Jozo = brown
Zuraya = green
It was another day and Jozo felt pressured to escape from his duties within the pride. Since he did not carry the disease, it was not forbidden for him to leave the sanctity of the pridelands, and he did so often. Today was one of these days, and Jozo needed the time to clear his mind from the troubles that had recently come up in his life. It was frustrating to no end, and Jozo knew that there was nobody to blame but himself.
Zuraya had been hunting… well, trying to, anyway. Try as she might, she couldn’t find game, and this was odd, she thought. Normally around noon there would be herds grazing around here, or maybe small rabbits or something browsing in the underbrush. Was something scaring them off?
Zuraya picked up the scent of a male lion now; oh yeah, that’s probably what did it. She was less annoyed though, and more curious. He didn’t smell like any of the males she knew in the area, and the truth was that Zuraya loved company, even if there was a little risk involved. So she followed the scent, eventually coming into view of the male. She made no effort to hide herself. If he was hostile, she still had enough distance to run and probably get away even if he was quick.
“Hello?” She called, trying to get his attention. He seemed preoccupied with something, at least that was Zuraya’s guess.
Jozo had been lost in his own thoughts when he heard the voice calling out in greeting. At the sound he perked his ears, head turning to bring the lioness into view. He was thankful that it wasn't that horridly bright lion he'd had the misfortune of meeting not once, but twice. He immediately went on the defensive for no other reason besides the fact that they were so near his pride's borders.
"Greetings," he called out warily, moving closer to the female slowly. "What brings you to this area?" It was a valid question, really. There wasn't much out in this area.
Zuraya was relieved that the male didn’t see to want to kill her. Always a plus. His question confused her, though. This area? She didn’t know of anything else around here, so she wondered what made him sound so surprised about it. She had no clue that she wasn’t far from the plagued pride, or certainly she would have made a wide berth of it.
“Well, I…” Zuraya had to think about this for a moment, still not quite understanding the question, “I guess I’m just wandering? Why, is there something out here? Is this your territory?” Now she was concerned, thinking she might have trespassed.
"You are safe here," Jozo conceded with a slight frown. "You are very close to the borders of my pride. It is important for us to keep newcomers out; a sickness has the pride in its grip, one that is quite contagious and in order not to spread the sickness across the savannah, we protect our boundaries fiercely." This was the truth, really. If he'd been speaking to a male, he would not have been so open with the truth, but he figured that if need be, he could easily take on this lioness. She didn't seem the type to fight, though, and so he relaxed the slightest bit.
"I am Jozo," he introduced himself. This was a much-needed diversion from the issues in his life.
Zuraya’s expression changed from friendly to frightened as the male kept talking. Realizing she had come so close to a diseased pride, and had had no idea of it, gave her the chills. And even as he spoke, she found herself looking around her, as if to search for others hidden nearby. And yet, even though she was nervous, the fact that she hadn’t seen others yet gave her a little comfort, because she reasoned that if she had truly crossed into the pride’s borders, she would have been confronted by a guard or something. Unless that’s what this male was…
“I’m Zuraya,” she began, smiling weakly, “I’m sorry, I didn’t know there was a pride here at all. I’m a bit new to the area, really, just passing through. I am still allowed to go, right?” This was an important question on her mind.
Jozo watched the nervousness flit across her features, feeling a bit bad for having put her in that situation. Most didn't want to come near a diseased pride, and he couldn't blame them. She was no different, and he smiled at her, hoping to soothe her just a bit. "You are fine, Zuraya. I am one of the prides few warriors, immune to the plague and as such it is my duty to make sure outsiders are both aware of the plague, and aware that if they mean harm I will do my best to stop them."
Chuckling, he gestured with a nod of his head, indicating the direction of his pride's boundaries. "If you continue this way, you'll enter the pride. You are safe otherwise."
“Oh… well, I don’t mean any harm!” Zuraya was quick to tell Jozo, though now she was calming down as she began to see she wasn’t in any danger. Her eyes followed in the direction he indicated, as though expecting to see some plagued lions over there right now. Naturally, she could not.
“I won’t go that way then, no offense. I’m sure your home is lovely.” Zuraya didn’t intend to insult, but she figured he would understand. “That must be nice, being immune. I suppose it also makes you the one who has to take care of everybody though.” Which outlined the very reason, sickness aside, why Zuraya had never joined a pride herself. Having duties and responsibilities didn’t sit well with her.
"Yes," Jozo murmured sadly, "it can be straining on those of us who do not show signs of the illness. We are relied upon to care for the pride, and while I do it with no complaints, there are times that even I need to take a moment for myself." He grinned sheepishly at the lioness. "That is what I was doing when you happened upon me. I was caught up in daydreams."
He shrugged. The responsibilities that he had didn't bother him; he lived for the prosperity of his pride. It had always been that way, and he didn't see it changing any time soon. "There are many nice lions within the pride, and many cubs as well. It is just a hard place to call home, I suppose."
The thought of cubs and nice lions in the pride actually made Zuraya a little sad, knowing that they might all be infected with a disease that could kill them. To an outsider, it sounded like an unthinkable way to live. But then, Zuraya was also selfish at heart, usually.
“Have you ever thought of leaving? Since you’re immune?” That was more along the lines of the way Zuraya’s mind worked. If it were her, she thought she would certainly leave, but then, she wasn’t attached to others there and had no family. Thinking of this, she felt embarrassed she had asked the question. So, she followed it with, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that. You’re very brave for staying though, that’s for sure.”
Jozo shook his head as if the very idea of leaving his beloved pride was out of the question. "Never. I love my pride and the lions in it. I strive each day to protect them and care for them, provide for them whatever they might need each day. Leaving has never crossed my mind. I am bound to the pride." He grinned. "Enough talking, I suppose. I should get back home and make sure all is well. It truly was a pleasure to meet you, Zuraya. I hope that you someday find a home of your own, one that suits you." He dipped his head in farewell, still smiling.
