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 Posted: Mon Aug 15, 2011 10:42 pm
 It was that still moment at dusk, when everything seemed to hold its breath before full dark. Zeno had gone for a walk to enjoy the setting sun. Everything seemed calm and peaceful. The zebra and gazelles were grazing quietly. Thus it surprised her, when she paused atop a grassy knowl, to see an adolescent lion laying in the dirt. Instantly she worried that the young lion had been injured or killed some how.
Zenobia quickly headed over to the prone form. She had to check. It wasn't in her nature to leave an animal in need of help without offering any. She could tell now that the adol was a male. Her paw lightly touched the flank. Still warm, so he wasn't dead or hadn't been dead long. "Hello? Little lion?" She said softly, so as not to startle him and touched his flank again.
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 7:01 pm
 Roz had been walking half the day when he just could not bring himself to go any further. He was hot, and tired. He had eaten well, and gotten a drink not too long before, but it just was not worth staying awake and traveling further in this heat. Besides, his paws could use the break. They hurt a good bit as it was, and if he rested them some, maybe the pain would ease. He would like to avoid having them split open or such.
The adolescent lion gave a little purr as he found a soft patch of grass surrounded by hard dirt. He flopped on that grass, covering it wholly. He rearranges himself and lays on his side. He closed his eyes and gave a contented sigh as his body relaxed. It did not take long for him to feel sleep tugging at the edge of his brain, and he paid no mind to the fact that he probably looked dead.
Roz slept like a rock for a few hours. Usually he would have heard the approach of another and been up and looking around. This time, he did not do so. He was so soundly asleep, he missed the other's approach and her first prodding. By the time she spoke and touched him the second time, though, some part of Roz' brain woke up and he nearly jumped out of his skin. The yellow lion jerked awake and looked around. When he saw what had disturbed him, he looked a little sheepish. "Sorry... umm... hi?"
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Posted: Tue Aug 16, 2011 7:42 pm
Zeno gave a startled jump as the adol suddenly came to 'life'. She laughed easily as he looked sheepish. "Tiz alright young one. My apologies for startling you. I saw you laying there and had to check you weren't injured. You aren't are you?" She looked intently at him.
The pale lioness decided that he didn't look worse for the wear. She smiled and sat down. "I'm Zenobia. What's your name?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 7:34 am
Roz shook his head and chuckled at himself. "No, I am not injured. I was just very tired and my paws were a bit sore... by the fact that I did not wake before you poked me, I assume I was more tired than I thought." He puts a paw on his face in a slightly embarrassed motion. He had never been snuck up on before, and especially not by a stranger! He looked like an idiot, he was sure of that.
Even if he would have had a chance with this female, Roz was pretty sure he had blown it by appearing to be a lazy and oblivious cub. What female would wish to be the banu of a male that would sleep through any threat that came stalking into the den? It really did not make him seem at all like a competent male and if he kept things like this up, Roz was sure finding a banu was going to be very difficult for him.
"I am Rozmackany, son of Pad Nav'hian and his banu Furaha'hini. It is a pleasure to meet you, Zenobia. I do hope you can forgive the rather horrible behavior." If he thought he had not blown his chance already, Roz would have tried to see if Zenobia was a female that would be compatible as a banu. She was beautiful and so far seemed kind. It would not have taken too long to talk to her and see if she would have the kind of personality that could stand his pranks, but he was sure he had no chance.
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 11:05 am
Zeno smiled. "I am glad to hear your not hurt. Tired and sore paws I completely understand. You need to learn to pace yourself, that's all. It comes with time young one." She gave a soft laugh. Her red eyes twinkled as she regarded him. A pleasant young male, she hoped he stayed sweet.
"Likewise Rozmackany. Would Roz be alright?" She giggled and twitched her tail. "Pad? Banu? I'm not famliar with those. Are they ranks?" Zeno inquired politely. She thought perhaps it was in relation to a pride, but couldn't be sure. "Pardon me, but your behavoir is natural. Maybe not the safest out here, it is completely understandable."
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 3:51 pm
Roz nodded in agreement to the lioness. "I thought I was pacing myself, but obviously I need to pay more attention. It must be eagerness to be to my destination, where ever the search will lead me." He stretched and finally stood completely. He was a little bit smaller than the female, but probably by the time he grew to adult he would be the same or a little bigger than her.
Roz really was not going to be a huge male, but that was part of his charm, or so he thought. Others might argue it. Others also might argue that his sense of humor was childish and that no pad should want to learn to dance. Yet, he liked his sense of humor, and he HAD asked that pretty dancing banu to teach him. He was just strange, he guessed.
"You must have some other lion if you think me natural." Roz grinned at her to show he was joking and put a paw to his chest in fake offence. "I am nowhere near normal or natural, just ask most of my pride!" He chuckled and his grin got wider. "Pad is... well it is what my pride calls a male without special rank... an banu is a female of a pad's den... a mate. Most males have a few of them, I will be lucky and blessed to get one."
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Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 4:23 pm
Zeno settled down to watch the sun finish setting. "Having a destination always seems to make the difference." She thought about how she loved to wander. Having no destination to reach, she took her time and zig zagged across the land. Going where she wanted, and doing what she wanted.
"On a quest are you?" She grinned to tease, "so what is the your quest and destination?" Having seen quite a number of places, perhaps she could offer adive if he was willing to listen. Zeno wondered if he was young enough to enjoy tales still.
The pale lioness chuckled, "nonsense. Unnatural is a lion not in their right mind. Which clearly you are, so you must be natural." She tossed her head as if shrugging off his pride. "It doesn't matter what they say. Besides they ain't here to ask so I'll just have to make my own opinions won't I?" She tilted her head as he explained the terms. "Interesting. Don't believe I've come across a pride like that before."
Zenobia gave a soft, reassuring purr. "Sure you will. First off you're out here looking. Second, your sweet and amusing. You find the right female and she'll fall for that." She gave the adol a wink.
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:03 pm
Roz laughed at what Zeno said about unnatural lions. She seemed really nice and quite awesome, if he did say so himself. His confidence at her reaction, rose and he thought perhaps he might have a chance with her afterall. He grinned and decided to see if she wanted to get to know each other a little better, then perhaps he would ask.
That decided, Roz stepped forward, toward her to get himself settled to talk. He took one sniff and stopped dead on his idea of a chance. She smelled very strongly of an unrelated male. His confidence dropped again. She was already claimed. Unless it was unhappily so, he had not a chance in the world. He should have figured such a wonderful lioness would have someone already.
He kept his disappointment to himself. "My quest is to find a female that will return with me to my pride as my banu... I want to find a female that will not just like the idea, but like ME... my destination is not really set. I travel where I have to to find that special female and then return home with her... of course, I have all the time in my life to accomplish it, since I cannot go home until I have a female... and I refuse to force one." He smiled softly at her. "You seem as if you already have someone to appreciate you."
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:34 pm
Zenobia was enjoying talking with this young lion. He wasn't unsociable or rude as some rogues tended to get. Life alone seemed to sour some. Her ears twitched around to listen to all the sounds around her. Just because she was relaxing didn't mean she had to let her guard down. All she heard was the normal night sounds settling in.
"That's good criteria," she said. Her head tilted to the side slightly. "Oh, I see. Having a set destination would really hamper things wouldn't it? If you don't mind my asking, why do you have to bring back a female? What happens if you can't find a female that will go back with you?" Zenobia was rather dismayed. What kind of pride was this that wouldn't accept young males back without a female? It seemed wrong some how.
She crossed her paws slightly. Zeno thought of Athena and her tail twitched. "Yes, I guess he does appreciate me. He certainly likes to flirt and murmur sweet nothings. Still, I'm a rogue. I'm my own lioness and I go where I want. He wouldn't try to stop me if I wanted to leave." She had in fact left him once when they had first met.
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 2:25 pm
Roz' ears drooped and he sighed. "If I do not have a female and try to return, at best I would be chased off, at worst, I would end up in a fight and likely killed. I must return, though... Suri would be disappointed if I did not return. I already asked for her to be my banu when I get back." He looked slightly sheepish again. "I rather like her. She is an awesome banu and a dear friend."
His smile turned from sheepish to a happy grin. The fact that the lioness was happy and free was wonderful. He could not help but be happy for the lioness, and wish if Suri would be happy that way if she had the choice. He would have to see if she wanted to travel at some point. It would be nice to see her as happy with him as this lioness was with her male.
"A female cannot leave once we bring her back to the pride... she can go on trips with her pad, but not leave permanently. I would hate to do that to a lioness that seems to like her freedom as much as you do." Roz gave her a friendly lick on the cheek. "If he is willing and able to have you and let you leave if you wish, you are a lucky lioness." She was beautiful, nice, and apparently happy. Ah well, a lion could dream. "I should probably get on with my search... perhaps we will cross paths again."
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 2:44 pm
Zenobia blinked in surprised horror. She snorted in disgust at a pride that would intentionally harm a member for, what she thought, something so trivial. It was his pride, and not really her place to say anything. A smile did cross her lips as she saw his puppy love. At least he had something worth returning to. "Then I wish you the best of luck in finding a female to love you for who you are."
"Thank you," the pale lioness said softly. She purred and gave him a friendly nuzzle. Not that he could have forced her anyhow, but his respect for her freedom made her grateful. Zeno knew she'd go insane being unable to leave or go by herself. She was way to independent to fit in there. "Yes I am." Gracefully she rose to her feet.
"I wish you well and safe trip young lion. May you find what you seek." She gave a smile. "Perhaps we will." Quietly as she'd come, Zenobia drifted back off into the night.
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