|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:25 am
Cassian. Bold, tough Cassian.
He strutted along the rogue lands, head up, shoulders rolling, chin jutting. His empty eyes were shadowed by his strong brow and his tail lashed fiercely behind him. This youngster had been born with a chip on his shoulder. He rarely spoke, he barely made a sound and yet there was something intimidating about him. In fact it was awful to see such a stern, almost aggressive, expression on his face.
His eyesight wasn’t very good. He’d been born with a defect that blurred details, had things leaning slightly and gave him headaches. Astigmatism is what he had, though he’d never know that. Maybe that was the reason he was a grump.
Maybe.
Either way, this cub looked to be out on a mission and his little claws dug grooves into the ground with each short, stumpy stride that he took. Even as a youngster, teetering between cub and juvenile, it was clear what he would become. He would be a short, stocky lion with a barrel chest and thick limbs. He wouldn’t be fast but he would be strong and sturdy on his feet.
He paused suddenly, stock-still, body tensed as he scented the air. Then suddenly a bird clapped out from the grass, shrieking and within moments a little snake slithered out from his hiding place, rearing up to spit at the fleeing bird.
Cassian continued onwards, cutting an arc around the snake to keep out of range of its venomous bite.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 12:40 am
 Were there such thing as a kindred soul... Kis would be the furthest thing from Cass'. The small lion stalked through the grass, his frame slim and lithe. He was obviously build more for speed than for power.
Small teeth flashed out as he licked his lips, hunting down dinner. Though, he wasn't having much luck. It seemed many predators were out tonight.
Black ears perked up at the sound of something moving through the grass up ahead, something perhaps slightly larger than himself. Bright blue eyes narrowed in hope, and he crept forward toward what he guessed could be a young animal.
Claws sank slowly into the dirt when he was within range of the other, trying to catch a glimpse of it through the tall grass. Fur... Tail? Another lion!?
Rather than sadden him, he grinned happily. Tensing up, he readied... And shot forward to pounce onto the other young lion cub.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:19 am
The burly little cub could not have been less ready for the pounce, even if he had tried. One moment he was strutting along, looking for something to do. The next minute he felt the weight of another pressing down on him.
His first emotion was fear. it flickered into being like a candlelight, blazing for the merest of seconds before being snuffed out by anger. How on earth had someone managed to creep up on him? Why hadn’t he been looking around himself properly? Now he was done for and his mother’s words of warning about the outside world drummed in his ears. Death. Would death be swift he wondered? And then another thought came, as fast as the others. No, he would not give up. He would fight!
All these thoughts flashed through his mind within a matter of seconds and suddenly he was thrashing, wildly. It was clear by his movements that he thought this pounce an attack. He moved with desperation, claws out, slashing and twisting, trying desperately to break free. Some might have called it a berserker, but it was clear this boy wouldn’t go down without a fight.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 1:35 am
He let out a squeak at the sudden violent actions of the other cub, quickly jumping back away from him, tail and ears perks.
" Whoa whoa! " He squealed out, ready to bolt if need be. " No need t' get all huffed up! I was only trying t' play... " The lithe little cub gave the other boy his most friendly, and reassuring grin.
He had been nowhere prepared for the other's reaction, though, now that he thought about it, perhaps pouncing had not been the best of ideas? It was late and there were many threats about. What creature wouldn't be on edge? Himself excluded...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:38 am
And then he was free and he scrambled back a few paces, turning to see the oddest cub he had ever seen. Pink! This lion was as pink as the flowers that grew nearby and as prissy as they come. He curled a lip and his whiskers flinched. Again he questioned himself. How had he left himself open to attack by such a puny little cub?
He puffed out his chest and jutted a fang at the other.
“Play?” He tipped his head and squinted at the little male. “Its bad manners to pounce on people yah don’t know.” He hissed, putting on a lecturing voice. “Especially lions like me. I woulda killed you, yah know, if yah hadn’t let go.” He probably wouldn’t have, but hey, there was no harm in saying so, was there? No, he didn’t think so. “Yer too wimpy to put up much of a fight, and yer pink! Pink is fer girls and flowers.”
He held his tail up, rigid, and eyed the boy as if daring him to say otherwise. “So yah’d better be more careful, yeah?”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2008 4:24 pm
There were many lions who would become angered at being lectured by someone their age or younger. Many more who would take offense to comments about their stature, or fur coloring.
Kis, however, was not one of these. Through the whole lecture, that playful grin never slipped from his face. His head tilted slowly to the left and being called wimpy. And then to the right at the comments toward his pink fur. Ones first guess was that he couldn't quite seem to register his words. But anyone who knew him knew that really, he was just becoming bored!
What good was so much talking for, anyway? Grin widening, he crouched down, not minding that he was in plain sight, and the other would see the pounce coming. It was okay if he knew it was coming right? The other boy was only mad at being taken be surprise!
" Mmhmm. Careful. " He said in a fully unconvincing tone before leaping towards the other again with a playful 'rawr!'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jun 06, 2008 12:25 am
The cub, being smaller, was far quicker than stocky little Cassian. So, even though he was warned, even though he could see the cub coming towards him, he knew there was nothing he could do about it.
They were too close together.
And then the pink cub's paws landed on his shoulders, pushing him back so that Cassian ws 'pinned' beneath the other. His eyes were wide and his mouth hanging agape. He'd been literally shocked into silence!
But then, the reality of what had happened to him struck and those silvery eyes narrowed. It was hard to see emotion in such pale eyes, but the thick set brow made it clear he was frowning. He growled and gave the pink cub a hard shove to try and get himself free.
"What the 'ell is the big idea!? Didn't yah listen to nothing I just said?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:11 pm
A pout came to his lips and he let out a huff when he was pushed, rolling away off of him to lay on his back on the ground.
Blue eyes studied him closely a long moment before he finally asked. " Dont you know how to play...? " It was one thing to be mad about being pounced out of nowhere, and another thing entirely to get mad when another cub pounces you to play.
Finally rolling over onto his stomach. " I listened to what you said. But it dosn't really count towards playing, does it? "
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:20 pm
He blinked.
"Play?" Well, he'd given it a go when he'd first opened his eyes. But it hadn't really been play, it had more been a fight to see who could get to the den's entrance first. It'd been competitve, a struggle to be the best. Not just because...it might be fun.
Csasian smiled, sure. But he didn't laugh, there was nothing that brought him enough joy to have him laugh. Yes occasionally there'd be a sarcastic little chuckle, but nothing much more than that.
"What's the use in playing? You play, get tired, then another lion comes along and bam!" He smacked a paw agains the ground. "Dead." He snorted. "I'd rather stay alive, thank you very much. Save your energy for when it matters, right?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:47 pm
He blinked slowly. Just staring at the other cub in shock, before he finally seemed to snap out of it with a laugh. It was not even close to just a chuckle. He was full out laughing. It took another long moment for him to calm down enough to speak.
" Well it's... " Chuckle. " no wonder that you're such a grouch! "
" What do you do for fun if you don't ever play? That's not good for your mind you know. It's already obvious! "
He let out a hum of thought, his chuckles finally ceasing. " It IS true that it can tire you out, and something could happen during that tired time. But I've never worried much about it. I mean, if a full grown lion wanted to hurt me. I probably wouldn't get away, even if I was in top condition. "
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 2:57 pm
He looekd as if he was just going to errupt into another ranting session. But, strangely, he didn't. He took a step back and looked thoughtful for a moment.
The kid was right. He wouldn't be able to escape a bigger lion whether he was rested or not and...maybe fun was needed. Maybe. Though it would probably take some convincing.
Besides, he did do fun stuff sometimes! Like just the other day he was chatting with his brother about the future. Yeah the future wasn't all flowers and pretty colours, but it was nice to know that he wouldn't be alone. He'd have his brother and that was all he needed. Besides, one day he felt that he could tell Popi the problem with his eyes. Not yet, but maybe sometime soon.
"I don't play, but I don't just sit around scowling at wimps all day neither. I have my brother, he's the best, see? He's good and strong and yeah, he throws insults, but we have an understanding, right." He scoffed. "We talk about all sorts of things. So yeah, it ain't play but it ain't horrid either."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 3:04 pm
He blinked lightly at that, sitting up fully and tilting his head. " Hm. I dont really remember my family, so I wouldn't know much what that's like. " He said a bit thoughtfully.
The topic of his abandonment should be sad, and worrisome. Yet the smile never left his face. " Talking could be fun I guess. But still, you should try really playing! "
He grinned, reaching a paw to tap the other's stomach, which was larger than his own for many reasons. " Good for your body too. "
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 3:18 pm
He blinked again, slowly.
What was this horrible feeling in his chest? It felt like a spiky worm wriggling its way towards his heart, spreading cold and discomfort as it went. Guilt. That's what it was.
His whiskers drooped - the only visible sign of what he was feeling - and for a moment he wasn't sure what to say. And then the pink cub was moving on, talking about something else.
"I dunno about play, but wrestling is good." He huffed. "Not that you'd be much of a challenge." An insult again, but this time it wasn't said in spite, it was said in jest. (A trait he'd recently picked up from his brother).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 3:37 pm
He grinned again, tail swishing about behind him in excitement. " I may be small, but I can still put up a fight! "
Actually, he'd never really wrestled before. But he ASSUMED he could!
It couldn't be too entirely different from rolling around in tag, right? And it sounded rather fun, which only added to his want to try it. The larger male seemed to be acting a bit different, but maybe he was just warming up to him?
Kis didn't at all recognize the obvious signs of guilt.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 4:07 pm
"Right then, this is yer chance to prove yourself, kid." He wiped a paw across his maw, put on a smirk and readied himself into a battle stance. It was clear he took his very seriously.
He squared his shoulders, lowered his head and arched his back. His tail swished slowly from side to side behind him.
Oh, this would be...what was the word? Fun?
Yes, it'd be fun!
He drew his ears up, blinked his eyes just to make sure his vision was as clear as it could get, then scrambled forwards. All he had to do was keep him close, keep him in sight, and nothing could go wrong. Besides, he was built for this!
He was built for power, yes, but not for speed. Even still, he was confident and that showed in the haughty expression on his young face.
This wasn't play, this was a duel!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
