Poa:2:34 am
(2:34:06 AM): Poa had decided: today was the day. the weather was perfect and his parents were busy with other Clan related things. They wouldn't notice if he was missing! And even if they did, it wouldn't matter, because he'd be well on his way to adventuring. This was his calling in life. To do and achieve great thongs! Today he would see if this legend of his father's was true! Today he would go up into the mountain and seek and slay the dragon. After such a feat nine could deny that he was the greatest warrior the Clan and the Pride had known! But in this he didn't necessarily want to go alone! Why not find others to join this venture and turn it into an epic adventure?
Howi: 2:39 am
(2:39:35 AM): Howi, blind from birth, had become entirely dependant on his family for survial. From hunting to locating water, it was slow going for the cub, though he took it in stride. The cub never once complained, and he found that he had all the attention he could ever want. Due to his lack of judgement over such things, he had become Tsiya's favorite canvas for practicing his tatoo paints. As a result, his alabaster pelt was often colored with random, blotched colors in an array of both tasteful and untasteful combonations. As a result of that, Rehema was bathing him frequently. He learned quickly to appreciate water and the long groomings afterwards. Often times when his mother went out to hunt, Howi would be left in his father or older brother's care. Pumzikio liked to play with his mane, and Kohana...well...kept him company.
The cub sat quietly outside of the den, staying just where Kohana had asked him to when the older lion went to round up the others. His ears perked up, twitching one way then the other at every little sound.
He loved birds...loved the sounds they made and loved the soft feathers that he'd collect from Ona's own companion. Where his eyesight failed him, his hearing had sharpened. Hearing the paw steps of his littermate, he turned and offered a warm smile over his shoulder.
Poa:3:18 am
(3:18:28 AM): Poa smiled brightly as he spotted Howi and his brilliant pelt. Perhaps Howi would like to come along? Blind or not, his brother could still have adventures, especially if there were others around to help him if trouble did arise. "Hey! Howi! You up for some adventuring today?" He nosed his brother's shoulder. "Remember that story dad told, the one about the dragon in the mountains. You fancy going to look for him with me?"
Howi: 3:21 am
(3:21:17 AM): Howi nudged his brother back, chuckling quietly.
"An adventure?" He stood himself up and slowly padded around to face the direction of Poa's voice, ears rolling forward. "A dragon, I remember but.... didn't dad say it was dangerous? What if...he likes how cubs taste?"
Poa:3:28 am
(3:28:01 AM): "I won't lie. It could be dangerous. The dragon is a mean beast indeed! However, think what will happen if we fought it and won! The pride would call us heroes! Warriors! They'd be proud to call us Ela'wadiyian!" He puffed out his little chest and did his best to look strong, hoping his brother would pick up on it and take heart from his confidence. "But, if you like, we can ask someone else to come with us. That Nekoda, perhaps? He likes adventures and he's bigger than us!" He gave Howi an excited nudge. "So! What d'ya say?"
Howi: 3:32 am
(3:32:14 AM): Howi looked a little uncertain. Not so much for the potential danger as his direct disobedience to Kohana. His older brother had asked him to stay put... the others were running about and it wouldn't be long before their mother returned with supper.
"Well..." He tipped his head, eyes narrowing, "If...Nekoda comes...then we have an adult right? We wont' be in trouble. I'm sure it'll be okay. And dad would be so proud!"
Poa:3:37 am
(3:37:29 AM): Poa was practically bouncing with excitement now, nodding his head fiercely. "That's right! With a grown up around, nothing can go wrong! We won't be too long, either, so no one will even notice." With that decided, he gave his brother's ear a tug. "Quick, quick, Howi! Let's go find Nekoda and ask him!" He was grinning now, which was unusual for the usually grumpy boy. Adventures, it seemed, brought out the best in him. Hopefully the other male wouldn't be too far away. "Just think! Dad can tell the story about us!"
Howi: 3:39 am
(3:39:14 AM): "We'll be real heros." Howi sounded a little distant at the notion. He padded briskly after his brother's pawsteps. Of course here and there his foot would catch on something or he'd begin to walk in the wrong direction. All it took was another word from Poa or the telltale sound of his brother's paws in a silent moment to point him in the right direction.
"And we can bring back its feathers. We can wear them at the next gathering."
Poa:3:42 am
(3:42:25 AM): "Thats a great idea! I wonder what sort of feathers dragons have? I expect they'll be really amazing! Feathers for real warriors! It'll show Mum and Dad that we're not do little and helpless, too! I'm fed up with being treated like a child." Perhaps this is what made him grumpy? "I want to be able to protect the Clan when I grow up." To be strong and respected! It was a simple dream, but it was his dream.
Howi: 3:47 am
(3:47:38 AM): "I bet they're not as soft as a bird... if dragons are big and strong, they'd be harder..." He looked a little distant as he tried to imagine it. Rough feathers...
He chuckled again and turned to look towards his littermate. "You sound like a little Kohana. How come you don't want him to help you train? He's strong! His paws are rough."
Poa:3:54 am
(3:54:54 AM): He wrinkled his nose in thought. "Kohana is very strong, but he got strong through his own...determination, right? I...I need to do this by myself to prove to others and to me that I am strong and capable. That's why this adventure will be so good for me. If we can do this then we'll be looked at differently. I want to become a warrior without the help of my elders...or...atleast at first." Perhaps it didn't make sense but Poa needed to do something without his older family members helping. He wanted respect. "It makes sense, right?"
Howi: 4:02 am
(4:02:36 AM): "Yeah I think it makes sense." He nodded his agreement, slowing as his paws came to a small drop off. He paused for a moment and felt out in front of him, tiny nose wrinkling as he tested the ground for a path. After a few moments he continued on, slowly picking his way down a small, cub-height drop. A simple step to someone like their father or mother, but to a cub it was a little tumble.
"Where are we going to meet Nekoda?"
Poa:4:06 am
(4:06:13 AM): He paused to wait, not seeming to mind pausing for his brother to make those unknown steps in the darkness. "He should be around here somewhere." He took a few more steps forward and blinked around. "Nekoooooda!!" He blinked and moved forwards slowly. Maybe the lion wasn't here after all. What then? Would they just go anyway? He cast a glance back at Howi and a determined expression came to his face. "Maybe he'll show up on the way?"
Howi: 4:12 am
(4:12:17 AM): "Don't yell! Kohana will hear..." He warned his brother with a hiss, nearly stumbling in the process. If anything set Kohana off, it was the Wayas. First Nekoda with his...strangley child-like behavior and wild stories then Wingu...a nice but strangely quiet male who apparently wanted to take Eeva as his mate.
"Yeah....on the way...which way?"
Poa:4:16 am
(4:16:25 AM): Whoooops! He clapped a paw across his mouth and mumbled some apologies, brushing against his brother as he rejoined him. "Straight ahead! We're lucky the mountains aren't too far away!" He moved out confidently again. "You'll know when we get near. The ground will get rockier, but don't worry, I'll warn you if there are any obstacles." He struck out across the lands of his home, knowing that he loved this place and knowing that he wanted to make a place for himself here. The land before them did indeed become rocky and as they reached the vase, the land became a slope, leafing them upwards. "Watch your step here! A few rocks ahead!"
Howi: 4:22 am
(4:22:13 AM): "You know... you do a good job as a protector without any help already." He offered gently, paws moving a little more confidently with his brother's guiding words and his shoulder leading him forward.
"You're showing me the right way to go, and you're not letting me fall. You don't give yourself enough credit."
Poa:4:25 am
(4:25:35 AM): He blinked, smiling a little. "Thanks Howi! But I'm only doing what comes natural. We're brothers and we need to look out for one another. I'll always be around to look out for you." He grinned. "So long as you look out for me, too." Ge blinked, gaping a moment. "Boy, the mountain sure does look bigger from this angle. I think it's taller than the sky! Higher than the clouds! Maybe that's why people think our ancestors live up there. It does seem suitable."
Howi: 4:29 am
(4:29:48 AM): "I hope so... but...Kohana says we gotta leave when we find a girl." He looked a little chestfallen at that. They only had a few sisters, they were the ones that got to stay. Kohana had already watched some of his littermates find someone in another tribe....
Howi made a small choking sound in the pit of his throat. He didn't want anyone to go anywhere... why couldn't they just stay little?
"....big...big like dad?"
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