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 Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:53 am
Things weren't going bad... They just weren't going how she had hoped.
The mountain, so spiteful and sturdy, had yet to repay her for all the effort she had made. To add to her aggravation, her son was becoming suspicious of her little 'vacations'. It had been easy as hunting a corpse to trick him as a child, but now that he was older, she feared he may question her motives behind the trips. Sure, he would never accurately guess what was going on, but he might jump to other conclusions.
Knowing him (though she barely did), there would be finger-pointing concerning an affair. Not as extreme as the truth, but it would still get the pride talking. About her. Which was the last thing she needed. No, actually...
Inquiring minds might start feeling adventurous after hearing that and wander just what kind of man partaking in this supposed live triangle might dwell on the mountain. They were getting some mighty curious and awfully stupid cubs these days. Not a good mix.
Speaking of the little brats, why was this one following her?
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:54 am
This day had been like any other. Boring, boring, boring.
Rosko had gotten up, then been hit with images of himself being smacked in the face by a beetle. Rosko got smacked in the face by a beetle, then in his mind he could see a lioness pass him. A lioness passed him, and then...
And then nothing.
The cub lay there, completely baffled for a second. He felt a surge of excitement and wasted no time in pursuing Hari. She was someone he knew of, but hadn't met before. More importantly, she was one of them.
He had followed her the entire day, at first trying to hide his presence until it was painfully obvious she'd been aware he was there from the get go. After that, he took an uneven stride behind her. The sun was hidden by the clouds and he watched in amazement and sheer joy at the unpredicted motions in the sky.
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:55 am
Hari waited. Waited more. Waited until she couldn't take the annoying tag along anymore. On the inside she screamed and envisioned herself throwing the annoying thing into the water to never surface again. Outwardly, she turned, offered him a sweet smile and spoke in a soothing, friendly tone.
"Hello. Rosko, is it?" Yes, she'd heard of them to. How could you not? A litter of half-breeds ditched by the infamous Banji. There was no escaping gossip like that. "May I ask why you continue following me, Rosko?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:56 am
So swept up in the suddenly unknown future of the world, Rosko was taken off guard by the voice, no matter what tone it used. He jumped nearly a foot in the air, hair standing on end like a frustrated house cat. He was not agitated, mind you, just startled. It passed quickly and his fur smoothed back out, as did his own voice.
"Sorry," he began, shifting his shoulders awkwardly. More than once he'd heard Lakisa speak badly of Mwokoti's daughter, and now found himself wondering why. This had to be her. They looked near identical. She didn't seem mean at all.
"It's just... When other ones are around, I can't see what's coming anymore."
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:56 am
Great. Another nutcase. She should have figured given her location and what he descended from. That leopard mother of his was out of her mind to spawn with Banji. Not to mention the whole crossbreeding thing was just beyond disgusting and unnecessary. Couldn't he get enough of that from the lionesses? There were so many single mothers out there these days they had to be getting it from someone.
For the first time, she really looked at the cub. A few of his siblings she'd glanced at in passing, but never before did she take the time to really look at them. Tuff of hair like a lion. Fluffy tail like a leopard. He was sort of more like them in the front--
Wait.
Wait, what did he mean by...?
Suddenly, it clicked.
I can't see what's coming anymore.
A seer.
"Oh? Is that so? Does that only happen around me?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:57 am
Rosko felt somewhat unnerved at being inspected so blatantly. When someone did that, it was because they were thinking about his lineage. That sort of look was always followed up with some sort of question or comment about being what he was. Who he was. They came mostly from adults, but in the face of anger, some of his fellow cubs had been known to throw out an insult aimed specifically at his... species.
Or whatever it was you'd call him.
Relief washed over him like water on the shore when Hari questioned him. Not about his blood or body, but his mind. It was a nice, welcomed change, and because of it he had an instant fondness for this female.
"No. Some other ones too. Other, um... Other ones who can see the future. The other cub, and aunt Hasana."
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:58 am
Oh, this was too sweet. For a long while Hari had been convinced fate was on her side against her mother. She was just beginning to think otherwise when it had sent her this little brat--er, lovely little cub. The mountain could wait, this was more important. The other seers had been too big a threat for a long time now. What if one had a vision of what she was doing? Or what she would do? What if they stopped it?
But they wouldn't, because this half-breed could act as her detector. She'd eliminate all of them before they became a problem worth worrying over. All she needed to do was play her cards right...
"Would you mind showing me who you mean? The other cub?"
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 12:59 am
Rosko didn't see a deceptive traitor before him. All he saw was someone who reminded him of Mwokoti in not just coat but her voice, actions and words. She spoke softly like her mother and just as polite. No questions about his breeding, no snarky comments. Even if she was going to, he couldn't see them coming, which alone was enough cause for excitement.
Who was he to deny such a simple request from someone who had made him feel so happy? Of course she'd want to meet Amira too. Rosko wasn't sure if she was his cousin or half-cousin or maybe she was even his niece or something. What he did know was she was awesome. Very much worth meeting.
"Sure! She's over this way! She told me earlier she was going to be in the garden today! Come on!"
Rosko half-ran, half-jumped to their destination.
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:00 am
What the duo met was not only Amira, but her grandmother too. The two females were picking flowers without a care in the world. An hour ago Amira had started on her own. Hasana had joined her later and was a warmly welcomed edition.
"Look, grandma! It's Rosko and some lady!"
Every day, Amira thanked the great spirit that her grandma was a nanny and not a huntress or some thing that would make her spend more time away from the pride.
If only she knew.
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:01 am
Hari could have slammed her head into a rock. So much for fate being on her side. Here she thought she'd be killing two birds with one stone today. Almost literally. To try and slay anyone within the pride borders was a bad plan, but children were easily lured away from home.
She could have convinced them to go, struck them both once hard enough to kill them and returned with a sad and sorry tale of an attacking rogue. Sure, some sorry fool would probably get mauled with the wrath of two huge prides...
Yeah. So what?
Buuut...
She couldn't exactly pull that kind of trickery off on an adult. Hasana wasn't stupid. It would have been nice, though, destroying three threats at once...
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:02 am
Hasana plucked a yellow from the ground gentle and placed it behind Amira's ear, smiling fondly at the cub. Her family was beautiful, each and every one of them. She turned to peer at the approaching parties, offering them the same sort of smile.
Nishan would be proud of the person his sister had become, no matter what the rumors said. And Rosko, no matter what his father had done, deserved to be looked upon with kind eyes. "Hello, Hari. Rosko."
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:03 am
Always convincing, ever smooth, Hari offered a smile and a nod. Hasana wasn't a challenge to fool, since she'd been grandfathered into her good graces long ago. She was gazed upon by the elder lioness with rose colored glasses. All she saw was all she wanted to see. Hari raising her beloved Nishan without fault in the absence of their mother. How could someone so pure betray them?
Tch. Please.
"Good day to you, Hasana. You seem to be doing well. A flourishing family, I see."
Honestly. Did the number of these morons ever end?
"I was just bringing your nephew back. I'm afraid I must be going."
Better luck next time.
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:04 am
Beaming at the compliment, Hasana shamelessly voiced her agreement. "They are beautiful, aren't they? Such healthy offspring. We're all very lucky." She nodded to herself, saying a silent prayer to whatever God or Goddess controlled the health of their children. Mwokoti had been unnecessary to enforce her belief and faith in them. Since she saw one as a cub she'd known they were there.
"Already? Alright. Stop by sometime, Hari. I feel like I never see you anymore." A final smile and she shifted her attention back to the youngsters. Ah, youth. It made her feel young again.
Ow. Back pain.
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:05 am
Rosko frowned at the departure but didn't bother giving chase. He didn't need to. Amira and Hasana both voided his abilities and as it was both of them were around to assist with it. Who knew where Hari was going off to or if he'd be able to keep following her. He wanted to, but his dearest aunt would just drag him right back...
"Amira, let's go play at the shore!"
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Posted: Fri Jun 26, 2009 1:06 am
Unlike the other two, Amira couldn't care less if Hari stayed or went. She had an idea of who she was and, like Rosko, had heard some about her. They were mostly bad things, though. Grandma liked her, so she tried to as well, but she couldn't shake the the bad feeling she got whenever she was around.
Play? Who said play?!
"Okay! Come on, grandma!"
Yes, they lived the good life.
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