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It wasn’t until later in the night of them feasting that they fell backwards almost, and nearly at the same time. It hadn’t been day before and sure the dust came relatively quickly. It seemed like they ate for- like, ever. Once they fell backwards in to the grass they both sighed happily. Content.
“Your pretty cool.”
“Huh?”
“Cool- Rogues use it as a compliment?”
“Oh..”
“Were you ever in a pride?”
“Yes, not too long ago.” His ears padded back as he remembered his pride. They called themselves elves of the forest. Although other elements were in play. His family came from the trees. He remembered learning how to climb for the first time, or making dens in the trees. They were a different sort of bunch, his pride.
“Why are you in the roguelands?”
“I came to find my sister, but like- I know her. She isn’t where she would be. I checked twice over and we both had the same idea. Leave the pride. Live without chains, freedom. Been out here for maybe a year or so… and I learned so much now. I don’t even have my accident.” He turned to her and laughed. “But I like it out here… but sometimes I still miss it. My family. The others.” A smile reached cheek to cheek. “How about you m’lady. I know a rogue newb when I see one.”
“I was, and am still apart of my pride.” Looking up at the sky as it changed from oranges to pasteling purples, it was beautiful… “I have to go back at some point… Its my first time being out.” She looked to the side at him. “I like it out here.”
Kairos’s tail wagged happily. “I’m glad to be one of the first you met. Hopefully I was good company.” He rolled over and lay on his stomach, facing towards her. “Not everyone out in the roguelands are as helpful. I learned that the hard way.” Giving her a serious nod. Aadia rolled on her stomach too and listened intently. “Oh?”
“That’s right. Some just want to take your food, or cause harm. Being out here is dangerous- but amazing at the same time, and it takes practice but you can’t trust too many out here. It’s kinda like… everyone for themselves. Not like prides at all.”
Aadia’s ears went down and she lowered her body and her chin rested on her bloody paws. Kairos, seeing that he had upset her, he lifted his body and coiled around her- as a stranger but enough to feel some sort of comfort. “Hey.. chin up..” He spoke softly. “How about this, I can stick with you. Teach you a few things and once you feel like you got the hang of it- you can go home or be adventurous in your endeavors out here. What do you think?”
Aadia looked to him, her eyes soft to his and a look of worry still. He was the one she was suppose to be following while Rada was looking in to a cheetah in some lake that has been causing a major ruckus of rumors. The look slowly became a happy one, still with a hint of sadness. Lying wasn’t her strong point of course, and the fact that if he did turn out to be a seer she would be deceiving him, and even though that was what her pride was all about, it just didn’t seem right. He’d try so hard not to go back to his own, only to be captured and drug to a new one? “I would… like that. If… I’m not too much a burden.”
“Not a burden at all. Especially how helpful you were back there. I bet we could help each other out.” A smile brightened his face. “I just sleep in trees- but I hear you all do that too. Maybe you can teach me as well.”
A tail softly wagged. It wasn’t Aadia’s but she looked down and away and the only thing she could see was his tail. He was kind… “I think we should put this up in a tree- what do you think? Save for later?” His voice prompted her, and she looked to him. “Ok.” Which she lifted herself up first and with what remained, which was still a ton and a half- she looked to him. “All of it?” “No silly, unless you can carry all that. Noooo- plus it may help someone later down the road that couldn’t find any food. They are called, Scavengers we all become one at some point or another.” The customs on the outside were sort of like her pride. Except the slaves would push around all the meat everywhere- and then it would go down the line. Royals- middle class- lower class. All were provided with ample amounts of food. It would always be in supply.
It wasn’t until they put a huge portion up in the tree that they both managed to see each other’s climbing skills. Definitely the cheetah had more experience; there weren’t many trees to climb in the ‘Nera. “Alrighty, so… sleep for the night?” The leopardess looked at him. “Um… you sleep up there?” Kairos was astounded. “Um.. yes… My pride is from the trees remember?- I told you.” “I… like sleeping on the ground level, thanks.” It just didn’t seem like a good idea, if she moved she’d fall to her death! Pfft, stupid cheetah. Slowly trotting away and around the base of the tree. “Suit yourself. But.. you know. Scavengers aren’t the only ones. Once they see this food up here- many are gunna come.. its safer if you’re up here.”
Night was falling, and she knew she had to meet Rada soon. “Ah… I’m thirsty anyways. I’m gunna go look for water and I’ll probably head up there.”
“You want me to come with you-“
“No. I’ll be fight. I’m a big girl!” Sticking out her tongue.
“…..Ahah alright. If you get in to trouble let me know!”
“Ok!” She replied… and after a few yards in to the bush, looking down with a not so happy face, thoughtful though.
“Why the long face?”
Aadia’s face shot up and what was in front of her, was a very- not so happy Rada…
