Linje sat in the dying rays of the sun as dusk began to consume the land. The white leopard was grooming his fur to perfection, paying special attention to those vibrant turquoise spots on his flank. He was making himself presentable for when his “mate” Nyoka returned. Linje always worried immensely when she left, but was always too uncertain when it came to bringing up the subject. A silver claw flicked the dirt as thoughts wandered through his head. I wonder where she could be... I hope she's alright... what if she's-...And then the presence of a lion interrupted his peace. Linje scowled, those big cats think they have it all. They think they're better. The fur on his neck rose, an envious aura extruding from his face. He gazed upwards at the lion, but he had no choice. The lion was tall, taller than him. But that certainly didn't make him superior! In the obsidian layers of his mind... Linje prayed this big cat wasn't aggressive. “What do you want?” His voice was rich with confidence, just as it always had been, despite the considerably larger creature before him.
Daire wasn't expecting to go a day without a meal. Well, this would make it two days, actually. He felt weak, his knees wobbling from the lack of energy. In the distance, he spotted a white figure. Certainly it was feline, and Daire approached with caution. As he got closer, he realized it was a leopard sitting outside of his den... as if he was waiting for someone.“Hello sir,” The lion said, remembering his manners despite his weakened state. “My name is Daire... I've traveled a long way, and I was wondering if I could take refuge in your den just for one night. I would be forever grateful.” The lion let his ankles buckle, bowing before Linje with an air of kindness.
All of Linje's doubt dissipated as the lion spoke. His shaky voice was a clear sign that he hadn't eaten in days. The leopard smirked, putting forth no effort to hide his amusement.... but Daire really took him by surprise when he bowed... just like a peasant would bow before a king.
“Filthy scum,” He said, swiping the fur on his head with a paw as a final adjustment to his appearance. “You don't deserve a den. And you certainly don't deserve my den.” The leopard spewed his honest thoughts, but the submissive lion just made it so much easier to do so. Linje felt wonderful, saying everything he's ever wanted to say to a disgusting lion. What would it hurt if he took it up a notch? “You would just pollute my view. Eck, for all I know, you might have parasites! Get out of my sight, you appalling beast.” Linje spat, baring his claws, practically high with confidence.
The change in Daire's atmosphere was drastic as Linje's voice sounded. No, this wouldn't be a pleasant encounter, that's for sure. He cringed at every insult the leopard shot, quickly realizing that bowing was a huge mistake in this situation. Usually, it was just a polite way to say hello. But apparently, others took it differently. He lifted his head, red bangs sweeping aside to reveal the common warm grin he usually presented had completely vanished. “There is no need to be hostile.” Daire replied, calmly. “But if that's the way you feel, I guess it wouldn't hurt to find a den elsewhere.”
The lion backed away from the aggressive leopard, taking his leave with a swaying tail.
Linje curled his lips. There was no way he was going to let the lion get away with the last word. “Stop.” He commanded, voice gaining volume and power. “I will let you stay for the night... but only if you promise me two things.” With an almost mischievous tone, Linje crept forward.
Daire stopped, turning to eye the white leopard suspiciously. “You've reconsidered?” The lion paused a moment to consider his options. He could stay the night here with this cruel leopard, or travel in the night for possibly hours before finding another den. There was a possibility that the new den could conceal even worse surprises than Linje... Daire shuddered. “Fine then, what is it you wish?” He wasn't up to commit to anything he would regret, so he stood against the leopard, his ears erect as he listened intently to his words.
“First... If my mate returns... you must leave the den immediately, and sleep outside.” Linje said, the snarl still present on his lips. “And second... You must hunt for me and my mate for three moons.” His tail curled, and flicked in the direction of the den. White paws extended claws to mark the dirt, and to subtly threaten his visitor. If he refused his command... Well, let's just say the lion would regret it terribly. “So, what will it be, scum? Will you stay or will you go?” He let his intentions show through his expression and tone.
Daire got the hint. Linje was determined to scar him tonight, one way or another. Why was he so prejudice against lions? He hadn't wronged him, in fact... He'd shown him the utmost kindness. Even in the face of anger. Daire sighed hopelessly, “There is a shortage of prey in these lands. I cannot hunt for three on my own.” The lion prepared himself for a strike from the leopard. If there was a battle, it would be a short one. Daire was as confident about his fighting skill as the leopard was about... well, everything. “I'm afraid I'll have to refuse your offer. After all, I don't want to pollute your view.” He took one step backwards, refusing to turn his back until the confrontation was settled.
“No, you see... I don't think you understood me completely. That was a command, not an offer.” Linje smirked, it wasn't uncommon a potential “slave” would misunderstand the difference between an offer and a command. It wasn't a surprise to him that a lion would be so dumb. He lifted a paw, revealing his claws and hovering them towards the lion's vulnerable face. “So... I'll give you a second chance.” The snarl combined with an odd pur, challenging Daire to step away from him. The claws drew nearer, gently touching the lion's cheek.
The lion huffed, scoffing at the leopard for thinking he could possibly command him... to control him with the lack of strength and mass he had? It was obvious this creature was completely full of himself. Daire offered a light-hearted laugh in return.... But the good mood vanished when the claw stroked his fur. “I was hoping it wouldn't come to this... You, sir, are an imbecile to threaten a lion nearly twice your size.” In what seemed like an instant, Daire took Linje's threatening paw in his fangs, and tugged at it fiercely with a snarl.
Linje was taken by surprise. A clamp on his paw, and then a violent tug caused him to jerk into the air and crash helplessly onto his back. The leopard scrambled desperately and confused as the lion clearly just dominated him. Once he recovered, and got to his paws, he looked to Daire with a new sense of fear glittering in his eyes. “That was a fluke.” But once the words left his lips, Linje knew it was a mistake. He shouldn't be here provoking a lion when he had a chance to let him pass. He silently cursed himself for being so foolish.
”A fluke?” Daire snarled, advancing once again. He bared his glistening fangs, “You obviously need to be taught a lesson... because apparently one bleeding paw isn't enough to put you in your place. But you're fortunate, because... I'd be thrilled to teach you all I know.” The lion's revealed his claws. They were dark, almost sinister in color... thousands of coats of blood and grime stained them dark red. They weren't quite as groomed as Linje's... but they were plenty more powerful. And Daire could tell that the Leopard sensed it. The new fear twinkling in his eyes. Perhaps he didn't need a lesson after all... Daire paused, awaiting a response from the terrified kitty.
It was a bluff, this lion couldn't hurt a fly. Linje tried to convince himself that he was in no danger... but to no avail. He witnessed Daire's claws, and his face went white... ER, if that's possible. “I don't need a lesson from you. But you've proved your point. You have my permission to leave.” Linje turned his head, which might have been a mistake... But he was still foolishly confident. Linje swept his tail across the dirt, trying not to acknowledge the aching sting in his paw. It would be a display of weakness if he let the pain get to him.
Daire snorted. He had a feeling he would probably encounter this leopard again... but it wasn't necessary to “teach him a lesson” here and now. He would probably receive one under separate circumstances. The lion retracted his claws, taking a step backward as he eyed Linje. “You won't forget this meeting. I hope you've at least learned something.” But, he probably didn't. Daire sighed, turning as he swept his red-tipped tail across the dirt. “See you later.” The lion didn't believe in goodbyes, especially not in this case.
Linje held his head low, an odd sign of submission. He ignored Daire's final words, and listened carefully as he walked away. The leopard waited until he knew Daire was gone before he began to tend to his paw. “Nyoka will return tonight.” He told himself, though he didn't totally believe it himself. A damp tongue slid across the bite wound on the pad of his paw. Linje pushed his concerns aside as the night and fatigue began to overwhelm him. Maybe a good night's rest would help him out in this case.
