Peribsen and Bennunekht needed to learn to live apart, but seasons of being enslaved together and relying on each other for strength had formed habits that were proving very hard to break. Their bond was strong and true, but more like that of siblings than of lovers, and it was getting embarrassing for the two new Dawnwalkers, fielding questions about when they were planning to tie the knot…besides, it couldn’t be healthy for them to barely spend an hour out of each other’s presence. The habits would have to be broken in time.
But for now, after a long day, they jus gave in and lay down beside one another in the communal courtyard to enjoy the last of the sun’s rays together. Several pridemembers were still scattered about also basking and talking, or watching over cubs. It was very peaceful and relaxed.
*
"C'mon, Fatia, no harm will come to you," Raha shook his head, nudging the small tan lioness to continue her path. "I'm here, don't you believe in me?"
Fatia could feel herself growing close to tears. Why did everything have to be so frightening? She still wasn't used to the fact that she had no one to tell her what to do. It still felt so disjointed, so unnatural; she was supposed to follow others, even listen to them when they told her to breathe. And even if that had been moons ago, the habits were ground hard into her. She shook her head, feeling her paws lock as Raha tripped over her.
"Oof!" he grunted, feeling the ground catch him as he rolled onto his back, looking up at the frightened female. He couldn't help but chuckle, though; there wasn't anything else to do. He understood her fears, though at times he felt like she should start to work through them already. "Well, unless you think that palm tree is going to reach out and smack you, I think you're safe."
Fatia couldn't help herself, and she swatted at him, feeling embarassed but pleased at the same time. He was so patient, and she knew he deserved better than what she gave him, but new places with new faces only gave her flashbacks of childhood. "Fine. If it does happen to land on me in some freak way, though, you're in trouble!"
Raha laughed, laying the back of his head on the ground, noticing a resting couple. Whoops. The two of them were being pretty loud, and probably disturbed them. Fatia had pounced his exposed belly, though, and it robbed him of the moment where he could have said sorry to them.
*
Peribsen’s head was the first one to rise to watch the approaching lions, his ears forward and his eyes bright with interest. He was an eager male by nature and the exchange between the pair, from what he could tell had been interesting. Maybe they’d be friendly too? Maybe he should introduce himself and his companion.... Yes, maybe that would be a good idea.
Much slower, Ben opened her eyes and raised her head unhurriedly to peer over the brown shoulders of Peribsen. The quiet of the golden evening had been disturbed. She regarded the pair much more coolly, but a slow smile started to grow as the sleepy lioness woke up more from her doze. Waking up to the sound of happy laughter was a joy and a blessing she’d not had much of, growing up in the mountains. Cruel snickers from lions or harsh calls of vultures had been the name of the game up there.
She felts Peribsen move alongside, knowing he was likely debating talking to them. Rolling her eyes, she sat up and half-leapt over him to wander over. She’d barely cleared his body before he was getting up to follow him. Oh yes, because being this in tune to each other and moving together was just so natural…no wonder people thought something was going on with them.
“Good evening!” Ben offered with a warm smile. “I don’t mean to intrude…but I don’t believe we’ve met?”
*
Fatia froze, but Raha covered for her, knowing how she was with approaching strangers. Really, she would get over it as soon as she saw that not everyone was a tyrant. It was the one little irritation he carried towards her, but it seemed almost silly, knowing that she was trying to work through it, and she eventually could clear most of the damage from her childhood out of the forefront of her mind.
Fatia stuck close to Raha, feeling comfort in his strength. Her racing heart slowed, and she peeked around his side curiously at the two approaching. With how relaxed Raha was acting, she peeked a little further out, sitting reallyreally close to him, but just slightly behind him on his right. Something of progress.
"Good evening," Raha replied, offering a nod of thanks for the welcome. "I don't think we have, actually," he said with a smile as he peered at Fatia. "My name is Raha and this-"
"Fatia!" the lioness chirped, looking a little anxious, but a little proud of the leap she attempted in talking to a stranger. Not really with, but better than nothing! Raha only smiled, and continued his thought, "And we are quite new here, actually. I wanted to apologize if we had disturbed you, but didn't quite get the chance to." He bowed a bit in apology, knowing that they probably should have looked around a bit before wrestling around like cubs.
*
“Oh no, don’t apologise, it looked like great fun! Even if you were loud you didn’t really disturb us. My name is Peribsen, we’re sort of new ourselves. We were recently freed from slavery just freed and we only got home to the pride a few days ago. I’m one the of priests in training. I still need some lessons.” He didn’t speak fast or babble, but he did speak a lot. He was still getting used to being allowed to speak freely. Peribsen had decided he’d like to get to know this pair, if he could, and he wanted to know why Fatia seemed so shy, where they were from and what they were going to do here and - curiosity hadn't killed this cat yet.
“You managed to tell them half your life story but you neglect my name?” Ben deadpanned, looking at her companion and shaking her head a little before turning back to the other pair. It was obvious she was very fond of the brown male, but also rather exasperated by him.
“My name is Bennunekht, but everyone just calls me Ben. Pleased to meet you both.”
*
Raha nodded. "It's a pleasure," he said. "Especially so meeting others that are new as well. I come from the Pridelands, but after meeting Fatia here, I decided to help her find her sister, and together we found that the trail ended here. We decided to stay together," he said as she smiled softly towards him, "and so we're trying to settle in." He was already quite fond of the area, and it always helped that Fatia was here with him.
Fatia was fascinated that they said they were ex slaves. Really! But it seemed a little odd...they were so happy already? And suddenly Fatia remembered her other sisters, how even though they were born into it, some of them still resisted. She had never been strong enough, and merely just did what she was told. It was always easier that way, and less painful. Still...
She shook her head to clear her thoughts, not really wanting to think about that part of her past. "Sikitiko is here, I had to come be with her..." Fatia grew quiet, wondering, how much should she say? But really...how could it hurt? It wasn't like she was going to get dragged back into the Firekin. There were no slaves there anymore. "We were slaves once, too." she finished quietly.
*
“I’m so sorry to hear that....” Peribsen’s smile faded, or rather took on a sympathetic or empathic quality, while his ears flicked back briefly. He knew what it was to be a slave. It had affected him, he knew, making him more willing to please and liable to run a bit wild now he was free. It'd take time for him to settle. If Ben hadn’t be around to keep him in check and if he hadn’t had his religion to keep him somewhat calm, he’d be in much worse shape than he was. He knew that and for a second allowed that knowledge to cower him. But it didn’t take long for the walls to go up and for him to smile again.
“Well now, it’s always good to get a new start or so they say.” Her head went up a little, her jaw tilting. The defiant angle of her head was Ben’s only reaction to talking about being ex-slaves in any more detail that ‘we were, yeah’ was to unconsciously summon a little bit more of her stubbornness. That was why she’d never cracked or been too affected. If you could call becoming stubborn as a mule unaffected. She didn’t like to talk about it much. Peribsen had just had to bring it up, just couldn’t have given his name like a normal lion and of course, Fatia would share such a thing with them. Typical.
“So, what do you two plan to do now you’re here? Have you chosen what you’d like to do as your job?” She forged on with changing the subject. Not talking about it. She’d decided.
*
"Ah-" Fatia was a little taken aback, but she knew that the opinions of slavery was vast, especially with those that had gone through it. She understood, and merely nodded, letting Raha take the lead at this point. He had been so patient and kind to stand there for her while she tried to open up a little. It felt...good, relieving, and terrifying.
Raha nodded, "Just a hunter, here. Pretty quick on my feet with the preybeasts, and I feel that it would be the best thing I could offer to this place that's now my new home." He glanced over to Fatia, wondering if she was going to speak up again. She seemed subdued, so he spoke for her. "Fatia hoped to be a nanny, as she's quite comfortable around children, and she feels that would be the best she could offer."
Fatia nodded. "Children are young and innocent. I like that."
*
“Must be wonderful to be good at hunting. Such a vital skill and so useful! I enjoy a hunt myself but I erm…let’s just say I’m not so graceful out in the hunting grounds as I am pacing rites in the temple.” The brown male chuckled, trying to keep the mood light. He had now qualms laughing at himself and besides it was true. Peribsen was often so over excited and ended up tripping over his own paws in his eagerness in the chase or he broke cover too soon. Not good in a hunter. Maybe one day but no chance now.
“I’m sure you’ll be a wonderful nanny Fatia. I was considering being a nanny myself, because I’d like to help look after the young ones. But I’m thinking Guardian. I think I’m more suited to protecting from afar than guiding them one on one.” Ben chipped in. She had too much fight in her and was too stubborn. She’d probably end up arguing with unruly spawn if she tried being a nanny. She didn’t have the patience.
*
Raha laughed. "I don't know if wonderful is the right idea, but it's nice to have something to be able to help out with." Raha probably wouldn't be too good at anything else. Perhaps something like a guardian, but he wasn't quite the right type. If something drastic happened and he was needed, he would certainly step forward, but right now just making sure that he could help feed whoever might need to eat, that was good enough for him. His tail twitched as he looked at Fatia out of the corner of his eye. She was doing well, and he couldn't be more proud. Progress!
Fatia's ears twitched as she listened carefully, feeling a little touched at what Ben had said. "Wow," she said, amazed that someone had such the guts to be a Guardian! She couldn't even hunt very well, so she was lucky enough that she could fit in with being a nanny, and an ethusiastic one at that. "I'm sure they'll be a handful at times, but you've got quite a duty ahead of you as well, for Guardian." She looked at Ben with a little admiration. If Ben was going to be doing something like that, than Fatia had to put her all into being the best nanny, and then some. She wanted to pull her weight too, even if she was going to need a little guidance at first. "I'll do the best I can," she said with a determined look on her face.
Raha smirked, nudging Fatia. "Just don't let them crawl all over you, all right?" Fatia stuck her tongue out at him, but knew what he meant. She was a little too meek to really deal with those hot-headed kids, and she'd have to work through that to really be of help to the parents of the pride. "I'll be fine," she retorted.
*
“Ooh, see, that’s another reason I couldn’t hack it being a nanny. Being climbed on.” Only her companion was allowed to climb over her …and in the most non-sexual way possible, Ben would be quick to tell you. Bad habits from being kept so close to for so long, y’know.
“I think it is wonderful…but as a priest I can help see to the god’s and the pride’s divine needs if not their earthly ones. Though playing with and looking after the cubs sounds fun too and is just as important.”
“You think all the ranks are important Sen…” The female shook her head slightly before adding. “He’s right of course but you should have seen him when we were asked our rank aspirations. He almost said he wanted to do everything. I could tell.”
“Oh, did not.” Fur hides blushes well, but the way Peribsen briefly draw his head towards his chest a bit, as if to hide in his own mane was just as obvious as a brush. Clearly he had spent some time wondering if he just could do everything. Every job being just as vital to the pride and exciting to preform in his eyes. So long being in a cave doing the same old tasks had given him such a drive to try everything he could. But the pride was short on priests and he'd served as the only priest their little band had had while slaves, so it'd been a logical choice.
*
Fatia laughed. "Unless there were lots of you, you wouldn't be able to do everything!" Fatia smiled, liking this male. He was kind, and very excited about everything. It was so easy to catch that excitement, and now she felt even more pleased with her decision to petition that this be their new, permanent home.
"I'm sure you'd do the same if you could, Fatia," Raha said, resisting the urge to give her a soft bump on the forehead. If she was stronger and braver, she probably would have done the same exact thing. Just trip on her feet more, too.
Fatia grumped at Raha, and turned again to Ben. Fatia couldn't help but respect her, since in her eyes she was being so ambitious and brave to be a guardian. "I'm sure you'll be a fantastic Guardian," Fatia said to Ben, and Raha did his best not to laugh.
*
“ I’ll do my best. I know I’m scrawny now but I’m tough and with a bit of feeding up….” Ben winked, her grin making the bird footprint tattoos on her cheek wrinkled. She was glad that they’d come over to meet the other newcomer pair. So long as they didn’t chat about respective experiences as slaves, which was uncomfortable territory or in her case no man’s land, they got on well it seemed. It would be good to make friends. As much as she cared for Peribsen, she hoped that she’d come to know Raha and Fatia well also.
“I’d like it if we could meet up again, we’d probably see you around the pride anyway but, I mean, sociably. Where are your dens if you don’t mind me asking? Or…not to be presumptuous, perhaps that should be /den/? I’m not sure if you two are…?” He trailed off, awkward but amiable.
“We’ve been mistaken for mates several times now so I thought I should ask.”
*
Fatia giggled as Raha rolled his eyes. Not at them, but mainly because Fatia just loved that sort of attention. He didn't mind too much, but she just loved to rub it in that she won his heart over and she hadn't even really been trying. Women.
Fatia shifted a bit. "Together, yes," she smiled. "Though we haven't completely claimed a den yet. I think we should work on that right about now, shouldn't we?" She peered up at Raha, and he took the hint.
"Well, I'm certain that we will cross paths again, perhaps even here." It seemed like such a great place to relax, and he presumed that the two of them would linger around here for quite a while, meeting others and slipping into their duties. "We would love to see the two of you again."
*
“I’d recommend seeing about getting a den in the temple proper –Plenty of room for two. We’re close in the surrounding ruins ourselves, since we didn’t want to share so we’d be taking up the bigger dens alone.” Ben advised and explained at once. Really they could have taken an inner den together but that would hardly help break their bad habit of being one another’s shadow. And what would happen when they both courted and married? Hassle that’s what! Better to establish themselves in to separate dens even if it meant passing by the really nice rooms.
“I thought you were probably together.” Peribsen beamed. Such a nice couple. “We’ll be seeing you around! Goodluck on finding your den together. The scribes would be the lions to check with perhaps, always seems like one of them keeps track of everything.”
*
Raha nodded. "Thank you for that. We will go there first, and I'm sure with a couple questions we'll locate a scribe that can help us." He felt...good. He knew that the members here were kind, if only for how they were so welcomed. It felt even more having that good feeling reiterated over and over with fellow members. His tail twitched as he turned to Fatia. "Ready to go?"
The lioness nodded, turning back to the pair with a bright smile. "Thank you so much!" she said, offering a quick little bow to them in thanks. "We will see you soon!" She could feel that Raha wanted to start their little quest in case it took more time than she thought.
*
“Goodbye!” The male smiled broadly, before Ben grabbed his ear and tugged gently in the direction of the spot they’d been dozing in. Although, there was now a few cubs playing there…
It was so good to be back in the pride and to meet other members at every turn.
End
