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 Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:26 pm
Banjoko was three days into his journey and feeling pretty good about himself. He wasn't too hungry or tired, and so far things were going great. Everything was still new to his eyes. It was wonderful to feel so free - he could go anywhere he liked, now, and see all the world had to offer! Oh, and the people he would meet! The blue juvenile hummed a little ditty to himself as he walked, taking in all the sights of the savannah; the rustling grass, the blue sky and puffy white clouds, insects buzzing around him. The sun was shining and birds were chirping. Life seemed grand.
No other beings had yet crossed his path since he left home.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:41 pm
Far from a large lion, Tiyatahmey was slim and sleek, his golden mane well tended and shimmering like the sun. He looked at the young lion first with his white eye, contemplating the sight before him, then the black eye, dark as a peice of rounded onyx watched him, his tongue lapped at his lips before he spoke his voice quiet, childlike almost, a slightly eerie whisper in the tone of his vocals.
"Halo little friend, it is strange to see you all alone, I think, you might be lost yes?" He tilted his head in a peculiar manner, one eye once again observing the youngster. "No, then perhaps you are out hunting? Theres nothing to eat out here little friend you would be better to turn away." He gave a nod both eyes watching him for the first time, those eerie orbs unreadable in their stare.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 12:58 pm
The young lion was startled to see the dark male appear suddenly in front of him, as if from nowhere. He was hesitantly on his guard. There was something strange about this rogue. His eyes were strange...and when he opened his mouth, a strange voice came out.
Ever polite, Banjoko greeted the stranger. "Hello, sir. Thank you, but no I am not lost. Nor am I hunting, except when I am hungry. I am on a noble journey, sir. I wish to travel and see the world, and to..find my father."
That reminded Banjoko of his greater purpose. Banjo had never seen his father; he had only a name and a vague description to go on. This male was an adult; Banjoko eyed him curiously for a moment but decided that he was definitely not Banjoko's father. His mother had told the boy that he looked just like his father. So, thankfully, this peculiar stranger was not his relation.
For a moment Banjoko considered saying goodbye and going on his way. But he was ever polite, and so by his rule of manners he had to introduce himself and not excuse himself. "Pleasant meeting you," he said. "My name is Banjoko." The young male waited, assuming the other would give his name in return.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 1:19 pm
The dark male laughed when he heard the young males story, though the laugh ewas far from malicious it was strangely high pitched, almost a girly giggle even, he once again only observed the youngster with the pale white eye, the tiny poupil in the center fixed squarely upon the blue youngster. "Father hmm? well that is indeed a strange quest to travel upon, he may be dead, alot of lions are dead you know?" He raised a brow though this could hardly be seen amongst the long silky mane which flowerd over his forehead.
"Names names, I have always gone by Tiyatahmey, make sure you pronounce it right little friend, I do not like it when people say my name wrong, it can get very disturbing." For a breif moment both strange eyes fixed upon the young male in a warning fashion. Clearly others had pronounced his name wrong int he past.
"You know I have no pride now they are all long gone, maybe your father went with them they all bled in to the earth." He said this statement in exactly the same manner as he always spoke, his voice never faltering, never changing, he did not sound sad or happy about the news which came from his mouth only constantly childish almost. "You'll tell me when you find him, I'm sure maybe he has died but then, alot of lions die, it's what we do alot." the onyx eye watched Banjo then as he went silent, his long black golden tipped tail flickering.
"I'm sure you'll go home and find your father little friend, there is really nothing in this direction except blood, maybe you should go that way instead." The dark lion pointed a claw in a random direction. Although this claw, like the rest of the body was black as the ace of spades, blood stains could be seen along the paw, he smiled a slightly manic grin then a flash of pale perfectly white teeth glimmering beneath those dark lips.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 1:44 pm
Banjoko couldn't help but shudder the more the other lion spoke. It was true...his father might be dead. But that was a chance Banjoko had decided to take. He had to try to find him, anyway. He had to know where he came from. The young male was getting very uneasy.
There was no way Banjoko was going to be able to pronounce that name correctly. So he made up his mind that moment not to even try. When the adult's strange eyes focused on him, Banjoko gulped. Yes, definitely better just to avoid saying his name at all costs.
The more Tiyatahmey spoke, the more Banjoko thought perhaps this guy wasn't quite right mentally. He seemed to have a fascination with blood. Not to mention, he was creepy. Banjoko was getting to be actually afraid, for the first time. His mother couldn't come to his rescue now; this was his first true test of bravery.
Banjoko believe he could overcome this first challenge. "Of course, good sir," agreeing to whatever Tiyatahmey said to appease him. How could he tell him when he found his father? Banjo was planning to never to run into this male again.
When the dark adult pointed a bloody paw in a different direction, Banjoko thought he might as well appease him - anything to get away and avoid a confrontation. After all, Banjoko wasnt travelling in any particular direction; that way was as good as any.
Even though Banjoko was willing to defend himself in a fight, and would even welcome a couple of cool scars to show off his bravery, a fight between a loopy adult male and a juvenile was a one-sided fight. Tiyatahmey was bigger than him, stronger, probably faster. He feared those odds.
"Good thinking," Banjoko told the male, as he began inching in the pointed direction. "Thank you for your advice, sir. It is appreciated. Good day to you."
Banjoko began walking slowly away, hoping the other would let him go peacefully and without further interruption.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:02 pm
"You know you should never turn your back on another, they might kill you." The voice calmly stated from behind him, though if Banjo was to look where the dark lion had been stood he would have been sorely dissapointed to find the spot now empty of it's previous occupant. Instead, the shadowy lion in a swift, silent movement had moved int o place before the blue striped lion once again. "My fasther was a Sir, he always said thats what to call him, I have never been a sir before so what makes me that now?" he smiled a sickly sweet smile, flashing those extremely pale fangs once again. Strangely, those fangs seemed eerily white though perhaps it was simply because his fur was so black around them.
A little laugh echoed from his throat once again, that strangely manic giggle filling the area. "you don't move very fast do you? Did you find your father yet? He'll be old and gone unless you move a little faster." The golden maned lion looked at Banjo owlishly, those strangely odd eyes fixed squarely upon the cub. "Would you like me to show you how to move fast?" He laughed again then. "you can out run a cheetah if you know how." he finished this sentence with a giggle taking a single flighty step to the left he seemingly vanished reappearing beside the blue cub sitting bolt upright his shoulder pressed tightly against the dusty blue coat.
"You know, I had a pride once, they are all dead now they died in a bloody coo, of course theyve long gone to the ground but they taught me how to move fast and find things. ask me nicely, I might teach you how to go a little faster, but be ice I might get offended. I don't remember when I was offended last but I think they didn't move fast enough." He looked down at Banjo the white eye roving to stare down at him the strange tiny pupil set upon him.
"You'll find your father perhaps, but if he's dead you won't. you'd better be quick now, he might be in that direction instead." once again that paw flicked up back in the dirction which Banjo had been heading.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:17 pm
Wow, this guy was crazy! That was all Banjo could think. He called all older males sir, just as a matter of respect; the young boy didn't think there was anything wrong with it. But if this crazy guy didn't want to be called sir, well, he wouldn't call him sir. "Excuse me, I meant no disrespect of course."
Though the prospect of learning how to be fast was tempting, Banjoko didn't want to have such a lion for a teacher. He could just see how Crazy T (what Banjo had started to call the male in his mind) would flip out and lash out at him when he wasn't quick enough. "Thank you for the offer, but as you said, I must get on my way before it is too late to find him."
It was going to be tough getting away from Crazy T, Banjoko thought. The shadowly adult was fast, to be sure. Was he faster than Banjoko? Probably. So running away might be foolish; he had nowhere to run to for safety. Could he talk his way out? Unlikely. Crazy T didn't seem to have much of a mind for reason.
When the off-his-rocker male suggested Banjoko go in the direction he originally was headed, Banjo decided he wasn't going to play that game with him, crazy as he may be. Banjo could just see himself trying to go that direction, and then be turned back to the second direction, over and over again. That wasn't going to happen; he wouldn't be made a fool of.
"I think you had it right the first time. It was nice meeting you. I'll be going now, thank you." This time, he walked a little faster, and made sure walk in such a way that he kept his eyes on the dark-coated male.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 2:51 pm
Unfortunately for Banjo, he certainly wasn't getting away that easily. This time though rather than slipping in to the shadows, the adult male slipped along side the younger male, making his presence well known by occassionally brushing his shoulder against the young blue males. "Maybe you're right, this way looks good to, now you're sure you don't want me to teach you little friend? If you don't go faster somehting might bite you." He laughed again then hisa shadowy body vanishing in to the darkness of the surrounding trees.
He was missing for a little while then, only the occassional, purposeful snapping of a twig letting the young male know that he was still following. Tiyatahmey could move like a shadow, silent, swift almost undetectable. Moving back to Banjo's side for a moment his white eye rolled down to looka t him. "How about we play a little game? You run and we can see how many times I can catch you." A childish giggle again then as he vanished back in to the shadows.
"My father always said, watch the shadows they are your worst enemy. run now, this might be fun." his one white eye glimmered from the darkness before it too vanished completely and silence prevailed. Perhaps the shadowy male had decided to give up his folly. Perhaps.
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Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:02 pm
"No, thank you, I'm afraid I'll have to pass on that offer." No, I don't want your stupid lessons, Banjoko thought. Just leave me alone, creepy old man!
Oh, for pete's sake. Play a game with him? It didn't seem as though Banjo had much choice. He sighed. Might as well - it's not like he had any bigger plans. Besides, maybe this will turn into a good story later in his life. If he survived the encounter, that is.
Not paying any attention to where Crazy T had disapeared to, Banjoko took off at a dead run. For a little while he began to think he may actually outrun the older male, as he saw no sign of him for a time. He got hopeful, but he was still wary - who knows what that scary-eyed male was capable of?
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Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 4:23 am
The young male would hear nothing as he found himself shoulder to shoulder with the slender black male, his odd eyes gleaming in the sunlight." You should have let me teach you." His voice was steady, though still rather high pitched. white fangs flashed as the aptly names Crazy T lashed out at the youngsters upper shoulder he bit quickly leaving a gaping wound before he slipped away silently. A small echoey laugh tinkled after the tiger striped male though it soon went silent leaving the young male once again alone, padding along in a deathly silence. The birds and creatures of the savannah had seemingly stopped speaking while this game of cat and mouse started.
He was far from finished with his game but he would see what the youngster did before he struck ahain. Tiyatahmey loved pretty faces they were fun to mess up, though the young ones tail and hind quarters could use a few marks too. This game would leave the young one bleeding but alive. Hisd manic mind laughed silently, he liked these types of games, they were always fun though he hadn't played this one since his father died.
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Posted: Sun Aug 26, 2007 12:56 pm
Banjoko howled out in pain as teeth tore into his flesh. Adrenaline flooded his system and instead of making him more afraid, it gave him a new bravery. "Alright!" he yelled out in frustration, angry that the other male had disappeared again. He couldn't very well fight one that he couldn't see. "I'll do what you want. Do you want to teach me? I'll learn from you."
His shoulder hurt and was bleeding, but it didn't worry him. He was just angry - this wasn't a fair fight. Banjo was fairly confident that he could fight well, even in this unbalanced match, but this was a strange thing, not the kind of fight he was used to. The adult male was unpredictable, uncatchable. If they were going to fight, then Banjoko thought they should just fight and get it over with. He did not like playing games where he was disadvantaged. It made him feel like the brunt of his sister's tricks again, being made fool of. Prideful Banjoko did not like to be made a fool of.
Bristling, the young male searched the tall grasses, looking for a hint of the other male, trying to anticipate his next move. He wanted to be prepared for when the male appeared again.
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Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 10:49 am
"Teach? Teach? You who does not want to be taught, I cannot teach!" He stood before the blue male his strange eyes dancing in an overly manic fashion, his dark lips turning in a meniacle grin. "If you will not run the games not as fun." he laughed and slipped away, reappearing moments later behind the stripped male and whispering in his ear. "scarred, damaged, not so pretty" a flash of a whie claw then and Banjo's hind leg bled softly.
His laugh echoesd again as he vanished off in to the darkness. "maybe one more for the fun of it hmm? Just one more to mar the fur, to cut the jib, to teach the cub to accept help when it is offered." Tiyatahmey was then face to face with the youngster, the tiny pupil of his white eye fixed squarely on the young male, while the black looked down shiney as a black marble. "Just one more" He swiped the cub acceross the face, this time with the full blow of all of his claws slashing out at the cheek and eye of the little one. "learn little blue, my little friend, accept the gifts others offer, pride will get you killed."
It was perhaps the most, if only sensible thing that the black lion had said to the youngster but he backed away slowly, his odd eyes dancing, that strange smirk plastered upon his features. "I'll see you again littl friend, sleep well." He turned his back then and was gone in to the darkness, vanishing like a strange, ghostly shadow.
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Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2007 8:00 pm
Crazy T's nonsensical words flew over Banjoko's head, unheard. The pain was filling his brain, and all he saw was flashes of the strange black lion jumping like a shadow from one place to the next, swiping at him, leaving him bleeding before the young male could react. Unable to defend himself, not knowing where to go to escape the blows, Banjoko turned round and round, confused and hurt.
When the blows ceased to come, Banjoko could do no more than fall into a heap, scared, overwhelmed, and bleeding and tired. He covered his head with his paws and tried to disappear into the grass, wondering when the lion would lash out at him again. He waited a long time like that, still as stone in fear, just waiting to be hit again. All his pride, all his bravery had been sucked out of him and he was no more than a scared, lost, confused little boy. When he began to get stiff from sitting still, finally it seemed to be over.
Slowly, cautiously, he stood up, looking fearfully around him. His body hurt in a few places, but the wound on his face hurt the most. The eye that had been slashed was swollen and he could barely see out of it.
When he was nearly certain the black shadow was nowhere to be seen, Banjoko took off running at full speed. He could only think now to get away, to run and run and leave all this behind him. He had no thoughts now of pride or courageous battles, of vanity scars or grand tales to tell. His mind was blank. His only thought was, "Run. Run. Run."
And he ran flat-out, using all his strength, as though the devil himself was behind him, and all the while the ghostly lion's words floated through his head like a mist that wouldn't recede. "Pride will get you killed...pride will get you killed."
Later, he would feel ashamed. Later he would hate how cowardly he had been and he would have nightmares with black shadows chasing him, cutting him. Later, when he was able to think back on this encounter, he would change history in his mind, making him out to be the victor.
But right now he was just so thankful to get away.
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