Taking the advice of the chattering Ayumi, Gato had finished up what she could do at the moment and decided to mingle with some of the other members of the pride. She was nervous about it, as she wasn't much of a social creature, but it was better than not knowing anyone. And you couldn't really count Ayumi as a friend, as she was friends with everyone. Sighing, Gato followed along the path to where those that we're working would mingle and share leftovers of meals. The shrine keepers usually stayed near their shrines, and Gato hoped that they didn't feel too lonely.
She blinked as she realized that the number had grown larger than she expected. There were a few little ones running around, just as the cheetah had said. But there seemed to be even more than that! She stopped, a little stunned and overwhelmed. Where should she start?
She say that Ayumi was nearby, and interestingly enough not in the middle of it all. Gato instinctively went towards her, knowing that it was good to start with easy conversation to get into the mass pile of bodies that were around. Salma wouldn't think it like that, but Gato wasn't one for crouds. She liked her work with the stones, and the few visitors it brought her who needed something from her. Though she was on a bit of a break, she knew that she would have to go back to work soon. There was too much to do and not enough paws to help.
Ayumi was chatting away with someone else near her, and that someone didn't look to interested. Maybe it would be a good thing for Gato to step in and save this stranger. She exchanged a flurry of a greeting with Ayumi, and turned her teal eyes onto an equally teal coat. She was surprised that it was quite a handsome male lion. Ayumi wasn't into them, was she? His coat was splattered with spots, but there were also silver streaks of scars under that coat, more thin in areas that must have taken damage in the past. He looked healthy enough, but his eyes carried more to the story that was obviously seen. She couldn't quite look away from him, but knew that she would have to pull her eyes away from him to not seem too rude. "Yes?" she asked, knowing Ayumi had said something.
THe cheetah giggled. "You're so funny, Gato. I was just telling you, this is Rhy. He's one of our guards, and quite a looker too, hm?" She nudged Gato's shoulder, though it was a little awkward since the cheetah was so much shorter than the lioness, at least in soulder height. THe lione didn't look too pleased by the 'compliment' that Ayumi offered him, but Gato agreed silently. He was....something.
He didn't seem to interested in the conversation, but it was obvious that he had more tact than to just walk away. And Gato wondered, did he have anywhere else to go? He seemed quiet, and it also seemed like no one else was really interested in talking to him. Still, she honestly didn't mind. She kind of liked being around him, and wanted to learn more about this guard with the soft scars.
Ayumi caught on quick, as she always did. She loved these little games that being social let her play. "Rhy, this is Gato, one of our two current carvers. She's on a bit of a break, so I dragged her out from her workplace to be a little social." Gato nodded politely, though she didn't like how Ayumi made it sound like she was addicted to her work. She just knew that there was a lot to do and not enough claws to do it!
"Hello," Rhy said politely, wondering why Ayumi was making this such an important thing. He just came here to get something to eat before wandering the borders of the lands again. He didn't want to be in the middle of this; he didn't want to feel any strong emotions again. He had left everything behind him, and didn't want it to follow him here. Escaping Ayumi was futile, as he had found out. She seemed to know everything, or at least thought that she did. Still, it was curious, how this mostly white lioness seemed so interested. He just wanted to eat.
Gato bowed quickly. "Nice to meet you," she replied quietly. "I'm not as married to my work as Ayumi makes it seem. I just want to get everything set up that needs to be, so when the pride grows we aren't as overwhelmed as we are now." Rhy nodded, as it made sense. "That sounds like a plan," he answered with little emotion. It struck Gato in a sad sense, and made her wonder why she even wanted to know more about him. He had himself locked up tight, ignoring any little effort to get in. Something had happened, something huge. Ayumi was seeing that this wasn't working the way that she wanted it too. She had obviously misjudged Rhy's reaction, and that this was going to take more work to get it to work, if it was even going to work out or not. Swallowing a sigh, she let herself try and perk up Gato. That shouldnt be too hard.
"Hey Gato, remember when I was telling you about Edea's cubs? Let's go see them! Just be careful to not let them crawl all over you, I made that mistake once, but I won't again!" She pushed Gato to step forward, as when the paws started moving it was easier to keep them moving. Nothing was going to happen right now, and so they both needed a little break from one another to think more. Ohohoho, Ayumi knew what she was doing, and she was going to make it happen. She just needed a little more time.
Gato was displeased on leaving, but she figured that the treasure was locked up tight, and she would need time to find the key to it. It couldn't be too hard, could it? She stumbled off, letting Ayumi chatter away like she always did. Cubs were something to be excited about, especially since they were Ayumi's friend's cubs. She let herself smile, and told herself that she could think about other things later. Including, or not including, Rhy.
Rhy watched them leave, grateful for a little chance at peace. He'd find something to eat, and also let him mind...no. He didn't want to think. He'd eat, and go back to guarding. That was what his life was now. He didn't have time to think about anything else, and in all honesty, he didn't want to. It was painful, and dealing with guarding let him not think about anything. He would do his part to keep everyone safe, even if it meant letting his emotions eat at himuntil they were gone.
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