Private: Upon New Horizons [Closed to Zoketi and Baya]

[Baya]

"Fine. Finish your meal." Baya murmured quietly. It plagued him to think of his mother; one that only gave him love and compassion. She was brutally murdered by rogues, and he was left alone to soak up all the blame. She was protecting him that night. It was a troubling thought. Baya looked to Vitani and snorted. He would probably die protecting her in this desert too, at some point. If he managed to survive, he would still not let anything happen to her or their cubs.

[Zoketi]

Vitani blinked once more at him, unsure if he was telling the truth. She gazed lovingly at him, ears drooped slightly. She didn't finish up the other hare though, she nudged it away. "Baya....?" She rumbled softly, her voice a low whisper. He looked like he was brooding on something. Vitani's ears perked at his snort.

[Baya]

Baya shuffled closer to Vitani, to try and not make it look as if he was upset it with her. "The desert brings back many memories. Some that I regret." Baya murmured as he looked out into the sandy horizon. His ears flexed back and he looked to his mate.

"Zira was by no means a fair mother...but she was a mother to you and the others none the less. This desert makes me think of how I had no one till I came to the outlands. It bothers me and I don't know why." Baya explained.

[Zoketi]

Vitani listened with concern. She nodded slowly. Instead of speaking--she didn't know how to comfort him with words--she gave him a loving nuzzle on the cheek. She blinked slowly at Baya and let out a tiny sigh. Her brilliant blue eyes were soft as they looked at her mate, and she curled her tail closer around. She hoped they would find a decent home soon...seeing Baya depressed hurt her as well.

[Baya]

"It won't be long. I promise. When we find our home, we'll raise our cubs...away from the senseless violence of the desert..." Baya murmured, giving his mate a loving nuzzle back. He looked down to the last bit of rabbit left, and helped himself to it, seeing as his mate and the other lioness were satisfied. Once finished, Baya licked his own lips and stretched.

"I have a question. Was Zira ever afraid of me? I know the others were..." Baya mused with a snort. Zira was sort of a mother figure to him growing up. He didn't know whether she feared him, or legitimately cared at the time of her death. It sort of hurt Baya to see Zira let herself fall, but it didn't affect him to a great degree.

[Zoketi]

Vitani nodded slowly. She watched him finished the hare, and twitched her ears. She yawned widely and stretched out her paws in front of her. She studied her claws as they flexed in and out.

She turned to look back at Baya. "I....I really don't know." Vitani replied, trying to remember if Zira had shown any signs of fear. It was hard, her mother had rarely shown any emotion beside anger and delight. She rarely backed away, and had enough confidence to overcome her fear. "If she did, she didn't show it." Vitani added, flicking her tail and pushing away thoughts of Zira's last moments--that always came whenever she thought about her.

[Baya]

Baya sighed as he nuzzled her neck, and a smirk spread on his face. "Wanna fight?" Baya asked. He figured they needed some entertainment, and this was the best he could think of. The other lioness' ears perked and her eyes widened.

"What happened? What's going on? Why are you going to fight? Weren't you two just nuzzling!?" The lioness asked, a bit freaked out. Baya snorted and gave her a scowl.

"Idiot. We fight for fun. Not to kill each other. At least not anymore." Baya purred pushing his muzzle against hers.

[Zoketi]

Vitani's ears pricked up and a smile shone over her muzzle. "Definitely." She purred, her tail flicking and her eyes gleaming. At last, Baya seemed to be back to normal.

She ignored the lioness's shocked comments, and rubbed Baya's muzzle back. Rising to her paws, she arched her back and twitched her ears. Her tail swished across the ground and she blinked at Baya.

[Baya]

After a few minutes of affectionate nuzzling, Baya jumped at her in surprise, and began rolling around with her in the sand. He softly bit and pawed at her, and he too received several blows. Fighting with her was a bliss that he could never explain to anyone. He would say it helped him cope with all his hardships, having an outlet to let out his anger and hate, but with someone he loves who would do the same. The lioness was watching in awe at the two creatures biting and pawing at each other like there was no tomorrow. Eventually Baya ended up being pinned down, and he looked up to Vitani as he panted.

"Looks like you win." Baya murmured with a cackle.

[Zoketi]

Vitani met Baya's attack with a loving one of her own. She tussled happily with him, her eyes narrowed in a playful growl and her tail swishing joyfully. She nipped and batted at him, feeling her instincts rise and help her to play. She loved every moment of it, not only was it somewhat of a training but a truly enjoyable experience. Especially with Baya.

After a bit, Vitani was standing over Baya with an affectionate smirk painted across her muzzle. "Like always." She teased lightly, bending down to lick his nose. She grinned and hopped off, shaking her fur and flicking her ears.