| S H E N Z I the hyena’s belly is never full |
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Shenzi stands, quiet and still, at ease in Maslakhat’s company, content to be with him. With attentiveness, she listens to what he says, drinks it in and finds herself refreshed. He becomes as water to her, revitalising all within her that has been deprived. For some time, she does not speak, mulling over his words, and the silence is not uncomfortable between them. But in time, she observes him from the corner of one eye. “It means much to me, all that you have said,”the barb mare admits, her words softer than before. She turns to face him fully, something glinting like steel in her eyes. “You would fight for me.” It is not a question, for Shenzi speaks the words hoarsely, as though she is moved by them. (And she is, very much so.) She takes a moment for herself, looking out once more across the rolling hills of sand. Something in the distance holds her gaze, but it does not pull her attention from the golden Teke at her side entirely. “There will be time for vengeance – there are things that must be answered for.” A moment later, when she shifts her weight and turns to face Maslakhat once more, there is a faint smile upon her lips. No more sharp-tongued bravado. Just openness and honesty. “For now I wish to be left to the solace I’ve found among the sands. And with you watching over me, I know I’ll be safe from any who come looking for me with malice in their hearts.” After all, it had been a young, rash, new arrival to the Lagoon who’d prevented her escape, only to trade her away. Shenzi knew how cunning and cruel bachelor herds could be, and if any of the long-term Lagoon residents had returned and were disgruntled upon finding her gone, they might indeed come looking. “Maslakhat, I -- thank you. I never thought to find another who understood me, not after I lost Baako and the rest of the band I ran with.” She lifts her head as she moves, bold and fierce where she came to a halt atop the crest of a dune, and feeling almost-whole for the first time in so long. “I do deserve restitution, and I will have it.” With that said she turned and flew down the sandy slope, a wild cry of delight tearing up her throat and carried away by the wind. If Maslakhat were to follow, she’d gladly race across the sands with him, but if he had other matters to attend to, now that they’d had a chance to meet properly, now that he’d been assured of her continued presence, and of her general wellbeing… For now, she’d vanish into the barren, ever-changing landscape, and when he was least expecting it, she’d return to him upon the back of a cold night wind, when nothing but the shadows of clouds moved across the rolling plains of their home. |