|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:19 am
 The crimson and maroon hyena yawned heavily, an ear flicking when the buzz of a fly came too close. The heat pressed down on her, a solid weight as if the light could have a presence. The land shimmered under its glare, making the sandy plains shiver and smoke on the horizon and offer fake promise of delicious water in dreamy pools. But Ikenna had been a rogue her whole life and well knew the tricks the heat could play. So she stayed where she was, her sleek if dusty body flopped over a large boulder, head draped back where the scant shade offered some relief, tongue lolling as she panted.
Idly she wondered if she should perhaps move.. find a slightly more sheltered spot. But she had been walking since dawn and seen nothing but heat-blasted trees and dead grass. Nothing big enough to provide any real shade, and not a scrap of water for miles. She could handle the punishing weight of the air until evening came and brought the blessed relief of cooler temperatures.. so she would endure, and save her strength.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:34 am
Beo shook dust from his sable coat, and blinked the dust from his eyes. Heat...there was a reason his Pride lived high up, besides the risk of spreading the deadly plague. The sick would not be able to handle the heat, he barely could.
The sick...inwardly he sighed, he should be there, his duty as a secret keeper was sacred, yet so was this one he was on. It tore at him, just as it pained him to be away from his love, no matter how unorthodox it was.
Wiping away some of the grit from his eyes with his paw, then shading them he looked for shelter. There seemed some scant relief form the heat ahead. Adjusting his travel back on his back, he trotted toward it. Anything was better then nothing in this inferno.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:41 am
Some would have thought that laying flat on her side over a flat-topped rock would make her vulnerable to predators.. but who the hell would be out and about in this heat? No one she was sure, so she stayed put. Her body limp, tongue lolling.
It was not until the stranger got close that she even realised he was there, deafened by the buzzing heat that filled her head, her eyes squeezed shut against the glare and her nose clogged by the thick cloying scent of dust and baking rock. Yet eventually he became aware that she was no longer alone and with some effort, she opened one eye and peered, up-side-down, up at him.
"... 'ello..." She croaked before licking her maw in the attempt to loosen her dried tongue. Lifting her head, though even that almost seemed like too much effort, she opened her other eye and blinked at him. He had a thicker coat and looked to be on the verge of fainting. Why the heck was he moving about at this time of day?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:51 am
Beo had smelled her the moment he had scrambled up the edge of the rocks, to the smallish hallow that could hold maybe two of them if they were close, since it was obviously her space he let his lower half slide back down into the crack between the two rocks so he looked more like he was trying to scramble up, rather then having just jumped on top moments before.
Considering the last few meetings with females of his species, he closed his eyes and took a breath, ready for the wicked tongue they ALL seemed to posses. He had yet to meet one with any type of decent temperament, let alone manners.
" My sincere apology lady. I did not know this spot was already occupied. I will be on my way." The sable colored male had a pleasing voice, even if it did sound worn and the linger scent of death, old death clung to him. As if he had been around it for far to long.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 9:57 am
Woah woah... he was leaving already? He'd die in this heat! Hauling herself up onto her belly with a rather un-ladylike grunt, she blinked at him, a little more awake now. "Hold up... " Giving him a warm grin she patted the rock beside her. "I've not had company for a while... and besides.. you are going to roast alive out there.." The shade that the rock behind her offered wasn't much, but it sure as hell beat nothing at all, which was what he would have if she let him leave.
"So stranger.. what brings you all the way down here into this dust bowl? You're from higher up right?" Pausing she seemed to think for a moment then chuckled. "Ahh.. pardon me. I always do run my mouth off before engaging the brain." Smiling in a playfully apologetic way, she cleared her throat and drew herself up so she wasn't quite so slumped over any more. "I'm Ikenna. It is a pleasant surprise to meet another of our kind way out here."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:11 am
The male blinked, and looked as if she had just smacked him in the face with a dead fish. Looking at where she patted the bolder beside her, he made the jump with decent grace, despite what seemed an old injury to his left leg. One that didn't impede him to badly.
" Thank you, it was getting rather warm out there," he unslung some kind of carry bag from his shoulder and set in between his front paws so not to take more of the precious shade, " My name is Beo, and thank you for the kindness of letting me share the space."
He nodded to her question, " Yes, my home is much further up, and I had not intended to travel so far, but I've not found what my Queen has sent me on, and I do not think I will."
The black and gold hyena opened his travel pack and pulled out a skin and a small hollowed out gourd. Carefully squeezing the skin he poured some water into it and offered it to her. " For letting me share the shade."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:20 am
She swallowed the giggle that wanted out at his expression, he was terribly cute looking like that! Grinning happily when he chose to join her she shifted onto her belly properly and crossed her forelimbs. See, she could be a lady when she wanted to.
"No problem. You looked rather hot." She replied with another grin, the expression made her golden eyes sparkle brightly. Watching as he fiddled with the strange bag-thing, she peered curiously at it, wondering what he kept inside and if such an item made him even hotter, as surly carrying anything in this heat would wear you down faster. Listening to his brief explanation she was left only with further questions. Queen? Some kind of task? It all seemed very fantastic. But then the scent of water (even if it was a little warm) hit her nose and all thoughts flew from her mind. Barely able to suppress a groan of desire she stared hungrily at the liquid as he nudged it towards her. With only a brief glance to make sure he wasn't teasing her or about to take it back, she dropped her muzzle and drank from the strange gourd-thing, eyes closing in bliss.
Eventually she lifted her muzzle, having drank the lot and even licked the inside clean of any spare droplets. Looking up at him she blushed, then wondered why she did so.. for she had done far worse before a strange male and not felt the need to apologize. "Umm.. thank you." She smiled almost shyly, a trait that was not common to her.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:48 am
Beo smiled at her, liking how her eyes light up when she saw the water and having to suppress a chuckle when she dove into it. He would have to thank the master scout for equipping him. Not only for the fact it was keeping him alive, but for that lovely blush across her muzzle.
" You are nothing like the other females I have met, " he said softly, " glancing at his paws, " You are far kinder and not so,um..sharp tongued." He shook his head," There is so much for them to be thankful for, yet they are bitter and..unkind in their dealings with others. I do not understand it. Where I come from, just to see another sunrise or sunset is a blessing, to be able to watch a cub grow just to a adolescent is sometimes a miracle. I understand life here in the unclaimed lands is harsh, but you have a chance and more gifts then you know of."
He sighed, the sound weary, " I will have to return to my Queen, empty pawed, and tell her of my failure. She will forgive me, but I doubt I will be able to forgive myself."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 10:58 am
His smile only warmed her further, making her dip her head in a helpless attempt to hide what he made her feel. It was the first time she had felt anything but casual amusement with another, well since she had met and befriended the huge lion named Akhenaton as a pup barely out of her baby coat. He had been almost like father to her by the time they had parted and she recalled his massive sandy figure with warm affection.
But this... usual flush of warmth just from his glance made butterflies tangle in her belly, a most strange and yet exciting sensation. "Well, thank you kind sir. I'm not often known for being soft-tongued.." Giggling she smiled warmly at him, her amber eyes friendly and still holding that touch of unusual shyness. "I am usually too bold and outspoken for others." Tilting her head she became more serious, reacting to the tone of his voice with a concerned look. "Life is what you make of it." She shrugged faintly. "I don't see the point in being bitter about it when the only one your hurting is yourself. Life has too much to offer, you need only to look." She replied in agreement with him.
Pausing she wrinkled her nose in thought, wondering if she should pry into this queen business, but something told her she might be able to help him and if so, she wanted the chance. "What is this task..?" She finally asked, expression curious and yet uncommonly serious.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:17 am
Beo chuckled at her turn of phrase, maybe there was just something in him that made him make females behave opposite of their nature. Wouldn't that be something, but he did find himself liking this female in a way he didn't like any of the others, hell just liking was a huge step up.
Yes, he did like her, and he found her very attractive, and she'd been...kind, and kindness when a far why when dealing and explaining who and what his Pride was,
" My Pride, its not just lions, it all species, but the lions and those that carry their blood, also carry a sickness. Only they suffer from it, and it takes many of them every day. Cubs, old, strong, weak. It strikes and it takes. The healers are over whelmed, the border guards and scouts too. Because we can't let the plague past us. If it did..can you imagine what would happen? So she asked me, and a few others who are immune to disease, who can never catch it, nor carry it, to find a few females who would be compassionate to help, to let us father pups and allow us to bring them back to the Pride when they were weened, or come with us to help, or even stay along the border. The Apothecaries always need help tending the herbs, gathering them, bringing them up the trail. Its not in the lands themselves, for the herbs grow beneath the treeline. I came to find even one...and all I was meet with was fear or out right laughter.
He closed his eyes, weary suddenly, " So I will return to her empty pawed, and she will send another out, and perhaps he will fare better then I."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:30 am
She listened attentively as he spoke, though the wrinkle between her brows betrayed her annoyance at these unnamed 'others' who had given him such a hard time and been so close-minded. He seemed like such a gentle male, an unusual thing for her to run into, and he obviously cared a great deal for his pride.
"That sounds like a pretty harsh life." She murmured softly, ears going back at the thought of all those poor lion cubs. She was quite for a moment, feeling increasingly saddened knowing of a pride where the lions suffered so. When she finally looked up at him, her expression was sorrowed and yet, determined. "Can I help? I mean... I want to help.. they need paws to look after them right? I can come to the boarders. I'm no good at medicine, but I can hunt... " Pausing she quieted, chewing on her lip. "I... I've never been a mother before ... " She was nervous about the idea, not having had a terribly maternal mother of her own, she wasn't at all sure she would make a good one herself.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:40 am
Beo was so taken aback by her offer he nearly fell off the rock. Once again he wore the just-been- smacked-in-the-face- with-a- fish look.
" You'd...you'd do that...for me..for my Pride?" His voice sounded so hopeful, as if she had given him a gift he could not have ever thought would be granted.
" You'd not have to hunt, if you didn't want to. The Pride would share with you, and you'd not just have to stay at the borders, you can't catch the plague...but its..hard to see all the...sadness. I'd help with the pups, you wouldn't be alone and I have a lioness friend who is raising her own litter and an orphaned one as well. There are plenty of paws to help."
Beo reached over and place his paw and her's, " You wouldn't have to stay, you could leave once they were weened, and of course, they are your pups, you may take some with you and come visit those you choose to gift to the Pride."
His amber eyes looked into her's with such hope, with such need, " If all you wish is to come help hunt and gather herbs, that is enough to. Any paws, any help, we need, and thank you, Gods above, thank you."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:49 am
Her fears and uncertainties vanished at his stunned expression, making her grin warmly in return. She seemed to have that affect on this particular male, for that was the second such look he had worn in as many minutes. Chuckling softly she gently covered his paw with hers to show her honesty. "Yes... I may not be the best mother in the world... but I believe you will more than make up for my own short comings." She smiled gently, knowing she was half in love with him already. It was a new and strange sensation, but not unpleasant. It was nice to feel more than curiosity for another creature for a short time.
His speech made her smile and on impulse, she leaned into him, tucking her head under his cheek and closing his eyes. Ahhh... so this was what the warmth of a male felt like... His scent, rich and strong, filled her nose as she nuzzled close, her body relaxing in contentment. "I already offered... no need to try and persuade me. I wish to help and if I can do this thing for you and your pride, then I am happy to do so." Her voice was soft and as gentle as her weight against his chest. "I am a good hunter... I'd like to do it for you and them while I can. I can't promise to stay forever, but I will stay until the pups are born." She did not think she was strong enough to live among them, knowing what she did...but she truly wanted to help and if being a female was useful for the first time in her life, then she would do all that she could.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2011 11:59 am
Beo nearly fell off the rock again as she snuggled under him, a blush coloring the inside of his ears, but he managed to stay on the rock and to nuzzle her back. She was warm, and smelt like a female should, faintly grassy. It felt a little awkward to have her there rather then his beloved lioness, but Yjinde knew what he had to do, and was looking forward to the pups.
So, with a contented sigh, he looped his paw over her shoulder, and settled down to wait out the heat. Then they could hunt some hare or pouch rat or both and get started on the long trek home.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
