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 Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:06 am
It didn't feel safe. Not one bit, but Yuusa forced her paws to remain steady as she stealthed through the tall grass, hiding as much from enemy eyes as from her escorts. Slipping away from them had been both difficult and reckless, but even though she kept questioning her own judgement, the fact of the matter was that she HAD to do this.
Despite everything, Skugga was her other half, and it had been such a long time since Yuusa had seen or heard from her. The last time they had met had been... Yuusa couldn't even bring herself to think about it right now, for fear of losing her focus in this dangerous situation, but suffice to say that they hadn't really parted as friends.
But still, Yuusa found herself padding nearer to the Mizimu's borders. Risking everything for a glimpse, a sign, a scent, anything that could tell her anything about her sister. Where she was, who she was with, whether she was healthy or not...
It was reckless. It was stupid. It was inevitable.
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 9:03 am
The wings of his nostrils twitched as he inhaled a deep breath, eyes narrowing slightly as his luminous orbs surveyed the border. Amidst the passing breeze there seemed to be an oddly familiar scent which wafted into the air and seized his nostrils as if it vied for immediate attention. His form immersed itself into the shadows as he softly tread with upmost calculated steps, each one placed methodically and with importance as if to remain if only an illusion to the wayward eye. Someone was about and it was his job to investigate- whether it was a border brawl or a misguided soul he needed to collect and take with him it didn't matter; the only thing that mattered was that he would succeed Ah, yes, this could very well be yet another string which he could cast down and add to the web which he secretly wove. So far it had been rather successful as his time with Petra was more than well spent and that interesting hunter, Uta, seemed promising as well. There were a plethora of others who struck the old lions fancy and perhaps, if he was lucky, he would be able to broaden himself with acquiring a tad more 'accomplices'. Bakunja pursed his lips thoughtfully as the cogs of his mind twisted and turned beneath nights tapestry although they were quickly thwarted when he saw something- correction, someone. Slowly the lion crept closer, his body loose and fluid as his figure appeared all but consumed by nights cloak save for the rather elaborate web that stretched across his fur. The webs that fell from his cheeks almost looked as if from his eyes that the glistening appearance gave almost a surreal, mystical feel or even a very unsettling presence. It would look as if a spiderweb was strung across an unseen anchor or was simply being strewn to and fro by the wind itself.
Perhaps one was right to feel fearful or scared for he was no ordinary lion even if he believed he was as simple as they came.
Silently he watched her, staring. He knew her, he was certain he did. If he remembered correctly this one was related to Skugga, wasn't she? Those stripes were unmistakable and from Skugga's tale concerning her 'other half', so to speak, it would seem that this was the wayward soul, her sister who had foolishly stayed behind. It was evident that she, unlike her sister, was a bit blind to the truth of the matter concerning the Mizimu and if she stayed there than her fate would certainly be sealed with death; a death that was in vain. He pursed his lips for a moment as his tail flicked behind him with a thoughtful motion. Wasn't this a treat! Skugga's sister coming to try and settle her nerves with any small sign that would assure her that her other half was okay. But there was only one way that her nerves could be settled and Bakunja knew just the thing.
"Hmmmmmm," he mused quietly, standing there as his eyes narrowed towards her approaching form. The most important thing to do was to not alarm her, he had to coax her and find some foreground of truth and then root himself into it but by calling out to her now would be a mistake. She would have to come closer and certainly he would put himself out there. Like a spider, Bakunja was to be patient. Often a disregarded concept it seemed that good things certainly did come to those who waited for how could they not? With waiting it seemed Bakunja's greatest traps were sprung and his efforts were graced with fortune. And it was that this unfolding situation fell into the same category. He would wait just a bit longer before he'd weasel his way and strike up a rather warm conversation. At times it was that unceasing desire for assurance that often could pull another into the very place of which they feared and despised- doing anything they could if only to see proof of which they only dreamed of. Ah, he was beginning to weave something within his head and his paws only itched to begin!
The old male inhaled a deep breath as the scent was all but sucked through his nostrils, acting as a toxin as his eyes fell to a half lidded state. This would be yet another entangled individual to step into his web.
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:26 pm
Yuusa paused for a moment before a patch of open, dry land and held a very brief debate with herself before she decided to take the long way around it, to better remain in the relative cover of the bushes surrounding it. Her pale pelt would be far too easily spotted out in the open.
As she slowly made her way through the bushes, careful to disturb them as little as possible, she caught a whiff of something on a stray gust of wind. Another lion. She stopped and tried to catch the scent again, lifting and lowering her head with utmost care. A male, probably. And not one that she immediately recognised as one of her guards. Had he passed by here recently?
Or was he still here?
She thought about it, pondered her situation. Considering how very close to the border she was, it could very well be an outsider. Maybe even one of the "Dhati." On the other hand, if there was only one of him, maybe it could be worth the risk to try and approach him, even talk to him. But if she tried talking to him and it did indeed turn out to be one of her guards, she would be going straight back to the heartlands and possibly have a few difficult questions to answer.
It was a gamble and a very risky one, and she knew it. But in the end, she decided that she had already come too far not to take the chance.
"Who's there?" she called out as quietly as she could, but still she felt as though her voice resounded ominously in the tranquil night air.
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Posted: Tue Aug 11, 2009 6:47 pm
Just as he had assumed it seemed that Yuusa's curiosity and deepening desire had drawn her further. The old male grinned, ears pinning against his head in a estranged expression of excitement while thoughts and predictions all but whirled in a flurry within his mind. The lioness was taking a gamble no doubt but perhaps she would find that such a gamble would be well worth it in the end- a reward lay in wait for her if she would follow through with listening to the rebellious streak that pushed her onward in pursuit of the truth. It was that sick darkness, those entangling lies which had obscured the reality from the Mizimu'Tungika and its followers and yet stubbornly those who committed themselves to their leaders and pride died like lambs to the slaughter. It was pathetic and aggrevating- the mere thought only made Bakunja feel hackles from his throat rise while the fur upon his back bristle in despise. The prides own leaders were cowards and such cowards only deserved to be rendered into heaps of limbs and fur. Kunja gritted his jowls slightly and snorted as he shook his head if only to right his train of thought back on track. Vigilantly he continued to watch, tail flicking ever curiously behind him. To his surprise it seemed that the abiding silence didn't last long; she must have been well aware of his presence and felt so inclined to try and unmask whoever it was that lingered so near.
For someone who seemed rather lacking in intelligence Skugga's sister seemed rather intuitive. Perhaps there was still hope in ridding her of the lies that blinded her and helping her confront the truth which she had yet to acknowledge. In time she would, he thought to himself. She perhaps would see firsthand of what the Dhati were and stood for.
He stepped out into the light slowly as a warm expression curled itself upon his maw with a twinge of a twist. "A friend, I assure you," the older male replied, his voice embodying a warmth and a worn gentleness within its tone. There also seemed something else strange embedded within such a voice but perhaps it was difficult for one to exactly place a paw on and discern. Needless to say the male was personable. "I have no intentions of harming you although I am a bit baffled as to why a royal asset and vital thing such as a sacrifice would be wandering so far from that of the protection of her guards and watchful eyes, hmm?" Bakunja pursed his lips with a thoughtful expression his brows knitted together in a slight puzzlement as he continued. "I'm sure you're not lost- it would be a silly thing for someone so important to do rather recklessly. I can't help but get the feeling that you are looking for something or, rather, someone."
Ah, yes. Already it had made sense moments before when he had first spotted her but now it was all but crystal clear. This certainly, without a shadow of a doubt, was Skugga's sister! What a delight! In a contemplative manner Bakunja seemed to ease closer towards her with a relaxed and casual demeanor as his tail swayed behind him and a front paw kneaded at the earth below- the cogs of his mind revolving slowly, methodically.
"You are searching for Skugga, are you not, Yuusa?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 1:54 am
She held her breath as she listened for an answer to her call, and felt her heart skip a beat at the gentle rustle of movement. As he emerged from the shadows, a dark older lion with the most exceptional spiderweb markings, Yuusa couldn't help but take a step and a half back.
Her ears flattened out and her heart raced in her chest, even as the stranger gently begun to speak. He was definitely one of the outsiders, and that fact alone made her acutely aware of how vulnerable she was right now. What if he had friends, waiting downwind in the dark? What on earth had she gotten herself into?
She was for a moment surprised at being referred to as a "royal" sacrifice, and was just about to comment on his mistake, when the grin on his face took on a knowledgeable twist and his next words bumped every other concern into a secondary position.
"You are searching for Skugga, are you not, Yuusa?"
She didn't even wonder how he could know her name - despite their very different colours, Yuusa and Skugga were mirror images of each other, and it had never been difficult for anyone to see the relation between them - but the thought, the mere suggestion, that Skugga might have spoken of her, was so poignant that for a moment it took Yuusa's breath away.
"Do you know her?" She gasped, her ears and stance straightening and aligning fully on the spiderweb lion. "Do you know Skugga?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 8:17 am
He all but grinned as it seemed that he had struck such a familiar and sensitive chord within the female as he watched her realize that he had indeed called her by name and also mentioned Skugga. It wasn't her own name that seemed to throw her off kilter as it was the mention of her counterpart, the one who had been all but absent from the others life since the departure. It was quite intriguing, really, and his curiosity seemed to manifest the desire to dive just a bit deeper into this and see what he could divulge from out of the lioness which he hadn't already known prior from hearing Skugga speak of her 'other half' once or twice before. It was all but obvious that there was a yearning for such vital information- a desire to simply know and be assured that all was well although at the same time it seemed Bakunja's mind was weaving its own desires as it tossed around a silent question or two. The old male couldn't help it really.
He furrowed his brows slightly as he narrowed his gaze, staring outward into the darkness for just a moment before he centered his gaze back towards the awaiting lioness."Know her? I know of her but perhaps not as closely as you had hoped," he answered truthfully. Once or twice he had crossed her way and heard of Skugga's story as well as the tale of her wayward sister who had all but chosen to stay behind. What enticed her to make such a decision could only be narrowed down to a common theme of others letting themselves be consumed by the sick darkness that abode within the Mizimu. It was unfortunate although perhaps there was a chance to give this one a wake up call into reality before it became too late.
Bakunja chuckled deeply as he shrugged his shoulders. "I tend to keep to myself but perhaps I can shed some light on what it is you seek. Although I'm afraid I do have some of my own questions that I'd hope you'll enlighten me on."
Oh yes- he had some which simply desired an answer or some explanation that could soothe his appetite for knowledge.
"Mmm, but before I dive into what I know and what you want to hear I'm simply curious," he countered, if only to ease her anxiousness and to decipher something that all but boggled his mind. "Why is it that when your sister left you did not join her?"
It was a simple question really with intention that bore no intention to kindle a dispute or quarrel but one that was simply inquisitive. The concept and idea of family and bonds was estranged from the spider webbed male for so long that the idea of simply letting ones own flesh and blood traverse elsewhere seemed- well, rather unsettling. Granted, Bakunja himself had once been in that very same situation when his own family left the Mizimu'Tungika and the once youthful Kunja had decided to stay and listen to the spirits and fulfill their needs. Yes, from that experience alone he had learned the importance of what meant most to him and he had traded his family if only to be lead astray down the road by that consuming darkness that had all but constricted itself around the Mizimu. Perhaps Yuusa bore a strange faith that believed that her pride would right itself in the end or maybe she truly was blinded and foolish to the cowardly acts which manipulated and scripted the words from the spirits. There were a plethora of possibilities! Conviction and blind trust seemed to walk hand in hand- those who were convinced that there was nothing but light where their heart laid often seemed to journey with their eyes closed without so much as an inclination to open them. If only the Mizimu opened their eyes Bakjuna was certain that more of them would come to know what he and the Dhati had all but seen- it stuck out like a stark contrast just as a swollen paw did upon a lion's limb.
Bakunja pursed his lips thoughtfully, head canting ever so slightly. "What kept you bound to the Mizimu?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 3:48 pm
Yuusa's ears flattened out a bit again, and a frown creased her brow. The more she listened to this lion, the less she liked him. His claim not to know Skugga very closely was a direct contradiction of his greeting her, Yuusa, by name. He must have at least seen her sister a good few times to recognise her appearance so swiftly, and his hint at a bid for an exchange of information only furthered her discomfort.
"Well..." she carefully replied, rapidly regaining her cautiousness again. "If you are merely curious, sir, then I'm afraid I have to say that I did not come here to discuss my or my sister's choices in life, much less with a lion I only just met." She backed up another half of a step, making sure to keep her eyes on the older lion as she did so. "And if you really don't know that much about Skugga, then I'm not sure why I should want to continue this conversation..." She hesitated for a moment, but then added, with a hint of accusation in her voice: "...Though I do believe you must have met her at least once, to recognise me as her sister."
She hoped that was enough to let him know that she was in no mood to be underestimated of played with, but instinctively braced herself in case her words would anger him. Surely, if she cried out as loud as she could, her guards would hear her and come to her aid? And surely, the spidery male didn't have any friends hiding in the dark around her?
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Posted: Wed Aug 12, 2009 5:15 pm
It would appear that this lioness was a bit of a stubborn girl, wasn't she? Bakunja was particular in giving information away and likewise, he chose to withheld more of what she sought. Yuusa was in fact still part of the Mizimu'Tungika and Mkodi forbid that if she slipped away and told of what he could potentially say to others then one could surly expect a downfall and breach upon the efforts that the Dhati had, so far, toiled mercilessly over forging together. Kunja in fact knew more, wasn't it obvious? If he had been able to know her name then it seemed only right that there was more to the information then what was freely handed out. As an old saying goes, there was no such thing as a free lunch- everything had a price and this was no different. Quizzically a single brow arched upwards as he shifted, standing on his paws as he watched her. "You came for a reason then and that reason only ties into curiosity concerning your sister, does it not? I doubt you've come over for a rousing chat which could very well end in grave consequences," he mused, pursing his lips. "Ah, yes. More than once. I cross paths with her frequently. You're really nothing like her- in a complementary way, mind you. Diversity is far greater than similarity although with similar flesh and blood I'm sure that sooner or later the slumber which you lie in will bring about a great awakening."
Unlike Skuuga it seemed that Yuusa still was entangled within the misguided darkness which was all but fed to her. But Bakunja was rather confident in believing that sooner or later something would only jostle the lioness's perceptions and open her eyes to the truth- that pure light which sought to all but dismantle the shrouding darkness that consumed the Mizimu'Tungika. As he continued to stare towards her, watching as she hesitantly stepped back. He chuckled deeply with amusement as a thrumming purr emitted from out of him.
Silly lioness.
Had he wanted to do this forcefully he would have already done so. Rather he was seeing if this could be done albeit peacefully- little did she know that it was Yuusa herself who was dictating how this would all pan out. It only made Bakunja hope that she would make the right decision rather than being foolish.
She was the one who was rolling the dice, not he.
"Words can only prove so much truth," Bakunja sighed, shoulders shrugging as he flicked an ear, "while witnessing tangible evidence perhaps can leave you at peace with what you choose to accept. But perhaps there is an option you haven't quite considered- one that can solidify all of your worrisome curiosity. You have made it this far and clearly have made effort to cleverly give your guards the slip in hopes to sedate your fears of what had exactly become of your sister. Could you be comfortable with simply turning back around and only being left with a lacking void of assurance? Or is it suffice to say that you would rather live what time you have been allowed if only to pass without knowing her circumstances and a final goodbye?"
An aggressive nature eluded him as the older male spoke more in a philosophical way- attempting to rouse the other in to thinking, deciphering herself and her desires. Would she be happy simply dying blindly or was there some inkling of a desire pertaining to something else; another option which she had overlooked with a hasty decision of neglect? That was left up to Yuusa. Bakunja clicked his tongue against the roof of his maw as a small frown curled upon his maw.
"I know your sister, Yuusa, more than I had been willing to tell you of her. You were easy to recognize because of your similarity to her and the way she has spoken of you. If you truly want to know of how she is fairing then there only is one option left."
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 3:48 am
Thank goodness. The spiderweb lion seemed more amused than angered, and Yuusa slowly straightened up again as he spoke, ears perking as he mentioned "tangible evidence". Could he be suggesting... to see her again, even if just a glimpse from afar... To see and make sure for myself how she is, if she is healthy, happy... A part of her heart ached at the thought.
The dark male suggested an option, and for a brief moment she allowed herself to dream, cub-like, of what might happen if she took him up on it. Go with him. See for myself. Speak to her, one more time...
But she lowered her head and slowly shook it from side to side. "We have... already said our final goodbye." The events of that night had sealed the sisters away from each other with the finality that could only be forged in the blood of broken hearts. The mere memory of it made her paws tremble, but it was just as much the pain of once again letting go of Skugga that made her voice unstable as she softly carried on:
"All I wanted to know was if she was alive... And that much you have already told me. If at all possible, I'd also like to know if... if she is happy. If she has some good friends by her side. That is all I need. She and I... should not meet."
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Posted: Thu Aug 13, 2009 8:00 pm
Silently he studied her, deciphering her body language while it seemed her words kept most of her thoughts and true feelings to a rather subtle level. Vaguely Bakunja seemed to believe that the offer of which he had presented Yuusa was tempting although the lioness seemed to disregard the opportunity rather quickly as perhaps it was something that didn't settle well within her gut or an unwanted scenario could arise if the sisters met face to face. It was all speculation on the part of the spider webbed male although he couldn't help but feel that something had to give; aside from her apprehensive nature Kunja felt that perhaps the option of which she deterred from would ultimately bring her to where it was she was destined to go. Ah, destiny and fate was such a debatable subject wasn't it? Whether or not such a concept existed was better left determined by the individual but, as for Bakunja, he had come to know personally that there was no such thing as a coincidence. The old male was an optimist with a level head on his shoulders and while the situation before him continued to unfold he still planted himself firmly upon his idea of what needed to happen. Bakunja himself couldn't explain it- it felt as if there was some sort of misguided and wayward conviction all but set a-blaze inside of him with a hell bent determination.
He would make it happen, one way or another.
Flicking an ear, the spider webbed male knitted his brows. "Then consider this an opportunity to say hello," he mused, canting his head slightly as a small chuckle rose from out of his chest. "Although I just have met you, Yuusa, I feel as if that it would be in your best interest to see her. How I know this I do not know, my dear, but I feel it. Your mind protests the idea of venturing to where you wouldn't dare tread but I see that your heart seems to think otherwise. You may not have another chance like this ever and others that you meet along this border perhaps would not offer you safety in passing through these lands but I feel I can be of assistance."
Slowly he was weaving the strings of webs which were building one upon the other, entangling into a small design whose very presence would grow, broadening just as extensively as the horizon did. It was a labor of patience which Bakunja endured but it served a purpose- a purpose which, he only hoped, would propel the Dhati forward. His eerie orbs glanced to the side for a moment as he stared out towards nights enveloping darkness. From what he could see there was no one and it seemed to only make the current offer all the more perfect. How could one not see that something great was in the works? Something unseen was paving a way for this to come to pass and yet she ignored it. Bakunja arched a brow slightly while his tail flicked behind him.
If she continued to remain resistant then he would have to give her a push.
For a moment Bakunja blinked, straightening his spine just a bit as he shifted his forepaws. "Why would you like to listen to words when you can see it for yourself?" Again he seemed to question, simply not understanding her logic. "You don't have to meet her to see her," he added, lips pursed for a moemnt before he exhaled softly, "but if you come with me perhaps you're question will be better answered. I am sure there are many more unspoken questions that you have that remain unanswered."
His eyes strained slightly as he rose to his paws and took a step forward, insisting for a moment with a warm gaze whose eyes seemed to plead silently- staring into her eyes and searching for an answer while being albeit a bit persistent in the matter.
"Come with me."
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 4:23 am
Yuusa avoided his eyes and shied back half a step as he stepped forward, her ears and head lowered, but not in aggression, and she shook her head again.
His offer was tempting. If she could have trusted him - and on some level, she really wanted to - then to have free passage through these enemy lines, and catch even just a glimpse of her wayward twin... Just to know, and see with her own eyes... Yes, it was tempting.
And that was exactly why it was shameful. It was shameful that the spiderweb stranger could see her hesitation, could guess at the effect that his words was having on her. It was shameful because it was stupid to believe that she, an important Sacrifice, could venture into enemy lands and return safely - and without serious repercussions. And it was shameful because she had already made amends with the past, already said and done everything that could have been said and done, and she shouldn't, really shouldn't be feeling like this at all. Hadn't she lost enough already?
"No... I can't. I must go back soon. It can't be very long now before the guards find me." She took another half step back, eyes still downcast as the shame weighed down on her. "Th-thank you... for telling me about her, if only a little... but you should probably go now."
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 8:35 am
She had chosen a stubborn answer- Yuusa was quite rooted in her beliefs and desires that clotted her mind with rather constricting lies and beliefs.
His eyes narrowed as he took a step forward, walking around her as he walked behind her if only to put a boundary between her and the Mizimu. His eyes narrowed as he cocked his head slightly, lips pursed thoughtfully. "So you would rather die than live to see another day? That's a shame. Dying for the Mizimu when life is all but offered to you. Tell me, do you find it strange that the spirits are demanding more and more blood to be spilt on their behalf? Is it coincidence or corruption?" Bakunja's tail flicked behind him methodically as he arched a single brow curiously. " He had been patience but now it seemed to waver and he couldn't let her waltz back to the Mizimu. The old male could see clear as day that the guards would be after his hide and who knows what the lioness would speak of. But taking her into the Dhati just seemed so much easier- less complicated as the Mizimu'Tungika would certainly find that such an important sacrifice was missing and certainly but it would remain up in the air as to who, or what, was the felon at hand. Perhaps sooner or later light would be shed on the Dhati but for now the risk of consequences at hand were something that could easily be ignored. Come what may and love it. Whatever would befall him Bakunja would welcome it with open paws and seize it head on.
Like the others who aligned themselves with the Dhati, Bakunja was just as formidable. Aside from his personable exterior and sharp use of words it was that his very claws and fangs were just as lethal. He was an odd soul but meticulous, methodical and always keeping one step ahead. He wasn't 'soft', so to speak, but just as rugged and coarse as the others although in his own unique ways. His rather warm exterior was mixing with something else, something more dark and a bit eerie, sinister. Patient persistence had worn and it was now obvious that he was going to have to resort to force with this one. A pity although it would be her grievous mistake if she thought that he wouldn't carry out such a deed.
Narrowing his eyes towards her an amused chuckle sounded from out of Bakunja's chest while he shook his head. "Unfortunately I can't allow you to go back," he commented, shrugging his shoulders. Was her comment about the guards suppose to deter him from what he had planned from doing since the beginning. Ah, what a silly girl! It was not so easy to thwart him and such an attempt was pitiful. Bakunja deserved a more devious attempt. The old lion laughed. "If the guards do find us then they'll find themselves walking into a grievous conclusion of their lives. I'll render them from limb to limb," he grinned, almost as if there were daggers in his fangs hidden behind such a smile. Behind him his tail lashed to and fro, his head cocked to the side as a smirk only broadened with a twist upon his maw.
"My offer wasn't a given choice, it was a command and if you do not obey my command then I assure you that the consequences of such will only bring you torment."
His tone carried with a deepened emphasis, sharp in weighing heavily upon the grievous factor. Don't get him wrong, the thrill of battle and brawling often called to he and his claws, enticing him to bask in the blood shed and revel in the rebellion that was soon to come but he was better suited as a thinker- and when devising meticulous plans, these webs, alongside his own skills it was quite a sight; it was a masterpiece. But he had been given orders, clear and concise, and Bakunja would see to it that he would follow through with them. He would be damned if he did not fulfill what he was asked to do. The old lion was persistent and dedicated as he put his whole might, mind and strength into the Dhati and he would never cease to do whatever it was he could. It all boiled down to seeking to even the score against his former pride once and for all.
"So what will it be?" Bakunja announced, claws unsheathing from his paws as he took a step forward from behind her. He was growing impatient as he exhaled from out of his nostrils- the wings of his nose flaring slightly as he tightened his chest. "You can come willingly or I will help you rethink your decision until you submit."
His lips pulled upwards from his gums as he bore his fangs while hackles rose from out of his chest and thrumming growl parted from his jowls as he opened and snapped them together with a clop-like sound. Bakunja took another step forward once more as his muscles rippled, tensing beneath his fur. If he needed to lunge if the females decision again proved foolish then he would- there was no mercy embedded nor rooted inside of him if she would be stubborn in making the right decision. Had he been more forceful before perhaps this would have gone a bit quicker but, likewise, she would have been more prone to fleeing. Bakunja's ears flattened away from his skull as he sighed impatiently.
"The longer you waste time the more my claws are growing restless."
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 12:11 pm
At the first sign of movement from the spidery lion, Yuusa's head snapped up, and as he moved to stand behind her, she twirled to keep him in front of herself. As his friendliness disspated and revealed more and more of his true intentions, Yuusa's own eyes grew harder, her crouch tenser.
She should have known this from the start. She shouldn't have come at all, and most certainly, she should not have expected this meeting to turn out any other way. This spider stranger was clearly one of the Dhati, and she was frankly quite lucky to have gotten as much conversation out of him as she had.
And while it was true that she alone could hope to do little more than run for her life, should the much bigger and stronger male choose to attack, she did have one last trump. And there was only one answer that she could give to his threats:
"HEEELP!"
She screamed at the top of her lungs, and the answer was as good as immediate. From even closer nearby than she had thought, a fierce roar sounded, followed by the unmistakable sounds of two heavy bodies crashing through the underbrush, heading straight towards her. What more, Yuusa's heart soared as she heard the warrior guard's roar answered by a chorus of other roars, all stemming from inside the Mizimu lands.
She was already safe. But she didn't release the dark male with her eyes for even a second.
((OOC: I have been given permission to NPC the guards by Slander))
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 1:20 pm
Bakunja seethed, gritting his jowls together as he narrowed his eyes towards her. A feral grin stretched across his maw. Even still she remained resistant, stubborn in her ways with no desire to listen to what she desired, what she craved. Apprehensive she was and even so she portrayed herself well as one whose ideas and logic were all but obscured by the entangling lies of the Mizimu. So this was how it was going to play out wasn't it? A devious smile curled across his maw, tongue sliding against his fangs as he bristled.
An irritated grow escaped from his maw once more. As the thrumming of paws echoed against the hard pact ground and foreign scents wafted within the air.
He needed to get back to business, didn't he?
Without hesitation he lunged forward, claws unsheathed from his paws as he sought to wrap them around something, grappling onto flesh if possible. Bakunja's propulsion caused him to become off kilter as he lost his balance, to momentum pushing him forward as he stumbled. A slight wince emitted from out of his maw as he felt the impact of collision between he and Yuusa. A sharp breath drew out of his maw as he caught himself while the cogs of his mind turned if only to try and not let her go. Adrenaline surged within him as a hell bent determination refused to waver- one way or another she was coming with him. Although it seemed that with the roars in the distance and the sounds of pursuing guards that there certainly was going to be a rumble soon on his paws. But would that thwart him? No. He was persistent and certainly this wouldn't quite cause him to retreat. If only giving him one last attempt, one last chance, the male caught a glimpse of a back leg and even before he could decide or think as to what to do his maw lurched forward as his maws snapped with an audible clop.
Whether or not he had made a hit remained a mystery.
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Posted: Fri Aug 14, 2009 4:11 pm
Having kept careful watch on the male, Yuusa was well prepared for his attack and lunged herself to the side as he came. Not quite fast enough to get away completely, though, as she felt his entire bodyweight pummel into her hindquarters and send her tumbling to the ground.
She felt claws raking across her behind, piercing skin and possibly a bit more, but in this position her litheness became an unexpected advantage. She was no match for the spiderweb male's size and strength, but her youth gave her speed and agility that an older, heavier male could not hope to match, and she managed to twist herself free from his claws just a whisker's breadth away from getting her leg caught between his jaws.
As the older lion's teeth snapped shut around nothing but air, Yuusa finally found enough purchase to make a magnificent leap - fuelled by adrenaline and paying absolutely no heed to her scratched-up hindquarters - which took her right out of the stranger's reach. But she didn't stop for so much as a backwards glance. As soon as her paws hit the dirt, she disappeared into the underbrush so fast that her passing almost didn't even disturb the foliage.
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