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 Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 5:53 am
-- AIM RP between Ntombi & Rune (Artsy & DFA) Life was good. Sort of. Boring, monotone but good regardless. Granted, nothing ever seemed to happen in Mteo; the fact it was secluded, grouped with the fact the pride members seemed to recent rogues made it a place almost no one felt the need to visit. Ntombi was not all that happy with that idea. Not even during her longer hunting trips had the young princess met someone outside her pride members. As she padded along the dimly lit savannah, she raised her head, grey locks of hair cascading down her hooded eyes; behind her, far away, remain the large Bahobab trees that marked her pride's territory. turning to look in front of her however... an extension of earth that remain mysterious to her, even despite being almost an adult by then. Rolling her eyes somewhat, she moved to a random bolder, laying her form down on top, allowing the cool evening breeze to blow against her... tell her stories from far away.Rune was lost, tired, and frustrated, plain and simple. His once quick-paced and jagged sort of sprint had been reduced to a limpy, worn out walk while he wandered about. There hadn't been anyone visible in what seemed like ages, and Runai felt rather alone on what seemed like an endless trail of savannah. Dark, beedy black eyes darted this way and that, constantly scanning the surroundings for any sign of finding something to spill some directions to him. Nevermind that it would be nearly impossible to find that damn Kusini pride he had been so desperately searching for now. Hell, he'd just lost his only guide to anything and everything around here. It figured that he and that girl would run into something and she'd just dart off. In fact, he should've seen it coming. Not that he cared. Why should he care? Humph. He could get by on his own, right? And she'd fixed his shoulder to some extent, so whatever. Other than that she was completely useless. All she did was argue anyway.
Wait, what? He let himself start thinking about that damn girl again. It seemed so often! WHY did it seem like his mind always seemed to stray and start pondering over her?
In another vent of irritation, the adult released a loud, aggravated scream while he took a big ol' kick at a bit of grass in front of him.
"Stupid girl, stupid savannah, stupid.. being lost.. WHO CARES. I don't!" He huffed rather loudly to himself. No one was around to hear, anyway. "Fine, I'll just.. find a damn place to sleep and.."
Trees. Nice, big trees up ahead. Good, he could go there. Better than sleeping on some big, dumb rocks, which seemed to be scattered randomly around this particular area. An ear perked almost instantly as the wind carried over a sound she'd not exactly been expecting. Slowly, the female raised her head, sky colored eyes searching the savannah as she pulled herself to her feet; she knew her pride's calls and this scream did not belong to any of the members. There was curiosity in her actions as she slipped off the rock with grace, lading soundlessly on the ground, her head raised to sniff the scents the air carried over. And then... came the heistation. And perhaps something akin to fear, yet not quite; it made her itch and shift her position before curiosity won her out and slowly, she moved towards the sound of the sound. His image became visible soon enough, larger than her without a doubt; the royal blood she carried in her veins made her elegant, petite... pretty, but not someone used to a fight. Frowning, she paused again, but curiosity won out again and she padded nearer, "Screaming doesn't help either, I'd wager," she replied cooly to him, hooded gaze making her look rather unemotional.Rune initially had chosen to ignore this stranger after his eyes picked up the subtle movement nearby, perhaps assuming that whatever it was wouldn't bother to come closer. All he wanted to do was lay under one of those trees and sleep, afterall. Unfortunately, his mouth couldn't help but mutter something back once spoken to.
"If it makes me feel better then I'll do whatever the hell I want," He snorted rudely in reply, not bothering to watch his language around the female. "What made you the judge of what helps and what doesn't, anyway," Rune added flatly while he shuffled on by and eventually picking up the pace. Perhaps if he moved fast enough she'd leave him alone. His business wasn't any of her business. For all he cared, she could get right back up on that rock she was sitting on and stay there. Technically he could probably ask for directions, but psh. How about not. A small tilt of her head seemed to indicate her mild curiosity coming to a peak; no one EVER spoke like that to HER, "Which goes to show your degree of intelligence of course, what with the way you chose to pad right into pridal territory," the words were said without venom, amusingly enough, spoken softly back at him, however it was clear she was snapping back at him, albeit without the force he'd shown. It was, regardless, a blow at least, "The princess of this land," she replied at his second set of words, her head tilting towards the other side, "That, and the fact I, unlike you, know where I am, and how to get here," her gaze remain on him as she spoke, "Alas, your call; feel free to walk right into the provervial wolf's mouth. Those trees mark my pride's territory, and they're not entirely too happy about strangers. But oh, please, do feel free. I was bored. Watching something happen will be my pleasure," still despite the fact her voice was soft, it was snotty, almost as if there was no other way; as if she really DID know better and that was that. Watching him pass her, a ghost of a smile haunted at the corners of her maw.
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Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 5:54 am
"Great," He muttered to himself under his breath in regard to her first reply. Figures, the trees he wanted belonged apparently to someone else. How the hell was he supposed to know they marked a pride? No one ever bothered to fill him in on what prides were where and what new ones had sprung up. Psh. And to top it off he had a female, nameless, know-it-all following along who had claimed to be a princess of this apparent 'pride'. Just great.
"Look lady, all I'm trying to do is find out where the hell I am and how to get to someplace else. So, how about you come along while I wander around and you can tell all your wonderful pride buddies that I'm just passing through. Since you seem so brilliant at informing people of things it shouldn't be a problem for you," Rune replied, not bothering to slow his pace. He could always wander around on the outside of the border if he had to instead of going straight through. It was a stupid card to play, but at this point he just wanted to find some sleep, get to the Kusini, do what he needed to do and then just. go. home. This trip was taking too long as is. He grunted at the thought. It was highly possible that he had ran completely in the opposite direction from where he was trying to go when he and Tara split, which could possibly make his journey even potentially longer.
"Unless you can tell me where the Kusini whatever pride is, in which case I'll just be on my way and leave you to sit around bored in your whatever pride," He added offhandedly with a raised brow.
Mteo'Nyungu," she said without hesisation, then turned her head and pointed towards the area of earth he'd come from, "That way leads out; this land is a bit secluded, you won't find anything else here, going that way will lead you out and away," a pause, followed by a small smirk, mirth dancing in her eyes, "You're basicly, lost as all hell; in the middle of the proverbial nowhere," she seems amused by this as she waved her paw, her tatoos glimering in the little light the evening had to offer. A pause followed as she listened to his suggestion, her shoulders rolling, forming a shrug, "Why not? You may just be lucky... the guards are patrolling the outer borders... and the lioness are hunting. Aside my parents, whom are in the Dens, it's quite quiet. I'll lead you out back then," it was, after all, something to do, which was what she'd wanted in the first place. This in mind, she stood and trotted quite elegantly to his side, "You're not from around here; her gaze still remain hooded, languid, almost lazy upon him, "Too large.... where are you from?" a pause as he spoke of Kusini, her ears perking, her head turning to look towards her right, her paw pointing in that direction, "Actualy, we're their next door neightbors; Kusini lay that'away," she smirked slightly, "Seems you acualy know where you're going. More or less. Kudos on you."
Rune offered a mere grunt in reply to her beginning comments. He wouldn't bother denying the fact that he was lost, however he would avoid blowing the idea out of proportion. Though, he was a tad surprised that she had just agreed to help lead him to where he needed to go without question. Despite that the sound of guards patrolling the borders didn't sound necessarily inviting, he assumed that she would use her title to clear him from being mauled to death. Been there, done that. He was hardly in the mood for too much trouble, let alone a fight. After all, his shoulder took forever to heal after the abuse it took from Mafa, Tara, and the savannah combined. The last thing he needed was to get beaten up yet again for no reason.
For the moment he was content, for once. He had found yet another guide and an area where he hopefully wouldn't be ambushed in, not to mention he managed to find someone who KNEW where the Kusini was, unlike Tara. He couldn't help but feel a sense of pride at the fact that (even if unknowingly) he had managed to head in the correct direction without his previous companion. A frown, however, was displayed at the inquarry of his background. Immediately he took a glance towards his left front leg, where the scar that unmistakably caused his limp resided. "None of your business," He commented in defense. Rune didn't care to talk to a complete stranger of his background history, who he was and where he came from.
"So how far away is this place. Doesn't take too long to get to, does it?" He asked lightly, taking haste in changing the subject.
"Ah, I'll take that as a 'not particularly proud of my origins'," she nodded to herself as she padded along; thankfuly (for him anyhow) she did in fact, know the area rather well. The fact she'd taken up the Msaka title allowed (or rather, forced her) so know it like the bacl of her own paw. She'd not missed the way his gaze had slid down to paw, nor had she missed the slight limp that no doubt aflicted him due to it, oh, but it was interesting, and... well, in Ntombi's defense, she'd never seen an outsider, "A few days, actualy; we're neighbours, but we're not near enought we step on eachothers' toes," a pause as she turned her head towards him, "Are you going to be a grouch the whole way there?" a brow arched, "You're so bitter you'd turn milk sour," she huffed slightly, "Fact is, you're lost, and if you go across Mteo without me you're bound to run into our guards, and they won't ask before snarling at you, so I suggest you lighten up mr...... " another pause, her eyes narrowing, "Nameless-stranger-without-a-past," she waved a paw slightly, as if dismissing him, then sat down, allowing him to walk off a bit before talking up, "Let us make a deal, shall we? I'll get you to Kusini, without a single bloody scratch. I'll even help you hunt these two days - I'll get you across Mteo, and keep you out of trouble. In exchange, you'll talk to me, and tell me about the places you've been. Don't even have to be polite about, seeing as how 'Rude' seems to be spelled across your forehead," a brow arched, haughty in a way, "Or you may take your chances across Mteo, risk getting utterly lost, which believe me, you will in this land, and risk getting smacked down by the guards. Your pick."
Rune huffed. "I never said I wasn't proud of it, it's just nothing you need to know." Silly girl, shoving her nose where it didn't belong. But a few days, though..? His beady black eyes couldn't help but roll in immediate response. A few days with yet another random girl, in another random place. He paused in thought, meanwhile shifting his gaze to watch what seemed like his new traveling companion for a few moments before releasing a heavy sigh, eyes narrowing. Her bargain was half decent, however it unfortunately required something in exchange from him, which he wasn't at all keen on. If this played out though? She would get him where he needed to go and then he'd ditch her and never see her again. In that case, sharing some information shouldn't be a problem, should it?
He pondered for a few more moments before deciding to submit to her little 'deal'. How could he turn down free, easy food, safety, and step by step directions? Sounded better than the alternative, at least.
"Fine. I talk, you show me the way. Deal." He stated flatly without correcting her name for him, his multicolored tail meanwhile flicking in an aggravated mannor. Not that he'd really been anywhere but the graveyard, but whatever. It didn't make much of a difference to him. Mumbling small, inappropriate phrases under his breath, he turned and began moving forward once again. "And I'm not a grouch or rude," He added offhandedly and awkwardly.
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Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 5:56 am
She, in fact, made it even easier on him; arching a brow, she watched him through deep blue eyes, "I'll leave, the moment we get there; you won't hear from me ever again, I can asure you that much," after all, curiosity only warranted her stay with him for a few days; she'd put up with him to gain knowledge for only the necesary time. Were all males like this? At the thought, the girl cringed, her eyes rolling to the back of her head in a grimace; there went the thought of finding 'prince charming' then. Nothing new though; welcome to the real world, she told herself as she extended a paw, extecting the touch to close the deal were he to take it, "It's a good deal," and he knew it, oh.... he knew it well enough. She could see the way those beady black eyes of his shifted from side to side as he thought, "You're not finding a better guide around these parts than myself."
She smirked as he answered her; she was used to getting her way, and right now, she wanted something he had. Guiding him would be no problem. Even hunting was quite easy, and her family would not miss her for a few days, as she WAS in fact, as a Msaka, expected to take trips, "Deal then," she stated firmly, "And to start with, my name is Ntombi. I want to know yours," it was an order, no doubt, her head raising up expectantly, the smirk vanishing as he spoke, only to reappear, this time in the form of a real smile, truly amused, "Could have fooled me," she said as she moved onward, "For starters, mumbling is quite rude."
The more he thought about it, the more he decided that these two days might very well be the longest two days of his life. NEVER had he been forced to submit to orders. In fact, Rune never did anything unless he felt like doing it. Pity he felt so strongly on finding the Kusini, otherwise he would've taken no hesitation to bag this entire trip and go home. Or at least take the time to find the place himself.
While she began to speak, an ear flicked to the side and another few sets of mumbles were made. "The name you gave me suited fine," He snorted. She could push and he'd push back. She simply asked him to talk, and that's exactly what he'd do. As to her manner lessons..?
"Didn't know the deal also included free manner lessons," He commented snidely, quirking a brow while the other remaind furrowed. "As far as I'm concerned, mumbling is fair game in my book. Bossing and ordering around isn't," Runai continued.
"Yes well, as lovely as the name I gave you was, it's a mouthful; care sharing your real name or is it something embarrasing?" a tilt of her head as she padded on, ; oh, she knew she'd not be able to push him much longer, but she reeled, knowing she was managing to push his buttons, if only for a while. It was amusing, interesting if you will. most of the Mteo knew her well by know, and allowed her not to push them OR their buttons. THey knew it was her way of remaining entertained and took no real offense from her choice of words or actions; in fact, they knew there was good will behind her strange behavoir. It was just.... well, hidden.
Shrugging slightly, she padded on, "This would be a lot easier if you'd answer, you know. It'd serve you well," a pause followed, innocence shinning in her eyes, brows raising up to hide under the locks of gray hair that fell over her forhead, "Well, you said you weren't rude; I'm contradicting that and offering evidence," a paw reached her maw then, as if she were pondering, "I was brought up as a leader; I'm expected to be able to rule people, so ordering them about is a must, in case i am forced to take the throne," she smiled up at him, amusingly enough not offended, "Mumbling on the other hand is concidered rude where I come from, as if not offering a name when someone offered hers. Specialy if that someone is going to be hunting and guiding you," another pause, her brows furrowing, as if she were trying to see beyond him... beyond whatever it was that ate at him, "And you ARE a grouch. Any grouchier and you'd probably grown in the self-produced angst."
"Maybe I don't have a name," He offered in suggestion, though again, flatly. Yea sure, he had one. Did he ever care to share it? Nah, not really. He traveled for who knows how long with his last companion and hell, they never shared their names. Why was this girl any different? Why SHOULD she be any different?
"But see, it's more entertaining for me to not give it and let you guess. Not rude, just entertaining." He concluded this with a firm, but light, nod. "And you were brought up to rule your people. I'm not one of your people, regardless if you're hunting and guiding me. And maybe I've got my reasons for not giving up my name or whatever. But I'm NOT a grouch. And if I were, I'd probably like the angst, otherwise I wouldn't be grouchy," He spoke with irrtation and he took no attempt to hide it. She kept contradicting everything. He had reasons, wasn't that enough?
How come she talked so damn much? Argh. "I don't suppose running would get us there any faster, would it?" He muttered beneath his breath, not quite intending Ntombi to catch every word.
Turning her head to face him, the smaller female gave him a pointed, flat look that seemed to voice out her thoughts. In case the look wasn't enough, she voiced said thoughts, for after all.... as much as a picture was worth a thousand words... well, this male wasn't the height of intellect, in her eyes. She might as well spell it out to him, "I highly doubt it, Grouchy-pants," well, if he wouldn't give it, she'd call him nicknames; they were bound to wear him off at some point, and if they didn't, well, she'd get a laugh or two out of it, "Suit yourself, alas, it'll be your own downfall. It'll be highly entertaining for me when we run into some guards and I say 'Oh, he? His name is Grouchy-pants.'," arching a brow, Ntombi looked at him again fully, pausing to regard his body, "Painty-boy..... Horsey-boy, waterbuck-boy. .... Your pelt reminds me of prey beast," and this said she trotted on ahead of him, sniffing around somewhat before she decided which way to go, "As of right now, you being in my territory and under my custody make you one of mine, thus I am allowed to rule over you as I please, as acording to our deal; if you wish otherwise, please be my guest," turning to face him, she waved a paw, motioning towards their surroundings, "Please, do feel free."
It was clear, if anything, that they weren't about to agree on much at all, which made for an interesting situation, to say the least, "Grouch," she offered him, her lids hooding her eyes over again; the tone of her voice turned flat, as if he were demonstrating what she was saying with his very actions, "I bet you DO like it; why would anyone remain unhappy, irritated and angry all their lives? And don't tell me I had half of anything to do with it; you were screaming bloody murder, irritated as can be BEFORE my arrival," a pause, an ear flicking his way, "And no; her ladyship refuses to run over to Kusini, thank you very much," she'd caught that last mumble. Yup.
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Posted: Tue Dec 25, 2007 6:04 am
Rune boiled while she took a jab at finding a suitable nickname. He didn't look like a horse, or a waterbuck. Paint? Yea whatever. Still, he persisted in keeping his name. She'd get it eventually. Maybe. It all depended, he supposed. As of now? No way. "Do what you want. Whatever floats your boat lady," He offered in reply, though fought to keep the words at least somewhat calm. "If you can call me names then I can call you names. Know-it-all, Blue-eyes, Scruffy since your hair's always sitting in front of your face.. uhmmn, tattoo-girl... yea. And I was screaming bloody murder because I thought I was lost and my previous map ran off in another direction, thanks. I had a good reason to scream murder AND maybe, juuust maybe I have reaons for being the way I am," he hissed, eyes narrowing while he continued," and no, you have absolutely NOTHING to do with it. But you might by the end of these few days," Rune added through a clentched jaw and obviously frustrated tone. He took a sidestep to allow more distance between the pair. He might be stupid, but she was narrow minded. At least in his opinion, anyway.
"Suit yourself," she told him with a smile of her own, "The diference here, is that I offered you my name; Ntombi. N-T-O-M-B-I and where as iI can not call you anything other than a nickname, you can," a pause, followed by a mock-sigh as she shook her head sadly, "Oh, the deprevation these days; there are no gentleman out in the open beyond our lands I see... how pityful. What a pityful upbringing, that someone should call me scruffy," she seemed not all too botherd by his nicknames however, her head lifting up to face him, "I like my eyes; like the sky in daytime.... yours are like the sky at night. So dark; reflects your odd personality," she hummed slightly as she padded, silent for a moment before lifting a paw to look at her tattos, smirking up at him as she rushed to walk alongside him again, "I know much, but not all; obviously more than you though whom can't seem to grip basic manners!"
Oh, she was amused; this sure beat lounging out on a random rock at least, as far as she was concerned, however as he spoke again, the smile vanished, her eyes hooded, brows furrowing in thought. Ntombi had only known the good life, really; her parents loved her, and her pride was peaceful, however, she was smart enough to have noticed that not everyone had that same luck. It was just... well, a matter of luck, on one hand, and a matter of how one handled events, on the other, "Well, even if you do have a reason, have you ever pondered that you also have a choice?" the last few words, unlike the previous jabs was said softly, and after saying them, the female fell silent.
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