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 Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 11:53 am
Ukoo had dreamed of him. Green and against the dark sky, walking to the pride, looking for something. He was running, his paws not touching ground; like he was a cloud. She woke from her dream, instantly awake. She sat up, shifting a few of her cubs aside as she stood. Everyone else was asleep, not like she cared. Tariq, he was trying to sweeten her up, after she spoke of the sunset lioness.
She stepped past them all, out of the cave and towards the border. She didn't worry much about someone stopping her and asking her what she was doing alone. Everyone knew of her seer dreams and that she was a proper Banu.
Her limping gate, due to her self inflicted wounded paw, made her slow, but she wanted to meet the male before he got attacked thinking he was an intruder. She neared the border and sat at it, waiting.
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Posted: Thu Oct 21, 2010 4:37 pm
Tendaji wasn't far from the borders of the Ukuucha'wafalme lands. While he was unaware exactly what sort of pride he had stumbled upon, the magenta eyed male wasn't entirely concerned. He was no spring chicken, after all, and had lived his life in various prides as well as taken care of himself in the rogue lands. The scent of lions - particularly male lions - was what gave away the close proximity of the pride. Borders hadn't been clearly marked yet, so he knew he was still in the rogue lands, but he also knew he wasn't far thanks to the heavy scent of lions coming and going.
Curiosity and a thirst for knowledge drove Tendaji closer. He had heard of many prides in his lifetime, and always enjoyed learning new traditions and ways of others. He was also a very confident lion, in both his skills, and his experience. Perhaps they could find use for his skills and his Machiavellist attitude. . . .
Then again . . . maybe that was just an excuse.
Tendaji knew he was getting on in years. He was still very much in shape, and was definitely a force to reckon with. He knew no fear and he had done many a dark deed in his past. The lion lived a life that was morally grey. But he also knew he couldn't always stay in the game. . . He was closer to retirement everyday, but had yet to find any reason to settle or stay. Or any pride that was interesting enough to keep him.
Still . . . Little known he was being expected, the lion continued on his trail. He was rather non-descript when it came to appearances, but he preferred it that way. The less attention he drew to himself, the better, especially when it came to handling delicate matters. Perhaps it was because he was very plain in looks (outside of the scars that marred his body), that his eyes were quickly drawn towards a figure not far off. It was a female, a lioness, and she was . . . .
She was very striking. Beautiful in a way. No, not in a way, just plain beautiful. She was covered in an array of olive hues, touched with black, and various tribal patterns upon her coat. A very lovely female, to be sure, and one Tendaji could appreciate. . .at least when it came to looks.
Still, he was wise to know that a female often had a mind of her own, as well as her own agenda. He wouldn't ever assume he was safe, nor would he ever assume any female was helpless. He had caught the way she had limped, and the fact she was alone also caused him to be on guard. Pride lion or not, he would never assume anything, and could only live his life on the defensive and alert.
Not being alert, or falling for tricks and manipulation or seduction had been the downfall of many his victims. Tendaji wasn't about to let himself fall this day. . .especially by the whims of a lovely lady.
Trotting closer, he approached easily, not at all concerned with the fact he crossed pride lands. He was still at the borders, and was now certain this female was from the unknown pride. Her scent made that much clear. "Greetings and salutations, m'lady," he spoke, his voice deep but almost lethargic. He dipped his head at the stranger, keeping his disposition formal and cordial. It was the best way to show he meant no harm, and could at least come to an understanding about the other.
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 6:42 pm
Ukoo spotted him not far off and watched him come. Just as her dream had shown her-he was walking with purpose. He was older, like she, and seemed to walk with an air of experience. She lifted her head as he approached closer and spoke out to her. She nodded her head solemnly, holding her wounded paw against her chest like she did now these days. And then a smile crossed her face.
"I saw your approach sir. Please do not be alarmed by me... I am here to escort you to what you seek without being harmed by pride members. Some of them get hostile at times..." She said softly, her red eyes observing him. He was a very plain creature in coloration but she had grown up hating herself... her pelt and her red eyes had done nothing but harm her for her whole life. She had been cubnapped at a very young age by an insane lioness for her king; the ruler of a pride of vampires.
The cub with the red eyes became a blood slave. The scar on her neck, now mostly covered by fur now; was her mark of a slave. She had escaped them, only by the will of her seer powers. She slept walk away from the lands and was captured by her new king... Tariq.
And her life did not change much. She was used for her abilities. She was used to make children. She was used...
She sat there gazing at him. "I am Ukoo... My Pad is Tariq. You should know this..."
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 7:07 pm
Tendaji padded closer to where the female sat, her paw cradled against her chest. While he didn't stare at her, she was the focus of his attention though he kept himself alert for any danger. He was very close to the pride lands and was almost certain she was still on their territory. If he bridged the distance between himself and the female, he would instantly be targeted as a trespasser. . . .
Best not to fall for any traps. His ears strained to hear the sound of breathing or movement elsewhere, just in case the striped female were a decoy. He'd seen far too much brutality . . .hell, he'd even caused much of it . . . to be so trusting so soon. But while he didn't trust the lone females agenda, that didn't mean he couldn't be amicable. She didn't have to know his history, didn't have to know his thoughts. . . Tendaji was a master when it came to facades. Today would be no different.
"Escort me to what I seek . . . " He repeated, taking a seat at the edges of the pride lands and tilting his head thoughtfully. A small smile crossed his features, amused at the thought. "Unfortunately, m'lady, I approached the territory with no real purpose. Curiosity drove me, I suppose, a thirst for knowledge about the unknown. . . though I do appreciate your more amicable advances." The scars on his body proved he had crossed more than one hostile creature in his lifetime. It could mean he too was a fighter, a brute. . . . but the only time he truly fought was when he was on a mission. And having been without a pride, having been without a patron, life had been very quiet for the killer.
Pad. . . . An unusual term, a foreign word. "A pleasure to meet you, Madam Ukoo. My name is Tendaji." He dipped his head formally, having always been a gentleman. He was no brute, he was no barbarian and he knew how to respect a female. Certainly, he had no real conscience, and had no problem manipulating those around him to get what needed to be done resolved . . . . but he could still be polite. His mother had raised him with manners, after all. Before his life had turned in to that of an assassin, he had almost been a noble of his original pride. . . .
But fate had decided otherwise for the lion, and those golden and royal roots were long ago and faded.
"If you could forgive my ignorance, what is this Pad that you speak of? This . . . Tariq."
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Posted: Fri Dec 10, 2010 7:20 pm
Ukoo could not really answer his statement as she did not know what he sought... she just knew something was there. She smiled. "My dreams did not tell me what you desired. They only told me you did... and that you were coming. I have been waiting a little while..." She said, shifting her shoulders and putting her paw down to shift her dominant paw; then putting her wounded paw back against her chest.
"Pad is a term for.. the male that dominates me. He is my mate... and the mate to any other females he wishes. This is a harem pride... I am his Banu..." She didn't seem to be overly happy to be speaking of him; in fact she looked a little sad. "Tariq is the male that captured me so long ago... and took claim to me. Now I do as he says... as is custom of this pride."
She stood up and stayed before him. His scars did not frighten her. "I see you have had some experiences in life. As have I." She used her wounded paw to pull back her olive fur on her neck, exposing the scar of her blood letting. "We have something in common then." She said simply, with a soft smile on her muzzle. She put her paw back against her chest.
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 11:35 pm
Tandaji listened as the female spoke, though his ears shifted now and then, not wanting to relax fully. He was experienced enough to understand the concept of a harem, and the way she described the definition of a Pad meant that this was a male-dominant pride. The males ruled, in some manner, and the females were their servants or slaves. An interesting concept, surely, but one Tendaji didn't entirely agree with . . .
Females had their uses, certainly, but he never considered them beneath himself. He had killed some, yes, but never without just cause or reason. Many of his targets had been male, though he had lived temporarily in female-dominated prides as well. There was a great diversity of life out there, and while there was much he didn't know of, there were some concepts that were easy to swallow and accept.
A male-dominant pride wasn't unusual or unheard of . . . In fact, in some cases, it was tradition. Interesting though to be so close to one. But what interested Tendaji more was the fact this olive coated female had mentioned something about dreams. . . and about his arrival!
Tendaji had heard rumors and met lions and lionesses that claimed to have visions. Sometimes they were fakes, liars that could easily con a group to believe they knew the truth. But sometimes . . . . sometimes the plain coated male seemed to think there was more to it than that. Sometimes a lion or lioness pegged a vision that was too accurate to be a lie, or spoke of a truth that came to pass. . . Tendaji was always a skeptic, but it was strange that she had come forth to the borders, and didn't seem at all surprised by his company.
Especially when the borders were relatively quiet and empty; especially when she had a mate, a . . Pad of some sort . . . who might not take kindly to her meeting a stranger. Unusual. But also a potential ruse. Best not put too much weight or faith in these 'dreams' . . . This could also be a way to lure a lion closer and be set up for a trap. Only time would tell her true intentions.
"Does this Tariq know that you have come to meet a stranger near the borders? Or does the pride often give allowances to their females?" He wasn't criticizing her choice, he truly was curious. If Tendaji had a female mate, he wasn't sure how he'd feel about her fraternizing with strangers at the border. Maybe it was because he knew there were thieves, rogues, and assassins just like him that could easily over power someone. Tendaji wasn't afraid of much, but he also understood the reality of the world. . . there were some dark and frightening creatures out there, ones that were as black in heart and mind as they were in spirit. He was a liar, a killer . . . And he could easily charm another and live a dual life if he wished. Who was to say a stranger with impure intentions couldn't do the same with one of his loved ones?
Oh well. Regardless how she answered, Ukoo was not his concern, and his intentions were pure. At least for now. He hadn't been hired or sought out, and it had been awhile since he settled in a pride. Usually when he did choose a pride, it was because someone needed to use him as a scout, a rogue, and hired help. Unfortunately though, he was getting older, and while thoroughly experienced, his demand was fast ebbing. . . . He doubted anyone in these lands knew of his name, knew of his talents. Strangely though, the silvering maned lion was okay with that. . . .
"I've not lead a dull life," he agreed with a bemused smile. "Though I can't say some of these scars weren't unwarranted." It was true. Some of the battles he found himself in were from his youth and folly . . . Some of them had been near fatal, but every new experience left him with some knowledge. "I could tell you a story about every wound on my body, but I'd rather not bore the lady to tears. Tell me though, if I may be so impertinent, but are the scars upon your neck inflicted from this . . . Pad . . .or from something else?" They looked old, but right now Tendaji knew little of her life. He knew not when she was captured, or of her life before it. . . . If she'd received the bite willingly or . . . . had been a victim.
A shame though, either way. The female harbored a scar upon her leg, a nasty wound that obviously still hurt. A shame such a pretty lioness seemed so . . . unhappy and sported scars on her body. But life was not kind or pleasant and he knew that firsthand. Sometimes things happened that were uncalled for or surprising. . . .
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Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 1:02 pm
Ukoo raised her head proudly. "I am not a very good female to him. He chose a disobedient female to be his top queen when she was rebelious and i was there to obey his every whim. I was taken for granted. He had traded away one of my daughters in a game of chance and he has broken my heart. Besides my lack of desire to please him anymore, he is afraid to punish me for things that my dreams tell me. He has found out many times that my dreams-are truth. What I see happens. I saw that a male was coming to the pride and for some reason, I knew I was to come meet you..." She said nodding.
"Otherwise if he choses to punish me for not telling him where I am; he can beat me if he desires. I follow the will of the gods... or whom ever it is that haunts my dreams with visions... then so be it." She looked sternly away.
His next question made her wince a little bit... her red eyes shifting in the way they shone. "No... Tariq did not. The scar on my neck, on my jugular; is from my old pride. I was a blood slave. The king drank of my blood... " She paused, lowering her paw so that her wound was visible. "This wound... I have done to myself... as a nervous habit. Since the birth of my cubs and my inevitable slave mentality wasting away, I have chewed it on my sleep and when I am... anxious or sad..." She looked a bit ashamed. "I know it's a poor reason to hurt myself but... I guess since I was a cub... pain was the only way I got attention... and I think that's why it makes me feel better..." She chuckled.
"I'm sorry. Here I am spilling my heart out to you... you must be thirsty..." She flicked her head towards the pride. "I would like to escort you there... if you so desire..."
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Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 6:41 pm
Tendaji listened intently as the female spoke. The way she poured out her heart, the way she spoke of her past and of her current mate. . . it as strange. She was a beautiful female, but it sounded as if there wes competition or . . . rank of some sort amongst the females. This Tariq of hers had chosen favor in another . . .
If Ukoo was a loyal as she made herself sound, than either she was lying about her nature and there were issues that she kept hidden that had driven the male away. Or, it had been purely coincidence. Games of the heart could be terribly upsetting . . . Tendaji understood what love was, and had caused many to fall for his charms when younger. Often, that was the easiest way to get close to another . . .to feed them lines and lies and then turn on them. To use them for information or merely get close enough so he might kill . . . .
There were times when he had grown too close, too attached, but he had learned that attachments only foiled his duty. He had enemies in other lands, he had enemies within other prides. Growing attached wasn't something he had the luxury to afford. But he could understand jealousy, he could understand a desire for attention even if he often was one to desire solitude.
This Ukoo had lead a seemingly unfortunate life. A slave to a blood king? Now a slave to another who chose favor elsewhere . . . And who knew what else in between! Her body was scarred, and she seemed callous and uncaring about her mate. "Hn." He grunted, his magenta gaze studying her. Giving a small shake of his head, the older male couldn't stop himself from snorting. "Life hasn't treated you kindly, I see. It has gifted you with visions, and yet here you sit with a neglectful . . .Pad . . . and were once nothing more than a food source to another. Though we are strangers, and perhaps I know not the whole story, I am sorry to hear that your life has been filled with such grievances." The blood king . . . he'd heard of all sorts of variety of beasts, but those who ate others or drank their blood were a level of low even Tendaji shuddered at. He'd worked with some strange ones in the past, he worked for whomever could give him the best deal, but . . . . that didn't mean he hadn't desired to take out the scum whom hired him.
She was still a stranger, but on the most superficial level she truly was beautiful. And while she had spoken, had shown him her paw, she had once again seemingly cried out for attention. For an ear to listen, a shoulder to fall upon, someone to know her story. . . . "Never be ashamed of who you are, or where you've come from," he gently reprimanded, giving a firm nod, entirely certain of his words. "From a strangers perspective, it sounds as if you have every reason to yearn for a bit of attention. . . Though I might hope that someday you can find a way to replace pain with something else. Something a bit more befitting a lady." Like happiness. Joy. Perhaps even love, though he was unsure if any in the pride could adhere to that.
Giving his tail a flick, the scarred male glanced over Ukoo's shoulder and studied the pride lands. He was old, but he was experienced. Following her could still be a trap . . . her opening up still could be a ploy to get him to feel relaxed and get him to follow. But why not? He was feeling his oats a bit . . . If he was attacked, so be it. A good fight could keep him on his toes. "If I am allowed to enter pride territory, a drink would do well on my parched tongue. It's been awhile since I've been associated with a pride, or even an invited guest." He'd been uninvited many a time. . . . but that was all in the past.
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Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 1:43 pm
Ukoo was a bit stunned when he expressed his sorrow for her past life. She looked to him, her red eyes taking on a strange sheen again and she looked away shyly, looking down at her paws. "Yes well... I believe all things happen for a reason." She said soflty, looking at her flexing paw. She recalled her first litter of cubs and of how she had abandoned them in a vision induced haze; to be captured to this pride. Her one son was among them now; a good male. Her second batch of cubs... she adored them.. .and their father... did not treat them as the should. He even traded one of them, before she was weaned, in a game of chance with another.
That was when Ukoo lost her love for him.
She blushed again at his words. "I am no lady... haha." She giggled at this thought playfully. "I am simpy Ukoo... nothing more than that..." She nodded, before standing up and looking at him thoughtfully.
"You have nothing to fear of me.. and no one will attack you during my escort. They fear me... some of them... Even my own pad does sometimes..." She looked a tad proud.
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Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 7:23 pm
Tendaji was glad that the female seemed to take on a positive outlook to her situation. All things considered, what else could she do? Wallowing in self-pity couldn't change the past, and ultimately, many things did happen for a reason. Giving a small shake of his head, the pink eyed lion looked at the female and offered a small smile. "It is true that things do happen for a reason. It's just a shame that sometimes those reasons aren't good reasons, or easy to figure out. And I'm sorry they had to happen to you at all."
Tendaji had often reminisced over his life. Some might call him a hypocrite, and perhaps he was. His own history had left bloodshed, tears, and pain in its own right. How many had he killed for no reason other than someone paid him to? How many had he killed because of the right price? Surely that was no reason . . . Not a good one. But their death allowed him to live, or gave peace to another. Had he ever regretted killing?
. . . not usually. So how could he express sympathy of this strangers plight?
Well, he wasn't on a job right now, for one thing. He didn't have to stay detached, not any longer. He was retired from the game anyway, retired from that lifestyle. Furthermore, Tendaji wasn't heartless. He could still feel all sorts of emotions and he'd never been so cruel as to believe what he had done wouldn't effect someone, wouldn't hurt him down the road. But if he allowed guilt or remorse to eat at him. . . .well. . . he'd never make it.
He felt sorry that Ukoo had to suffer. But hopefully she would be right, and all of her misfortunes would only lead to something more, something better. It was hope, and if that gave her peace, than so be it.
Tendaji's green ears pricked as Ukoo giggled, and he couldn't help but allow his own smile to grow. Giving another shake of his head, he added, "You may simply be Ukoo to everyone else, but you are still a lady. And unfortunately for you, whether or not you agree, I will treat you as such. I may have a . . .shady history my own . . . but my mother had brought me up with some manners." And that was the truth! He could have been something great. . ..and in a way, he had been. But he had fallen far from the tree and his work had been questionable and cruel. Even so, he had always been charming and could be quite diplomatic and suave when necessary. . . . It came with the territory.
"I am honored to be escorted by such a feared member of the pride. Though don't let the silver in my mane fool you. . . I'm not out of my prime yet." He winked, making it obvious he too had seen his fair share of fighting. But there was no need to go in to that, or even his history. They were both feared, in their own ways, for their own reasons. His time was past though. . . He could enjoy letting another take the lead. This was her pride, after all. . . He was but a stranger.
"After you, m'lady Ukoo." He dipped his head in a bow, and while his eyes danced in jest and good humor, his body language was respectful and sincere. He wasn't toying with her. . . She was female, she was a lady. She'd been hospitable and kind, even if she had been expecting him. Until she proved to him otherwise with a nasty personality, he would continue to treat her as she deserved.
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Posted: Sat Jan 15, 2011 11:20 pm
Ukoo could see potential in this male. He would make some Banu very happy if he stayed. IF he stayed. He probably wouldn't... but then why would the gods have shown her him? It wasn't very often that the gods gave her a vision for no reason. When the vision of her grandfathers death came, it was to tell her of his death. When she foresaw the male of relation, though she knew no name-she knew he was a black sheep among her family.
When she saw the vision of the sunset colored lioness; it was to give Tariq a reason to respect Ukoo's visions.
So what was the reason for showing her this male. This Tendaji. She smiled warmly to him at his words. "Now now. Just because I still have the lithe figure of a young lady don't mean I am young at all. We are probably the same age, you and I. I have seen my seasons. I have given life. My days grow short." The last words were said, with a touch of sadness. As she had foresaw her death not long ago and she suspected, things would change soon.
"Of course my good sir!" She said, dipping her head to him before starting into the pride. "I will escort you too the Sultan as to gain permission to be among us and then to the water and drink." She added, her gait lopsided as she favored her wounded paw slightly; which was very similar to her own mothers walk.
"Behave, you are on our terms now."
Fin
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