With DarkHeartedSorrows
It was another sweltering day with no rain. A situation that had become the norm for a while now. And each day Kuza prayed for rain in futile hope. This day she was taking shelter under an outcropping of rocks, her right red fur dulled to a reddish-orange by the sand dust that covered her, flanks heaving as she panted, trying to cool down just a little.
She needed to go and hunt soon, not that there was anything left to hunt any more, only the desert rats and a few other scavengers had remained since the drought hit the pride, and they were feeding off those bigger animals that had not made it...
Heaving a heavy sigh she lifted her head and shook herself, irritated by the sand that seemed to be covering everything if it stood still for even the briefest of moments. "Gah!!! This is enough to drive anyone insane!" She growled hoarsely, her voice dry and roughened from lack of water.
Heat was usually bad. It dried out the lands, killed off the larger prey animals, and often made the younger cubs sick. However, it was especially bad for the lions like Daigre. His dark coat trapped the heat, giving it little escape and making every day harsh. Usually he resorted to nocturnal behavior to escape the sun, but today his stomach would not rest until he’d eaten.
He wasn’t usually one to complain, but being hot and hungry was difficult. He padded across an outcrop of rocks, scanning the horizon for anything that moved, but there was nothing to see. The air seemed to shimmer from the intense heat, but beyond that there was nothing. Every animal seemed to be sheltering itself well out of the sun’s rays.
Taking the hint, Daigre leaped down from the rocks and was immediately cast in their shade. He took no notice of his surroundings as he enjoyed the slight relief.
The dull scrape of paws over her rock didn;t at first register but then the large shape of someone she knew well dropped down bebfore her and she roused herself from her dehydrated haze with a worn but bright smile. "Daigre!" Standing she shook once again and padded over to him, pale eyes concerned as she noted just how badly the heat was affecting him. "Come rest here for a minute..." She ofered, her voice uncharacteristiclly soft.
