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 Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:02 pm
Today was no different then any other day for the lioness. Her skin was drying and even the salves she could find were not helping as much as she would have liked. A string of curses came out from under her breath, cursing the volcano that had enabled her sister to cause her burns and her sister for actually being the one to burn her. Now every day of her life, her body was in pain. Maya's eyes narrowed at the horizon ahead of her. Maybe today would be the day she actually found someone that could ease the pain of her wounds. She had met several nice lions through her wandering, one of which had offered a slight relief to the dryness but nothing permanent, nothing that would last. A sigh escaped Maya's mouth as her paws walked lightly over the grasslands. Perhaps there was nothing that could truly be done about her condition. With her eyes looking forwards and to her sides, watching warily should her old sister choose to show herself. Luckily and unknowingly to her, Xibalba had no plans on revisiting her old sister any time soon. The goddess had...other business that kept her occupied.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:21 pm
 Tichaona took time from his survey of his territorial lands to stop and perfect his appearance. His chilly eyes looked out on the land from his chosen spot of shade. Things had been going rather okay for a time being. Mweyne was around less and less, as though he were on the verge of death (a wonderful notion) and he had not too long ago fathered a litter by his consort of sorts. The only unfortunate part of that was that the first born took more after his mother, and was a paler sort of cub. No one would know that he declared the second born, one who looked far more like him, wasn't really due his father's position later in life. The lion was always in the market to pass on more of his lineage; however, as of late not many prospects had made themselves known. Hence the reason he was out in the heat instead of sending a guard. Satisfied with his work of grooming for now, he lazily crossed his paws. His head picked up and his interest peaked when he saw a form approach. The fit male heaved himself up and trotted towards the figure, noticing as he got closer that it was a female form. Delightful! And what a lovely dark coat (because it reminded him of his). But even closer, he noticed a malady to this lioness. He slowed in his step, less confident. What was wrong with her?
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 8:36 pm
Maya on the otherhand had no children. Having never been with a man that could stand her looks long enough to even consider the notion. She was getting there in age and knew that she only had maybe a few more good years before either age or her now goddess sister took her life. Perhaps age itself is what caused her to be unaware of the other male that came trotting towards him until he was almost upon her.
Bright green eyes blinking, her eyesight coming back into focus as he grew nearer. "Hello sir." She greeted, her voice quiet, unsure about the male in front of her. Despite meeting several males, her mother had always taught her to be cautious, but yet respectful to her. Especially ones that shared a similar brown coat to that of her father. Her ears turned back and her expression sunk. He had slowed. He likely saw the scars that remained from the burns that had seared her fur off. Perhaps taking the pelt of one of her kills was in order to make an attempt of hiding her shame. The lioness made a mental note to do that or seek out another who made a living crafting such things.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:00 pm
The lion didn't cease his approach. He just paused before answering, to better take in the looks of this lioness. It looked like her scarring was from an injury. Probably wouldn't be the best way to start off a conversation to ask her about it. But the parts of her that were un-scarred were quite beautiful. His eyes softened as he looked at her patterning. "Good day, fair lady." He bowed his head to the lioness. She didn't seem unhealthy and she was (save for the scarring) a pretty-coated lioness. Manners were in order. If he could discern that her wounds were from an accident and not from any sort of heredity or the marks of an ailment, then perhaps she showed great strength and endurance and could be a perfect vessel for an heir. Kefilwe was great and all, and they'd had a considerable-sized litter, but her build was slighter, her coat plain.
"I welcome you to my lands. Would you like to share some shade?" He gave her a smile and motioned towards the shade of his tree. See? He could do endearing. In the shade he would hopefully get her feeling more comfortable and could do more probing about this visitor to his lands.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:13 pm
Manners! What a shock. Finding someone with them out here was something she had not expected to find. Most males she had met seemed to except a few that had chased her from her own kills. His kindness was a pleasant change from that. Maya nodded, "Thank you, sir." was her thanks before she started making her way towards his tree. The shade was definitely something that she needed greatly. Walking she could take and same went for the heat. Her exposed skin on the otherhand could not. Once she had settled on the dried grass and made sure that she was finally out of the shade she spoke again.
"So these are your lands? They are quite nice. I apologize if I am intruding on them though." Despite his kindness, the brown lioness was not foolish. She did not want to impose on a lion's lands and end up incurring his wrath for accidently crossing him or his culture.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:27 pm
Tichaona was even so kind as to give the lioness a smile. "You're quite welcome- and I mean that in that you are welcome to stay here for a while. You see, there's a bit of a pride, or at least an alliance of families of lions who have chosen to live in each other's company. I lead these families with another lion, as kings of sorts."
He did his best to sound humble. Well, at least sorta humble. He did want to make an impression on her. "And if I say that you're not intruding; you're not." He casually crossed his paws and flicked his tail. "But do you mind if I ask you something? I'd love to know what brought you to my lands."
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:35 pm
The female listened to him explain his home, his pride and what he did there for a moment, but the moment he asked why she was there, she turned away as if almost in shame. It was a valid question though. She had encroached on a leader's lands and he was wanting to know why she was there. "I suppose the easiest way to explain is that I'm searching. " Maya turned her head upward toward the leaves of the tree that covered them. "My sister gave me these burns. I've been looking for a proper healer for the longest time to try and see if there's any hope of regaining my former glory, my full coat. But given that it's been years and still I have these, I doubt even the most experienced of healers could do much for me."
It wasn't much of a reason but it was something at least. It was better then telling him the tale of her now-god sister which would surely cause him to chase her from his lands.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:48 pm
Oh, absolutely delightful! A story behind her scars and that they were burns. So her blood was good, strong, even, to have survived such trauma. Tichaona began to find her all the more fascinating. His face gave that away slightly. "I'm sorry I can't offer you what you're looking for, or even a good healer. However, I'd love to extend to you a place to stay if you ever grow weary from your travels, think of it as a home you can return to. If you're hungry, we have excellent hunters and dens that are cool during the day and warm at night." - Especially if you share one with me, he thought.
Already the king was developing a plan for this lioness that would suit him, and maybe her, he supposed. "I'm Tichaona, I'm sorry I didn't properly introduce myself earlier." He subtly placed a paw closer to hers. "Would you do me the honor of seeing the heart of my lands this evening and sharing a dinner?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 9:56 pm
Maya was absolutely thrilled that she was actually going to possibly get a nice den for the night. It would at least get her out of the open grasslands if nothing else. Though she was far too excited of getting a proper meal in her belly to notice his expression changing at all, though she did notice when his paw moved slightly towards her. "An honor, Tichaona. I am Maya," the lioness replied after he introduced himself. "And of course. It would be my pleasure to accompany you." Why was it that she had such trouble saying no to him? To anyone else she would have denied their request and turned to leave the lands. Perhaps it was that charm or his offer of shelter before even knowing who she was or her intentions. Regardless, she would sleep well that night.
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Posted: Sat Jan 07, 2012 10:04 pm
A more genuine smile poured itself onto Tichaona's face - a rare sight. Tonight he would see that she had a den nearby to his (unless, of course she wanted otherwise and was willing to share). He felt from this lioness' demeanor that it would be better to broach things more slowly and gingerly, as he could tell her scars reflected a damage inside, but as she was traveling and searching, there was a sense of urgency in the back of his mind. He was never one for forcing a lady to do anything against her will, but if he gave her a reason (or a litter of reasons) to stay longer, well then all the better.
"Well, Maya, why don't we just head there now? There are plenty of pride members I'd love to introduce you to." He'd mention his cubs in a forthcoming conversation. He stood and started off in the direction of his home, Maya in tow, and thoughts racing. How interesting.
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