|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:23 pm
A lone hyena paced back and forth in the middle of the Elephant Graveyard. The female had her head slumped down, eyes looking wide and tired. They past few hours, she had simply been feeling restless, and she knew why. The little devil that had been squirming around inside of her was finally ready to show itself and Mafa was more than glad to be bidding farewell to pregnancy. With a sigh, the female stopped, looking around. Of course she was alone, she hadn't seen anyone else for a few days, not since she encountered Rasuli and Tukutu not too long ago.
Mafa scowled, the thought of Tukutu, the father of this soon to be pup crossing her mind. He could've at least woken his lazy a** up to come see his firstborn... And take it off of Mafa's hands as well. But then again, she could'nt blame him for not being here, she couldn't blame anyone for not being here. The rest of the pack probably wanted just as little to do with the pups as she did, but alas, Mafa would still find someone to look after it. Being the alpha did carry many advantages after all. Mafa tossed her head arrogantly, but as she did so, there was a twitch of pain in her abdomen. Mafa winced, and looked over her shoulder to the skull that she usually resided in. The female turned, and started walking there, she'd expell those pups in there, hopefully then, the lions wouldn't get to them.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 28, 2006 12:36 pm
There was something different in the air of the Graveyard, and the dark queen of the Maziko could smell it. Her paws carried her past the unspoken border between the hyena's territory and the lion's territory, heading for the center. The change in the air wasn't what drew her, it was to discuss with the hyenas the bennifits they could bring each other, as well as a truce to prevent future bloodshed.
With all the dignity she could muster, she came into range of the skull. And then she realised just what was different about the air around her. Her nose twitched with the scent and she backed into a shadow. Oh, how she loved being able to blend so well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 9:05 am
The juvenile hyena flicked an ear as he dozed lightly. He'd taken up residence close to Mafa's lair and he'd seen her pacing a few hours earlier. But her recent crankiness and irritability had put him off going to see her. He didn't want his head bitten off again, plus he'd not found any other recruits for the pack yet and it wouldn't improve her mood to go empty-handed.
So he'd fallen into a light sleep for now, his breath almost silent and the only movement being his rising and falling belly as he hid amongst the bones. But suddenly his nose twitched and and he opened his eyes, dragging himself into wakefulness. Something was off.... and it wasn't the old bones of dead elephants. Something seemed wrong... whether he could smell it or sense it, it was still there.
Quickly he pulled himself up onto his feet and headed towards the home of his alpha, she'd disappeared from her pacing spot. "Mafa?" He called as humbly as he could, without trying to sound too much like a whining pup. If anything, he'd no longer be the youngest pack member anymore once the pups arrived.
Spotting his alpha as she was about to disappear into her giant skull, he didn't take the time to see or smell the approaching lioness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 12:15 pm
Well, he did smell two things; lion, and hyenas. One he recognized well as Mafa, but coulden't exactly place one thing; the two scents seemed relatively close, woulden't Mafa have attacked a lion, by now? And there was the oher hyena's scent in the air, any real hyena, if big enough, would try the same, right? Well, he'd probably arrived in time to see it, sense there was no real blood scent in the air, yet. His head held high, not in dominance, but for view. The higher, the better.
He didn't look to watch his paws hit against earth and bones, Tibuka just went in the direction of those scents, and it wasen't long before two things came to view-- a skull, and a juvenile. No wonder it hadden't attacked the lion, but where was it?
Thanks to its camouflage, he'd have a hard time seeing her in the shadow were she hid, but scent was another thing. His nose led him to his left, so he growled in that direction, he knew a lion was there, he jsut needed it to come out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 30, 2006 1:14 pm
As much as Mafa hated lions, she was oblivious to the one that had snuck up on her in such a moment of extreme weakness. The alpha female would have most likely already noticed the lion and would have been on her way to destroying it, if not her senses were clouded by a sharp pain in her stomach. Now this was a new sensation to Mafa, she had never really felt such physical pain, she was always the one inflicting it. But now, the tables were turned.
A quick look over her shoulder gave her the knowledge that she wasn't alone. From what she could see, little Rasuli was there, and Tibuka, a relatively new member to the pack. She didn't know what this Tibuka was up to, but she didn't mind having him there either, she held no contempt toward the male. Suddenly, her thoughts were cut off by another sharp stabbing pain. Mafa collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily and biting her tounge. She wasn't going to allow herself to yelp or whine or anything, no way was she going to let anyone know that she was in such pain. She wouldn't allow anyone to see her weakness.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 01, 2006 5:39 pm
Tukutu awoke to the growing that echoed through the hole that Tuk had taken a nap in, ribs of an ancient elephant behind him, making the growl sound larger then it really was. Well, what a grand way to wake up. He gave out a giant yawn, streatced, and pulled himself out of his little hole. Sniffing the air, he smelled something off....lion. It didn't smell threatening, and he was, in truth, more concerned about Mafa then some lion right now. Mafa was their leader, and if grudgingly she mated with him, it made the lazy hyena feel like he had more responsibility, and he needed to start picking his butt up and being a good consort, and even a father.
He padded his way towards where Mafa's home was, and noticed the little juvenile he met the other day. Seemed like so long ago, though...odd.
Unaware of Mafa's discomfort, he gave a nod to the juvenile. "Raslli."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:14 am
The dark lioness sunk back further into the shadows, her paler markings thankfully making her look like pieces of bone sticking out of the darkness. She stopped a growl before it escaped, not liking the hyena's hostile attitude much. Alas, there was no way of conveying how she came in peace when she was being treated so rudely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 02, 2006 11:18 am
She thought he was dumb, huh? Sure, her white made her look like bones, but bones didn't move, now did they?
"Come out, lion, bones don't move. You may fool the eye, but the nose wont fall for your trick. "
He takes a step back, head lowered to protect his throat, and the distance to evoid any suprize attack. He woulden't risk going ni there, he didn't know were was her throat from this angle, and sense-- apperently, he didn't have much backup other than a juvenile, a quiet female and another.. sleepy looking male, if he took that risk, he might be on a trip to-- pain.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 8:25 am
The growl from behind him made the youngster stop in his tracks. Instead of following right after Mafa, he whipped his head round to see the other unfamiliar hyena... growling at something in the bones. He turned back to tell Mafa but she'd flopped on the floor of her den. She did well to hide the pain, but from her heavy breathing it was not so easy to mask that something was happening...
He took a couple of hesitant steps forward but stopped again when his name was said. It was Tukutu! He looked up at him with relief.
"Something's.... something's going on." He spoke to the adult under his breath and then nodded towards Mafa. Perhaps Tukutu would know? Not to mention that Rasuli was torn about what to do. Stick by his alpha's side? Or go see what the other hyena was growling about? With Tuk here he could do one thing and Rasuli could do the other.
It was when Tibuka spoke and mentioned the word 'lion' that the juve decided which course of action to take. While he did respect and look up to Mafa, she was strong and well enough to take care of herself. No doubt she'd be up in a second and dealing with the feline intruder too, or so he thought. In which case he'd be best serving her by defending these lands alongside the new hyena.
He sprang towards the spot where Tibuka stood and prowled around close to him (he knew he was smaller than most lions and stood a better chance with another hyena by his side). He could smell the feline now too.
"Yeah!" He piped up, with as much strength in his growl as he could manage. "We can smell you skulking about in the shadows."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 03, 2006 7:03 pm
Mafa's trouble head perked as she heard the growl outside her den, something was going down outside, and she was not part of it, this angered her. The female huffed loudly standing and sticking her head out of the skull mouth to see Tibuka and Rasuli crowded around and area and Tukutu hanging behind. She was about to rush over there and sort things out, when another stab of pain rippled through her abdomen. This time, Mafa wasn't expecting it. Out her mouth came a yelp of both pain and surprise but before anyone had the chance to hear it, the female was already back in the shadows of the skull, hiding in her shame.
Pain was not a familiar territory to Mafa, and her stomach was surging with it. Mafa flopped onto her belly, but she realized that that action had only made it worse. Immediately she rolled back onto her side, teeth biting into her tounge to take the attention off of the pain else where, but that strategy was barely working. There were a few more sharp stabs of pain, but this time, Mafa pushed with them, her muscles straining to expel the little creature within her. Suddenly, the smell of blood hit the air, soon, Mafa's little hell spawn would be here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 8:08 am
The dark lioness frowned. So they were smarter than they seemed... She'd keep that one to herself, though. It gave them a better light to who they were in her mind. "Indeed they don't." She stepped from the shadows. "I appologise for hiding, I meerely did not wish to get torn apart before I could speak. I came to see a Mafa about my younger son, Runai, but.." Her eyes turned to the cave. "This does not appear a good time. I smell impending new life..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 14, 2006 10:10 am
The hyena's head jerks back as he hears a yelp, looking in te skulls direction, but Mafa had already hidden, what the hell..? He is about to ask whats going on, especially when he smells blood, but then, the lion finally steps out. His ears, previously shot forward thanks to the yelp fold back again, and he swings his head to stare at the lioness; pff, came here to talk, eh? He knew that story...
His mind goes a little blank at the memory of Mrost, the flying lion had talked, too. But.. Obviously you didn't see bloody winged lions sitting around everywere, and this one wasen't likely to be one. He'd normally go andbite her; but the confusioun on what was going on was bigger, this felt too weird for him to be fighting right now. Instead, he just growls for the lack of any words, his attention was on the lion, but that blood smell didn't leave his nose. Dammit, what the hell was going on?!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Apr 16, 2006 10:07 am
Rasuli's large ears picked up the sounds of movement coming from the skull and Mafa's shortened yelp. But his attention was focused on more immediate things. With a larger male by his side and Tukutu and Mafa behind him, the appearance of the grown lioness didn't strike him with as much fear as it normally would. Although it did put him very much on edge.
The smell of blood hit him too, and linked with the lioness's words he realised about the pups. They must be coming! All the more reason to protect them and see off this danger.
Mimicing Tib, he laid his ears back flat, lowered his head and bared his teeth.
"You should apologize for intruding, lion." He spat the word out. Unlike the common misconception that hyenas were stupid, Rasuli was a sharp little tack. "And what would we want to hear from you? Unless it's about your withdrawal from our territory..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Apr 20, 2006 7:16 pm
((Whoo sorry, I think I got carried away xD Just noticed how long it was when I finished o.o))
Mafa, in all the pains of labor, was totally oblivious to the goings on outside of her den. If she had sensed that lion there, she would've gone on a rampage, but alas, for now, the lion was safe. She did hear commotion outside, little Rasuli babbling away. She caught bits and pieces of the conversation as she lay panting on her side. Withdrawl from the territory? That was the way Rasuli, she had raised him well, or so she thought. Rasuli was quite the perfect child for Mafa, obediant, eagar to please, and didn't take a toll of a few months in the womb. She already felt resentment to the pups within her now.
It was then that another sharp pain struck the female, followed by another, and another, and eventually, followed by a pup. Mafa was in extreme pain, but she made not a peep. She knew there were others outside, waiting to see her in a weak position. The pup lay on the ground, squirming helplessly in it's slimy sac, trying to breathe but having no way to do so. Mafa watched the troubled creature that she had just forced out of her with a scowl on her face. The pup was starting to get starved of oxygen, Mafa noted how it's squirms were getting weaker and weaker. Just as it was coming to a halt, Mafa reluctantly reached her head forward, licking of the birth sac and freeing her pup. She continued to lick at it, bringing it back to life. Soon the little puppy was squealing and wriggling around as healthy pups should. Mafa noted the pup was male: absolutely useless to her. She also noted how huge he was, even for a new born pup, perhaps he was the only one?
But it was just then that her thoughts were contradicted and the pains in her abdomen started all over. Another one was coming. And so the same procedure repeated itself, but this pup was not like the other. Instead of coming out wiggling around, this pup was still. Mafa didn't understand. Her head tilted to the side as she nosed it over, nudging the puppy. This one was a girl, and absolutely tiny. She was also absolutely useless to Mafa's cause, for she was dead. Mafa frowned,
"Goddamn"
Mafa whispered to herself as she licked at the dead pup. This one could've been something, had a life worth living. But no, the life had been taken by the still born pups' brother, who was now trying to squirm his way over to Mafa's side to nurse. In alarm, Mafa shot up from her spot. So fast, that she almost fell over from the blood rush to her head. She didn't want the pup near her at the moment, she had to deal with the dead one first. With no hesitation, Mafa grasped the dead pup around the middle with her mouth and walked slowly out. As she took a few paces, she noticed the lion. Rage filled her blood and she bit down, trying to grit her teeth, but instead heard the crunch of herself biting down on the lifeless pup. Immediately she let up. The lion would live... For now. As she walked toward the crowd, she spoke around the bleeding pup in her mouth,
"Your lucky day lion, leave now if you still wish to live"
Mafa's head then abruptly jerked in Tukutu's direction, shooting him a cold glare, as if her bad day was all his fault.
"Your son is in the den Tukutu, go look at him, this one's no good"
And without another word, Mafa quickly trotted off, leaving the hyenas, the lion, and her newborn son behind her. She went off quickly in the direction of the cave which she so fiercely guarded from Runai, the cave where she would lay to rest her dead daughter.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Apr 21, 2006 9:03 am
Say what? Son..? So thats what was going on eh? And.. What was that in her mouth..? A dead puppy..? He lowers his muzzle so its at Rasuli's left ear. "Do you have any idea whats going on? " He mutters, he knew that Mafa had likely just given birth, but this was sorta odd; him growling at a lion, Mafa giving birth and coming out with a dead pup.. This was just confusing him. Raising his head slightly again, he looks at the lioness.
"As much as its hard to admit you'd be right on something, you are correct, now isn't a good time. And I don't think it ever will be. Unless its what... " He blinks, looking back down at Rasuli. "He said. " Its sorta funny, he didn't know the pups name, but it obviously knew Mafa. And the male behind also probably did; afterall, Mafa just said: Your son is in the den, and who else could be the father?
His lips curl further though, no matter how smaller you are of something, if you manage to show enough, you can be quite scary, obviously his intention; his gums are almost sowing, teeth clearly seen, he wasen't in the mood to fight right now, but he could.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
