[SRP] Sore Thumbs (Ra, Nodi, Metis, Adrastea)

[Epine de Rose]

 

[Epine de Rose]

"All right, I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say those two aren't from around here," The rabbit remarked as he caught sight of the two black lions. They seemed completely at home in the cold climate, but they were most assuredly not meant to be there, but he could at least be comforted by the fact that he could see them and that they were wandering around in broad daylight. Their existence was no secret and they didn't seem to have inclination to hide either.

"No kidding," Ra remarked, turning towards the two lions as they continued on their way through the snow. If they were seeking something then they would be better asking, rather than looking. Trails did not last long here, they simply disappeared with the changing weather and took their secrets with them. Even worse, those scents that would have once lingered, wouldn't remain either... Suffice it to say that the pair of lions would have nothing to go on if they were led here. Nevertheless, for the time being the lion chose to observe the pair - there had been a significant amount of foreign footfall here as of late, and he was beginning to wonder why.

"We're just going to let them pass?" Nodi asked.

"We're going to let them continue about their business and if we see anything odd, then we'll deal with it," Ra replied slowly. "The female doesn't appear capable of battle, only the male does," he noted and shook his head. "They haven't brought anything of significance with them, as a consequence there's not immediate reason for concern," he pointed out. Nodi looked doubtful and glanced between his own companion, and the pair of lions nearby.

"I don't know, that male is pretty big..."

"Some are," Ra murmured dismissively and clucked his tongue; Nodi provided him with a scathing look.

Nevertheless, while Nodi might have blended into the snow with particular ease his companion did not and it wasn't long before his existence was noted by both of the ebony lions. Both Adrastea and Metis were given pause, both opting to stand their ground and observe him for a short time before they seemed to hold a quiet discussion with one another. Whatever the subject, it was one worthy of significant debate, and what seemed like several moments passed before they finally seemed to come to some sort of collective decision... It was only then that they came towards the tan male.

"You," Metis was first to speak, with Adrastea standing just a touch behind. She seemed hesitant, but not entirely fearful, Ra surmised that whoever this male was at least commanded a level of trust he should regard with respect. "This is your home, correct?" he continued and glanced to his left, then his right, as if to survey the snowbound land. It was nothing like his own home, but that really wouldn't have come at any surprise if Ra had known that they didn't even live above ground.

"That would be correct," Ra replied and tilted his head to the side. "And this most certainly isn't your home," he added. It was Nodi however, who was first to note the similar accent and mannerisms that were exhibited. While Durama hadn't acted or carried himself in this way, Gus had... more interestingly, they seemed to have the same lilt in his voice this black lion possessed. The rabbit soon bounced up onto his companion's head and quietly murmured as much into his ear.

...He did not expect what came next.

"You met another of my kind?" Metis asked with interest, as both Ra and Nodi stared at him in surprise.

"We have very good hearing," Adrastea finally spoke up and cleared her throat. "Whispers are not difficult for us to hear, particularly at such a close proximity," she added.

"You're really not that close," Nodi choked and stared at the 'gaping' expanse between himself and the pair. "Like...at all."

"Then perhaps take this as a quirk of our kind?" she offered helpfully, she soon fell silent after that and returned her gaze to Metis. Metis had in this time, narrowed his eyes, and was regarding them with considerable interest. To his knowledge none of his kind should have exposed themselves, it was a cardinal sin, so if these two had encountered others then that meant that they had either encounters the wayward Justicar or the Al-Siq had already deployed others to this land. His intelligence sources indicated that the latter was unlikely, but the former was just as unlikely given said sources couldn't even locate Destati themselves.

"My question, one would be curious as to who it was." Metis paused. "There are not many of us out here, it would be unusual for you to meet one of us so far from here."

"Oh, well..." Ra shrugged his shoulders. "One was a rabbit but he wasn't from wherever you folks are from," he replied. "Can't say I know much, I didn't ask that many questions," he added. "Found the pair of them up here trying to find a good spot to check the surrounding area. Looked like they were trying to find some sort of path home since they were sure where to head to be honest," he pursed his lips and trailed off.

"And did they find it...?" Metis asked.

"I'd assume so, they seemed to spot what they were looking for," Nodi replied smoothly and patted down the fur on his chest thoughtfully. "They had some dinner, rested for a bit, then they headed off on their own merry way," he added and shrugged his shoulders.

"But you wouldn't know where they went, would you," Adrastea asked softly and shook her head. Metis was no fool and she knew that, but in order to ensure they remained safe and secure, he was going to have to refrain from intimidation. If she was aware that the pair were hiding information, then it was a guarantee that Metis also knew. Fortunately, he possessed remarkable self control and she was all too grateful for that now. Perhaps these individuals were allies of the pair that had walked through; or maybe they simply didn't make a point of gossiping. Neither she or Metis had experience with groups of individuals beyond their own kin and now was no exception, but she did have her suspicions...

"Unfortunately not," Ra shook his head and then glanced at Nodi. "We can show you the vantage point they used though?" he offered and raised a brow. "If you're from the same place I imagine you'd probably have a rough idea of what they might have been looking for," he stated. Unbeknownst to him, one of these lions did in fact have a shot in the dark at getting this right, if only because the clouded bunny had given small hints as to where he might live. Adrastea wouldn't be guaranteed to find the right spot yet, but she would find it eventually.

"That would be most appreciated," Metis agreed and glanced at Adrastea with a smile. "If it's not too out of your way."

"You're fine," Nodi waved his paw dismissively, having taken Ra's meaning. They weren't lying, they just weren't supplying all the information and he didn't know how trusting Durama had been either. "On the plus side you didn't wander nearly as far up as that pair so we don't really have that far too walk," he added and rolled his eyes. "If we go higher maybe the clouds will clear up!" he mimicked and shook his head. "Do these mountains touch the damn sky?!"

Metis supplied a more neutral reaction, but Adrastea afforded a smile.

...Nodi decided in those moments that she might be all right.

"It's this way," Ra interjected as he rose to his paws and began to pad in the correct direction. "And before you ask, no, the mountain doesn't touch the sky."

"What a shame..." Adrastea remarked mildly, causing Metis to raise a brow as both slipped in behind the lion and his companion.

Words: 1352