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 Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:00 pm
 The former prince grumbled, his mouth screwed into a deep frown of annoyance as he wandered the savanna without any sort of direction. Of course as head hunter it was his job to supervise the finding of new lands for their pride, however he hadn't anticipated on his dear, little brother to ask him to wander of and actually help with it. He wasn't some lowly little person that just anyone could order him around. But of course...his little brother was the king, and he hadn't any choice in the matter. The thought only deepened the frown, and Njiru stomped on, the grumbling turning into low curses and prayers to the gods that someday they allow him an opportunity to overthrow Unyezi and take the throne that had been his birthright.
Had been.
It was past tense, and with a sigh Njiru took a seat. The large male shook the dust from it, as the breeze had managed to dirty his usually snow white fluff that distinguished him from his family. It wasn't out of the ordinary that he curse his brother to the depths of the hell, and it made his blood boil knowing that his wishes and prayers would never truly be granted, as the moon gods had smiled upon his brother and sister, yet cursed him to what they never thought would be his eternal grave.
"Damn you..." he muttered, then continued on, paying no mind to his surroundings. He was, after all, pretty....lost.
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:12 pm
It wasn't that Mvuatuliva was a prude, but she certainly didn't expect to hear that language out in the middle of 'nowhere'. She had been about to settle down to enjoy her catch (a small, but delicious little rodent) when she heard the voice. It broke through her silent celebration like a gunshot and her head snapped upward in immediate concern. How had a lion managed to sneak up on her? Bulky beasts that they were. Making a quiet whimpering sound, she ripped into the tiny carcass to consume as much as she could before the male was deemed too close. Either she needed to take her kill and run or make some sort of greeting to determine whether or not he would a) try to kill her, b) steal her food, or c) actually be an alright cat out for simple conversation.
Her pink ears flicked as she determined her options before, swallowing a final bite of blood meat, she licked her blood soaked muzzle and called out, "Damn who?" He was close enough at this point that she was visible and in speaking distance, but she made no move to approach him. Lifting her head above the grass was good enough, in her opinion, rather than getting too close and risking her own head. Her tail flicked behind her, alert for any drastic change in his step, but her innate kindness won out. He was obviously upset about something, it was only right that she see what was the matter. It'd be unkind not to, right?
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:22 pm
"Yeah, that's right. Damn-" Njiru stopped walking and cocked a brow. Another voice...? he thought to himself, then looked around for a bit before noticing that there was a female cheetah just a short distance away from him, and by the looks of it, she just had a lunch. He walked up as casually as possible for a disgruntled, rather big lion, then took a seat nearby her. "What's it to you?" he asked, unusually impolite even for him. His eyes flickered elsewhere, as he was trying to ignore the rumbling of his stomach. It wasn't until just now that he realized he hadn't had any food since earlier that morning.
Njiru moved his eyes so she was straight in his line of vision once more, then sighed. "Sorry...just a little.....um......annoyed with my brother." He couldn't be as rude as he was just then, though had it been Unyezi well...that wouldn't have been a very different situation. The male mumbled something incoherently, then glanced at the meat. "So, just had lunch?" he continued, trying to make conversation to make up for his rudeness.
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:28 pm
Tuli was anything but impatient. She blinked at his abrupt inquiry and tensed as he approached, but when he made no move to attack and merely sat nearby, she relaxed... slightly. A big male lion such as he could kill her without even stretching a muscle, and she was no fool. She'd seen it happen before and no matter how nice she was, she'd not let him take advantage of her in such a way. Her ears flicked again as she caught the quiet sound of a rumbling stomach and she glanced half-heartedly at the little that was left from her kill. Inevitably, kindness won over once again and she picked it up between her teeth to toss his way, gently.
"I had." She could kill again if need be. It had been an easy take, she had plenty of energy for another go later in the day. She knew what she offered wasn't much, but it was a friendly attempt nevertheless. Tilting her head at the mention of his brother, her brow furrowed, "Family troubles?" She smiled reassuringly, "It can't be all that bad? He's your brother, after all." She had no right to ask the stranger about his problems, and judging by his demeanor she considered it to be a bad idea to push the wrong buttons.
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Posted: Thu Nov 15, 2007 11:55 pm
It was a bit surprising that she suddenly tossed what was left of her meal toward him, and it brought a small smile to his maw. It was a rare occasion that he ever smiled, and had she not mentioned his brother the smile would have lingered for much longer. To his dismay, the words came calmly after her offering of food, and after he finished eating the remains of her food he grunted. "Heh, don't remind me," came a reply. "Not only is he the worst king in the history of our pride, but he had to drag everyone else down with him because he's the leader. Perfect, isn't it? I mean.." He stopped abruptly, noticing that he had started ranting to a complete stranger.
"Sorry, again," he apologized, and continued, "Suffice it to say that my brother is the biggest waste of a life on this planet." And with that he took to quietly burying the carcass of whatever animal it was that he'd just taken to eating. "I'm Njiru, by the way. What's your name?" he asked after finishing with his small task. "And um...what're you doing out in the middle of nowhere?"
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 4:58 am
His smile was pleasant enough a sight that she returned the gesture, her own lips spreading into a broader smile until he once more began grey irritatible. Even then, though the grin faded, her lips were still curled in an every present, patient expression. Like a mother watching a child explain his latest fiasco. She didn't mind the ranting - after all, how often did she meet a lion who wasn't interested in knocking her around? And how often was it that someone found someone that would simply listen?
Taking in his words with a subtle incline of her head, she licked her still bloody lips absently before shaking her head, "No need to apologise. You're obviously upset, it's only right to want to talk about it." She smiled once again, "Better than keeping it all bottled up, s'what I always say."
Ah, introductions. They'd skipped that part before sharing a meal, hadn't they? "Mvuatuliva, but I don't mind being called Tuli. It's a pleasure to meet you, Njiru." His second inquiry made her laugh, a soft sound reminiscent of giggling though deeper due to maturity, "I live here. Sort of." She laughed again, "I go where I please. And where is this pride of yours?" She suddenly was concerned she'd wandered into pridelands. After speaking with him, she'd definitely have to turn tail and get the hell out. No use risking her neck.
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 10:52 pm
The former prince offered a slight bow after her small introduction, then turned his head eastward where he'd originally come from, mind beginning to wander to his own pride. Njiru, despite what he might say or let on, adored the traditions of his pride. The only problem he ever had with it was his brother, but that was something he usually forced himself away from. At the moment however, much to his dismay, he couldn't do that. If his pride were to survive their trek, he'd have to at the very least cooperate. It took several moment for Njiru to notice that he'd spaced, then he bowed his head low and apologized quickly before answering her question.
"At the moment, Tuli, we're in search of a new home. Some issues have forced us to move, and those same issues as well as this journey have sort of...weeded the weak from our pride. Their spirits now rest in the heavens, under the protection of the moon god." He cleared his throat, the sudden prideful demeanor that had emerged as he spoke of his current situation disappearing almost as soon as it had come.
The male cocked a brow, pondering her statement a bit. "You...live here? What about your family? Surely you have a home somewhere." Naturally, he didn't know what it felt like to be a rogue, as he'd been sheltered in his pride ever since birth. He knew no other way of life, which may or may not have been a bad thing.
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Posted: Fri Nov 16, 2007 11:57 pm
She watched his mind wander, a soft smile ever present on her lips as she dipped her head and observed silently. It was always amusing to watch someone's thoughts take them elsewhere, slithering through day dreams unintentionally. As a lone rogue, it wasn't often that she was able to view such things, but she took pleasure in them when she could. It was peaceful, the comfortable quiet when someone was lost in thought and the observer was polite enough to keep their mouth shut. The change of his facial expressions caused her to arch a brow inquisitively, though she didn't voice her questions. It seemed to pass from happy to pensive within moments, but then he spoke again.
And there was that change in demeanor again. It made her smile broaden. She was finding she liked this lion. He was a bit entertaining, but there was something respectable about his pride in his... well, pride. "Ah, territorial issues," truly she knew nothing about such things, but she could imagine, "There is plenty of land. Surely you'll find more soon." The idea that members of his pride had died made her smile disappear, however, and her brow furrowed in concern, "I'm sorry for your loss. They are well, though, in their new place."
His next questions made her laugh lightly once again, "Yes, here. Everywhere." Her eyes were creased with a smile as she spoke, "I haven't seen hide nor tail of my family since I was young. Home is wherever my feet take me." She couldn't remember the last time she'd met a lion so devoted to their lifestyle, these pride groups. "Imagine, a home so large that I leave it only when I venture into someone else's."
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 12:25 pm
Njiru tried to imagine a home without any particular borders, without any rules or customs or...rulers. It wasn't as hard as he'd though it would be, since he'd always secretly wanted to become a rogue himself when he was younger. However, that dream died out a long time ago. The former prince found a new calling, if you will, in the pride, and he took it very seriously. His tail swished to and fro, and with a sigh he shook his head. "I'm sorry to hear about your family.." he said kindly, "And it's a nice thought, to be able to just....go where I please, and do what I want. But....my pride, no matter how much I loathe its king, is far too important to me." He smiled a small smile, as if saying helped him believe that it was true.
And it was, but he always doubted it every once in a while. It was hard not to, for him. "I'm sure you'll find a family sooner or later," he offered, "If not your past family, perhaps you'll have your own someday." The possibilities for one as easy to talk to as Tuli was were endless, after all. There were probably lots of other cheetahs wandering the lands as she was. She was bound to run into someone she'd fancy at one point or another. He was sure of that.
"So, are you headed in any particular direction?" he asked.
(( Heyy, Tuli looks like she could be distantly related to FM's Kijivu. :3 My friend pointed it out a little while ago. lol Thought you might like to know. ^^ ))
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 4:33 pm
Inclining her head slightly, as if caving to a debate, she smiled, "To each his own." At his condolances on her family, she shrugged and her smile broadened as she spoke, "Oh, I'm sure they're all right. My mother had me very young and my siblings are strong. They'll be getting along just fine someplace." Her tail flicked idly, letting her mind snap to an image of her family in her mind, the last time she had seen them before they had all parted ways.
She noted the odd smile, but also reminded his earlier discontent over his brother. She hadn't really made the connection that his brother was the leader of the pride until now, and her brow furrowed as she ventured a more direct inquiry, "What has he done to upset you today?" She didn't need a life story, but she figured something particularly bad might've happened. The idea of her starting her own family made her heart swell and she smiled once again, "I'd like to, someday. I would like cubs."
That was direct, but at least she was honest. At his final inquiry, she nearly laughed at the idea of going anywhere in 'particular'. She wasn't 'particular' to any place, direction or thing at the moment and hadn't been for sometime. She didn't, however, make an audible sound (or giggle) before she replied, "Never. I simply wander aimlessly, unless a herd of gazelle catch my eye." She smiled, "And yourself?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 4:55 pm
Again, a question about his relationship with his brother came up, but he resisted the temptation to snort and give off some overly exaggerated explanation. "It's all a mess of traditions in my pride. To put it simply, he was born second, but at the right time, whereas I was born first, but at the wrong time." That answer, he initially though, would have to suffice, since a more detailed answer could take an hour or two to properly explain. In actuality he was just too lazy and too tired to give a better answer. Their journey was taking its toll on everyone, including him.
"Between my brother, sister, and I, our time of birth decided on our royal birthright," he went on a moment later, thinking to explain a bit more so no further questions came up. "Mine was...expulsion from our family home. His was the throne. Pretty fair, don't you think?" His voice was full of sarcasm as he asked his question. It was pretty obvious that the subject was a sore one for him.
His ears twitched a little as a small breeze picked up, then turned his head to have a look around. It was a familiar scent that came to him, though of what or whom he couldn't exactly put his paw on. "Uh, direction...ahh, wherever a certain plant grows is where the pride goes," he answered absentmindedly. He was a little busy trying to figure out exactly what it was that he just smelled.
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:21 pm
She bit her lip as she answered, knowing that she was treading on tender ground as he talked off his brother. She had little inkling as to what had happened until he explained it a bit further. To begin with, she thought his generalizations had something to do with some elaborate plot or circumstance. When he explained it was, literally, the time of their birth, her brows shot heavenward and her smile disappeared. "Your lives are decided by your births?"
As if realizing her question would probably open a whole can of worms that didn't need to be broken into just yet, she raised a paw and laughed, "Sorry I asked. The cultures of lion prides are far above my head, which is why I stay out of their way." She smiled reassuringly at him, not meaning any harm or offense by her statement but knowing that her indignant outburst could lead to a more heated relay of his pride which would either become awkward or violent and neither of which she cared for from a lion easily three times her size.
Flicking her tail, she retained a patient expression despite that his answer was... odd, to say the least. A pride following a plant. ... Okay. She could resist asking after that one, "So, you're herbivores?" She eyed the spot where the remains of their shared meal had been, wondering if perhaps he was angry because he couldn't eat meat.
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 5:44 pm
Njiru couldn't help but laugh at her last question (which allowed him to pass up commenting on her first question about their births), though after a second or two he forced the rest of his amusement down so he could explain. Who'd ever heard of herbivorous lions? With a broad smile he clarified, "No, no. It's just something that we need to uphold one ancient tradition in the pride. We're carnivores, like every other feline alive." After another chuckle or two at the idea of him being an herbivore, he proceeded to explain a bit more about the process of birthright in the pride.
His expression became a bit more serious now, but nothing with a violent sort of vibe. "The pride from which I come worships the Moon god," he said. "Every one's ranking, and birthright in the case of the cubs of the king and queen, is decided by which phase of the moon they were born under. It's a long-standing tradition that neither I, nor anyone else in our pride, would challenge."
Njiru smiled, as if to reassure her that he wasn't offended by the statement. "And I have to agree, the cultures of some lions prides are far beyond me as well. I try not to question their beliefs simply because I do not fully understand the history or the pride."
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 6:06 pm
His pride being carnivorous seemed to reassure her of his sanity. The idea that there were herbivorous lions had made her worry about the pride's sanity as a whole. Herbivorous predators might as well be prey beast in her own mind, at risk of being hunted by true predators. But reassured that they did, indeed, consume meat, she felt better. "Have you found this important plant?" She arched a brow, curious as to what plant could be so important that it was not like the one growing right next to it. Maybe it was an especially pretty flower? She liked pretty flowers, maybe she'd seen it.
His explanation made her smile, whether she agreed with it or not. He was calm and collected, not impatient nor offended. It certainly made listening to the strange beliefs of a collective group much more interesting. Tuli made no effort to conform to any particular religion - Gods were there and she respected all that she could and still survive. It was easier that way, she wouldn't step on too many toes. Still, it was interesting to hear the ways of others so long as they were presented so calmly - like a story. Her brow furrowed, though, as she processed it, "That doesn't seem fair. Is there a way to change your rank? Move up?"
It was a strange question, perhaps. She didn't understand the purpose of ranks generally, and couldn't see any real reason to want to 'move up' said ranks, but the idea of being stuck in one place doing the same thing every day was too much for her to grasp. Still, it was an interesting idea. She'd never heard of things being based in such a way. Usually the king birthed an heir, and the heir became king. Nothing more complicated than that, "It's... neat to hear other's views on life. And how they go about it. I don't see myself conforming to alot of them, but it's nevertheless interesting."
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Posted: Sun Nov 18, 2007 6:30 pm
Njiru shook his head at the mention of finding the plant, and he sighed. "Unfortunately, no. We've yet to find where it grows plentiful. It's becoming a big problem at the moment, and the pride is growing smaller in number everyday. We're all separated right now, all searching." He wondered back to their old home, rather high up with a moon in full view every night. The sky was clear, and especially clear after a heavy rain, and the breeze was a bit more refreshing than if they had settled somewhere at sea level. "Our old home ran out of the said plant, and it's a rarity among these parts. Hopefully we find it soon though."
A playful smirk then sort of played on his maw when she asked about moving up in rank. It was one of the subjects he liked to talk about, and there weren't really many of those. Especially with traditions. "The only way to change rank is by mating," came his reply. "For females that isn't a problem, but it's a whole other story for males. When we mate, our rank changes to whatever rank the female holds, high, low, or otherwise. If, say, the king decided to mate with a middle-ranking lioness, he would be pulled down to the same ranking. That's why a female leader has more of an advantage with this particular situation." He stated it in a very matter-of-fact manner, as though he'd recited it many times in his life. Which...he had.
"Anything and everything new is almost always interesting," he stated. "I suppose any other reaction depends on how the subject is presented, no?"
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