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 Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 12:58 pm
 The day started like any other. I was just padding along, slinking through the mists with all the grace of my species, a prime example of muscular perfection and steady, quiet paws. Languid would not begin to describe my prowess, my effortless silence allowing me to blend, despite my color, into the mists as if I had been made of them.
To keep his mind occupied, Kachero had decided to narrate his day. It was a tactic he often used to ease the impact of his ever turning mind, which some times had too little to think about when days were slow. Though things had definitely been interesting recently, there hadn't been a case, of sorts, to mull over and keep him company. So his lively brain turned to this inner monologue, just for his own private amusement.
He was padding along the underbrush, no where near silent, his white mop of a mane and his brown body sticking out readily from the foliage around him. Truth wasn't exactly what his inner monologue was striving for, since only he could hear it. He just needed to have something fun.
I couldn't help but wonder when I might run into someone. Something in the air was telling me that it was all too perfect. Too serene. Nothing could be so beautiful, without a hint of deadly intent. My fur bristled. Sooner or later, if I walked on long enough, I'd find the trouble I knew was waiting for me.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:08 pm
 Soft paws slowly padded through the valley; each step was tentative, as it seemed, to the lioness, that every contact was exploring a new piece of ground--foreign, and not quite yet friendly as it would be had she lived here longer.
Only several days had passed since the sudden change and movement, but it felt like eons to the light blue seer, who had occasional dreams of the numerous waterfalls and scenery she grew up in. It was hard to fathom the thought that she would probably never see them again, as she was one to stick with family, and not venture out alone--especially with the distance they had traveled to get here. She was conflicted, for though she was to an extent, homesick for the Mistweaver lands, she knew that Aliona and Zuri were right in saying that this was their home now. It would just have to take a bit of getting used to.
Such troubles brought the normally calm and optimistic adolescent lioness to a less sociable and friendly level; but assuredly it's no spell that would last forever. She just needed a little less time alone, and more time with those she cared about.
And just in the nick of time, it seemed, she spotted a rather amusing and familiar sight below her position. Her littermate, Kachero, was stalking amongst the thick green jungle plants, as if he was ready to pounce on anything that came at him. She had a second thought to leave him in his own world, as usual, but hesitated. It had been a while since she had directly interacted with her entertaining brother, hadn't it?
"Kachero," she called out pleasantly, making her presence known so as to not startle the other.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:02 pm
There's one thing to be said about a new home: you can never underestimate what might be around you at any given moment. A new home can't be considered a home until you really know what to expect. Unfortunately, today, I still don't know this place well enough to expect the unexpected. It leaves me vulnerable. Exposed. It-
Even though the familiar voice was meant to put him at ease, the daydreaming young lion found himself startled by the sudden addition of company. Brown fur bristled, he rose to his tip toes and turned to spot the blue lioness nearby. Heaving a profound sigh, he sat back on his butt, splaying out his back feet so that they reached past his front. It was silly for a lion to sit like that, but he needed something to detract from the way he had reacted to her coming up on him. If she thought he was just in a silly move, then his scare wasn't out of place.
"Oh, hey there sis," he said languidly, over emphasizing how totally relaxed he was. His monologue had run away with him, and he found himself half expecting to be attacked from the shadows by some monster or another. He had a piece of grass in his mouth, as he often did, and he spoke through the side of his muzzle in order to keep it from falling out.
"How are you today?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 5:27 pm
Ah, so she caught his attention.
Sarabi made a leap downwards for her tan and brown brother who had, by the time she was in front of him, positioned himself into quite an awkward display. She instinctively eyed him, wondering if something was amiss, but decided to take it for his nature. He had, after all, done similarly unusual things while growing up together.
She noticed the obstruction in Kachero's mouth as he spoke, and made a note to keep from giggling--oh, how she had missed seeing funny antics as such on a regular basis! But she couldn't contain herself this time, and slipped a second after she told herself not to--letting the small laugh escape as if it had been locked away for some time.
"Just fine, Kachero. How have you been settling in? I see the grass tastes the same to you, does it?" She let a small giggle leak out again. "You didn't come here with anyone else, did you?"
It was an inquiry to whether any other siblings, perhaps, were nearby. Then again, by his reaction, he probably wasn't expecting any company at all; or perhaps the new territory was making him more flighty than usual.
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Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:11 pm
Kachero grinned, the piece of grass pointing toward the sky as his teeth were bared. He shook his head, looking a bit cocky, as if this was something he was particularly proud to have noticed.
"The grass is a lot softer here, I think," he said, nodding slowly, "I haven't figured out what it might be yet, but it's definitely different. The texture. I like it! Which is good, because I wouldn't want to have to travel just to find a good piece of grass."
He tilted his head, glad to make her laugh. He did feel how weird it was, shifting gears and settling into a new home, but it didn't weigh too heavily on him: it was a new adventure for him. New things to explore, to investigate, and that was never a bad thing as far as he was concerned. It was good timing, too, as he had begun to feel restless in the routine that had settled over his days. Now his options were open again, and it was very much like being a cub once more. Learning never stopped, in small and large ways, and he was eager to use his deductive skills and figure out every little mystery these new lands had to offer.
"I'm liking it here," he said, in answer to her first question, "just getting used to things. I'm alone, though. I was, uh. Well." He didn't really want to try and explain what he had been doing. Out loud it sounded a bit... crazy. Or at the very least a bit weird, "just getting my bearings. I think it'll be a good idea to know this place like the back of my paw, you know, so I can tell others about it. I'm really looking forward to that, you know? I'm itching to see what other places are like." He hummed wistfully, looking a bit day dreamy.
"What about you? Do you like it here so far?"
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 3:21 am
Sarabi nodded and repeated, "It is definitely different."
The feeling of the lands were different, yet the same. A majority of the others she interacted with came. So, wouldn't family and friends be where the heart is? The scenery changed, and things were supposedly going to work out for the better. Whether it was an old curse working its way on the old pride or not, it was relatively depressing seeing no signs of life outside the monotonous few in the Mistweavers. Sarabi had always fancied entertaining the thought of meeting a new face every so often; perhaps that is why she took on the role to spread fabled awareness to the areas outside the borders, and perhaps that is also Kachero's thinking.
"You eat too much grass, Kachero. Don't you think it'll turn your brain into grass?" Sarabi thought aloud and jokingly. "And oh... Maybe I feel like we left part of ourselves back home. I mean, our old home. Like mom."
Her gaze shifted off from her brother, guilty for bringing such a topic up. She remembered well the more gloomy days when the incident had been more recent.
"But we still have each other, yeah? And the grass does seem a little softer here!" A more positive tone entered her voice as she continued, "And what? Don't you want others to discover themselves, and, huh... Solve the mystery of our lands when they see it for themselves? You'll ruin their adventure!"
She teased him. "And don't get yourself too lost. What if you run into like... What if you run into a big hole! And none of us was around to hear you drop in it! Or if you get attacked by wild baboons?"
Sarabi knew well enough that her brother wasn't the extremely careless type to do something like that, but was just providing a playful warning, waiting for his response.
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Posted: Sat Jun 20, 2009 11:20 am
Kachero cracked a wide grin at her question, the piece of grass wobbling precariously as he forgot to make sure it was between his teeth. It didn't fall, though, which just added to how silly he looked, all told. Shaking his head, he puffed out his chest a bit.
"My brain is destined for far greater things than turning into grass!" he proclaimed, absolutely certain on that point. One day, when a great mystery came to their new home, Cash would be the one to solve it. He wasn't looking for fame or acclaim: all he wanted was the thrill of a puzzle. Something he alone could possibly have the cleverness to solve. Ever since his cubhood he had carried that one improbable goal for himself, and even as he grew older, and thus more grounded in reality, he continued to believe that somewhere in the future a moment like that was waiting.
He was deflated a bit with thoughts of their mother. He offered her a small smile, shaking his head and sighing. Maybe that was another reason why this transition to new surroundings hadn't been too hard on him. Everything had been changing, anyway. This was just one more step. It seemed to fit, really.
"Of course we do, and we always will. No matter where we live or what we do with ourselves, we'll always be family. I think everyone knows that. It makes it all easier, for me at least, just because there's this, you know, network of family in my same situation. Comfort, that's what we all have from each other. It's good. Nice."
The young lion stood then, looking confident, an easy, wry grin on his face. He kept his head tilted, his mop of a mane shading his eyes so that he looked a bit mysterious in the shadows of the trees.
"Me, get lost? I think you'd have to worry about that more than me! I'm a walking map," that was a lie, "and I don't think I'd fall into a hole unless I wanted to. But hey, if you wanted to test my skills, you're more than welcome!" He crouched in front of her, butt and tail high as he dug his front paws into the earth, wiggling as if to pounce on her.
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Posted: Sun Jun 21, 2009 5:07 pm
Ah, how she'd never realized her brother's assertiveness! Sarabi let out a small giggle and smile, sure of Kachero's future success as well. Though it seemed that with such a big family it would be hard to be noticed, Sarabi thought that with their upbringing, heritage, and differences, everyone would be able to shine in one way or another. She was proud of her family, and only wished that she had spent a lot more time with everyone than she did recently.
And when Sarabi looked up, she noticed her brother's conniving stance and smile, and pondered what he was thinking. He looked a little silly in honesty, though she supposed he was attempting a more serious look, what with him shading himself amongst the tree shade.
"A walking map? So you know your way around entirely already?" she questioned, partially curious, and partially amazed if that was indeed true. "And the places around us? Well, maybe we'd make a good team, huh? Your map skills and my cuteness. We'd bring in new pride members for sure!"
Sarabi grinned at her brother's playful stance as a thought popped into her head, "Is that a challenge?" She thought, looking above, past Kachero, into the dense trees behind him. "I bet you can't run to the edge of the valley on the other side and make it back to this same spot by the time the thicker mists roll in."
Sarabi went to Kachero's side, putting her paw on his back, and with the other paw, vaguely pointed to where she had come from before she spotted him. "I saw a few of our nieces and nephews, and others in the pride a while back that way, near the edge. Make sure you say 'hi'." And, with a jovial laugh, Sarabi nudged her brother towards that direction.
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Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 12:37 pm
Kachero cleared his throat.
"Well, not... not entirely. But when I go to a new area I won't soon forget it. There's no real getting lost for this one. Just... unintentional exploring. But at least I always know how to get back." He grinned, liking the way he had covered his tracks on that one. It was, after all, the truth in one way or another. He never worried about losing his way, always observant enough to know what he had and what he hadn't visited before, which was why he could confidently pronounce he would always know his way back home.
He nodded thoughtfully at her comment. Cuteness would probably really help in the endeavor for new members. As devastatingly charming and clever as he imagined himself to be, he understood that some creatures out there would just not be attracted to his recruiting methods. His sister, with her pretty coat and sweet nature, would probably be more successful than him, just on her own. Teaming up would make them unstoppable, he decided with a nod.
His attention was drawn from that line of thought when she commented on his challenge. His eyes flashed and he wiggled his butt again, only to stop from pouncing when she announced her own game. He looked up and over his shoulder, following her paw as she pointed. Tilting his head, intrigued, he contemplated the likelihood of beating her challenge.
He grinned.
"I could do it!" He said, getting ready to run. He paused, looking back at her, "what are you going to do? Do you want to race?"
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Posted: Mon Jun 22, 2009 2:54 pm
Putting careful thought into Kachero's proposal and his previous statements of confidence, Sarabi slowly nodded, looking upwards in concentration. Though she had suspected to remain in place until her brother had gone off, awaiting in the general area until his possible return, she supposed the idea of a run wouldn't be bad, either. And, should Kachero actually get lost, at least he'd have her companionship! Or would it be the other way around?
"...Alright, then!" Sarabi sprightly said, placing both of her paws now on the ground after turning to the previously indicated direction.
With a last look and wink at Kachero, she suddenly said, "Go!" and made a leap upwards towards an opening from the trees that surrounded the two, knowing well enough that her brother would be able to catch up--considering she wasn't especially known for speed. What she lacked in speed or strength, however, was made up for in physical grace and charm.
It seemed like it had been a long time since she had a competitive run--perhaps the last time had been when she and her siblings were children, even. Well, Sarabi wasn't going to give up her youth so soon! As soon as the trees thinned out in her path, she closed her eyes momentarily, enjoying the rushing air, and loosened her control on her tail, letting it swing in mid-air wildly as the run began.
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:56 pm
It was going to be a race, then. That was fine. As a lion in my profession, skills are commodities. Harvested over time and through hard work and patience, I was not worried about my running abilities. No, I don't practice racing every day, but that didn't matter in that moment. All I knew was I was ready. Whatever was waiting at the end of our run-
Kachero bounded forward at her 'go', half missing it as his mind wandered to other things. He hadn't quite shifted out of inner monologue mode, and that wasn't the best way to start a race. He'd have to admonish himself for his lack of focus later, paws hitting the earth heavily as he raced after her, hotting a laugh. He liked the feel of the wind in his face, and shut his eyes as he tore across the flat earth.
Except it wasn't as flat as he had expected.
After a short while he had caught up to his sister, though he hadn't noticed since his eyes were closed, and passed her by only a small margin. The ground had apparently opened up in a cosmic joke to mock his confident boasts from before, because before he knew what was happening he was falling. it wasn't a long fall, though his speed didn't work in his favor as he hit the side of the hole first, and then flopped to the bottom.
Dazed, and then intensely embarrassed, Kachero stood and looked up.
"Uuuuuh. Sis?!"
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 2:33 am
Unlike her brother, Sarabi had been paying attention to the rushing environment. By the time Kachero had caught up, she noticed a distant ominous darkening patch of the ground, and was about to issue him a warning--though she assumed he, like she, had known where he was going!
Apparently not, as the sound of a thump resounded when the ground ate Kachero's figure. Sarabi, despite feeling concerned for him, couldn't help but giggle to herself at her joking earlier prediction. Perhaps she was more in tune with her foreshadowing abilities than she thought she was!
After she closed in on Kachero's hole, she stuck her head in from the top and smiled, giggling again. He looked a bit lost and out of place in that confined darkness--perhaps he was evaluating whether he would need help getting out.
"You okay, Kachero?" Sarabi asked, more out of politeness than worry. "So, you really were serious about wanting to run into a hole, weren't you? Why'd you pick that one?"
She then slowly circled the hole, trying to peer into its interior. The inside was dark for sure, but it seemed relatively... full of dirt, and soft. There were definitely no jagged or hard rocks down below--thank goodness for Kachero--otherwise her brother would have found himself in a less humorous disposition. From inspecting the hole's entirety, Sarabi discerned that perhaps there was enough room in the hole for a running start if Kachero had wanted to attempt at a jump out there--if his leaping skills permitted. Incidentally, the room for a running start also meant that there was room for another lion, and Sarabi took a small moment to entertain the thought of jumping down there herself.
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Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 10:35 am
"Oh, I'm not hurt!" he called back, whistling in an effort to hide how upset he was with himself. He lowered his head and grumbled to himself, "nothing important, anyway. Just my pride."
He laughed ruefully at her jokes, knowing he had them coming. He grinned up at her, flicking his tail and shaking his head. He had some dirt clinging to his white mane, but it fell out at the motion. Beating his paws against the floor of the hole, then raising himself up onto his back paws to push his front ones against the wall, he nodded thoughtfully.
"This is the best hole around, of course," he answered, sounding absolutely certain, "so I thought I'd grace it with my presence, that's why! You can't see it from up there, but it's letting me know that it really appreciates how considerate I am. That's probably why I didn't break my face open on a rock when I landed."
Which was definitely something he was glad about.
Unharmed, at least in a physical sense, the embarrassed young lion looked up at his sister contemplatively. She seemed to be considering something.
"This is a sister-free zone," he called up with a daring grin, "if you're thinking about coming down here. It's my hole now. I totally meant to find this place," he padded back a bit, gauging the jump, but his attention was drawn. There was a dead carcass of some smaller animal that had fallen in, presumably lacking the ability to get back out. He started sniffing at it, investigating it with interest. He all but forgot about Sarabi for a moment, turning his back to her so he could get a better look at the remains, face close to the ground.
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Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:44 am
"What was that?" she asked down to the hole, unable to catch her brother's mumbling after he stated that he wasn't hurt.
The longer Sarabi saw her brother down in the pit, the more noticeable his apparent contentment was in his position. How weird! she thought, shaking her head. Well, at least everything was going as smoothly as it can for her brother finding it perfectly fine to fall into a ditch.
"Well, thank your luck you're okay. Your face would have looked funnier if it broke open! But I'll leave you in your... privacy, if that's what you want."
She harrumphed playfully and stuck her nose up in the air... until she realized that he wasn't paying attention to her at all. What got his attention so fast? Sarabi tried to look at what Kachero was staring at, but couldn't see through the big guy's back. So, resorting to other tactics to gain his attention back, she started a whistle as she flicked some dirt on the ground into the hole, pushing more in with each sweep of the floor.
Care was taken in not sweeping anything too sharp or painful that might make contact with her brother, but Sarabi wasn't prejudiced against the rounder pebble here or there, and all the while she began a small giggle as she was working.
"I'm going to help you clean the outside of your 'room' now, then. You wouldn't want guests to find it in this mess!"
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Posted: Tue Jul 14, 2009 1:54 pm
Kachero was perfectly content when he heard she was going to leave him, sniffing and examining the carcass with rapt attention. He didn't notice when dirt fell on him, thinking it was something knocked loose from the wall and nothing to concern himself about. And then more fell. And some rocks. Grass? He shook himself off, the dirt collecting on his back.
Looking up sharply, he squinted at Sarabi pointedly.
"I appreciate your offer of help in that regard, but I don't think that's necessary," he said, tilting his head as he stared up at her, "I wouldn't want the outside of my room to be neater than the inside!"
He sighed, looking around. There wasn't much else to be done in here, so he decided he would try and get himself out. Drawing a deep breath, he readied himself for the effort. He could not fail here: he had to get out without looking like a dork. He had already fallen down the hole, after all. There was some redemption to be had. Feeling confident, ready, he crouched down, having no real room to get a running start, and leaped at the side of the wall.
Finding no foot holes, he slid back down. Irritated but not defeated, he leaped again and this time managed to cling to the wall, flattening himself against it as his back feet, quickly beginning to wobble, found a rock in the face to balance on.
And now he was stuck. If he tried to move he would slip, but he wasn't close enough to the top to bounce up there or try and pull himself up.
He opened his mouth to call for help from his sister, then rethought it and snapped it shut.
Legs still wobbling, claws digging into the earth as best they could, he was ready to stay clinging to that wall until he thought of a good way to get out: without any help in the matter. Unless, of course, she just... came over and helped him anyway. He supposed in that situation he wouldn't be able to refuse.
And he wouldn't really be shamed for it, because he didn't ask. Yeah. That was good.
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