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 Posted: Sun Nov 07, 2010 7:13 am
(I'll use a block of black text for the intro and move into individual character colours later.)
Anya
Altair
Alienor
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Anya was feeling happier than she had in a long time. Finally it seemed that she was starting to feel safe and comfortable, even enough to move around alone for a little. It was hard to believe that she could ever feel this way again, especially when left in the care of such a grouchy jackal.
The truth was, though, that she had come to adore that little canine. His grouchiness and pushiness when faced with her panic attacks and reluctance to do anything truly had helped her heal. She'd never have thought that he would be able to help her so much. But he had, and she wished that someday she could thank the avian who had found and brought her here to these lands where she felt safe and away from all the darkness she had suffered through in the rogue lands. Even still, no matter how much healing she had done - and would do - she knew that she would probably never find the strength to wander into rogue lands again. Not even the thought of finding her parents or her siblings would have her step over the line of pride territory into the unclaimed lands. Besides that, she was ruined. She was not the dreamer lioness they remembered. All that innocent, fairytale stuff had been slashed away from her the moment that that dark-pelted male had drawn his claws across her face and ruined her beauty forever. Now no one would want to call her 'their princess' or choose to take her as a 'doting wife' when there were other females out there, less dirtied by hardships. It was a sad fact, yes, but a true one.
In any case, she was slowly learning to put it behind her. Not forget. No, she could never forget what had happened. If she did that, she might end up repeating it and that was something she never wanted to happen. At least, if nothing else, she had learned to guard herself a little better. Friends she could trust. Eager male lions, she could not. Except for one, of course, but he was different.
Her innocence in the matters of the heart was what had led her to this in the first place. Conned by the first male, left unknowingly pregnant. Then wooed in by the second who angered at the thought of her being 'tainted' by another male and viciously attacking her. The attack had left her scarred and mute. It had also led to the miscarriage of her tiny, unborn children. Children who she would now never meet.
She blamed herself as much as she did those two males.
This morning, however, her thoughts were much lighter. Instead of cowering in her den as she had for the several long weeks beforehand, she lay a few paces away from it: flat on her stomach with the sun on her back. The sand beneath her had been smoothed out with a slow swipe of a paw, and now she had extended a claw and was drawing patterns; pictures and symbols, into the shifting, golden tide. The sand was a great canvas for practice and, with a sweep of an arm or a strong gust of wind, the evidence was gone; her mistakes and all. Before she had lost her voice, you might have heard her humming whilst doing a task she enjoyed. It seemed, for a moment, that she was humming. Her head tilting very slowly from side to side, her eyes slightly unfocused as she worked. Indeed, she looked much more confident and happy than she once had been.
Unfortunate, then, that this morning, all of the terror of her past was going to come leaping up to bite her in the face.
Coming her way was an elegant male lion with dark fur and tawny stripes beneath his vibrant green eyes. He was not a huge, bulky lion, but rather athletic in appearance with a silent and swift gait. His mane was sleek rather than bulky and his chest was much narrower than one might expect. He was a guardian of the pride and took much pleasure from living an honest life, protecting others in a far different way than as he had been taught as a youth. His name was Altair and, to speak to him, it was hard to believe that he had once been a professional killer; a silent assassin. Now he was mate to Makhi and father to a large litter of beautiful children, of whom he all adored. Trotting behind him was one of his daughters, a brilliant mix of golds and gray from both sides of the family. She had been named Alienor, after Altair's mother.
"Becoming a guardian is an honourable way of life, Alie." He was saying, turning his green eyes to her. "I know being a grown-up seems very far away, but childhood is swift and soon you will have to choose."
"Are you giving this talk to all of us, Dad?" She asked, rolling her eyes.
He chuckled warmly, pausing to look back at her. "Yes. Of course."
"What about travelling, Dad?"
"What about it?"
"You weren't born here, were you?"
"No."
"And neither was Mother. I was just thinking..."
"That you wanted to see a little of the world before settling down?"
The growing daughter nodded. "Uh huh."
Altair heaved a great sigh, shaking his head. "The world is an interesting place, but for all of it I have travelled, none is as good as the land we walk on now. Here is where friends, family and purpose are. It is good for a lion to have those things."
"I'm not saying that I won't come back, Dad. Of course I would. I just...I'd like to see things first."
"We can talk about this later. After you've accompanied me on guard duty today."
He quickened his step, trusting his daughter to follow after him, not even glancing back over his shoulder. His path, unluckily, crossed directly in front of Anya, with whom he stopped to glance at. He had heard of the scarred, mute female and to keep an eye out for any rogues who might be looking for her. He had never met, her though, which wasn't really unusual since she had barely left the den she shared with the jackal. He slowed to a halt a few paces from her and offered her a warm smile.
"Good morning. Glad to see you're out and about."
The reaction to his warm greeting was certainly nto what he expected.
Anya glanced up and froze, her face contorting with terror. She knew those eyes; those bright green eyes that had bore into her with such anger and rage. The dark pelt. The pale mane. She flinched back, gasping as she tried to scream out in fear.
Concerned, Altair drew closer, but this was a mistake.
All Anya could think was of those vicious claws. His movement towards her surely meant that he intended to finish what had been started. He had probably thought her dead, and seeing her here was certainly going to make him angry.
She tried to call out for help, to beg for her life - anything to keep him away. But her voice caught in her throat and all she could hear was the wheezing breaths labouring in her lungs.
"Dad, what's wrong with her?"
Another one. A little one. His child? He'd found another victim? Was she here, too? Were they all here? Why hadn't she realised? Why hadn't she been told? She needed to get out!
Anya tried to back away, but tripped and fell, ruining the drawings on the sand with her flailing limbs. She was going to die here, she realised, unless she did something to get attention. Should she lie here silent whilst he finished the job? Should she accept her fate now when things had started to brighten?
Was she going to let him hurt her again?
"It's okay. Calm down. Calm down."
She didn't hear his attempts to soothe her. All she saw was a snarling, vicious face. The scars on her face tingled with the memory and she scrubbed a paw over them to try and ease that terrible throbbing. She opened her jaws to cry out, but again her voice caught. She had found some odd sort of solace in the silence of her trauma, but now she was trying to fight it. Trying to bring to light the horrible deeds that had been inflicted upon her. She tried to gain her paws, but his shadow fell over her and finally, the fear that had silenced her brought back her voice. She threw back her head and screamed in terror, her voice rough and odd in the peace of the morning. She screamed until there was no breath left in her lungs, collapsing pathetically against the sand. She dared to open her eyes a moment later to see him cowering back in...what? Fear? Regret? Concern? His little daughter was looking frightened now, pressed against the male's side.
"G-g-ge..." She struggled to form the words, her throat feeling oddly unpractised. "GET AWAY!" And there it was. Her voice had returned, an attempt to save herself from death - no matter how lame that attempt might have been.
"She spoke." Altair's confused and frightened mind managed to at least realise that much. "But why is--"
His question was cut off by more staggered words, the next of which put a spear of ice into his heart.
"N-no, more, Hala. N-n-no more."
Altair froze, staring at the female in shock. He did not even feel Alie's body pressed against his, nor hear her concerned questions. He stared at the scarred, feeble lioness and realised, with such shock and horror, that he could not do anything but stare lamely. The lion who had hurt this female...it had been Hala. His brother.
His brother...
"No..." He choked out the words in part despair, wondering what could have possessed a lion of his own kin to do something to such harmless female as this. Had he, in the idiocy of his youth, unwittingly created such a monster? Or had this dark streak always lived within his brother, waiting for an excuse to rear its ugly head?
"Alie. Go get help."
He looked at his daughter and their eyes met. He knew that she had seen the effect the name had had on him and knew there would be questions later. None knew of his past, not even his beloved mate, and he would fight to keep it so. He would not lose his happiness because of one mistake.
"Go!"
The little female jolted into life, tearing away across the sand, leaving Altair with the cowering female.
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Posted: Sat Nov 13, 2010 9:49 am
The morning sunlight made the lion blink repeatedly as he walked down the temple steps. Ah. Looked like it was going to be another nice day. Quietly walking away from the temple he looked towards the desert. He still had time before patrol. Maybe he could swing by and visit her?
Runako stopped. Should he? The lion sighed before turning back around. Would she even be awake now or what if she was busy? "Jeesh." The lion finally turned and started walking. It was about then that he heard the scream.
Sand trailed after him in a duststorm as the lion started running towards the noise. Was it? No, no! "Hey!" Runako stumbled to a halt as he passed a cub, "Can you tell me what that was?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 14, 2010 7:44 am
Aliénor's panicked eyes met those of a fellow Guardian and visibly grew calmer at his presence. She skidded to a halt and pressed her paws to one of his own - as if the act was enough to keep him in place and stop him from running away.
"The mute." The girl breathed. "She saw me and my dad and...and freaked out. But...but she spoke! We need help. She seems mad!"
She bounded back the way she came, pausing to check that he was following.
"Quickly, quickly!" And then she powered back across the desert, back the way she came.
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Posted: Thu Dec 02, 2010 10:43 am
"The mute?" It took him a moment but then realization quickly dawned on the lion. Tuli! And she spoke? "Lead the way!" He started bounding after her, sand flying behind his paws. Runako never felt like something was so far away before. Gaze narrowing against the sting of sand he pushed himself faster until he was right beside of the cub.
Looking at the cub he tried to place her. She was familiar, obviously one of the pride's cubs. If he wasn't so rushed to get to Tuli, but the only thing that kept coming to his mind was an image of her..."Do you know anything more?" He managed to ask, "Is she hurt?"
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Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 4:44 am
"Uh...I...ah, I'm not sure! I don't think so." She shook her head and almost tripped on the uneven ground. Then, a moment later and the figure of Altair could be seen, standing tense on the ground, eyes wide, fur bristled. He had not moved since Alie had left him, still staring strangely at the female.
"There they are! Quickly, quickly!"
The small female charged over to her father's side, sprawling beside him. "I brought help, dad."
Anya, was cowering in terror, shaking and weeping and seemingly no better from when the cub had left. "Did she say anything dad?"
"No...nothing." He blinked, looking up at the other male, a guardian.
"You know her?" He queried.
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Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 7:13 am
Runako silently looked at the cub before forcing a small smile, "Alright then." His fur bristled at the sight of another lion who was staring at Tuli. What was going on here?! "Tuli!" He called out softly with worry. What had the male done to make her react like this? His gaze narrowed before recognition made him stop.
"Al-Altair." Runako blinked before nodding, "Yes. I know her." The lilac lion frowned before slowly approaching the female, "Tuli?" He nudged her gently as he leaned protectively over her, "Hey, what's wrong?" He tried to catch her gaze and comfort her, "Altair is a guardian here. He's not going to hurt you." He looked back at the other lion. At least he didn't think so.
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Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 7:23 am
Altair seemed to relax a little, hoping that when the terrified female saw a familiar face that she would calm down and realise he was not who she thought he was. He thought he'd left all that behind him but apparently it was closer than he had thought.
Hala was still looking for him.
He took a step back to give the pair space to talk and signalled for his daughter to do the same. He did not miss her worried and enquiring look but gave her a stern glance that told her to save her questions until later. Surprisingly, his daughter complied, moving to stand silently next to him, leaning against his foreleg.
She recognised Runako and shifted closer, moving so that he was between her and the dark pelted lion. She was still shaking but had certainly calmed when she realised she was no longer alone. It would be all right now. Runako would protect her from that male.
"Th..th.." She paused, swallowing, and tried again. "H-his name is H-Hala." She all but blurted, still not registering that she was not in the presence of the lion who had hurt her, but by his brother. "T-tell him...tell him to go. P-please."
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Posted: Sun Dec 05, 2010 7:54 am
It took him a moment to move. She was speaking? The lilac lion's expression wavered between happiness and sorrow. So it took true terror to get her to speak? What was Altair to her? Hala? Runako shook his head, "No, Tuli. His name is Altair." The lion paused, he didn't know of any Hala..."Let me talk to him." He whispered softly, "Don't worry I'm here, no Hala is going to hurt you. Promise."
"Altair." Runako looked over at his fellow guardian. "Do you know anything about this? This Hala?" As much as he didn't want to confront another guardian, something had Tuli really terrified and he wanted to find out. Though in the back of his mind an image of that drawing in the sand haunted him. Was Hala the one who had....hurt her? But Altair was a guardian here, not this Hala...right? Runako's fur bristled this Hala was definitely not good, whoever he was. And for Anya to call Altair that with such fear - well he had to find out. Or at least settle this identity mix up for her sake.
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Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 6:22 am
He turned to look at the other male, nodding his head slowly. First thing first, however...
"Aliénor, go back to your mother."
"But Dad!"
"I mean it." He gave the little cub a push and remained silent until she was far enough away to not be able to overhear what he would have to say. He knew she would question him on it later, but he wasn't ready for her to hear what he had to say. After all, not even their mother knew the whole truth about his past and why he had been so afraid to stay in one place for too long. He turned green eyes back to look at Runako and sighed deeply.
"I had hoped for no one to find out about my past. I had hoped that by being here, it wouldn't come back to bite me. Perhaps it was foolish of me. I don't know. In any case, I think I can explain." His eyes drifted to the terrified female, wondering what Hala had done to her. The scars on her face...wounds left by a lion's claws? He shuddered to think of it.
"Hala is my brother." He said, feeling a wash of disbelief rush over him at finally acknowledging this to someone. "I have not seen him in a very long time, but, when we were young, I was foolish enough to attack him. I was jealous because he had managed to woo a female I could not. After attacking him, I fled, knowing that my pride would have me put to death for attacking a member of the family. I had a feeling he would give chase to take his revenge so I spent years as a rogue, wandering from place to place. Eventually I convinced myself that he must have given up the hunt and finally settled here, to start my life again. I had no idea...no idea that he might still be out there, and so close, too. I never thought for a moment that he would give up his place in his pride to come after me." He met Runako's eyes. "Neither did I think he would hurt innocents." He shook his head fiercely, unable to understand what could have led his brother to attack the female still cowering on the sand.
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Posted: Sun Dec 19, 2010 7:15 pm
Runako's gaze never left the other lion's face the whole time he spoke. Ah. His gaze softened a bit at the other's explanation. The past always had a way of coming back. That he had learned when his own brother had come to this very same pride. Though his brother had no foul intentions towards anyone like this...this Hala.
After a long moment of silence the lion spoke, "Because I know you to be a good guardian, I trust your word Altair." He bowed his head in a respectful nod before turning to Tuli. "Tuli." Runako whispered softly and nudged the female, "Look up. This isn't Hala, but his brother. That's why he looks so much like him. So no one is going to hurt you, okay?"
Though the thought made him look over at Altair. Was this Hala still around? Was he going to be a threat? Though he didn't voice it, the lion's gaze conveyed the silent question. If there was any danger to the pride or Tuli then he would fight.
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Posted: Sun Feb 20, 2011 8:18 am
"Thank you, Runako." Altair replied quietly, lowering his head in shame for the events that had unfolded because of him. So much pain and suffering for those who did not deserve it. This had truly gone on long enough. So what now? Was it finally time to face his past. To face his demons? Was it time to confront his brother and put an end to this once and for all? And, if he did, was he happy to face the prospect that he would be walking to his death?
"I'm so sorry, Tuli. So very sorry. I never meant for any of this to happen. I...I just." He set his jaw and looked away. He was a coward. There was nothing else for it.
The running had to stop.
"I think it best if I leave. My presence brings back unpleasant memories. But...if you would like to talk further on this when you are ready - both of you - then you know where to find me." He lowered his head respectfully and turned to pad off across the sand, his tail dragging in the sand behind him. Unnoticed by the dark male, a small shape unattached itself from a gathering of rocks and dashed off across the desert. His daughter.
"I...I'm sorry." Anya's voice broke and fresh, hot tears pooled in the rivets in her cheeks. Then, moving closer to Runako, her sobbing quietened, though her eyes were still wetted with fresh tears. "I...I thought it was him. I thought...I thought...."
She dipped her head to hide her face beneath her paws.
Then, after a long moment, she spoke again in a softer and slightly calmer voice. "My name is Anya."
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 11:45 am
Runako gave a slight nod of his head towards Altair. Though he frowned as he studied the lion before him. Clearly the other guardian felt bad for what this Hala had done to Tuli. But Altair wasn't there back then, was he? Or was there more to it? The lion sighed softly. This was a mess. He just wish that he knew more. But the presence of the female beside of him made Runako pause. This was no time for interrogations.
"We may." Runako replied quietly before looking back down at Tuli. He would be there anytime she needed him. But was she ready? Not now it seemed. He wouldn't force her to go to Altair, not when she was like this. If only there was something he could do for her. Anything at all to set her at ease...
His gaze softened and the lion placed his paw on her's. "You have nothing to apologize for." He whispered before moving down to her level. "Don't worry. You aren't alone, alright? You have friends...and me." For a moment the lion pressed his cheek against her's and gave her a slight nudge before pausing. Anya. Finally he knew her name. "Anya." Runako repeated softly with a small smile, "A beautiful name and a beautiful voice." Even though seeing her in such a state worried him, the lion couldn't help but to feel a slight joy at finally hearing her speak.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 1:58 pm
At his touch, she looked up into Runako's face and managed a shaky smile. It faded a moment later as she cast her eyes back in the direction of the retreating lion. The shock of the familiarity between the two still thrummed through her and she moved even closer to her companion's side.
"Thank you...Runako. For...for being here." And she meant it, that smile returning for just a moment at his compliment. A beautiful name? A beautiful voice? Truly?
"L-let's...let's go...I-I need to get away from here." And she gave him a nudge, taking one step but going no further until she knew he'd be there at his side. "I want to go home." To her den. To the safe darkness.
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