[PRP] Water, water, where are you? (Pavlov & Nyimak)

[Syrius Lionwing]

He was frustrated, constantly frustrated, frustrated to a point where he needed a new word that was stronger than frustrated. The word irked, came to his mind but even that wasn't strong enough a word to state just how annoyed he was at himself. The drought had hit the pride hard and despite being a talented guy in the art of seeking and finding water he had come up a cropper. He couldn't find any water, he couldn't find it and it hurt his pride, his sense of self that he couldn't just, put his paw on the life giving liquid.

When he had become a water seekers apprentice, he had found he had a penchant for finding water. He had a talent, that was what his master had told him. He found the task easy and fun. Fun, he remembered when it was fun now it just, it just, FRUSTRATED him, why couldn't he find water? Why was this drought plaguing them? Why had a promising career come to a very grinding halt?

His dark fur was starting to get warm and he realized a little too late that he had wandered too far from the shade. With a huff he turns on his heel, he wasn't going to find water this way, he had come this way already, he had followed his own paw steps not the day before. He was wasting time and energy searching the same lengths. What was worse, now he was thirsty and there was no handy drop of water to quench his thirst.

At his paws a pale snake with a black cap slithered between his large paws as he marched across the sands. Mog knew better than to interrupt the male when he was in this mood, brooding, thoughtful, but he occasionally wrapped around one of the large dark males paws just to let him know that he had a friend. The desert was a harsh place and though he lived happily beside Ea'Pavlov, he knew it was a harsher place for the lions of this place. He was lucky, once every six months he 'absorbed' a hare or something a little larger but infinitely more horny, a klipspringer and he was sorted, he didn't need to eat or drink again for another six months. The desert was a good place for him. He often wondered why lions stayed, but these kin to the fire, they were a stubborn lot and that was why he stuck close to the pale maned lion, it stopped him from getting eaten for one thing, but he loved their determination. Even when they were overly annoyed at the world in general.  

[Uta]

Nyimak was tired. It wasn't just physical exhaustion, it was mental and emotional fatigue that plagued her as well. This drought was getting worse by the minute, and a small part of the young lioness feared the worst. If they didn't find water soon the suffering would begin to take more lives than had already be lost. The portion of water was getting smaller day by day. . . what would have happened had the pride voted in favor of prioritizing? Well, Nyimak knew the answer to that. The elderly, the cubs, they would have been the first to go. Followed by those of civilian classes . . . lions whom harbored titles of hunters and huntresses like her.

"It has to be out there somewhere," she growled to herself, tail whipping irritably behind her. Tempers were short in these desperate times, and this afternoon was no different. While she didn't begrudge her new (albeit temporary) title as waterseeker, it had never been something she'd felt called to do. It was a new experience, really, and something she was likely guaranteed to fail. Perhaps that was what irritated her the most - no one was having luck finding water in these dry times. It was difficult enough finding prey without the allure of water nearby, and was worse when they did have to hunt. Bringing down prey was no easy task, and caused one to work up a sweat and a thirst. . .

A thirst that was unquenchable.

Taking a moment to rest in the nearby shade, Nyimak decided that today was the day. She was going to bring back water no matter what. She was part of a proud lineage, after all, and she wasn't going to let them down. She was strong, proud, smart, and damned lucky - if anyone was going to find water and succeed at the task, even if it was but a puddle, she would do it.

Her tongue was parched but she turned to groom some of her fur. If she noticed the approach of another, she said nothing nor made any move. She didn't want to talk right now, she wanted to rest and cool down for a few moments before resuming the hunt for the ever elusive water. Surely they pride came closer to relief everyday. . . . maybe with her as a waterseeker, the tides would soon turn.
 

[Syrius Lionwing]

He very nearly sighed, he very very nearly growled in fact that when he found his usual slither of shade that there was someone already in it. He very nearly barked an insult, he was but a moment away from just all out attacking but the touch of the snake on his paw pulled him back to reality, he closed his eyes and settled his brow. "Do you mind if I share your shade?" He managed through clenched teeth, he could feel the anger boiling borne of pure frustration, just below the surface. He wanted so badly to just berate the other lion for sitting in his spot. He really was very frustrated.

It took him a few moments to realize that it was a female sitting in the shade and his demeanor changed again. He had hardly ever conversed with females, that he wasn't related to any way. His sisters and mother of course, but they just didn't count. he clears his throat. "It's very warm I usually use this spot on my way back." He stated, trying not to sound foolish for claiming a bit of shade as his own.

Mog hisses and curls around the big male lions fore leg, becoming a sort of snake shaped bracer. He looked at the female and hissed a laughing hiss, he knew too well that Pavlov didn't have any experience talking to females that he wasn't related to and he would certainly find this interesting to watch, after all he had felt the muscles of his friend relax as he realized the gender of the shade intruder.  

[Uta]

Nyimak continued grooming, slowly, pointedly, though her peripheral vision told her that she wasn't alone. Pausing mid-lick, her orange eyes turned up towards Ea Pavlov as she listened to his words, and noted his body language.

He looked a bit familiar, though she didn't know him off hand or on a name sort of basis. There were many in the pride, despite their worries over water, and it was near impossible to keep them all to memory. While she was certain she had seen him before in passing, his name and rank escaped her.

At first glance, he was just like any other firekin. Large, a coat touched with traditional colors (outside of his yellow nose and muzzle), and stalking up as if he owned the world. While she took note of the snake that slithered around his legs, she also was keen on reading body language. The terseness of his voice through clenched teeth, his eyes closed shut as if he were actually struggling with something. That was all she needed to know, really. . . .

Temper, temper.

Nyimak wasn't a mean sort, she had been born and raised with morals and a strong spirit. She knew the difference between right and wrong, and had even been dubbed a bit bossy growing up. While she had calmed down considerably with age and maturity, she couldn't help but be amused by his state. Honestly, he looked frazzled. Everyone's nerves were shot lately, her own included, and she was half-tempted to tell him no.

Why should she share with someone who looked to be a pain.

Still, before she was able to voice a response, a new change went over him. He cleared his throat as he suddenly looked to relax some. He was . . .explaining himself? Not just explaining but justifying his request. Very odd really.

While this didn't deter Nyimak from telling him no, the thought of causing a fight did. And she really wasn't in the mood to get in to an argument with a stranger. Not yet, at any rate. It was god awful hot, and her tongue was parched without snarling and snapping at a male. Hmph. Settling herself in a more regal looking pose (because really, he SHOULD feel honored to sit next to her, damnit), Nyimak gave a small snort and half-smile. "You're just in luck then, stranger. There's enough for two. Water isn't the only thing that's sparse these days, and I won't be so selfish to claim this shade as my own."

Nyimak had grown up with many brothers and sisters. Her mother was a strong and proud sort of female, and the young lioness wanted to be like her in every way. Azar was her hero, and she loved her terribly. Still, the young lioness felt she owed it to her family to make them proud. The drought wasn't helping her accomplish such a thing, especially with the title as Huntress. But . . . it was a talent of hers. Even if it was but a civilian class.

Now . . .what about this stranger? While males didn't make her uncomfortable (she actually found them silly and usually a bit beneath her), she wanted to know more about this one. It was nice to be in the company of one who wasn't her family. This meant someone new to get to know, and better yet, someone new whose buttons she could and would soon push.