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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:32 am
Rujul stalked the unclaimed rogue lands. She benefitted by her great size and strength, but not by her color. Her deep purple, nearly indigo pelt stood out, so she needed to be subtle in other ways. The lioness wasn't hunting currently; she'd had a big meal two days ago, and it was treating her very well. Taking down prey on her own was a problem, but not so great a one that she could not overcome it.
Fortunately, it was the wet season, though the rains were becoming slightly less frequent, and there was plenty to eat for carnivore and herbivore alike. Rujul relaxed out in the open, resting in a slightly shady spot beside a rocky formation jutting out of the floor of the savannah and panting slightly in the heat of midday, her eyes half-lidded as she glanced around, sight piercing to the far-off horizons and watching the herds move in slow cycles.
It was a lazy sort of day, and Rujul was at the age where she wanted some sort of entertainment. Company would be nice as well, as the end of the wet season meant leaner times, and having someone to help on the hunt was always a nice thing. She still had many months before that time arrived, however.
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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:41 am
Unzu wasn't looking for any company at the moment, for he had plenty waiting for him at home. Akinyi was pregnant, and they were both hunting and scavenging in order to find food for however many mouths were inside of her not-yet-noticably swollen belly. The dark lion had descended from his pimp ship flying high, and while he still occassionally thought about Akinyi's fine-boned sister, he wasn't about to go out hunting for some more tail to chase, unless it was shaped like an antelope or a zebra.
As he came upon the rock, he hopped onto the top of it, looking around, gazing out at the herds as well, tail swinging slightly. He was hoping to catch something small enough to carry all or most of it home for Akinyi. But the scent he caught on the breeze smelled more like lioness than dinner.
Glancing down quickly and extending his claws, he spotted Rujul. Leaping down from the rock, he hoped she hadn't noticed him, and he'd be off. He didn't need to quarrel or socialize right now, it was hunting time.
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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:45 am
Sadly for Unzu, Rujul had already noticed the dark grey lion and gotten to her feet, craning her head up to look at him. As he leapt down she extended her claws, wondering if he meant to hurt her, but as she saw him trying to hustle off, she realized he was more afraid of her than she was of him. Which was as it should be. If there was anything Rujul had learned in her travels, it was that there was definitely something to be said about submissiveness in a male.
And, now that he was here, she was beginning to think about what sort of company he could provide her. She didn't need him to hunt, but female children could certainly be an aid to her. The plan solidified in her mind as she called after him.
"Hey you! Male! Don't run off just yet, I don't want to fight," Rujul called after him, flicking her ears forward.
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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:48 am
The sound of that voice, filled with not malice but reproach, caught Unzu's attention before he could get too far. He stopped in his tracks hesitantly, turning his head towards her, still on guard. He saw now that she was out from under the shadow of the rock and on her feet that she was a sight larger than him, which shocked him. Unzu was by no means a small male-- he was built, muscular, and sleek from a bountiful season with plenty of food. He was in his best shape, but she still had weight and reach on him. However, he doubted she could catch him if he decided to run.
Unzu decided to play her game. He'd never seen a lion that shade of purple before, and even if she had the whole Amazonian thing going on, she was still cute. Not as lovely as Akinyi, of course.
"What's up? Do you have some use for me?" he asked, amused, and turned to face her, not coming any closer.
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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:53 am
Rujul was surprised to hear that response from him. He was cheeky. She gave him a disapproving look, but eyed him all the same. He had good bone and muscle, a lean strength and admirable size to him. Rujul wasn't thinking in romantic terms, however. She was simply interested in the very best father for her future cubs, and since she had no pride or way of watching him compete, she would have to force him to compete her own way. He was the cocky type; he'd probably be eager to prove himself to her, and she'd gladly put him through a trial by fire.
"I do, in fact. I need help to catch an oryx, and you look like just the male for the job," she smiled a little seductively, approaching him, slinking forward to her best advantage to entice him even more. Rujul doubted it would take much, her golden eyes flicking up to meet his. Still, an oryx was a dangerous prey to pursue. It would prove his speed, strength, and bravery to help her take one down, and keep her fed for a while.
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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 10:56 am
Unzu was enticed. Whatever she was doing, it was succeeding, his lime green regard moving over her, before meeting her eyes. Still, his mind was occupied with thoughts of Akinyi and the cubs she carried. His cubs. He was investing a lot into them, and wasting time with this... excellent specimen of the female persuasion would be wasting time that he could be bringing food back for his family.
He was still young and bullheaded, but he managed to look away, forcing himself to say the logical thing, the right thing.
"I can't, I'm sorry. I need to catch something smaller for myself and my mate," he said, using the word with a touch of pride. Let's see how she takes that.
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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 11:00 am
She didn't take it well, but the only way to know that would be to be inside of her head, which was, of course, Rujul's sole domain. She paused for an instant, then continued forward to circle him, flicking her tail, dragging it over his fur lightly. She'd get him if she had to take it from him.
"Oh, is that so? That's a shame. Because I, too, was looking for a mate. Just a temporary one of course. A fling, if you will," she shrugged, turning from him a little sadly, and started to head off into the grasslands, framed by the green stalks and the building thunderheads in the deep blue sky, her shoulders rolling with each easy stride.
"Ah well. I guess I'll have to find another male," Rujul sighed.
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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 6:08 pm
Although Unzu was trying to resist, her remarks both coaxed and stung, and the green-eyed lion found himself eager to reprove her for moving on so quickly. He was still young, he couldn't pass up an opportunity like this, a feature that Rujul was depending on. She didn't even have to full-on insult him, what she said was enough to sting his pride, and the dark-colored lion snorted. He'd set her straight about him, there was no way he could let her get away with a remark like that.
"I am not good enough for you, then?" he asked. "You think I can't take down an Oryx? Well, you're wrong. I totally can," Unzu asserted, puffing out his chest slightly. "But I can't carry an Oryx home, you see. And I can't waste any time out here with you. Not with Akinyi waiting."
Unzu tried to reason with himself at the same time as he spoke to Rujul; it was confusing for his one-track mind. Already the mojo was responding to the call, whispering in his mind's ear that maybe this wasn't such a bad idea after all.
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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 6:12 pm
"Oh, is that so?" Rujul shrugged as if disinterested, though she didn't want to crush his spirit entirely, she knew she wouldn't just by continuing with her little charade. How easily this male's pride was needled! Alas, he also needed to be put in his place, but Rujul wasn't concerned about owning him. No, he just needed to prove that he had the right characteristics to pass on. She didn't mind so much about color, for she knew now that out in the grasslands it was less a matter of how beautiful one's coat was, and far more important to blend in on the hunt.
"Well, you come find me when you're willing to prove yourself worthy of me. If you can," the purple lioness resumed slinking off, smirking inwardly as her plan proceeded without a hitch yet. It would only take a bit more, probably, and he'd be all about catching her an Oryx.
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Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2009 6:18 pm
Rujul had Unzu's number to a degree that might have frightened the dark grey lion had he known, as he stared after her, offended. He couldn't just let her go, his mojo insisted on some sort of action to its benefit, even though he knew he really shouldn't. He should just walk away right now and catch something for his mate, but really, a bit of an Oryx would make a handsome meal, nevermind that Unzu could no more take one down himself than he could take down an elephant. Oryx were dangerous; they fought back, and it required a team effort unless prior circumstance had left it weak or sickly.
But Unzu couldn't not answer a challenge and he leapt forward, darting into Rujul's path to stop her in her tracks, green eyes blazing. "Fine, I'll help you catch your Oryx. But that's it, then I have to head back to my mate. No more," he shook his head at her slowly, as if he were telling himself that as well as her. He seemed to have a habit of it.
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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:08 pm
"Fine," Rujul sniffed as though unimpressed, giving Unzu a look, though she disliked his defiance, she was happy to be able to use it against the bullheaded creature, and flicked her forelock back. "Let us walk together, then, and find an Oryx for us to hunt," the purple lioness turned to the east, deeper into the grasslands where the large antelope would feed on the grasses, scenting the breeze as she went. Of course, she needn't find one immediately. It would be best for it to take some time, and in the meanwhile, she could test this male further.
"What is your name?" she asked after a moment's consideration. His name did not really matter, just his qualities, but she should ask nonetheless. This was still a game she was playing, after all, and this was no small, submissive lion she addressed.
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Posted: Fri Nov 27, 2009 12:09 pm
Unzu turned to follow her a little reluctantly, but he hoped that perhaps on the way he could talk himself back into being a good mate and father and catch something proper-sized. He shouldn't care what this lioness thought of him, but what she offered was nigh irresistible to him. A romp in the grasses with no strings attached appealed to his mojo so very much that no logic or reason could turn him off, unless of course it endangered his previous investments.
Her question for his name made him glance sidelong at her, walking at her shoulder, and he snorted softly, not missing a beat. "Unzu." He did not ask for hers.
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