Distances shrink with time

[Accalia]

Kukoa had been safe and warm for several days now, he was well fed but began to feel unsafe. He needed to get a move on if he was going to make it south for the dry season. Kukoa's chest expanded as he took a long breath in through his nose, holding it for a moment before releasing it once more through his mouth. His eyes slowly closed and opened just as slowly. He pushed his large body up from the ground and shook his head gently, the dust from the cave floor falling from his peculiar mane. It had been several long weeks since he had seen another lion, let alone met one, and he was feeling alright, but he knew that within the next week his powers would starve to feel another's feelings, he couldn't survive alone for long without the presence of another.

He slowly extended his paws and arms out in front of him and lowered his body just above the ground in a long stretch before returning to a standing position and giving a extended yawn. He walked to the edge of the stone and slowly stepped out of the cave, onto the cool and slightly damp grass. This would be one of the last days he would wake up like this, relaxed full and happy. Soon the rain would stop and he would feel the itching in the back of his throat, food will become scarce and he will be forced to hurry to the sanctuary down south, and simply hope that they would accept him.

He looked up at the morning sun and sighed, his body was well rested he needed to go. He began to walk, into the unknown. His steps were heavy as he walked and he knew it, he figured that with his body in its current state he would be ok for now, not many lions pick fights with other ones bigger than them, unless defending a territory and from what he could sense there wasn't any near here.

[Leto]

The soldier had been walking in this random direction for the past week, with no actual destination in mind; he would walk until he bumped into something worth his time or piqued his interest. Prey was plentiful despite the lands teetering close to the dry season kicking in, he has lost track of just how far he had come from home now. He missed it, in the back of his mind he always had a hint of home sickness, but there was nothing that beckoned his return just yet, he still had a mission to complete before he could make the long return journey home.

Foreign fieldwork was always the most dangerous of missions the brass afforded them; the isolation was not the worst part of it rather that was the constant danger of death that hung over you. Not that Leto was a rookie when it came to combat, indeed his powers could easily end a fight before it had even started, but there were creatures out there much more powerful than him, both in powers and outright skill. Leto had yet to meet them and part of him hoped he would never have the misfortune to.

A deep exhale escaped a pale maw as the soldier stopped to get his bearings, ice-blue eyes burning bright on a peculiar black sclera scanned the grasslands ahead. That was when he noticed it a form walking in his direction; it was a male large roughly half a head taller than he himself was. Leto didn’t budge his eyes focused intently on the stranger his ears perked to rapt attention as his nose gave a subtle twitch… he smelled healthy, that was something at least.

[Accalia]

Kukoa suddenly stopped in his tracks, his nose twitched and he lifted his head. He saw a large silhouetted shape of a lion, It knew he was there. He pushed his chest out and grew to his actual size. He watched the lion carefully, he smelt as if he was unharmed, meaning a fight might be probable if this was his land. He gave a short sigh before taking a few cautious steps closer. "Hello, I do not want to fight, I am simply passing through."  He called over the space between them. He really didn't want to fight, this male seemed strong and he still had a long way to travel.

He took yet another step forward, this male was only a small bit smaller then him his eyes a chest rattling blue, his whites actually a slick black. He let his body relax slightly, they were only a few metres away from each other. His appearance was relatively normal and he suddenly felt quite out of place. His tail remained close to the ground and stationary, he was on edge and he didn't really like the way that he seemed capable of putting up a fight. "I am Kukoa." he said as he looked just off of the male, he didn't want it to seem like he wanted to fight.

After several moments of sanding there he realised that this lion didn't own these lands, the way he was standing and his very distant aura told him that these were as he thought they weren't anyone's land. He felt his body relax and his claws contract, he hadn't noticed they were unsheathed. He gave a small nod of his head, showing he recognised him as a power not just a lion.

[Leto]

The soldier was silent as he studied his adversary but Leto made no displays of aggression but nor did he offer submission either, he was neutral but that didn’t mean he made himself readable in any way. He was still cautiously wary of the stranger which was just common sense and self-preservation, the other male who slowly closed the distance between them were a lot more on edge than Leto was. Though the soldier would be a fool, if he incited a fight with an adversary not only bigger than him, but whom he knew nothing about, his ears swirled forward as the other shot what could only be a name his way.

Leto claimed no ownership of these lands, in fact that privilege was not his right, and a low cast like him could not claim what was a right reserved for the warlords. Not that there was much to claim in this place to begin with, even though game was plentiful the climate in this area seemed fickle, the heavy dry season would make it uninhabitable for half of the year. So, no it wasn’t a place prime for conquest of any kind, “Name’s Leto.” He finally replied his voice plain assertive offering a name in return to the one that had been given him.

His eyes scanned the other male, noting the unsheathed claws that were slowly retracted upon the other lion relaxing his demeanor. “You seem to have a destination in mind.” Leto voiced, not bothering to hide the curiosity in his voice… frankly the soldier was growing a little tired of this place, he needed a change of scenery so perhaps tagging along with this… Kukoa would be a good idea for the time being.

[Accalia]

He gave a gruff nod, Leto was it, well he didn't seem to be phased by this meeting which eased Kukoa's nerves considerably. At his statement he noticed the curiosity and he looked at him "Well yes I do, I am heading south, there is a safe and plentiful land there, it is not big however." he was now at ease and realised that he could possibly just walk away from this conversation and continue on his journey, but only possibly, if he did it correctly. His expression became placid and unreadable, the sun was gaining height in the sky, and he was loosing day light. His leg muscles gave a small quick movement as a fly landed on his knee. He looked to the lion, his eyes even "Would you wish to join me? It is several long days walk away, however it has a watering hole that remains in its small amounts during the dry season, which is extremely unusual." Kukoa was extremely tempermental with his emotions, but it wasn't entirely his personality, his powers caused him to be like this, using them slowly caused this as a permanent effect on him.

He stood evenly, his thick legs itching to begin his journey. However this Leto seemed like he could be a good companion, he seemed like a pretty good companion and would mean they would probably pass through to their destination without any problem about fights. He awaited his response with an even look and placid face. He let the slight cold beneath his paws be absorbed by his body, because slowly increasing body temperature. The dry season might come earlier then most years, and that would cause a problem for Kukoa and possibly Leto if he came along with him south.

(OOC: Sorry if Kukoa as a character is inconsistent I am still getting used to him, sorry)

[Leto]

((Dun worry about it ^^ As long as he doesn’t jump between extremes it’s okay I guess xD))

------------

The soldier got his answer quick enough; that there was a patch of land that wasn’t affected by the dry seasons laying to the south, though the place apparently wasn’t big by any means. It wasn’t as if Leto intended to stay there, he still had weeks perhaps even months of travel before he reached the destination his mission sent him to. He was heading south anyways, so it wasn’t like this would be a detour of any fashion.

“I’ve been walking for months, I can take a few days.” He smirked through a shrug as the other tried to warn him that it wasn’t an area close by or anything. “If you would like the company, I don’t see why not.” He added casually cracking his shoulders, “Safety in numbers, and all that rot.” He mused, while his eyes shifting from the larger male and to the scenery ahead he had noted the other’s itching to get a move on.

“Lead the way.” He gestured a paw, after all Kukoa was the one that knew where this place was and as such he was the one to take the lead. There was no point in idling here any longer than necessary at least as far as the soldier was concerned.

[Accalia]

Kukoa nodded and began to pace relatively quickly as he set off on their journey. His long legs stretched out in front of him, his breath even, his face unmoving, but in a state of ease. He plodded over the flat terrain with ease for several long minuets before turning to Leto and saying conversationally "If you don't mind me asking, what are you doing in these parts?" there wasn't much in the way of lions and not many ever pass from the south to the north or visa versa this close to the dry season. His muscles would begin to ache in several hours, but he had no idea when this individual would begin to feel the stress of a long days march and so would have to check about his stamina.

He looked up at the sun and began to feel the heat of it on his back. He let out a small sigh and began to walk, he would miss this. The wet weather never seemed to dampen his feelings and as he continued to walk he re breed how his sisters face lit up at the sound of rain, her unique powers of water manipulation meaning when it rained she would feel stronger. He missed his sister dearly, a deep throb in the pit of his belly. His throat began to dry but he dismissed the thought, he didn't want to cry in front of this stranger nor did he want to remember his sister and only be capable of sorrow. His nose gave a small twitch and he continued to plod onwards, towards his possible retreat.

His eyes wandered to his surroundings, it had been less then two days since he had eaten and he would be able to go about a week before he needed to eat again. The scrub of the savannah was plentiful and trees had several leaves upon their branches.

[Leto]

The soldier kept up with his new companion relatively easy despite the other having the longer legs of the two, the heat of the sun was bearing down on them, and he was although normally uncomfortable with heat he did have some control his own body temperature and as such could keep it in the very least close to a comfortable 27 degrees C, which was 10 degrees lower than any normal creature but this was Leto’s healthy core temperature. Provided the heat of the environment didn’t climb too much, he reckoned he would be fine at least in concerns with suffering heat stroke.

Leto could walk for a considerable distance before he would start to feel strain in his muscles, he was after all a trained soldier, and a soldier wouldn’t be much good if he keeled over from a mere march. The ice-eyed youth was walking mostly absorbed in his own thoughts when Kukoa question broke through his quiet stupor “I could ask you the same thing?” He retorted eyes turning to the other male, indeed they both where there for a reason yet Leto’s reason was frankly not very interesting. “I was passing through, and that’s that.” He shrugged; although his answer was curt he did realize that the other male was just trying to incite friendly conversation.

“But that’s the truth of it, the reason I am here is nothing special.” He mused with almost apologetic tone, his eyes once more locking on the scenery ahead. Food was rarely on Leto’s mind, since he didn’t waste much energy in generating heat he could go days up to a week or even more without feeding, not that catching food was any hassle when you had powers that could freeze a creature solid in the matter of seconds.

[Accalia]

With his retort he turned his head to examine his facial expressions, it was hard to understand a person without seeing their face, there is always a hint of whatever they are feeling in the corner of their eyes. However this male didn't seem quite like the average male lion, then again neither was he. With his simple answer he nodded and desperately began to try and think of something to continue the conversation, now he had started one it would fill the gaps between them and make them feel uncomfortable.

With his extension he relaxed his mind of the conversation starters, "This is a strange place to be here for nothing." he said looking towards the sun, he didn't mean to say Leto was hiding anything, he understood, but it was currently the only thing he could think of saying. He tried to imagine the place they were heading for, with a glistening pool in the wet weather and just a smaller one in dry seasons. He thought it was strange and lucky such a place existed, he needed to get away from the north for a bit, there were lions in great numbers that still didn't accept him, especially now he was an adult. He should have never stood up for himself like that, he should have just walked away, then he may have at least had a chance of staying near his old pride.

The heat was becoming a nuisance and Kukoa wanted shade to give his hot body a rest, but there wasn't much shade around and none big enough for the both of them, and anyway he had already wasted enough of the day as it was. Kukoa didn't mind all that much though, now he had relaxed it was nice to have another lion with him.

[Leto]

The soldier inched a pale brow at the other male’s words, obviously an attempt to continue the conversation, but Leto hadn’t lied the only reason he had come to this place was because his route to his destination had led through it, if that hadn’t been the case he would’ve never planted in his paws here. He was forbidden from talking about where he came from, and the even the mere mention that he was on a mission was something he couldn’t divulge either, so there wasn’t a whole lot of history or personal backstory this Kukoa would get out of him at least not anything true, not necessarily because Leto wasn’t willing to share but military directives and codes of conduct prevented him from it.

Leto had seen a lot of different lands in his travels, even his homeland was extremely diverse stretching from the eternally snow covered peaks of the Nedra Mountain ranges, through the fertile plains of Xaxios’h to the great Va’sheeran sea to the south, the mysterious and mist covered marshes, bogs, and rainforests of Ge’en to the west, and the great semi-arid desert and grasslands of Corazan to the east.

Leto noticed how the heat was starting to bother Kukoa and slowly but surely Leto started lowering the temperature of the air around them, not to any freezing degree but certainly cool enough to help his companion alleviate some of the worst heat. “This should help a little.” The soldier commented idly, but his voice held almost kindness, he was certain that the other male would quickly feel the comfortable drop in temperature.

[Accalia]

Kukoa felt the temperature in the air cool and he turned to Leto with a thanking but curious look on his face, in his mind he was not sure if it was him, he had thought there weren't many other lions with powers, however he might have just found another with powers, he didn't know much of the world, he had been living in his home area for such a long time. He gave a small nod of thanks and said "Thank you Leto." his voice was noticeably thankful as he was. The heat was always a problem for Kukoa and his body didn't normally deal well with it. His body slowly cooled on the inside and he ended up smiling faintly at Leto, he most certainly felt the comfort the cool brought him and his muscles were able to have a rest from the heat relentless walking in the hot savannah causes.

Kukoa dismissed Leto's stop in the conversation and said instead "Why did you agree to come with me whilst seeming so calm? Does meeting a stranger of a lion not scare you?" He asked curiously, not to intrude but it had been something on his mind since they had met and he had agreed. The fact of seeing another lion who would possibly be able to fight normally automatically lead to one in his home pride and he knew nothing else then that.

[Leto]

The soldier didn’t lower the temperature entirely for Kukoa’s benefit it was also his own, Leto and heat was never a good combination, he had a crippling weakness towards it. Indeed if his internal core temperature was allowed to climb 5-6 degrees above its stable value of 27 degrees C, he would suffer symptoms similar to fever; if it climbed beyond and it hit 40 degrees C he would die unless he was artificially cooled down immediately. Though this was a fact Leto kept entirely to himself, it made no sense to reveal his weakness to potential enemies.

An ear swirled towards the other male as a couple of questions shot his way, “Safety in numbers.” He shrugged turning to regard Kukoa, revealing why he had decided to join the male. “You posed no threat to me.” The soldier revealed casually keeping his ice-blue eyes on the other. “Therefore you do not scare me.” He explained calmly giving his mane a slight shake. “I do not underestimate you, but I’ll dissuade you from attempting anything.” He added softly the words were clearly a warning, but a friendly one. “Why do you ask?” he inquired his brows narrowing in thought, after a short pause turning his attention back to the path ahead. “Do I frighten you?” he glanced at the male with a handsome smile of clear amusement.

Leto was used to being around strangers; it was a part of his job after all. He wasn’t just a warrior, some brute of muscle and power whose only purpose was to kill no that was not what Leto was. He was something more subtle part ambassador, part spy, part assassin.

[Accalia]

He noticed his mild threat and took it under consideration. At his question he looked back at him, his smile causing him to feel at ease and he said "To be honest.. Yes. You are the first threat I have seen for quite a while now.." he said with a slightly embarrassed smile and nod of his head. His mane flopped down in front of his eyes and he brushed it away. He wasn't scared or concerned of admitting this to him, he felt as if he could trust him not to attack, he hadn't done so yet, he guessed he would have killed him long ago if that was his plan.

Kukoa had spent his whole young life surrounded by lions who could easily dominate him, but as he grew everyone just turned to hate him, he was the largest lion in the pride and so everyone became frightened of him, especially once he had shown his powers. With fear comes hate and so Kukoa barely ever socialised with any others then those in his family. After he became an adult he left, there was nothing there for him, and so he decided to go and find his sisters haven.

He looked at Leto and said simply "Do you have siblings?" He asked, his voice wavering slightly at the end of his sentence. He didn't have any particular reasoning to asking this question, it had just popped into his mind and he wanted to continue the conversation. He looked at Leto, his eyes even but caring, his eyebrows brought slightly inwards.

[Leto]

The guy didn’t lack for honesty; Leto had to give Kukoa that as he was frank in his answer of whether or not he was frightened by him. The soldier was used to be people being scared or frightened by him, either because of his sinister looking eyes or he had displayed his powers to them. Not that Leto minded being a source of intimidation, of course some people became violent when frightened those were a nuisance more than anything. Leto had met a few other creatures that had powers; a few in his own pride did, they generally were more tolerant of him than mundane creatures.

An ear swirled to in direction of the other male as yet another question shot his way, “A half-sister.” He muttered under his breath answering it almost curtly, Leto and Sienna had never been on good terms, the girl was vindictive and cruel and a had been nothing but a source of torment for the soldier, even if there was as much four years separating them with Leto being the oldest; it was Sienna that had been pushing him around. “I’d rather not talk about my family, if you please.” He added plainly after a short pause, eyes focused ahead of him indeed it was a topic he’d rather avoid, more so than speaking of his past… well barring one particular issue regarding the reason why he never stopped for long in one place, but that was none of Kukoa’s business anyways.

[Moonbacon]

(Gonna use tlkgoeson.proboards.com/thread/4634/raziya and tlkgoeson.proboards.com/thread/4535/artemis )

The sisters had been travelling for a 3 days now this journey was really a test of endurance for them they had to eat as much as they can since they don't know when the next time they'll get to eat. 

"Saudana can we take a break for a bit we've been walking for a while now my legs are starting to hurt" Raziya said her sister gave her a glance before saying "ignore the pain don't let it get to you, you will grow stronger if you ignore it" though even a very strong lioness like Saudana can't keep walking forever her legs were starting to hurt too and she was keeping an out for shades and small caves to rest in for a bit.

(short intro for now i guess you guys could notice them walking by or something)

[Accalia]

Kukoa gave a short laugh "To be honest I don't know why I brought it up, my apologies." he added to the end more sensitively. His nose then took in a new scent and he looked to Leto "It's a female, two actually." He said in a low voice. He scanned the surrounding area and spotted two figures a few yards away. They seemed to be moving slowly, and so Kukoa guessed they were either injured or exhausted, but most likely the later reason.

He gave Leto a questioning glace, he wasn't sure whether to approach them or not, he didn't particularly want them to come along, but it wasn't just them, he didn't want anyone else to come along, it would be two more mouths draining the water at their destination. He wouldn't be all that troubled however if they came along, safety in numbers, he guessed.

He didn't bother crouching, there was two of them and two of his company, Kukoa and Leto were larger then the females from what it looked, but he would not be so sudden to disregard them as incapable fighters until he saw their abilities, which he hoped never to see. He let out a huff of air as he re thought his decision of leaving home.

[Leto]

“No offense taken.” The ice-eyed male muttered under his breath as the other apologized. Indeed Kukoa seemed quite adamant at keeping the conversation flowing, though Leto wasn’t much of a conversationalist unfortunately. Well he did enjoy a good discussion but Kukoa was certainly not a friend, and barely amounted for an acquaintance at this point so Leto kept his own talk to minimum. Even if Kukoa had kinda proven he wasn't a bad person and Leto couldn't deny that the other was handsome to look at; but those two things was not enough to sway him to be more open with the other male.

The soldier stopped shortly as Kukoa made him aware of the presence of the two females, his nose twitched and indeed he could smell them a few clicks away. He could also see them they stood out in the yellow grass; he turned to his companion trying to gauge what the other wanted to do about this. Leto would much rather just ignore them and carry on, the longer they themselves stayed out in this heat the worse it would be for them. They had no time to worry about others; or rather that was Leto’s deduction.

“Let’s just keep walking.” Leto murmured throwing his head in the direction of their destination, urging to press on. The females could fend for themselves, if they deigned to attack then that would potentially be the last thing either of them ever did. Leto would harbor them no mercy.

[Moonbacon]

"Hey i think i smell other lions" Raziya then started sniffing the air "i smell 2 male lions...." Saudana paused in her tracks and looked at the two males in the distance and one of them was looking at her and her sister. Normally she wouldn't be alarmed as she can take on a male on her own and will most definitely win if her sister is there but both of them were tired from walking she did not want to get into a fight right now especially with two males.
Raziya on the other hand was more curious about the two "hey there!" she said slowly approaching the two Saudana groaned and followed behind her sister she really hated moments like these.

[Accalia]

Kukoa watched Leto's reply and to be honest he agreed, he began to continue walking, they were just extra time wasted, but her call out made him shudder and he shook his head and made a short groaning sound. He slowly turned around, his face flat. His eyes flickered between the two females now approaching them and Leto, he didn't want to waste time, so best get this over quick. "Hello there, we don't want to fight, but we have a destination that's destination time is being frequently moved to a later time." He gave a short apologetic look to them both and miniscule nod of his head. He looked to Leto before adding "I am sorry for the curt introduction and departure of us but we must be on our way." His tone was not  flat, but not to feeling either.

Kukoa could sense that the slightly resistant of the two will most likely not just let them walk away, he attempted in anyway. He lowered his head slightly, his paws placed so he could easily turn around "There are hard times coming and I wish you both luck." He said sincerely before turning the other way and beginning to walk, it was time to leave, time was moving to quickly and they needed to get there before water became scarce and the water amount lowered, they would be less likely to accept them then, but he needed water to survive and this was his best hope. His paws continued plodding onwards as he hoped Leto was following, however he would not risk the awkwardness of turning around to check.

(OOC: Sorry it took so long I have a lot going on x3)

[Leto]

The soldier heard the call from the female, he threw a glance in her direction acknowledging that he had indeed her heard her, but thankfully Kukoa stepped up and took the words out of his maw. Relieving Leto of the task of having to inform the girls that they were busy, Leto’s eyes just scanned the two lionesses, they seemed rather similar looking to the point that the ice-eyed male deduced the assumption that they could be siblings. Not that he really cared much to and fro about these girls, as his companion finally finished the explanation Leto wasted no time and pushed on coming up beside the other male.

Hopefully this would be the last time their trip was stalled, though the soldier didn’t count on it. He threw a brief glance over his shoulder towards the sisters they had left behind, they might try to stop them or tag along anyways. If that was the case he would let Kukoa handle it, after all he was the one that knew the route to their destination, so it was up to him whether he wanted to share it with more people.

[Moonbacon]

"Come on let's get going we need to reach our destination before dry season hits wouldn't what you to whine about being really thirsty and hungry what you mostly do in dry season" Saudana said clearly mocking her sister.


Raziya gave Saudana a small quiet growl "well you know what just shut up about that ok?" she said getting a chuckle from her sister, she sighed before looking at Leto and Kukoa walk away "are you guys going south for the dry season?" she asked them speaking somewhat loudly to make sure they could hear her, Saudana groaned she really needed to teach her to not tell or ask other lions where their going this can easily become annoying.

[Accalia]

Kukoa let out a puff of air and he took a deep breath in before turning to face them, his posture left straight then it was before. He wouldn't normally mind the company of the lionesses, but he had been reluctant to decide letting Leto come with him, and he was a threat to him. He gave a reluctant glace to Leto, "And why would our plan of journey concern you?" he said after a moment of hesitation, "Yes, we are." He raised his voice so that the two of them would be able to hear, though they weren't that far away. He could feel the inevitability of them joining their group looming closer and the let out another small puff of air, as long as they didn't become a pain it wouldn't be to bad.

He was furiously trying to decide whether or not to let them join Leto and himself. Once he had finally came to a decision he took a few paces back towards them. "We are indeed heading south, if you are too heading this way, then you are welcome to join our travelling group." His voice was not flat but not overjoyed either. He gave them a polite smile and continued to walk beside Leto, it was up to them whether or not they joined them. He plodded on beside Leto, looking at his ice-blue eyes, trying to guess what he thought of the two of them being welcome to join. He just hoped they behaved themselves, if not they would be dealt with in a manner that ended being worse off then how they appeared now.

[Leto]

Leto slowed his walk to a stop as he noted Kukoa had halted as well, he turned to regard his companion addressing the females, or rather the chatty one of the two. The question posed was indeed a relevant one, was business was it of theirs really? However his ears swirled back as it was revealed they were indeed heading south, Leto had half a mind to ask why Kukoa even told them but it appeared that the male was uncertain how to deal with them. Leto knew how to easily deal with them, just tell them to f*ck off. It wasn’t that difficult really!

The soldier blinked as Kukoa then male a completely turnabout and outright invited them to join, provided their route lay in the same direction, why? Why did he do that?! Those were the questions that mulled through Leto’s mind, as they pressed on not waiting for whether or not the females made up their minds on the offer. Leto turned to regard Kukoa, “If they try anything, it’s on your hide.” The soldier warned, though the tone of his voice was not necessarily hostile, it was just a little miffed was all truthfully though if the girls stayed out of his way Leto would have no issues with them coming along.

[Moonbacon]

Saudana letted out a annoyed groan she didn't exactly like or want to come with the two males but her sister seemingly wants to well safety in numbers they say. Saudana walked towards Kukoa "sure we'll tag along since we have the same destination... and also my darn sister insisted on it" she said.
(some most likely pointless description) Up close Kukoa and probably also Leto could notice Saudana was a much more muscular lioness than her sister Raziya which was a pretty scrawny looking lioness.

[Accalia]

Kukoa could feel Leto's silent questioning beside him but he simply continued walking, he could sense his annoyance but decided to deal with it at a later date. He gave a short laugh "No, it is on theirs, they will be limp and lifeless on the floor if they cause any trouble or inquire to much." He said in a low whisper, the females would not be able to hear as they had yet to catch up to the fast moving pair of Leto and Kukoa. He heard the approaching voice of one of the two females and his ears swivelled backwards to hear her words. He gave a polite nod but his face remained unemotional. "Don't feel like you have to remain with us the whole journey." He said in a polite voice, he wouldn't tell them of the safe haven for the dry season until he trusted them entirely. 

His legs and paws began to work on clockwork as he relentlessly trudged onwards, over the flat terrain. He was relishing in the possible last moments of cool air as he had no idea whether Leto would reveal that to the two other lionesses so easily. He hadn't revealed his as of yet, and he doubted he would for quite a while, at least until he learnt to trust them.

He didn't really mind much if the females tagged along, he was just becoming worried that they may not make the destination in time, or they would but they would be rejected. His ear flickered instinctively as a fly landed on it and he gave out a small puff of air. He had had enough of walking and wanted to stop, but he wanted to continue so that he would reach his destination in less time and days, but it was a great many of lieges between the four of them and safety. He noticed the difference between the two, seeing as they had similar pelts and face structure, siblings. One was much more muscular, the large muscles on her arms defined, while the out her was more scruffy in appearence.

[Leto]

The ice-eyed male outright ignored their new company, leaving it up to Kukoa to keep them engaged socially, the cold air he had kept swirling around Kukoa eventually dissipated but the soldier kept regulating the air around himself, indeed in that regard he didn’t have much of a choice in the matter. He couldn’t under any circumstance risk over-heating, despite the fact that he could end up revealing the fact that he wasn’t entirely normal to their new entourage, not that his eyes already was a bit of a dead giveaway to that fact.

However their quiet walk was soon to potentially get stalled yet again as a scent wafted by causing Leto to stop and visibly tense, the scent was lion. But coming from somewhere far behind them, they were being trailed... though Leto didn’t stop for long he knew the scent, but he was in no hurry to meet the cause of it. He pressed onwards his gait visibly quickening as if he was trying to put as much overall distance between himself and the mysterious scent as he could. A tinge of fear was pooling in the ice-eyed male, but he did not allow it to be shown outwardly.

[Moonbacon]

The sisters simply followed the two lions Saudana kept her blank emotionless expression while Raziya looked quite happy "By the way my names Raziya and this is my sister Saudana she said seemingly trying to lighten up the mood Saudana simply sighed. The two noticed Leto quickening his pace they also smelled another lion "I smell another lion" Saudana said sniffing the air she then looked behind her to see if they were being followed.

[Accalia]

Kukoa felt the air slowly heat and he continued walking, his muscles not feeling the heat, but his fur gradually heating up. His nose twitched and he could smell a lion, male, he noticed the quickening pace of Leto and realised if it caused him to speed up then it was most likely a threat, a threat to Leto meant a threat to them all. He matched his speed, he wasn't going to wait around to find out. He quickly noticed Raziya turn around and he said in a low voice "Don't turn around," his tone was not harsh but not gentle either.

Kukoa didn't know Leto, or the sisters as a people and so was unable to sense and manipulate their feelings. It would take a long time to learn the way their personalities and the way they react differently to situations, but he guessed that by the time they made it to the year round water supply he would know them all reasonably well, that is if they all made it there. His thoughts trailed off and he lingered on the peculiar feeling on his back, they were most defiantly being pursued, he could feel the gaze of a stranger falling on his and he gave an irritated raise and fall of his shoulder blade. He remembered what the lioness had said several moments ago and said simply "I am Kukoa,nice to meet you, however I am warning you," he shot them both a serious look, "Do not cross me, or my companion here. You will immediately regret doing so and will at the very least be left out in the plain alone." It was just a warning to them both as he would not tolerate any none sense from either of them. However he could tell she was trying to make conversation and so he said "Why are you heading south?"

[Leto]

The ice-eyed male kept his pace although he knew that he could not run from the one that was following them, but he could at least choose whether or not he wanted to encounter the other male. His master was tenacious and unyielding, this Leto had known practically his entire life; Reyan would not give up, in fact the ice-eyed youth was sure that not even death would be able to stop his master in retrieving his property. Leto’s ears twitched as he heard Kukoa turn his attention to the females, trying to engage them in conversation, all Leto wanted was much as much distance between himself and the scent that was clearly trailing them.

He pondered whether or not he should reveal to Kukoa just whom it was that was following them, but this would also reveal a lot about his own past, and indeed just what Leto actually was. Could he trust that this male wouldn’t outright betray him to his master in hopes of a finder’s fee? The soldier’s eyes locked ahead of him as his ears swirled back to catch the words exchanged between Kukoa and the siblings, though even if the other male wouldn’t betray him, he would not take the gamble regarding the siblings and their motivations.

Once they stopped for the evening, he might tell Kukoa about it, if the opportunity arose that is.

[Moonbacon]

Saudana seemed offended with Kukoa's warning "what your telling us this because were a butch of lionesses? you males just like to think you can easily boss around a lioness-" Saudana was silenced by a soft headbutt from her sister. Raziya hang her head slightly "sorry about that but anyways were heading south since well the place we lived in is basically a wasteland all year around especially in the dry season so we decided to head south in hopes for a at least decent place to stay in". Raziya said.