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 Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 4:40 pm
Malek could now hear an adult’s voice being carried in the wind as he drew near. He slowed his pace and the black pair followed suit. It wasn’t long until the three male lions had found their target.
The blue lion stopped when he saw the stripped lioness and though he was relieved to see she wasn’t a Da’lin, his expression remained closed. His first impression was that a young mother had taken her cubs on a very dangerous walk but as his gaze travelled down to the cubs – what an odd-looking pair! – he quickly realized they looked nothing like her. He was about to tell her to get her children to safety when his gaze slid from the blue cub’s strange eyes to his forehead, meeting the two tiny horns at the top. One tiny glance confirmed that the black cub shared the same traits. Da’Lin cubs.
“I’m Malek, from the Bhanu Pride.” He stated simply, looking at the lioness with an unyielding stare. He didn’t know what was going on and at this point the young lion would rather not make hasty judgments. He was sure the situation would explain itself if he just took a moment to listen. He looked around at their surroundings, hoping the pair behind him would understand the meaning behind the action and follow his example, briefly pondering on the obvious question: where were these cubs’ parents?
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 12:15 pm
Having dumped the carcass outside the cave where the rest of his family lay, the God began the journey on the search for the cubs. Their trail was simple to follow, their scent leaving a clear marker on the way to go. But they had gone far. Luckily, his stride was longer and he covered the lost ground fast.
Arriving just a few moments before his son's final speech, the large lion cocked his ears forwards. He lay down, his large bulk concealed behind a large tree. The words he could just about make out. A low chuckle escaped his lips. So that was how his son viewed the world? That could be used to his advantage. The cub may be weak, but he had passion. A good soldier for the future war might be found within him, if he played his cards right.
However, upon the arrival of three strangers, the male decided it was time to intervene. Play time was over. Letting out a loud roar, he rose and announced his presence. Eying the four strangers, he flexed the spines upon his back, a ripple shuddering through his muscular frame. "I am Acanthophissss." A reptilian tongue flashed out of his mouth as he smirked. Few knew of his existence, though no doubt rumors had spread to the Zahina lands.
He strode closer, each pawstep deliberate. His tail flashed from side to side, the stinger ringing. Poisonous drops hung from the spines upon his back, a poison so toxic that if it got into the blood stream it would render you sick for a week at least. "I believe thossssse are my ssssonssss you are threatening." He leered at them, sharp teeth glittering as the pearl white caught the light, his gaze lingering longer on the female who has just argued with his cubs, before turning his attention to the large blue male. A few drops of blood still splattered his muzzle.
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 1:31 pm
Boipelo's ears perked at the sound of his father's voice. Oh boy. That meant trouble, whether it be for Zesiro and himself or the Zahina lions he had no idea. In either case that meant his little adventure with his brother was quite likely over and just when it was getting interesting too. He stayed respectfully silent, eerie gaze resting on the Zahina lions, tail lashing back and forth lazily. Now what do you think of us...hn? Now that we're not just two cubs looking for trouble.
There was still the matter of explaining this little escapade to their father, hopefully in a way that wouldn't anger him too much at least. At the moment simply telling the truth made the most sense, after all his goal had to been to cause a bit of trouble in Zahina lands and surely his father would like that, wouldn't he?
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 2:32 pm
Zesiro lowered himself to the ground with a hiss. This situation had just gone terribly wrong. The prissy little girl lioness he could have gotten rid of with Boipelo. But then the other lions showed up. A pride in this area? That made his plan impossible. And now his father was here. That meant he would not even be able to go find another place to be. He was quite certain he would be dragged back home by his tail even should he even have the guts to try to leave.
The blue cub glared viciously at Zalla, clawing the ground and showing his teeth. While he knew it was dumb and illogical, he blamed the lady lion for starting all of the problems. For ruining all of his plans with this trip. At least she wouldn't think he was some angry crazy cub with no power behind his words with his father here... Not that he would say anything as long as his father was around. But the cub had no way out. He could only hope that Boipelo had a good story to tell that Zesiro could follow along with by smiling and nodding. He could never tell his father the truth - that he left to find a place where he could be alone and plot his own family's demise. He was not sure he put it past his parents not to kill a cub that was so insubordinate.
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 3:10 pm
Zalla, upon the arrival of the three males, had look sufficiantly embarassed. She'd been caught on someone else's land. Surely that was going to get her in a world of trouble, even more so then the Da'Lin cubs. However, when their 'father' showed up, she gave a defensive hiss, backing away from the cubs and toward the Zahina lions. She may not know them, but she felt a world safer with them then these demon lions.
"No one is threatening your sons. They do not belong in Zahina lands, and that is exactly what I told them." She growled, her lavender eyes focusing on the only threat she saw now. "Your cubs think they can claim Zahina land, and I was setting them straight." With that, she had drawn level with the other Zahina lions and held her ground there. A fighter, she was not. But she wasn't going to leave them to fight alone, if it came to that.
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 5:48 pm
The sudden appearance of the colorful lion shouldn’t have surprised him but Malek couldn’t help but to widen his eyes ever so slightly. Kartu’s throat rumbled almost immediately but the black lion didn’t move and while his twin showed no obvious reaction, a closer inspection would show a line of ruffled hairs running alongside his back. But even those minor signs settled when Malek’s tail twitched irritably.
The blood-dripping male was large – Da’Lin sure knew how to pick them – and Malek could see the resemblance to one of the cubs. But he was a weird one. The blue lion had heard of lions taking on their familiar’s traits but that tail was something he’d never imagined to be possible. And he kept waiting for a blue Da’lin female to pop out hiding to protect her cubs.
“Still. Sibdu, tail. Kartu, neck. Claws only.” He said very quietly to the twins, knowing they would understand his instructions. Only then did he address the strange lion, repeating the name he had been given as if committing it to memory. “Acanthophis…”
Normally, the presence of cubs in a border scuffle between Zahina lions would be enough to prevent an actual physical fight but Malek couldn't be sure things would play out that nicely in this case. Malek had no interest in taking a bite out of the dangerously-colored lion but hopefully having four against one would be enough deterrent for a fight – despite the fact Kartu had sneakily placed himself in front of the purplish lioness, obviously intent on keeping her out of the possible fight.
“I do believe one of the little ones was doing most of the shouting.” He said, willingly stripping his tone of any traces of emotion and his eyes fell to the cubs again, narrowing ever so slightly. One of them already wanted to go out and claim lands if the lioness had heard correctly… probably the one who was snarling at the striped girl. The other’s gaze, however, worried him more as did both cub’s sudden burst of confidence. So young and already showing the potential for disaster even if it would a long time until they could truly be considered a menace. They weren’t really inside the Bhanu pride lands (yet) but the blue lion didn’t think it was the appropriate time to make the correction. But he also didn’t feel he had the right to “send them away”.
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2011 9:50 pm
Zesiro had given up. He simply stood there, head down with a look of disgust on his face. Everything was ruined. Now he might never get away. Sneaking away a second time would be far harder then the first. And getting Boipelo to follow him and leave forever? Highly unlikely. He eyed Zalla again with contempt and lashed his tail before stopping suddenly, his head coming up a little. Of course he could never get his tail to work properly... Because of his father's blood. He could never do anything because of his family. The few things he could manage he attributed solely to the blessing of Da'Lin... And Da'Lin was a powerful god. Da'lin had made him strong and made him cunning...
Zesiro's ears perked up a little. Cunning. Perhaps there was still a chance to get away from all of them. He could run in the opposite direction as fast as his feet could carry him. He could find a way to mask his scent and hide... He heard a river near-by. Perhaps he could swim in it? As long as he was away, the blue cub was convinced he would be fine. Especially in a land this rich. But he needed a distraction. Something to delay them long enough for the cub to get away. And any second now he was going to get dragged back home.
All he needed was for someone - anyone - to get hurt and start a fight. And he needed them to have a reason to hurt someone. Zesiro leapt in front of his father and shook his stiffened tail in an attempt to draw attention to thier similarities. He got all of his striking markings from his father and he could only hope that they saw the resembalence and assumed he carried his father's poison. He allowed the saliva to build up in his mouth and snarled so his teeth would look wet and dripping. Then he shouted in once last-ditch effort. "Stupid Zahina lions! Of course we can take Zahina lands! We can do whatever we want! We're better and stronger than you! We carry the poison of Da'Lin! You can never defeat us! We are gods and can kill you with a single scratch!"
With that the blue cub darted forward with all of his speed and charged at the closest one - the black lion that had growled at his father - claws and teeth bared. He could only hope that they would fall for it, that they would think of him as a threat and swipe at him and cause a fight. And he could only hope that he was fast enough to respond to it if they did and not get hurt.
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 11:43 am
Weighing up the competition, Acanthophis decided that a fight would not have good odds. The male strangers were large, and at best he would be able to take two on at once. That left at least one more, and potentially the female, though her abilities looked... lacking. Though perhaps two pathetic offspring could fight at least her off. The last male would have no opponent however, and that bode problems.
"I believe your very presencccce is a threat to my cubs." A low, sarcastic purr rose from his chest as the spines on his back tinkled from side to side dangerously, the result of a brief flex of muscle. "After all, you Zahinas are the onessss who refuse to shhhhare, driving ussss off the fertile landssss. You condemn ussss to wasteland, where we have no choice but to turn againsssst each other. And you wonder why we constantly tear each other's throatsssss?" His stiff tail twitched once more, lies slipping off his tongue like golden honey.
Turning his attention to the large blue lion, Malek, his eyes narrowed. The name was printed firmly into his memory. Not only a large lion, a threat in itself, but a leader of a pride that bordered Da'lin territory. Few lions lives such a lifestyle, and only the brave could live so for very long. "My offffffspring was merely pointing out how... unfair life ssseems to him. Just born, and yet condemned to perishhhhh in the wastessss. Would you like that fate upon a cub?" Yet his speech was barely begun before the insolent cub screamed out and leaped at one of the large males.
A growl rose in his throat, but instead of retaliating sat down to show he was in no pose to attack. In fact, his eyes hid a gleam of humor. Zahina lions were weak, they would not kill the cub. Hurt him perhaps, mutilate him yes, but not kill him. To show his uncaring of his offspring's outburst, the male even proceeded to groom his pelt with a few long rasps, removing some of the traces of the blood. "Kill him if you want, he issss no God. I have no quarrel with you, and merely want to return to my cave." Though if the Zahinas pushed a fight, a fight they would get.
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 12:48 pm
Boipelo was torn on remaining passive or trying to help his brother. After his father's words would those Zahina lions believe anything Zesiro had said? It wasn't likely, after all who would believe the word of a cub over an adult? The snake colored cub snarled softly, partly disgusted and partly understanding of his father's passive stance to the situation. Those older, larger, males might prove troublesome even for a god to fight.
Though, if something did happen to his brother he would be alone in a den full of gods. Now that was a scary thought. What would happen to me, if I was the only one? He shuddered at the possibilities. That was it then, he would try and save his brother, even if it was just to inadvertently save his own skin.
Boipelo charged at Malek, yelling to his brother as he ran. "Run Zesiro!" He only hoped his brother had the good sense to listen and maybe they would both get out of this alive. The snake patterned cub stopped just short of blue-grey male, growling with claws extended and tail lashing. Likely an impressive display, if it weren't for his size.
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 8:15 pm
Malek listened to every spoken word and watched every gesture. He kept his mask firmly in place but if one was paying attention, they would notice that two things broke his composed demeanor. One was the fact that the little cub proclaimed to have poison in his blood which would mean he and perhaps the others had somehow been given powers from Da’Lin himself. Their father certainly looked odd enough and Malek might’ve believed he was in the presence a God and his two little Godlings (they looked strange as well even if not equally so) if it were not for the second thing that had caused his eyes to widen just a bit. Acanthophis’ words confirmed his first assumption while denying the second. One God, no Godlings… With his disregard for his own children’s safety, Malek had no trouble believing him to be one of Da’lin’s favorites. But at least the cubs were devoid of power and therefore, poisonless.
Kartu watched calmly as one of the cubs shot towards him. His head tilted to the side almost comically and he took one small step forward as if daring the cub to touch him. He didn’t seem particularly worried about the potential poison in the cub’s body but Malek suspect he actually wanted to test it out and prove he could take it just like any other challenge. Idiot. He actually looked disappointed when the cub’s claims were shot down by his own father.
The other cub had charged the blue lion but Malek had no time to react before Sibdu had placed himself right in front of his leader, claws flexed and a glacial look shooting down at the approaching cub.
“Much too early, cub. You are much too early to face the leader of the Bhanu pride.” He said quietly, staring at the young Da’Lin intensely. Sibdu had a very strong sense of duty. Unless he was under a clear and direct order not to interfere, there was no way he’d ever allow anyone, cub or not, to attack his leader in his presence.
Malek’s narrowed eyes traveled from one cub to the other and the blue lion sighed, answering their father with a weary tone of someone who has explained this matter many times before.
“The lands of the Goddess belong to her children. Not the ones who have forsaken her and would destroy what we seek to protect.” He did not elaborate on what it was that he sought to protect personally or how the Da’lins would destroy it. In his mind it was clear that no argument could ever sway the other lion or his cubs. “But I don’t expect the children of Da’Lin to understand or care for such matters or to keep lies from blurring the facts when they teach their offspring.”
He was sure both cubs was already far beyond the point of saving. Indoctrinated to the point of having a firm belief system that deeply collided with everything Malek had ever know and treasured. But one cub seemed to be trying to help the other, which moved the blue lion even if he dared not to show it. He had the ridiculous idea that he couldn’t seem to shake off. If their father was really that uninterested in the cubs’ fate, maybe they could take one… or both. A few night with the their own cubs (they were older, certainly they could handle one of these feisty things), good food, peace and friendly adults, Celestia’s stories, Carmon’s games… maybe. It was a lost cause if he’d ever seen one, but the Bhanu leader couldn’t help but wonder. They were so tiny still.
“Take them. They are of no interest to us.” He told Acanthophis, trying to escape the temptation. His eyes travelled back down to the cubs. “You are young. But remember this day well, cubs. As soon as you are of age to become a threat our children, walks such as this will be regarded differently. Do it only if you are willing to lose your lives for what you believe.” And he stopped, because it might sound as if he was actually encouraging them to trespass on the Bhanu lands.
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2011 10:22 pm
Zalla watched the cubs and their father, silently listened to their words and threats from the cub, but even she didn't fear the cub when he'd charged, as if to attack the males of the Bhanu Pride. If he'd had poison, he'd have used it on her earlier when she'd had her tussle with them, wouldn't he have? That meant that the cub was bluffing. She kept her place behind one of the males, not going to throw herself into this if she didn't have to. She had no idea how to handle things such as this, and her fear was that she might cause a fight to break out by making the wrong move.
Listening to the Bhanu males now, she felt a bit of relief, though she also felt that same pity for the cubs. "If you do not want them, why did you come for them?" She questioned their father, unable to keep the question from falling from her mouth. "If you did not want them, you would have left them to whatever fate they would have met coming here. You wouldn't have come to their protection when you felt they were in danger, as you did once the Bhanu Pride made their presence known." If their own father was so cruel as to act so uncaring toward them, Zalla could understand why they cubs were so angry and felt the way they did. They probably did not know what love was, even from their own family.
Sadness entered her eyes at that thought. It was the worst place for a cub to grow up, in a land that was cruel and unforgiving, with a pride that was cruel and unforgiving, and a family that did not know the meaning of love, nor how to teach their young what it was. "If you did not come for them, then why are you here?"
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Posted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 1:14 pm
Zesiro stopped and growled with rage as his father spoke. Now there really was no hope. He had nowhere to go. He was stuck. He stood there looking completely lost, glancing back and forth between the two oldest males. He had nowhere to turn. Suddenly the blue cub felt very small and lonely in the world indeed. Snarling openly at both sides he backed himself to his brothers side and then sat next to him, his fur pressed firmly next to his kin's in a silent form of thanks and support. Boipelo was the only ally he had. Or at least the only non-enemy. In his familly he could never be sure of that continuing - or even actually existing - but for now he took some comfort in the snake-colored cub's presence. Oh how he wished he could have followed Boipelo's advice and simply run away. He would have never made it on his own. And he could not have easilly left Boipelo alone. At the least he owed Boipelo a debt of service for following him against all odds against these strang lions twice now. And despite all of everything in his life, the cub found himself with one small thought ringing out above all others. If he ran away and abandoned Boipelo he might get away with his father trying to drag the other cub home. But that would make him as dishonest and manipulative to those he needed as his other siblings. And that was something he could not abide.
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2011 10:22 am
"Forsssaken her? Why, shhhhe never claimed me to begin with. Thhhhosssse born with soft heart remain weak, thossse born strong, remain ssstrong. I wasss born ssstrong, and with strengthhh comesss power." Acanthophis sent another ripple through his muscles. "We tell no liesss; the Zzzahina keep the good lands for themssselves, whilssst we are left weak and hungry in the barrenssss. We are driven to deathhh and sssstarvation out there." His voice dropped, eyes narrowing. The only way to show Zahinas was through force, sheer force and destruction. Only through bloodshed would they allow the Da'lin to claim what was rightfully theirs!
But now, now was not the time. However, the sparks of war were brewing, and the God would ensure that his offspring would be very involved. Hatred had spawned in all their hearts, as cold as stone as they were, and nothing could revert that. "The only thing worthhh believing in, isss ssself pressservation." He grinned, but cast a flashing look at his cubs, who appeared to be huddling together. Such comforting motions should be eradicated, they were a sign of weakness.
Turning his gaze upon the female, his tail twitched in anger. How dare she imply there was some bond between his offspring and himself, other than his clear dominance. "Who sssaid I wanted them? I entered into this union becaussse the great God Da'lin approved, and oversssaw our meeting. I do my God'sss bidding, ssso I raissse his favoritesss. If doing as my God wishesss includesss ssaving troublesome offfffspring, then sssso be it." Yes, he would raise them. His Godlings would be trained in their powers until armies would cower beneath their power, and his other two would be raised as warriors. Hatred towards Zahinas had been established, but now he must show them how to use that hatred, to turn it against them. He would claim the lands his God wanted!
"Do not make the misssstake of thinking your kind are the only race with God'ssss favoritesss." A simple warning; proof that he was a God and not to be messed with, coupled with the threat that there could be more Da'lin Gods. "Zessssiro, Boipelo, come." He rose to his paws, his voice commanding.
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Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2011 10:12 am
Boipelo turned and nudged his brother. "Another day." He kept his voice low, so only the blue cub would hear him. "Lets go." He took a few steps toward his father and cast a weary glance over his shoulder at the Zahina lions. Seeing as they hadn't acted before now it didn't seem likely that they would do anything now. Still anyone who didn't watch his back might end up dead. The snake patterned cub's gaze found the female's for a moment. Was that sadness and pity he saw in her eyes?
He looked away and sighed; such emotions were wasted on him. If she saw him once he was grown she would not think the same of him as she did now. She would see a threat rather than a little conflicted cub. Honor, obedience, survival and a hint of fear. They were his lot in life.
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Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2011 3:40 pm
Zesiro dragged his feet as he began to follow his brother. He hated having to turn back, he hated having been unsuccessful. He hated losing. His shoulders and hed were low as he following his kin, but glanced back as well. The purple lioness's eyes bored into him with pity. In that moment he washed away all of his sense of defeat. Pity? She pitied him? How dare she feel oh-so-sorrowful for the poor little cubbers. Just because he wasn't big enough to fight back yet didn't mean he wouldn't be. And someday he would find a way to place fear and terror in those soft little Zahina eyes. He lifted his head and tail and snarled at her before running a small way to walk next to his father - the spitting image of pride. Because while he was not happy with his father he was proud of his blood... The blood of Da'Lin.
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