|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 8:43 am
Umuthi's butt was held up high in the grass as her front laid down low to the earth practicing her stalking, though it was so poor in form, yet hilarious to watch. She had paid enough attention to her parents instructions to get the gist of what she needed to do, but the gist isn't exactly what worked, and she would figure that out eventually.
The little brown spotted butt wiggled from side to side as she readied her pounce on a passing beetle. She would not eat it as she had tried before in her den with her siblings and found the taste absolutely dreadful. Milk and meat was all she wanted, maybe the occasional fragrant grass to chew on, but never the bugs.
Umuthi stayed still for a split moment and made her pounce, giving off a tiny little cub hiss as she did so. When she landed only a foot away with a loud thud, the beetle took off, wings stretched and flying up in the sky away from the little cub. She growled at it, "Hey come back!"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 9:02 am
 Spenta had been watching the cub for a while, snorting with laughter quietly into his paw at her every attempt to practice her pouncing. He'd been patrolling the borders of his so-called territory, a spot he'd claimed as his. As far as he knew, there was no pride that called his spot home. It was safe, close to water and abundant with food, so it was a nice place to call home, he supposed.
It was during this patrol that he'd stumbled upon a pretty spot-striped cub. The innocence of her silly leaps and pounces charmed him, though at the same time tugged at his heartstrings. Spenta wouldn't think about Kizuka or the cubs now; it'd been a long while since he'd last seen her.
He watched attentively from a distance as the cub gave a hilarious pounce, unable to stifle the rich chuckle caused by her dismayed growl and her demand for the bug-prey to return.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 9:31 am
Umuthi jumped when she heard the chuckle of someone nearby. It was not her father's laughter, for his was softer and gentler than the sound that entered her ears. It was someone else, and Umuthi remembered her father, Tandu's words about strangers; as nice as they may be she had to be careful, because nice people can do bad things too.
Umuthi ducked down carefully, tail wrapping around her body as she looked for the source of the sound, "Hello? Who's there?"
She perked her head up to look around and find the person watching her, if she didn't have a visual she would run, because unseen voices were bad omens.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 9:36 am
Spenta had a wicked idea to keep hidden and taunt the cub from afar, but he didn't give it much thought. That would be terribly cruel to do to such an innocent, and she'd done nothing but provide him with carefree entertainment for the past while. Frightening the poor dear was something his brother would do without a second thought, and Spen did not want to be like his brother in any way, shape, or form.
Instead, Spenta rose and slowly padded in the direction of the now-frightened cub. He sat a safe distance away and chuffed softly, offering a slight smile to the adorable creature. "Hello, little one," he called softly, though a slight frown marred his features for an instant. "Where are your parents? It is dangerous to stray far; terrible creatures roam about." He prayed his brother wasn't nearby; Spenta dashed that thought. It was likely that poor Oki was the only one on Angra's mind now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 9:47 am
Umuthi sat up when the male approached. His coat was pure and white, his mane was light and blue, and he had markings of swirls and hearts upon it. It reminded her of other lions she had seen with hearts on them, maybe they all were children of the love god.
Umuthi cleared her throat quietly and spoke as big as she could make herself, though her voice crackled every now and again with her nervousness, "Mommy is back in the desert with some of my brothers and sisters, and Daddy is nearby with the others, looking for herbs. He's big and strong and will hear me if I call him."
She knew her father would hear her of need be, he would never be too far away from her, especially when he has her other brothers and sisters too watch over along with her. He was probably watching now, at least she figured.
"I'm Umuthi'johari," She said, taking a couple hesitant steps towards him, "What's your name mister? Why are you here by yourself? Did you get lost?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 9:54 am
Spenta was charmed even more by the sweet little cub. Sadly it made him yearn to be a father in his own right, one who could help raise cubs instead of just abandoning them. He knew he didn't truly abandon his cubs. Spen just wished he could've gotten to know them, taught them the difference between right and wrong. It rubbed him the wrong way that another lion would have raised his cubs.
Shaking himself free from his reverie, he gave his attention to the impish cub before him. "I am Spenta," he said cheerfully. "I am glad to know your father is nearby and will hear you should you call him. That makes me feel better."
Swallowing another chuckle, he continued with his most serious face on. "I'm here by myself because this is my home, and I'm not lost. I was just making sure no bad lions were about."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:04 am
Umuthi gave Spenta a nod as she let out a little 'ohhh' as he explained this area was his home. She didn't know that they were on someone else's home. She wondered if her daddy knew they were on someone else's home, or even asked to be here. She figured if he didn't know and hadn't asked she should probably do it for him, so no one got into trouble, because trouble was bad.
"Are we allowed to stay on your home for a little while? Until we move on, Mr. Spenta? Daddy is only gathering herbs for his medicine, and he isn't a bad lion at all."
Umuthi seemed to relax slightly from her previously guarded state, she walked a little closer to Spenta and peaked around him once or twice, looking at his pretty coat. She was still fascinated that he was so white.
"How did your coat get so white, Mr. Spenta?" She questioned. She wondered if he rolled into white flowers and that's how he got his white coat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:18 am
Spen nodded thoughtfully, appearing to decide if they could stay on 'his land' -- really, they had just as much right to be there as he did, but the little cub appeared so concerned that they might get in trouble, so Spenta decided to play along. "I suppose you can stay, Umuthi. Your father sounds like a wonderful lion, and any healer is good to know."
Oh, it was so hard to keep from chuckling at the little girl. She was simply bubbling with questions, and Spenta enjoyed it so. "Well, I'll tell you how my coat got so white, Umuthi'johari, if you can promise to keep a very secret secret."
He looked at her, trying his best to keep a stern face on. "Can you keep a promise?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:30 am
Umuthi was relieved that Mr. Spenta had allowed her family to stay in his home, it made her very happy that he was willing to share his land with them as they hunted their herbs. She gave a big smile to him, "Thank you Mr. Spenta."
The little brown lioness's ears perked up quickly when Spenta mentioned telling her how his coat was so white if she kept it a secret. Umuthi loved secrets, and was bouncing about with anticipation at what this secret could be.
It was cute, as she was literally bouncing about Spenta, almost like she was a rabbit instead of a lion," I promise, I promise. I will never tell a soul."
She sat in front of him, practically within a foot of him, her tail buzzing back and forth with anticipation like the rutter of a boat, not that she or he knew what a rutter was. Her aqua eyes were all alight as she waited patiently for him to tell her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 10:38 am
Spen almost choked as he tamped down the laugh that bubbled in his throat. He just loved the effervescence of the cub in front of him; she was just entirely charming. His eyes sparkled with glee as he staidly looked over one shoulder, then slowly turned his head to cautiously look over the other.
Then, and only then, he leaned down to impart his very secret secret to the little lioness who had him captivated with her innocent charm.
"Well, Umuthi," he whispered softly, "I am made of clouds, sunshine and blue skies." Oh, it was a doosie, but he couldn't resist. His eyes widened dramatically as he leaned back, steely determination keeping his face as serious as he could. "That's why I'm white and blue and gold."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 11:03 am
Umuthi's eyes went wide when Spenta told her, "Nuh uh! I want to be made of the clouds." She gave Spenta a pout and poked him several times with her paw, "Can I be made of the clouds, too?"
If he made her of the clouds, sky and sun she could be blue, white and gold just like him. Everywhere she would walk would be of nice weather and all the plants would grow. That would be lovely to her.
"Please, please, please." Umuthi begged, passing back and forth underneath Spenta, weaving in and out underneath his legs, her normal method of cub-like begging.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 11:11 am
Spen laughed at her antics before clearing his throat. "Umuthi, I think you're made out of earth and sand and deep refreshing water." He nodded before continuing, "I'm sure that's even better. Clouds and sky is so boring, don't you think?" He attempted a jealous look, eyeballing her pelt.
"I mean, if you add water to earth, what do you get? Besides mud, that is," he chuckled. "You get life. Plants need earth and water to grow, and prey-animals need plants to eat, and we need prey-animals to live, as well." It made perfect sense to him, and he hoped it made just as much sense to Umuthi.
"I'm actually a little jealous," he whispered, nodding.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 11:38 am
Umuthi trotted out from underneath Spenta and starred at her paw, and tried her best to look over her back. Sand, earth and water. Was she really made out of that? It would explain why her mommy liked the desert so much.
Umuthi giggled a little as Spenta told her he was jealous of her coat, and the elements that made it up," The sky isn't boring. If it didn't exist, it wouldn't hold the sun up, and if the sun didn't exist than the plants couldn't grow, right? You're important too!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 11:53 am
Spenta's looked surprised at her deductions. "Well, Umuthi, I suppose you're right. The sky does hold up the sun, and plants do need sun to grow." He beamed at her, continuing to play along. "I guess I am important, too, aren't I?"
Spen chuckled softly, his tail sweeping about behind him. "You're pretty smart, Umuthi, you know that?" He fought the urge to reach forward and ruffle her hair. She was adorable.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed May 05, 2010 12:24 pm
"I got my smarties from Mommy. She's REAL smart. She hunts these things called 'bone stones' in the desert. She thinks they're from many, many, many years ago from monsters that no longer walk on the earth!"
Umuthi got very excited about discussing her mother's important work with Spenta. She didn't often talk about her mother at such length, because it made her sad sometimes. Her father had already explained to her the situations between him and her mother, and how even though he loved her, she wasn't his forever love. It confused Umuthi, truthfully, but as long as her Daddy still had love for her Mommy it didn't matter.
"There are all sorts of stones too. Bone stones, plant stones, gem stones, they're all over the place! Mommy wanted me to stay with her to learn about the bone stones, but I wanted to go with Daddy and learn about his medicines. When I'm bigger and can take care of myself I'm gonna go see her again."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
