.:. Curiosity .:.
Word Count: 1070
Asha could sense that someone was following her. The other creature wasn’t quiet. She was sure she would be able to hear them, even without how sensitive her hearing was. She stayed relaxed, however, strolling at a leisurely pace. If she had to guess, it was that orange and purple male that ambushed her the previous day. He seemed to want to stay hidden, so she let him. Every so often, she would catch a glimpse of him through the brush, but it could just be someone similar in color and size. She would be ready, just in case he ambushed her again.
It took several hours before Asha came across a clearing and the rustling just behind her stopped. She strolled into the clearing, finding a comfortable warm spot to bask in the rays of the sun. She would have to find some time to hunt for herself soon, but she wasn’t in a rush. Her stomach wasn’t growling, and she had enough energy to last a few more days before food would be dire. So far she’d just found small game or any opportunity to fill herself on other creature’s kills, when she was lucky. She hadn’t had to expend the energy bringing down larger game, and pinning down the other hadn’t truly taxed her.
She wondered how he was doing. He seemed young, just coming into his own. There were not many guards in the Nil’nocere, but she felt he had the attitude for it, should he choose to join her. She leisurely cleaned her paws, nipping at the little bit of blood that stained her blue paws. It came out with ease, and she gave a small satisfied huff.
It took several more moments for the other ma’ome to come through the bushes. The male was hesitant, walking slowly, and sitting quite a distance from her - but finally in view!
“Hello, again!” Asha greeted the male. Definitely the same one that ambushed her. He looked quite sheepish.
“Um. Hello,” He returned the greeting. He didn’t seem to want to get any closer to her, however. She did hand his tail to him, so she wasn’t super surprised. She gave him a small smile, an attempt to appear friendly. He seemed less cranky than yesterday, though, so she was going to count it as a win. She didn’t want to call him out for following her either. “I didn’t get your name, yesterday. May I know what I can call you?” Asha asked. She remained relaxed, willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. She was normally a pretty good judge of character. She would have sought to become a Liaison, if it wasn’t for the fact that she loved staying in her home lands. She was only out here so she could learn how to protect it better. She would not stray far, just far enough to learn, but she figured she would give her home a wide circle before returning.
She had no interest in negotiating with other colonies, or going on adventures. Recruiting a single member, every so often, though. That, she could handle.
“Yota.” The orange and purple leopard answered moments later. He still looked uncertain.
“Well, Yota, would you care to join me in a little basking? We can find lunch together after a nap?” She offered. She wondered if this is what mentoring felt like. When she returned, she would be a full fledged guard. She would almost have enough experience to be considered a Head Guard, and soon she would be training her own Guards and Spotters. Perhaps even Seekers, until they could find someone good enough to train them.
Yota took a tentative step towards her, still terrified, but willing to come close enough. He stayed out of hitting and almost even lunging range, but Asha counted it as progress. Perhaps he would travel with her a bit before she brought him back to the Nil’nocere. It would be nice for her to have company. “Alright…” He answered her, bobbing his head in agreement.
Asha stretched out to take her nap, showing him a willingness to compromise in his space. She laid her head on paws, watching him out of the corner of her eye. She didn’t think he would do anything while she was vulnerable, but she couldn’t be too sure. She was showing him a level of trust she wouldn’t show most, only her colony mates, and very few others. She figured the show of trust would do a lot to relax him - and it did! He began to relax, himself. She wondered if it would take a lot more convincing to get him to join her colony.
“Can you tell me a little about your home? Please?” Yota asked softly, curiously. He seemed like he was trying not to break whatever fragile peace fell between them, but that peace was stronger than he could imagine. Its something Asha engineered, and she wouldn’t let those threads break by any means. Asha gave herself a secret smile, and slowly lifted her head back up, to prevent him from startling.
“Of course,” She answered easily. “My home is a place of peace, and belonging. Of healing, and new beginnings,” She started. “It is small, right now, but ever-growing. Our Matron - our leader -” She corrected. Not every colony had a matron as their leader “-welcomes anyone who needs a home. It is a place where those can learn a trade, and further aid those who need it. I am currently training to advance my rank as a guard, but my good friend Gyali is still undecided in her path, which is okay too.”
Yota stretched closer to her as he listened to what the colony was about. He still wasn’t certain about this place, but he was curious. It couldn’t hurt to check out, right? He didn’t want to fight, not like how Asha fought. But perhaps if he learned to be a guard like her, he could leave and find his own place again. He’d be able to guard his own home, if he learned how. He gave a small nod. “I’ll have to take a raincheck on the hunt.”
Asha tilted her head a bit, curious. “You’ve given me a lot to think about.” Yota stood and walked back into the woodline. He looked back at her one more time before disappearing into the trees.
