Maha/Nasrin
Maha stretched before laying down on the warm rock. It held the heat of the day and she found that very pleasant in the cool evening. She rolled over on her back and stared up at the pale moon. She could barely make it out but it was there. There were no stars out yet, though. Shifting to a more comfortable position she closed her eyes and yawned. I hope she brings back food soon. Her brother had insisted on hunting today and Maha had reluctantly let him go. It was her job to protect him, as funny as it sounded, but she was tired and he had seen that. She felt like she could fall asleep any minuet now. However her grumbling stomach kept her awake.
Her thoughts wandered back to her homeland, to the Simbafutaji. How easy it was when someone else did the hunting and you needn't worry about your safety. It was so different being on your own and she didn't really like it. Maha was a social creature. She missed the rest of her family and friends. Though she enjoyed seeing the world outside the pride lands, she didn't like being away for this long. Thankfully they were almost done with the task given to them.
Nasrin had absolutely no idea where the heck she was. They were hunting, her and a couple of her friends but she had gotten lost while they were passing trough a small forest. She couldn’t get out and she was starting to panic a little. She called her friends, but no one answered. They obviously couldn't hear her. She saw some rocks peaking amongst the trees and she headed towards them. If she could get high enough to see above the tree crowns she could see where the forest ended, walk in that direction and get out. Easy enough.
What she didn’t count on was someone being there. When she got to the rocks she saw the form of a spotted lioness, an adolescent, seemingly asleep. No one else was around though. After a moment of hesitation, Nasrin hopped atop another rock and climbed as high as she could.
Maha had drifted into a light sleep and wasn’t aware of what was going on around her. The scratching of claws against rock awoke her from her nap. She rolled on her side and yawned. Eyes still closed, she spoke to the other person thinking it couldn’t be anyone else but her Kobe. “’Bout time! What tasty treat did you bring me?”
Silence. This was odd.
When she received no answer Maha opened an eye. She was very surprised to see a red-and-white lioness standing there. For several moments she just stared, too shocked to actually do anything. Then she quickly jumped to her paws and snarled. “Why did you sneak up on me? What do you want? Who are you?”
Nasrin looked at the spotted lioness sheepishly when she heard her voice. What strange words. Did she confuse Nasrin with someone else? After a moment of thought, she opened her mouth to tell her she was not who she thought when the lioness opened her eyes. Her expression cut her words off. The following reaction and snarled questions made Nasrin scowl. She was so hostile. But then again it was Nasrin had sneaked up on her.
“Don’t worry, I bear you no ill will.” Nasrin said carefully. “My name is Nasrin and I’m a little lost.” She smiled weakly. “I just wanted to see if I could see where this forest ends from here.”
“Oh. Okay then.” Maha suddenly lost all her ferociousness and sat down. “I’m Maha.” She introduced herself, now regretting her earlier reaction. She was just surprised. And upset that someone had gotten the better of her like that.
“You won’t be able to see anything from there. It’s not high enough.” She said, looking up at the rocks. “I could lead you out if you want to.” She suggested. She didn’t have anything better to do anyway and she doubted her brother would be worried if he didn’t find her here when he returned.
“Nice to meet you.” Nasrin nodded as her eyes ran across the tree crowns blocking her view. “Yes, I can see. Or can’t see, actually.” She laughed. Her face filled with hope at Maha’s suggestion. “Really? That would be wonderful! I have been wandering for quite a while and my friends are probably very worried by now.”
Maha smiled and nodded. “Yes, sure, why not?” She laughed. “Why would I leave you to keep wandering like that?” It was not in Maha’s nature to do such a thing. “Come on, this way.” She leapt down off the rock and landed on the ground swiftly. She waited for Nasrin to come down as well and then entered the forest, taking a hidden path she and her friend used when they went in and out of the forest.
“How did you end up here anyway? I don’t know of any prides nearby so I think you’re not from a hunting party gone too far away or something.”
With a couple of jumps Nasrin was down as well and she eagerly followed Maha. She couldn’t wait to be out of this damned forest.
“No, I’m not from a pride. I’m traveling with a rogue group, there’s six of us in total. We were hinting when I got lost.” She quickly explained to Maha about her small group, how they had met and became a sort of family. “It’s a miracle that we’re able to get along. We’re all so different, but that’s what makes it so fun."
"How about you? What is one as young as you doing in such a place?” Nas asked. It was rare to see a young lioness on her own.
“You sound like a pretty cool group.” Maha said with a laugh. Nasrins' story made her think about her odd friendship with one of the girls back home. Kita was so different from her but they had great fun together.
“Me?” She repeated. “I’m on what my pride calls a ‘Rite of passage’.” She quickly explained what the rite was about. "I have to gather three important pieces of information before I can return to the pride as an adult."
"But because I’m training for a Fighter,” she continued, “I also have to travel with a partner and be their bodyguard, of sorts. My brother and I have been staying here for the last couple of days. We’ll probably be on our way sometime tomorrow or the day after.”
"You certainly look the part." Nasrin said, taking in Maha's size and the swiftness with which she moved. It was obvious she had been trained well. "I myself am not much of a fighter. I can hunt and that's about as much as I know about fighting."
"Thank you." Maha smiled.
"Really?" She looked at Nasrin with confusion. "But how have you survived as a rogue for so long?" It was a harsh life, as far as she knew. There were plenty of hostile creatures out here.
"Oh, I have Hitaa and Tekenya to protect me." She answered, referring to two of the males of her group. "Actually they saved me on our first encounter. I tagged along with them after that and that was the start of our small 'family'."
"Good for you!" Maha laughed. "I'm too stubborn to let anyone fight for me."
“Oh, look, we’re here.” Maha said as they circled a fallen tree trunk. Before them lay the savanna. She turned to Nasrin and bowed he head slightly. “It was a pleasure, Nasrin. And don’t you get lost like that again.”
“It was a pleasure for me, too.” Nasrin returned the bow. “And I won’t, I promise.” She could hear the voices of her friends calling for her. “And there they are.” She said as several figures appeared in the distance. She turned back to Maha. “I guess this is where we part ways. I hope we meet again.” She turned to leave but them looked at Maha again. “You have a kind heart, young one. May the spirits watch over you and help you guide you on your task.” With another nod she left to rejoin her friends.
Maha smiled. “I’d like that. Maybe then I’ll get to meet your fiends.” Nasrin’s next words sounded really strange to her and it took her several moments before she formulated a response. “Thank you. May they watch over you and your friends as well.” She followed Nasrin with an amused look as she rejoined her friends and they disappeared in the long-grass.
Such a strange lioness. She hoped they would meet again indeed. It was a very interesting experience. The rest of her group were probably just as interesting.
- End -
