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 Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2007 4:00 pm
Nyack kept his head low as he walked. It had been a while since he left the leopard and it seemed forever since he he last saw any lions. Was he even heading in the right direction? The green maned lion let out a low growl and began to pace. He had no idea where to begin to even find others.
Finally he settled for just dropping onto the ground. Maybe he rested his mind would be at ease and he could start his journey once again. Yet sleep wouldn't come and in no time the lion was back to wondering across the lands seeking out life.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 1:14 am
 The party had established a place to rest for the time-being. It had been a long and trying walk in the overworld, but with the Anansi disbanded, the 'tactitions' were left with very little option. The sun was something that each of them had to adjust to once more. Taban's pale eyes only provided a further discomfort. Eventually he adjusted to it. The wind made it worthwhile. The cheetah race was always somehow drawn to it, comforted to it. Feeling it rush past his face, through his whiskers, and over his lean but muscular body filled his chest with a fierce and almost primal urge to overcome even the breeze.
Among the more told stories of the Anansi, at least around himself and Bai Feng, was the tale of why cheetahs ran the way they did. It was rumored that back in the dawn of time, the wind itself had stolen the cheetah's roar and fled swiftly from the cat's claws. Outraged and humiliated, the cheetah gave chaise. It never stopped running, loosing more and more of its power to speed, sacrificing any and all ties to other 'big cats' to catch their roar.
They said it was never accomplished and to that day, the cheetahs were known otherwise as 'wind chasers', forever in persut of what they'd lost back in the day.
The princeling's lungs burned as he threw himself forward, his spine stretching and retracting like a coiled spring as he launched himself bound after bound forward against the wind. His mouth parted to gulp at the air as his claws tore shreds out of the ground under him. In a snap he changed his direction, sending a splash of dirt out from under his claws as his tail whipped around madly to send him in a new direction.
The run was short-lived, as always. For the wind would steal the breath right out of the cheetah so it'd never get caught. Completely wiped, Taban plunked himself down on the ground, panting into the night air to refill his lungs for another practice run.
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Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2007 7:40 am
Nyack's attention was caught by a flash on the edge of his vision of orange. He swung his head, gasping in amazement at the creature. It looked like another large cat but, like the leopard, couldn't be a lion. He was moving faster then even the birds!
The lion continued to be memoriized by the cheetah until he finally laid down, apparently exhausted. For an instant Nyack hesitated. He didn't know if this new animal was hostile but he hadn't know that of Kizu either. Finally making up his mind, he approached the other.
"Hello, friend..." He called, hoping it proved him friendly and trustworthy. "I saw you running and you must be the fastest animal on the Savannah! I have to ask... Are you a lion? Or something else?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 1:37 am
The cheetah was quick to notice that he was not alone. He quietly scolded himself for having run himself into exhaustion and alone at that. If the lion proved to be hostile, there was very little he'd be able to do to save himself. Thankfully, that didn't seem to be the case. In fact, it was almost as if the Lion had never seen a cheetah. Then again, neither had Taban until Bai Feng had shown up.
He waited for a while, panting to catch his breath as he eyed the rogue, taking in every detail. The more he knew about someone else, the more power he'd hold over them. A fresh mind...there were so many ways he could go with this. A lion to boot. His mind began working itself over. To have a lion among their little band would give them more muscle surely, and having another pair of eyes around wouldn't be bad... but what if that lion worked for him? That would certainly turn a few heads, perhaps get their group back into a position of respect among the overworld once more. Not to mention the creature seemed witless... without direction. A rogue, of course he was without direction. His fur wasn't as proud as a lion that dwelt within a pride, he was thinner, his mane wasn't nearly as large.
Soon, Taban gathered himself up calmly, lifting his chin up to eye the lion. He carried himself much the way one might expect of one born of nobility. Every move seemed calculated, smooth, precise.
"Friend?" He raised a brow slowly, "We have known eachother for the span of barely two minutes and no more than a few words on your end. It's a bit premature to be using that word, wouldn't you say?" He flicked the end of his tail and got to all fours, "I am no more or less than a cheetah. A prince among my own. A lion would do better to educate himself of his fellow predators of the grassland.
He glanced over, "Who might you be?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 7:21 pm
Nyack became embarrassed and shifted his paw in the dirt, lowering his head slightly. Whoever this 'cheetah' was he knew what he was doing. Now that the lion was closer he made some observations of his own. This new predator had a mane not unlike an adolescent lion but he was thinner and his legs longer. It wasn't a wonder he was so fast.
Even with the knowledge that he was obviously stronger then the other cat, he still kept his distance. He sighed and tried to make himself look non-threatening. "Yes I... apologize... Its a greeting where I'm from."
Interest flared in the lion's eyes when Taban mentioned being a price. Not only had he met a new predator but a prince? That meant he had to have a pride... or whatever cheetahs' had.
When questioned who he was, Nyack quickly bowed. After all, he was royalty. "My name is Nyack. A rouge from the west seeking a pride."
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Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2007 11:33 pm
Taban's chest visibly swelled with pride as the lion dipped his head to him. In response he lifted his own head and gave an approving nod, just as he would have to anyone showing such respect back in the Anansi. "Rise." He said simply, lifting a paw to kind of que the lion to lift his head once more.
So yet another rogue then? Well it was good to know his nose wasn't going numb to the pridal scent markers of a claimed territory. His band would remain safe for the moment.
"As are myself and my bodyguards." He said simply, flicking the end of his tail. "Our previous pride seems to have disbanded or simply vanished. We have taken to the overworld to grace it with our knowledge as tactitions. There are none that can match the wit of those who were once called the Anansi."
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Posted: Sat Sep 29, 2007 1:34 am
Nyack was like a puppet, lifting his head when he was told. The lion was easily manipulated and it showed as he watched the cheetah for other signs of what he was supposed to do.
The male furrowed his brow and tilted his head slightly. "Tactitions?" He questioned confusion and curiosity in his tone. His ears lowered slightly. He knew his wit wasn't up to par with most lions let alone these 'Anansi' but maybe they could find a use for him.
"Do... you need anymore bodygaurds?" The lion straightened himself up, puffing out his chest and letting a bit of his teeth show. "I'm really strong and if you need anymore... what I mean is, could I be of use to your band?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 10:49 pm
"Tactitions." Taban repeated with a wider smile. A smooth, confidant expression. "We assess, we study, we learn... and then we use our knowledge to find victory to the lords who we deem worthy. We dedicate our wisdom to causes that we see as just and noble enough to merit our efforts. You will find no other creatures like us."
The offer was unexpected but none would guess by the practiced ease in which it was received. A slow brow lifted up as Taban considered. A lion bodyguard... it certainly was unheard of. They weren't an organized band, not one that was known even... but that was by their own means. The Anansi were illusive creatures. Few knew of their existance and they liked it that way.
Tempting as it was, he simply couldn't leap at the offer right away. "If you wish...you may join us. I only ask that you prove to me your efforts and loyalty. If you meet our expectations then you too may receive the knowledge that makes us who we are."
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 11:32 pm
Nyack's brow furrowed as he tried to understand the cheetah's words. He understood to an extent and he liked the idea. They were advisories on war, or at least that's how he understood it. It excited him to be part of such a band, even if it was only under a certain status.
The green maned lion broke out into a large grin. "You won't regret it, I promise!" Once again, he lowered himself down into a bow. "I'll do whatever you ask, Master!" It felt so good to have someone in charge of him again. He would never make it as a pride leader but as a servant, he was the best. "Just tell me what to do!"
He couldn't wait for his initiation.
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Posted: Thu Oct 11, 2007 4:10 pm
"Hmm...", Taban nodded his approval and slowly started to circle the lion, "Well first, you'll have to learn a sense of dignity. Refinement. Learn to speak with shadowed words. Any lion can learn to speak the truth, but to speak a veiled truth is a rare gift. A tactition never gives everything away. You say only what is nessicary when it's asked. Never lie, it's below you. If you must deceive, learn to bend the truth to your purpose."
He came around again, rolling his shoulders back, "And correct your posture. Shoulders back, head up, step lightly and with pride. Part of being seen as an important figure is appearing as one. Most of communication is what goes unspoken. Introduce yourself as a powerful creature with a sense of pride and few will underestimate you."
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Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:53 am
Nyack turned his head to watch the cheetah going around him. He kept quiet as the other listed the traits he had to have. Veil the truth? It made sense, he supposed, if they were advisers too much information would prove dangerous.
The lion blinked when Taban mentioned posture. It came to him that he had very poor posture, and seemed to almost sag. Was it because he had no pride or simply because he was tired? He mentally snorted. No pride? He'd just been accepted into being a tactition!
Confidence and power seemed to seep into him as his back straightened, his shoulders went back and his head lifted. His mane fell properly against him and he seemed to be a completely different lion. His eyes took on what they'd been lacking, a sense of purpose. "Yes, Sir. What else should I know?" His meek voice had become strong and determined. He was going to get this right. He was going to belong with these animals and he was going to prove them right in accepting him as one of their own.
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Posted: Mon Oct 22, 2007 6:01 am
Taban nodded approvingly, "Very good. Just keep in mind that half of being seen as powerful is appearing as such. Even a hare could catch a hyena off guard if it were to bear its fangs to it. Fear is below you, rationalize everything. And don't feel as though you have anything to prove. If retreat is the only means to continue your survival than do so, there's no shame in living to see another day. In death there are no second chances, no redeeming mistakes. In life the possibilities are endless."
He turned and started to walk himself back towards the others, "Come now. I'll introduce you to the others."
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 1:50 pm
Nyack nodded, acknowledging the wiser animal's words. He followed Taban with his eyes, trying to understand everything he was saying. So if he appeared powerful then the others wouldn't pick on him. He stood when Taban started to walk off and followed him.
The mention of others interested him and he couldn't wait to meet his 'pride'. "Are they cheetahs too?"
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 2:05 pm
Taban walked himself at a decent, loping pace that was pretty typical for his species. Head up, shoulders back, and chest out, he looked as confident as he would have had he actually been a lion. There was a confident shine in his eyes as he went, never compromising.
"Only one." He answered simply, "I do hope you can accept that I have canines in my company. I am vaguely aware that there is a rivalry between most lions and creatures like hyenas. As far as I'm concerned, it's what's behind the pelt of a beast that matters."
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Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2007 10:06 pm
The lion was quick to follow, keeping just behind his new leader. He had learned from the pride that the leader was always first for everything. His violet eyes watched the Cheetah with a sense of yearning. He was so confident and the lion longed for that emotion.
"Hyenas?" The male questioned with a frown. "I've heard of their kind but I've never met one. Our king talked of the in a bad light... but I will follow your example." He began to search eagerly for the canines. "Are they as powerful as it is said they are?"
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