Takuma had an odd bounce in his step as he made his way back into the pride lands he'd previously trodden in, sky-blue eyes searching his surroundings for the grey pelt and pretty blue floral markings - tattooes, had she called them? - that indicated the lionness he'd previously met, and agreed to meet again. Laka, that was her name.
He was pretty sure this was at least close to where they'd met previously, if not the actual spot. Takuma didn't have the best memory. He paused in his stride, lowering his hind to sit on the ground and wait. She'd said she'd keep an eye out. Hopefully she'd be here soon, and he'd wait until then.
---
Unfortunately - or maybe fortunately, depending on how you looked at it - Laka was not there just yet. She'd been held back by fretting parents and was still trying to argue her cause.
Either way, Takuma would not be waiting alone for long.
Eeva Subiani, leader of the Shadow Clan and Laka's oldest sister, was scouring the lands for this so-called male. She shared a deep friendship with the silver-furred female and understood completely where Laka was coming from. When she had been younger she had craved adventure, too and whilst most of her adventures had been make-believe, they had meant so very much to her. And, whilst she did her best not to admit it, she did regret not being able to step outside of these lands to see what lay beyond them. She regretted not having one proper adventure before responsibility took hold. But, as she grew, she came to realise that the responsibility of leadership had always been hers, even as a cub, and that truly she could not have stepped outside the lands and into the dangers.
But, could she deny Laka her chance of an adventure? No. She could not. Not without first checking out the situation. So, she had decided to come and seek out this male who had offered to accompany her and see for herself what kind of a lion he was.
She paused by the borders and scented the air, blue eyes glancing out across the lands.
"I wonder where he would be waiting..." She murmered softly to herself, moving onwards through the long grasses.
---
Takuma sighed, getting a little irritated. Claws scratched lightly at the hard ground beneath him, and the impatient male began to fidget, tail swinging from side to side. Eventually, he stood up, walking in a small circle before beginning to pace backwards and forwards for a few moments. It was then that he caught movement, in the corner of his eye. The long grass to his left, that movement wasn't due to the wind. There was someone in there.
"...Hello?" he called out cautiously, aware that it may not be a friendly creature waiting. Heck, it could be stalking him! "...Do you know Laka? D'you know where she is?"
---
And then a voice.
Eeva, though a fully grown female, was still small in stature, perhaps not too much bigger than Laka herself. Just a little more bulky than her sister who had yet to put on the weight of adulthood. So, really, even if she had hissed and snarled, she wouldn't have looked very intimidating...especially to a full grown rogue male.
Even still, she had the advantage of home territory and, if this was the male her sister had spoken of - very likely else this was a huuuge coincidence - then she was sure she didn't have much to worry about.
So she smiled and stepped towards him. "Hello there." Her head tilted a little, curiously. "Laka? Yes, I do. She's my sister. And yes...she's back with our parents at the moment, discussing an adventure of somesort." Her smile widened ever so slightly. "And you must be the wonderful Takuma, yes?"
---
Oh, it wasn't Laka. Although the lionness beared some strange resemblence, Taku shook that from his head, trying not to let the disappointment show on his face, as he tried to offer a smile. He didn't want to seem intimidating, especially as this lionness had tattooes similar to Laka's. Oh, and she knew Laka! His expression brightened considerably, smile wider and more genuine as he took a step forwards.
"Oh, cool!" he responded, with a somewhat goofy grin. So they were sisters, that explained the similarities! This was clearly an older sister, she seemed...well, she just seemed wiser, more mature. Taku tried to tone down the goofiness of his smile, not wanting to seem like a fool. ...Wonderful Takuma? He felt his cheeks flush red, yet again glad for the dark fur that hid the blush. "Uh...yeah, that's me. Is Laka...do you know if she's coming?"
Maybe her parents had stopped her. He hoped not.
---
Eeva didn't seem to mind about his upbeat, 'goofy' personality. She hadn't actually ever spoken to someone like him before and it was quite an odd but somewhat refreshing experience. She'd been around too many serious people her whole entire life! Well...accept for Nekoda, but...she hadn't seen him for a looong time.
"I think, no matter what the outcome, she'll come here to see you." She sat slowly and looked across at him. "Our family is very...close-knit and no one has ever left the pride before, even for a short time. My Father, especially, is nervous of the outside world and to him it is dangerous and untrustworthy. There are reasons behind this thinking of course, but that isn't really what's important here. Either way, they won't be happy about Laka leaving and...I fear she may have to do so without her blessing."
She paused. "But...I know how Laka feels. This place, though beautiful and peaceful, can feel small and stuffy. She wants excitement and you've offered her that. She could hardly say no."
She laughed, shaking her head. "So, that's why I'm here! To make sure her companion is a trustworthy sort!"
---
She was coming? No matter what the outcome? Taku frowned, glancing at his feet, which he shuffled about a little awkwardly. This was her older sister, right? Ohhh, he certainly didn't want to be making a bad impression. "Oh...I don't mean to cause unrest in your family," he spoke honestly, glancing up to look at Eeva again, face and expression genuine as he looked at her directly. He was being honest, he didn't want to upset a family. He knew how much his own mother had struggling, with letting he and Amanzi go. "If she must stay here, I understand. I'll leave now."
He lifted a paw, ready to do as he'd said. But then the lionness began talking again, and the male paused, listening. She...felt the same? Or at least had, in the past? Taku allowed himself a small smile, and a nod to show he understood. And he couldn't help the return of the goofy smile at her laugh. "Hehe, yeah. It is really exciting, and I give you my word I'll look after her. But still, I wouldn't feel comfortable upsetting a large family, just to gain a companion. It can get lonely travelling by oneself, but I'm used to it."
---
Eeva smiled at that. He did seem genuinely concerned about it and she figured Laka hadn't told him that her leaving could cause such distress. "No. It'd break Laka's heart if you left. I don't know...perhaps I would feel different if I was her mother. Perhaps I wouldn't let her go, either but...if it made the difference between her sadness or her joy, then would I not have chosen the option that made her happy?"
She shook her head, wondering whether if one day she was a mother, she might come across this situation herself. Would she feel different? She hoped not, else she was about to be very hypocritical.
"And I fear...if we stopped her from going, she might just decide to run off along and that would be far worse than allowing her to travel with you, would it not? Our parents will not be happy about this but...perhaps I can persuade them to give Laka a chance. She is almost fully grown, after all, and she cannot be babied forever."
She flicked an ear in thought. "How long do you think you will be gone?"
---
He frowned. Eeva's words made sense, and he did want to make the lionness happy. But still, he was a complete stranger to this family. It didn't take a genius to know that not many parents would be happy to let their child leave their homelands with a complete stranger, to go on an 'adventure'. Even if it would make their child happy.
"I'll look after her, I promise," he tried to assure Eeva - if she was going to allow this to happen, he wanted to make sure she realized he was serious. He wasn't some sick, twisted lion who was just saying he'd look after her. How long would they be gone? Taku frowned, with a thoughtful expression. "I...I honestly don't know. Depends how far Laka wants to venture. I can try to get her back here by a certain time, if you'd like?"
---
Eeva wasn't sure whether she was right in trusting him, but he seemed genuine and, looking into his face, she could see no ill-will there. But could she really entrust sweet, innocent Laka to him?
She closed her eyes for a moment and drew in a deep breath, realising that if she let this happen and something awful happened to Laka, she would never forgive herself.
"Perhaps try and keep this one local, if you can? I think...if Laka goes on a shorter journey and returns well, you will have proved yourself to the family and they'll be much happier about letting her go off again on longer trips."
She paused. "Do you think this might be possible?"
---
She closed her eyes, and Taku dropped his head, looking up at her in concern. Was she alright? She started speaking, and the male nodded - what she said made perfect sense. He had to gain their trust, that was understandable. "I can take her to visit my family, down on the coast, in the Bahari'Mtoto? It shouldn't take more than a few days to get there and back."
He'd been planning on taking her down to the coast - it was a place Taku himself wasn't fond of, what with all the water, but others seemed to love the fresh sea breeze and the large expanse of water.
---
Eeva smiled at that. Going to visit his family? And to the sea? That sounded like something that her little sister would enjoy, that was for sure. In fact she was quite jealous, now. Why had she not been lucky enough to find a rogue who could help her go on an adventure? But no...that path was not for her. It never was and it never would be.
"I'm sure she'd love that. In fact, I'm pretty sure she'd love to see anything that isn't like this mountainous place. I almost wish I were going with you." She laughed.
"Very well. This sounds like an agreeable plan." She reached forward to place a paw on his. "Please, Takuma, take care of her will you? Laka is...she's one of my closest siblings and I love her dearly. If anything happened to her..."
She shook her head, not even wanting to think about it.
---
Taku only smiled. He was glad to hear that Laka should love the adventure, even if it was only a short one. Eeva saying she'd like to come prompted more blushing, but it was still hidden by his chocolate fur. As her concern burst forwards, as he'd expected it would, Taku's smile became far more reassuring, as he took a step forwards closer to the lionness.
"I'll take care of her, I promise. The journey's short and doesn't pass by any of the more...hostile prides, and when we get there she'll likely be spoiled by my family. She'll be safe."
---
Eeva smiled gratefully and in those words it seemed a great weight was lifted from her. Yes, something could go wrong, but as she had mentioned before. If Laka didn't go with him now then she may go alone and just thinking of her out there with no one to protect her...
The thought put fear into her heart.
"Very well then." She smiled. "I'll deal with our parents and their fussing and buy you some time for your adventure. I think--" But before she could say anymore she was interrupted by the sound of swiftly approaching paws.
The dark chocolate female looked up to see Laka tearing towards them.
"Sorry I'm late!" She called out, drawing to a ragged halt beside them. "There were...difficulties." She made a pained face and, as if for the first time, noticed her sister there.
"Eeva?"
---
Taku smiled, nodding gratefully. "Thank you, Eeva. I'm...I'm very grateful, and I'm sure Laka is too. Just...tell her parents the truth?" he asked, feeling bad for doing so. He was sure she would, but he didn't want any lies or secrets creeping in, even if unintentionally, "I don't want to give your family any reason not to trust me."
Laka's arrival brought a smile to the lion's face, a wide grin as she skidded to a halt, Taku allowing a loud purr to rumble through him in greeting. "Hey! I was just talking to your sister!"
---
Eeva smiled. "I'm sure everything will work out in the end. It always seems to in my experience." She glanced between them , seeing the friendship already budding between Takuma and her sister. Yes. That wasn't acting. They really were friends already, bonding on their desire to travel.
"Yes, and don't look like that, Laka. I'm not here to stop you. I just wanted to meet Takuma and see for myself that everything is okay. Don't worry, I'll talk to Mother and Father and try to ease their worries. Just...keep yourself safe, okay. Watch out for one another!" And she moved forwards to embrace her sister, holding her tightly for a moment.
Laka hugged her back, purring and sniffling both at once. "We'll be fine, sis, don't worry. We'll be back before you know it! And...thank you. I hope they don't give you too hard of a time..."
They seperated and Eeva took a step back, blinking between them. "Well then." She continued. "You'd best be off before the cavalry come running. Have fun. Stay safe and come back with stories! I want to hear all about it Laka, do you hear me?"
Laka, nodding eagerly, swished her tail back and forth and cast a look up at her friend and travelling companion. "You ready, Taku?"
---
Taku smiled, shuffling a little awkwardly on the spot as the two sisters embraced. He'd be lying if he said he didn't feel a bit uncomfortable, taking Laka from her family and her home. But she wanted to, and he was lonely, and it all just seemed to work out so well. "Eeva suggested we try a short journey first, to show your parents we can be trusted. How does the coast sound? You can visit my family, in the sea pride." he spoke, smile wide and genuine.
The smile soon spread to a grin, though, "I've been ready my whole life, Laka."
---
Laka stepped closer to him, grinning. "The coast? Wow! That would be amazing! And I'd love to meet your family!" She bounced a little, regaining that excitement from before.
And at his response to her question she smiled wider than perhaps she ever had before. "So have I!" And, with a final look towards her sister, she backed away a little, feeling both sad and excited about leaving the borders and treading out into the unknown land.
Out towards adventure
---
/fin.
