Zaahir went towards the shrines, and oh and behold, the white cheetah girl he had brought in, where everyone thought she was a thief and a whore, now, she was at the shrines. Tending to them with delicacy. After how many times he left and went out, he'd always check on her. From what he heard from the priestesses- she was not one to stick out. She always kept her head down and she hardly ever says a word except for the updates on the shrines and to show some evidence of gods visiting.
"Ah... Good morning?"
She turned her head and smiled. "Greetings Zaahir, I see that the gods have seen you safe passage home."
"Is it you who keeps praying to the gods for my safety...?"
"And your mother and father..." Yaara bowed her head. "Your mother especially comes and makes sure that a prayer is made when she is in pride. Most whom you would not expect to be here.. come." She placed more offers to a particular deity.
Then she turned to him. "But yes, I do pray for your safe returns."
"Its much appreciated. Sometimes I wondered if my mother feels its better to be a fighter and grunts. She thinks I don't train enough to protect myself out there.. but there are other ways to fight that aren't physical."
"Yes... there is always another way." Nodding, "Like how you fought for me.. without raising a paw. You saved my life. Something many could have done.. but did not. One of the bravest cheetahs I know."
"You flatter me... Anyone in this pride would have done the same."
Yaara shook her head. "Perhaps ... but I am glad it was you." She moved closer to him and rubbed the top of her head against his cheek and purred.
Zaahir's cheeks flushed. "You-you- Your-"
"Your mother came to speak with me not too long ago. Said you are were willing to go on a pilgrimage with me."
"What- um - yea... Yea I would. I would like that- If - you know - like--um if you yea um. You-"
She gave him some space. "I have to clean up two more shrines before I go. Maybe hear where and who I am looking for will make you change your mind."
"I da-don't think it will. I am suppose to help you..."
"Settle in? It's been nearly two years since I have come here. I am home. Wait for me then?" As she left his sight towards a tunnel.
Zaahir melted to the ground. "Why does she grow more beautiful every time I see her.." Covering his face with his paw.
It was that long- probably much longer than he knew himself to be. But his mother definitely knew that the two of them didn't find mates. One- because Yaara was now keeping the shrines tidy and making sure that she tended to Gods, so she was often busy gathering offerings and helping others navigate prayers... but his mother Rada, knew better. Her son was smitten with who he brought and every time he came home, he would visit her. Maybe it was out of guilt. Maybe.
She saw them both walk from the shrines that she was just about to visit, though she was in the muscle family, she really was dedicated to making sure her bloodline lived on. She had eyes SET on these two. He was the closest she was gunna get to more grandchildren if he would just stay in the pride long enough to court the dear girl. She did her best to lay to rest any rumors that would hurt them but she couldn't always protect them. Hopefully that meant that he would take that mantel.
Bowing her head in greeting and smiled at them both. "It is great to see you two. Did you come from prayer?"
"I was just telling your son about the pilgrimage.. we were going to go eat something and talk about the journey."
"Well he is out enough so a pilgrimage should be nothing to one of the best ambassadors I know."
"Mother.. please."
She shook her head in protest. "Rada- one of your superiors. But mother occasionally." She straightened her back and smiled more. "I came to see if you were here. Making sure you visited this lovely priestess."
"I am."
"Well good. I won't take much of your time." She flicked her tail. "I'll do my prayer some other time." Looking to her son. "I expect you to get some training in. If you are going to escort her. Should be strong enough to do so."
"I am strong enough." "I feel safest when I am with him, Madam Rada."
"You make me feel so old... Yaara. I expect to see more of this responsibility Zaahir." Then she bowed and walked away.
The two watched her walk away then looked at each other. Yaara had to say something. "Why are you so flushed...?"
"My mother puts me on edge sometimes. I'm sorry." Looking at her, his eyes relaxed."I hope she isn't hounding you as hard while I'm gone."
"No. She worries about all her children, and treats me kindly."
"I am at least glad for that." Sighing. "Anyhow. Shall we? Tell me about the news around here- what is new in your life."
"Well..." She started and explained.
Posted: Sun Dec 11, 2022 12:45 pm
"I am a priestess.... Anything I hear is confidential. I guide prayers.. But I do not share prayers. I don't venture much around unless I am helping someone else's family at their home. I do however see many different faces. It's scary sometimes.. I don't know how to approach them but I do see them, and welcome them."
"That's good.."
He lowered his head. "Every time I come back. I worry that you might not be here... I know I go out a lot and stay out for long periods of time but I was thinking about staying here for some time.."
"Oh? It would be nice seeing you around more often."
"Well I was ..." They got to the food sorter, and looked at the meats and pulled from the pile. Dragging it out for the both of them and brought it to the center and settled in to the grass part. Dropping it. "Is this a good place?"
"Yes." She circled around and elegantly laid down and brought some of the food closer to her.
"I was wondering if..." He remembered their memories together. Most were inside the pride but then it came to the ones he made when he first met her. He built up courage in this last outing to ask her and finally he would tell her. Sometime tonight...
"I was wondering if you had anything to do the rest of the night?"
"Nothing. I do early mornings to tend to the shrines but I am free."
"Do you want to walk around in the forest ring?"
"When have I said no?"
"Never. But still. You have your own life to live. I wanted that for you... "
"My life is owed to you."
"But you don't owe me anything." He seemed to get stern with the answer. "Tonight I want to simply be on even ground with you. No one owing anything just... You and Me."
Yaara knew when someone was fishing, sometimes even holding back and surely he was holding back. She did enjoy his company and she thought of them as equals for a while, she even thought of him as her cheetah. The one cheetah she could go to and talk without her anxiety going up. She saved her feelings for him. They grew closer in their talking and subjects but he still seemed an arms length away. With his mother bringing up the question if she cared for her son.. she had thought about it for the past few months and truly. She wanted to close the gap and be partners but bringing it up to him seemed like there was never a good time. Maybe this was it.
Taking a bite and another. Along side him and even realizing eating with him, talking, being with him was easier than anyone else.
"If that is what you want. I was wondering when you were gunna ask me to spend more time with you. I thought maybe you grew tired."
"No. No- gods no-! I love the time I- I - Uh spend with you." Ruffling his own fur on the top of his head. "You are the most anticipated cheetah I always have to see... When I'm away I think.. about you a lot. Then I remember that you say prayers for me.. so sometimes when I remember to. I pray for you too."
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