It Never Changes // open

My tail swung one way and the next as I lounged on the old bark of the tree. My mind was wandering from one thought to the next, lingering briefly on unimportant topics, but I never really thought too deeply on anything on days like this. My train of thought jumped the tracks, though, when I spotted a white figure moving towards me. My ears perked up and my chin lifted off of my resting place. My body tensed as it always did when I saw another lion.

This pale figure, female by the smell of her, was more ghost than angel. She radiated Outlands, though I wasn't sure I'd ever met her before. This confused me, as I didn't think I would forget meeting someone who looked like that. There weren't many lions that had such a light coat.

The lioness strolled to the waters' edge, barely acknowledging me with a glance my way. I saw the bubbles at the surface, and my eyes darted back to her. She saw them, as well, and moved away. Annoyed, by the looks of it. The white lioness moved past me, and my eyes followed, curious more than anything. Her gaze was glued to the surface of the swamp. My paw felt around the log and I found a piece of branch that stuck out one side. I ripped it off and flung it in the direction that she'd been before, and it made a nice little sound as it hit the water and began to sink. "Now's your chance. Don't waste it." I said, looking back at the visiting ghost.

I nodded in the direction of the female as she thanked me for my help. I shrugged my shoulders. I hadn't done much. I supposed I could have just watched her get eaten, but who really wanted to see that? I stood on the log, pushing myself up with my front paws, and stretched, then hopped down to the ground beneath it. "Perhaps I'm getting soft in my old age," I said in a drawl that suggested boredom. I certainly wasn't old, by any means, but I wasn't as vindictive as I was at a younger age.

At least this lioness gave credit where credit was due. That wasn't a bad first impression. And I supposed we Outsiders needed to stick together if we wanted to survive this mass brainwash of the Pridelanders. The fact that the strange white female was still on this side of the river said a lot about her loyalties. "I'm Kesho," I told her with another nod of my head. She hadn't asked for it, but I wanted her to remember who helped her out.

I raised my would-be brow at the females words. "Duly noted," I said with a nod. I agreed with her, however. It would be foolish of me to make a habit of helping others out. It wasn't in my character. In fact, it was more like that silly princess, er- queen in the Pridelands. Even after Zira had tried to do numerous evil things to Kiara and her family, what does the girl do? She tries to save Zira from a falling off a freakin' cliff. Idiot.

No, I thought it much better to let others figure things out for themselves, and look out for myself. No one was going to help me, so why should I do anything nice for them? No, everyone needed to learn not to depend on anyone else. It built strength. It built character.

The ivory lioness introduced herself as Kamaria. I supposed I could have said something along the lines of "pleasure to meet you" or "that's a nice name" or something, but I had no opinion of either, and I wouldn't lie about something like that. Instead, I nodded and repeated her name, "Kamaria." I looked her over briefly, not really hiding my wandering gaze, but not putting too much behind it. I was simply looking. Not gawking. "You're still in the outlands, which means you have some sense...good for you."

I didn't bother trying to read the lioness's expressions. Her reaction to my commendation of her actions was not overly expressive, and so I felt no need to respond. She did, however, respond in kind, and state how the choice was clear on which path to take. Kamaria had more than just good sense.

I nodded slowly, looking at our surroundings and taking note of each detail. "There was no choice. This is my home. Always has been." The only way I was leaving this place was if I were dead, and they'd have to drag my body across the borders even then. "There are no rules here. No way in hell would I bow before that traitor, Kovu, and his weak little royal-blooded queen." My voice held all the contempt I felt for the royal family and for the pridelands. Anyone who crossed to that side was, indeed, a traitor. Maybe not to most, but certainly in my eyes.

I shrugged, the very gesture in contrast to the poisonous tone I'd just used. "Anyway, they can have the Pridelands. The true loyalists are all that remain here, and I like that just fine." I looked at Kamaria once more, my gaze suggesting I found her to be one of those loyalists, which is just how I felt.

My rant did not scare off or intimidate the lioness. Of course, it shouldn't, unless she was in any way hesitant about deciding to stay here. If there were ounce of blood in her veins that longed to be in the Pridelands, than yes, my words probably would have worried her a bit. On the contrary, I was certain I saw the smallest smile - no, that was more smirk. So she was amused? My own hint of a smile formed as well.

Better to have those who want to be here, then those who complain all the time. "You're exactly right." I nodded slowly, and then stretched out my front legs, claws digging hard against the earth. It wasn't uncommon here, for a lions claws to be out. We Outlanders were always ready. Ready for a fight, ready for defense, ready for discipline. There were claw marks on the ground as I straightened up. "I sense another war coming, though. Maybe not in the near distance, but soon. One day. Someone will have enough of Kovu and Kiara, and we'll finally have an Outlander King..." I mused. Then I glance at Kamaria. "Or queen," I smirked.

All it takes is one lion or lioness... I let those words sink in. Was that true? Could one single lion lead a rebellion against the Pridelanders? I was too young to have known Scar's reign over Pride Rock, but there were stories. He hadn't done a perfect job, of course. It had been communicated down through the generations that there had been no food, no water during Scar's reign. Still, a true king, the rightful heir had finally taken his throne. Times couldn't have been that bad.

I nodded slowly, imagining what it would be like if I were king, should I ever decide to put in the effort. Honestly it seemed like a lot of work. I felt I would be better as an adviser, someone to help things along and get a good prospect onto the throne of Pride Rock. I was a great judge of character!

At Kamaria's last statement, I nodded. "Yes. The Pridelanders need a lesson or two..." The spoiled Pridelanders wouldn't survive if the situation were reversed. If Zira had survived, if she'd beaten Simba, well things certainly would look a little different. "It's just a matter of finding the right leader." I had doubts that Vitani would be able to, or even be the right one, despite the rumors about her.