|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 12:58 pm
Instead of trekking along the borders of the pride's lands, the leopard decided to instead test her luck deeper within the territory. A rare treat she enjoyed just to state her urge and dire need to be a part of this pride. Previous encounters with the members let her know that she wasn't welcomed. No matter the fact that her coloration and spirituality was reminiscent to those of the tribe.
Hoalohanani almost always prowled at night. A creature of the shadows, habitually using the darkness to frighten youngsters. It wasn't much different than her current use of the skills to sneak around in hopes of going undetected.
The swish of blades and brush gliding against her form made it apparent when the leopard made any sudden movements. She practically snaked along the ground, slithering from tree post to tree post, keeping a keen eye out for any pride members scouting the area at night of any outsiders.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 1:33 pm
 Quiet as mouse but with the elegance of an elephant on ice, Mtoto sifted herself through the vines and bushes surrounding her. She was still so young, that her eyesight had not fully adjusted to the darkness yet. She often worried if her eyesight would ever truly adjust to the darkness. She had faith that it would, it just had to or else she would never be able to care for her friends.. ThumpMtoto's belly hit the ground with force of her fall, and she frowned as she looked back at the vine that had caused it. Luckily it didn't seem harmed, and she bowed her head in respect to it. Before quickly pulling herself to her feet to continue her journey. But she suddenly halted in her tracks, and held her breath in fear. Something was out there, out there in the darkness... What if her parents had found her? What if it was one of those creature Saager had told her about!? In an instant, everything Saager had tried to teach her, seemed to fall into place and make perfect sense. She was frozen in fear, her eyes that only part of her body that could move. Using this to her advantage, she squinted them as hard as she could and glared into the stillness of the night. For a moment she debated calling out, but then it hit her. Some kind of smell.. she couldn't recognize the scent, but something about it intrigued her. It smelled feline.. but it was certainly not a member of her pride. She was quite familiar with each and every single member. As Mtoto contemplated this thought in her mind, something else came to her. Her friends! Was this strange new scent, and the individual behind it, out to hurt them? With a low, soft, very non fearsome growl forming in her chest, Mtoto put on her most fearsome scowl, and stiffened her tail in preparation for what sounded as though it were getting nearer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 28, 2011 3:02 pm
Hoalohanani's nostrils flared as she inhaled deeply. Around the time Mtoto had sniffed her out, Hoalohanani got a whiff of the cub's scent. "A chiiiild..." The leopardess' lips pulled back into a devilish smile. It was hard to repress the urge to tear through the forest and frighten the living daylights out of the youngster. When in these lands the leopardess knew she needed to keep her questionable habits under check.
With each step closer she drew towards the little feline, the more antsy Hoal became. Before long, the female reverted to her normal habits. Bowed low to the ground, practically slithering along as she flattened her ears back against her head. Hoalohanani had a reputation in the rogue lands. The monster with golden eyes. With practice the female knew how to bend and arch her figure to appear different.
Now that her step had purpose, Hoal gained a precision to her gait. Paws delicately sweeping over the ground. Though the weight of vines and moss did lay over her flank. The thick forest of the pride was difficult to travel through. And Hoal merely ambled through anything. Snapping veins or stepping onto flowering plants without too much notice. Hoalohanani was spiritual, but moreso with other sentient creatures.
Soon enough the noise of Mtoto's growl was within earshot. It only caused the older female to smile bitterly, 'She's a feisty one, isn't she?' Were her thoughts as she turned the corner of a tree's base to get a view of her 'victim' for today. Ambling up towards the aggressive little femme, Hoalohanani chuckled, "Are you all alone, little one?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 8:18 pm
The young cubs ears perked even higher the second the twigs began to snap. She dug her claws even deeper into the dirt, gritting her teeth and allowing her growl to become more pronounced. She still wasn't quite sure what the noise was, or that she could defend herself against it; her friends on the other hand were a different story entirely.
The waiting felt like agony, being forced to listen with increased pain as her friends were crushed beneath the weight of a creature unknown. The wind slowly blew a small breeze past her, and Mtoto held back the tears she could feel on the edge of her eyes.
It wasn't long after the wind blew it's sad song that Mtoto's new found enemy revealed itself. A shudder ran down her spine as she looked into the odd creature's eerie golden eyes. There was something off about her, and it wasn't that Mtoto had no idea what she was...
Holding back her fear Mtoto puffed out her chest and let out a low hiss and she responded to the odd question she had been asked. As much as she now wished she had stayed home, she hadn't. To be completely honest, it was pretty obvious she was alone, so what the heck was this creature going on about?
"No. I'm not alone. But I wouldn't expect you to understand that..."
The deeper her claws slid into the soil, the more strength and courage she seemed to gain and she swelled with pride at her comment.
Sure. She looked alone, but she knew better than that. There were plants all around her, and even if there was nothing they could do to help her physically - they gave her more than enough moral support.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:55 pm
The leopardess contemplated her options. Might she snap at this youngster? Maybe display the clear vast gap in strength between them would get the younger one to cower nicely.
'No, no... can't hurt those of this pride.' The leopardess thought bitterly. This might as well been torture for her. Being so close to a pleasure and yet having it so out of reach. Like repressing the urge to devour a fresh carcass when half starved. It took a lot of will power. And made the leopardess' tummy grumble.
"So, there are adults about then?" Hoalohanani's eyes glanced around shortly after, frowning a bit. She didn't need this cub's parents or some other caretaker getting the wrong impression. So for now, the leopardess behaved. When Hoalohanani's gaze did return to the cub, she merely sneered at the youngster's expense. It was obvious the girl was attempting to intimidate her. But failed... for obvious reasons.
"It doesn't work to your benefit to make stupid decisions, cub." Hoalohanani said through a smile, "Do you think you can scaaare me away? Or fight me off?" For now, the female remained stationary. "Come now, show me what you've got..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:08 pm
Mtoto puffed out her chest even bigger, her determination growing the more she felt the pain of her friends. The longer the wind blew around her, the more the tears pushed at her eyes. But she wouldn't let them out, this female obviously didn't belong here, even if her coloring was right. She might have been able to look past that, if not for her blatant disregard for the plants around her. How many times since her birth had she fussed at even the oldest lions of the pride for that same problem? There was no way she was going to be any different.
The leopardess' tummy brought Mtoto back into the here and now, and farther away from the fury that boiled just below her fur. The first thing she heard upon her return to reality was the question of nearby adults. Well sure, there was the possibility of adults around - especially guards and hunters - but this intruder didn't have to know that. If one so happened to show up, it wouldn't affect Mtoto nearly as much as it would affect her.
"I don't remember mentioning any adults." Mtoto returned the intruder's intimidating sneer as best she could. Which really wouldn't be all the fearsome coming from a cub. Yet it quickly faded as the next comment slid across the air into the cub's ears.
"I'm not stupid, and neither are my decisions! Maybe you should think twice about who's stupid. You're the thing that's sneaking around at night, and I know you don't belong! Mtoto glared accusingly at the other female, not nearly as brave as her outer exterior attempted to portray. And her heart hanging heavier at the insult she had flung. She hadn't meant to call the other a thing, but she really didn't know what else to call her. Mtoto had never actually seen anything like her, and knowing every member in her pride - it was even more apparent that this thing didn't belong.
But her heavy heart didn't last long. This new offer sent a new shiver along her spine as she stood tall.
"I may not be able to scare you away, and I sure won't try. But I know quite a few others who could do that for me.
All it takes is a little cry, and you'll see what they've got.
Beginning to swell with pride once again, Mtoto awaited the creature's response.
Would she prove to everyone just how stupid she really was? Or was she smart enough to realize the power the cry of a cub actually had?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
