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 Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 8:52 am
The lioness relaxed under the mopani tree she had been named for, enjoying its shade. It was a lovely day ... warm, but pleasant. She had hunted earlier and was relaxing now. Not a care in the world, really.
The only thing missing was company.
Mopani stretched elegantly, yawning. Such a peaceful day ... but she was growing tired of pleasant days. She was luckier than many, although she didn't know it. Trouble never seemed to find her (something she would have been grateful for, had she known how rare a gift that was). But interesting company was scarce as well. It wasn't that Mopani didn't enjoy being on her own, feeling brave and bold. She just had this nagging feeling that it was time for her to do something constructive. She wanted nice friends, a nice pride, a nice mate to raise nice cubs with and enjoy this peaceful, dull existence.
Rising to her feet, the lioness ambled slowly across the savannah. She wasn't consciously thinking of looking for anyone, but she liked taking a stroll from time to time. If she happened to run across a stranger, that would be nice as well.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:10 am
Taraxa had finally been able to break free from Zilly and he had taken the opportunity to stray a bit from the pride. Not too far, really, as he wasn't looking for any trouble, but far enough away that he felt like he could rest for a moment without being screeched at by a nearby Zilly.
Resting a moment, he exhaled deeply with eyes closed. When he inhaled his golden eyes shot open as he caught the scent of another lion nearby. It wasn't a scent he recognized but it was intriguing nonetheless, and Taraxa swiftly moved into a crouch. He peered through the tall grass intently, slithering through the yellowed blades like a large snake.
When he caught sight of the lioness, his eyes widened appreciatively. She was a lovely one, pretty creams and whites, and she was walking right towards him. A most excellent day to catch his first Thrall. He wondered if he could sweet-talk her into coming with him. Indeed, Taraxa knew he would have to try. Perhaps she had a soft spot for cubs? A devious grin crept over his face as he arranged himself into a very forlorn position. If coercion didn't work, he'd just have to club her over the head and drag her back.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:18 am
It must be her lucky day.
Not long after she'd left her shady tree, Mopani caught a whiff of a strange scent. Another lion? Mildly curious, she turned in the direction of the scent. If she had been a little more alert, a little more cautious, she would have detected it a while ago ... but Mopani was just having a nice afternoon stroll, and certainly wasn't on the lookout for dangers.
The rather sorrowful-looking lion before her didn't look like a danger at all. He was large, bulky, strong ... and scarred, too, poor thing ... but he looked so awfully sad. He wasn't hurt, was he? None of his wounds looked fresh to her. "Good afternoon," the lioness said, somewhat hesitantly. She wasn't afraid of him at all, had never been afraid of a stranger in her life, but she was worried about annoying him. Sometimes hurt lions preferred to sulk by themselves. "Are you well?"
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:27 am
This was the first time that Taraxa had ever attempted to lie outright to a female in order to coerce her back to the pride, and he hoped he didn't turn out looking like a stupid fool. All he really had to do to make himself sad was to think about the time that Zilly had head-cracked him and he was fighting tears in no time. Well, maybe not fighting tears, but he did feel sad about it. It had hurt, after all.
Turning a mournful gaze towards the pretty lioness, he gave a sad nod, hefting a dreary sigh before deciding it was fine to speak. She seemed convinced enough that he was quite upset. Excellent.
"Aye," he whispered morosely, "I am well. I am just... worried for my cubs."
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:32 am
Mopani was a bit relieved at the news that the brown lion wasn't injured. She had never learned much of healing, and if the poor fellow needed help he would be too heavy for her to drag anywhere. No, a trouble of the heart was better ... hopefully easier to deal with. The lioness frowned, concerned.
"Are they sick?" Mopani asked, wondering what could be the matter. They couldn't be starving - one look at the brown lion told her that he wasn't missing any meals. Mopani had never heard of slaughter or kidnapping, so it didn't occur to her that they could be in serious trouble. Illness seemed the most likely answer. "I am Mopani'lo, by the way. It is nice to meet you." She wanted to help, but she remembered her manners!
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:38 am
What was with this lioness and everything being sick? He shot her a terse look out of the corner of his eye. Maybe he should stop for a second and think about what he was doing. The last thing he wanted was to bring a Zilly Jr. back to the pride. He had his paws plenty full as it was, and he really didn't want to deal with another strange lioness.
He cleared his throat before speaking, deciding to take this farce one step further. He'd see how she responded to his next ploy for attention -- if it was favorable, Taraxa would coax her back to the pride. If she reacted strangely, well, he'd run away. Fast.
"They are without their mother," he said sadly. "How am I to raise my cubs when their mother is not here!?" The last few words were fairly wailed as he lifted his eyes to the sky as if searching for the answer there.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:44 am
Mopani raised her eyebrows as the lion spoke and then began to wail. He hadn't introduced himself, which was somewhat rude, but she supposed that he was under duress and thus could be forgiven. The lioness still felt bad for this unhappy fellow, but his troubles were starting to seem small and manageable.
"It is very sad that their mother is gone," Mopani said, her emotions plain in her voice. It was very sad, very sad indeed! It seemed awfully heartless of a lioness to leave her cubs. This poor great brute of a lion seemed to have been stricken dumb by his grief. "You will do a better job of raising them if you are with them, though," Mopani pointed out. "Unless you have them hidden behind you, they are being raised by no one at all." This was said politely but firmly. Mopani was very kind, but she also did not believe in silliness. It was terribly tragic for this lion to be alone, but he could just as easily mope with his cubs at his side. They might go wandering off without him!
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 9:50 am
Couldn't he just once -- just ONCE -- have things go the way he'd planned? He really didn't want to have to beat her into unconsciousness so that he could somehow drag her a** back to the pride. Not only would he have to drag her back, but he'd also have to deal with her anger once he got her home. Females were just terrible creatures, and he was really starting to kind of hate them.
Kind of.
Collecting himself, Taraxa drew a deep breath before continuing. "They are .. with the um.. with the nanny of the pride," he lied, clearing his throat. "I am supposed to be hunting," ...yeah, right... "but I had to stop and take this moment to wonder what kind of father I can be to them without a mother by my side to help raise them!!" Oh, woe!
He hoped she'd fall for it.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 10:03 am
This poor lion was incredibly distraught, but as far as Mopani could see there was no reason for it. Why, hadn't he just said that he had a pride, and a helpful female in it to care for his cubs? Mopani frowned for a moment, considering. Obviously the poor male's mind was too clouded by worry to take a moment and really think about his situation. With her fresh perspective on the problem, Mopani was sure that she could help this unnamed fellow out.
"Ah!" She said brightly. Yes, perfect! A perfect idea. "Why don't you and the nanny marry? She already cares for your cubs, so you can both care for the cubs together and be a family. Cubs need a family, you know." The lioness beamed, delighted that she had managed to come up with a clever solution. With a nice mate and cubs, the lion wouldn't have to be so sad!
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 10:21 am
She. Was. So. Annoying.
With a growl Taraxa rose to his feet. Why were all females so damned difficult to deal with? Why couldn't she just shut her stupid mouth and just agree to come back with him to the pride? He had two options. Beat her senseless and drag her back, or just leave and pretend that it never happened.
But she was pretty. Taraxa wanted her. He wanted to bring home a Thrall that he could be proud of. One that he could show off and say, "That's mine." One that he could even give to a good friend of his if he felt so inclined. He'd never beat a female just because he wanted her, though.
"The nanny is a male," he snorted. "Why don't you come back with me?"
Maybe this would work. If not, he'd really be pissed.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 10:37 am
Mopani took a step back, startled at the other lion's growl. She didn't believe that this unhappy stranger would hurt her, but she wondered what turbulent emotions were going through his head. The lioness was even more startled when the stranger spoke. He sounded almost grumpy, which confused her, but it was his words that really confused her.
If the lion had been trying to hint to her to come back with him, she hadn't picked up on it. She wasn't stupid, but it was such a bizarre motive for speaking to her that she hadn't even considered it. Mopani was more than happy to help as best she could, but all this male had done was moan about his lost mate. She would gladly offer help and friendship, but helping him by becoming his new mate?
It was an alien concept to Mopani, and she was quite shocked that he had suggested it.
Looking rather taken aback, the lioness finally responded. "You seem like a very nice lion, but I only just met you! I don't even know your name." Her tone was not reproachful, although she thought it was strange to talk to someone for a while without knowing their name. "I don't think I can be your mate unless I know you better. Maybe you can marry that nanny. Even though he is male, he seems like a good mother...?" She smiled hopefully. Maybe the poor befuddled lion would see sense now.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:11 am
How did one go about beating a female without killing her? Taraxa looked at the stupid lioness, watching her carefully. She was not utterly dense, he recognized that, and his tactics were obviously not working. He did not feel bad for what he was about to do as it would be necessary for him to get what he wanted. If she ran, he would chase her down. He was larger than she was and knew the landscape like the back of his paw.
"I am Taraxa," he muttered, rising to his feet. He wanted to get in the most optimal position before he struck her. He knew he was over thinking this, but he knew it had to be done.
Moving to her side, he swiftly lifted a paw and aimed it for her dense, thick skull. Stupid female. He hoped she didn't see the blow coming and just fell to her side. He'd hit her a few more times and then lug her home.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:34 am
Clueless as to what the strange lion was about to do, Mopani watched him curiously as he rose to his feet and sidled around her. She half-thought that he was going to head back to his home, wherever that was. Maybe he had taken her advice to heart, and was going home to sort things out with his helpful nanny. It was nice when -
All of a sudden she saw stars. Ow! Mopani reeled to the side, dazed. Had that lion hit her?! No one had ever hit her before! He had been fast, much too fast for her to dodge. The lioness was stunned, unable to right herself in time. She fell, her head striking an unfortunately placed rock with a solid THUNK.
Lights out.
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Posted: Wed Nov 24, 2010 11:41 am
Great.
Just great.
Taraxa was getting way too old for this s**t. He really was.
Looking down at the lioness helplessly, he watched blood lazily seep from beneath her head. He hadn't hit her that hard. With a groan he spotted the rock that had obviously caused the damage to her stupid head.
Now he'd have to hurry and drag her home so that she could be seen to. Still, he couldn't help but feel a bit of pride.
She was beautiful and she was his.
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