[PRP] Swimmin'... or not (Madaha x Jukka)

[Satsurashi]

Of all the things Madaha might have thought she would miss of her pridelands, the sticky summer humidity was not one of them. But now that the muggy air was surrounding her again and the smell of the lake and distant jungle filled her sinuses, her heart filled with nostalgia for the now long-ago days of her cubhood.

There was one thing Mada had never done as a cub, and that's also what she was remembering as the stood on the shores of the great lake, her feet sinking into the characteristic black mud. This water had seemed endless as a cub, and Madaha was surprised that although many things seemed smaller to her now, the water still did not. It was big, and as ominous as ever before. Like many lions, Madaha wasn't a big fan of water, but she also firmly believed in pushing herself to try new experiences. And being the stubborn girl that she was, she had decided this morning that today, she'd try to swim in it. This would neither be fun nor a particularly important learning exercise to her, but she wanted to try it... either just to say she had, or to find out just how far she could push herself.

The problem, mainly, was taking that first step into it. The water was SO cold, and the air around her so gloriously hot. So she stood there, working herself up to do it, while all the while being completely oblivious to much anything else.
 

[Rainhowl]

Further down the banks, Jukka was sincerely enjoying himself. The young male had been quite busy since rejoining the pride that had been part of his youth, mainly because he had taken up the mantle of Kima'baba, like his father before him. He had conjured up all his father had taught him before he passed away and, though he was doing a fine enough job caring for the pride, he had a sinking feeling that there would come a time when a need surfaced. A need that he couldn't fix, with all his knowledge of drums and medicine.

But he was busily trying to force that fear away with a relaxing afternoon to himself, something that he hadn't had since joining. His four paws scuffled in an odd little dance, to his own rhythm, as he loomed over the waters before him. His ringed tail flicked and swayed side to side as he hummed quietly to himself, amused by the fish that darted to and fro beneath the surface.

The afternoon was a warm, pleasant one and since arriving, he almost didn't hate the mugginess anymore. He was home and that is what mattered. His sisters, though neither blood related, were safe within a pride and he had a reason to continue living and practicing his father's ways. In a sense, keeping his rhythm alive, as well.  

[Satsurashi]

Madaha had just about decided she was going to jump in - no, really - but her mind was adamant about finding ways to avoid it. The point of this exercise, other than to push herself, was to see what she was capable of. Well, apparently, Madaha wasn’t quite capable yet of doing something that went so against her grain. For now, anyway.

She stepped back a bit from the shoreline, feet still muddy but the rest of her comfortably dry, and that’s when she noticed the male lion not far down the shore from her. He looked… familiar? Madaha couldn’t quite put a name to the face, but she could swear she knew him from somewhere. And so, curiosity piqued, she came towards him cautiously.

“Hello?” She called, noting that he seemed occupied and hoping that he didn’t mind the intrusion.