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 Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 3:45 pm
 Ilarion hummed as he pranced side to side. There was no rhyme or reason to it, and his familiar had moved a secure distance away to avoid being run into. His tongue lolled out in silent laughter. "One would assume with the pups you'd be accustomed to pouncing now." It still greatly amused the wild dog, that his friend had gotten himself a lady. To be sure, the pups were adorable and he liked having them around.
Someday, maybe he'd find the right ladydog. He wasn't going to rush it. Spotting a small grove of trees ahead he headed toward it. They'd see what they could see.Haruki was keeping a respectable distance from the weaving wild dog. His head turned as Ilarion stopped humming nonsense and spoke. "Pouncing to be sure. Your tuneless babble and drunken weaving is dangerous. If anyone saw you they'd wondered what I'd fed you." He pulled his head up as if he was offended; the teasing between the two was good natured. The maned wolf was grateful for his friend's assistance raising the unexpected pups. Luckily they only had half the litter; the others had remained with the mother.
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:58 pm
 Ryuu pranced along daintily behind her father and uncle Ilarion. Uncle Ilarion was acting strangely, but Ryuu had decided that he might act like this most of the time, even if it was a little weird. Her father definitely seemed to think that Uncle Ilarion was acting weird. Ryuu giggled a bit at the conversation from the two. They ALWAYS talked like that to each other. It was so funny!
Ryuu lagged a bit behind because she was being so very careful about where she stepped. She did not want to put one of her paws in something unpleasant and she did not care if it put her behind the others. They would wait for her if she got too far behind. She knew this to be true, and she would not hear otherwise. This probably was an annoyance to the adults, but that was the way it was with her.
Ryuu managed to prance her dainty little way up to them. "Uncle Ilarion, what did you eat to act so funny? I am sure daddy does not feed it to you, but you certainly must eat it a lot." She had not been watching where she put her paw and winces as she stepped in a bit of mud. She moved away and then sits there and cleans her paw ever so carefully while she waited for an answer. This was why she never rushed! "Eww, mud."
 Athena purred and looked satisfied with himself. It was another wonderful day. He was raising his cubs, providing for the group that was with him, and even finding a few moments away now and again to himself. He probably should have taken a bit more time to himself or at least with the girls, but well, he loved his cubs and his time with his cubs. He truly loved those cubs and he wished he had more.
He yawned lazily and looked at the trees around him. He was going to have to return to the others soon enough. The big fluffball would be missed, by the others, but especially by his cubs. Even the twins that were with Bel most of the time, did love their father. Athena made sure he spent as much time as he could with the cubs without making them dependent on him in a bad way. They did need to learn to be their own lions or they would never grow up.
As much as Athena wanted his cubs to stay with him always, he did not wish to harm their ability to be themselves. He made sure they knew they were loved and wanted, but he also tried very hard to teach them what they would need to live on their own, and even make the decisions that might lead to them leaving him. Athena looked up as he heard others coming, and moved to perch on a rock. His greeting to the others was clear and friendly. "Good afternoon, my friends."
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Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:41 pm
Ilarion laughed. He'd never regretted joining up with the spunky wolf. It certainly livened up the hours of travel. Playfully he wiggled brows and ears. "Say what did you feed me?" A wink at the cubs, for they hall had eaten the same impala the night before. Ilarion exaggerated his weaving and bumped shoulders with a pup, gently. "I think your father is trying to keep me biddable." Another laugh escaped him.
When the pup that most closely resembled his friend stepped up, he weaved to bump innocently into her. "Dear me. I believe your father fed me.... a mushroom!" He nodded, acting very knowingly until she disclaimed her father. Ilarion gawfed at her. "No? It couldn't of been him? Why then, it musta been you!" He peered down closely at her. Without seeming to notice, he stopped when she did. "Mud? Indeed. I certainly hope you haven't been feeding me that."
Ilarion was instantly on alert as an unknown, and male sounding, voice reached their small group. All trace of playfulness was gone from his pose. His eyes quickly caught Haruki.Things were so different with pups to look after. They had sworn to take good care of the three. Their plan went into effect as Ilarion cautiously approached the much larger lion. If he proved aggressive, the wild dog would give Haruki and the pups as much time to get away as he could. "Are we your friends?" he challenged.
Haruki waved his bushy tail, and picked up his front paw, acting the high gentleman. "I, sirrah? Oh a little bit of this and a little bit of that. What it was really doesn't matter." He resumed walking. Eyes twinkling with contained laughter. "Oi is that the only way to keep you? Just wait 'til I tell the lady dogs." A laugh was in his voice; the wild dog was such a flirt. Haruki arched his neck as his daughter stood up for him.
He arched a brow at her as Ilarion 'accused' her of feeding him weird things. Ilarion would make an adorable dad if he ever had pups himself. "Now see here you. Don't you go be flirting with my little girl." He puffed himself up to look bigger and meaner. It didn't work as well as he might have hoped. Haruki paused when Ryuu and Ilarion did. They weren't in a rush anywhere and could easily go at the pups pace. "Mud? What are you going to do when it rains Ryuu?"
The sound of a strange voice set his hackles bristling. This time looking as ferocious as he'd tried to pretend earlier. His eyes met Ilarion's and he gave a small nod. He remembered the plan they'd made; Haruki was eternally grateful his friend would risk his life to protect his pups. It was a strange position for the two forever bachelors to be in. Quickly he rounded up the trio of pups and started herding them away with his nose. Listening as Ilarion responded.
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Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 7:30 pm
"I do not think father fed you anything, Uncle Ilarion, but maybe you should eat less mushrooms if they make you act funny." Ryuu giggled and finished cleaning her paw. His comment about eating mud just made her giggle more. He was so silly. "Silly Uncle Ilarion, I stepped in mud! I did not mean that anyone was feeding it to you." The cub loved him dearly especially for his silliness.
Ryuu heard the voice and perked up. That voice sounded so friendly and warm. She wanted to know who it could belong to, but she did not miss the way her father and uncle Ilarion became defensive. She blinked and looked at them both. She did not understand everything yet, but she did know a bit of the body language of the adults. This was most definitely troubled body language. That made the cub worry.
She did not get why the adults were so worried. The lion had not attacked... he had called them friends. This was very confusing. She had never really seen her father and uncle look ready for a fight and she tried to resist the nudges from her father's nose at first. She did not want to leave her 'uncle' behind no matter what. She loved the wild dog almost as much as she loved her father.
Athena watched them as much as listened for the response. He noted the cubs and winced. This could be bad if they got too defensive. He certianly wanted no trouble with them, but if they attacked he might have to defend himself. He really did not want to have to explain THAT to Niade or the other females that wished cubs with him. They were likely to decide his fluffy arse was not going to be going out alone at all anymore.
"All whom prove friendly are my friends." Athena hopped down from his rock and approached the wild dog at a steady calm pace. He gave a bow to show that he would offer his neck to them and thus was not on his guard and then he sat on his haunches. "I certainly mean no one any harm that is not threat to my cubs, my friends, or myself. I am Athena. I thought I should make you aware of my presence when I spotted you, rather than letting you come across me with no warning."
Athena smiled warmly toward the cubs. "Especially when I saw there were cubs. I know how defensive I am of my cubs... heck even how defensive I was of Zenoba when he was little and he was not of my siring." He chuckled and nodded behind him. "Here I go prattling on, you likely came for the water that is in the spot behind me. My group has stopped a little ways from the water so we do not disturb or discourage others from using it, so please, feel free." He nodded to the maned wolf. "Having them changes everything, doesn't it? Worth every moment of it, though."
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:23 pm
He snorted at Haruki's taunt. "You know nothing will hold me." Ilarion looked at the little pup. "Oh well you're welcome to go stepping into mud any time you want. Tell your father I said so." He was sure Haruki wouldn't mind a muddy offspring.
The wild dog warily watched as the lion approached. He was almost afraid the lion would attack when he got close. It surprised him when he bowed. Few lions would ever do that to a dog. His tail slowly started to wave. "Athena. I am Ilarion, and my companion is Haruki'Ryuu. That was kind of you." He let the hair lay flat on his back again.
"Yeah thinks have kind of changed with the pups." He chuckled, "they're not mine. They're Haruki's and were kind of unexpected." Ilarion gave a soft yip to let the others know the coast was clear.
Haruki was firm yet gentle as he herded his resistant offspring away from any possible danger. He slowed slightly when the excepted growling never came. His ears twitched as he got the all-clear yip from Ilarion. Really? Looking sternly at Ryuu he said softly, "stay behind me until we know its really safe."
Slowly he turned and headed back toward his partner and the lion. Haruki looked up at the lion. "You swear your not after the pups?" He was not against making new friends, but large lions could really be dangerous. There was no way he'd take a chance with his pups.
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 6:56 pm
"I thought they looked a bit small for your kind, but one never knows. Offspring are one thing that even unexpected one does not often regret." The lion chuckled and watched the maned wolf and his pups come back to the wild dog's side. Athena nodded to the maned wolf. "No more than you are after my cubs. There is little point in harming the next generation when every species is needed in the future."
"Unless of course one is starving and can only get to the young of their prey, but that is a different thing all together. You fine canines are not prey." Athena gave a soft smile at the cubs and then looked back the adults. "If you are worried about safety, why do you not travel with my group? So long as you lend a paw while traveling with us, the others will not mind. We have a come and go as you please policy really, and I think our young ones would do well to have some playmates." He could not abide by the idea of the pups being undefended.
He might be a bit of a softy for a lion, but Athena had learned when he was younger that species really was not a boundary for friendship. He could not see any of the lionesses or even the leopardess really having a problem with their new friends. The leopardess kept to herself anyway, so it was not like she would voice an objection even if she had one. He certainly knew his Ares would love the playmates. His son perhaps not, but he might take to them anyway, one never knew.
Ryuu was glad when her father quit nosing them along. He was quite insistent on making them go a direction that Ryuu really did not want to go. She wanted to go see the lion. She had never gotten to see a lion up close before and this one seemed so friendly! When her father let them change direction, she bounded forward as much as she could without actually coming out from behind her father.
As much as she wanted to see the lion, she did not want to get in trouble for going in front of father when she had been told to stay behind him. She stood rather impatiently as the adults talked and got herself worked between her father's front paws. Still was not in front of him, so it counted, or so she thought. Her little eyes lit up at the idea of lion cubs to play with. "Ooooo, can we?!"
"Daddy, I want to play with the lion cubs! Uncle Ilarion, can we go with the lions, please?" Ryuu might not be able to convince her father quickly, but her 'uncle' was much easier. She gave him the cutest look she could and waited for the response. She was sure she had won, sure in the way of most young, but she would wait for the confirmation. And if it did not come, she would protest and fight it all the way.
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:09 pm
"Oh I expect some day I'll find a lady dog to do me the favors." He gave a male-to-male grin. "Oh I don't think Haruki regrets them... yet." Ilarion couldn't resist a jibe at his friend. It had been awhile since his last one. The dog sensed Haruki approach with the pups. Would the wolf accept this lion so easily? He honestly wasn't sure.
Ilarion grinned down as he caught sight of the pup between her father's legs. He nodded to the lion, relieved they weren't considered prey. If they had been, he would have been sure it would be obvious really quick. His eyes blinked and he sat down startled by the offer to join the group. Join up with lions? That seemed to go against his better judgement. He looked over at Haruki to see what he thought.
"Pardon my saying, but don't normally lions consider wild dogs and maned wolves snack items? I would hate to have these pups enjoy you and your family's company only to become lunch to someone else because they lost all caution." Ilarion knew he couldn't risk the cub's future in that respect.
The dog looked at the pup between her father's legs as she spoke up. Ryuu was certainly a spunky one. He looked uneasy as she asked him directly. His paws shifted nervously. What should he do now?
Haruki stopped beside Ilarion and twitched his ears. "Maybe, maybe not." He was still worried this lion would change his mind about having them for dinner. His fur still wasn't quite settled as the pups were so close to him too. He frowned as the lion offered them to join him.
"Are you implying that we are unable to sufficiently protect them? How can we be sure that you wont change your mind later? Or your cubs decide they would be tasty?" Wouldn't it be easier to have your prey walk right into your midst than chasing it down? Haruki couldn't be positive about this lion's motives.
The wolf looked down between his legs and frowned as she spoke up. "No. Absolutely not Ryuu. I agree with Ilarion on this. It could put your safety later at risk."
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 8:35 pm
Athena understood their caution too. He was a lion, they were not only a different species but canine. It was not a normal pairing to be sure. He had done it in the past, but they had no way to know that. With pups, they were not likely to trust him. It was a shame to the lion as he would have liked to have their company and help with the pups. He had such a soft spot for little ones. He was just a big fluff ball after all.
"I cannot speak for all of my kind, but I have never eaten a wild dog or a maned wolf... or even a hyena for that matter. I learned quite young that these lands are easiest to survive in when you can work with those that offer help." Athena sat and wrapped his tail around his front paws. "I did not mean to imply you could not protect them. I simply wished to offer further protection. There is safety in numbers."
He looked down at Ryuu and smiled. "I do not think I was much older than your pups when I was out on my own. Caution is all well and good, but sometimes help comes in unexpected places. If you do not wish to travel with us, I understand. At least let me help you hunt a meal for yourselves and the pups?" Athena thought perhaps that at least they would take, even if the travel offer was not trusted.
Ryuu pouted the moment she got a no. "But, daddy, uncle Ilarion, why not? He is being friendly! Why can't we be friendly back? It isn't fair!" She hated being told no and she really hated being told no about this. She wanted to see what lion cubs looked like, and she liked the lion. He looked all fluffy and soft! She just couldn't understand why someone being friendly was a bad thing.
She ventured forward and looked up at the lion. When he did not move, she circled around him to get a really good look, since it was likely to be the only one she got if her father had anything to say about it. He definitely looked like he could be scary if he wanted, but she even nosed at his paws and all he did was purr! She giggled and touched him with a paw
He was definitely fluffy! And he was so calm and agreeable to her inspection of him. "What is wrong with him?" Ryuu returned to the adults and looked at them. She likely had given them a scare, but she saw not a thing wrong with the lion in her inspection of him. She wanted an answer of what WAS wrong with him.
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 9:56 pm
Ilarion nodded. "I can appreciate where your coming from Athena. It isn't against you, but I would not want to send one like a gazelle to slaughter." He gave the lion a small smile. "I have known non-lions to be killed and eaten by lions, so please forgive." While traveling with this lion might have proved interesting, it made him slightly nervous to think about. He didn't normally associate with them except in passing by.
"They have much left to learn about the world." His sharp eyes watched the bold pup. Ilarion knew when bold was too bold. A lesson yet to be learned by Ryuu, but would probably be short in coming from her father. He wagged his tail and grinned again. "Aye a meal would be welcomed. We wouldn't want to put you out though."
Haruki nodded agreement with Ilarion. He too had encountered those unlucky enough to run into lions. Perhaps this lion was full at the moment. There was no letting what he'd do when he got hungry and there was three easy-ready-to-catch meals at paw. "Yes Ryuu. He's friendly now, but can you be sure he's always friendly?"
The wolf stiffened as his wayward daughter took it upon herself to approach closer. Far too damn close for his liking. Athena could tell from his posture that one false move by the lion and Haruki would sink his teeth in. When she came back, Haruki growled and snapped at her. He then swatted her with his paw; hard enough to send her rolling behind him.
He turned his gaze back to the lion after disciplining Ryuu. For a moment daring the lion to say anything about it. Haruki nodded slowly. "If you feel inclined to share a meal with us. I wont say no." He shot an angry glance at Ryuu. "Provided certain members behave themselves."
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:41 pm
Athena did not say a word about the pup coming forward and inspecting him. He actually ignored her for the most part as he listened to the others. He held no ill will toward them for what they decided. Eventually, perhaps they would find companions that they trusted to travel with. Now was not the time for it apparently. He wished them well with it none the less. He still would get them that meal before they parted ways.
The fluffy lion also chose to ignore the sight of the discipline of the pup. The maned wolf was within his rights to do so, especially if he had told the pup to stay behind. If he thought there was danger, the pup should listen. Athena nodded to both parties. "Let them by the watering hole here, and we two can do the hunting so you all eat well." He indicated the maned wolf and pups as he addressed the wild dog.
It was always easier to hunt with two, and Athena was much better at barreling over things the wild dog probably would not be able to knock over let along kill. Truthfully, Athena enjoyed hunting more because it provided for others than for the hunt itself. He gave a nod to the maned wolf, "I am sure she will." He held that confidence truly, even if the father might not. If the pup was smart, that would be the end of not listening to her father. He motioned for the wild dog to follow so they could get started. He would see these canines off well.
Ryuu was not expecting the snapping and growling when it came. She froze at it and when the paw strike followed, she took a very hard tumble. The maned wolf pup rolled behind her father and even behind her siblings. She just stayed there. She did not bother picking herself up or trying to move. She just simply tried to breath and get her brain to work again. She was more than slightly shocked.
Ryuu took a long few moments before she finally moved to get to her paws again. At the sight of herself covered in mud now, Ryuu just stayed on her stomach instead of standing. What was the point of getting up? She was filthy now. She was not fit to be seen. She flattened her ears and debated starting on cleaning herself up. She was not sure where to even start, it was rather overwhelming to the pup.
Ryuu gave one of her paws a lick and tried not to sniff as she did so. She did not want to sniffle and get hit again or something. The pup very slowly cleaned her paw. She had to get herself clean, and she had to do it herself. She got to her paws and moved further away from the others so they would not help as she cleaned herself off.
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Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2011 10:56 pm
Relief that the lion did nothing to set off Haruki made his tail wag. Ilarion let his tongue loll out. He was getting warm sitting here. It was time to do something, and he was glad enough to go hunting with lion. With such a powerful ally in the lion for this hunt, they were sure to get enough for everyone.
"See you back at the waterhole," he said in parting to Haruki and the pups. He rose and trotted along side Athena. "So how did you want to do this hunt?" Usually he and Haruki ran down whatever prey they'd selected. It took a bit of time, but worked for them. He was curious to see how the lion hunted.
Haruki nodded at the lion's assurance. Hopefully he could teach the pups something about this encounter. "Good hunting." He watched the pair set off. Confident that tonight at least, everyone would have full bellies. With lion and wild dog on their way, Haruki he turned to his task. He started the other two on their way then approached Ryuu.
Lightly he licked the top of her head, then moved passed. "Come along Ryuu. There will be water for you to wash off in." He loved his offspring dearly, and his daughter's openness with the lion had scared the willies out of him. Haruki hoped one day she'd understand why he did what he did. For now, it was enough that she was safe.
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Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 7:39 am
Athena lead the way for the wild dog. He had seen some herds staying close to the water hole, so he figured that would be a good place for them to start on hunting. The dog would be best for chasing and spooking. He would probably do his hiding and barreling over trick again. That worked rather well for him even with the lionesses, or on his own, depending how he managed to work it. It was just easier with two.
"You are the lighter faster one, I'll find a good spot to hide and have you spook them my way. I can leap out and knock them over, making the kill easily. My problem is I cannot run something down, for lack of speed." The lion explained his idea and even pointed out a spot he would hide when they got to the actual hunting. It was going to be an easy hunt with the two of them.
Ryuu did not even look over as the wild dog left. She was too busy fussing over her dirty paw and pouting to herself. The shock was wearing off some, but not completely. It was the first time she had gotten that kind of a knock from anyone, and it would not be something she would soon forget. That was for certain. Her view of the world had just gotten a nasty reality check.
Ryuu scrunched down a little when she got licked on the top of her head, but she did not protest. She got to her feet and walked behind her father. The first thing she did when they got to the watering hole was stick herself in the water to clean off. She made sure not to get her father or siblings wet when she shook herself off afterwards too. It wouldn't do to get in any more trouble.
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