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 Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 4:19 pm
 She knew she should have turned around when the land became treacherous. Zenobia knew she should have turned around when the smell of hyena began to grow strong in her nostrils. Still she pressed on, hoping that it was a small section that the hyena's controlled. Hoping that they wouldn't notice one lone lioness trespassing.
Now she stood surrounded by a group of five. These thoughts running through her mind. Her red eyes darted back and forth trying to keep tabs on all of them. Two, maybe three, she could have handled alone without a problem. But five. There was no way she'd escape this without some sort of injury, possibly serious too.
Zenobia snarled softly and showed her fangs. Warning the encroaching hyenas to keep their distance. Their cackling filled her ears. It was now or never! With a mighty roar the pale lioness leapt upon her nearest tormentor.
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 6:39 pm
 Fenja had spent most of her youth in rogue lands and was fairly accustomed to dealing with just about every species out there. However, she’d never really met any hyenas and of all the creatures in the savannah, they were by far the ones that she liked to avoid. Many nights had she trembled in fear, a tiny ball of fluff hidden in frightened silence as she listened to the spooky cackles of a pack and as she grew, Fenja was always anxious of trouble from those darn scavengers after a successful hunt. She knew they weren’t all bad – not from personal experience but she assumed it – but even today the bright lioness tried to stay as far away from that maniacal laughter as she could. In fact, if she wasn’t quite so desperate to ditch the young leopard that seemed to have become her stalker recently, she would’ve turned around and left at the first whiff of hyena scent.
Just when she was about to turn around, she heard a roar in the distance. It sounded female and after a brief moment of hesitation, Fenja ran towards the sound and found a pale lioness surrounded by five hyenas. Hyenas… at least there weren’t too many of them and the other lioness didn’t seem like a pushover either. She roared fiercely, giving the scavengers one warning and a chance to flee before she sprinted towards the closest hyena, barreling into the creature at full speed.
“Need help?” she asked the white lioness in a friendly but somewhat smug tone – of one who knows they’re in a easy fight - before her mouth contorted in a threatening snarl again as she turned to face the hyenas, prism-colored eyes keenly watching the scavengers’ reactions. Hopefully, her arrival and apparent confidence would be enough to end the fight.
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 7:28 pm
With her fangs puncturing the leg of one hyena, she used her back foot to kick another trying to get behind her. The unexpected roar of another lion made her let go. Zenobia turned to gap as another lioness nearly as pale as herself joined the fight. Where had she come from? For now, Zeno didn't care.
She nodded gratefully. Her distraction nearly letting a pair of hyenas get a strong grip on her. While she was dealing with them, she caught a glimpse of the other three heading for the new lioness. Apparently they didn't like lions.
Zenobia leaped and laid her claws into the side of the hyena on her left. She left a couple bite marks to send it off yelping with its tail between its legs. Her snarl filled the air as the other hyena clamped onto her tail. That hurt! Her paw came down and sent the hyena bowling. Another good swat across the head sent it beating a hasty retreat as well.
Her two run off, she turned to check on the unknown lioness.
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:35 pm
Fenja didn’t have to do much in order to dispose of the three hyenas that were after her. In fact, after landing a rapid succession of swipes on the first hyena’s face, the others seemed to become rather intimidated – though they were probably getting a little worried at how badly their friends were losing to the white lioness behind them and not at the bright lioness in particular. Fenja took advantage of their hesitation and stood her ground as she hissed menacingly.
“Go. Leave.” She growled angrily, carefully reigning in her temper. If there was a chance to end the fight without anyone else getting hurt, she would definitely take it. Slowly, the hyenas started stepping back and soon after they’d turned and ran after the others. Cowards... Fenja snorted, feeling just a little too pleased with herself even though she felt a little tense after the unfinished confrontation. She eyed the approaching lioness and smiled, her usually caution immediately forgotten. Whether it was because they had just fought together or because the other lioness had a pelt that reminded Fenja of her former pride, the prism-colored lioness felt an immediate connection with this stranger. “Hello!”
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:46 pm
Zenobia relaxed as the remaining three hyenas thought better of it and scattered. She'd been lucky the other lioness decided to show up. A smile was reassuring and she smiled back.
"Hi. Thanks for your help. I'm Zenobia. You aren't hurt are you?" From what she could see, the other was unhurt. That was lucky for them.
Zenobia purred softly, "We should probably leave this area. Hyenas tend to return in larger numbers." She turned in the direction she knew would take them out of the hyena's territory the fastest.
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:59 pm
“I’m Fenja. No, they didn’t even touch me. Apparently, they don’t like to fight when the odds aren’t five to one.” She laughed, even though deep inside she was aware of how lucky they’d been to have the struggle end so quickly.
“Yeah, you’re right. We better go.” She said and, after looking around for any signs of eminent danger, she followed Zenobia at her side. She eyed the other lioness’ markings carefully, mesmerized by the wing pattern that fell from her back and the vine markings on her legs. She was quite pretty, Fenja thought but she didn’t say it aloud. Very intense eyes as well. “Speaking of returning, you wouldn’t happen to have seen a leopard around…? Young fellow, light-colored with uh… stripe-like markings?”
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:07 pm
"A pleasure to meet you Fenja, I wish the circumstances could have been better." She gave a soft chuckle. It could have been much worse. However, fate had decided to spare them for whatever fickle reason it chose.
"You pegged them right there." She gave a wink. "I'm glad you be uninjured." She walked on quietly for a short time. Her mind running in circles. Fenja had just helped save her from serious injury or worse. Zenobia owed the lioness something in return.
When she asked about a leopard, her ears perked up. "Oh? A friend of yours? Are you looking for him?" Why would a lioness need to find a young leopard. Friends maybe?
Zenobia shook her head, "I haven't seen any leopards for days, or anyone with that description. Sorry." She took the moment to look closely at Fenja's coat. It was so close to her own. The pastels across her back and markings made her very pretty.
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:24 pm
“I’ve made many friends of different species but I don’t think I’ll ever feel comfortable around hyenas.” She admitted with a bashful smile, testing the waters. She didn’t want to appear too prejudiced – which she undoubtedly was – but the bright lioness found it hard to believe that any lion could feel comfortable around those cackling scavengers.
She did notice as Zenobia’s gaze strayed to her pale rainbow coat but when she inquired about her relationship with Hantan and seemed to feel sorry that she hadn’t seen him, Fenja’s thoughts were quickly overcome and a string of words immediately came out.
“Oh no, no regret please! I’m glad you haven’t seen him.” Realizing that she sounded rather harsh, Fenja tried to explain herself little better. “He’s very nice but he’s kind of been following me around…”
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:00 pm
"Hyenas wouldn't be my first pick either. They are ok singly as long as they know who's boss, but in groups like that..." She shakes her head, "no restraint." Zeno pondered briefly. Why didn't she like them? No real reason; perhaps it was just their insane cackling laugh that she couldn't tolerate.
Zenobia tilted her head at the lioness' sudden outburst. Clearly it wasn't how she'd first thought. She smiled and flicked her ears playfully. "Young you said? Dumb enough not to take no for no?" She sounded slightly amused. Having never been in this particular circumstance, she could clearly see the humor of it.
"Well I guess its only fair." She stopped to face Fenja. "In return for helping me against the hyenas with no help requested and danger to yourself obvious, I will help you in return. As a long time wanderer I know ways to help...." teasing look, "...evade those that you wish to evade."
It would help the young pretty lioness in return for her favor and give Zenobia a bout of amusement at the same time.
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 10:27 pm
Fenja sighed, silently agreeing with what Zenobia was saying, happy that she also shared a similar opinion regarding hyenas. She looked over her shoulder again just to be on the safe side.
“He does seem to a bit stubborn.” But definitely clever enough to outwit her in every attempt at ditching the young fellow… she would obviously have to try harder. The idea of getting some help from the other lioness did make her slightly anxious though. Fenja loved to meet new people but she also liked to keep those meetings short. Anything resembling a short or long term commitment left her feeling a little uneasy. She did not like to make plans or plot a course of action with others and yet Zenobia’s teasing look made it almost impossible not to laugh alongside the white lioness.
“Oh that’s quite alright! Actually, if you see him… uhm his name is Hantan, you can just distract him a bit or tell him I went in a completely different way. That’s more than enough.” She stopped as well, shaking from head to tail as if to release the excess tension from the short strain.
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Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 11:34 pm
"Young males do dear. They eventually grow out of it, kinda. I'm sure he'll get the hint eventually. Have you tried hanging out with him, hanging onto every word his says?" Zeno paused. It had been awhile since she'd lost the smell of hyena. That was good. She sat down to begin licking the injures on her tail clean. Between that, she kept speaking.
"Some guys want only because they cannot have. Once they have you, they really don't want you." She had no idea if it might come in handy, but it was worth a try if Fenja hadn't already. "If you don't mind my asking, what does he want so badly that he'll follow you anywhere?"
Anywhere. Zenobia was slightly concerned as she looked back toward the hyena's territory. Would he be foolish enough to go in there? She hoped not.
"Hantan hu? I will remember the name. But..." the lioness grinned, "I'm sure I can do more than send him in the wrong direction. Besides, he might be expecting that." She had some ideas, that she'd use if the time came. Tail clean the white lioness stood up. "Now is there anything I can do for you?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 11:41 am
“Oh. Oh! He’s not interested like that. I mean… I don’t think he is.” That was a whole lot of awkward that she didn’t even want to consider.
She was starting to get a little desperate to get rid of the young leopard but Fenja couldn’t deny she was also a little fond of him. After all, she still saw him as a harmless “kid” who’d been somewhat fascinated by this weird lioness that liked to sleep on trees, swim, eat fish and knew all sorts of strange things. The image of Hantan fighting the tiny fish bones came suddenly to mind and the bright lioness smirked a little.
“Ah, really, there’s no need. He’s just a silly kid.” She said lightly and chuckled again. It seemed Zenobia wanted to pay her back somehow and while Fenja could understand the feeling, she’d like to avoid any unnecessary attachments – especially considering her recent history. “I don’t really need anything right now… but I don’t know this area. Can you tell me anything about the territories and prides around here? I like to be prepared.”
“We can find a den or a tree and chat for a bit…” it seemed like a good plan. If she wasn’t in a bit of a rush, she’d take her time talking with Zeno but a short little conversation in a safe place sounded really good right now. She also wanted to say something about the other’s coat, about how pretty it was and how much it reminded Fenja of her long lost home. That did not sound like such a good idea.
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 3:22 pm
"You think?" Zenobia flicked her ears. "Perhaps that would be something to find out." She said gently, in that mother-figure way. It might be easier to solve the problem if they knew why the young leopard was following her.
"That sounds like a fine idea." Really, she wanted to rest. A chance to sit and chat was just the opportunity to let her body recover. "I think I see a tree in the distance there. What do you think?" If they could both comfortably roost in its branches that would be great.
Zenobia pondered a moment. "I'd love to help.... but unless you plan to go the way I've just come from I'm afraid I wont be much assistance. You see, I've never been through this particular area. Hence the reason you found me in the situation you did." She gave a smile at her own folly.
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 4:19 pm
“Maybe…” she admitted with some degree of uncertainty. Honestly, she hadn’t tried to properly analyze the situation as much as flee from facing it altogether.
And Zenobia didn’t know the area either, what a shame. Well, at least they could rest safely together on that tree she’d spotted as few would dare to bother two lionesses. It would take a while for Hantan to catch up anyway - if was indeed still folowing - and at the very least Fenja would be able to learn more about the place where Zeno had come from. She was always interested in that sort of thing.
“Yeah that one looks good. And sure, I’d love to know about it. I like to know about all the crazy prides out there. You hear some really weird stuff out here.” Fenja chuckled lightly before a mischievous grin took over her features. There was something… motherly about Zeno which made her feel somewhat childish and playful in return. “Wanna see who gets there first?”
And with little teasing giggle, the lioness with prism-colored eyes sprinted towards the tree in the distance.
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Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 7:42 pm
Well the idea had been planted, if Fenja decided to act upon it that was her choice.
"I don't mind telling you about the prides I've run into." She chuckled as she watched her near twin dash off toward the tree. Zenobia gave chase.
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