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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 1:28 pm
 Water splashed.
With a muffled, proud growl, a head emerged. Still wriggling, the fat, heavy prize captured between pale and tan jaws.
Water sloshed.
Soaked, dripping, but ultimately triumphant, the young adolescent leopon emerged from the river, loping quickly away from the water's edge before settling down on a patch of dry grass.
Berhanu had strayed from his mother, but only for a few days as was his habit. Tomorrow, or the next day, he would leave and return to her...and probably bring her a fish, or some other piece of tasty food. As was his habit.
Oh, his mother had definitely taught him well on how to fish, as evidenced by his catch. Pinning the glimmering, scaled creature beneath his paws, he began to eat. Ears twitching and listening to the sounds as the heat of the afternoon began to give way to evening and twilight...though twilight was several hours away, still. Berhanu had also quickly learned that not everyone was quite as able as he was, and that any meal was free game to other predators.
He could have scrambled up a tree, but there were no ones around that suited his tastes. And what if he wanted more fish?
So he stayed in his semi-flopped position and enjoyed his meal while his peace lasted.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 1:47 pm
 A loud rumbling issued from his belly and he winced, step pausing until the twinge faded away. He had discovered that a rogue's life was not at all like a pride-lion's life... hunting on his own had been one of the bigger challenges, not because he was bad, indeed he was strong and fast and a perfectly capable hunter in his own right.. but he was big, not broad, but tall in the shoulder, taller than most lions and even some half-breeds who were known for they leggy statue. He was also solid black with pale patterning, and shiny white forelegs that were like a beacon to any prey close by. He had learned, after a few weeks of constant hunger and poor success rate, that he had better chances in the darkness of night, but even then, his white legs would glow in the moonlight and his skull-like marking shone a pale grey.
He made an excellent spook. He grumbles softly to himself under his breath. But a for a hunter, he could have done without his handsome but unhelpful colouring.
Swishing his tail as his belly rumbled again, he suddenly scented something on the wind. A lion.. maybe. Picking up his pace he strode forwards, an imposing figure without realising it, in his pitch and pale coat and thick mane and all that height.
At the very least, if the stranger wasn't a female who would help him, he could get some information about the land he was travailing through and where best to look next.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:09 pm
Fish, fish, fish~
A swift tug freed some more of the flesh from the body, and Ber rumbled softly as he continued to dine on his fresh catch. Bones, scales, innards, all tasty. Maybe it was because his mother had dined practically on just fish when she was pregnant with him was why he enjoyed it so, but--a steady rustle caused him to look up.
The leopon's first impressions were of inky sky and flashes of moonlight. The tall, imposing male striding towards him didn't make an effort to be quiet. Either he had no intentions of taking his meal, or he was so confident in himself that he figured taking the fish wouldn't be a problem...or...
Well. There were other possibilities, but he had learned to presume that if he was eating and being approached...well, it most likely wasn't going to be a friendly encounter. Standing up and bringing his partially-eaten fish with him, Berhanu rose to his feet. He was still smaller than this lion, but he was at least a little more familiar with where he was. Or so he hoped.
Pale eyes regarded the incoming stranger quietly, fish clenched firmly between his teeth once again. Curiosity and wariness coursed through him, with more of the latter than the former. Now that he drew closer, Ber could see his markings more clearly. He was quite stunning. And very large. Despite his own size, currently, Ber didn't know if he could surpass the male when he matured.
Tail tip twitched. Should he just run now, and save himself the trouble of trying to flee mid-fight? Or he could just drop his fish, even though he'd caught it himself...he could always catch himself another. Right? ...well, right?
...yeah, right.
It was his fish, after all. Why should he have to willingly give it up?
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:22 pm
He saw the stranger as he rounded a large shrub, a soft breath of mixed emotions escaping as he realised it was a male. He still didn't know how to approach females casually, and trying to ask them to father his cubs was painfully embarrassing for the large lion. So the fact that this one was a male, and Sliabh didn't have to try and broach the awkward question, was a relief.
Drawing to a halt a few strides form the other, Sliabh paused a moment, seeming unsure what to say now he had got this far, but then he spotted the fish in the halfbreed's jaws. His belly rumbled loudly, making him wince in embarrassed.
"Ahh.. sorry....." he murmured under his breath, tail curling behind him awkwardly. What to say. he had to say something.. it was creepy to just walk up to a stranger and stare at them...
"..... I was wondering... if you could tell me where I am.. " He couldn't help but stare at the fish rather than look at the male as would have been polite. He could smell it now, the fresh, cool, rich scent of fish flesh and the metallic tang of blood. Without realising he licked his jaw, his belly twisting itself into knots of hunger as the fish teased him with its deliciousness.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:44 pm
Berhanu braced himself as the male drew to a halt, ears and eyes flicking. The growl that came from the male's stomach had his ears pitching forwards, but the apology was...unexpected.
Curious more than he had been, the leopon paused and watched this dark, apologetic...embarrassed male fish for words. Blinking and letting him have time to collect his thoughts, Ber waited patiently...and his patience was rewarded, as it was with fishing.
The way he stared at his fish made the adolescent uneasy, but the sounds of long hunger from the male's stomach made him feel pity. He wanted to know where he was? Gingerly, he set the fish down so he could properly respond. Nothing was worse than not being able to understand with someone's mouth being full.
"...that depends where you're from...and where you want to go?" He hedged. He'd only been in the area once before, and only for a couple days at a time. While he was familiar with the area...it was more or less just that. His ears twitched again, feeling more than a measure of sympathy...and his mother had taught him better than to just ignore someone's discomfort.
He sighed. "You're hungry, right?" Not that he needed the confirmation. The longing, lingering stare at his fish, and the audible rumbles of the lion's stomach took all the guess work out of it.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 2:58 pm
amber eyes followed the fish as it was set down on the ground, his belly constricting painfully with hunger at the sight of it just.. laying there... yet he managed to drag his gaze back up to the young male's own, though it was force of will that kept them there. He did notice that the young halfbreed didn't flee in terror or attack in a rage.. that was an improvement over the last stranger he had met.
Blinking, realising his gaze had dropped back to the fish and the youth was speaking, he forced his attention back and listened. Dark head turned, glancing back over his shoulder a moment then up at the sky, trying to judge the general direction his pride lay in. Eventually he nodded behind him, other to the left.
"That way... is where I am from."
Looking back at the youth he continued. "I'm on a journey... I need to... find someone..." He trailed off, not at all sure it was a good idea to explain just what his orders had been.. he had learned that many in the wilds didn't understand his position or his need. So he had decided to keep things vague until he met a lioness who felt right.
The sudden mention of hunger made the large lion wince, head dropping as he shifted in place, shamed. Eventually, he nodded, unable to look back at the other.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:17 pm
Ber listened with a little more than half an ear at the staggered explanation for what the lion was doing out here. The male's hunger nagged at him, but he took a considering look around. The river, at least, was his marker. Pointing to one direction along the mountains, and then the other, putting words along with it.
"That way, a couple days' journey will lead you to...a pride territory, if you hug the base of the mountains. This other way will take more time, but if you go along the mountains this way, there's another pride... I can't recall the names, or much about them." Ber admitted wryly, tail swaying.
His reaction to the mention of being hungry had Ber folding his ears back, embarrassed to have such a lion be ashamed.
Maybe his mother rubbed off a bit too much on him. At his musings, he paused. "Come along with me... Guessing you can't concentrate too much on anything else right now, but... Well, I'm Berhanu."
Picking the fish up and giving his tail a friendly swish, he proceeded to toddle back to the river. Close enough to the edge for the male to be able to watch, but far enough away so there wouldn't be any nasty surprises, Ber set his fish down on the edge of a low, flat rock.
"I...will catch a couple more fish. By the cacophony of sounds your stomach's making...it'd be best if you just stayed and finished this one off." Ber let a grin stretch along his muzzle, trying to come off as more friendly than he first had. "Might scare away the fish."
He really hadn't gotten too far along on the fish. The tail was gone, but there was still at least two thirds of it left, head included. He'd carried it along its spine, careful not to tilt his head and dump the rest of the innards onto the ground. It would have been shamefully wasteful.
Kindly, he let his pale eyes regard the older male. Waiting at least, for any response, or if he just settled to eat...Berhanu would soon go make good on his word. Or at least, as good as he could do. Even with his skill at fishing, there were times when he couldn't catch a thing, either.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:34 pm
Forcing himself to ignore the fish, a difficult and nearly pointless task, he turned and studied the two directions pointed out to him. It was valuable information and he didn't want to waste it. He would try the nearest pride first, after all he had a better chance of finding the right female if he headed to where a collection of them were living. though he had found, at last in the few he had met.. pridal lions were far more... insular, and less likely to be open minded.
Looking back as he was invited closer, he blinked in confusion a moment before comprehension dawned. Spirits above, this kind stranger must have thought him horribly rude or just dim witted for forgetting to introduce himself. His painful belly really was interfering with his mental state.. as much as he was ashamed to admit it.
"I'm Sliabh.. its good to meet you, Berhanu." His own ears were pressed low to each side, his posture apologetic, so at odds with his imposing appearance. Mutely he followed as the leopon padded back to the river behind him, golden eyes once more fixed to the fish as it was laid aside on the rock. His belly clenched as belatedly, he heard the youth's offer. Blinking up at him, then back at the fish, he finally returned his gaze to the male.
He couldn't refuse, he was far too hungry to be able to do so and it would be rude, though he felt terrible about stealing Berhanu's meal. For a long moment he was torn between his hunger and politeness, and the fear of being rude... yet eventually he could resist no longer and replied with a low, slightly gruff, embarrassed tone.
"I would appreciate that very much.."
Padding over slowly to the fish he dropped his hindquarters then, unable to help himself, he fell on the fish with ravenous fury. The carcass was stripped bare in short order, everything gone bar a few bones, for the dark male had even eaten most of those.
Still licking his jaw to catch every morsel, he turned far more aware eyes on the youth, watching him begin to fish.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 3:55 pm
"...S...liabh." The leopon tested the word out on his tongue, then shook himself lightly. He waited, and waited...and his waiting was rewarded, again, as the male accepted the offer of food.
"...no shame in being hungry..." Ber murmured to him as he set himself upon the offered meal. At least, there wasn't when one was starving and offered a meal. The younger male really didn't mind giving his food up. There were, after all, plenty of fish in the s--river.
Turning and slinking to the river, Berhanu kept himself low to the ground, hunched up on a higher bank so he could observe the river...and the fish that gleamed beneath. His own stomach gurgled slightly, envy of the other male leaking out a little at his lost meal...but it was better that he eat something. He'd had a portion of the fish before he had given it up, after all, and that would tide him over until he caught a...third fish. Deeming it necessary to at least give the male another fish before tending to himself, Ber twitched his tail and shifted, hunching up even closer to the edge of the bank.
Without a sound, he sprung and plunged into the water. The resulting splash, and wake of waves startled the fish away...but...aw, geez! He'd had it.
Plunging after the fish, squinting through his eyes, Ber made a lithe water-dash for his prey, but was eluded. Surfacing with a disappointed chuff, he soon set himself up on the bank again. Dripping, and not quite amused, he sat in total silence, wishing there was a good, sturdy tree whose branches edged over the river...but the bank would have to do. He just had to wait for the fish to settle and come back within his range.
Time passed, the fish slowly meandered back, and away, and back again. White pelt flashing, Berhanu dove into the river again. Despite the fish managing to elude him the first time again, Ber was faster this time and soon emerged with a second fish. Ironically, it was larger than the first...and had he not sank his teeth into the fish's spine...well, he might be fishless again. Counting his blessings, he emerged from the water and skipped nimbly away from the edge before shaking himself to rid his pelt of most of the water.
Eyes alight with pride and the trill from diving, he padded over to Sliabh and carefully hunched down, putting a paw on top of the fish to mostly prevent any wild flails...which, had they been closer to the water, might have resulted in a successful escape. Ber was proud he'd stopped well enough back so it wouldn't be possible.
"Here." Tail twitching, pride in his catch obvious in the way he stood, Ber waited for the lion to pin the fish before turning, with an "Eat up~" tossed behind his shoulder as he loped back up to the high bank to await the fish's return so he might be able to catch his own meal. His strides were carefree and almost silly, but as he approached, he lowered himself and slinked towards the edge again.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:21 pm
Sliabh gave a nod as his name was pronounced correctly, unable to reply as his maw was full of fish.
As soon he had finished the fish, the large lion moved up a little closer, not enough to disturb the other, but so that he could see what was happening. He watched with intent eyes as the leopon sat there, watched the mad leap and the mid-river dash. He didn't really see why Berhanu decided to jump when he did... but it was immediately obvious that it was a game of skill, not just charging in paws flailing like he had done the few times he had tried it.
The dark lion stayed put, watching silently as the youth climbed out and set back up in his ready position. This time the hunt was successful, though Sliabh was no closer to understanding why... moving back to the rock as Berhanu approached he licked his chops before he could prevent himself. His belly was still rumbling, though the fish he had eaten already had calmed the hunger pains.
Surprised when Ber offered the second fish to him again, Sliabh couldn't help blinking at the youth, before eventually, hesitantly, reaching forward to pin the fish down. ".. Thank you..." He offered, low soft voice grateful. Drawing the fish closer as he watched the youth trot off again. Dropping his head he tore a great chunk of flesh from the fish, though he kept his gaze on the leopon. He would have to thank him properly... he wished he could offer something in return.. but what did he have that he could give? Aside from his skills as a guard, he had little of anything.
The second fish took longer to eat than the first, but it was still gone long before Berhanu pounced again.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 4:55 pm
By the time Berhanu emerged for the last time from the river, a wriggling fish clutched tightly between his jaws...well, he wasn't exactly pleased. At least half a dozen tries, a lot of escaped fish, and plenty of time had passed since he left that second fish with Sliabh.
It was nearing twilight now, and he was soaked. 'It was,' He thought, somewhat irritated, '...just perfect.'
Mildly grumpy, tip of his tail twitching with it, Ber meandered away from the river, stopping a few times to shake himself briskly each time. He hoped he could remove most of the water from his pelt before the rest of the light faded.
Dropping the fish, he whacked at the head with his paw to daze it...hopefully keeping it still long enough to start licking himself dry. Any energetic flopping was met by another cuff to the head, before he grew tired of it and simply bent down to eat the first. At least with his meal out of the way, he could properly dry himself off...mostly.
Eventually his irritation melted away, replaced by his quiet, good-naturedness. Ber glanced over at Sliabh, an ear twitching forwards as he felt something akin to sheepishness overcome him. What poor manners he had, his mother would be ashamed he hadn't said anything more to him.
Awkward. But, still, he should at least try and make an effort...
"...fish were good?" He chirped, something of a smile passing over his lips. Lopsided, somewhat silly. Ber relaxed, somewhat, gnawing the rest of his fish before turning away from the bones that were left to dry himself and maybe learn more about this Sliabh.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 5:05 pm
The dark lion had watched every attempt, trying to work out what it was that Berhanu was doing and when.. Yet he remained silent, resting now that his belly was calm. It would take more than two large fish to fill him, but he was grateful just to be rid of the pains and wanted to thank the young fisherman.
When finally the leopon caught a third fish Sliabh backed up and settled down, letting the other eat in peace and dry his soaked fur. Only when the youth finished and turned to him did Sliabh offer a subdued but honest smile.
"Very good, thank you. I owe you much for letting me eat... I'm ashamed to say I have not been having much success of late." It seemed that the food and the rest had helped the dark lion settle down as he seemed much more at ease now ad his speech, while still soft, was less hesitant.
"You are an amazing fisher... I've failed badly when I've tried..."
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 8:34 pm
The quiet smile did much to put a balm on Berhanu's slightly sore mood. To know that he was truly appreciated for his work meant he hadn't just done what he did in vain. Returning the smile with a brighter one of his own, the young leopon nodded.
"It is not a problem, Sliabh." He tilted his head curiously at the following statements, and sat quietly for several moments, licking his fur dry.
After a short time had passed, he paused. Pride for the compliment made him warm inside.
"Thank you. My mother taught me...though I'm not nearly as good as her just yet." Another moment, looking over the dark male with a considering gaze, then up at the sky. They might have time...
"I could start to teach you, if you'd like? I can't follow you in your search, but I'd feel better if you knew some more about hunting fish so you wouldn't end up in quite such a...state, again."
There was genuine concern there. Sliabh didn't seem like a bad sort. In fact, Ber was fairly certain had they some more time to get to know one another, they might become good friends.
"It might be interesting to travel with you...but I would rather not leave my mother for an extended period of time." He just couldn't. His mother was everything to him, and he knew she'd be lost without him...and that just didn't sit well with him at all.
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Posted: Sun Oct 17, 2010 10:34 pm
Nodding faintly, reassured, the large lion settled, simply resting as the youth dried off. Only when Berhanu spoke again did he look back over, amber eyes attentive.
His brows rose in pleasant surprise at the offer, certainly more than willing to learn anything that would make his trip through the rogue lands easier. Berhanu was very skilled despite his modesty and Sliabh was honoured that the leopon considered him worthy of the time to be taught how to fish as he did.
"I would deeply appreciate any help you are wiling to offer." He replied in his low, rumbling voice. Massive head tilting slightly as the youth continued. Understanding warmed the lion's gaze as he nodded briefly after.
"Of course, family is important. I hope to one day return to my pride... " he paused, the image of Eva and Haruma flittering through his mind for a moment. "But I have a mission to fulfil first."
Drawing his attention back to the other he dipped his head, grateful for the youth's help and hoping he wasn't distracting him from something more important.
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Posted: Tue Oct 19, 2010 8:35 pm
Berhanu's ears twitched. The acceptance of his offer to learn how to fish pleased him and helped to put him at east...bit it also sparked a mote of worry in his chest. While sharing his skills meant Sliabh would not starve on his journey, the young leopon could not help but have doubts creep into his mind. What if he wound up being a horrible teacher? What if he taught Sliabh wrong? Would what he would be teaching the large, gentle male truly keep him from going hungry?
'What if I'm not good enough..?'
Growing mellow from his insecurities, feeling he probably would not be as good a teacher as his mother, Ber considered the amount of light remaining in teh sky. His tail slowly slid across the ground as he pondered.
"It is a bit too late to start teaching tonight," the adolescent's tone was apologetic. If he hadn't missed those fish so many times, he would have had time to start teaching the inky male tonight. "But we can start tomorrow morning."
And...who knew? Maybe if they stayed near the water's edge, they might be able to take down something larger together. As good as the fish were, Ber was aware that it took more than almost two fish to fill a hungry stomach.
Besides, Sliabh would be very hungry in the morning, and the leopon knew first-hand how difficult it was to sit patiently when one had a very impatient stomach to contend with. It easily meant frustration, which often lead to an empty stomach. Still...there were benefits to it. It taught a valuable lesson in waiting...even when one thought they couldn't wait longer; it was a fact that if you wanted to eat sooner, rather than later, you would wait until the time was just right.
"I understand how you feel about your pride...I feel the same with my mother. But...not that I know much either way...I guess 'duty' and your mission come first." He intoned, ears twitching quietly back and forth, just listening. "We'll stay near the water tonight. If we're lucky...we might be able to catch something other than fish together."
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