Khanyo and Neze had decided to split up to look for the new members of the Tani'Ajiri, two lionesses who had also come from the Ithambo'hlabathi pride. He wasn't really certain about what to say if he did happen to find one or both of them, but Khanyo was curious to get to know them at least a little bit. And they were apparently related to Bamba, who had also come from the bonelands and who Khanyo had sparred with on many an occasion. Bamba was a little bit younger than Neze and Khanyo, and had left the bonelands a little while after the two brothers had already been pushed out, but they had all managed to find each other again through the Tani'Ajiri. Khanyo and Neze had been a part of the mercenary band for years now, and were some of the few original members that had joined up with Siyo'Jini and Thayiga'Thunzi back when it was just those two handling contracts. Khanyo smiled to himself. Those days were long past, and the once small mercenary band was growing into a full fledged pride now. The addition of dedicated hunters certainly had Khanyo's approval, as he was rather bad at the task him self.
Asali had just awoken from her long nap in the shade, she had needed to recuperate after their journey alone through the roguelands, and she was feeling much more refreshed. Damu had already left her side, which wasn't unusual, but it had still surprised Asali to find herself alone. Hmm, perhaps she had gone to find Bamba on her own? Asali couldn't blame her, after all the whole reason for the two joining the Tani'Ajiri was so Damu could spend more time with her son. The large lioness opened her maw to yawn and she stretched her legs out in front of her to help wake herself up. Oh, yes, that felt good indeed. Her claws flexed out from their sheathes and she blinked the last bit of sleep out of her eyes before rolling to her belly and climbing to her paws to stretch her back and legs some more. Yes, sleeping in the shade had certainly helped her!
It didn't take Khanyo too long to spot an unfamiliar face amongst the mercenary pride. They were still relatively small in comparison to some prides, and most everyone knew each other at least in passing. The golden lion watched as she seemed to wake up from a nap and proceeded to stretch, and he briefly wondered if introducing himself was somewhat silly. He didn't recognize this lioness from his time in the bonelands, but a lot of the females were somewhat similar in pelt color, as they had only accepted earthy colors amongst them. The short male hesitated and swallowed hard, suddenly realizing that he had no idea what to say to her. Stupid Neze and his stupid ideas.
Luckily for Khanyo, Asali happened to catch sight of him out of the corner of her eye, and now fully rested she was back to her cheerful and friendly self. Her smile was wide as she turned to greet her shy 'admirer', and the lioness gave him an appraising look in turn. "Its rude to stare," she told him with a hint of amusement. "At least say hello first." She honestly didn't mind, but watching the short, handsome fellow flounder for words was a rather welcoming treat after such a wonderful nap.
Khanyo's jaw nearly dropped as he struggled to find the words to speak to her. Her bright yellow eyes were on him, and he watched wordlessly as they studied his physique. He should have known, bonelands females had no qualms with being forward about what they wanted. After a moment of shifting his weight, which was considerable for his size, from paw to paw he swallowed hard and got a hold of himself. "My apologies busisa, my name is Khanyo, and I'm a mercenary," well duh, he was in a mercenary pride after all. Perhaps that had been a bit dumb of him. So he tried again. "My brother and I had heard a couple lionesses from our homeland had joined up with us, and we were curious to meet you..." what else should he say? Khanyo felt the most comfortable on the battle field, so this was certainly out of his depth.
Asali's ears perked forward at the familiar word and her smile widened. The large lioness took several steps towards the shorter male and she did not hesitate to bump his forehead with hers in greeting. As was her way, especially for those she considered close. And considering this male came from her former pride, she already felt rather close to him. "I am Asali, and my sister and I just left the Ithambo'hlabathi not too long ago," she told him with a fond look in her bright eyes. To think, a little piece of the bonelands had found them all the way out here. "When we found out my nephew was a part of this pride, well, we just had to see what all the fuss was about." Her eyes settled on the golden male's dark orbs and her smile turned welcoming. "So far, I'm not disappointed."
Khanyo froze as she bumped his head affectionately, unsure if he should return the gesture or not. It had been so long since he'd been in the presence of the lionesses from his homeland, and he remembered very little of what was expected of him. But... he didn't hate it, either. His ears flicked back in uncertainty, and perhaps a little embarrassment as she complimented him so off-handedly and casually. Khanyo was definitely out of depth with this one. He cleared his throat and swallowed hard to get himself back under control, but the look in her eyes drew him in even more. All the training and sparring in the world had not prepared him for such a forward encounter with a lioness. And he suspected she just liked to watch him flounder, which was doubly embarrassing. "That's good to hear," he struggled to say. How had a simple introduction turned into this disaster?
Well, maybe she was laying it on a little thick, but Asali was rather amused and enchanted by the handsome fellow's struggle. "Khanyo, would you mind showing me around the pride? I'd like to get to know my surroundings before I try my paw at hunting these grounds," she told him, deciding to back off a little and let the shorter male have some time to take it all in. After all, she was in no hurry, and the huntress was patient enough to stalk her quarry before making the killing blow.
His ears twisted forward again and Khanyo was glad for the change of subject. Not that he wasn't interested, he just wasn't quite sure how to respond or even what he should do next. He needed time to digest this encounter, as it had completely caught the golden lion off guard. "Of course," he offered rather quickly, maybe too eagerly. Dammit, this was all Neze's fault somehow, and he knew his brother would be laughing his tail off right now if he could see him struggling like this. He cleared his throat once more, before hesitantly turning to show her around the territory. Though his paws automatically carried him towards the forested part of the territory where most members had decided to make their dens, and that included Khanyo. Oops.
Asali was rather smitten with this shy, handsome male that was a good bit shorter than herself. So much so that she couldn't help but walk next to him, perhaps a bit too closely, and rub her forehead against his strong shoulder. Asali was definitely considered large in comparison to most rogue lionesses, and she kept her body lean with toned muscle from hunting and wrestling with her sister. So she was rather taken in by this short, muscular male with his handsome golden coat and fetching dark mane. She couldn't imagine a better way to wake up from a nap, and she couldn't wait to brag to Damu about it later.
((Word Count: 1,365))
