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 Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:08 pm
Ibala was nearly oblivious to what her aunt was doing until Baridi was opposite her- and then she started when she realized what was happening. She managed to contain her confusion and frustration over the mistake, not wanting to lose the frogs, and watched for what her aunt would do next. Did she have a good plan? Ibala was ready if she did..! But she would jump into action if not.
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:13 pm
Baridi'ini caught Ibala's eye and exaggerated a nod that was supposed to mean something along the lines, 'are you ready? Good!' Baridi rushed the unsuspecting frogs.
The one in the center lazily jumped for its life into the pool of water. The other two started hopped directly toward Ibala. The larger of the two landed almost directly between Ibala's front paws; the smaller of the amphibians landed off to the side, but still within reach.
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:18 pm
Once everything was in motion, Ibala lost it. She shrieked-- but her delayed reaction to the frog between her paws was counted by the frog's delayed reaction to her scream. She flopped onto the ground in an effort to hold it there beneath her chin but it was a useless attempt. The large frog slipped away and Ibala was dazed by her jaw hitting the ground and the sudden loss of her prey. By the time she pushed herself back up and twirled around the frogs were gone and then Ibala looked on the verge of tears, watching where the frogs had once been.
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:25 pm
"Oh, oh!" Baridi exclaimed and covered the distance between them rushing to Ibala's aid, she could almost hear as the cub's jaw bumped the ground. The look on the little one's face tugged at her heart and she felt like a very large jerk.
"Are you okay, deary?" She asked softly sitting beside Ibala.
"It was my fault, really. There will always be more frogs."
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:33 pm
Ibala didn't want to cry in front of her aunt, she was supposed to be showing her how to catch frogs and she'd messed it up. Even when Baridi was by her side, she didn't immediately look up. She rubbed her eyes stealthily on her paws, getting mud on her face but not realizing it and only then did she look up.
"Are there any more here or did we scare them all away now, aunt Didi?" she asked, glancing around.
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:47 pm
"I'm pretty sure that's it for frogs," she didn't want to add that shrieking wasn't conducive to keeping the green critters around. "Maybe we can try again in the morning, they come out when it's cooler in the day, and then they will be sleepy and lazy."
Baridi looked around the body of water to see if the frogs were near, but not even green eyes peered out of the water, they'd been spooked.
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:56 pm
Pouting again, Ibala looked back at Baridi like if she took back what sh said, frogs would magically appear- but she knew they were all gone now. She pouted at the ground as she thought about Baridi's suggestion to return in the morning. She did want to try again, the frogs weren't going to get the best of her!
"OK," she said, looking up, "But we can't tell anybody what we're doing until we catch one."
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 6:58 pm
"You've got a deal. We'll surprise everyone tomorrow by bringing home a couple of frogs," at that point Baridi was sure she'd say anything to make the adorable little lioness smile.
"How about we go see if everyone's back to the den? I want to visit and have a grown up talk with your mama." She suggested, hoping Ibala would comply.
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:04 pm
"OK," she said again, daring to smile now. She would surprise everybody with frogs, and she would even share- even with Thelo, "How early do the frogs wake up, aunt Didi? I want to get them before everybody else wakes up, or will the frogs still be sleeping too?" Did frogs have the same bedtimes as lions? She was busy pondering the private life of frogs when she realized Baridi was suggesting they head back to the den. She didn't quite catch why but she didn't think that was very important.
"OK, let's go," she said, stomping her way to facing the right direction before looking up at Baridi with a smile, "Wanna race back?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 7:38 pm
"I'm not too sure when they wake up, but we'll get up early enough that we can catch them." So many questions, it reminded her of Batobato and the others when they were so young.
"Okay..but I've got to warn you, I'm pretty fast for an old lion," she crouched again beside Ibala, poised and ready to 'race'.
"On your mark..get set..GO!" She shouted and feigned trying very hard to get going, she moved almost in slow motion allowing Ibala the time to take the lead.
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