Pansies and Plumeria

[Kiara]

Recently something had begun to stir in Kiara. Like hunger it gnawed at her core, an itch inside that she never seemed able to scratch and whose source she had only hazarded guesses at. At the top of her list of guesses hung the possibility that she simply wished to be of use: to gain the respect that she knew her fathers had once commanded not by virtue of her blood but by her own accomplishments. It would certainly explain the desire she felt to seek out Shani more and more recently.

Shani had become everything Kiara could wish for herself. Respected. Well-liked. Sure of herself. She'd grown into a lioness capable of leading. It was only natural that Kiara would feel drawn to the other feline! The strange feelings inside of her and the magnetism of her friend... It all made sense for Kiara.

She needed to learn from Shani. That had to be what her feelings were telling her.

A basket hung from Kiara's muzzle as she trotted through the camp, searching for the brown-furred lioness. She'd asked that Shani meet her near the edge of the camp's eastern treeline during the warmest part of the day. As she approached the area a furtive glance shot skyward, tracking the sun's position warily. Was she too early?

[Shani]

It felt so nice to have grass under her paws again.
Aside from the occasional morning frost, most of the snow from Canada's long harsh winter had melted, giving away to lush grass, warmer days, and budding life.

Ears swiveled and twitched, the sounds of the bustling camp, as well as the sounds of the surrounding wildlife greeted Shani as she made her way toward the designated meeting spot.
She had been pleasantly surprised when Kiara asked her if she wanted to spend the afternoon together. They both had been so busy lately with council duties, it was nice to take some time and just relax.

While part of her couldn't help but wonder why Kiara was becoming so close, she wasn't complaining. After the fiasco in africa, part of Shani had been worried that Kiara would never want to speak with her again, yet the opposite had happened, the two growing closer and closer every day.
Perhaps a bit too close? Shani couldn't deny the fluttering feeling in her stomach any time Kiara was close by, but she had high doubts the liger felt the same way. Best to just keep it to herself and let things be as they are.

"Kiara," she greeted warmly as she reached the meeting spot, the familiar scent telling her that she was second to arrive, "I hope I didn't keep you waiting too long."

[Kiara]

Kiara smiled around the handle of the basket as her eyes made out the shape of her friend rounding the corner of one of the many log-constructed dens. Speaking around the woven straw was tougher as it pinned her tongue against the floor of her mouth, but still... Somewhat understandable. "No'h 'eally!" Wincing at her own attempt at wording Kiara instead placed the basket on the ground.

"Not really," She amended, "I just got here. I was thinking that we could go out and look for some plants for the med bay together."