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 Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 7:38 am
She couldn't catch them, even if she truly tried.
The huntress was young, and though she had improved greatly under direction of Binafsi, she still had much to learn. Though she had found her rhythm, it sometimes wasn't easy to keep with the groove - life had its own beat, it's own dance and the young black and white cub wasn't always sure she knew the steps.
She was to become a great hunter, or so she hoped. It was, at the very least, the only thing she seemed to know what to do. Yes, she sang, but it was without the grace of her siblings and pride members; yes, she danced, but her agility and the stomping of a rhythem was broken and ill timed. Though she adored music, she felt clumsy in comparison, and knew that she left much to be desired.
Jumuu liked to hunt. Truly she did.
But getting in to the rhythm was taking longer than she liked. The lioness had caught small prey before, on her own, and had assisted in taking down an antelope. But to actually hunt on her own? To help the pride by her initiative alone?
Nope.
That just wasn't happening. There was a reason there were mighty huntresses in the world - the lionesses had to work together to feed the pride. It was dangerous to hunt big game alone, but that didn't mean Jumuu appreciated the way the antelope teased.
Tail twitching back and forth in annoyance, the lioness scowled and made her way to the shade of a tree. The Nchi'mahadhi borders weren't far, but she was away enough to miss the scent of Lake Victoria on the air. With the late afternoon sun staining the ground, the black lioness flopped hard on the ground. It was cooler beneath the tree, and as she rested, she glared out at the antelope before her.
They were safe now. But next time, should they graze closer to her pride, they might not be so lucky.
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 9:28 am
He had never liked fighting much as he hadn't ever been much good at it. He would rather avoid it and avoid most conflicts so of course a whole pridal war, well his mother had agreed that if he wished to leave the lands to avoid the prides war. His mother hadn't ever been all that proud of him but she had once left the pride and told him of a pride, one in a graveyard that he would probably be allowed to stay. A lion named Ausha or something, knew his grandfather.
He didn't however know how far these lands were or how long the fighting would be so he would know when to go home. He knew the lands would be so very different when he returned and he wanted to be home for the changes and so he had decided he wouldn't wander too far from his lands because he can then hear when the fighting stopped. Maybe today though he had wandered a little too far but then again he didn't really mind that much. He was sure that no matter what he could find his way back to the desert where he was born.
He had decided that today he was going to try this hunting thing. He was use to it in the desert though of course food in the desert wasn't really that big. Not many animals lived in the desert and for good reason. It had taken a while to get use to this green hard stuff under his paws but now he was sure he could try hunting.
He found a herd of antelope near by, his eyes watching them as he lowered his body. One... two... three...
He jumped out after a small one. They ran so fast! He ran and ran and ran but even the little baby got away. His paws had started to hurt.
"Stupid ground..." He grumbled as he started to walk away, spotting another lone antelope. Again he stalked not noticing the lioness not too far away from the grazing meal ahead.
He kept to the ground for a little longer before pouncing, running straight past the lioness chasint the antelope. He only got this one because of pure luck at the beast falling over a root in the ground. He was able to pounce it and keep it on the ground, allowing his jaws to grip the beasts throat and wait for it to breath it's last breath.
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 12:24 pm
Jumuu blinked as the herd before her began to run. Something had starteled them, scared them in to changing their grazing ground. Lifting her head, gold eyes peered out only to see a flash of white and red. Who on earth was that!? Part of the girl wondered if the stranger was part of the pride - but she knew none that wore such a pale coat! No, whoever this was, it was a stranger . . . .
But who?
And on top of it all, what on earth were they doing?
Curious, she watched as the lion bolted past. Sure enough, her nose dictated that the red and white stranger was of the male persuasion. A short mane made of fire wrapped loosely around his neck, proving her nose true, and the young lioness watched in amazement as he chased. Was he . . . hunting? It looked like it, but there was no way he was going to catch the antelope like that. Surely he knew - - -
Wait.
Golden eyes watched, partially amused, partially envious as a young antelope tripped. Down went the creature, and shortly thereafter went the lion. One bite, and the miraculously the lion found himself with a meal.
Jumuu was close enough to smell the blood, and her paws twitched in anxiousness. Perhaps she should give this hunting thing another chance? Ah, but the antelope were now on guard and had since began their dance away from their grazing lands. One lioness they could deal with, but two meant a larger chance for danger.
There were other lands they could graze upon - alaos Jumuu wouldn't be there to meet them.
"Nice catch," Jumuu called out, though she made no attempt to rise or move. This lion looked young, but he might not have noticed her close proximity. If were at all territorial, rising might alert him of competition; she didn't want to get attacked or run off by a white furred stranger. . . . Though the meal looked tasty, she wasn't a thief and she had no interest in his meal.
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Posted: Tue Apr 08, 2008 11:58 pm
He wasn't a good hunter and was far from acustomed to these strange lands. In the desert there wasn't all that much competition for food, of course there was some but if you hunted at the right time of day you would find no problems. Maybe it was just the fact that he was in strange territory that meant he hadn't noticed the females presence. Oh what an idiot he must have looked!
He just stared at her for a while, blood covering his white maw. He must have looked rather amusing really. He was a mess anyway and his white coat was more of a dusty colour now and this mane was far from neat and now to add to that he had blood splattered in various places on his body, showing that he really wasn't a very good hunter.
"Thanks!"
He wasn't even sure if she meant what she said but in the end he didn't really care that much after all he had a rather nice meal in front of him and that was more then enough to keep this one lion happy.
He lowered his head using his teeth and claws to break through the hide of the animal trying to get down to the meet that his stomach was eagerly awaiting. He hadn't ever eaten antelope, or had he? His mother had always gone out the lands to hunt for them as cubs so he didn't know what it was he had been eating half the time, his mother rarely informed him.
He managed to get through and start chewing on the tough meat something that was the most pleasurable experiance after hunting. His stomach was clearly happy as well and that is what pleased him the most. It seemed however that he wasn't as hungry as he had originally anticipated.
Picking up the carcass in his jaws he dragged it over to where the strange female was laying. No point in wasting it and if he left she would probably get up and eat it anyway. That and those evil vulture things were sure to be around soon, they always were.
After dropping the carcass he stepped back somewhat. He was a large lion, as all firekin were and so he had no problem lifting the carcass though of course he wasn't the strongest lion. Either way he had got it to her and now giving her space he motioned for her to eat some.
"You look hungry..." Well she didn't but he wasn't quite sure what else to say. Asking wasn't really his kind of thing.
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Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:14 am
Jumuu watched with little interest as the red and white furred male dug in to his feast. It still irritated her, ever so subtly, that he had managed to so ungainly fell an antelope; here, this was her duty, her job, and she'd managed to snag her claws in nothing!
Still . . . at least the antelope had realized their mistake. Such arrogant attitudes had given the stranger an edge and had they bolted away at Jumuu's first approach perhaps their brethren would still be alive. Such was the way of the world; perhaps those younger antelope would learn.
With her tail curled around her, soaking up the cool shade from the tree, it wasn't easy ignoring a kill so close. The scent of fresh blood spilled was practically intoxicating, and her stomach responded appropriately; she licked her maw once or twice, but for the most part kept only mild interest in the stranger. He was large - much larger than any lion she'd seen - and of the strangest colours.
It amazed her that he wore such a bright red and white coat; her family was made up of teals, blacks and greens. And others in her pride were more brown-furred based. . . . White stood out amongst the grasses surrounding them.
Maybe that's why his hunting skills weren't up to par. Aside from being a boy. More questions slowly caused the wheels of her mind to turn; did he have no pride or was he just wandering away like herself? Was he friendly and social or quiet and shy? Did he have a large family or did he know none at all? Ah, but what did it matter anyway? He'd eat, and leave, or nap, and she was too much of a coward to solicit any conversation to begin with!
And then something strange happened - instead of snuggling up to his kill and napping, or just turning tail to leave, the white and red furred male picked it up. He was stronger than she would have first suspected, but such a thought was replaced by genuine surprise when he dropped the kill before her.
Was he for real?
Golden eyes blinked as she stared, ears pricking forward in a moments confusion. She looked. . . . hungry? It took the black and white spotted femme a moment to fully understand the meaning behind the comment. "Are you - - are you quite sure?" Jumuu finally found her voice as she struggled by such a gesture.
Most animals were territorial and hostile, especially over meat. And yet here he was, stepping back and motioning for her to eat. Not wanting to offend him through denial, a small, grateful expression crossed her features and she hesitantly lowered her head to the kill. She kept one eye on him, just in case it were some trap or some joke - but quickly, very quickly, she discovered he meant well.
After a few voracious bites, she remembered her manners and quickly looked apologetically up at him, "Thank you . . . I . . . Well, you seem to have much more luck than I!"
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Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 9:47 am
He watched her look surprised, maybe it was a strange thing to give the meal to someone else out here? He would have always shared with his siblings and most of his pride apart from Ashi. That boy would never be allowed anything of Intuthu's not ever.
He nodded as she asked a question and then happily laid himself down making himself rather comfortable. He could have probably settled himself down for a nap but he had gone to sleeping on the borders of his land and this seemed too far from the borders to allow himself to lay down to sleep. He still didn't know these lands well at all.
He laid his head on his paws as he watched her tuck in to the food. She was hungry after all then. At least he had been polite, though in a way he was sure that was what his mother always moaned at him for. Was too polite and kind to others and lacked the prides spirit. Well maybe he would find the prides spirit out here somewhere? He could wonder.
As she raised her head to say thank you, he raised his as well. A smile crossing his maw.
"It's nothing honestly and it was all luck. I am not the hunter in my family, that is without doubt my sister! This land is strange as well... so hard." He was rambling.
What he said probably didn't make much sense to her as for her, this land was the same as most land in how hard it was but then the chances of her ever being on the desert sands were quite low. He also did another thing his mother had always told him not to. He gave out too much information about himself. Oh well maybe one day he would learn.
"I am Intuthu by the way."
It seemed he was going to carry on giving out information. After all she was a stranger, showed no colours of his pride and so he would probably never see her again!
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Posted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 12:26 pm
Jumuu continued to pick at the carcass as the young lion laid himself down before her. She still couldn't believe that a stranger had actually given her a free meal - it was amazing!
All her life the serious girl had feared strangers - she knew that many could eat a cub without remorse, or at least try to hurt them! Before they had settled with the Nchi'mahadhi Pride, they had been rogues and had received no sanctuary throughout their travels. She had learned well that the world was a dangerous place. . . . Where her siblings had been carefree and happy, she had been serious and afraid, anxious for their well being. It wasn't an easy job, and she had missed out on a lot during her youth, but someone had to be responsible! Especially when Mother and Father had been away.
As the red and white lion spoke, Jumuu paused in her feast, licking her maw contently. His smile elicited a larger one of her own, and the screaming anxiety that caused her stomach to churn settled a bit. The black and white spotted lioness was a bit of a nervous wreck, but had long learned the art of guarding her expression. It was better that they didn't know how shy and afraid she was, and for her to pretend all was well. Though she was better now at opening up and socializing, it had taken a long time to truly relax.
So . . . he had a sister, did he? And she was a hunter? Jumuu gave a little nod, gold eyes peeking a smidgen shyly up at him. "You must be luckier than I - I had been trying all morning and came up with nothing. What's worse," she admitted carefully, "Is that I am the huntress in our pride. Well, one of them. . . in training." She clarified quickly, not wanting him to think her pride incompetent or shameful! Just because she was still learning didn't mean that Binafsi and the others weren't wonderful hunters and teachers. . . .
Jumuu just had a knack for failure.
Her head did cant slightly to the side as the lion made mention of the land's softness . . . or lack thereof. Hard? Wasn't all the land . . . hard? The black and white lioness let her tail twitch slightly, before adding with a little grin, "I suppose it is - but it makes running so much easier. And the grasses are soft, and you should see the beach by the great lake!" She'd been to Lake Victoria a few times - though there were mudflats which were sticky, and mountains close by at the edges of the prides borders, she had found some 'softer' grounds in her day and age. "Is the ground not hard where you come from?" It sounded like a ridiculous question, but in her defense, his comment had been a bit silly too - so they were even.
Dropping her gaze, pawing at the carcass before her, Jumuu took note of his name. Intuthu . . . Intuthu the lion who didn't like hard land. And had an incredibly fair coat, and blazing red mane. She wouldn't so easily forget him as he was the palest lion she'd ever met! And one of the very few she actually socialized with. "I'm Jumuu. . . and it's a pleasure to meet you." Another whisper of a smile, gold eyes glancing back up.
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 1:14 am
Intuthu smiled as he watched her eat, happy to be able to rest on the soft grass though it wasn't the same as the sand he was use to and so he found it rather uncomfortable. He was sure he would be able to find it comfortable one day but for now he was happier to just lay where he was and to pretend it was nicer then it was.
"You are in training though!" He smiled, "Don't be so hard on yourself. We are taught to hunt from the moment we are born, which is why my sister is so good at it. I on the other hand was just well lazy." He chuckled and licked at his paw a little noticing it wasn't as white as it should have been.
He didn't like this mud stuff much either. No he would much rather be back on his sands but his mother wanted him away from the fighting and he was all too happy to stay away. He wasn't much of a fighter and probably never would be.
"I find it so hard to run here though, the grounds too hard and it hurts my paws." He sighed a little, they were toughening up a little now but to begin with it hurt so much!
"My pride lives in the desert on the sands. The sands are so much softer and easier to walk on!" Though for anyone who hadn't been brought up walking on the sands it was probably far from easy. Intuthu loved his desert though and so it made more sense to him that the sand was easier to walk on!
"It's a pleasure to meet you too, Jumuu." He smiled wondering what his family would think of him conversing with a stranger from another pride. Oh well he wasn't really that bothered, she seemed nice enough.
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Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 2:26 pm
((Sorry for the delay! ))
Jumuu finished picking at the carcass, her charcoal maw and paws blood stained from the surprise feast. Eating was always a bit messy, but what was done was done - a full belly and she had done nothing to deserve it! A free meal, really, and from the most unexpected of places.
Jumuu listened to the white and red-maned male speak, taking time to begin her grooming. There was nothing worse than a sticky, tangled coat on such a hot day; she didn't need vultures trailing her all evening, that was for certain! So it was, the charcoal one began cleaning her coat, starting with her paws and working up from there. It wasn't an easy task, but she persevered.
Between licks, the young lioness did peek up at her new acquaintance. So it was true - he wasn't at all from around here. But from a desert? The lioness was surprised - she had thought such places were deserted and barren. The heat and lack of food, the lack of rain, the lack of . . well. . . everything save sand and dust! The fact that the entire pride lived there and called the sea of sand their home surprised Jumuu. . . . but to each their own. If living in sand was their preference than so be it.
Pausing in her grooming, the young lioness canted her head to the side, though a flicker of a smile crossed her features. It amused her that the stranger was having a difficult time adjusting to the ground. "There are softer places to tread - it isn't all hard." She added lightly, golden eyes bright. "Mud is softer, if messy and rather sticky. But the grasses are surely softer than this land around here. Not as fine as sand, mind, but a decent substitute. I've not been to the desert before, but I think I'd be afraid to go." The young lioness admitted with a small shrug.
Realizing that she might have upset the stranger, she added hastily, "Not that there's anything wrong with the desert, it's just . . . I've heard there's nothing but sand. And no water to drink. . . I suppose I'm spoiled by living so close to the lake myself, but to me, the thought of having nothing but sand is frightening. I . . . I don't know if I'd be able to surivive." She glanced down, ears flattening in embarressment from such an admittance.
She was no survivor. . . at least not yet with her inexperience in the world.
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Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 10:35 am
(so sorry I taken so long to reply!)
He watched her for a bit and listened to what she said. She was probably right but even this mud stuff and the grass he knew wasn't actually all that soft though maybe there were other types of grass that he hadn't come across yet.
"The desert isn't scary though to be honest it might be for you, your colours aren't really that safe. Our pride is in the midst of war but no matter we are a rather stuck up pride there is no doubting that." He smiled though a little sadly it was a shame that nice girls like this one would never be able to come near without being chased away by someone. How depressing. He had such a good friend here or he could have, he was sure.
"There is water to drink though its well into our pride and most don't get in there. So yeah I see why you wouldn't want to go into the desert." He sighed a little and looked up at the sky.
"Whats your home like?" He was curious and he had just told her how horrible his ow was it was fair that she told him something about hers.
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Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 11:04 am
((No worries! I was afraid you'd forgotten. x3 ))
Jumuu listened as the stranger before her spoke of his sandy home. She knew rumors of the prides surrounding the Nchi'mahadhi, but nothing that enlightened her on the workings of the others. None were all that musically inclined, that much she knew, but otherwise she thought little of the others. Now knowing that he desert kin were stuck up and . . . perhaps a bit unwelcoming Jumuu knew she wouldn't take it upon herself to investigate the lands. It was a good thing she hadn't traveled that far when on her drum quest . . . . Outside of Intuthu they didn't sound like the sort of lions she'd get along well with.
For being stuck up though, this white and red maned lion certainly was amicable. Go figure!
"Well, I don't see myself having any reason to travel to the desert," she admitted with another whisper of a smile. "I don't think I'd want to face war or unfriendly territory. I'll keep on the grasslands and beaches, thank you." And now he wanted to know about her home. Hmm. Her tail tip flicked lazily behind her as she thought of the best way to describe the Nchi'mahadhi lands.
"Well, our pride sits near the great Lake Victoria, so water and a beach is easily accessed. There are some mud flats and hills that keep others away from the far sides of our territory and cool breezes sweep in all the time. There are lots of grasses to roll in, and overall I like to think it's lovely. . . . But when it comes to the pride itself, I can't say we're very stuck up." She grinned softly, tossing an apologetic glance Intuthu's way. "The Nchi welcome everyone so long as they don't disturb the peace. . . or the music. We do a lot of singing, dancing and create rhythm with anything and anyone. I guess. . . I guess you could say we know how to party, but it seems to work out well."
It was true. Music was everything to the pride, and when one started they often all joined in. Shakers, drums, or even just paws against earth drew everyone in together. Though she'd been afraid of the others in her pride, after her parents relocated to its heart, she found she had learned a lot thanks to the loving protection of the pride members. In all honesty, she had been a very lucky cub to have been one of the first within the pride.
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 2:50 am
He was glad to hear she didn't want to go to the desert, she was too nice to end up being a slave or run out. He wasn't quite sure what was happening with the pride with the war and everything. His mother knew more then he did he knew that much at least.
Grasslands and beaches? He wasn't sure what a beach really was but didn't want to look more stupid asking so just kept the musing to himself. It did sound rather strange though... a beach.
Her pride sounded lovely when one thought about it but he knew his paws wouldn't like the land but then maybe they would get use to it?
"Your pride sounds lovely." The music part sounded nice as well though of course music wasn't really something you got in the desert and Intuthu wasn't really completely aware of what music was. Of course it was another thing he wasn't about to ask her about and look really stupid.
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Posted: Sun Sep 28, 2008 3:14 pm
The little lioness was no mind reader so she had no idea Intuthu was oblivious to the joys of a beach or music. She herself was quite ignorant about the various prides that surrounded their land - in particular of the Firekin that Intuthu connected with. She had heard stories of slaves and of creatures and predators that felt no mercy for the life of others; she understood that nightmare's frequently crept along the land and hid themselves amongst the otherwise friendly faces of the world.
There was darkness out there that Jumuu could hardly imagine. . . .And with luck she would happily stay in such bliss.
Glancing down at her pale paws, the young lioness couldn't help but offer another small smile as he complimented her pride. Lovely. . . Honestly, it really was. Having been born as a rogue, the young ebony female had been given a taste of what it was like without the protection of a pride. She had stuck close to her family and had followed where they walked. Thankfully her parents had good taste (and style!) and had brought their children in to the welcoming embrace of the Nchi'mahadhi. . . .
With the open waters, the cool breezes, the music, the dancing, the chanting. . . . Honestly, what more could she ask for? Though she'd always been aloof and probably always would be when it came to her pride, the young lioness was proud to be considered a member. No, she wasn't anything special, but she was part of the pride and a lovely one at that.
Golden eyes gleamed a bit as she gave a nod of approval. "It . . .it is," she added, her tail swishing lightly behind her. "I don't think I could imagine being anywhere else but I suppose that's what many a lion thinks. Home is where the heart is," she recited dutifully, albeit a bit shyly, "and my heart is here."
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Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2008 6:56 am
Her words struck him, home was indeed where the heart was and that is why deep down he knew he would have to return home. However he would come back and visit this lioness if she would permit it for she was a lovely lioness and he wished so much to see her pride for it sounded so wonderful.
"I would love to see some of your pride one day."
He knew he couldn't leave his pride, or could he? He wasn't quite sure. He wished to leave there was no doubt about it. Could he leave his pride? It was possible that he would be able to do so however he knew that at the moment he wouldn't. He did wonder though, the war would be the perfect time to leave but he couldn't without his saying goodbyes.
"Do you live with your family? What are they like?" He was curious, after all she seemed like such an interesting creature so far and had such an awesome home, she must have an awesome family too right? Maybe she seemed so nice because she had a lovely stable family? She could hope.
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Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2008 2:03 pm
The lioness couldn't help but smile, albeit it was slight and still a little nervous. Though this lion had done absolutely nothing wrong nor uninviting, he was still a stranger. Or was he? She knew he came from the desert, and knew his name. . . . Perhaps that meant he could be considered an acquaintance? There was no harm in that . . . was there?
Swishing her tail idly behind her, the young lioness was pleased that Intuthu seemed to hold a genuine interest in her pride. Though she had been brought in to the lands and had initially been wary of all those she lived with, nowadays the young lioness couldn't see herself living anywhere else. The music of the lands she lived within was ingrained in her soul, and to leave it all behind for something new, somewhere not quite as open or safe wasn't something the lioness could ever do.
Yes, she was a scaredy cat, but at leas she knew her weakness well.
"Well perhaps someday you can - they're quite an inviting lot," she added with a little swish of her tail, golden eyes bright. "I do live with my family and they're. . . .well. . . they're wonderful." She added, feeling her cheeks flush as she dipped her head. She was awfully proud of her family, even if she didn't think all that much about herself.
"My parents are important members of the pride," she explained, "and are always there when you need them. They sing and they dance and are overall lovely. I also have a sister and two brothers. . . they're . . . well they're much more out going than me. They're also quite talented even if one of them doesn't believe it!" Lanzlo himself always seemed a little different, a little off, but Jumuu understood him. She'd love him regardless how he felt and what he believed. . .
Music was in everyone and if she could dance and sing and hear the beat of the land, than anyone could. Including her new acquaintance. Giving her head a shake, gold eyes averting she quickly realized she was blabbering and stiffened. "I'm . . . I'm sorry. I didn't mean to go on so." Her ears flattened a bit and she cringed, half waiting for her companion to grumble about his company and leave.
Oi . . .she just wasn't good when it came to talking and now she was talking too much!
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