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 Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 10:58 am
Altair, a lion who had been born to a fate that he no longer wanted, was now looking to escape it. His tale was a sorrowful one, one that he would keep closely guarded, never to come into existance. He had learned to be secretive from the moment he had opened his eyes. He had learned the skills of his little pride and he had mastered them with surprising ease.
But such success had also proved his downfall and now he had dishonoured himself and worse, his family.
He was an average male to look at; average size, average weight and average colouring. He blended into his surroundings with ease, especially at dusk which was his favourite time of the day. He knew how to move so that he remained unseen and he knew how to use the terrain to his advantage.
The fact was that if Altair didn't want to be seen he wouldn't be seen.
His paws picked carefully up a rocky incline, his claws hooking into crevices so that he could haul himself up. He climbed with grace and why shouldn't he? That was what he had been trained for after all. With a low huff the charcoal lion paused on the crest and glanced back the way he had come. He wasn't hiding himself now, probably because he was far enough away from those who would know him - for now atleast.
Besides, he wasn't on a job either, and moving secretly took a great deal longer than walking and he needed to move fast.
He turned back the way he was going and scanned his surroundings. On the horizon was the jungle, thick and dark against the sky. No, he wouldn't go in there. He'd go around. His nose twitched and he started off, letting his path take him slightly to the left.
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Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 11:17 am
 Sneaky was not Banda. In fact, it may have been the opposite of the optimistic lion. Besides, how would anyone not notice him when his mane was nearly as bright as the rising sun, if not more? He had no need to be sneaky anyways, just your average traveling rouge with one unusually bright mane. Of course, this all changed when he met Gurami, the absolute love of his life. Had he been sterner, maybe he could have convinced her to leave her sisters and stay with him here, in nature. But he had his limits as any lion would and couldn’t bear to break her heart by making her choose. So now, he was just your average lion traveling to an unknown pride because he was pitifully in love…with an unusually bright mane. Yes, I know. It’s pathetic one can be so easily swayed for a pair of purple eyes and a yellow pelt, but Banda isn’t what you might call strong or tough. He’s more of a…wimp type of guy. The one to care deeply for everyone even when they disliked him, the one to find the good in everyone, the one to be swayed for a pair of purple eyes and a yellow pelt.
Today had been rather boring, with Gurami always gone trying to find Banda a spot in the pride thing usually got pretty lonely. Of course, this was nothing compared to how empty he used to feel completely isolated in the wilderness. Other than his siblings occasional visits, Banda had lived a solitary life up until now.
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Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 12:49 pm
Being so bright, it wasn't long before Altair spotted the other male nearby. His bright orange pelt and purple markings vivid in the dimming light. He squinted, focused on the male and scented the air. Probably nothing to worry about. This other didn't look particularly threatening and there was no way anyone from the assassins would have sent him, he was far too bright for one!
Unlike most prides, the assassins rarely stayed together in a group, they tended to split off in their family groups, meeting only four times a year. It helped with their secrecy and kept them from drawing too much attention to themselves.
He broke the silence of the growing evening with a low grunt and raised his head with interest. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad to stop and rest for a while, besides, he might be able to get a good direction. It had been a long time since he had come this way and the path was faded from his memory now.
So, with each silent step, the charcoal male brought himself closer, pausing when he was about ten lion lengths away. "In the eye of the night mother, who goes there?" He knew no other greeting than the ones he had been taught by his family. Hello meant nothing to him. "I am Altair and who, may I ask, am I in the presence of?" He was polite, yes, and very formal. He didn't know the meaning of being casual.
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Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2007 4:55 pm
Banda found himself chuckling blissfully, a smug grin wrapped around his purple muzzle. What kind of a greeting was that?
"In the eye of the night monster? That sounds like a poisonous flower of some kind!" He took a few paces towards this shady visitor before seating himself. Banda had never gotten quite used to lions with such dark pelts. He was so accustomed to seeing his own glowing coat; he nearly forgot not everyone was as bright as he.
"Well, I'm Banda'Vituo. But most everyone calls me Banda, unless your the formal type." He gave a curt nod and squinted his eyes, a thin 'Hmmm' escaping his mouth as he attempted to life guess this character. Banda loved to life guess, all you do is try to figure out what kind of a life they live and what they are all about.
"You seem like the rough and sophisticated type, one who can handle himself well. From the looks of it, you live quiet the secretive life. Not really a family man, but would make a good father. How did I do?" Banda's eyes widened as he waited for a grade. He always got a good grade, after he life guessed if the individual said, "how'd you know?" it's a good grade. But if they glared at you and took a step back, it was always a bad grade.
"Well?" Banda urged impatiently.
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Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2007 12:21 am
He said nothign to the comment on his greeting. He had never thought it sounded poisonous at all. To his 'kind' it was a keep safe, something said to potential allies, a sign of who he was. Perhaps he shouldn't have gone blurting out traditionalist sentences like that if the assassins caught on, but he knew nothing else.
However, he would learn, even if it took him a while.
"Banda'Vitou it is then." He gave a wry smile and the tiniest bow of his head. "One should never shorten their name." Then he paused, his eyes settling somewhere above the other lion's eyes. He was aware that he was under scrutiny, but for what he didn't know. Had he made some mistake that he wasn't aware of? Had this lion heard of his kind after all? Maybe he was an assassin, chosen because Altair wouldn't recognise him. His chest clenched but he held steady, waiting for the words that would surely come.
And then they did and the lion felt a tinge of relief, mixed with nervousness. He couldn't have people guessing about him! Was he really so easy to read? His eyes lowered back to meet the other's. "You did well. Your observation skills should be applauded my friend." He flicked his tail. "But how could you guess all of that, if I may ask? I barely said a word to you and you can even guess that I would be a good father."
Cubs...cubs were something that Altair had never been able to have in his life. He was a young adult, but by now, most were paired up with others. He had ignored females to concentrate on keeping up the practise of his 'craft' and now he was beginning to regret it.
He had come to realise lately, that he had missed out on a big part of his life by not having a mate to keep him company.
He narrowed his eyes, "from what I can tell of you." He paused, thinking about his words. "You are kind and honourable with a good mind between those ears. You'd make a good and loyal friend." He nodded as if agreeing with himself.
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Posted: Thu Dec 27, 2007 11:31 pm
It wasn't often Banda life read people right off the bat. He had to watch them, feel them, and be one with them. No to get all psycho or anything, but it was the truth. This fellow was particularly difficult, which made Banda want to try all the more. Call him crazy, but a challenging lion was far more interesting then people who had their intentions and thoughts written out on their faces. Maybe Banda was a lucky guesser, but he had frankly no clue who to read this stranger. He had quite frankly taken his best shot and hoped for the best.
"I was correct then, hmm?" His eyebrows arched, a curt nod following.
"Usually I am far better, you seem to have more to hide then the ordinary lion. Up to something, are we?" Banda question with a hardy laugh, a glint of concern in his eye. Was he from one of those evil prides Banda's mate, Gurami, had told him about? He seemed casual enough, but she had explained to him they blended in with everyone else, and spoke in strange tongue. Ahhh, the greeting...but no. He didn't seem like the sort. He had good in his eyes, Banda could see it.
"You too life read? Call me blunt, but you don't seem like the kind to take part in silly games like that!" Banda announced, half ashamed to still partook in them himself.
"No offense intended. You are rather good..."
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Posted: Fri Dec 28, 2007 12:23 am
The charcoal lion tensed very slightly at the orange and purple lion's words. Was he right? Was he right? Altair supposed that he was, in a way, though he doubted he'd ever make anyone a good mate or father. It was something that he wanted but ultimately something that had always gotten in the way of his job. Maybe, now that he had the chance, he could leave that part of himself behind, take up a new role in life.
But what? Become like every other rogue male, searching the lands for a bit of dirt to call his own and being attracted to every female on heat? Or, shadow lord forbid it, join another pride and learn new ways.
Yes, he was a proud lion, perhaps a little too proud in that sense.
"Maybe you were." He replied finally. "I'm glad I can offer a challenge to you then. I have secrets like any other but unlike some I don't blurt them to get a reaction, to get pity or invoke rage. My secrets are my own and no one needs to be burdened by them." Explanation over. It was simple, but it was true. Besides, secrets had been his whole life, lying about his identity to fit in with a crowd, making up names and stories. In fact it was rare that anyone was even given his real name. Altair. The name given to him by his pride leader, instead of his parents.
"In a way I suppose I always have, though not usually by looking into the eyes and heart of another like you do." No, he watched actions, learned habit, learned what could make his prey tick, as it were. What was going on in his victim's heart had never interested him, he knew what was there anyway, a black, cold organ.
"Then if I am right I have found a good lion out here in this bleak landscape." He extended his eyes to the jungle. "Tell me, friend, have you ever been beyond the jungle?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 30, 2007 4:06 pm
"Beyond?" The question perplexed him; Banda had always stayed near his homelands by the sea until recently, so one could assume this was all news to him. He shrugged, raising one paw as if to protest with his answer, but laid it back firmly on the ground.
"Never. A friend of mine is taking me to her pride though, which is far beyond the jungle. I came to say goodbye to the trees and flowers when I came across you." Banda knew he must have sounded positively insane. Talking to trees and flowers, pfft! What kind of a freak have I run into? Truth be told, Banda had always felt an unnaturally strong bond with the earth. Perhaps it was because his name meant flower child, or because he was as bright as a flower. It didn't much matter to him, as long as he showed the earth he was so attached to respect and loyalty, which should not be broken even with his leaving of the area!
"I have many stories of places beyond, though. My great aunt favored me of my siblings and spent much of her time while visiting us educating me of them." He nodded, a satisfied smile over coming he. He was quite impressed with his own knowledge, but Altair seemed far more worldly and traveled then Banda.
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Posted: Mon Dec 31, 2007 12:21 am
The assassin quelled his dissapointment before it could grow, stubbing it out so it couldn't develop. No matter, he'd have to discover it himself.
Banda did, however, seem to know of something that lay beyond the jungle. A pride that was far beyond the jungle. It must have been someplace far, far away if that was the case.
He scanned the trees with his green eyes and nodded thoughfully to himself. "Then there is a whole other world past the trees. A place one could lose himself in for all eternity if he so wished." He couldn't help but feel a deep relief sweeping through him at that. The world was large, huge, practically endless! The chances of being caught now were slim, he was almost safe.
"Stories? Do any of them ring truth?" He flicked his eyes back to the brightly coloured lion, knowing now that he could be trusted. There was no trace of deceit in his eyes.
"Or are they all assumptions I wonder. I would most certainly wish to see what other places lay hidden behind that great mass of trees. Which way will you go? Will you skirt around it perchance?"
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Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 12:09 pm
It was a long time before Banda replied, a sharp pinch in his stomach even when it was through. Band was a cub a long time ago, the stories just slim memories now. He had other, more important data to carry around other than tales from childhood. But not accepting that, in fear it would upset Altair his memory held little, he remembered what he could.
"I was always told every story holds truth, even if it is as far fetched as antalopes flying." He chuckled lightly, picturing the awkward animal flying through the air.
"But I suppose that’s not what you meant...My aunt always told me beyond the jungle, is a valley of sand, and beyond sand, is a vast sea of water. And beyond the water, only those who are persistent may know. There is a world out there; even the most driven lion will never live to see. One can get lost in it all, trust me." His head swung limp on his neck, glancing at his purple paws below. It was his fault, his fault. Banda moved uncomfortably under Altairs stare. He certainly hadn't meant to go that far into his past with such a silly discussion.
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:34 am
Altair seemed thoughtful, his head canted, one ear pointed towards Banda and the other behind, listening in case someone tried to approach them from behind. "You are right, stories, no matter how odd they may be, are based on truths." He had been told the most oddest stories as a cub, and though sometimes he thought they were nothing more than stories, they did have a ring of truth in them.
And then he paused, listening to the rest of the lion's words. A valley of sand. A vast sea of water. And that was not the end? Was it possible to cross the sea? Would he want to?
"It sounds perfect. Sad as it is, no matter how much I travelled, I never realised I had searched only a portion of the great lands available to my paws."
Both ears swivvelled around at the sudden dejected figure in front of him. "Tell me if it's none of my business Banda'Vituo, but is there something wrong?" He was an assassin but he was a gentle soul. He was not bloodthirsty, not a monster, he simply took the lives of sinners. Banda, was not a target and he had aided Altair. So, it was only right to repay in some way.
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Posted: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:36 pm
Banda's head tipped down further, a bit ashamed his emotions read so clearly on his face. Altair seemed a quick one, a good head between his ears. Surely he didn't have time for pity stories like Banda’s, but his heart seemed to sink lower every second. If he was to tell anyone, at least it could be someone like the charcoal lion that sat before him.
"It should be of no ones business, mine or yours. But I seem to carry the burden and pass it along to others..." A great sigh escaped Banda, the orange male was surprised the awful memory had brought back so many emotions.
"I remember little of it, a flicker fire of what used to be a roaring flame...But I fear it not safe to tell anyone yet friend. Especially in this area." Banda nodded slowly, distracted momentarily by a movement by a bush. If any of them were near, Banda hadn't much ways of escape.
"Pardon me if I seem rude, but perhaps it best I leave." They hadn't shown themselves to Banda in years, but this could be the first.
"Perhaps we will meet again, across the sea."
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Posted: Mon Jan 07, 2008 12:16 am
"We all have our burdens, though some bear heavier loads than others. Try not to let it weigh you down, friend. If you think to the past too much you cannot look forward to the future." Slgithly hypocritical words for a lion that glanced over his shoulder every couple of minutes. But he was trying, was trying to let himself believe that he had won.
Altair stood and bowed his head. "No, it's best I leave too, I've dwindled here far too long and I must find shelter before night. It was good to speak with you, brief as it may be. Perhaps we'll see each other again sometime if I pass this way again.
He turned his head to gaze back the way he had come then looked to the jungle. The dark and terrifying jungle. Then, dragging his eyes from the foliage monster before him, he looked upon Banda with a look of gratitude in his eyes.
"May the shadows watch over you." And slowly he moved away, padding with a swiftness that suggested he was racing against time...or running.
Running from someone.
((Thanks for the RP Sashie! If Altair ever passes by again we'll have to RP them for a catch up! ))
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