[PRP]Here's to the Night (Yafeu x Zima)

[Uta]

Night had fallen over the Nchi'mahadhi lands, a gentle peace and serenity overwhelming the world. Stars dotted the heavens above, dotting in and out of existence, while a full moon painted the land in soft washes of white. It was beautiful, and along the borders there was a sense of peace. This far out neat the borders, the typical sounds of the pride were lost to the world, and everything seemed still and at ease.

Everything but Yafeu. The ghost lion trotted near the borders, his drum draped loosely about his shoulders. He had only recently returned from his quest, and he he had enjoyed his experiences away from the pride, he also understood that this truly was his home. He had met a few rogues, he had meditated under the afternoon sun, and wound up finding himself within the evening breezes. The wind, the rain, storms . . . His grandmother had found music within the leaves and grasses. Yafeu had found his peace with the clouds and wind.

Truly that was his inspiration. He loved to dance, he loved even more to sing, but every now and then he also loved to play a beat. A beat that came from his heart, a beat that let him express himself and be what he truly wanted to be!

Life had been plain for Yafeu, but he had great dreams, epic dreams. Whether or not they ever would be fulfilled remained to be seen, but for now, the red eyed lion was willing to let life be. Settling beneath the open sky, a shake attached to his tail, the lion heaved a few breaths before beginning to tap at the drum.

Its dull thud broke through the silence, shattering it as he continued to tap a rhythm to the night. For now, he'd play in honor of stars, of moon beams, and of the shadows that surrounded him. Eyes closed, swaying a bit as he honored the night, Yafeu found himself at peace.
 

[bipolar bee]

Late evening and early morning were Zima's favorite times of day. It felt as if the entire universe was in perfect harmony with itself, and everything followed its rhythm. She always felt relaxed under the ghostly light of the moon, everything around her bathed in shimmery twilight. It was beautiful, and it was why Zima was both a night owl and an early bird.

Tonight she'd found a spot a bit far from the pride for no reason other than it's where her feet had taken her this evening. Away from the soft chatter of mothers to cubs, and brothers to sisters. She had no family despite yearning for one deep in her heart. There would come a time for that in the future, Zima knew this.

A soft thud, repetitious but softly alluring, brought her from her reverie. It was a beautiful sound, one that Zima recognized as that of a drum that the pride used. With a smile on her face, Zima moved to the sound. She was drawn to it like a moth to a flame, her feet keeping time with the sounds of the drumbeat. As she drew closer, she caught sight of a single pale male tapping on his drum. She did not dare to interrupt him for the music was important to them both.  

[Uta]

Yafeu was oblivious to the approach of the female. He was lost in his music, creating his rhythm to the gods of the night. Pounding his drum, his tail twitching the shakers in time with the beat, Yafeu might very well have gone on playing for the rest of the evening had he not opened his eyes. At first he had gaze up at the moon, a small smile on his maw, appreaciating the milky glow that rained down on the land. But as he surveyed the landscape, something brown and out of place caught the corner of his eye.

Something that was no tree or shrub! Doing a double take, he realized he wasn't alone and there was someone else, watching him. His beat almost stumbled, but he caught himself and couldn't help but grin. She looked . . . almost familiar. . . and was likely a member of the pride! Even if she were just a rogue passing through, he'd offer her an invitation anyway. "Care to dance?" The beat of his drum had quickened, its intensity growing.

He wasn't sure if she'd be shy or think him crazy. Still beating his drum with his paws, tail still flicking in time, Yafeu decied to see how much of a show off he could be. The beat was awfully contagious and his body was already rocking. Might as well see what he could do, right?

Rising from his seated position, still pawing at his dream, the lion began to dance around his drum, using both the land around him and his instrument to continue the rhythm. He slapped his paws on the drum and twisted, only to paw a dull thud on the earth. He was making his own sort of music, something he'd learned from others in the pride.

A partner would sure be nice. . . especially one who could appreciate such a thing!