|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:07 pm
 
rrrrrggggle...
Okay, maybe he was. And the kill smelled so good...well he may as well go and see. With luck it'd be abandoned, but probably not. Well nothing to gain from not trying...A few minutes' loping run brought him to the scene of the attack. Ahh. Another lion's kill. He'd scented her before he'd seen her. That meant no luck on his side...but wait. He only smelled one lion...Never did the thought of chasing her off even pass his mind, but maybe he could ask to share. Clearing his throat he sidled up a bit. "Pardon me madame but..." Oh he felt so guilty approaching her like this, but it had been so long since he'd had fresh meat! "But I saw you had a rather fine meal there?" He finished lamely. Oh dear. What had his stomach gotten him into now?Jumoke was tickled with herself. It'd been a long time since she'd eaten as well. Not because she wasn't good at hunting... Just, well... she much preferred to run around and play than to hunt. Besides, the idea of killing just didn't sit well with her. Honestly, Ju was more the type to befriend her meals than to hunt them. But every so often the hunger was too much for her to bare, and she had to give into her carnivorous appetite. Like she had now. Of course, she had targeted the oldest antelope in the herd. Not only was it the easiest to catch, but it was easier to her to eat, knowing that it would have died from disease soon anyway.
She didn't notice the male until he was rather close and spoke. Her head raised, her maw already smeared a bit with blood. The lioness didn't look at all defensive or angry, in fact she smiled brightly at Bombei. "Oh, hello!" She called, her tail flicking back and forth behind her. She glanced to the corpse and to him and nodded proudly. "Indeed it is!"Oh good! He hadn't scared her off or to attacking. Feeling a bit more confident he nodded to the female, pointedly looking away from the corpse. He wouldn't make it seem he was that desperate. "It must have been quite a catch." Oh what to do? He couldn't right out ask her, could he? "My name is Bombei. It's nice to meet another rogue who isn't instantly defensive these days." Introductions would be as good a place as any to start. "Waht with the ground shaking so badly, every one is in a fit. Seeing a bit of normalicy really is reassuring-
glurgubugubgrrr...
He shuffled his feet and stared at them. His stomach was much less shy of announcing its needs than he was...but that didn't make him unembarrased about it. "My apologies. At the sight of your kill I...well my stomach couldn't help itself, I guess. It's as talkative as my friends say I am today, it seems."
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 9:45 pm
The lioness tilted her head from side to side curiously, watching him. "It's nice to meet you!" She purred happily, shifting to sit down, though her tail continued to flick around wildly, as if some part of her had to keep moving. "My name is Jumoke. Bombei... that is a fun name."
Her large doe-like eyes blinked a couple of times when his stomach growled loudly. She giggled more and stood again, bouncing in place. "Oh, oh! If you're hungry, you can have something to eat. I don't mind, and it's pretty good!" The idea of sharing her meal made her completely forget about the guilt of killing something, so this idea was just splendid in her mind. Besides, a meal was better with company... She had already filled most of her stomach with meat anyway.
Bombei chuckled, sitting when Jumoke did. His own tail twined around to sit upon his front paws, and he watched it twitch every now and then. "I'm glad you think so. I do too. It's rather bouncy, don't you agree? Jumoke seems like it would be a nice name to have as well. Does it mean anything?"
He was taken aback when she suddenly decided to share, though his gut growled again in excitement. "Oh I couldn't! Well, I could but...are you sure?" He stood, following her to the kill, and inhaled deeply. Ahh, it was so good! He wanted to tear into it, but oh, he felt bad taking it for nothing. "Is there any way I can repay you? I can't offer much but...oh! I know...If you want, I could tell you a story while I eat. It's not anything too grand, but it's something I'm working on...a story about how lions and hyenas started to disagree maybe?"
She beamed, continuing to bounce on her toes happily. "It really is! Bom-bei!" Each syllable was enunciated with a bounce, which made her laugh louder. Then she paused and looked up, as if she could pluck the meaning of her name from the sky. "Uuuh... I'm not sure, really! I suppose it might mean..."
Of course when his stomach growled again she lost her concentration and looked back to him. "Really, it's ok! I don't mind!" She stepped back and sat on the other side of her meal, nodding her head. "Really! Eating is better done together!" She leaned down and carefully ripped one of the legs from the corpse and scooted back with it, leaving the rest to him. "Go ahead..." When he offered a story it seemed like she would tackle him with excitement. "Really? Oh! That sounds like such a good story! Please, I'd love to hear it."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:03 pm
Oh my! Jumoke certainly was energetic. Like a cub in an adult's body! Bombei laughed aloud at her behavior and ignored that she had been so distracted. He watched her scoot off with one leg of the beast, and with an audible sigh of delight, he bent to take a mouthful of the tasty creature. Ahh, it was a delight! His favorite still, even if the buck was old and a little tough. He'd missed this fine food for sure!
"I can see that! I have many stories about how things began in the world, and this is one of my favorites. It is an older tale, and begins in a time when all the creatures of the world got along. Even the hyenas were friendly then, and they lived and hunted alongside the lions and leopards and wild dogs. Every one had enough to eat, and even the prey-beasts were happy, for death was not painful at all."
She laid down on the ground and watched him, her body still again except for her tail and mouth. Like a child her eyes remained fixed on him, listening to his tale. Ju loved stories, and this male seemed to be a splendid story teller. Her ears were fanned forward to be sure she heard everything clearly. Every few moments she'd been down to pull a strip of meat off of bone, which she spent awhile chewing in order to pay more attention to him. "Oooh...." Her eyes lit up at the idea of peace. Perhaps it was the dumb blond in her, but she really thought that that was a splendid idea.
Bombei punctuated his tale with little nibbles and happy eating noises, but even in his sloppy state he managed to maintain a decent rhythm. Jumoke was a good listener as well, which was a great help. "Then one day a young hyena named Shakal decided that he wanted to lead a hunt. For ages the predators had worked together, but always it was the feline partner that took the lead. He knew that he was not nearly as great a hunter as the felines, but he wanted to try. He knew though that he would never be allowed to lead, for the lions and cheetahs and leopards all knew what a poor hunter he was. Still, he went to the leader of the next hunt and asked to take his place. Being kind and knowing how badly Shakal wanted it, the leader, Hgyu'nrav, a great lion, allowed the hyena one try to prove himself, on the eve of their next hunt.
Shakal went away pleased, skipping to his den, but he paused when he heard familiar voices. "Why did you do that now? We're not going to get anything now." It was Shinela, Hgyu'nrav's mate. She sounded very upset and Shakal hid in a bush to overhear. "Letting that smelly Shakal lead, we're going to be hungry tomorrow night for sure!"
Hgyu'nran tried to calm his lioness, nuzzling her and talking softly, "Now there. He deserves a chance to try..." But Shakal didn't hear. He was far to angry, and, enraged, he slipped off."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:26 pm
Ju frowned deeply, letting out a soft gasp. "Oh, how terrible!" Her ears flattened against her head, reacting as if it were a real tale. Or at least she was getting rather involved in it. She had stopped eating at this point, wide eyes focused only on him as he spoke. Her mouth even hung open in anticipation. Paws fidgeted, struggling to hold in her excitement. "And then? What happened? Did Shakal ever find out the truth?"
Bombei chuckled and took the time Ju questioned him in to eat a bit more. His stomach had settled at the first bite, but he was still rather hungry. Telling tales built appetite after all! He partly ignored the lioness's questions, knowing that to answer them right out would ruin the tale, and she would rather he went on. He wasn't cruel about it though, and he offered a twinkling smile to let her know her wonderings would, eventually, be answered.
"'Who do they think they are, letting me lead while expecting me to fail?! They only want to laugh behind my back if I do it wrong...those stupid lions!' Through the day his anger grew, and finally, late that night, he couldn't take it any longer.
Desperate to gain power, Shakal sought out The Great Being (for there was only one God in that time, a great maned cat, and he ruled over all things) and pleaded with him. 'Oh please let show those lions how stupid they are!' He begged The Great One. 'Make me stronger any lion, faster than any cheetah, and more stealthy than all the leopards combined! Do not I deserve it?'
And The Great One looked down upon Shakal and shook his head sadly. He knew then that the time of peace would end, for not even by his guidance would his creatures see to keep the places he had put them in. 'Go.' He commanded Shakal, who cowered in fear at His tone. 'You shall be made different from all others, as you wish, but you do wrong to scorn the lions, who rightfully gave you your chance. You should have born the ridicule of one and done better for it. It is wrong to try to knock others down rather than better yourself.'"
Jumoke frowned even deeper, looking as if tears would come to her eyes. "Oh... Oh, that is just so sad. So sad..." She muttered, glancing down for a moment. Then back up, eager to see if there was more. Surely it couldn't end like that, with such bitterness and sorrow! Her meal was laying now forgotten at her side. The lioness paid no attention to it, and she wasn't hungry anymore anyway.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:55 pm
"Shamed, Shakal slunk off to his den, where he spent a fitful night. The next morning he woke, and gasped at what he saw. All the felines had grown taller, sleeker, and more powerful. The cheetahs had become lean and thin, and ran faster than anything in the world. The leopards seemed even more stealthy than before, and they moved silently through the fields. And the lions, oh! They were taller and more powerful by far, and from the males had sprouted beautiful crowns of fur, rich manes that glimmered proudly in the sun. They all were complimenting each other and grooming themselves, but at the sight of Shakal they all paused and stared.
What had The God done to him? He ran to the water hole to see, and gasped aloud. To shame him from wanting to go about proving himself through trickery and by lowering the others, his back had been bowed, and his head now hung low to the ground, permanently bowed in shame. He was scraggly, and unkempt, and no longer the beautiful creature he once was. His breath stank and his back had arched. It was as if The God had taken all the bad traits he'd had inside and put them outside for the world to see. And now everyone knew what a wretched thing he was.
With a horrid barking howl he fled, screaming his anger at the felines and The God for betraying him so, and giving away his secret. He swore vengeance that very hour, and to this day the Shakal's descendants make trouble for all other things. And it is our job to stop them, for The Great God gave us his mane, to wear as his servants and to show that we are his chosen kind."
Bombei concluded with a flourish and sat in silence a moment. He always put his all into his stories, and this was no different. Unable to talk for a moment, he ate instead, munching absently, letting himself settle before he would really think about the food or talking again.
The blond lioness just sat in awe, eyes wide with disbelief. It was clear that she truely believed his story, and was amazed by the magic of it all. Creatures turning into something else, Gods cursing people... It made a shiver run down her spine, and after a few minutes of silence she jumped to her feet. "That is such a good story! Oh please, Bombei, please, tell me more! Tell me more about the Great God? I..." She looked down at the corpse and realized that most of it was gone. Looking back up, the lioness dance in place excitedly.
"I'll catch you something else to eat! I'll feed you forever if you'll tell me more!"
Bombei could only laugh when Jumoke leapt up, so eager to hear more. "I must have done a good job then, I take it!" He sighed and let himself flop onto his side, stomach bulging a bit. "As wonderful as that sounds, I don't think I could eat another bite. Do sit, please! I'd be glad to tell you more, no hunting needed. I just need a little break, that's all." What he really wanted was a quick nap to rest, but with bouncy Ju about he assumed he wouldn't get it. That was okay too though. "Or maybe you could tell me a story? I like to learn new tales, and then I can share it with others, given you don't mind."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:49 pm
Ju pouted slightly, her lower jaw protruding outwards. She wanted a story, and was disappointed at first... but like before, her attention was quickly stolen away and she was happy again, bouncing up and down on her toes. "Alright!" She sat. Well... more like lounged herself onto the ground. She collapsed beside him with force enough to make a cloud of dust flow up around them. A small squeaky cough came from her throat, distracting her for a moment. Her doe-like eyes became focused on him again, smiling. "Alright..."
Jumoke wouldn't want him to be overworked or angry. A break would be nice anyway... When he asked for a story himself, she blinked, eyes a bit wide. "Me?" Her front paws fidgeted shyly, ears tilting back. "Oh... oh, I don't know... I've never told a story all by myself before... But I suppose I could think of one..." Her face wrinkled around the eyes, her concentration so focused on the task that it caused her body to tense up. She even went a bit cross-eyed, her mind straining to stay focused on one particular idea.
Bombei tried so hard not to laugh at Ju's expression, but eventually he just waved her down with a paw. "It's alright if you can't think of any, I don't mind. Maybe you can just tell me about yourself in general? I know your name, but that's it. Do you live nearby, I mean? Or are you off from a pride?" Learning that much would sort of be like a story. And he needed to know where he was, exactly. He had a place to get to, after all, and needed to know the way. His stomach bubbled happily, and he rolled onto it, feeling wonderfully fat and well fed. "That really was an excellent meal. Antelope has always been my favorite."
Ju giggled softly and let her chin rest on her front paw, while they still fidgeted of course. Though she really wasn't that young, she had the energy of a cub. "Hmmm..." Her tongue slipped out of the side of her maw as she continued to think. "You know..." Blinked, as if she'd just remembered some terrible secret. In fact.. she did. The poor lioness had just realized that she had no idea where she came from exactly. Ju didn't seem upset about the fact, more... curious. Where could her memories have possibly went? "Weeell...."
She didn't remember where she was from, but she didn't want to bore the male... especially after he had performed so well. Grinning, she stood, her back hunched. Her voice was lowered for dramatic affect as she continued on. "I'll tell you the story of my life..." It was the tone that someone would tell a horror story in. All she needed was a flashlight. "I was born far from here. Far, far away! In... a tree. But not just a normal tree." Nodded, emphasizing the fact that she was indeed NOT boring! Never! "This tree... well... the fruit, it was special, see... When the fruit fell to the ground it would grow legs and mouths, and be able to walk around and speak. But yeah, I was born there, in the tree... And when I was born, I fell too! But it was ok, the walking-speaking-fruit saved me-" Even though the idea of her falling on her head explained so much-"but walking-speaking-fruit are not friendly creatures. They stole me away from my mother, took me far away from her to a different tree."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Sep 21, 2008 11:59 pm
Bombei reclined, glad to listen, and he cocked an ear to catch the female's tale. He nodded along, it seemed logical...wait. In a tree, she'd said? That was...odd. But interesting for sure! Knowing better than to stop her, he simply waved her on.
Several minutes later he'd be unsure if allowing her to continue was such a good idea. Talking fruit? Well one thing was for sure, Ju had a flair for the...the fantastical. Yes, that was it. Still, she'd been so kind, he simply smiled and took it all in. It honestly was a story after all, and he was already thinking about how best he could use it later. The walking talking fruit was something...maybe a trick of the gods? Sure, why not. "That's amazing. Didn't your mother chase after them? I would, had you been my cub."
That fact had never accured to her. She frowned, ears tilting back slightly. "Uuh..." She was quick to answer afterwards, nodding vigorously and excitedly. "She tried! Oh, she really did! But... see! The tree had guards. They were monkey like creatures, only made out of moss. They guarded the special tree and the walking-talking-fruit. And when my mother tried to squish the fruits and take me back, the guard monkeys attacked! They didn't kill her though. They were so impressed by her dedication that they changed her into a monkey as well. But unfortunately she lost her memories when that happened, and all of her dedication was turned to protecting the tree, and not me."
She nodded gravely, but a bit over dramatically. Ju was trying so hard to be interesting, and apparently had no clue that he didn't believe her. "So, I was stolen away from the walking-speaking-fruit. Away to... a mountain! The fruit worshiped the mountain because it was even taller than their tree, which was really super tall, by the way. So tall it could touch the clouds! Anyway, I think they were set to sacrifice me, probably angry that my mom had birthed me in their tree."
Bombei nodded knowingly. "Ahh, I see, I see. A shame she became a monkey, but worshiping a mountain isn't the worst fate. At least you know they didn't kill her. And it was good of her to try to save you. I'll have to keep an eye out when I see tall trees...I like being flesh and bone, really. I don't think I'd look good as moss, do you?" He asked, half joking, and he flicked his tail about. No, he may be murky and foggy colored like some moss, but he'd really rather be a lion.
"So they were going to sacrifice you...was the mountain a volcano? I know many tribes of such creatures like to 'sacrifice' people by tossing them into volcanoes." He blinked, realizing his questions may be prodding her tale in an entirely different direction than she had intended, and he promised himself to be quiet from then on, aside from nodding now and then and continuing to show interest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:26 pm
Ju blinked for a moment at his suggestion, but seemed to roll with it, nodding excitedly. "Yes! It was a volcano... But it wasn't a normal volcano, nope. The lava... was... rainbow colored! It was where rainbows came from. The lava was all different colors that swirled around each other, and when it erupted it was spit out a pretty rainbow that went all across the sky. The monkies were gonna sacrifice me to the rainbow-mountain-volcano, but I got lucky, I suppose. Right when they threw me in, an eruption happened! I rode the rainbow all the way across the sky, and then I dropped down around here, a long time ago!"
Bombei ahhed appreciatively. So that was where rainbows came from! Of course, days from now he'd retell this tale but with a few twists. Already he'd decided that story-Ju would indeed die...but she would be reborn when the volcano erupted, as the goddess of rainbows. Yes, that'd do nicely...
"Well that makes plenty of sense. And you've been near here ever since? You must know the area very well then." He stretched and managed to sit, grooming himself absently.
She nodded, smiling broadly. The lioness was happy when he seemed to be impressed with her story. It didn't really dawn on her that he didn't believe it... Not yet anyway. "Well, I've wandered around a bit, but I've been around here alot, yeah! I like traveling and seeing new things." She smiled and tilted her head, watching him groom himself. "Are you from around here?" Pause, eyeing his mane. "You're rather fluffy."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 5:37 pm
Bombei laughed aloud at her comment on his mane, and he seemed to poof out a bit more. "I'm not from here, no. I'm from...well at this point I guess you could say I'm from a bit of everywhere. I have to wander, you see, to find good stories. Now and then something really interests me, and I stop for a while, year or more even. I guess all this," He gestured to his bushy mane, "Is from a stop over with a more northerly pride. It was rather cold there, and you had to grow more fur to keep warm. I do think it rather suits me though, the cubs I tell stories to agree. They think of it as a nice cushion to sit on."
Her eyes widened slightly, and it was quite obvious that she really, really wanted to test the cushion theory. Her toes wiggled in anticipation, but she barely managed to keep herself still. She did inch slightly closer, but that was all. "Oh! That seems like such a fascinating life... I just kind of go where ever seems fun, really... Have you been many interesting places...?"
Oh dear. Bombei knew tha face alright. It was the same the cubs he'd mentioned got when they saw him lay down, knowing he was within pouncing range. But Ju was very much not a cub, and probably a bit heavier...though he wasn't too worried. Perhaps too patient for his own good (or Ju's for that matter) he lay back down, bushy poofy fluffly mane settling oh-so invitingly. He really neded to learn to say no better, but no matter. Ju was like a cub, so...
"Some places, yes. Some are very scary, others are so fine you never want to leave. None have seemed like 'home' yet though, even the interesting ones, so I just keep going. Sometimes I go back to visit and share new stories, but most I never go to again, at least not for years and years." He wasn't sad about it either. It was what he'd always done, and he was used to knowing he'd likely never see the same person more than once or twice at most.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:03 pm
She could resist it no longer. Luckly she was small for an adult, and rather thin too... though the fact she had just eaten didn't help. The lioness gleefully pounced upon him, burying her cheek into his fluffy mane. "Oh! This really is as they said, it's soft!" Ju purred contently and nuzzled into his side, tail flicking back and forth excitedly.
The blond listened, still purring softly. "I see... That really does sound fantastic! You're so interesting, Bom-bei!" Each syllable of his name was enunciated, said in a somewhat sing-song tone. "I think I'll travel like you. Learning new games and songs and stories."
"Oof!" Bombei squashed under the well-fed lioness, though he wasn't too off put by it. No, he was far too well-padded for that. He allowed himself to be nuzzled and fawned over for a bit, and swished his tail happily. "I suppose it is, after all. I'm glad you approve though. I would feel bad if you were expecting a cloud and got a rock instead."
Ah, it seemed he'd gleaned an new companion? That would be interesting. This happened every so often, other fellows teaming up in ones and twos for a while. Eventually they all left him again, but some continued along for a month or more. He certainly wouldn't deny Ju her wish, if that was it, but he was a bit surprised. "And leave the land the rainbows put you in? You're very daring to do that. But if you'd like, I'd be happy to have you." It wasn't his savanna after all, and she could wander with him if she wanted.
She was busy purring and feeling his mane and just being her all around happy-go-lucky self. The last bit had seemed to catch her off guard though. While she had meant the idea of traveling to find stories and stuch would be fun, she had not quite meant that she'd do it with him. Most people seemed to get tired or annoyed with her after awhile. Of course, she had absolutely no idea why. She tried her best to be nice!
The lioness let out a soft squeal and bounded to her feet, jumping up and down a few times. "Really?? You wouldn't mind me coming with you at all? Really, really, really, really and truely?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Sep 22, 2008 6:26 pm
Bombei stood and dusted himself, watching Ju bounce in place. "Well for a while at least. You may get bored with me after a bit. I only know so many stories after all." An energetic companion like Ju would either revive his traveling spirit for sure, or drive him to an early grave....but it seemed like he'd enjoy it either way, so what was the harm? She was welcome to go with him as long as she wished.
"Really, really, really, really, and truly too." He nodded. "I'm only part sure where I"m headed, so having someone that knows the area along would be a great help too."
"Yay!" She giggled and continued to jump around in energetic little circles. And finally she turned to him, eyes wide and happy, smiling. "We'll have fun together! I'll even help hunt. I promise I won't let you down, Bom-bei." Nodded, then turned to stare at the horizon. "Where to first, then?" Her toes wiggled against the dirt, eager to be off on her first great adventure.
Ahh, that would be a fine hel ptoo, now that she mentioned it. Hunting was best done in a group, he'd be fatter than ever with such a good companion. "That would be wonderful. I'm not as fast as I once was, so I'll gladly take the help." He looked up and tried to get his bearings from the sun and the breeze. "Well...I"m headed to a place. I don't know the name, but they're a rather secretive bunch from what I hear. They've got clans within the pride, and live alongside a group with a great rock for a den. I'm new to the area, so I'm not sure...East though, I think." He stretched and rose, and started off at an easy walk. He'd never been one to worry too much over getting the direction exactly right anyways.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
