Meeting Among the Dunes [Private For Her, Accalia and Clary]

[For Her]

Jangwa slumped down on the edge of the small oasis pool. His body was aching for water, so he started lapping, filling his resources. He looked away from the waterpool and the small tree. Around him was only dunes of sand. Not many lions went this far out in the desert. He looked into his reflection in the water. He was still bleeding from a wound above his eye. He had gotten it while trying to catch a gazelle, but it had knocked him out cold with a sharp hoove.

[Accalia]

Kivuli's neck was dry with thirst and filled with sand. She had been aimlessly wondering through the unchanging dessert for at least three days now, and she knew that she would start shriving up if she couldn't find some water to quench her thirst. Her paws sunk into the hot sand as she lumbered forwards, she didn't know where she was going and didn't really care now, she just continuously placed one paw in front of the other in the aimless hope to find water. The sun burnt her dark back and she felt as if there was no hope left in her small life. Her lanky form shook with exhaustion, her starry blue eyes glistening with pain. As she looked up she saw the faint glisten of water in the distance and she felt an urge to run towards it, but she couldn't bring her aching muscles to carry her that fast and simply went with a slow jog. She was a few mere meters from the fresh water when her legs buckled from beneath her. a cloud of hot air hit her face and her eyes became filled with sand. She let out a small whimper as she decided this was the end.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby trotted along, making her way up the dunes. Her russet and red fur stood out amongst the dull sand as she continued her journey, the sun pounding down against her back, causing her tongue to loll out as she panted slightly. She reached the top of the dunes and allowed her gaze to scan the area when she eventually saw a section of water. She smiled contently before starting to race down the dunes, her paws kicking up sand as she went and the cheetah in her helping her become very light footed as she went.

When she saw someone already at the water she skid to a halt and narrowed hr red eyes, wary as to whether the other big cat was a friend or foe. She then glanced to the side and saw a crumpled heap on the floor, cocking her head to one side she saw the feline's body rising and fallign slightly with weak breaths. Hesitantly she padded over to it, standing a small distance away. "Are you okay?" She asked carefully.

[For Her]

Jangwa heard the voice, and he immediately ran to a nearby shrubbery. He looked in the direction the sound had come from. He spotted to figures, one laying, the other standing beside the first. Jangwa decided to stay hidden for now.

[Accalia]

She heard a nearby voice and slowly looked up to see who it was. Her vision was blurred but from what she could see the creature before her was a lioness with russet red fur. Kivuli shuddered and whispered dryly "No..." Her voice was gravely and rough, very different from her natural voice. She shakily pushed her lanky form up from the moving sand and slowly walked towards the life giving water, she didn't know how she would approach this lioness, but what she did know was that she needed water much more then she needed to know why and how she got here.

Kivuli finally reached the cool water and lowered her aching body into the clear water, sighing with relief, lapping up the liquid life. The water trickled down her throat and washed away the pain and dryness, quenching her thirst. She lowed to her haunches and lay in the water, letting the coolness replace the scolding heat. She looked back at the lioness, only to quickly look away.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby cocked her head to one side before padding towards the lioness carefully, still making sure she remained a good distance away. "Why no?" She probed before looking around the water and realizing the lion from before had disappeared. She sniffed at the sand, sneezing a little before she carefully started trying to track where the other lion had disappeared too.

[For Her]

Jangwa noticed the russet colored one, looking for him. He sprang backwards, growling and unsheathing his claws. His teeth glinted in the high sun.

[Accalia]

Kivuli tried to formulate a response to the lionesses question before she noticed her attention had changed from her to a different thing. It appeared she was looking for something which worried her somewhat, there was nothing out here. As a reasonably small lion leapt from the shrubs Kivuli shrank backwards, her mind racing, he was a threat and she knew it. She just had to decide, run or fight, but she couldn't and so sat there frozen, the water lapping at her ankles.

[Ruby_Fehu]

The young adult growled a little at the lion who sprung forward, standing her ground and narrowing her eyes as her lips pulled back in a snarl, "I'm older than you, don't push your luck." Ruby warned, even though she was only maybe a few months older than the two adolescents she was still technically the oldest and so was confident in her fighting abilities, even though she did in fact want to avoid a fight.

[For Her]

"In the desert, age matters not. I bet you have little experience with fighting in this heat." Jangwa said, his voice sounding like he hadn't spoken for months. "But i do not wish to fight. For now, that is." Jangwa went into a less offensive stand.

[Accalia]

Kivuli watched as they both starred each other and as the lion relaxed slightly she managed to bring her body to stand and take a few steps forward, her lankly form making her appear frail and defenceless, however after her hydration she was far from defenceless. She didn't go to close to the two of them and was contempt with simply standing in the cool water, watching them settle the understanding of if they would be forced to fight or if they would just pass on her way, but she was patient and simply and slowly sat back down in the cool liquid, her eyes wide and her gaze gentle.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby eased her stance but didn't remove her gaze from the lion, not fully trusting him, "What is your name?" She demanded, stepping back from him slightly so she could look him over carefully, "Why are you even here?"

[For Her]

"I am Jangwa. I am here because i hadn't had a drop of water for a week. Basic survival." As Jangwa spoke, he grabbed a pawful of sand and let it fall, slowly.

[Accalia]

Kivuli took in their behaviour towards each other and took another mouthful of water. There was definite tension and caution between them, she just hoped that it wouldn't result in conflict, she took a deep breath in and was grateful for the cool water around her paws.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby's lips curled into a sneer. "ANd how did you manage to lose yourself here?" She scoffed, "The both of you." She continued, glancing between the pair, an eyebrow quirked.

[For Her]

"I didn't lose anything. I am here, because i was on my way to somewhere. " Jangwa said. He Then looked at the grey lioness. "How about you? You seem mighty tired."

[Accalia]

Kivuli looked at the lion her eyes wide and said quietly "I'm fine... Now," then gave a shrug, taking another mouthful of water, hoping it would move their attention to each other rather then her. *But I need them...* she thought slowly, she knew survival would be impossible for her alone! she needed their help if she was going to live. She took a deep breath in and slowly stood up and walked out of the water and a little closer to the lions. Her lanky body was surprisingly graceful and hardly any sand shifted from beneath her paws as she gave a nervous, small smile at the two of them and said quietly "Hello, um I'm Kivuli." Her voice was smooth and her cheeks red, she hadn't interacted with another lion for so long.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby looked at the timid lioness and gave her a genuine smile, "Ruby." She replied, then turning her glare back Jangwa.

[For Her]

"Pleased to meet you, Kivuli. I'm Jangwa, if you didn't hear it. And despite your attitude, i'm pleased to meet you, too, Ruby" Jangwa gave them both a polite nod.

[Accalia]

Kivuli shifted uncomfortably and gave a wide smile back at the two of them, her pearly teeth glinting in the desert sun and then she asked Ruby "How did youget here?" her curiosity overcoming her and she repeated her question to the two of them from earlier.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby stood straight and held her head high. "I'm on a journey, orders of my Pride's leaders." She informed Kivuli, "It is confidential however what that quest is. Before you ask."

[For Her]

"You travel in deserts often? I know this place well. If you need a guide, any of you, I can offer my services." Jangwa said, giving them both a smile.

[Accalia]

Kivuli gave a small smile to Jangwa and thought *I need a guide.. but I only just met him, can I trust him?* She shuffled her paws and said "I need a guide.. im lost and I just need to have someone lead me through life.." She said to Jangwa.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby stared at Jangwa thoughtfully for a few moments before nodding, "I know it relatively well but some help may be good if need be." She replied.

[For Her]

"Where are you headed?" Jangwa asked, happy to help.

[Accalia]

"Anywhere..." Kivuli said, turning to Ruby, who will ultimately decide their bearings

[Ruby_Fehu]

"I need to head North, to the Sandfall Pride, do you know where that is?" She asked, being careful not to give too much away.

[For Her]

"Aye, roughly. I recon i've been chased away by them once." Jangwa said, grinning lightly

[Accalia]

Kivuli sank onto the hot sand and closed her eyes, deciding that they would figure things out by themselves. She endorsed herself in a light day dream, hoping that they would startle her from her daze when they had come to a point of travel.

[Ruby_Fehu]

Ruby nodded once, "Which way then?" She asked politely, before turning to Kivuli, "Will you be joining us Kivuli?" She asked.