[Open] Merementa's Pride

[SnowyCheetah]

Kemmy saw Ashiki go into the forest. She had always wanted to go with him to see what herbs he collected, how, and where. She also wanted to bombard him with questions. Sneaking quietly out of the cave, she followed his pawprints and scent, walking quickly and silently on her soft paws. Soon she caught up to him and spoke up. hello. she said in her soft voice as she went up beside him, showing her neck scars. She thought they had a shocking effect to them. She also thought they made her look more attractive. whatcha doin'?

[YFWE]

As he walked along, Ashiki was blissfully unaware of all else as he admired the intrinsic beauty that the forest had to offer. There were times, though brief, that he longed to reside there in the forest rather than up in the mountains with Merementa's pride, but he knew he would not last long on his own in the forest, despite how enticing it was.

So he was rather startled when he heard a voice, soft as it was, speak up behind him, as he normally did not encounter any other talkative creatures on his walks. His mind snapping back to reality, he cocked his head slightly, looking over his shoulder to see Kemmy, a lioness from the pride, making her way up to him. Apparently she had followed him on his stroll into the forest, not that he necessarily minded as he rarely had anyone take even the remotest interest in his work.

"Good morning, m'lady," stated Ashiki, his eyes resting for a brief moment upon the scars that affixed upon the lioness's neck. Rumor had been that she had been mauled as a cub, though the lion had never thought to ask as it was certainly none of his business. There was a strange allure about them nonetheless, and Ashiki had to force himself to pull his gaze back to the lioness's own gaze before speaking again.

"Just the usual. A walk through the woods can do wonders for one's soul. I'm merely basking in those wonders, allowing them to rejuvenate my mind, my body and my being. Perhaps I shall come across an herb or a fruit to take back to the den. I usually do, after all. It's a graciously abundant forest."

Glancing back down the trail they padded upon to get a quick idea of where they were and how much longer the journey would take before Ashiki reached the more abundant plains of the forest, he asked curiously, "And what brings a lovely lioness such as yourself out of the sun and into this forest on such a pretty day, hmm?"

[SnowyCheetah]

Good morning. Kemmy said with a slight smile, looking around at the forest, then back at the lion's gaze. She noticed for a second that he was looking at her scars, but said nothing yet as she would bring that up later. Oh, boredom... Sitting in the plains or the cave all day can drive a lioness mad if she does it too much. I thought I'd do something different today. she stopped to lick her paw, but was really just trying to fall behind. Then she came up quickly on Ashiki's other side. So you collect herbs... What exactly do you do with them? she said to the lion, still looking warmly into his eyes.

[YFWE]

Ashiki grinned warmly as he listened to Kemmy's reply, somewhat thankful to have company for at least a little while on that warm day as he normally remained alone on these walks. He slowed slightly as the lioness fell back, pausing apparently to lick a paw for a moment before she rejoined his gait on the opposite side from where she had originally been walking aside him. Ashiki was taken by surprise momentarily by this sudden change but quickly recovered, fielding Kemmy's curious question amicably.

"What do I do with them? It's nothing out of the ordinary, really. I collect what I can find, if I can find anything. This is not always an easy task; some of the best herbs and plants in the lands and in this forest in particular are rather difficult to find during certain moon cycles. One must know where to look, and I profess to say I have had plenty of practice with such findings. I do so merely to serve the King to repay him for his generosity in allowing me to stay. It is possible to travel alone, after all, but," he paused, and glanced into Kemmy's warm gaze, "better to have others around for moral support, wouldn't you agree?"

Thinking for a moment, Ashiki then continued, "Some of the herbs and plants I find are primarily for consumption as food. They're certainly not as filling as meat, mind you, but they're sustenance nonetheless. Others, which are my main focus, can be utilized for medicines and cures for various ailments should they befall our pride. If you'll recall, for instance, His Majesty had a rather nasty cough a few nights ago." He paused at a sightly green bush, reaching a paw forward to poke and prod the bush, finding his way through its thick shrubbery. Giving a small cry of triumph, he pulled his paw out, producing a small green leaf and showing it to Kemmy. "And so, along with a gourd of water I obtained from the waterhole, I mixed this leaf with the water, let it warm for a while, and when it's done, we have a concoction potent enough to cure most coughs. Very handy."

Ashiki continued to walk along, deeper and deeper into the forest. "That is, in essence, what I do. It is nothing exciting, but it brings me great joy to serve and assist others. It gives one's life meaning."

[SnowyCheetah]

So That's how he got better... Kemmy said with interest. I must say it's a comfort to have someone around with such knowledge of plants and herbs and their uses against illness. Where on earth did you learn these things? Kemmy smiled and looked at the lion's paw with the leaf held in it. She made a determined smile and thrust her own paw into the bush, but yelped and pulled it out again, a thorn in her pad and some blood trickling down her foreleg. Ouch! Shows what I know about these things... she said as she tried to pluck the thorn with her other forepaw. Oh... My scars interest you? she said with a friendly chuckle.

[KingKivuli]

You heard you daughter, dont want to annoy her do you? Teased Shiva as she pushed Merementa aside before standing. He smirked and replied in a playful cheeky tone Of course not! You enough trouble as it is. I dont need another grumpy lioness on my case Shiva glared at him with her shimmering red eyes. All Merementa could do was sit laughing to himself.

Ever since they were cubs she had always been a little dominant, and used that stare to get her way. As they got older, even the adults got bit jumpy at it. It was just one of those stares that could instil fear. Shiva used it alot on on Merementa and as a result he gained an immunity from it. Shiva rarely meant a harm though. She was tough as nails and rough has sandpaper but was still playful, she just had a more forceful side

Once both parents calmed down, the king observed the cave. Everyone was awake and going about their business. He stood up and began to walk out the cave, calling back Well come on, im thirsty chop chop

[Panda-chan]

Star bounced out of the cave, followed by Shiva. She stood tall atop a large boulder directly outside the den and raised her head high, sniffing the breeze just as she had seen her mother do. She could tell that other lions had been here not long ago. She detected the lingering traces of Ashiki's as the oldest scent, closely followed by Hallia's and very recently Kheri's. Next Star perked up her ears, listening for the familiar birdsong and other usual animal noises that came with the morning. Finally, she turned her attention to the land below, squinting slightly against the glare of the sun as she tried to pinpoint the exact location of the waterhole. It wasn't far off, only a few hundred pawsteps from the den of the pride. It would take them only a few minutes to reach if they traveled fast enough.
Star jumped down from the boulder and raced in front of her parents, eager to get to the waterhole as quickly as possible. She had seen lions and other animals journeying there as well and didn't want to miss out on the excitement.

[YFWE]

Laughing to himself respectfully as he saw Kemmy prick her paw on the very thorns he had so recently evaded, Ashiki made sure his companion was okay before continuing along the path, breathing in the crisp, clean forest air before speaking once more. "It was not easy to learn. I have devoted most of my life to these studies. After I began living on my own, I relied on the forest for shelter and sustenance. It was then that I began to learn of the balance between the forest and the life that exists within it. When I worked hard to preserve this balance, well..." he flashed a modest grin at the lioness, "the forest decided to reward me and teach me its secrets."

A dragonfly landed upon his nose and Ashiki paused while it sat there, staring at it with a curious expression before it sped away. "The key is to be one with nature. To understand it. To feel it. One much less versed in the ways of the forest could discover its secrets in the form of sustenance and remedies, 'tis true, but I like to think I have received the full effect. And still I am learning!"

Ashiki averted his gaze for a brief moment at Kemmy's final question, having not wanted for the subject to be brought up, although he could not deny that he was curious concerning them. Checking his place in the forest and calculating internally how much longer it would be before they reached their final destination, Ashiki allowed a casual smile to spread across his muzzle as he considered the lioness's query.

"Forgive me, m'lady, but where I come from, it is frowned upon for one to directly inquire of another concerning their injuries, past or present," said Ashiki with a respectful tone. "I have, however, failed in this regard, as you have obviously noticed my momentary lingering on your... er, abrasions... my apologies."

He glanced over at the lioness. "They do seem to have some sort of strange allure to them, though. I'm certain you're aware of this?"

[SnowyCheetah]

Kemmy smiled warmly and began to purr, as she was beginning to feel very much happy in the forest. It is alright. And yes... I do know there is something strange about these scars... she ran her paw up her neck over some of them I have heard rumors that another lion... Somewhere else... The very leader of a pride... Has one right over his eye, identical to his father's! Perhaps that is it... Kemmy walked with Ashiki as he continued toward their destination. Oh... It seems I've never spent much time with you, so I haven't much idea how I should address you... she said with a slight chuckle, stopping to sniff a small, pink flower on the ground.

[YFWE]

Ashiki glanced at Kemmy curiously as they stepped out into a large clearing within the forest. "Forgive me, but I don't think that quite explains the allure of them necessarily. If the rumors are indeed true, it's probably mere coincidence and nothing more."

He paused as they came to the middle of the meadow. It was not nearly as dim in this part of the forest; sunshine was abundant as the tree cover was scarce. Ashiki sighed calmly as he padded over to one of the outlying trees, reaching up to one of the tree branches and pulling it down, revealing a small vine of berries. [b]"This is the place," he said with a smile. "The most abundant part of the forest."

Finally fielding Kemmy's final comment, he turned to her and smiled warmly. "Calling me by my given name is just fine, m'lady. Or Ash if you would like; I suppose I've received that nickname from a few as well. Really though, nothing more than that, if you please."