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 Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 4:44 pm
It had been an early start this morning, a ditch effort to try and lose the ominous shadow that seemed to have taken to tailing her. Gods--if such things existed--only knew why, but Shiva had been doing the best to ignore him thus far. How ever fruitless that had proven to be.
Unfortunately, the adolescent didn't appear to be getting anywhere very quickly these days. The brief scuffle with Mwali had left Shiva all the more worse for wear. She really was beginning to look like so many of the shabby lionesses she passed in her travels. Drab and easily forgotten. The thought made her frown inwardly with concern. It seemed a losing the battle to keep her dignity.
Hunger made her weak.
Not just physically either.
Every bony, scavenger ravished carcass that was passed by was beginning to look more and more appetizing. Things the proud Vizier's daughter would have never stooped so low to consume.
And still didn't even now.
Because his eyes were always watching her. They seemed to think she was better than that and heaven help her, Shiva wanted so badly to believe it.
But there was only so much strength one could possess and the youth was at her limit. Making no effort at all to conceal herself. No ambush. Nothing more than a hard look, a heart full of hope that he would back down without a fight and an empty belly as Shiva'soheila approached the snacking leopard. Surrender this zebra to me and there won't be any trouble.
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Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 7:07 pm
He had seen her coming from a mile away.
They both had over the curve of the beast's rotund belly.
But as per usual Hubala felt the need to state the obvious. Her pink nose quivering in obvious agitation. Perhaps it had something to do with her size, but she always seemed ready for a fight. Miju, I smell a lion coming this way..
Well, we are standing downwind of one, Bala. The leopard hummed in mild amusement, seemingly unconcerned as he licked the blood that stained his white maw. Lifting coal black gaze to watch the female approaching, absorbing the white wash colors of her pelt. She was an interesting little thing, too small to be called full grown and yet here she was. Wandering across the savanna all on her own. The closer she got, the easier it was to tell that the poor thing was in a bad way. Frowning to himself at the way she moved, leaning her weight away from her right side where his gaze was lead to a badly battered shoulder when finally she was close enough. Brazenly standing before them though every ounce of her seemed exhausted.
Surrender this zebra to me and there won't be any trouble.
On no she didn't! Get out of here with your empty threats you mangy cat or I'll-- The lively jackal had begun to growl, prancing towards the lioness. Stopped only by the paw that rested gently on her tail and a quiet voice interrupting the less than inviting rant. Hubala. Quiet.
A slow examining gaze finally lifting to a face that, despite the youth's disheveled appearance, was quite stunning. Arching a brow casually, It doesn't look to me as if you could cause very much trouble with a wound like that.
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 5:00 pm
Mwali indeed was content to follow along not really speaking so much as a word to his traveling "companion". It could have been a curiosity about this home that she seemed miserable to pretend that she didn't want to return to, or it could be that he just hadn't had quite so much fun in a while. Either way Shiva was most definitely stuck with Mwali on her tail. Everytime she eyed a carcass a little bit too closely there would come a rumbling growl from behind her, scornful. Oh hell no. She wouldn't, not if she hoped to avoid hearing never-ending taunting about how she had stooped to the level of mangy, flea ridden canines.
The wound on her shoulder didn't appear to be getting any better, making him curious as to how she got it, but only vaguely. The how didn't matter so much as the fact it was there. Did it cross his mind that there might be opportunistic predators out there that weren't objecting to the taste of lion meat, say hyenas for example? Yes, that thought had come to mind, but if it was another possible reason for him following her like a dignified vulture, well...
Being accustomed to much harsher conditions Mwali found this weather to be damn outright pleasant, keeping pace with annoying ease.
So far the day had been uneventful, the two going it mostly in silence, but when the little queen cat seemed to finally find something worth devoting her attention to her red and black shadow slowed to a stop, seating himself under the scanty (especially compared to his ridiculous bulk) shade of a nearby tree to watch, amusement in his eyes but not on his face. One might almost mistake him for a bodyguard, or maybe a dark and possessive suitor.
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 6:26 pm
There was a serious lack of amusement in the lioness' expression as her regal gaze examined the vibrant jackal making a nuisance of herself. In her state of hunger the thought that she would have made an easy meal didn't escape Shiva's realization. Opening her mouth to warn the leopard of just that much when she was caught, rather off guard by his completely unbiased observation. As if he were taking note of something as simple as the time of day instead of insulting the kajira to her face.
W-what?! You come on the other side of this zebra and try saying that again you sorry excuse for a---aaaahh?! Growling tone turned into a shrill of surprise as the little female, now leaning her paws on the belly of the fallen body as if it were her own property, was once again startled by the stranger and his inappropriate behavior, as his pale paws touched her shoulder completely unbidden.
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 8:26 pm
Miju had met a number of lions over the years, but never one that was quite so... loud as this one was. Not that he was the least bit put off, already far too intrigued by a potential chance to flex his skills as a medic to give the lioness' threats much consideration. Releasing the pinning hold on Hubala's tail in favor of circling around to more closely examine the clean edges of the diagonal split in her shoulder.
The ominous shadow looming in the distance didn't escape the healer's acute sense of awareness, though it crossed his mind to ponder what his intentions were. Was he stalking a potential victim? Surely this female wouldn't last long given her condition. We have company it would seem.
Quiet voice thrummed observantly while hooking a dew claw into the crusted fur along the edge of the unsavory wound. Prying for a deeper look. Hubala, get my bag.
Miju beckoned to Hubala and then continued without barely a pause. This is an impressive gash.. based on the bruising it looks like you got trampled.
Behind him Hubala growled on outrage, hackles raising. You're not really going to help that little terrorist, are you?!
Bala, my bag. The cool blue figure repeated calmly.
Fine! But I'm telling you this is going to bite you in the a**, Miju. Sniffing indignantly, dainty head was lifted haughtily in the lioness' direction before she turned and danced off. Stride full to the brim with that sassy attitude as blush colored female rooted around by some rocks, snagging one of the leather bags in her teeth. Thankfully the tanned hide quieted her irritable muttering, that was, until she dropped it at the leopard's paws. A sharp leer pinning the strange feline with blatant dislike, You should be thankful my master is so kind, I would have left you for dead.
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Posted: Thu Mar 17, 2011 11:13 pm
Seeing as she wasn't being actually harmed and the leopard seemed to notice him not far away Mwali didn't seem too concerned. He folded his front paws, betraying his relaxed air as he watched her try to claim a prize (At least this one wasn't a rotting corpse.) from the duo. It didn't seem to be working any better than her tangle with the crocodiles had. Maybe worse, the lesser cat didn't seem phased by her attitude anymore than Mwali himself, which was amusing and maybe a touch commendable. More amusing still was the jackal, fierce in spirit despite it's diminutive size. He could almost be HEARD smirking from his seat.
Mwali gave a large yawn after, revealing lethal fangs only for them to be concealed again as his mouth shut once more.
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2011 4:01 am
The white enamel of her teeth groaned against the tension that was placed on tightly clenched jaws as a single claw hooked into her flesh. Pulling layers of poorly healing severed skin apart, her slender frame flinched in annoyance. H-Hey! That hurts! What're you trying to do?!
Miju only hushed her though, pressing his opposite paw firmly against a small bubble beneath pastel fur, reopening the wound and revealing a pocket of greasy, white puss where the laceration had become infected. Gross as it was, the relief of pressure on her shoulder made Shiva reconsider chewing out the quiet, focused leopard. I guess you know what you're doing..
Admitting begrudgingly, lavender gaze drifted over her unmarked shoulder towards the lazily lounging figure a safe distance away. Tone dry with a bristling sort of amusement as she looked away before her eyes could linger too long. Who, Mwali? Trust me.. he's no threat to us.
As if his thoughts were branded on his his face, Shiva was quick to dispel any concern. Turning her head back again just in time to watch Hubala trot up with a tanned bag dangling from her mouth. Taking in the frustratingly arrogant little dog with a look that spoke volumes of the evil deeds she could have done. You should be thankful your master is standing between us. I may be injured, but that wouldn't stop me from killing a flea like you.
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Posted: Sat Mar 19, 2011 10:54 pm
Hold still. The message wasn't as clearly spoken as it was written in the leopard's gestures as Miju expressed a grim fascination toward the milky secretion. Studying it with the same intensity as an astrologer's gaze might have pierced the night skies or a historian pouring over records of their pride. Well well well...
Clucking his tongue in quiet contemplation, Mijumaru ignored his patient's haughty posturing. It was obvious she was more growl than bite, particularly given the state of her injury. The Gods must favor you.
Another few weeks without treatment and this could have ended badly for you. He added after a moment as a means of explaining the first comment. If only because the lioness had given him a rather confounded look, as if Miju had sprouted a second head. It wasn't in the medic's nature to wonder about the story of those he encountered, so it never crossed his mind to wonder why he'd received such a startled expression to begin with. Drawing back from the female with a chuckle as he twisted on his haunches to dig through his "magic" bag. Yea, cool isn't it?
Chilled blue ears twitched--for all intensive purposes appearing attentive to the girls bickering and yet as he pulled a carefully chosen stone of pumice from the bag, he didn't seem any the wiser to the impending scuffle. Interrupting Hubala before the jackal could whip back with another witty remark. Bala... why don't you invite our friend out there to come join us? No reason he should have to be left out.
Plum colored hues drifted towards her distracted traveling companion with dismay as Hubala's mouth closed with a distinct click. Pretending for a moment that it was the lioness' tail she was biting down on as she bobbed her head obediently. Managing to speak around gritted teeth, You're gonna invite the big one over here too?! Fine! Great! Wonderful!
But don't tell me I shoulda warned yah when these con artists clean you out! The tiny female called over her shoulder, already trotting out towards the tiny spot of shade where the other one lingered. She didn't know what his deal was and didn't particularly care either given this was only a ruse to keep her from causing any more trouble with the lioness Miju was attempting to treat. He was so single-minded sometimes.
HEY YOU! FLUFFY! Come on over here! Your girlfriend needs medical attention and she wants you to hold her paw! Plush tail flicked impishly as she shouted to the figure in the distance. Far enough between the two that she could be sure that both sides would be able to hear.
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 1:55 pm
If Shiva were paying attention to Mwali then she could perhaps take comfort in at least the rare treat of seeing him actually looking affronted and surprised for once. The look on his face as he whipped his big head around to regard the little speck of pink fur-- FLUFFY? Did it just call him FLUFFY?? --was one not to be taken for granted. It was also gone a mere second later as he narrowed his eyes at "it", as he'd taken in his mind to referring to her.
I seriously doubt that. He denied, but didn't bother correcting the "girlfriend" part. Still, he'd take the chance to rib her a bit. Such a gift from the gods, though not rare, shouldn't be ignored.
So it was that his muscled bulk rose and his paws took to carrying him forward at a leisurely pace (mustn't give off any air of concern for his entertainment), drawing gradually closer. There was a rare smirk on his maw and mirth in his eyes, but what his look didn't convey was that his taunting was also meant to take her mind off of whatever pain might be inflicted by the treatment. That cut looked rather nasty up close, it was the first time he'd seen it this near in a few days since she'd gotten it.
Enjoying yourself?
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:12 pm
If the Gods favored me I don't think I'd be in the position I'm in. Shiva stated blandly with a sigh, resisting the urge to complain when the leopard demanded she hold still. It was a lot harder than it sounded when he was poking and prodding at her, wasn't flinching a natural reaction? Even if the tiger-striped youth wasn't entirely prepared to believe that the little jackal called "Miju" was doing this for her sake alone, she tried to remain still. Sinking slowly onto her haunches, a second, more drawn out sigh spilling past her maw grimly. Well, it started as a breathy exhale anyway, turning into a sputtering sound when the pair of traveling medics had actually decided it might be a good idea to call the shadowy giant over to watch her squirm. Damnit! The last thing she needed was his dumb face baring down at her with that insufferable grin, all knowing and so cocksure. He'd probably enjoy her struggle to pretend that it didn't hurt.
Not that Shiva was attempting to wear such a cool facade to impress him.
It was just that a grimace of pain was far too ugly an expression for someone as lovely as her to make.
Right?
Only half convinced, a dagger-eyed glare stabbed at the unpleasant canine in her presence. Correcting clearly when Mwali didn't. I'm not his girlfriend.
A similar look of displeasure meeting the lumbering frame that approached, admittedly somewhat confused by the nervous sensation that bristled in her stomach as he drew closer. After all the effort she made to keep Mwali at a distance these two had to wreck everything with their obliviousness, inviting the warrior cat into the vicinity the feisty kajira had been striving to keep him out of. Cutting tongue proving that Shiva was not just a pretty face. Not as much as you, I'm sure..
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 3:46 pm
Although evidently not wary enough to hold her tongue around the feline pair, Hubala did skirt around Mwali. Giving the imposing figure a wide berth of space as they returned to the zebra corpse where her companion was tending the lioness' ugly shoulder wound. Her quicker gait spurred by the familiar beckon of Miju's concentrating tone. Hubala, come here please. I'm going to need some things from that other satchel in a moment.
Aye aye, boss! Chirping cheerily, she ignored the cutting look from the pale lioness brazenly, feeling rather brave while the medic kept her too preoccupied to retaliate. Even going so far as to add a wry little remark knowing her opponent had already been forced into immobility but Mijumaru's work. Not his girlfriend, eh?
Her plush tail flicked lazily, the grin widening across her muzzle as she batted her lashes emphatically. I dunno about that. Me thinks the kitty protests too much..
Hubala, silence. Warning the pint-sized terror in his most severe tone, eyes which were normally bored and distant had hardened with the intensity of his focus. Using the craggy, ash colored stone to scrub the open wound until it was raw and pink. Both hollowing out the abscess that had formed and removing any scabbing that had begun to form since the laceration had first occurred. It was undoubtedly a rough experience, aware of the way his patient tensed beneath his touch, but a necessary part of the process if he was to be sure the wound was thoroughly cleaned before providing further treatment.
And if Mwali's nearness affected his nerves, it certainly didn't reflect in the leopard's work which as mercifully quick as he could afford without compromising thoroughness.
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 4:23 pm
Obviously.
He was unruffled by her look, but then that did seem the norm for them. His indifference and his ability to shrug things off had to be his most annoying trait. Growing up in his family, though, he'd long since learned how to ignore and shrug off the more emotional and vocal sort. His parents-- for as much as they cared for one another --the arguing, it was just about nonstop.
Mwali made himself comfortable. The way that grin formed one might almost think he was purposely trying not to disappoint her expectations, but of course he didn't even know she had them. It was brief, however, settling into a smirk again, eventually leaving his muzzle completely. There was really only so much he could contribute, and he had no interest in figuring out just WHAT in the world the leopard was doing (aside from a mild curiosity about the stone). It wasn't long before he looked bored again.
Chatty little thing, aren't you?
That was directed at Hubala.
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 7:06 pm
Never much on words, that one, but always enough to conquer the moment. Shiva thought to herself trying not to sulk. It was almost as if the less he said the easier it was for him to win these little tete-a-tete's they had. Mwali must have had a lot of experience, because he made it look easy.
Of course, her attention was drawn away rather quickly from the lion who had been following her for days now. The same one that--regretfully--had probably saved her life. Instead silky head whipped around towards the leopard at her side with a violent sense of shock. That haunting presence was about all that kept her from screaming, though she wasn't stalwart enough not to bare her teeth at him and growl. It certainly felt like he was trying to rip her shoulder open wider--evident enough by the flesh that tore away and remained attached to the porous surface of the stone. Whatever the hell type of healer the leopard claimed--had he actually ever claimed to be one? The Ukuucha girl had to pause and think about that now--it obviously wasn't his first priority not to cause pain. A hiss sliding through clenched teeth in warning. Hurry up or I'm going to kill you.
There wasn't exactly a whole lot of distance between them. With her good arm Shiva could have probably taken his eye and that thought alone pacified her. Claws sinking into the soft ground beneath her paws as the the blood from her newly agitated wound wept crimson tears down the length of the limb, beginning to pool in the dirt. Her attention drifting towards Mwali and the jackal who had imposed herself upon them with antagonizing conversation, if it could really be called conversation. It felt more like baiting, lavender hues rolling in her skull. Do you have a legitimate purpose, or does he only keep you around to distract others from taking a bite out of him?
Her voice hitching with pain as the leopard continued to scrub the gash vigorously.
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Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2012 8:38 pm
Well someone has to be! Doc never says much that ain't related to his work. He's kind of a bore, to be honest. Despite the fact that Mijumaru was in earshot Hubala didn't bother to pull her punches, her tone also happened to be rather matter-of-fact as if they were talking about the weather. It probably gave the impression that she often talked about the medic as if he wasn't around... and she did. Not to be hurtful, it was just Bala's way. A nonchalant glance showing only vague interest in what the bristling lioness had to say. Having been on the other side of Miju's rough handling, the jackal could sympathize with the lioness.
Hubala didn't though. Whatever trouble the girl had gotten into was liable to be her own fault as was most of the injury cases her companion stumbled across. She did, secretly, admire the rogue's ability to steel her resolve and tolerate the pain without barely any fuss at all. The tiny canine had hardly been such a willing patient and had cursed Miju out the entire time he had worked on her. Do you have a legitimate purpose or does he only keep you around because yah happen'ah be nice to look at?
Turning the question around on her wryly, Hubala couldn't help but give Mwali an intrigued glance, ears flicking lazily as her natural desire to gossip finally kicked in. What're you two doing out here in the middle of nowhere anyway? Don't you got a pride you should be paling around with or something?
If the distracted healer was taking note of the conversation, he didn't indicate as much, brow furrowed in thought as he measured his options. There was always several ways to handle any sort of injury, how best to treat it was debatable, but Miju tended to take his patient into consideration when deciding how to proceed. Obviously hunters required to be able to get on their feet quicker to continue stalking prey and warriors were treated for pain to get them back on the battlefield. This little female didn't seem to be either of those things though, rather it was her beauty--even in her rough state--that stood out as her most valuable quality. That in mind the leopard pondered over how best to keep such a grave cut from scarring.
If anyone was capable of such a feat, Miju was.
Dropping the rounded stone back into his bag, blood soaked and covered in torn bits of dead skin husk and fresh, pink flesh, pale forepaws dug through the leather carrier in search of something--Ah hah!
Pulling out an old glass bottle he had stumbled upon in his travels ages ago a clear fluid sloshed inside, contained by the self-made cork. Pulling the flask free and then the wooden stopper free with his teeth the entire container was poured over the now throbbing wound, flushing the puss and blood to leave the laceration clean and open to medication and suturing.
Once the container was finally empty, both the bottle and cork were returned to the back and the medic continued his searching. Ears flattening with annoyance when the ingredients he needed didn't appear to be readily available. Bala, where are those leaves I organized the other day?
You already used them, the remainder of the crude ointment is wrapped up... somewhere. With a shrug of her small shoulders the girlish jackal sat back tail curling around her haunches. She'd wait a moment longer and if the absent-minded medic couldn't find it, then she'd locate it for him. That was the way of these things.
Oh. Right. I remember now. Pursed maw hummed to no one in particular, while pulling out a leaf that had been rolled up, folded down and tied with a coarse piece of hair from some animal or another. Most likely the tail of a zebra or oryx given that they were the longest. Plucking the string loose the yellowing leaf unfurled revealing a gritty green and yellow paste which Mijumaru wasted no time applying to the open wound which threatened to continue to bleed if something wasn't done quickly to prevent it. Murmuring more to himself than anyone else as he worked. This should prevent the wound from oozing..
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