[PRP] Serenity

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"Even if things seem to be normal again, you shouldn't be so far out by yourself," a voice addressed Ljena from the direction of the pride. Iki'renkli took her duties as Hunt Leader seriously and always had, even if it was merely a front to keep people from panicking as the world seemed to turn upside down. At least it hadn't been because of a murderer taking over the pride. She might not have been born before that happened, but she'd lived through it.

Coming even with the light-furred lioness, a dark figure surveyed the same landscape. Of course, it was certain that whatever had caught Ljena's attention, it wasn't the same as what Iki'renkli sought. The younger lioness was far more of a dreamer than Iki'renkli had been in years - her dreams had died with her grandfather.  

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The dark lioness snorted and shook her head. "Don't be sorry, be safe," she admonished Ljena. "One of the Guards noticed you going astray and brought it to my attention since I was passing by. No one thinks there's real danger at this moment...but we don't want any pointless injuries." Or deaths, but that was something that didn't need to be said. Besides, given the strange dangers that had arisen, a quick death might be preferable to a life in constant pain.

She did understand what the light lioness was saying, that having to stay near chafed like ill-fitting adornment. But the Hunt Leader wasn't responsible for happiness. She was responsible for feeding the pride and keeping her Hunters safe while doing so.  

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Iki'renkli sighed. "I know you're not helpless. Dark moon, I would've said my sister, years ago, was helpless - and I was very wrong about that." The dark lioness was silent for a few moments, remembering those dark times.

"Why would you think something divine might have visited?" she asked Ljena at last. The Hunt Leader wasn't certain she wanted the answer, but it was an interesting question to have been brought up. So long as it stayed theoretical, at least...  

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A frission of dread danced down Iki'renkli's spine at Ljena's words, and the dark lioness sincerely hoped none of that emotion showed on her face. There were a number of reasons why the Hunt Leader left religious maunderings to the Priests (and her eldest sister) and at the base it was because the scale of it terrified her. She'd much rather focus on those things within her own personal control.

"Yes, let's go back to the pride," Iki'renkli agreed, almost hastily. "And, Ljena, you do know you can bring your concerns to the Priests and Shaman? I don't know what answers they might have for you, but I'm sure they've considered these things."  

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Religion was never Iki'renkli's favorite topic. She worshipped the Great Lion like all the pride and looked doubtfully on anyone who mentioned gods walking the earth, but it really didn't impact her life much. She left that to Nyeusi who was, well, she had a reputation throughout the pride. And while the younger lions like Ljena could never appreciate how truly mad Nyeusi had been, they did understand that she was strange.

Iki'renkli shook her head as she realized the direction of her thoughts. Was she actually missing the days of Shangyue's rule? It had been terrible in so many ways! But...it was where she'd grown up and come into her own. The time period that had made her the lioness she was today.

Maybe...maybe the events of the recent past along with this present were forming Ljena in the same way. And wasn't that a scary thought?

Hopefully the younger lioness would take her advice and talk to someone who would know on the subject. And then the Hunt Leader could do her own job again.