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 Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:06 pm
The petite lioness stalked through the grass, her ears perked hungrily, although her belly was full. She was craving something else - companionship. It was strange for her, as she normally enjoyed her solitude, but those cubs were driving her up the wall! She longed for the company of someone who had deeper things to say than "that bug tasted gross". Growling with frustration, she unsheathed her claws and slashed at the tawny grass in front of her. The blades sliced in half and she snorted, lifting her lip. Annoyance bubbled in her blood and finally she took off in a sprint, her powerful legs carrying her across the savannah. The wind whipped through her fur and for a moment she closed her eyes, savouring the freedom.
After a few minutes, she began to slow down to a trot, glancing around. Her eyes fell upon a shadowy form in the distance and immediately her hackles raised threateningly. She was still on her own territory, and this creature - a lioness, from the looks of it - was intruding. Much as she wanted company, she was not about to let some rogue onto her territory without her permission. So, with bared fangs, she began stalking towards the trespasser.
"Who're you?" she snarled.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:29 pm
Katavi froze. A chill of fear swept throughout her body. She had not expected to run into Roho so quickly. Her mind was still buzzing with ways to greet the lioness that had raised her, and how to break it to Roho that her once precious cubs were nothing but a disgrace. Because of their foolish decisions to leave Roho's side, she and her siblings had all become 'weak'; Katavi now had a permanent limp, Kip was blinded, and Maji had even died. The shame of her weaknesses rose in her mind and tightened her stomach again, as she watched the lioness she so respected come towards her.
Katavi blinked the fear out of her eyes. She could not disgrace herself in front of Roho. As Roho's words rang out, she felt a sudden stab of pain. Could she not tell? Had it been so long?
Katavi stepped forward, growling under her breath as her weight shifted uneasily with the awkward step, forming from her injured paw.
"Mother", she said, her voice barely a rasp. She dipped her head and hung it there, fearing she had done wrong stepping onto the territory.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 8:42 pm
Roho hesitated at Katavi's words. For a moment she braced herself, half expecting this strange lioness to be trying to fool her, to throw her off guard. Such was the way that her mind worked, and so she eyed her for a moment warily, ready to spring. When Katavi did not move, however, Roho took a moment to look her over. Had she really said 'mother'? Roho briefly though of her cubs back at home, and almost laughed at the thought. Who was this foolish lioness trying to fool?
But suddenly her memories began coming back, overtaking the more recent petty memories of fights and victories, even preceeding the more important memories, like the birth of her cubs. The lioness... the black fur and blue markings, with the bit of white...
Roho did a double-take. Katavi? Had it been that long? The juvenile that she had once known was now a sleek, full-grown adult. Her red eyes flashed with pleasure and, in a rare move for the lioness, she rushed foreward, pressing her forehead to Katavi's.
"Katavi!" she exclaimed, pulling back. She did not see the lioness's hesitance or shame, too overcome with her own emotions. "I didn't think I'd ever see you again... and you've grown! You're taller than I am now." She flashed a grin, keeping a good sense of humour about her small stature. "How have you been? How are Kip and Maji?" Her tail thrashed impatiently, wanting so many answers in such a short amount of time.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:19 pm
Katavi stayed perfectly still, holding her breath for what seemed a lifetime until Roho's sudden realization. She raised her blue eyes, sparkling with admiration, slowly.
"Mother", she whispered again, pressing her forehead against Roho's in warmth. Suddenly, she felt so young, as if none of the harships she had faced had ever occured, and she was asleep against Roho's warm pelt beside her brother and sister. But how truly long ago that was..
"I have faired, mother", she answered, hoping that Roho would not persist with questions about her. And then the next, which she dreaded most. She closed her eyes, trying to avoid her mother's hungry gaze. How could she just tell her? About everything that had happend? About how she had been attacked, and was too foolish to get out of the scrabble without becoming weak?
"Kip is nothing to anyone. He is forever weakened from our travels, as am I. But atleast I am not helpless", Katavi spoke, hardly able to utter each icy word after the next. "Maji", she paused, looking past her mother, "she was weak, and she deserved her fate because of it."
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:29 pm
Roho gazed steadily at Katavi, noticing the limp and listening to her words. A strange mix of emotions coursed through her blood. Had it been any other creature, she would have scorned at the news of their misfortunes. However, this was Katavi, the lioness she had considered a warm mix of her daughter and her younger sister. Roho bit her lip, listening as Katavi finished speaking. She was silent for a few moments, her scarlet eyes gazing into Katavi's blue.
Finally, she spoke, with the utmost of assurance in her voice. "I'm proud of you," she said, a tone of a growl almost creeping into her voice. "You were not helpless, you are not helpless, and you will never be helpless. I know you, Katavi, no matter how much time has passed. You have a strong and fierce spirit, and no matter what physical ailments may come to you, you will never be weak. Never."
She paused for a moment before continuing, "I'm sorry to hear about Maji. Perhaps it was her fate, but I would've liked to have seen her one last time." After a second of consideration, she added, "But such is life."
A rough purr rumbled from her throat as her eyes lit up. "I have news of my own, Katavi. You have younger siblings now... six of them. Three boys and three girls, all healthy." There was pride in her voice, no matter how annoying those cubs could be. "I've also claimed this land as my own and am working on creating my pride... finally," she added as an amused afterthought. "I'm sorry I didn't recognize you at first. You're welcome on this land any time. My home is your home, and it always will be." There was a firmness in her voice as though trying to reassure Katavi that nothing would change her opinion of the adopted daughter she loved, even the physical weakness that she normally abhorred.
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Posted: Mon Nov 13, 2006 9:47 pm
Katavi blinked in surprise. She gaped at Roho, unable to form words. After a long moment, she softly uttered, "What?", though she was not certain her mother had heard it.
Anger pulsed throughout her body for a moment, then her eyes softened. She didn't quite know how to feel. She had expected Roho to run her away. Instead, she expressed compassion.. how long had it been since then, when she received such affection and gentle scolding from her mother. It came as a shock.
"Karma", she finally said, giving an almost manical grin. Karma was the only thing she could hold onto, nowadays. In the end, she believed, she would suffer a great loss and start fresh from the sin of her weakness. Losing Maji would never be enough.
"Really? Cubs?", she echoed, fading out of her own thoughts. "Six? How can you manage with six?", she smiled, sharing Roho's excitement. "To build your new pride, I suppose?"
A shadow of pain reflected in her eyes for a brief moment, before she shook it away. She was making a fool of herself, with all this sadness. She should be angry, but she couldn't make herself. "Mother, may I join you, one day?", she asked, and caught herself quickly, "of course, I will not come empty handed. I shall bring an offering to you, when the time comes."
She dipped her head in respect, hoping Roho would understand what she meant by this.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 6:51 pm
"Managing six cubs!" Roho gave her usual rasping laugh. "It's near impossible, but thankfully two of them are quite obedient and quiet. Another is very obedient... though not so much quiet." She twisted her lips into a grin.
"You may join me any time," she said, her voice becoming more serious. "I've wanted nothing more since I last saw you." Roho grew quiet at the suggestion of an offering. Such a thing was not necessary, but it would strengthen her pride - plus they would be the offspring of Katavi, and hopefully carry her traits. "And that would certainly be appreciated." Her scarlet eyes focused for a moment on her adoptive daughter before she turned away.
"How would you like to meet Camulos? He's the most timid of them, but is obviously eager to please. I think he has much potential, and I would love for him to get to know you."
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 6:59 pm
 Now, Uovu had nothing to do with these two chattering lions, with their boring talk of cubs, litters and prides. Not yet, anyway, and he really didn't intend to. He had no business with them, after all, and no reason to interrupt their seemingly 'emotional' reunion conversation. In fact, the raggedy young-adult lion cared nought for any interraction between the lions not so far off from him, and would rather be on his way.
He himself had come to the Southlands in search of something. In fact, Uovu had himself considered the Southlands as an interesting place to start on his search... it seemed a mysterious place, a place where you could find things that you wouldn't expect to find.
And what exactly was it that had Uovu desperatly searching for information?
Seers. Ah, yes. Those mysterious, gifted beings... the ones closer to the heavens, closer to the Gods. The only ones that had the strength to see through another, to sense another being's malicious intentions through a very solid mask.
Uovu, himself two-faced, saw himself as a great actor. He could charm women, seem friendly, speak politely and seem just like your average bloke. But this very mask of his had been shattered by a seer, only days ago. So, seers could see through people. Seers had power unlike others.
Interesting.
He wasn't sure why he was so fixated on the subject. Maybe it was the seers themselves... or maybe it was their gift that astounded the raggedy lion. They were stronger, with their sixth sense, and nearest to the divine.
Shaking his head, Uovu advanced forward. The two lions ahead had not spotted him... yet. What was the point of talking with them? Chances were, they didn't have any information.
He turned to leave, and stumbled over his own forepaws as he did so, collapsing with a thud into a nearby bush. What a way to sneak away.
Only the deaf could have not noticed him now.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:29 pm
Katavi raised her head and leveled her eyes with those of Roho's.
"Only two?", she said, managing to laugh. "Cubs are wild little things." Katavi remembered when she herself had been wild and happy, rumbling along with Maji and Kip, before they were all physically.. and mentally, destroyed. Roho seemed to not mind her weaknesses and shames. The dark lioness breathed out, releasing all the fright that had been locked in the chambers of her heart. My mother isn't angry. She isn't angry. Katavi repeated this in her head over a few times, still aghast at Roho's reactions to her news. Though darkness still clouded the lioness' mind; there were so many things, her obsessions, the gods, Kip, and her own shame that forever weakened her inside, no matter what Roho believed.
"One day, far from now, that will be. Until then, I could not come to you with nothing to offer in return," she paused, "with all that you have done for me." Gratitude flashed in her blue pool eyes before she spoke again. "Until then, I will meet your son."
Suddenly, a strange sense overcame her. From the back of her neck, she could feel a movement. And then, quicker than it could register in her mind, there was a loud thud. Katavi spun around and met the intruder's eyes with a hiss, which grew into a low growl thrumming in her throat. This was not one of Roho's pridemates, she was sure; it smelled of a rogue. Her hackles raised, body swaying from side to side, she flashed her eyes toward Roho, ready for her word to attack. Her heart beat grew fast, and lips formed into a grin. She longed greatly to repay her debts, and to prove her loyalty to her mother, and what a way. What a time. It was time to be angry.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:37 pm
Roho wanted to change Katavi's mind - there was a burning need to have her daughter back with her - but she could sense that it was important to Katavi's dignity and pride to wait until she had something to offer. Roho, of all lions, knew something about pride, and so she did not press the matter further, simply dipping her head in acknowledgement.
When the rogue scent reached her nose, though, her lips curled back and hackles raised. She swung around, almost synchronized with Kat, her eyes blazing. The male was trespassing, no if's, and's or but's. She was not a forgiving lioness and so she immediately snarled to the other lioness, "Go ahead," as she unsheathed her claws. As soon as Katavi moved, Roho would be right with her. It was time to recreate the duo.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 7:56 pm
Uovu's heart sped up as he staggered backwards. Okay, this was weird. Two ladies wanting to fight a he-lion? Were they insane?
He hadn't expected the two chattering lionesses to be so... fiery. They had been quick to act, too. This was certainly uncalled for.
"Whoah, whoah, whoah!" he said, backing up against the bush and putting his forepaws into the air, "Hey, what's with the attitude? I'm just passing by, not looking for a fight. Besides, I don't fight women. So, uh... let's just... leave it?"
He really wasn't looking for a fight, but if it came to it, he'd defend himself. But still... to lash out at a lady? No, not a lady. Two ladies?
He looked sideways at Katavi. She was a hot little thing, that girl. Shame that she seemed to hold a lot of anger within her... otherwise, he wouldn't mind snapping that sugarpie up on a date, or something of the kind.
"Uh...ladies, please," he said, smugly, "Let's not be brash, here. You girls don't want to fight a man like me. We can work something out?"
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:16 pm
Katavi couldn't help but lift her chin and let out a laugh. Ladies? Who did he think he was kidding? He wasn't going to talk himself out of this one. She stayed silent, listening to his foolish plea, and growing angrier and angrier. Oh, how her violent pulse raging on, her wicked satisfaction, anger felt so good, like a lost friend.
"Just passing by? On who's territory? Your own?," she mocked, glancing at Roho. This brute surprised her on so many levels, it was shocking. She wondered if her mother dealt with this kind of idiocy on a daily basis.
Narrowing her eyes back at the male, she began to knead dirt angrily, digging her claws deep into the earth. The look coming from him startled her. Why was he looking at her that way? She drew in her breath, forcing herself to not call him on this 'look'. It was not time for chit-chat, it was time to fight.
She challenged his plea, "Let's see what a man you really are." With that, she flung herself forward, claws unsheathed.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 8:25 pm
Roho's blood boiled as well, especially with the "man like me" comment. What, did this male think that they were inferior simply because they were female? Or was it a pretentious comment about how 'strong' he was? Either way, she wasn't about to back down, so she lifted her lip and snarled. "This is my territory," she said fiercely, after Katavi said something along the same lines. "No one 'passes through' without my permission. The ignorant impudence of rogues is astounding, and I'm tired of it. Too many have passed through here, leaving without much more than a scratch."
With that, she launched forward with Katavi, growling her agreement with her challenge. Her claws extended and she bared her fangs, throwing herself towards his back.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:02 pm
Uovu fell back, as the force of the blows hit him.
The young male felt the sharpness of Katavi's unsheathed claws raking against his flank, and let out a pained yowl as he stumbled backwards. Then, another strike... the older lioness connected with him so fast that he hadn't even had enough time to blink.
The battle was lost on Uovu's part. He hadn't the heart to strike out against two girls... after all, he didn't hit women. It was against the little morals he had, and one of the most important.
Scratched, torn and in a mess, Uovu stood up, licking the blood off his dripping wounds. Then, with a groan, he crumbled to the floor.
Pinned down, Uovu had hardly any time to think, let alone struggle. He lay, stunned, back against the earth. He was cornered.
"Listen," he gasped, trying his hardest to escape, but not finding a way out, "Listen... we can compromise on this!"
His breath was heavy. More claws. More pain.
He couldn't handle this any longer. The male finally saw red.
He struck out, blinded by anger and with an earth-shattering roar, not knowing who he had hit, or rather, if he had hit anyone at all.
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Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2007 9:37 pm
Katavi hissed with delight, feeling great satisfaction as her claws hit skin, and blood was broken. After the blow, she advanced on him further, slashing her claws forward and pinning the brute to a corner at Roho's side.
Her mouth shaped into a vicious grin at the sight of his collapse. Weak. She stood over him, her eyes narrowed into slits.
"Well, the tough man.," she mocked. "Hah!", she exclaimed, glancing at Roho. "He's no stronger than prey."
With an extended claw, she pushed his chin upward to level his eyes with hers. "There are no compromises. Haven't you learned that yet?," she snapped. Her anger boiling, she suddenly felt free. For the moment, raking her claws down the male's flank, she could forget all her troubles. She could inflict karma-free, well deserving suffering on another. Oh yes, this was freedom.
Caught up in the excitement of it, she did not notice as a defending paw slashed through the air.
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