|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Dec 18, 2008 10:17 am
She was curled up in a tiny ball, her fur a dark and lustrous brown like he mothers. It was clean and glossy from a recent bath and held the warmth of polished mahogany. She wasn't a vain child but she knew she was pretty and she liked to be admired. However, not to the extent that she was a girly-girl. Yes, she liked attention but she also liked to scrap and roll in the dirt like any other cub.
Being the only girl just made her feel more special.
However, behind the sheen of innocence in her blue eyes, one could see there was a mischievious hint lurking there. This gleam was evident as she uncurled herself and stretched, pushing against her mother's cheek with her forepaws.
She yawned and a tiny pink tongue curled. She was growing, of course, but Ela'wadiyi lions were known for being particularly small. Her father was no bigger than their mother. These cubs had the advantage that Rehema was a large lioness, but they would never be as big as a pride-lander was.
With a shake of her head she was up and almost instantly looking to do something. In an attempt to reach the outside world she clambered up over her mother's shoulders, falling half-way down her neck, before clawing her way across to her father's mane.
--
Ona felt a tug at the mane around his ears and grimaced. He knew what that meant. They were awake and he'd only been sleeping for a couple of hours! Children certainly didn't make rest easy.
He cracked open a single eye and, seeing who it was, released a soft grunt. Instead of addressing her directly he shifted his nose to nudge Rehema lightly. "Our daughter is awake."
--
The warm sun against her side was absolute heaven. Quiet moments were few and far between. As the cubs grew older, they grew more and more adventurous. It had been expected. She’d not been the same way as a cub. It hadn’t been difficult to slip out of her den, however. There had been six of them and plenty of lioness to help keep track of the cubs. While there was only four cubs compared to her family’s six- there were only two pairs of eyes to keep them out of trouble.
She rumbled faintly as a pair of tiny paws pushed against her cheek, followed shortly by her mate’s groggy announcement.
“Mmm hmm…”, she rolled herself over and slowly cracked an eye.
--
Kohana was awake as well, though he was more reluctant to announce it than his sister. The brown cub laid on his belly, paws tucked under him. He was fighting to keep his eyes open. He was never a feisty one, often times it took a lot of coaxing to get him to get up and play with his siblings.
--
Eeva adored her siblings, but sometimes she didn't quite understand them. Kohana was, deep down, one of her most favourite brothers. He was quiet and gentle and she enjoyed trying to get him to open up a little. The other two brothers were fun too, but they didn't need her as much as little Ko-Ko did.
She brushed her tail against the top of his back as she moved. "Mama, Dada. Remember what today is?" Her blue eyes were bright with mischief and after a momentary pause she answered the query for them.
"Hunting day!"
--
Ona gave a half-chuckle, half-grunt and moved to nuzzle his soft nose against his mate's head. "Did we really promise her that?" He hunted, sure, but he wasn't very good. Rehema had been teaching him before she'd gotten pregnant and he had to admit he was improving.
But he wasn't a natural, that was for sure. Hunting was difficult and it never came easy to him.
--
Kohana slowly sat himself up and pushed his paws out in front of him, leaning forward to stretch out his back. He didn't protest the quiet show of effection from his sister, but he didn't respond to it either. He didn't like waking up, it was a long, annoying process. Everything stiff, his mind still blurred, his eyes still heavy- a lot of trouble.
Even sitting up he seemed to sway slightly, blinking off the haze in his eyes.
--
"I did." She chuckled as she nuzzled Ona right back, "I suppose that means you get to watch the other two-" She motioned over to the two balls of fur, still sleeping nearby. "Is that alright with you?"
--
"Yay-yay-yay!" Eeva was bouncing now, moving forwards to tug her sleepy brother by an ear. "Did you hear that, Ko-Ko? We're going to learn to hunt! Mama is goign to teach us!" Eeva idolised her mother and she'd heard all about her famed hunting skills. Now, finally, she was going to get to see the master at work.
For her, there was nothing better. She wanted to grow up a true huntress, just like her mother. She wanted to bring back kills for her family and bask in the glory of being a true provider.
"Hurry up, sleepy head, or you'll be left behind." She gave her brother another insistent tug.
--
Ona'raha tried very much to look dissapointed, but didn't quite manage it. "Yes. I'll stay here and watch the other two. It wouldn't be very easy to teach four cubs at the same time. Besides, I think you'd do a far grander job than I ever could, love."
He snuggled back down for some extra sleep.
"If you need me for anything, just call."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 9:55 am
"Augh....", Kohana groaned, both to the nickname and the tug to his ear. Hunting? Already? He slowly reached a paw up to push Eeva away from him. He wasn't awake yet... and he wasn't looking forward to their outting. He wasn't exactly lazy, he just didn't see much reason to get excited over hunting.
Just as quickly as before, Eeva was right back at his ear. Rather than fight it this time, he pushed himself up to a stand and let her tug him where she so pleased.
--
"When they're old enough," She pushed herself up to rub her head along Ona's shoulder, "We'll all go together. A big family hunt."
--
Beaming at her success at having moved her brother to his feet, Eeva span a full circle on the spot, squealing with excitement. Then, after a momentary pause, turned and dashed through the door.
"Race you! Last one there is a big baby!"
--
Ona'raha watched her go before laughing and turning his head back towards his mate. "Yes, that would be nice." And he meant it. A family hunt would certainly be something to be a part of.
"Seems you'll have your paws full with that one, dear." He gave Kohana a lick across the head. "Make sure your sister behaves herself, Kohana."
Then he set his head on his paws. "Have fun."
--
Kohana watched her quietly, moving only to rub out his left eye. So he was a big baby...he sitll wasn't going to run before he had too. Out she went and there he stood, shaking his head.
--
Rehema couldn't help but laugh, "I wonder if I was ever that eager..." She shook her head and pulled herself up to a full stand, taking just a moment to stretch her back out and yawn off what remained of her nap.
"See if you can't give the boys a good bath. I'll take care of these two when I get home."
--
Kohana smiled softly and leaned his head back to offer Ona a single, confident nod. He didn't speak much, but he said what he needed to well enough through strong gestures.
Fun...maybe. He stepped lightly after his mother as Rehema began out after Eeva.
--
The day was crisp and fresh. Full of promise and hopes of the cub as she bounced along through the undergrowth. She knew this path well indeed. For, the moment she had been able to, she had come this way every day, pausing at the meadow to catch a glimpse of the herd.
Once, she and Chepi had taken it upon themselves to practise hunting alone. But the idea had proved idiotic and she hadn't tried it again. This said, it made her even more eager for the hunt and her heart was hammering with excitement as she neared it.
Once, maybe twice, she paused to check that the others were following. Almost worried they might turn back and decide to do this another day. "Come on, Ko-Ko, atleast try to look excited!" She glanced up at her mother, adoringly. "It'll be fun, right, Mother?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 10:41 am
Rehema walked quietly, but briskly, after her eager daughter. A soft smile only widened as she watched the youth. She still remembered her first hunt...there were more females her age, though.
"Hunting isn't about fun, love." She answered softly, "It's something to be taken very seriously.
--
Kohana muttered something under his breath, ears rolling back against his short mane. He hated that nickname...hopefully by the time they met any other cubs in the area she'd lose the habit of calling him that. Their meeting with Nekoda had been embarassing enough.
At his mother's answer, he only smirked. Serious. Not fun.
--
She clamped her little mouth shut and sent a glare at her brother. What did he know? He was just too lazy, that was hs problem. Even still, she wasn't going to let it ruin her enthusiasm. She was going to enjoy hunting and she was going to be good at it too.
After all, it was in the genes.
"Oh, I know. But, fun learning how to do it. Dad told me you were really good. I can't wait to see!"
She slowed her pace so she walked alongside her brother. "Dad also told me that girls are better at hunting than boys. Is that true, Mother?"
--
Kohana rolled his eyes, both at the sharp glare and her eager question. He wasn't there to prove that little theory wrong, or right. He was there to learn this hunting thing, get it over with, then go home.
--
"Generally, yes." Rehema chuckled, "Where I come from, the females do all the hunting, the males are the guardians of the pride." She'd not mention that things had certainly gotten out of hand back home... the males hadn't done their job. Too many rogues.
She looked ahead, ears rolling forward. A small herd- but a perfect oppertunity. "Listen carefully. Today you won't be hunting, I'll bring something back for you to practice on." It wasn't the most...pleasent way to learn. She remembered the first time she was asked to kill an injured hare. It hadn't been pleasant but it was something she had to get over. Taking life... it wasn't a game.
"Watch what I do, I'll have you both practice after we eat."
--
She was curious about her mother's past and would definately ask her about it someday when she wasn't hunting. Mother had told them that she hadn't originally been an Ela'wadiyian, the lack of tattoos proof of this. Eeva didn't mind this. In fact she was terribly proud of her mother. Rehema was a big, strong, skilled lioness and though Eeva would never be as big as her mother, she would certainly strive to be every bit as good.
She beamed as her mother confirmed this was the general rule. This meant that she was already better than her brother and they hadn't even begun yet.
"Watching. Got it!" She was still eager, unaware of what taking a life was. Unaware that she might not find it as good as she was hoping.
She moved across to a patch of long grass that gave her full view of the meadow. Then she hunkered down to watch.
--
Kohana nodded quietly. Males were guardians? Sounded about right. He glanced shortly towards his sister. Guardian was right...if she had it her way, she'd be running around, meeting rogues and strange cubs...
He declinded to move into a new patch of grass. Instead he simply laid down and perked his head up to watch the herd.
--
"Now stay here..." She turned her back and slowly began down towards the herd. Painfully slow almost. Within a few steps, she would almost seem to vanish into the dusty grass.
--
Eeva wriggled with excitement. She couldn't believe this was it. She was actually getting to see her mother in action. Not taking her eyes from her mother's position in the grass, she gave her brother a nudge.
"So guardian, you're paying attention, right? One day I'm gonna hunt just like this!"
The two cubs were very different, but the job of huntress and guardian seemed suitable for them. Someone needed to keep Eeva in line and someone needed to keep Kohana from slipping into a reptitive life of no adventure or risk. They might as well be those people.
Eeva shivered with excitement and leaned forwards, intent on what was going to happen next.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 11:11 am
Kohana shook his head. "Maybe." He answered. The word of the day! Though he didn't doubt that Eeva would become a fine huntress. She had the energy for it at least. He couldn't stand chaising things around all day, pulling their heavy bodies back home, then going out to do it again the very next day.
He shuddered at the thought.
--
She moved quietly, slowly, and carefully through the grass. As she grew coser to the herd, she moved only when the wind blew the grass, making her careful movements and the subtle sway of the dry grass slightly less noticable.
It didn't take long, unfortunately, for her precense to catch the attention of one of the scouting gazelles. The moment the alarm was sounded, Rehema exploded from the grass and tore after the retreating herd.
--
As her mother started moving, Eeva put her full attention on her mother. Watching what she was doing. She moved as the grass moved. She moved as if she were one with the earth, as if she were an extension of the ground. She knew, because she had been told, that this was the hardest part.
The patience. The creeping. The blending.
Once you had found your target and gotten close enough, the chase was easier. Gettting to that point was near impossible for a female who didn't know what she was doing. It was also the part that Eeva - energetic and eager - would find the most difficult.
Patience would have to be taught and learned - slowly.
"There she goes." She whispered. Hoping to encourage her brother into some greater enthusiasm. "I wonder which one she's going to go for. The little one? The one with the fat belly? The one at the back?"
--
Kohana flinched slightly as Rehema burst from the grass. It was the most excitement he'd show. It seemed like a whole lot of fuss... all that time sneaking up, all that time holding still, watching, moving slowly. Patience was something he had a surpluss of..but applying it to something he'd be repeating over and over- perhaps all in the same day, perhaps even without sucess wasn't something he looked forward to.
He only shrugged, which likely went unoticed. He wasn't sure...
--
The lioness picked up her pace, panting hard as she pushed her body forward. She neared a small gazelle, perhaps only a few weeks old, and threw her paw out to catch its hind leg. The calf cried out as his feet were thrown up from the ground, sending him flipping to the ground. None of the herd so much as glanced back.
Rehema slammed a paw down onto its side and lowered her head to snap one of its back legs.
She remained standing, her mouth open as she gulped for air. The small gazelle continued to cry out, pawing at the ground in a pitiful attempt to free himself from the lion's paw.
--
Eeva wasn't sure what she felt the moment her mother caught her prey and broke its feeble body in her powerful grip. She wasn't sure whether to cry out with her mother's success, or shrink back as realisation of what hunting truly was.
Her eyes flickered back to the herd who had run to save themselves. They hadn't stopped to try and protect the youngster as she knew her mother would stop to protect her. But then, was there any point when your foe had teeth and claws and you had nothing but clumsy horns and a long, flimsy neck?
The cub raised herself out of the ground and her eyes flickered to her brother. "She did it!" Her words were not filled with bubbly excitement, as they had before.
Because now she understood.
For lions to live others had to die.
Die. Death. Dead.
And the baby screamed, knowing that its time on the world had was going to be cut short.
But they had to do it, didn't they? It was either the prey-beasts or them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 12:06 pm
Kohana sat himself up slowly, his expression hardening. The little creature's cries tugged at his gut slightly...he'd never seen his food alive and running about, never heard it crying out in pain. While it should have been expected- it was one thing to know how things were and another thing entirely to see proof of that knowlege.
He only nodded in response. She did...
--
Rehema glanced back towards the cubs and offered a weak, panting smile. After she'd caught her breath, she leaned down to seize the still squirming calf by its leg and haul it back up towards Eeva and Kohana.
Her expression had steeled as she set the crying calf down, just a few feet from the cubs. Looking up, she spoke two cold words, "Finish it."
--
Eeva sidled closer to her brother, seeking comfort from his presence. She wanted it to stop now. She wanted it to die. She wanted to forget that her food had been alive and just pretend that it was a motionless hunk of tasty meat.
Not...not a screaming infant.
Then her mother was dragging it closer and all traces of excitement and eagerness were gone. Finish it? Finish it? Kill it, she meant. Shut it up. End its life.
Her eyes wavered on it and for a moment she thought she was going to be sick. She was too small. Too weak. Her jaw felt flappy and useless. How was she going to bite when it felt like that?
"M-mother?" She gave Kohana a small shove. "C-can't you do it?"
--
"....Both of you." Rehema stepped back, allowing the calf to struggle in the dirt, trying desperately to escape- even with a broken leg.
"This is something every hunter and huntress must over-come. We don't always have the energy to chaise down the older preybeasts, and there aren't always elders or sickly for us to target- we have to take what we can. If we get picky, we starve."
--
Kohana slowly stood himself up, his eyes narrowing. "...Come on Eeva. I'll do it with you."
--
"T-together." She agreed quietly, standing and moving so she was never too far away from Kohana. She knew what her mother was saying was right. It was kill or be killed out here. They had to survive and this little one...it had to die.
If anything, they were ending its suffering now. It was worse to do nothing and prolong it.
Swallowing back her nervousness, she took a step forward and placed a paw on the creature's shoulder, trying to keep it from flailing and kicking them in the face.
I'm sorry. She thought silently...steeling herself for what had to be done.
--
Kohana watched Eeva, noting her discomfort. Just this once...
He took a deep breath then moved forward, growling deep in his throat as he jumped at the calf, knocking its head back to the ground.
His dark eyes burned as he leaned down to sink his teeth into its neck. He wasn't a trained killer, anything but. The cries and squirms hit his gut like a pile of rocks. Guardian...he had to be strong.
Kohana shook his head from side to side, sinking his small, pointed teeth in deeper. Why wouldn't it die already!?
--
Seeing that maybe one set of juvenile teeth might not be enough, Eeva Subiani swallowed the last of her feat and doubt and moved up alongside him, sinking her own little fangs into the creatures neck.
She shook, then. Shook with all her might, desperate to end its life. Desperate to stop its cries.
The blood filled her mouth and instinctively her stomach began to grumble, reminding her how hungry she was. Reminding her that this flailing creature was food.
She squeezed her jaws harder.
--
It was working! The calf's cries had quieted, reduced to pathetic, pained gasps as its hooves kicked slowly. Kohana closed his eyes, breathing slowly, calming himself. This was what they had to do... food or foe- things had to die.
In a few more minutes, the calf fell limp and silent.
--
Rehema stood quietly and nodded her approval. "I know it's hard...but it's something that must be done." She stepped up behind the cubs. "Never take this for granted. Hunting isn't about fun...you have to respect the creature you just killed. It gave its life for you to live on. It's not a game...do you both understand?"
--
Eeva stepped back, feeling a mix of different emotions. She felt as if she had succeeded at something but at the same time done something terrible. She felt disgusted but hungry. She felt drained and energized.
She pressed herself to her brother, the guardian, and felt stronger for it.
"Yes Mother. Sorry Mother." She dipped her head shamefully. "I understand now. It's...it's not a game."
--
"Don't apologize." She pulled the two closer to her, "I was just as excited as you were when I was your age. It's a hard lesson to learn. One of many that you have ahead of you."
--
Kohana nodded slowly and offered Eeva a soft, but faint, nuzzle. He'd deny it up an down later, but he was just as rattled by the 'lesson' as she was. He could still feel the calf's last breath, hear its cries. Its mother hadn't even turned her head...
--
Eeva regained a little of her smile and, nuzzling her brother back, she pressed herself against her mother and purred warmly. "I'm glad you showed us. Glad you taught us about hunting, Mother. It's not what I expected but it's important. We gotta respect the prey, too. That's what you showed."
She beamed, purring louder. "I'm not going to let you down. I'm going to be a good huntress, to help the Clan and the pride." She thought of the little gaazelle but pushed it away.
It wouldn't be wasted.
"You were awesome, Mum! The way you crept up and everything. You'll have to show me the trick sometime soon, okay?"
--
"You've a lot to learn." She chuckled, "Don't worry. We'll be doing this for the rest of the day and the rest of the month if I have my way with things. But your brothers will need this lesson as well."
She leaned down to nuzzle them both, "I'm so proud of you two... go ahead and eat up. You earned it."
--
"We'll help the pride." Kohana put in, "I'll be a good guardian..."
/fin
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
