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 Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:36 pm
It was one of those nights... neither hot nor cold, the scent of rain coming to a twitching black nose as it was lifted to the sky. Most creatures were tucked safely away in their shelters right now, which explained why Kiuma had seen nothing move but the leaves in the wind as she patroled the borders of her lands.
Soon, yes, she could join her daughters in the den and wait for the rain, warm and comfortable. Red eyes went a little soft as she thought of the litter she'd had recently, one of her older daughters watching over them as she took her turn at patrol. They were so small and soft... it was hard to explain just why her own young had such an affect on her, bringing out her motherly responses. Her adult daughters were a constant source of pride, but nothing made her so warm inside as the small, soft bodies waiting for her. Well, there was nothing out here and unlikely to be. Time to head back.
Mabaka had been wandering around for some time now, long enough that her paws were beginning to grow sore and her tail drooped slightly behind her. But she'd gotten used to travelling. After all, her family was almost always on the move, heading towards a pride far to the north. It was the scent of a lioness on the wind that caused her to pause, nose in the air and ears pricked forward.
"Hello?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:37 pm
The sound of a small voice where there had been no other sounds was what finally caught Kiuma's attention, stopping her in her tracks. Lifting her head, she frowned as she looked around suspiciously. It hadn't sounded like a forbidden male, but rather like... a child?
"Who's there?" She called out as she turned, searching for the source of the voice. What would a cub be doing way out here, in what looked to be a deserted area? It was hardly safe, made worse by the approaching storm. And if the cub wasn't alone, who was with them? If it was a male, she'd have to persuade them to leave even if there was female and cubs with him.
"My name is Mabaka'damu!"
It didn't take the young leopon very long to find Kiuma, and she wandered up with a pleasant smile. The lioness was much bigger than her mother, and she idly wondered why her head was smooth. Her mother had a tuft of fur on her head.
"Who are you?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:39 pm
Kiuma frowned down as the oddest little cub came out of the brush to join her, looking up with a trusting, open expression. It only increased her curiosity about the cub. Brows drawn together, she regarded the cub, studying her form and her colors. Despite the growing darkness, the white and red stood out vividly.
"Mabaka'damu is it? My name is Kiuma. Where are your parents? Or, are you here alone?" She spoke gently, not wanting to startle the cub. She didn't look like a lion cub, more like a leopard... but not a real leopard cub.... so what was she?
"My parents are by the river nearby with the rest of my siblings. I wanted to explore a little bit, Miss Kiuma. I hope I haven't wandered into your territory by accident!" Mabaka said, bowing politely even as her tail swayed behind her.
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:41 pm
One eye brow raised as the red lioness listened to the cub. The thought that a family was nearby made Kiuma nervous, her frown returning. It wasn't the females and cubs that bothered her, but if there was a male here...
"No, its okay. Females of all ages are welcome here in my lands. Does your family have any brothers, or a father, in it?" She said cautiously, unable to keep herself from glancing around the area, as though she could see the ones the cub spoke of.
It did strike her, though, just how nice and polite the young one was. Whoever had raised her had done a good job of it so far.
"Well, I only have one sister and four brothers. And our dad travels around with us to!" Mabaka said, though she paused after that for a long moment, thinking. A frown briefly danced across her muzzle before vanishing. "You don't like boys... Do you..."
She didn't want to see her father or any of her brothers get hurt because they wandered near the wrong pride.
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:42 pm
Kiuma shook her head as her frown deepend, a soft sigh slipping from her.
"No, Little one, I'm afraid I don't. My pride is one of all females, ones who wish to live away from males. This is the edge of my lands, and I'm afraid that if your family gets too close, I'll be forced to make them leave." She was a little sorry that she had to, for Mabaka's sake, but only a little.
"It would probably be better if they didn't come this way, Mabaka... I don't want to hurt them, and I'm sure they don't want to hurt me either."
"I'll make sure to tell them not to come too close to your lands then. Just don't hurt one of my brothers if you see them?" Mabaka replied, offering Kiuma a somewhat sad smile. She could only imagine what kind of horrible things the lioness must have seen to make her dislike males. It made her heart ache at the very thought...
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:43 pm
The queen of Antianeira shook her head as her expression softened, seeing the distress on the leopon cub's face. She really was an adorable little thing, but Kiuma had lived too long with her beliefs and worked too hard to protect her family... as much as Mabaka cared for hers, so did Kiuma.
"I can't promise anything, child. I will not attack at first sight, but they will be forced to leave, however I must do that. That's why I said its better they don't come here." She shook her head, wondering anew at how mature the little one seemed.
"Mabaka, what are you doing so far from your family all by yourself? Its not safe, you know... if someone came on you who wasn't as nice as me, you'd be in a lot of trouble."
"I wanted to explore a little. I may not be the biggest cub, but I have a sharp mind. I'm sure that if someone who meant to hurt me came along, I'd be able to escape. If Mom had thought otherwise, I would have stayed near her," Mabaka explained softly, her tail swaying behind her.
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:44 pm
Kiuma shook her head again as she turned her eyes away, marveling at the foolishness of cubs these days. Her own daughters were raised better than that, raised to think carefully and thuroughly. She liked to think none of her daughts would be foolish enough to wander around alone where there was a chance they could be hurt by some wandering stranger. She couldn't be around them every moment of everyday, which is why she worked so hard to make them independent and strong... something this cub could be given some time.
"You should be getting back to them, you know. Do you want me to walk you there? I'd feel better knowing you're safe... and in the future, its better to stay where your parents can see you."
"I probably wandered a bit farther than I should have... I guess I got a little caught up in seeing everything," Mabaka admitted, her ears falling slightly before perking back up. "I suppose it would be nice if you walked me back, Miss Kiuma. It is getting a bit dark..."
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Posted: Sat Sep 13, 2008 5:46 pm
Well, that was settled then and Kiuma was glad for it. She didn't want it said that the cub was hurt because of her lack of attentiveness while on her lands.
"Alright then. Which was should we go? I'll walk you back till I'm sure you'll get there on your own, but I'd rather not let them see me. No offense to them or you, its just how I see things..." She sighed and shrugged, waiting for the cub to lead the way.
"I understand, Miss Kiuma. I think everyone's a bit further up the river," Mabaka said, smiling and beginning to walk in the direction she remembered coming from.
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