How long had he wandered these seas of grass and stone and shores alone? It seemed an endless place, with only himself in it of late... And so the dark lion found himself deviating from his pre-made plans and wandering towards a distant line of trees. Surely something lived within, and he could take a rest or find himself a bit of chatter - someone to talk to and pass away a little time with until he felt rejuvenated and ready to resume his task.
Stepping into the shade of the boughs above, the black and red lion paused, letting himself slouch to the ground and sprawl. He let his head hang limply back, eyes drifting closed, and inhaling deeply. The air was damper beneath the shading influence of the trees. A different place than a few feet away under the burning sun's rays, so different from the dank caves his mother was still waiting in. Waiting for him, or his father, or both.
After a nap he began to nose his way through the foliage. Deeper into the trees. Another lion? Would he find one here? Likely not, he thought, feeling a branch catch on his mane. Far too close for it to be comfortable for most of his species. What then? He hadn't spent as much time with the other species of the continent as with his own sort, and even those he'd had few encounters with. His mother had always been solitary.
The sound of something moving above made the lion give pause. Had he finally found someone then? A quick thought passed that they might not be friendly, but he shrugged it off. He needed to associate with someone genial, therefore this person simply must be good natured. It could not be any other way, and thus it would not. He kept on his path, so as not to alarm whomever it was until they chose to make themselves known. Still, the anticipation was agonizing. "You're in my patch of trees!" Came the clear (female, why were they always female?) voice.
"My apologies," He replied when he caught his breath. She'd startled him! "I'm not here to cause you any trouble. I'm a wanderer, you see, and a bit lost. I've been lost really since I set out. I thought I might find someone here...and I was tired of traveling alone so much." He held still, glancing up and around. Where...? Ah, there. A patch of white that didn't belong. A...what was it? The tail was like a lion's, but the build too slim and small! He'd never met a hybrid before. "If you'd rather I go, I will. I don't want trouble." Maybe this had been a bad idea...
Walaani studied the stranger from around the trunk of the tree she was determinedly keeping between them. When a lion came, that was usually the end of it for a territory. Or a leopard, or sometimes even a cheetah. Hybrids weren't well loved by most - even her own father had been long gone when she was born, and her mother soon after, cursing the lot of her children. Literally. Her name even meant 'cursed.' Maybe it'd be better to run...but he did seem genuine. And she was certain she could outrun him, especially in amidst the trees.
"I don't know how interesting you'll find it, but company is something even I can provide. As long as there's no funny business. Not very many come through here, and even fewer stay for long, if they look edible." It was a simple truth, but it made her sound a bit tougher, and that was something she needed if he thought at all of fighting her.
"I suppose if you're going to insist on staying...at least I can offer you some directions. Where was it you were trying to get to?" She slunk off between the trunks of the little strand of trees, assuming he would follow. Or if he got lost from her, that was fine too. Then she wouldn't have to deal with him any more, or worry about him doing anything she didn't appreciate. Like attack her.
The dark lion of course took off behind her, staying as close as he could. It'd be hard to lose her pale fur in the dim light but one never knew. "Well I'm trying to find my father. He left to find a place my mother and I could live with him without being judged for how we look. He left a while ago and--"
"And let me guess. He never came back? Hmpf." The cheeton rolled her eyes, a fresh wave of ire rolling over her shoulders. He thought he knew what it was like to be judged by his appearance? At least he was only a lion, not a half this and half that freak. "Such a pity." Her words were hard and cutting, and the dark lion looked visibly confused though she couldn't see it over her shoulder. "Poor baby lion, his daddy left him all alone. At least he had mommy though."
"W-what? I'm sorry, are you mad about something?" He tried to speed up, to pull abreast of her. He was very confused about why she seemed suddenly so cold. So vicious. "Is it something I've done?"
"No, not you, idiot," she snarled, speeding up. "You know what though? Suddenly I'm not feeling so sociable. The edge of the forest's back that way, now get."
"But-"
"I said GET OUT!" She turned and lashed out, catching him off guard and leaving three pink slices in the fleshy meat of his nose. Startled and off guard, the male turned tail and ran back the way he came rather than fight. In minutes he was back out in the sea of golden grass, the trees silent and suddenly much darker at his back. What'd he done? What'd he said? He didn't understand...but he beat a hasty path away from the little stand of trees and the pair of eyes gleaming furiously out of them.
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