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 Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 5:34 pm
(( Okay, so this'll just be somewhere in the Southlands, no real particular spot... just somewhere that Hani can hunt or scavenge or whatever else. biggrin ))
Grumble, grumble... grumble.
"OH DO SHUT UP."
.... Hani was officially the strangest creature. Ever. She had just talked to her stomach, telling it to cease its annoying noises so that she may concentrate and find some food to fill it. Of course, her stomach just having a mind of its own, it didn't stop its grumbles and protests of hunger.
Grumble...
.... The gray lioness suddenly stopped, her ears flat against her skull in annoyance. Sheesh, she thought the members of her pride back home were annoying; at least they ceased even the slightest bit when threatened accordingly.
"Fine! I'll hunt," she said, giving in to the stomach's complaints. She had really been hoping to come upon some other creature's kill so that she wouldn't have to waste her energy hunting. Even though the weather was cooling off now, she still had a thicker coat than most, so she overheated quite easily. It wasn't that she was lazy, it was that she didn't want to work herself down to the bone just to get a simple meal in.
"Stupid stomach.." Yeah, she was weird. But she couldn't just ignore the noises that her stomach was giving off, even if she had tried--which she had. So Sehani just rolled her eyes and trotted off, scenting the air as she went along for any signs of prey animals about.
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Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 9:39 pm
The second hunt in a very recent time period! "Well, I must certainly be... thought highly of." The dark-colored lion pawed through the grasses, illuminated by the rising sun of dawn. A smug smirk was flashed across his face, his brow lifted in content. In his mouth was slung the carcass of a small zebra, its limp body dragging along the ground. The adolescent known as Matope had recently, and successfully, completed a small hunting mission. The prey he had found was a succulent looking zebra of the sort; its right hind leg seemed to be dreadfully injured, and when Matope had found it, it was completely alone, apparently abadoned by its herd (or somehow left behind; perhaps due to its ill form?), but, of course, that bit of information would be left out. Wouldn't it sound so much better if this young adolescent single-handedly captured a mighty zebra?
Nevertheless, either way the story would by told, he would be praised. "That's why they sent me on my second hunt so soon." Matope found a grin escaping him again, as he padded back to their current watering hole near his companions' resting spot.
The farther he went, the heavier the kill seemed. The flesh invited him to take a bite; to indulge in its delicious taste; to fulfill the lion's voracious appetite, but, despite the sample he could smell clamped inside his mouth, for some unknown reason, Matope usually disliked eating before he brought the prey to those whom he was hunting for. It just seemed... unorthodox.
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Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 10:45 pm
Suddenly a familiar scent wafted into the female's nose as she padded along. Meat... fresh meat. And it was coming her way. A sly grin slid across her face. Excellent.. she could just be lazy... somewhat... and take whoever's kill this was that was being dragged along. Of course, she would only do that if this creature she was imagining was smaller and weaker than she. No need to get into a scarring fight over some meat.
So, going into 'stealth-mode' the lioness quickly made her way closer, following the lovely scent that she adored. It was the smell of blood, something she craved, though not in that freakish sort of way where she went around biting random creatures necks for the heck of it... o.O
Upon coming closer, though, Hani slowed her pace and eventually stopped so she could get a good look at whoever was dragging the corpse along. Hm.. whomever was dragging it must have a family to feed, friends perhaps?
And of course she was right, for once she got a good look at it a strange face came over her face and a single word drifted through her endless thoughts: Matope. That brown lion she had encountered a while back... he was still around here? Hmph. And the last time they had met he was carrying back food as well.. was he the hunter for some pride around here, perhaps a slave? This last thought humored her and urged her forward.
"Well, well, look what we have here. Weren't you hunting the last time I saw you?" she spoked out casually, coming out from the bushes and wandering closer to him. The gray lioness was careful, though, for she didn't know what he would do to defend his kill.
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Posted: Fri Nov 25, 2005 11:34 pm
Ugh... This stupid dead beast is so heavy... Matope groaned as he lugged the zebra foward. Although he was quite strong, he still wasn't a full-grown, full-fledged lion yet, so he really didn't have all the capabilities of one. Matope merely made due with what he had, which was actually quite a lot, considering his size and age.
As his paws padded down against the ground, leading the way towards his destination, a soft scent bypassed that of his prey, which was hanging right below his nostrils. And at that moment, he had barely enough time to whip hishead around, deploy his hind legs into a more defensive stance, and strike his tail in a diagonal sprint of fury. Matope saw the face of a lioness he had met but once before. He listened cautiously as she spoke in what seemed like quite the confident tone, and offered as his reply, "I'm quite popular when it comes to choosing whom to send out hunting." In reality, the three of his travelling group oftentimes went hunting an equal amount of times, but Matope was chosen twice in near consecution, so, that could at least stand for something, right?
Studying her expression, and trying to extract something from it, the dark adolescent watched the lioness opposite him closely. He had to admit, he admired her boldness. But did she act like this only because she thought that he was no threat? The idea floated as impossible in his clouded mind, so he remained ever as cautious. Lightly swinging the zebra closer to his backside, as if in protection, Matope inched his brow and face further into a wary position.
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 12:01 am
How interesting... Matope was seeming to brag about how skilled he was at hunting because he was a 'popular choice' when it came to picking who'd get to hunt. Hm, if he was picked so often, he'd have to have been able to bring home a decent amount of food for at least two other lions besides himself. That she admired. Normally younger lions like him and herself didn't go hunting for larger game all for themselves unless they were absolutely lazy and just didn't like to move about too much.
No matter, though, perhaps if she could just... manipulate him a little to get him to share some? He couldn't be feeding that many mouths right...?
But she wouldn't just bluntly ask him to share, or even so much as look at the meat with temptation in her eyes. No, that just wouldn't do. She would give subtle hints that she was hungry, subtle hints like...
Grumble, grumble... grumble.
Okay, that Hani really didn't mean to do. That was all of her stomach's own doing, it wasn't like she could control her belly! And she showed that that was an accident--even if it was just a reaction and not a thought-out move--by widening her eyes slightly and looking away.
Hunger was a weakness, and to her, weaknesses were to be kept secret from anyone who you didn't quite know whether they were a true friend or not. Matope.. well, the gray lioness didn't quite have a bad picture of him in her mind, but nor did she have a good one either. Luckily for him, he was still on her neutral list.
After about 30 seconds the female turned back to the brown lion. "I'm... sorry... my stomach hasn't seemed to have learned its manners yet." Well, at least she had tried to make it seem like her stomach rumbling wasn't such a big thing by spicing it up with some humor, right?
Yet Sehani was still slightly embarassed...
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 9:49 am
Matope held his stance steady; he wasn't sure of the lioness' next move. As his steadfast eyes glinted, watching the grey spotted creature, he was preparing for any move, a smark remark, a wary glance, or even a threatening pounce. But all that came was a peculiar noise. This little lion had come to know this sound well enough. (Doesn't every lion?)
The lioness' stomach let out a small grumble. Easily heard. The dark-colored lion's face grew puzzlement, as quickly as it soon contorted into an expression of accomplishment. The grin on his face was reawakened as he saw his chance to retalliate. And yet... the curiousity inside him, not to mention that noble streak which he didn't know anything about, tore away, yearning for knowledge. It was set in the adolescent's mind that one could not force a stomach to grumble, so surely this lioness must be possessing true hunger! And once again she was wandering alone- was it more difficult to hunt lone? He had always had either his brother or his brother and Asali'jua along side him.
When too much time had passed over his contemplations, Matope spoke out, "It's alright. When one has hunger, there is no telling what its stomach will do." The dark lion was nearly as equally hungry as her, but obviously by not as much, considering how his belly spoke no mumbles. Tossing the beginnings of his mane over his shoulder, he finished with (hopefully) what would be a conversation starter (even though he was horrid at those, save when he was with his brother and Asali), "... You seem... hungry, ah.. -" remembering he hadn't learned her name yet, he took a chance in asking, "- Sorry, I didn't catch your name."
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 11:47 am
It wasn't necessarily that hunting was hard on her own, it was more that the near-adolescent couldn't find good enough game that she knew would satisfy her hunger for long enough. It was preferred by her if she could catch one large meal and eat her fill rather than eat, run, catch, eat, run, catch... it made her sick to her stomach, running around like that so soon after eating.
Of course, at first she believed she would get some pity from the other when her stomach randomly spoke out about its hunger, but that grin on Matope's face instead wasn't very pleasing. Hani narrowed her eyes as her stomach grumbled again, which made it sound like she was growling or something. But that rude behavior soon faded as he seemed to think better about his reaction.
Smart boy...
"Indeed," she replied smoothly, almost fully recovered from her stomach's first grumblings. "I was on my way hunting when I happened upon you dragging this corpse along." She spared a second to glance at the meet, though without any longing in her eyes.
The gray lioness was about to reveal her thoughts--about wishing it was some random creature who she could chase away from the kill easily--when he asked her name. Hm, he didn't know her name yet she knew his? Ah, whatever, she didn't want to try and remember that very short meeting they had long ago.
"Oh, well, it's Sehani," she replied, giving a slight dip of her head. Whaddya know, it seemed even the unpredictable lass had some manners and possibly a noble streak of her own. "And, yes, I am rather.. eh.. hungry." How strange.. she didn't like to beg outright--that was just rude--and yet here she was... kinda... begging... outright.
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 12:08 pm
His contemplations interrupted by yet another hunger growl, Matope's attention shot back to the bold and elegant lioness. He listened to her replies, taking note of each one. Sehani, eh...?
As she continued, he paid close attention to her expressions. Many flew over the lioness' face. Matope debated over how hungry she seemed, but then saw a slight bow of her head; an act of etiquette. Manners which he recognized as those he tried to develop when with Asali'jua, especially.
The dark-colored adolescent adapted many different expressions on his face. Some of uncertainty, some of curiousity, but most of contemplations. His opinions on Sehani were still pretty neutral; they had risen slowly, the more he got to meet her, but Matope was still very unsure on whether or not this grey lioness would be a foe or friend.
Although, he couldn't help but ask, feeling the slightest bit of guilt (carrying around that big'ol slab of meat, after all, when Sehani held naught but hunger), a blank expression planted on his face, hinted with a touch of inquire, "Have you been having any luck hunting lately?" He wanted to gauge how truly hungry this lioness was, although it sounded much like a mocking question, even though he didn't mean it to be. Matope's eyes ran wild for a moment, blushing in his mistake. He stumbled out, "Er... not.. personally, or anything.. I mean, well, in the area..." He reprimanded himself in his mind; surely he couldn't sound that rude!
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 12:42 pm
Just as Matope was doing to her, the gray lioness was paying close attention to him, trying to figure him out and see what his intentions were. Of course, he didn't give much away with his expressions for he seemed to be doing the exact same thing.
Hm.. fair enough. Basically a move for a move, if they were playing any sort of tactful game type thing.
And, just like the male, Hani kept him on her neutral list, though he was raising up bit by bit as their 'conversation' went on. Luckily for himself he hadn't made any wrong moves yet to set her off or think wrongly of him. Hm.. if this continued she might just get a good picture of him in her mind and consider him a friend.
Yet it was obvious that he was uncertain of her, it showed in his eyes. This set her back a bit and caused her to hesitate when trying to get an impression of him, though she was leaning a little towards caution when it came to her actions.
Then, when the brown lion asked how her hunting luck had been, Sehani was furious and so narrowed her eyes in anger. But a second later it was obvious that he hadn't meant for the question to be mocking or rude. She let her posture slip back into that of a relaxed one, a small smile beginning to creep its way onto her maw.
"Well, I'm actually having trouble finding good game. I'm... fairly new to these lands.."--the gray lioness hesitated for a moment. To her, being on new grounds was a weakness, and she still strongly believed that weaknesses should be kept secret. But...--"And I don't really know where all of the herds go often, so my luck hasn't been all that great..."
"I have to wander around half the time before I find anything decent."
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:01 pm
It seemed nearly as if every expression Matope adapted, Sehani did as well. He felt like he was looking into a mirror, but he merely believed that she was trying to extract as much knowledge about him as he was about her.
Sehani reminded him of someone, but exactly who that lion (or lioness) was, he wasn't quite sure. She had a unique personality, and certainly didn't seem the type to give up easily.
But just as soon as the dark-coated adolescent let slip his ill-formatted question, he saw that he had done wrong. The lioness' eyes flared, and was left to only blink, as if trying to recover himself. To his good luck, however, Sehani accepted his compensational words, and spoke on. Matope debated heavily over whether or not to offer advice about these lands and the prey, but he just as quickly recalled their last encounter, and how his obvious information only lowered the mood of the meet.
Despite his resistance to offering insight, the puzzled adolescent still possessed that pang of guilt that simply would not go away! He managed to comment, "Yeah... the.. moving patterns of the prey 'round here can take a while to get... used to." Deciding that he might as well not hide it, he revealed, "This zebra... I found it alone. And injured. It.. wasn't that hard to take down. I guess I was... sorta lucky this time." He looked downwards as he spoke, almost ashamed that he had a nice, (considerably) plump body of kill, and Sehani had nothing, and even worse, was not as used to the area.
"Err..." The guilt was overtaking him. Whomever knew that Matope's little, latent stroke of nobility (and integrity, perhaps?) that was so slight, and so unheard of, and so very unactive, would propel him to do something as unexpected as this? "..." Silence, and then...
"... Could... could I perhaps... spare you a hunt, just for... today?" His words came out uneven, and Matope didn't know if he spoke them steadily or in the best manner, but at least his little heart was in the right place, eh? He lay down the zebra, and although he kept very close watch to it, he looked back up at Sehani. He was taking a risk in laying his prey down, but the dark-furred lion would take that chance.
(( Jeebus, that's long. @0@;; ))
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:23 pm
Well, well, it seemed that the noble Matope was earning himself some points with the lady. If she could have read his thoughts, he would have been at the top of her good list, thinking good things about her. But even without the mind-reading powers that she knew didn't exist, he was definitely working his way up the ladder.
A sudden glint appeared in her eyes, and it wasn't an evil one nor one that showed any sort of aggression. No, this one more showed respect for him. He was older, obviously, and his advice had been fortunately taken as what it was meant to be: advice.
"Hm.. I'll have to keep that in mind when I go scouting now and then." And she made a mental note to study the herds for a bit to find out if there was any pattern in their travels. Though, Hani believed that the herbivore idiots only followed the will of their stomach and so went where ever there was enough food to satisfy them. Hmph, easy enough.
Then the younger creature was suddenly taken aback by the other's offer. He was offering food to her? How very kind and gentle of him.. but she could very well hunt on her own! Perhaps, though... just this one time she would give herself a break and accept the easy meal in front of her.
But there was still her pride, something in which was protesting that she just go and hunt her own food like she had been doing for most of her life.
"Oh.." Sehani began, sort of hesitant and unsure. "Well, I don't think I could... I mean, isn't that for your family or friend or something?" Luckily for him he had caught her in a somewhat good mood and now she was feeling more like a delicate, polite female than ever before.
"I don't want to eat meat that's meant for someone else... besides, I don't much need it right now..." her smooth yet strong voice trailed off there. She should have just accepted the meat!
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 1:53 pm
Matope was glad that his advice was taken well enough. He could see Sehani's mood lifting ever so slightly, just as his did the same. The mirror again?
The grey lioness opposite him didn't make an immediate leap at the meat, which was trust enough for him. After all, wouldn't it of been horrid for her to grab the zebra and streak off with it, without even a closing word? Of course, Matope had very, very little expectancy of that, so Sehani had matched his prediction.
Seeing the hesistance in her eyes, the dark-hued adolescent had hoped he didn't offend her or her pride. (He had probably done it once before, after all.) As her words spoke the truth of her expression, Matope was left puzzled. I hope she did not think I meant for insult.. he thought to himself. But rather than waste the day away with more thinking, he answered, "Well, it is for my brother and our, er, caretaker, you could say, but I'm sure they wouldn't mind if a bite or two was gone." He caught up with, "Well, you know.. in case you were planning on using your morning for something else more interesting, or something.... ya'know, to.. save you a task?" Matope was growing hot; he felt like he was rambling, making himself look like a mumbling idiot. He no longer felt hostile, and was much less cautious, but rather, now he was trying to not act like a dolt. Hopefully he would leave at least a somewhat decent impression on the lioness across from him.
The lion wondered why she had refused. Perhaps she was saving her pride, or dignity. But when Sehani claimed that she didn't need any, Matope couldn't help himself from commenting, "But... your stomach yearns for food, does it not?" Surely she could not deny the growls protruding from her belly, that the both of them heard.
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 2:22 pm
What on earth was she doing? Fumbling over some male who was kind enough to offer her some food was nothing something a respectable and strong lioness like herself did... normally. Though... his noblility had touched the bit of heart that indeed did exist inside that strong body of hers. She couldn't just refuse a wonderful offer such as the one he had given her, it was against all manners that her mother had taught her.
Yet there was still a bit of hesitance in her eyes, and for a moment she looked away, unknowingly putting him on her blind side. Hani didn't much care, though, for he didn't seem like much of a threat anymore. Matope definitely was beginning to set a good impression of himself in her mind.
Then, when he commented on her growling stomach, she finally looked back at him. The darn stomach, it was the pit of everyone's weaknesses; unfortunately for the female it had chosen the perfect time to speak out about its hunger. Sighing, she replied quietly, "Indeed it does." Then she took on the look of one whose pride had been beaten and set on fire. It would never let her forget this. She would owe Matope something for his kindness.
"Well.. perhaps I could have just a little... I don't want to eat all of your food." And Sehani probably could given her hunger. "You killed it, after all..."
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 2:46 pm
The young adolescent felt a smile arising. Sehani had accepted. If only Asali knew of my kindness... I'm sure she'd be proud. Normally, Matope would horde the food, sprint away from any other creature or lion, but he had seen Sehani once before, and yet had not learned her name then. The curiousity that slashed out from inside him, coupled with a feeling of empathy, caused Matope to be just a little more noble. And it was all for the better, you've got to admit.
"Don't worry about it," he commented, taking a step away from the dead zebra carcass slouched upon the ground. "You.. don't want to get your stomach on your bad side," he joked, a light chuckle in his voice. Humour. Har...
He decided to let the grey lioness choose her own portion size. She seemed polite enough, at the moment, to be given the choice. Matope murmmured, in a near-silent voice, "I usually wait until I bring the food back to eat, but... I guess I can take a small bite?" Whatever his stomach would compel him to do (which would probably be quite contrary to his latent(?) nobility, which would surely scream at him, "Don't eat it! Wait for your brother and Asali!"), he would at least pause for Sehani to take the first bite. As the dark-colored lion watched her, so much calmer than he was when he first saw this elegant, grey lion, he noticied how soft her expression and face seemed to be. She really wasn't ugly; in fact, she seemed to possess beauty almost like... Asali's! It was really quite brilliant, shining against the sun. Matope shook the thought of his mind, and lay down onto the ground, in a sphinx-like fashion (much like how Asali sometimes lay).
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Posted: Sat Nov 26, 2005 3:21 pm
"Thank you," she said to him, her pride still hurt thought the young lioness was trying to hide it from him. Yet there was still that gleam in her eye, and it now showed her dented dignity.
For a moment she stood there, still sorta unsure of whether she should take the meat of not. Well, she had already accepted so what would it hurt? Besides, she wasn't one who liked to go back on her word. 'Be true to yourself, others, and your promises. Never deny what you need.' The saying repeated itself over and over, trying to coax her pride into healing itself and accepting defeat for once.
In the next instant Hani took a cautious step forward, as if she expected the lion to change his mind and suddenly chase her away from the precious meat. But again her pride spoke up and told her that she could defend herself if need be. This gave her a new confidence that allowed her to close the distance between herself and the fresh meat. Mm.. the zebra looked and smelled so good... but she didn't eat quite yet. No, instead her gaze drifted over towards Matope. Was he going to join her? If so... well, she would deal with it if it happened.
For now the gray lioness just tore into the meat, feeling her strength's willingness to come back at the thought of food. Taking her first bite, she chomped down with her bone-crushing jaws, then chewed. Mm, the meat tasted so good!
Hunger drove her to take another bite.. and another.. but she was also careful not to take too much. This wasn't her kill, and perhaps if she took too much her 'companion' would turn on her. Unlikely but then again there was no telling what would happen. But nonetheless she unsheathed her claws and pressed them against the carcass, assisting in the tearing of the delicious meat.
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