|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 3:37 pm
Nyumbani had taken up refuge with a few other rogues. Rogues who traveled, rogues who went somewhere. Most importantly, rogues who could hunt and who were willing to share their food.
The gold and white lioness did not trust them. Then, there were few lions she did trust.
She'd tried not to let it show, but plenty had noticed the way she slept away from the group until it got cold. The way she rarely smiled, and certain things would frustrate her much more than they should have.
It was night now, an overcast sky trapping heat. Nyumbani had found a towering tree with leaves thick enough to block rain. But there was no rain, only stagnant air. Nyumbani heard the sound before she smelled it.
Hackles rising along her back, a warning growl pushed through her bared teeth. Brown eyes went searching for the step that had kept her from finding rest.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 4:42 pm
 Roka startled at the abrupt noise. She wanted to approach in peace, not baring fangs and gums. But instinct and common sense both would not allow her to simply bow her head and scurry along when someone she hadn't so much as caught sight of yet started growling at her.
Her mind went to her mother, spared a second round of enslavement only because of her father.
"Never travel alone," Tanana had told her.
Roka wasn't the kind of lioness to go swiping claws at strangers, but she was aware of what kind of evil awaited to come claim you if you let it. With both fear and courage, she froze in place. Muscles rigid. Ears pinned. Fur on end. A less fierce growl sounding off.
It was a bound and a leap separating her and Nyumbani.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 5:01 pm
Nyumbani was on all fours, hunkered low. She was beginning to regret the relatively open area she had picked.
While the voice did not sound menacing, the pale rogue did not wish to take chances. She could either retreat, confront, or try and talk her way out of it. If the lion she was up against was stronger than she was, Nyumbani was likely to be in trouble.
But she always had rushed into things. Rushed after her sister, rushed to defend Ohahira, rushed into motherhood when she felt alone.
Nyumbani bounded. She leapt. She collided with Roka.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 5:46 pm
Roka was often appointed the brains of the operation for a reason. She had taken her share of intelligence and then some from her litter while they were still in the womb. There hadn't been much brawn to go around to start with. The majority was probably divided amongst the twins.
There wasn't anywhere to run like there had been with grandma dearest. No trees to climb. Roka's hope had been by making herself seem a viable competitor, the threat would back down.
Wrong.
Roka toppled onto her back from the force of her aggressor. She couldn't manage to flip her, but gravity did permit knocking her to the side. She was on her paws faster than the other lioness, but that head start amounted to ******** all when she spent those precious seconds trying to get her nerves and instincts to catch up with the rest of her.
Thinking too much wasn't always a blessing.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 5:58 pm
A blow caught her across the side, sending her running sideways to keep her balance. The twinge of pain in her paw from the landing was covered up with a snarl, boasting her superiority even during the struggle. Like Roka, she believed a bluff could win a fight for you.
When that failed, a shoulder slam to the sensitive back of the ribs tended to do the trick. Hit soft points, retreat, give the opponent half a second to back down. It was a perfect pattern.
"Back off," she finally snapped, breaths coming in heavy. Nyumbani had mostly been engaged in quick sprints for hunts. A prolonged fight was not something for which she was ready.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 6:08 pm
A sharp jab to the side was more than enough to have Roka staggering away. This was her first physical confrontation outside sibling squabbles.
She had always been careful when hunting. Usually in groups and always taking a position that was the least likely to get her injured. She'd rather be hungry than hurt. Thus, Roka had a lot of experience with empty stomachs. Not so much with aching ribs.
Standing a respectable distance away and favoring the side that had not suffered such a painful blow, she showed the whites of her teeth out of frustration rather than ferocity.
"Why did you growl at me to start with?" she demanded.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 6:20 pm
"It was a warning," Nyumbani answered immediately.
Her shoulders had scrunched up and her tail was whipping aggressively behind her. Distrust had carved heavy lines all over her face.
"You could have been anyone."
Including someone from her own group. There were a few that she'd especially kept a watchful eye on. As far as Nyumbani knew, Roka could still have been anyone.
"Lions generally don't live long alone unless they're dangerous." Or lucky. There were a lot of rogues lately who Nyumbani would have considered just that.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 6:41 pm
Don't live alone --
Psh! How many lucky rogues were within a mile radius of them right now? She'd wager a dozen.
"You need to get out more," Roka shot back. Any surly edge to her voice had tapered off near the end. Her shoulders dropped in a subconscious display of surrender as she spoke up again. "I'm not alone. I was hunting for my group."
Why was she bothering with this?
"Maybe you should find yourself one to help that attitude of yours."
Because at the end of the day, no matter how smart she was, Roka was still very young. Getting beat up by the bully on the playground tended to bring forth one's childish side.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 7:26 pm
Nyumbani had a thought. It surrounded Roka being very lucky that she didn't take offense to petty insults.
"They're back there." The group, that was, not the attitude. Tail still flicking, she moved her eyes off of Roka for barely the second it took to jerk her head.
"It's usually more effective to hunt together," Nyumbani eventually countered, ears going back to her skull. It seemed Roka's bantering skills far surpassed her ability to fight.
"Don't try anything funny."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2013 8:00 pm
No, the attitude was still right here, getting up close and personal with Roka's patience. She couldn't find the gall to try and beat it down after being informed this brute had company. What kind of lions would willing keep the company of someone like this?
Not anyone she wanted to stick around and meet.
Roka took several steps back, watching. Only when it was clear Nyumbani would not pursue her did she turn to leave.
Don't try anything funny. Psssh.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
