Watching and Waiting

[EmilyColeman]

Dolmio
Male Lion
Black
7yrs

I yawned, jaws creaking. I had been asleep for at least the full day. I opened my bleary eyes and noted i was still on the low, gnarled branch i had chosen to doze on. I sniffed and waved my tail, my scar pulsing as always when i wake up.
"Oh god. I'm so warm" I groaned, jumping down from the Oak. I searched for a stream and found one, leaping in.
I sighed in ecstacy as the cool water rushed and splashed over my heated body.
I came out, dripping and shook myself.
Droplets of water ran down my face as i made my way back to my branch. I relieved myself and then climbed back onto the branch, settling down, more alert now.

[Nami]

Zora crouched low, her belly scrapping the ground. She had been hunting, looking for a good place to kill and store her prey when she had come across the smell of a male. The dark lioness had always been cautious around males, they always made her nervous, especially when she was in heat. She crept a few paces closer, trying to gain a visual of the smell's source. She then saw him, the hulking mass of muscle with pitch black fur. His looks alone made Zora gulp, she was impressed and slightly intimidated. She needed to backtrack.

[EmilyColeman]

I scanned the sky and the ground. The sun was high and warm and there was a sweetly sick smell in the air.
"Female. In heat" I murmured.
I scanned the ground again, eyes narrowing thoughtfully.
I leaped off of my branch and walked around the Oak.
I sprayed and then walked a few paces backwards.
Yes! A pretty female was crouched in the grass about 200 feet away, watching me, mouth slightly open.
I sat down and stared at her, mane blowing in the warm breeze.
I cocked my head, yawned again and stood up.
I walked over, slowly, tail standing high, showing i meant no harm.

[Nami]

Zora stiffened as she began to realize that this male could smell her. She had seen that look one to many times, but only out pure will power did she remain still. Her instincts told her to get away, but "getting away" would only make her scent more known and this male would see her for sure. So instead, Zora watched the male's every move, only until she locked eyes with the male, and as he approached did she make her intentions clear. Zora backed up a little, her ears flat against her skull, she let out a threatening snarl, as he eyes flashed an angry warning. She didn't care if his first intentions were no harm, she didn't want to take any chances.

[EmilyColeman]

I stopped, dipping my head a little, tail going down.
I sat down and then lowered myself onto my tummy, tail flat and ears perked.
Putting my chin on my paws, i break eye contact, staring at the ants crawling across my claws.
I glance at the female again, taking her in.
I look at the ants again and bring my paw down on them.
Shaking them off, i stand up and wave my tail in a friendly greeting, staying where i am.

[Nami]

Zora eyed the male intently, her eyes skimming over his features, wondering where his weak points where on his body. She let out a low growl as he lowered himself to the ground and then was caught a bit off guard at seeing him begin to play with the ants. When he rose again, her body quivered with the readiness to fight but then slightly relaxed as he waved a friendly greeting with his tail. She sat up a little, resting her weight on her back haunches, titling her head to the side slightly. She let out a gruff, "hello."

[EmilyColeman]

"Hiya. I'm Dolmio" I smile, sitting.
I feast my eyes on the scars on her shoulder, frowning a little.
Then a grin takes over on my face and i chuckle.
"I won't hurt you. I never hurt females" As if to prove my point, i lower my head a little and take 3 steps back, tail erect again in friendleness.

[Nami]

Zora couldn't help but smile slightly at the dark lion's friendliness, but it quickly faded as she saw his eyes observe the scars on her shoulder. He must have a few battle scars of his own, why must he look at hers? She let out a bit of sigh, "I appreciate the gesture. The name's Zora. Pleasure to meet you." She lowered her guard slightly, knowing that her posture was a bit obvious, she needed to look confident.

[EmilyColeman]

I turned to my left, thinking i saw a bird. Zora must have got a big view of my deep scar taking up the left side of my tail and some of my left thigh.
"Zora. Beautiful name, beautiful female" I smiled, happy she was being friendlier.
I took a tiny step forward, then another. I stopped and looked up, watching a gull and a parrot flit through the air.
I licked my lips, making them water.

[Nami]

Zora made the distance between them a bit larger, liking the space between them. Her face flushed, "You're words are kind. Thank you." She said quietly. As Dolmio observed the scars and was grateful for the moment of broken eye contact, she wasn't good around others. She shifted uncomfortably in the hot sun, opening her mouth slightly to cool herself down.

[EmilyColeman]

"There is a stream a few hundred metres away. Want to come with me?" I offered, seeing Zora trying to heat down.
I cocked my head right, in the direction of the stream.
As if on cue, everything went quite and all you could hear was the distant sound of water running.
I waved my tail happily, considering Zora as my half-friend now.

[Nami]

Zora's eyes quickly darted over to the direction that the dark male was pointing and slowly nodded her head. "Lead the way," she said, letting out a sigh as she stood, bringing herself to her full height, her flexed muscles glinting in the hot sunlight. A hot breeze tussled her fur, causing Dolmio's mane to whip around slightly. Her ears captured the sound, and she could have easily found the place in a bit of time--but she didn't want to have Dolmio walk behind her.

[EmilyColeman]

I lead the way, casting little glances over my shoulders, smiling.
I bounded into the stream, letting the water run over my body. I sat down in it, letting it cover my mouth and coming up to my nose.
I snorted and stood up, shaking drops of water away from me.
I grinned at Zora and walked away from the stream.
Running as fast as i could, i leaped in.
A huge splash was the result and i laughed so hard.

[Nami]

Zora saw the water and at first, did nothing, instead she just watched Dolmio run in and out of the water. His joy and playfulness made it hard to Zora to resist the urge to join in on the fun. But soon she found herself bolting towards the water, she dove into the water, feeling it cover her body cooling her down significantly. She surfaced, laughing and paddling around. She ducked as Dolmio leaped back into the water, soaking her completely. She laughed again.

[EmilyColeman]

I paddled over to her, laughing.
She was so beautiful when she laughed and had fun, when she relaxed.
Her tail accidently splashed me and i went under.
I came back up, spitting out water.
I was shocked for a while, then laughed.
I got out of the stream and shook my body. I sat down on the river bed and took a long, plentiful drink.