Rumi had taken yesterday off, though she didn't think that her superiors were completely happy with that. When Rey had returned from his scouting shift, his insistence and relaying of what had happened to Rumi had settled the issue, though not the grumbling. She knew why some were grumpy; they were hungry. Feeling good today, she was asking the few spare hunters if they were willing to go with her to hunt boar. It was going to be a dangerous task, but Rumi was ready to prove herself a good huntress, and she just needed to find herself a partner.This drove her to the somewhat-new huntress in the pride, Nyneve, known as... "Jìng Xuě!"
Rumi spotted who she wanted, and she yelled her name as she trotted up to her. The fluffly female was reclining on a rock, trying to soak up what heat she could get from the sun. Rumi had heard how Nyneve was born in the mountains, in snow, even. There was no mistaking that the white and silver lioness knew how to get around on the mountains. It was seeing if she was willing to take a risk on boar that Rumi really wanted to know.
"Oh, hello Língchén," Nyneve said with a bob of her head. She found the brown lioness cheerful, ambitious, and hard working. Nyneve, on the other hand, was hoping to work her way up to a more comfortable and safe position in the house, and was worried to see that Rumi was looking for her. "What...can I help you with today? Would you like your fortune read? I may be able to See..."
"No, no, Jìng Xuě, none of that," Rumi laughed dismissively. She didn't believe in that stuff, though she knew that others though Nyneve's readings were good. Too good, if they were negative. "Um, actually, I wanted to know if you wanted to go hunting with me!"
Nyneve tried not to sigh. "You know you have a reputation for being crazy, Língchén. I'm worried that you're going to want to go hunt something insane!" The white lioness laughed. "Still, I'll hear you out. Tell me what you're interested in, and I'll let you know if I'm willing to help out."
Rumi made a face. "I'm not that crazy. I just like to hunt the more uncommon prey, to give everyone a variety of food to eat from...fine. Well, the goats have moved on for the next couple moons, as Dì Zhènhàn informed me. He recommended going after boar right now, but there's no way I can do that by myself."
"Boar?" Nyneve choked a moment, a cough escpaing from her throat. "You know I am willing to help you, Língchén, but I'm not sure if I'm willing to risk my life for some food. You really ought to think easier food, you'd have better luck in everything in your life." Nyneve wondered if she was a little less ambitious, some of the males around here would be willing to take her as a wife. It may be hard for some of the simpler guards to handle a wife that can take down prey stronger than they were. Still...the future stirred in Nyneve's eyes.
"No, my sweet fellow huntress, I will no go hunt boar with you." She could feel Rumi's disappointment, but Nyneve did not sense good things coming from this hunting idea. Without even using her visions, she knew that a boar were a tricky beast to take down.
"Please?" Rumi pleaded. "I cannot do it by myself. I know that I take risks, but I'm not stupid enough to try it on my own. I need someone to go with me, even if its just to flush them out from the foliage."
Nyneve still shook her head. "It won't be me. I think I know who you need to ask; Lián Bǎozuò. You might have a hard time convincing her, but she is a strong lioness, and had the grit to deal with your ambitions and help bring a boar or two home. Just be careful with her, and don't take her words too personally. She's harsh, as I'm sure you've heard through the rumor channels." Nyneve wasn't one for rumors, but she certainly had rumors about her spread around.
"Lián Bǎozuò....alright. Thank you, Jìng Xuě. I'll try to find her. I think...I know where she usually is I don't understand why she continues to be a huntress when she spends so much time around the guards." Nyneve shrugged. "She has her reasons," the white lioness began, "and if you befriend her enough, perhaps you will find out for yourself. What I See may not be the truth, so I will not repeat what could be a lie."
Rumi wasn't...really sure what to say to that. She still didn't really believe in what Nyneve claimed were visions of the future or the past, but it was a little unnerving when she spoke like that. "Well, I'll be careful, firm, insistent, and make sure that she doesn't try to beat me up if I offend her," the brown lioness laughed. "Her reputation isn't going to be all that great if that's what you say, Jìng Xuě. But if we return with a boar or two...man, we're going to be popular with the middle class for a while." And then those who grumbled about her would shut up. Rumi had a good idea of what her skill level was, she just needed more experience to flush it out.
"Be careful, Língchén. You can return home with nothing, you know," Nyneve said, her words filled with worry. "There aren't that many of us here, and I don't want to see anything harmful happen to you." Her ears flattened against her skull. "Besides, I'm going to need someone to keep me grounded once I become the best fortuneteller the empire has ever seen; you and your doubts of my abilities!"
They both shared a good moment of exchanged laughter, the two parting on promises that things would go alright, and everyone would sleep tonight with a full belly. Rumi would be sure of that promise, and she would feel more in-tune with her home once more.
(1,063 words)
