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 Posted: Mon Aug 24, 2009 10:16 pm
 Deep in the thickest part of the island, things lurked about in shadows. Eyes peered out from under bushes and watched everything that moved, like a hawk. But not today.
The day was cool and breezy oddly. Birds were actually singing and flitting around in the air. This far into the forest one would expect to hear nothing, and the weather to be awful. Humid and sticky was the usual. Only the strongest of lions could survive such heat. But it was nice out.
Lucian stalked throug his territory, scouting and searching for prey. He was determined to let very few lions in and out. A cold stare was his best and perfect facade for any lion that dared to stare him in the eye. Heavy steps left tracks in the near-hard mud. His wings were tensed, as were the muscles threaded throughout his body. With every move, he looked intimidating and mean.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:28 pm
As an odd breeze blew past, ruffling her fur, Akemi looked about. Her eyes scanned the area intently as her ears moved, trying to detect any sounds that may show signs of unwanted company. This was a favorite place of hers. A place where you had to fight to live, and one's strength could be tested. This place, deep in a thick forest with humidity that could fray the nerves of the strongest lions, was the first place she'd gone to after leaving her...no...not her cubs. They were failed attempts at warriors. And they reminded her of...Him.
Her paws moved a bit, settling against the grass and random fallen twigs on the ground, preventing un-needed noise as she continued her exploration. The breeze had caused her to become tense. It wasn't normal. She felt changes in the air as her tail swished silently behind her.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 8:48 pm
Lucian struggled, as he padded through tangled vines and overgrown flora. He slashed away any unwanted obstacles and continued on. In here, it didn't matter what tried to stop him, he wouldn't give in and admit any defeat. That's why his territory was nearly un-inhabitated by lions.
Coming to what would be considered a clearing in the thick growth, he spotted an unnatural green figure. Yellow wings and . . . Could it really be?
"It's an intruder my Lord," his familiar licked at its eyes with its long tongue and crawled up on top of Lucian's head to see better. "Haven't we seen that lioness before?" Drae asked with a hint of surprise hidden in his question.
"Hmm," Lucian said nothing more and stalked through. Fallen trees gave him quite good cover, as did the dark color of his pelt. He looked like a slithering serpent lurking through the shadows, as he moved closer. His paws were unsteady, as one stepped on a twig and with the faintest Snap! it broke in half.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:03 pm
Akemi could not relax, she refused to. There were little ones depending on her again and she just wanted to ignore them for the moment. The thought caused her to become rigid with tension.
She snapped out of her thoughts as a trick broke rather close to her. She spun and unsheathed her claws, hackles now up as she bared her fangs. How did something sneak up on her so easily?
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:10 pm
His muscles tensed, as he readied himself for a fight. Lucian stepped out of his hiding place behind a fallen tree, his claws unsheathed and his hair stood on end. He could feel the change in the atmosphere, as the lioness got ready for a fight as well; tension rising and fansg bared. The moment he recognized her, Lucian sheathed his claws and took a position under the darkened shadows of the trees. "You know you really need to be more careful," his tone was mutual. All emotions hidden behind a facade of cold bitterness. For a fraction of a second he smiled a bit, but just as fast as it came it was gone. "I know how strong you are, but honing in on another's territory can be dangerous. Especially if it's a Pride of lions."
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:16 pm
Seeing who it was only caused her to become more tense. She just had to run into him. Now of all times in the one place she went to for relaxation. "I come here to train...I had not intended to see you. Nor did I want to." Her eyes filled with flames as she remained ready for a fight, though not actually going to pounce.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:24 pm
Lucian didn't move or say anything for a moment. He watched her closely, like an experiment. She seemed troubled in a way, but what was her concerns to him? He kept her gaze, never dropping it, nor looking away. "Well then you can turn back around or find another place," the cold manor never dropped. Not even when it was apparent her words had somehow effected him. It was nothing, he reminded himself and continued to watch her.
"Why did you really come out here?" he was always a quick one. Straight to the point and no games. He hated playing and it wasn't worth his time to even try. Lucian kept his legs and body relaxed, getting ready to move if he had to. He'd try not to hurt anyone, but if it got out of hand then all bets were off.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:31 pm
Akemi continued to glare at the serpentine male, obviously feeling pissed off about the whole thing. He'd not been there..."Heh...so where were you a few days ago? Forget already? Or did you not know you made me heavy with young ones..?" Her voice dripped venom as she started to relax.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:39 pm
Lucian felt some pity for her. He couldn't imagine how stressing it must've been, but still it was a one time thing. Or thats what he had thought. "I was here on my own land, and I had no idea. No one said anything," his tone had a hint of irritation, as his tail swished back and forth in annoyance. A weight dropped heavily on his shoulders, one that felt alien to him. He didn't like it, neither did he want it there. "I'm sorry you have two young ones. I can take them if you do not want them," Lucian was sincere with his words. He may have been cold and mean on the outside, but he truly cared about the newborns. "I don't want them being on their own until they know how to fend for themselves, even then I may still keep a close eye on them."
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 9:47 pm
"No. You were not there while I bore them. If you are planning on watching them, you will do so with me there as well. One looks more like me anyway. The other...looks more like you..." Sighs softly, not wanting to admit she'd nearly left them like the twins before them. Without help she could not support them.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:00 pm
"Fine. That's fair," Lucian moved to lay down. He crossed his paws and closed his eyes for a moment to think. It was only when the lizard started to crawl down did he remember Drae was there, "If you want to train here, there's a good spot to the north," he pointed with one clawed paw toward some fallen trees. "The trees make it harder for you to maneuver, and the vines are tricky as well. They'll snag you when you least expect it," he opened his eyes lazily, his attention snapping back to her instantly. "There's also a good river to swim through if you like a challenge. The bottom lays with thick muck and logs ages old." He closed his eyes again and relaxed, "If you need to know how to get there, I can help."
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:04 pm
Akemi stood suddenly and ran off, returning a bit later carrying a pair of shakes. One had scales on most of it, the other had markings like her with some scales as well. "These...are the babies..." Sets them down gently, unable to hide the slight protectivness of them.
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:09 pm
Lucian stared at them with clear shock and amazement. It was the second time in his life he hadn't had the cold shell keeping him safe from the outerworld. "They're precious," he said with love in his tone for them. "You uh-," he cleared his throat and put the facade back, "You did well with them. I'm sorry I hadn't been there to help you in your time of need."
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:37 pm
Akemi looked down at them, lost in thought. "I have twin sons...but I don't know where they are...a different male...had his way and left me with them." Looks at Lucian once more. "That's why I got so upset..."
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Posted: Tue Aug 25, 2009 10:45 pm
It seemed the shocks kept coming. Lucian's eyes softened as he stared at her for a moment. He looked down as his heart skipped a beat. He had been so cruel to her without understanding. Lucian had thought she was upset and angered because she didn't like him and was stuck with him and the cubs, now all he wanted to do was go back and fix things. But that would never happen, he knew that the past was the past. "I didn't know. That must've been horrible, I promise you I won't do anything like that. Ever," he dropped the bitterness altogether and warmed up. Lucian took a few steps closer to her but stopped. He was afraid he'd scare her off, or worse. He'd do something to upset her more.
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