|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 4:12 pm
Cresting the rise he lifted his head, feeling the wind in his mane, almost cold as it lifted the thick fur from his shoulders. Amber eyes swept the scene before him, following the winding river that was his destination. Satisfied the area was safe, he started down the slope, walking with his classical long swinging stride. Not too long after he arrived at the river bank and crouched, lowering his head to lap slowly at the rippling waters. Drinking slowly, pausing to sit back after a few swallows.
Eventually he had taken his fill and stood up, licking his lips to clean the water drops as he took a few paces from the river bank and settled down under the shade of a gumgum tree, content to rest for a short while.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:32 pm
Sadara slipped from the line of trees that were on the lee side of the river, her pale coat easily seen against the darker line of foliage. She ran her slivery gaze along the bank, looking for any predators much larger then she. Seeing none, she walked on padded paws quietly to the river's edge.
Her gate was hindered by the still healing wound to her left flank, another reason why the leopardess had been cautious when coming to the water's bank. Sadara had no idea where Lihau had slipped off to, but she could guess the young healer was out looking for more drop seed for her mother.
The leopardess felt bad that Lihau was working so hard to take of the three of them, but at least now she was healed enough to fetch water. That at least would be one less task for her friend when he returned.
Crouching, she bent to drink, before filling the odd thing that Lihau had been using to carry water in.Word Count Sadara: 779
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:42 pm
Amber gaze roamed the area quietly, the large lion relaxed and unconcerned as he watched a pale shape step cautiously out of the trees and pad over. Assuming she hadn't seen him yet, he stayed still while she drank, eyes studying the strange item she had with her. Ears flicking he wondered what it was, but soon turned his attention from the thing to the female. She was wounded, he could smell her blood on the wind. After a moment of indecision, he stood and slipped out of the shelter of the tree's trunk and walked slowly across the open, making sure she could see him so he wouldn't start her. he kept his movements slow and level, head turn to the lake so she knew he wasn't going to attack her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 1:57 pm
Sadra lifted her head the moment she spotted movement, her pale eyes watching the large male approach, her body tense as she stood up, ready to run if she had to.
She was fairly sure she could make it back to the trees behind her, and maybe even half up one of them before he caught her, even with the wound to her leg. At least she hoped so.
Watching him warily, she backed up a few steps, giving herself more room between them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:03 pm
Pausing as soon as she started to back away, he dipped his head to lap unhurriedly at the water before lifting it and looking over at her. Offering a faint smile he tilted his head. "Don't fear me. I won't hurt you." Standing straight he watched her, calm and still.
"Are you alright?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 2:30 pm
Sadara hesitated, not sure if she should run or not, but the male's calm voice and easy stance relaxed her and she chose not to back way anymore then she had.
The pale leopardess licked her muzzle as the lion spoke, her silver eyes a little frighted, but her voice was steady enough, " I would be a fool not to fear you sir, you are easily three times my size, and healthy. I have learned the hard way in the Rouge Lands you do not trust who you do not know."
Sadara choose to ignore the question as to if she were alright or not, She felt it was fairly clear that 'or not' was the answer, even if the wound looked well cared for, and was healing nicely, despite having looked like it had been a large gash that had torn through flank muscles.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 2:54 pm
Dipping his head in agreement at her reply he settled down on his haunches, hoping it would make him look less threatening to her. "True enough, and I wish I could say it was different, but your right. I promise I mean you no ill will."
He stayed sat where he was, watching her quietly. She was lame at best, hobbled at worst.. why she wa sout here alone he wasn't sure, but he felt the least he could do was see her safely back to her den.. all he had to do was convince her he himself wasn't about to attack her..
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:25 pm
Sadara gave him a measuring look, her pale eyes distrusting, but at the same time hopeful. She took a breath and deciding that she would get no where by just staring at him, the pale leopard pushed the water-thing into the water, balancing it with her paw carefully in the current.
Liahu had shown her how to fill it, but she still hadn't gotten the hang of it and she was worried she'd lose it to the swift eddys that swirled near the bank. Frowning, she stated at it, trying to remember how her friend had told her to pick it back up once full.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:31 pm
Sliabh watched the young female struggle on the bank for a moment before standing and, very slowly and very carefully, walking over to her. "Here... let me help with that.." Low voice quiet and coaxing as he moves closer to her, eyes on the gourd she is clinging too. He wasn't sure what it was, but it was obvious what she was trying to do and he figured he would have a better chance at filling the thing with four good legs than she did trying to keep her balance with three.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 3:46 pm
Sadara flintched as he came close, she couldn't help it, and the tremble slide across her pale fur before she could control it. Looking up at him with frightened silver eyes, she looked so very young.
Swallowing back her fear, Sadara took a step to the side, to let him take hold of the water-thing, and inadvertently ended up practically under him. Her small body was almost swallowed by his and she could feel the warmth of his chest ruff against her back.
Sadara went perfectly still, her silver eyes on her paws, as she froze in fear.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 04, 2011 4:00 pm
He felt her flinch away from him but knew that if he reacted, she would only feel worse, so he pretended to ignore her shivers and as he reached down to grasp the object in his maw, he was careful to keep from pressing against her in any way.. not wanting to spook her.
Taking a deep breath he drove his head under the water, the shell clamped in his powerful jaws. One heart beat, two.. then he pulled his head back, soaking wet with the thick mass of his mane plastered to his skull, the shell's handle caught between his teeth. With effort, he resisted the urge to shake the water from his mane until he had set the gourd down, then with a grunt, he indulged himself, sending a shower of fine water droplets flying into the sky.
Looking down at the trembling leopardess he smiled gently. "Would you consider letting me help you home?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:30 am
Sadara had the good grace to look embarrassed, and nodded to the large lion, her silver eyes filled with thanks. " It is really very...eeeeeee!" The pale leopardess' sentence was cut short as a cascade of water fell over her shoulders, soaking her to the skin.
Sadara sputtered, then looked back up at the male, her ears plastered to her head, water dripping off her nose, a shocked look in her eyes as the cold water dripped into a puddle at her feet.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:35 am
At her squeek, amber eyes turned to her, peering out from under the dropping wet fur of the lion's mane where it had fallen heavily over his face. Water dripped at his paws from the thick sodden fur.
"Ahh.. sorry.."
Shaking his head to try and get the hair out of his eyes he looked back at her before crouching down, belly pressing against the speckled ground. "Here... hop on.. I'll need you to guide me.." Blinking up at her he waited patiently, tail laying along the floor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:43 am
Sadara merely nodded, still in a little bit of shock from her cold water dousing and scrambled up onto his back, her still healing leg making the movement awkward, but she managed it without falling off the other side of his broad back, or digging claws into him.
" Its not far, just across the river and up the hill to the ridge of scab trees. Its an old wild dog den, but it is dry and safe at least."
She paused for a seconded, then said softly, " Thank you...I..just thank you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 9:51 am
He stayed still while she climbed up onto his back, ignoring the slight pricks as her claws caught him. She was far more careful than his cubs had been when he had done the same for them, but then, they had also used his broad back as a mini-playground and boxed each other till one fell off.
Once she was settled he carefully stood up, then lowered his head and picked the gourd up by the rope loop in the top. Talking with the string clamped between his teeth he managed a mumbled reply. "No tubble, soh don' wurry abau' i'."
Carefully he set off, stride smooth and even to avoid jostling the leopardess on his back or the water holder dangling from his jaws.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
