Shahla stared up into the slowly brightening sky, it would be daylight soon and yet another day to train and explore the pride she lived in. Picking herself up off the soft dirt floor of her den she called towards one of her mothers, letting them know she would be away for a little while. Maybe she would meet someone new today, maybe someone that she could learn from or enjoy their company. Padding towards the line of trees where she met her new found friend Jinan she sat, watching as the sun rose to the sky.
Harb yawned softly as he padded from the den he shared with his family. All three of his sisters slept snuggled against his mother, a slight turn of his head showed that, as usual, his father had left before his little family had awakened. The young male shrugged as he got to his feet, stretching silently before padding into the cool morning air.
It was interesting, listening as everything woke up after only crickets chirped through the night. Almost as if the Sun itself was the mother of all creatures, waking them from their slumber to greet her in the sky above. A smile lit her face as she continued to watch, her tail twitching from side to side. Maybe she would spend her day in the trees, enjoying the sun and herself.
At least, that is what she thought she would be doing until she heard to soft crinkling of footsteps on the ground. She had company it seemed. Company was always a good thing though.
Things have become complicated as of late. His father wasn't happy though the young male couldn't understand why. And then there where the dreams....how was he supposed to change the things he saw when the damn girls wouldn't listen to him. They mocked his words and protective nature. The young male was so caught up in his own thoughts he never noticed the dark female, until he ran into her with a faint yelp.
Shahla blinked, staring at the male that had walked right into her, causing her to topple into the ground. She most certainly expecting company to walk right into her like that, but she still smiled at him. It wouldn’t be good to be upset over an accident like this. “Are you alright?” She questioned, picking herself up and offering to help him as well. He seemed oddly, distant, as though his mind was somewhere else entirely. Or at least, it had been.
Emerald green eyes were sheepish as he smiled at her, his ears twitching "I am so sorry miss. Are you alright?" His voice was soft and gentle as he stepped back so he wouldn't be crowding her.
Her dark blue eyes stared at him, questioning his reaction. It was her fault for being in his path of travel after all! “I am fine, it is my fault for being in the way, please forgive me” Her head bowed low as she asked for forgiveness for her tripping him. She never meant to hurt another by being there!
Harb smiled more as he sat back, “Honestly miss I am at fault but if you really wanna take the blame I will not object." He teased gently
A light giggle escaped her as he smile and teased, but it was her fault, even if he had been the one to walk into her. She would never blame a male for something as petty as this. “I heard you coming and could have moved away from your path, but here you are now.” She stared his colorfully spotted fur. It was fun looking, like someone threw dye onto him in random spots. “I like your patterns.”
He blinked then laughed softly "Thank you, ikati." He winked her chuckling, "You are rather beautiful yourself."
Shahla stared at the male for a long time trying to draw a definition to the word he had just said, but nothing came to her him. Ikati... Ikati… no, she really had no idea what that word was. “Umm… Ikati?” Heat fluttered onto her cheeks as she asked, feeling rather stupid not to know what he meant, and then the comments on being called beautiful. Well, that was really pushing the blush button on. She had to thank him though! “T-thank you.” She stammered, looking to the ground again.
He grinned again "It means beautiful cat." he shrugged faintly,” You are very pretty, your pattern and coat is unusual and very striking." He nodded then made a face," Not like my sisters. “Oh how his sisters would beat him for that.
Shahla looked up at him quickly as he defined the word for her. Beautiful cat? Well, that was very kind of him, a little strange, but very kind of him none the less. It was better than getting called ugly. Smiling at him she accepted the comment. “I thank you for your kind words, it means very much to me.” But it did kind of make her sad that he made fun of his sisters in the process of his complement. Was he upset with his family or something? “Did you come to enjoy the sunrise as well?” She wanted to know his name so very badly, but was trained to never ask such a thing and to just wait for a formal greeting by the male.
Harb smiled faintly, "Not really. I have just taught myself to wake up early so that I can keep an eye out for my family." Honestly he got up so early because he always hoped to catch his father and maybe be able to spend the day with the big male, but he wasn't going to admit something so childish to the little female. "But if you wish to view the sunrise I will be happy to accompany you and keep you safe."
The dark eye cub cocked her head at Harb as he spoke. He seemed to have a mixed feeling towards his family if he could make fun of his sisters but wake up early for them as well. Was the father not around that he had to keep an eye out for them, or was he training like Aziz to be the best pad he could be? “It is very brave of you to watch your family so early in the morning like that.” Her eyes were soft as she spoke, watching him lightly, wondering what kind of life this male lead.
Him, stay with her to watch the sunrise? That would be wonderful. She looked towards the sun and nodded towards him. Although she really didn’t need protected she still enjoyed company, and maybe, just maybe, he would enjoy her company as well. “I would love it if you would.”
"Then lead the way m'lady." He smiled happily as he gestured for her to lead where she would. "I have never really watched the sunrise so you will likely know the best spot.”
“Huh. Oh, well….” She thought for a moment before suddenly springing to her feet. She wouldn’t go too, too far away from her den and her mothers’ and father’s watchful eyes but she did know one place. Under the old gnarled tree. The way the sun shimmered on the leaves of the tree ahead and the slightly hill that it was one, it was the perfect place. “You might like this place.” She said lightly, walking up the slight slop towards the shelter of the tree. It’s balding self standing grandly as the sunlight hit it. “My favorite tree…” She whispered lightly, a smile forming on her lips as she sat down again to watch the light slowly grow and grow. “Makes the world seem magical.”
Harb looked about, his ears flicking faintly. Perhaps it was because he had his own brand of magic, he just didn't see magic in the world the way others did. To him, it was just the start of another day, another day in which he would have to struggle to protect his ungrateful sisters.
Shahla stared at him as he looked about the area. He just, didn’t seem to be enjoying himself. As if he had something lodged in his head and couldn’t get it out. Bad thoughts, evil thoughts. Pestering him and not allowing him to enjoy the birth of a new day. “What’s wrong? Don’t you see….The sun gave birth again. Today we should celebrate the day’s birth.”
He glanced over at her, shrugging faintly “Forgive me lady, but to me it's another day. I am another day older, for that I am thankful, but why celebrate something that happens every day?"
Shahla just smiled at him before turning towards the sky and the sun. “What happens if a new day never comes?” Her little fur tufts fluttered in the wind as she sat there, thinking all kinds of different thoughts. “Why do you seem so sad?”
He stared at her, arching his brow that time, "That is a rather personal question."
The smile faded but she continued to stare out towards the sky. “My apologies, I just wondered why. Thought that maybe I could lend you and ear and a heart.” She looked down towards him, just watching him before bowing her head. “I did not mean to offend you. Please forgive me.” She had crossed over the line without really thinking about it. She wanted to help him so badly, but it seemed that it might not happen after all. At least she could be his company for a little longer, before he had to leave to be with his family again.
"No really it's ok...it is just hard for me to talk about it. I told my parents now they watch me with worried eyes. My sisters mock my words and ridicule my actions. “Shaking his head he looked at her, “So why would I want to tell someone outside of my family, when even they who love me best mock me?"
Her brows crossed as she heard his tale of his family. What a horrible thing they have done to him. Whatever his problem was, it wasn’t worth hurting him mentally for. Was it? She stared at him, unsure how to come about saying what she wanted to. She would just have to say it as straight as possible, she decided, flicking her tail nervously before speaking softly. “Sometimes… Sometimes family is the worst place to turn.” She had heard tale of horrible things families had done before in the pride because of something odd that could have been worked out with a friend. “I mean, sometimes they love you… too much? “
He shrugged faintly looking away from her, “I am sorry I have spoiled your morning beautiful.” Smiling faintly he got to his feet, “I should go before I ruin your entire day. “He wasn't going to let a stranger know all about his family, no matter how nice she seemed.
Her cheeks puffed up slightly as he rose to his feet. Whatever she said it upset him. She wasn’t looking for a life’s story, just to comfort, if only a little, but now he was leaving. “I just want you to know that you didn’t spoil my morning. Not a bit. …and I hope… things are ok. “She left it at that. She wasn’t going to run after him and pester him more. Sometimes… you can’t always help someone out, but you can always offer. “If you ever need a body to be next to…. I come here a lot. Just…. Poke around for me. You don’t have to talk either… I will understand.” She continued to sit, staring at the morning sun, she didn’t even want to know where he came from, because she would want to follow and try and help mend something she could never fix.
He smiled gently, "I will and if you ever need an escort again, my name is Harb." Nodding to her, he padded down the hill back towards his den again. The girls would be up soon and back to their mischief.
