It had been a little while since Jirachi had come to stay in the Zizimisha and while he hadn’t decided whether he was going to stay or not permanently he was enjoying the friendship he was building with Laci. It was new and strange and different, he really wasn’t sure what the relationship was but he was having fun for now, he hoped that Laci too was enjoying herself. Today he was heading over to the lake to meet Laci after she had made her morning rounds. As the male cheetah moved through the pride he gave a nod to some of the familiar faces he saw about. It was comforting to feel like a part of something but at the same time he wasn’t really sure what he could consider himself in terms to the pride members. He was clearly still a newcomer, as unlike many who had lived in the pride most if not all of their lives in the pride, Jirachi still wore a fur over his shoulders. The slender cheetah had no meat on his bones to keep him warm using his own devices so to speak. Making it to the lake Jirachi looked around trying to see if Laci was here already or not. Not seeing her he took a seat and looked down at the water. It was so beautiful in appearance yet Jirachi knew that if he were to even dip one toe into the waters that they would freeze him inside and out in just seconds.
Laci was rushing to the lake after having done her morning rounds. She was happy to find a few of her patients would no longer need daily visits from her anymore. It was always bitter-sweet when her patients got well enough that they didn’t need her anymore. On one hand she didn’t want anyone to actually need her as their medic but on the other hand she became so attached to her patients so that when they didn’t need her anymore she felt as if something was missing when her day didn’t include going and seeing them anymore. Today it was easier that she was leaving patients after all she was on her way to see Jirachi, although she spent all sorts of time with the male cheetah any time that she spent away from him she found herself missing him. She wrinkled her nose, she had never been so attached to someone before and she wasn’t really something she was sure she liked, particularly because she wasn’t even sure that Jirachi was going to stick around. She let out a sigh as she came around a bend to the lake and saw Jirachi seated looking down at the lake. She felt her heart give a little skip before her feet started moving again in the direction of her companion.
Jirachi heard the sound of footsteps and turned his head just as Laci approached a warm smile formed on his face. He was always happy to see the female lion that his life frankly had come to revolve around recently, she did after all save it. Jirachi tried not to spend too much time focused on what the feeling he had meant, or what his plan was, or where he was going what he was doing or how long he was saving. Really all the male cheetah wanted was to spend some time with Laci and he would figure things out as they came along.
“Hey friend.” He greeted Laci as she came up and sat beside him. He offered her a kind smile happy that she was able to join him already. “I hope everyone you saw today was doing well.” he said to her warmly. Kirachi had thought about it a few times when she was gone but being a healer must be very stressful, the lives of others literally in her paws.
“Hello” Laci greeted Laci in return. She looked out over the lake. She could see a number of pride members out by the lake today. It was actually pretty warm today and it was nice to see pride members getting out there and enjoying the nice weather while they could. She still hadn’t told Jirachi about the curse on the pride but today hardly seemed like the day to bring it up, particularly when it was so nice out. No today would be a day for them to enjoy tomorrow could be the day to tell him the terrible things of the pride. To be honest Laci wasn’t entirely sure that the pride really was cursed it was just what the story had been told in the pride for as long as Laci could remember really, she hadn’t been here when the old leaders ruled so she just had to take the word of others.
“It is so nice out today.” she mused turning her face towards the sun and just letting the rays soak in.
Jirachi had to admit that the warmth of the day was making him feel good too. He shrugged the fur that was around his shoulders off and let the sun light sweep over his body. He purred remembering how it felt to be in the open fields with the sun beating down on him. As much as he liked this pride and as much as he liked Laci he wasn’t really sure he could live in the cold forever.
“So what did you want to do today?” Jirachi asked Laci turning to face her. He had to blink a couple of times to clear the spots from his vision, he had been looking too closely into the sun.
Laci turned and looked at Jirachi just for a moment lost in how wonderful he looked in the sun. “Well I think it’s too nice to do anything like work today. Do you just want to go for a walk and talk?” she asked the male. Really since Jirachi had come to the pride they had spent a lot of time walking and talking they always seemed to have something to talk about after all.
“Sounds perfect to me.” Jirachi said with a grin he stood and picked up his furs again placing them on his shoulders. “Lead the way.” he told Laci ready to head out.
