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 Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:11 pm
"Daddy?" Little Kimo wandered around a dark and dank cave- her shelter from the night before. Her brothers were still asleep in the natural room she'd just left, and the drowsy cub was now searching for her father. He had to be in here somewhere! He never left without saying goodbye. She'd already slipped past the watchful eye of Yoshiteru, Fleance's familiar. Sometimes she got the feeling that the waterbuck didn't really care for the cubs, in that he was jealous, but he obeyed Fleance's every whim, even babysitting when the god was away. He was a great chew toy, but Fleance was even better!
The dark cub poked around every corner, stepping into puddles of water dripping from the ceiling. There was more water still towards the mouth of the cave from the night before. A ferocious storm had driven them to the nearest shelter, and it happened to be this cave.
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Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:14 pm
The ears of a large god perked at a small sound. Was it his imagination or a voice? Fleance stirred from nearby the cave mouth. The rain was still falling at a rapid rate and the terrain was far too soggy to have his cubs venter out into. They were headed towards the swamplands, and the land was already changing to a marshier area. It would not be prudent to venture out with his family now. He would be fine, of course. He could even fly. Yoshiteru would be bogged down, his thin legs going straight into the mud, and the cubs' bellies would probably only barely sway above the mud puddles. There was also the danger of pond with vegetation growing on the surface. He'd seen several prey species think it solid ground and continue walking only to be plunged into cold water and without footholds to escape, consequently drown.
The adolescent heaved himself to his feet and faced the source. "Follow my voice!" He called to the individual, hoping they'd holler again and he could make a better guess about which of his companions was seeking him. He took a couple of steps towards the inner of the cave, and stared hard into the dark.
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Posted: Mon Jun 28, 2010 2:49 pm
Kimo heard her father call out an answer. Her spirits lifted as did the corners of her mouth. The little lion scampered with haste and twisted and slid on the floor around each corner. It was tough going in the dark, and her black eyes were not the best at seeing in the darkness. When she was still in the dark labyrinth, she pouted. Taking a few meek steps forward, she stopped and looked around. This tunnel seemed smaller, and to taper down at the end. She took another few bounding steps and was nearly engulfed by the walls and ceiling. In fact, she could proceed no further.
"HMPH!"
She backed her way out of the narrow tunnel and turned, trying to remember which way she'd turned into it.
"HMMMMMM."
Kimo tilted her head and took one step, but then turned and ran the other way.
"DAAAAD?"
Her little voice echoed and bounced around the cave walls, confusing herself in the process.
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Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 10:20 am
"Kimo?" Fleance's ears perked again in the direction of the sound. He was sure now, it was his daughter. He trotted off down the first tunnel until he came to a large fork that branched off into several directions. His brow furrowed and he tried to discern which one to follow down. Where had he taken his cubs to last night?
"Kimoooooo" The adolescent's usually timid voice boomed and echoed down each of the hallways. Following his call, the god raised his nose to the air and inhaled deeply, his exhale following blew ashes around the cave. Not much was there to smell except the dank scent of cave and still water, and the god's own ashy scent...
Aha! If Fleance could follow the ashy footsteps he'd left behind the night before, he could find his cubs! There was just enough dry dirt on the ground to hold his imprint, and there was no wind to disturb his tracks! This was perfect! Grinning, Fleance followed the fist track he found down the center corridor and called out again.
"I'm coming, Kimo! Stay with your brothers!"
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Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 11:09 am
"Eeghh." Kimo made a stinky face. She'd wandered from the rest of her little family in search for her father and now she didn't know how to get back to them. This... This was a problem. She tried finding her way by scent, as her father had done only moments before, and her result was the same.
Nothing.
She plopped down where she was and tilted her head. "DAAAAAADDDDD..." How should she tell them she had wandered off? "...I WANDERED OFF. I THINK I'M LOST." There! That would suffice. She stood and shook her little bum to rid it of any cave water she might have sat in.
The little one took a few more steps towards the fork and hoped her father was nearby. "Daaadd." Her voice echoed and made her feel especially small. Kimo frowned and sat again, hoping he'd find her quickly.
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Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 1:48 pm
Fleance sighed heavily. So Kimo was lost? Fat lot of good his plan would do him now, but he always had a way of knowing when they were around. It was a parent sort of thing, nothing supernatural, and Fleance picked not the middle tunnel, but the one to the left. He trotted down, having to duck his head and pull his wings in close before he could navigate the narrowing cave. He could just barely make out from where Kimo's voice came, and he followed it until he could stand no more, so from there, he scooted.
"Kimo, c'mere. Are you back there?"
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Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2010 1:54 pm
Kimo's ears and heart rose when she heard how close her father's voice was. It was almost as though she could feel the ashes wafting towards her, and she ran to his voice blindly. "I'm coming, Daddy!" Her smile was a mile wide when she galloped in the dark- until she hit something.
Hard. "Oof!" Fleance's eyes shut tight as Kimo collided with his skull. "There you are, honey. Come on, let's go find your brothers." He scooted backwards to where the tunnel was once more wide enough for him to stand, but he never too his eyes off of where Kimo was. The end.
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