Awendela was as happy as a peach this festival season, and as much as she feared public interaction, the lioness was sad to see it come to an end. She had seen cubs playing with others from different clans, matings celebrated, and new blood brought into the pride. Azria had even joined! Just thinking about him, and the way he fought in the 'tournament' sent shivers down her spine. Why, and there had even been an entire pride that had come to stay with them for a while.
It just didn't get any better than that.
"Hello, how are you?...Are your cubs well? ...Don't put too much weight on that limp; just rest up, I can hunt for you..."
Just a few days into his joining and Hakizimana was already a fully lit star. He flittered from lion to lion, chatting and learning as much as he could before the clans split off. It was kind of amazing; they were all so very different, yet so alike. His heart was practically soaring into the clouds on wings of utter excitement.
And when he came across the little dark lioness he couldn't help, but smiling. She looked so at peace with the world.
"Hello!" Hakizi chirped, gallivanting over to her without a care in the world about personal space.
Awendela felt herself shrink up as soon as she noticed the lions attention was directed at her. When she turned to get a good look at him she noticed his height and bulk, but…well, he wasn’t as large as Azria, was he?
“H-hello. Can I help you?”
“Nah, I don’t think so, unless, you don’t mind talking to me for a spell.” Hakizimana smiled as bright as the sun’s rays themselves. He either didn’t notice or care for the smaller females cautiousness. He merely walked a little closer and plopped himself down next to her.
“I guess I can do that.” She took a deep breath and settled herself stoically. There weren’t many rogues that she knew of outside of her own family, so the size was a little intimidating and so was his air of familiarity.
“Great! So, what’s your name? And your clan? Sorry if these seem kind of rude, but I’m new, if you didn’t guess that already, and I’m a little lost. “ Lost didn’t even begin to cover it. He couldn’t seem to get his bearings and as sociable as he was, making his way in a new place was harder than it looked.
Seeing that, Awendela softened considerably and tried to loosen up as best as she could. “Once we split off it won’t seem that bad, really. It’s easy to get lost in the festivities even if you’ve been part of the clans your entire life.” She could attest to that, very easily. “My name is Awendela Kalisetsi, and I’m from the Mantis clan. You…you wouldn’t happen to be part of our clan, would you?” If he was, she could point him in the way of her siblings, who would be of much more help than she could ever hope to be.
He tried not to, but it was hard to keep the frown from his maw. “No, afraid I’m of the Bird clan now. The name’s Hakizimana, by the way, and it’s really nice to meet you, even if it won’t be for long.” Shuffling from side to side, he gave the female a good once over and clucked his tongue. “Hey, how come you’re out here all by yourself, anyway? There’s so much going on, and all you can do is stare.”
The wind seemed colder now than it had. Even though she knew he meant well, Awen didn’t feel like she should answer. “I..I…well…” She turned her face towards the ground, watching as her paws scuffled a few pebbles around. It wasn’t like she didn’t know anyone, because she did, but she was an awkward wallflower that would no doubt annoy her siblings if she clung to them too much. “I just don’t want to, I guess…”
Clucking his tongue once more, Hakizimana shook his head. “Well, you should. Pretty, sweet girl like yourself would turn the heads of quite a few males in that group. I bet they’re looking for you right now, and they don’t even know you’re so close.” Seeing the uncomfortably innocent shuffle of her frame, he chuckled. “Sorry, but it’s true!
“I doubt that, but thank you.” Awen hid her eyes beneath the veil of her mane and smiled sheepishly. He was brazen, loud, and had an easy way about him that made her feel at ease. He was completely opposite from Azria, but charming, all the same. “There’s just so many here that I…I wouldn’t know where to begin in talking to them.”
“Well,” Hakizi started, “you’re talking to me, aren’t ya? That’s a start. And don’t say it’s because I started talking to you first, because you looked like you were going to join in before I came. There’s an open flower in there, she just needs a little push, see?”
She couldn’t help, but to laugh at the ridiculously self-assured look on his face. “How are you so sure she’s in there? Maybe it’s some other female that you’re seeing, and I’m hidden behind her?”
“Hmm, yeah, no.” Hakizimana laughed. “It’s you! Trust me. I know these things.” He stood and flexed his paws. Slowly, he turned back to her, and motioned toward a larger grouping. “Come on, let’s go chat for a while.”
“W-what? Me?!” She squeaked, shaking her head rapidly when he nodded. “I can’t go over there! I don’t know any of those lions.”
“See, now, you sound like a real outsider.”
The shock was enough to make her realize the truth. Here he was, a newly joined rogue, and he was more at home with her own people than she had ever been. “You..really think so?”
“Yeah, but things change. Now, come on, let’s go make some friends.” Speaking with her gently, he waiting patiently as the smaller female go to her paws beside him and then made his way with her to the grouping, ready to start a new chapter in his life.
((Fin; 1034 words))
