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 Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2012 1:08 am
 The air was warm, but not uncomfortable, the perfect combination for a mid afternoon snooze under a scraggly tree. Dina would have to remember that once she returned to the pride's main area. As it was, the splotchy golden-orange lioness remained on her paws, keeping close watch of the sky. Her vulture partner, Bora, should have returned to her much sooner for a basic patrol of the area, and Dina was starting to get a little worried. Their partnership was an odd one, neither was particularly close to the other, but Bora did her duty faithfully and in turn Dina rewarded her with fresh kills and a bodyguard to warn off the vulture's competition. Now Dina wasn't particularly fond of her bird companion, as the squawking nuisance often annoyed her, but the lioness tolerated it in order to help her pride. She had grown up here, lived its hardships and loved its bounties, and practically considered every lioness here to be her family. Many she had known since cubhood, some had joined later on as rogues, and others still remained a mystery to her. Regardless, she felt it important to help her pride sisters by scouting the area for herd movement, fresh water supplies, and anything else Bora could relay to her.
The day thus far had been slow, the herd hadn't moved very much and the water was being kept track of. Bora had only one last section to fly over and check and it had by far taken her too long to return. The lionesses tail and ears flicked at odd intervals, perplexed. Had she run into trouble? Or perhaps she had spotted something of interest and was studying it. Dina could not say, uncertain of the events that kept her partner away.
Something had indeed caught the vulture's interest, something more than the large bodies of the herds that stayed near the pride's territory, and she was keen on keeping an eye on it. The large pale bird remained airborne, high up in the clear sky where she would remain safe, riding the thermals as they came and went and tilting her head for her beady eyes to remain transfixed on her target of interest.
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Posted: Fri May 04, 2012 10:23 am
 Dusty paws moved forward at a leisurely pace as the foreign lioness approached these new lands. What drew her here, she did not know, and had yet to discover. While her mind and emotions wandered, she hoped to use her basic senses to understand the hidden motives of traveling to this general area. So far, she wasn't far impressed. The underbrush grew thinner as she passed, and what had been soil under her paws just moments ago was now a hard and grooves surface. Normally, a predator would be encouraged to turn back by that sense alone. Barren ground often meant fewer chances at a decent meal.
Pinning her ears back with slight alarm, the lioness paused to better observe her surroundings. Before her, they scenery grew more golden and exposed, like skin peeling off an leathery carcass. And how quaint, since looking closer allowed her to glance a few bones scattered among the thin grass. Her brow twitched, and Shinda found herself all the more perplexed. Just why were her legs so eager to bring her here, of all places? This hesitance made her peek back, eager eyes drinking in the sight of the grasslands she had just left behind. Sure they were not lush and sparkling with greens, but it was a more welcoming view than what she was facing.
Then she sighed in a whisper, as a certain thought breezed her mind. She had been separated from her family so long ago, it was almost too much to hope for. But what if they awaited her here? If not just one of her dear older brothers were here, would she care to complain about the harsher environment? She wondered....
And then blinked, before wincing her eyes upward. She could have sworn a shimmer glinted her eyes just seconds ago. With her luck, she wouldn't doubt if it was the omen of a spector vulture. How.....humorless.
And with that thought to perk a tiny grin, Shinda continued her walk into the barren wilderness.
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Posted: Tue May 08, 2012 7:29 am
Onward the vulture flew, keeping her beady eyes on the lioness below. Bora was almost positive she hadn't seen her among Dina's group, but not exactly certain. Cats all seemed to look alike to the bird, and she was still somewhat displeased that she could tell some of them apart. It all meant she was getting too attached! Nonetheless, she had a job to do, and that was to report back to Dina. So with a few quick flaps of her large wings the vulture tilted downward in a long decline, heading for the meeting spot they had agreed upon.
Dina was starting to get impatient, maybe even a little worried about her feathered companion. She might have gone off in search of her, if she hadn't caught sight of the familiar white body dipping out of the sky and slowly angling itself towards ground. Eyes still wholly on the skies, Dina awaited the arrival of her partner, questions just barely getting to the tip of her tongue before Bora blurted out her answer.
"There is another lion, headed in this direction", she paused to peck at an unruly feather that threatened to fly out of place. "I thought I should let you know." Now what was Dina going to do with this information? Color her curious, but Bora wasn't entirely sure.
Dina first blinked, then turned to gaze out at the savannah. There was indeed a figure approaching in the distance, but the lioness was unable to make out the details as of yet. "You couldn't have gotten here just a little quicker?" she sighed, flicking her ears back in a bit of distress. She didn't like getting caught without another pride member by her side, especially if she didn't know if it was male or female. Well... she could perhaps turn and flee to the safety of her pride, but Dina's ego would have none of that. So instead she took a few steps forward, squinting to try and get a better idea of just who was approaching.
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Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2012 10:12 am
Black ears flitted forward as Shinda soon caught sight of the source of movement. It was a hard target to spot, being so light and high above in the sky, but it was there all the same. A small...ish beacon of life in this otherwise still terrain. And while the motion of life right before her was comforting, it also caused a stir within her stomach. She hadn't realized the small rumble of hunger that was growing in her midsection. And perhaps now was a sign of opportunity?
Following instinct with sharp eyes and mind, the lioness began to slowly prowl to the land under the avian. It was lingering in one location, most likely attempting to land very soon. The timing was perfect, but she wouldn't let that lift her spirits too high. After all, her fur was darker than the dry grass around her, and she was certain the avian was already cautious of her location. Even so, it didn't hurt to try when food was scarce.
Well, that was until she peered down where the bird finally decided to land. Not even a few feet from the prey there stood another lion, tall and alert. Darned, had she been waiting for the flying meal as well? Or.... and Shinda tilted her head curiously. Were the two individuals accomplices?
Why else would a predator and prey mingle so closely?
Curious and uncertain, Shinda stood back from her original intentions to watch the scene before her.
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Posted: Tue Jun 19, 2012 9:55 am
Hmm. Whomever it was seemed to have stopped and Dina was still trying to make out the details. Her ears flicked back and forth in a show of her discomfort, but the lioness still had distance in her favor. She could perhaps get closer to get a better look, and if the individual was male, she'd have enough room to get out of there and get back to the protection of the Umholi. Yes, that seemed like it would work. Dina once again moved forward, her paws use to the itch of the dry earth and grass and so it did not bother her to move in or around it.
The vulture merely shrugged her large wings, unbothered by Dina's remark. She had got here when she thought it necessary to do so, and not a moment before. Besides, she didn't understand why Dina was so worked up. They got new lionesses in the territory every once in a while, this one should be no different. Ah. Wait. Maybe Dina couldn't see as far. "Its female," Bora yawned in her direction, taking her time as usual.
Well, that issue was settled. Dina sent yet another pointed glance in the vulture's direction, but drew herself up right and approached the stranger with more confidence now. She could deal with females, it was the males that had her jumpy. "Greetings. You're in Bonelands territory." A simple enough introduction to the area, but Dina still slowed her pace and came to a halt a few yards out, a tell tale sign that she was still uncertain of this one's intentions.
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Posted: Tue Jul 24, 2012 12:32 pm
Shinda observed the duo with a patient eye, although her stiff shoulders and shifting tail told another story. She still hadn't a clue who they were, or if they were indeed part of a larger group. And if that were the case, the lioness would be be prepared to run at the slightest turn of the grass surrounding her. Her ears flickered with a life of their own, trying in vain to catch any words being formed by the other feline and avian.
Brushing forward in a cautious manner, Shinda weaved her way over rugged rocks and brittle grass with a tender step. There was no sense of hunt to her motions, and she curved her neck higher to make her presence more openly known. Whether that helped or not she didn't know, but the other lioness began to approach as well. Taking a deep breath, Shinda faced the other.
"Am I now? Thank you for clarifying that detail....I wasn't certain of this location at all. Is it a restricted territory?"
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