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 Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:22 pm
It had been several moons now that they had been searching and Kei had not come up with the slightest sign of this lioness's friend. His claws dug into the soil as he slowly stood, stretching his muscles as any cat would, large or small. One blue eye and one green eye glanced about the darkening sky as he shook his coat free of dirt and derbi. It was then that his focus returned to the female that had decided to rest a few paces away.
Her golden form, graced with the odd stripes of what reminded Kei of a zebra, lay nearby and he let out a loud yawn, massive jaws spread to exposed shining canines. It was then he decided to pounce towards the femme, thuding very close to her form.
"Wake up, Lady Lioness.." His rough voice urged as the top of his nose found a way under one of her legs and flipped it upwards in a weak attempt to move her. " It's time to hunt. "
The usual silence had been broken these past two moons with the abundance of small mammals. They could be heard scratching here and there, foraging and digging the way they knew how. " I'm starving.. And with your help I think we can catch ourselves a feast. "
It was odd. For Kei would usually rather hunt alone. Perhaps it was due to him never having the option to hunt with another. This was a chance he didnt want to pass up.
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:45 pm
It was ironic that just as Shiri looked up and thought of Kei, he lunged at her. With wide eyes, she rolled onto her back to avoid his landing. He landed beside her and perceded to coax her into getting up. The male seemed to have a great deal of energy and Shiri wondered how he could keep going without anything in his stomach. Comfortable enough with him to be honest, Shiri whined, "I'm sort of...hungry."
As Kei tried to move her leg, Shiri's cheeks burned. Upon her yellow fur, the pink was clear. Looking away, she let out a nervous laugh and was glad to hear what he had to say. It appeared he felt the same as she had. Those past few days had certainly made the two of them hungry.
At the mentioning of her joining him in the hunt, Shiri's ears lowered. She was an awful hunter and this would only be another chance for her to embarass herself horribly. She had been given some tips from a cheetah, but their method of hunting was quite a bit different from the typical lion. Faking a smile, the lioness responded finally, "..alright, i'm up. Lets go look for dinner."
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:04 pm
Finally the smaller lion stood and Kei grinned. He was used to going for a long amount of time with nothing in his stomach. It was just the way things were. He never had the option of hunting in a pack and being able to eat as much as he willed whenever his mother caught a meal. No. For as long as he could remember he had been catching his own meals. His mother taught him how to survive, fattened him up and then she and his brothers were gone forever. Shaking his head, silver white mane freeing itself of dust as he did so, Kei nodded to Shiri and tried to forget the recent thoughts that had passed through his mind.
Instead he began to pad off into the darkened tall grasses silently. The sounds of the savanah loud in his sensitive ears. The rustling of small mammals, the distant giggles and cackles of hyena, the calls of a few night birds. " Not look.." Kei then replie din a whisper to Shiri. " Listen and smell"
Yes, lions had good night vision, but Kei found it more interesting and much more pleasing to hunt by listening. It was earier to judge an opponent than by judging it by sight. Things could get ugly if you pounced but hadnt examined. Much like what had happened when he ran into Shiri.
"Now, show me the hunting skills of a lioness.." he motioned for Shiri to lead, for the rustling of a few small savanah rodents could be heard ahead.
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Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 10:11 pm
Shiri was somewhat confused when the male went off without her, though she did not let it bother her. She had been allowed to rest and it would not surprise her if the short break bothered Kei. In fact, she was still surprised the dark male was traveling with her. Smiling and making her way to him as quietly as she could, the lioness responded in a whisper, "Listen?"
Unintentionally, the lioness lowered her ears and tried to listen to whatever it was that Kei had noticed. She heard some rustling and faint noises, but wasn't quite sure what it was. Glancing over towards the male, she smiled still, "You think it's something to eat?" She felt her cheeks suddenly become bright pink as she realised how foolish she sounded. Of course it was!
It seemed before she could say another word, Kei was pushing her forward as though she would lead them. Shiri, unable to explain that she was not the best of hunting couldn't help but look back to Kei almost desperately. The male looked well fed and she assumed he would be leading them. Without another option, the lioness turned away, listened hard and suddenly bolted when she heard something nearby.
The small rodent just barely escaped her jaw as she clamped down and suddenly became aware of her failure. How would she explain herself?
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 7:19 pm
Kei ignored the backwards glance the female gave him and nudged her forward once more before slowly creeping behind her. As he watched, the lioness seemed to tense and becomevery flustered. Her breathing quickened and she was quick to take action in a very unorganized fashion. Within a flash she was gone and he blinked. Perhaps he had judged her too quickly? Maybe this was the way the lioness effectively caught their prey?
Trotting forward after the lioness he could hear the slight rustling int he tall grasses die down. His silvery mane seemed to glow slightly in the moonlight and his mismatched eyes blinked at the femme as he poked his large head through the brush towards her.
" Success?" He asked, tilting his head to the side, allowing a small smile to creep upon his maw, gaze switching from her empty jaws to her also bare paws.
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Posted: Sun Oct 07, 2007 8:14 pm
Kei's question echoed in the lioness' mind and she tried desperately to think of an answer. Had she been a cub, this would not have been as embarassing, but as an adult, she was expected to be able to hunt effectively. Having nearly tripped over her own feet, she was certain that it was obvious, even without words, that she had caught nothing.
When Kei approached, Shiri's ears remained lowered and her tail stayed close to her backside. She felt ashamed and could think of no way to excuse herself. Many rogues had managed to train themselves to hunt, but the thin lioness never quite understood. Perhaps in the panic that Kei asked her to hunt, she merely became nervous?
She had been taught once by a cheetah how to hunt. How to listen to the earth and become one with what she was doing. Shiri tried at times to listen carefully, but all she ever heard was the faint pittering of animals beneath her feet and the rustling of the grass. Never once did she think this helped her.
Glancing up towards Kei finally, she whispered, "No luck.."
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:43 pm
Kei had managed to hold back a snicker as he glanced down at her, for he had noticed her tucked tail and lowered ears. It was apparent to him that she was not used to failure, or she was merely not used to hunting in general. This was not a possibility in Kei's eyes. Any lioness knew the hunting world. At least he was told that they were like that. They knew the prey better then the prey knew themselves. The female's knew what moves they would make before they made them. Perhaps it was his fault for pushing her forward?
Yes, a lioness certainly would need her own time to stalk and calculate. How inconsiderate. Kei shook his head and flashed a dashing grin before whispering to her, so as not to disturb potential prey any further.
"No worries.." His voice low and husky. His one yellow and one blue eyes seemed to glow in the moon's light as he then glanced from side to side. " there are plenty more oppertunities. Shall I try for one? Or would you like another go?"
Large paws shifting in an excited manner as he talked of the hunt. The taste of warm blood on his tongue triggered in the male's brain and he lowered his form upon hearing a few heavier steps across the savannah grounds. Hyena? Warthog? Wild dog? It was a potential larger prey if not in a group. Kei looked to Shiri nce more, awaiting her answer.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:01 pm
Shiri looked up towards Kei in time to see his confused expression. Shiri knew what was expected of female lions, but she did not know that it was so expected of her. Having lived a rogue life was clearly no excuse. Shiri had been taught once by a cheetah and had succeeded many times throughout her life. In this time, however, she was not putting her entire effort. Was she so afraid of failure that she was not willing to look silly and concentrate?
As Kei approached her once again, Shiri blushed. It seemed as though the male wished to make up for shoving her forward. Though Shiri desperately wished to let Kei move on for the hunt, she knew that if she was ever to be respected that she would need to do this for herself.
Quietly, she whispered to him, "I'd like to try once more.. and then perhaps, we might hunt.. together?" Shiri had never hunted in the company of another and thought it might be another challenge she could put herself to.
Adjusting her position, the lioness' ears raised, becoming alert. Her body stretched and then lowered itself back to the ground. She allowed her belly to brush against the dirt of the savannah and awaited some sort of sound or vibration to catch her attention. Lime green eyes peeled the territory around her and memories of Mweko's teachings appeared in her mind. She would need to use her elements and never put herself above them. They were her natural skills and ability to hunt and Shiri had been so caught up in failure, she was missing the main hints.
The savannah was silent around her and then suddenly the sound of a rabbit scampering about came to her. The lioness began to creep forward, keeping low and silent. She was careful of any branches or rocks that may cause noise beneath her paws. Shiri released a very silent breath and suddenly used the great force of her back legs to launch herself into a quick run after the hare.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:30 pm
The suggestion of them hunting together caught the rogue male slightly off gaurd. He hadn't even considered it and now thought himself foolish for having not even imagined trying such a usually successful tactic when it came to hunting. Looking down at Shiri as she spoke Kei smiled, admiring her need to try again. That was by no doubt a characteristic of a strong lioness.
With a nod, Kei agreed. " A hunt together? Sounds like an honor." With that he was silent and watched as the female lowered her form and looked much more collected than previously viewed. She inched forward, her lithe form had the male itching to follow, though he remained where he was so as not to disturb her hunt.
A rustle sounded and the female launched herself, much more gracefully and precisely this time, her muscles propelling her quickly towards her prey. It was surely a sight to see.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 3:54 pm
Shiri's memories of Mweko and Kei's company were all Shiri needed to inspire her to do her best in this hunt. She was not wishing to impress anyone this time, but simply to show that she was a lioness capable of hunting for herself. Even with these new tactics, she was not the best huntress, but this didn't stop Shiri from learning how to become her own best.
As she continued speeding forward, her eyes kept sharp and focused on the hare before her. The creature was able to maneuver easily and dodge obstacles, but Shiri kept close behind. With the gap between them slowly shrinking, the lioness' mouth began to salivate. It was close to her moment to strike and she knew she'd need to keep up pace.
Pushing off suddenly now, the lioness dove forward, aiming to grab ahold of the neck of the hare before her. As she came towards the ground, her jaws clamped down, but not upon one another. Fresh meat remained in her mouth now and Shiri grinned as best she could.
As she stopped and lifted her head in order to look in Kei's direction, she could almost see Mweko sitting nearby. With the hare within her jaw, Shiri began towards Kei and finally set it down before him. "Thank you for giving me a second chance.." And with that, she offered a gentle nuzzle.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 4:24 pm
The agility Shiri displayed showed Kei at how much of a skilled hunter she truely was whether she thought so or not. They dodged and turned, makign their way swiftly across and vast amount of space on the savannah. It didn't take long though until Shiri was close enough to strike and her jaws closed swiftly and securely about the hare's body. Kei cheered inwardly, smiling as the female came out victorious.
She then trotted over proudly, grinning while holding the rabbit within her jaws. The sight was one the male would certainly not be forgetting soon. Shiri then dropped the creature at his paws and spoke to him before offering a nuzzle. Her soft cheek brushed against his own and the male was temporarily stunned. He hadn't had too much intereaction with females and found this action a bit startling.
Though he did the one thing he could think of. Talk.
" You didn't need me to give you permission to try again, Shiri. "
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 4:56 pm
Shiri knew that she was slightly forward with the nuzzle, but she couldn't help but offer appreciation towards the male. He did not say much of what he was inwardly thinking, but Shiri understood. He had not judged her completely and gave her a second shot. It was that sort of kindness that Mweko had shown her as a cub when she was first learning to hunt for herself.
Moving back a bit after the nuzzle, Shiri looked over Kei and then to the hare, "You're welcome to have it if you'd like.." She knew that the male was completely capable of hunting on his own, but Shiri liked the idea of hunting for him. In a pride, it was typically the females who did the hunting and Shiri felt proud of her catch.
When Kei reminded Shiri that she didn't need to ask him for permission, she laughed lightly, "I know, but.. it still meant a lot to me." The lioness' tail waved lightly behind her as she awaited the male's reaction to her offer.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 5:43 pm
The offer was a tempting one but Kei shook his head slowly, smiling soflty to the female.
"Maybe in a land other than these. But here among the rogues what you kill is yours first, theirs later." He found this saying as more a of a motto. In the pridelands perhaps he would take up her offer, for they do such things over the boundry between the lands. The females hunt and the males eat what they catch. The males in those parts Kei found very lazy.
He wouldn't fit in. " Eat what you worked hard for, i'll be back shortly. "
Surely Kei had troubles sharing his emotions. He was grateful she thought of him before herself when it came to her prey, though Kei was capable and didnt want to seem like he needed to depend on anyone. With that he stood, gave her a nudge/hard nuzzle and slipped into the tall grasses in search for his own snack.
Time went by and soon the dark lion returned, a fat hare lifeless in his jaws, as he thuded to a laying position and began to eat.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 8:43 pm
Shiri was hesitant to eat the hare, but when Kei refused, she slowly leaned down and began to eat what she had caught for herself. A smile appeared on the female's maw once she had neared the end of her meal. The hare was delicious and it took her a moment to lick the blood from her muzzle. For the first time in a great while, she felt confident in herself and her abilities. Kei had been a great encouragement.
When Kei mentioned that he would need to be off, Shiri became worried. Surely she hadn't upset him by anything she had done? Before Kei left, however, he offered a nuzzle and Shiri's worries vanished from her mind. Still smiling, the lioness watched as Kei crept away and surprisingly vanished in the yellow grass.
It was not long before Kei returned and with a meal of his own. Shiri's ears perked when she spotted the lifeless hare. "Ah, I see you've caught something for yourself.." She giggled a bit and remained where she was, glad to be in Kei's company.
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 9:11 pm
" 'F c'rse.." Kei replied, his words muffled by the hare he gripped in his maw. With a few steps in Shiri's direction Kei flopped down across from her, large paws wrapping about the hare as he dropped it. Her giggle rang in his ears and caused an emotion to stir within him that he hadn't really addressed before. Mis matched eyes looked towards Shiri and Kei offered a huge grin before biting into his snack.
Surely the two of them were going to have quite a few adventures. And Kei would certainly not mind sharing those experiences with her. Now that her shell was being pulled away she was allowing him to see the fun and spunky side of her.
With a finale lick of his chops, Kei finished what meat he could off of the hare before rolling over onto his back and letting out a deep, rough, breath. Tilting his head back to look at Shiri, Kei rose a brow at her.
" Get sleep,beautiful.." Kei wpoke slyly. " I'll show you my favorite place tomorrow..If we can make it. " With that the lion rolled over and lay on his side, snuggling into the ground for comfort as he shut his eyes to sleep.
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