Pacing next to a watering hole, Shumusi was deep in thought as his last encounter had left him thinking a lot about his future. That lioness had said stuff about the Firekin and she made him very curious as to what that pride was about. There was something about them... It was like he was meant to be there and now Shumusi was debating if he should try to seek out this pride or not. His entire life, he had been hesitant to settle down especially within a pride of lions because he liked to avoid drama. Living in such close proximity together, he knew that it would be inevitable. He had never liked living in groups so this decision had his mind searching for reasons why he should or should not go. The rogue also liked the lifestyle that he had right now but he kenw that he wasn't completely against changing. Maybe it would just be good to learn a little more about this pride? He could ask around before making a decision...
Namir was looking for water. The day was hot and he had been far, hunger was not a issue but water was quickly becoming one. He finally picked up a breeze that smelled of damp and growing things. Hoping he had found a watering hole or at least a small stream Namir jogged towards into the breeze following it to water. It didn't take him long to find the watering hole but even though he wanted to run right down and plunge his muzzle into the cool looking water a pacing lion kept him at bay. The red and black lion obviously had something on his mind so Namir was cautious about startling him. Staying where he was, a good distance from the older male, the blue lion loudly cleared his throat. "Um, excuse me."
He was so focused on his thoughts that he didn't even hear Namir approaching the watering hole and Shumusi looked up when he heard the juvenile's voice directed at him. Shaking his head slightly wondering why he had been so distracted, Shumusi just moved out of the way managing to speak while doing so, "Sorry about that." Taking a few steps away from the watering hole, Shumusi sat on his haunches and just stared into the distance and then realized that there was another feline present. "Hey, sorry to bother you but do you know anything about the Firekin?" He needed to hear more perspectives about the pride before he could possibly make any decisions about seeking them out.
When the older lion stepped back and apologized Namir took that as a invitation to use the watering hole. With a polite nod and a "thank you" Namir quickly quenched his thirst. Feeling much better now, Namir sat up and focused on the male. "Firekin? No I'm sorry I haven't heard of them. I'm more familiar with my pride and those around us although we are sort of isolated." He smiled sheepishly wishing he could be of more help. "Is there anything else I could help with?" He enjoyed helping others, maybe that was part of the reason he was a healer or at least learning to be one.
Oh, another pride lion. What was with him encountering so many different prides lately? Pride lions were crawling all over the rogue lands which was incredibly strange to him. But actually, maybe Namir could still offer Shumsi some advice. "It's alright. Oh so you're from a different pride? Which one are you from?" Shumusi probably was unfamiliar with the pride because there were way too many prides to keep up with. It was strange feeling so conflicted about this topic because every part of his being was saying noo, this is a bad idea. He wasn't even sure why he was still considering seeking out this pride. Though, maybe this juvenile could offer him some insights to pride life even though they all had different rituals and lifestyles.
He seemed interested in Namir's pride so with some pride in his voice Namir replied, "I'm from Ukuucha'Wafalme. The big pride down by Lake Tanganyika," He paused a moment then revised his last statement, "or at least I think that's what the lake is called. I'm not much for landmark names more like the landmarks themselves." Namir laughed slightly. He knew that he sucked at giving directions but so far it hasn't really affected him so it was all good. Namir waited to see what the male would say, playing with the water slightly as he waited. Dipping a toe in and watching as the ripples circled out then back in. Suddenly remembering his manners he looked back at the red male, "I'm Naim'Namir by the way. Namir to most since my full name is such a mouth full."
Shumusi really wasn't interested in joining any other pride but he wanted to know how this lion liked pride life. What Karatasi had mentioned to him made him very curious about the Firekin in particular. He could potentially have ancestors from that pride and she said that at first glance, it would seem like he was already in the pride. Shumusi couldn't help but be curious about where his parents came from and the Firekin sounded very admirable. "I see. What are your pride's beliefs and daily lifestyle like?" Pausing, Shumusi had almost forgotten to introduce himself. "Oh pleasure to meet you, Namir. I go by Shumusi."
"Nice to meet you Shumusi." Namir smiled and thought a bit before answering his first question. "Well if you mean gods we dont really worship them, we just see them as like everyone else except with special qualities but if you mean like what's my pride all about its like, um, family I guess." He didn't quite know how to explain it but he did his best to. "You see each adult male finds a female and she becomes his banu, a part of his family, and as long as the male can prove he has the skills he can add more females to his harem and adding to his family. Although to be honest most males or Pad's wont go over three right now since it would just be wrong to have more banu then the Sultan and the Viziers." He shrugged trying to show that it wasn't really a big deal just having three banu. "As for daily life I guess its really up to each Pad. I know with my father he would spend half of his day patrolling the border or talking with the other Pad's trying to help them out if he can and the other half playing with my siblings and I. My mother and Aunts would watch over us when we were little as well as go hunting and they taught us many things too. It really is like one big family although I guess sometimes its not always the case." Namir had heard some rumors about Pads who were not like Achal but he hadn't seen it with his own eyes and so did not wish to spread said rumors.
Slightly raising his brow, Shumusi couldn't help but find this pride rather amusing and interesting at the same time. Most of the lions he knew took on only one mates and having more than one was frowned upon but for Namir's pride, they had everything like one big family. Shumusi wasn't exactly sure what he thought about that but he definitely found it interesting. Having more than one female be a part of his family was something Shumusi would be interested in but he wasn't a family type of lion. He would probably be a horrible Pad and father in general so that was out of the question. Speaking genuinely, Shumusi responded after Namir finished explaining about his pride, "That's very interesting. I've never heard of a pride having that kind of lifestyle." Now, Shumusi was going to get to his actual question for the other lion, "Do you like living in a pride and living in a community dependent on each other?" Of course Shumusi knew that his question was completely up to interpretation and some lions didn't know what it was like living alone but he just wanted to hear what Namir had to say.
Namir smiled and laughed softly. "To be honest neither have I but for my family and I, I don't think we could live any other way. I guess it really takes a certain lion to really be happy in such a lifestyle." Namir picked up the slightly different vibe from Shumusi when he asked his other question. This was really important for him for some reason so Namir took a few moments to figure out the best way to say what he meant. "I like my pride, I love my family, and I guess so." He knew he wasn't entirely clear about that so he tried to clarify, "I mean I like having friends I can count on and being able to talk to my pride mates and know that while we might not think the same we have at least similar beliefs. I think what really makes my pride special is if you don't feel like dealing with anyone you sort of dont have to, well unless the Sultan or one of the Viziers want's to talk in which case you should feel honored."
Shumusi expected this answer because it seemed like most pride lions were happy with the way they lived but he guessed that it was because that they knew no other life. It was difficult for him to comprehend the fact that he was going to completely change his lifestyle and he was still very unsure about this decision. What Namir said seemed to put Shumusi at ease a little though because no matter what decision Shumusi made, it seemed like he could be happy living in a pride if he was open to it. There had to be good aspects about prides or else they wouldn't exist. "Understandable. Sorry for all of the questions. I've just been debating my... lifestyle choice lately and been thinking about settling down? It's kind of a big decision and I'm really not sure what I want to do yet. I've been asking around for opinions and what you've said has helped." And he wasn't just saying it, he really meant it. The rogue lion felt a little weight being lifted off of his shoulders and he was already feeling a little better. After that encounter with that lioness, Shumusi's mind had been clouded and his judgement had felt a little impaired. "I know that there are pros and cons to living in a pride and I'm kind of just weighing the outcomes, you know?" Chuckling nervously, Shumusi felt a little weird talking to a complete stranger about this but Namir seemed pretty nice.
"Its ok. I know settling down is a really big deal and changing one's lifestyle has got to be quite difficult." Namir shrugged then since Shumusi felt comfortable enough to ask such questions, showing his confusion if only a little, he added what he felt into the mix. "I know I cant really help you much with this but since being out in the rouge lands for the last few months looking for a banu I have realized that no mater how much I enjoyed being alone back in the pride the knowledge that I could have company if I wished it was always there. And I found that that silent support system wasn't there anymore once I ventured out here. Yes I have met many, learned more, and enjoyed myself but there is something missing. The feeling that I can turn around and see my brothers and sisters roughhousing, my mother chanting with my Aunts, or even the talks I have with my father. I miss that." Namir looked at the older lion. "I don't know if this Firekin pride is much like mine but even if it isn't it has to be better then being alone all your life, right?" He hoped he help some rather then make Shumusi even more confused. Being a rouge was not really what Namir understood well.
Listening to what Namir had to say, Shumusi knew that he was leaning towards at least seeking out the pride and figuring out more about them and he knew that not all prides were the same so who knew if there was going to be drama or problems in general? "I've been a rogue all my life and I've lived with some groups before which obviously didn't turn out well. It suits my personality and I love being able to do what I want whenever I want. The freedom of being a rogue cannot be replaced. Though I know that I feel like I'm missing something and that something might be having a family and finally settling down. I guess I'll never know until I try." It was nice having someone to reason this out with and it was becoming a lot more clear for him as he was explaining all of this to Namir. "I appreciate the thoughts you've presented and I wish you the best of luck with finding a banu. I think I should be heading out so thank you again, Namir." Smiling slightly, Shumusi nodded at the other lion and got up and walked off into the distance feeling a lot better about the decision he had to make.
