A šum - -_Wish of the Goddess_-
&
Diĝir - Das Tor
Diĝir was finding herself ever increasingly grateful she had not contracted the Bar. And she relayed that thanks to the gods every day, especially now that the gods had seen fit to give them a home. It was...a harsh one, but they would survive. Survive and thrive, should the gods decree it. The Elder shook herself as she rose from her early-morning prayers, letting her nose lead her to one of the small spring-fed watering holes scattered about the den area. She knew others would be up by now, training and hunting and getting used to the lay of the land. And she herself was getting used to the size of herself. She'd grown into it not long ago, and she was still a little...awkward in her own skin.
In the early mornings like this, the Elder Fighter often found herself needing to get out of her den, and away from most of the noise. Her prayers were said by the side of one of the watering holes, and as her paws stretched into the earth, she enjoyed the quiet that came with being up with the dawn. A šum found herself enjoying their new home, and the silence and peace that came with it, and when she heard pawsteps coming up near her, those dark eyes turned, a smile lighting them as she saw none other than one of her fellow Elders, "Diĝir~!" She cooed, trotting over to her, "Good morning."
The earth-colored lioness raised her head to A šum's greeting, smiling at the younger Elder. Ah...it was good to have company. Diĝir nodded her head in greeting. "Good morning, A šum. The gods' blessings on you. Did you sleep well?" She hoped so. Some of the youngsters hadn't been sleeping well in their new home, likely trying to adjust. And, of course, trying to fend off nightmares. Many of them still remembered the horrible sight of what the Bar had done to their parents.
The female looked down at her paws at the question of whether or not she'd slept well. That was true, that most young ones still did not rest easy, and A šum was among them. Licking her paw, she sighed, "Gods willing, I will soon. The memory of the Bar is still fresh in my mind, and I can only pray that though I will never forget, I will soon be able to rest easy." Her eyes closed as she ran her paw over her face, before lowering her maw to drink slowly. Once her head was raised again, her eyes turned to the elder, "And you? I hope you were at least able to rest well."
Ah...so her companion was among those plagued by the nightmares. "I hope you are able to rest easy soon as well." Diĝir placed a paw on one of A šum's. "I've slept well enough the last couple of nights...but I know the nightmares may still return." She prayed they would not, however. She prayed fervently they did not. The pride needed at least one of its Elders well-rested.
She nodded, stretching, "At least I still manage to rest enough to be well and ready for my duties." She intoned, shaking out her pelt as she saw that some of the fighters were about and ready to begin training in their new home, "Hopefully....I will do the Gods justice in our new home...." There were times that the lioness worried that she might be cause for the Bar to fall again, should she fail in her duties.....
Diĝir nodded. "That's good." If the other hadn't gotten enough sleep...unfortunately, there was too much to be done. "I pray we do so as well. This is a much harsher home than our last...but..." She smiled slightly. "We shall survive. It will simply remind us that we cannot afford to turn away from the gods. That they are the ones who provide us with life."
"I pray such is the case." Stretching again, she smiled, "But we shall always remember what happened the last time we turned our backs on the Gods. I will not do so again.....Not when the memory of this haunts my mind." A šum seemed so sure, "I will not allow my Pride to be hit with such a horror again." Her will was strong, put into every word. "Would you like to come help me with training this morning?"
The lioness nodded. Yes...they would never allow such a tragedy to happen again. "We shall make sure the pride stays loyal to the gods. We are living proof that they are merciful, and know we can stay on the right path." She smiled at her companion. "I can, indeed. I need to get further used to my grown body." She shook a paw. "I'm afraid I'm still not entirely used to it."
She nodded, standing again, "Perhaps we could spar then? I know that it sounds odd, but it does help to spar to get used to one's new form." Her paws stretched, digging into the earth, claws out only for a moment, "Claws retracted of course, as I wouldn't want to hurt you." Her grin was innocent. "But I've been itching to test out my own limits on this new terrain."
Diĝir chuckled. "You? Hurt me? I'm more afraid of hurting you, A šum!" She didn't know her own strength still. It wouldn't do to hurt their Elder Fighter. "Well...you are right, however. The best way to get used to it is to test its limits." She bowed and motioned towards the sparring grounds. "Shall we, once we've had drinks?" It was a bad idea to spar thirsty.
A šum nodded, lowering her head to the watering hole and taking slow, deliberate drinks from the water. There.....this was helping greatly. It tasted better than the water back home, almost as if the Gods were showing them that this was indeed the true land for them to share. Tail flicking she stretched once more, before padding for the sparring grounds, watching to ensure that her fellow elder was following.
Diĝir quenched her own thirst before moving to follow A šum. This was home...and they would overcome their past and survive here. The two of them would help ensure that. But first...it was time to adjust to her grown body.
