Welcome to Gaia! ::

Ebere sighed softly as she padded away from the home she shared with her beloved. The sorrow of the pride still weighed heavily on the priestess. So many dead, so many in pain, oh how she wished she could help them!! She couldn't though, and when it got to be to much for her to bare, she would silently slip away to the edge of the jungle to gaze out at the savanah and reflect on her life.

Atheris did not usually leave his brother's side, most especially after they'd left their home pride. But while his brother demanded that there be someone on guard during the day and someone on guard during the night, they were sleeping in shifts. They had done this ever since their departure from their pride, and it was certain that Atheris would get an earful if Asper awoke to find himself alone.

Atheris didn't care. He was so bored, mindlessly peering about the savannah, and so it was nice when Asper finally slept. It meant that Atheris could explore at his leisure, just so long as he was back at their temporary camp before his older brother woke up.

Nearing the edge of a jungle, Atheris slowed. There was a scent, a strange scent, and it was intriguing to the dark-maned lion. If there was someone lurking in the shadows or underbrush, it was obvious that he hadn't noticed.

The closer he got, the easier it would be to see the brightly colored lioness. It wasn't like she blended in to the landscape, not with that coloring. One white rimmed ear twitched as her golden eyes seemed to stare out at nothing.

Canting his head to the side, Atheris drew up closer to the lioness. She was a pretty thing, bright of color, and his eyes were drawn to hers. Taking one more hesitant step closer, he offered her a smile. A charming smile. His voice was calm and almost gentle when he spoke.

"Greetings," he said softly, hoping that she wouldn't lash out and thump him upside the head. Really, he had no clue that he was on pridal territory.

She blinked startled, then a sweet welcoming smile came over her maw. "Well hello there sweetie. Are you lost? It's really not safe for you around here." She totally sounded like a mom, but then that was just how she was, love and welcome for any who needed it.

Atheris chuckled softly, shaking his head. "No, we're not lost." He realized how nutty that might sound and swiftly followed that up with a, "My brother is close. He's just sleeping. I got bored of waiting for him to wake up -- we take shifts being on guard -- so I decided to do a little exploring. Here I am," he finished with a quick bow, still grinning. She seemed friendly enough. That was good.

"Well family is definatly important," She chuckled softly, "I only ask because this is very close to my pride's land. Unfortunatly males are not welcome among us, more so now than ever." Her tone was kind, taking the slight sting from the words.

Atheris tilted his head again at her words. Well, that sounded vaguely familiar. "My home pride was like that. My brother Asper and I left behind our mother and sister and other family. In my home pride, males fight to keep their rank. Asper and I did not want to fight amongst ourselves or our family." He shrugged in a careless way, his eyes sharp on her face.

"Why are males not welcome among you and yours?"

"Ah, I didn't say with me." Ebere teased gently though her eyes were sad as she thought of her pride sisters. "They have never been especially welcomed among we females, but not long ago some very bad things were done to the pride but a group of rouge males. " She didn't have to tell him what a group of males that could overpower whole fighting pride would do to their captives.

Atheris looked vaguely angry at the thought of a pride being victimised by males. He shook his head, never breaking eye contact with the female. "That is terrible. I can understand why your pride would not welcome males, especially after being treated so cruelly." He cleared his throat and looked slightly embarassed before he introduced himself.

"As a show of friendship, I'll give you my name. I'm Atheris. Formerly of the Ongozona'Ke, now general wanderer."

Gold eyes studied him with real warmth as the mint green lioness inclined her head to him. "An honor Atheris. I am Ebere, High Priestess of the Antianeria and consort of Queen Hippolyta." She was not bragging, as both titles were said with such love it was clear that she relished her place within the pride. but more so with her beloved queen.

Atheris's mouth opened and closed a few times, lending him the look of a fish struggling for breath after being jousted from its watery home. His eyes bugged the slightes. A female pride... that mated with other females? It was obviously his first encounter with such a thing, and it was made even more obvious by the ridiculous expression on his features.

"I... am intrigued. I have never heard of females calling other females mate." He wasn't sure what else to say. It didn't bother him, not at all, but he wasn't sure how to ask further questions without offending the lioness Ebere.

Given that she responded with a delighted laugh, it was clear he wasn't going to offend her, "Think nothing of it friend. Growing up neither had I, much less imagined I would one day be one. " She moved slight, nodding her head to indicate he could come sit beside her in the shade.

Atheris eagerly moved into the shade, settling a respectable distance from Ebere.

"Do you mind if I ask questions? I have to admit, the thought makes me curious about your customs." Without waiting for her to give him permission to ask questions, Atheris simply continued on.

"How do you .. well, how do you have a family with your Queen?" It was kind ofa stupid question, but it was the first question that came to mind.

Chuckling faintly, Ebere smiled, "At same way any lioness does, with a male. Among our pride,if a female wishes to have a family, she will leave these lands and go insearch of a sutiable male. Most make note of where they find him, as male cubs once weaned are taken to live with their fathers or with an pride that is friendly with us. " The tip of her tail twitched in remeberance, "I was already with cub when Hippy and I returned with allies to drive the males out."

Atheris wasn't quite sure how to respond. It seemed a delicate topic, true, but Ebere was open and quite easy to talk to. The more he spoke with the lioness, the more curious he became, and by the time they neared her pridal lands, Atheris knew that he would have to bring his brother back to this place. Not to stay, mind, but to help these females in their ah.. delicate tasks. After all, Atheris and Asper were quite healthy, quite able, and Atheris was... quite willing. His brother would likely be something of a spoilsport, but Atheris could convince him.

After all, Asper did consider himself a gentleman.

When it came time to part ways, Atheris moved with a lightness of step. He had just met an amazing lioness, one he'd quickly become fond of, and he couldn't wait to return home to speak to his brother of her.