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 Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 3:02 pm
 The rain was only slightly dripping through the thick trees this morning, but already the older female could tell it was going to be a bad day. She absolutely hated water, though she couldn't really tell you why. She had just ... always hated it. For the moment, the small amount of a trickle was just enough to get under her skin, but soon the thunder would begin and the downpour would follow. That's when she would head for the nearest safety zone and huddle in hear quivering ball of fear. Taking a look up, she could hardly tell much, the trees were thick and help little note of what the sky held. But by the humidity in the air, she could tell she was safe, for now. Having a list of errands to do, and obviously not all day to do it, the lioness stepped forth from her den, fur on end, and her tail wrapped stiffly around her leg. Muttering to herself angrily, she paid little attention to the area around her and more attention to the panic building in her mind.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 3:28 pm
Nebel blinked in surprise when she saw a rather perturbed lioness heading by her. For the life of her she couldn't figure out why someone would be so upset on such a lovely day! With the rain dripping down through the trees it was as if vijini were trying to make music on the leaves! Or at least that was the way the young cub saw it. It perturbed her to see someone so distressed in the lovely weather, so perfect for taking a nap if you were tired, and even better for running around and getting your fur nice and clean by rubbing up against all the lightly christened leaves and branches and bark and reeds.
Trotting along after the lioness, Nebel finally spoke up as the larger cat in front of her paused. "Why do you look so upset? Is everything okay? I hope nothing bad has happened to you...."
Being so young, Nebel didn't know if this was a member of her clan that she had simply never seen before - which could easily be true. Or if she was an outsider, which would have no meaning to the young while lioness, as she had no knowledge yet of anything outside her own pride.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 3:40 pm
The young, inquisitive voice behind her nearly forced the lioness out of her own skin. With an impressive jump, she landed back on the ground, gripping her claws deep into the damp soil to hold her ground. She'd hadn't noticed anyone following her, where the heck had that sound come from? And why were they being so nosy?!
Regaining some sense of calm, Zafrina darted her head around and caught sight of the cub. Such a strange sight she was, nearly all white in this messy terrain. For a brief second she thought about chasing the cub away with gruff words. But what would that solve? She meant no harm to this place, and the cub seemed innocent enough. Though apparently saw nothing wrong with the world around her, which rose many a question in Zaf's mind.
"I-It's raining. Isn't that enough to put anyone in a sour mood?" She asked, genuinely curious as to why this cub seemed so happy and content in such a dreary atmosphere. "Nothing has happened to me. I just don't like the rain young-one. It's nothing you should worry your cute little head over." She smiled reassuringly to the cub and turned to completely face her. Debating whether she really wanted to sit in this mud, where she would likely be caked with soil and sink a bit in the process.
No, for now she would stand.
"What about you? Why are you out here so alone, and worried about a stranger? While very kind of you, strangers can be dangerous." Sh lectured the cub lightly, hoping she wouldn't take that as some warning on her part.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 3:56 pm
Curious pink eyes followed the lioness as she jumped, impressed with just how high the leap was. But when she came down, claws digging into the earth as if she was afraid she was going to fall off, Nebel felt bad. She hadn't meant to frighten anyone, but that had been one impressive jump, so obviously the lioness hadn't noticed her there...
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you..." She mumbled with a shuffling of her front paws, staring down at them as she clawed up a tiny scuff of earth. Her head again lifted however at the mention of the weather, her ears cocking forward. "Rain? Why would anyone not like the rain? It's so peaceful when it rains, and it's almost as if you can hear the vijini!" she smiled.
At the gentle reprimand however she cringed faintly, her tail swishing in apology. "I... I was chasing dragon-flies, I want to catch one for their wings, to make an earring.... but they're so fast. I guess I wandered further than I thought, my brothers and sisters were nearby, but I'm not sure where they are now." Her voice held a tone of embarrassment, she knew she had strayed too far and shouldn't have.
"And oh, I don't know... you don't seem scary or dangerous, and you looked kind of scared yourself, so I wasn't worried. Besides, everyone I've met so far has been nice!" She chirped happily, her voice like a tiny bird.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:10 pm
Zefrina merely let out a gentle yet shaky laugh at the cub as she quickly apologized for spooking her. It wasn't a big deal in her view, she was always scared though not at what most would assume. "You didn't scare me." She cooed, "More like startled! Those are much better than scares." She continued to smile, feeling slightly awkward at her strange conversation. She'd never really had to deal with a cub, and while adorable it was oddly uncomfortable. It was though she were not being herself, or was trying too hard to be herself. Which would definitely come off as creepy. "Well, I suppose I haven't ever thought of it like that. It can be quite calming to some people. But for me, it has the opposite effect. Though - the noise it makes can be quite beautiful." Zafrina paused a moment, angling her ear up to the sky to hear the droplets. They were actually quite nice, though with one drop falling square on her nose she lost all interest in its beauty.
Shaking her head, she was careful to pay special attention to the cub as she talked. So she was lost? Or just misplaced? Either way it seemed she wasn't all too happy with her predicament. So for the moment at least, she wouldn't probe with her questions about her mistake.
"Well... instead of trying to catch one, have you tried asking one?" She was well aware that she sounded strange. "I once met a lioness in my travels that told me that it is possible to talk to the other creatures of Nature. If you have the gift." She giggled lightly and nudged the cub. "What do you say we at least try?"
This cub was growing on her, more by the second. So sweet and innocent. It warmed her heart to be so near a cub who could trust her so fully.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:33 pm
"Oh, well, if it was just that then... okay. But I still didn't mean to..." the cub smiled bashfully, reassured by the lioness' words. "Oh! That's why soft rain is my favorite!" she hoped lightly from side to side, seemingly struggling to contain an inner joy.
"The sounds the droplets make on the leaves and the ground and the puddles..." she paused to giggle, "It's like singing sometimes! Especially when night has fallen and the frogs and insects raise their voices too~!"
Nebel blinked her eyes open, she'd had them closed thinking of the wonderful sound of evening rain and singing insects and had momentarily gotten lost in her own world inside her head. The suggestion to talk to insects... well, it may have occurred to her in passing, when she thought one might be a jini... but... "Really? You met a lioness who could talk to other animals and things that aren't vijini?" She hopped from one foot to another again, looking elated. "Yes! Yes lets try!!" A smile spread across her muzzle, the expression lighting up her whole face.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 4:44 pm
"I'm sure you didn't. Mistakes happen, it's a part of life." Zafrina smiled faintly, listening to her vivid descriptions of the rain and the sounds it made. She really did enjoy this place didn't she? Well, if such young and vulnerable cub could learn to love this place; it couldn't be all that hard.
"It seems like you have a real connection to this place..." She trailed off, thinking about her own life, and how she'd never felt a real connection with a home before. Perhaps it was finally time for her to do so? Yes, beyond time. "Oh yes, the lioness I spoke with - she could talk to the stars!" She whispered the words, first looking around to make sure no one else was around. Acting as though the entire conversation were top secret. "But she also said you don't want to hear them talk. Apparently they are pretty loud." Another long pause as she thought of what to say next. "But I can't imagine dragonflies would be very loud, they're so very small." She stood there, shaking still, though slowly ridding herself of the tremors. "Alright then!" She purred happily.
"But first you have to show me exactly where you found these dragonflies home." Zafrina coaxed the cub forward, hoping to help alleviate her own stress while helping the cub to achieve a goal. She could kill two birds with one stone. That wasn't so bad.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:07 pm
"T-talk to the stars....?" Nebel stared up at the lioness in absolute wonder, eyes wide. "I-is that possible? For real? It doesn't seem possible...!" Her bird voice was full of wonder again. She was really started to be grateful to have met this lioness, she seemed to know all kinds of things that might help her meet a jini!!
"Oh... I never knew the stars were loud... that seems strange... they're so pretty... but they are very bright when you can see them beyond the tree tops, so maybe that would make sense..." Blinking thoughtfully, she glanced at the sky, even though it was no where near the proper time of day to see the stars.
The lioness' next words about the insects brought her right back down to earth and back on their original topic however. "Oh, no, dragonflies aren't very loud. I mean how could they be?" she agreed readily, "They're so tiny... although their wings are very large. And pretty. That's why I want a pair!"
Nebel nodded at the lioness' request, hopping to her feet, since moments ago she had decided to sit until they went somewhere. "Okay! I can show you exactly where they are!" the mostly white cub turned and headed back the way she had come before happening across the frightened-by-the-rain lioness, trotting along more than happy to show her where they lived, and inadvertently, where she had come from herself. She would be leaving the lioness right into the Swampie pridelands, but the cub knew nothing of such distinctions quite yet.
After a minute or two, she turned back, the tip of her blue tail swishing, her head tilted to the side. "Oh! I'm being so rude!! I forgot to ask you your name and tell you mine! My parents call me Nebel. What name are you called by?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 5:25 pm
"Indeed the stars! She had a close friend who could even talk to the birds, he was trying to teach her when I met them." She smiled fondly thinking back on the memory of her first run in post tsunami. They had been a sweet bunch, both a little strange in their own way, but very comforting. "I'm sure if he could talk to the birds, there must be some way you can talk with the dragonflies! It might take time though, so don't get your hopes up all at once!" Another sincere face crossed her features. She wasn't one to truly get the cub's hopes up. But she did want her to try.
Following swiftly behind the cub, Zafrina found herself silently hoping that at the very least, she would get her wings. Even if she had to catch a dragonfly herself. She was unaware when they crossed the thresh hold from the lands to the pride. But she did detect a stronger scent as they ventured further. She thought little of it though, and trudged on. Dodging branches and waddling through the mud.
She nearly bumped into the cub as she turned to introduce herself, a bit of intrigue caught on the cub's face. "It is nice to meet you Nebel, you have a very lovely name." She smiled lightly, giving the cub the proper praise. "I am called by Zafrina, though I have come across some who like Zaf." She bowed low, and nudged the cub forward towards their destination.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:16 pm
"Oh, well, something like talking to dragonflies, I'd think it would take alot longer than talking to birds because dragonflies are alot dumber... I mean birds know to fly away from danger alot faster than dragonflies do..." she nodded in agreement, smiling to placate the worried expression that crossed the other lion's face. She needn't worry!
"Oh... I like your name too... it's so pretty! And oh no, I could never call you Zaf, that would just be wrong... you're an adult, you don't need to have a short name any more! You get to have a long one!" Her words would be puzzling to most outside of their clan, but the little cub didn't know this. She had no idea that outside of her own clan, most only had one name and that was given to them at birth. They didn't have to go on a quest to find any true name such as was expected of her when she was older.
Nebel squeaked and then giggled at the nudge, leaping ahead and then trotting off again in the direction of the dragonflies main swarming area, just at the edge of a marshy body of water, the land ending where the cub stopped short, lilly pads and water lillies blooming in front of them on the surface of the water. A huge swarm of multicolored overly large dragonflies buzzed on and off the water and shore, as well as above it , catching tinier insects in their flight, looking like paw-sized jewels. "Here we are! Dragonflies!!!"
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 6:35 pm
The more the cub seemed to talk, the less aware Zafrina became. It wasn't that she wasn't paying attention - because she had been. She just, had no idea on some of the things the cub mentioned. She had played off a few, but this long name thing, just caught her off guard. She'd never heard of such a thing, where an adult was supposed to have a long name. Was she missing something really important? She had no idea, but thought it would probably be better to not question it. At least not now, instead she would humor the cub. Nod in the appropriate places, and get in some much needed socialization.
As they reached the area full of dragonflies, her mouth fell slightly agape. There was a body of water right in front of her, but she couldn't freak out. Nebel was being so strong, she should probably prove she could be an adult too. SO she stuffed it down, though the tremors began again stronger than ever.
"There are so many of them!" She giggled nervously, truly amazed by their beauty, but truly fearful of the water as well. She took a few awkward steps forward trying to hold her grip to the Earth. "Well, let's see what you've got. Find one you like and see if it likes you back!" She smiled again, though it wavered through her fear.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:29 pm
Nebel had no idea at the thoughts that passed through the other lioness' head, mostly because she wasn't looking at her, eyes trained instead on the flights of dragonflies darting to and fro above the water. Her focus was on them and little else while the other lion enjoyed her silent contemplation.
When she turned back, she was confused to see the lioness again looking frightened, but with an expression she sometimes saw on her siblings faces, one that said she was trying not to look scared despite being so.
"Uhm... are you okay, Zafrina?" the words came hesitantly, her voice laced with bewilderment. "It's not raining much any more at all..." For the life of her she couldn't put together why the lioness was suddenly afraid. It was her who had suggested they come to see the dragonflies, so why now did she look so upset? Even if she was hiding it, a bit was still apparent to the young cub.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 7:46 pm
She was zoned out in her fear, but she'd come all the way out here. There was no sense in letting Nebel down now. She quickly shook the fear out of her fur, and stood tall once more, her face more composed, and her stiffened muscles proving to be a bit of a challenge. "I'm fine, just a little bit chilly from the change in scenery." She lifted her cheeks a bit to show a slight smile, and allowed a tremor to run own her back. She wasn't entirely lying, the rain had left a bit of a dampness to her coat. She wasn't entirely used to it, since she'd left the Bahari she'd surrounded herself with nothing but dry, arid atmospheres and now she was here. It was sort of funny actually, but she dare not laugh, Nebel wouldn't understand it.
"Now let's go catch you some butterfly wings!" She pranced a few steps forward, keeping as much of a distance between herself and the water as possible. She took note of a particularly large dragonfly darting just a few feet before her. His wings glistened in the humid air and she lifted her paw to point it out. "How about that one? He looks like he has a good pair of wings on him!"
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:20 pm
Although unable to sort out all the subtleties occuring in front of her, Nebel was able to tell that whatever was bothering the other lioness, that she was shaking it off. Adults were funny like that. She was always wondering why they weren't as honest as cubs, but strangely enough, she could never get an adult to answer that question straight either! In any case, whatever Zaf was going through internally, Nebel decided to not ask her about it again. She didn't want to tell her, it seemed, so she wasn't going to press it. The other lion being angry at her was the last thing she wanted to risk... "It does get a little cold here sometimes I guess..."
So when she smiled at her, she just smiled back and took it at face value. Even as a cub who didn't understand alot of things, she understood when someone was struggling with something, or upset, and she didn't want to upset her more, whatever was bothering her.
"Okay!!" Nebel smiled and pranced forward to look more closely at the particular purple and blue winged dragonfly that had been singled out. "I think I see the one... is that it? With the blue and purple??" Her tail swished happily as she peered out over a bit of the shore, bright attentive eyes following the erratic path it danced across the air.
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Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:32 pm
"That's the one." She purred, taking up position behind the cub and watching the dragonfly with her eyes intently. She would hope for the cub to catch it, but if she got the opportunity she would capture it herself and give it as a gift. A gift to a cub wise beyond her years. The thought warmed her heart a little more than it should, and she knew she no longer wanted the cub to catch it. It was selfish, entirely so, but at the same time she just wanted Nebel to know she was thankful.
A flash of purple passed her by, and Zafrina sprung into action. Leaping forward with all the power she could muster, she caught the dragonfly in her teeth, and fell.
Right into the water.
She sputtered to stat afloat, struggled to hold her composure. She had to.
Holding her breath, and clenching the fly gently in her teeth, she drug herself from the water her fur trembling in a mix of fear and cold.
As she stood there, she winked lightly at the cub, and placed the dragonfly lightly at her feet. "For you little Nebel, for being a sweet and wise cub. I present you these wings." She paused nudging at the wings. "In hopes that you will always soar above the rest!"
Zafrina smiled lightly, and ruffled the cubs fur tuft gently. "Thank you for keeping my mind off the rain little one."
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