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 Posted: Tue Dec 01, 2009 7:10 pm
Li Wei:
"Little farther...", Li moaned out quietly. He'd been directing Squall with as few words as possible. He didn't want to talk. He didn't want to move. If the large lion would allow for it- he'd fall asleep for days. Maybe even weeks, he didn't care. Every ounce of strength had fled him. Though he'd washed the blood from his coat, the wounds from the rogue's fangs had left large open scabs growling along his back and sides. The desert had been the hardest part of it. The white sands seemed to continue on forever, eventually evolving to white cracked ground with the occassional scrub.
Finally, the smell of fresh water and a patch of green would dot the horizonline. Just beyond it sat the dead sea- a massive body of water. The water was just as treacherous as it was beautiful- deadly to drink, but it's healing properties had soothed even the worst aches.
Squall:
Squall moved along steadily across the sands, silently fallowing the cub instructions. He could only go so fast to not injure the cub further, Squall wasn't actually use to carrying a live cub in his jaw of teeth. It was his first time actually and he wondered how a female could take so easily to it. It was awkward to walk, and he knew he had to be fast as well as gentle.
As they had moved across the sands, the declared bodyguard, tried to take most of the front of the sands with his large body and during rest he would shelter the cub. But he could only do so much. Did all so called gods act this way when they where hurt?
The large animal kept his step along the cracked ground and moved toward the glimmering of actual water. He could smell it- he knew it was real. There was hope of rest for the godlet then.
Yokheved:
Yokheved paced slowly, back and forth on the bank of the drinking pool, shaded by the trees. Oh, she had had terrible dreams of late, but she was certain they were only dreams, for when she awoke all she had was feelings. If they had been visions, she would have remembered more to tell Tamar. Speaking of her friend and confidant, the monkey was off on her own for the moment, doing whatever it was she did when she wasn't with 'Heve. Most likely napping or snacking.
But that didn't mean she couldn't worry. It was odd, the affection she had towards the little god who had gone off chasing her vision, but that was just her. He was young, adorable, and she had sent him on a mission which should have been trusted to one of the seasoned warriors, not a young god. She missed him and worried for him, taking full responsibility for whatever might have happened, IF something happened.
Oh she hoped nothing happened.
Pacing while she waited for him to return had become a common thing when she wasn't attending to her other pridal duties. It was probably why Tamar kept running off. Sure, she'd sit a few lengths away and watch her for a little bit, but then get bored of 'Heve's pacing and being unable to dissuade the seer, she'd simply wander off somewhere.
She paused in her pacing and rubbed the side of her forehead with the back of her paw, reflecting on her dreams. No, only dreams. She needed to stop worrying herself, or she'd worry herself to death. With a soft huff through her nose, she flopped down with one paw resting in the water, watching the ripples as she moved it back and forth.
Li Wei:
"Listen for flowing water...that's where we said we'd meet....the water from the stone." He rolled his head to one side and forced an eye open. He hoped he wasn't too late... 'heve had predicted something terrible for the pride. They were nice, welcoming, and all so happy. Whatever it was looming over them certainly couldn't come to pass...maybe Squall would be happy here too? He'd not -once- seen the lion smile. It was a good day if he could get more than two words at a time out of him. If he ever actually spoke a paragraph, Li might just keel over and die. He didn't even roll his eyes- he just...starred ahead.
"Oh... they...they... have animals...they call them totems. Don't eat them. They're important."
Squall:
Squall glanced down to the godlet as he spoke, It was only for a quick moment as he silently processed Li's words.
"...."
The Lion would keep his ears open then for this water...from a stone...the cub must still be out of it. Was the even possible?
And animals...Totems? What did that even mean...well what ever that ment-Squall would keep it in mind, he would most likely know more when it called for it. At the moment it was pointless to try and understand it....
None the less the idea of water slipping down his throat was wonderful alone.
Sliver paws felt the 'coosh' of gentle blades of rare grass, it was peace to his heated paws. The dark Lion pause, his tail shifted a little in the soft grass as he turned his head-godlet still in maw-letting his blue eyes search for this water from stone. His black ears shifted themselves as the cub suggested-he paused to listen as well.
Yokheved:
'Heve looked up as a familiar scent reached her on a lazy breeze. She jumped up and glanced around. No, her little friend wasn't close by, but she knew from which direction. Or, at least she thought she did, tracking wasn't her greatest skill.
She left the water's edge and headed in the direction of the scent, her mind ignoring the second, unfamiliar one with it. Ducking around a tree, she froze in her track. A strange lion, one she'd never seen before stood a good several leaps away. She thought about turning around and running back to the center of the pridelands and looking for aid. She almost did it, too.
Until she saw that the lion was carrying Li. And from the look of it, her friend had been badly injured, too. With a look that could only be described as incredibly distraught, she ran at the pair, not caring about the lion bigger than she, her frightened gaze focused solely on the battered cub. She was a healer, she needed to look at him. She didn't know if gods were different, but she would most certainly do everything in her power to help him.
It was all her fault, after all. If she hadn't sent him out looking for the place in her vision, he wouldn't have left the pride and wouldn't have gotten hurt. She should have asked him to tell someone else about it. She should have thought better.
She stopped when she was a few paces from them, catching the lion's gaze and nodding to Li, expression filled with concern.
Li Wei:
Li let himself go lax in the larger lion's jaws once more. It was easier than moving around. Every sound, every light, every attempt to look up and move around sent the world spinning around him and his gut tightning. His body felt somehow detatched from his mind. He was aware that he moved on occassion, but he didn't feel at all attatched to the movements. Even his shallow breathing seemed like it was the product of a dream. He surrendered to his exhaustion- at least for the moment. The little, scaley body flopped nearly lifelessly from the larger jaws.
Eventually, a familar scent stirred him from his half-rest. One pointed ear slowly lifted up, as if it too were heavy as lead. Water running... and very, very faint paw steps their way. He cracked an eye open and smiled as a very familar...blur rushed their way. "...'heve..."
Squall:
The Azure eyes of Squall caught the sight of the female, it caused his ear to shift to the side a little before replacing it's self.
As the Lioness approached, Squall glanced down once more to the godlet and his worn words-which sounded like a name. He must have known the Lioness, and front he look on her face it was a pair.
Squall Lowered his head and placed Li gently down in the tuff of the grass. He took a step over shadowing the cub, his two large paws placed them selves in front of the smaller injured lion. It was a relaxed guarding stance, Squall lowered his head keeping his eyes hawked on the Lioness, letting the female know she wasn't allowed to approach Li. Unless, of course he knew she was there to help, and could be trusted. Expression or not-he had been put in charge of the cub-and Squall wasn't one to underlive his duty. Duty was above all else.
Yokheved:
'Heve smiled when her friend spoke her name, glad to see that he could at least summon the strength to do so. But her smile faded as the lion set Li down and stood over him, telling her without words that she wasn't to come near. Who was he to prevent her from treating a member of her pride?
Her expression changed to one of stern disapproval and her ears set back. She didn't step any closer for a few heartbeats; she needed that time to gather up her courage. She'd never confronted anyone before, but this certainly was a good reason to do so. Li was hurt, she could help him, and this male wasn't going to let her.
It probably would have helped if she could have told him who she was and that she could help, but as she couldn't, she had to rely on Li for that. She took a resolute step towards the pair and rose one paw, flicking it at the male in a gesture telling him to move away.
Li Wei:
Li's body practically melted into the ground as he was laid down. He badly wanted to just lay there and never move again, he'd be perfectly content now that he could feel soft grass against his cheek and nearly taste the water on the air. A shadow fell over him followed by the crunch of grass just a few inches from him.
He cracked an eye again and slowly rolled his head back, his mouth falling open as he blinked hard, forcing his eyes to focus on the lion towering over him. He was big...and so serious from this angle. With another weak flop of his head he spotted 'Heve, looking just as irritated, now waving her paw at Squall. He blinked sluggishly. Oh!
"Squall wait...this is my friend. She can't talk." He slowly jerked his shoulder around until his limb flopped forward, his paw brushing lightly against the lion's forepaw in a pitiful attempt to get his attention. "Stopit."
Squall:
Squall raised his head slightly as the Lady Lion step closer seeming to summon some kind of courage. A single brown raised slightly to the flick of a paw at him-what was that?
His ear shown life again to Li's words. Fine then.
A heavy relaxed breath left Squall, and he straightened. His large gray paw rose as he took a step back as he shifted off to the side revealed the injured godlet. The Dark lion straightened his stance as he stood, and looked to the Lioness. She was allowed to reach Li.
His face looked uneventful to the whole happening, it was stone for the most part and reflected no emotion.
Yokheved:
'Heve's ears perked forward at the sound of Li's voice and she nodded slowly. So Squall was his name. He didn't seem much of a talker, either, though she had the feeling it was less likely that he was similar to her and more likely that he just didn't say much. She didn't like the look of Li. He was exhausted, battered, and probably even dehydrated. What he needed was a drink of water and a long sleep while she tended to his wounds.
All of which she couldn't do if this stubborn male wouldn't let her near him!
She shouldn't be angry with him, all things considered, by the look of things Squall had saved Li and was just protecting him. But that didn't mean she HAD to be rational.
When Squall moved away, 'Heve rushed forward and gave her friend a quick look-over, giving his forehead and ear a reassuring lick each as she did so. She decided that his injuries weren't immediately life-threatening, and were in fact healing. She could get some plants from Tamar to help aid the process, but what he needed right then was water and sleep.
She gave him a soft, almost parental and relieved smile and stroked his forehead with the back of her paw before straightening and looking to Squall. She nodded at him, then to Li and made a motion as if to pick the godlet up. But even for his small size, 'Heve was not strong or tall enough to carry him easily and instead just lifted her head and nodded at Squall again. Hopefully one of them would understand the meaning.
Li Wei:
"'Heve I...found a place. The place." He smiled softly as she nuzzled him and tossed up his mane with her tongue. A weak nuzzle was given in return before he completley flopped back against the ground. He missed 'Heve's unspoken request, missed the look she gave him and Squall.
"It's so pretty... there's...waterfalls everywhere... you can see water go on forever...green...trees bigger than...rocks.... I promise I'll show the way. When I'm well. Just...need sleep."
Squall:
Squall watched the two, finding it interesting the given care she showed to the little cub. He still remained quite as he watched the care, Li did need it and he seemed to be in the right paws.
The black lion's eyes rose to the female as she looked to him. What? He looked to Li, and his words. A step moved him back to LI and he lowered his head and carefully picked up the cub once more. He paused before doing so and looked up to her, Is this what she ment?
Yokheved:
She smiled again at Li's words. She understood why he would focus on telling her about the place in her dream, but she was more worried about his health. She brushed his mane again. What kind of monster had done this to him? Li was such a gentle little thing and so young. If she ever crossed paths with him or her... Well, 'Heve wasn't a fighter, but she'd probably try anyways.
She stepped back when Squall came forward, nodded her head to confirm that was what she had wanted, and turned in the direction she had come from, glancing over her shoulder and tilting her head in the direction they needed to go in. She led them back in the direction of the freshwater pool. No doubt both were thirsty, she had no idea how long Squall had been carrying Li. It was that consideration that had her forgive him for being troublesome earlier. But that was all in her head, so she supposed him not knowing she forgave him defeated the purpose.
Li Wei:
"I'm alright." He waved a paw and laughed weakly as she brushed at his mane. "Just tired... I don't feel good." It was weak assurence at best, but assurence either way.
The cub moaned as he was pulled back into Squall's mouth and hung limp as a boned fish from the lion's mouth. He blinked and watched his own paws dangle as if he was watching someone else's body from afar. "She wants you to follow I think." He batted at Squall's leg again. "Please." He added as an after-thought.
Squall:
-Alright..- Squall mentally responded to the cub and he rose his head. He strided forward with godlet gently in maw. He fallowed the Lioness, keeping his steps habitably even to not jar the cub more.
The journey was long, and water was gladly desired...
Yokheved:
'Heve stopped on the bank, stepping aside so that Squall and Li could drink. She certainly believed Li when he said he was tired, but in her opinion he was not "alright". She would try not to fuss too much, but it would be a feat for sure. He hadn't really had anyone looking after him before and she really loved cubs. Of course, now he had Squall to protect him, if the male stayed. She would stay with the young god, if Squall would let her.
No, that wasn't it. He'd have no choice in the matter. As long as Li did not tell her to do otherwise, not even another god would be able to make her leave his side until he was completely well again.
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Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:36 am
Li Wei:
The cub cracked his eye open as 'Heve's steps came to a stop once more. They stood on the bank of a small pool, drinkable, unlike the sea that sat alongside the pride's territory. He lifted his eyes slowly and pointed a paw to the water. "....I think she wants you to....drink?"
Squall:
Squall lowered his head smoothy to set the little godlet at the water's bank. His maw pulled back and from the cub as he was gently set down. His head raised normally as he let his gaze fall on the other adult.
His blue gaze held a unspoken self-heightened gaze, that seemed permanent as if pride kept them focused. The azure orbs soon shifted down to the godlet. He would be sure to let the one he was guarding drink first after he first tested the water.
A silent maw lowered to the small pool and he took a testing lap of water, it was grace upon the tongue. It's moister soothing. His brown mane raised and shifted with a nod, it was alright. He found it to be such. A raised gaze shifted to 'Have as he waited for Li to be finish so he could have his fill after.
Naturally the male had trust issues, and was protective in a more detached since of being. Still he knew nothing of this silent female, but Li trusted her.
Yokheved:
'Heve watched as Li was set down and the larger male to a light drink. Confusion came to her eyes, followed by understanding. The male seemed just as protective of the young god as she was, which she found made her glad within, to some degree. If both adults were looking out for Li, it was better than should it have been just one or the other.
She stepped to Li once more, an almost sad, yet motherly smile on her face as she nudged him toward the pool.
Li Wei:
"You're....both ridiculous..." He laughed half-heartedly and slowly, stiffly lifted his head and shifted a paw so he could lower his head to drink. Normally, he hated drinking from the bank. The water was far too close to the mud and he was forced to touch his horn to the water. Further out, he was able to stand on the pool and drink the cool, clean water there- and he was able to mind his horn a little better. Unfortunately, it seemed as though the other two wouldn't help themselves until he could at least get something in his gut. Water was the last thing he wanted, but it was probibly what he needed most.
He began licking at the water's surface, eyes fighting to keep themselves open as he did so. Once he'd had his fill he began sluggishly splashing the water over the blood that had dried onto his fur.
Squall:
Squall turned his head down to Li as he watched the cub splash about trying to clean himself better. He must have missed some of the blood about the cub, he had noted the strange weakness the first day they met.
Not with out too much hesitation, Squall shifted moved his head closer to the cub and dragged his tongue across Li's growing mane, trying his best-something he was totally not use to; which might explain the missed spots of dried blood. Though his eyes couldn't help but raise to the female, inwardly wanting her to take over the job that he wasn't use to and felt unsuited for.
Yokheved:
'Heve just continued smiling, even if she was being ridiculous, she knew it was what was best for Li. He seemed very intent on getting the blood off his coat after he finished drinking, and even Squall seemed to want to help. It was an odd sight, to see the large male trying to groom the small god clean and her eyes crinkled slightly at the corners with a silent laugh.
Giving him the rescue he needed, she carefully picked Li up by the scruff and moved just a bit away from Squall, to give him room, before setting Li back down and curling around him to lick at the dried patches of blood on his coat. She hated the taste, but ignored it, as she had learned to do with the herbs she gathered.
She kept her licks rhythmic and gentle, attempting to lull her little friend to sleep.
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Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 1:03 am
Li Wei:
Li relaxed against the ground as Squall worked some of the blood from his coat. While the male had spent some time getting him clean earlier, it was more important that they got back and delivered their message, so patches of his fur had gone neglected. He gave a groggy smile to the large male as 'Heve pulled him over to her and continued grooming his coat.
He leaned his cheek against her paw and slowly let his eyes fall closed. "It's....funny. I got myself...two protectors who don't talk." He cracked an eye open and gave an impish, but well-meaning- smirk over to Squall.
Squall:
Squall paused in mid lap, and a eyebrow at 'Heve as she made a-to him a weird expression to him. What was she smiling about? He looked ridiculous doing what he was doing. He let alone didn't know what he was doing!
His head raised and he closed his maw and looked back at her with a unamused stare. Yeah he wasn't going to do that again...well not when some one else could...or no one was looking- Okay so he would if he had to....but still. What was she looking at.
As 'Heve approached, Squall shifted a little in a step back so she could pick up the godlit with out him in the way. As she moved him away, his chest rose and feel with a silent sigh. His head lowered and he begin to lap up some water to take his fill. though it paused as he heard Li's words, and his blue gaze slid over to the cub.
He talked...when he needed to.
"Whatever..." The male stated reviling his calm and relaxed voice, to Li's well-meaning smirk.
Yokheved:
The smallish female rolled her eyes at Li's comment. It wasn't like she had a choice, but she supposed it was kinda funny.
She smiled down at her little friend and softly blew some air at his air, bringing one paw up briefly to make a shushing motion, minus the sound of it. His fur finally clean, 'Heve curled around Li, giving him another light nuzzle before closing her eyes, trying to give the young male a hint.
One eye remained open, just a tiny slit, to watch and see if he would go to sleep.
Li Wei:
"Not too long." He 'ordered' behind a long, sleepy yawn. He'd already shut his eyes and made himself comfortable against the lioness' fur. "We....gotta warn Rotem and the others. Still not safe here..." He pointed a lazy claw in Squall's direction. "You rest too."
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Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 1:29 am
Squall:
A Lazy raised of Squall's head answered Li's 'order' of sleep. The larger male, was indeed tired, though at a quarry if he wanted to be rebellious to the 'order' in knowing he did what he wanted.
And yes, he did wanted to rest...
"When, I feel like it..." Squall answered, turning from the water and he took a few paces, toward the open direction they came. He didn't move far, no. He need to be close to the member he was to protect, but far enough to distract if he needed to act. At pausing paws, he stopped and then let himself flop to the ground.
His dark back mostly face 'Heve and Li as he kept his head and sight in the direction of most likely 'attack' if their was one. Always so vigilant...Squall lowered his head to the ground and over a silver pay and let his dark brown eye lids close...
When he felt like it...
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