|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:29 am
It was important to keep the Sacrifices in good shape in these difficult times, but he couldn't help but wonder if his rations would have been more useful to someone else. In frustration he dug his claws into the remains of his dinner. There were still plenty of meat on the bone, but he just wasn't hungry anymore. Wasn't this the time when he ought to be somewhere else? Halfway to the Spirit realm to fight whatever evil threatened the pride for example. The recent misfortune of the Mizimu'Tungika made him look forward to his own sacrificing more than ever. He was ready!
Someone else could have his dinner. He picked the piece of meat in his mouth and started padding towards the nearby dens, where he was fairly certain Kivuli, the Haruspex, lived. He found her scent mingled with another outside one of the den openings and hoped he had found the right one.
"Excuse me," he asked tentatively, after putting the piece of meat down, "Is this Kivuli's den?"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 6:46 am
She grins at the sight of the Sacrifice, her gaze flicking from the meat to him, and then back to her cubs. As a new mother, a Haruspex, and the mate of a Veteran she hasn't found her rations cut to the point of starvation, but almost everyone is feeling the pinch these days... but she says nothing about that, and settles herself nearby. "You've found the den of Kivuli, Chuma, and far too many cubs, yes."
As someone who usually goes out of her way to know all of the Sacrifices at least by name, it's a little embarrassing when his name doesn't come to mind immediately. "How can I help you, ...Blota, right?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 09, 2009 1:07 pm
Kivulis glance didn't go unnoticed, and Blota was glad that he had brought the food with him. Sometimes the spirits give you the answers quickly, and he liked to think that this was a good sign. The fact that she remembered his name also helped to make his mood better, and he nodded to confirm that she had got it right.
"I wasn't really hungry today," he said, but it was evident that he wasn't telling the whole story just yet, "So I thought it was better to give the rest to someone else. And since you have cubs..."
He tilted his head, trying but failing to count the playing cubs. Whoa... Sure, he had a lot of "siblings" when he was brought up with the Minders, but most of them were not related.
"How many of them are there?" he blurted out, and then felt a little embarrassed for asking.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 9:32 am
Distracted as she is by the cub chewing on her tail, Kivuli almost misses the odd manner in which Blota is behaving. He's acting a little cagey, she notices, but attributes it to the current tension within the pride.
"Go on then, beasts, gnaw on that bone instead of my tail," she gestures at the offering brought by the Sacrifice, and the cubs tumble and play on their way towards the bone. Sufficiently distracted by the new toy, they quiet down a little (except for a few little tussles for position). "How many? Seven, all-told." The Haruspex beams with pride. "The spirits blessed us, even in these hard times."
And then she rises, padding away from the cubs to settle herself on a flat rock outside the den. Gesturing for Blota to make himself comfortable, she stretches luxuriously and yawns. "Something tells me this visit isn't about your lack of appetite, hm?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 2:03 pm
"No," he said, and studied his paws, "Well... Sort of." He looked up at her, worry evident in his face. "Things are really bad right now, right? Have the Spirits told you why they are upset?"
One of the most distressing things was that no one he had talked to so far seemed to know what was going on, and he was so eager for answers that he didn't care if it was rude to ask. He wanted Kivuli to tell him that the Spirits were angry about something, and that someone needed to cross over and talk or beat some sense into them. Someone like Blota.
"Do they demand a Sacrifice," he asked, unable to hide the excitement in his voice. He was trying to cleverly and discretely lead the conversation to a spot where he would be able to valiantly offer his services. Unfortunately Blota was as transparent as the invisible Spirits around them.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:25 pm
"It is rarely our place to know or understand why," she reminds him firmly, then frowns and looks into the distance. "We need only know that they are upset, and that it is our duty to right whatever wrong has been done."
With an irritated sigh she returns her attention to him, forcing her gaze away from the visions dancing in the shadows cast by her cubs. Nothing good, she hasn't seen anything good in a long time now. And that combined with the stressful environment in the pride is almost enough to provoke a snappish reply... until the Haruspex meets his gaze again. Spirits, he's barely more than a cub himself!
"They want blood."
A blunt reply, but nothing less than the truth. And then she grins, leaning forward. "But whether that blood is to come from a Sacrifice or a war is not for us to know, or say. The Vates will tell us if a Sacrifice is needed, and the Warleader will tell us if we are to fight. And the Queen will direct them both."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 12:41 pm
They want blood. The sentence sent his heart racing with hope and joy. If the Spirits demanded blood he might get to fill his purpose soon! He was nearly an adult and he felt he had waited long enough to be sacrificed. Blota craved action, and he felt he wouldn't get any until he crossed over to the Spirit world.
"I'm ready if a sacrifice is needed," he said proudly, straightening up and puffing out his chest (making the tuft of mane look slightly bigger, he hoped). "I want to fight for our pride."
He knew the Vates made the ultimate decision, but what if a Haruspex would put a good word for him? It would help, right? Blota gave Kivuli a pleading look that ruined his valiant display, but he knew better than to ask her outright.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:18 am
Her first instinct is to reply bluntly, coldly. No you are not, she thinks, complete with a scornful laugh. But motherhood has mellowed the caustic Haruspex, at least a little. "I'm disappointed, Blota," she chides gently.
She rearranges her paws before her, glancing over at the cubs still gnawing at the offered meat - milk teeth are not meant for such things, but they are trying their best! - and gives Blota a few moments to think over her statement. Let him wonder why she could be disappointed before she illuminates the situation, let him think and learn.
"You should know better than I do, just how important it is to be selfless if you wish to be a good Sacrifice. You want to fight for our pride? But what about the things that the pride needs from you? The needs of the many must come before the desires of the few, Blota. Have you even had the opportunity to experience the joys of love, the pain of betrayal? Passion, duty, honour... being responsible for bringing new life into this world. These are all experiences that will make your spirit stronger and more valuable. But you would offer yourself up now, an incomplete Sacrifice, just because you want to fight?"
Kivuli shakes her head. "You are not ready. Your spirit is strong, and your intentions are Pure. Some day you will be ready, and I would be honoured to send you to the spirits myself. But until that day comes..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 12:29 pm
Blota flinched slightly and his ears folded back as he was scolded.Kivuli had been gentle, but to his fragile adolescent ego it was a huge blow. He watched her nervously and followed her gaze to the cubs. Deep inside, he knew it was wrong for a Sacrifice to ask to be sacrificed, but... He felt so helpless, and he didn't like it a bit.
As she explained exactly why she was disappointed he shrunk back even more. He would have blushed if he could, but it was still evident that Kivuli's words hit home. She made some really good points, and it was difficult to justify being upset about it since she was so reasonable. Even a small cub could understand that what she said was true and right, but it didn't make it easier to accept. He might not be ready, but he wanted to be!
"No," he mumbled, and couldn't quite make himself meet her gaze, "M'sorry... I should have known better. I... I'll go now."
It might be rude to leave so abruptly, but Blota needed to be alone to digest all this. He bowed his head in respect for the Haruspex before making a hasty retreat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:10 pm
"Spirits be with you, Blota," she intones quietly, fully aware that she's given the young Sacrifice a lot to think about. "Thank you for the shared meal."
Perhaps some would think it odd that she doesn't find the bright male's reaction to be rude at all. Nor does she feel any remorse for the brutal assault she's made upon his ego with her matter-of-fact reasoning. After all, even this experience will help to strengthen and enrich his spirit.
Grinning a little at the impromptu tug-of-war that has erupted between two of her boys - such vigorous cubs! - she hops down from her rock and trots over to collect the meat Blota had brought. "Come along, beasts, and let me rip this up for you."
And the cubs follow in her trail, tumbling over each other in their haste.
...and neither Kivuli nor Blota had noticed the spotted hare who had been watching and listening the entire time.---fin---
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
