|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 11:09 pm
 Night had just settled into the day, and by chance, a large black wild dog had just finished what remained of his fallen prey. It had been a small newborn hoofed creature, blind to his threat when he had encountered it, but it nevertheless served its purpose well in his belly. It had been the only thing he could find in such short time; no doubt he had taken on much bigger adversaries throughout his life with ease, but for some reason, the lands had become more barren than it used to be...
His head tilted upwards, staring at the horizon. It was desolate now, and he was alone. But he knew that would be changing one day... He was born into that promise; he would one day watch over a multitude of others, but now was not his time... He convinced himself it would come soon.
He began to slowly walk away from the stained site, licking his lips to clear away the little last bits of delectable taste of a youth gone. Its mother must be somewhere near, and he thought it best to leave before the necessity of taking down something else arose. His hunger was satiated, after all, so why shed blood with no cause?
On his walk, he was alert to any noise, any sounds that may have originated from the mother... But he heard nothing. It wasn't possible that he was the only one in the area now, was it?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2007 11:28 pm
 With the night came cooler weather, as the hot sun had finally left it's place in the sky, now replaced by the glowing moon. Dark red eyes scanned the area while white paws slowly made their trek across the warm grass. Although the powerful sun had rained wave after wave of its light upon her during the day, the lioness's white pelt remained untanned, and would more than likely always remain so. Granted, she wasn't one to walk during the day anyhow, with the rays terribly bright and painful to her sensitive eyes. Yawning, her red tipped tail twitched, then slowly continued to sway from side to side as she walked. The night was young, but she was not. Soon, she would be finding another place to rest for the evening, unless unexpected company or events occurred, in which case she would shoo them away as quickly as she could, then go back to her solemn, but peaceful life alone.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2007 2:30 am
He began a fast pace, leaving behind the bleakness of the area he had done his killing in. Swift pads moved his large but lean body forwards towards a nest of trees in hopes of finding a secluded place to stay for a rest through the night. The night was still young, yes, but his day had come to a close earlier than expected. There was nothing else to confront; there were barely any signs of life around... It couldn't hurt to go to a slumber earlier than usual. Then he could awake earlier, too, and see if he could find any unguarded victims in the morning to satisfy the hunger that usually came after a good rest.
His paws dominated the grass beneath it, and the warmth succumbed to his will, transferring into the rest of his body, just how he liked. But as soon as he almost reached the trees he had spotted earlier, he saw a distinct shape moving to his side. At once he turned towards it, suspecting a grown mother impala that had come for vengeance, and he let forth a warning growl before sprinting forth at the place through the grass where he had sensed movement. He had not wanted this moment, but it had been too late--the impala somehow tracked him down! It had been the scent of the youth's blood still in his maw that gave him away!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 27, 2008 1:58 am
Had she not been paying any less attention to her surroundings than she had been, Ayoka may not have caught the sound of the soft paws thumping against the ground as they ran.
She immediately crouched closer towards the dirt, her red eyes quickly searching for movement responsible for the sound. The vibrations in the ground from the heavy running were drawing closer, and, as she turned her head to one side, the silhouette of a shadowy figure visualized, along with the sound of a distinct growl.
It belonged not to her kind, but of another, and she let out her own growl in return, her claws retracting at the sign of the oncoming attacker. If they wished to fight, then she would fight, though it would take either one very brave soul or one very witless creature to attempt to attack a being much larger than itself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 30, 2008 12:50 am
The big wild dog was surprised to hear a counter growling, and ceased his own. He noticed the form that came into view was not that of a crazed mother seeking revenge--but it was... a lion, not that much bigger than he, but still, to a degree, formidable. He observed as well, as he stepped over cautiously, that it was quite an oddball at best, with a weak, giveaway white coat splattered in spots that should have belonged to a cheetah. He put on a humored smile to match the occasion.
"Cheetah got your tongue, lion? Perhaps in exchange for those outrageous spots on your back, I'm sure," he jested, but derisively. Canines needed not much interference with the bigger felines species to have innate knowledge that it is wise to mistrust the naturally bigger builds that housed smaller brains.
His own red eyes gleamed in the glowing moon's face, and with the darkness accompanying the rest of his body, he must have looked like a shadow formed into a tangible being, with two ominous red beacons aloft his head. By look alone, the wild dog could not have been mistaken for exuding anything else but superiority.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 4:29 pm
Ayoka paused, feeling far more than confused at this point. Hadn't this creature just been preparing for an attack? And now was standing there.... insulting her?
"What of my spots, mutt?" she growled, irritable from her drowsiness as she recognized a more distinct canine accent in his voice. She hadn't expected a stranger to cross paths with her, and now she would be forced to converse with it before he ran off, or she decided she was far too hungry as well as irritable and found this dog to be a satisfying dinner.
Her head turned, and her dark red eyes met with similarly colored ones, yet this creature remained lurking in the shadows it hid within. Did this opposer fear recognition? Was too cowardly to come out? Or was he intimidating her, as she now could no longer size him up, to see what kind of potential foe she was up against?
"I may look like a cheetah, but I have the power of a lioness that I am more than willing to assume you wouldn't want to fight with."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 3:07 am
Touchy, touchy, he mused to himself, stepping his big frame forwards to bathe in the natural moonlight while keeping a cautionary space between himself and the stranger, should she desire the space.
He climbed onto a nearby rock, and, as a result, was able to further look upon the lioness's body, who also didn't look as threatening or as large as she first appeared to be. He allowed for a few seconds of silence for his full manifestation to take hold of the lioness before speaking again; part of the hesitance was his natural disposition to absolutely despise being called a simple "mutt", as he alienated himself from the common dogs that did deserve to be titled as such. His brow furrowed and he closed his eyes, regaining composure to the insult before he made a wrong move that would have forced an unnecessary retaliation by the bigger predator.
"I shall not be called a mutt," he murmured through gritted teeth, and attempted to make his command as polite as he could. "I am more than that..."
And he opened his eyes before the strange feline could take advantage of his blindness, and neutrally grinned. The lioness was correct in assuming that he would never intentionally pick out a scuffle with a bigger feline, unless truly required. It was no use for him in harming things he did not use for food, and it would be a waste of energy if he had wanted to down a lion. He was above all of that.
"I am quite sure you possess that power, and you are right, lioness," he said, choosing his words carefully so that he would not anger the female, "I do not partake in 'fights' unless it is important. And a battle between you and I surely would be deemed not."
He feigned a yawn and casually lifted his paw to run through his thick fur atop his head absentmindedly before continuing on with the topic of spots, "What's a lioness like you blundering around loudly, alone in these lands? Don't tell me you're a rogue; you'd naught survive without a group, especially with the telltale signs of white splattered with black across your pelt. No pride to keep company?" He didn't give a chance for the other to respond before commenting on his own, "Pity."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 24, 2008 9:04 pm
She watched him cautiously, as he moved himself over and positioned himself atop of a nearby rock. He was a large canine, indeed a formidable one, but she wasn't about to allow or accept the notion that size made the creature. No, she had met some stupid oafs that were much larger than she was, and at the same time had met some clever and crafty beings far more smaller than she herself was. Size was not of importance, but the brain behind the actions was the formidable opponent in any battle.
Feeling no reason to hide the yawn that drew from her own lips, the lioness's jaws opened wide, taking in the cool night air. Her haunches lowered, and she remained poised, her paws in front of her, as she watched the creature before her continue looking her over.
She noted in his voice a hint of anger at the name she'd insulted him with. Well, two could play at that game. "I'm no more of a cheetah than you are a mutt, in that case." she returned, her ears still perked as she attempted to remain alert, despite her earlier drowsy state. "There is always more than meets the eye, as we've both seemingly learned tonight."
Ayoka listened as the canine attempted to send more verbal jabs in her direction over her pelt, and her tail drew back and forth across the ground restlessly, as she listened. He claimed to have no intentions of wanting a fight, but she remained cautious, all the same. Despite whatever intelligence level he had, even stupid creatures could take an advantage if given the opportunity. And she wasn't about to allow for an opportunity to arise, in his case.
"Groups only hinder survival, instead of helping." she scoffed in argument. "Annoying conversations. Those who slow down the group. Others who don't hold up their end up the work. No... I'm far better off on my own. I can hunt, sleep, and travel at my own leisure and pace, with no leader to instruct me, no other lion or lioness to drag me behind."
Readjusting her paws in front of her, getting herself more comfortable, she returned the question. "And what of you? No pack to run with?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri May 30, 2008 3:47 am
The lioness before him was definitely playing it coolly, and for that, he held a slight degree of admiration for her. He cursed at himself for giving just a tiny bit of respect to one of the species that he disdained the most, but perhaps it was that grain of positive thought that kept the lioness from agitation of his intolerance, and him from leaving the scene with a bad taste in his mouth.
"Wise insight, feline," the black wild dog said, head still held up high, attempting to make invisible the scoff in his words. While the lioness had interested him to an extent, he still deemed himself much more valuable than her, and she made no effort to prevent his ego from growing, with her easily observed twitchy movements. The smugness on the canine could only have gained volume.
"Ah, independent are we..." he speculated, after the lioness's return comments. It was true--what she said, but he knew sooner or later she would see the error in her opinion. Additionally, lions seemed so much more disoriented from each other and too infatuated with their own selves that it would be harder for them to work as a unit. "You speak of the weak, dear," he lectured, pausing to wonder if she would be interested in his ideas, but decided to continue on regardless.
"I have no pack, yet, but it is in my blood to seek potential out there, and gather those willing; one day, if you even live to see it, you will very well know what I am capable of..." There was a smart glint in his eye as he insisted, "You will very well know what many of my kind are capable of, if given the opportunity..."
And at that, he jumped off of the rock, onto the ground a bit further from the lioness, and advised, "You'll do well to yourself if you seek a pride to reside in, you'll see how strength can be found in numbers... selectively, so to speak. You surely jest when you think you can survive on your own."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 17, 2009 11:26 pm
"Weak," she echoed his words, amused. "As long as I can hunt and protect myself, there is no need for others, who would only conflict with my opinions and plans. If and when I'm ready to have a family, well, things would certainly have to be changed. But until then, I act alone. I've been content by myself for many seasons now, and can do so for many more."
She listened to the wild dog's ramblings of a future pack, and took a mental note to watch out for any such occasion in the years to come. While he may live in solitude in the present time, nothing could stop him from executing his plans, should he be that determined to succeed.
Dark eyes watched as he leaped off the rock, her eyes slightly rolling at his passing comment. She ignored it, having nothing more to say on the issue less it be yet another waste of breath. Instead, she asked, "And how will I know you've succeeded in this mission of yours, if your name is still a mystery to me?"
She gave him a smug smile before nodding her head in his direction. "I am Ayoka, though I dare not say you have any need to remember it. My dreams are far less exciting and memorable as your own. Shadows are my friends, my memory would serve no purpose in anyone's life at this moment."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 3:39 am
"I like your perseverance, cat. But what if you could change that? Make everyone see your own opinions and plans. Show them the way, right?" The large wild dog smiled mischievously and started to paw closer towards the white lioness. His stride and upward tilt of his head heightened as she asked for his name--ah, so at least one of these felines knew strength and desired powerful knowledge when they saw it.
"Lioness Ayoka, you are quite true in that I have no need in remembering your name, as I do not dwell on insignificant details, but I am called Nkosi. If I do recall you, as though the oddity of your coat does fascinate me, I shall remember to have my troops take it easy on you, should we ever see each other again. Then again, these lands are very far and wide, and I will be traveling south, for now."
Nkosi yawned, growing tired of the lioness, and feeling a tickle in his stomach. "Bother, lioness Ayoka, you've bored me so much that I've grown hungry with wear, even though I had just finished eating. Would your dull dreams and unmemorable self care to see how a real predator fetches a nighttime snack? Or will the shadows soon engulf you that you will no longer be present here with me?" His smile flashed again playfully.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:30 am
She herself yawned, as if it were infectious. This canine had more ego in him than a pack of wild dogs, and she wasn't about to get herself strung along and involved in his antics. Should he want to rule the land, let him, it was no skin off her nose or tail.
"How thoughtful of you, generous Nkosi," her eyes rolled at his comment concerning being spared. "But your talk of power has no interest for me, as all I care to do is sleep."
She yawned once again, as if for emphasis of her words, and turned her back towards the slightly smaller creature. "So sleep I shall. Good evening, dog, and may your journey be prosperous."
And with that, she continued her saunter, uncaring if he responded or not. Sleep was important to her, not some silly mutt. It would do her good to get rested, for the days ahead would no doubt be full of her own journey.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 25, 2009 5:41 am
Yes, what all lions do most of their day -- be lazy, sleep. It came as no surprise to Nkosi, and his amusement for now would be gone. As she had her back turned to him, he smirked and called out, "Another time, lioness," appreciating the sentiment she left him.
With his final word, he turned in the opposite direction and began silently examining the stretch ahead, which for now seemed devoid of life. He would run into life again, and on his travels, would fulfill both his belly and his mission along with gathering what more knowledge he could possibly attain.
Night was for the sleepless ones who accomplish more while waiting for morning.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
