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 Posted: Sun Aug 30, 2009 8:13 am
Dusk was slow to settle in over the land as the lone lioness moved with heavy limbs, nearly dragging herself to an outcropping of tress in the not so distant horizon. It was in the comfort of their shade that she would rest for the night. The lifeless body of a rather plump Hyrax hanging by its scruff from the cream colored female's mouth. A small meal, but enough to sustain her for now. After all, she was only feeding herself these days.
Moving between the herds that seemed to be thinking the same thought, their branch like limbs carrying them in slow succession to a place where sleep could find them safely, she wasn't completely unaware of the small following she'd gathered along the way. A jackal and a few stray hyenas had formed a loose semicircle at her back end, hoping that she might lose interest in the small prey animal and drop it for them to flock upon like a ring of vultures. Scavengers. Chai tisked softly around a mouthful of fur in annoyance.
Happy to finally collapse in the speckling shade of a few stunted Paperback Acacia trees, Chai set the body down on her paws, before expressing her contentment with the evening by way of a rather wide-mouthed yawn.
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Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 2:28 pm
Unable to help himself, the youth found his mouth opening in a mewling whimper. As if his own tummy had taken control of his vocals. But he'd better be careful! What is one of the lioness' was the one with the said food? No, whining would only prove him deserving of a smacking. Tucking his ears, Tap cowered in his usual resting zone. A scrawny tree with tall and far reaching branches, giving an humble amount of shade. Just enough for larger mammals to find useless and leave the area alone for smaller individuals. Like Tap himself.
It was then, when the boy pushed aside his dominating hunger, that Tap's eyes focused in on a nearby sight. There seemed to be...a herd? Some type of group prowling about in a set direction, as if stalking something. Realizing that the forms were unfamiliar, Tap bristled his young fur fearfully, and set to clawing at the tree. Could he even climb? He'd never honestly tried for fear of getting in trouble.......
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Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2009 5:16 pm
The young cub's mewling cry had lifted the ears of the entire savannah, Chai's included. Soft blue eyes lifting suddenly from the little beast she had been about to tear into. She knew that sound. Even a female who hadn't yet experienced the joy of her own cubs could recognize that sound. It was a baby of some variety. Staring across the way she could plainly see the small gray body which was only barely covered by the sparse shadows of the scrubby trees he had been left beneath.
Well, that was odd.
As hard as she thought about it, Chai couldn't recall seeing a lioness in her travels. So where was the little cubbin's mother? Affording another careful scan of the horizon her concern for the youngling turned to alarm. She couldn't see or scent another lioness anywhere, causing her to wonder how long he had been sitting there and where he'd come from. It certainly wasn't often she stumbled over rogue cubs. His cry--though she knew not the cause of it--tugged at her heartstrings.
So much for a quiet dinner.
Gathering herself to stand again pale eyes pinned the quivering earred group that seemed to be scenting out the little thing. Obviously with different intentions than she. Frowning at the idea that they could so guiltlessly stalk a creature so young, Asali sprung to lope past the strays, muscles coiling with the effort to at least get ahead of them before they reached the cub first giving the advantage of their position. Her claws cutting into the ground as she spun and bared her teeth, hackles raised. I suggest you find a meal elsewhere, scavengers. I won't idly stand by and watch this happen!
They seemed to consider her threat for a moment, but being little more than petty scavengers and not particularly interested in fighting for such a meager morsel, they turned their backs and jogged off. They weren't stupid and after all there was a far easier, unguarded meal only a few feet away. Stupid lioness.
Surprised by such an easy deterrent, Chai puffed her chest proudly, twisting to trot over to the cub, tail flicking with glee. This had been surprisingly less painful and difficult than she had first imagined it would be. Tilting her head as she watched the tiny boy scrape at the bark of base of the tree, wondering what on earth he was trying to accomplish? ..Hey there... what on earth are you doing?
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Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 5:49 pm
Even the young could smell intentions, though they aren't wise enough to define them. All Tap knew was that there was a fairly large group of strangers with fangs and claws, and all their noses turned to him. His tiny ears of fluff turned down with a quiver. This didn't feel right. And it was only more reason for him to try harder in climbing the tree.
Along with the feral sound of a growl coming from that same direction.
So focused was he in his futile task, that Tap didn't notice the shadow that soon loomed over his form. It was only when the booming sound of a near voice hit his ears that he faltered with a gasp. His eyes nearly watered at the anxiety that overtook his body as he fearfully turned to look at the nameless one. It was like starring upon those pale firebugs that drifted lazily in the night. Except this was no bug, but a pale and large predator with unreadable eyes staring down at him.
The cub shivered from head to toe as he curled tightly where he sat, almost petrified. Should he reply? Should he run? Tap gulped his dry throat as he openly stared at the stranger. "I....I'm going to hide. Now....." Would she let him, or was he going to get swiped at? Hesitantly and trying to be subtle, he took a small step back with his hind leg. "Y...you can go back....okay?.."
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Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 12:38 am
His reaction startled Chai. She wasn't the enemy and she wasn't sure how she could be mistaken as such. Brow furrowing as gentle blue eyes gazed at the cub with an expression that couldn't have been mistaken for anything other than wounded. Was her appearance really that frightening? Lowering her ears gently, cream lioness' posture softened, watching as the cub took a hesitant step backwards. Hide?
She repeated the verb gingerly, forcing a quiet smile upon her lips. Perhaps she was looking at this the wrong way, really, it was a good thing that he was wary of her, wasn't it? No cub should be completely at ease around a stranger, he was smart enough to be cautious given that he was uncertain of her intentions. A natural reaction and a good one even if the young female took it a little too personally.
Despite her desire to inch closer Chai remained glued to her spot, giving the little one a comfortable amount of space between them as she settled onto her haunches. Silky tone musing quietly as she canted her head. I promise I won't hurt you. See. I won't come any closer. You don't have to hide.
Hesitating a moment, she straightened her tilted head and smiled more sincerely at him, completely oblivious of the scavengers dragging away the carcass of her fresh kill. At least for the moment. My name is Asali'kama Chai, but you can call me Chai if you like. What's your name little one?
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Posted: Tue Oct 27, 2009 6:21 pm
The dusty pale boy mirrored Chai's own expression, though his was colored by more fear than the adult. More than anything he was confused by the situation at hand. Where had the snarling and stenching other creatures go? Was this pale lioness their ringleader? Or not?
Cautiously, the young male sent his eyes across the horizon. There was nothing and no one nearby to be seen. But the fearful smell lingered; what had once smelled sweet now smelled dreadful. Drawn back by the adult's words, Tap looked back to the other and gave a numb nod. And he couldn't help feeling his spine relax as the adult moved to a more passive pose. But it did nothing to relieve his choked throat.
"Promise?" Such a foreign word for the cub, though he defined it well by the tone of her voice and lighting in her eye. She said what she meant; she'd be no harm to him. Even if his instinct ran stronger than spoken words, and his legs still quivered beneath him now and then. "A...asa...." The boy twitched his brows in agitation before shaking his head to himself. "Chai, then." Small ears flew up as his nostrils wriggled in the air. The smell grew stronger, as the meal was kicked and scrapped about into the distance.
"I'm called Tap. S....sorry, I don't know the whole name though." It was no longer in his memory, as his mother hardly ever spoke it.
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Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2009 3:00 am
Mmhn, it means... like.. I'm honest to my word. Nobody has ever promised you anything before? Her head canted gently as she made an attempt to explain the word that seemed to puzzle the stranded cub. Chai herself was a little perplexed by the idea that it didn't seem something he was familiar with. She was glad to see his spine relax in her presence as she settled, giggling tenderly as young tongue attempted to pronounce her name. It seemed to be too difficult yet for the little one, his palette not yet developed enough to handle the complexity of it. Chai is just fine!
Watching the little boy's expression as storm colored ears quiver attentively and his nose wriggled a curious gaze drifting over her shoulder to the spot where her kill rested, the scavengers long gone into the horizon now. He must have smelled the honey badger carcass she had brought out onto the savanna with her. Surprise painting pale eyes as her jaw was held slightly slack, impressed by the show of skill. He had a good nose on him, that much was certain. Tap.. hmm? A cute, little name for a cute, little cub. It suits you!
She giggled softly, her voice gentle and inviting as the young female was suddenly struck with a brilliant idea. Oh! I have some fresh meat... are you hungry?
Leaning into one shoulder she twisted, indicating the direction of where she thought the ratel still lay waiting to be consumed by her, ready to show him the way to the meal she was delighted to share. If you follow me I can take you too it. You'll be safe with me.. and we can come right back here when your done. I'll even wait with you until your mom comes back. How's that sound, Tap?
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Posted: Wed Nov 11, 2009 3:16 pm
'Honest to my word'-
The young cub absorbed the strange words deeply, his expression almost scrunching to its meaning. It was very....complex, despite how simple it was. Perhaps because it was so foreign, and he'd never actually seen a promise in action. Shaking his head, Tap finally answered the adult. "Not...that I know of. Do you always say....promise....to make it true?" For the youth, it was almost like talking of wind. It was there and pure and constant, but one wasn't always aware or even care of their surroundings and the details they held.
Flappy ears fell as she laughed softly to his attempts, and the boy decided not to bother with such long words again in another presence. "Ehm, thanks. It's just a small word." So long as there was no meaning behind it, it held no value to the cub. And his mother had never bothered to enlighten him on the meaning of his own title.
But his hesitant fear and shyness flew out the door when the other mentioned fresh meat. Though he did coil into himself as his stomach gave the churning reply before he could even speak. How.....embarrassing.
Giving an earnest glance through the grass, Tap searched eagerly for this mentioned meal. Would it be far, or take too long? As the female continued speaking, Tap blinked his pale eyes before staring oddly at Chai with a tilt to his head despite his even voice. "What? My mom won't come back. But....I would enjoy some scraps.....about now...."
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Posted: Wed Nov 18, 2009 2:17 am
Well.. n-no. You don't have to. Chai hesitated sheepishly, surprised by the question and the cub at her side. She tried to consider a simple way of explaining herself so that Tapi might better understand what she meant. Usually, you don't promise someone something unless you're sure that it's something that you know will be true always. Like..
Her brow knit in thought, flexing her claws in the dirt individually in an almost drumming like gesture before her eyes lit with delight at the example which struck her. Dropping her nose to nuzzle between his ears. Oh! Maybe you'll understand this way! See.. I can't promise you that the moon will never rise again, because that's something I know isn't true, but.. I can promise that I would never eat you, because I know for sure I never would. Does.. does that make sense?
Watching his ears droop at her amusement that he couldn't quite manage to wrestle his tongue into submission to speak her name. She gathered that he might have been embarrassed by the fact even if she thought it cute, blowing a warm breath in his hair with an apologetic lick. Well.. if you should learn your full name and it's meaning.. I'd like to know it. Perhaps you'll learn it when your older? Maybe.. your mom thought you too young to carry the weight of your full name just yet.
Amused by the growl of his stomach, Chai would take that as an acceptance of her invitation, shifting her weight to lead the way back to where she had left her kill not so far off in the distance. Granted it was a lot farther away than the naive lioness realized at the moment. Pausing in mid step to glance back at Tapi, expression suddenly concerned. Mom won't come back? What? Surely she had heard him wrong! Milky ears quivered and twitched towards the youth, straining to focus on his words so as not to miss the answer to her next question. Won't come back? Tapi... you can't mean that? Maybe she's been gone a while and you think that she's forgotten you, but.. but I'm sure she wouldn't do such a thing!
The cream colored lioness seemed horrified by the prospect that the cub might have been abandoned and even more distraught by the matter-of-fact way he handled it. As if he were far more savvy to the cruelty of the world than his age should have allowed.
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