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 Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 8:43 pm
 The months following their escape had been rough, particularly for the dark pelted lioness. She kept her amber eyes trained on their surroundings, muscled tensed whenever she thought she heard the sounds of paws following them, and ears rolled back to pin against her skull when crossing paths with strangers. It had not escaped her attention that maybe they would be caught again, maybe not even by the same pride. Paranoia was quick to ingrain its roots in her.
Beside her walked a much paler lioness, her ears flopping lazily from side to side as she passively listened to the savannah around them. Asali wasn't one to worry too much, and was quite thankful to finally see the world from free, brightened eyes. Though her sister's mood did not escape her, she often caught Damu awake when they were suppose to be sleeping, her eyes always open and alert. She couldn't help thinking that her poor sister could use some relaxation... but, to be honest it was good to know at least someone was there to watch her back. With a light purr, Asali bent her neck to nuzzle her forehead against her smaller sister's shoulder. They had recently grown into what she could consider they're adult bodies, but Asali was amused at how much more growing she had done in comparison. "Perhaps we should rest for awhile? I can't imagine you've gotten much sleep lately", she suggested, golden eyes now focused on her sister.
"No." The answer came quickly, probably a bit too brashly as well. Damu hesitated before returned her sister's friendly bump to the shoulder. "Its still a bit too open, I'd feel better if we could find somewhere with some shelter", she explained, gentler this time and with a bob of her head. Though to be honest, she just wanted some place for them to bunker down, out of sight of any passer-by. Whether or not Asali felt the same way, it would be best for the both of them. Her sister fell silent after that, and Damu gave her a forced smile, aware of her sister's concern, but much more worried about their survival. Out here, they were vulnerable.
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Posted: Sun Nov 06, 2011 9:08 pm
It had been a while since he had last attempted to hunt for himself without the aid of the lionesses that were much more skilled at hunting then him and the last time he had tried on his own, he had failed. Maybe this time things would be different though!
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Posted: Mon Nov 07, 2011 6:29 am
With a soft sigh Damu doubled their pace to a brisk jog, wishing to find suitable cover before either of them could change their minds on the matter. Asali was usually good about letting her lead, but the dark lioness wasn't going to push her luck this time. She heard her sister huff and glanced over her shoulder, the pale form lagging behind a bit. Uh-oh, that didn't boast well. "I'm just trying-" she offered, but was quickly cut off by the larger of the two.
"I know what you're trying to do!" Asali returned, quickly taking a few strides to catch up with her sister. "You can't keep doing this to yourself, your body needs sleep and your mind needs rest. There's no getting around it." The pale lioness completely stopped in her tracks this time, forcing Damu to do the same lest she be walking by herself. "There's nothing wrong with this area, I'm sure we could find somewhere to lay down for a bit."
Reluctantly Damu slowed and eventually turned to face her sister, tail lashing out behind her. It may have been the sun, or perhaps her lack of sleep, but right now her patience was wearing thin. "Don't worry about me, sister. We're out in the middle of who-knows-where with heck-knows-what just lurking around. The last thing I want to do is get caught off guard while we're trying to sleep. I'm sorry, but we have to keep going until we find somewhere to rest safely..." She would have kept going. Honestly she would have, if it weren't for a particularly lion that happened to creep into her field of vision at a distance. Stunned and uncertain if he had seen them, Damu froze in place, ears slowing making their way to pin against her skull.
This again! They seemed to have this same argument on and off again, with Damu always ignoring the problem. She needed rest. The lioness awaited any further remarks, but was instead surprised with her sister's new demeanor. That was odd. Looking over her shoulder Asali caught a glimpse of the dark figure in the distance, and grew silent like her sister. Instinctual she crept closer to Damu, with every step facing her body in the other direction, feeling immensely uneasy about exposing her back. In a hushed tone she posed the question, "Do you think... he saw us?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 20, 2011 11:25 pm
What was that? Durin turned his head, looking towards the horizons in all directions, ears shifting in what appeared to every direction. They stopped and instead his maw raised to the air, sniffing for only a moment. The large male's gaze came to rest in the direction of the two lionesses who could barely be seen in the distance.
Were they alone? Was there no male to protect them? Durin was mildly confused why any lioness would travel without the protection of a male unless they were away to birth cubs. Slowly the colossus made his towards their direction. "Hello there!" He called out, attempting not to scare either of the two of them. The last thing he wanted was either of them bolting. New company was something Durin was always looking for.
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Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 10:14 am
This wasn't the worst possible case Damu could imagine, but it was up there. She had been distracted and look where it got them! Someone was lurking out there, a stranger with unknown intentions, and... and it seemed to be stopping. "We should keep moving", the still lioness whispered in a shaky tone, hesitant to do anything but watch the large form. If they were lucky, they could slip off before being noticed.
Asali had by this time slid up next to her sister, touching shoulders as if to comfort herself, letting her know Damu was still there and she wasn't alone. "Agreed-" she had begun to whisper back when it seemed the stranger had changed course. Towards them, no less. There was still the chance that he didn't see them- oh, wait, never mind. Asali could not stop herself from taking a startled step forward, ears suddenly flipping in his direction.
"What are you doing, get back here!" Damu insisted, just as startled by Asali stepping forward at the male's call as her sister had been in the first place.
That was it! Asali turned an annoyed glance back at Damu, they had been walking and running for so long now, with hardly a word spoken to anyone. Perhaps, just perhaps this stranger wasn't going to harm them. There was only one way to find out, and it’s not like there still wasn't enough ground between them that the lionesses could bolt. Asali gulped down a lung full of air, unsettled but resolute in her decision. "H-Hello!" she called back, not daring to look back at Damu as the large, pale lioness trotted forward to meet him. Her movements, though quick, were obviously hesitant in their jerky nature.
That, that gigantic idiot! What did she think she was doing? Despite wanting to chase down her sister, Damu could only muster a muffled "Asali...!" before sinking helplessly into a crouch until her belly brushed the ground. She knew this was a bad idea, absolutely had to be, but the dark pelted sister could not order her body to move, just stare wide-eyed as she watched her sister head straight into the grasp of danger.
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Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 10:26 am
She was nervous, or at least that's what it appeared to Durin based on her movements and the sound of her voice or weary from her travels. "My name is Durin," The brown male replied, trying to keep his voice loud, but not assertive as he kept his distance from the lighter female in hopes that he would not startle her. "Being exposed in these grasslands isn't wise with the hyena that run rampant around these parts. Are you in need of shelter for the night or perhaps directions?" Of course he would offer his home to the two if they needed it, perhaps even actually hunt for a meal that night instead of having the other lionesses do it.
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Posted: Thu Nov 24, 2011 10:50 am
It was like a their every desire had been offered on a silver platter! To say the least Asali was taken aback, literally knocked back on her haunches with such surprise, to hear those words hurled at her. Of course, the thought of hyenas made her skin crawl, but this male didn't seem that bad. Really! He was offering exactly what Asali considered to be perfect, protection for the night so Damu could finally get some well deserved rest. "Durin, what a wonderful idea. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the offer-"
"But we have to be going. Quickly," she wasn't certain how she had managed to move her body so quickly, or even how she had gotten herself to charge out so suddenly to her sister's side, but the conversation had taken a turn for the worse. Asali was so guilable! How could she believe this nonesense!
She didn't know when Damu had made it up to her, but this was the last straw. "You could use the rest, sister, and he doesn't seem that bad", she corrected, eyeing the male as she said so. Bad people didn't offer you things like shelter, they attacked you and took what they wanted. At least, that's how Asali saw things. "We'd be happy to have some shelter for the night," she affirmed, no longer allowing Damu to make all the decisions for them. Sometimes, she just had to be firm with her sister.
There couldn't be a worst time for the quabbles to affect Asali's judgement, and Damu wasn't exactly in a position to argue. In the presence of the large male she could hardly keep herself from toppling over and bolting in the opposite direction, but something about Asali's conviction kept her from doing so. For now, Damu remained silent as she attempted to access the situation once again. She would not let her guard down, even if Asali considered the male 'safe' to be around.
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Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 8:10 am
Gold eyes glanced from between the two lionesses in front of him. It as obvious to see that the darker one had little trust in strangers at least, but the lighter of the two seemed to take to him much easier. "I'm glad and I'm sure Kujali, another lioness in my care will be as well. Since the last female left my company, she has been rather lonely." Durin again looked between the two, his eyes staying on the darker this time. "I already introduced my self to your...sister? My name is Durin."
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Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 2:01 pm
He was talking again, with that deep voice that males seemed to possess and wield with ease. Whatever Asali had gotten them into, Damu certainly hoped it didn't turn out to be as bad as she considered it would be. Of course, when he started directing his statements at her, the dark lioness couldn't help but twist her ears to flatten to the sides of her skull and once more drop to a near crouch, muscles tensed. For now, she was content to let her sister do the talking.
Another lioness? Asali was quite pleased to hear there was another female they could meet with, in fact, she couldn't remember the last time she had a good chat with someone of her own sex. "I'll be sure to keep her company," Asali assured, looking rather pleased with the prospect. Of course, her sister's actions did not go unnoticed, and being the big sister she was and having the larger body between them, Asali merely gave her sister's shoulder a good but gentle nudge to push her forward and toward Durin. After doing so, the light pelted lioness that padded her way closer to the male as well, showing that it was safe. Excitement and relief seemed to be the only visible sign of emotion from her. Finally, they could rest.
The shove to her shoulder caught her off guard, the female's stern resolve melting as her eyes widened in shock. Her mouth hung slightly agape as she watched her sister so confidently stride over to the large male, the experience was slightly... humbling. Ever since their escape, Asali had been more than happy to take her direction and advice and now, well now Damu was feeling more like an unruly cub in this instance. Slowly easing back into a more relaxed stance, her ears untwisted and as she hesitantly followed after her sister, all the while keeping her gaze focused on Durin. "You are correct, we are sisters," she first confirmed, making sure not to stray from the path Asali had already walked. "My name is Damu'Jua, and that is my sister, Asali'Jua." She made sure to indicate how separated they were on the issue by referring to her sister as such, but made no other viable efforts to thwart her sister's attempts to get them into the care of the male. For now, at least. Perhaps opportunity would provide a better chance to change Asali's mind.
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Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2011 9:49 am
"It's a pleasure to meet you, Damu'Jua," The male dipped his head in a nod towards her as he spoke her name. Durin turned and did the name to the lighter lioness as well, "And you as well Asali'Jua," Having two more lionesses under his acacia tree would surely cheer Kujali up. The grey female always seemed to depressed lately even when she told him she was not. With a shake of his mane, Durin vanquished the thought of her if even for a moment. "Come then, my home is not far from here. If you see the small bunch of trees over there, that is it. We'll get you some food and show you to our watering hole before rest." With that said, his large paws carried him away on stocky legs towards it, glancing back to see if the two were following.
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Posted: Thu Dec 08, 2011 6:51 am
She found herself staring at the otherwise large brute of a male, his demeanor towards them so far nothing but admirable. That, however, did very little to ease the smaller of the sister's mind. He could be lulling them into a false sense of security for all she knew! Asali just didn't see it, she was sure. Though... it was still baffling. Enough to where Damu was cautious in her following, just not protestant. As he turned his back to them Damu could not help but shoot a panicked look behind them, she was faster than the pudgy guy she was certain, and escape would be easy if attempted now. She hesitated, chancing a look back to Asali and how happily she was following after this stranger. Frustration, if not the bitter taste of betrayal bit and quivered in her gut. Now was the time to flee, they would never get another chance like this, she was certain, and yet Asali wasn't even entertaining the thought.
Damu stiffened as Durin glanced back at them, this was her only chance to run, if she was going to it she had to it now while there was still distance between them. She wasn't sure if her hungry belly had finally gotten the best of her, or if it was as simple as the thought of leaving Asali behind, but Damu found herself stepping forward. Slowly at first, then jogging the rest of the way to catch up with Asali. She did not chance a look at either of them though, embarrassed at being caught with her faltering, and unable to deny a few simple facts. She was hungry, tired, and Durin's promise of shelter and food had struck a deeper cord with her than she had previously acknowledged. She appeared almost sheepish as she padded along with them, keeping Asali between her and Durin.
Asali had no problem following after the large brown male, the worry and concern for her sister finally eased out of her with the luck they had come across. Imagine, they had chanced upon this big guy who was more than happy to look after them! And he seemed friendly enough, surely not wishing them harm. "That sounds amazing, we are very fortunate to have come across you when we did. We've been traveling for a very long time, too long," the lioness informed him, a happy, throaty purr accompanying her words. Needless to say, Asali was comfortable enough to close the distance that had previously been between them, her big-bodied form- for she was far larger than her sister and more capable when it came to physical tasks- moving to rub against the male's side in thanks. It was obvious, not only through her demeanor but her actions as well, that Asali was the more trusting if not friendly of the two.
Touch was something she had recently discovered, at least in the sense of showing affection, for she had felt the heavy weight of a striking paw since her cubhood. As had Damu. They had been abused, terrorized, and horribly dispositioned onto the lowest rung of a merciless, blood thirsty pride that saw no value in lives not their own. It had affected the girls in much the same way, but since their escape Asali was aware that they dealt with it in different ways. Damu had grown distant, methodical, and untrusting of anyone. It pained Asali to see her in such a state, and so Asali worked tirelessly to reach out to others and show her that the not everyone was a demon in a lion's pelt. To this end, Asali strove to show affection where it otherwise may just end up her undoing if she chose unwisely in the company.
Needless to say, the lighter female was more than aware that this situation could have ended badly, but was thus far pleased with Durin for showing a pleasant face when her sister so needed her rest. The low, melodic rumble of a purr ever present as she kept herself between Durin and Damu, hoping to prove to her sister that this male could in fact be trusted. "In the days to come," she briefly broke her rumbling to say, "I'd be more than happy to return the favor by hunting for you and your small band. It is a task I greatly enjoy, as it allows me to flex my claws." Her maw broke into a toothy smirk as she indeed flexed her sharp nails into the dirt. While on the constant move they had learned to hunt efficiently and quickly, but that did little to sate Asali's need to enjoy the hobby. The thrill of a chase and the ecstasy of a successful kill more than made up for a lifetime of battered beatings. Her coat hid this well, for which she was glad.
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