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 Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 4:39 pm
Publicity: private
Location: A short distance from the pride's new location atop a badger den that is now in a somewhat sad state of disrepair courtesy of the lioness's passage. The badger has just emerged and after berating them offered to trade information for meat.
Weather: Hot, dry, and with not even the faintest of breezes, though the sky is dark and cloud-filled.Bẹ̀rù was still in a deeply foul mood over the pride's decision to relocate in search of more fertile lands. The fact that the pride had been nomadic in the past did nothing to change her mind. That had been then, and in this situation she felt, and continued to feel, that the decision and the resulting action was stupid.
Even though they had eventually found a place that was better able to provide for them, she still felt the cost overall was too high and had been making her disapproval known through a general air of sullenness and speaking far more sharply than usual to anyone who had voted for the pride to move, and even avoiding those who she considered friends if they had voted for this move.
It was one of the reasons Beru had chosen to ask Simosihle to accompany her when they went hunting. The grey lioness had voted to stay, just as Beru had, and that made her more of a friend and ally as far as the purple-eyed lioness was concerned than lionesses like Tapa, who had supported the move. That their hunt had been successful actually irritated Beru, since it could only serve to make her stance on the issue look like the wrong one.
But none of that had much to do with the badger who had begun by scolding Beru and Simosihle for treading on his den, Beru reminded herself. She knew badgers were supposed to be capable of impressive acts of violence, and she had no desire to be on the receiving end of such. At the moment, however, he didn't seem like he was going to attack and so she settled down to listen to what the smaller creature had to say, keeping an eye on their prey just in case.
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Posted: Wed Aug 31, 2011 4:06 pm
While Beru was expressing her bitterness towards the pride about the decision to move from the lands the Ithambo had once called him, Simosihle could only portray a sense of loss. Like the mossy green lioness she felt the sting of betrayal by her best friend who had aided in pushing forward the motion to leave the lands they had grown up in. How could things have changed so much? Simo felt as if she was going insane. When had Nikon begun to change? Or was she the one who was changing?
It was these thoughts that continued to plague the dusty huntress as her pride moved across the plains in search of refuge. As they settled into new, unfamiliar lands. Even now as she and Beru returned from a successful hunt, thanks mostly in part to her companion's ability to make up for Simo's distracted state of mind and work it to their advantage.
Perhaps it was that state of complete obviousness that had caused this mess. Actually, that was a lie. She knew it was her fault, considering she was the one that had fallen in the poorly constructed ratel den and incurred the wrath of the the little brown devil. Despite the fact, she could hardly bring herself to care much, giving the creature a look of complete disinterest as he berated them bitterly.
What's wrong with you two?! Didn't your mothers ever teach you any manners? Trampling all over someone's home! Why don't you both look where you're going you clumsy, oafish, dimwitted, inconsiderate-- Fuko must have gone on like that for several minutes, barely able to contain his small, stocky frame from quivering with anger. Wheezing by the time he had come full circle to his point. He may have been long in the tooth, but there was still plenty of fight left in his old bones! Enough that this pair was certainly going to regret having messed with him! --mud for brains, little furbags!
Huffing to catch his breath when his rage had finally begun to diffuse and the scent of their fresh catch made his black, button nose wiggle, Fuko grumbled and stalkingly waddled around them. Giving their kill a better once over and swatting a heavy paw at their flipping tails, purposefully. Stating dryly with an indignant sniff when he had come full circle. What're you two doing all the way out here anyway? Ain't never seen many lions runnin' about these parts. Don't tell me you're part'ta that damn, sorry lookin' group that passed by not too long ago?
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:52 am
Beru continued to stare at the ratel that was making such a fuss, completely unable to see what his problem was. He lived in a hole in the ground, for goodness sake. Surely he could dig another in a matter of hours? The only thing that prevented her from suggesting as much was the certainty that such a question would undoubtedly provoke some sort of physical outburst to go along with the verbal one she and Simosihle were already being subjected to.
Still, the litany of insults began to wear on her nerves, which were already somewhat frayed from spending a day out hunting in completely unfamiliar territory. Beru wasn't a lioness who particularly enjoyed major changes like the one the pride had just undergone, and added stresses did nothing to make her more inclined toward friendliness, particularly toward creatures who seemed so intent on insulting her when by all rights they shouldn't have come anywhere near her.
As the increasingly breathless little animal continued his list of complaints she lowered her head and smiled at him very toothily, hoping to convey that whatever good mood she might have could only result in a very personal experience with her teeth if he caused it to diminish.
"Who's little?" she asked when he paused to catch his breath. Just another "little" reminder of which species ought to be wary of the other. She was now reconsidering her decision not to point out the relative simplicity of digging a new hole to live in, too. Well, there was always time for that later, if he continued to make a nuisance of himself.
Her lips drew back further from her teeth as the small creature began to waddle around them and inspect their catch, as if he had any right to do so. His swat at her tail almost brought forth a growl that Beru barely stifled. It was hot out and there was no point in getting into a fight with a damned rodent, or whatever he was. It would be an utter waste of energy.
"That sorry looking group is our pride," Beru growled. "It's been a hard season. They'd probably welcome any extra meat we brought back."
The implication being that he, too, could be prey if he didn't watch himself. Certainly he wasn't going to get any apologies from her.
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Posted: Thu Sep 01, 2011 3:44 pm
Feeling somewhat dazed by the sudden barrage of insults, Simo glanced at Beru as if to question if this was really happening before glancing back at the dark furred honey badger. Even if she had stumbled over his den and caused it to collapse he was rather brazen to speak to them in such a manner as all that. Down right insulting! He-Hey! What's the big idea? It's not like we meant to ruin it!
Like Beru, Simo felt a little frustrated with the situation. Maybe if his den hadn't been so poorly made it would have withstood their stepping over it! Jeez. Flicking her tail with growing impatience, her gaze drifted towards the lioness at her side. Perhaps they should have left him to stew in his own sense of indignance. C'mon Beru.. I don't even know why we're entertaining him by sitting here subjecting ourse---
Hold it! Fuko hesitated. Giving Beru's bared teeth a mindful once over, though he didn't appear particularly intimidated. He hadn't lived to be a grandfather by being a stupid or incapable creature. Food was scarce for everyone right now and times tough all around. A new den could certainly be built--as much as it pained him to say that--but another pair of lionesses carrying a carcass with the potential of sharing? That sort of situation only occurred oh so ever infrequently. Y'know.. it's been a hard season for everyone out here.
His gaze flicking towards the meal they protected before questioning calmly. You guys.. you wouldn't happen to be missin'na member of your group now would you? A bite-sized one, perhaps?
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Posted: Tue Sep 06, 2011 7:50 am
Beru was glad that Simo had found her tongue to give it back to the uppity little preybeast. Not that she was being quite as forceful as Beru might have liked, but perhaps that was not in her nature. Despite having grown up in the same pride they had not been close and Beru had never had occasion to get to know her especially well. Beru wondered if maybe that was something she ought to attempt to change. It would be best to know who thought as she did, who was truly a friend to her.
He definitely didn't seem to hold Simo and herself in the proper regard, and she didn't care for that. She was more than willing to follow Simo's suggestion and depart, but the creature called out after them and she found herself turning around whether she wanted to or not. As much to remind herself as to address Simo, Beru said stiffly, "We are allowing our time to be wasted and the pride needs this food."
And yet she did turn and look condescendingly at the creature and let him say his piece. She was curious despite herself. There had to be something worthwhile, or else he would just allow them to depart, wouldn't he? She sighed impatiently as she turned just to make it clear that this was an imposition and he had better be quick about making his point.
"We..." Gods damn it. She couldn't ignore that. Not even if she was furious at the creature. She didn't much like cubs in general, but this particular one hadn't been so bad and the poor thing's mother had been beside herself with worry ever since.
"Are you saying you know what's become of this cub?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 4:54 pm
For a fair portion of your kill, I could know a lotta things. Fuko stated in a business-like manner. His words were exactly as they implied, he would only be as generous with his knowledge as the two lionesses were in terms of sharing their kill. After all, he seemed to have the upper-paw here. Considering the ratel did not fear them and cared far less about the young life that hung in the balance than they seemed to. It would be a shame if the poor thing suffered for their selfishness though. Grunting at the thought, Fuko proposed his terms, seemingly disaffected by the potential gravity of the situation. Using his paw to gesture towards one of the fallen beast's hind legs. I want one'ah those..
Simosihle frowned, glancing over her shoulder just as Beru had at the dusty badger's shady tone. He said he knew something or at least he certainly made it seem that way, but she wasn't sure how much they should trust him. Particularly considering that they were now being extorted for a share of the kill they had been bringing home for their pride. Granted any information on Biti's daughter would have beneficial and probably worth whatever price the digger was asking. A battle of uncertainty waged within the grey female's mind even as she turned around to face the ratel properly again. Sitting after several hard fought moments to decide which way she should lean. She had decided.. she was interested in what the stranger had to say.
As Beru had suggested, they could always bring him home as an extra morsel for the cubs if he was lying. Simo would hunt him down personally. Well.. I'm listening. I don't think he's stupid enough to lie and a shank is a small price to pay if he can tell us where Tunda is, right Beru?
A glance drifting towards her companion hopeful that she agreed. Their kill was a joint effort and as such, the young lioness felt that they would need to agree on their decision. Of course, at this point.. it didn't feel like they had much of a choice.
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Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 5:10 pm
Beru tossed her head from side to side as she tried not to growl in frustration. She didn't like anything about this situation. It bothered her deeply to be potentially beholden to an inferior being like this ratel, but she could not ignore what he offered simply for the sake of her personal pride. There was another, more important pride at stake.
"He might be that stupid," Beru muttered. "But then we could kill him. It would almost make up for the lost meat."
He wasn't quite big enough to do that, really, but they had already learned something of him. Namely that there had been at least one witness to Tunda's disappearance, which implied there might be more. She was still thinking about his word choice from before though, where he referred to Biti's cub as bite-sized. She didn't like that.
"It's yours," she said grudgingly. "But we will mark this place and if you play us false you will regret it."
Heat, hunger, and so many other factors were making her temper short. She could think of so many lionesses better-suited to this than she was, but she and Simo were the ones who were here. They couldn't screw this up with Tunda's safety at risk.
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Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 8:13 pm
I think I can live with that. Simo mused, the corner of her mouth crooking into an uncharacteristically menacing smile as her dark eyes fell on the brazen badger. They had to give him credit, he had guts to challenge them as he had and twist the situation in his favor, no matter how much she didn't like it. Leaving Beru to speak with the badger, she set about the task of removing his share. Grabbing the hock not pinned against the ground she twisted her head and fought to tear the hip joint from the socket and remove the limb entirely.
Intent eyes watched the pale cat stray towards the body to tear off his share, focused for several moments while she worked to tear the muscle and separate the leg from its host. Licking his teeth when he realized it would take a few minutes to complete but satisfied that they seemed prepared to honor the agreement, Fuko returned his attention to Beru. Clearing his throat to be sure that anything said would be clearly stated. If it's the one you're lookin' for... saw a small group'ah hyenas wander by a night or so ago. Wouldn'ta given them a second thought if they hadn't been carryin' a lion cub with them. Went off that way..
Fuko nodded his head towards the direction the group and their captive had disappeared. His eyes as drifted from Beru again as the other lioness walked towards him with his fee and set it on the ground. Placing thickly clawed paws upon the prize as he gave the pair a shrug. Can't tell you any more than that..
Simo frowned at the news, though the creased expression deepened when she seemed to realize that the last of the badger's words implied that he wasn't sure whether or not the cub was alive.
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Posted: Fri Sep 09, 2011 9:17 am
Beru was glad Simo was willing to be the one to tear off the badger's portion of their kill. It did mean she was left to speak to him, but it also meant she wouldn't be tempted to beat him over the head with the large portion of meat just because he irritated her. It would be completely irrational for her to do that at this point, even if she was still in a foul mood. She had to remind herself that her mood hadn't been exactly stellar before the met the brazen creature.
Beru heard the badger's news with undisguised horror. Hyenas! There had always been little difficulty with them in the past, as long as they only scavenged and did not take it into their stupid canine heads to do things like this. But in this season Beru supposed they would have to break with their usual behavior, just as the pride had. Hyenas would almost certainly have killed and eaten the cub by now.
"This was why we should have stayed where we were," Beru grumbled to herself. She would have preferred to be proven correct in some other way, given her druthers. A way that didn't involve a cub of the pride falling prey to hyenas.
"All right," she said, suddenly wanting very much to return to the pride even though she was reluctant to share the news with Biti and the rest.
After glancing toward Simo to check on her progress detaching the badger's payment and seeing that she had completed the task, she said, "I think the sooner we are able to tell the others, the better chance we have of finding Tunda."
Tactfully she didn't finish the sentence "finding Tunda alive." Or perhaps it wasn't very tactful, since she didn't hold out much hope in that respect. Hyenas weren't much as hunters, and so if they were hungry and desperate enough to steal a lion cub, it didn't seem likely they'd just sit around with it.
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Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 2:50 am
This was why we should have stayed where we were.
Though she hadn't thought of it herself, now that it had been said, the realization was at the front of Simosihle's brain as well. A wound, tempered by time to a dull throb, suddenly returned with vengeance. Stinging bitterly. Beru was right after all. They both were! Neither one of them had wanted this for their pride! Why had everyone been so damn insistent on creating this disheveled situation they now found themselves in?
Unfortunately, sulking about it wasn't going to change anything at this point. The best that could be done was to return to the rest of their group with what knowledge they had managed to gather and hope that it wasn't too late. Sighing sympathetically as she nodded at Beru. Poor Biti.. hopefully the Abaholi will gather search parties quickly.
Considering they had told Biti that it was likely her daughter was dead, she could only guess what they would do.
Fuko watched as the grey lioness offered a glance over her shoulder as she waited by their catch for her companion to gather herself for the rest of the trek home. As irritable as they had been, his intel had seemed to prove useful to them. Apparent only by the fact that the one who had given him his share had expressed a proper to show appreciation somberly. Well, thanks.. I guess.
They seemed rather forlorn by the news, but Fuko could imagine that was to be expected. Gods above only knew what had become of their friend's cub. It was a sad day when any young one lost their life and for that he felt sorry for them. Bobbing his head mildly. Good luck..
Of course what luck they did have would probably be no concern of his after this moment. Small, sharp teeth sinking into a portion of the dismembered leg as he began to drag it away.
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Posted: Sun Sep 11, 2011 8:44 am
Beru shook herself once all over as though she could shake off the association with a lesser prey creature just by doing so. Then she nodded in response to Simo's unspoken query. She was ready to go. More than, really.
To demonstrate her readiness and get them on their way she moved back to their kill and grasped in her teeth the leg opposite the one Simo had removed. the goal was not to drag the new tear along the ground. Allowing it to drag would only leave a trail back to the pride which some scavenger or predator might follow, and they'd had more than enough of that.
She hoped to the gods that the abaholi acted quickly to send out groups in search of Tunda. Even if they only found the cub's remains, surely that would be easier for Biti than the not-knowing. Beru would rather know, anyway. Or so she told herself, though she had never had cubs and perhaps if she had she would prefer the hope of life to the reality of death.
Well, maybe someday she would find out, but not anytime soon. She and the pride had enough to worry about without that. But at least imminent starvation wasn't one of those things. Not today anyway. Today she and Simo would return with meat and news.
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