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 Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:14 am
As she neared the rest of the pride, Gerda was beginning to wonder if she'd done the right thing by rescuing the genet. The crocodile goddess could easily have killed her, and Jozo would likely be angry at her for endangering herself by going out in the first place.
Besides which, now that the genet was no longer in mortal peril, it was chatting her ear off. The baby genet had been bouncing up and down on Gerda's back for a good half hour now, excitedly pointing out everything she saw and heard. This land was new to her, so it didn't occur to her that Gerda might not share her fascination with it.
"Look! A bird!" She burst into giggles, bouncing up and down in glee. " 'member when I tried to catch a bird, Mama Gerda?" Another gale of giggles, as though the incident with the crocodile had happened years ago and she hadn't nearly been eaten whole.
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:21 am
Of all the things Jozo had expected to see while watching the borders, his mate coming towards him with a bouncing pink ball of fluff on her back would never have been one of them. He scowled softly in her direction as he moved closer, the scowl turning to perplexity.
"Gerda," he called as he hurried closer, "Where have you been? And what," he nodded with something akin to disgust at the babbling genet, "is that?!"
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:37 am
Uh oh. Jozo had spotted her before she got back to the dens, and he didn't look happy. Gerda steeled herself, preventing the wince at his reaction. She knew it had been foolish to wander off, but she hadn't expected to be delayed for such a ridiculous reason.
"Jozo," She said softly in greeting. "I went out for a walk ... just for the fresh air. I was careful," She added hastily. They had just had a discussion about cubs, she didn't want him to think she was tiring herself out irresponsibly. "I was hoping you might know where this genet's parents are." From the look on Jozo's face, she didn't think that was likely, somehow.
The genet watched Jozo approach with something akin to fascination. She had never seen an adult male lion so close before! Her parents (dimly remembered now) hadn't had any lion friends, and she had been too small and scared to approach them when she was on her own.
Gerda knew this lion, though, so he was okay! The genet let out a pure squeal of delight at making a new friend, hopping up and down impatiently on Gerda's back as she waited for Jozo to pay her attention. " 'm a genet, mister lion!" She called happily. "How come you got so much hair 'round your face!" Giggles, again.
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:44 am
She'd... gone for a walk? That didn't make Jozo happy at all. She was sick; what if she collapsed and there was no one around to rescue her? Jozo had his own duties to attend to, he couldn't try to do those and worry about Gerda, as well. She was a grown lioness, one who liked to push her own physical limits. Jozo grunted. He didn't want to say anything that would upset her and make her sicker, but he didn't want her to think that wandering around was okay to do. "I don't know where that genet's parents are," he growled with irritation. "Where did you find it, Gerda?"
He decided to ignore the little genet outright. He didn't have the time nor the patience to fuss about with little fluffballs.
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:51 am
Obviously Jozo wasn't happy, but at least he hadn't chosen to shout at her. For now. That was something to be thankful for. He likely would find the rest of her story even more displeasing than the wandering. Gerda sighed.
"I was walking by the water and I saw it annoy a crocodile somehow." Gerda couldn't meet Jozo's eyes, afraid of the fury she might find there. "Actually, it wasn't a crocodile ... it looked kind of like a lion, and it had wings. I think it might have been a goddess. Have you ever seen such a thing, Jozo?" She raised her eyes to him now, her gaze wide and curious. Trying to divert him from the subject of the genet, which Jozo obviously didn't like.
The genet, annoyed at being ignored by both adults, continued its hopping. If she had been much heavier it would have started to hurt the dark lioness's back, but she was a tiny thing. "Mister. Mister. Mister," the genet droned, waiting for a reaction from Jozo. When Gerda started speaking she fell silent, listening raptly, and then added:
"It was a big huge crocodile lady. I try to eat her bird and she hit me with her foot and pick me up and Gerda pick me up and now we here," she said all in a rush.
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 11:59 am
Jozo wasn't a violent lion. He never fought unless it was necessary. Usually he got physical only when the safety of his pride was endangered. Jozo considered himself a gentle male, a good lion, and most of all a hard-working warrior. He wasn't sure what ignited the fury that burned deep in his belly more; the fact that Gerda had wandered away from the safety of the pride and in doing so had put herself in danger by going toe to toe with a goddess, or the fact that she brought with her an annoying little genet.
Jozo grit his teeth. She'd been talking about having cubs, and then decided to foolishly wander off? Endangering herself? What was she thinking?
"I have never seen a goddess, Gerda. I have no desire to see one. I pray that is the last goddess you come across." He eyed the genet before sternly speaking to the yappy little creature. "You. Hush your mouth." His attention went back to Gerda. He spoke with carefully enunciated words, slowly and as calmly as possible.
"Have you decided against having cubs, then Gerda? Wandering about as if you're in perfect health? Weakening your body?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:10 pm
Now Gerda couldn't hold back the wince. Jozo's anger was bad enough, but his stern words about cubs ... she knew she had been foolish to go traipsing off, but she didn't think it was fair of Jozo to snap at her and hurt her so. The dark lioness blinked tears out of her eyes, not wanting to appear weak. Feigning weakness had worked often in the past to get Jozo to stay by her side, but showing weakness now would only convince him not to try for cubs with her.
"I'm sorry, Jozo," Gerda said, her quiet voice lower than ever. "I just wanted a short little walk. I hoped to build up some endurance." This was reaching and she knew it, but it felt inspired. "It can't be good for cubs if I hang around the sick all day, can it?"
The genet hushed promptly when Jozo grouched at her. This friend of Gerda's was no fun at all. He was boring, and he seemed like kind of a jerk. But still, he was a lot bigger than her, so it probably wasn't a good idea to march up to him and tell him off. Instead she stayed curled up on the safety of Gerda's back, making the nastiest faces she could at the male lion.
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:19 pm
Jozo grunted. He sighed. He scowled. Gerda sounded so upset and quiet, and he was sure his words had done what he'd wanted them to. His words were vicious, yes, but at least he didn't raise a paw to her in his anger. It had been far too long since he'd last seen Eppie and that was why he was feeling so on edge, he soothed himself. That's all. He would see Eppie soon enough. They would be able to spend lots of time with one another when Gerda was pregnant, and afterward when she was busy with the cubs.
"I will not forbid you from walking, from building endurance," Jozo spoke softly, "but do not endanger yourself. As for the genet, what are your plans?"
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:33 pm
Relieved that Jozo wasn't going to snap at her any further, Gerda nodded. Actually, trying to build some endurance wasn't a bad idea at all. As long as she took it easy, doing some walking sounded like a wonderful idea.
"I wasn't trying to endanger myself, Jozo," she said, giving him a rueful smile. "I just came across the genet and the crocodile." Speaking of which ... she looked over her shoulder at the baby genet and sighed. "I don't know what to do with her. I thought you'd know where her parents are." Gerda shrugged helplessly, prompting an indignant squeak from the genet. "I don't want to leave her to fend for herself. She has no sense."
The genet didn't take offense to that. She was just pleased that the lions were FINALLY talking about her. Even the male lion had calmed down and taken some notice of her, it seemed. "When's dinner?" She piped up, peeking curiously at Jozo. "Mama Gerda said we was gonna get dinner. She SAID."
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Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 12:54 pm
Jozo huffed softly as he exhaled, eying the genet distastefully. Ah, well, perhaps when it was grown she could help Gerda with her duties, or watch after their cubs. "Lets head home," he sighed. "It is supper time, after all. I am a bit hungry myself," he muttered with resignation. "But don't expect me to sleep with that thing. Or help take care of it. The genet is your responsibility, Gerda, not mine." His voice held no anger, it was almost as if he were trying to be a big indulgent male.
Nuzzling Gerda's shoulder absently, he gestured that they should continue on their way home. He would deal with his mates little pet when the time came.
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