Uggh, no wonder she had become a scout.
Ethi huffed, flopping onto a rock after a particularly miserable chase. Her fur was sticking up in all directions, looking somewhat dirty and dusty. She looked downright disheveled, like she’d just woken up and gone to take a walk through a tornado. Absolutely lovely, innit?
“Since when have gazelles been so fast? “ She huffed, pawing at her hair, which didn’t really help all that much. It didn’t help that she hadn’t slept particularly well the night before. Nope, no nightmares or anything, just some random animal outside being loud and keeping her up. Whatever it was, she wouldn’t forget that bizarre squeaky sound it made, ugh. “Zay! Zaaaaay! “ She could still hear it in he rhead. Yes, this had all the makings to be a rotten, no good, very bad day.
On a nearby tree, Dire Dawa watched. He was slightly disappointed by her stopping on this rock, with that grumpy face. “Come on, get up… “ As if she heard him, the lioness got to her feet. “Yes, good girl! “ He smiled. Yep, he was definitely right about this one. He watched with interest as Ethi patted her hair tuft down again, and raising her head, looking around for another possible target. And soon it started all over again, Ethi was off after a rabbit, trying hard to get a hold of it.
She failed miserable again, and flopped tiredly on the floor. Aww, poor thing. Mabe he shouldn’t have kept her up all night… But, you know, he wanted to test her! That’s all! And he supposed she passed, so rather than watching the lioness suffer longer, Dire Dawa took flight, gliding easily down to her.
“Well, hello there! “ He chirped cheerfully.
Ethi grumbled slightly, staring in the direction the rabbit had run off to. Can’t even catch one of those today, geez. But her ear still perked up once she heard the greeting, and she raised her head as the bird landed in front of her.
To any other adolescent lion in this pride, without a bonded, there would seem to be a very obvious reason for a bird to start talking to her. But, Ethi being as unassuming as she was, she was more just pleasantly surprised at the prospect of a friendly chat. “Oh, hi! “ She paused awkwardly. Riight, she looked like crap. Uuuuh….
“Looks like you’re having a hard time. “ Dire Dawa looked her up and down. Yep, she looked pretty bad. And yet she was still in a good mood to talk with him! Nice! This girl was just getting more and more points!
Ethi looked down meekly. “Umm, yeah, I guess. But I’m okay! “ She added a nice little enthusiastic nod to be convincing. More awkward pause. “Uhh.. how are.. you? “ Weird, weird, weird.
Dire Dawa seemed to completely ignore her question. “I am Dire Dawa, it is nice to meet you, Ethiopia! “
That made Ethi blink, because she had no recollection of giving him her name. “Umm... Nice to meet you too!...?”
Dire Dawa smiled and nodded. Yep, definitely liked this one. She seemed patient and polite and kind, and all that good stuff he liked. Now time for the last test! “Zay! “ A completely out of context screech, but it had so much meaning. And, like he suspected. She was a smart girl, because Ethi was immediately on her feet and attentive.
“It was you! “ She exclaimed, and for a brief moment something akin to an angry accusation was in her voice. This worried him for a second, then she sat back down and merely stared at him miserably. “Why? “ Why would you do this to meeeeeee?
And for the first time, Dire Dawa began to reconsider his idea of testing her. Now he felt kinda bad. “Uhhh… “ Awkward pause. “You passed! You’re my bonded now! “ Yes, this was good news! She’d be happy now, right? Ehehe…he…he.
Though in the back of her mind, Ethi was pleasantly surprised, she still couldn’t help it, slumping to the floor. “Whyyyyyy? “ Dire Dawa recoiled. Ummm… maybe he had gone a bit far. “Uh, listen, lets go clean you up, okay? We can talk later, right? “ So he stretched out a wing and tapped on her shoulder, trying to get her on her feet and walking. In a bit of a sleepy daze, Ethi did so.
“But… why? “
Dire Dawa sighed. Maybe he shouldn’t deprive her of sleep again.
