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 Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:21 pm
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"C'mon, Mfalme! Help me out here!" The lion confidently led the way, his footsteps falling more confidently now. They had been wandering for days, nearly endlessly, trying to find a way back home. The earth shakes that had taken place about a week ago had ruined their normal paths, and thus the two males were forced to find a new way in. Their search so far had given them nothing, but Umoja was always sure that it was just a little bit further, and they would then find their pathway home.
"Are you sure, fluffbrain? We haven't gotten anywhere, and I think you're heading in the wrong direction." The eagle fluffed his feathers up, quite irritated at his bonded. He was walking a bit away from home, wasn't he? How would this lead back home? The martial eage was restless, unable to fly high in the skies with the large amount of vultures lurking in the area. It made him crabby, and unafraid to pick on his bonded all the time.
Another followed more quietly. Since the entire ordeal, Mapatano had gone even more quiet. He didn't speak too much besides those occasional exceptional days. But now, because of the whole earthquake he'd bene even more quiet. Perhaps it was the distance from the pride, shock or simply fear. Whatever it was, he held back from taunting Umoja like he normally would. Fortunately, Hisa was right there on his shoulder ready to do the job. "I agree! " Hisa swooped off her bonded's back, and if it had not been for he vultures, she'd have quickly gona higher, but instead moved towards Mfalme, keeping beside him for a moment. "Remember that time when he was a cub, before you two were bonded, he ran off? The king was furious! " She snickered, before stretching her wings as if to glide then looking irritated once she remembered the lack of good thermals to ride on, shaking her head to turn back and perch on Mapatano. This was awful.
"He's always had a lousy sense of direction. Utunzo is better at that. "
"Hey! I knew where I was going," the lion growling, shooting a little warning glance back behind to eye his cousin's own bonded. He knew that he should get used to it, but it was moreso odd to hear it from Hisa and not Mapatano. Ever since the earth had shaken he had fallen into near muteness.
The comment of his brother brought him back to his senses for a moment, his anger sizzled to nothing. "Utunzo..." Umoja hadn't thought about his brother lately, as since the two had grown up and begun their own families. He hoped that he was all right. The shake itself was only a small fright. The damage that it had done to the mountains surrounding their home was incredible, and he only hoped that there was a home to return to.
While lost in his thoughts, he felt his bonded n** at his ear. "Are you telling me that we have to go into those?" Mfalme didn't sound pleased as he landed upon Umoja's back. There were the opening of caves. More caves? It seemd that that was the only thing around here anymore. The other ones were small, and didn't lead anywhere but a dead end. Would these do the same?
Mapatano perked his ears, he'd been looking at the floor untill Mfalme spoke, and tilted his head at the cave. He picked up pace, but stopped once he reached Umoja, simply standing beside him. Hisa's feathers ruffled uncomfortably. While she did have great view, like any hunting bird(perhaps bird in general), dark wasn't exactly their strong point. Caves were dark.So she didn't like them. Spreading her slender wings for a moment, she swooped to the front of one of them, the alrgest, then hopping towards the others, as if wondering where they'd take or which they'd go in first.
"We should go. " Mapatano spoke up, though he sat down. The sooner they got home the better. He doubted he was missed much with his past, but he missed the pride very much so. A few member smore than others. Okay, one member. Nyonda had always been so nice to him. "Shouldn't one of you come sniff or something? " She tapped a talon on the floor impatiently. Perhaps smell couldgive something away, though she doubted it.
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:23 pm
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Not pleased, though far from scared of any of the caves, Umoja approached the largest of the small groud of caverns. It would be smartest to enter the larger one, assuming that it would be the deepest one, and perhaps give them a chance to return home. One foot fall after another, he slowly entered the cave, his senses alert. Knowing that he could take anything down that might be living in here, he confidently swept the entrance of the cave clear, as well as a bit in it. He didn't see any hints of anything living being through here in a very long time. With a snort, brushing away the dirt that had gathered on his nose, and emerged.
"It's clear. We should check it out. We might find something here, maybe it'll take us back home. Nothing wrong with giving it a shot." He knew that the birds wouldn't be pleased, but if Mapatano agreed, then they would do it. He made sure that Mfalme was settled onto his shoulder comfortably before entering the cavern. It was dark, but he could see enough to guide the way. Mfalme was unsettled, keeping his eyes behind Umoja as he watched Mapatano and Hisa. It was obvious that he wasn't happy, but keeping his own guard up for his bonded.
Mapatano got back to his post, following Umoja soon enough, bending down once beside Hisa so she could clamber up, then stepping into the cave. Hisa grumbled, preening uncomfortably then watching the cave entrance, almost as if it wee the last light she'd see for a while. She really really hated dark. "It doesn't look like it ends soon, " Mapatano commented. "Maybe we will find a way through. " He picked up pace at that, the idea of being home again cheered him up.
"Do you think everyone's okay? " Hisa said, her voice seeming nervous. The ide aof it not endingsoon just made her think of how long she'd be staring at pitch black. Hisa wasn't a cowardly creature, she was usually fairly elegant, but being away from home, and the skies, and everything like this just made he roff. Perhaps like Mapatano. Speaking of him, he was weirder than usual. Granted he was away from home, but Hisa'd been with him for a long time. Something was just.. off. He wasn't telling her. It was almost enough to make her squeeze his fur a bit; he usually told her everything! And knowing aobut this now was not helping her nerves.
Umoja was equally unpleased with the darkness. It grew harder to see as they continued on, and he could feel Mfalme's claws dig deeper into his shoulders. The snapping of his beak, so quiet that it was hard to sense unless you knew it, warned Umoja that his bonded was growing very uncomfortable. Sighing, Umoja couldn't help but feel a flash of irritation; he wasn't enjoying this any more than they were! He wanted to return home as well, make sure that his family was safe, as well as his pride mates.
The irritated drove him to move faster, his pace kicking up into a trot. It was dangerous to go quick in the darkness, but he would rather do that then snap at Mapatano, Hisa, or gods forbid Mfalme. They were under enough stress, he didn't need to add onto it and turn into a huge fight.
Trying to keep his senses cool, he quickly noticed that there was a bit of light before them. Noticing quickly that the floor had gotten more rocky, Umoja froze. "A cave-in." The light would be blessed for a moment, but that only reminded Umoja of the danger. He always dove in head first, only afterwards realizing the risk. Oh well, they had been safe so far, what would change that?
As Umoja sped up, Mapatano mad ehte ffort to do so as well,but keeping his distance. Only when Umoja stopped did he get close, to stand a few feet behind. He was equally glad to see the light; if only because it meant Hisa would loosen up back there. It was like walking with a stone on your back. "We should be careful until it ends. " And even then they'd be careful anyway. They'd been working too hard to fall into some stupid hole. Speaking of holes.. Maybe he sohuld take the lead. If anyhting happened it would be best for the pride if it happened to Mapatano instead of Umoja. Not to mention Umoja also had a wonderful mate and two cubs to come home to.
"Ugh, more dark. " Hisa mumbles, eyeing the cave-in, there was light here, but there'd be none soon. She did not look forward to that.
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:24 pm
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Umoja investigated the fallen rocks, as well as the small space of ceiling that had fallen through. It didn't look old, but equally not fresh. Perhaps it had fallen through when the earth shaking had happened. That would mean that the rest of the cavern was already settled. They'd be fine. His cofidence that nothing would happen grew, and he even let a small, smug grin grow on his mouth. "Well, let's get going. The quicker we can get through the thing, the better."
Mfalme only grumbled, not convince that the fall in wasn't because of something else. He decided to keep his tongue quiet for the moment, burrying his backside into the lion's mane, still keeping an eye on everying behind his bonded. The fool would probably run right into a hole and proclaim that it would help them. One track mind at times. Hestia bless Hisa and him that they wouldn't die in this cavern, so far from the skies they loved.
It seemed like they went on this way for forever, though at least Umoja slowed down to a crawl most of the time, giving ample room for Mapatano to do as he pleased.
"Hold on, " Mapatano paused, standing there for a moment longer sothat Hisa could flutter out of the ceiling for a moment then come back in, then was quickly off after she was back on his shoulder. He'd just figured it best let her get a breather. It might have been risky in case of vultures, but he'd told her to make it quick, and no vulture would follow her into a cave. . and if one did it might even be good to eat. In times of need a vulture could be tasty despite the stench.
Along the way, eventually Mapatano pulled ahead, and was quietly glad Hisa was too blind to notice he was now in front. "Its going on forever. " Maybe long was a good sign.
Mfalme was pleased when Mapatano took lead, even though he wasn't entirely sure when it happened. He knew that the more level-headed thinker of the group should be ahead, just in case they came across something that Umoja might have missed. He cared for him bonded in stronger ways that any raptor could agree on, but there were times when he would heartily agree that Umoja was being foolish. He had an ego to rival anything in the world, the eagle wagered.
Umoja inwardly scowled a bit with Mapatano had taken lead, but it had made sense. It gave the lion a chance to relax his nerves, not having to be worried about the front. He would only now make sure that there was nothing following them. Foolish as they were, it wouldn't be too much of a surprise to the lion if something followed them. How often would a pair of lions willingly go into such a large cave? He'd be interested in himself doing that, besides.
"In the right direction, I hope." The lion grumbled. He was lost, but he refused to admit it completely. He'd find their way home, and as quickly as he could as well.
Hisa blinked once she heard Umoja spak up from behind, glancing blindly backwards. When did that happen? She shook her head, sinking it and just making herself into a large puffball on her bonded's back. Mapatano nodded slightly, Umoja had a point. He just hoped that they'd know how to get back afterwards, if this was a dead end.
Soon, tohugh, he felt something his his paw, and it was fortunate that he wasn't himself else he'd have jumped a few feet away and dislodged Hisa. He twitched his whiskers as Hisa heard the object bounce away, and seemed to stiffed. "What was that? " Mapatano glanced at what he'd hit, not toosure of what it was. "My paw hit something. " He walked towards it, scooping it up in a paw and holding it infront of his face, before out to Umoja. "It feels kinda like a bone. "
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 12:46 pm
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Umoja's ears swiveled forward when he heard Mapatano speak up. It seemed odd, especially with his tone. Shortening the distance between the two, he paused, trying to peer through the darkness. It was getting really annoying, enough to make Umoja's nerves eat at his mind. "What was what?" He stuck his nose forward, only to bump into whatever it was that Mapatano held out. "Eh!" Mildly startled by the sudden 'attack' on his nose, Umoja took a few steps sideways, bumping into the wall of the cave.
As he had set his paw down to steady himself, he heard a crunch, and his paw went through something. He froze for a moment, letting the sound echo through the cavern until silence settle on his ears again.
"What did you do, break your ego?" Mfalme snapped out, irritated that they were messing around. He just wanted out of here, back into the sky. He was even thinking about risking a flight, the cave was bothering him that much. He'd probably break his wings if he tried, though. Ugh, he just wanted out. This wasn't fair at all. Damn lions always have to ruin everything. They were fine, their black coats would help conceal them. Obviously the birds were in a much more dangerous situation, no matter what Umoja and Mapatano would try to tell him. Instead of complaining, though, the eagle kept his beak shut. He didn't want to stir them up more than they already were anyway.
Umoja picked up his paw, feeling little bits of something fall of his paw. "I have no idea, but it was something like bone too."
Mapatano watched Umoja as well as he could, a whisker twitched in a quiet sort of amusement. "So thats at least two bones. " He muttered, setting the round thing down. The holes in it made him think of a skull, but the shape was so odd.. He turned and kept on going, though seemed to pay more attention now. He was almost positive he'd seen another, small pile of boned, but stepped on something first. It felt like a stone, this time. Cut out in a weird shape, though.
"Either something lived in here or died in here. "
Umoja slinked behind Mapatano, keeping close to his cousin. Everything seemed to change in that moment, and his senses went onto alert again. What was in here? What were they finding? He only wished that they could see better than they could at that moment. The idea that there was something here, everywhere, was bothering him. The unknown fought against his senses, and Umoja almost wanted to demand to know what was here. His tail flicked behind him in frustration, only slightly calmed by the small nibble that Mfalme was offering him.
"Starved, you think? Or merely living here, dying out from their own earth shaking?" It was possible, and Mfalme was slowly feeling more pushy. "We should hurry through this. We will either find more, or an opening." He snapped his beak, his voice directed more at Hisa than the lions. "Can't you sense the draft coming from before us, Hisa?" Any bit of movement in the air gave the martial eagle hope that they'd get out of here soon. These caves, with the dead creatures bothered him.
Umoja turned to quiet his bonded when he noticed something else. Large and round, almost like an enormous seed. It looked like it could hold quite a lot of anything in it. At least, it could if it wasn't broken down the side. "Mfalme, check out this thing." He knew that his bonded didn't eat any seeds or berries, but he might be able to recognize it if he could see it. It didn't seem like the eagle was interested at all, though.
"Could be. " He turned as Umoja seemed to find something, despite him directing it towards Mfalme rather than himself, he probably had an excuse to e nosy at the moment. He blinked, and rolled his shoulder, indicating for Hisa to lside to the ground ofr a moment as her sat on his haunches, freeing his paws to prod at this.. whatever thing. "Its pretty smooth. " It somehow felt odd. Hisa, on the other hand, stared blindly towards where Mfalme was. "Yeah, I can too. " Or maybe she was fooling herslef just to feel more hopeful. A draft would be nice.
"C'mon, lets keep going. " She felt for Mapatano's tail and pecked it, only hard enough so that he'd immediately help her back onto his back again. "Fine. " He mumbled, then yelped, this time not being able to stay put at the next thing he'd stepped on. It was /sharp/. "Yeow! " He hissed, raising a paw to lick at it before remembering Hisa. "Hise, you ok? " The raptoer seemed to hiss slightly form her spot after being flung a couple feet away, her feathers fluffing out so violently he could hear i. "What was THAT all about? "
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:01 pm
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Umoja was startled at the sudden outburst of his cousin. He let his attention drop away from the big seed thing to step towards Mapatano. He wasn't quite sure exactly where he aws, as the seed as momentarily mesmerized him to wander a bit off of their previous path. "Mapatano? Where are you? Hisa?" He felt the hiss of his bonded, guiding him towards where the pair were. The scent of blood filled the air, even if it was small. The only other smell in the air had been of old dirt and dust, and the odd smell was easy to pick out. "Are you okay?"
Umoja managed to get to his cousin unharmed, though he was taking a few more careful steps than he was previously. "Did something bite you?"
"I stepped on a cactus, more like. " He mumbled, the felt carefully his way to the object, squinting to see it and carefully manipulating it between his paws. "Its a rock. A very very.. pointy... rock. " He tilted his head. Rocks didn't just.. happen to get this pointing. "Check it out, " He held it out in Umoja's direction, to see what he thought of it. "Something sharpened it on purpouse. Like rhino's and their horns. " He curled his tail around his hind paws with unease. What were this things?
Umoja took it gingerly from Mapatano, making sure to not cut himself with it. He tried to examine it, but he was clumsy and ended up dropping it back onto the floor. As if he knew what he wanted to say, Mfalme hopped off of Umoja's back to look for it. His talons make a clicking noise on the smoothed cave floor, making it obvious that it was much smoother here than most caves were. It was apparent that these...creatures lived here, and had a fascination with shiney things like the crows did. It was puzzling.
Mfalme found it, and picked it up with his beak, setting it nicely between his bonded's paws. "It's unnatural," the bird said, keeping himself on the floor next to Umoja. "Like a lot of things in this cave are. Giant seeds that can hold things, pointy rocks, weird bones. I don't like it." He ruffled his feathers in protest, glaring at both of the lions for a moment. "We've found something, but we don't know what."
"Maybe they throw those like monkeys throw.. poop. " If Hisa has a nose, it'd probably be wrinkled right now. She hadn't felt it herself, but by the way Mapatano jumped she could tell it was sharp. Once restored on her perch, Hisa allowed her feathers to settle again, and began to preen lightly. "Hisa might have a point. " Mapatano commented. "I bet they could piearce skin if thrown right. " H mumbled, and as Mfalme investigated the floor, he began to notice it himself. The walls too. He walked close to one, feeling it with his whiskers. "It is odd. " The lion raised a paw, running it along the stone. "There are some straight nicks in some places. " And if he squinted, he could see some odd, darker shapes on the wall, like someone had doodles around with mud.
"I don't like it either. " Hisa muttered.
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Posted: Wed Aug 06, 2008 1:30 pm
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Mfalme hopped on the ground, investigating what was lying around in disarray. It was as if packs of beasts had roamed through these caves after the creatures had passed on, scattering around what was left all over the ground. Maybe that's why everything was so old, or broken. He continued to hop forwards, making sure that he could still hear the lions behind him.
Umoja pushed the sharp rock to the edge of the floor, where the wall met with it. He wedged it in there as best he could without harming himself. It wouldn't do any good for either one of them to step onto it again, even accidentally. It was then that he looked up to what Mapatano was looking at now. "Don't you ever quit?" he said with a scowl, though he let himself get interested in the odd patterns on the wall. Some looked like they hadn't changed, sharp as ever, and the others had worn away from age. He had no idea what they were, but some reminded him of food. "Preybeasts, you think? The bones certainly don't resemble them, though. Nor the fact that we're deep within a mountain," he added with a snort.
"Nope. " He shrugged, then regretted it as Hisa clunt to him with her talons at the movement. She was so jumpy now any od dmovement got her to squeeze, damn. "Maybe their something else. " He said, then sniffed the air. The was nothing here, there hadn't been for a while. "Whatever they were their gonae now. " He said, then looked back in Umoja's direction. "Do you want to keep going or do you want to rest? " He asked, twitching his tail tip. If Mfalme and Hisa were right, there might be an exit further ahead. It might take them into their lands or... maybe the tunnel and swerved right back out.
"Not sure," Umoja said. It could be a long time before they got out, or they could just as easily be right next to the exit. He called for Mfalme to return, wanting to know what the martial eagle's opinion was on the matter. It took a moment for the bird to appear, but once he did he stopped right next to Umoja's front paws.
"The drafts grows slightly stronger, but I cannot sense an exit anywhere nearby." The eagle ruffled his feathers, kicking up a little cloud of dust. It was obvious that things got dirtier the further they went in.
"Perhaps we should pause, if only for a little while. Rest, and we will pick up the pace within a few hours." He was tired, and he knew that Mapatano's paw needed to rest before they walked for many more hours through the dense cave. Who knew where the tunnel would lead, but he only hoped to some fresh air and sky, even if it wasn't home.
Mapatano nodded, And walked towards a wall, poking around to make sure it was clear before lying down, Hisa slid off his back and settled beside him, he face tucking beneath a wing, though now she didn't really need that for darkness.
"I'm going to take a nap, then. " He said, but as he set his head down he knew he woldn't sleep. Instead, he just looked ahead, thinking about the pride, how everyone was doing. How one in particular was doing, and how much he wanted to be back.
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