[PRP] I've Heard About You, Mister (Ndale x Sliabh)

[Uta]

((Sorry if this start is short. . . Its way past my bedtime! I'm back dating this so Ndale and he can first meet, because . . well. . . it'll set the stage on how Ndale will feel as their relationships progress and/or before/when Haruma brings up the adoption.))

The brown and golden dual-eyed cub had heard about some lion named Sliabh, thanks to his sister. It seemed as if Haruma had met him, and she had talked ever so fondly about his gentle and quiet nature. It perturbed the young cub and for once Ndale felt an emotion that he couldn't entirely place. . . jealousy.

On the one hand, he'd never really met a grown male before, much less one who seemed to have such a positive effect on his sister. His sister had seemed so pleased and had spoken almost fondly of the lion. . . that made Ndale both curious and defensive. Surely, she shouldn't be trusting strangers! Just because they were fed and cared for didn't mean they were truly cared about. He didn't want his sister getting her hopes up or hurt. . . It wasn't as if they'd never been rejected before, after all. Ndale remember their mother, remember the hunger that came when she never came back, remembered their silver furred sister abandoning them despite his protests.

It was just him and his sisters. . . No one else. They didn't need anyone else. . .Well, OK, so they did. But heaven forbid anyone tell the stubborn and somewhat angry black and white furball that to his face. Ndale had tried his hardest to take care of his sisters. . . . But apparently that wasn't good enough.

Now they had a pride, whom might still kick them out. Now there was some Sliabh that seemed to be on his sisters tongue. It was a lot of change for Ndale, and he wasn't one to so easily accept such things. All change had ever done in his very young life was bring him and his family misery. . . So he didn't dare trust the good things that did surface.

Sliabh was one of those good things, and he was a potential threat as well. Having snuck past all the nannies and forced himself away from the heart of the pride, the black and white cub strode purposely. A scowl was on his features, and he questioned the few pride members he did pass on the whereabouts of Sliabh.

One had suggested he turn around, but Ndale refused. He was on a mission, gosh darnit, and he was going to find this lion. He was going to find him and confront him about his intentions and . . . and. . . and just have him try to be meant to Haruma! He'd show him. He might be a small cub, but as far as Ndale was concerned he was tough, and if they could survive motherless, he could survive a battle against Sliabh.

Always prepared for a fight, even if odds were against him, the cub wasn't going to turn back until he found this lion.

((I'm sure word has traveled that someone is looking for Sliabh. xD Since I expect Ndale to have been stomping around for awhile and has questioned some of the other pride members.))  

[Tanakako]

His day had not been anything special, his rounds had been undisturbed aside from the odd buzzard circling far above, their screeching making him shiver. He had finally returned to the pride area, checking the internal for any disputes between pride members, but again, everyone had been calm, busy or too sick to cause trouble. But he had heard something strange... it seemed there was someone looking for him. Considering he rarely spoke to anyone except Eva, Jozo and Haruma.. he wasn't entirely sure what to make of it. It was rare anyone sought out the silent, withdrawn border guard and even then, it was usually an order from Nawiri.

He had been forced to leave his regular routine and began to ask who it was who was looking for him, a few unsuccessful attempts he finally located someone who had been approached by the mystery lion and it turned out the one seeking him was a cub. With a description and a name Sliabh set off to search for this youth, slightly concerned he would try and go tot he borders where Sliabh was usually found. It was a while before he got any leads but then one of the nannies told him she had seen the young male only a few minutes ago and pointed out the direction he had been headed in. With a nod and quiet thank you, Sliabh left her and bounded in the indicated direction, before slowing down to a walk as amber gaze cast about, searching.

A flash of white and black flickered in the corner of his eye and he turned, trailing it till he finally made out the shape of a young cub. Hurrying his steps he called out, his voice deep and husky as if it was rarely used.

"Ndale..?"


((lol length doesn't worry me, though... mine looks way short. ;-; ))  

[Uta]

A voice called his name, and the young cub paused in his walk to locate the source. It was male, it was adult, and unless it was one of the nannies he had shrugged off deep down the little cub knew who it was. . . who it had to be.

Sliabh.

Heaving a breath, he turned around and locked eyes with the source of his annoyance and concern. Part of Ndale was surprised at just how big the lion was! Much larger than he'd imagined him to be. . . much, much larger, actually. He was also very different in colouration than Ndale had imagined - he was black like shadow and yet marked with ridiculously bright white and blues. An interesting combination, albeit different. Still, the striped cub steeled himself and he too stood as tall as he could manage. He puffed out his chest to look bigger and his oh-so-serious expression never wavered. He locked eyes with the stranger, proving to both of them that he was going to stand his ground no matter what.

Very solemnly, with a small scowl on his features, the little cub made his way deliberately over to Sliabh. He wasn't going to admit his slight uncertainty now that he was face to face with the older lion, and he really wasn't sure what to say or do. He just needed to be sure Haruma was going to be safe, and he wanted to eye up this new source of competition.

Hmmph.

"Sliabh. . . ?" It was more a statement than question, but Ndale wanted to be sure. Really sure. For all he knew the large lion might be one of the nannies sent to round him up. If that was the case, just let them TRY to nab him! He wasn't going. He was a cub on a mission, and he wasn't going to quit until that mission was complete.

While waiting for confirmation, Ndale paced a slow circle around the ebony lion, pointedly sizing him up. His scowl was still set on his features, and he was proving to Sliabh that he was one tough-cookie. Just because he was awfully small and young didn't mean he was going to be coddled or treated just like any ordinary cub! Hmmph!
 

[Tanakako]

Relief flooded him as the youth turned at the name. So it 'was' him! Smiling slightly he drew to a halt as the cub walked up to him, its little chest puffed out and those two-toned eyes serious. Instead of being amused or annoyed by the youngster's apparent lack of respect for his elders, Sliabh simply watched him, impressed by the boy's bravery when faced with someone as large and as fearsome looking as Sliabh himself. (or so he had been told by many of the pride members at various times throughout his adult life).

Nodding as the youth spoke his name he studied the boy just as the cub was studying him, watching Ndale pace round him in a pointed manner. This cub would grow up to be a very willful young lion, Sliabh thought, and would make an excellent protector for the pride. He could only hope that he himself measured up to the cub's expectations in due time. For Ndale was going to need a firm but understanding paw to keep him on the right path. Sliabh smiled faintly at that thought, knowing it would be Eva who would provide the boy with the right direction in his life.. she was good at that and knew how to handle both cubs and reluctant patients... Sliabh had long since been in awe of his beloved healer.

Watching as the youth once more returned to his front he tilted his head just slightly, expression curious. "I was told you were looking for me." He asked, his voice that low, soft tone of someone who spoke little. He didn't use a childish voice as many adults did to the youngest cubs, rather, he spoke as he would to another adult, then waited patiently for Ndale's reply.