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 Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:27 pm
The orange glow set over the rocks, striking vibrant contrasts among the deadly drops and hiding holes. It settled on Ure, lighting her red for just a moment as the distant clouds rumbled.
Monsoons.
The young cub stirred and ventured back over to the place she always was at during the dawn hours. It was a wonder she didn't collapse from exaustion, she was always up, parusing this or that. Whenever the Firekin weren't up.
However, this time, they were out and about. With a light look, she spotted Uzulu coming their way and she quickly scuttled off to join her sisters and feign sleep. Father had not been with him, which must have meant something was up out of the ordinary. Uzulu was always dragging that male slave wherever he could, sending him on tasks.
Curling up between Tanana and Addae, Ure poked an eye open to see just what would happen.
Moments later she could just make out the crimson, blocking out that orange ball of fire rising against the sky.
"Up," he growled at the group of them, his gaze hard on their resting forms.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:42 pm
In terms of being awake, Tanana was already 'up'. Her eyes had been closed, she could think better that way. They opened before Uzulu had even said anything, and once he commanded them to rise, she did so without a word, observing their master curiously.
Took him long enough, didn't it? She stood in front of her siblings, just by a few inches or so, and waited patiently for what they'd all known was coming for days.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 1:56 pm
Unlike her sisters, Addae was still clinging to a restless sleep when Uzulu's command broke into her dreams. With a faint tinge of regret she opened her eyes to reluctantly greet another hard day.
No response seemed required, so the small cub merely climbed to her feet and stood silently next to her sister. Her heart sank and she pressed her small body into Tanana's, eyes focused intently on Uzulu's paws.
And the small, black toed paws that stood beside them.
Kienge couldn't keep the grin off his face. A slave! A slave all for himself! He'd never have to fetch his dinner, or clean, or hunt, or... or anything! The cub ignored the sun on his back, eyes focused hungrily on the small forms in front of him.
"That one!" He cried, gazing up at Uzulu, one paw casually motioning to a small body. "I want that one!"
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 2:03 pm
Uzulu frowned at his son, he was such an impatient dickhead. Why, why couldn't he have had a quiet, sensible, smart daughter instead?
He followed the paws towards the group of slaves, though, and immediately assumed where the boy was pointing. Not that Uzulu would mind this. All the other cubs seemed to travel around the gold and black. As if she were the life force of them all. If he took her from them, it would break what little hope and love they had.
Grimacing at his son again, he figured that his son would keep any slave he was given plenty occupied.
"You," he snarled, his tail flicking behind him haughtily. "Come here."
"Now, son, you only get one, so make a wise choice," he scorned, hoping his son at enough sense to at least check the health of the thing.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 2:10 pm
Tanana wasn't surprised by this. She'd known all along it would happen. Uzulu was a cruel lion, but not a dumb one. It had been obvious her status with her siblings all along. It only made sense to take her away from them.
Stone-faced, she stepped forward, not too fast or too slow, after a polite-sounding, "Yes, Master." Her eyes didn't dare cast on Kienge. She'd have plenty of time to look at him later no doubt.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 2:59 pm
Fear swelled in her chest, sending her heart fluttering against her ribcage like a small bird. Addae's eyes grew wet, her vision misty with tears, but her legs were rooted to the spot. All she could do was lean - strain - forwards towards Tanana.
What had they done wrong, to deserve this?
Kienge saw the irritation on his father's face and his mouth pulled down in a pout. He never did anything right! Stupid slaves. Well - he'd make sure THIS one obeyed him. Then his father would have to be pleased!
He strolled imperiously up to Tanana, eyes raking over her gold and black form. She -looked- strong enough, and wasn't too skinny. Kienge circled her once, then paused in front of her.
"Open your mouth, girl."
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 3:58 pm
It wasn't an offence to the son. No one ever did anything right for Uzulu anyway, except for Mpaji, but that fact made Uzulu sour because of such perfection. To be honest, he hadn't really expected any cubs, but here they were, worrying him with plots of rebellion.
Slaves grew up.
So he fought his conscience and decided to give one to his son, even though he didn't feel he'd earned it. Two sons, and no daughters. He had to keep reminding himself nothing could be done about it, but it still didn't help with the upset. Where could sons take the Firekin pride?
No where. That's where.
Ure watched her sister calmy, and flicked her tail, as she always did. No one took any note, and most didn't take note of her ever. She was too quiet and serene to be seen, and at a distance could be confused for a very dark Firekin. Then again, so could Tanana. Afterall, yellow and black was not unheard of in the lands of The Blood, or so she'd heard.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 4:37 pm
Since he was speaking to her now, Tanana took the time to look at Kienge. He didn't much like Uzulu to her. More white than him. He acted like him, though. Sometimes resembling someone in personality could make you look more like them. Even with the slight color differences, he looked like Uzulu's son.
She wanted to roll her eyes, she really did. But it would be a bad influence for her siblings, who she badgered constantly about listening. Her mouth opened wide, revealing each and every small, white tooth. She had been given the dental influence of Ohahira, and it would one day be a good one.
Speaking of, it was just then the lioness returned. She drifted past the group and moved to lay behind them, observing the situation with an eerie neutrality.
The small of blood and flesh came from not far away, indicating she'd killed something for Uzulu.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 7:32 pm
No matter how bad things got, she'd always clung to her sisters. She'd even been happy - well, as much as you could as a slave. The pale-striped cub blinked back tears. Don't cry, you'll be punished! She could almost hear Tanana's voice in her head, admonishing her.
Don't cry.
Don't cry.
Addae fell back a step, crowding in next to Ure. Maybe if she hid, if she went back to sleep, this could be a dream. They could be together, and happy. She wouldn't ask for anything more! Just her sisters back. That's all.
"Good girl."
Kienge smiled, though his eyes remained dark and solemn. Already obedient, it wouldn't take much to keep her that way. His eyes fell on Ure and Addae and then dismissed them from thought. Only this little runt in front of him mattered.
The scent of blood and meat reached him and he glanced up at his father, waiting.
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2007 9:28 pm
Ure nuzzled up to her sister, taking the position of Tanana for a second, at least in comfort. She, too, said nothing, but merely watched. She really couldn't see a difference. Sister would just be more absent from the rest of them. There was truly no difference.
Uzulu nodded at his son, he'd been smart, and then his nose caught the scent of what Ohahira caught. He furrowed his brows deeper than they were already and pondered. He would take back the food to Kaanga, but still, the slaves hadn't eaten for a few days. They needed something or they'd be worthless.
"Very well, Kienge, she is yours." Dismissing his cub with a nod he turned towards the rest of the cowering individuals and one Ohahira.
"The rest of you can eat, but if you take anymore than your fair share, it will rest on your conscience."
He eyed them all with coldness, and left them to decide what their 'share' amounted to.
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