|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:03 pm
Rishi stretched his long form along the warm surface of the ground, allowing his muscles to relax and soak up the heat that radiated off of the large rock. He was sprawled across the top of a large boulder and was attempting to soak up as much warmth and sunlight as he could from the waning light. He still had about an hour left before the sun actually set, but he wanted to give himself plenty of time.
Eyes closed against the brilliantly colored sky, Rishi willed his mind to quiet and allow him to sleep. Granted, he spent quite enough time sleeping as it was, but it was an activity he deeply enjoyed and this particular spot provided him a wonderful opportunity with which to do so. However, his mind seemed to have other ideas and jumped from thought to thought, refusing to settle. Every once in awhile, this would happen. Rishi knew that he was waiting for something, but he was usually content enough to wait, but occasionally, his imagination would take off and he would lose patience.
He wondered just what it was that he was looking for. Certainly there had to be something that kept him here, rather than seeking out a pride to join, or a traveling group to spend time with. He kept to himself mostly, though he craved company often. It was because of this that he enjoyed any random encounter with someone out on the Savannah.
"Perhaps today is one of those days," he muttered to himself, and pushing himself into an upright position, he opened his eyes and scanned the area around him.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:37 pm
A soft whine of a noise escaped the muzzle of the brightly colored lion, his flashy mane tossing softly as he tried to look down at what was causing him so much pain. It was a vain attempt, to be sure, because the quills from the porcupine attack were lodged into the side of his mug - he was going cross-eyed in his attempt to see just how many there were and how deeply they were in his soft flesh. He whined, yet again, pausing to reach up with one paw, and with a very hesitant and anticipating wince, he touched at the side of his nose. He nearly yelped, but forced it back down his throat as he set his paw back to the ground. Instead, he simply made himself continue walking, hoping that he could find someone that would be able to help him out with this little.. problem.
He was sure he looked like a fool - which was what he was, ultimately. He had thought the little creature was a rabbit, so how was he supposed to know, exactly, that sticking his nose into the little den was such a bad idea? Of course, the blinding pain had been his first clue, and it didn't take him two seconds to realize that he should probably get away from there. He let out a slow sigh, a shudder raking his form as he remembered the squeaky cry of triumph that had followed his retreating bound. If he hadn't been so afraid that thing would have stuck him with more needles, he would have given it a good sneer. How could such a little creature be so damn.. pointy?
He shook his head, grimacing immediately as it caused the needles to flop painfully, and let his eyes scan over the surrounding area. He didn't know how long he had been walking, but a feeling relief swept over him as he noticed the lounging figure of another lion. With a hesitant pause, he edged in that direction, hoping that if the other couldn't get these buggers out that he could at least point him to a pride in this direction that had a resident that could. They were very, very painful. "Hello?" he called out, as loudly as he dared with those things lodged painfully into his mug and vibrating with every movement of his mouth.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 4:48 pm
Rishi turned at the sound of a voice and his gaze followed the sound until he saw another lion standing nearby. He was about to call back a greeting when he stopped, frowning slightly. Something looked slightly off about the other lion's muzzle. Looking closer, Rishi blinked once, twice, a third time, before wincing visibly. Tensing his muscles, he propelled himself down the side of the boulder and landed nimbly on the hard packed earth. He hurried over to the other lion with a sympathetic expression on his own muzzle.
"Hello there! Looks like you have a rather . . . prickly problem there. How did that happen?" asked Rishi. He really didn't need to ask, as it was rather easy to guess how it had happened. Still, he couldn't help himself.
Gazing at the large needles that were stuck in the other lion's nose, Rishi couldn't help but feel sympathetic. He had his own history with a porcupine and he now gave the creatures a cautious and respectful birth. He suspected that this lion would do the same.
"I'm Rishi. Can I help you get rid of those things?" he asked bluntly, unsure as to whether the other lion would accept his help or not.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 5:34 pm
A small sigh of relief shook from his mug, though it was as clipped as he could manage so that it wouldn't make the quills quiver where they were. He was glad that the rogue was friendly at least - it made this a lot simpler on his part. If the rogue had been difficult, well, it would have been a lot harder to get him to tell him where there might be someone willing to help out a poor fool that just happened to be down on his luck today. He stopped where he was as he watched the other climb down from his bolder and saunter closer, taking the time to sit down and reprieve himself of that little bit of stress. Funny how silly little things like standing seemed that much harder when you were in a little bit of pain.
"Well, I made the rather silly mistake of thinking a porcupine was a rabbit, because I didn't get a very good look at it.." he trailed off, not really wanting to relive the memory, and he was sure that if this bloke had ever encountered a porcupine before, well, he knew exactly how to fill in the gaps that Misri left out.
"Could you do that?" he said with a sudden light of hope sparking in his eyes. He didn't dare to smile, or get too excited, feeling all too well the quill's sharp ends stuck into his tender flesh. "They're rather uncomfortable, if I do say so myself," he said with the most unamused chuckle he could manage, his paws shifting underneath of him. Well, he supposed his luck wasn't totally gone. At least if he had to get stuck with these damn things, he didn't have to walk halfway across the Savannah to find someone who could help him pull them out.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 5:47 pm
Rishi couldn't help but chuckle at the other lion's explanation, but it was a kindly laugh with no malicious intent behind it. The reason for the chuckle was the fact that his own experience with a porcupine had been so similar as to be ironic. He shook his head slightly in rueful memory before he focused on the task at hand.
Nodding, he stepped closer to the other male to try and decide the best way to get rid of the pins.
"Certainly. I understand exactly how painful those quills can be. I had a remarkably similar experience about a year ago, so I do sympathize. I will have those out in a jiffy. All you have to do is hold very still and try to keep your thoughts focused on something else."
Rishi stepped forward and eyed the quills somberly before choosing the first to pull out. Leaning forward, he carefully slipped the base of the quill between his top and bottom teeth, his tongue carefully avoiding the end. Noting the angle at which the quill had entered the other male's mug, he slowly and carefully pulled it out and spat it onto the ground, away from their paws.
Hoping that the other male wouldn't mind his methods, Rishi carefully repeated the process, making a small pile of needles on the ground.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 6:33 pm
"Well, at least I'm not the only fool in the world," he said with a soft laugh, shaking his head at his own mistake. It did make him feel a little better to know that he wasn't the only one that had gone and messed up like that, especially over what seemed like such a stupid mistake. He supposed everyone could screw up - as long as one learned from it and didn't keep do it again, well, that would prove whether or not one actually was a fool or not, wouldn't it?
"Alright, I trust you," he said as he shut his eyes and tried to hold as still as was possible. As he felt the other lean closer, he didn't have to guess at just how he was planning to pull them out. It wasn't like they had opposable thumbs like those funny monkey creatures - no, they had to work with what they had. As he felt the first tug, he almost pulled away, especially as the quill sent a sharp pain through his mug as it was yanked out. He forced himself to sit still though, digging his claws into the earth below his paws, counting away the seconds in his head.
"How much longer?" he grunted out, his tail lashing behind him. Obviously, this 'keep your thoughts on something else' trick really wasn't working out too well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 6:44 pm
Rishi could understand the pain in the other male's voice. Pulling out the quills was almost more painful than having them go in. Neither was a pleasant experience. Luckily, he was almost finished. There were only three needles left. Working quickly but carefully, he pulled the last three out and spat them onto the pile with the others. Rishi grimaced at the taste in his mouth and spat a few times to rid his mouth of it. But still, it was a small price to pay, because all of the quills that had been stuck in the other male's muzzle were now unstuck.
Rishi took a few steps back to give the other male his space. Though the quills were gone, the pain would still remain for awhile, and that was something he couldn't help with. But he stayed there, to see if there was anything else he could do to help and to make sure that the other male would be alright.
"All gone. It will still hurt for a bit. If you dunk your face in cold water, that does help a little bit. There is a watering hole nearby. Are you feeling well enough to go?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:16 pm
As the other rogue pulled out the last quill, he didn't even seem to realize it. The stinging remained in his nose, so adamant that, while it didn't feel quite as terrible as the quills itself, it was still hard to tell whether or not they were gone at first. Slowly, it began to ebb away, and he let out a slow breath of relief and let his eyes flicker up towards the other rogue with more than just a little thanks shining in them. "Thanks a lot," he said with a deep, steadying breath. He was trying to resist the urge to reach up and touch it, like when one happened to step on a sharp stone. He knew that if he touched it, it would probably only make the stinging worse again.
"I think I can probably manage to walk, it doesn't hurt as bad as some things I've managed to do to myself, though it wasn't altogether pleasant either," he chuckled at himself, though winced almost immediately. Ok, laughing still hurt. His tail lashed behind him and he realized, quite suddenly, that he didn't even know the name of the fellow that had helped him out so graciously. "I'm Misri, by the way. Seems a little rude of me to not even get the name of my shining hero," the grin that split his maw was once again, amused. He could crack jokes again now that he didn't have digging, stinging quills sticking out of the side of his nose.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 7:33 pm
Rishi chuckled and grinned at the Misri. The two lions certainly had a great deal in common. It was also a good sign that Misri was able to crack jokes, if not laugh too hard at them. That was bound to still be painful. But progress was progress and now that the needles were out, his nose could heal.
Rishi bobbed his head with a sly grin on his own maw. He liked this Misri and despite the circumstances, he was glad to have met someone so similar. Simply meeting anyone was a blessing, but a potential friend was an added bonus.
"I am Rishi and it is nice to meet you, Misri, although the circumstances could have been a bit more pleasant. I would have spoken to you even if you had not had the quills in your mug," he joked pleasantly. Tail twitching slightly, he gestured with his head in the direction of the watering hole. Some cool, refreshing water would be helpful to both of them. He took the lead, but did not try to rush, glancing over his shoulder at his new aquaintance.
"Shall we?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 12:27 pm
He too found that there was easy company in the other male, and though the circumstances were a little unfortunate, he was pleased to be able to have a little conversation as it were. With the quills now out of his mug, he let a small yawn crack his jowls, then he carefully pushed himself back up onto his feet. Shooting the stack of needles one last, irritated glance, he turned instead to look at the rogue before him.
"It's a pleasure to meet you as well, Rishi. I dare say that I do with the circumstances were a bit more pleasant, myself, though there's really not much to be done about that. I'm just lucky there was someone around when I needed help." He smirked, shaking his head at the thought of having to walk across the whole Savannah with needles sticking out of his nose - he must have looked quite foolish. "Though, I probably would have spoken to you too, even if I hadn't been in dire need of your help." Not that it was really life or death they were talking about - those quills were a minor pain at best, just annoyingly painful more than anything.
"I think so," he commented finally as the other began to walk, leaping to fall into step at the swampy lion's side. "Are you from around here?" he asked casually as he fell into stride, his tail flickering. He wasn't sure if there were any prides in this area or not.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 11, 2008 11:09 pm
Rishi grinned at the humor in the other male and the easy sense of friendship that they had fallen into. Despite the painful circumstances of their meeting, he was very glad that it had happened. A chance to speak with someone who might know of the happenings outside of Rishi's small world was always a welcome opportunity, and the chance to make a friend was even more welcome. He strolled easily next to Misri, tail waving slightly back and forth to show his contentment.
He pondered over Misri's question for a moment before answering, "Well, kind of. I'm not originally from this area. I grew up a good distance south from here. However, I've done some traveling, and have kind of settled down here for the moment. I'm not a member of any pride, though, if that is what you wondered. Not because I am antisocial, by any means . . ." His eyes took on a faraway expression, "I just haven't found what I'm looking for yet."
He shook out his mane and grinned sheepishly before asking his own questions. "What brings you out here, if I may be so bold as to ask? Are you a member of a pride? I wasn't aware that there were any around here, though I certainly could be mistaken."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 12, 2008 11:42 am
He wasn't sure he would have said he was glad that this experience had happened - not exactly how it had come to happen anyway. If he had been able to stumble upon Rishi without first stumbling upon the blasted porcupine that ruined his day, well, that would have been fine and dandy. Otherwise, he probably would have preferred that it not happened at all. Not because he didn't enjoy the company of the swampy lion - quite the contrary, in fact - but because his nose was still really damn sore.
His ears perked a little at the sound of the other's voice, listening to the small bit of history that came out. So, Rishi was a traveler of sorts, too? He didn't seem to be on such a grand scale as Misri himself, but he was a traveler none-the-less! "I've traveled far and wide and I haven't found what I'm looking for," he said with a small chuckle, though he realized that Rishi seemed a bit more troubled by this lack of purpose than he did. Misri simply suffered from wanderlust, where as Rishi.. Rishi really seemed as if he needed to find something specific.
"Well, I'm not from around here at all, actually. I've been traveling since I was old enough to survive without my mother, and I haven't stopped traveling since I started." He grinned, shrugging his shoulders a little as the pair of them loped along. "I happened to be out here only because this is where my paws led me. They've seen better judgment in their time." He added the last words off-handedly, chuckling as he did in a joking manner.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 7:41 pm
Rishi listened with actual interest to Misri's words. It was rare that he ran across another creature in his minor travels that was so similar to him. Both were travelers in their own right, though Rishi was sure that the other male had seen a great deal more land than Rishi ever would. He didn't suffer from the wanderlust that other rogue wanderers suffered from. He simply wasn't sure where he was supposed to settle yet. Until he found out, he was going to wander with the rest of them.
Rishi chuckled at Misri's joke. "Well, I hope that your paws choose to lead you somewhere a little less prickly less time. I'm sure that the rest of you would appreciate it." He paused before asking, "How is your nose anyway? Any better? The water hole is right ahead, so hopefully the cool water will help to soothe some of the pain."
Indeed, a stretch of water appeared before them. The watering hole was quite large enough to swim in and was obviously a popular place. There were several other creatures enjoying the cool water, but the place was large enough that there was plenty of space for everyone without feeling crowded. Rishi contemplated flinging himself into the water. It would be refreshing in the warm air, but he decided to wait and take a drink first. There would be plenty of time for swimming later, after he made sure Misri's nose was going to survive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:22 pm
"Well, they usually seem to lead me to more pleasant places than they did today, though I suppose it wasn't entirely a loss." He threw an amused glance towards the mossy green lion at his side, inclining his head with an indication in his direction. "At least I got to run into my fellow wanderer, though they could have gone about having me meet you in a much more convenient manner." He threw a scolding look down to his feet, faking a scowl as if they would actual understand, and then let it all fade with a bemused chuckle.
"Oh, my nose? Well, it still stings a bit, but I'm beginning to think it won't fall off after all." He crossed his eyes to look at his nose, swollen now that the quills had been plucked out, but looking much worse than it actually felt, that was for sure. His eyes uncrossed, blinked a few times, and then settled on the water that stretched out before them. He was glad, he had to admit, for he realized at that moment that he was quite parched despite not having realized it before.
He crossed the stretch of grass, leaning down to get a drink of water, aware of those around him though not paying them much heed since there was truly plenty of room to be had for all. He drew in a deep sigh after he had quenched his thirst, lifting his head with a pleased grin across his maw. His eyes roamed over the lands for a moment before he realized the familiar itch in his gut was telling him it was time to move on - he had been here, resting, for a few days. Well, he had been in the area at least. His gaze swept to his short-lived companion, his smile pleasant. "I think it may be time for me to get a move on, my wanderlust is beckoning me on. Thank you though, for helping me with my little.. mishap." He chuckled, deeply and amused now that he could look back on the incident with humor.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 8:52 pm
Rishi chuckled kindly at the joke. The other male's nose did look rather swollen, but that meant at least that it was starting to heal. And hopefully, it didn't hurt nearly as much anymore. Rishi's own nose twitched with the memory of similar pain. Stepping forward towards the water, Rishi took a long drink to quench his thirst. The water was clear and sweet: one of the reasons it was frequented so much.
When Misri spoke of leaving, Rishi nodded. He'd expected it. After all, they each had their own way to go. He had enjoyed meeting and speaking with Misri, but Rishi also had things to get to. There was a sun-baked rock beckoning him back for another nap. And Misri's paws were calling to him. Time to part.
"Well, I must say that we could have met under better circumstances, but I am glad that I was able to meet you. And to lend you a paw with your rather . . . prickly situation," said Rishi with a grin.
"I hope that our paths cross again sometime. If you're ever back in this area, I'm sure you will be able to find me." Rishi smiled kindly at his new friend before turning to leave.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
