+5 Scout a neutral territory
+5 Study the constellations

---

The night just fell over Pandora's frozen home, a home where snow always covered the land, regardless of the time of the year. She loved it, she felt like home here. The coldness embraced her like an old friend, bringing relief to her fluffier coat. In the warmer lands, it could be suffocating as the heat hit her heavily, making her regret going south sometimes. But here, she didn't suffer from such thing, being happy with the chilling breeze.

Tonight, the white creature walked through the lonely terrain, where silence reigned without interruption. Fog was exhaled from her nostril, with her paws and claws carefully stepping over the cold soil. Cold blue eyes lurked around, hopping to find food. Scouting for any useful thing. Done she went to the ice cave, sitting just by the entrance. There she looked up into the night sky, contemplating the stars.

@Ástríðr

Lines by Celestial-Drift on DA and BG by LionGuardKujenga on DA

She was restless tonight. There were so many things that crossed her mind as she walked through the night. There was worry for Songbird, her White Bird, had gone missing. Or at least, Astrid had not seen her in some time and she had thought @Pandora was gone as well. The two females that she had allowed to get close to. Once again, Astrid felt alone. However, that all changed when she spotted the white woman. Pandora? She would ask, moving closer to the woman but cautious. Surely she was seeing things. But no, the woman was there within the entrance of the cavern. Just sitting there.

text. "she speaks." she thinks.

Art & Table code by Zodiac

+5 Scout a neutral territory
+5 Study the constellations

---

Her mouth opened in a muted yawn, as she felt tired after a long day of wandering. Of course the Ilere was her home. But as a nomadic lioness she could barely stay in a single place for too long. But it was always good to go home. Eyes were a bit cold from emotions, well it wasn't like Pandora were a very expressive woman, she kept what she felt to herself. Looking around, she hopped to scout the lands again. But so far nothing seemed to catch her attention, food nor anything for her to use. A sight sprouted from her nostrils. Her sight returned to the stars, taking note of the stars, knowing that one could navigate using them, to know where was south and were was north. And now being a seasoned traveler, these concepts were easy to remember and use.

But there, a familiar voice joined the quiet night's wind. Astrid, a woman she herself also though was gone. And it did surprised her to see an old face after so long. "@Ástríðr." She said back as she looked up to the larger lioness. "It's good to see you again."

Lines by Celestial-Drift on DA and BG by LionGuardKujenga on DA

And here I thought you had left the tundra. She would muse at her white friend. Mind if I join you? She would ask. Standing patiently, Astrid would wait for an answer and once @Pandora would answer she would sit or leave whichever. For now, the viking would look to the sky as Pandora had done and wonder what she was looking at. She had not traveled very many places and even though Astrid admired the stars on a nightly basis, she would not have known that she could use them to navigate her way across unknown territory like Pandora may know.

text. "she speaks." she thinks.

Art & Table code by Zodiac

She returned her pale blue gaze to @Ástríðr , hoping to perhaps catch the Viking's own teal eyes. Pandora usually was a solitary soul, a wanderer of lone paths. And only now she was this close to someone, to the point of not feeling uncomfortable with their presence. And Astrid didn't make her feel in danger. "I am sorry. I should had announced my journey south. I have been alone most of my life, i am not used to tell someone else I am gone. But I am back now." She assured her with honesty, being sure she was to do what she said she would do. "Of course, I don't mind you being here with me." She moved a bit to make escape for the maned female to take place beside her if she wished that.

Lines by Celestial-Drift on DA and BG by LionGuardKujenga on DA

Their eyes locked as @Pandora would apologize for not telling her about going south. It only caused a chuckle from Astrid as she would shake her head at the white woman as she sat down. No need for apologies, my friend. I am not your mother, and though I do worry about you and your safety I don't expect you to tell me when you leave the tundra. She would voice, allowing herself to be open with Pandora and her feelings. So far, Pandora was the only one that was getting this opportunity. No one else had gotten this close to the viking before now. A beautiful night.

text. "she speaks." she thinks.

Art & Table code by Zodiac

"Either way I feel it's fair to let you know. I care for you." Something uncommon from Pandora, but of course she wasn't a senseless lioness, she would help others if needed be. But not to the point of actually caring for them in a fraternal manner. And Astrid was becoming the only exception in the whole world. And did Pandora feel concern about that? Not completely. She did have doubt on her end, not doubt in @Ástríðr but in her own worth. She had always been her biggest critic, her worst judge and all the time she was checking on how she did the things, how she spoke and being harsh at the end. Complaining about what things or words could she had used better. "It is indeed a pretty night. I enjoy nights like this one. And you?" She asked as she turned her eyes to her friend.

Lines by Celestial-Drift on DA and BG by LionGuardKujenga on DA

It was some what of a shock to hear that there was one out there - outside of family - that cared for the viking woman. She could come off as harsh or cold. Distant and a bit unsocial. All of which would be true but there was a soft place in Astrid cold stone heart for very few. Male or female. Either way. She was still shocked but just as quickly as the emotion went across her features, it disappeared as Astrid would nod towards @Pandora. And I you. She would admit as she kept her teal jewels towards the night sky. Well, I do prefer the night over the day, especially in the warmer months. Something anyone who planned to join her Clan should know about.

text. "she speaks." she thinks.

Art & Table code by Zodiac

Pandora wasnt social herself, isolating away from other lions. A nomad, a lonely wanderer she had always been. And that made her lose the social skills a lioness should have,being just her. But with Astrid, she didnt feel the wish to stay away, to remain alone. Of course she wasn't that affectionate but she had her own ways to show she cared. She looked at the viking as she spoke about the stars above them. "I enjoy the night too, the stars always help me find my way in this world." She smiled as she locked her eyes into @Ástríðr 's shape. Silent. For not a deep reason, she just wanted to contemplate her friend.

Lines by Celestial-Drift on DA and BG by LionGuardKujenga on DA

Affectionate was something Ástríðr would have to learn to do with whomever she ended up with. If she even ended up with anyone, or more than one. Ástríðr was a polygamous woman and would eventually be able to love more than one but only one would have her heart. That was for sure, just who it was well that was still a mystery to the viking woman. Sea foam jewels on the sky and admiring the stars that sparkled above her head. Something she should have learned but never did perhaps @Pandora could teach her and at that thought it occurred to Ástríðr that someone was looking at her. Of course, she knew who it was but it was a different feeling whereas normally someone staring at you would cause the hairs on her neck to stand up but this didn't. This was different and slowly, Ástríðr would glance towards her friend and lock her sea foam jewels on her friends form. Would you teach me? She would seek out. Always wanting to learn more about everything and anything.

text. "she speaks." she thinks.

Art & Table code by Zodiac