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 Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 1:17 pm
"Mum, it's raining." Eeva was sitting at the entrance of the den, wriggling impatiently. She had been desperate to go out and explore but she didn't much like the rain. Yes, it was true. Rain...bothered her. She didn't like how it got her completely soaked, didn't like how it insistently drummed against her.
Where was the sun and the cool breezes? That was perfect adventuring weather! Not...not this! She turned saddened eyes back to her parents and spied her dad who was yawning and stretching, almost as if he were preparing to go out.
"Ew. You're not going out, are you?"
--
Ona blinked the sleep from his eyes and shook the bangs of mane from his face. For a moment he seemed not to have understood. Then his eyes drifted to the heavy raindrops and his face briefly mirrored his daughter's own.
"More rain, I see." He stood and shook himself. "Well, the rain is good. It helps the plants and fills the streams so we can drink."
--
Kohana was watching from the mouth as well- though he laid curled up on the oppisate side as Eeva. He didn't mind the rain...the smell was relaxing, the sound of the gentle water tapping the earth. The fresh, clean aftermath once the sky cleared. A faint smile hid itself behind his paws as he let his eyes relaxed, opened only slightly to watch the rain.
--
Rehema was grooming herself towards the back, allowing her two sons to sleep contently against her side. They were growing larger, and older. Thankfully, they'd stopped nursing a while ago. Her sleek, lean figure was returning after far too many long months.
"I have to agree." She turned her head towards the mouth of the cave, "It's terribly difficult to hunt in the rain..."
--
Eeva nodded. "I wish it would stop now. What am I going to do all day, otherwise?" She made a great, dramatic sigh and flopped against her brother. She didn't hear him complaining...though Kohana didn't complain much about anything.
"What're you thinking, Ko?" She asked absently.
--
Ona'raha gave an amused snort and moved over to the cubs to peer outside. "I was going to go and check on the borders, just to make sure everything is okay. Now...I think I'm having second thoughts." He scrunched his nose and scented the air.
Everything did have a way of smelling better in the rain. "I could tell you a story about rain. Or I could just leave you to your complaining." He chuckled and eyed his mate.
--
Kohana voiced his annoyance with a quiet grunt. When did asking permission become taboo? Either way, he didn't protest. His sister's impulsive shows of effection was something he was growing to tolerate.
He didn't answer her question, however. Something else had caught his attention. There was no smell- but he could faintly make out a patch of bright green through the rain. His head lifted up off his paws.
--
"I always enjoy your stories." She chuckled. A lot of them seemed far-fetched. Her lack of faith in any sort of cosmic body was...quite out of place here. She took everything with a grain of sand so to speak. they were charming enough stories.
--
Nekoda was padding lightly towards the den, his mouth parted in a wide, toothy grin. His mane was growing out! Not as quickly as some of his brothers- which was why he had to find someone -else- to brag to. Someone younger, someone who would actually give a damn.
--
"Not in the mood for a story." Eeva grumbled, being pouty and whiny. She turned to see why her brother hadn't replied and caught his gaze. With a small sniff she followed his line of sight out into the rain and to the figure that she recognised immediately.
Her fellow adventuror Nekoda! And boy had he grown a lot since they'd last met! With a squeal of excitement she pulled herself to her feet and darted out into the rain to meet him.
"Hey there stranger!" She called. "How long has it been? Too long! What's kept you away?"
--
Ona'raha looked up and craned his head to see who was the focus of his children's attention. What he saw was a growing male Ela'wadiyian. His fur a mix of browns and greens. Green. What an odd colour.
He moved closer to get a better look, arching a brow. Apparently this was one of the others his Eeva - maybe Kohana too - had been sneaking off with. Oh well, at least he was older.
"Eeva, I thought you didn't like the rain." He called after her.
--
"Heeeeyyy there Eva!" Nekoda tossed his head back, sending his drenched mane flying back away from his face, "Notice anything different? Pretty slick, eh?"
He glanced back to the mouth of the cave. "...woa...was that a growl? Getting better, Ko-Ko!"
--
Kohana was up to his feet, teeth bared the moment Eeva had launched herself out into the rain. What was that about the rain being enough to keep her in? Enough to keep him relaxed?
The nickname didn't help. "Shut up." He snapped, "This is our territory- go home."
--
Rehema slowly stood herself up, brow creasing. "What's going on?" She stepped up to the mouth of the cave, brushing her shoulder against that of her mate. "...another cub?" She shot a sideways glance to Ona, "What tribe? I don't reconise him..."
--
"Totally!" Eeva exclaimed, bouncing up to greet him. "Your mane is getting so big now! I can't believe how time has flown! You're gonna be all grown up soon! But...you won't give up the adventures, will you? You won't becoming a boring old grump, right? Please tell me you won't!"
She turned so she was standing next to him, surprised by her brother's outburst.
"Kohana." She very rarely used his full name, but this was one of those times were she thought it necessary. "Don't be like that. He's our friend, remember? He's welcome here. Right Mum? Dad?"
--
"I'm not certain." Ona'raha replied. "Not Earth Clan, I don't think. Then again, I've not met many of the other cubs. He could be from any of them." He paused, wondering whether he should ask.
"Of course he's welcome. Shadow Clan or not, he's still one of us." Ona'raha replied, moving out to stand by his son, setting a comforting paw on his back. "Don't worry Kohana."
He settled himself more comfortably. "What brings you all the way out here in the rain, Nekoda? Is something wrong?"
--
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 2:07 pm
"Hah! I'll never grow up." He shook his head, "The body gets big, but that doesn't mean I have to act like it. There's enough stucks-in-the-mud to keep things running." He leaned forward a bit, "To tell the truth, I wanna find out what that white stuff at the top of the mountain is...I bet it's clouds."
He looked back to the mouth of the cave, reached over, and pulled Eeva under one of his paws in a mock-half-hug. "Yeah! We're all friends here right! I'm from the Wolf tribe! Nekoda'Waya- you can call me Kody. Just wanted to hook up with my little friend here!"
He reached over to noogie up her head.
--
"The wolf tribe." She shook her head, "Well welcome. Why don't you kids get out of the rain? I don't want anyone getting sick."
--
"He's annoying." He grumbled quietly. Twice as big as a cub- but two times as annoying. There couldn't be a more frusterating combonation. Even if Kohana wanted to put the older lion in his place- he couldn't.
--
Eeva's eyes widened as she listened, glad to see that bigger or not, Nekoda was still very much Nekoda. She nodded excitedly at his next idea for an adventure and leaned forwards to whisper. "When you decide to go, look me up, alright? Sounds like it'll be even more fun than monster hunting." Her eyes sparkled.
Then she was being pulled into a rough hug and she laughed, happy that her boring day had been broken by her friend's appearance. "Uh huh. Wolf Clan. He's one of the Waya's, Dad. I bet you've heard of them, right?"
Then, with that she wriggled free and trotted quickly back to the den, gesturing for Nekoda to follow.
--
Ona nodded. "It's wonderful to meet you, Nekoda...Kody." He corrected himself with a smile. "I know some of the Waya family. I also know of Utlwa Galu'nadi, also Wolf Clan, she was the first Ela'wadiyian I met after travelling to the new lands as a youth. I haven't seen her for a long while, though."
He stepped back and nodded. "Yes, come shelter yourself."
With that he stepped back in, casting his son a soft glance. "Just until the rain stops, okay?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 02, 2009 2:08 pm
"Until then." Kohana's nose wrinkled up as he curled back into a ball. He'd rather not have to interact with the intruder. Friendly as he was- he was loud, annoying, and had some of the -worst- ideas. Monster hunting? Who in their right mind would go hunting for another predator? More specifically a -monster?- It made no sense, and he didn't want his sister catching onto his hairbrained schemes.
The rain was good...quiet, peaceful, logical rain...
--
Rehema stepped aside, giving the newcomer a short inspection. Why hadn't he been mentioned before? She wasn't exactly the most suspicious type- but she was a mother. She had a right to be wary of anyone- fellow pride-member or not.
"Well it's good to meet you." He seemed harmless enough- still.
--
"I'm the black sheep of the family, heh. You got my brother and sister- all about being proper and clean, the others are just--whooo-" He whirled a claw around the side of his head. "Dad's pretty cool though. He taught me to look before jumping into water."
He smirked a bit, "There's -monsters- in the water. Big as a cave!"
--
"There's monsters every if you know where to look." Eeva agreed with a chirp. "But don't tell the others that, they might get scared." She giggled and, giving her brother a teasing shove, led the way into the den, positioning herself at the entrance so she could watch for when the rain finally relented.
Her clear blue eyes were filled with joy.
"Daddy, do you believe in monsters?"
--
Ona'raha followed after his exciteable daughter, feeling somewhat exhaused after all the bouncing and excitement and annoyance. Cubs certainly were a wave of emotion. With a relieved huff he flopped down at the back of the den and let his eyes half-close, relaxing in the gloom of the den.
"Monsters? Of course I do, Eeva. Possibly not the sort of monsters your talking about. But it's all one and the same." Maybe not but...he was too tired to argue it.
--
"Oh that's just the beginning!" Nekoda continued, "When I was out climbing I met a giant lion! Then I saw him fly away! Like a bird." He stood back on his hind paws and made a 'flapping' motion with his front limbs, "Wings and everything! I knew there was something secret about the top of the mountain! I'm gonna find out what. I bet that's just the start."
--
Kohana rolled his eyes. There was no such thing... monsters in the water, giant flying lions- none of it. They were all daydreams of a cub who had far too much time on his hands and far more imagination than was healthy. He was close to adulthood and still he was acting as if he'd just been pulled from his mother's milk.
--
"The water-beast is a crocodile. They're not as common in this area as they are where I come from." Rehema explained in a 'matter of fact' tone. "They're very dangerous... so that much I believe."
--
Eeva glanced at her mother and brother, bringing her ears forward. The monsters were called crocodiles? Well...either way, you didn't want to mess with them unless you knew how to beat them up without getting hurt. She grinned.
"I'll come with you, Nekoda, okay? I want to see the big, flying lion too! Maybe we could get him to fly us up into the sky. I've always wanted to touch the clouds!" Her eyes glittered and for a moment she seemed ready to bound off now and attempt the feat.
"What about you, Ko-Ko? Wanna come see the clouds?"
--
Ona'raha gave a snort and shook the shaggy mane from his eyes. "The clouds aren't toys, Eeva." He retorted, his voice soft. He knew what he believed, though maybe the tradition had died out a little by the lack of old blood.
"Spirits are in those clouds."
--
"You're not going with him." Kohana snapped firmly. There was no way in heaven or earth he'd allow that...that...green painted idiot to run off with his sister. Especially if their goal and destination was the top of the mountain. "That place is forbidden, you -both- should know that by now. There's reasons too. Even birds don't fly to the top."
He glanced back to his parents for support on this.
--
"Good thing I'm not a bird." Koda countered, "I'm a lion. A -warrior-! No lion from the wolf clan's afraid of superstition." He didn't know that for sure, but it sounded good enough.
--
"Spirits or forbidden ground," Rehema shook her head, "The high lands are no place for lions. Or anything...the farther up you go, the colder it gets. I won't have -any- children running off to their deaths up there."
--
Eeva rolled her eyes, glaring first at her brother and then at her parents. Spirits. No place for lions. Out of bounds. Pah! She'd show them one day. She'd go there with Nekoda and they'd discover things that would make them famous throughout the lands. With a sad sigh, she turned her eyes then to her brother.
"I thought you would have backed me up on this, Ko-Ko." She stood and swished her tail idly. "Fine. We won't go. Are you happy now?" She wished they wouldn't be so clingy of her all the time!
She leaned closer to Nekoda and whispered. "They're only worried cos I'm gonna be clan leader. They don't need to be but...well, I'm the only girl, you see." Then she stood and looked back out into the lands.
"Oh, look Nekoda, the rain is slowing!"
--
Ona'raha wasn't sure he believed his daughter and was completely certain that nothing they said or did would convince her otherwise. He'd just have to keep an eye on her and press the importance of her future role onto her. Either that or just give Nekoda a quiet word about keeping her out of danger. He wasn't sure, but he had a feeling if there was anyway he could talk Eeva out of her adventures, it'd be through her friends.
He closed his eyes.
--
Nekoda refused to feel guilty. He knew what was right for her (or he thought he did), and this green-painted idiot was far from it. How dare he fill her head with these ideas! She had to be responsible, reasonable, and logical. Running off to chaise the daydreams and fantasies of an over-grown cubling was anything but.
--
"Don't call me that." He added firmly. At least not with a member of another clan present. The last thing he needed was the nickname catching on.
--
"Ooh Clan leader? Really!" He made a whistling sound and gave a shot nod of approval, "That's pretty wicked. Should I be calling you something else? Bowing? Any of that? I don't want to be ah...disrespectful or any of that junk."
--
Rehema glanced shortly to Ona. She was all for allowing Eeva some freedom, but when it put her into danger- that was another thing entirely.
--
"Nooo. Nothing like that. I'm just Eeva, see? No different from anyone else except...maybe prettier cos I got Mother's nice dark fur." She prrumed happily and the sound rolled off of her tongue.
Giving another glare at her brother, Eeva leaned forwards and gave Nekoda a nudge. "Come on, let's make a run for it whilst the rain's light." She made a sad face at her brother. "You can come too, if you want, Kohana." She made it a point to say his name.
--
Ona opened a glassy-blue eye and peered between the cubs. "No dangerous games, Eeva." And there was no argument in his tone. His eyes flicked to Kohana and he felt a little of his nerves settle. So long as he was with his sister, no harm could ever come to her.
He hoped he would go with them.
--
"Yeah!" Nekoda settled back down to his paws and stood himself up. "Everything's better right after the rain! Mud between your paws, puddles everywhere to drink out of." He laughed, "Ko-Ko you should totally come! We might find a way to get that stick out of your back end."
--
Kohana grumbled as he stood himself up and padded silently to the entrance of the cave. He didn't -want- to go, but he had to. Especially if Nekoda was going along with his sister.
--
"We mean it..." Rehema lifted her head and narrowed her eyes, "Nekoda, I know you mean well but don't do anything that could endanger my children. I can't imagine your parents are too thrilled with your little adventures either."
--
"We'll be fine, Mum." Eeva rolled her eyes, squirming a little with embarrassment. Yes, she loved her family dearly but she sure did wish they didn't baby her in front of her friends. "Nekoda'll take care of us!" And, moving out into the fresh world around them she paused to wait for her brother.
"Come on then, Kohana, Nekoda, let's go!" And with that she was off, so swift that if she closed her eyes and concentrated on the wind in her face, she could imagine she were flying.
--
Ona'raha smiled softly and snuggled closer to his mate. "They'll be alright, love. Kohana is with them. He's a sound boy. He'll let them know when they're stepping out of line." And with that he closed his eyes and drifted to sleep.
/fin
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