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 Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 12:42 pm
 Slavic could not help his poor brown and white heart from breaking a little more each day that he failed his masters command. HE had searched and asked around and wallowed in his woe. Even though his mind usually was set towards pleasing his master-he could not help but think like he did before he became Machu's Peon. Back when he was a free Buck.
Ah, those were good days. Wandering free with not a care i the world. He remembered his parents teaching him the ways of the Waterbuck-preping him in the ways of being a good male-a wonderful mate for a female someday... funny how an injury and a near death experience could change that. Now... here he was-searching for something that if he had been alone-he would have cherished each moment... but he felt worry and self doubt.
He was resting for a while now-his woe heavy upon him. If only-he could be on this quest on his own free will... without the pressure of pleasing someone else-he wanted to please himself. He sighed, shutting his eyes as he grazed slowly.
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Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 1:06 pm
The little doe frantically skipped across the savanna seeking her missing herd. It was not long before that they were ambushed by the local lion pride, a few other scavengers here and there. However, she remembered it far too clearly. She was following the herd's prince, the alpha male if you will, it was what she always did when she wasn't told what to do. Follow the strongest. He was very quick, so quick that she had to struggle to keep up. First the lionesses charged sending the group in the other direction where a male waited for them. Veering off, another and then another. It was until a pack of hyena narrowed in, waiting for the kill, that the prince had darted off again. For that split second of hesitation, she froze! Oh what a crazy thing to do, she was left without a leader and here she stood before a group of hyenas and their crazy laughter. She quickly darted off but in a direction that no one had seen to go, it was clearly opened and it was her escape.
Some escape. She was alone!
Kupala stopped for a quick pause to look around. It seemed the waterbuck herd had not gone through here. They couldn't have all fallen, but what was more, she had none to follow... what will she do now? She was alone, strong enough to fight off predators but not enough to live a long life as she would have wished for. Life doesn't seem fair anymore. Without a herd, she was lonely. Without a leader, she had no one to follow-she has never been alone or done anything that wasn't directly told, always followed commands and always behind someone. Without a herd, she lost her chances of mating to any of the males, especially the prince. Oh, what a terrible time. She gave a soft sight before laying down. It was still early, plenty of time to look for them. Otherwise, she will have to pray that she can survive the night.
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Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 3:32 pm
Slavic was used to being on his own-his master sending him off so he could be alone for a while-and Slavic was used to it. He had always been alone-since he left his parents. Unlike the female-he had not had a herd... he had a family. He was content for the moment now-grazing at the delicate leaves and blossoms of a flowering plant-his brown eyes half shut... Rather sleepy to say.
'What a shame..." He thought, lifting his head for a moment to gaze at the surrounding plains. "Someday-I thought I'd have a family and a life... but here I am... peon to a wild dog..."
Though Slavic thought these words-he would never try to even attempt to betray/not listen/not obey orders. It wasn't like him. He wasn't one to just break apart from what he was-and right now.. He was a butt monkey.
His brown ears twitched at the soft sound of someone sighing... Or perhaps it was the wind. He took a few timid steps towards where the sound came from-his nose extending and lightly sniffing the air. He smelled something-soft... and kind.
"Hello?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 4:45 pm
The voice startled her, why wasn't she paying any attention!? Quickly she scrambled to get herself away, moving away from the other presence, seeking shelter behind a few shrubs. Her blue eyes managed to get a good glance though. It was another waterbuck but one that she has never seen before, it was not one from her herd. Great, it was have been from a rival herd trying to take her! That's it, it was one of the rival herds' male on a roving mission. She was the target...
"What is it that you want!"
She called out from her hiding. She had some experience with rogue males. Many have tried to get her away from her herd and get her pregnant. Luckily, she had the prince to watch over her and the herd, scaring off males. If it weren't for him, she would not be as she was today.
Besides, she had no idea how mating and love worked. She just knew that she admired the Prince and if she could love, it would be for him, it seemed.
"Who are you?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:11 am
Slavic felt his heart swell to his chest. Another Waterbuck... he hadn't seen another one in so long-and he took a step towards it. He couldn't believe it... perhaps there was a herd around. His brown eyes blinked-wait a minute. That was the voice of-a female?
"I-I don't want anything... are you alright?" He asked, a tinge of worry in his voice. He was separated from his small family by an injury-was she hurt? He took a step closer, lowering his nose to scent the air for blood. He lifted his head and observed the area-he didn't see or smell anyone else. was she alone?
"My name is Slavic... I won't hurt you-I promise. I don't do that... I am not like other Waterbucks you probably know." He said, turning his head from her and gazing into the long distance-where his master lay. He sighed. He then turned and stood before her-not advancing anymore-not seeing threatening. He didn't want to frighten her. "Are you lost?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:55 am
"I am fine!"
She called back from her hiding shrub. She wasn't sure if he was honest or trying to play her for a fool, gain her trust and then attack her. Regardless, she wasn't gonna take risks too easily without the prince or any of the herd around. Being alone, she was a prime target for predators too.
To hear his voice, respond to her and even giving his name, even a promise. This one certainly knew how to ease one's worries and doubts. 'Not like other Waterbucks' indicated that he was indeed another waterbuck. Wonderful! Another male to try to entice her. Kupala lifted her head, nothing else and narrower her sky blue eyes upon this male. He was a simple color, like some of her herd. A soft brown top and white bottom. Slavic was his name but his scent was funny. It wasn't like regular waterbucks.
"I am not lost! I just forgot where my herd is. After that attack, of that calibur, I am just waiting it out until the herd gets back together and find me. You do not have to worry, I am just fine. Now, please go away."
Male. Must try to scare him off.
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:08 pm
Slavic studied her for a moment. She did not trust him-he noticed. She must have been with someone before she was seperated... perhaps a mate. Figures. He felt a bit of downcastedness fall upon him. And she didn't sound like she'd even be intersted in being friends of any sort. Perhaps he wasn't meant to be a Waterbuck-mate or no mate-but only a slave. He shook his head solumnly.
"Oh... Okay... well... if you're sure you're alright. There are Wild Dogs around here-I'd know... There is only one who would not attack our kind-and he is... close to me in a way." He said, the tone in his voice showing a hint of sadness. A waterbuck-doomed to be alone and a peon. "I got lost too... I got injured-and never saw anyone I knew again... You're the first I've seen-since my younger buck days..."
He said the last part with a sound-as if he missed those days. Oh-to be a herd member again. But-he would never be able to give the life he had now-up... He was stuck.
"C-can I know the name of the only female I've set my eyes upon since my mother?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:32 pm
Suddenly, she stood up and stared at him.
"Are you insane!? Wild Dogs would certainly devour us if given the chance to. That is why we are in herds, to lower the risk of being eaten, though at the risk of another losing their life, but that isn't the point. You are alone and you hang around a wild dog? Are you insane, Slavic? Surely you must be lonely enough to befriend a wild dog. And what more, he could eat you when you least expect it! What are you thinking!?"
Kupala ranted. She certainly would never imagine a prey being close to a predator, the liaison was taboo to her and, perhaps, many others. This Slavic was friends with a Wild Dog, though he assures her that this dog would not harm their kind, she was still skeptical. She overlooked his sadness, though it would have hit her harder if it wasn't after a riled mood.
"Then you must find yourself a herd! Being under a leader is not bad, one to protect you and be there for you, out there for your sake. One must always have a leader or you are alone and misguided."
She nodded her head and let out a breath.
"My name, if you must know, is Kupala. I doubt you will need to know it long if this Wild Dog is your friend. I could say that your life is in greater danger than mine is alone."
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:45 pm
Slavic shook his head and lowered it. She spoke many truths-but the fact was-Slavic was stuck. Herdless and alone-he chose the choice... the life of a slave-so that he would not longer be alone... Then-it had been a wise choice in his eyes. "No... you don't understand... I can't leave.
I-I've been with him for a long time-as his-" he could not bring himself to say it in front of a female-to look like a total idiot in front of the only one of is his kind. He lowered his head more and shook it-his eyes downcast. What an idiot. How would he ever find a female-who would love him-knowing he had given his life to a creature that killed.
"He spared my life-I was injured and fallen... I could not stand. He took pity on me and let me lay-" He said, looking at the ground then up at her-She was... a beauty. He shook the thought from his mind-a female like her-a normal waterbuck with a herd... would never see anything in him but... a weakling. "I in turn-sought him out and expressed my gratitude in the only way I knew how...
I became his slave."
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:56 pm
"A slave? Maybe to you, however, he must have spared you for a reason. Can you not think of any? I would imagine that you have been with this dog for a while to know something about him..."
She paused and thought. Why would a dog spare the life of a nearly killed prey? And even more so that this one seemed fine as he is now. Could he not run away? This male seemed to turn his head down a lot, this was what displeased her greatly. Sad as he was, she was not the one to push one's worries onto and what more, she had her own troubles to take care of first.
"You may be a "slave" in your mind, but he probably sees you as a lost puppy, following him around. I see that you are following him as your leader. Perhaps you became blind and needed something to follow, at least that was what I would do. I, myself, cannot quite survive without following someone."
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:13 pm
Slavic knew everything she spoke was true. True as the fur on his back was brown. Though he knew Machu very well-he was sure that the only reason the kept him around was to benifit from his slave work. Though that was not alot. He lifted his head and sighed, puffing out his chest. "I think he doesn't like to be alone... But... otherwise He must like my work.
Perhaps... I replaced my father with a diffrent creature. I have never known anything else though-just Machu... my parents are a long lost image in my mind sadly-very sadly." He shook his head. His left ear twitched for a moment-Banishing a bug that had landed upon it. "I am sure you can... I was alone for sometime-grew to become my own leader in a way... So I don't know anydiffrence."
He paused for a moment-surpised that she was talking to him. Wow... boy... she was a pretty girl too. He could not help but stare for a few seconds before he shook his head to distract himself. "Kupala.. That is a very pretty name... Someday-when I can leave Machu- I may rename myself to something more attractive... so at least my name can be more beautiful than the ugly pelt I was born with.
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:25 pm
"That is sad to forget one's memories of their family. I left my parents on my own free will to seek a mate. Joining the herd was my chance to find one, however, I found myself fitting well enough into the life style that I had forgotten why I had came in the first place. I have lived quite too long in a herd to remember waht it was like to by on my own, I am afraid I simply cannot do that. I must be following another, or I shall lose my way."
Kupala replied before looking off in the distance. Hopefully, they remembered the young female that was missing, the prince's ever faithful follower as Slavic was to Machu, a lost puppy following it's master. Or something like that. She could only hope to be found soon, she would rather not have to spend the night out in the open or in a place where they cannot see her. She wanted to go back to them, but somewhere in her heart, she felt that the hunting raid may have wiped them out or scattered them all, one by one. It was a scary thought but both were quite possible.
"Why change your name? Slavic is fine and so is your pelt, if anything, much more natural than mine. If you were part of my herd, you would have fitted quite well. Some may have seen you as a sibling or some other relation. Then again, that would certainly hurt your chances of finding a mate if they believed you to be their relative."
She chuckled softly.
"So I guess this Machu is a lazy one, no?"
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:37 pm
Slavic nodded. He missed his parents and suspected-they too had passed onto the world beyound. So-she left her's to find a mate. At least that was a noble choice-he was looking for one-for two reasons. To prove himself wrong-that he could find someone-and because Machu demanded it. Inside though he was doing it for himself. For once.
"Well. If you like- I will stay by your side until they come back-" He said reassuringly. "-I do know that being alone is worse than dying... I was alone for so long-and it is nice to have Machu by my side-and he does-in reality-treat me well. He doesn't hunt in front of me usually-and does not require me to do things immoral... So I suppose I am well off so far. He may threaten to eat me-but I doubt he could."
He stepped closer to her-not so worried about frightening her now. "I don't know. I suppose it is a nice name-it suits me. My pelt-is from my mother. So soft and light my father was in color-but my mother-was dark and strong. She gave me her marks-and for that I am grateful... though sometimes-I fall into one of my sad moments and call it ugly... and Whats wrong with your pelt? I think it looks lovely" He asked.
"Machu-can be lazy at times." He said simply. He was not one to bad mouth is master to much.
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 1:55 pm
"I guess that would do, but I fear that this Machu may attack me. Sure he had made a pact with you to spare your life, but how will he take it for a stranger female linger around his... well, you."
She did not want to say "slave" or anything belittling to this male, if anything... if she could never find her herd again and this one did well to win her over, she may have found a mate. However, how everything worked and things are done were far over her head. She was still young, looking at Slavic, he must have been quite older than she was.
"I suppose you are right... I guess I will stay with you. But only for a while! I do not wish to get attached and then have to go away, then I would never be able to, so you best watch what you are doing and don't do anything funny!"
She threatened before moving closer to him to show that she was willing to get closer to him, creating a bond. She did not quite pay too much attention to his explaination of his pelt nor his emotionally depressed warning, but she did catch the last part.
"It is not my own. My mother's eyes is all I have, the male whom I called father was the prince of my mother's herd, I do not know whom my real father was, but the one I called father... he fit the position fine for the time. He cared about me and took very good care of me too, sometimes, I wondered if he loved me more than my mother. Now that, there, is the most shady thing I have ever exprienced, mind you."
She gave a soft laugh.
"Lazy mutt who makes a buck do his work. Rather puzzling how he'll ever find a mate with a fat and slow physique."
Stereotype.
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 2:14 pm
Slavic perked right up at her concern. "No-don't worry Miss Kupala-He has never attacked anyone of my kind. The few I saw in the distance-he made it a point to not hunt them in my presence. He takes this very seriously-he is not cruel to me. And if he did_i'd give him a whollup or two-I would. " He said, nodding softly. Now that sh was more comfortable with being by him-he was relaxing a bit.
"Of course-when your herd comes-I will make sure you get there safetly. I don't want to see another of my kind hurt in my presence-espeically one that was the first I have seen up close in ages." He said, lifting his noble head and sniffing around for a moment-nothing threatening was in the air. All was calm indeed.
"Well. Your Mothers eyes are beautiful none-the-less. Your father-the biological one-passed on his pelt and wear it with pride-I would. I think your b-beautiful." He said, feeling heat rise to his cheeks. "Erm... Yeah... He actually may have a female in mind-amazingly." Change of subject...
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