Nessi
Umeko had had her head in the clouds since her last talk with Vittorio. She was trying to think with just her head but it would seem that he heart was much much louder. She found herself heading back towards the cliffs that she had last spoken to him on. She moved to the edges of the rock smiling as she watched the water crashed into them.
She moved to a laying down posotion. Could she really go through with this. Would she be able to love him like a mate while she could, and as a friend when she no longer could? Would it be too hard to let it all go? She had more questions than answers and until she had answers she had to avoid the purple maned male that she was pretty sure despite having no answers at all that she was in love with.
Moose
Mertvykh didn't often come out into the open areas of the pride, but one could only stay hidden so long before curiosity turned to suspicion. She already had enough rumors floating about her as it was. 'Meri has a hybrid lover', 'she secretly had a litter of cheetahs', 'she eats the souls of cubs', etc. It was really quite...horrific, but there wasn't much she could do about it now. Besides, maybe she was that bad and she just didn't know it.
When she neared the cliffs, Meri spotted her half sister and immediately stopped. She was too close to hide, but also far enough away that she might be able to escape...
Nessi
Umeko wasn't sure if she sensed the movement or actually heard something either way she turned and was pleasantly surprised to see one of her younger sisters standing a little ways a way.
"Come over Meri its okay." she said. Trying to sound as encouraging as possible. She knew that her sister tended to shy away from everyone. She also had heard silly rumors about her sister. How anyone thought it was possible was beyond Umeko. Some of the freeborn ladies in this pride really did something better to do with their time.
Moose
The young freeborn was as stoic as ever. A vacant expression dominated her young features, and gave her a look of apathy that she partially suffered from. Meri didn't want to approach her older sister, but she wasn't given much choice. Her paw steps weren't hesitant, just slow and methodical, until she plopped down next to the other lioness.
"I can leave if I'm disturbing you." She both wished to stay and be dismissed all at once. It was an odd feeling; one she tried to avoid. "You must have a reason for being on your own out here."
Nessi
Umeko smiled as her younger sister joined her. She hadn't been sure when she invited the other female over if she would come or quickly turn and leave. The fact that her sister was such a recluse saddened Umeko. She was a beautiful girl and could have any life she wanted but yet she chose to shy away from everyone.
"Oh Meri when will you learn you can never disturb me." Umeko said softly. "I was out here think but I am capable of doing that in your presence. In fact maybe you can help me." she said turning to face Meri.
"I have met a male. A really nice male. I can give him what he needs and he can give me what I need, but it wont be long term." She stopped talking and lowered her eyes. She had been ambiguous as she spoke but she was almost afraid to admit the details. She was thinking of having an affair with a mated male.
Moose
Never. Everyone had their breaking points with one another. Just because Meri hadn't yet reached Umeko's didn't mean it wouldn't happen some day soon. "Help you? With what?" Did she need someone to talk to her cubs for her? Someone to run an errand, fetch a trinket-
"So you are having a tryst." Mertvykh pointed out dryly. "You've had one litter already; surely you don't need my help telling you what to do." Her tone wasn't condescending, but it was oddly sarcastic for her. There had to be something more than this for her sister to be this concerned.
Nessi
Umeko offered a nervous laughter. "You are right Meri I know exactly where babies come from, I know what actions of mine could lead to them." she said a grin on her face. At least she could count on Meri to be honest with her.
"I suppose what I am questioning is whether or not a male and a female can remain friends even if they have had .... relations in the past." It was the most diplomatic what Umeko could put it. She hoped her sister would tell her what she wanted to hear. If she was to be honest with herself it didn't really matter what her sister said Umeko already had her mind made up.
Moose
She had to ponder the concept for a while. Mertvykh furrowed her brow, mulling it over in her mind before shaking her head. "I don't think they can. If the two of them get to a certain level it's going to be hard to back track. There would be too much emotional baggage." She shrugged her shoulders, "I'm inexperienced though, so it might not be so."
Her sister was obviously walking into dangerous territory, but if she was honest, Meri didn't care. Umeko was an adult with grown cubs, so whatever decisions she made were her own. "What if the male were to fall in love with another while being friends with the first female? Would she still be the good friend and support him, or become jealous and hurt? Or vice versa?"
Nessi
Umeko listened to what Meri said. She liked the candid way her sister told her what she thought but even as she pointed out the reasons not Umeko was coming up with excuse to make it seem like those reasons were of no matter.
"Thank you Meri." she said raising up to her feet. "You've given me a lot to think about." she said. "I will talk to you later." She gave her sister a pat on the head before make her way back into the heart of the pride perhaps she would be able to find Vittorio. She could do with a little support and that was exactly the feeling she got from Vittoria. When she was around him things just felt... good.
Moose
That was...suspicious. Mertvykh watched as her sister abruptly stood and made her departure. She had obviously struck a nerve of some sort, but that wasn't new for Meri. Everything she said was wrong, so why should this be any different? Hopefully it would give Umeko a new perspective on whatever it was she was about to do, though. The female had already gotten involved with a bad seed before...but Meri had to remind herself that this was Umeko's life. She would only resent her if she stuck her nose in too far.
Shaking her head, the younger female stood and ventured back to her hiding hole.
