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It was another ordinary day for Thulile. Ordinary in the sense that the sky was flashing strangely, the ground rumbled on occasion, and whispers that didn't quite make sense floated through the air. The never-ending hunger had stopped, at the very least, so she had that to be thankful for. It allowed her to go about her duties much easier, such as going hunting with some of the other Thralls to bring in the daily meal for the others in the pride.

When she had first been captured by Hjalmar, Thulile had been terrified and assumed she was going to be killed or forced into hard labor of some kind, beaten and abused and mistreated. She came to find out that although some Thralls did suffer at the hands of their masters, the young lion that had brought her back to his home wasn't one of those types. Sure, he could be standoffish and would throw his weight around to get what he wanted, but as long as she listened to him and did as he asked - or gods forbid even anticipate something he'd like - Hjalmar was quite a reasonable male. Thulile also felt safer here than she ever had back in her old pride what with so many lions around.

Hjalmar had been gone for some time, off on some sort of mission, and Thulile had made sure to keep his den nice and tidy for him, just as he liked it. Which was why when she returned from the hunt to find another lioness inside scratching up the walls, she was at first a bit angry, but then rather nervous. Who was this? Why was she here?

"Um...hello," she said in a quiet voice, ears back and head lowered, unsure if this was a Freeborn or Shield Maiden or even perhaps a Valkyrie. She didn't wish to be rude to someone above her station, but she didn't want to see the den be torn to bits.

The way the lioness reacted made Thulile instantly crouch down on her belly, eyes wide with fear, her ears pressed so hard against her head it looked like they were completely gone, even her tail was still. Whoever this was they obviously hadn't expected to be snuck up upon even if she really hadn't been sneaking. This was her home even if it was technically Hjalmar's and one didn't need to sneak around their den.

"I-" The protest died in her throat as it became dry and she swallowed over and over, trying to make her mouth work properly. Come on, Thulile, pull it together!

"I'm Thulile. Hjalmar's Thrall," she explained, her voice soft due to how dry her mouth was and the tone timid and apologetic. "I was just...I was coming back here after my duties. I didn't expect anyone to be here, I apologize." She quickly lowered her gaze again, not wanting to be ANY sort of threat to the lioness. Thulile could fight if she had to but she'd much prefer to simply turn tail and run.

Cowering before the lioness was hardly dignified and had Thulile been back in her homeland she was sure she would have been laughed at. Here, though, she felt like if she didn't show the proper respect to the proper lions she'd be killed. That was a bit extreme, perhaps, but Thulile had always been a gentle soul and generally blew things way out of proportion.

When claws and paws didn't rain down on her, though, she cautiously peered up at the other lioness. She looked surprised rather than furious and when she spoke the brown lioness relaxed a bit. Oh...another Thrall. That was...still scary, but a bit better at least.

"Ah...yes," she said slowly, raising her head carefully. "He captured me and took me here. A Thrall is...well. I do whatever Hjalmar tells me to do. I generally hunt and make sure his den isn't a mess, but other times he'll ask me to run errands, fix his braids...things like that. But in return he protects me from danger and ensure I'm well. An ill Thrall isn't helpful after all."

It seemed the lioness was calming down even if her tone of voice was still a bit scary to Thulile. She did pick herself up off the ground, standing before the grey lioness now rather than with her belly in the dirt.

"I haven't been harmed by anyone here," she admitted quietly. "Even if it seems like they wish to at times." Some of the Stormborn had low thoughts about Thralls but they all seemed to adhere to the rule that you didn't touch someone else's Thrall. If they warranted punishment their master would deal it out, but Thulile made sure to do everything that was asked of her to avoid such a fate.

"I'm Thulile," she added quietly after Desdemona had given her name. "I was taken from my pride. Well...I suppose I wasn't actually with them when it happened. I was out in the rogue lands alone. But it isn't so bad here." That is, if you didn't mind cleaning, hunting, and being at Hjalmar's beck and call.

The question made Thulile's ears droop a bit. Despite the fact that she was sure Hjalmar would chase her down and punish her for leaving, Thulile wasn't sure those in the Bonelands even knew she was gone.

"I wasn't born there," she said quietly. "I was found at the border in my youth and they took me in. It's a female dominant pride with only a pawful of males and I felt very...extra, I suppose. I never really fit in." It had been home all the same despite her keeping to herself, never showing an interest in the males only because she felt like she shouldn't contribute to the pride in that aspect. Here she had a purpose. Here she was wanted even if it was for hunting and keeping the den tidy. Hjalmar was the first and only male that had ever shown any sort of interest in her even if it was just so she could work for him, but he had chosen her among all others he could have hunted all the same. Now there was another Thrall so she did feel a bit unwanted again, but perhaps she might actually enjoy Des' company. She'd have to work extra hard to continue to please her master, though.

"So...no, not really. Despite the rough way I was brought here I don't mind it at all."

The uncomfortable silence that followed rung in Thulile's head, her tail twitching back and for in mild anxiety. Had she said too much? She didn't like keeping things from those who asked, but perhaps it had been too heavy-pawed of a reply. But the other lioness spoke up finally, her tone resigned but grumpy, and the change of subject was one Thulile clung to.

"Not all day. Just until they're done," she corrected with a nod. "And so long as you don't go off making trouble or putting Hjalmar in a bad light, you can kind of do as you please. There's lots to see here," she added, perking up just a bit. The sea had been of great interest to her, although she was still too scared of it to go down to the shore itself. The waves looked incredibly strong and the thought of getting swept out into the depths was terrifying.

"I can show you around," Thulile offered, taking a step out of the den to let the dark lioness out. "And...well. Unless you were given orders when you arrived, I'd say just getting to know the pride. I...um. I'm glad I'm not alone anymore," she added, a hint of a smile on her face. "Hjalmar is good company but he's not always around." Having grown up in a pride where everyone was 'sisters', even if she felt outcast, there was always someone to talk to.

She turned after that, her pace slow so Des could keep up. Hopefully she could help her see being a Thrall wasn't the end of the world.