It had been a long and exhausting day for Iirte Aasa. Between the overwhelming heat bearing down on her back and intermittently working shifts guarding the only remaining mud pool - and even volunteering as a water-seeker when she managed to find some free time, she was completely and utterly drained. She had been more than relieved to get her final drink of the day and to return to the relative safety of the den area, her shoulders heavy with fatigue and her mouth already beginning to dry.
She had found herself wondering recently if she had carried her birth pride's curse with her when she'd fled. Under normal circumstances, the lioness would have laughed at something so superstitious, but lately she found herself unsure. What else could she believe when her dreams were plagued with visions of the past and future, things she should have no way of knowing that were made clear to her in those moments. What else could she think when she had met her true father at last and found him to be a god?
Her whole world had been turned upside down in the span of just a few short moon cycles... And at this point, she could find herself able to believe anything.
The desert heat was relentless. Xennek sighed as he made his way away from the mud pool. He barely even looked at the water now save for when his body screamed at him for not taking better care of it. Instead the lion had made way for a young juvenile to come drink. With everyone pressing in for their turn to drink it had to be hard for the younger and weaker to move in at times. As large as he was it was easy to shove others aside.
Still he barely took one sip before leaving for the den area. He had already gone out on yet another run through the sands looking for any hint of water, but there was none. The lion wasn't devastated, however, just aggravated at this situation. How was it that in this whole desert they couldn't find a single source of water? He had recently joined with a group of refugees and was not used to the desert heat or even the weather here yet he knew it was wrong for water to be gone like this. A drought was a cruel, unnatural thing to him. But he wasn't going to give in. Instead he fought to keep up his training and through his runs to the desert made sure to keep active. He passed those who only sought to bicker about the limited water supply. To him it was better to move than to waste words arguing about who should be the ones to drink and who should be limited. What point was there in a pride if there was only the strong? Even Sekayi would be happy to know that Xennek agreed to that. He wouldn't admit it like his companion would, but he believed that those who had something to protect were the ones who could become the strongest of warriors.
Not paying much attention to his surroundings the larger lion found himself brushing against a female lioness. Blinking Xennek paused and looked over, "Sorry." He took another step before pausing to look back at her. The poor female looked so worn out. But what could he do about that?
Iirte very nearly gave a jolt of surprise when felt another warm body brush against her side, her golden eyes flicking towards the stranger. The golden earring dangling from her ears jingled a little at the sudden motion, and she was quick to shake her head. She vaguely recognized the male as one of the refugees that had recently sought sanctuary in the pride. And what a horrible time to have joined their ranks!
"No, it's fine. I should have been paying more attention."
She sighed softly, her tail flicking behind her. She wondered briefly how Ista was holding up - she'd left the poor jackal in her den most of the day. The less she moved around in this heat, the less water she'd need. Which meant there would be more water remaining for the rest of the pride... Hopefully enough to last them until they found another water source.
"So how have you been holding up?"
Xennek shook his head, "Now that's not true. I was the one who blindly walked into you. But thank you." He gave her a warm smile, hoping to ease the tension in her shoulders. To him this one looked like she had the weight of the world on her shoulders. His gaze deepened with slight worry when he heard her sigh. Really no beautiful female should be like this. "If you sigh then you lose more happiness you know." He commented softly before blinking up at her.
How had he been holding up?
Honestly the question caught him by surprise. She was actually the first to ask him such a thing, "Alright as I can I ‘spose. Can't really do much more than survive in this type of circumstance." His smile was grim, "We just have to keep pushing forward until this mess is over. The desert has to give up water somewhere after all. You, however, look pretty worn down. It's sad to see such a lovely face so burdened." He paused and looked back over at her, "Will you be alright?"
The lion's playful jab regarding her sigh took Iirte completely by surprise, and she couldn't contain the smile that pulled at her lips. It felt like it had been an eternity since she'd last smiled, and for a moment she almost indulged in a small laugh as well. But the moment passed far too quickly, and she carefully listened to the male's words.
His comment regarding survival made her smile twist into something equally grim - the words pulled at her memory of her own pride, which had been so obviously doomed to death that even as a cub she had known the truth. All she could hope for in such a place was survival. Happiness would surely be without her reach, and she wouldn't dare bring cubs into such a life.
"Pushing forward will be no problem for us. In the time I've stayed here, I've learned that these lions are born with a will to survive that far surpasses any other place of been to. It's the reason I joined in the first place." Her lips quirked slightly at the obvious flattery, and she quickly nodded. "I'll be fine. I've just been doing everything I can for the pride. In between my shifts guarding the mud pool, I join the rest of the volunteers looking for water out in the desert."
Ah there it was. Xennek's eyes lit up at seeing her smile. That little smile, as brief as it was, had been like a small treasure amongst the current situation. "And there it came back." His playful nature though became somber as she spoke about the pride. It was a shame that this drought could take away so much from this place. Not just the strength of their warriors, but even a lion's smile. If the desert was a living thing he would go out right now and fight it for possession of water.
"I'm glad to hear that then." Xennek looked up towards the bright sky with a small grin, "That's why I came here. Else I would have never left the rogue lands to join a pride. But this one with the amazing tales you hear of it in the rogue lands made it irresistible to me. I can't wait to see it at full strength." His gaze looked back towards her and he gave a nod of respect, "An amazing thing you do then. I'm no water seeker that's for certain, but I do try as well." He gave a sigh but his tone was lighter than it had been as he added, "Shame the water's so good at hiding."
"But do you ever give yourself a chance to rest?" He asked suddenly his gaze serious, "You're no good to anyone if you push yourself too hard." No matter what a living lion was better than a dead one.
Iirte's wry smile remained as the lion spoke of his time in the rogue lands, and she couldn't help but remember her own time spent there. For a long while she had been lost and confused but she'd heard whispers of the great Firekin, who not only survived but flourished in their desert home. These whispers were what had drawn her to the deserts in search of them, and eventually led to her decision to join.
"It is quite the site to behold at full strength. Though the deserts are hot, each lion does their part to keep the pride healthy. This is the first time I've seen the pride in such a dire situation..." She shook her head sadly, her ears falling flat against her head. One of the appendages twitched briefly as the other continued, and she laughed softly when he commented on the water hiding. "I do my best in these hard times. Whether it's to ensure everyone gets their fair share of water or to try to find more sources of it."
She was taken aback for a brief moment at his question, and this time her small smile widened just a bit. "I rest fine when the sun is below the horizon. I have no intentions of pushing myself until I'm useless." She knew all too well the dangers of a being a lion that could not contribute in a pride facing such dire circumstances.
Xennek smiled, "That's good to hear then. Though I suppose being from this pride might make you praise it easier." He teased lightly, but his gaze was respectful as he looked around. Everything she said was true. It was amazing how a pride could survive out here in this place. It was nothing like living out in the savanna or in the jungles of the land. It even took him by surprise when he first traveled here. The desert was a formidable foe indeed. "Sad that this drought beat us here then, but I'm sure soon enough I'll get to see the pride in all of its glory."
Ah! He got a laugh. Xennek found himself brightening up. "I believe you. Trying our best in this time is what we all should do. Else we won't get anywhere. Especially when it comes to those who tend to bicker more than work." He frowned and shook his head. "But as it is I'm glad to hear that you rest." He knew too many who had pushed themselves to exhaustion before and this lioness made him worry. Something about her reminded him of someone, not that he could really place it. Still it was enough to make him even more interested in her, "Talking of resting I suppose it wouldn't be a bad idea to actually head into the den." His blue gaze looked over at her questioningly, "If you need anything I'll be here."
After a slight pause he smiled warmly, "There's more than one way to rest as well. Sometimes the mind needs a break from worries and comfort can be found here." Xennek didn't need to say more, his gaze confirmed his unspoken offer as did his hesitant posture. He was being more reserved around this lioness when the bold lion would usually just jump into the offer. But recent events as well as the pride's circumstance held him back from his usual energetic ways.
Iirte found herself surprised yet again by the lion's seeming assumption of her origin, and she found herself wondering where it had come from. Yes, she was fairly large in comparison to most rogues, but her god blood likely attributed to that. But she had figured that the tuft of white fur that often fell into her eyes would have been a dead giveaway that her origins lay elsewhere. "Oh, I wasn't born to these lands. I came here a couple years back... But I'm sure it won't be long before this pride is just as it was when I joined."
Her shoulders slumped a bit as they finally came in front of her den, her exhaustion seemingly that much more urgent now that rest was only a few steps away. For a moment, she almost didn't register the other's words, but when she did she gave an appreciative hum. The offer for his aid wasn't something she had been expecting, nor was the offer for comfort. For a moment she hesitated, but perhaps it was the heat that finally made up her mind for her.
"Comfort would certainly be appreciated in these harsh times..." She nodded towards her den, slipping into the slightly cooler area and making plenty of room for the other to follow. After a moment, she came to a realization. In all their conversation, they'd both neglected to offer their names. She smiled softly before turning to settle onto the ground. "I'm Iirte Aasa, by the way. But you're welcome to simply call me Iirte, if you wish."
"Oh." Xennek blinked. He really should have guessed that, but something about the way she was just made it look like she had been here for a while – maybe even her whole life. Then again just because the pride was a home for her didn't mean that she was born here. "I apologize for my assumption. You just sound like you're lived here a while and I thought maybe…well no matter. We're both pride members here now."
He brushed against her as she slumped and gave a small smile of encouragement. "Then I'm glad to oblige." He commented, his smile widening at her acceptance of his offer. Following her into the den the lion took a moment to take in the cooler air. It felt good to be away from the desert sky. He had completely looked past introductions and her statement surprised him. "Iirte." He smiled as the name rolled of his tongue. "I'm Xennek." It was nice to know her name, but now there really was no need for words. Only movement. His gaze softening the male lion gently licked the female's maw. He would definitely make sure that her mind was free of worries this night.
