. he didn't even know what they were yet. And he wasn't about to ask. She'd probably get Vestip to join her pride, when he didn't want too.
Snoo watched quietly as Silvatica dozed off his dark eyes smiling. "It's wonderful being young and having good ideals." he smiled softly laying his own head down his whole body now encompassing the little cheetah. he rolled his shoulders slightly and closed his eyes. "Good night my friend, i hope your tomorrow goes better than today."
Silvatica purred happily as she dozed off giving a final whisper "white knight saving the maiden, and happily ever after." she yawns allowing sleep to take her away to the magical lands of her dreams.
Shaking his head a little, he too, closed his eyes. Sleep would over come him easily after traveling all day in the rain with such a heavy heart and heavy thoughts. "Good night my new friends..." he whispered softly, nodding a little bit to himself.
