Bro’dee was happy to see that Arisia listened- she hadn’t come with him to be a bit of a bother. She was restless, and he understood that, but he was worried she might exacerbate her wounds if she got up too early. So he was happy to be the one to have a look around the area, even if he didn’t have the same motivations as his friend. She wanted to find the guy who hurt her so she could kick his a**. Meanwhile, he wanted to not find the guy so she wouldn’t place herself in danger again. If he managed to sneak around and not sense anyone in the area, he would be one happy cheetah. He had hope things would work out how they were supposed, though, regardless of the path it took to make that happen. In the end, all would be well.
He just had to believe.
So he moved along the forest floor, looking around as though he wanted to find someone- even if he didn’t, he would do everything in his power to help his dear friend. If this was what she wanted, then… he would do everything in his power to help her.
Then, he smelled it- a familiar scent. It was similar to the one he had scented when he first met the lion, which led him to believe the dreaded beast was indeed in the area still, much to his dismay. Perhaps fate wanted them to meet again- he hoped it would all work out. Frowning, he took a moment to debate his options. If he spoke to this lion, perhaps he could get him to change his way- to embrace hope and give up on hurting others for no reason. If he could just do that, then maybe he would be able to keep his friend from having to take her revenge. They could all travel together, perhaps, as friends looking to help those around them. He had some wild hopes, it seemed, but he always held to them, no matter the cost.
Sighing softly, working up his courage, he decided to risk it for the sake of hope- he ventured forward and followed the scent to his source. A large, black lion sitting near a small body of water, having himself a nice drink. At first, it did seem to be the lion he had been searching for, Bro’dee bracing himself as he moved into the clearing. However, when the male turned his head, Bro’dee could see that he had been wrong. This was not the same lion at all.
His eyes were much too kind, and his markings were only similar, not exactly the same.
“Excuse me,” Bro’dee offered with an apologetic nod, “I thought you were someone else… I apologize for my overly cautious approach.”
“Bit lion, black and gray? Green eyes?” The unknown lion asked.
“I thought you might know- you smell a lot like him. Is it possible you two are related?” He asked lightly. The male gave a reluctant nod, sitting himself down once more and inviting Bro’dee to join him.
“Yes, unfortunately, the male is my father. I have been hunting for him to keep him from killing my brother, Jeraha. It’s… kind of a long story,” he huffed. Bro’dee sat down beside him, offering a smile that suggested he had the time to listen to a tale. So the lion continued. “Well… my name is Abin. I was the second litter born to Angusho, the male you saw. He killed my mother and left my siblings and I to die, though most of us managed to find families and survive. He did not care about us. Years later, I decided to look for him, and when I found him I discovered, without telling him who I was, that he was looking for a sole surviving cub of his first litter, whom he hated far more than any of us. He wants to kill him, this lion named Jeraha, and my brother in blood. I decided right then not to allow him to do it- I want to find Jeraha and stop Angusho before he hurts anyone else. Since you looked so tense… I assume I’m not doing a great job of that. I’m sorry. He wounded me in that confrontation and managed to slip away. I am slowly trying to catch up to him again.”
“It’s okay,” Bro’dee said, “you quest is noble and you are very brave to want to stop someone so dangerous. I wish I could tell you where he went, but unfortunately… I do not know.”
“Then I have lost him again,” sighed Abin, “seems the only thing I do conistently.”
“Give not into despair- there is yet hope,” he said lightly, “I may not know where your Angusho is, but Jeraha is a name I’m familiar with as well. Had I known that was the lion he was after, I might have acted sooner. I can tell you where he is, if you wish to find him and confront your father together.”
The lion lit up, getting to his feet. “What? You know my brother? What does he look like? Where is he? Is he well? I don’t know what to say! I have yet to meet him, but I’m really looking forward to it!”
“He is a lion who has been through much in his life,” Bro’dee said, “but there is great hope in him. He is a good lion. Brave, much like you. He is gray and black, with green in his mane and a strange symbol on his paw. His eyes are green, just like his father’s, but they hold none of the rage behind them. You will probably know him when you see him, but if you do not, know he has a large amount of scars on his back. It is clear his life has not been kind to him.” He smiled faintly, feeling sorry for the conflicted lion he had once met. Abin nodded along, drinking in every last ounce of information.
“Thank you- this is a big help. I will be able to reach Jeraha before my father, now.”
“And I will be able to tell my friend, who was wounded by your father, that her revenge will be unneeded- I’m sure you will deal with your father in whatever way you feel just. I have hope things will all work out. The Gods blessings go with you on your journey.”
“Thank you- I’m going to get going right now. May we meet again, and with good news to share! I will see you soon, my new friend.”
“Farewell, Abin.”
