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 Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:04 pm
It was another beautiful morning in the Pridelands. The sun was still rising, barely scraping the tops of the trees, but already the world was alight with life. Birds filled the air with merry songs, grass waved in the gentle breeze, and cubs frolicked with carefree innocence. Amongst all of this was a lone, sleepy looking lioness, walking slowly. She was looking for someone, though she expected this someone was still asleep. Squinting upwards at the sun, Zene sighed. Her friend was not a morning lioness, she knew, but after another sleepless night Zene was not feeling too giddy either.
It had been a few days since the group had arrived to the Pridelands. Though the area was truly beautiful, and the inhabitants were beyond kind, Zene had felt an uneasiness settle into her ever since their arrival. She knew it was probably because of the unfamiliarity of the place – new sounds, new faces, new customs – but that didn’t stop her from rolling around restlessly at night. Sleep had never been an elusive luxury for her before, even when she had traveled alone, and Zene was troubled by how difficult it was for her now. Since this insomnia was apparently turning into a pattern, Zene knew it was time to seek out Fefe and tell the green-eyed lioness of her worries. Hopefully her best friend would be able to provide reassurance…though not too much could be expected so early in the day.
“Fefe,” she whispered once she began to approach an inert, grey lump. The other lioness usually slept away from the others, not wanting to be disturbed by their movements in the mornings. Zene had always tried to respect her friend’s wish, leaving Fefe alone until she was sure it was safe. But this morning things had to be different. “Fefe, I’m sorry to wake you, but I really need to talk to you and maybe you’ll tell me that I’m being stupid but I’d still really like to talk and…” Her rambling trailed off tiredly, and Zene sat still for a moment while waiting for the grey lump to move.
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Posted: Sun Aug 14, 2011 3:19 pm
One, darkly grey colored ear flicked back, having heard the approach of footfalls. As a hunter, the sounds had made her restless, and Fefe had, as usual, picked a spot that was distant, calm, and as far away as possible from early risers.
A literate, "Mmph," was Zene's response and Fefe found herself repressing the low, gutteral growl in her throat which she would have given to a stranger.
"You are terrible, you know that?" Both eyes were open now, and the thickly-muscled lioness was stretching out her front paws and cracking her back. She would pick a different place to sleep tomorrow night. This spot had been poor.
A yawn, then, as she blinked at the stumbling lady. "A'right, A'right. I can see you've got worries." A long sniff, the flick of her tail. Fefe blinked several times, hearing the buzz of morning. The sun was not nearly high enough yet.
"You woke me up, so let's have 'em. My ears are yours. Mostly." Couldn't ever be too careful, no?
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 12:56 pm
He saw it clearer now then he ever had before. Coming here had been a huge risk. They had traveled so far on nothing but his own faith. It would have been reckless on his own but to tie the lives of so many to such a venture was far worse. They could have been turned away by this pride and their king without a single moment of consideration. Nothing could have driven that point home harder then standing in front of Simi, as he had been only minutes before, waiting for his verdict.
It had been good news. You will be granted a provisionary visit. He could barely feel the ground beneath his feet. They could stay. They could sleep, hunt, eat, drink and at the very worst leave with their minds rested and their bodies restored. In the very best case, they would transition into the pride and he would hand his leadership over to Simi then gracefully take some more humble roll.
Out of habit he had taken note, the night before, of where his group was laying down to rest. Without really giving it much thought, he sought out Zene first. He might have thought himself fortunate when he noticed her standing near where she had slept, only she was speaking to a rather sleepy looking Fefe.
His ears fell back against his head and he slowed his pace until his movements could barely be heard. He was only waiting for an opportune moment to enter into the conversation. Yes. That would have to be his excuse.
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 4:43 pm
A soft smile appeared on Zene's face as her friend began to waken, and she stepped back to allow room for Fefe to rise and stretch. "I know, I know," she said in response to Fefe's first words, and though her tone sounded sympathetic the smile remained. She knew Fefe wouldn't let her down, as much as it probably pained the darker lioness to rise before the sun was directly overhead.
"Well, I've been having these feelings of...discontent," Zene started as her friend woke enough to fully process her words. "They started as soon as we arrived in these lands. I haven't been sleeping well at night, and I feel uncomfortable even when everything seems perfectly safe and calm." She dug her claws into the soft earth, taking a short pause before continuing. "I have no idea why I'm feeling this way, not really. The lands appear to be decent, and there's certainly nothing wrong here that's obvious enough to cause such reservations. But my heart is telling me joining this pride was a bad idea."
Looking into Fefe's bright green eyes, Zene shook her sadly before looking down at the dirt in confused shame. "You probably think I'm being silly. I've been a traveler for my entire life, and I do admit it's rather odd to be stationary after so long. The stillness is unsettling. But I don't think my reluctance stems from this, it's something else entirely..." Sighing, Zene blinked at the ground for a moment before rolling her shoulders resolutely and looking onto Fefe's face once again. "I know you may not understand, but I thought it was important enough to tell you. You're a good friend, and smarter than I'll ever be, and maybe you'll be able to help me figure this out."
Zene stood still, her back to the way she had come and unaware of any others lurking about.
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 4:48 pm
Though Fefe was most certainly listening, one part of her mind and one ear processing Zene's words, her other ear was forwards. Their leader in their travels was walking this way, and when she raised her head to make note of him, he seemed to slow to a stop. He seemed confused.
"Discontent," Fefe repeated, taking in a heavy breath and moving her weight so her stance was more comfortable.
"So," Fefe began as Zene was finishing. "Let's go for a good ol' long jaunt tomorrow. Just you n' me. Get some of those travel juices flowin', you know. I need to get away from these. . . " a strong wrinkle of her nose. "Early risers."
A long pause. A sniff. The uninvited lion was still there.
"Hang on a moment, Zene."
"Rude!" It was shouted loudly, over the top of Zene's head, to the pale figure who had wavered beyond. "You think it's cute to eavesdrop, do you? Come here and join us."
She dropped her eyes back down to catch Zene's and raised one brow. It was hard to suppress the crooked smile that parted one, sharp canine on the right side of her face.
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Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 11:23 pm
Zene was discontent? No, that couldn't be true. They hadn't been here that long and, well she just couldn't hate him all that bad. Still, she was feeling much the same way he'd been feeling lately. Why hadn't she said anything? Were the others feeling this way?
He shifted his weight, not paying attention to the noise he made as he did so. Being entirely unaware that Fefe had spotted him as he approached he blamed this little noise on what came next.
"Rude!"
He flattened himself against the ground, looking up through the grass at the two females. Oh this wasn't good. He regained his composure somewhat and stood to face them. They had every reason to scold him for it and that was exactly the treatment he expected. But first...
"I was returning from an audience with the king and I didn't want to interrupt your conversation. We may stay and see how we fit in here. I'd thought it would be welcome," he looked at Zene, "but perhaps not. You're feeling it too?"
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