Zusa adored swimming. It relaxed her, the weightless feeling, and she enjoyed doing it. Of course, one had to be careful not to intrude on sleeping reptilians, but this watering hole was reptilian-free, crystal clear and pretty secluded. Zusa fancied that she was the only one who knew about it, but deep down she knew that wasn’t the likely case. At any rate it didn’t matter to Zusa at the moment. She was in her pond, she was alone, and she was enjoying the solitude.
Zusa wasn’t as alone as she thought she was. Zurvan had found this pond years ago. He didn’t enjoy swimming, but the crystal clear water and the sunlight filtering through the broad leaves lent the small oasis a serenity that Zurvan couldn’t find elsewhere. It was why he kept returning to this small, quiet place. He was in a point in his life that he needed it now more than ever. A week had passed since he had discovered that his sons still lived, and after spending the past days in a pride resided over by the mother to his grandchildren, Zurvan found himself horribly in need of solitude and serenity.
Coming up for air, Zusa caught sight of the big, dark male with the strange wing markings. He hadn’t caught sight of her and she watched him as he moved over to a broad rock that overlooked the small pond. It wasn’t until he’d seated himself on the dry rock that he caught sight of the leopardess. Zusa offered a smile; she was wary around lions, they made her uneasy, especially large males. At least she was in the water, and the lion almost certainly wouldn’t come in after her should he desire to harm her.
Zurvan hadn’t been expecting to come across a leopardess, let alone one that was swimming but since he had, well, he decided to make the best of the situation. “Greetings,” he called to her, “How is the water?” Zurvan had been swimming once and it had truly been one of the most awful things he’d ever done. Cold, wet and chilled to his skin, Zurvan had vowed to never again do such a thing.
“It’s wonderful,” Zusa called back, paddling around the crisp water. “Do you swim?” She wasn’t sure if lions enjoyed water; it was probably unlikely. With all that hair around their necks they’d likely drown. That must be why lions didn’t take to swimming all that often. She couldn’t blame them; if she had a mass of fancy hair around her face, she wouldn’t want to tempt fate by swimming, either.
“No, afraid not,” Zurvan chuckled, shaking his head. “Tried it once, didn’t take to it.” He continued watching the female paddle around. Thankfully she was nice; he wasn’t in the mood to deal with a rude feline. “You seem to enjoy the water, though?”
Zusa grinned at the lion, “Yes, very much. I find it soothing to my mind, honestly.” She trilled softly before dunking below water, rising up like some kind of mer-leopard. Her fur was slicked to her skin but she seemed to relish in it. “This pond is special to me,” Zusa confided, still grinning.
“Ahh, it is to me, too. This is the first time I’ve come upon it and found someone swimming in it, though!” Zurvan laughed, enjoying the leopard’s company. He didn’t often find himself seeking out other species, but today he was glad he had come upon her. “What’s your name, swimmer? I am Zurvan.”
“Zusa!” she returned, spitting out a mouthful of water. Having had her fill of swimming for the day, she made her way to the rocky shoreline. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Zurvan.” Climbing out of the pool, she shook herself vigorously before settling down for a grooming session. “Where do you live? Are you from around here?” The questions were posed in between quick raspy licks of her tongue against her fur.
“I am a wanderer,” Zurvan replied, “I go where the wind takes me, so to speak. I call no place in particular home; instead, the entire savannah is where I reside.” He was curious about the leopardess, and responded with questions of his own. “And you, Zusa? Where do you call home? Have you any family?”
Finished grooming herself, Zusa gave Zurvan her full attention. “No family that I know of. Orphaned at a young age, I was raised by a jackal. I, too, am a wanderer. I call no place home, though I suppose you could say this is the closest place to a home I have.” She gestured at the small oasis they were currently in. “I’ve heard of leopard prides and the like, but not one of them strikes my fancy. I feel no urge to quell my wandering in order to call a pride home, and more often than not I prefer my own company over that of others.”
Zurvan chuckled. “I know how you feel, little Zusa.” The dark lion fell silent, deep in thought. “I too feel the same way when it comes to enjoying the company of others over my own.” He yawned abruptly, licking his nose at its end. “But you must admit, there are times it can be tiresome, the aloneness.” He sometimes grew to hate the constant wandering. If things had only turned out different, if his mate had lived, if his sons had grown up under his tutelage. If, if, if.
She chuckled, rising to her feet. “Indeed. Tiresome, yes, but not enough to make me give up my love of wandering at my own discretion.” Giving her fur a final shake, she offered him another smile. “It has been a pleasure, Zurvan. I must admit I am usually wary of lions, but you have given me pause. I have enjoyed our conversation.”
Zurvan returned her smile. “As have I, Zusa. I have enjoyed it very much. If we should meet again I would be one lucky lion.”
Bowing her head, Zusa took her leave. She would return again, and if Zurvan should happen to be there, perhaps they would have a conversation about other things like family, friends, and life in general.
