Prometheus stood on the edge of the Pridelands, staring out into the vastness of it all and wondering if he should possibly stay. Wandering hadn't fared him well. What with the constant hunger, no company, no lands to return to and no family to call his own. He had shown Kishi the way here once, but decided it best to take his leave soon after, instead of staying. Now... he was lonely again. Yes, he might as well try and stay, perhaps a local would show him the ropes, bring him in and save him from the awkward trouble of scatterbrained thoughts and awkward conversations.
"Oh shoot!" A feminnine voice rose from the quiet, sounding rather frustrated. If he followed the sound he would be greeted to a rather..sad sight. The lionness in question was rather petite and delicatly built. The sad part came in though watching her scramble after the rabbit in question who seemed to know it was in no danger and was taunting the inept lioness.
Xho groaned in defeat and just laid there after the third time she faceplanted over her own feet. Atleast face down in the dirt she didn't have to see the rabbit laughing at her...only had to hear it.
Prometheus' ears perked at the sound of the lioness's voice. What was wrong that caused her to sound so frustrated? Moving his body forward, he slowly crept closer and closer to the sound, until at long last he was faced with what looked to be a failed huntress and her game taunting her for it. To be honest, he had to keep a snicker from escaping his mouth as he watched onward. However, the more the rabbit taunted, the angrier he became.
Suddenly moving forward, he felt his body start to rush, mane fluttering in the wind as he readied his claws for an attack, one that would hopefully full on maul the creature. How rude it was for an herbivore to laugh at a new hunters failure!
Xho's head came up when the rabbit gave a squeal of fear when the massive male caught it. Her orange-gold eyes blinked as she stared at the big male startled by his sudden appearance but smiles all the same.
Green-gold eyes glittered with empathy as he slowly moved the rabbit towards the lone lioness. Then slowly, a smile pulled itself onto his face. "At first, it was sort of cute seeing you mess up. However, that rabbit was being rude... and you are probably hungry too."
Sitting down now, the golden-maned lion looked his female companion up and down. Her soft brown fur appealing to his eyes and a reminder to his old company, Kishi. Perhaps she was part of the pride?
"I am Prometheus, who are you? And..." Looking around the area he noticed no one else around. "...Why are you all the way out here?"
When she got to her feet the impression of youth was still there, but the width of her hips and the still slight softness of the fur on her stomach stated it hadn't been too long since she had been with cub. "Thank you very much sir."
When the rabbit was in range, she swiped out wit her claw quickly ending it's life before looking up at him with a sweet smile and bright eyes. "I am Xho, it is a pleasure to meet you Prometheus." She chuckled weakly, " Well I was trying to hunt...you can see how well that went."
This one had been pregnant recently? She seemed a little young in his opinion, however it wasn't unheard of. A question sprang into his mind though, where was her mate? Surely they would have recognized that she wasn't exactly the best at hunting, all things considered.
"Everyone needs some practice. Are you of these lands, Xho?" Prometheus looked passed the lioness and towards Pride rock, enjoying how massive it truly was. Perhaps he could join her on a walk back to the area?
Xho smiled at him brightly "aye it is. I am one of my sons have just arrived recently."
Mirroring the emotion that Xho so generously radiated out, Prometheus moved a bit closer, it was unintentional, but this lioness seemed to have a pull. "Would you like help with hunting a few more rabbits then? Perhaps I could even help bring dinner back with you. Of course so long as your mate would be alright with that."
Perhaps it was a bit rude of him to think that she had a mate of her own, but it was better than thinking she was a whore or possibly... No, he didn't even want to think about that. Such a sweet innocent lioness. That he could tell. Nothing like that could happen to her.
"Have you been in these lands long, Xho?"
"Oh I have no mate," She laughed happily, "Their father was a good friend who was just as lonely as I. He wanted to share his life with cubs but felt he had nothing to offer a mate." Her smile was clearly fond but not in love with the sire of her family. "So we had a family and when they were weaned two of my boys chose to stay with their father and little Chakla came with me."
Her orange eyes brightened when he offered to help her hunt, " I would greatly appreciate the help. I have only settled in recently myself so I do not wish to burden anyone with being useless."
Her ears flicked back a moment before she covered it with a shrug. Apparently it was something she had heard quiet often before.
He was a bit taken aback at the new of her not having a true mate. However he couldn't help but smile at her for being so kind to the lion that had helped create her children. So she was selfless and kind? Wonderful. Perhaps he had been in luck to run into a lioness like this one. A friend. A well deserved and well needed friend. He needed more of them after all.
"That is a shame, you seem... rather kind in my opinion. I am certain you will make a lion proud when you do find someone." Picking himself up to stand tall, the golden-maned lion scanned the area. There were more rabbits about the area, however chasing several rabbits to feed himself, Xho and her child didn't seem like the smartest decision. So instead, he looked further, towards the herd of zebra.
"How about I teach you how to hunt zebra? One of those would feed all three of us easy. And even have some meat to spare!"
Xho ducked her head with a look of chargin. "Considering how big a failure I am at just rabbits, do you really think it is a good idea to pit me against something that three times larger than I am?"
It was a valid question since she was more of a danger to herself than to the prey and add in something large and capable of fighting back...
Prometheus snorted, she wouldn't be any good attacking the zebra, no, however her body and appearance was still scary enough to freak the creature out. "You don't have to take it down, only scare it to me."
Perhaps she would understand what he was saying with that? If not, he would go for the small rabbits. However annoying it would be to chase a few of them down.
"And I can always help you. I... think I might settle down here. So.. Ya'know... you can ask me for help too."
She tilted her head confused for a moment then brightened "Oh! So I just need to make them run towards you!" In truth Xho was a rather simple creature. Beautiful yes, very friendly but not the brightest around. Few though seemed to bothered by her simpleness given the sheer happiness and good nature she brought to everything around her.
"Exactly." The yellow-maned lion replied, eyeing the black and white herd that was enjoying the grasslands. This would be very easy now. All he had to do was watch the creatures and see just who was where and pick out one of the sick ones to scare. A circle of life, the ill would be killed by the strong to keep them strong.
"Come, I shall show you the ropes. And when I am not around remember this. Groups are always better to hunt in than alone." Starting on his way, Prometheus picked up the hare and slowly trotted towards the herd. Always staying sharp eyed and aware.
So this... this would be what it was like living in the Pride Lands. Yes... he wanted to live here and would definitely ask permission to do so after the hunt. "Rephy Zoh?"
Xho giggled happily as she raced after the larger male. She couldn't believe she had made a new friend and one as nice as Prometheus! Why he was even willing to spend time and help her learn to be a better hunter!
[FIN - WORD COUNT 1516]
