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 Posted: Thu Apr 02, 2009 10:49 am
(AIM RP between Kimaria and Tahja Estes))
He was waiting where Uuo had told him to meet her for their next lesson; on the crest of a sweeping dune that looked out across the expanse of glittering, gold sand.
He had a foul expression on his face - as usual - and it didn't much move into anything else. He was getting better at being a guard, but progress was slow and his impatience often hindered his practise. Never-the-less, when in training, he was learning to be quiet, to not under-estimate things. The problem was when training finished and he went back to his bumbling, idiotic self.
And then there were those others...
That beastly red male.
Those siblings he didn't know the names of.
Oh, and Ursa, too.
He huffed, hung his head, and waited.
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:19 pm
She gave a yawn as she approached the appointed meeting spot where Azar waited, carefully guarding it with an arm to avoid catching as much stray sand as possible. It had been quite an adjustment for the Captains and those above them from that point higher to take in the Safi, at least Uuo thought so. There were many new adults and apprentices to sort and place, though Azula and the soldiers were still the highest in demand. Still, more guards would make for shorter rotas for the already overworked and spread thin adults. Firekin or not, it wouldn't do to exhaust her resources and wear out their reserves. A tired guard was almost the same as no guard.
This delima was on her mind for the last few days, among others, but it was one of the only times that Uuo actually allowed herself to worry about something. What was she going to do to fix it?
"Good to see you here on..." She paused, stopping to blink at the cub, that certainly wasn't an expression she was used to seeing... Not at all. /Sarcasm. "Hmm... and here I thought the desert didn't get rain. What's with these storm clouds you've got going on today, Azar?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:22 pm
He looked up at the sound of approaching footsteps, Uuo's voice interrupting the stillness of the day a moment later. Oh great, she'd noticed...
She was like his mother!!
He waved at the air with a paw in an attempt to scatter any of these imaginary storm clouds and stood, turning to face her fully. He was still a pain, still a loud-mouth, but he'd also come to respect this female rather quickly. She was strong and she certainly knew her stuff.
"Girls." He replied, somewhat angrily. "Just don't understand them." Well actually he didn't really understand anybody, boy or girl. He tended to annoy everyone, whether they were young old, female or male. "And those Safi." He added, thinking sourly of Rowtag.
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:33 pm
Uuo would have laughed heartily at the idea of being likened to anyone's mother. She certainly didn't think of herself as mother material, at least. She was too focused on the military career she'd managed to carve out for herself, enjoyed her duties too much to even think about being sidled with a brood of cubs, not that cubs were bad. They just weren't her thing right now, unless, of course, she was allowed to send them back to their parents when she was done with them. Ah yes, that system worked out rather nicely for her.
Girls, the cooties talk, that whole topic was fun for her to look back on, personally, but she doubted if he found it very humerous. She settled down on her haunches to face him with a soft grin none the less, barely trying to surpress it.
"Oh...? Well, you're hardly by yourself on either front there. Most boys your age don't understand girls. Between just the two of us I don't fully understand girls, and I am one, so if that makes you feel any better... Now, what's this about the Safi, you don't trust them?"
Not an accusation, many of the Simo still didn't. Things were... tense, to say the least. There were those that were openly distrusting, those that were tentatively trusting, those that were glad to have them back for various reasons, and those that simply didn't mind their presence any different than the Simo-- Like Ursa.
"Why don't you tell me more about it?" Because training wouldn't be very productive if he was worked up about something else.
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:37 pm
He shrugged. "Then if you don't I won't have a hope at understandig them. Not that I WANT to! Damn, girls must have scary thoughts in their angry little heads. All they do is yell and stuff." He trailed, not sure what to say next.
Then she was asking about the Safi and he felt himself slide into easier conversation. Yes, girls and Safi were both equally annoying, but at least he had a reason to hate them. Well, actually, that wasn't true. He didn't dislike them because they were Safi and because they were 'different' he simply disliked them because well...actually he wasn't sure!
Mainly it was because of Rowtag and his bullying tactics. Azar didn't like being bullied. He liked to push his weight around but when others tried it on he'd go into sulk mode and complain abotu it for days on end. Besides that, he didn't like the look of the guy. He had an odd face. No, there was definately something not quite right about that one.
"It's that one with the white mask. Rowtag, I think his name was. One of those Kenna kids. He's trouble I reckon. If he's like that then I'm betting they're all trouble. Coming here, throwing their weight around. They oughta be grovelling and thanking, not acting all high and mighty."
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:50 pm
Uuo could have filled in her response with all kinds of theories, but thought better of putting the wrong ideas in his head with tall tales. It was enough that she was honest about not understanding other females herself, though she technically meant a few specific ones, she'd met enough "specific ones" to know that it was no fluke. Easing into a sphinx like position now she crossed her paws and listened, eyes narrowing into their usual laid back, lazy eyed expression as she rumbled softly and paid attention. One of Kenna's... Yes, that entire lot seemed odd, each having their own quirks, and Uuo wasn't entirely sure if she liked the idea of them all being given so much free reign. Sure their mother might be on her "best" behavior, but her cubs were another story.
Then again, she supposed, Firekin weren't known to be normal. Ursa and Iroh were odd ones within the whole lot. Most if not all of them were aggressive, bossy, violent, cocky, mischevious imps.
Not that cubs were bad, they just weren't her thing, and this is why she was sure she wouldn't be having cubs of her own anytime soon, we reiterate.
How to answer this situation...?
"Well gratitude would be nice, but you have to admit, it wouldn't be very much like them if they acted meek and humble. Traditionalists are just very, very proud and a little touchy. It just seems like they're different because until recently they've been the ones we had to watch out for. We all have to try to be open minded, though, Azar. Don't let Rowtag turn you off of the whole lot of them. Time will tell us the rest."
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 2:54 pm
He shrugged. No big deal really, he'd just make sure that next time he met that red git, he'd pounce first and finish the fight. That'd show him who was boss. That'd show him who the better Firekin was.
"Well, at least they have a reason to be mouthy and mean, right? I mean, we've all heard the stories about how they got kicked out and everything. Guess it only makes sense. Still...can't understand why they'd come back after everything. Guess they were more stupid than we thought, right?"
He huffed.
"Anyways, like I was saying. They have a reason. The Simo girls don't. You know Ursa? Heck, is she a bloody pain! She keeps shouting at me and I swear, Uuo, I don't get it. I mean, she knows I ain't in no mood to talk but she talks anyway then totally freaks. Kinda scary actually. I don't know what her problem is."
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:12 pm
Uuo just listened more as her own thoughts on the Safi churned. She had come away from this with a lesson of her own for the say, she'd have to seriously evaluate her stance on the Safi being there. Personal opinions were one thing but she had to support her higher ups, did support her higher ups. She wasn't made to lead like Kidondo, No, Kibela, and Azarax, so if together they thought that allowing the Safi in was the right call then she could only go along with it and voice her concerns when they were valid. There was a reason they were the council members and she the captain of the guard. Her job was to keep watch, and to keep watch over those that were supposed to also keep watch, not judge, not lead, not make such choices. Trust. It was key.
So it didn't matter if she agreed with Azara and didn't like the feel of some of the Safi. Trust.
"For many of them it's still their home... and in a way if anything it proves they aren't as stubborn and foolish as previous generations. They know that they had to give up if they wanted to survive. New blood is vital for any pride to survive."
Now, onto the girl topic.
First things first Uuo couldn't stop the mirth in her tone, or part of a laugh. Yes, she certainly did know Ursa, rather well. She had, after all, just been thinking about how odd out the girl was in this place. Not a total outcast of course, but more gentle spoken. She was well suited to be Kaanga's apprentice.
"Oh, Ursa..."
She took after her father when he was her age. At least a little.
"It might mean she likes you, at least she probably wants to be friends with you and... well..." She chuckled, heartily amused. "Let's just say that you two are as different as the sun and the moon. She probably doesn't understand you any better than you do her. I doubt if she knows how to act around you."
She smirked, watching Azar. She wasn't going to take sides on this, not at all, but hell-- it was fun being in the middle. He was confident, cocky, even arrogant, and she was humble but mouthy too. They were both full of contradictions that they probably weren't even aware of, and it likely that was what was driving each of them up the rock walls about one another.
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:20 pm
Not as stubborn as previous generations?
Azar mulled that fact over in his mind for a moment, wondering just what was going on in their heads to make them act so foolish in the first place. He thought on the battle he had not been in time to witness, wondered at the power of it, the awe-stricking image. Firekin fighting Firekin. He shifted somewhat uneasily at the thought, wondering if he would be around to see another fight like that.
As much as he liked to shoot his mouth off, he really didn't want to see that sort of conflict in the pride. Rogues - fine. Other prides - fine. But not their own kind. But if it did happen then he'd be ready and he wouldn't hesitate for a second.
"I guess." He replied, somewhat seriously.
He lifted his head as Uuo seemed to know this Ursa girl. "Wants to be my friend? Pah, well she's not exactly going the right way about it, is she? I mean, throwing insults, yelling. Not what I'd call good foundations for companionship, right?" Besides that he didn't really have any friends...he was uncertain about how to go about it.
He wrinkled his snout. "Well I know how she feels. I ain't good at talking nice. That made her mad. She didn't like me saying boys are stronger than girls either...even if it is true!" He added hastily. "I think that she thinks way too much. Maybe if she didn't, we'd get on better. She's got a mouth that's too smart for her own good."
Now look who's talking...
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:32 pm
"Hmm... no, I'd dare say that's not the best way to go about it."
But then the situation was far from the usual. Uuo herself didn't understand Ursa's apparent pressing need to be friends with Azar.... aside from the possible fact that the young female was absolutely affronted and horrified by the idea that she couldn't win him over. It didn't sound like it would be too far off course a theory, Ursa generally got on with everyone, even... Oh...
"Or... it could be that you remind her of her brother..." Uuo murmured almost under her breath to herself. He wouldn't have known Ozai, though, Ozai had been taken by the buzzards shortly after growing out of some of their cubbish weight, after all. "And I dare you to argue that point with me when you grow into your size, kid." Uuo smirked good naturedly and grabbed Azar to pin him playfully under one of her paws, toussling the tuft of fur atop his head.
She didn't mind his tough talk, he was one of the few cubs she enjoyed herself around, felt she could be herself around, and she was cocky too so it was fun to have someone to talk smack with, even if it was kept sparse to maintain their teacher-apprentice bond respectable. "Next time you run into her, try a little reverse psychology. Seemed to work for me in a pinch. Do what she doesn't expect. I gurantee you'll shock the color right out of her fur and she won't have a single smart thing to say."
Figuratively speaking about the color of course, but still.
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:38 pm
He glanced up at her through the straggles of his growing mane, his nose wrinkled. What was that she had said? What was all that muttering about! Teachers shouldn't mutter! He was just about to ask her to speak clearer when she continued and he was silenced for a while longer.
He laughed as she grabbed out at him, placing his paws on her leg to try and wrench it away from him. But he had a lot of growing to do yet and he was at Uuo's mercy completely. Oh, woe to be young and small! But Azar'bijan, oddly enough, wasn't really in a rush to grow up. He was worried that he wasn't learning quick enough and if he grew up too soon he'd look like an idiot! "That a challenge? Course then. That's a fight." And already he could picture their duel. It'd be a fight to remember, that was for sure.
"Reverse psychology?" He parrotted, lifting his ears as he rolled in the sand. "You mean like...be nice when she thinks I'm gonna be mean. Something like that?" His ears drooped. "I dunno...that sounds hard. You know what I'm like, Uuo, get fired up too easily. One wrong word and I'm off!" He sighed deeply. "'Sides, do you think it's even worth it? Trying to be her friend, I mean? Like...well...I've gotten this far without much help from anyone. 'Cept you, o'course."
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:51 pm
Uuo grinned, relishing in his laugh-- she liked him just fine the way he was, but cubs should be happy, and he was in a foul mood far too often for her liking, not that she was anywhere near going soft on him.
"Something like that... It could be good practice. The more you get used to controlling certain habits in every day situations, the easier it is when it comes to when you need it. Can't hurt to try." She shrugged it off casually, so as not to pressure the boy. He had enough to focus on with training, she wasn't about to push him to do so outside of that if he didn't want to, even if she did believe it would indeed be good practice. "Whether it's worth it or not, Azar, I can't tell you. To each their own. If you don't like arguing with her, or letting her get under your fur every time you meet, I'd say it's worth it to try, but some challenges build character in their own way."
She lifted her paw from his back, watching him roll about in the sand.
"Usually you get to know a person a bit better, one way or another, before you can decide if something like that is worth it or not. I know that you're both loyal... and sometimes opposites can be good for each other. What do you think?"
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Posted: Fri Apr 03, 2009 3:56 pm
"I guess..." He said again. "Maybe it is worth a try. Like you say, I gotta learn to control these things and if I practise when its not so important, I'll have a better chance at succeeding when it is."
He glanced up at her from where he lay on the sand, his red eyes deep with concentration, his brow furrowed. "I guess I don't really much like arguing. Especially after training. That by itself is tiring enough." He pushed himself up into a standing position and took a moment to shake the gold powder from his fur.
"Opposites good for one another? How so? Surely if you find someone the same it's better." He doubted he'd find anyone like himself, though. "Like, if you're opposite, you might not like the same things and stuff. Like me, I like fighting and stuff. I dunno, but I think Ursa don't like that all that much. Well...maybe she does." He shrugged. "Maybe I should talk to her after all."
He lifted his head and shot Uuo a grin. "What's the worst that could happen anyway? We fight and I win! More practise for me."
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 3:59 pm
He seemed to come to his own conclusion as she'd hoped, with a little guidance here or there, but still. She smiled a bit. A lesson on how opposites attract could come later, but for now it was better to let him chew on what she'd given him before giving him more.
"Sounds like a win-win situation to me." She smirked a bit. "Well then. Ready for some training?" He'd better be, in other words, because it was time to start!
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Posted: Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:02 pm
He nodded, regaining that mischievious smile. At least now with thoughts of Ursa settled he could concentrate on learning more about being a guard.
He stood and nodded. "Of course I am. I'm always ready." And with a playful growl he readied himself for another listen, determined to put one hundred percent effort into the teachings. It was good, he confirmed silently to himself, talking to Uuo. She made things a whole lot clearer and easier to understand.
"Let's go!" And with that he was off, focused on the real lesson of the day.
/fin.
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