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 Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:20 pm
Vieras had only recently returned to his pride. He wasn't ready to trek out in the morning, but the day following he would arrive. This meant she had almost two days to kill, two days to relax and enjoy the lands near the musical pride. While she wasn't about to enter his homeland, not uninvited, the black an white rogue decided to take a small adventure all her own. Her paws were itching to be away, to continue on her with studies, but she wasn't able to leave. Not quite yet. Not with Vieras lingering within the Nchi. She didn't blame him, despite a moments impatience to be on her way as soon as possible, but she understood he had family to talk to. Family to reassure to inform.
Part of Oseye wondered as she walked through the tall grasses, evening casting a long shadow on her form, what it was like to live in such a family. She had a mother, yes, but her father could have been any one of the males within her troupe. And while her mother cared, she had other priorities of which she had cared for more.
A shame really. . . but Oseye wasn't about to get sentimental. She was an independent lioness, she had no need to be caught up with a family. She could do what she wanted, when she wanted, with no one to tell her otherwise. She lived a carefree life, and for that she wouldn't ever give away.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:27 pm
Jinaki didn't know what to do. She was getting weaker with every passing day, and didn't dare approach the pride lands she had passed on her journey. Perhaps it had been foolish to avoid seeking help when she was in such a pathetic state . . . but she couldn't just approach a pride. She didn't know what to say, or how to inform them of her plight, or what might be the best etiquette to use! She hardly knew how to approach a rogue lion much less an entire pride of strangers. . .
No.
No matter how desperate she needed aid, the young female wasn't going to give in to the unknown. She'd find someone to help her soon enough, thus far the spirits hadn't led her astray. She would find someone to bargain with, a male to amuse for an evening in trade for some meat or perhaps a leftover kill.
Anything.
Unfortunately for the snow white lioness, there was hardly anyone about. She hadn't spotted a rogue for days, though sometimes she could catch their scent adrift on the savanna. Life was out there, she just didn't seem to know how to find it. It was most unfortunate really, especially because with every passing day her fatigue grew and grew. . . Her ribs were showing, her eyes dark and her features hallow.
A few more weeks and she'd be the one fed on by scavengers.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 7:57 pm
There was movement within the grasses before her. Pausing in her step, the brown eyed lioness lifted her head and squinted. Though night was fast falling, with stars dotting the dark blue heavens above them and the moon high in the sky, she could still see well enough. To have been on the move between lands for such a length of time meant that one could pick up small details. . . The soft rustle of dead grasses beneath weight; the brush of leaves against a moving form, the hush of nearby insects and the scent of an animal walking with the wind. Whoever was out there certainly wasn't trying to hide or hunt. . . Sure enough, a splash of white could be caught against the dull hues of the African savanna.
Perhaps a member of the Nchi'mahadhi? A rogue or scout? Maybe. Curious, Oseye made sure she stepped loudly as she navigated closer to the source. "Is anyone out there?" She called, voice strong and not at all concerned at the attention it would bring. For better or worse, Oseye thrived off living in the limelight and she certainly could hold her own in a fight.
Sure enough, the movement stopped and a white head lifted. A lioness! While she had assumed as much, due to the estrogen within the scent on the wind, it was always good to be sure. She'd seen crazier things during her travels, after all, and had learned to never assume anything.
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Posted: Sat Jul 03, 2010 10:46 pm
The pale lioness blinked as a voice rang out. Part of her wondered how she might have missed sight of a stranger, but then the tall dead grasses of the savanna weren't particularly useful when it came to seeing. Lifting her head, standing tall on her toes, the female scanned the horizon . . .
Ah-ha! Sure enough, she caught sight of another lioness, not terribly far ahead. She was black and white, or at least that's what it seemed. Dusk and evening made it terrible to conceive color on the world. . . With everything wrapped in shadow things looked nothing more than various shades of grey.
"Yes!" She finally cried out, though she was quite certain the lioness before her knew. Oseye was staring right at her, after all, so she must have had some idea. Strange how hunters could do that. . . it was a trait Jinaki seriously lacked. "I . . . I am, I mean no harm though!" She stated, suddenly wondering if perhaps this was a pridal lion.
Oh bother.
She had thought she'd stayed clear of all marked territories, but who knew if she missed something. It wouldn't surprise her if she had, actually. . . Part of Jinaki hoped that the lioness would be friendly and perhaps assist her in her time of need. Surely the spirits wouldn't lead her astray. . .
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 10:17 am
Well of course she meant no harm! Oseye chuckled quietly to herself as she picked her way closer to the female in question. If the orange masked female before her honestly was looking to harm someone, she certainly would have an entirely different attitude! Oh, yes, Oseye knew some manipulative sorts smiled pretty before attacking, but it was clear to see that this female was not acting.
Her coat was too clean, her body language uncertain, and her voice weak. Furthermore, upon closer inspection, one could see she was soft . . . Well, almost soft. She looked frail and far too thin! Ribs were sticking out, her hips protruding, and the poor female looked weak and fatigued. This was no natural thinness . . .this was a starving soul!
The surprise that was written on Oseye's face was obvious though she quickly steeled her features and offered a smile. "Salutations and good fortune, m'dear. . . . Just as you mean no harm, I mean none as well. I'm known as Oseye. . . .I take it you're new to these lands?" The black and white lioness sat before the stranger, allowing her tail to curl around her paws. It wasn't often she met a stranger who was cursed with such bad luck. . . . but perhaps she could be of aid and help!
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 12:33 pm
Jinaki wasn't so blind as to miss the fleeting expression of surprise that coloured the black and white female before her. Did she really look that . . . bad? While she often took pains to keep her coat healthy and clean, it wasn't dirt or grime that startled the other female. . .it had to be her weak stature and her appearance.
Maybe she was worse off than she'd imagined. . . .
Well, there was little to be done about that. Life had never been easy for Jinaki and she doubted it ever would be. She had accepted her handicap and her place in life, but it seemed such a thing wouldn't last long out in the wild. She'd been born a wild cub, but those two-legged creatures had put a swift end to that. They took her front claws and kept her caged and leashed only to return her back to the wild after her dependency on them.
It just wasn't fair.
But then no one had ever promised her a rose garden. . .or so the saying went. Life wasn't meant to be easy.
"I . . . I am, miss. My name is Jinaki and I don't mean to trespass if these are your lands. I'm just trying to get through," she hastily assured, not wanting to insult the female and show her peaceful nature.
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 1:33 pm
Oseye gave a little shake of her head, hoping to reassure the female. "No worries, Jinaki, you are in safe company. These lands are owned by no one and rest assured you won't be harmed or driven out. Such an attitude truly isn't my style," she added with a wink, her brown eyes studying the uncertain female. She hoped her words would ease any discomfort and anxiety the pretty female before her felt.
Smiling lightly she added, "Forgive me for being so blunt, but it looks as if you could use a good meal. Lucky for you, you're not terribly far from some antelope. I took one down earlier this afternoon, and have long since tired of it. It isn't far, I've been guarding it just in case I grew gluttonous. . . . In case you might be interested?"
Some lionesses were foolish and full of pride. Surely this one, even if she might not normally take charity, would realize her plight. An offering of food would at least help her get back on her paws enough to continue on her travels. . . . right? Surely she wouldn't pass up such good fortune. Besides, Oseye was an adept huntress . . . the loss of one good meal wouldn't keep her down for long. And Vieras would be able to help her in the next few days and weeks if she really needed it.
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 1:45 pm
She was kidding, right?
Never in her few short years did she often stumble upon such generosity or good fortune. In fact, it stunned Jinaki in to silence as she gaped at the lioness before her.
No pleading was needed, no begging, no bargaining, no offering herself just for a chance at survival. She didn't have to use her beauty to seduce some male just so he might fetch them breakfast. . . She didn't have to do anything!
A free meal?
" . . . .what's the catch?" She added softly, defensively. She had learned from a young age that if something was too good to be true, it usually was. And while Oseye seemed to look kind and sweet enough, and while there was no red-flags or warnings that kept Jinaki off guard one just couldn't be too cautious.
"I mean no offense it's just . . . I . . . " She hastily tried to explain, allowing her shoulders to slump. "Sometimes things are too good to be true and . . . I desperately would love to share your kill but . . I know I'm a stranger and I don't have a way to repay your kindness!" A kill for a kill? Yeah, that wouldn't happen with Jinaki.
She didn't dare fess up to her handicap so soon, it was her deepest shame, but if Oseye expected her to return with something larger than a hare, she'd be sadly mistaken.
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Posted: Sun Jul 04, 2010 7:00 pm
Oseye chuckled at Jinaki's expression of shock and surprise. Surely there wasn't so much negativity in the world that her offer was a rarity! A shame, really, that one might be so mistrustful though it was better safe than sorry. "No apologies needed, though I assure you there is no catch. You are starving, to put it bluntly, and no matter the reasons why I offer you fresh food. . . Come now, I insist!" The black and white lioness wasn't often dominant in personality. While she could hold her own she rather preferred to keep herself open to the possibility and moment of change. Like water, she would move to and sway with both the current and the tide. . . . But right now this more important. She wouldn't let the poor girl go hungry, not on her watch.
Taking one look behind her shoulder to make sure Jinaki followe, Oseye pushed her way through the tall grasses and navigated her way closer to the Nchi'mahadhi borders. The kill wasn't hard to spot, and a few smaller creatures noticed her arrival. They quickly scurried with a warning snarl, much to Oseye's pleasure. Glancing back at the girl, she motioend for her to head towards the kill.
"That should be enough to at leats get you back on your feet. I know what it's like to hunt on such a severe empty stomach."
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Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:22 pm
Jinaki felt her stomach rumble as soon as she caught scent of the kill. The blood was absolutely, positively delicious and it made her mouth instantly water. Suddenly she forgot all about manners and even Oseye! It was meat . . .fresh meat . . . . and it was sprawled out before her like an offering. With a half-sob of need, the pale white lioness wasted no time as she flung herself over to the antelope. She ripped in to its flesh and tore at the muscle and organs, not worrying about her appearance or keeping her coat cleaned. She inhaled most of the meat, her body screaming for more, to fill the emptiness within. The faster she ate the more ravenous she became, and she had to force herself to pause and breathe.
"Th-thank you," she remembered to choke out as she swallowed a strip of meat.
As if Oseye couldn't see just how desperate she had been. As if Oseye might be blind to her absolute thanks. This feast would indeed get her through, at least until she found another kill to share.
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Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:33 pm
"The antelope isn't going anywhere," Oseye stated dryly as she watched the female attack the kill. It didn't bother her in the least that the creature she had hunted was now being devoured by a stranger. No. It might be different if Jinaki had been plump and healthy and full of vigor, but to see her in such a state of need meant that Oseye harbored no ill will. This kill, it seemed, hadn't been solely for her own need. . . this kill was now granting a second chance for someone.
And this pleased Oseye greatly.
"You're also going to make yourself sick and you'll be in worse shape for wear. Come now. . .that's a girl, just a few breaths in between bites." Somehow she felt like a mother hen, which was very strange because Oseye wasn't all that old. Still, Jinaki seemed to possess a very naive and very young spirit. . . while Oseye KNEW hers was quite ancient.
"There . . . feeling better? I'm glad the rest of his meat went to someone who needed it far more than I." There was something strange about Jinaki, something Oseye hadn't entirely missed. When she clung on to the antelope, there was a distinct lack of bloodied claws digging in to the kill. This might be by choice. . . but it might also be a key to her starvation.
For now, Oseye wasn't going to say a thing.
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Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:39 pm
Jinaki listened to Oseye but it wasn't easy to obey. She wanted to devour every last piece of the remaining antelope, to lick up every last drop of blood for it very well might be her last. Her body ached from need and yet here she was . . . .
Breathe, Jinaki, breathe. . . .
Heaving a shaky breath the blue eyed female offered a small laugh. "I suppose I'm being a terrible glutton. I . . .just haven't had such fresh meat in a long time. I suppose it isn't surprising that I'm not a particularly lucky huntress," she added quietly. It wasn't a complete lie, just a stretching of the truth. She wasn't about to let on to a stranger that she had no way to defend herself outside of her teeth. Sure, she had back claws, but those didn't do much in way of hunting.
When they had taken her front claws, those monsters had taken her way of life.
The fact she'd lived as long as she had out on her own was still amazing. She lacked almost all proper hunting knowledge, and even then, it was doubtful she'd be much use without a way to hang on to the prey.
"Fortune smiled down on me this day," she added, allowing her food to settle as she rested her head upon the kill. "So . . . Thank you."
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Posted: Mon Jul 05, 2010 8:45 pm
Oseye shook her head, giving the girl a small wink. "No thanks are necessary, I'm happy to be able to share this bounty. You eat as much more or as little as you like. In fact, why not just keep it. . . ? I'll keep guard this evening beneath the stars and make sure you stay undisturbed. In the morning I'll lead you a lake nearby . . . sound good? We can talk more then."
At Jinaki's nod Oseye smiled and trotted a few paces away. She would have no trouble standing sentinal for the night. It would allow her time to meditate, to pray upon the stars and the moon. With her new acquaintence devouring the rest of the meat, she would have fresh bones to use to read both their futures and speak of their fortune. In a way, Jinaki was helping her just as much! It certainly saved her the burden, at any rate. . . . The spirits were tricky creatures, but their craftiness had paid off. The stranger would not starve and Oseye would be granted small gifts for her kindness.
In the end it worked out for everyone.
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