[PRP] Inspired by Youth [Wook x Sakti]

[Ctrl F Greenie]

There appeared to be an incredible amount of growth within the pride - new rogues joining, the anticipation of a high volume, along with the internal number of cubs. It was a refreshing time to live. The Guard was meandering within the prides borders, not looking to do anything in particular as he had plenty of time prior to his shift.

It was times like these that Wook ended up thinking, the thoughts didn't typically lead to anything productive, more likely just dribble that crossed his mind during the day.

For the time being he decided on a path and simply began a slow, steady pace while lost in his thoughts.

Epine de Rose

Such an awful start, I know haha - sorry!

 

[Epine de Rose]

The little cub had barely passed an age that allowed her mother to be entirely comfortable with her being out unescorted... But Śakti had always been a strong one. Most certainly not the runt of the litter (though there didn't appear to be any among her siblings), she had already begun to carry herself with a strength and purpose that might make any passing adult think that she already had her whole, young life, planned out ahead of her.

Truthfully, the young cub hadn't the slightest idea what she wanted to do with her life and nor should she feel pressured in to it when she had barely opened her eyes. In due time she would find out what she wanted to do with herself, whether it be to defend the borders or otherwise.

For now though, the cub was content to meander here and there, in search of the otherwise unsuspecting adults that might be subjected to a barrage of questions, or simply an assault to the tuft of hair at the end of their tails - but hey, at least she had the potential to be a spectacular huntress if she succeeded in capturing it!

Far from blending in to the sands of the barren lands, her white fur would have made her easy to spot - Wook wouldn't have a problem catching sight of her despite her tiny size.

Mysses Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Those cubs that he had been thinking about were coming of an age that their Mothers didn't feel so worried about them wandering the prides lands among peers and adults alike. As though the world wanted to provide Wook with proof of this time already passed he spied a cub that was clearly without a parent - the pale pelted cub appeared to have a good head on her shoulders already, seeming confident and prepared to take on the world. An amused look crawled across his maw as he decided to approach her.

Getting to her was an easy feat, she hadn't been nearly as far as the middle-aged lion had first thought and should she desired to run from him she would have plenty of time. Wook, though not the tallest lion, wasn't small by any means - what he lacked in height he made up for in clear muscle definition. He had spent plenty of time preparing for his role of Guard, a role he took seriously and enjoyed all in the same.

"Hello there." When he spoke he made no attempt to gentle his voice, there seemed no need, the cubs raised among the prides lands were not likely given any means of gentle rearing. Not that they were rough, just real. In moments Wook found himself lost to his own thoughts, recalling a time when he was her age and wandering about - though if he remembered correctly he was out looking for trouble. He was sure she might be up to the same thing.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

Mysses Greenie

Trouble was one way of looking at it; she had heard something or someone near her, but her senses hadn't quite matured yet and given the safety of the inner parts of their territory, she had no real grounds to be concerned. For that reason she hadn't immediately turned round, too busy inspecting what was about her - it was only when he spoke that her spine straightened, her ears perked, and the little cub did what could only be described as a backflip to face him.

Wide eyed and only slightly startled, she had already lowered herself into a pounce. Even her tail at risen, and within moments she was looking for her opening just in case she needed to fell a giant. She could take him, she'd heard stories, she'd put up her little paws and show him how it was done if she had to.

"What!" Would be the response he would receive, hardly a socially adept one, and absolutely worth of a facepaw if there ever was a more appropriate opportunity to do so.  

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Comical. Likely the only way Wook would be capable of describing the incredibly dramatic way the cub reacted to his sudden presence. In the cubs defense it was clear the large lion was able to walk softly and in plenty of silence - though it was clear to Wook, upon closer inspection, that she had simply been hyper focused.

"Is that anyway to greet someone?" Certainly it wasn't his place to scold, nor was he truly about to. Rather he found it an appropriate to perhaps remind the youth of her place and even to be more aware. It would be up to her to walk away with the information and take something from it - it was also clear that Wook had fairly little experience with cubs, not having had any of his own. "Would you like to start again?"

The amused look that had lit up his face before was still playing in his eyes. Oh to be young and so unaware. It was blissful in ways he couldn't describe, witnessing such innocence.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

Was this anyway to greet some one? Yes. Absolutely.

In her little cub mind, deep, deep down, she knew that it probably wasn't and her parents would have given her a solid smack to the back of the head... but this was her adventure and this was what she was going with. The little glint in her eye, a hint of the defiance she would probably never lose, was what the unfortunate adult was met with. As if to support this, the little cub even straightened and puffed out her chest as one might when they were sizing another individual up.

"No, I would not like to start again," she replied with a confidence only the naive could possess in the face of something that could clearly squash her like a gnat. "In fact -" she lifted a paw, and with obvious flare, thrust it towards him as though she was pointing.

"You should be apologising," she announced. "You were the one who appeared unannounced, like a mirageeeee..." she wiggled the little toes of her paw at the last word.

Mysses Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Moments after speaking he witnessed what appeared to be a defiant spark within the small cub before him - there was no way he could mistake it for anything else. Especially given the body language the cub displayed he couldn't help, but to grin. Straightened out, puffed chest - is she sizing me up? It took a mighty amount of control for the lion to not let loose a laugh of some form, instead he decided to encourage the attitude.

"Oh?" Wook pointedly dropped his rump which caused a nice dusty cloud to surround the pair of them, it was just tall enough to likely tickle her nose. "I should apologize?" He mused out loud. The paw, with pointed toe, aimed directly at him was precious and he wondered who the Mother was - certainly this much personality would be recognize in any lineage.

"What will you do if I don't apologize?"

Behind him his tail was thumped the ground slightly, some more dust raising and swirling about.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

She coughed.

It was a feeble cough, one that someone of her small stature would make as the dust flew up their nose and tickled the very back of their throats. The result was to be as equally comical as the rest of her, since she promptly sneezed and then glared at him as though he had just insulted her mother, grandmother, and then accused her of being a runt.

All in all, it was an absolute affront. How dare he, how dare he!

The Sakti's eyes narrowed 'dangerously' as she regarded him, using her already lifted paw to rub quickly at her nose to avoid a second bound of sneezing. She refused to be defeated by dust, no matter how much his tail swirled it up in to billowing clouds. She'd show him, she'd make him regret it - in her tiny little mind she was going to turn that tail tuft into a snazzy new mustache and wear it as a trophy.

"Ahhhhh!" she squealed and bounced forward with as much finesse as anyone could have expected from their young offspring. Though not clumsy on her paws, she left much to be desired as she bounded towards him and made a run at his tail. On the plus side, at least she knew what she wanted to disarm first even if it did leave her completely exposed to well... everything else.

Mysses Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

The laugh Wook had been hiding, very well he might add, was beginning to take control in all of the worst ways. First he let go an unattractive snort-type sound that was followed with a quick swipe of a paw to cover possible debris. All this due to the sneeze primarily, such a tiny and precious creature.

He wasn't truly given a chance to right himself or correct his urge to laugh, instead his face straightened into a curious gaze as the cubs eyes met his. The laughter had subsided only to attempt resurfacing again, she meant business.

Wook was actually startled, though he would never admit it to anyone, the staring contest had gotten so intense for him that he wasn't prepared for her sudden movement. Though the movement was sudden he did pride himself on his reflexes and without hesitation he lifted a paw to attempt a block. The paw that reached out was open, revealing his paw pad, that unless she was quick.. which could happen, he had no idea ..she'd likely collide with, just in reach of her prize.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

Smack.

Wook may have had the reactions of a well trained Guard, but tiny-tot doom child had yet to develop such finesse and her nose, followed by the rest of her tiny form, found itself in very close contact with his paw pad. She stayed that way for a while as well, her rump firmly on the floor and rear legs splayed as though she had been stunned on impact. Did she require a medic? She certainly wasn't moving for a considerable amount of time, or at least it didn't seem like it...

Fortunately, young cubs were often fairly indestructible and if he listened carefully he would be able to make out the faint squeals of muffled frustration against his paw.

She was mad.

She was really mad.

With a flurry of dust and a rapidly flailing tail, Sakti managed to barrel backwards. Rearing up on to her rear paws, she wobbled from the left one to the right while flaring out both paws in a boxing motion. Round one to Wook, but round two was going to her. With a 'thump' she placed all four paws back on to the ground and promptly scurried away from the front of him, an attempt to find a better opening that going straight through the 'front door' as it were...

Mysses Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Alarmed he stayed entirely still, had he just done what he thought he did? Oh no.. Again his ignorance in relation to cubs was recognizable by the look on his face and shocked plainly written in his eyes. When the agitation could be felt on his paw pad he nearly collapsed with relief. It was then he realized just how durable the petite creature was. Perhaps all cubs? This ignorance was something he intended to explore, until recently he hadn't given the thought of cubs a chance truly.

That was a thought for another time.

Bringing himself back to reality he stared at the cub whom had dramatically lifted herself up, giving him a proper display of displeasure in his actions. This little spitfire wasn't going to back down, didn't he have a shift to take over soon? No, not for some time, at least based on the placement of the sun. Wook openly breathed a sigh of relief, then turned his attentions back to his little aggressor.

When she chose to change her position he decided to remain still in an attempt to see exactly what her plans were.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

She hadn't really had a gameplan until now, all she'd known was that attacking from the front hadn't been a good idea. Thus, she had padded round behind him (albeit rather loudly), and appeared to be pacing backwards and forwards as though she was considering her next course of action. Clearly jumping on his back was too easy, she'd seen her siblings counter that, so the giant would do the exact same thing.

No...

Instead she needed to be much more creative.

Wrinkling her nose, the little cub proceeded to look about for inspiration here and there, before, in a bolt out of the blue, she gained some inspiration. No one could claim it was a genius idea, but it was certainly different. No sooner had she gotten said idea than she had leapt in to action and had begun slowly but surely to dig herself into the sandy ground around her.

Apparently she had decided that tunneling under him was a viable tactic.

Mysses Greenie

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

The large, red male had stayed rooted to his seat with a confused, yet amused, look upon his maw. Purple eyes watched as the young'un moved 'gracefully' about, eyes focused on her 'prey'. Surely this was the purpose of parents? Wook pondered this silently to himself and wondered, in parallel to this thought, should he have been a cub sitter? No sooner had the thought entered his mind did it vanish, what had he been thinking.

Ripped from his thoughts he suddenly realized that the cub was no longer in front of him, but had instead decided to size him up from behind. Now, though she was just a small cub, he began to feel a might nervous. The cub could jump upon his back, get tangled in his mane and cause a whole number of never to be explained in public injuries.

The idea of it all made Wook wince slightly.

Then there was something of a scritching noise, small claws had begun to dig at something. Wooks maw screwed up into a clearly confused look that remained until he turned his head and followed it to the source of the sound. Once purple eyes landed upon the source he couldn't control himself.

"So what is your plaan?" He had almost said 'little one', but decided against it. She was a mighty 'little one' and her wrath could end with many nights without sleep. "Do you plan to dig a grave before being able to fill it?" He teased gently, never thinking for a million years that she had decided to try and tunnel his way.

Epine de Rose

 

[Epine de Rose]

No! He had looked behind too soon and she was caught mid way through her plan. She froze, with her eyes and ears just visible above the hole and narrowed them - suffice it to say that she would be at it for quite some time to reach him... All in all, it was probably for the best if he put her out of her misery, goodness knows he had put up with the child's antics for longer than he really would have been expected to!

"You turn back round," she instructed without answering his question, lifting a paw above the mount to wave at him. "I'm not finished yet, when I am you'll be sorry!" she added and ducked back in again. It was then that she began to dig once more... Honestly, he could probably move away quietly from her and by the time she'd noticed he was gone he'd have been more than relieved of his nanny duties!

Mysses Greenie

xD I think now would be a good time to let Wook escape cause Sakti will be digging this hole for a while. <_<

 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Wide eye'd and full of regret in having turned his mighty frame to seek out what the young lioness had been doing. For her ears and eyes were all he could see, but that stare would be enough to ruffle a few feathers, especially as she aged. Wook was amused by the thought of just how much trouble she would be when she got older, just right for the ranks.

Turning his purple gaze to the sky he realized just how long he had been sitting here, tending to the cubs needs and desires. Crap. He'd be tardy for his duties if he stayed much longer and deciding that perhaps she needed more time anyway he stood - ever so slowly - and crept away.

It was only when he was free from her eyes or ears that he let loose a breath. "Oh my." He noted, sounding vastly more alarmed than he should have, fortunately he was alone.

Epine de Rose

Fin~