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 Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 9:15 pm
Iaeratu had always taken her duties as a huntress very serious, and she was good at what she did. Hunting was like a game for her, a game she had been playing since she was very young. Now an young adult, she was able to help support those pride members which could not hunt for themselves and relied on her support.
She enjoyed being useful, which was why she rarely turned anyone down, when they asked her to hunt for them, even if they might have been able to hunt for themselves. One of the pride members had requested that she hunt for her, and although Iaeratu knew she was mostly capable for hunting for herself, simply busy with her duties within the pride, Iaeratu agreed.
Which was why she was then out hunting, her body tense and ready to take down her prey, when she found something worth taking down. It did not need to be large, like if she had been hunting for a family, or for multiple persons, but it would still need to be good food. Iaeratu clawed the ground beneath her feet, ears twitching in the hopes of catching a sound that would lead her towards food.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 9:50 pm
Training on his own was going to be interesting. The young lion padded smoothly across the pride's lands, his motions filled with a fluid strength that told how he'd grown up doing almost nothing else. But he would do anything to please his mother, to show her that her time was not wasted on him. Nor was it wasted on his brothers, but the only one he could make better was himself. No matter if he had to work harder, or longer, to make sure he did improve. Still, he was at a bit of a loss for what to do, though it passed quickly enough. Just because he was used to having a sparring partner for most of his training, just because he'd grown accustomed to relying on his elder siblings for guidance, it did not mean he was incapable of deciding things for himself.
Kayin had grown a great deal since his first timid venture out as a cub, and some of that was more than the thick white mane that was coming in between his shoulderblades now. When mother gave them their first test, it had been to hunt her. Now he was old enough to hunt other prey without frightening away the pride's resources needlessly. He could train and do some good. Surely then, that could only be a fair solution?
He'd not settled down into stalking prey yet, having not yet seen any, when he caught sight of a beautiful lioness. It gave him pause, to the young lion's surprise, and while he'd managed to stick to his duty towards Indira and avoided the urge to seek out Kafele again, he was utterly drawn to this white and blue huntress... well, if he was going to hone his skills in hunting, why couldn't he work with a partner?
"Got a scent?" Kay asked softly as he padded towards her, keeping his voice and head properly lowered, just in case. He didn't want to spoil her hunt after all, just because he'd hoped to join it.
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 11:01 pm
Iaeratu would have been a poor hunter if she hadn't noticed the male approaching her, but she showed no outwards sign of recognising his approach, even though her glance slanted towards him even as she pretened to continue to hunt. The colours of the male were very dull, browns and white, though his eyes were rather blue. His appearance seemed familiar, but she did not realise why until she had risen to stand more firmly and turned towards him, after he had spoken.
It was only when she could examine him properly did she realised why he was so familiar. He was one of the Mwanasheria's sons, which made him a Lord, a very well off position in the pride, and something only few could aim for. She knew the Mwanasheria was someone who was meant to deal out justice, but the female still worked alongside the Shatkona and that made anyone in association with her someone Iaeratu needed to be careful of, at least to start with.
Realising she had yet to answer him, she shook her head. "No, the scents seem to be elluding me for the moment." She would have added 'Lord' but she did not know his name and she would not call him 'my lord'. It was simply better to leave off the name alltogether, she decided. "Did you require my assistance?" She asked, wondering why he had spoken to her.
He was healthy, that much was obvious, still young though if his mane was anything to go by. He would need no help from her to hunt, and he would surely have others to hunt for him if he had need of someone else to do it, rather than the others who had to ask of her to hunt for them. So why was a lord talking to her?
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Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 11:32 pm
She really was very lovely. Kay's tail flicked, a bit uncomfortable with seeking attention as he'd always been, but he couldn't just pass her by without saying something. It wasn't like him, but...well, he liked meeting new people. And he really wanted to meet her. It wasn't like saying hello or anything wasn't friendly. Being friendly was nice, right?
A faint smile flickered across his expression when she turned to him, he was bent on being polite and friendly both. He doubted he could make a friend through a few games, the way he had with Kafe, but most of his life he'd spent with his mother and brothers. He wasn't great with people, but he did like to make them happy if he could. Besides...he just wanted to say hello, maybe hunt with her if she wanted company...or help.
"Oh, no you don't need to do anything," Kay protested hastily, having only recently discovered that others occasionally treated him...oddly. He was more well fed than most, and with a lifetime of training he'd filled out rather well. Not to mention...who his mother was... but he didn't want attention or special treatment. He just...he just wanted to say hello! "I...I was just wondering, if you'd like an extra set of paws?" She could even call all the shots, she probably knew better than he did about hunting.
See? He was still training! He was going to learn from her.
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Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 5:01 pm
Iaeratu tilted her head as he protested rather quickly to her question, a slight frown across her face but that was quickly wiped away when he offered to help. A rather stunned look appeared on her face next, and stayed there for several moments. Well, uh...that was new? No one had offered to help her on a hunt before, usually she either recruited another hunter or huntress, or she simply worked alone. This was proving to be very odd. Perhaps he was a poor hunter, and simply wanted to help to get some of the food. She relaxed a little, she was more used to that.
"If you are offering to help, then yes, I could use some extra paws," she said, politely responding. She was slightly suspicious though. He was healthy, unlike some of the other members in the pride which required her assistance, so why did he need to hunt with her?
"Have you much experience at hunting?" She asked, half to make polite conversation, half because she wanted to know how much work she would be doing in the hunt, and if it was basically her hunting alone or not.
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Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 12:34 am
Kayin's ears lowered slightly, concern flooding him when she just stared at him looking stunned. He had only asked if she thought she could use a bit of help. He wasn't saying he didn't think she could do it by herself or anything...she wasn't upset now, was she? He didn't mean to upset anyone! His ears didn't come up until she relaxed, at which point they pricked more hopefully than the young lion probably realized.
"Yes, I was," Kay agreed, wondering if he should have been more clear...somehow. "And...well. I've not hunted much so...no, not much. But I'm a good listener," he offered hopefully. "I can follow directions. It just seems like something that would be easier with two." He was also strong, fast, and skilled, having learned to track when he was young and 'hunting' his mother with his brothers. He just rarely hunted prey in the territory. So no, he didn't have much experience. And also, no, he wasn't going to brag about how strong he was, or how fast. That was just...just no.
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Posted: Fri Aug 27, 2010 4:47 am
Iaeratu paused at his words, eying him once more. He actually wanted to...help. He looked a little upset at her reaction too, his ears lowered and she felt bad for judging him harshly earlier. She hadn't expected him to not know how to hunt fully, but at least he was attempting it? Perhaps that was a good thing. He was at least trying. She didn't agree that it was easier with two though, she had been just fine hunting on her own before he got there but she supposed there would be no harm in allowing him to tag along.
"Alright," she told him, nodding and trying to hide her previous reluctance. "But you'll have to listen to me carefully, and don't...do anything stupid." She felt...odd saying that someone of such a high rank but she would have said it to anyone who was hunting with her. She didn't want her hunt ruined because he thought it would be a good idea to talk when she was creeping up to her prey.
"That wasn't intended as an insult, she told him, almost as an afterthought looking embarrassed by how her words could be taken. "I just don't want to ruin a hunt with a simple mistake, you know?
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 3:53 pm
A tentative smile crossed his features as she nodded and said it was alright. He wanted to help was all. He...really wanted to help her. Or did he just want an excuse to spend time with her? It was an...odd feeling. But he kind of liked it. He thought. Maybe. Besides, hunting was good training. And training with a partner was more effective than training by himself. Besides, she seemed like she could teach him a thing or two...
"I won't," he agreed softly, feeling a bit...unhappy that she would think he'd do something foolish. He certainly wouldn't do so on purpose. And he wasn't terrible at stalking either. He just didn't have a lot of practice...why was he getting so defensive?
Shaking his head slightly, Kayin blinked when his mane landed in his eyes. He still wasn't quite used to that. He felt so...old sometimes now. It was a very strange feeling indeed. He was used to being little, used to his mother looking after him... now he was setting out on his own more and more...it was strange. But he could do it. He'd show his mother he'd been worth her teachings. "I promise I'll be careful and do as you say," the young lion assured her, bowing his head slightly as he spoke. She was the one who knew what she was doing, her expertise was surely to be respected.
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Posted: Thu Nov 04, 2010 7:24 pm
Iaeratu smiled a little at the younger male. She didn't think he would do anything too stupid, but you never knew. She would hate to think that her hunt, all her time, could be wasted by taking pity – okay, so it wasn't really pity but that's what she would be calling it – on this young male who wanted to help her hunt, as if she couldn't hunt herself.
“I'm glad to hear that,” she told him, a little flustered as he bowed her head to her. Wasn't he higher ranked? It was only a bow of the head but still, he shouldn't do such things. It was...odd. Very, very odd. Still, she couldn't hold back the small smile now. She motioned for him to follow her, and started off in a different direction. They would move to a different hunting spot, now there was two of them. They might be able to take down a large kill, rather than the smaller ones that Iaeratu had been planning to go after, but on her own, she hadn't had much home for larger prey.
She paused her steps, before glancing back at him. She had been about to tell him her plan, but had been stumped on what to call him. “Say, what is your name?” She asked, her head tilted to the side as she peered back at him. “My name is Iaeratu.”
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Posted: Mon Nov 15, 2010 10:18 pm
A smile?
Was that a smile?
It looked quite pretty on her. Kayin ducked his head again, shyly this time, and scuffled a paw. Really, he wasn't that great with people all the time, he'd spent most of his life keeping mostly to himself. But he didn't often upset anyone. He was just happy to help was all. His steps were light as he followed her, he knew how to take orders and how to pay proper attention so as to learn what he was being taught. He didn't think he would cause her trouble on this hunting trip.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he almost blurted, that was rude of him to never bother introducing himself! "I'm Kayin. Mostly people just call me Kay though. It's...it's very nice to meet you."
Very nice to meet her indeed...well, he was still training, right? Practicing his skills with the guidance of someone else counted!
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Posted: Tue Nov 23, 2010 3:21 am
Iaeratu felt a twinge of amusement at his apparent bashful behaviour. He was kind of...cute at the shyness he displayed and his lack of experience – or so she assumed – with conversing with others. Perhaps this hunting trip would be useful to him, not only for the skills he'd gain with hunting, but also with interacting with others.
“A pleasure to meet you, Kay,” she said, that tiny smile returning to her face a little. “Unfortunately, I have no nickname to offer you, so you will simply have to call me Iaeratu in full.” She, although close to many members of the pride, had never received a nickname, mostly because no one knew how to shorten her name though most youths struggled to pronounce it at all.
She shrugged off those thoughts, before setting off quietly in the direction of the hunting spot. “We'll try for a larger prey, now that there's two of us,” she remarked. “It will be easier and will feed more than a smaller prey would. Alright?”
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Posted: Thu Jan 06, 2011 11:52 am
It was a smile. Why did he feel like purring at a smile? He was being silly. But she seemed so...so...something. He wasn't entirely sure how to explain it. But it was nice.
"Iaeratu is a pretty name," Kay assured her, "It doesn't need a shortening." It might be hard for a cub to pronounce, so many vowels all together like that, but he wasn't a cub any longer. He could manage it.
As she began to move, he followed her, attentive to their surroundings as he tried to determine what she might be tracking or if she was tracking anything yet. He'd not hunted prey much at all before. Just people. Like his mother, or Kafele in a game. He usually found Kafe, but sometimes his red friend got the jump on him first. Literal 'jump'. Like off a rock and onto Kay's head.
"That sounds like a good idea to me," Kay agreed when she suggested larger prey. Perhaps it would be easier for him to catch something that was closer in size to a lion. He didn't remember too much success in hunting things smaller than he was. Though Kafele was almost smaller...
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:55 pm
She looked rather surprised at his compliment, and a flustered expression crossed her face. She was not used to compliments. She was used to 'thank you's and praise on her hunting skills, but not about things such as names. Especially not her name being called pretty.
“Uh, thank you,” she said, feeling a touch awkward now, though she tried to pass it off a nothing as she set off towards their new destination. She was confident in hunting, so her moves were practiced and graceful as she stalked along.
She nodded as he agreed, pleased that he was going along with her plan. Soon, they had approached a grazing area for larger prey, and her eyes lit up at the sight of one of the gazelles grazing. But with two of them, they were only likely to get two gazelles, if that, and that was not much. With two, they could aim a little higher. Like one of the zebras on the far end of the hunting ground. She motioned for Kayin to follow her, as she set off across, keeping low to the ground so as to stay hidden and not startle the prey. She hoped he knew enough to do the same.
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 12:02 am
Watching her move, it was easy to see how he should be acting and following along himself. It wasn't hard to do though, and most of it was clearly common sense. Low to the ground, light quick steps, not a sound as he moved through the lands behind the beautiful huntress. She made the cutest faces really... did she not think her name was lovely? Because it was, but she had seemed surprised. Maybe he had better come up with some shortened form of it then? If she felt left out or something?
He followed carefully as she motioned him to do so, apparently Indira's training for fighting could be easily shifted to work for hunting as well. And these creatures were not nearly so cunning as his mother had been when they had been told to find her.
"Zebra?" he questions softly as they drew nearer, careful to pitch his voice low so as not to be overheard. She'd wanted them to hunt something bigger after all. He was just waiting on her instruction as to what she wanted him to do.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 5:55 pm
Glancing back at him when he questioned her choice, she inclined her head but didn't speak. although he had pitched his voice low, she didn't want to risk startling them with her own voice when so many people relied on her to hunt for them. She enjoyed hunting, and it was not something she was willing to mess up by conversing with the boy, whether or not he was interesting.
She flicked her gaze back to the zebra, stalking around closer to where they were, her gold eyes lighting up as she came into close enough range of the creature. Perfect! She had launched herself at the Zebra before she had even checked if Kayin had followed, or if he was with her still. She launched herself at it's back, and left the neck and head open for Kayin to attack, if he was still nearby and able to.
The rest of the prey beasts scattered, the shrieking sounds of the zebra scaring them away.
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