Vicious-Heart

“You come up to Vicious-Heart and hear her talking about escape plans to another pride mate. As you approach, she suddenly gets quiet and looks a bit guilty. Perhaps some extra patrolling is in order tonight.” With that you continuously wonder if something is wrong with the Pride, you have been trying your best to keep the it the best it could be in your paws after Queen Tammie passed. It disheartens you to think something has been messed up. Vicious seems to notice this change in demeanor towards her, it seems to press further and further into her until she breaks and approaches you. Her head is low and she avoids your gaze. You attempt to play stupid, not wanting to be the core of her nervousness.

“Is something the matter Hunter Vicious-Heart?” She finally looks up at you with a curious but sad gaze.

“I- you… well, about earlier.” She hesitates, seeming to not know how to broach the topic.

“What happened earlier?” You tilt you head slightly, your mane shifting quietly. A small innocent smile rests on your lips while you attempt feign ignorance.

“I know you heard what I was talking about, Prince Ari,” she sighs, seeming to suddenly be weighed down by exhaustion. “Look, I- it was more a joke than anything. I would have no where to go, and I’m too used to having someone watching my back to feel safe enough to actually leave.” You can feel your smile drop and the truth slips through your eyes, the sadness and fear returns.

“Vicious-Heart, in reality, it comes down to a simple question. Do you want to leave?” You search her eyes as you finish speaking, as much as your probably incapability saddens you, you will not force anyone to stay within the Pride if they did not want to.

A silence settles between the two; you mentally questioning all interactions with the hunter that you can remember while Vicious-Hearts eyes seem to look far away. Her voice harshly pulls you from your turmoil as she answers.

“No, I don’t think I do. I just… I think I like the idea of being, free? That’s not what I mean, but I can’t think of a word for it. The idea of being able to run and run and run without worrying about having to look back, but knowing that if I did, I have somethi- someone, to return to… if that… makes any sense.” She suddenly looks very unsure of herself, paws lightly scraping at the rocky ground as she attempts to hide her head between her rising shoulders.

“Vicious-Heart,” you call quietly, wanting her to look at you as you speak, hoping that she sees the sincerity in your eyes. She reluctantly looks back at you, water collecting in the rims of her eyes. “I never want you, or anyone else for that matter, to feel trapped here. Your Pride should never be like a poacher’s cage, cold, controlling, small, terrifying. You are allowed to run as far and for as long as you wish, we will always be here for you when you return,” you pause your words and take a breath, calming yourself as well. You lean forward and gently rub your cheek against hers, she leans in slightly as you do so. “All I ask is that you stay safe, the world is dangerous, something I know you know based on your wanting to stay.” She smiles as tears fall, wetting her fur in darkened streaks.

“You mean that, Prince Ari? Truly?” You smile, genuinely this time.

“Of course Vicious-Heart. I would suggest, at the very least, asking someone else to adventure with you, but it is ultimately your decision.” She leans in with a large grin on her muzzle, her eyes suddenly bright, gleaming. She rubs against you before bouncing in a circle.

“Yes! Yes, thank you! If I plan to go far I will ask one of the hunters to go with me, maybe even Strawberry Shortcake after one of her patrols! Oh yes!” She bounces paw to paw as her ears twitch happily, her tail swinging side to side with a new found energy. She jumps into a turn before circling around and bounding to you, giving you a quick lick to the cheek, being cautious of her fangs. After this she finally bounds out of the deeper part of the cave, probably to ask others to join her in her adventures. You are left alone, the quiet suddenly painful, deafening. A small smile settles on your muzzle as you trudge over to the darkest corner of the cave, the cold of the Earth begins to settle into your fur. Ah, the twisting of being Pride Leader. As you drift off to sleep, you silently wish that Queen Tammie was still here with you.