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 Posted: Sat Jan 08, 2011 9:24 pm
 Zenobia found herself going through what seemed to be a highway among the rogue lands. More often than not, she didn't run into that many others. Lately she felt she'd been meeting them left and right. There was nothing wrong with that. Zeno liked meeting new faces, as long as they weren't outright mean.
She thought back to a recent encounter with hyenas and a shiver rippled down her coat. That one had been close. Grateful to be away from them, the pale lioness thought everything seemed brighter and happier.
Licking her nose, she stopped to take stock of her location. It was about noon. Time for a stop and rest. She scent water nearby and turned to head for it. Not long after saw her lapping the cool clear water. It trickled down her throat and soothed parched tissues.
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 2:38 pm
A moment later he was on his feet and padding over to her his stride was long and loose, covering much ground with every step. Soon enough he was only a few yards from her, amber eyes settled on her pale features even as his ears twitched like radars.
"Greetings." His deep voice was a low rumble in his large chest, huge body hard and sleek with muscle. He stood almost half as tall as her again, putting him easily head and shoulders above even the bigger rogue males out in this land.
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Posted: Fri Jan 14, 2011 9:57 pm
She hadn't seen the big male laying there. Zeno drank deeply from the clear water. Her ears were the first to sense him when he moved. Her head came up as red eyes watched him. It surprised her that she'd missed him.
Her muscles were taunt with tension. He was a very, very large male. She would fight if she had to, but she wasn't sure what he wanted. To her experienced eyes he wasn't being agressive, however Zenobia knew not to let her guard down.
"Hello." Her answer came slowly as she watched him.
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 10:56 am
Calmly he stood there, silently watching her for a moment, then he lifted his great shaggy head and glanced back over his shoulder, the same direction he had looked in before walking over. He seemed oblivious to her intent crimson eyes as he slowly scanned the horizon, a faint frown marring his brow. Eventually he turned back to her.
"There are a couple of violent rogues near here." By way of explanation for his strange behaviour. She was such a delicate looking thing, Sliabh couldn't help but act as a kind of guard for her. Most males left him alone, his sheer size prevented most sensible lions from attacking him but there was always the odd male who was either insane or cocky that would try and take him on. For the time being, he knew that the female was vulnerable, but the simple presence of him close to her would keep those two brothers away for now. So he stood quietly as she drank her fill, forgetting that he himself may seem dangerous.
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:13 am
When he mentioned violent rogues, Zeno wondered if those hyenas would have followed her this far. It concerned her that they might have. Having help the first encounter didn't guarantee help on the second. She too looked back over her shoulder a moment. Could this male possibly giver her a helping paw?
As he made no violent move toward her and stayed standing there so regally, the pale lioness began to relax just a little. She was slightly amused at the thought of him assigning himself as her bodyguard. Well she wouldn't say no for now. Zeno lowered her head for another long drink.
It seemed rude not to say something. Lifting her head after slaking her thirst, a couple drops of water fell from her muzzle. "Violent rogues aren't all that's out there." She looked at him again and appreciated his size. Not many would like to tangle with him.
"My name's Zenobia."
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:36 am
The dark male stayed quiet as she drank from the pool, his head up and gold eyes fixed on the surrounding landscape. If nothing else, he was aware and certainly seemed capable. If she had known of his profession back in his pride she would have understood that it was indeed true, he was a guard in the Kitwana, patrolling the pride's boarders daily. It was his job to keep all unwelcome rogues out, no matter who or what they were. Due to the pride's unique situation it was a job that he could not fail at, and under that dark coat, he had the scars to prove it.
Looking back over towards her as she spoke, a slow nod of his head was offered in agreement. "True enough. Hyenas, leopards, even cheetahs if they are stirred up." A thoughtful look passed over the male's expression before he smiled faintly, the expression almost shy.
"I'm Sliabh."
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 11:47 am
She sensed, somehow, that the large lion would not allow harm to come to her if he could help it. A point that pleased her. It wasn't just any lion who would look out for others he didn't know.
Zenobia sat down and curled her white tail around her feet. Faintly on the small breeze she thought she could detect the scent of those Sliabh was talking of. It didn't, thankfully, smell of the hyenas.
"Yes, speaking of hyenas. There is a rather nasty group over that way." Her head turned to point the direction. "They weren't too fond of lioness couple days ago when I checked." She said ruefully. It wasn't her fault she hadn't known, but she'd paid the consequences anyhow. At least now he would be aware of it.
"So what brings you out here into the wilds?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 1:10 pm
Amber eyes watched as she settled, she seemed to have decided he spoke the truth and wasn't about to run off, which made his job easier. It wasn't that he thought she was defenceless, but the urge to aid and protect was so deeply ingrained in him that he couldn't help but want to be of service if he could.
Ears pricked as she started to speak, gaze shifting to follow the direction she had pointed out to him. Nodding slowly he surveyed the horizon but for the moment, saw no evidence of the band. However he knew first hand just how violent and dogged hyenas could be, and so he knew he had to look out for them sneaking around in the long grasses. Looking back at her he glanced at the pale fur, looking for any wounds that would need treatment even as he replied. "Thank you for the warning."
Pausing a moment he considered her question, gold eyes lifting to the blue skies before resettling on his companion. "I am on a mission for my pride's Queen." Dipping his head he thought of Eva and the three adopted cubs he had left behind back home. A wave of homesickness filled him but he pushed it away. He had a duty to do and he could not go home just yet...
"My pride is in trouble, we are few in number, so I was sent out to gather new members and ... " Pausing he glanced back at her, uncertain if she would understand his confession, what his sacrifice had been and why it was so necessary for the pride. He had learned the hard way that some rogues thought him mad and his pride barbaric for what he was sent out here to do. And for some reason, he didn't want her upset with him.
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 1:33 pm
Zenobia took a deep breath. The day was beautiful, and the water clear and cold, Her present company was also pleasent. She gave him a slight smile.
"Your welcome Sliabh. I hope that you never run into them." She spoke softly and sincerely. Perhaps he was strong enough to take on the numbers that had attacked her, but eventually numbers would overcome strength.
Her head perked up when he said mission. The queen herself had given him a mission? He must be an important lion then. She listened to speak of his pride and wondered briefly what it might be like to belong somewhere.
Zenobia's red eyes looked solemnly at the lion before her. She knew she couldn't or maybe wouldn't join a pride. The white lioness enjoyed her freedom far too much to give it up.
"Thank you, I think, but I wont be joining any pride." She said softly yet firmly.
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 1:42 pm
Golden eyes blinked at er then the male laughed, a low, deep and surprisingly soft sound that for all its husky rumble, felt gentle and strangely warm. "Oh, I am not trying to recruit you." Smiling softly he looked at her with eyes sparkling with gentle amusement. "Lions that wish for that kind of thing are usually easy to pick out, and they often ask what pride and if they could join without my intervention. No, I was imply explaining why I am here. Though there is a second ask I must perform. I am one of the few strong members of my pride, I need to also produce cubs, healthy offspring, to guarantee the future of the Kitwana."
Letting out a soft sigh he looked out across the landscape once again, a strange wistful expression in his eyes. "It is a great honour, and my bloodline will help build our pride up strong and healthy once again. But I miss my home." Startled by his sudden confession he glanced at her then dropped his gaze, staring into the water's surface with a tiny, guilty sigh.
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:05 pm
She took a definite moment to take in what he'd said. The task was certainly an interesting. So he wasn't trying to recruit her per se, but her cubs. That would explain his polite attitude toward her. He needed her help. Her willing help.
Zeno took several breaths to analyze the various angles. What had he said verse what he hadn't. One of the few strong members; meaning his pride was weak or weakening. Healthy cubs; was something wrong with their cubs? Indeed it seemed so, what? He was doing all he could to save his pride which was noble of him.
"A couple questions I have." She spoke slowly, as though feeling out her words. "First, what is it that has brought your pride so low? Second, what of my cubs? How do I know they will be well taken care of and not fall to the same thing which affects yours?"
Though she wanted to help him, she didn't want to send her cubs out to die. "I have no place that I call home, so I do not know what missing it is like."
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:28 pm
The male looked surprised once again, the second time in as many minutes. There were few who could keep him on the back paw so easily, yet it seemed she was one. He usually had visions of those that he needed to approach about birthing his offspring, but he had received no such vision from the gods for this female. Still, something deep inside him told him she was a strong lioness and would provide his pride with good blood.
Regarding her with a serious expression he considered her questions, for they were sensible and deserved the thought. "The Goddess Pestilence has cursed our pride. Most of our members are stricken with a sickness. I am one of the few who has escaped her wrath and a such, I can leave the pride boarders." Lowering his gaze he studied the water for a moment. "There is no guarantee that the cubs will not become sick as well, but I would only taken them once they are old enough to travail, and by then they are more immune... it is the newborns that are so very weak against the curse."
Looking back up at her, the mix of hope and need in his expression was almost painful.
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:43 pm
She listened. He spoke forwardly and directly. No avoiding the reason or making excuses. Zeno had a good feeling about him; he would take the best care of her cubs he could.
Her heart was not that of metal or stone. She stood and moved closer to him with a purr. "I will help you bring your pride back." Zeno gave him a slightly wistful look. "If by chance, there is a large litter could one or two remain with me?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 23, 2011 2:57 pm
Surprise registered over the lost expression as amber eyes lifted to meet her own crimson ones. After a moment, a rare smile spread over the male's maw and he lowered his head, giving her a grateful look. "Thank you Zenoa. Of course, I have no wish to hurt you and am most grateful you are willing to aid me." Tilting his head he let out a soft little sigh, feeling as if one more piece of the burden he carried had been lifted from his shoulders.
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