"What are you thinking about?" Raha asked his mate. She had been quite for a long time, and while he tried to be patient, there was only so much quiet he could take from his pretty lady.
The pale lioness popped her head up. "Hmm?"
The gold lion, her companion, her love, chuckled as he shook his head. "You just look deep in thought, that's all. I was wondering if you would be willing to share what you were thinking about."
Fatia sighed. She didn't really want to share what she was thinking about, but she felt like she must. Not out of obligation, but out of, well, faith. He did deserve to know everything about her, even all the uncomfortable parts from her childhood.
She rolled off her back and onto her belly, looking at him. He groaned a little, and her brows furrowed. "What?!"
"Damn itttt," he grumbled, and he rolled over the flop himself against her. Not harshy, since she wasn't too large or strong, but enough to snuggle up to her a bit. "You're so damn cute! You're trying to distract me, I just know it."
Fatia giggled softly. "No I'm not! I'm just trying to think of how to say it." She pushed him away playfully, but quickly got down to business, and seriousness. "I was thinking about by homeland."
Raha rolled his eyes, "It's not your homeland, Fatia. It was a misfortune."
Fatia sulked, though she knew exactly what he meant. It wasn't a good place to call a homeland, but then, most of what made it so terrible for her was gone. Including all her siblings...but no, one was here, and that made it worth it.
"I can't help it sometimes," she whined. "It's just....it was so dark at times, but the little bit of time I spent with my siblings was worth it." So worth it. Lots of memories she wouldn't forget.
Raha didn't quite believe her, but he wasn't going to comment. He just watched her carefully, one brow arched as he studied her. "Well, I never had to deal with what you went through, though I'm not certain I would want to ponder over those memories myself often."
Faita grumbled at him and gave him a smack. "Just let me wander in my mind for a while!" She grumbled, and the mood was lost. They both hung their heads for a while. Fatia was frustrated that she wasn't just allowed to ponder over her past. It wasn't like she wanted to go back, but it was nice to think about her sisters and brother and how she reacted with them. And what were they doing now? Did they survive everything? Were they happy?
Raha just grumbled that she would even think about it. All he could think about was the pain they caused on her, and what they would make her do. Useless, pointless jobs that didn't do anything but raise themselves above her in superiority. For what? For nothing! Everyone walked along the same path, everyone could be the same when it came down to the nityy-gritty.
Finally, she broke the silence. "I'm sorry. It's just....I love it here, I really do, but there are a couple times where I miss snuggling with my sisters in the cold desert nights, feeling safe and warm for just a few hours before it all began again."
Raha nodded. "I should be the one that is sorry, not you. I can only think of the negative, and not the positive."
She smiled. "Silly." What else could she say? "It's okay, it'll all work itself out. It'll fade away, I know it will. As I grow and make new memories here with you, I'll slowly not remember all the details, and then there really won't be anything there at all. Just a little fuzziness, and blank."
Raha snuggled up close to her, wrapping his tail around her. "Well, I'll always be here for you, ok? I might not be as warm as many little siblings, but I'll try to keep you warm at night, hmm?"
Fatia smiled. "Okay."
Silence fell between the two of them again, but this time there was no conflict, no rift between the two. They were merely enjoying their time together. Sighing, she snuggled close to him, enjoying the day as it shifted to evening. There wasn't much for either of them to do, not yet. Once they got more situated into their new home, and found friends that would be seeking them for their help, they really only had each other to entertain, worry about, and keep happy. And honestly, that was fairly easy for the two of them to do.
"What do you think is in our future?"
Raha blinked, surprised to hear something such as that coming from Fatia. "Where did this come from?" he asked, looking quizzically at her. He thought that most of their deep talk was over for the day, and the rest of the time they'd probably be acting silly, disturbing some and entertaining others.
"Heeeey, don't answer my question with another question! That's cheating!" She bopped him on the nose, sulking at him. "Hmph. I was just curious, that's all."
Raha really paused to think about it, though it was apparent that Fatia wanted a quick reply to her question. She was looking a little impatient, it must be something that she wanted to discuss. Sigh. "Well, I hope you don't see us anywhere else. Maybe we'll visit the Pridelands here and there to see my family, but otherwise I don't really see..." That wasn't the right answer. She still looked really upset. "Um...I'm really not sure, Fatia."
Fatia pouted a little, sticking her lower lip out, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she let herself fall deep into the earth, like she used to do when she was younger and wanting to melt away. "Of course we won't leave here, silly," she said in a very 'duh' attitude. Unless there was a driving need that they needed to leave, she didn't see a reason to. This was home, and home was something that never changed. Her homeland sure did, but it had never been a home in the truest sense of the word.
"Well, fine." She sighed. "Perhaps I'll just keep in a secret from you." She stuck her tongue out at him and laughed, though it was a little strained. She didn't know if she was really to really talk about it, but it was inevitable. As meek and quiet as she could be, she wasn't an idiot. Plus, she loved him. She looked at him, shyly now, as she really thought about it. He was very strong, and she adored that. She always felt safe with him, especially as they were going through all these new changes in their lives. She knew she could and could depend on it in the future, she just did not know how far to think ahead these changes would be. Things would happen on their own, wouldn't they?
Raha had a good idea what it was, a very good idea. It must be a female thing, all that wanting to hear pitter pattering. He just didn't know how to even mention it. It was a terrifying prospect, and one that he didn't think he'd be ready for. Ever. But then, life always had a fun idea of springing things on you when you least expected it. Perhaps he just had to stay constantly ready for it. Oh boy.
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