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 Posted: Fri Oct 07, 2011 6:42 pm
The lion had been big. Huge. The biggest lion he'd ever seen in all his life, and he'd seen plenty. There's nothing quite like the sight of a full grown male lion charging at you to get your adrenaline going. He'd scaled up the short coastal cliffs one morning to wander back up into the grasslands again for a change of scenery, only to happen upon a fresh kill, alone and untouched. What else was he to do? Though the carcass had reeked of lion, Abi was simply too opportunistic to pass up an abandoned kill. Except that, of course, it wasn't altogether abandoned. The lion had come up out of nowhere, plowing across the dry grassy earth like some sort of roaring monster. Abi knew what he had done wrong, but he couldn't help but think the big rogue had overreacted a bit. Then again, some lions hated the presence of other cats, and chasing them off came natural. It certainly had for that one.
So off they'd gone, and for some time, too. Had he not been so preoccupied with saving his neck, the leopard would have marveled at his foe's stamina. The lion's charge had so horrified him that he'd bolted blindly, and he'd only realized that something was off when the ground became loose, and sandy. Both the leopard and his vicious pursuer had slowed, the lion's chest heaving as he came to a halt at the top of a small dune, glaring down at the would-be thief, the object of his wrath. Abi had continued on, only coming to a stop as the lion, finally, turned tail and disappeared back over the sands. Abi hadn't been immediately concerned. It would be fine after he had a rest, and caught his breath, right? He'd never been out in the desert before. On the edges, yes, but not as far as this. Exhausted, he'd sunk down to the warm sand to rest...
The wind had been blowing when he'd woken up at dusk. Whipping across the sands, they'd obliterated any trace of his tracks, and the lion's scent. In a slight panic, he'd set off again, in the direction he thought would lead to the coast...it had been the wrong way. He'd spent one night...and then another, wandering the sands, climbing up dune after dune, expecting to see grassland, or ocean. Abi was in trouble now. During both nights he had managed to kill and eat several small desert rats, and a couple of unfortunate scorpions, but the lack of water was starting to get to him.
"What'd I do to deserve this..." he mumbled to himself as he walked, turning his head to peer up at the sky. Out here, it was that perfectly crystalline blue, without a single cloud to blemish it. All around him it was the same, just sand, and sky. There was the occasional dried up bush here and there, and only the sound of the breeze (which was almost as hot as the sand) to keep him company. Abi was about to give up hope. He wasn't made to survive in this kind of place...not in this state! But he could not keep himself from pressing on, thinking that just maybe he'd see something different over the next dune.
It was only when the sun reached the apex of its journey across the sky, that he spied something in the distance. Something big and dark, a blotch below the horizon, that caused him to pick up his pace, his blistered paws kicking up small puffs of sand as he shifted into a painful lope. Blurry, indiscernible black shapes turned into barely visible greenery, and when he saw the shimmer of water, the leopard's heart jumped joyfully in his chest. He would not die out here after all, perhaps!
Abi reached the oasis shortly after midday. The strange ruins in the surrounding areas had mostly gone unnoticed by the dehydrated leopard, who had made a bee-line for the water. He lapped it up eagerly, peering down gratefully into its blue-green depths, collapsed at the edge. It was only after he'd sated his thirst and rested did he bother to look about...what on earth were those things? His ears flicked, and he continued to rest, wondering if anything besides the little desert creatures lived in such a harsh environment. Something had to have made those odd shapes, but he could not fathom who or what. He didn't think on it long, because soon enough, his thoughts were drifting to more important things...
How was he going to get back to the ocean? He let out a shuddering sigh, and slunk over to a patch of bushes and palm trees. The answer would come, perhaps, after a good nap.
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 2:55 pm
Desher-bik had left his den in the Temple early that morning. He intended to do a long patrol and cover as much of the surrounding desert as he could. A long drink of water and a quick bite to eat, a hare from the stores, and the sand and red lion was ready. The sun was barely coming up as he stepped outside to stretch. It was still cool, but Desher knew the heat would start the moment the sun really came up. Time to cover ground was now.
He took pride in his work. Knowing he kept the pride, its Pharaoh, priests, and cubs, safe from harm. Not only was he protecting the pride from those intending malicious harm, but sometimes animals from themselves. Often enough he knew that those unprepared for such environments crossed into the dunes of the desert. Unable to find their way out again, the unlucky would soon perish of heat and starvation. Broad paws worked easily over the sand as Desher made his way from his home deep into the desert. Living here had it's advantages. He knew where the oases laid hidden. Those life giving treasures of the desert. When he got thirsty, a quick stop at one would replenish him.
Thus he'd spent most of his day. Looking for signs of other animals.Toward midday, Desher stopped to eat, drink, and rest in the shade of one such oasis. As the afternoon wore on, the lion continued on. He spotted the tracks and dust of a small herd of something. Making a note of their location he could pass the information off to the hunters when he returned. They should be able to pick up the trail and get a good hunt in. He continued on the track that he had in mind. It would have taken him just shy of one oasis, and he planned to stop at the second one.
Except as he passed the little oasis, a strange scent caught his attention. One that had not been there last time he'd come this way. That in itself was enough reason to go check it out. He approached the ring of green and zeroed in on the source of the smell. Desher gave a roar to make his presence known. "Reveal yourself intruder!"
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 4:20 pm
Abi had been asleep for little more than an hour before Desher-bik's arrival. Dead tired after his hurry to reach the place, he'd hidden himself in what little cover the oasis had to offer before falling into an exhausted slumber. Of course, it wasn't deep enough to keep the sound of a lion's roar from waking him up. Not only did it rouse him from his sleep, but it did so in a hurry, and the badly jolted Abi did the first thing that came to mind; he shot up the trunk of the palm tree he'd fallen asleep next to. He was near the top in sheer seconds, horrified that the lion who'd chased him into the desert had somehow managed to catch up.
"I didn't mean to! I come in peace!! Don't kill me, I'm already half-dead!" he cried, babbling shortly, the white fur along his spine standing up. He quickly realized that it was not the lion from before, but a different one altogether. Abi panted hard, and took a moment to study the big cat from his high vantage point near the top of the palm. The lion obviously lived in the area, and this amazed the leopard. The lion's cheetah-like facial stripes and the odd golden jewelry were also quite curious, and Abi squinted as Desher-bik's ankle cuffs shone in the sun. He had never seen such finery, and his curiosity was piqued.
Calming down a bit, he cleared his throat, and addressed the lion. "Keh! I didn't mean to intrude, y'see! I was chased right up into this hot place, and I'd have died if I hadn't run into this little watering hole." Abi explained, remaining up in the tree, just in case the lion wasn't the friendly sort. Everyone knew that lions were clumsy climbers (generally), and Abi, being a leopard, felt safe up high, even if there weren't any branches. Finding the oasis and water had renewed his hope, and he wasn't about to risk his neck now, especially after the ordeal he'd gone through...if this guy wanted to kill him, heck, he'd wait it out up in the palm. Abi hoped he didn't, because he really was curious about the strange place he'd ended up in.
"My name is Abi'dubi...what do you do with intruders out here?" he introduced himself, and quickly tacked on the question. Even if he was curious, he'd have to make sure that the guy wasn't hostile. He clung steadfast to the trunk of the palm, his claws sunk deep into the crackly bark.
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 4:45 pm
When Desher made his statement, the reaction he got was certainly not the reaction he expected. His tail twitched slightly in amusement as he eyed the feline up in palm. Obviously not a lion, and probably not a threat to the pride. He regretted his fierce introduction. Letting the leopard get his nerves out, Desher stood calmly watching him. This clearly seemed to be one of the pour souls who got themselves lost in the desert. His ear twitched as he hear the leopard had been chased in. He would have to report that. Later, now he had to deal with the panicking leopard.
"Apologies Abi'dubi. I did not mean to frighten you as I obviously have." Desher sat down to help put the smaller feline at ease. "That depends upon what kind of intruder you are. Since you are not the hostile kind, I believe I can deal kindly with you. Will you come down so we may talk? I wish to know more about the lion who chased you into our desert." He had patience and would wait until Abi came down.
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 5:45 pm
The white fur on Abi's back smoothed down shortly after Desher began to speak, and a feeling of relief washed through the leopard. He didn't blame the lion for calling out so loudly, really, it was something lions did plenty, and he was lightly surprised to hear the male apologize for it. Perhaps pride-dwelling lions acted more civil than the ones that roamed free on the plains from which he had come. Regardless, Abi was infinitely glad.
"Not hostile, I can assure you of that. Never been this far into the desert before." he said, and unhooked his claws from the trunk of the tree, sliding a short ways before leaping down nimbly into the sand. His limbs and paws were still quite sore from his journey, and up close it was easy to see the fine sand particles that still clung to his fur, giving him an appearance that was far more shabby than usual. He tried not to let onto that though, and tried to act as smooth as he could. Despite the rough wake-up, the nap had refreshed him, and he felt better than he had before.
"Of course. M'sorry for boltin' up there so fast. It's hard to judge other's intentions, sometimes." He said, casting another glance around. He wanted to ask questions himself, but figured it would be wiser to wait and tell the lion what he wanted to know first. "You do? It happened a couple of days ago. Couldn't start to tell you where, but it was way back where the plains meet the desert..." Abi began, and trailed off for a moment. Great, he was probably going to have to explain that he'd stumbled upon his assailant's dinner. It wasn't that he was a thief! That stuff happened when you were a wanderer. He shifted a bit, and his lavender eyes glanced off toward the ruins again. He couldn't wait to get a closer look at those.
Regaining focus, he cleared his throat again. "Anyway, it was a big 'ol male. Bigger than you, even, with all due respect. Dark color, brown, like wet soil, almost. I wouldn't be too worried over it, he went back the way he came. I would have, too, if I hadn't gotten myself good n' lost." he offered a wry grin, slyly leaving out the part which he was afraid would put him in a criminal light.
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 8:24 pm
Desher was relieved when it didn't take long for him to come down out of the tree. While he had no reason to doubt Abi's intensions, he was still going to proceed with caution. He nodded at the return apology understanding his wariness. Desher listened quietly as the leopard told what he knew of the lion. It was good the lion lived so far away. Yet he was dissappointed it happened so long ago. That would make it hard to track. He could still let the others coming out this way know to keep an eye out for a lion matching that discription.
"I see. The information is useful still. I will make those who need to know aware of this lion." Desher could be sure any guardians coming this way traveled in pairs at least. With one thing dealt with, the lion turned his attention fully on the leopard. He noted the slightly scruffy appearance. Abi said he'd been traveling the desert for two days beofre finding this oasis? His head tilted as his mulled his options. First being to just leave the leopard here to his fate, second would to lead the leopard back out of the desert. Third he could take Abi into the pride, feed and water him.
"Well Abi. What do you want to do now?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2011 9:04 pm
Abi had felt slightly nervous about leaving his perch, but the tone in the lion's voice had seemed genuine. He'd only had minimal contact with lions anyway, and was perhaps just a bit naive when it came to dealing with them. Desher could have struck him down the moment he'd descended, but he had not, and the leopard sat down at the base of the tree as they spoke. He only smiled weakly and nodded as Desher confirmed the 'information' as useful...Abi was almost sure that the rogue who had chased him didn't live in the desert. He wouldn't be surprised if he never saw the guy again.
"So there's a whole pride livin' out here, eh? It's pretty amazing if I do say so myself..." Abi mused, and his ears perked at the question. Oh, he was more than glad to hear it...but what did he want to do? His thirst for knowledge was growing, and it seemed silly to come out all this way to simply go back without a second thought. Maybe he'd ended up here for a reason. Despite his harrowing experience over the past couple of days, he harbored no ill will towards the daunting landscape he'd traversed. On the contrary, he marveled at it's odd beauty, and how different it was from the coast, or the grasslands, or the distant jungles.
"I have no idea which way home is, but, uhh...there's no hurry, really. I'm a bit of a traveler, truth be told, and this is the first desert I've ever been to. I find myself curious. What are those things over there?" He asked, nodding over to one of the ruins off in the distance. "And, if I may be so bold...what are these things that you wear on your paws and tail?" he asked in a purely curious tone, feeling almost like a cub, inquiring things which were probably common knowledge to the lion before him. He rather hoped his patience would last.
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Posted: Sat Oct 15, 2011 12:32 am
The tan lion kept his ears swiveling for any noise that would indicate someone trying to approach them. Mostly he heard the wind in the tree leaves and the soft ripple of the water. Desher assumed a calm, relaxed posture. He needed to be ready to move at a moments notice, but he wanted to keep Abi as soothed as he could. A deep chuckle sounded in his chest as the slight disbelief of a pride in the desert.
"Aye there is Abi. Knowledge of the desert has been passed from parent to cub for so many generations. We know it in bountiful times of the rains, relentlessness of the sun during summer, and its anger in huge sand storms. Now and then we get those who join us, and we teach them its ways. Where and how to find water in oasis like this." He gave the leopard a friendly smile. Desher privately thought the smaller cat had been damn lucky to find this place. Many could pass within a hill of one and never know it was there.
"I can take you around the edge of the desert until you find something you recognize. From what you've told me, I can guess about where you came in." He had to offer. Just as he and group had returned home, so this leopard might want to. Desher grinned, hearing Abi was a traveler. He turned to look at the ruins in question. "Ah those. They were made by the hairless animals that walk on two legs. Our pride lives large ruins like those."
He gave a blink. The question surprised him really. So use to his items Desher hardly noticed them anymore. "All pride members get them at adulthood." He gave a tilt of his head. "I take it you'd like to see the Temple?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:28 am
Abi was calm enough, now that he knew the lion wasn't going to try to attack. The lion's relaxed stance had an effect as well, enough so that he lowered himself into a seated position on the warm sands, leaning lightly against the trunk of the palm. A grin crossed his face at the sound of the lion's laughter - he was starting to think he rather liked this guy.
"Fascinating...this land seems so barren. What d'ya hunt out here?" he could not help but ask yet another question. He knew a pride of lions could not possibly survive alone on sand lizards or the other little critters that wandered the dunes at night. Yet he couldn't seem to fathom where they would find larger prey, and so was pressed to ask.
He only replied with a soft 'humm' as Desher offered to lead him out. With all that Desher was telling him, that seemed like such a mundane choice, now. If all the lions here were as pleasant as he, might it not be a good place to linger, for a while? He grinned wide at the explanation of the ruins, and how they had come to be. "Hairless animals? How...how bizarre. I've never seen anything like them... there are even bigger ones? I'll be..." he marveled. He'd never encountered any human in all his life, so the concept was truly alien to him.
"By the way...what is your name? I don't think I caught it." Abi smiled as he rose to his feet again, tail flicking. "I must say, I do owe you a great debt for this...if you hadn't wandered by, I'd be stranded here for who knows how long." the young leopard mused, wondering what it would take for him to convince this intrepid group of cats to let him join them. "I would indeed like to see this temple of yours, and I would also like to learn how I can repay your kind deed." he explained, hoping that it didn't seem too outlandish. His curiosity was simply too great to pass up the offer, and he did feel quite grateful to Desher for lending a paw in his time of need.
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Posted: Sun Oct 30, 2011 11:54 pm
He nodded at the leopard's assessment of the land. "It is quite. Mostly small stuff, but there are some large animals that do survive out here. Like camels. You should see the place when the rains come. The sand is turned, at least for a few days, into a carpet of green. It's wonderful and soft without being grainy. Then the flowers come." He gave a happy sigh. This was home.
"You'll see. They are on the walls of the Temple." Desher grinned thinking what his reaction might be. The lion rose gracefully to his feet. "My apologies! I am Desher-bik. It is my duty as a guardian here Abi." He gave a warm grin. "If not me, then someone would have been this way soon. Of course. It would be my pleasure to show you around. Any questions you are welcome to ask me or the priests. They can teach you our ways." Desher ducked his head slightly embarrassed as Abi wish to repay him. "Ah, you do not have to, but if you feel you must then I will accept whatever it is."
Already on his feet, the lion started out at his usual lope then glanced back at the leopard. Politely he slowed to a walk. He had been feeling a little separated from his pride, it would be nice to have someone to talk with again.
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Posted: Wed Nov 02, 2011 10:14 pm
"Camels? Never heard of 'em." he said with a grin, but his tone wasn't incredulous. The smile faded a little as Desher explained their rainy season, and it softened as his eyebrows rose. "Sounds beautiful. I'd love to stick around long enough to see a spectacle such as that." he said, peering about. It was hard to imagine, really, but the lion couldn't possibly have been lying.
"Desher-bik. Many thanks to you, I cannot wait to see your home, and learn about the ways of this place." he returned an equally warm smile, already liking the other male, his first friend of the dry desert region. "I do not know how, for I have little, but I'll figure out something." he admitted, laughing quietly and shifting to move off after Desher, eager to see his unusual home, and the pictures on the wall. Priests, too! Questions swam in his head, but he tucked them away for the moment, resolving to ask later, when they were both out of the elements and safely back at the temple.
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