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 Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:22 pm
(( AIM log between Thal and Kim ))
He stepped into the stream and watched silver fish dart past his paws. They glittered in the sun that sometimes he thought there were diamonds amongst the pebbles. A closer look and he saw, to his dissapointment, only huddles of fish, lurking in the shelter of the rocks that kept them from being swept away.
He took another step and now all four paws were in the stream. He loved this place. He loved its atmosphere. It's music. Here, he could look all around at the land around them and breathe in the life that he felt here. Just beyond him the waterfall cascaded down onto the rocks, masking the sound of his movement and bringing a sense of tranquility to him.
The children were growing and they no longer had need of 24 hour watching and protecting. Yes, it was sad to admit it, but they weren't as dependant on him anymore and there was something he didn't like about that. He wished they could stay small forever so he could keep a watchful eye on them.
But all cubs grew.
He sighed and lowered his head to drink.
Rehema, on the other hand, welcomed the cub's newly found indipendance. It allowed her to do what she did best, what she loved to do most- hunt. Her figure had suffered in the last few months, and it was a fight to get her lean, sleek figure back.
That morning, she had simply gone on a walk, loping and occassionally running to burn off all the energy she'd sat on top of in the last few months. Much to her delight, her belly had trimmed out one more.
The lioness slowed her loping pace as she neared the river. A familar patch of silver and orange stood alone in the shallows. How he could stand it...she'd never know.
"Another swimming lesson?" She chimed, approaching her mate with a playful smirk. "Why Ona, I never knew you to be a fan of the water. Aren't your paws cold?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:40 pm
He turned to spy his mate, her dark fur vivid against the somewhat muted landscape. His heart gave an odd little flutter at the unexpected meeting and he moved towards her slowly, lifting a forepaw as she asked him whether his paws were cold.
"A little."
He wouldn't go in deep water. Not water that might drag him down and sweep him to his death. But a stream that lap up around his legs had nothing but a soothing effect on him. Either way, he didn't much like the thought of staying in it if it meant keeping Rehema at a distance.
He moved towards the bank again, extending his neck as he made to touch his nose to her. "Paddling. Not swimming." He corrected fondly. "Where have you been this morning, love?" If he'd noticed a lack of 'sleekness' about her, he'd never said. He loved her just the way she was.
She couldn't help but smile at Ona's youthful response. His paw lifting out, a sheepish answer. He hadn't changed much since she first met him...it was adorable.
She stepped quietly towards him and nuzzled her nose up against his. "I was just getting some air...stretching and running." She brushed her body against hers, bumping her shoulder against his. "You should join me sometime. It's nice to have the kids out of the den."
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 2:47 pm
Okay. There was one good thing about the kids being old enough to take care of themselves for a while. Alone time with his beloved. He purred at the brief contact and drew back to look into her vivid pink eyes.
"I could do with some exercise." He admitted with a light laugh. "If you've got time, are you up for a short lope with me? I promise to get you home before nightfall." He gave a teasing little purr and pushed himself up the bank to stand up alongside her.
"Anywhere in mind for our romantic little escapade?" He beamed. Yes, he'd missed this, he had to admit. The romantic banter, the not worrying about kids going 'ew' whenever he tried to be soppy. Besides, Phib and Ameh were around. They could keep an eye on the little ones until they got back. That was what a Clan was for!
She brought a paw up to her mouth, "Ooh! What would my father think? I don't know...running around with some wild male..."
She tipped her head to the side, her long tail flicking from one side to the other. "Hmm...well how about we get a nice run to the foot of the mountain? Watch the sun set over the flatlands." She purred softly. "The river looks like it's on fire under the red sun..."
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 3:01 pm
He looked suddenly sheepish, almost as if he were expecting some angry male to come charging at him, blurting about how he shouldn't be hanging around with his daughter. Then, realising he was being silly, he gave an embarrassed laugh and tucked himself against her side.
"I'd hardly describe me as...wild, Reh." His ears tipped a little. "I'd consider myself...well...a perfect gentleman!" Then, shaking the silver and white strands of mane from his face, he nodded in agreement.
"That sounds perfect. But don't move too fast, okay? I might not be able to keep up!" Yes, the male had been keeping busy with hunting and such, but he wasn't the most athletic male around, his smaller form made sure of that. However, he'd give it a good shot!
With a loud purr, he nudged his head against her neck and started off at a gentle lope, waiting to see if Rehema wanted to attempt and get past him.
"I don't know... you were -very- bold to try to tickle Malik. It takes a bit male to do that." She chuckled and eyed him as he shook himself out.
Large mane, little body...but big heart. She sighed softly. Who would have thought?
"Well maybe I can teach you to live a little." She loped behind him, for the moment. "I don't think you've been in trouble once in your life... ever play in the mud? Roll around?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 16, 2009 3:08 pm
He laughed at that, wondering briefly where there friend was. He missed Malik so he guessed that Reh missed him a lot too. After all, they'd been friends for a long time - way before them arriving at the Ela'wadiyi Lands. He hoped nothing bad had happened and that someday soon, the big golden lion would return and see that he had become an uncle to four cute kids.
"Malik might be a lot bigger than me, but you know as well as I do that he'd never hurt his friends. If I'd had even a slither of doubt, I'd have run away at the first sight of you when you arrived that day." He smiled, softly. That day had changed his life so dramatically.
"Um..." He loped alongside her, liking that he could match her stride like this. "Nope. I was a good cub." He thought. "Oh, there was that time when I...accidently squished a grasshopper." His ears flattened at the thought. "Does that count?"
Rehema couldn't help but laugh. She could almost see it, Ona out walking around, minding his own buisness. The perfect mother's cub- the shadow falling over the grass hopper as his paw lifted up off the ground and came down onto its small, fragile body. She could almost see the horror and grief on his face, his eyes going wide.
She could even almost see him running off to cry on his mother's leg.
"Ohh Ona, how am I ever going to make a hunter out of you..."
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Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:42 am
He gave her a playful shove and, summoning his strength, put on a burst of speed. He was a small lion with shorter legs and heavy mane. But he was quite fast when he wanted to be. It was doubtful he'd ever be able to outrun someone like Rehema or Malik, but he'd give it his best shot.
He lifted his nose to the air as he ran and called out. "You're the hunter, dearest. I'm the storyteller."
He moved as one with the world, as all Ela'wadiyian's do with their natural sense of all living things around them. The soft earth beneath his paws, the grass singing all around him. The spirits in the clouds looking above. He breathed in the cool, moist air and felt truly alive. Running had a way of making you feel on top of the world.
The mountains loomed in over them and even as he moved, the sun was dipping. If they didn't hurry they'd miss it and the romantic moment would be lost.
Rehema couldn't help but laugh, "Well that may be so." She picked up her own pace, velvet paws moving expertly over the rough ground and dry grass. Even running Ona had a cubbish sense to him. His short little legs moving that quickly, she couldn't help but chuckle a bit. He was trying so hard, it was simply adorable.
"But you're still my mate. And I made a promise when I came here that I'd whip you into shape." She bumped her shoulder lightly against his, "Don't you remember? I'm a lioness of my word."
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Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 9:51 am
He turned twinkling blue eyes to her. He had his mother's eyes. Kind, soft eyes that seemed very unlikely to look anything but gentle. They were filled with mischief as he looked to his mate, knowing she was teasing and loving it. He knew he'd never be as fit and strong as some lions, but he'd try his best and Rehema had always helped him.
Before they had become mates, Rehema ad started teaching him how to hunt, how to hunt properly. He'd always been pathetic at it, but she'd really helped him blossom in the art. Then she'd fallen pregnant and his lessons had stopped. He'd been thrown into the real thing, alone. It had been hard, for hunting did not come naturally to him, but he loved it, especially when he knew it was for his mate and cubs.
He was getting better but he still had much to learn.
"I remember." He replied fondly. "You're doing a fine job, don't you think?" He reached the rocky base of the mountain and leapt expertly up onto the slabs of rock that would aid him up to their romantic spot to watch the sun. He was starting to pant by now, but he was determined not to slow his pace.
"Hurry up Rehema, or we'll miss the whole thing!" He jested.
"Well I must be doing something right, you've helped me sustain four beautiful cubs." She smiled softly. It was hard to imagine Ona's face opening into a roar, his mane bristling. Even after the months of hunting lessons, it was hard to picture him with blood on his claws.
She kept close to him, never passing him or falling back. There was really no rush. "Deeper breaths, fill your lungs and release the air when you step. Find a rythem." She lectured- again.
"And with any luck you'll still have your breath when we ge there." She teased again.
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Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 10:15 am
He purred with pride at the mention of their children. Beautiful cubs. They certainly were beautiful. He knew he loved them dearly and knew he'd be saddened when they were old enough to leave the family den and strike out on their own. Yes, they'd still be in the Clan but it wouldn't be the same as them all being together as they were now.
He took Rehema's advice - as he always did - and drew in deeper breaths, trying to time them with the steps of his paws. It helped and he found a smile to lighten his eyes. Yes, she knew much.
"Let's hope so." He breathed.
A few moments later and Ona slowed, padding out onto the outcrop of rock that gave them a view of the sky, the setting sun and the land below them. It was a beautiful sight and one that always took his breath away. He moved to the edge and looked out across the lands, feeling on top of the world despite being low in the mountain's embrace.
"What a beautiful land we live in..." He breathed.
She stepped up beside him and leaned her head up against his shoulder. Her own breathing panted slightly.
It was a beautiful view. From there the world seemed to spread out under them. The river, as promised, looked like a snake made of fire winding its way throught he land, weaving around hills, and vanishing into the distance.
"It really is." She nodded, "And it's all ours..."
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