|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 12:10 pm
He'd been informed that the cub he was to teach had grown old enough to begin training, old enough to start his apprenticeship. Kidondo was more than willing to teach, but it had not always been the case. He was nervous of cubs, nervous of teaching them wrongly, in fact he had been tempted to turn down the offer.
However, he'd begun to realise that teaching a youngster was just what he needed to get his mind off of things. It would help him see that he was in fact making a difference. That it wasn't all going to waste. That it wasn't all bad.
Ripuka's unexpected appearance and...death, had shaken him and his conversation with Ny had only fuelled his grief and anger at the whole situation. For a while he had believed that he had let people down but now he realised that he hadn't.
Not really.
So he was heading for Kibela's den, glad that it was one of her children he would be teaching. Though not related by blood, Kibela was like a sister to him and so these cubs would be like neices and nephews.
As he neared the den he began to prepare himself for introductions and first lessons.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 2:02 pm
The mostly black juvenile lion was run frantically about his little home hiding his treasures that included his bandanna, eye patch, necklace, and bracelet. He had completely forgotten about the small hop that hung from his ear as he tried to focus on breathing now that he had hidden his things knowing now was not the time to be his pirate self but to listen carefully to everything his teacher had to offer.
Let alone the fact he was getting jitters from it being the one lion he looked up to beside his father. The one he head more about then any other. Indeed this lion was the one that was close to his mother and if you will be like a adopted uncle but the poor boy thought of him more then just that.
Finally getting a grip on himself he puffed out his chest proud as he went to the den entrance only to see the much larger lion start his way for the opening.
There went all his composure as his jaw tightened his lips pressed together in a mixture of fear of messing up and anxiety that he would shame himself and his parents but most of all his teacher. There was to much pressure on the poor little juvenile and he began to hyperventilate before panicked as he pushed one of his paws deep into the ground to make him at least try to look like he could control himself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 07, 2009 12:39 pm
Kidondo drew to a halt as a cub - no, not a cub, a juvenile - appeared at the entrance. He was a charming little creature. Black with smudges of red, tokens from his parents indeed. He fumbled for the child's name in his memory and found it. He was good at names, especially important ones and this child was important. He was goign to be Kidondo's apprentice, to learn the techniques of becoming a guard. A guard was an important aspect of the pride. Maybe the most important.
Guards could save lives.
They could have saved Ripuka's if there had been more than just Uuo at the border. They needed more and this little one was going to help them - possibly more than he knew.
He smiled, as kindly as he could, and lowered his head a little. He sensed that the cub was nervous and made an attempt - lame as it might be - at getting him to feel comfortable in his presence.
"Damudors'vlam, is it? Do you prefer a nickname, at all?" He smiled. "I am Kidondo. You may call me Ondo, if you wish. Either suits me just fine. It's nice to meet you at last, little son of Kibela."
He twitched his tail and drew up his head. "Were you told of my coming?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 11:57 am
The juvenile gulped hard before giving a small nod. Despite all the things he said last night to his brother about forgetting about his nervous and going to be the best guard the pride would ever have. He then closed his eyes a took a deep breath before reopening them.
"Sorta of Sir." He said his voice slightly cracking as he spoke. He then gulped once more before clearing his throat.
"I over heard my parents talking...I didn't mean to. I was coming home to the den for something around lunch time and that when I heard your name and mine in the same sentence." He spoke like he was referring a message with great importance as he stood still looking straight ahead and this time to his luck his voice was steady and strong.
"Since then I have been trying to prepare myself." He said as his body tensed as he dare not look anywhere but straight ahead to afraid to do something wrong and slip up and disgrace himself.
"An I go by Damu Sir. Though I'm glad to go by what ever name you see fit." He commented finally taking a deep breath after his was finished speaking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 12:46 pm
He listened and nodded slowly. He could sense that the boy was still a little nervous but he supposed that couldn't be helped. It was a curse of being a Regent and one that he couldn't easily shake. Nevermind, maybe once the lesson had begun the boy would loosen up and Kidondo would get an idea of his true character.
"Well, Damu it is then!"
He smiled. "Call me, Ondo then." He took a step back and gestured towards the desert. "So, you're ready to make a start? I'm new to this teaching so, in a way, we're both beginners, but I'll do my best to teach you all I know about guarding lands. It might sound like a simple, menial task, but in all honesty, it is one of the most important jobs of all." He smiled. "In fact, I'm quite excited about this task. It's good to pass on knowledge especially when the pride so badly needs it."
He moved on a few steps and glanced back. "I'll tell you more as we go."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 1:32 pm
Damu hide a proud smile as he took of running to catch up with his teacher his nervousness fading more thought it was still there but not as bad. He followed beside the male with great pride starting ti fell his veins with each set he took toward the dunes.
"I'm ready to learn anything and everything thing...Ondo." He said the other name softly as if afraid to say it out loud. "I'm always eager to learn interesting things." He said as he got a little ahead of himself and began to run past his teach not looking where he was going he went right over a dune and fell down near a large scorpion who was terrified from the sudden large black mess of fur landing beside it.
Damu not having see the black creature ground as he rolled over onto his butt instead of his head as he shook his head a little trying to get his mind to level and not to keep spinning like he had down the hill. His gold eyes then locked onto the scorpion who's tail was arched over and ready to strike.
Damu sucked in his breath frozen not sure what to do. His parents had told him about snakes and large hawks that might try to pry on him, but never this thing before him. He was stunned as his mind forgot about his teacher and only seem to focus on the black death before him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 10:42 am
Kidondo drew up behind the fallen cub and let his eyes fall onto that scorpion. Its shell was dark and glossy under the sun and it seemed to be threatening the cub with its stinger. It was a monstrous looking thing, spiny and vicious. A good protector when it came to protecting itself.
"Don't worry, Damu." He replied. "Of all the vicious creatures in the desert, the scorpion is one of the least. It won't hurt you unless it truly thinks you are going to hurt it. Back away slowly and it'll move off."
He paused, thinking for a moment as he watched the odd creature before them. "See how it arches its tail up. Preparing to strike, making threatening gestures to ward off danger? That, in some ways, is what you will be doing when protecting the lands. Puffing yourself up. Looking scary and intimidating, scaring off those who might hurt us before they can truly get close to being a danger."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 13, 2009 10:11 am
The male listened to his teacher. He slowly began to back away as the scorpion began to slowly relax before turning slightly to the left before moving off. The little male began to laugh a little.
"I don't have to arch my tail like that do I?" He said seeming to have taken notes as he jumped into stance that looked fearsome though his footing was off and his stance look like he was trying to look more scary then to have foot to have offensive or defensive. He then lifted his tail much like a scorpion and gave a mocking growl.
Laughing a little before looking to the sky hearing a bird fly by as it screeched out loudly. He growned falling to the ground as he covered his ears. "Why do they have to be so loud?" He asked the male beside him one of his eyes closed in a wince as the bird began to circle over head.
"I mean is there any point other the being annoying?" He muttered grumpily before standing hoping the bird had stopped as he looked to it once more following it before looking away quickly as he got distracted with watch the bird as it flew in front of the sun.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:58 am
Kidondo laughed, shaking the tresses of loose mane from his eyes. "Only if you want to, Damu. That's quite a scary posture you've got there! A workings of a true guard already!" He opened his mouth to continue his little talk about how one should hold oneself when the bird made its rude entrance.
He smiled fondly, remembering what it was like when the world was so new and he hadn't understood how anything had worked. How it all connected. It was wonderful, to learn about the world, to look at it with fresh eyes. He envied that time lost. His innocent childhood had quickly been stamped down by his duty as prince and heir. The title had squashed such things from his personality. Yes, he'd asked questions, stopped to listen, but he'd never attacked the world full on like this. He vowed to do his best to make sure this young one didn't waste his youth.
"Some bird calls can be useful. It will do you good to learn the harsh croaks of the vultures. Great, ugly, hunch-backed birds. If you hear them calling you can bet there'll be food around. They're drawn to meat and can sometimes lead a lion straight to his dinner." He smiled. "Other birds...just like to announce their presence." In truth he didn't know much about mating calls or songs in birds. He knew only of creatures who could provide a use to himself.
He moved onwards. "Every animal in the land has its purpose, though there are some I do not know. The vultures have their purpose just as the antelope and gazelle. There are other creatures I've not yet figured out a use for. Snakes...for instance." He was thinking of Itzcoatl, that irritant serpent who was insisting on bonding with Fia, his eldest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 12:12 pm
Damu watched Kidondo with great interest before looking back to the creature in the sky before standing shaking the sand from his fur before looking back to his teacher.
He then looked ahead wondering what the two would be doing today before curiousness seeped into his veins as his heart pumped all of his limbs and entire being began to wonder before he finally looked to his teacher his eyes locked and his ears erect and open.
"What...what are we doing today?" He said before looking back to the dunes his mouth becoming dry as he let out a small grown. Of all the times to get thirsty it had to be now.
He did his best to ignore his mouth hopping he would have to speak much after this encase his voice would suddenly just leave him from being so parched. He gulped down ruffly trying to coat his mouth before he dare ask if they would be doing anything interesting or just getting comfortable with one another.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:05 am
"Well..." Kidondo pondered on this a moment. "I decided this should be an easier lesson than future ones. I had three targets to meet this day, but if we don't get around to all of them then that is fine. Firstly, I thought we'd get to know one another a little more. Whilst we're doing that I'll take you around the edge of the pride so you'll start to get to know the lay of the pride and the borders you'll need to protect. If there's time, I'll explain some key factors about being a guard, too."
He nodded his head once and smiled.
"We'll move past the dens and start at the most dangerous border, the west. We'll stop at the watering hole if need be." He moved at an easy pace, not so fast that the growing youth couldn't keep up.
"How is your mother, Damu?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 1:53 pm
The male walked beside his teacher listing carefully keeping in pace with him as he took in all that he was being told.
"When I'm older I'll do this by myself." He told him self more the stated as he puffed out his chest and looked around taking in the things around him.
"West most dangerous watering hole if needed." He said as if taking notes before he stopped dead in his tracks hearing Ondo mention something about his mother.
"So...sorry?" He said looking to his teacher before looking back down to the ground he then began walking once more his stance changed. It seemed like he was forcing himself forward his eyes locked ahead of him.
"I do not know." He said bluntly his body seeming tense and slightly rock hard from how long it too him to move. He then stopped not feeling like he could make another step before looking back to the other male.
"I don't see her to much anymore..." He said simply before looking away trying to mask his hurt his mother was always really distant though he should have realized it by now that was her personalty. Still he would have like some more attention he was always interested in learning about his parents but not that he was getting older that was no longer needed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:04 am
"You certainly will." Kidondo replied, noting the boy's eagerness. He certainly had a lot of confidence and knew how to speak his mind. Yes, when he was fully grown he'd make a fine guard indeed. Who would want to risk their life by defying someone like Damu, here?
But then it seemed like he'd upset the little one's feeling by enquiring about his mother? Had he touched on a sensitive subject? Was Kibela coping okay with so many cubs to care for? He pondered on a minute, walking in silence. "Your mother is a hard worker. She's a good friend of mine, kind but a little serious. Perhaps a little too serious. I worry abouther sometimes, worry that her following me here was a good move for her. But her wisdom is a treasured thing and she has helped me more than I can say. We're sort of family, you see, adopted siblings in a sense." He paused. "But I must admit, I haven't seen her much either, recently." He made a mental note to catch up with her as soon as possible.
"The waterhole is just ahead, we'll stop for a drink and then we'll reach the western border."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 03, 2009 4:59 pm
"Alright!" Damu said excited about getting a drink but he didn't move ahead till the water was in plain sight for both of them. He then took off and began searching out the water making sure it was safe to rest a bit and drink before he flopped onto his belly and began lapping hungrily at the clear clean water. He then took a deep breath letting his front paws and muzzle soak in the cool water before looking to his teacher.
"I knew you and mother where close but I never knew how close." He said softly before looking to his reflection in the water. "I love my mother don't get me wrong but I feel that I'm doing noting to make proud of me..." He said taking a deep breath before looking to the sky.
"But I'll change that I'll become the best guard this pride has ever had!" He exclaimed happily as he began to pounce about seeming all tough and proud putting on a little show.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 11:11 am
The boy's enthusiasm was somewhat contagious and Kidondo could feel himself relaxing into role of teacher. It wasn't much different from teaching his own cubs. Besides, this was a sign that the pride was working together as a unit, relying on one another's skills to better future generations.
He followed after the cub and took a moment to drink, raising his head as Damu did. He nodded slowly. "A parent's love doesn't have to be earned, Damu, it is simply there. Just as No and I love my own cubs no matter how much trouble they get themselves into." He smiled fondly. "I know that your mother is very proud of you, of all her children."
And he smiled wider. "You will indeed! Especially if I have anything to say about it! Okay, let's continue. I don't want to keep you from your family for too long and there's a lot of ground to cover." He began to circle around the edge of the pool and turned his muzzle towards the border they were heading for.
"Do you see that tall dune there? That one half-sheltered by the rock? That is the marker that tells us where the border is."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
