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 Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:33 pm
It was yet another gorgeous day in the Pridelands. Some might grow bored with the day to day monotony but for Kimya, it was bliss. Every day was peaceful, every day was bright, vivacious, alive and buzzing with life. No pain, no fear, no suffering.
Each day she'd had the joy of waking to seven beautiful little faces, beautiful little faces that she'd brought into the world, there -was- no greater feeling.
They were growing, though, soon to be old enough to wander out on their own as Imara had. Within these lands, somewhere, they'd make their places in the world and prosper. Kimya could be happy that they would do so without needing to fear for their safety.
She was in rare form today, moving with practiced stealth through the grasses towards a herd grazing not far off. She did need to eat, after all, and perhaps this was the only acceptable bloodshed in these lands, the bloodshed of prey, whose lone remains would eventually returned to the grasses that they fed just as hers one day would. She had already made her move, there! Bolting up out of the grasses after getting as close as she dared, she flew, flew! The ground blew by in the wake of her paws as they carried her swiftly after the wily antelope trying to evade death. But for her, it meant life. Life and death, the struggle, eternal struggle of their world. She'd finally managed to come out on top, and she'd be darned before she went back to the bottom again.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 1:50 pm
The herd of antelope in the distance didn't seem bothered by Ezeoha being nearby, simply because his body language did not speak of a lion searching for a way to sate his appetite. Well, not that kind of appetite, anyways. Ezeoha was a lion always on the look out for a pretty lady, and always calculating his chances of getting with said lady. It simply went against who he was to let an opportunity pass him by. No female was safe in his presence, safe in the way of being able to avoid his flirtations. If a female didn't want him, he wasn't going to bother himself by trying to make her want him. It wasn't worth the struggle, anyways. He'd prefer to talk normally with a lioness who openly showed that she was not interested (Ezeoha had to be able to catch the hint).
He stopped wandering closer to the herd, though, when he noticed a brown and black lioness on the hunt. Now, he wouldn't want to ruin her chances at getting a meal by spooking her prey. So, silently observing her observe her prey, he sat down, a smile twitching at his lips. Well well well, she was definitely a pretty one. Spots were something he rarely saw, and he definitely knew that he was attracted to her already. So, when she was done with her hunt... he was going to have to drop by and say 'hello'.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:02 pm
Everything was going well. She had managed to separate her prey from the rest of the herd and now just needed to wear it down. This was much easier said than done, however, as the beast was young, and though Kimya was as well, fear and instinct drove it to give her one hell of a chase. She couldn't simply head it off because of it's swift turning ability, if she tried, it would just bolt the other way again and she'd lose it, so she was forced to follow it move for move and hope that it's stamina bled out before hers did.
The chase ended abruptly, though, when it's mate finally came back around and angrily displayed it's horns. Kimya skidded to a stop, hesitated, and dismayed, watched as her primary target bounded out of sight, the male antelope refusing to back down. Staring the herbivore in the eyes, a silent communication was shared, and she understood.
Without so much as a growl or snarl, she neatly picked herself back up onto all fours and turned to leave. Budding life was to be respected, and Kimya, more than any other predator, could not bring herself to kill an expecting mother, nor take a father away from that expecting family.
The antelope watched her go, and once satisfied that she'd not return moved nervously to go back to his own mate. Whatever had convinced her to back down he didn't know, but he'd not look a gift lion in the mouth, especially not a hungry one.
Kimya, meanwhile, sighed heavily and sat a few dozen feet away then, easing onto her stomach to catch her breath and relax. So much for lunch.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 2:12 pm
The chase was a good one, and Ezeoha believed that she had started well, and all she needed to do was execute it properly. It shocked him nearly out of his own fur, though, when the male antelope suddenly turned to defend its mate. Such behavior was ridiculous coming from an antelope, because lions were simply larger and stronger. It would only take a second for Kimya to clamp her jaws around its fragile neck and strangle it to death. But, instead of challenging the antelope, Ezeoha watched in vague disbelief as the brown lioness backed down and walked away. His red eyes widened subtly, his head turning slightly so he could watch the antelope return to its mate. Well, it was a lucky break for the antelope, but not so lucky for Kimya. She had to be hungry, and if Ezeoha had the time to expend he'd catch a meal for her. As it was, though, by the time he caught something she would likely be gone, and it wasn't a guarantee he would catch anything himself. Females were better hunters, anyways.
What he could do, though, was provide her with company and a distraction from her own hunger. Languidly rising to his feet, he casually made his way over to where the brown lioness had stopped and laid down to rest. His voice came out in a rich, warm tone, a smile making his face handsome as he spoke to her. "That was a great chase, though it's unfortunate that you did not come out on top." Of course, he wasn't going to be mean and point out the fact that she had backed down from an easy meal. Ezeoha did want to get to know this lioness, and insulting her was just going to get him growled at and told to go away.
"I'm Ezeoha," he continued on, sitting down a few feet away from her. He wouldn't dare enter her personal space, simply in case she was irritable from having lost her hunt. She didn't seem that upset, and instead simply looked more tired than irritated. It was a good sign for him, though he had hoped her adreniline would have kept up. It would have pushed her in the right direction of considering Ezeoha as someone not just good for conversation, but good for other things as well. Adreniline rushes could do crazy things to female, and Ezeoha wasn't about to say that he didn't fully appreciate the crazy things it could do to a female.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:32 pm
Kimya lifted her head, gazing towards the golden pelted male as he approached. Despite her calm, her adrenaline was still running course. If it weren't then the following response would have been much more withdrawn.
"Oh... Thank you. That's alright. I'll just see what I can catch later, hopefully something that isn't expecting children soon." She reasoned.
She exhaled softly, expending the last of her pent up energy, or trying.
"It's nice to meet you, Ezeoha... Are you related to an Ezekiel...? Forgive me if I'm being too straight forward, it's just-- well, your coats are both that lovely shade of gold. I can't help but wonder." She smiled, hoping he'd forgive the transgression if she was being too forward. Zeki was a good friend, though, the first to welcome her into the lands besides the queen and head scout.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 4:53 pm
A lioness after such a strenuous exertion was always appealing to Ezeoha's eye. He could see her chest still heaving slightly from the chase, and she was still a little out of breath. Nothing was more beautiful than Kimya was at that moment, at least that's what he believed. But, the irony of her statement made him chuckle mentally. He was expecting children soon, but he also wanted to be caught. Of course, he didn't want to be caught and killed. He wanted to get caught and have a little... fun. Naturally Ezeoha had a preference for doing the catching himself, but if a female wanted to pursue him, he certainly didn't mind. He imagined, though, that Kimya wasn't like that. In fact, she seemed oblivious to the fact that Ezeoha was observing her so secretively. "You're welcome, and I'm sure you'll catch something. Not all of us can catch an antelope every time we set out to do so. Personally, I'm not that great of a hunter. I catch a prey item rarely, if I do."
He hoped that her adreniline would stay peaked, because he definitely did not want her tiring out so soon. The hunt wasn't too long, but it was enough to tire a lioness who wasn't on the high of adreniline. He'd have to make a move quick if he wanted to act upon it, but he wasn't sure he wanted to risk chasing her off by being too forward. "Yes, I am, but I have to say that I'm definitely the more attractive of the two of us. The relation is vague, so I just prefer to call him my nephew and leave it at that." He smiled at her then, hoping she'd start to take notice to how attractive he was. "Mhhhm, thanks for the compliment on my coat, though I have to say that the chocolate of your coat is lovely, and I am slightly infatuated with your spots." Next step: Compliment her so she knew he was at least vaguely interested.
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:49 pm
Unfortunately for Ezeoha, Kimya was either naturally oblivious, or accustomed to casually dodging such bold signs. A bit skittish, she was, after past experiences, a bit wary. Al-Hattal had fathered her last litter with smooth words and compliments as well, and been gone come morning. It was difficult to tell if she had enjoyed the company enough to risk it again, or if it had further scared her into a shell. It wasn't even that she didn't think he was handsome, but she was far too reserved and meek to blurt something like that out.
"They at least make the hunting a little easier," She smiled a bit, recalling how in some instances they helped her blend a little better where she lacked a more subdued coat such as his. "Thank you... Nephew? Hmm... I've yet to have the pleasure of becoming an aunt, myself, I haven't seen my brothers in ages." She commented, watching the male before rising again. "Um... I'm not entirely familiar with these lands yet, is there a watering hole nearer to here than the one off of Pride Rock?"
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Posted: Fri Mar 28, 2008 7:58 pm
He groaned mentally when it came to his realization that she wasn't flirtatious, and in fact was a little meek when it came to such things. That meant he had to be careful, lest he chase her off by being too bold. Ezeoha was usually okay with it, but at this moment he didn't want to be cautious. He wanted to let her know that he was interested, and he wanted her to come to being interested in him as well. Of course, things never worked as easily as suddenly deciding one was interested in another that way. No, such thoughts had to be coaxed into Kimya's mind, or she'd never thinking of him in that way. It was going to be a task, especially considering how easy that last few females had came to him. They had wanted it, had known they wanted it from the moment they had set their eyes on him. Kimya didn't, and Ezeoha was going to have to pull off a few stunts in order to make her want him.
"My coat isn't too bad when it comes to hunting. I'm just not as quick as you are," and he wasn't worried about admitting that. Admitting his own failures made him seem more real, more personable, which then made it easier for others to like him. "I'm sure that when you get the pleasure of becoming an aunt, you'll enjoy it thoroughly. I rarely see my neices and nephews, so it's a treat for me when I finally get to." At her question he gave her another charming grin, letting his boyish good looks come into play. Eventually she would notice, and eventually he would be able to reel her in. Just not immediately.
"Yes, there is, and I'll be glad to lead you there." He walked out in front of, but it was in the moment of passing her that he made a subtle move, letting his body brush ever-so-slightly and delicately against her own. His warmth washed over her for nothing more than an instant, and then he was gone, leading the way to the watering hole. "After such an exersion I can imagine you're thirsty. It's silly of me not to have offered to take you to a watering hole in the first place."
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:04 pm
Kimya prepared to follow, growing flustered, though, as his body brushed hers. Watching him move further past her expression became a bit blank. Was he flirting with her just now? .... No, don't be ridiculous, Kimya, she told herself.
"I might already be one, really, I suppose I wouldn't know, and it's alright. Please, don't trouble yourself with thoughts like that. I don't mind, really." She offered a small smile as she caught up, moving into pace beside him. He seemed to smell of others, younger lions if her nose was right. A father? Maybe one whose cubs were old enough to be leaving the proverbial nest now? "I've been rude, I'm sorry. I forgot to introduce myself! My name is Kimya, by the way. Kimya'ukilia, but you can just call me Kimya for short if you want." She offered, content to keep up the small talk, only somewhat unaware that Ezeoha might have been aiming for something else.
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:20 pm
He told himself not to look back, and fought against the urge to do sond see her reaction to his touch. It would aid him greatly in determining what to do next if he could see how she responded to the subtle flirtation, but he would have to live without that advantage. He didn't want to let the other lioness on to the fact that he had done it intentionally. Of course he wanted her to know that he was flirting, but he also wanted her to be thoroughly wooed by him. He wanted her to respond to his flirting in kind, though at this point he was doubting that she ever would. She just didn't seem like the type, and instead was the type that proved to be the most difficult in winning over. It would take plenty of skill on his part to be with her in the way that he wanted. Inwardly, he sighed, wondering silently how he ever managed to be attracted to the lionesses that were difficult. He liked the hunt, but not enough to be okay with it when he lost.
"Well, then I can only hope that one day you'll be able to find out if you are an aunt or not. It's a pleasurable experience, spoiling young neices and nephews." He led the way to the watering hole, conversing with her lightly and very subtly flirtatiously. "It's all right. I figured you would tell me sooner or later." He smiled when she said he could call her by her nickname, because that was a step in the right direction, no matter how small it was. "Kimya," he purred seductively, though that time it really wasn't intentional. He was just trying the name out, and it had come out that way.
It was a few minutes later before they came upon a lush watering hole, surrounded by full vegetation and blooming flowers. "Here we are," he said, turning to face Kimya, and with a nod of his head he urged her to go take her drink.
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:37 pm
The way that he said her name caused her ears to quiver. Instinctively she lowered them a bit to try to steady them, curious as to why such a thing would cause such a response. She continued on her way quietly after that, slipping past him with soft thanks and gracefully lowering herself to crouch as she drank her fill.
As she lapped at the water, tongue scooping up partial mouthfuls at a time her mind raced. Two in a row, first the brush, now the way he said her name. Was she really just imagining it? Had he taken some interest in her? Maybe...
Once she'd finished she rose again, giving her head a light shake to loosen the remaining, clinging droplets.
"Well... there went my plans for the afternoon. I guess I'll have to try again later." And in a different location, more than likely. She looked at Ezeoha and flashed the most sheepish of grins. A bit of her childhood mirth was showing through, a result of the last of the energy clinging to her from the rush of the hunt. Turning back to the watering hole she dipped a paw in, reveling in the cool liquid. It was a hot day, and after such a run the water was refreshing. "I'm glad that I found this place... My brothers would throw a fit if they knew I had joined here, or they would have when we were younger."
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 12:51 pm
The quivering of her ears, something he had caught out of the corners of his eyes, was the best sign he had been given all day. Even if her mind was not reacting to the fact that he was flirting with her, her body was. If the body wanted something, it wouldn't take all that much to make the mind go along with it. Ezeoha was making progress, and he could not help but smile to himself as Kimya walked ahead of him and took her drink. He came up behind her just then, bending down to take a quick drink beside her. The water was cool and refreshing, and quite personally he enjoyed the scenery. It could easily be considered 'romantic', and that was what he was going for. Every little thing to change Kimya's mind in the direction that he wanted it in was beneficial. The first thing he needed was a good atmosphere, and this atmosphere was absolutely perfect. He just needed to manipulate the situation now... turn it into what he wanted.
"You can always make new plans," he told her, his voice a little lower and more seductive than before. He was in full flirtation mode, which was evident by the way he was talking to her, by the way he put emphasis on the word 'plans' to hint at something more intimate, more secret. She was still a little high on adreniline, he could tell that, but that high was drawing to a close pretty soon, and he really was going to have to act quickly if he wanted to capitalize on it. If she became tired after the rush of adreniline... he would not be able to get to the point that he wanted to with her at all. It was quite the dilemma, and he definitely was going to step it up. "These lands are fertile, a perfect home for any species. Why would your brothers have thrown a fit?"
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:17 pm
. . .
Not imagining it. He was definitely flirting with her. For a moment her brain froze, there was a slight pause between her answer and his question, but she did recover enough to answer.
"O-Oh...."
She looked flustered again, caught off guard, and was glad to jump onto the subject of her brothers again.
"Oh... they... don't much care for Pridelanders. One attacked me when I was a cub. Actually, I'm not even sure if she was from here. My brothers were the ones that talked to her all the time after. They were a little overprotective."
~But then again, I probably needed it.~ She thought.
"We were young then. I'm sure if they gave the lands a chance..."
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 1:35 pm
He chuckled warmly, but the sound was somewhat soothing. She had finally caught on, and it amused him that it had taken her this long to. Of course, she was more naive than he had originally expected her to be, but at least she had figured out that he was indeed flirting wtih her. Now they could move on to different things, though he was worried by her response. She seemed flustered, unsure of how to really respond in the face of his flirtations. Should he tone it down? Probably. But, he didn't want to. If he backed down now he could lose whatever advantages had been given to him by the adreniline coursing through Kimya's veins. "We could make plans. I have nothing to do today," he continued on, his voice just as seductive and drowned in innunedo as before. He simply couldn't back down at this point, he had to move forward. He had to somehow sweep her off of her feet and have her in 'love' with him just for a little while.
This really wasn't easy.
"A real Pridelander would never do such a thing," he said firmly, letting this other bit of their conversation be something she could fall back on for comfort. It was what would steady her from his blatant and obvious flirtations. He could not flirt with her every second, because she would get overwhelmed. His chances with her would be ruined completely. "If they gave these lands a chance, their opinion of Pridelanders would most definitely changed. It really is... a wonderful place, full of new life and old life."
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 2:15 pm
"I have only seen her once since then. I don't think she even still lives in these lands..." Kimya murmured, watching Ezeoha move.
Maybe it was normal. Maybe this was how it was supposed to be? Mother didn't have a mate after all, and Ezeoha obviously didn't, despite fathering cubs if, again, her nose wasn't lying. Tai didn't have a mate, in fact, Mosi and Kamilika seemed the only ones she'd met with children that had males there to help them raise them. Perhaps it was just natural to have such flings? It would explain her "luck". Yes... even Zeki seemed unsurprised by the fact that she was mothering fatherless-cubs again, never mind that she'd been trying to remain optimistic at the time.
"Alright." She nodded quietly, seeming to, all at once, be willing to go along with whatever "plans" he was speaking of.
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