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 Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 8:33 pm
The lioness yawned widely and stretched out her front paws, quite exhausted after her meal. She'd ventured al about the pride's territory before being satisfied with her findings. She finally recognized the dunes, telling them apart one from the other. After her initial acceptance the first thing she set out to do was learn the land within the pride. The dens, and what few landmarks the landscape had to offer. Yes, it wouldn't do not to know one's own home. Her birthplace, perhaps not, but she did have the blood of a true firekin running in her veins....... even if her mother had gone soft. She was better off dead. If the Firekin had seen what she'd become...
Not that Azula had any pity for her. She held no real respect for her mother, for she had raised them in the ways of another pride, not her own, and as though that weren't enough, she had made her first born son soft and -weak-hearted! Azula vowed to kill him on sight if she ever saw him again, but not before continuing the fun childhood games of mental torment. She wondered, where WAS brother dear now after he'd run off with his tail between his legs?
These thoughts belonged to the dark lioness as she glared at the unforgiving desert dunes blowing in the wind.
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 8:50 pm
The sands were, indeed, unpleasant, yet they were home to the lion male who roamed them. His heart was to the dunes, and even if the sands of the territory had little to do with his genes, he felt them to be apart of him, much like his mother was. His eyes surveyed the land of gold, the wind whipping up clusters of it's grains and tossing them, to and fro, up and down--it did not matter. The winds were the unforgiving essence of the desert, not the sands.
His paws throbbed, throat only slightly dry. Since his growth, he's been manipulating his limbs to stretch more, and possibly far too soon. New muscles flexed with ever heavy step, and it took more effort now to keep balanced in the wind then it had ever been. He was taller now, much taller, and with his masculine form, those gusts were bound to knock him over a few times.
Nonetheless, as clumsy as he was at this point, he maneuvered himself through the dunes, over them and across them. He hadn't been searching for a meal all day, and a good one seemed to be in order, if in fact he had half the mind to go find one for in the instant he began to feel the pain from lack of meal, he settled upon a blurred vision of red. He squinted, lifting on his toes and attempting, quite desperately, to make out the form. Her scent, it mingled with the scent of a female, and one of which he'd never met. What fun.
His tail coiled slightly as he took casual steps towards her, eyes pinned on the form of dark hues. His mother would not have approved of this, him leaving her without a word of warning, and then approaching an adult lioness who's attitude could not promptly be discovered, but Tamu did not care. No, his mothers words were much like the sands; he stepped and passed a different one, or the same one daily without much less a thought.
Instinctively he fluffed his little mass of hair that lurked on his head and chest, before fixing his stature to a dramatic extent. It wasn't his way of getting a girl, but placing the impression that he was not just some other lion. He was important, in his head, and even if lately he'd been rather quiet on it, he would demand her knowing of this. One way or another.
The dunes seemed to go on forever, till he climbed up and over a shaky lump of sand and onto the pathway towards the females den.
Alike to the female, he'd never stumbled upon this den before, or at least not that he could remember, and with a smirk, he lingered in his spot for a while, the winds dying slightly--allowing for a husky, maturing voice to seep through the brake of silence.
'Hello there Miss.'
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:15 pm
Azula did not visually heed his approach, for just seconds before he rose on the dunes she had closer her eyes to further enjoy her heat bask. She was a lioness well accustomed to the heat, she preferred it greatly to the cold fridgid environment of which she'd been birthed. His scent did nothing to warn her, however, as the winds were blowing in his direction instead of hers, but though she didn't see or smell him, when he grew nearer she did -hear- him. That rich voice, distinguishingly male, addressing -her-? With the exception of the king, Kimeti, she had not been approached by any men from this pride. It was a well overdue sign that she reserved the right to be every bit as confident in her looks as she was.
Slowly her eyes peeled open to gaze almost lazily at the stranger, a sort of contentment in the expression as she lay there with her tail curled on the ground of her den.
"And hello to you as well, young man."
Though she said it with no sign of cheer in her voice, she also said it with no hint of patronism or scorn. There was a tone of respect in her words, a respect for one of her own kind, and of her pride, which she easily recognized by both his strong youthful apperance and his healthy red pelt.
"What may I do for you...?"
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:31 pm
No matter where her birthing was, she could have fooled any lion by simply her appearance alone. Knowing his sister's pelt as distorted as it was, he figured he'd seen it all, and a black and red lioness with a few other distinguishing marks was no difference to that of a full, red pelted female.
She was Firekin in Tamu's eyes, and that was that.
His fur ruffled, chin twitching slightly as she spoke; words that swung about him, so alluring. He sustained their ring for the moment, her appearance…fragrance, all becoming another link in his mind. It was his determination that would lead him to remember every detail of this female, even if she refused to offer him a name.
'You could tell me your name…’ A soft grin formed on his lips, pressing back ebony charred coverings to open up a glistening smile.
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:37 pm
"I could." Azula confirmed with a bit of coy teasing, a silent pause, and she met his eye. It was there that she found her answer, and the decision that giving her name to the adolescent was.... acceptable. He was strong enough, and there was something oddly familiar about the scent mingling with her nostrils. Azula's expression became just momentarily, warily perplexed, then finally she spoke again. "I am Azula, daughter of Moto and Moto'roho of the Firekin. And I believe that it's only fair that you return your name in return for mine."
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 9:42 pm
As expected, he retorted.
'Tamu'meka, miss Azula and might I say it's a pleasure to meet you...however I do take offence to your last regard--I do believe you to be flirting with me!' The smile, it was back.
And as it spread, met her own gaze and settled on his rump, ears floating back against his skull, welcoming a good round of verbal play.
Azula was a fine name, especially for this female before him. It was sturdy, and beautiful all at once; a perfect description for the lioness. There was a moment when he was to remark on this, yet he held back, and only planted a smug look on his features, maw parted with patience.
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:02 pm
At first Azula was actually mildly surprised by the accusation, it was the first time (since she seldomly ever resorted to flirting to get her way, and only did so when in the right mood) that anyone actually called her on her actions so boldly. It had become so much second nature to manipulate others, she did it with such confidence that it often wasn't quite so obvious, making the intended targets uncertain of if they understood her. It usually left the situation too akward for them to try anything too forward, but just encouraged enough to scramble for more clues like a hyena starving for scraps.
Obviously this Tamu'meka was somewhat impervious to this manipulative talent.
Dare she admit that she found it refreshing?
"I'm sure," She purred confidently, with a ghost of a smirk. Of course it was a pleasure, she was nothing if not courteous, intelligent, a much higher cut than the common riff-raff that most chose for company. So far only Motomilia, princess, and Kimeti, the king, had been fortunate enough to have audience or be given audience with her. She was very picky over who she spent any decent length of time with. "Though I'm afraid you must be mistaking my courtesy for something more. I could never be so forward with someone I just met. I surely can't blame you for it."
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:20 pm
He understood what Azula's front was, if this was a front at all or merely her being cautious of him. Witty, very witty, and he liked this about her. An assumption was made on the spot, a dangerous habit Tamu held highly.
She was a friend.
Now, whether she felt the same or not, it was on her head, but he saw her as anything but an enemy. If not a friend, then company in which highly entertained him, and made him want to linger on for more. That was the idealistic view of Friend, no? Or was he sadly mistaken.
Nonetheless, he was humbled by her purr, and ogled at her smile. What a smile it was, very faint, very mysterious, almost as if it was not there at all. His eyes lifted, after subconsciously lowering to meet the sand with thought, and looked to Azula with a desire for more of her charm.
The remark was humorous, if nothing else very confident, and with a soft, bubbly chuckle, he retorted. 'Do I? Miss Azula, please rethink your words, for your ways were as clear to me as your intoxicating beauty. And plus, I would know a flirt when I heard one…' His words were sharp, however smothered with kind wittiness. A moment passed, and with a gentle toss of his head, he murmured. 'You obviously misjudged me at first glance, Miss Azula, for I am exactly the type you so say to not be.' His mentions were to her comments, and with a flutter of his eyes, he began a gentle roar of laughter.
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:39 pm
He left her fur prickling on the back of her neck and along her spine a bit with electric energy, however, she wouldn't allow herself to show that she'd been struck by the same attraction that he felt. She couldn't. It was foolish to dive head first into such a situation with another pride member. She did -not- wish to develop a negative reputation among her people, and she sure as hell wasn't some harlott who'd bed any hormonal teenager that came along.......... if he -earned- it, -deserved- it, however, she would entertain him for now, though he wasn't going to charm her into submission with words and flirtations alone. Not so odd was the fact that she was looking forward to seeing if he was up to the challenge of meeting her expectations.
As for how he could claim to see through her so easily, it did not shake her, rather, she wondered if he really did or if this was just a part of their game of truth-or-bluff. She watched his eyes lower, and raise again, drank in the admiration of his stare, and allowed herself a humbled slice of pride at the fact that he clearly found her attractive. It reflected in the calm gaze she sent back at him as their eyes met again finally.
"I suppose you would, if you are the type that you claim. You're assuming that I find that endearing, however." She tested, an ear flicking to discourage a gnat, goddesses only knew how they survived here.
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 10:52 pm
Tamu shuffled his paws, the sand shifting, creating a pocket for the moment, before hurriedly being filled in again by the same churn that created it. He was the type he claimed, however it was shameless flirting, and harmless all the same.
His eyes dispersed from their locked gaze, and wandered the back drop to the lioness. It wasn't lovely, but it was a distraction for the moment as he pondered, on both a comeback and Azula herself.
Whether or not she found his attempts alluring, he would continue them with persistence. His tail thumped to his side as he attempted to match her gaze, searching for those eyes that would cave to no other, before speaking.
'That is what I assume, yes. But what, am I wrong? Do I not flatter you with remarks and appeal to you at all? Tell me, be honest--be brutal.' A cunning grin spread on his features, eyes wandering her features for the stare. 'Because I'll tell you this--your, very harmless, attempts to flirt sure put a toll on me.' Heavily, he sighed, however with as much humor as he could muster.
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:17 pm
"Be brutal, you say? Well, if you insist, I must admit that you're probably a bit too young for me, it's easy to talk tough and big, but could you back it up if the time came?"
The smirk this time was definite as Azula's eyes narrowed with challenge, a test. How would he answer, like a gentleman, or someone after something they wanted?
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Posted: Sat Nov 11, 2006 11:50 pm
Well now, that was some statement. Honestly, he was young--he admitted to it, but for her? To young to support the female if need be, to keep up with her and be there for her? Was that even a fair question?
His features sank slightly, a much more serious approach taken to the subject. She was being honest with him--and that pleased him.
'Miss Azula, I am young. And in my youth, I have much to learn--how can I truthfully answer that, without knowing how it will end up. I can only reassure you this, you are worth trying for.'
He sustained his silence afterwards, eyes staring to Azula's. She could take it as she wanted, but this was his response--and inwardly, he felt completely off from what she wanted.
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 12:07 am
His answer contained an odd mix of both chivalry and determination. Azula had to re-evaluate the circumstances a moment before she could decide if it was an answer to satisfy her most basic standards or not.
He acknowledged that there would have to be effort made to win her over, and that he knew she was worth those trials and tests, but was HE going to give her his best? She wouldn't settle for less anymore than he would.
"If you want something then there is no 'trying' involved. You either can, or cannot. I'm certain that I am, but I expect for you to 'do', not just 'try'. I only settle for the best, and my wants come second to no one." She warned, holding his gaze with stern, steadfast searching red eyes. She gave no indication of being linient, of making any exceptions--
--but she wanted him to say yes. She wanted him to say that he would. She could work with him, hone him subtly here and there until he was aware of her wants and needs without her needing to speak them, after all it did take two to make a friendship work, let alone anything more. Oh yes, she thought he had potential indeed if he could keep up with her.
She doubted she'd find another as interesting as he was amidst the pride. Their numbers were small, their bloodlines thin, and growing thinner due to thier stubborn refusal to expand the bloodline. For this chance to shatter into pieces would mean a very possible long wait for Azula to find anyone else worth consideration.
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 12:17 am
He was silent, eyes barely wavering, body rarely moving. The slight expand was at most the activity that went on, visibly anyways. Inside, he was working hard, thinking. She was incredibly...well, brilliant. And because her needs and her standards were so high, it made him want to reach them, want to appease her--he wanted to make everything she needed come alive in him.
A smirk resolved on his lips, and the humor rose again. Who ever really said he wanted her--he surely did not. 'Miss Azula, I do not recall ever stating I want you. But in the case I did, I completely, one-hundred percent agree with you. To try is to give way to failure. And if I were to, as you say want something...or in this case you, I would have to make it happen.' His throat cleared in the pause.
'I do not want you Miss Azula, but I do need you. Friend or otherwise, you aren't wanted, but much desired.'
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Posted: Sun Nov 12, 2006 12:36 am
She could have argued that she never said that he did say that he wanted her, or she could have even teased with an argument that he did, but neither were her style in the least.
Azula liked the second response much better. It showed, however sublte in her eyes, which narrowed softly in acceptance.
"Then proove you deserve to have me."
Her tail now curled about her hind paws, the female rising to give a bodily stretch, allowing the most subtle of smiles, then moving to head further into the den, out of the heat, turning to watch him.
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