Blackice

You glance at this mottled lioness as you pass; she's lying on the outskirts of the territory, her tailtip flicking whenever someone passes by. A maneless male lies nearby, in the shade.
Though they both seem on guard, occasionally flashing bared teeth at one another, neither of them move. You wonder if they're so emaciated that neither of them have the energy to. When you ask Sab, he just grunts uncomfortably.

"They won't eat nowt I offer. I've tried, believe me. They're both just assholes whenever I try to talk to 'em, so I've given up."

The maneless lion looks cagey enough, his tail lashing in the dirt. But the female just looks guarded, and sad. When you blink kindly at her, she growls at you; the maneless male nudges a little closer to her, more on guard than ever.

For the most part, they keep their eyes on the king, tracking his movements; making his step falter. The maneless male, in particular, seems to take vicious pleasure in this reaction. Sab doesn't look - keeps his head low, shoulders taut - but the lions keep their gazes steady. The tang of distrust hangs in the air around them.

Anxiety. Anger.

You straighten to your full height and approach them.

//

Fond memories.

"Blackice snorts a greeting as you pass, then returns to grumbling over some tweeting birds nearby."

"You were sharing a chuckle with your pride mates when Blackice mumbled at all of you to shut up. Seems she thought it was funny, too."