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 Posted: Sun Jun 14, 2009 6:07 pm
 -pant pant pant-
It was all the cub could muster, to keep his nostrils flaring and taking in the dry and unforgiving air around him. He was warm, too warm, and the sun wasn't even in its highest setting. Pale pink eyes turned to the horizon and squinted as they spotted the bright disk in the sky. He had at first admired the strange object, thinking it fascinating and alive even to travel like it did. But by the next day he had realized how foreign and distant the orb was. There was no comfort or joy to be gained by the thing...only heat and a deep sense of loneliness.
Coughing from his fleeting muses, the cub gaped widely to take in more air. Even with his soft belly to the ground and paws extended, nothing seemed to ease his discomfort. And to move about was too frightening....too dangerous. There were strange sounds and smells all around, all of which his young instincts deemed a threat. His instincts were the only comfort he had, and so he had no intentions to dismiss them so easily.
And so, obeying his frightened mind and tired body, the cub soon found himself on the verge of sleeping despite his best attempts.....
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 12:20 pm
It was only then that his bright eyes swept across the terrain before him, picking out the small bundle curled up against the ground. At first, he might have simply passed it by, being that it was so small, but the abnormal colors struck a cord in his thoughts and he was never one to pass up the abnormal. He paused a short distance away, narrowing his gaze on the small figure. A cub, no doubt, but where was the mother? His eyes drifted up to the surrounding area, and he quickly drew in a breath in an attempt to smell any female close by. He wasn't particularly afraid of many females, but mothers that thought there cubs were in danger could be particularly nasty at times. Contenting himself with the thought that he seemed to be abandoned, Do'al decided he was free to play as he wished.
With a little quirk of his brow, he drew closer to the young one, looming over the tiny figure and casting it in a shadow as he blocked the bright sunlight looming down from the sun behind him. "Little one, what are you doing out in the middle of no where, all alone?" His made his voice rather non-threatening, but his expression was hard to read, especially as shadowed as it was by the way he was standing with his back to the sun.
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Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:50 pm
Shade!
There was sweet, merciful shade at last. His nostrils widened curiously, and his little tongue lapped out as if to touch the swift coolness in the air. But the cub whimpered to find out that the air was still dry and dusty as it had been before. Though his closed eyes didn't 'see' the tinted red of the sun anymore, and the little one peeked open his light eyes carefully. Was there a cloud above?
Soft pink eyes grew in sudden fright though as he realized what was before him. Toes. Giant and furred like his own, trailing up to bulking legs then a wild bush of fur, before ending on a daunting face. A predator? The cub's body turned stiff as he tried sinking closer to the ground. Had it already seen him? He couldn't tell....did it even have eyes? By the way the stranger's fur shimmered and glowed warmly, the cub would have thought it the sun itself walking about. Maybe he could ask him to stop causing him such misery? Then a voice touched his overheated ears, and the young kit gulped weakly with his scratchy throat.
"......No....nowhere?...," he croaked in a low whisper. But, he wasn't alone now, right? Right? The cub closed his eyes, feeling dizzy even when sitting still. "D...don't kn....know why......"
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Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 4:29 pm
Do'al felt a momentary wave of disgust wash over him as he stared down at the little creature. He was helpless and alone, weak and unarmed, prey to the first predator that fell upon him. He could be disposed with the smallest little flick of the wrist and there would be no one to mourn his passing, to protect him. Just the buzzards to feet on the meager meat his carcass would offer - and then they too would forget when they moved on to the next meal. It was pathetic, really, how dependent the young were upon their parents. Even Do'al knew this little one wouldn't survive without a guardian of some sort.
That's where it got interesting.
A little cub to shape to his own will? To toy with and twist like his own little plaything? No doubt that Kip would be overjoyed, so long as he could keep her from using the little runt as a sacrifice. She did like to play.
"You'll die if you stay out here alone," he said bluntly, raising his head back up to stare down at the young, dark cub with smoldering eyes. His tail lashed behind him against the hard packed earth, stirring up small clouds of dust that died quickly on the still air. "When was the last time you had a drink of water, cub, let alone a decent meal?" His words were harsh, demanding even, but they were at least not threatening.
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 8:16 pm
((terribly sorry for the delay)) 8C
Small ears cracked upward, feeling like dry grass in the harsh temperatures. "Die?" What was a die? Was it anything like this, being hungry? If it was, he really really didn't want to be 'die'. The cub blinked his eyes, hoping to clear some of his blurred vision. Was this grown stranger....going to let him die? "B...but I'm not alone now." Was that the solution? Was that a way to stop from being 'die'? Even so, the child knew that could easily change. Strangers drifted around in the distance often, and so swiftly too; he didn't wish to experience that abandoned feeling again. "Stay?" And he ducked his neck meekly as he peeked up at the others shadowed face. The kicked up dust didn't help any and only added to the pain in his eyes. Along with a sudden fright that sent him sneezing and curling back from the tail's action. Shaking his head, the nameless boy stuttered shyly to the other. "I....it was darker then...and so was the water...."
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Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:58 am
A small sneer of disgust twisted the larger male's face momentarily as he stared down at the groveling little creature. He tried to remind himself why it was, exactly, that caring for such a thing would be beneficial, and for a moment he thought it might just be easier to let the little thing die right there. After all, only the strong deserved to survive. That's when he remembered that even he had once had a mother to care for him, and a sigh of disgust rippled out from his maw.
"No, you're not alone now, runt," he grunted out, schooling his features back into a mask of barely concealed irritation. Really, why were lions born into this world as such pathetic creatures? The gods had a terrible sense of humor, in his opinion. "But we are certainly not staying here," he muttered and pushed himself off the ground, no doubt stirring up the dust once more, though he hardly cared. "If you're going to survive, you need water at least." Oh, wouldn't it make Roshan laugh, to see him caring for a cub? That thought almost made him sneer.
"We're going to a watering hole," he stated simply, before leaning down and grasping the cub by the scruff, hoisting him up in his jowls. He tried to be as careful as possible, which was saying something for Do'al, as he turned and began to trot towards the closest water source he could remember.
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Posted: Wed Jul 01, 2009 7:08 pm
Despite the blunt nickname, the cub felt his muzzle tilt in the smallest of smiles. Even company like this looming stranger was better than no company at all. So he believed. Though he dare no openly show such expression or feelings, his head wisely bowed down during his emotions.
With a tired blink, the boy glanced back to the others face, tilting his head slightly. Not stay here? What was beyond this area though? Safety? Food and water? "Hh!" Startled as the other stood, the boy wobbled onto his own paws...though didn't know what else to do. "W...watering hole?" It sounded promising, the young cub visualizing what it may look like. But then the adult came at him, and the cub hunched over cautiously. A familiar sensation flooded over him as teeth grasped around his neck. There was fear, oh yes there was fear! But some deep sense comforted him in this action....even if his legs were pegged stiff as he was lifted. Even against these sharp ivory fangs, he felt safer than he had been before.
Viewing around from the new height, the cub twitched his dangling tail. "How far?......"
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Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:06 pm
Did cubs always have to ask so many questions? And at such ridiculous moments? He frowned as he stalked across the hard-packed earth beneath his paws, eyes concentrating on the distance and his maw closed securely around the fuzzball. How did the runt expect him to answer with his mouth full? He simply grunted at him, in a manner that he hoped said bluntly 'shut up', and continued on their way with a silent wish that the boy would shut his gab.
The walk was decent enough in length, and by the time Do'al could see the glinting water in the distance, he could feel his mouth growing dry from carrying a cub so far. Still, he wasn't one to give up out of annoyance, not when he could see something far brighter in his future if he simply just held out. Thus, they arrived shortly, and the bright red male deposited the cub at the side of a rather quiet, small watering hole.
"There," he said with a raspy grunt and a nudge with his paw, "drink before you die from thirst." What a waste of time this would be, then. He snorted before leaning down to lap up his own share and quench the cracking feeling in his throat, probably from inhaling too much dry air.
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Posted: Mon Jul 06, 2009 8:56 pm
Fur bristled lightly as the older male growled to his question. It was intimidating to his small ears, and his ribs feared being crushed in by the others irritation. So, gritting his mouth tight, the cub hushed any further comments. And soon to follow were his eyes, closing softly to the lull of the walk. It remained so for a good amount of time, enough for the young boy to regain some energy. But only so much.
Hard ground soon met his paws, and the cub was forced awake and aware as he was plopped onto the floor. Shaking his head and regaining his senses, the smell of water was fast to strike his nose. Ears and tail perked eagerly and urgently. They made it! Water....and plenty of it! Not waiting or hesitating for the other males words, the boy leapt forward and lapped at the warm liquid. It was easy to note his dehydrated youth, with how loud and sloppily he attacked the pond. So much so that he almost forgot his surroundings or the seemingly 'kind' stranger that saved him....
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Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:52 am
Do'al retreated back from the water a ways, sitting down and letting his bright eyes rest on the cub. The little thing must have been terribly thirsty, though it was no wonder, if he'd been sitting out in the desert for any length of time at all.
"Not so much, runt, you're going to make yourself sick," he said in an irritated tone as he reached out to poke at the young cub's ribs with a large paw. It wasn't rough, but it was meant to get his attention. The last thing he needed right now was for the boy to gorge himself on water and end up drinking so much that he got sick - then what would he do? He didn't have any practice taking care of really sick creatures. Kip might be able to help, but he doubted it, and his sister certainly wasn't the motherly type.
"Come over here and sit down," he motioned with a paw, eyes concentrated on the little one and voice stern. It was no time for nonsense now. "We have to travel back to my companions, and there are a few rules you need to understand before we get to them."
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Posted: Thu Jul 16, 2009 4:10 pm
Even the poke to the tummy didn't deter the kit, he only wriggled his form to the side while his tongue continued drinking. Though his ears were pinned back with focus. Runt? What was a runt....was that his name? That thought made the boy lift his head, fuzzy chin dripping water as he looked to the male. "Runt? Runt's not sick now though..."
Pale eyes looked to the lion's paw, then his eyes, then back to the paw. Making up his mind, he found the new energy to trot up to the said spot and sit like told. What were they doing now? His mouth formed an 'o' as the adult mentioned traveling again.....and by his tone of voice he imagined that this round he'd have to walk on his own. Maybe. ".....Rules? Is that like water....makes you feel better?" Tail twitched almost happily though, knowing from some instinct what companions meant. More paws to follow around.
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:24 pm
The older male almost snorted at the way the kid was adopting the almost insulting nickname he had tacked onto him - but it had been done so he'd have something to call him. It wouldn't do, he supposed, for the little brat to continue thinking his name was 'Runt', though. Kip probably wouldn't want him to be named 'Runt' anyway.
"No, rules are not like water. Rules are things that keep you from getting killed by the big bad lions." He snorted at the little thing, wondering what kind of neglectful parents he had. Probably a mother like Makri - he didn't doubt she'd abandon her cubs like this. Not that he would really blame her. Makri didn't like many things, and she would probably have less tolerance than he did for something that couldn't take care of itself - especially if it put her through a lot of pain coming into the world. Actually, the more he thought about it, the more the whole idea amused him. Maybe he could con some stupid git into trying to knock his sister up just so he could watch the result.
"First, though, I'd like you to tell me your name. You do have a name, don't you?" His eyes narrowed on the little cub as he waddled closer, waiting for the answer. "Did your mother call you anything before she lost you?"
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Posted: Tue Jul 21, 2009 8:48 pm
Small ears folded back as the young cub tried to understand. Rules were things. And they kept you safe? Light eyes blinked down at the adults paws, finding those sharp claws to be the most relating thing to this 'rule'. Lifting his own paw, his small mouth frowning at his lack of sharp claws.
"Then I like the rules....tell me the rules?" Though the individual before him was big, and a lion......was he bad too? He didn't think so, why else would he give the cub a second chance. Unless he planned to just leave him behind eventually, like his own mother. Brows fell almost grumpily, the attitude none helped by the temperature. "She hardly called to me. All she said to me was 'Tap'. I don't like that word." The cub thwapped his tail in the dust. It was an honest surprise for him to even remember what the lioness growled at him. It had been a rare and short-lived name. Would that change too?
"What does your mother call you?" Eyes lit up now, head tilting curiously to learn what this big and dark stranger was called.
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Posted: Wed Jul 22, 2009 12:26 pm
His gaze followed the motions of the tiny figure, watching as he brought his paw up for inspection and then frowned noticeably at whatever he didn't find there. Claws, perhaps? Do'al didn't know how to read a cub, but given that the little thing kept imitating him, that was probably his best guess. Not that it really mattered all too much - it was a passing observation.
"Alright, since you're so eager to learn them, I'll tell you. Listen to them well, because one slip up might mean your life, do you understand me? I don't pretend to be nice, but some of the lions in the pride can be your worst nightmare." He gave the boy a hard stare, trying to judge whether or not he was truly listening, before he finally nodded and leaned his head down to get a little more level with him. "First, do not speak to any other lions there unless they speak to you first - especially the big purple lioness. That's my sister, she is not very nice. Second, do not try to eat anything that is not first given to you - most of them won't tolerate a scavenger." Makri might eat the little runt for a snack if he tried to n** at her hunts. "Third, stay close to me or my mate at all times. You'll meet her when we arrive. Fourth, and most important," his eyes narrowed now, and he brought up a paw to point at the cubs chest, "always do as I tell you. Disobeying me might cost you your life one day, especially in my world."
He gave the cub one last glance before sitting back up, not too concerned with how harsh he'd been. He had to learn some way, right? Shaking his mane a bit, he thought over what the cub said about his name. Tap was probably short for something, and his mother just couldn't be bothered to call him by the full name. "Right, for now you'll just be Runt until I can talk to Kip about it." How in the hell did you name a cub anyway? The thing already talked and had opinions. His attention shifted from his thoughts again at the question, and for a moment, Do'al almost laughed.
"My mother called me Do'al," he was named after an old myth his mother had heard once. She'd named Makri something devilish too. Only Roshan got a pretty name, and it suited him, the shining b*****d. "You ready to go, Runt? We have a long walk."
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Posted: Fri Jul 31, 2009 8:07 am
The cub nodded slowly as his paw drifted back to the ground. It was time for the rules, he couldn't mess this up! Maybe this time he'd stand a chance....why hadn't his mother taught him the 'rules'? Why was this stranger helping him learn these things? The basic understandings of bonds were beginning to melt and make no sense to the cub. Just who was he supposed to tag along with? To understand and rely on?
Biting the inside of his mouth, 'Tap' kept a shy glance up at the adult, blinking as the other got eye level with him. Right here and now, this was his only option. And he was still young and desperate enough to cling to that dim hope.
The rules were being listed out to him, and with each one the cub's jaw would tighten nervously. N...no talking? No eating either? But what if there was no food left? What about the water! Light eyes flicked over to the body of liquid, remembering how quickly he'd gulped at the refreshment. Would he have to hold back on that too? The cub winced and squinted his eyes shut as the adult poked his soft ruff, almost crumpling in on himself at the authoritative touch. Then small ears lifted forward while his muzzle put on a thoughtful frown. "Runt. Runt then......." His head tilted while he held his tongue. But oh, he could talk now.....right? He was being talked to after all....
"Kip? Is that your mo...I mean, 'mate'?" Whatever that was. Another lion he guessed. "Is she nicer than your sister?....." But then the one named Do'al was shifting about, and the cub hopped to his paws alertly. They were leaving now? "Y...yes Do'al!" He felt strong enough to handle the walk, but maybe that was just the recent drink and now jittery nerves. They'd find out soon enough.
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