River moved over slightly so that Tori could sit next to her. She shifter her sore body once again and moved her discolored eyes to Tori who looked her up and down when she asked if she was hurt. ”Other than a puffy lip and sore body, I’m okay. I’ve come out a lot worse, this was one of the prettier of the fights.” She had admitted. She had come out of some battles almost unable to stand but those brought in the most profits for her.

”It will be all to normal in a day or so.” River spoke and moved her eyes to moving bushes where the large lion re appeared with a mouse hanging from its maw. He walked to River and lowered his head to her level, as if offering it. ”Go ahead big guy.” She chuckled lightly.

You have liked this post!

Tori winced as River told her that she had had worse injuries before. "I'm so sorry to hear that..." She trailed off as Leon reappeared with a mouse dangling from his jaws. Tori tried hiding her mortified expression, but she wasn't good at it. She understood that life was life, but that poor mouse... Tori shook her head and shifted her gaze to the forest, and the castle beyond it. She just wanted to be home. A soft bed awaited her there and she was beyond tired now.

You have liked this post!

River could see the the horror on the women’s face as Leon brought the mouse up to them. It was quick and painless for the creature. It was gone in a mater of seconds. River could also tell Tori was tired but also longing to go home. River grumbled to herself for a moment before sighing. ”Leon, come lay down.” She said as the big cat lowered his large body to the floor.

”Come on Tori, he can vary you the rest of the way, you won’t face the big cat.” River spoke and walked to the opposite side of the lion and reached across him to offer her hand to Tori. Leon our up a slight fuss. Letting out a low grumble before silencing and waiting patiently.

You have liked this post!

Tori thought for a moment about the offer. She then hesitantly stood up and took River's hand, feeling a slight shiver run up her spine at the touch. Tori then climbed up onto Leon and smiled, feeling the lion's soft fur. "He's so soft!" She exclaimed quietly, careful not to startle the big kitty. Tori then took Bluejay in her arms and smiled at River. "Thank you"

You have liked this post!

River watched as she debated the offer that she game. Leon grumbled once again as she climbed onto him. River motioned him to begin to stand up. “Hold on, it’s a little rough at first.” River said and watched as the lion easily got up into his feet. He huffed before finally quieting down all the way.

“Stop throwing a fit you big baby. You’ve got royalty on your back.” River spoke and patted him on his shoulder. They began to walk, hopefully they would be able to get there now without too much longer. She wasn’t worried about the dark, they did have a lion on their side.

You have liked this post!

Tori almost fell off as Leon stood up, but quickly regained her balance and laughed at Leon's grumpiness. She then patted him on the head gently in a friendly manner. Bluejay was not happy about this at all, but quickly settled down in Tori's arms. Tori knew that Bluejay hated bigger hybrids, but she just encouragingly stroked the little hybrid's head. She smiled at River, and murmured a soft thanks before looking at the journey ahead.

You have liked this post!

River watched as Leon shook his mane slightly when the women patted her on the head. She moved her eyes to the creature that sat flustered in her arms before calming down. The lion calmed down and trudged forward, mindlessly walking in the direction of the walls.

River tangled her fingers in the cats mane walking through the woods. The castle growing closer and closer with the passing time. There was no question, if they wouldn’t take Leon she was gone, she didn’t even know why she was doing it in the first place. Her mind raced slightly as they continued on their walk.

You have liked this post!

Tori glanced up, the setting sun slightly highlighting the right side of her face. She spotted a few particular dark blue birds, sitting high up in the trees. Tori then began to whistle a soft melody, the same her mother used to sing to her when she was little. Tori was soon met a similar melody, sung from the higher parts of the trees. Mockingjay's. The white-haired girl always loved the dark blue feathered birds. They were supposedly rare this time of year. Tori glanced at River, hoping that the woman wouldn't be too bothered by the noise that would follow them for a bit. The winged cat surely enjoys the melody, seeing as she was too busy listening to the birds, and not paying attention to the fact that she was on top of a big cat.

You have liked this post!

River let her thoughts begin to wander slightly until she found her eyes moving over to Tori, who had began whistling at the birds above her. She watched as they began to sing above them, almost seem to follow them as the lion trudged forward. She wasn’t bothered by them and Leon even seemed to lift his head to watch. River than moved her eyes to the women’s lap where her creature sat, a cute little thing, sometimes she forgot to appreciate the small things after having such a big one at her side.

You have liked this post!

Tori subconsciously noticed that River's eyes were on her, and blushed slightly at the thought. The white-haired girl then glanced at the horizon, seeing the large castle closer than before. Tori knew that they would be home by nightfall, but she couldn't help worry about what her father would think when he saw Leon. One thing was for sure though, she would do everything she can to persuade him to let Leon stay inside the castle walls. Tori really didn't want to let River down. After all, the warrior did make almost a full day's worth walk to a place where she didn't know what awaited her.

You have liked this post!

River mindlessly trudged ahead. She knew it wouldn’t be long before they would be at their destination. There was no way she would ever consider this job if Leon wasn’t at her side at all times. Most people were scared of the big cat, as they should be, but he knew better to do anything with light Rivers okay. He was an animal that was needing to please and the meet though of disappointing her made the lion sick. He let out a large huff as they neared a less forestry area, getting closer to the gates of the kingdom. He lifted his head, holding it high and proud and River did the safe, her eyes scanning everything in front of her carefully.

You have liked this post!

Tori spotted River scanning the area. She couldn't help but let out a light laugh, putting a hand over her lips right after she realized what she had done. "Sorry!" Tori exclaimed quickly. "Nothing could sneak up on us in this open area" She pointed out, hoping that the warrior wouldn't be mad. "Plus the castle is close" Saying that Tori was nervous was a complete understatement . Her father never liked what he didn't understand, including giant cat hybrids. He had come to terms with allowing Bluejay to roam freely inside the castle walls, but he ever let his daughter be alone with the tiny hybrid. So Tori truly hoped that her father would see past the scary lion and see the big, fluffy kitty.

You have liked this post!

River nodded her head slowly. ”I know nothing will sneak up on us, but it isn’t the first time that someone sees the big cat and tends to react before they think. People tend to react on fear and that ends up hurting on or both of us.” Her words almost came out as a hiss. It was true, and sad. They both had been attacked many times because people didn’t know how to control of their feelings, she was surprised that Tori had take to him so well.

You have liked this post!

"Well Leon seems like a nice kitty" Tori replied, patting the giant feline's mane. She loved the cat, he seemed gentle and kind. Much unlike the stories of big, powerful beasts. Bluejay yawned, cuddling into Leon fluffy mane. Tori just watched and silently smiled, seeing that her little friend was warming up to Leon. She then glanced at River and smiled wider. Maybe she could become friends with the warrior.

You have liked this post!

River chucked very lightly. ”Don’t let him charm you to much. He knows how to get out of some nasty situations. He’s being extra nice right now because he doesn’t have a choice, he’ll know I’ll snap at a bad attitude when it’s not called for. “ River watched as Tori’s little creature curled up in the mane of the lion. Hopefully she could keep Leon from thinking it was a snack, he tended to eat and ask questions later. River moved her gaze forward, the walls cane into their view abs the sun began to state.

You have liked this post!