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 Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 12:43 pm
Taraxa was starting to feel like quite the accomplished lion. He belonged to a fine pride, one with strong warriors and beautiful females (his daughters included), his sons were growing up to be big and mighty and Taraxa took pride in that thought. Nymph hadn't spoken to him in days past, and Zilly had gone sight unseen for a lengthy time, and so Taraxa was left to his own devices more often than not. That suited the older lion just fine, as he was not in need of companionship... well, not really. He missed it, and so on this day he was on a hunt for one of his children. Didn't really matter which one he stumbled upon first.
Squinting his eyes against the midday sun, Taraxa peered around the area near his den. His eyes widened gleefully as he spotted one of his boys, Lennart. With purpose his large feet carried him towards his son -- perhaps the boy would be up for a spar?
"Lennart," Taraxa called to his boy roughly, intending to capture his attention.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 12:54 pm
In contrast to his father, the pale-coated youngster hadn't been thinking of the recent past. No, the white and sun-hued youth's thoughts had been directed at the near future. As his size had grown, so had his strength and at first, it had been an adventure just to find out what new things he could do each day, but along with height and muscle, something else had slowly grown within the young fighter, an awareness and a sense of responsibility to his pride and to his father. He spent time thinking about things, what he had done, what he would do, what he should do. Not that all this thinking had stopped his training, for Lennart was nothing if not dedicated to the ways of his birth pride.
For the moment he had settled just beyond the family den, stretched out and sunning himself after a morning's play and sparring with his siblings and the pride's other youngsters. At the call of his name he craned his head round, pale eyes lighting as he spotted Taraxa.
"Father!" Raising to his paws he trotted over, curious about the reason why his dad had sought him out.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:00 pm
Ahhh, Taraxa loved his cubs. It was amazing how much they had grown since he'd brought them home. They were all rather smart, his daughters amazingly lovely... and Loki caused him trouble here and there but it was nothing that he could get too angry over. Taraxa took a small amount of secret pride in the trouble that his son could stir up. Well, Ulrika could drive him insane with her constant following and weepy eyes, but he took it for what it was -- a daughter's love and concern for her father, and no matter how much it could get on Taraxa's nerves he knew that he would do anything for any of his cubs, even if it meant allowing his daughter to simper around behind him as if any move he made would ultimately end in his untimely death.
And Lennart, what a respectful boy he was. Greeting his father with respect. Taraxa beamed at his light-haired boy. "Lennart, my body finds itself restless. What say you to a friendly spar between father and son?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:09 pm
Grinning at his father's words the youngster pulled himself up to his, admittedly not yet impressive height. "It would be an honor." Still young enough to get over excited, the younger stormborn bounded round his father and took several strides own the path before spinning round and grinning back at Taraxa.
"Want to go down to the sparring sands?" He asked excitedly, eyes shining. He knew his father was busy a lot of the time, not only with his other kids, but with his pridal duties. Having Taraxa all to himself for a while filled the pale youth's chest with a warm, fizzy feeling. Lennart was also eager to prove all that he had learned of late, and to show off his new found stamina and strength. Though he was a long way from the level of all the other pride's reavers, he hoped to one day be able to match his father and stand along side him in a Viking.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:21 pm
Taraxa chuckled at Lennart's exuberance and dipped his head in the affirmative, indicating with a paw that they should make their way to the sands. It wouldn't take them long at all to get there, but Taraxa was in no hurry. He enjoyed spending time with his children when he could, but the life of a Reaver was never dull and Taraxa was busy more often than not. He could only hope that his children could look back at his less than stellar parenting techniques and see that he'd done the best he could. He never raised a paw in anger to any of his children and he never would.
"Talk as we walk, Lennart," Taraxa began, a fiendish look in his eye as he tossed his son a sideways glance, "have any beautiful females caught your eye yet?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:31 pm
Stepping backwards a few paces the youngster waited excitedly for his father to catch up, but at the command he curbed the urge to run and settled in to walk along side Taraxa. The question made the white fur of the boy's face darken with a blush, ears flattening. "Daaaaaaad.....!" Squirming a little Lennart gave his father a pleading look, but finally gave in. "I dun know... " Lowering his head he thought of the adorable ball of fluff he had spotted outside the Warlord's den, she was all midnight and sunset hues with a stunning moon-like marking, and fireflies dancing about her. But he had been too scared of annoying the imposing Warlord Aesir to go over and find out her name. Plus, she was far younger than he, but she seemed so sweet, sat out in the sun, gazing about with those big dark eyes of hers.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:39 pm
Taraxa chuckled. He remembered being an easily-embarrassed youth many years past. Though his own father hadn't been around, he'd put up with plenty of ribbing from the Reavers in the pride -- it was all in good fun. Taraxa paused and lifted a paw to ruffle his son's sunny mane. "Ahhhh, so you have met a pretty little thing!" He grinned at Lennart, gracing him with an approving nod. "Women can be fickle, boy. Stay true to yourself. You'll find the right female. Don't be led astray by a soft paw and bright eyes." Lennart was probably too young to make use of such advice, but it was an important conversation for a father to have with his son.
Not like Taraxa was fit to be giving advice on women (nor would he admit to this).
Soon enough they'd reached the sands and Taraxa dug his feet into the warm gritty dirt.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 1:51 pm
Blushing Lennart nodded, before smiling from under his father's paw. Ears pricking up as they resumed their walk, Lennart took his farther's words to heart, though they didn't really make sense to him just yet, he had faith that he would understand one day, and he looked up to his father as his guide to all things of the adult world.
Arriving at the sparing grounds, the youth grinned in anticipation and ran round to the other side, turning to face his dad. Crouching down a little, he readied himself. "Ready!"
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:10 pm
Taraxa grinned and got into position. "Now, a smart lion never attacks first. Well, I should say that I never attack first, son. I force their hand. Watch for their weaknesses. You have to size up your opponent." That being said, Taraxa moved into a low crouch, his muscles sleek beneath his fur. He was a bulky lion, large in stature, but he was no sloth. Rugged and worn, a warriors body laced with scars, Taraxa took pride in his form.
Claws sheathed Taraxa made a leap for his son. He didn't want to do him bodily harm, but he did want to see what Lennart's reaction would be.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:22 pm
Listening intently, Lennart memorized everything his father said, even if it didn't all sink in the first time he would be able to go over this later in his mind and work it out. Ears pricked and legs braced, Lennart watched his father closely. He was clearly outmatched, being less than half Taraxa's size and quiet simply, an inexperienced youngster, he was eager to learn all he could.
When the older lion leaped, Lennart darted to the side, skidding as he misplaced a paw and instead of managing a counter attack, he was barely able to land a paw against his father's side. His own claws were sheathed for this was play, and the youngster would never dream of hurting family.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:28 pm
Taraxa struggled to hide the laugh that threatened to escape his lips. He didn't think Lennart would appreciate being laughed at, not that Taraxa would ever dream of laughing at his son maliciously. But this here, this was serious business and Taraxa was shocked at how fast his son could move.
"Very good, Lennart. Had we been lions of the same stature, well, I have little doubt you'd have done even better." It was an offhanded compliment but Taraxa didn't want to fawn over his son -- that was saved for his daughters.
"Now, come at me." Taraxa braced himself in the sand and waited for his son to approach.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:44 pm
Smiling as he picked himself back up he was grateful for the kind words, but knew he would have been dead if this had been serious. A stumble like his would have been the end. "Thank you father." The praise meant much to the young lion and he felt a little more settled as he turned to crouch for his own attack.
Uncertainty plagued him, too many choices, visions of failure. but with a deep breath he stuffed it all to the back of his mind and with an almost silent grunt, he raced forwards, darting to the side before going low and aiming to sweep Taraxa's feet out om under him. Being so much shorter and lighter than his opponent, Lennart knew the only way to gain a point would be to do something unexpected.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:51 pm
In all honesty Taraxa had been expecting his son to take the high road and use his small size to his advantage, leaping to land on Taraxa's back. When that didn't happen, Taraxa couldn't help but grunt and stumble when his son moved in for a lower approach. Lennart was smart and fast, both frightening things to see in an opponent.
This time Taraxa did laugh, a loud belly-laugh that told of the pleasure he'd gained from his son's aptitude in the spar. Straightening himself, Taraxa gave a hearty shake to dislodge any sand that had gotten caught up in his fur before turning his attention to Lennart.
"Very good, boy! Took me by surprise. A smart move." His voice was full of pride and again he reached forward a paw to ruffle the yellow mane of his son.
"You've been practicing?"
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 2:57 pm
Darting backwards he startled when his father began to laugh, but he certainly wasn't offended, rather relieved that he seemed ot have done the right thing, and allowed himself to be just a little bit pleased with himself for surprising his reaver father.
Chuckling as Taraxa ruffled the tuft of his wana-be mane, the youngster stood proudly. Eyes shining at the praise from his dad. "Yes I have. Every day." He replied, grinning up at Taraxa. He still wasn't really confident in his abilities yet, but his dad's words went along way to easing the youth's secret fears. He hoped o one day be as great a reaver as his dad, and he worked hard for when that day finally came.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 3:08 pm
"It shows," Taraxa rumbled proudly, obviously pleased by his son's dedication to training. "You make your father proud, Lennart." He hoped the words meant something to his son. Taraxa had never heard those words from his own father, and each day he prayed to the Gods that he had made his father proud.
To lighten the mood, Taraxa clapped his son on the back and gestured with a paw towards the main central area of the pride. "What say we find some food to eat and then I can tell you of your mother? A fine ending to a fine day, wouldn't you say, Lennart?"
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