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 Posted: Fri Jul 27, 2018 4:28 pm
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There was something unnerving about today's patrol. It was typical for this edge of the pride's lands to be a bit quiet, of course - but Ink found today to be a little different. There was nothing stirring: no birds in the trees, no sounds of insects flitting through the undergrowth. Even the wind was still, making his mane hang heavy over his shoulders and bidding white-streaked bangs to brush their way over his eyes, periodically but inexorably. It all reminded Ink of...of something massive, holding its breath. Waiting. For what, he couldn't imagine. All he could say was that it made him uneasy, and he would be glad for once to surrender his posting to one of the other protectors tonight.
The world went white all of a sudden. Startled, the purple lion jumped! ...Only to feel ridiculous a moment later, and wipe his bangs out of his eyes with a sigh. He was spooking himself, getting too wrapped up in portentous- He paused mid-step, chuckling to himself. Nah, more like pretentious thoughts. If he couldn't get a grip, he'd better hope the rest of the night stayed just this quiet, or he'd end up spooked by anything.
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Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 5:54 am
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The way their eyes met made Ink think that he and the gazelle had realized that the other was there in the same moment. She was certainly the first to speak; he was far too busy being surprised that a gazelle, a blue gazelle at that, had managed to so thoroughly evade his notice. Did...did prey even come in that color? Was she sick? She didn't sound like it, but...
The lion set his paw down, making clear from his stance that he wasn't planning to pounce just now - but he was clearly just as leery about letting the creature pass any further into their territory. "I'm fine, thank you. Are you alright? Perhaps lost? Because you happen to be making your way through a sizable lion pride just now." Surreal as it was, Ink saw no reason to be anything less than polite as long as she was willing to be. Her manner didn't suggest that she was confused about where she was - but that hardly made any sense! With a slight smirk, Ink recalled that he was fairly certain, last time he'd asked Nyarai, that prey tended to run when lions were around. But then again, this one was blue. Guess it would make sense if she happened to be weird in other ways.
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Posted: Mon Jul 30, 2018 9:16 am
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"You've met Itiri!" It wasn't a question, though Ink fought to keep his surprise in check, and his eyes from boggling. How would she know the name of their Onyeisi if she were lying? For that matter, why would she lie? The former prince was secluded enough from his own pride; Ink doubted his name was known at all well outside of it. Besides, surely the gazelle wouldn't know that it carried any weight. She probably still didn't. Of a certainty though, there was no chance of eating Blue now. It seemed like she was just too full of surprises!
"I'm glad that he treated you well, and that you've found our pride welcoming. It's just as like a result of you being polite in return as anything." His smile flickered a moment before growing. "Most of us don't lash out at others unless there's call for it. Although, speaking of lashing out...would you like an escort to the pass? I wouldn't want any of our hunters to get the wrong idea about you." Ink would dare say most of them hadn't had the opportunity to chat with herdbeasts, but... Well, they were clearly able to hold conversation, so no reason the standard rules couldn't apply.
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Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 4:53 pm
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Falling into step beside her, Ink could only nod sympathetically. Being a protector instead of a hunter, he spent a lot of time watching the herds that managed to filter past the caldera. Most gazelle that he'd observed were indeed flighty things. He was hardly shocked to learn that they behaved so among each other as well. "I can understand tending towards oneself. I am Inkumbulo, and I am what's called a n'echebe here: a protector. I watch the borders and guard against intruders. It can be lonely work, keeping vigil - but it suits me. I also find it easier to be on my own."
The lion smiled at her, a speculative glint in his eyes. "Itiri's work might be even lonelier, though. He is our Onyeisi, our King. It is for him to decide the fate of the pride, and take into account the thoughts and hopes of all therein." He couldn't be sure if one who, by nature if not choice, was made for herd life could understand the idea of a ruler. Did herds have kings? Would they be able to trust one to speak for them all? By her own admission, this gazelle didn't do herds anyway, so he presumed she would not know, and did not ask.
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Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 8:49 pm
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That Itiri had never mentioned his rank came to Ink as no surprise, though her reaction pulled a chuckle out of him. "He seems to be very self-effacing," was all he could offer in his peer's defense. In truth, Ink could claim Itiri was elusive only so far as he had never intentionally sought the King out. It was possible that he was a perfectly open and perceptible fellow, but one could not deny that he kept his own counsel. For the most part, the pride seemed content to keep it that way. Ink hardly felt like it was his place to change that.
Her brief insight on the structure of herds was...interesting. Insightful. No wonder prey fell so easily if they didn't understand how to coordinate with each other. Ink wasn't sure how other prides worked - but family and coordination was one of their cornerstones. An entity apart hardly stood a chance. "Perhaps you can enlighten them one day," the lion murmured, a smile of understanding gentling his voice. "Either way, don't relish your time alone too much. If you find a group that appeals to you, you'll be safer with others than on your own." With one paw, Ink pulled the bushes obscuring the passage out to one side. "It was nice to meet you, Kumveka. Good luck out there."
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Kum hadn't made it out of the nezi lands as of yet, she had an interesting encounter with that one lion who hadn't hurt her and she was glad for that. She didn't fear lions as she should which perhaps was foolish but she had survived so far being who she was she had made friends with Mad because of who she was. She was searching the wall and heading for the spot that she had come through in the first place and having issues figuring out where the spot was that she had come in. She sighed and then turned to look at the land of ghosts and spirits. She knew her kind's lives were fleeting they were food for most creatures but she wouldn't just walk in a herd like others of her kind. She wanted something more something different. 
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