Ein followed Accendo as they walked for the day, male's maw pursed. He hated leavbing his sister behind again, but he had to find a way to stop his mother... Somehow. Some way. Today they'd moved far, even camping, only to creep into the edge3 of a desert, and Ein felt his stomach turn nervously as he looked at the dry, parched land. Next to him he could feel Accendo tense, the female moving to follow as scent lingering in the air, heat, and the two moved on, looking.
The area itself was scorched and dry, the lands wanting for rain that didn't come, streambeds dried and thirsty. Dust blew freely, the sky lightly tinted brown as the dust danced and swirled high overhead,. the two shaking, glad they'd taken a long drink before entering the desert. For them, it was hot. Very hot.
Hana Fuego moved on patrol as she hunted, looking for prey, partly to eat, partly to wet her dry, parched mouth. She ewas thirsty, they all were, and beside her she felt Mpeko move slowly, the other lioness seeming thirsty as well, but less inclined to hunt, the Tracker topo tired. Hana sighed, preparing to send Mpeko back when the two caught a new scent, tensing. Strangers! Or rather... Hana tensed. Mpeko danced out to meet them.
"Hello!"
Ein and Accendo were surprised by the larger female's friendliness, blinking when an even larger female approached, sizing them up.
"Names and your reason t5o be in the land of the Motojoumi."
Ein quivered.
"My name's Ein and hers is Axxendo nox Nictus. We... We were just looking--"
"For what? Water? To steal our young? Steal our prey? Speak!" Hana moved in Ein's face, the male sputtering. Mpeko swatted her sister.
"Hanny, stop! Your scaring them!"
The female turned to address her sister whe3n Accendo spoke softly.
"We came here to find you, miss." She smiled, the matrix at her neck shimmering.
"The Moutoujamii are warriors, right?"
Hana eyed Accendo with an analytical eye.
"Go on."
"We need warriors. Forgive our intrusion, but... Ah... I'm a seer."
"And I suppose you thought I'd help you? Why?" She grtowled, turning on Accendo. Ein panicked, eyes going wide. Mpeko too tensed, moving next to him in case Hana needed to be detained.
"Perhaps. Your strength would be needed, and welcomed, and there's water." Accendo kept her golden eyes locked on the female. Hana frowned.
"So?"
"One less mouth taking up water means the chances for your pride's survival increases that small amount." Accendo's eyes finally narrowed. Hana eyed her silently, fur bristling. Mpeko was silent, listening before looking to Hana, then the two, smiling.
"I'll help if I can."
Hana looked horrified, turning to Mpeko in concern.
"Mpeko, you can't even fight. You practically cry if I offer to duel. Besides, these are outsiders."
"And their right. Our pride's in a drought and trhey need help or they wouldn't be here, Hana. I'd go. I'd be happy to go. They need help. What if I could offer that?"
Hana was quiet. Mpeko was serious, expression determined. The female looked to her, then over to the others.
Mpeko... Didn't get war. Hana knew that. Her half sister was the sweetest Firekin Hana knew, possibly the kindest in the whole pride, willing to tend those in need. And Hana didn't want her harmed or lost, especially since as a Tracker, the pride needed her. Hana looked quiet, then down before looking to her sister.
"No Mpeko. I should go. Your a tracker. The pride needs you."
Mpeko looked hurt.
"I want to help, Hana... You dson't."
"I want you to leave less! What if your killed? Hurt? Besides, you know this desert. You know our homeland. What if a new member needs you? What if some female comes, witrh cubs, needing a friend? They'd need you more, Mpeko. Their right. I'm aq warrior. You aren't. You never will be." Hana frowned. Mpeko looked hurt, eyes tearing at her half-sister's words.
"I try..."
"I know." Hana groomed Mpeko a bit, a rare gesture, Ein watching before approaching.
"Your sister could always return latyer."
Accendo nodded.
"To visit, to come home-- we'rte not taking her away forever."
"No." Hana looked to them. "I'll visit. But there has to be a rteason I go. Mpeko belongs here., I'll fight for, die for my pride, but the desert, while home, may not need 'just' another hunter. Mpeko's a tracker, she knows how to get anywhere."
Mpeko preened.
"True...! Even cool spaces to take care of others!" Mpeko beamed, and Hana chuckled.
"She could still visit." Accendoi nodded. Hana nodded back.
"Of course. Mpeko needs to be looked after." And the female shook herself out. Accendo snickered, Ein blinking and smiling kindly at her.
"I bet you're good at taking care of yourself, miss."
Mpeko giggled, blushing, at Ein.
"Thank you!"
Ein blushed back, smiling meekly as Hana studied the two. Oh, boy. Accendo seemed of a similiar mindset, pulling the male away.
"No, Ein... Just no. She probably has someone."
The male and Mpeko both squeaked, Hana giving a hearty laugh before turning and nuzzling Mpeko.
"We should gho, then. I assume the seer knows our names..."
"No, not really." Accendo turned red. "I never See names. Only faces."
Hana blinked.
"Hana Fuego. M y sister is Mpeko."
Ein blushe4d agaqin.
"Nice to meet you, Hana... Mpeko...."
"Stop flirting with the natives Ein." Accendo teased. Hanba snorfle3d, finally smiling.
"I'm forced to agree. You'd never be allowed to mate." And Habna nosed them away some. Mpeko watched, disheartened, and Hana looked back.
There was pain in her eyes, however, pain Mpeko could see. The lioness rushed over, nuzzling her sister comfortingly, before pushing her to follow.
Ein and Accendo moved ahead, the duo silent now to give the two space a few minutes before Accendo closed her eyes, feeling a vision coming on before looking to Ein. Ein cocked his head, blinking.
"Anjother vision?"
"Yes, one we should addr5ess before returning home."
Ein tensed. Accendo sighed.
"A demon. We may be able to bargain a mercenary out of them for... favours."
"Favours?"
"I'll explain on the way."
More silence before Hana trod up next to them.
"Sorry for over hearing, but... Demons? Are you sane?"
"Likely. Likely not. But we'd owe one favours."
Anbd Accendo began t5o walk, Hana and Ein frowning before they followed.
Mpeko watched as they disappeared, remaining in the desert behind them, before turning and returning to her den herself to cry, alone.
