She did not indulge in the politics of Paradise or its drama. There was little she knew of the hate being spread throughout the islands from the two sides except what she heard from the whispers of the jungle. Some talked about it, but not as much as the head family did. Bathsheba did not speak of the drama nor did she ask Akela about it. She kept to herself and focused on mothering her two children. She has barely even see Akela as of late. He has taken to traveling outside of Paradise, something she never did. She didn’t have any want to venture outside of her home or leave her children behind. At least, not until recently. If their lives were at stake then she would flee as fast as her legs would take her. Well, as fast as the legs of her children could go. It was dangerous to approach Rouagru now. It was late, the shadows grew far over Paradise, and she had no one there to protect her.

Bathsheba thought about telling Akela her fears, but she was afraid he would brush it off. If he had seen the way his father treated Vihar then maybe, but she didn’t know if he has. When their own children were at stake in spite of this being their grandfather…would he even listen to reason? Akela had never really been one to jump into the drama. He stays back with his family and keeps quiet. Most of the time that was fine with her, but not about this topic. The way Rougaru stares at her could only be that of a beast. It was like he was not really there though he body stood before her. His eyes bore through her as if she were nothing. Bathsheba narrows her eyes, but she soon remembers her place. This was not the time to put fuel on the fire of tension. There would be no fight here today only clarity given. Finally, his gaze leaves her and goes to their surroundings.

In this moment she lets out the breath she realizes she had been holding in. Did Rougaru really scare her that much? Her question stirs a response out of him, but not the one she was hoping so. She had just wanted to say something to start a conversation not put him on edge. This could go wrong fast…his question slides off his tongue like a warning. Their eyes stay locked in the silence as neither says anything more. She doesn’t answer in fear of making it worse and partly because she wasn’t sure what to say other than ‘I don’t know’. Then he asks for her name. Was this a test? Nerves begin to cause a storm in her gut, but she pushes onward. ”Bathsheba.” She says her name plainly, nothing attached to it. ”It has been awhile, but you saved me once from a Lagoon stallion.” She pauses briefly. ”I wanted to thank you.” There simple and sweet.