[B-PRP] A new home? (Velia x Chinedu)

[Uta]

AstoriaFallen

I need to find his cert. xD He's an Apothecary.

The large lion made his way close to the borders, staring hard at the ground as he moved. His nose sniffed at the earth, and his eyes moved slowly over the dry grasses of the plain; the apothecary was on a mission gathering some essentials for the pride -- some roots, wild flowers, and a few types of grass. Chinedu was glad for the activity, though not every lion seemed to like to dig and paw through the earth. It allowed him to travel to the borders, to leave the stress and anxiety and grief behind him as he focused on providing remedies for the healers and those ailing at the heart of the pride.

Chinedu himself had once hoped to be immune, but with age, it became more clear that he suffered the same fate as his gruff father. The sickness had pegged him, but not as badly as his father had suffered. . . at least not yet. Now, the white and black, angry, bitter lion he had called father had passed. It had happened suddenly, quickly, and quietly, but wasn't that what they all wished for, in the end? Ndale had been a troubled soul, with a troubled heart -- Chinedu had feared his father more than he'd loved him, and he hoped that maybe now, his spirit could find peace. Still, it was different, knowing that he now only had his mother left -- and she was about as fierce as Ndale. No, the lion had grown up with a rough family, and had known well that his parents were not in love -- though he suspected they had grown fond of one another in their stubborn sort of way.

Chinedu himself had grown up independent, though far warmer and more sensitive than either of his parents. He did not begrudge his lot in life, and even though he knew his fate, he was the sort of lion who looked at the silver lining. He was sick, but he had a home, he had safety, and there were all sorts who gave him the love and attention his parents had rather lacked.

So it was, the lion had decided that he could best serve his pride by helping bring in supplies; any remedies that might help cause temporary relief from the sickness, in hopes that maybe, he could help brighten their days.

Today was no different. The dedicated worker had a small pouch to carry the herbs and flowers and roots he dug up; he looked a bit messy, with dirt under his claws, and leaves and twigs sticking out of his mane, and his nose stained with pollen, but he'd clean himself up later -- after the digging and searching was done. Trotting up a small hill, he was so engrossed in his hunt for the perfect plant, that he almost missed the sight of a strange lioness ahead of him. It was only her scent that caused his ears to p***k, and finally make him pay attention to the world around him.

Who on earth. . .?

Well, the pride was a welcoming pride, but they did have some borders that could doom a lion. "Er, excuse me! Hello!" He called out, his voice a bit rough from sickness and lack of use. He hadn't spoken to anyone this day and had been on the hunt for goods since dawn. "I didn't expect to find a visitor here," he explained, hoping the lioness might not bolt.

If she didn't know where she was, well, it was possible she'd high-tail it the other way as soon as she figured out who they were. Not everyone took kindle to a group of diseased lions.
 

[Uta]

AstoriaFallen

Chinedu was glad when the female didn't turn aggressive, and even more pleased when she didn't turn to run. The Kitwana'antara always welcomed visitors, despite their situation, and so long as rules were adhered and quarantine zones avoided, it wasn't actually a dangerous place to be. A little news from the outside world sounded pleasant, particularly since it would mean he'd get some first, before the Scouts had to report it in. It might be a small thing, but Chinedu found that a little break from his elusive hunt would do him good. The plants could wait -- at least for a moment or two.

If Velia had hoped not to look too lost, she had given herself away completely by sound surprised about stumbling into pridal territory. Perhaps the guards needed to reinforce some of these borders if the lioness was taken unawares. "Well, you're only in it a little way," he offered helpfully. "We're pretty much by the border, so you're not too far in. You've found the Kitwana'antara," he stated with a small tail flick, watching the lioness for any sort of reaction. Maybe she'd heard about them... then again, maybe not. "I take it you weren't coming to visit by choice?"

He cleared his throat a little, though his smile never wavered. Chinedu sat down, wrapping his tail loosely about his paws as he waited.
 

[Uta]

AstoriaFallen

The lion gave a small twitch of his tail as she explained the situation. "Ah, well I'm glad to break up the monotony, then. It can be a lonely world out there." Though he'd never lived a day alone in his life, Chinedu knew their pride was a bit more isolated than most. Still, that didn't mean he couldn't feel the pang of loss, or the desire for company when the nights were long and the sickness present; there were many in the pride who ached for those who were no longer with them.

Thankfully, though, this strangers looked well for having been alone for so long -- but he wondered if she would soon flee as soon as he explained. This was when the dark furred lion gave a small dip of his head, an ear flicking thoughtfully. "Er,--" he hesitated just a moment at her request, before giving into the inevitable. He almost wished the guards or a scout would come along -- someone who was better prepared at this sort of surprise. Another small clearing of his throat -- this time it had nothing to do with his sickness -- before he found the right words. "Well, we're a close-knit pride. We're ruled by a King and Queen, and tend to keep to ourselves. We work alongside leopards, hybrids, and even some hyenas -- anyone who finds themselves on our border is welcome." He smiled, as such words were quite genuine. He loved his pride... but it came at a heavy cost.

"The...uh, problem is that many of us in the Kitwana are... sick." His ears flattened a bit closer, lost in his plush mane. "There's a disease that runs through many of the lions n the pride. Not all lions, or lion-hybrids, get it but some do. It's why we rely on outside help -- non-lions aren't affected by it, and some of the lions in the pride are as healthy as anyone. We do take care in making sure visitors and guests don't contract the sickness, though, so rest assured you're perfectly safe here, or talking to me." He carefully glanced up at the strange lioness, offering her a self-deprecating little grin.

"But I know it's not for everyone. You're welcome to stay on these outer perimeters as long as you need! If you need water, or food, I can certainly direct you to where you'll be provided for; one thing we have are some of the best healers around," he added, almost like it was some sort of joke.

Mph. But he was certain it would fall flat.

"I"m an apothecary myself. You caught me farther out than I usually go, so I'm afraid I'm not used to explaining all this." He confessed with a small sigh.
 

[Uta]

AstoriaFallen

Chinedu was glad that the lioness hadn't bolted away at the first mention of their illness. He knew it could be quite off-putting to deal with -- and part of him didn't blame them. Who wanted to be around the ill? They were a colony of plagued lions, and yet, life very much continued in their pride lands. Not all within were sick, and even those that were could still go on and live productive lives. Was it so wrong to want to keep living, to have a family, to resist dying out? Was it so wrong to keep their pride alive?

Thankfully, the pale lioness didn't seem too disturbed by where she had landed. He gave her another smile and a small shrug. "No need to be sorry," he assured. "We may be cursed, we may have a disease, but I promise, we're no different than any other pride. We're a hardy and independent lot, if only because most just stay away, and I get it... Who would want to raise a family here? And yet, I was born here, and I don't regret my life. It might get cut shorter than some, but I feel I cherish it more. Every day is a gift, and we have to live by that motto here." He wasn't, of course, trying to preach to the poor lioness, but he certainly didn't want her to think the pride was to be pitied. It was an unusual pride, but they carried on.  

[Uta]

AstoriaFallen

I think that's a wrap?

Chinedu was surprised by the lionesses sudden intrigue. He couldn't have guessed she would have asked to linger, much less stay a while. Most travelers turned the other way as soon as they came upon the Kitwana'antara, and part of the lion didn't blame them. Dealing with the sickness wasn't exactly pleasant, and the loss the entire pride felt with each passing was palpable. But life also was at play within the pride. How many cubs were born? How many lives did they save on a daily basis? Most of the pride didn't just succumb without a fight, and they made every day worth their while, for it could well be their last.

Giving a swish of his tail, the lion offered Velia a smile. "If that's what you'd like, you're more than welcome to linger. There are some parts of the pride that are quarantined. Those are closer to the heart of the pride, and well within its borders. Get too close and you might not be allowed to leave," he warned gravely. "But the lands closest to the borders are fair game and quite safe. I can notify the guards, and you'll be otherwise left alone. If you follow me, I can show you one of the safe watering holes, and some of the sights our pride has to offer."

He wouldn't take up too much of her time... But he would make sure she was comfortable. "Follow me!" He beamed, happily encouraging the other to follow. And with that, Chinedu began his border-tour, hoping the lioness might enjoy what the Kitwana'antara did have to offer.