To Explore and Be New

[saraiya]

Now that Nenet is out of the jungle to explore, she’s no longer 100% sure if it was a good idea. The dry savanna is far different that the lush jungles she’s only known all of her life. The terrain is different. The prey is different. The competition for food is different. Even the very air is different. Arid rather than humid. And as much as she doesn’t want to admit it, hunting is also much harder.

For generations, her pride has adapted to hunting much like jaguars and other jungle cats do. Hiding in the lush trees and foliage, and then pouncing on unsuspecting prey. Here? The high grasses of the savanna was good cover, but her dark fur did little to help her blend in. The dry earth shifted beneath her paws too easily for her to get the ideal grip she’s accustomed to with moisture filled earth. And these animals were also faster, more alert, and traveled in grand herds. Suffice to say, hunting is tricky and she’s been eating less due to it. She only barely got lucky when a wildebeest tripped while running away from her earlier and broke his leg. Even then, he had put up enough of a fight to leave her limping after she ate what she could before being chased off by a small group of lionesses, since she incidentally wandered into their territory.

She made her way to a watering hole and drank some of the water before laying beside it and licking at her leg wound whilst limping. Maybe she was better off in the jungles. Where she belonged.

[This Land]

In the near distance, A lion had just reached the summit of a nearby hill. Giving him the advantage the sights that surrounded him. His eyes scanned across the area, plotting his direction. After his long walk he has worked up a thirst, and was delighted to see a waterhole nearby. He grunted at the sight of it being occupied by what looked like another Lioness. It wasn't abnormal or a problem for him, just a slight inconvenience if she wasn't friendly.

Anthi is young adult, fresh out of adolescence. His dark brown mane not long enough to look majestic, but it shown dominantly in contrast to his golden orange pelt. It started to wave and flap around in the breeze that rolled over the summit of the hill, having the annoyance of flapping in front of his eyes. It wasn't heavy enough yet to set against his body. He flicked his head to try and tame it before making his way down the hill.
"Right Anthi, you're still new to this social stuff, confidence is the key, just keep it under control, you know what happened last time" he thought and chuckled to himself.

He approached closer towards to the waterhole. When he was about 50 paces away he let out slight none threatening 'huffs' to let her know of his presence, showing her he had no intention of sneaking up. He kept his head held up proud and high with his ears sticking up, which displayed quite easily due to his mane not being as filled out. He had made his move, and now 30 paces away. He still focused on the lioness, trying to track her body language to see if she would be ok with his short presence for a drink. Or a threat?

[saraiya]

While cleaning her wound, her ears twitched as she heard something. A shifting of dirt and grass, a tale tell sign that someone was approaching and not being sneaky about it. Along with a huffing pant noise, it was familiar to noises lions make. She looked up from her task and casted her green eyes on the fellow lion. He looked young, perhaps close to her age, and his coloring showed he was likely from these savanna lands; golden orange pelt with a shaggy dark brown mane. Clearly still in its growing stage. All in all, his appearance gave a stark contrast through her rich brown fur.

Her eyes narrowed a bit as he approached, her body tense in case she had to fight or run at a moment's notice. After all, she was just chased out of one territory. She wasn't rested enough to do either. However, though his gaze was on her, he hardly looked threatening, so she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt. Even if this was his territory she wandered into.

"If I'm in your territory, I'm sorry." She said after a moment. "I just need to rest for a bit and then I'll be out of your mane." She doesn't want a fight and she'd rather not run so soon.

[This Land]

He managed to get to the edge of the pool without any protest. "so far so good" he thought to himself as he slowly lowered his head towards the waters edge. He didn't want to make eye contact, his plan was just to come and go. However, his curiosity got the better of him and flicked his eyes to the corner, just to get a glimpse of her. She didn't look relaxed...more so tense. Going by what happened last time with an encounter he had, he dare not open his mouth to speak. Instead, he only opened his mouth to take a lap of water. As soon as his muzzle parted though, she spoke out. His ears flicked and his body flinched from the small surprise. However, he was instantly calmed by her apology and seeming to sound not that intimidating.

A small smile spread across his muzzle as he turned his head fully in her direction.
"Hey there!" he said cheerfully, almost overdoing his friendliness. He fell silent for a short moment before clearing his throat.
"Oh, don't worry about it. Rest away! I don't own any of this place. Infact, I thought you did, heh" he chuckled lightly before loosely slumping on his behind. Trying to act as casual and least threating as possible. He felt the need to try and put her at ease. His smile then grew wider
"Besides, I wouldn't call this a mane" he joked, pulling a silly fake annoyed expression while huffing a breath of air, making his mane flop around above his head.
"More like an annoying thing to keep groomed" he said with a hint of lighthearted annoyance while giving his head a good shake.

He made eye contact with her again, still keeping his friendly smile.
"And besides-besides, I have no idea where I am. Anything interesting around these parts?" He asked with a curious flick of his tail.