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 Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2007 8:32 pm
Although he hadn't been about to admit it right out, Mati was getting tired too. Fighting your way through a storm and then playing tag with your new friend really got tiring! But at least he was dry now. In fact, he'd even gotten kinda hot running around in this alcove.
"You're not bad yoursef, Jibanza!" Mati grinned and trotted up next to her. Plopping down on the cool stone, he contented himself with listening to her story. Other packs always seemed so cool!
"It sounds really hard. To find a song, that is." Mati's face grew more serious. "If you want, I would... I mean, I could try to help you? Maybe two minds looking for your song would be better than one."
But if it was something you had to do on your own, Mati could understand that too. He huffed a breath that stirred old leaves on the stone floor. Now that he wasn't moving around, it was getting colder. The rock beneath him seemed to draw the heat out of his body faster than he could warm himself. He shivered.
"Yeah. My sisters 'n I play tag, and we always take a nap after." He nodded wearily, eyes growing heavy. He dragged himself to his feet, pleased to leave the heat-sucking floor behind, and stumbled over to the leaf beds.
"I think... I think it would be a lot warmer if we slept together. My family sleeps all close together too." With a few wearly nudges, the grey pup managed to push the leaf piles together again. "And it's nice to have someone nearby." The last bit was nearly smothered in a huge yawn. Mati collapsed down next to Ban and curled up.
Her comments about his bravery made him blush, but he was too tired to do anything but stammer a protest. "No ... I mean, I'm not brave! I'm just..." The pup paused to think a moment. "I just do what I think I have to, and that's it."
He closed his eyes as he talked, snuggling closer to Ban. "My pack... well, my Momma is the leader. We don't have anything like a song, just each other. But that's alright. My Momma used to wander around, and that's why we're named what we are, Mitima'Tangatanga. It means 'soul of the wanderer'."
A second yawn interupted his speech. "Oh, and my sister Keil is the heir, but I don't mind. I just want to protect them. And Momma. She would be so sad if anything happened to any of my brothers or sisters, especially since Jeuri said her first babies died."
As he spoke, his voice grew softer until it was little more than a whisper, barely stiring the dried grass beneath him. "I'll make sure nothing happens to anyone..."
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Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 5:38 pm
Jibanza had so many things to say, but she was exhausted... and could only muster a reply to one of them. Mati... Mati wanted to help keep a look out to find her song? Her soft, purple eyes opened a little and gazed at her silver friend in gratitude. Why, 'two minds looking for one song' was a marvellous idea!
"Matima," she said, her voice gentle, "Thanks. But you know, you don't need to put yourself out... you've done a lot for me today, you know. Heck, you even saved my life. So... so... don't worry about my song," she paused, and then lay her head down on her paws, grinning slightly,"...but maybe, you could keep an ear out for it. Just if you want to. Then I could come back to the Southlands and... you could tell me how it goes."
And then she could see Mati again. Although, she didn't say that out loud.
"A friend, huh?" she breathed, eyes closing slowly once more, "It's been ages since I found one. I've only got a hyena with me... that's the only friend I've known. So it's great... maybe the storm was a blessing in disguise. Since I got to meet a real strong dog like you!"
Jibanza felt her mouth curl into a smile. She was content... sure, it was kind of chilly, but Matima's fur was as warm as her own brother's. She felt at home. However, her smile broke as Mati mentioned his mother's dead pups.
"I... I'm sorry."
A cold breeze whistled through the cave, and Jibanza shivered. She wasn't sure if it was the small draught or the chilling talk that was making her feel cold. She hated the thought of death... in her mind, it was cold and black and dark. She couldn't imagine how she'd live if she'd lost someone she loved. Living like that may even be more painful than death itself. Uncomfortable, she turned over to face away from Mati.
It made her think about her own mother. Would she be worrying about her? Why had Ban run off to the Southlands like this, anyway?... Was her song more important to her than her own mother? How could she make her mother worry like this? If she died... how would her loved ones feel? She'd been selfish, coming out here on her own. Her shoulders sagged, and she felt the tug of sleep pulling gently at her eyelids.
"You're a protector, aren't you, Mati?" her voice was low, soft and slurred, as she drifted off, "I'm glad to be a finder. I'm looking for a song, my father, a hyena, and the Jungle. There's a lot of things to look for in my life. But you," her voice was distant now, "You're something else. To have such a big goal like that. Even if your sister is the heir, there's no way that your pack can survive without someone to look out for them? Right? I mean, it's just tha-"
SSHGGSNNNNNNGGG
And with a sudden snore, Jibanza was asleep.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
It was morning. The earth-coloured pup yawned, and gave a large stretch, before she stood up. The sun had pierced through, shining a single beam onto her face. Through her closed eyes, her eyelids had turned a bright pink... and thus, Jibanza had awakened.
"What time is it?" she groaned, shaking her head, "Oh, man. Where am I? I gotta' get home. Mum's giving us... a lecture on preybeasts today."
Then, she remembered. The harsh rain. A knight in shining armour. A warm sleep, curled up with her brother, Neo-
Wait. Neoni wasn't here. And that must mean...
"Mati!" the name rolled off her tongue, and she twisted around, eyes bright, "Mati, it's mornin'! It's mornin', Mati!"
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 12:18 pm
"Issalright."
The pup smiled sadly at Ban. "It's not your fault, or nothin'. Just how things happen."
But I won't let it happen again. Not to my family!
Mati opened his mouth to speak again, but was interupted by a soft snore from the pup next to him. Yawning, he decided that Ban had the right idea, and he settled down next to her. It was cold in here at night!
Unconsciously the pup snuggled closer, body pressing close for shared warmth. Soon his chills subsided and he passed into a calm, deep sleep. Unknown to him and his companion, the storm outside began to clear. Stars glittered down and moonlight filtered into their small cave. It glittered on the wet stone and the world outside shimmered.
- - - - -
Mati blinked and yawned, his jaws popping as he stretched his mouth wide. Small teeth gleamed in the sunlight that was leaking into their tiny hideout. Wait... sunlight! That ment the storm was gone! They could leave!
"Yes! Yes!" Her excitement was contagious, and soon the small grey pup was up on his feet, tail wagging. "Wooow. It's so bright!"
Cautiously the storm-colored pup peered out of the shelter and into a blindingly sharp new day. For a moment his blue eyes watered, but he blinked back the tears and took in the day like it was food. So lovely! His heart swelled. So wonderful.
No one should ever have to be torn away from life like this!
With a happy sigh the pup turned to Ban and grinned. "Isn't is so pretty, Ban?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 5:54 pm
Ban's heart beat with joy.
"It sure is beautiful," she agreed, with a short dip of her head, "Nature's gone it's own way... the Thunder God must've stopped his rampage in the sky. Thank goodness."
Her fur was still slightly damp from the night before, but all in all, she was absolutely fine. After all, she'd had a wonderful night's sleep, tucked up against Matima's soft fur, and Ban had felt protected, as if she were snoozing next to her brothers.
The morning, no, the sunrise was wonderful, Ban agreed. Fiery reds, mixed in with pinks and yellows, all perfectly natural in the sky. The sun rising, the savannah slowly coming to life after the storm. Even the scent of moisture hung in the air - so, the rain had not gone without it's benefits. The waterholes must be full! She wagged her tail, clearly excited.
"Mati," she turned to the boy, and bowed her head, as would a lady, "Thanks for last night. Seriously."
Then, with a more cheeky, tomboyish approach, she jumped up and playfully, gently tugged at his ear. She'd made a good friend, it seemed. And had the opportunity to learn about other packs, ones that were not closely knitted with her own. The Southlands sure held many secrets. All the lands did.
"I'd better be on my way," she nodded, but grinned, "But I'd love to meet you again, sometime! After all, it's not everyday I find someone that I can play tag with."
Her eyes glimmered, happily. Sure, she had her siblings... but playing with Mati, a friend, just had that extra edge.
"When I see you next," she remarked, grinning at Matima and starting on her way, "I'll be so much faster!"
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