The days seemed to get hotter and rise with more tension with the Hongshan refugees and the dispersal of their resources. It was the striped black lion's job to hunt for his pride, but also seek out water along the way. He had done so for what seemed like years now, even though it had been that way for just a season or so. Still, it had been very long, and he was tiring now, starting to question some of the things he did or thought. Was it right to equally distribute their resources? He was strong enough to survive with his small share, but others, old veterans, some who didn't have as bulky of a body as he did might not have been able to withstand the disparity.He would have gone with the decision either way; he was simply a lion who listened to his superiors, knowing that good would rise from that, especially with the leadership of Kidondo and No. The tension from the Hongshan made things seem a little off, and so he avoided them as much as he could; he just stuck to his duties, going out, coming back in with what little he found.
Now was one of those times. with a hanging hare pelt in his mouth, he trudged towards the heart of the pride, where he could place this small find to be shared with the rest of the pride. It had barely reached its teenage years, and as such, was worth barely a few bites of meat. But still, it was something.
Despite the current plague of hardships the Firekin were wading through, Siri'wasii still found herself attached to this place. If she wasn't attached, she would have searched for lands more bountiful. But, this was where one stage of her life had ended, and another began. She had lost her mate, had lost her son, and while she grieved for them both in different ways it did not cloud her mind to reality. Siri had a new home, and while she had not been born in the pride, over the seasons she felt like she belonged.And really, it would be shameful of her to neglect the fact that most firekin males were her kind of lion. It had been long enough for Siri'wasii to move on from her past love, though in reality she had moved on fairly quickly. She had loved her mate, but he was dead, and letting herself be dragged down by sorrow would do no good for his memory. Siri'wasii knew how to presevere, mentally and physically. She had to cope with an arid environment, a drought, and all sorts of trouble the Firekin seemed bound to find.
She was holding up exceptionally well, thank you very much. Siri was within the center of the pride, laying next to a rock for the little shade it provided. Truthfully, she wouldn't have missed the white striped lion even if her back had been turned to him. She had a radar, sixth sense for these sorts of things. A) Male Lion and B) Food. However, she was not so hungry that she'd take a meal away from someone else so she could center her focus on one aspect.
It was a hot boy! Ahem. Handsome male. She believed she could even recall his name - most of the pridal faces were familiar, even if she only talked to a few (and most of those were males too - whoops). "Mng'arizo!" she called to him, hoping to distract him from his duty for a little bit.
When Mng'arizo arrived at the center of the pride, he paid no heed to whoever or whatever had been nearby - he was so narrowly focused on the task at hand, and that was to deposit his kill where it could be shared. It took more than a few seconds for him to even register the fact that someone had called out to him, specifically. He blinked, bringing his face to spot the rather familiar and yet, strange lioness who beseeched him. She had been around the pride ever since he knew, and he grew up practically knowing the stories that unfolded around that particular lioness. Widow. Adopted mother of the murderer who killed her mate. It was all... very political. Mng'arizo did not involve himself with affairs like that. He made it a point to stay away from messes that disrupted his duties to the pride.
Surely enough, this lioness had greeted him on several occasions, but none were significant. She seemed to be inclined to be friendly to many, but he didn't poke his nose into it. Perhaps she was just a friendly lioness. Sure, he heard rumors, but had forgotten them all due to simply no concern.
He figured he should stop by and give her some attention. It was the least anyone could do... After all these seasons, being widowed and staying postiive in spite of a harrowing legacy, Siri'wasii was keeping herself from being a burden to the pride. That was admirable in itself. So, after arriving a good space away from her perch, he dropped the hare that had been in his maw and gave a small, short dip of the head.
"Siri'wasii. How are you today, miss?" he asked plainly, no hint of expression in his silver eyes.
A less determined lioness would likely be disappointed by the look in Mng'arizo's eyes, which was to say that there was none. He was acting as she suspected anyone would when being called out by a relative stranger. Likely, he planned to pass on some pleasantries before moving on to his next duty. Siri'wasii would consider it admirable if she didn't want his company for a little while. It was a good trait, but bothersome. She just wanted to flirt a little, okay? Those rumors definitely had a large basis of truth behind them.
Siri'wasii was just going to have to try and get his attention. "I am well," and a small light came to her eyes at being called 'miss'. So proper! And far better than being called ma'am. It was also a good sign that he remembered her name. He knew enough about her to recall her name, though she imagined he didn't exactly hear the most charming rumors, unless he was a promiscuous young male. Siri imagined she would have picked up on that trait by now, though.
"A small kill today, then?" she inquired, gesturing to the rabbit. She didn't necessarily say it to be cruel, but rather to drive some response out of him that had a little more life than his greeting did. Either his kill reflected his prowess as a hunter or how badly the lands were suffering - Siri'wasii imagined it the latter, but was curious to see how Mng'arizo would react.
Despite the fact that she seemed overly joyed at seeing him, Mng'arizo didn't give it a second thought. It was odd, however, because most lions from the pride, especially in these dire times, preferred to offer another tone of voice or attitude when addressing him, if at all. Most just knew to mind their own business, because he had his.
"Good, then," he replied, "In these times of shortage it is good to have one less starving body. Keeping yourself healthy especially after..."
He paused, shaking his head in shame at himself; he didn't mean to bring that up. She probably didn't mind, as she probably got that often enough from more talkative and gossipy lions.
"It was the only thing around that I saw on my path," he said, flatly again.
So she wanted to make small talk. Either that, or offer an insult to him and his hunting duties. Surely he was not the best of hunters, but he was up there, and he knew goodness would come from his hard work.
"I imagine I'll go out again in another direction. Speaking of I assume you have finished your assignments, otherwise you would be doing similar, Siri'wasii?"
Siri'wasii arched a brow - while she didn't mind touching that subject, she found it odd that he would almost bring it up and then steer away from it. So, he had definitely heard a thing or two about her, or at least about how she came about living in the Firekin. He must have thought it rude to bring it up, even after so much time had passed. Time did tend to help heal the wounds, didn't he know that? "I know how to take care of myself," she replied, avoiding drawing him down that path of conversation.
"Well, then it is a good thing you caught it. I imagine it would have been embarrassing to let the only thing you've seen all day get away from you..." she smiled, assuming that he had taken insult to her words. Insults were easy to smooth over, though, and Siri'wasii considered herself to be very good at it.
Oh, dear, he certainly was the serious type. Her smile waned subtly, and with a soft sigh she rose onto her feet. "I was taking a mild break. I had most of my assignments done. Perhaps it would put your mind at ease to see that I finish the rest of them?" She was inviting him along with her, in a sort of tone that was far more playful than serious.
After reaffirming the fact that she was doing well on her own despite all she went through, Mng'arizo nodded to that, thinking to perhaps offer a word of encouragement or praise. But it didn't seem like she needed it. Instead, he didn't press on, knowing that some subjects were taboo for these first conversations with an acquaintance.
When she rose up, though, he stepped back, wondering if he provoked something he shouldn't have. He never understood what was going on in the minds of these females. Perhaps it was better that way.
He also wasn't sure if her query was that of an offer or request. He stared at her, this time with an obviously curious look. Well, he didn't mean to imply that she needed to be scolded into doing work, but if she asked in that tone...
"I see no problem in a collaborative effort," he responded with that firm expression of his.
"The heat will still be high and worse out there, and it looks like it won't get better anytime soon. I hope you... will be okay?" he expressed his concern, looking over her dark red form while considering her hunting prowess.
If her hunting skills were as good as her talking skills, perhaps they would yield some fine results.
Siri'wasii sighed again, a little in disbelief that he wasn't really picking up on the tone of her voice. With another male, she could see things playing out far more quickly and in a far different direction (and better). But, Mng'arizo wasn't another male. At the very least, she could practice flirting on him while she actually got some work done. He was a bit of a challenge, and well, she wanted to see if she could get him to look more at ease for even a few seconds.
His expression was so serious! She kind of liked it, actually. "It'll make things more interesting, at least. I'm sure even you get bored by going through the same repetitive motions day by day." Siri'wasii stretched carefully as he continued to talk, just in case she actually had to hunt. He seemed like the type that pictured this just as a hunting trip, while Siri'wasii only saw it as an opportunity for more interaction.
By the gods, the lion needed to have a little imagination!
"I will be fine. Besides, I have you to watch my back, don't I? I'm sure you won't let me die of heat exhaustion." She began to walk away, expecting him to follow. They had 'hunting' to do afterall. She rolled her eyes, fairly sure he couldn't see the gesture, and led the way out of the heart of the pride.
Mng'arizo was a bit perplexed by her words and her sighs, but none of it invited a question or remark from him. All he knew was that they would now hunt together, and two pairs of eyes were better than one. Sure, he hunted a few times with his brothers, and he hoped she not do anything to hinder their mission.
"I will make sure no harm comes to you, Siri'wasii," he nodded honestly, following after her.
But within a few steps, he was at her side, getting a brief glimpse of her body as he slid into his position. She was definitely smaller than him, yes, but he could tell this lady was perfectly capable and perhaps even stronger than some of the other females he knew in this pride. There were those able to physically display their assets well, but SIri'wasii... To go through the physical feats of the Firekin and come through her own trials of another nature and come out like this? He suddenly realized how impressive it must be to stick to one's duty to the pride after going through all of that.
Silently she was sure that she could take care of anything that he could. The only thing they had to worry about was someone tripping over their own legs. While Siri thought this, she didn't voice it, mostly because she believed that it likely made Mng'arizo feel good to play the defender. Siri knew how to play to a lion's ego, or at least knew when to back down and let a man be a man. She wasn't incapable of taking care of herself, but her focus was usually on other and far more interesting things.
"And I will make sure no harm comes to you," she teased, a playful light in her eyes as he came to walk beside her. He was larger, and well, the type of lion that Siri'wasii could die for the chance to spend a few intimate...
Gods, no wonder there were so many rumors about her. She couldn't help it that physical comfort was what helped her best. And he'd be so suited for it, too! ... if he wasn't so gods be damned serious.
