All in all Porphyra was pretty pleased with her decision to join the Suka'Fumo. Life was far easier now that she didn't have to be afraid all the time or worried about how she was going to find a meal – because lets face it hunting was not exactly her strong suit. Kivuli had been right when they first met, Phy was not suited to the life of a rogue and her only regret was that she'd resisted taking his advice and joining for so long.

Since she'd joined the pride there had been a bit of a drama of course – some nutty lioness had run off and abandoned some cubs, Phy probably should have helped look for them but she'd been far to shy to throw herself into such a situation and really...she could hardly take care of herself – how on earth would she manage to take care of an abandoned cub. She'd heard that Kivuli and his mate – Maua she thought her name was – had managed to find two of the little beasts however and she wasn't really all that surprised, Kivuli was the type who liked looking after others. Herself being a case in point.

Unfortunately despite agreeing that it had been the right choice for her – and despite enjoying the safer atmosphere Phy couldn't shake the...loneliness that had taken over her life, not that she had really had much of a social life before now but she supposed that seeing new places and new lands had held it at bay – or perhaps it was simply that being in such close proximity to other lions and seeing their relationships with one another simply made her notice what she was missing all the more.

In any case it likely wasn't something that was going to be easily changed – she simply had to accept the fact that she just wasn't cut out for making friends, the thought of simply walking up to someone and peaking with them out of the blue was..well...mortifying. She was sure that if she tried she would say something horribly embarrassing and make a fool out of herself. It was a rather sad predicament that she had gotten herself into and such were the thought which occupied her mind as she padded along the pathway.

She was in fact so engrossed in such thoughts that she failed to notice anyone around her. Of course failing to notice others did not mean that they failed to notice her and indeed the new purple lioness had caught the eye of one particular noble.

Maua watched as the newcomer padded along the path, she was quite certain that this was the same lioness that Kivuli had brought to the Pride not so very long ago – and how purple she was! Indeed Maua was quite jealous and had kept her distance for a while, merely observing the girl as she went about her business. It had quickly become apparent that the girl had not yet made any connections in the Pride...which was fortunate she supposed as it gave her the perfect environment to work with – she was new and presumably lonely and Maua would be able to mold her into the perfect tool for her own plans.

And Maua did have plans for her – oh yes she did. In a recent chat with her son she had confirmed what she'd already suspected – the boy had yet to set his eyes upon a female in the pride and what luck then that he had a mother such as she...a mother willing to lend a helping paw in such delicate matters and speak well of him to such a wonderfully colored lioness, why with a lioness like that as a mother her grandchildren would be sure to be perfectly purple one and all!

Why it was almost to good to be true – and it would be if she didn't act quickly before some other male or enterprising female got the same idea as she had into their heads. Plastering a welcoming smile onto her face Maua dropped onto the pathway and made to saunter in the direction of the new young noble. “Excuse me Miss, I don't think we've met yet” She spoke up, drawing to a halt before the purple lioness and presumably making her stop and chat as well.
Phy very nearly jumped out of her skin when a voice broke through the haze of her own thoughts practically right on top of her – such incidents were precisely the reason she'd never been suited to a life n the rogue lands she reminded herself, why imagine if she hadn't noticed an enemy until they were right on top of her like this. Thankfully despite being startled she managed to keep from actually scuttling sideways or any other such embarrassing action and merely drew to a stop with a faint look of surprise on her face. “Oh my! I didn't even notice you approach My Lady – I'm ever so sorry” She apologized, cringing slightly and ducking her head rather shyly – gods! She'd almost run straight over top of another noble!

It was really almost to good to be true Maua thought to herself as she watched the purple lionesses reaction, the creature was not only young and impressionable..but shy at the same time, why she'd have no trouble at all pulling the girl under her wing and teaching her just what she needed to be taught! And Zamba would never be able to resist such a girl – she was cute and good natured and Maua would simply have to make sure he realized what a catch she was. “No need to apologize dear” Maua told her kindly “You were caught up in your own thoughts – happens to the best of us from time to time” She continued in a warm tone of voice.

“Yes...yes I suppose it does” Phy responded in a quiet tone, glancing up to get a better look at the noble lady in front of her – she'd seen her before from a distance of course and she was pretty sure she was Kivuli's mate, Maua she believed her name was...which reminded Phy that she was being horribly rude and hadn't even given the lioness her own name yet! Inwardly cringing at the breach of propriety Phy hurried to correct her mistake. “Sorry for my rudeness my Lady, standing here and not introducing myself! I'm Porphyra...though most usually end up calling me Phy” She explained..and then realized that it was somewhat of a silly explanation. She doubted the Lioness had any real interest in her nickname.

“Phy is a lovely name” Maua purred at the girl “I am Mwitu Maua, mate of Kuvunja Kivuli...you know my mate I belive?”

“Yes. Ma'am – it was he who brought me to the pride” Phy confirmed

“And such lovely things he had to say of you too” Maua continued on with a slight nod “Why I truly wish I had had the time to come and find you earlier but I've been quite busy and with cubs on the way it's bet to take it easy...I do hope you understand?” She stated in an apologetic voice before glancing around “And now here I am holding you up – surely you've got much to do”

Phy was completely taken aback – Kivuli had said nice things about her? And Maua was apologizing for not coming to see her sooner? Perhaps she ought to have given the walking up and chatting with other a chance after all – everyone seemed so very friendly around here “Of course, I completely understand – I was just heading to the watering hole for a drink....Would you like to join me?” She finally asked after a bit of hesitation.

Maua smiled at the young lioness – the girl was practically eating out of her paw already, why it wouldn't be any time at all and he'd have her paired off with Zamba. It would be perfect! But of course..first thing were first and she beamed at Phy before speaking “I would adore a drink of water! What a lovely idea” she proclaimed before turning about walking off with Phy alongside her.

WC - 1396