Badoura often thought of herself as the mother of all other thralls. She did her very best to look after each and every one of them, and she kept a very close eye on a select few. One of the thralls that she followed up on almost daily was the hybrid, Lollys, who did not seem completely sane at her best of times, and was a quivering lump of half-cheetah, half-lion at the worst of times.
The males seemed to enjoy her - those indiscriminate sorts who wished to find quick pleasure would often find such with Lollys, and they could rest assured that she would not find herself with cub. After all, everyone knew that hybrids could not have cubs, and as such Lollys was ideal for the Reavers and Captains of the pride who were married and unhappy - but who wanted to keep a happy wife (because a happy wife means a happy home).
Because Badoura was keen on looking after the thralls, Lollys was often one of the first thralls she checked on each morning after rising, but before she took to her own duties. She knew without fail that she could find the hybrid in the same place each and every morning. Lollys did not have her own den, but shared one with the male she'd been captured with - Svimmel. He was a nice male, one that Badoura enjoyed chatting with if she saw him at work, and he too looked after Lollys as best he could.
As Badoura approached the den, she caught sight of Lollys and smiled at the hybrid.
"Good morning, Lollys. Have you eaten?"
"Yes, Badoura."
"Good. How did you sleep?"
"Not well. Svimmel snores, and my back leg is sore."
Hm. Badoura narrowed her eyes at the hybrid.
"It is sore? What has happened?"
"I don't know, Badoura. I woke this morning and there was a sharp pain."
"Up you go, then. Let us have a look."
Lollys rose to her feet just as she was told, and the problem became immediately clear.
"Lollys, you've been bitten??"
"Yes."
"Well, that's.. that's what's causing you pain. When did this happen, and why didn't you tell Svimmel or myself so that we could see you to the healers?"
"Last night. Svimmel was sleeping, and I was dirty and tired so I just went to bed."
Badoura felt a pang of sadness in her chest.
"Why were you dirty?"
She knew she wouldn't want to hear the answer, so she swiftly continued.
"Nevermind. You still should have come to me, or Svimmel. We look after one another, don't we? Lollys?"
The hybrid shrugged, looking despondent.
"It's nothing, Badoura. I am nothing. I am less than nothing here, and it is the saddest thing of all of the sad things."
The pang of sadness in Badoura's chest blossomed into a harsh ache. Seeing Lollys as upset as she was made Badoura feel as if she'd let the other female down - and in truth, Badoura was far too kind-hearted for her own good, and this was something that the lioness realized. She knew that she cared far too much, and she was lucky that Dalla seemed to recognize such kindness and caring, and oftentimes even encouraged it - as some sort of rebellious act of her own.
"You are not less than nothing, Lollys. You are sweet and simple and that is not such a bad thing, is it? It isn't to me. Now, can you walk? I would take you to the lake so that we might wash away some of this grime - perhaps a visit to the healers is not entirely necessary."
Lollys stood, let out a low grunt of pain. She nodded at Badoura.
"I can walk."
"Very good. Now, come along. Follow me, and we will get this taken care of together. No sense in worrying Svimmel now that I have you, though I will be sure to tell him to keep an eye on your leg so that any infection that rises - if any - can be dealt with accordingly."
"Yes, Badoura."
With a sharp nod of her head, Badoura continued forth. Lollys followed at a slower pace, pausing now and again. She was a steadfast creature, Badoura knew, but each time that Lollys paused, Badoura did too. It did not take long for them to reach the water's edge, and Badoura paused before wading in to the cool water.
"Come now, then, Lollys."
Obediently Lollys followed, wincing slightly when the snowmelt water hit her skin.
"It's cold," the hybrid observed dully, bracing herself for the pressure of Badoura's paw against her flank.
"It is, but also very refreshing, don't you think?" Badoura felt the urge to keep talking, to distract Lollys from the discomfort that was sure to follow as she washed away the grime and dust that had collected along the hybrid's oddly-colored pelt.
"Do you ever come to swim, Lollys?" Badoura grit her teeth and splashed a pawful of water against the hybrid's thigh. Dried blood and dirt washed free, though a bit of crust was left behind. It would take some time to work it free, but Badoura was a patient sort.
"No."
"We should come sometime, should we ever have a pleasant break together."
"Yes, Badoura."
The clod of muddy scab that was left behind soon gave way beneath Badoura's gentle ministrations, and Badoura sighed softly as she took in the wound that was left behind.
"It is not so bad, Lollys." She splashed more of the crisp water against Lollys' flank, exhaling a sigh of relief.
"Oh, that is fortunate," Lollys muttered softly around the lump of discomfort in her throat.
"I think that so long as we keep it clean and tended to, you won't even need to see a healer. This is very good. There. All clean. Come, follow me out."
"Yes, Badoura."
The rest of Badoura's morning was spent settling Lollys deep within the sanctuary of the den she shared with Stygg. The other thrall had become fast friends with Badoura, and she was not so simple that she did not understand the importance of secrecy.
For the millionth time since arriving in the pride, Badoura gave thanks that her own mistress was as understanding as one could be. Her life here could undoubtedly be worse than it was, of that Badoura had little doubt.
WC 1060
