|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 10:09 pm
 ((I opted to name him Mwali since he has the red stripes.))
The pride was bustling with members, almost bursting at the seams compared to what he heard life was like before the rebellion. Taking in so many new members no doubt had doubled their numbers, maybe tripled. He'd just started to feel a bit stifled there, finding that he had the urge to get out and see the world, even if just once before going back home. Mwali wasn't content with settling for what he heard second hand from others, there were things that he wanted to see with his own eyes, and he knew that his home would be there when he got back.
He had been out for some time, away from the borders, and even though he had been told to expect it Mwali was still a bit stunned by the vast amount of green everywhere he looked. Grass, water in ample supply in some places, trees, he'd even passed by a jungle on his journey. Seeing it first hand opposed to hearing about it was really something.
Gradually, though, the excitement of it all was wearing off and he found himself simply wandering for wanderings sake. Something was waiting for him out there, but he didn't know what and wasn't the type to stress over things he couldn't control or predict. It would come when it pleased and it was as simple as that.
The hulking male had situated himself by a stream, sitting on top of a bolder looking as regal and poised as any warrior from his birth pride could, like he OWNED that watering hole, and gods (that he didn't believe in) knew nothing was stupid enough to challenge a lion of his stature.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 10:32 am
One could say that, for Shiva, things were not exactly going as she had originally intended. Oh yes, one would be quite astute if they could reason such a thing by a single glance. Not that such a task was difficult. Her once treasured pastel pelt was muted by the layer of dirt that had settled on it. All but masking the twisting trails of fine, white stripes and yet, despite her vagabond appearance, the young lioness carried herself with a grace and dignity that was as uncommon in the rogue lands as Shiva herself was unsuited to this strange, nomadic lifestyle.
Albeit, whether suited for it or not, she had grimly accepted her fate for what it was. Trapped in this isolated world so far from the comfort of her own pride. Shiva'Soheila had left with a single purpose, knowing full well the havoc her actions would cause and absolutely convinced they could be righted upon her return. That confidence, however, had quickly faded over the gathering weeks. Finding a mate. A Pad worthy of her. In this place where thieves and con artists were created? Impossible.
Oh, but that wasn't to she certainly hadn't met her fair share of males all too eager to claim her virgin tail. It just so happened they were all cads. Devious snakes. Ulterior motives abound. Shiva was not so easily wooed by a pawful of compliments as some of her sisters might have been. She knew she was beautiful, no one could convince her otherwise but to hear it off the tongue of some scruffy stranger with eyes that mounted her only defiled the truth of his words.
Unfortunately the few she had met who didn't act out of baser instinct were filled with apprehension and cowardice. Watching them squirm under her critical stare made Shiva grimace with distaste.
Without a Pad though, the little Kajira couldn't return home. The thought of her father's eyes filled with anger and disappointment was the only image that brought tears to her lilac hues. So Shiva tried hard to forget the Ukuucha'Wafalme, her family and especially Tariq. Most days it was easy enough to keep them at the back of her mind while presented with the very real struggle of survival on her own, but the heaviness in her chest only seemed to grow more cumbersome with each passing day.
Today was no different as the dusty mink tugged the half consumed zebra carcass towards the edge of the watering hole. It had originally been the kill of a pair of hyenas, but Shiva had valiantly fought the corpse from them. Except valiant certainly wasn't the word she would have used to describe such an act. Becoming little better than a scavenger was a fact she wasn't at all proud of, in the past having certainly looked down her nose at others who would stoop so low as to steal a meal.
Cursed with her mother's genetics, the lioness had inherited a petite frame and though, in her tenacity, it had never held her back from a hunt before life in the rogue lands was taking its toll on the little beauty. Mental and physical fatigue were intangible threats to Shiva's existence. Ones she fought by acting out of character to survive, though her pride and confidence took grave damage.
A vibrant gaze that hadn't yet lost its spark examined the quiet that surrounded the normally bustling body of water. Glad that, for once, there didn't appear to be anyone around to sneak off with her prey while she sought the refreshing depths to rinse away the grime that had taken root in her fur. Shiva didn't take into account the stranger seated on the plateau just above her line of sight or the beady eyes of hungry crocodiles that seemed to rise from the murk, peering intently at the easy meal abandoned on the shore.
[ Omg.. sorry this is so long. xD;; I tend to jump between writing long posts and short ones. So I just wanna give you the heads up that I don't write like this all the time. Mwali sounds fine to me. <3 ]
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 1:49 pm
((Ha ha, no worries, sometimes that happens with me too, usually when my muses are especially noisy.))
He had noticed her coming some time ago and was watching her curiously as she drew closer. At first he had scowled. If she didn't look rather pitiful he didn't know what did. He had seen a great deal of rogues come and go in these lands since leaving home, but few, if any, had been so filthy, small in stature, and in such a poor state of being. She carried herself with more grace and poise than someone covered in as much dust and dirt should, but it was enough to catch his interest.
Had she been slinking along like the scavenger she truly had been forced to become (Not that Mwali knew that.) he would have chased her off in irritation, but it was impossible to miss that she walked as if she were right at home despite the obvious signs that she didn't.
His eyes narrowed, thoughtful, curious still, and well aware of the crocs.
Was she? What would she do if she noticed them eyeballing her meal, if they TOOK her meal? It was too good of a show to pass up at the moment, though truthfully Mwali WAS still debating stepping in or not before or after that point.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 3:41 pm
It was unfortunate that she had to squish her way through the caking mud in order to find refreshment in the watering hole, but an indignity Shiva was only too glad to endure as a surge washed over her legs and slapped against her sides. Almost all at once she was returned to her youth in the pride where she had happily splashed and played along the lake shore. Always so very careful not to soil her illustrious coat, admired by all as it was.
Wading deeper into the water until it covered her back Shiva wondered to herself how it was possible for some lions to despise getting wet the way they did. Aching muscles finally finding solace in the cold currents that dragged across her fur by the flash of fish darting around and between her legs. If she noticed the crocodiles, she certainly seemed to be unafraid of them, but then.. in the lands she came from the ancient reptiles couldn't be found in their water. Not that she hadn't heard stories.
Honestly, she was too tired to give it much thought. Satisfied that life seemed to finally be giving her the upper hand as the filth slowly lifted off her fur and drifted away like so many bad memories from the weeks prior.
She didn't notice those creeping lizards coyly pacing up the bank with their purposeful strides. Completely disaffected by any such thing like the guilt that this kill was not their own. A meal was a meal and an easy one thanks to the naivete of a young lioness was just an opportunity for her to learn another life lesson about the way the rogue lands worked.
This was probably karma's way of telling her that she shouldn't steal food from other animals.
Surfacing from a quick dive, platinum bangs rested heavily over Shiva's brow, nearly completely obscuring irises the color of spring flower petals. They certainly gave others the impression that she was far more timid than she really was, but there was definitely a sensitivity in them that was kept guarded. Why? Because life favored the strong and pouting cutely with big doe eyes would never get her zebra back.
H-Hey! That's mine! Shock and indignation colored the young female's shouting voice as she noticed--almost a little too late--that the carcass was disappearing at the shoreline. Sinewy, serpentine bodies which moved awkwardly on land had had a time of backing up into the wallows from which they came, but they were almost home free now with their bodies nearly completely submerged again.
Get off! Let go! Damnit! Silky voice choked on the angry swear as slender frame struggled against the weight of the water all around her. Fighting for every inch as she crossed the bank in a violent dash, sinking her fangs in a mouthful of flesh and bone. Perhaps she had stolen this kill from someone else, but it was hers now and she wasn't prepared to give it up without a fight, the fur between her shoulder blades bristling with a ferocity she hoped would cause the crocs to back down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 5:23 pm
It was true that the Firekin were taught to value reds, blacks, whites, or rarely a fiery orange or touch of yellow or brown, as they were the traditional colors of their kind, but just as he found the green to be a dazzling change from the lands of his birth, this female with her pristine colors he had to admit was... well, probably easier when clean, but easy enough on the eyes, especially in a fury like that, fur bristled, eyes stubborn and determined...
You know, from an outsider perspective.
If he was an outsider... which technically he was since he was out here and not back there.
Anyway, and moving right along.
He was surprised that she was not only protesting the theft of her meal but actually willing to face two crocodiles to try to take it back. That, he supposed, took enough guts to justify a bit of aid. Being of a weaker frame she probably couldn't hold off for long, not to mention that she didn't look as if she was at her best at the moment. He finally rose from his perch, his shadow blocking the sun in a flash as he leapt down to the shore and rounded both silent and quick. Mwali moved up alongside and behind the small female, swinging one massive paw with well aimed claws to harshly swat the nearest crocodile in the face, claws unsheathed to ruthlessly maim the one weak spot it had on it's armory, scaly hide-- it's eyes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 4:39 pm
[ Okay, so I just want to apologize before hand for the way this crocodile thing is about to pan out. xD It's got absolutely nothing to do with Mwali's competency, but rather Shiva's since she's really never encountered crocodiles first hand before and totally wasn't prepared for this. I'm sure if it was Mwali in her situation he could have wrestled the carcass away. So I'm taking this as his priority being more to keep her from getting chomped on by the pissy crocs rather than to save the meal. ]
Somehow, this situation kept deteriorating right before the kajira's eyes. She could feel the cold chill of fear creeping up her limbs or was that the water she was slowly being submerged in as the powerhouse reptiles dragged her further and further away from the safety of dry land? Silt slipping beneath her paws as they gained more of their own territory and Shiva continued to lose solid footing. Lean sinew trembling beneath her fur, easily visible thanks to the previous dunking that had left it laying smooth as silk against the lines of her frame.
This certainly appeared to be a losing battle as the pair at the opposite end stared unblinkingly at her with cold, dead eyes. An occasional yank whipping her off her paws and pulling her deeper, yet lean frame stretched across the sand, reluctant to yield too much. Not that she had much of a choice at this point. Shiva's options seemed to be drown or be chewed to death attempting to save her pilfered meal or give in.
s**t. Some options.
Tensed shoulders were nearly lost under the surface of the water by the time the shadow of an oppressive presence had boldly stepped onto the lioness' radar. Unable to actually look at the stranger the pastel female's mind stumbled over an unusual thought. Had her papa come to bring her home?
Almost too quick for her eyes to catch an enormous forearm arched over her, claws unsheathed as they slashed across the closer crocodile's vulnerable eyes. Almost immediately the beast released its hold on the corpse, opening wide jaws as far as the hinges would allow to unleash a guttural sound of fury and pain. Thrashing the weight of a hammer-like skull two and fro, it retreated into the safety of the water. Leaving only one.
If anything, however, the loss of a his partner seemed only to make the second more determined. Not having to share his prize was apparently reason enough to put all the might he possessed into a fit of rage, hissing and growling through jaws that would have needed a force outside of nature to pry them off the tattered cadaver.
And he'd find himself rewarded for his valiant effort. Quickly sinking to the bottom of the bed of water as soon as Shiva's fangs slipped from the cannon bone wedged in her mouth. Leaving the youth to stare with a hollow sense of defeat in her mouth.
Granted, she didn't have long to feel sorry for herself, twisting hard despite the exhaustion that caused her body to tremble. Open scores in one shoulder from an unsavory encounter with the hooves of a frantic antelope oozing a garnet fluid with the consistency of sap from her effort to keep her kill. Whatever hope she might have felt was lost with just a glance at him.
He was immense, far larger than her. Larger even than the father she had hoped he was and though his base coat was rich and dark like Tariq's there was a vibrant, liveliness about the crimson stripes that twisted and curled around his obviously powerful physique. He was intimidating to say the least, but Shiva held her ground the way she had with every other lion she had met thus far. Casting a cloak of disinterest and blatant superiority around herself as she turned up her nose--as if she hadn't just foolishly lost a meal to a bunch of giant iguanas (and she knew damn well it had been foolish to lose a meal in such a careless way)--and proceeded to stiffly walk away, refusing to give him the satisfaction of seeing her limp.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 11:26 am
((No worries! Saving the kill would have been a slight plus (He was honestly turning his nose up at it a bit because I think he could smell the hyena's lingering "stench".), but saving the spitfire was definitely the goal. :3))
Mwali observed with cold indifference as the scaly beast thrashed it's way back into the water, but had little choice but to watch and let her make the choice to give up her kill instead of going down with it.
As the crocodile had wrestled the kill away he'd moved back, glaring quietly into the water before looking towards the small female with fiery red eyes.
And then after that initial moment she simply turned her back and walked away.
He snarled with a mix of authority, superiority, and warning. "Hold it right there, rogue."
The last word was said with just a bit more force, glaring at her back. If she didn't stop he'd simply have to make her stop, though truthfully even he wouldn't raise his paw harmfully against a female, at least not unless he thought she could handle it, and from what he had seen thus far she didn't qualify for that. A Firekin female would have won her kill back, after all, be it through strength or wit, or most likely both.
"For whatever it's worth I did just prevent you becoming a second course for those scaly bastards. I expect some form of gratitude for that other than the view of your backside."
Concise, to the point, and painfully blunt, the first words he'd spoken to her since he'd observed her at the watering hole.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 12:54 pm
Damnit all if something about the way he spoke hadn't caused her steps to stutter, pausing just long enough in stride to realize that this stranger had actually commanded her obedience. More importantly, Shiva had submitted on a completely unconscious, purely instinctual level. That's never happened before.
Even the voice inside herself sounded startled, though the mink had always been excellent at putting on airs. From the outside it certainly appeared as though she were blithely considering turning to properly address her companion before deciding that such an act wasn't worth her time. Not for... what had he called her? A rogue?
It cut to the quick to think of how easily she could be lumped in with the ingrates of this lion-eat-lion place. Couldn't he tell that she was better than all of this nothingness? That she was an exquisite specimen destined for greatness someday? Somehow?
Of course not. The words were tight and accusing beneath her breath. How could she expect any of them to know what greatness was? Their eyes were too clouded by the dust of their surroundings to see. Shiva almost felt sorry for them, to not know what it was like to be part of something bigger than yourself, it must have been a lonely life.
I won't hold it here, there or anywhere for you. You don't own me and you sure can't tell me what to do. By this point her slender frame had managed to once again pick up an even pace towards the distant horizon. Tone fearless and justified despite her disheveled state. Prevented me? That's a laugh. I was handing them just fine on my own and whose to say I would have lost my meal if you hadn't felt the need to interfere?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:25 pm
He saw her hesitate, unfortunately (for her) that wasn't what he'd been aiming for. He could ignore and tolerate a lot, but being disrespected was not one of those things, a trait that ran through his blood. His voice came out with a quiet growl, knowing fully well that with a predator's hearing she'd catch it just fine. The threat was clearly present, but not what he was threatening her WITH. "Female... don't think for a moment that just because I spared you from the crocodiles that I'll tolerate being disrespected."
He narrowed his eyes at her back, knowing fully well that he could outrun her. He didn't have to draw blood to knock her down, pin her, and scare the s**t out of her. There was also that hint of the unknown underlying within his words. Maybe he was even considering throwing her to the crocodiles in apology to them.
"Get back over here now... I won't say it again."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:27 pm
It was a strange thing, the act of disrespecting a male. One most banu would have never even considered and even Shiva, for all her brazen personality, had always been careful of those she spoke back to. In the rough terrain of the rogue lands where the rules no longer applied and others of her gender might have had difficulty speaking up in defense for themselves, she was perfectly at home to tell every last mangy strays just exactly what she thought of them. In this situation, however, her newest acquaintance seemed intent to make it clear that the only mangy stray around was Shiva. Sinfully proud and just a little privileged as she was the Vizer's daughter was beginning to wonder how exactly the tables had come to turn so suddenly?
He didn't need to raise his voice for Shiva to feel the power of it in her chest, that underlying sense of unforcasted danger was something she had grown up around. Despite the fact, the fur that edged along her spine just wouldn't flatten no matter how hard it was willed to do so. Shiva would have to be satisfied with the fact that her voice hadn't yet lost that temperance of cool indifference. There you go, making yourself out to be the hero again. I'm pretty sure I already explained that I didn't need your help.
There was a brief pause, though she never stopped walking as if gaining as much of an advantage as she could with the impending chase that seemed unavoidable. The lioness in a tiger's guise knew as well as he did how easily he could outrun her. Finishing her open ended thought plainly, You sound so entitled, perhaps if you were a Pad, that might be the case, but you're not. I am not the sort of lioness who will give freely to others what they have not earned for themselves. You want me to respect you? Perhaps you should prove to me you deserve it.
Even in knowing the potentially life-threatening mistake she could very well be making with such a challenge, Shiva couldn't feel the fear. Only excitement and intrigue to how he might react as her father's grin slowly formed upon her pale maw.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:29 pm
His fur slowly began to bristle, a growl building in his throat, gradually louder with each word the female spoke. Coming from a bloodline, a pride, that until recently still kept slaves, baiting such a male was unwise. It was before his time, and his mother would throttle him for even thinking about it, but the female's words infuriated him as he couldn't tell that she was testing him, so much as insulting him.
He wasn't looking for a slave, of course, just her first taunt, not owning her, put the wicked idea in his head that he COULD have, in another time. The lions and other lesser creatures in this land were disrespectful, overconfident, foolishly so. Such a sense of self entitlement and doing little to nothing to have earned it... She thought she was strong? She thought she was bad? She needed a lesson in history.
She hadn't even finished her last sentence when a furious roar ripped from his throat and he was bounding forward, warning others in the area not to be equally foolish by trying to step in.
She wanted him to prove it? Consider it done.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:31 pm
The echo of the sound in his lungs as it slowly gained volume was hardly as impressive as the menacing force of his presence. Perhaps Shiva'Soheila had finally stepped a paw's width too far with the wrong male. Ah well, really too late to take it back now, not that she would have, had it been possible. It was really the worst sort of slime that spoke the way Shiva did and then turned into cowards once their mettle was tested. It was the last thing she wanted to be thought of as, a coward.
So, as the earth shattered around her with the amazingly masculine roar, Shiva stamped down her fear with a half giddy-half nervous giggle and swung into a run. Aching muscles, even her wounded shoulder were temporarily forgotten in the wake of the charging lion. A burst of energy allowing her to tear around the savanna with an almost cheetah slender frame. Nimbly changing directions in tight, veering turns. Though she knew she couldn't last long at this pace, she'd give him a hell of a run for his effort for the first half mile. And if she destroyed every muscle in her body doing it? So be it!
She was Shiva'Soheila the charming star and there was no way she'd ever go down without first kicking up some dust!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:32 pm
As one that had been raised to hunt and train on the shifting sands, hunting on normal terrain was considerably easier. It didn't particularly give him an advantage, but he had no trouble keeping up either. His blood raced from the chase, her laughter making it apparent that this was little better than a game. He pushed himself harder and kept right on charging, the prize that was eluding him only driving him on.
When he caught up with her enough that he could reach out and touch her he didn't make the foolish mistake of trying to pounce, which she might counter with an abrupt turn, but simply swiped to knock her back legs from under her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:33 pm
With the wind whipping around her, forelock lashing against her face Shiva felt the momentary bliss of freedom. It had been far too long since she'd let loose and simply run and even the fact that there was a rather pissed off lion on her tail couldn't ruin this. The air which pressed in against her sides ruffled short, damp fur. Drying pastel pelt a little more with each long, bounding stride. Almost crestfallen at the thought that the chase would soon end, she could feel the adrenaline fading from her system, using up the last of those miraculous chemicals that permitted such incredible feats of physical adeptness.
Every time her paws struck the ground an awareness of just how far Shiva had pushed herself was slowly creeping up her bones. Torn shoulder beginning to sear as she struggled to keep up her previously breezy pace. As could be expected, there was little to no time between her weakening muscles and his gaining stride with her. Not that he had ever been more than two tail lengths behind at any given moment anyway.
And all too suddenly, it was over. A muscular forearm almost effortlessly extending to catch a bunching hind paw before the motion could liquefy into an extension. Shiva's pace was immediately crippled and try though she might the complete exhaustion of her petite frame spelled a reluctant defeat. Tumbling end over end before skidding hard on her wounded shoulder to a gravely stop.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 21, 2011 8:46 pm
Mwali, for all his anger, enjoyed the chase quite a bit. It wasn't often that he got angry, less often that he got angry and was immediately able to vent it physically. Granted the chase didn't last very long but it was still energy that he got to burn, even if just scratching the surface of it.
He felt the weight of his paw connect with hers, felt the resistance as it pulled.
The female went down hard, tumbling and rolling to a stop where as he kept moving, slowing his gait until he was on her, reaching out with a paw to pin her forcefully to the ground and glare down at her. His eyes held a good deal of pride mixed in with all the annoyance as he spoke looking down his nose at her (Role reversal indeed!), not even out of breath. He had already gathered that she was still a child in some sense of the words, be it mentality, sense of entitlement, or physically (Though his nose insisted that she was at a stage nearing full maturity.), but either she was fresh into adolescence or females outside of the pride really were smaller than the girls back home. Even his aunts, who were adolescents themselves, were bigger than this female.
"I am Mwali, soldier of the Moutojamii, not to be mistaken for the pathetic excuses for 'lions' that so freely plague these lands. You, cub, will show me proper respect."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
((I opted to name him Mwali since he has the red stripes.))
