Ceto sat drinking from a pool of water. It was a mostly nice day. Next to him was his catch, a decent sized antelope. If he was asked to catch the same thing a year ago, he knew that he would have pathetically collapsed and whined until someone else caught it for him. If his mother was here to see him, she would be so proud of how much he had grown. Across the stream from him was a red and black lioness who wore a silver colored pelt on her back. She had arrived a little after him. He had done his best to ignore her, however, he felt her cool stares at him since she showed up. It was pretty easy to guess what she wanted. She was hungry and wanted him to give her some of his meal.
He looked down at it. It would be enough for two lions, but he could save some for later. He was then reminded how many times strangers had kindly given him food out of the goodness of their hearts. At the time he thought that they were just suckers, but he thought that it might be nice to once help someone instead of always taking.
Looking up, he locked eyes with the lioness and smiled. “If you would like, you can share some of this antelope!” He yelled out, giving her a friendly smile afterwards. She slowly stood up, her eyes never leaving him. Instead of returning his smile, her eyes narrowed, causing a shiver going down his spine. The feeling of regret filled him.
The lioness easily walked through the small stream, the water brushing against her ankles. Ceto noticed a couple scars on her body and wondered how she got them. He had expected her to go over to the antelope, instead she stepped closer to him, invading his personal appearance.
Serael was given a simple mission. Find her target and capture him. The target, son of a lioness that had wronged Majanga in the past. She was given an approximate location. When she went there, she found the lion before. Blue with stripes and vivid green eyes. She had been concerned about him, that he would putting up a fight. However he seemed docile, inviting her to eat with him. She decided he wasn't a threat.
“Thank you.” She finally spoke. Her eyes left him for the first time and went to the antelope. She planned on only taking a little bit for show, letting him eat up as much as he could that way he would be too full to really fight back. Casually she rested and took a little bit.
'The silent type?' Ceto thought as he watched her sit down. 'At least she said thank you.'
He grabbed some meat himself. “So have you been traveling for a while?” He asked curiously.
She shook her head no and took a bite.
“Really? Part of a pride then? I have been traveling for a while now, but it has been pretty fun so far.” He continued. Well, parts of it was fun anyways. There were some parts that he rather not relive.
Serael frowned. Her target would not be a traveler but part of a pride. She wondered if the lion was the incorrect target or a liar. To her trained ears, it sounded like he was telling the truth. Regardless she would capture him and bring him back to the sith. If he was not the son, she would have to re-do the mission but the pride would have a new, able bodied soldier. And if he was the son, she would be able to present him as a present to Majanga. Win-win situation.
“My home is rather far away. But it is beautiful, a wonderful place where travelers are celebrated.” Serael lied. If she were to travel with the lion, it would be easier if at least part of the way was of his own accord and she didn't have to drag him the whole time. “I was looking for someone to escort me back. If you are interested, I would love to have you a travel companion.”
She did her best to sound 'normal'. Her normal dull and dry voice, sounding a touch more preppy and lively.
Ceto raised one of his eyebrows. She didn't even know his name and she was inviting him to travel. It then occurred to him that perhaps the lioness liked him, or at least liked his appearance. He grinned, proud of his good looks. “I had other plans, but it would be terrible of me to ignore the request of a lioness.” He responded, giving her a playful grin. “My name is Ceto by the way. It is nice to meet you.”
“Cyris.” She said, giving him the name she went by in the rogue lands. “We can head out whenever you are ready.”
Ceto nodded. It would be strange traveling with someone for a change. Usually he met others and he would rest with them for a night or two and then go on their separate ways. This time he would actually have someone to talk to while they traveled. AND she thought he was pretty, at least he assumed she thought he was pretty.
He wondered what her pride was and hoped that while they traveled she would tell him more about it. Her scars were another thing he wondered if he should bring up. He was pretty sure that it would be rude to do so, but they were so interesting.
“I cannot remember the last time I traveled with someone.” He said, continuing their conversation. The last time, if he recalled correctly, was with the hybrid Caelius. That was an amazing adventure and he missed his hybrid friend. “When we travel I will be sure to share some of my adventures I have been on and if you would like you can share stories too.” He wanted to bond with his new travel buddy.
Serael had to control herself not to roll her eyes. Sharing stories with such an annoying lion. Instead of rolling her eyes, she nodded politely. It was becoming clear that this lion wasn't her target. Perhaps instead of taking him back to the pride she could use him to try out some of her poisons or even fighting techniques. She wasn't the strongest fighter in the pride, but she was certain that she could take him down.
“Sounds like fun Ceto. There are so many stories from my pride that I can share but I would love to hear more about your adventures! You must have been in so many dangerous situations.” She said with her fake tone of voice.
“Well I am all done eating, if you would like I can tell you about how I met my friend Caelius.” He responded with a grin and standing up.
“Wonderful.” She said, feeling regretful already.
WC: 1,166
