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 Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:37 am
 Unguzo stretched and moved from his den without hurry. The sun was high in the clear blue above, but he wasn’t bothered by the late hour. He was the master of his own time, after all, and everything he needed to do, all the creatures he was destined to meet and the achievements he had been born to make, were waiting for him. Moving forward, he yawned and padded his way lazily down the rock formation he had made his home. His people had come from the mountains, after all, and this little face of a mesa was as close to home as he could find.
Of course, it had been occupied by someone before him, but he had convinced the other to hand over the lease. And he had a nice dinner to follow.
Lowering his head at a watering hole, he cleared away the dryness that had gathered in his throat through the night, then stretched his hind legs and moved away from his small territory. It would grow, once he found his pride and introduced these rogue lands to the glory of the Dhalimu.
Hyundur'ton crossed the plains at her leisure, sauntering across with a full belly, and her brown coat blending in but for the caked blood on her paws and the flashing red of her eyes. The success of her kill had left her wanting for more; but she wasn't hungry. It was the exhilaration of the fight between predator and prey, the overpowering will to survive in both clashing until one could walk away.
And as always, Hyun was that one.
But as her day had begun, she hadn't been as lucky in searching for that latter, and had instead made the excuse to look for water, and if she happened upon an opponent, so be it. Even so, she licked her chops, and swallowed, displeased by the sensation in her throat, scowling as she scanned ahead of her. But it was the scent of water that reached her first. However, Hyun didn't break into a run, or even pick up her pace in the least. Instead, she slowed, for she knew quite well that water would attract others, and perhaps even what she'd truly been looking for.
Unguzo lifted his head a bit higher and sniffed the gentle wind that was just slightly tipping the grasses in one direction, catching a whiff of a stranger approaching. Growling, the naturally combative male was instantly hit with a number of ideas. Perhaps this creature would join his pride. Perhaps they were of another species, but would some how be useful to him. It scented of female, and he knew what he needed of those. Or maybe, a very slim chance but one he held hope in, it was someone from his long-lost pride.
Moving back toward his territory, he padded his way toward the scent, stopping when he spotted something moving toward his watering hole. Holding himself proudly, feet firmly planted, he barred the way until the figure was in view. It was a young female lion. He arched an eyebrow at the blood on her paws.
“This isn’t a public watering place, female,” he said once she was in ear shot, “this is for the Dhalimu alone.”
The blood-laced female paused when the lion came into view, and tried her best to fight the wide grin that wanted to spread across her face. Even from the distance at which they stood, she could see his strong and toned body. He would be perfect. A nice change from the mothers, cubs, and the older lions which she seemed to attract. Her shoulders rolled and she arched her back, stretching every muscle in preparation for what she would insight, and her bloody toes drummed into the dirt beneath them, her own blood racing with excitement.
She wasn't one much for words, and she took a few paces closer, body lower in response to his stance, and finally warming up to her own smile. "Surely there is plenty to share between the Dhalimu and I, after all," she paused, nose jerking towards the area which he must have come from, "the only Dhalimu seems to be you."
Unguzo narrowed his eyes at the insolent female, lip curling in a snarl as he spoke.
“”That might be true, but it is of no business of yours. And I am more than enough, I think, for the likes of you,” he dug his claws into the earth, his patience already wearing thin. He knew if he was to recruit members into his pride he would have to be a little less confrontational. At it was, however, it was too late for him to work on that now.
“It would be wise,” he said slowly, each word coming on a at a deliberate pace and after a deliberate pause, “if you turned around and went home to your mommy and daddy, little one.” He grinned patronizingly, knowing perfectly well she was old enough to take care of herself.
Hyun let a gleeful and giddy 'oooh' escape from her throat, quite pleased to say the least that he was this easily irritated and irrational. But for the moment she had to put her thoughts aside from violence to an analysis of how to achieve it. Her answer was to step even closer to him, and her goal to stand chest to chest, show him that he towers over her, but let that be his mistake to think she was a victim. Once her slow approach had taken her meters away from him, her straight advance became circling, her red eyes shining and tracing every aspect of this male. Her mind noted the absence of scars, and translated it to that he may not be a physical fighter after all, or better yet, a more brutish lion, and her smile grew.
"Oh but sir, I've not got anyone to take care of me!" Again, she led him towards believing she was vulnerable to attack. "Not even just a little sip? I've traveled far, and to say I was thirsty would be an understatement." Hyun's voice was low, and her posture still unmenacing as she circled.
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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:38 am
 Unguzo snorted, flaring his nostrils impatiently as he watched her. He was not unused to females standing up to him, his pride full of head strong and violent ones that had made his days interesting, to say the least, but he had never particularly been fond of their freedom. In his mind, they were free to be as bold as they wanted, so long as they remembered to respect him. This one, it seemed, had no respect to spare.
He would have to teach her better.
Staring down at her, his expression reflecting how unimpressed he was, though he could not help but feel a twinge of acknowledgement for how brave a step she was taking just by coming nearer to him. Unfortunately, it was the kind of reckless bravery that, in the end, was nothing more than foolishness. He would not make the first attack, but he would certainly let her know he was open to it.
“No.” He said flatly, raising a paw and slamming it into the earth to block her path. On step brought him in front of her again, and he snarled, “you either leave and find somewhere else, or you earn it here and now. Do you think you can take me, little bug?”
Hyun's head pulled back slightly, giving her the appearance of more fear than pleasure. Her tail twitched on the ground, like a frantic snake tensing for attack, however, she waited, unaccustomed to making the first attack, particularly with a larger opponent, unless it was an ambush. But ever the clever fighter, she knew how to play the game. The adolescent scoffed at the words from the lion, and simply walked past him, no longer circling, but headed for the water for which her desire was feigned.
Each step and each heartbeat was a countdown until he came for her, and though her walk was relaxed, every muscle under her pelt was tensed and ready, having a harder time of keeping its pace in check, than preparing for a fight.
Unguzo scowled at this clear show of disrespect. He was not one to tolerate it, particularly as he trained himself daily in the prideful skills that would allow him to become king of his new, and old, dynasty. He reacted on the instincts that had kept him alive through his cub-hood, arching his head back and ramming his shoulder into her side to throw her off course. It was a full power shoulder check, enough to send a tree buckling to the ground if its roots ran superficially.
He growled challengingly, “you get nothing for nothing, female,” he said in an authoritative tone, “even water must be earned. You are nothing to me or my lands, and we owe you just that. Don’t dare defy me again, or I’ll rip your tongue from your throat and we’ll see how much water you can drink then.”
Hyun tumbled over herself, landing on her side more by chance than preparation. She took just a second to stretch until she was back on her feet, purring deeply in pleasure as her body sent signals of pain and a fight to her brain. "Really, now?" Her voice was sultry, almost, with how pleased she was, "I'd like to see you try." She waltzed over to him, stumbling for a moment before her balance was restored, and put her paw to his face, gently raking her claws along his muzzle, but lightly enough to give just the sensation. Her eyes searched his face, looking for cues as to what he would try next, and how she would counter.
Unguzo watched her impassively, flicking his tail and doing nothing more as she came up to him. He stared back at her with burning eyes as she placed her hand on his face, eyebrows slowly furrowing as her claws moved down his muzzle. He remained still, just staring at her, until he found a moment to move. With her paw up she only had one forepaw supporting her weight, which he lunged for. His meaty head met her chest forcefully as his paw swept out and met her ankle.
He used no claws, much preferring the weight of his large paws and steel muscles to do the damage rather than his sharp, natural tools of battle. He liked to hear bones snapping, and he loved the way flesh felt as it bruised and gave way beneath his powerful attacks. As far as he was concerned, he didn’t need his claws unless fighting a truly challenging opponent. Or hunting.
The beige lioness hadn't quite been prepared for this move, and again she fell to her back, staring up at the male from a slight distance away. But she adeptly righted her thin body, and without standing up fully, rushed at his thick legs, intending to make them give out. Though she did not have as much to fight with as he did, she would what she did to bring him down. Perhaps her full belly would give her an edge, adding a few more pounds when she needed them and extra fuel to fight longer, but she had definitely found the challenge she came for.
Her mouth opened to take in more air, and her pink tongue showed as she went about her business, tasting the sweat and the clouding dust that gathered in the air as they tussled. Unknowingly, her style was much like the lion's, as when she finished stroking him, her claws were no longer of use to her as fighting weapons, that is, unless it turned particularly nasty and it came down to such means.
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Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:39 am
The heavy male lion blinked in surprise as he found himself toppling forward, his legs swept out from under him. He tried to right himself but she was quick, and he scuffled with her on the ground for a long while before he found his footing again. He used his size to his advantage, heaving his weight against her and giving him a bit of room to work in. Grinning, always one for a good fight, he charged her with his head down, like a battering ram, throwing it up once he collided with her as if to knock her even further away from him.
Digging his claws into the earth, he narrowed his eyes at her and charged again, relentless in his powerful attacks, slamming his body and his heavy paws into her legs and sides, where ever the chance presented itself. Of course, he was open to attack, but he was so confident in his ability, particularly considering the difference in their age and size, he could hardly worry himself about it too much. He was actually having fun, violence almost a game to him through his days with his old pride. Laughing, though the sound was more like a terrible roar and a growl than anything else, he leaped at her again.
The male's charges were met with swift moves, only slivers of air between the assaults from him and the dodges from her. Her breath was heavy and coming quickly, the same rate as her foot work, and through the mask of a grin. Hyun's opponent was as relentless as a water buffalo separated from its young, and it was all she could do for the time being to avoid the brunt of the onslaught. However, it was even at that moment that she saw an opportunity.
On his third pass, Unguzo nailed her flank, but through her grunt she turned to lurch towards his back. She grabbed, with claws still sheathed, and pulled herself onto his back, obtaining high ground, and clinging to him, her claws though unused, a viable threat.
Unguzo stopped suddenly, trying to look around for his opponent before he felt her climbing onto his back. He growled, shaking his fur and not losing her. Exasperated, he let out a roar of a laugh and sat down, then threw himself backwards. He landed hard on top of her, slightly stunned by the impact himself, then rolled and quickly sat down on her flank. Looking down at her, he pulled a serious expression, but not a particularly threatening one.
“You’re tenacious,” he commented offhandedly, “but you don’t strike me as one dying of thirst. What brings you to this, to my, lands again? Little bug.”
The impact of the fall forced the air out of Hyun's lungs, leaving her winded as well as surprised. The small female scowled, as she twisted, trying to right at least one half of her body. She scoffed at his question, eyes locked onto his and glaring now that she had lost. She upturned her nose and laughed, mocking him. "I've already found what I came for."
Her eyes fell and her mouth pursed as she began to stir the dirt under her paws, letting her words stew and ferment for the male, her posture careless and aloof.
Ugnuzo sniffed, not moving his heavy body from atop her. Now that he had her pinned, he wasn’t about to let her go. The fight had been fun, and she had proven herself skilled, though her strength would need to be worked on. He almost saw himself training her, though he had never met a female he could spend more than a few moments with before. She was tough, though, like a male, and she had his interest.
“You were looking for a fight, then? How interesting. Well, I don’t mind obliging in such cases,” he laughed, a growl of a sound that rumbled the grass beneath them, “though, I think perhaps you need to pick your opponents more carefully, little bug. You never know what a victor might claim as his prize.”
Hyun scoffed, but let slip a grin. It sounded like he was trying to hint at something, but she had been in the mood for a fight, not to play. She struggled to stand, caring little for reason and the gravity that kept her in place, but as she attempted to lever her way free, a sharp pain in her wrist caught her breath, and she tried disguise it, folding her leg beneath her, as though that had been her motive all along. Hyun's hind end squirmed, however letting him know she was by no means comfortable.
And still, she was quiet, licking her chops for lack of conversation. But she found her voice to ask, "So then, Stranger. I suppose I owe you something...."
Unguzo’s ears perked and he looked down at her, untroubled by her attempts to move. He had thought he heard her gasp, though she was hiding it from him if it were true. He turned his head to look at her backside when she wiggled, growling a laugh and shifting his weight down, so it felt like he was even heavier on top of her.
Looking back at her front, he blinked and nodded, “I think you do, little bug. I think you do.”
With her ears flat on her head, Hyun turned to show a cocky - but faked - smirk. Her breath turned ragged as he shifted his weight, and she was surprised her eyes'd not popped out of her head, or that she was spurting blood from any where. "Well then, let me give you what's due." Even still, her words were dripping with disdain and sarcasm, but even still, she was interested to see what he requested, and with only guesses as to what it may be.
Hyun's tail flicked impatiently, and she shifted again to emphasize her distaste for being a seat.
Unguzo stood. Not because he trusted her to stay, but because he knew he could catch her if she tried to run away. Plus, he felt he had injured her somehow, so she was hindered. He liked how much she seemed to hate him, and his blood burned as he thought about just what was due.
“Females in my pride,” he said casually, “are nothing more than breeding fodder. Unless they have skills. A greater than usual talent for hunting, or plotting, or something of that nature. Something beneficial to the pride. And even then, they are still used to produce males from the strongest of the genes. Leaders only bred with the most adept of the females. In any case, you are not, as far as I’ve been seen, one of those worthy females.”
He growled, “so I think you have two choices. Submit to me and bear my children, to revive the Dhalimu pride, or train until you can defeat an opponent as strong as I am in battle..”
The girl's eyes widened, but she was silent. What nerve of this male! She leapt away from him, but stayed just close enough. Her head turned warily and she looked at him for the first time as a male, and not an opponent. Hyun's pride as a fighter didn't let her think of escaping, though if even that were not true, neither would her foot. But at least he had given her options. Her tail flicked slowly now that she was free-standing, but she was filled with a doubt that scared her.
Why was she even considering both options? Shouldn't she immediately blurt out that she'd like to be trained? The young lioness suddenly showed the aftermath of her fight, and she shook her head, not answering his question, but instead saying, "I'll have to think about it over a drink."
He watched her impassively, his muscles tightening as she leaped but not moving to go after her. She didn’t seem ready to part from his company just yet. Tail flicking, he watched her in a new light. Now he could see her wound, because she allowed him to, and he nodded. Standing, not showing any signs of his own injuries, though he did feel a bit battered and there were certainly sore spots, he indicated with his head for her to follow him.
Padding to the watering hole, he drank from the water first before moving to the side and sitting down heavily, watching her. She looked pensive, and he was interested in her inability to make a snap decision. Of course, he had no intention of letting her get out of either situation, and in his head her decision would only dictate the order in which they occurred.
“You’ve earned a drink, at least,” he said, not sounding too flattering, but nodding his head.
Hyun followed him wordlessly, limping her way towards the water behind him. She leaned down in the same fashion, but a few feet away from the lion, not looking at him as she did it, instead, staring down at her own reflection while thinking. Without lifting herself from the crouching position, nor turning her head, Hyun spoke, just loud enough to be heard, but quiet enough to make him listen.
"You'll have to convince me to make a decision, Stranger." As she still looked out over the surface of the water, she suddenly wanted to know his name, but would hardly ever admit it.
Unguzo arched an eyebrow at the curious young female. She seemed a bit more daring than her years dictated, but he couldn’t say it wasn’t interesting. He was becoming increasingly interested in her, in fact, every time she spoke. He considered her words, quiet for a palpable minute before breaking the tension with a yawn.
“Convince you?” He said at last, “I thought that beating I gave you was quite convincing enough. After all, you’re the only one of us limping after that little scuffle,” he grinned, shaking his head. Sighing, he moved closer. He stood behind her, towering over her so that his reflection stretched across the water with hers. “It’s hardly appropriate to make me pick. Because I’m not one for decisions. In my world, you’d be subject to both. I’m still thinking about both, anyway. I’m actually being nice, letting you pick.”
Hyun was uncomfortable beneath his massive bulk again, but the only sign was a shudder of her pelt. Her red eyes met his and, speaking of the grudge she had as a fighter against him. But she stood, brushing against him slightly, and with a heavy sigh and a slight dip of her paw in the water, their eyes locked and she spoke softly again. "Well then..... Let's get started."
Hyundur'ton began to walk off, knowing that he was sure to follow her.
END
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