Welcome to Gaia! ::

Iola stalked along the grassy plains, wandering aimlessly… ah, such was the life of a wanderer. Nowhere to go, nothing to do… But there were far too many pluses of remaining nomadic. Iola, the cub in an adult’s form, was free to do as she pleased. And answered to no one. Sweet deal.

It had been awhile since she came in contact with another animal that wasn’t deemed prey. The scarcity of interaction often meant the lioness was forced to often eat prey creatures, rather than use them as playthings. Food came first. Besides… if she was going to try to persuade a hare that she meant no harm, her tummy growling for nourishment often meant her ‘would-be’ companion went darting off.

“S’booooorddd…” The femme whined, her voice reminiscent to a child’s wail. Her little outburst accompanied with a mask of displeasure that twisted her features. Plush lilac ears folded back against her skull, with her eyebrows knitted, casting a deep shadow over her cobalt eyes. A blueish hue glowed around her eyes in the darkness, the female already quite visible due to her bright flank. It didn’t help that she was grudgingly kicking at pebbles and dirt alike in her mini tantrum… further scaring off any prey animals she would have otherwise been able to entrap and ‘get’ to play with her.

Iola stopped sharply, her ears and eyes flicking in the direction of the source of the voice. The female tensed, her body jolting with her legs splayed around her from the miniature shock. But her surprise from the sudden voice was fleeting… a giddy yelp erupted from her maw, “I’m here~! I’m here~!” The female chirped, prancing forward out of the brush and towards the source of the noise. Iola could plainly hear that the voice that had called out to her was female, but her eagerness had gotten the better of her. Iola was without companionship for a whole -two days-. That’s a long time. So her normal shy and reclusive nature around females was cast aside. The only reason she was normally a mask of her true self, around females, was because she knew that other adult… matured… level headed ladies would find her to be a queer sight. Male’s only dealt with Iola’s antics because she was a ditzy female.
The grasses rustled briefly, before Iola proudly presented herself, chest puffed out and head held in a mock-regal fashion. “Here I am.” The lioness announced, a wide smile setting on her features, “Hiyah… I’m Iola~! And boy, am I glad to see you.” She stepped in on Nko, her head jutting forward dangerously close. “I haven’t seen anyone for four whole days~.” It was two. But eh… who’s counting?

“It’s a good thing…?” Iola repeated, her voice hinted with curiosity. Lips pursed, as the lioness silently pondered the possibilities for the –reason- she might not want to hunt in this area… something wrong with the prey? Not enough? None at all? The female opened her mouth to speak her question, only to get talked over by Nko. Ahhh, the answer. Iola’s mouth remained open, nodding her head stupidly as Nko deceived her, the lies were Iola’s truth. “Oh! I’m sorry!” The female started, once Nko mentioned the fact that her intentions to be out here… were to be alone. Iola rose with a start, but stopped once the other continued speaking.
An offer? An offer of kindess!? That was a first! Iola never happened upon that sort of thing, she normally annoyed strangers too much to get granted such civilities. The lioness’ grin only widened, a glimmer alight in her eyes as stared at Nko. Iola was eager to have some companionship after a few days of being lonesome. Maybe Nko would be her friend!? Nko was just being so NICE so far. Iola giggled at the notion. Having a friend to consol in! ‘Maybe she’ll play with me… we’ll be friends forvever~!’ Iola had to repress a giddy squeal at the thought. “Okay! Okay! If Nko wants to play the hunting game, we’ll play~!” The femme jumped to her feet, prancing forward leading them both forward in search of their meal. “So, which role you wanna play? The leader? Should I follow you~?” Iola thought for a moment, “Well, you did pick the game… it’s only fair if you lead.” She rationed, nodding her head in self satisfaction. She crept closer to Nko, bumping her shoulder to the other’s all friendly like. “Thanks for playing with me~. This’ll be great!”

Iola had lost the trail of Nko once the female slipped away into the grasses. The other lioness did well in concealing herself. The only rustling to the grasses were made by the winds. Cobalt optics scanned the area before her, peeled for the familiar fluff of reddish-brown fur at the end of a lighter colored tail. Soon Iola caught the swaying length in her peripherals. Flagging the signal, Iola took the hint and sprang forward with a mighty ‘yip!’.

Forepaws outstretched and dramatically bounding forward, the female sprang to make her appearance known rather than to gain distance. If her intended victims didn’t hear her the first time as she tore through the brush, Iola continued to spew roars and growls as she pounced around. Nko said she just had to ‘scare’ off the prey. So Iola made a game of being the loudest she could possibly be! She didn’t even attempt to chase their quarry, instead zig-zagging and herding their prey towards the waiting Nko. “Brwaugh~!” Iola raked her claw sideways at the flank of one of the quarry when she drew near to it. The creature hastily scurried away, leaving Iola to instead entertain herself with rolling around on the ground.

“Whoo whowhowhowho~!” She laughed, flattening the grass as she rolled side to side. Her job was completed successfully as far as she was concerned. Rolling for a few moments more… the female stopped once she realized Nko was still with her! Iola perked her head up from the brush suddenly, hoping she hadn’t missed Nko taking down one of the animals.