Nullpunkt stepped from the trees as she finally reached the roguelands, lands she'd never seen except in glimpses and in her mind.
It was very dry and grassy, sheathes of grass whispering voicelessly as they quivered and shook, whispering soft stories of past and possibly future secrets.
Always a whisper.
Nullpunkt walked carefully, not trying to hide her footsteps as she walked, smiling cheerfully as the sun seemed to melt the whispers her mind held for now, melting into non-concern. Peaceful, really. Nullpunkt stretched and soaked up the warmth, before padding out, smiling faintly. Being out FELT better, and the female intended to enjoy herself.
Ifa didn't really mind the rogue lands. Many Jini'Msemi spoke of them with awe, saying the spirits were silent, or spoke of adventure, and the lioness had eagerly awaited her turn to explore, especially following tales of adventure. Ifa grinned, stretching as she trotted at a lope, almost strutting, body language speaking a firm I'm sexy and I know it.
And she didn't mind advertising it. Her dark brown and black pelt reflected nicely in the grass, she felt, the gold matching and she felt stunning. It was nice. The female was quite excited it was so lovely outside the swamps were she could romp and splash in mud that matched and now roam grasses that complimented. Still, she had business out in the roguelands. She had to find out the most important thing of all.
Her adult name, lest some evil spirit decided she was a tasty nomnom snack. Ifa stopped a moment to scratch an inch, and blinked at the deep blue lioness nearby, ears pricking, eyes lighting.
A PLAYMATE!
Nullpunkt was not expecting to be tackled by a lioness out there, let alone one with paws of velvet, claws hidden as she mouthed and pounced like an overgrown cub, Nullpunkt's ears flattening in alarm. Oh.
Oh dear.
This female was FAR more hyper than she was used to, and the lioness blinked, repressing the urge to figyt. Fighting long ago-- others made her so anxious now. Still, she shook herself, blinking as the small female circled, curious.
"Don't you know how to play?" She cocked her head.
Nullpunkt blinked.
Play?
"Oh. ... Sorry. I don't play." She tried regaining her grace, but the confused face of the other made her stop.
"What."
"What.. Do you mean? Everyone's played once in their life."
"Once. But that was my mother and she didn't try to take my head." Nullpunkt snorted. The female stretched.
"Didn't you play with siblings? My name's Ifa, by the way." Ifa purred, smiling happily.
"No. Nullpunkt, by the way." Nullpunkt eyed her, frowning. Ifa sat.
"...Really? And I wasn't trying to take your head! I'm a great pouncer!" As if to demonstrate to the odd blue lioness, she rose, dropping into a playful position. The female danced around her, giggling and squirming as she bounced anjd then wiggled her bottom, pouncing Nullpunkt again. This time, the lioness ducked and rolled, gracefully dodging the younger lioness and shaking.
"H...Hey. Stop that."
Ifa landed, pouting as the miss, and turned, ears back.
"I just wanted to make friends!"
Nullpunkt stopped, blinking, and looked away.
"I'm a monster, you don't want to be friends with that." Nullysniffed. "I hear voi--HEY!"
Nullpunkt gave a start as Ifa approached, nose in her face, examining her critically.
"You got normal teeth, normal whiskers, pretty fur, pretty normal eyes.... So what if you hear a voice? It's probably a loud spirit." She smiled. Nullpunkt didn't look terribly convinced, eying her warily.
"'S a demon."
"Different kind of spirit. Might be a bad one. Where I'm from, they say bad spirits attack people without a good protective name. Do you have your adult name?" Ifa beamed brightly. Nullpunkt stared.
"My name is Nullpunkt."
Ifa mused.
"Well, it sounds long enough-- Oh, no! Are you cursed?!" Immediately the female fussed, worrying. Nullpunkt blinked, ears going back.
"I should hope not!" Nullpunkt leaned back, but Ifa simply smiled, bounding aside.
"Well maybe it's trying! Or you don't really have an adult name yet! I don't, my name is a baby name!" Ifa stopped just a moment.
"You aren't contageous, right?" Ifa tilted her head. Nullpunkt seemed horrifically offended, frowning.
"No."
"Okay then! I can help you go on a proper pilgrimage!"
"WHAT!?" Nullpunkt jumped away from the cheery female, eyes wide. Ifa beamed.
"It'll be fun! Full of surprises! ADVENTUAR!"
"I've had adventure!" Nullpunkt almost hissed. There was no dodging this crazy! Ifa, however, continued to dance.
"More adventuar! With dashing rogues and scaaaandalous late night rondevous!" Ifa sighed dreamily, rubbing. "Pleeeaaase?"
"No." Nullpunkt frowned. Seriously. This lioness was crazy. Ifa, however, put her forepaws on Nullpunkt's shoulders.
"YES. Think of the men! The stories!"
"...You have boys on your brains." Nullpunkt tried shaking her off, frowning. Ifa was not discouraged, pawing.
"It might get rid of that bad spirit!" She insisted. Nullpunkt got a flat look.
"No. It might not. The roguelands might also have bad creatures, with no interest in anything but biting others." Nullpunkt snorted. Ifa shrugged her shoulders.
"At least no hybrids."
"Oh, there could be hybrids. Lots of hybrids." Nullpunkt snorted. "One of my cousins--"
"EW EW EW EW EW EW EW!" Ifa shot back, immediately looking disgusted. "Hybrids are disgusting! Horrible!"
Nullpunkt stared.
Seriously?
"...I see no issue?"
"Hybrids bring curses! Bad luck!" Ifa's eyes got round. "Your auntie is CURSED!"
Nullpunkt stared.
So this lioness was decidedly crazy.
"Well, hybrids are all over. Can't avoid 'em." Nullpunkt nodded. Ifa looked horrified, as if someone tried offering bad meat.
"But.. That's... That's... ABOMINATION." The female recoiled slightly from Nullpunkt, amusing the older female some. Ifa eyed her, huddling into a ball of unhappiness.
"Why would anyone sleep with a non-lioooon..." She whimpered some. Nullpunkt chortled.
"Love. Profit. Cubs. Some don't think hybrids abomination." Nully smiled. Ifa seemed to shrink, frowning.
"Hybrids don't normally breed. They're cursed."
"Some can." Nullpunkt shrugged. "No need to be closed minded."
Ifa frowned, looking indignant now as she looked away. After a moment, she seemed to redouble her effort, grabbing Nullpunkt's ear. Immediately she yeowled as Ifa pulled, Nullpunkt painfully pulled along.
"The heeeeeeell!?"
"Come on. Like I said before. Pilgrimage!"
Nullpunkt scowled, frowning.
Sometime... She had to ditch this loony. Ifa just beamed, dragging and eventually herding Nullpunkt along. This, this was good.
