[FIN] Small Pout (Shangyue & Gairnéad)

[mouselet]

He was well on to his way to making this place a home. He'd become accustomed to the lions here, their traditions, their way of life. Even if some parts still didn't make complete sense (Gairnéad got the feeling that only someone born and raised in the Mwezi'Johari could fully understand their religion) he knew when to smile, nod and be polite.

Mziwanda was off doing...something. He hadn't asked what, given the expression on her face. Like it was some lioness secret. He did not know that much about females. He did not want to know. That was woman territory and the red lion knew better than to stray into it.

So he was sunning himself in the cool green grass, enjoying the day. Later he'd go on duty and patrol the border, but for now his time was his own.  

[mouselet]

One of his biggest accomplishments in becoming a member of the pride was convincing his instincts and reactions to, well, be less highly strung when he was not on duty. Within the pride, there were always lions around of all ages, and Gairnéad had no desire to accidentally injure someone because he'd thought they were sneaking up on him.

So the sounds of someone moving through the grass were normal, were fine, were nothing to be concerned about. The red lion continued dozing without reacting to whoever was nearby.

If they wanted to talk to him, they would. Otherwise, he'd just enjoy the warm sunlight.  

[mouselet]

A cub's voice hailed him. Green eyes blinked and Gairnéad turned to face the small purple lion standing nearby. Purple, huh. He seemed to do a lot of talking with purple lions. It was Mziwanda's main coat color as well, though there weren't, on the whole, a lot of purple lions in the pride. At least, not from what he could tell.

"Hello there, little one," he replied politely. He wondered what the boy wanted from him. On the other paw, it was rather...nice...that a cub could feel so secure in this pride, that he could wander up and speak to a complete stranger.  

[mouselet]

"My name is Gairnéad," the older lion answered. He wondered if even cubs knew just about everyone in the pride. It did make sense...though it was a large pride. At least, it was large to his roguelands sensibility.

"I've only been here for a few moons," he continued, explaining what he could. "It's more of a home than I'd ever had before." Had that been too much for a cub? He really didn't know. His only experience with children to date had been his own youth, which didn't really compare in so very many ways.  

[mouselet]

Well, wasn't he a serious little ball of fluff? Gairnéad couldn't help but feel amused by the cub and found himself smiling at the boy. He could definitely envision so very many children being raised here.

Perhaps those of his own blood?

No, he didn't want to go down that route yet. Or worse, mention such thoughts to Mziwanda. The red lion got the feeling that she would be...excited.

"It is very nice to meet you, Shangyue," he told the boy. The name sounded a bit odd to his ears, but he hadn't been here too long and hadn't yet figured out what was "normal".

So they'd introduced themselves. Now what?  

[mouselet]

The adult cocked his head as he considered what the boy had said. A prince? He was inclined to disbelieve that claim, but what did he know? The boy might be telling the truth. Certainly it would explain why he expected an unknown adult to obey him.

"And why would someone be asking if I'd seen you?" Gairnéad asked in return. It was an honest question. He could think of several reasons, not all of them good, which made his green eyes narrow as he considered the cub in front of him.  

[mouselet]

The maroon lion blinked slowly as he watched the purple cub left abruptly. He...really didn't understand children. He had a suspicion that the boy had lied about at least one thing, but whether that was why someone would be asking after him or his name (or anything in between), Gairnéad simply couldn't tell.

Oh well. If he was asked about the boy, he'd worry about it then. For now, the sun was warm, the grass was soft, and he had time yet before he had to go out to the border.