|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:46 pm
She had been right when she had thought that the next few days would be interesting. Ahnik had proved to be a great curiosity for her and she found herself rather admiring him and enjoying spending her time with him. She'd not ever met a male that had been so easy to be with, even if no words were passed between them and they simply sat in silence.
And, Ka'ohu, on the other hand....
Tabia shook her head in dismay. Perhaps she just hadn't tried hard enough to get through to her, but she knew that wasn't true. Ka's head was clearly too thick for anything to get through to her mind, either that or she just didn't want to hear. The female always seemed irritated by her presence and even when she'd gone out of her way to be friendly, she'd been met with grumbling and annoyed words. Finally she'd just given up and currently they were not really on speaking terms, unless they needed to communicate about food, possible rogue sightings etc...etc... other, friendly banter was definately not included in this arrangement.
With a loud sigh she stretched out under the dappled sun - filtered through the towering trees - and let her eyes fall closed, exhaling through her nose.
"Life certainly throws difficulties into ones path." She murmered to herself.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 12:56 pm
It hadn't been very long since Tabia had joined the little group he and Ka'ohu had going, but Ahnik was already set on moving on. It was slow but he was carefully pushing the group closer and closer to where he needed to end up eventually.. and the closer he got, the more he thought about how this was going to work out. Tabia certainly seemed happy enough to sit and chat with him, or just sit. She had expressed interest in finding a pride, too, so really.. it could just work out. He wanted to be much closer before telling Tabia his plan, and his intention to take her along with him, but it seemed it would be quicker to do it now. They wouldn't have to stay where they were, but he'd have farther to drag her if she was disagreeable. But he was getting increasingly annoyed with Ka, and his mixed feelings about having her around and even leaving her behind.
So he was going to do something productive today. Even if it was just to ease into a conversation about prides with Tabia. He knew where Ka had gone off to, she wouldn't be surprising them any time now if he went to talk to Tabia. And, luckily, he knew just about where to find Tabia.
"Tabia," he called once he'd spotted her, walking up and taking a seat at a conversational distance, "I was just looking for you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:05 pm
Her eyes snapped open at the sound of her name and a distinct smile curled its way across her maw. "Ahnik." She shuffled aside a little to make room for him in the shade and blinked up at him with her soft, lilac eyes. It were those eyes that seemed to be her identifying trait, for whilst she was a rather plain creature, the expressiveness in them was true and plain to read.
"Looking for me?" She asked, turning both ears towards him. "Well, you've found me and I'm all ears."
She was rather agreeable when it came to him. She wasn't sure why. He just seemed to have a way with words that suited her down to the ground.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:16 pm
Her smile was reassuring, as was the look in her eyes. She was generally agreeable, and he didn't really want to ruin that. He just wasn't entirely sure how, yet. He hesitated-- and then a thought struck him. He wasn't well practiced at being manipulative but he could certainly give it a try, especially where he had an idea of what might work.
"I wanted to talk to you before I spoke to Ka," he said carefully, aiming to keep his expression neutral but letting a little smile through, "I've found a pride and I'm going to go join them there. I never intended to stay a rogue."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:23 pm
She smiled at his sudden admittance and couldn't say that she was surprised at this. Perhaps in the way he had answered Ka before when she had asked the question of them. He certainly hadn't sounded as determined to remain a rogue as the scruffy brute had.
"That's fantastic news, Ahnik. But...what does that mean for us? I mean...Ka is a good huntress and a survivor but I can't see myself staying around with her once you're gone. We're not really compatible as far as friendship is concerned." She laughed softly. "Though I'm sure you're already aware of that."
She flicked her tail against the dusty ground and looked around somewhat distractedly.
"Oh," she said suddenly. "That's why you're telling me, isn't it? So that I know this situation isn't going to last for much longer..." And then another thought. "But...Ahnik, if you've already found a pride - and I'm assuming it was before we met - why aren't you there already?"
She shook her head, realising she was probably talking far too much.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:34 pm
OK, Tabia was smart, very smart. She'd already figured out so much of the conversation and he hadn't even really said much. He certainly wasn't expecting Ka and Tabia to stick together, unless he did want to try to bring Ka along but more and more that seemed unlikely. Maybe he'd try it if Tabia couldn't be coaxed into joining him, he had to have somebody and he wasn't exactly the most patient lion. Anyway, that wasn't the point!
"You're too smart for that, aren't you?" he muttered, smiling more genuinely now, "It was before we met but I couldn't join then before I didn't have something I needed."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:42 pm
She smiled. "Being smart more often than not, leads to trouble, or that's what my Father said, anyway."
But now she was doubly curious and she pulled herself up into a sitting position to show that she was interested in what he had to say. He couldn't join them until he had something? She wondered what it could be. She didn't have experience with any pride but her own, and her pride had allowed most lions so long as they meant no harm to them. She supposed that some might want proof of usefulness, proof of strength or of the hunt?
Perhaps he had some task to fulfill such as to bring back a prey beast all alone or...or...no. She was lost on this one. But there had to be another reason why he was telling her this. Oh...!
"So you want me to help you find the thing you need, is that it?" Though she wondered why Ka would not help him with this, though maybe the scruffy one wasn't aware he was interested in a pride. Actually, that was most likely, considering that she seemed so set against them and Ahnik was a friend...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 1:50 pm
Plan A hadn't worked out quite so well but ther was another way to go. Now he was started, he had to say it. Tabia was smart enough anyway, and so far he hadn't seen any signs of a temper and the more they spoke the more confident he was becoming-- all very good reasons he wanted to take her along with him. And that was where Plan B stemmed from, no matter what the purpose, being wanted was generally a good thing, was it not?
"No, not exactly," he said, "I needed you." Ahnik kept his tone calm and his smile never became more sinister or threatening. It was more of a statement of fact or confession than anything. She was going to find out now and unless she had a very dramatic response and was stronger than she looked.. it was a fact. Ahnik's confidence let him believe that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:00 pm
She blinked and the surprise there was evident for him to see. She could not have covered it even if she had been somewhat prepared for his answer.
He didn't need to hunt difficult prey or fight another male in a duel. He needed a female. He needed her. She wondered, then, whether that was why he had been so happy to accept her into his little group and whether Ka was in on this, too. Was Ka one of this necessary females, too?
So many questions!!
"I..." There was a long pause and she let her eyes shift from him and back to the horizon. "You need a female to join the pride? Is that why you have Ka, too?"
Ugh, where to start! She had so much to ask and feared she would forget all that she wanted to say!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:06 pm
Ah! So far, so good. His smile deepened, it wasn't that bad at all. He had to put effort into not grinning. She didn't panic, she just seemed surprised- and, again, logical. Very hopeful indeed. Her first question was expected, the second was a surprise- though reasonable as well.
"Nah, I had Ka around before I found the pride but she's not what I want and more trouble than she's worth," he answered with a shrug, it wasn't a lie to him but part of him felt guilty saying it, "I need at least one lioness to bring back with me, more is better but without someone on my side I wouldn't be able to pull that off."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:11 pm
She could not help but give a little purr at his indirect compliment. He liked her enough in these few days to ask this of her? She'd made a good impression it seemed, for him to want to go with her to this pride, this new home. But Tabia was certainly not one to rush into anything, even if she did feel somewhat drawn to the idea already.
And she couldn't help but laugh a little at his opinion towards Ka. "I had to admit, it would have surprised me if you'd said yes to that. So...I take it Ka is unaware of these plans? She certainly doesn't like the idea of joining a pride anyway but she seems...oddly close to you despite your differences."
She pondered on this a little. "More are better." She repeated softly. "I suppose you ought to tell me a little more about this pride and how it works. It sounds to me like the amount of females a male has is linked somehow to his importance?" Her head tilted a little. "You did strike me as an ambitious sort, Ahnik."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:28 pm
"She has no idea, I doubt she even realized we were as close to that pride as we were when I stumbled across them," he said, shaking his head and not even giving her the benefit of the doubt on that one, "You've got the gist of the way the pride works. Males have harems rather than just one mate and the more he has, the higher his standing is. The females don't get nearly as much status but they are perfectly happy."
Perhaps an exaggeration, or a demonstration of a lack of experience there on his part. He'd only met the one and she was perfectly agreeable. And suggesting anybody might feel otherwise wasn't going to help him any. His emphasis on status was clear, though. He was looking for a way to gain some favorable position in a pride, but he had already described his issue. He wasn't going to get a group of females together on his own, he could come back out once he was established if he needed to- and he probably would feel he needed to. He hadn't exactly entertained the idea of Tabia helping him take anybody by force. That certainly would be safer with another lion or with a definite place to go.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:49 pm
"She certainly isn't the most intelligent creature." Tabia replied with a laugh - a somewhat unkind sound. "But perhaps that is for the best. If she knew what you planned, she might cause trouble for you and that wouldn't do at all." She thought on this, her brow creased.
"So the pride is led by males who each have their own females. I'm assuming a male with one female is seen as...lower class." She paused, remembering again what he had said about others. He clearly had no intention of being at the bottom of the food chain, so to speak and, if she was going to agree to this, she certainly didn't want him to be at the bottom, either. No. If she did say yes, she'd see to it that Ahnik was an esteemed member, someone to be proud of being seen with.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say you planned this from the start. The moment you set eyes on me. Is that right?" She looked directly at him but there was no accusation or anger there. Perhaps she even seemed...impressed?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 4:07 pm
"I'm confident she doesn't really want to join a pride and she would be trouble where I'm going," he agreed, shrugging. Ka hadn't seemed too worried about when she was near the Outlands before, she didn't seem much suited to rules and restrictions. She was a good rogue, even he couldn't deny that.
"Yes, just one female is lower class," he agreed, puffing up a bit, "I have no intention of ending up like that, of course. But you have to start somewhere. And this is a goal that is certainly more possible than anything I could have aimed for before." Causing trouble for one or two lionesses that might not necessarily want to join him was easier to pull off than causing trouble for a whole pride. He'd probably not feel guilty about it either. It just seemed a necessary first step to be a little less pushy.
"I did," he confessed, not at all sounding sorry for it or worrying about her reaction. He could tell she wasn't angry- or was very good at hiding it. She looked more.. positive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Apr 14, 2010 12:33 pm
"A male with a plan, then." She purred. "Well, I have to say, Ahnik, I had no idea of what you were plotting. None at all. Very impressive indeed." She paused for thought. "And if I'm going to be honest with you, I really don't like the idea of staying a rogue, myself. The lifestyle just doesn't suit me."
She paused again, trying to digest all of this information. "And, to be honest, joining a pride with you and some others certainly beats wandering into one alone and hoping for the best. But not just that. I like you, Ahnik. I don't know...I feel like I can trust you, like I know where I stand with you."
Another pause. What exactly was she trying to get at here?
"I suppose, what I'm trying to say is that I'll help you. I'll join this pride with you as your female and, more importantly, I'll help you find these other unsuspecting girls."
She laughed. "I must be mad for agreeing to this but...it sounds sort of...fun, doesn't it? Trickery, deceit, a new life in a new pride." She purred then, turning her eyes back towards him. "You sure were lucky, running into me."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
