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 Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:04 pm
 It had been many changes of the season since she had separated from her failing pride. Looking back, Etain marveled at how naive she'd been. That had been her most singly foolish move to date. She could very easily have died many ways, and she nearly did. Starvation, prides protecting their territory, and mean rogues were just a few of the hardships she'd had to deal with.
Now, she felt a lightness in her step. Etain was close to where she remembered the borders for her pride to be. She was very happy to be coming home, yet at the same time.... scared. Would the pride still even be there? She feared most that the pride would be completely vanished, and secretly that her old friends would be gone.
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:24 pm
 The earthy lion attempted to sweep his mane from his amber eyes, but it wasn't very effective. The stubborn fur sprung right back into place, but Erufu continued his efforts despite being almost completely blinded by it. He was tending to his "garden" that he kept just within the boarders of the pride. His plant was an embarrassingly small, half-withered sapling, which was why he it was a secret hobby. This lion was very far from ever having a 'green thumb'.
Erufu's tail swayed behind him, the leaves and beads quivering in the wind as he spilled water over the dry sapling. He had to be quick so he could return to the pride, but still he took the time to stare at the thing... as if it would sprout new leaves in his presence. Sadly, that didn't happen, so Erufu directed his attention to the horizon. He squinted through the fluff of his bangs when he saw a familiar figure in the distance. The lion swept a paw over his mane once again, revealing the sight for only a split second. Was that... Etain?!
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:38 pm
The moment she crossed the "border", Etain was looking around everywhere. Surely there would be some sign of her pride still living here. A familiar lump caught her attention. Could it really be Erufu?! The lioness gave a roar of joy and bounded toward him. She had so many things to tell him! And he could fill her in too.
Her paws kicked up little puffs of dust as she charged head-long across the land. As she neared, Etain gave a bit of a leap and spread her paws wide to embrass the larger lion. "Erufu! Erufu!" A poor little sapling went unnoticed as she partially knocked into it.
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:51 pm
So it was Etain! Erufu wouldn't mistake that roar for anything. The sapling and his fail gardening skills completely vanished from his mind as he leaped toward his old friend. "Etain!" The rush of the wind parted his bangs and the leaves dangling from his mane, allowing him to see the lioness a lot more clearly. "Etain, it's you!" Erufu's world went in slow motion as he went through a burst of nostalgia, remembering the days he and Etain were young cubs. Before the dark days of the famine came and ruined everything. But Erufu refused to think about that.
The lions collided in a warm embrace, and Erufu's excess fluff absorbed the impact effortlessly. "I can't believe it's you! I thought... I thought I'd never see you again!" The lion would have cried if the joy of the reunion didn't trump the sadness of losing a friend. For a moment, Erufu found himself completely speechless, drowned in the warmth of her fur. When he finally regained clarity he reluctantly broke away from the awkward lion-hug so they could exchange news properly. "How have you been?!"
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 3:09 pm
Etain was thrilled when her long time friend remembered her. She laughed and licked his ear. "Of course its me! Who else would I be?" In the back of her mind, she noticed how thin he was. Letting go so she and he could sit down, the orange lioness gave him a grin. "Hasn't anyone been feeding you?"
"Aaaawwww Erufu. You can't get rid of me that easily. You wouldn't believe how much I've seen! There is just so much out there." She looked up at him from under her lashes. "But honestly, I've missed home. That's why I came back. Tell me. What's happened to the pride?" This was vital to her that everyone was ok.
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 3:37 pm
Erufu chuckled at the lioness's friendly humor, thankful for a moment that his fluffy mane hid his flushing cheeks from view. "Of course! The problem is finding the time to eat. There are so many battles to be won, you know." He offered her a toothy grin, lifting a paw to sweep his mane away futilely.
Erufu was eager to learn about his friend's experiences in the rogue lands. He was certain it'd take more than one night of heart-stopping, paw-tingling, thrilling stories of heroism and adventure. But the lion's daydreams were quickly swept away, and his grin vanished as his friend asked about the pride.
If she was curious about the famine, she might need to take her inquisitions to someone a little more willing to talk about it. Erufu deliberately shoved it from his mind. Too many deaths, so much tragedy. "It's just a little smaller now." The lion forced an awkward smile. "But I think it's better that way." This was just his very bad way of turning something negative into a positive. But anyone can tell it was a failure of an attempt.
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Posted: Sat Dec 11, 2010 4:53 pm
The orange lioness gave her friend a sympathetic nuzzle. Clearly he'd suffered far more by staying than she had by leaving. "No, its not better this way." She looked sadly into his eyes. "I'm sorry I left Erufu. I'm back now and I'll do everything I can to rebuild." Etain was determined not to let her pride down any more.
She looked around. "So what are you doing out here? I don't see anyone to battle, unless you thought you could challenge me." Her ear cocked playfully.
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Posted: Sun Dec 12, 2010 4:01 pm
She was right, and Erufu silently scolded himself for even thinking of saying that. "Yeah... It's really not." He hung his head like a scolded puppy, and his voice dipped to almost a whisper. "I'm glad you're back, Etain. The pride needs all the help it can get." Erufu cringed. He didn't like it when he had to admit something was wrong.
"Oh, I was ah..." Erufu perked just a little at the orange lioness' question. He'd completely forgotten his sapling, and turned to look at the thing. Through his mane he saw that it lost yet another leaf during their reunion. The fluffy lion was embarrassed to admit he was trying to nourish the plant... but it was against his nature to lie.
"I was giving this little tree some water.... It's not doing too well, though." Erufu smirked and forced an awkward chuckle. Oh yeah, what a brilliant way to impress a friend.
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Posted: Mon Dec 13, 2010 8:01 pm
She purred deeply to sooth her friend. Etain was determined to help him carry the load on his shoulders now that she was back. "I'm here and remember you can always come to me for help Erufu. C'mon lets go hunt for the pride." She recalled how a pride often need meat supplied and she liked hunting.
Curious the lioness turned to look at the poor abused plant. It didn't look like it was doing all that well, and she was fire based! "Hum. Still haven't gotten you're green thumb?" Her eyes cast a sideways glance at him. Seeing it he remembered how she use to tease him.
"So you gave it water. What about sun? Enough or too much?" She tried to think of other things that might hurt a plant.
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 2:20 pm
"Yeah, I gave it water, uh... and the sun's been generous the past few days..." Erufu gazed in the sun's general direction, quickly looking away as his eyes stung from the image. The heat of it was rather intense as well, but the fluffy feline never thought that could be the cause of a plants death.. could it? With a smirk at his own airheadedness, Erufu waved a tan paw to dismiss the subject.
"Never mind that, though. We have a lot to catch up on!" A jolly grin returning to his face, Erufu got to his paws with a stretch. "Let's go before the neighboring herd gets smart and flee the pridelands! What do you think?" The lion chuckled and bounced up, leaping in a circle around the lioness before bounding off towards the plains where he knew the nearest herd of zebra were resting. "A lot of folks are going to be happy to see you again, Etain!"
Days were always good. Days full of battles, and play and laughter... but now that Etain was involved once again, the days would be great. Fabulous. Supertastic. And any other ridiculous adjective you could think of. Erufu swelled with joy as he pranced with his friend, looking to the brightening future with his unfaltering smile.
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Posted: Thu Dec 16, 2010 4:51 pm
Etain grinned as Erufu looked toward the sun. Maybe someday he'd get his green paw, but she wasn't going to hold her breath for it. She loved her friend so much that it wouldn't matter if he never did get it. With her there he wouldn't fail.
She giggled, as always, glad he was ready to join her for a hunt at a moments notice. All was right for now. "Hahhaa, they wont get smart as long as you don't make a lot of noise." Her grin showed her high spirits and she took off after the fluffy lion.
"I'm glad to know you wont be the only one." She teased. There would be plenty of time to catch up. Etain looked forward to returning laden with meat.
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