[PRP] Strong and Soft (Siha x Katashi)

[Tanakako]

The stone had proven far heavier than it had looked earlier that morning. The carvers had finished with it and it had been put to one side ready for the haul to its final resting position. Katashi had been the one to come down and collect it.. or at least had attempted to. Within minutes he had retreated to his den and slipped into the harness he had recently finished. With the extra leather strap in his mouth, he had returned to the stubborn rock and after fixing the strap round its width, had stepped into the loop made by the strap and with its weight distributed across his muscular body by his harness, had set about dragging the monolithic monster up to its rightful spot.

Several hours later Katashi had finally released the pressure on the leather strap and had collapsed at the foot of the now correctly positioned stone, catching his breath and easing the weight off his abused pawpads. He had been very grateful for his hand-made harness, the skin of his shoulders was still raw after his work but the tough leather had taken the worse of the beating and he still, miracles of miracles, had some fur left on him. Finally he had pulled himself up, slipped the leather strapping off the stone, and set about moving the smaller rocks bout into the right places. It was this task that was occupying his attention when a light, gentle voice called out from the front of the half-done shrine.

Blinking the sweat from his eyes he stuck his head round the huge lump of rock that had nearly sent him to an early grave and was surprised by the figure of a pale blue lioness, one he recognized if only belatedly, as one of the newer guides. Stepping round the large stone and into her line of sight, he shook the dust from his coat before offering her a warm smile, green eyes friendly. "Greetings." He replied, his voice was low and soft, more befitting a scholar than a layman but the quiet voice came from a body that, for a leopard, was gigantic. Almost the height of a regular male lion, Katashi was one of the biggest leopards anyone in the pride had ever seen and it was clearly obvious why he had chosen the profession of a Shifter.
 

[Tanakako]

Shaking his head gently the leopard settled down, tail curling about his paws as he sat on the stony ground. She seemed a little nervous of him so he hoped by sitting he would make himself look less threatening. Though there was nothing he could do about his dusty and fairly sweaty appearance.

"No bother ma'am. I had just finished with most of the stones, a break would be welcome." Offering her another calm smile the leopard arched his neck, nipping at his chest where the stone had pinched his skin. Looking back at her after a moment of intent scratching, he dipped his head politely. "I'm Katashi. It is a pleasure to meet you Siha. You are a guide here are you not?" He inquired in his gentle voice, genuinely interested. "I don't know who this shrine is for yet, only that it is to be set up here..." He explained in case she was wondering.
 

[Tanakako]

He smiled again, the expression gentle and encouraging. It was most likely that in any other pride he would have been a scholar or a tutor, or something of that ilk for he was clearly calm and patient and certainly well mannered, but here where the young pride needed muscles more than brains, he had chosen to become a shifter.

"There is no shame in not knowing ones way yet. It takes time to learn a new land." His expression was friendly, for he certainly meant no insult. He watched her pad up to the large rock and nodded. "That is one of the bigger ones, certainly. But if they are too heavy, my colleague, Ishekhesi, helps me. He is a lion and has been here as long as myself." Since they were both members when the small pride settled this new mountain, the pair of them had set up most of the early shrines together.
 

[Tanakako]

Shifting his paws to ease the ache of his pads as best he could, he nodded slowly. "Most of the time. To be honest it is peaceful up here with the rocks.. the carvers come and go so I am not completely alone, and if Ishekhesi is working near by we often stop for a meal together." He glanced back at the mostly finished shrine before returning his gaze to the seemingly rather shy lioness.

"Thank you for your kind words. It is satisfying work at the very least.. you can see the progress made each day and when a shrine is finished and given over to the keepers, you get a sense of accomplishment.. you can look back and say 'I did that'.. and know the shrine will still be there long after you yourself have passed on." He smiled softly, expression relaxed and content. The work might have been hard and painful at times, but he enjoyed his life here on the mountain and would never wish to be anyplace else.

Safaia

 

[Tanakako]

Catching her expression he felt the faint warmth of a blush moving under his fur. No one ever looked at him like that, as if he was something special... it made him feel both exposed, and happy at the same time. If only he believed he deserved such regard from anyone, let alone the gentle, honest lioness before him.

Dipping his head politely he gave her a warm smile. "It has been a true pleasure speaking with you, and if I can ever help in any way, please don't hesitate to ask, yes?" Dipping his head to catch her eye he chuckled softly. "I am sure you provide much more than you think you do for our visitors." He wanted to reassure her, since she looked so uncertain about her work. Her shyness was sweet, and he knew she was being modest when it came to her work.

Safaia