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 Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 5:40 pm
With her day's duties out of the way and the sun only halfway down the sky of afternoon, Tuta felt the twitching in her paws that was ever present, if suppressed for the good of her companion. Asatira was set on being here, of all places, and there was nothing the maned wolf could do to move her. And whats worse, she couldn't bring herself to leave her charge here, even as she betrayed her faith by staying.
She sighed as she shook out one paw after another, trying to distract herself from the dance that went on around her, moving forward as she stood still and alone. Of course, she'd been alone before, but she'd always felt part of something bigger... a cosmic dance that ever being took part in. Now, she just felt like an outsider, watching it all go by. She sighed as she lifted her nose to the wind, searching for some likely prey for a quick meal. The desert wasn't good for food, but here on the edge, things should be a little better.
~~~
Having just managed to sneak right by her father, she scurried out into the open. Geheim was not exactly the most watchful father..In fact, it as rather easily done, her escaping and all. The orange brown eyes of the female sparkled as she trotted ahead of where her father would be when she returned. He never left. He had been quite the nomad as a younger hyena, but he had met Chipo, and things had changed quite quickly. He was now the father, and his roaming days were done...
So sure he may have been a rooted hyena, but Esperanza was not quite the same. She was antsy, always brimming with energy and thoughts. She was never a quiet one..Much less a still one. But the females heart was always in teh right place..and an adventure today seemed just right.
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:09 pm
The soft scent of a rabbit hole drew Tuta and made her stomach rumble. She'd helped Asa catch something earlier before the lioness bedded down, but it had been understandably small and she'd let her charge have all of it. She'd planned to hunt later, which is why she was out in the heat now. Hunting was ify when Asatira was involved. She couldn't see the prey, so Tuta had to alert her to them and give her directions on where to leap... but the larger the prey, the harder it was and the less often they succeeded. Better to hunt separately, she'd learned.
Dropping her nose to the ground, she started off towards the source, sweeping back and forth as she followed the meandering scent. It didn't seem to be far, which was all to the good since she didn't want to leave Asa alone for too long. She didn't have much in the way of defense and she needed Tuta's eyes, or so she liked to think. The scent led her to a hole, but it seemed abandoned, a huff of disappointment slipping free. Well, that was a bust. But... maybe it was just an old entrance, rarely used. Nose again to the dirt, she moved slower this time, searching carefully.
~~~
Esperanza was good at catcing the little things..The occasional rabbit, maybe some leftovers from anothers meal as well. She was no stranger to left over carcasses..and as long as the meat still smelled appealing, it was fully edible. But she had gone awhile without eating..Or at least, the meal of the rabbit her father had given her last night had worn off, and the rumbling in her belly told her that she was getting to the hungry phase of her day. Her eyes began scanning, and this time, she was scanning like that of a predator, her social instincts being put aside. Of course, she could only catch the little things, but she had never tried to go bigger..She had merely been happy with her lot.
Esperanza's nose scented the smell of a rabbit nearby..Or at least that's what she hoped she was smelling..Because rabbits made easy targets. But as she got closer to the hole, she saw a wild dog sniffing around the entrance, and over the dirt.
She shivered a bit in caution, but walked over anyhow. "Hello?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:26 pm
The female maned wolf lifted her head with long, perked ears as she heard a voice, turning to get a look at a hyena girl, a young one it seemed. Her paws twitched on the dirt, but she ignored it, turning to face the stranger in a way she hoped was polite and open. She didn't want to startle her or cause any conflict... especially if this young hyena wasn't alone.
"Hello, there." She called back, her bushy tail gently twitching from side to side behind her. The rabbit was put aside for now. It was probably a fruitless search anyway, so time wasn't really a factor. "Are you looking for someone, or something?" Tuta asked casually, her head gently tilting to the side. The sun was a little uncomfortable if she stayed in one place for too long, but she ignored that too.
~~~
Esper beamed when the maned wolf seemed kind. She had never met one before, so their temperments confused her.. Though, she could almost smell the kindness coming off this one..Though she felt the motherly vibe from her as well. She cocked her head, flicking her own little knubbin of a tail as her blonde mane fell into her dark orange brown eyes. She always took such great care of her mane, thinking it was just another way to look your best..
"Well, sorta, I smelled a rabbit and it made my belly growl.. I assume though, that you have not been able to locate it?" She asked, speaking a bit older for her age perhaps, but still she was a child at heart.
How were maned wolves on their hunting grounds? She got a bit nervous, shuffling her front feet a bit. "I didnt mean to come over here and invade your hunting grounds.." She said, voice soft yet strong.
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:27 pm
The smile from the young one eased Tuta and she let herself smile back. She remembered being that young, sort of. It had been a long time, but back then, everything had been so exciting and new... she didn't mean any harm, just wanted to explore and hunt a little.
The dark female shook her head. "No, I haven't found it. I looked, but the den is empty here. I was looking to see if I could find another entrance, maybe one that's more used, when you showed up. Its really okay, you know." She said gently, trying to sooth the nerves of the hyena girl. "This isn't really my hunting grounds, just ones I'm occupying for the moment till I move on. There's no reason why we can't share it. I really don't eat that much." She chuckled, feeling herself relaxing.
~~~
She smiled, wagging her tail almost like a dog herself. Her eyes lit up and she perked up. "Oh Good! I like having company!" She said with a grin. The young female, though almost an adult, still had alot of things to learn. But she was good at being the calm brave self..Though, some made her more nervous than others.. Like lions, they kinda scared her...
"Maybe we can find another rabbit..Or something bigger! Hippo size!" She said, knowing it was impossible, but she wanted to help lighten up the mood with Tuta. She was a jokester anyway, so funny comments from the girl was not uncommon.
"My name is Esperanza."
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:14 pm
Tuta couldn't help chuckling softly as the young female spoke, saying things that were light-hearted and amusing. Asatira rarely said things like that, preferring to stick to reality and seriousness and how to get closer to her sister. At least that was preferable to hearing her wake screaming from a dream of the past... she'd nearly grown out of those and Tuta was all too glad of it.
"Esperanza? My name is Tuta kwa Simba, or just Tuta." She smiled in a friendly way as she nodded, her soft tail gently swishing from side to side. It was nice to meet someone... well, nice, for a change. Too many here were mean, suspicious or deceitful. Of course, there was no way to know if Esperanza would prove to be that way, but she rather doubted it. "I suppose it is nice to have company. And two would cover ground faster than one. I don't know how much a meal one rabbit would make between us, but I don't think we can hunt anything as big as a hippo." She laughed.
~~~
Esperanza was probably one of the kindest hyenas second only to her mother. Her mother had never been mean to anyone in her whole life, and she was considerably older than her daughter. But Esperanza smiled again, giving a little c**k of her head.
"Tuta? Oh I like that! If my name is too long, I go by Esper too!" Was her name too long? Hell if she knew, she had always been called both names though..So she assumed Tuta could use whichever made her happiest.
"Well, maybe not a hippo.." The young one giggled. "But it would indeed be quite and adventure.." She knew a rabbit was a skimpy meal, but the female wasnt starving, and a few bites could satiate her little belly..She was a light eater after all.. "Oh I think we could make it work..Im easy to eat with. Momma says I eat like a bird."
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Posted: Tue Jan 27, 2009 7:15 pm
Chuckling, Tuta shook her head at Esper's enthusiastic attitude.
"Its not too long, but Esper is a good name too." She nodded. Her own name was longer than just Esperanza... but it had meaning to it and something she couldn't just discard. Tuta kwa Simbe... Heartbeat of a Lion. She had a great heart and the name suited that, she liked to think. "I think maybe a hippo is too much of an adventure for me, though. I'm not as young as I used to be and adventure is for the young. A warm den and grandchildren are for me." She laughed, though the sad irony of it was that she'd never had a mate or pups that could have had children, and with her charge to look after, there wasn't much chance of that in the future either.
"A bird, hmm? Well, I suppose that's not much at all, unless you're like a pelican." She laughed again, feeling some of the tension leaving her.
~~~
Esperanza had never known or felt love yet.. And though she was young, mother kept telling her one day it would happen.. One day she would know, and thats when she would give into life full heartedly.. But Esper knew that meant tying herself down.. and the only way she knew shed ever reproduce, was if the kids were fast enough to keep up..In due time of course.
"Well, warm dens are for everyone I think." She giggled a bit before prancing over to the wolf and smiling again.
"No no no!" She laughed, rolling over onto her back, her arms holding her belly as she laughed. "I am no pelican."
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 6:47 pm
The black wolf grinned as she stretched her forepaws before her, her back arching in a long stretch and her tail brush waving. "I think it might be a while till I find my warm den." She chuckled, shaking her head as she rose up to her paws again. "The Dance doesn't lead me that way, or hasn't yet. The steps flow solidly by the side of my companion, and do as far as I can see it." She shook her head, wondering all over again about the strangeness of it. Never had she been as bound to another creature as she felt bound to the blind lioness.
"If you really want food, child, perhaps we can just take a little walk, and see what we come upon, eh? Maybe we'll find some small prey worth chasing down to feed the two of us. I would enjoy the company, truly."
~~~
She cocked her head, and for a few moments tried to think about what the female meant by 'The Dance.' But soon, a light bulb came on in her head, and she smiled.
"Oh I understand.. I dont have a den, I have wherever I can find at the time."
She nodded, knowing how it felt to be lead away from a life of children and matehood..
"I would love to keep you company."
She nodded enthusiastically, her blond mane bobbing as she did.
She was such a happy female, that she would be happy just spending time with anyone.
Though she liked this wolf.. She was quite kind.
"Lets go a-huntin'!"
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:06 pm
Tuta laughed as she lifted her nose to the wind, picking a likely direction before trotting off, her tail waving behind her. "This way!" She called back as she slipped into the grass, a dark shadow on the ground. With her head low as she trotted, she kept her nose working to catch the scents around them, searching for something worthwhile.
"What sort of things do you like to hunt?" The black female said to her companion, filling the time a little with conversation. "I'm not real particular, as long as its filling and good to eat." She chuckled softly, her tongue lolling out of her mouth to cool her dark body in the heat of the sun. The scrub outside the desert should be good for rabbits, mice, voles, and other small rodent type creatures. But also snakes, scorpions, and things better left alone. She'd have to keep a careful eye out.
~~~
She grinned, following suit. She lowered her head, following hte actions of Tuta. She was still young, and still impressionable as a pup. She couldnt help but grin as she attempted to copy the actions of the wolf.
"I really can only seem to get mice and small birds who land too long." She chuckled, shaking her head. She wasnt the best huntress, she supposed it was nice that she was still taking lessons from her lion sister.
She was unaware of danger, so she was lucky she had Tuta around to keep watch. She was a bit naieve when it came to dangerous things. She trusted everything. She wagged her little tail, a smile plastered to her maw.
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:29 pm
Smiling, the spotted wolf slowed, her nose twitching when she finally caught the scent of something.
Ah, good... they were lucky enough to be downwind of a rabbit, swift creature, but easily caught if they could surprise it. It would be just enough for two, and no hardship to fill their bellies with. Slowing still more, Tuta let her paws move soundlessly, ears perked forward and eyes straining for any glimpse of the creature. When she was finally in range, she saw it, seizing its moment of inattentiveness to dash in and snap it up.
The kill was over quickly and she laughed as she licked her jaws clean, calling back for the young one. "Hey! I got one! Come and share it with me." She chuckled, pleased with the easy hunt.
~~~
Esperanza had watched the chase, keeping low to the earth to not blow her cover.
She smiled and her tail wagged a little wilder than before.
She watched as Tuta took off and charged the rabbit, snapping it up in her jaws with what looked like an effortless skill.
"Okay!"
Oh she would share, how kind she truly was. She had never met someone who would share a fresh kill with her.
But she didnt waste time to hustle out there with a grin on her face.
"Thats very nice of you."
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:43 pm
Tuta chuckled as she shook her head, nodding at the rabbit to encourage the other.
"Its duty, you know. To care for someone who isn't as strong or skilled as you are. If you have the power, you must use it to help others. But I wanted to, as well. Please! Eat as much as you like. If I need more, I can find it elsewhere." She grinned as she flopped to sit back, letting Esper have first go. With the pleasant company, she didn't feel as hungry any more. It was... so nice to have someone to talk to who wasn't Asatira. She'd missed the friendliness you could find with another creature.
~~~
Esperanza lowered her muzzle and took a bite, eating a chunk, and swallowing. She did it about two more times, before she pulled up, sitting on her rear and looking happy. Her smile looked odd with the blood that stained the white muzzle.
"Well its really appreciated. I havent been able to catch a rabbit in a long time."
She chuckled, nodding and flicking her tail back and forth.
Her blonde mane fell into her pink eyes and she shook her head to get it back into place.
"Thank you very much."
She replied, happy her belly was now full, or at least satisfied till later.
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 7:52 pm
The rabbit was finished off with a minimum of fuss once the young female had finished. Tuta settled back with a sigh and a happy expression, shaking herself all over before she rose again. She nodded her head for the other to join her, sending them both back the way they came.
"Best not to stay near a kill, since it'll draw others we probably won't care to deal with." She said, for an explanation. "And besides that... you're probably going to be missed soon. You have a family you're with, don't you? No one will come looking for me, but maybe for you if you're out too long." She said softly, almost sad to see the other go. But she consoled herself with the thought that the Dance had brought them together this far, it might do so again.
~~~
She smiled, nodding a bit looking to the sky. She had to be going tonight, as the sun was going to set shortly. She nodded, giving a soft look to her new friend.
"I hope to see you again.." She chuckled, and nosed her gently.
"You can always think of me when you're lonely. Ill be your little friend."
She said, giving a little wink.
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Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 10:08 pm
Tuta smiled as she nodded, going so far as to nose her back, a sign of affection she rarely gave. It made her wonder, if maybe it was her loss that she'd never had her own pups. This younger female was a joy to be with, relaxing and rejuvenating. It made her think, and would for a while.
"Safe journey, young one, and happy Dancing. Hopefully our steps will join together again someday, hmm? I'll remember you, no doubt."
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