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 Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 6:40 pm
 The coalition was real, he always knew it. Now, they knew where to go. The proud patriarch stepped with natural cheetah grace as he led his family in sustainable trotting pace, mindful of the cubs. It was good for the training in speed but exhausting them would mean losing a lot of travel time. Until they were in the coalition's lands where they would have other cheetah's to help keep everyone safe, there were risks to be weighed. This is what he chose, to keep moving quicker than a walk but slower than a run.
Always scanning, he searched for signs of danger and landmarks to make sure he knew where he was at all times and didn't lead them in the wrong direction. It was up to his mate and the cubs to keep together and following or at least tell him should there be a problem even if he worked to be observant enough to notice things like that.
Being one of those times, the sleek gray cheetah looked behind him and around him, eyes searching for his family to make sure everyone was fine and keeping up. They were almost to a place they could call home, it was enough to get even him excited enough to bound like a cub, but there was far too much pride in the grown male for that sort of action.
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 6:56 pm
 Garai kept pace with his father, ears twitching constantly, listening carefully so he didn't go astray. Though he was still young, he'd already grown accustomed to using his hearing for navigation. His lack of sight made it necessary, after all. He was growing more tired now though, as they'd been walking at a speedy pace for what seemed like ages. So with a slight movement he nudged his father's tail, hoping that it wouldn't hit him as he pulled away.
"Poppa..." he started quietly. "I'm tired..."
And he hesitantly stopped, hoping his father wouldn't be angry with him. He knew their goal was to get to safety, but he had almost no energy now. "Can we please stop for a little while?" Blind eyes turned upward to where he assumed his father was, wondering if he had an agitated look on his face.
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 7:18 pm
Like Aailyah promised, the cheetahs were safe in their lands. They were far enough from the other prides to avoid confrontation and competition for food, but close enough to share the same terrain that they were so comfortable living in. There were changes that they would grow accustomed to, but these were things that Aailyah and the others were willing to work with.
While Aailyah's first intent was for the cheetahs to all remain in the lands, she learned that this would be difficult for many. Female cheetahs were such solitary creatures, she was not surprised when many chose to come and go. It was those that left, however, that brought new faces to the coalition. Aailyah was thankful for the changes to her plans.
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 7:33 pm
Feeling the nudge, Kolo looked to his blind son and heard his request. With a heavy breath, he looked around for a place to rest. Seeing an umbrella tree a few paces ahead, he heeded his child's plea and spoke, "Alright, Garai, we'll slow down, there is a good place to rest a little further ahead." He wanted to get to the coalition lands as soon as possible but a rest would be good for the cubs.
Mindful of his little gray son, he kept his tail against him so it was easier for the cub to follow. Changing direction, he lead to the tree but kept a look to the west, searching for the signs of other Cheetahs unsure exactly how close to the lands they were currently.
He wasn't angry about the stop, just wished they could have been in the lands first, for the safety of all of his family, but especially the cub that just asked to stop, the brutal scavengers, lowly lions and other creatures would really be unkind to a blind cheetah even though one without the use of their eyes is still ten times better then the strongest lion.
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 9:57 pm
The young cub was grateful for his father's understanding, keeping his nose close to the older cheetah's tail until they stopped. He loved the help, and hated it at the same time. He kept most of his insecurities of himself, though it really pained him to not be able to see the two cheetahs that gave him life, as well as his brothers and sisters. It hurt to not be able to wrestle and take part in a lot of activities that they all got to do. But Garai brushed the thoughts aside and started to look for the trunk of the tree.
Once there he lay down, lowering his head for a small nap. He had a feeling he was the weakest link in the family, always the one to ask for rest and the like, on top of being sightless. He sighed and sidled up to the tree once he found it, purring quietly before feeling his exhaustion beginning to take over. He wasn't entirely asleep yet, however, and he kept his ears up to listen just in case something happened.
"Thank you Poppa.." he said tiredly in his almost sleep, yawning softly and getting more comfortable.
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Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 10:18 pm
Kolo lay close to his blind son, extra watchful of the young cub. The opportunists were everywhere after all. With an affectionate nuzzle to the cub he told him, "Rest well, son, soon we will be in a land of cheetahs, no more filthy lions and the other scavengers. Everything will be even better once we get there." Perhaps there would even be other cheetah cubs that were blind so Garai would have friends his age and play on a fair felid. It would be wonderful, for the cub to have friends his age that truly understood what it was like to be blind, sure his family loved and supported him but it would be something if there were others like him.
He could dream about, but soon it would no longer be a dream, as soon as the cubs were rested, they would make the final stretch and enter the land they had traveled so long to reach.
With the sun high, he looked at the shadow of the tree. It would a good time to travel in a few hours because the hottest part of the day would be done.
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Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 11:53 am
One thing that Aailyah had yet to see were young cheetahs closer to her son's age. She imagined how difficult it must have been for him and hoped that in time he would not be alone. Aailyah wished for the best for her son and encouraged those who joined not to be shy when it came to finding mates. In fact, as more time passed, the group slowly developed rituals in which most, if not all, members joined together to celebrate particulare events. Of those, one was an opportunity to find mates.
While she played matchmaker for the others, Aailyah did not think for a moment about finding another mate for herself. It had been a traumatizing experience to love and lose so many of her own cubs, that she remained satisfied in the company of her son.
With a smile on her face and the determination to set off in search of others, the white cheetah excused herself from her extended family with the promise to return before sun down. She would never leave Chura for too long. As she passed the land's borders, she paused and suddenly became very alert. Looking in all directions, the lithe female chose her path and set off.
As the cheetah ran quickly in search of others, the air felt cool against her fur. She observed the lands around the coalition and mentally noted anything strange or new. Aailyah continued to run when something went through her mind like a sharp pain. The female sent up clouds of dirt as she stopped and suddenly it took over.
A small cub lay beneath a very large acacia tree, not far from a larger male. Around them appeared to be the rest of the family, sharing similar markings and colors. They were worn and exhausted.
Aailyah woke to found that her body had fallen to the ground. Blinking, the cheetah attempted to regain herself. She had not expected to have a vision mid-run. When she released a breath and looked around, a familiar acacia tree could be far in the distance. Could that have been them?
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 12:37 pm
Kolo didn't rest with his family, he couldn't. He felt he was the protector of the family and thus had to stay fully alert to protect them from the dangers. All his cubs now were strong enough they might have a chance running off, but certainly his one son, Garai, might never be found if he ran off on his own.
Unlike his mate, his worrying over everything didn't incapacitate him. In fact, it was keeping him from becoming violent, being occupied as he was with thinking and watching. The hot son was starting to fade; he could see the shadow of the shade tree moving ever so slightly. While time mattered little, it meant that soon they might be able to get up and move again until they were safe and truly home.
In the distance, his attention was caught by a white figure in the distance. Sure it wasn't a trick of the light, he carefully got up. Being very careful not to disturb his family, he carefully stepped over and around the bodies around him with the grace all cheetah's had and no other cat could match. Watching carefully, the hair on his neck began to stand as he got ready to fight. Protective of his family, it was only the scent carried by the wind that got him to calm down.
It was a cheetah; she was a friend by that alone if for nothing else. Chirping, cheetahs are too sophisticated to roar after all, he communicated by pure sound to let her know he and his family was there. Words were for when she was closer and they could communicate easier.
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:16 pm
Because of his condition, Garai's sense of hearing was the most sensitive of the senses that he could use, so the young cheetah stirred and woke almost as soon as he heard his father's chirping. The cub twitched his ears a bit and stood, following the sound to his father's side, silently praying that he wouldn't accidentally trip over anybody else and wake them all. Thankfully, his sense of smell helped him a bit with that task, and with but a few trip-ups here and there, he sat beside his father and tilted his head curiously.
"Is there somebody there, Poppa?" he asked. He kept his voice rather quiet, in case the possible company was hostile. It'd be best if his presence was unknown, if that were the situation. It was only seconds later that he picked up an unfamiliar scent on the breeze, and he lowered his body closer to the ground. He, unlike his father, was unable to tell whether it was of a cheetah or another species, since he only knew his own family's scent. Every other smell, including other cheetahs, was new to him.
"Poppa?"
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:29 pm
Aailyah remained where she was, squinting towards the tree in an attempt to get a better clue as to whether her assumption had been correct. From what she could tell, the tree was very familiar, but it all seemed to pass so quickly. When she began to bring herself forward, she saw a figure from the group do the same. He was large and clearly protective of the others in his company. With a smile, Aailyah was reassured that her vision had led her to the right cheetahs. If that was the case, she needed to welcome them with the utmost hospitality.
When the sound of Kolo's chirp reached the white cheetah's ears, she could not help but smile broader. It was comforting to hear that some of her kind did not forget their own language with one another. By his tone, she could understand that he meant no harm and simply offered greeting. Emitting her own soft chirp, the female continued to approach, body language showing that she was good company.
Finally reaching the group, Aailyah noticed that one of the cubs had also came towards the edge of where the others lay. Shifting her gaze to see the sleeping cheetahs, Aailyah spoke in a whisper, "Greeting brothers. I am Aailyah of Duma'Chama. I saw you all resting so near my home that I have hoped I might offer safe shelter for the night?" And being so new, the cheetah couldn't help but feel a bit silly. "Have you heard of us?"
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 7:48 pm
Kolo had not intended to wake up his family, especially his young blind son. Looking down to the gray, green-eyed cub, he did not answer right away. He wanted to identify the cheetah if possible. However, not ignore the young cub, he answered, reassured by the soft chirp, a beautiful sound from a beautiful cheetah. Resting his tail against his son in added comfort, he answered, “Yes, Garai, another cheetah, she is a friend by the sounds of it. I think we made it.” He was excited, and it could be heard in his voice though it was lower than how he felt.
Soon, his cubs would know exactly what it was like to live among their own kind at last. To get to know the difference and not to mistake other inferior cats as friends, to do so would be awful. He has tried, and his mate, to teach them to dislike lions and other cats, that Cheetah’s were the only ones worthy of their time. Like the lovely creature walking towards them. “Greetings, sister. I am Kolo and it is wonderful to be in your company.” He answered her as she greeted him, a little unfamiliar with the style but thought nothing more of it.
Smiling, he was inwardly elated because he heard the name of the coalition he had been searching for. On the outside, however, he was more stoic, though is eyes shone with the light of joy. As she finished, he answered, “I have been searching for you, Lady Aailyah, and your home. My family and I seek to join the Duma’Chama. The moment I heard of the Coalition, my mate and I have been traveling with our young cubs to find the safe place for Cheetahs.” Looking down to his son, he hunched down a little and nudged the little boy, “Don’t be shy son, go ahead and introduce yourself, she is a cheetah there is nothing to fear. “ He wanted to teach the cub how to interact with others of his kind.
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Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 8:01 pm
The comforting touch of his father's tail brought a small smile to his face. He noted his father's tone of voice that he was ecstatic about finally arriving to the grounds of the coalition he was so anxious to find. He listened to their very formal pleasantries, and envisioned that the female his father was speaking to was very beautiful. She seemed to have a sort of proud air about her, but nothing in a bad sense. More like...she perhaps had a high position within the coalition.
As his father nudged him forward, Garai seemed to lose his words. He'd never been the most social amongst his brothers and sisters. If anything, he was the most quiet, keeping to himself almost all of the time. It somehow came with his disability, he always felt. After what felt like ages he swallowed his nervousness and lowered his unseeing eyes to the ground.
"I am Garai," he mimicked his father. "It's a pleasure to meet you.."
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 4:50 pm
Aailyah was thrilled at the thought of meeting such a friendly family of cheetahs. She had come across lone cheetahs who entirely disagreed with her ideals, calling her awful names and disrespecting her, but Aailyah believed that she was right and that this was her calling. While the coalition as a whole had some sort of negative feelings towards other species, more prominantly lions, not all hated them. In fact, some cheetahs of the coalition became fearful of the prophecy and scared for the lives of their young. Others were simply dismissive.
The thin white cheetah had personal experiences that led to her feelings against lions, hyenas and eagles specifically. Though she was young when she encounted the horrible situations, the memories remained scared within her and her parent's guidance never left.
When Kolo continued to speak, Aailyah couldn't help but flush boldly. He was generous in his words and the cheetah beamed proudly. "Oh, I am thrilled that we have found you." The sound of Garai's voice had the cheetah looking down to view the cub. From what she could tell, the young kitten was roughly Chura's age. "It is a pleasure to meet you as well, Garai. I have a young son your age, I am sure he would be excited to meet you."
While Aailyah awaited a response, her pink eyes drifted towards the sleeping figures of the rest of the family. With a light chuckle, the cheetah quickly added, "Surely your family is tired. I don't mean to keep you up with conversation. Would you prefer to rest here, or be directed towards our lands?"
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Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 5:20 pm
Kolo and his mate were certainly ones that hated other species, and they didn't miss a chance to instill it. Cheetahs were another animal; he respected his fellow cat and was very interested in living around them. The beauty of a white Cheetah that greeted them was just another exceptional example that cheetahs were the most beautiful cats around. Had he not had a mate and family, he would have flirted but he had six reasons not to.
He echoed the thrilled feeling, but his voice was taken when his son spoke. Smiling with such pride at Garai's talking, knowing he isn't the most out going. Bending his neck down, he nuzzled the cub a moment, softly praising him for speaking so well.
Looking back up, he smiled more at the idea of cubs the same age of his own. "It would be wonderful for Garai and his siblings to have friends their own age." He was a little apprehensive of unknown cubs playing because they may not know how to play with his blind child. While he did not view the blindness as a weakness, Garai was the same as his siblings in their father's eyes, he just hoped other would treat him the same. Being that they were cheetah's not any other ignorant cats he didn't see as big of a problem.
Looking back as well, he didn't want to take any more time alone. "It is no problem; this is certainly a conversation well worth staying up anytime." Weighing the options, he was in favor of pushing his family, but didn't want to harm them either. "Would you kindly direct us home?" Already he saw the coalition as the home they had been searching for and now had found.
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Posted: Sat May 17, 2008 7:42 pm
He frowned at the mention of other cubs. It was likely they wouldn't want to play with him, and that they'd like his siblings much more, because of his blindness. Garai had never felt weak or anything of that sort before, because it was just his siblings. However, other cubs...might be a problem for him.
But nuzzle he received from his father made him beam. He always loved any attention he got from him. The cub chirped happily, tail swishing more so now with his mood uplifted. He turned his attention back to the femme cheetah, ears twitching as he listened to her and his father converse. He was just as excited as his father about finally settling down in one place. It called for much less travel, and that was always difficult for him to do, and the chance of getting separated from his family was so high. Yet...he tilted his head curiously when his father finished speaking.
He said...home?
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