It was nighttime as Lana wandered through the Pridelands. She was coming down from her altered state of mind, and it took her long enough to do so. After all, she had eaten two whole koalas, and the result was a state of bliss that lasted for the whole day. So she and Julia figured they would visit Chumvi, Tojo and Mtoto, and even considered spending the night with them. After all, the new additions to the Pride were quite handsome, and the two young lionesses could see why they were chosen for the Lion Guard. Although Julia had to leave early, Lana remained behind until it was dark and starless. Realizing that she was starting to lose her high, she decided that she'd rather sleep in her own familiar den. And so she set off.
She thought she had been unnoticed as she stalked through the night, even though she was unaware that she had in fact been noticed by two lions. In spite of her dark fur providing quite seamless camouflage, quite a few hyenas and two other lions could notice the teenaged beauty making her way through the fields. One of those lions was Sina, who had taken note of the teenaged lioness and noted how familiar her looks were, even if she couldn't quite place the resemblance. Sina did not follow because she had more pressing matters to attend to with finding Sarabi and Sarafina and getting answers for their behavior earlier today. The passing adolescent would have to wait.
However, the other lion that noticed her had much more time on his hands. He was a rogue, whose dark-orange fur was broken only by his disheveled black mane and his distinctive sharp-pointed goatee. He had seen Lana and Julia blissfully walking to the Pridelands in a carefree manner, and did his best to silently but quickly close the distance. His time in the Wastelands had taught him that silence and speed were virtues, and he put them to good use to get a better look at the very beautiful and captivating teenaged lionesses.
Now, as Lana returned to her territory, he followed her in a trance, her beauty causing him to almost unconsciously follow her every move, but he was aware enough to remain hidden at all times. For what would he say or do if she noticed him? How would he talk to her? And would she even want to talk to him?
However, he was quickly snapped out of his trance when Lana had reached the border of the Kuatan Jungle and heard a loud rustle. He manage to hide himself in time, but what jumped out at Lana was not an overprotective father, brother, boyfriend or pridesister. Quite the opposite, in fact, as another teenaged lion of short stature jumped out and pounced on the unsuspecting teen.
Despite being taken by surprise, Lana had managed to regain her bearings and send the both of them into a rolling fit of claws and teeth. She landed on her feet, just as the slight lion put the brakes on and skid to a halt himself. Lana immediately recognized the slim lion by his long face and vibrant mane. "Iago." Lana said simply, yet her deadpan voice told the entire story. She did not like this lion, and this lion didn't like the way she had rejected him.
"Thought you'd never see me again, didn't you?" Iago said, his claws and teeth bared. Lana, however, just was not impressed or intimidated as she spoke. "And I'm not interested in seeing you now. I suggest you leave. Really soon." She said, her friendly attitude completely absent and making her seem more like the fierce, calculated lioness her pride training her to be than the friendly kitten she was before around her friends.
"Who do you think you're talking to like that? You are beneath me-" Lana didn't even let him finish as she retorted. "Who is beneath whom? Especially since you're the one constantly trying to prove yourself to those who just don't care anyway." The dark teen challenged. And at that, Iago moved to the attack. At least he would have, if not for a certain obstacle. Said obstacle caught him by the leg and threw him down on his back. Lana herself was surprised, as she did not recognize her sudden ally.
A dark-orange lion, one who was clearly older, taller, bigger and healthier than the wispy aggressor, had just made his presence known and felt by jumping in at just the right instance. And at that moment, while he was pinned down on his back, Iago lost his courage. He was no longer interested in a fight, and the rogue lion perceived that as he bared his teeth and leaned down to speak to the bested male under him. "You will leave. Right now." The rogue said, his voice conveying social awkwardness but still lacking any sign of mercy. He had every intention of defending Lana with his life if need be, which spelled bad intent for Iago.
The lanky lion bolted as soon as he was able to move just an inch, with speed that would send a cheetah into a jealous rage. Lana almost laughed at seeing Iago's sudden change in personality, but right now she had other thoughts in her mind, which she would now voice.
"Who… who are you?" Lana asked as she got closer to the rogue. In the darkness of night, his orange fur and black mane made him look like a silhouette of a lion, but the light reflected from his blue eyes illuminated his features enough for Lana to see how handsome this stranger was. More importantly, he didn't seem like the kind who would have ulterior motives. The young lion looked at her, his ferocity replaced with a sudden awkwardness at having been addressed by something so beautiful.
"Oh… Ummmm… I'm just Ni." The lion stammered out.