A darkly striped lioness padded along the border. Being a future queen of her pride, Razi didn't have many responsibilities. Mainly, she just needed to keep an eye on the cubs when their mothers' couldn't. But since the main hunting party wasn't out, and Kari and Shadir were hunting instead, Kieske and Maku could easily keep an eye on them, and didn't need Razi. So, the young lioness was taking this time to get away from the caves, and to enjoy herself. But she'd need to be heading back home soon. The two youngest huntresses were set to be back any minute, and Kieske would want to join the hunting party.

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Nephy knew she wasn't supposed to wander far from the Pride Territory. In fact, it was one of the very rules they ground into every youngster since birth. Shaking out her sleek blue fur as she licked her lips before trotting out of the cave. She knew she was a target for predators because of her being weaker than a normal lioness. Yet, she made up for it in stealth and speed, given her heritage. Something the rest of the Pride belittled her about, but not so much her King and Queen. After all, the Queen was her mother and family meant everything to them. Sneaking away proved easy given both Black Swan and Wren were currently sleeping in the den and the others were out hunting. Smirking the little leopon took off for new adventures and to explore new places. Taking off easily as she went to have a little fun while her babysitters weren't busy.

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Springing up onto a flat-topped rock, Razi lay down facing the neighboring pride. If she was completely honest, she didn't understand what Dytos' problem with the other king was. Sure there has been border squabbles from both ends, but honestly, what prides didn't have little quells with each other? But this was ridiculous. Razi may have been just an adolescent, but she knew that this constant tension just wasn't a good thing.

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Nephy continued to wander off and away from their den at a leisurely stroll. Occasionally chasing after the birds and butterflies that sometimes landed in her path. Swishing her small tail back and forth as she pounced on a nearby frog that she had spotted. Ending up in a small cold puddle making her chirp in alarm as she struggled out. Shaking herself off and looking around for somewhere to dry off. Only to pause seeing a beautiful young lioness that made Nephy stop, knowing this youngster wasn't part of her clan. Licking her mouth as she considered whether to encroach on the lioness or find somewhere else. Thinking about backing up and leaving, but something told her to go closer. Sneaking a little further towards the young lioness and studying her closely.

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As Razi lay in thought, she almost nodded off. But a splash and chirp called her attention. Being careful to seem unalarmed, Razi glanced all around her. Her eyes landed on a shape that tried to sneak around. With fur on end, Razi watched the shape move closer. Who did this lion think it was! Trying to sneak across the border, Taking a quick sniff of the air, Razi confirmed it was a lioness of the other pride. Keeping her voice calm and low, Razi spoke to the creeping shape, "You know I can see you, correct?"

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Nephy winced when she heard the female's voice and slowly lifted her head. Tilting her head just slightly as she slowly walked towards the other female. "I'm sorry. I just didn't want to disturb you," admitted Nephy as she looked at the pretty black lioness with the tiger stripes. Her blue eyes intriguing Nephy most of all as she stared at the lioness. Still soaking wet from her earlier tumble into the puddle before. Licking herself off while she could wondering what the other might think of her. Knowing she was much sleeker than most normal lionesses. Not only that but she didn't have nearly as long fur as any of the other youngsters.

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Once the other lioness was in full few, Razi's snarky remarks died on her the tip of her tongue. She was gorgeous! Though he was quite unlike any other lioness Razi had seen. Taking a moment, the nimble lioness jumped down from her rock and stood toe-to-toe with the border. "You're not like other lionesses..." Razi soft voice trailed off. Dazzling blue eyes held her steady; even dripping wet this lioness was pretty. "What's your name?" With the words tumbling out before her brain could process what she was saying, Razi felt her ears grow hot. She had been taught to never converse with the likes of that pride. And now here she was, wanting to cross the border and help her dry out her fur.

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Nephy watched carefully as the other feline turned to her and then suddenly closed her mouth. Tilting her head once more as she wondered what was going through her mind. Becoming slightly uneasy when she saw her jump down off her perch. Backing up nervously but the lioness hadn't come much further than the border. Hearing her voice as she told her that she wasn't like other lionesses. Shaking her dripping wet head at that as she seemed to fall into the lioness's beautiful blue eyes. Nephthys, but my friends call me Nephy...I..I'm a leopon," she replied cautiously, her ears pivoted forward. Wondering what was so strikingly beautiful about the lioness in front of her.

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Razi felt slightly bad when the lioness backed up. Thinking quick, Razi settled down on her belly, hoping that now she would seem closer in size to the pretty little leopon. "Nephthys..." Razi let the name roll off her tongue before matching blue eyes to blue eyes and repeating, "Nephy." An odd humming like sound could be heard coming from the tiger striped lioness now. Once Razi realized the happy sound, she quickly cut it off, leaning down to lick a paw instead of facing those blue eyes. "I'm Razi," now somewhat back to her original snarky sounding voice, Razi glanced back up at Nephy.

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Nephy was surprised when Razi settled down onto her belly after she had backed up. Tilting her head once more as she slowly stepped a little closer. Something telling her to trust this newcomer though she had no knowledge as to why. She was very pretty but she also did belong to a different clan. Shifting uneasily as she really couldn't be sure whether to trust Razi or not. Licking her lips as she looked at the other feline and slowly settled down. Hearing her name on the female's lips made her feel strange inside. Something she tried to shake off as heard the other licking her paw. While she was a dripping wet mess of fur, shivering when a cold rush of air washed over her. Chirping a little as she tried to hunker down and get a little warmer, but the cold water was sinking into her bones.

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Razi smiled as Nephy settled down. "So, little leopon, how did you get so wet? Was that you I heard splashing into the water?" Ruffling up her fur into the wind, the lioness grimaced when the other shivered and chirped her discomfort. Razi wanted to help, but she wasn't allowed to cross over into the other's territory. Suddenly, Razi shook her head, seeming to clear it of thoughts. 'She's not in your pride! She's in the other's pride... You shouldn't even be sitting here talking to her,' those thoughts were screaming in her mind. But what could she do? Razi might be a smartass, but she was far from rude. "Here, come lie near me." The larger lioness stood for a few moments to position herself so that the lay lengthwise along the border. If the other lioness lie as Razi was, she would be protected from the wind and both would be on their own side of the border. "Just until you dry off a bit of course."

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"I tried to practice pouncing and I got all wet falling into a deep puddle," admitted Nephy nervously as the other asked her what she had been doing. Not sure what to make of the other lioness just yet but more so the fact she was freezing. Given the colder weather coming in now, Nephy didn't really stand much of a chance. Another reason that her Leaders had ordered her to stay back with the clan. They loved her so much, but they sometimes treated her a bit too much like a piece of glass. Turning her head as she heard Razi offer to try and keep her warm. Looking back the way she would come and knew that was dangerous. She'd never make it back without catching some kind of cold. Shivering a little more and chirping anxiously. Watching the other lioness move to lay down along the length of the border. Slowly inching her way over, still dripping wet as she moved to lay down beside her. Nuzzling up close to Razi as she yawned and settled in against the larger feline.

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Razi felt a certain flutter in her chest at the other nervous words. Nephy was just too adorable. But the smile that spread along Razi's face as the beautiful leopon curled into her side was just too much to hide. Without thinking, Razi started to lick all around Nephy's ears and head; licking the fur the wrong way to dry it out. "Maybe I could give you a few pouncing lessons one day? I've learned quite a lot from King Dytos and Keiski." Though Razi was quite confident that Nephy didn't need the lessons, not with the way she snuck so quietly. The offer was there mostly to see if Nephy was into a friendship between the two... Razi couldn't quite explain it, but never wanted to leave this little leopon's side. It felt as if they fit perfectly together.

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Nephy couldn't explain why she had moved closer to the lioness before her. Or why she suddenly felt so safe beside her as she yawned and curled up quite close. Something about her made her feel comfortable as she settled in close. Feeling her body heat warm the little girl in both body and soul as she lay there. Curled up close to Razi and chirping softly as the bigger feline started grooming her. Much like her Queen and King would do but somehow this felt different to Nephy. Hearing Razi's words about offering her some pouncing lessons which made her lift her head. "I would love that..but..but wouldn't we get in trouble?" asked Nephy nervously. Startled by the sound of thunder overhead and Nephy trying to bury herself closer to her new friend. Shaking more visibly and not liking that it was soon going to be raining over the savannah.

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Razi stopped her grooming at the mention of trouble. Trouble... Yes, there would be quite some trouble for both of them if they were found out. Even now, if Rokuko came across them while on a border patrol, he would drag her back by her tail and plant her in front of King Dytos while both demanded answers. She was in line to become a queen, a highly respected part of her pride, but if they found her now, would they let her? Razi's mind begged her to get up, to walk away from this beautiful leopon. But she couldn't bring herself to do so. With the way Nephy was snuggled into her side, Razi couldn't imagine ever moving again. Just then, Razi was started from her thoughts by a clap of thunder. She said nothing about trouble, and dipped her head to Nephy's shoulder, licking the water from her pelt. "We should get you dry before this rain starts so that you can get back home." Though her words were strong, Razi felt her voice crack a bit at the thought of leaving Nephy. What if the two never crossed paths again.

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