Lila walked through the rogue lands on currently on her own, really for the very first time. She loved being able to roam and explore, she was learning so many new things. She was excited about the prospect of maybe being able to use her healing skills on someone, but as of yet she found no one. Lila smiled and as she walked she began to sing."Life by the ocean is grand, but my adventure is here in the rogue lands. I am Lilavati, explorer extraordinaire!"
She continued to hum to her self her melody, as cheerful as the bright night sky.
The sun had set, and it was only the beginning of Nyota's border patrol. Ever since his litter with Idril had arrived in the lands, he'd been even more vigilant about keeping an eye on the border, just in case she came by. He didn't need anyone knowing about his fling with the pale lioness. The cubs were here and it was said and done. Of course, upon hearing the lioness's singing, he immediately turned to head towards her, a small grin on his muzzle.
"Well, then, Miss Lilavati, perhaps you should explore a bit further from this area."
Lilavati turned and grinned. She moved closer to the male, no fear showing, only curiosity. "I like these lands, they smell warm. Why should I not explore them?"
Lila moved back and sat before the male, eying him. "You have a very interesting coat. It's like nothing I've seen before. My sister Nye would probably say you were a prince. Well maybe."
"Because, demons walk these lands. If you aren't one of us, there's a good chance you'd be either killed or enslaved," Nyota said rather bluntly, lifting his head and curling a lip disdainfully. Granted, he'd gotten much more tolerant since his younger days. But this female was far too forward and far too perky. "And your sister would be partially correct. I'm the firstborn of Sparda's Aran'shale, and one of his heirs."
Lila rolled her eyes and step back, "I can fend for myself. No one is going to kill me and I most certainly won't be enslaved. I am not afraid of demons. Really I'm not afraid of anything."
Lila turned and headed for a tree that was nearby and once she reached it she scurried up the tree with the grace of someone who been born in the trees.
"I am agile, intelligent, and strong. Even you Mister Prince do not frighten me."
Lila walked along the branches looking down at the prince. She wondered if she should jump down from the tree to make her point for a moment. Lila smiled looked down at Nyota, before jumping down again.
"If you fear nothing, then you are a fool. To be so bold in the face of a demon? You will get yourself killed with such boldness," Nyota scoffed, leaning forward to warningly snap his jaws a hair from Lilavati's nose.
"I'm not a fool because I'm not a afraid. Just because I am not afraid, doesn't not mean I am not cautious. Though I may be a bit to curious, but that is the nature of my pride. We are seekers of knowledge. And I know where boldness leads, I do not think I am to bold. Really is it so dangerous for me here?"
Lila raised an eyebrow, he made his warning very clear, but after nearly drowning as a cub, which had been truly terrifying not much else scared Lila. The male said it was dangerous and she could be killed, even snapped at her, but she wasn't harmed.
Lila calmed the sass and sat back on her paws, it was no fun to meet someone new if he was so irritable. "What do you fear, huh Prince?"
Lila wondered what his name was briefly, but did not ask.
"What do I fear? Dishonor. I fear what would happen should the pride find out about the mother of my cubs. I fear dieing before I have a chance to at least fight for my father's throne. I fear what is beyond my control. They are wise things to fear, and you would be wise to fear these lands. There are those inside it who would have attacked you on sight. I used to be one of them," Nyota said darkly, sitting down as well and glancing over Lilavati. At the very least, she was demon-colored. That would likely save her from enslavement.
Lila listened intently to his speech and frowned slightly. "I don't understand the mother of your cubs thing. or the throne thing, but I guess fearing what is beyond your control makes sense. Though I still don't see why? I would rather just except what is beyond my control and live with it. If I died tomorrow, I would die knowing I studied hard to try to become a healer, made many friends, and had many adventures."
Lila looked straight at the prince, not really knowing what else to say. "You say you use to be one of the ones who would attack on sight. What changed?"
"I attacked someone I cared for in a fit of rage. I nearly killed her, simply because I was unable to control myself," Nyota replied, turning to look Lilavati straight in the eyes. "I was ashamed of myself. I spent nearly an entire moon out here, just trying to figure things out."
Lila did not how to respond to what was said, but she could tell he did not seem to be the type who would take pity very well. Lila looked up at the sky and stared at the stars for a moment.
"What was it that you firgured out?"
She looked at him with the curiosity and thrist for knowlegde that had only grown since she was a cub. She loved to know things and this seemed like a very good thing to know.
"That I was wrong. Everything I had believed for so long when I was younger... I was wrong about all of it," Nyota said simply, looking up at the stars and narrowing his eyes. "That attacking someone just because they weren't a demon was cruel."
Lila nodded, "Attacking someone who is not a threat to you or means you or anyone else no harm is cruel period. My mother was attacked by a large purple lion before I was born. She meant him no harm but he nearly blinded her."
Lila frowned the information he'd given her had been something she known since she was a cub, but he'd also confirmed that he was a demon. It made Lila more curious. She knew curiosity could be a dangerous thing, but wanted to know more and she would.
Lila smiled slightly, "So prince, what is your name?"
"My name is Nyota'Angavu," he replied lightly, glancing towards Lilavati with molten eyes. "Remember it. And keep in mind that the next time you hear it may not be under such calm circumstances."
"Its a very nice name," she compliment. However, she was frowning, which would indicate that she did not like the name if not for her next few words.
"Though must you be so difficult, so ornery. I would much rather befriend you than to make you my enemy and I would much rather hear your name under calm circumstances, than not so calm. Really is my presence here so unwelcome?"
