Rieseln was enjoying her little stay in the Pridelands. The food here was plentiful, the water was cool and fresh, there were lots of friendly lions to talk to, and Hadaya was an excellent host. He had shown her all the ins and outs of the pride, they had gone to Pride Rock so she could say she had been there, and he told her a bit about his past. Nothing too personal, of course, and she was sure to share her own in return. After a few weeks of hanging around with him, though, she began to once again long for the roguelands.
It was with a heavy heart that she bid her friend farewell and started on the long walk back to the empty plains. She didn't know why she was called there so often, but she promised him she'd return when she passed this way again.
Also heading in the direction of the roguelands but for a different reason was Esona. She had been summoned by a passing group of lions that had called upon the Pridelands for a bit of help. One of their younger members was a bit sick and they had asked for a medic to come take a look at their friend to see if there was anything they could do. She had her little satchel of herbs and medicines around her neck, but the stitching was coming undone without her realizing it. It took one jump from a rock down to a little ditch to break the satchel, her things spilling everywhere.
"Oh great," she muttered, trying to keep the plants from getting too dirty. Dirt was fine to eat a little of, but it really didn't belong in a lion in large quantities. "Of all the days for this thing to break."
Ries, who wasn't far from Esona when the pouch broke, paused before trotting over to help. "Hey, need a paw?" she asked, not bothering to wait for an answer. She got down into the ditch and began scooping up the things that had fallen out, bringing them over to the blue lioness.
Surprised, Esona glanced up at the helper. She didn't recognize the white lioness, but that didn't matter much: there were rogues that came through frequently, and the Pridelands as a whole were quite large. This girl could be a new member for all she knew. "Yeah, thanks," she said as she scooped up some of the loose leaves that she had stuffed in for her own benefit: chewing up the bitter herbs to apply to wounds left a bad taste in her mouth, but chewing the sweeter leaves after helped get rid of the icky taste.
"No problem! Although I don't know how well I'll be able to help fixing that up," Ries said, looking at the busted bag. Esona sighed softly as she ducked her head, letting the pouch slide off.
"Yeah...I don't either. I'll have to find that baboon again. Get her to fix it up," the Pridelander said with a distasteful sniff. She really didn't want to bother the baboon again so soon after making it, but shoddy craftsmanship was never something she could stand. Turning her gaze to the other lioness, she offered her a little grin. "Thanks for helping, once again. I don't think I've seen you around...I'm Esona."
"Oh! No problem," Ries said with a little nod. "And that's because I'm just sort of passing through. I'm Rieseln. I've been staying with Hadaya for a few weeks."
"Oh ho ho...staying with Hadaya?" Esona said, raising her brows with a huge grin. "I see."
"Not like that! Well...yes like that, but not just for that," Ries said, laughing nervously as she flushed under her fur. "He's so sweet, he's shown me the pride and answered all my questions about it!" Just talking about the male made her heart ache for her friend. Dang it...should she really go? Glancing back in the direction she had come from, she was surprised to hear a gentle laugh coming from Esona.
"Oh, girly...you poor thing," the blue female said. "You're a bit lovesick right now, aren't you? Why don't you run back to Hadaya, I'm sure he's wondering where you got off too."
"Oh....no, he knows," Ries said, turning to look at Esona again. "I told him I'd come visit again, but the rogue lands are home to me."
"Ah...that's too bad." Esona said with a little frown. "You looked so excited to talk about him. You sure you don't wanna stay a bit longer? The rogue lands will always be there, you know."
Ries took what Esona said into consideration as she watched the other female trying to get her satchel together at least for the time being. She did have a point...the rogue lands would always be there. And Hadaya was such a sweet guy...
"Yes, actually...that's a good idea," she said, lifting her head to look at the other lioness with a smile. "Thanks for reminding me of that. I think I will stay a bit longer!" Her decision made, she turned around and flounced off in the direction of Hadaya's den once again. He was going to be so surprised!
"All right! See you around!" Esona called out with a laugh as she worked on her bag. Ah, that was cute. She knew a bit of Hadaya, how he had been sick and his mate had disappeared. It was all very tragic, but it seemed he'd caught himself a young little thing to perk his spirits up a bit. She was very peppy and happy which was exactly what he needed, if she did say so herself.
Finally she got her bag together so it could carry her things. It was a delicate process, but she managed to get her things to the lions in the rogue lands and back. Satisfied at her work, Esona headed back to her own den where Jeshi and 'their' little bunny were waiting for her. Ah, it was nice to have friendly faces to come home to.
FIN
WC: 1021
