Epyon - NovaCracker
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Cacao - NovaCracker
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Rhine - NovaCracker
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Maisha - Das Tor
Epyon walked the borderlands with Cacao and Rhine, the threeblissfully awauy from Hera for now. The air was clean and clear, water scents reached their noses, and the small group was hasppily enjoying the sun as they explored, humming softly. The day was lovely for certain, and in that, they were grateful.
He had lost track of how long he'd been out in the rogue lands. Moons, for certain. At least one turn of the seasons. But he had direction now. More than the direction the little seer had given him so long ago. But how far he was, he was not entirely certain. The scent of water, fresh water, had him distracted for the moment. He needed a drink. And a bath. The poor leopon was...well, a little scruffy.
Rhine yawned once they reached the oasis, immediately plunging into the water to drink and bathe, ignoring the horrified look on Cacao;'s face before she drank as well, Epyon chguckling as she took a sip, smiling calmly before stopping, looking up.
"Sup, Ep?" The waterlogged form of Rhine looked over, Cacaop following her gaze.
"I smell someone."
Maisha didn't notice the scent at first, but as he drew closer, he caught the scent of others. He blinked, and perked. Company! Even if it was just a simple 'hello' or 'how are you', he was always happy for company. The poor leopon was not made for living alone, as he'd been doing. He was a pridal feline. He picked up his pace, smile on his muzzle as he came into view. Once he saw the three, he nodded politely. "Good day!"
Rhine and Cacao had never seen a hybrid in their lives. The two blinked, startled and fled to hide behind Epyon, who blinked and nodded her head.
"Hello. Sorry, Rhine and Cacao have never seen a hybrid before."
Mai blinked, tilting his head, ears back in guilt. "Ah. I apologize for startling you, misses." He bowed politely. "My name is Maisha, once of the Mwako'bi'Giza. It a pleasure to meet you all."
"Hi." Cacao spoke softly, Rhine frowning.
"I'm death."
Epyon perked, ignoring her two dorky companions.
"Ah, Mwako! I'm Epyon, Formerly of the Matembezi. These are my cousin Rhine and our friend Cacao."
"Not Rhine. DEATH." Rhine tried to look imposing. Cacao bowed politely.
"How do you do." Ackward. "Are hybrids evil?"
Maisha perked. "Ah! A pleasure to meet someone from the Matembezi! I only ever met a few lions from there while I was still in the pride." He gave Rhine a distinct 'wtf?' look...though a polite one. "Uhm...you might be able to cause death, but I don't think you're truly Death, Miss Rhine." And Cacao's question had him off guard. "I...I don't think we're evil. I mean, there might be some out there who are, like there's evil lions and leopards and cheetahs, but my siblings and I, and Mama Luta and my uncles and aunts aren't evil."
"Then why do others say hybrids are a plague?" Cacao was getting bolder now. Rhine smacked her gently.
"Stupid-- because some people don't understand."
Epyon sighed, looking over.
"I see. We live in a pride... Well...... Cacao's class is touchy about hybrids. It's.. Sort of sad and causes a lot of strife."
Mai's ears went back. "There's nothing wrong with hybrids. Some may not like us...but we're not born evil or anything like that. Even those who bear demons inside them can become good." He sat. "Three of the strongest, kindest felines I know are leopons, like me. My Uncle Enzi, who used to be the Jua of the Mwako, and Miss Mabaka'damu and Mister Uhuru, who are the Moto and Maji of the Mwako." He drooped a bit. "That's a shame." To not like hybrids at all...that was sad. It was like thinking all demons were evil.
Cacao seemed to notice his sadness and looked sad herself.
"I'm sorry! I just. I."
"You don't know when to shut up?" Rhine offered helpfully. Cacao cried a bit. Epyon nosed Maisha gently.
"It's not your fault. Best questions rather than violence, yes?" She purred a bit, smiling.
"Indeed." Mai nodded at Epyon, then frowned at Rhine. "It's not nice to make others cry!" And moved over to Cacao, placing a paw on hers. "Don't worry...you didn't make me sad. Where my own thoughts went did. I think you're a very kind lioness for asking rather than just attacking or accusing."
"Tch." Rhine shrugged, Cacao sniffling.
"Are you sure?"
Epyon chuckled.
"Demon hunters don't lie." She licked Maisha's ear.
Maisha nodded. "I'm sure." He ducked his head sheepishly. "I'm no demon hunter now. I'm out seeking where I truly belong, with help from the information two seers gave to me."
Epyon blinked, Cacao smiling at his blush, and the female rubbing him. Epyon nosed him.
"You know, you could join us?"
Maisha blinked, tilting his head. "Join you? Is your pride near something called the 'sea'." That's where he needed to be, somewhere on the bank of this 'sea', the lake so large one could not see the other side.
"No... But we're wandering, and it won't do to be alone." Epyon nodded, smiling. "Even if it's company only a short while, there's safety in groups."
"Gotta watch Hera though. Lil' brat." Rhine sighed.
He perked. "Ah! Well! I would greatly appreciate the company." He smiled sheepishly. "I'm afraid I'm not made for solitary living, and having the company of three pretty ladies will certainly make the journey much less dull and lonely." Mai looked to Rhine, curious. "Hera? Another companion?"
"Demon. Long story. She thinks Rhine's some kind of god or something." Epyon rolled her eyes.
Mai resisted the urge to panic. "What kind of demon?" He was pale AND not a pure lion. If she was from the Aikanaro'hini...not to mention his mother was the Jua now! If he was identified as the Jua's son...oh he did not want to be a liability to his mother!
"She's insane but she does what I tell her." Thine nosed him reassuringly. Cacao sweatdropped.
"Anyone smart would, Rhine..."
Rhine preened, Epyon nosing him.
"Nobody will hurt you, Mai. Three on one there." Epyon smiled kindly.
Mai calmed himself, the hackles he hadn't meant to raise smoothing down. "S-sorry. I know demons can be redeemed but...well, I was taught how to be a border guard for my pride. And...it was a demon who nearly killed my mother when she was young, and took one of my uncles."
"Hah, sounds like Hera's sort." Rhine snorked. "If you kick her a** she shuts up."
Epyon sighed, Cacao shaking.
Maisha's ears went back again, but his hackles stayed down. Would it be wrong to travel with a demon? Perhaps...perhaps he could help redeem her? Yes! It was worth a try. And if it did not work...well, he was big and strong and trained to fight. "Alright."
Cacao purred suddenly, cuddling into Maisha, feeling safer already and beamed. Epyon sweatdropped.
"She's afraid of her."
Rhine shrugghed.
The leopon sighed. "I...I do not blame her. Though many demons are redeemable, and some good from the start, those who are raised to the ways are...much harder to redeem. And some pass the point of no return." The Mwako had proof demons were redeemable, however. The former Mwezi and the current Mwezi, Odhiambo, Farlest...they were living proof.
"Neh, she's raised as one proper. Talks about her ma Ri all the time. Been whining about some male she's toying and rubbing and generally mucking with." Rhine made a face. Epyon swatted her.
"We should let him relax, you two."
Well...while he was with them, he would try his best to redeem the demon. His last act as one of the Mwako'bi'Giza. "I will still travel with you. And I thank you for the company."
"Any time." Epyoin smiled, grooming his ear kindly before letting him go to freshen up, before trotting to her friends, laying down as if her silence ended their gossiping. She was rather intimidating... But kind.
Epyon was glad the found him, and especially glad he made Cacao smile.
Maisha smiled and moved to get a drink of water, one that was nice and long, and then bath. It was good to descruff, and it was better knowing he'd have company, and a purpose among that company.
Epyon settled to watch protectively, fur soaking in the sun gladly as she yawned, eyes slowly closing. Time for a nice nap.
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