The Lion Pouts Tonight

Truth be told, Iseult felt good to be back in the jungle. It was one of her favourite places to visit as a cub, especially in comparison to the arid nature to some African plains. Even the heat and humidity felt familiar, welcoming even. But then again, Iseult was biased. She was a summer child and infinitely preferred the heat over being cold. Sure the temperature was fairly uncomfortable, but there were always worse things to be uncomfortable from. Namely hunger, thirstiness, injuries, life-threatening injuries...Really, I could go on all night. And then perhaps even into the morning. She mused as a firefly landed on her nose. Iseult blinked, crossing her eyes to look at the small insect. “You’re far from your home.” A small smile tugged on her lips as nostalgia spread through Iseult, flooding through her veins. Home sweet, temporary home. She mused as her paws carried her along familiar paths- almost snagging her legs on new roots and tripping occasionally in the process.

Aside from that, Iseult was almost relieved, and a tad grateful, that the jungle hadn’t changed too much during her travels. At least that way, they wouldn’t get hopelessly lost and end up completely forgetting which way they had come. Okay, just up ahead should be the twisted old tree. And then the watering hole should be a little further away. It’s normally quiet around there so aside from the fireflies, I don’t expect to have any more company. Perfect. Absolutely perfect. The lion mused as they made a mental note on where their bed would be that night.

However, she didn’t anticipate the spanner in the works that would subsequently cause her to throw her plans out the window.

Iseult had stumbled into a clearing and in it lay a very familiar lioness from their past, who was...Pouting like a scolded cub? No way... When did she get here. How did she find out about this place? “Zira?” They tentatively called out, as if trying to test the waters. No. It couldn’t be her. The tan lioness wouldn’t be caught dead in a jungle like this. That much was certain; it was obvious Zira was very much used to her lifestyle on the African plans. Iseult had to be hallucinating. But no. Closer examination had confirmed that it was in fact Zira. Warily, Iseult stepped forward, just barely however. The other lioness was unpredictable at times and needless to say, Iseult very much wanted to avoid being on the receiving end of her (potential) wrath. But still, there was something almost wrong seeing her like this. Also amusing, but mostly wrong… Almost bordering on outright weird. “What are you doing here?” They asked, frowning.

“Zira?”

Rounded ears flicked upwards as she heard a familiar voice. Her muzzle pulled back in a sneer. She knew exactly who it was that was speaking and exactly what kind of response she wanted to give the wayward lioness. Her eyes narrowed and she raised a paw, crushing one of the fireflies under her heavy paws. Her fur bristled but all of her movements stayed silent, fluid but silent. “What are you doing here?”

"I was just about to ask you the same question." Her heavy body raised, turning over and fixing Izzy with crimson red eyes. She didn't show her teeth or raise her hackles, just came to sit about 3 feet from the other lioness. "How are you?" She offered. There was a snarl in the back of her throat like a cough waiting to expel from between her jaws.

Her ears flicked upwards, thinking she heard something but shook her head and turned her deadly orbs back on Izzy. "Iseult." Her voice was like sweet poison. Medicine flavored with honey. "How has it been since you left us?"

So, the pale one knew Zira. And there was apparently no good will between them. Moreover, it seemed the pale one called herself Iseult, and wasn't a part of either group of warring lions. She crept to a better vantage point in a tree, moving carefully so as not to betray her presence by an errant sound or false movement. But even she couldn't keep the limb she perched upon to remain perfectly still and, subtle though it was, it seemed Iseult sensed it.

It seemed the pale one was wise enough to be constantly on guard in the jungle. At least to an extent. She was still too quick to relax her vigilance. It seemed to be a bad habit among the lions in general. It seemed they were still too used to the dominance they'd once held on their grassland domains. Idly, she wondered if they'd even notice her if she didn't reveal herself.

Well, she wasn't going to make it easy on them. For the time being, she would continue to observe, and learn what she could of the pale one.