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 Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 1:51 pm
Chaka stepped back when Azar glared at him and pulled his tail free, by all indications, it looked as though Chaka was the victor- and that made up for the commentary and the pain in his neck. He glanced over at the girls when they were mentioned, and back again when his mother was mentioned- and he snorted.
"Not as bad as needing to pick on someone who won't fight to win for once," he snapped back, his tail swaying behind him and his violet eyes narrowed at the red boy. He glanced back over to Fia when she interrupted, and then back to Azar with a grin to match.
Shisa watched, a grin on her face as well- she was not physically involved but she had picked the right side, and that was still something to her. She only shrugged in response to what Uddhava asked, now taking her chance to hop out and join in the little conversation.
"Teamwork is not worthless or shameful," she added, having decided on this before when working with one of her sisters to master walking and running through the sandy desert, "Why stay in a group like this if it didn't help?" A group of arrogant and temperamental lions was certainly not a clever sounding idea, but they worked together, fought together. The story of the rebellion was enough to show the benefits of teamwork and loyalty. Even the traditionalists stuck together, however ridiculous that might have seemed in stories.
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Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 2:02 pm
He turned his head to include all of them in his angry stare, let his eyes dwindle a little longer on that stupid gold cub. Next time he saw him shivering like a wimp on the sand he'd show him a thing or two about being a Firekin.
He puffed out his chest, jutted his jaw and growled. "Shut up. I'm wasting my time with losers like you. None of you would be so bold if you were by yourselves." He thrashed his tail. "I'm wasting my time here with you." And with that said, he backed up further, putting as much distance between him and the others as possible, before turning his back and trudging off, his stomping paws angry.
The moment Azar'bijan turned to leave, little Uddhava seemed to come out of his shell a little. He moved towards the others, glancing at them shyly, closing the circle of this new friendship - could he dare to call it friendship? With a timid, shaky smile, he cleared his throat and opened his mouth to speak.
"Um...thank you." He spoke in his quiet voice. "I didn't mean to cause so much trouble for everyone...um...so...thank you." His ears lifted very slightly and he turned his eyes towards Chaka.
"You are really good at fighting. Just like Rap." He cast his eyes to Fia but seemed a little lost for words when it came to her. She made him somewhat nervous.
"See you round!!" Fia called after Azar's fading form, moving to nudge Chaka roughly in the shoulder with her head. "We sure showed him a thing or two about fighting, right?" And her mis-matched eyes glittered brilliantly. "Team work rules. Me and my Sis learned that trick at birth." She thought fondly of her sister and wished she could have been there to witness this little spectacle.
"Hey, no worries Goldie Locks." Fia replied. "All in a days work, right guys?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 08, 2009 6:04 pm
"Don't count on it!" Chaka called after Azar as he backed up, leaping forward threateningly as he did. He was made much bolder by their success against him, but he would gladly challenge or accept a challenge from the feisty red boy.
He laughed when Fia called out, glad someone said it. He looked to Uddhava with a grin, looking every bit as arrogant as Shisa would have expected him to be.
"Yeah," he agreed with Fia, "You shouldn't let anybody pick on you like that, not much that can be done if you make yourself as easy target."
Shisa rolled her eyes at the smug look on Chaka's face when Uddhava complimented him, though even she felt he had done well enough. She stepped up, purposely staying nearer Uddhava and Fia than to Chaka.
"You have red fur hanging from your mouth, tough guy," she shot at Chaka, and turned to Fia, intent on learning exactly who this one was. She knew her vaguely, she was one of the.. two that looked the alike. The Regents' cubs.
"I'm Shisa, and he's Chaka," she introduced herself and her brother, making a quick face at Chaka when she introduced him, "Our parents are Wakia and Umlilo."
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Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 11:20 am
Uddhava gave a small sniff in agreement, the sound accompanied by a small nod. He knew he should stick up for himself but he really just didn't have the courage. Maybe if he'd had the chance to hang out with more lions like these three, he'd find his bravery eventually. But the sad thing was, he wasn't going to be here forever.
No. As soon as he was an adolescent, he'd be shipped out into the rogue lands, left to fend for himself. Uddhava had mixed feelings about this. He wasn't angry or blaming - he wasn't that kind of lion. He was more scared and excited. Scared because he'd be alone, but excited because maybe he'd find a place where he'd truly belong. He knew now that this wasn't the place for him. He just wasn't the warrior type.
"I'll tell my brother. He won't do it again once Azarax knows."
Then, it appeared it was introduction time and Uddhava shifted somewhat nervously. "Um...I'm Uddhava. You can...call me Udd. My parents aren't here..."
Fia, catching sight of Chaka's ego for the first time, let herself laugh. Interesting indeed to meet others outside of her family - to see how different they were from her own siblings. Her smile widened at Shisa's comment and noticed - for the first time - the red fur hanging from his mouth.
"You got some of his mane! Hey, maybe you should wear it as a trophy? Can you imagine the look on his face?" She laughed again, shaking her head in amused dismay.
Then it was her turn for an introduction. "Fia. Daughter of Kidondo and No, twin to Ea." She felt a little guilty about that after Uddhava stated his parents weren't around and softened the words with a smile. "Don't worry, Udd, you've got your brother, right? He's the General, isn't he?"
She paused and glanced between the two siblings. "So, I guess you're both going for Soldier rank, then?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 09, 2009 1:56 pm
Chaka shot a glare at his sister, and briefly crossed his eyes in a mindless attempt to get a look for himself- but it was useless. He took a moment to try to get rid of the hair, blowing out of his mouth and then leaning down to try to get it off his lips. It wasn't until he tried to get rid of it that it started to bother him, like he had swallowed some of it. But he wouldn't let it on.
"There's not much of it," he commented at the suggestion, "But I bet I could keep gathering some up.." He trailed off with a small laugh, and glanced over at Uddhava. He (and Shisa) were already aware of his brother, and he wasn't about to argue that Azarax probably was Udd's best shot at staying safe and.. happy.
"Fia," he responded as a way of acknowledging her introduction, and glanced over to Shisa when Fia did, nodding in response.
"Pleased to meet you, Fia," Shisa said carefully, confidently. It wouldn't hurt to be polite, especially to now that she had confirmed exactly who she was. She was a very interesting lioness, as well..!
"Yes, both of us," she glanced over at Chaka with a hint of competitiveness in her gaze, and back to Fia, "We recently got apprenticed, we're officially going to be soldiers now. What about you?" Fia had shown a lot of nerve in the fight, soldier would have been an obvious guess- the standard guess in Shisa's mind, but she wasn't sure. Especially where her parents were regents..
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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 11:25 am
Uddhava felt a pang of sadness and jealousy in his heart. They were apprenticed? They had paths to lead and futures to look forward to? Gallant, honourable futures? What did he have? He was old enough to be apprenticed now - though perhaps he didn't look it - and the only thing he had been given was a name. A title.
Huria.
Oh, and a caretaker, Moja, who was going to teach him all about the outside world and how to survive it...Well, that was kind of like an apprenticeship, right? Even still, he didn't want to mention it. He felt like it'd belittle him even further and he'd already been proved a coward today, let alone a failure.
He wouldn't have his brother at his side forever.
He stayed silent, battling to keep the tears at bay.
Fia chuckled and nodded, rather liking the idea of wearing a trophy to show her achievements. Somehow, she didn't think her parents would be too happy about that. Ah well, soon she'd be old enough to look out for herself, then they wouldn't be able to stop her.
"Likewise." She nodded towards Shisa.
She liked these two. They were easy to get on with, honourable just as they should be. Yes, she figured these two could be her friends.
"Thought so. You two will make a great double-team." She flicked her tail, the smile easing off a little. "Hm, me? I don't know yet. Haven't decided. I thought about being a soldier but...well...I don't think fighting is really what I want to do. I might just hang loose and join in the hunts until I find my...niche." She smiled, glad she'd found a place to use her new word. Fia's problem was that she liked to be different, she liked to rebel. If she slotted into a nice little category then how much attention would that get her? Well...none! No, best to make a fuss. Maybe she could even get them to create a rank just for her and Ea.
"Hey...what's wrong with you Goldie Locks?" She noticed the golden cub's shining eyes and knew what that meant.
"Boys don't cry."
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Posted: Thu Feb 26, 2009 7:10 pm
Again, Chaka had to take a moment and try to get the hair out of his throat. He didn't make a big show of it, only turning his head and trying to clear his throat. Once, twice and he was done trying. For now. He snorted a laugh at the comment on them making a good team and shot a look over at Shisa. For now, they functioned fine as "enemies". Neither truly hated the other, they were only cubs, after all!
"Maybe," he mumbled, looking back at Fia to find out what she was doing. He didn't hesitate to glance her up and down and consider how she had done in helping him. She wasn't lacking in nerve and she wasn't unfortunately sized or shaped.. but if she wasn't into it, she wasn't into it. Besides, his mother was a huntress. Nothing wrong with that.
Well, nothing was wrong with it but Chaka could still allow himself enough room for the beginnings of a superiority complex. He glanced over, seeming mostly unconcerned with Uddhava until Fia said something.
Shisa looked over at Chaka when she felt his eyes on her, tempted to stick her tongue out at him and choosing not to say anything. He pretty much said it all with that mumble. She was more curious about what Fia was going to do, and she was rather surprised to hear that hunting was her plan until she found something.
"Hunting?" she blinked, "Our mother is a huntress, she never was really interested in fighting either." She started when Fia's attention went to Uddhava and commented that boys don't cry- she glanced over at Chaka, tempted to make a crack at him but not saying anything.
"What about you, Uddhava?" she asked, trying to include him, thinking that might be the problem. She didn't know much about what was in store for her uncle, [art of her was genuinely curious.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:37 am
Fia nodded accordingly. "I mean, I don't mind learning to defend myself, but I really don't care much enough to learn drills off by heart or have anyone ordering me around. I've seen those soldier types. Bossy old things." She wrinkled her snout. "Besides, hunting is a fine job to keep the mind sharp, or so they say."
She was about to go on but apparently everyone looking at him had been too much and Uddhava took the scene.
She drew forwards.
Aware that suddenly everyone noticed his sudden teary-eyed face, the little gold shrunk away. But it was too late now and despite the fact he wanted to run and hide he also felt the need to tell someone so that they'd understand. He had lost so much and he still had so much to lose. To sacrifice.
The very meaning of his name. Yes, his mother had named him well.
"I'm not being apprenticed..." He finally choked out. "I'm a Huria. It means...free...independant." A kind word really, because what it meant was that he was an outsider destined never to return. He swallowed past the lump in his throat and managed to continue. "I'm not staying here. When I...I am old enough to care for myself I'm going...going out there." And he waved a sad paw vaguely.
For once, Fia was speechless. She looked from Uddhava's sad face to the siblings, but found her eyes drawn to him again. He looked so sad. It wasn't fair.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:07 am
He nodded at the 'bossy' comment, agreeing as much as one who accepted and aspired to it could. In his childish mind, if he became good enough, he wouldn't be bossed around- he could do that bossing! But then his full attention went to Uddhava, nodding along with what he said.
"Well, you're yellow," he pointed out without any sympathy, "You're the only yellow one, I mean. But Azarax is the only.. sand one, isn't he?" Chaka shrugged, he didn't pretend to understand all of the rules exactly but he knew the golden color was mainly the reason that Uddhava couldn't stick around. Though, to be fair, there were others he saw around with more yellow-yellow. And most lions around here were black, white and red- and he and Shisa (and some of their family) were good examples of orange rather than red. It wasn't so simple, maybe.
"Chaka," she snorted, rolling her eyes a bit at his insensitive comment. She smiled back at Uddhava, nodding along encouragingly with what he said. Her only response to how sad he looked was to try to look as happy as she could, as if it were a good thing. She wouldn't want to leave the pride but she was curious about what was outside of it, it was part of why she was so fascinated with Nuri- and she assumed her interest was how Nuri was so interested in her, and how they ended up paired together.
"Well, maybe it'll be more exciting then you think?" she suggested hopefully.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:16 am
Uddhava nodded. "Regent Kidondo explained it to me. The non-coloured firekin that were here before the battle and helped him during were permitted to stay because they helped him make a difference. But, in allowing it, he had to enforce that no others could stay. Not even children of firekin. If my brother has cubs someday, any that are too 'sandy' will be Huria...just like me." He sniffled sadly.
He glanced between the siblings. "It's weird...I want to go because I don't fit in here. I'm not tough and brave like Azarax. But I'm scared to be...alone." He admitted softly. "Moja is teaching me but...I won't know what it's like until I...I go out there." He sighed deeply. "I can't even find the rest of my family because its too dangerous."
"Chin up!" Fia declared loudly. "Maybe it will be better out there. None of us know what the world is really like. All we know is the desert and the biased opinions of the other firekin. I'd be willing to bet there's some better places out there." She trailed off, wishing suddenly she could get her dad to change his mind.
And yet, looking at Uddhava she knew he was right. He didn't belong here and, in her heart, she knew he'd be happier out there were people treated him as an equal instead of judging him on his fur.
"You'll be alright." She whispered.
"We'll it's been fun, guys, but I better go else Dad'll think I'm getting into trouble again. Catch you later." And with that she hurtled away, thinking of the odd encounter she'd just been a part of. How they were all the same age, all of the same pride and yet so very different.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:27 am
"So, you're the first Huria?" he commented more than asked, considering what it meant. Uddhava was certainly the only small off-color firekin that wandered around, the only one Chaka ever saw anyway. But maybe that was because he saw his own family more than any others, or he had when he was smaller. Now that he was apprenticed, he might meet more lions!
He was startled when Fia suddenly said she had better be going, nodding and watching her go off so quickly. He almost laughed, wondering what kind of trouble she could really get into. She already said she didn't like to fight and that seemed to be the best way to get into trouble, like Azar.
Oh well.
Shisa blinked when Chaka pointed out that Uddhava was the first, or seemed to be the first the way he spoke of it and judging by how many other cubs they knew around. She nodded along with Fia's encouraging words, until she announced it was time to go.
"Goodbye," she called after her, watching her go for a moment before turning to Uddhava again, "I agree, you know. You should be just fine! And if you are the first, then you should be extra good at it so anybody else like you doesn't have to feel so sad. If you make it and can still be happy and everything, it'd be a good example! We already have lions to learn from, but Huria don't. You could be that one."
It was a nice thought in Shisa's mind, she just wanted to cheer Uddhava up.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:36 am
He watched Fia leaving from the corner of his eye, feeling a pang of sadness in his chest. Was his dad worried about him? Was he wondering what his little son was getting up to in a strange land away from his family?
He snapped back to the conversation again as Chaka spoke and nodded loosely. "I guess I am else someone would have told me about it." His ears lifted, possibly with hope, and he tipped his head back to regard the female, Shisa. He liked her. She reminded him a little of his own sister, Zapaliti. Kind and strong.
"You think I could?" He asked. "I'd like that. I wouldn't want any other Huria to be sad like I am." He puffed out his chest a little. "But I've gotta be strong to do that and...and I'm not. I can't help others if I can't even help myself..."
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:01 pm
Chaka looked at Uddhava, wondering if he should just wander away now while he could or if he really wanted to help. He'd already helped Uddhava.. but he still had a bone to pick with Shisa, he didn't want to run away and give her any feul for taunting him later. So, with slight reluctance, he looked Uddhava up and down.
"You don't have to be strong, it'd be a better example if someone like you can make it through fine," he said, still unintentionally insensitive about it. He was only being blunt about it.
"I think you could," Shisa said before Chaka had a chance to comment, then instead of bothering to scold her brother again, she went with it, "You can just pretend! You need to be more confident, that's all."
She didn't have very many suggestions, she didn't know how you could fight back when most everybody was so much stronger and confrontational. Pretending seemed like an OK idea, if he went around being so sad and whiny, it'd be too easy to victimize him.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:06 pm
He smiled at both of them, knowing that in their own way they were trying to help him. The kindness of it touched his heart and he found a smile warming his face. It took a lot for him to smile, but when he managed it, he felt good. He didn't feel so alone and the thoughts of the future didn't seem so bleak.
"Well, I'll give it my best shot. Thank you. Both of you...for helping me with that other cub and...and for being so kind. I promise I'll try my best not to be so...so...well...you know." He gave them an awkward little look.
Then, with a purr, he moved to leave. "I'd best be off too, I told Azarax I wasn't going far, he might think something bad happened and I don't really want him to find out about that other cub pouncing me..." Despite the fact that he used Azarax's name a lot to keep others from hurting him, he wouldn't really go and tell his brother. He wasn't the type to want to cause trouble. He liked to keep his head down.
"Maybe I'll see you both again soon?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:18 pm
Chaka nodded in response to the thanks, grinning at the golden youth. It was good to know that maybe they had helped him, and it had been a nice distraction from running from Shisa- more had been accomplished. His sister was good for practice but it was good to mix it up every once in a while! He nodded to Uddhava, then glanced to Shisa, and stepped back.. getting ready to run off again in case she still had a mind to chase after him.
"No problem," she said brightly, more focused on Uddhava than Chaka at the moment, "I'm sure we will! Next time maybe it won't be so violent." She added, still trying to be encouraging. She had known about Uddhava before but now she knew more about him and she decided she rather liked him. He was different and that was nice sometimes, so she was confident saying she would see him again.
Then she realized that Chaka was starting to sneak away and she jumped, turning around very quickly.
"Don't think you're going to get away that easily!" she cried- and the chase was on again, almost as if nothing had happened except this time, they were running back towards their den.
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