[PRP] what a strange land

[KasaiLoki]

After her failed duel attempt for entry into the pride, Khara found herself away from the land of the storm. She had traveled many days and somehow ended up past a river, to a land of what looked like clay. Red colored earth was a complete contrast than what the dark lioness was use to. Her eyes narrowed, claws digging into the ground to test the hard ground.

How interesting. The lioness snorted, shaking her head, continuing into the strange lands she had entered. What sort of things lived in a terrain like this?

Kharankhui had learned a lot through her travels. She knew she would need to be on her guard in strange lands. Lions lived in all sorts of strange places, she was sure this area wouldn't be any different.  

[Pandorus Sphinx]

Words would never be able to express the significance of Tahka's upbringing. The life he once lived seemed like a dream now in his older years, lost some place between reality and nightmares. The red lion could close his eyes and see his mother's death so vividly still- the taste lingered in his mouth, sour and sharp, the pool of blood that birthed his younger siblings staining his paws- Tiah's dying breath. All of it still came rushing to him even after all these years. It felt so raw.

Yet, the void that once consumed the red pelted lion now seemed to slowly fill with new memories and progeny, he could feel himself letting go of some of that history that weighed him down, slowly but surly. Moving on could be so excruciating sometimes, but it was for the best. He had nothing but blood and tears plaguing his past, even when things felt satisfying he knew deep down they were masked with poison.

He knew he couldn't live his life in the shadows of what was. In the shadow of love unrequited, lust forbidden.

His red eyes seemed to reflect any light that hit them as he glanced up at the sky with a deep and dull expulsion of breath, he felt tired swimming in all of these memories. History would always follow him, this much he knew, but it was time to move on. It was time for him forgive himself.

Slowly he walked aimlessly in one direction - as he often did on days like this, experiencing the day with little to no company was not unusual for the red lion. He took no offence to the busy lives of his family - he was never one to intrude. So long as he knew they all slept safely at night he felt secure in his decision to be on the outskirts of the day to day; his role as an active adviser had long past, he was now content with being his younger sister's counsel whenever she needed it. Her rule made him incredibly proud. He knew his mother would be happy knowing her blood still sat at the heart of the Outlands, her legacy forever cemented in every new life the family bore.

His eyes settled on a unfamiliar figure in the distance as he slowly made his way across the dunes and burrows, dirt shifting under his weight as he drew near.  

[KasaiLoki]

Kharankhui was no small lioness. She was lean, but she had some muscle to show she could be a potential contender in a duel or battle. Small scars littered her pelt from previous rogue scuffles (and attempts to gain access to the Stormborn lands), however, most would blend with the lighter markings on her pelt.

The dark female paused, tensing as a small shiver rushed through her form. Her red eyes followed the unmarked parth before her, spotting a male approaching her. She knew it unwise to think these lands were abandoned or empty. However, she hadn’t fully expected to see another creature so soon at the terrain shift.

Khara remained still, watching the male, analyzing him with a slight interest. Just what would this male do?  

[Pandorus Sphinx]

It was hard to read the red lion as he glanced in her direction, frowning under what seemed like a sorted sigh. His eyes narrowed as he called out, shifting all of his weight. "-and you are?" Tahka was old and knew most faces in the pride, yet here stood a female he did not know. A face he could not recognize. Odd.

For a moment at least he would be able to focus on this and not his emotional baggage,

Perhaps he was a little less wise than he thought. He would remain in his place until she spoke, trying to figure out just who she was.  

[KasaiLoki]

Pandorus Sphinx

Khara's eyes narrowed as the male spoke. "No one." She found herself saying quickly. "Who are you?" She quipped back. Khara wasn't stupid. She would not willy-nilly give her name to someone she didn't know, or someone would didn't dare introduce them self first.

If only the dark lioness knew she was encroaching on a pride's territory. She wasn't doing any harm, just crossing, observing, and then would be on her merry way.

Her dark red eyes continued to stare right at Tahka, a frown on her maw that probably mimicked his own facial features. The ball was in your court, Tahka.