He’d had some time to settle back into the pride, though Don was still feeling restless. Almost as if he missed being away from the stronghold, and out on the Savannah where he’d lived most of his life. He could not accept that. It felt as though he had finally started to get comfortable with the pride’s way of life, and already he was wanting to move on. It was... an unappealing thought despite his restlessness. Granted, the freedom to do what he wished, when he wished would be a wonderful thing to return to; but, he would be missing something should he return to that lifestyle. He’d be missing out on daily, comfortable interaction. Had he really gone his whole life without it? The thought was baffling, in a foreign sort of way.
It was a fine day, the skies were dark with rumbling clouds that threatened rain, and the wind was biting. It was home. This is what home felt like, and Bal would not have it any other way. His step faltered slightly as he realized he was not alone. Not far from him, only several paces in fact, lay a pale lion, seemingly drifted off to sleep. The sky could open up at any moment, and this poor b*****d would be drenched. What a rude awakening. Deciding to save this guy the trouble, Bal rumbled the usual, ”Its a good day to die.” Or get rained on, either worked in this instance.He hadn’t realized he’d been laying so still, though the golden lion certainly hadn’t fallen asleep. He shifted his head, just enough to flick a ruby eye in the direction of the voice. Hmm. Someone he hadn’t met before. It wasn’t that surprising really, considering he’d spent most of his time patrolling or out a-viking thus far. ”So it is”, was his response as he slowly rose to his paws. Having been lost in thought, he hadn’t noticed the stranger’s approach, and was taking the time to size him up.
Bal snorted at the roused lion, something akin to amusement coloring his tone. ”Not one for words?” And clearly an outlander. Not a bad thing, really, but they almost always answered the typical Stormborn greeting strangely. He’d not seen this guy around to be honest, and wondered when he had joined. ”I’ve not seen you around, Outlander. Do the Stormborn impress you?” He’d heard from many an outlander that the culture was quite a shock to get used to. Bal wasn’t sure why, but then he’d been raised here. Regardless, he held himself with pride, full and proud to call himself old-blood and Stormborn.
Don took the time to yawn, a wide-mouthed, toothy yawn that exposed his sharp teeth. He had no time for fools. ”It suits me”, was his measured response. He stood calmly, ears forward and muscles relaxed; though he showed no sign of giving the stranger the ‘dominant’ ground. He could tell by the other’s posture, how he held himself and the words he spoke, that he believed himself to be of higher station. Regardless of whether or not this was true, Don would have none of it, and so kept himself neutral and unreactive to the other’s stance. Not the best thing to do in this pride, but Don was a reaver and he had made sure no one would be overstepping themselves around him. After all, he’d been a rogue, a solitary loner that bowed to no one’s whims but his own. He'd be damned if he allowed this pride any sort of leniency on the issue: save the warlord himself, of course.
A rumble echoed down in his throat as he stared down the male that seemed to be sizing him up. Bal was no reaver, not yet, but he’d been training his whole life for the day he’d finally go out a-viking. He did not appreciate the subtle stand-offishness of this outlander, and his shoulder muscles twitched in irritation. Still, only slightly offended, he opted to move on to a different subject. ”Have you given any thought to becoming a reaver? That is, unless you’re flower-blooded”, he hadn’t meant to further goad the outlander, but he felt it necessary, at least in casual jest. Many a homlgang had started over lesser words, but Bal was almost certain this guy wouldn’t even know what that was; still assuming the Outlander to be fairly new to the Stormborn and its customs.
Don, typically not one for anger or brash decisions, could only smirk at the other’s words. Ah. He truly did not know this stranger, and the same could be said of the other lion as well. ”I have iron in my blood, Stranger”, he declared evenly. "I’ve just returned from captain Ru’s quest, but if you’d like a demonstration I’d be happy to pound your face into the ground at the sparring sands. Any time.” That last part came out almost polite, but the gleam in Don’s eyes was neigh unmistakable. He reveled in challenge, sought it out even, and would not allow such words to be spoken to him without consequence.
Ah. Shits. Bal narrowed his eyes at the pale faced lion, trying to truly remember if he’d seen him before or not. Ru’s band had left so long ago, it was likely he’d been too young at the time to even remember half of who went with him. Not one to shy away from fights, especially those he’d picked himself, Bal allowed an easy grin to slip onto his maw. ”Very well. The next time we meet, it will be on the sparring sands”, he agreed. He’d heard that Ru’s quest had been impossible, and yet it had still be accomplished. He had to wonder how much of that was Ru’s doing, and how much had been done by his band.
And because Don was feeling generous he threw a, ”Do not die in bed”, over his shoulder as he turned to walk away. He welcomed the potential for battle, and hoped it would be worth his time. As he was walking away Don managed to get a good glimpse of the sky and its darkening clouds. It might be good of him to find a den for the night, as he had yet to claim one for himself since returning. That, or he’d spend another night in the bachelor’s den. That was not something he was particularly keen on doing.
Well, that could have gone worse, was all Bal managed to think as he watched the large lion lumber away. ”Nor you”, he replied, before turning to take his leave as well. Bal frequented the sparing grounds to train and better hone his skills, so there was no doubt he’d be seeing the reaver again. Though some part of him wondered if he could win, on the whole he was excited to get the chance to fight one of the lions that had helped Ru accomplish the impossible. It would be an interesting bout, to say the least!
(Word Count: 1216)
