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 Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 1:26 am
 Skies were dark at last, which meant only one thing for the celestial pelted lioness; safe passage. Hesper had been on the run for many moons now, however, she was starting to see that maybe, just maybe, he was not longer following after her. The brother who posed as her lover... and made her birth a litter of demons.
Shuddering from the thought of seeing their nasty faces, Hesper picked herself up and moved forward. There was no time to lag in the rogue lands. One second of waiting could end your life she had taken notice. There were tale of cannibalistic lions and hyena that enjoyed torture... And then there was he who's name she wouldn't dare utter, least he be summoned by it.
Yes, there were far too many dangers out in the world.
Flicking her tail to remove the dirt from it, the lithe lioness trudges forward, gently moving the grasses that surrounded her. She had found they made noise when she pushed them forward, but if she move them in a circular fashion away from her body no noise was uttered. It would be helpful to remember that information when she needed to hide... or hunt for that matter. Thus she found herself practicing to perfect her stealth as she moved onward.
So much time and so little things to do. Just learn and keep learning. Become strong... maybe even enjoy herself.
Bitterly she replied to herself. "Hah... enjoy myself." Surely she was loosing herself, thinking so positively.
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 3:46 pm
 Niu had just finished off a meal and was currently trying to wash off the blood stuck to her fur in a pool of water that had formed. She was being very cautious though as she knew the water would definitely attract other predators. Prey was safe from her for the night since she had just eaten. Still, there were no prey animals around her as they were probably trying to sleep for the night. Since night was usually the time to hunt, they tended to stay well away from predators like her.
She managed to get most of the blood off except for places that she couldn't really see all that well, like under her chin. Some hyenas might think that she was weird for trying to stay clean all the time. It wasn't like she was a feline and could clean herself. She had tried that and failed miserably. After doing a satisfactory job in her opinion, she went off to a nearby tree to lay down and rest.
Niu had just started to doze off when she heard a voice nearby. It helped to be alert even while asleep. She sat up to look for the source of said voice. It actually took quite some time for her to make out pale markings. The rest of whatever the creature was, was very hard to see in the darkness, despite her good night vision.
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 4:05 pm
Hearing sudden movement in the distance, Hesper's ears perked, attempting to pick up on just what direction it had come from. Lowering herself, Hesper used the different angle to frame anyone and anything in the area. A few rocks, trees.. . and something with a light coat near one of the trees. Squinting to make out the image better, Hesper realized just what that way.
A hyena.
Her heart was suddenly in her throat. Karma must be the reason she would run into a hyena after just thinking about them. That was the only way. What if she was attacked. It had already noticed her she assumed, even with her dark, starry pelt.
Let it come... I can take it on.
Eyes narrowing, Hesper took a few more shaky breathes in. Maybe it wouldn't attack, but she was right. She could take it on. She took him on after all... It was just going to take a lot of guts and swift actions. Continuing to camp, she waited to see just what the hyena would do.
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 4:36 pm
Niu sat in her spot just watching what she now assumed to be a lioness. She wasn't entirely sure but the vague shape looked like a female lion. Now it was a matter of seeing if the lioness would attack her or not. She knew that some lions were naturally aggressive towards hyenas and the opposite was also true. She was just not that kind of hyena. Perhaps the lioness was waiting for her to say something. A way to prove that Niu was not going to attack her.
She put a tentative paw forward and cleared her throat. "Uh, if you were planning on drinking water, I won't bother you." Perhaps that is what it was. They were both near a water source so it was the logical thing to think. Her muscles tensed in case she had to run away fast. Hopefully friendliness will keep her from getting into any kind of trouble.
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 4:59 pm
Cyan eyes widened as she heard the hyena speak. It was feminine in nature, however she knew from experience to not decide anothers gender based solely on another's voice. Cautiously raising her body back to a standing position, Hesper watched her company. No signs of it attacking her, and the thought of having a drink did sound rather charming.
"That sounds like an idea... But who are you? How do I know you are not a threat?"
It wasn't like she was being rude, either. She just wanted to make sure to not die today. It wasn't on her agenda. However, she was curious. Didn't hyena stay in packs normally? Ears perked in alarm and eyes widened. This could be a trap.
"Are there more of you...?"
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 5:07 pm
Niu decided that being very open about who she was and what she was doing would be the best option. Clearly this lioness was being just as cautious as she was. So if they both proved to be non-threatening, there would be less tension between them. She stepped forward so that the lioness could clearly see her in the night. "I'm not a threat and I'm very much alone. I don't travel with a pack." She didn't have one.
Niu did not want to scare off the lioness if she were truly thirsty. Out here, in the rogue lands, water was sometimes hard to come by. So any chance to drink water was a blessing. She offered a smile to the stranger. "I have no plans to attack you and prefer to meet strangers under friendly circumstances."
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 6:04 pm
Hesper released a breath she didn't even realize she was holding when the hyena spoke. She had been incredibly startled by the fact that she had move forward. But now, she was calm. Happy, even, to have a chance to meet another race out in the rogue lands under friendly circumstances. Looking the yellow and pink colored creature up and down, Hesper finally smiled.
"This is the first time I have met a hyena... Are you... female?"
Wandering up next to the hyena, Hesper took the opportunity to examine her thoroughly, still looking around the area, just in case, before continuing to stare. They had huge ears. Huuuuuge ears.
"It is interesting, your ears are so large. Ever have a problem with flies or ticks?"
She was generally curious and very eager for a reply. However, in mid-thought on how the hyena might keep its ears cleaned.. she realized she was being rude. Not even offering her name.
"AH! I am so mind boggled right now. Still new to this rogue thing. I am Hesper."
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Posted: Wed May 09, 2012 8:28 pm
Niu kept a calm and happy face to reassure the lioness. When the lioness finally smiled in return, she felt herself fully relax. It was quite interesting that she had never met a hyena before. Perhaps she had been quite isolated before this. Niu wouldn't know, she had never been part of a pack. She had been born to rogue parents and had remained a rogue. Though the thought of a pack and family highly appealed to her.
"Yes, I am a female." She held herself still while the lioness inspected her. There was no harm in letting oneself be curious. She let herself laugh at the ear comment. "They are large but I've never had too much problems. I try to keep myself clean and I let the birds pick off any stray ticks. Monkeys are good if you want to get rid of flees. As long as you pose no threat, there is a chance that they'll clean you." She tried to be nice to every creature she met, even prey animals. So there were times when she had monkeys groom her. It was very interesting how they chattered sometimes.
"Nice to meet you Hesper. I'm Niu and don't worry about manners." She knew some rogues who didn't even know what manners were. "You'll find that there are some born to this life with no manners at all." Luckily, her mother had raised her differently. She had been taught respect for life.
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 2:28 am
Ah, so the hyena was a female. Now it seemed a little less awkward, as the voice did match the gender, and being around another girl always helped her feel calm. Taking a seat to listen to the pastel colored hyena speak, Hesper's face couldn't help but crack a grin.
Having another animal remove the pesky critters on her did sound brilliant. Perhaps if they did a bad job she could eat them instead of thanking them. Giggling now herself, the lioness envisioned her own grooming. He had never suggested such a thing and so every so often she would get a pesky tick or other critter that she had to have him remove.
"Such brilliant ideas you have. I wonder what such a sensation might be like, perhaps I will have the chance to try it soon."
Watching Niu speak, Hesper thought back to some of the characters she had met since her leaving. Most of them did have some manners, though there were those that really... could brush up on them. Even pondering the idea of others that couldn't even spare respect.
"I would most certainly dislike running into any of them."
Yawning, Hesper eyed the pool of water, inching closer towards it. Perhaps a drink would be good, maybe even a nap. Then... she could continue forward to somewhere. Perhaps Niu could even give her an idea of somewhere interesting she could go.
"...That water is looking incredibly tempting now, along with sleep. However, I first must ask... Do you know of any areas where I might be safe to stay for a bit of time? I am new to the rogue life... I thought perhaps being part of a pride would help me."
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Posted: Wed May 23, 2012 6:36 pm
Niu felt no need to fear the lioness before her. Clearly she was not a rogue by what she said and the questions she asked. Some were just not suited for living a life alone. Niu sometimes wondered if she stay a rogue or if she should find a pack of hyenas to join. She also wanted to find the one hyena for her. That was awfully hard to do as a rogue.
She smiled at Hesper. "I like to observe other animals sometimes. It probably also helps that I try to be nice to all of them." Niu was glad to have offered some advice to Hesper. It would not sit well with her if she could have helped someone and they end up getting hurt or worse.
Her eyes followed Hesper's to the cool water not far from them. "I'm sorry to say that I avoid going near any prides of lions. They usually don't take too well to hyenas." She lifted up her paw and pointed to the mountains in the distance. "There are a lot of prides that way. I heard there is also a massive lake too but I've never ventured there for fear of being chased away. If you want, I can guard you while you sleep. I sleep during the day and am usually up at night." There would be no harm in helping the lioness get a safe night of sleep. Some days she didn't get much sleep because something would wake her up or she would get chased off by another predator.
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Posted: Sun May 27, 2012 8:43 am
Watching Niu smile, Hesper found herself smiling back, however a certain question kept tugging at her. So, she asked. "Have you ever been taken advantage of because of how kind you are? Why she asked so bluntly, even she was unsure of, however it was eating at her. Were those that were too giving used? It was rational... In a way she was even using the poor girl. Then again, it wasn't will ill will. So was that truly using?
That will be something to think on another day...
Pondering Niu's way of thinking, she decided that she could not be kind to every creature that she came across. What if she thought of them in good faith and they used her? It happened before, after all. That was the reason she was out wandering around the rogue lands. Grimacing at the though of her 'ex-mate', Hesper looked away quickly, not wanting Niu to see her expression.
It was only when the expression and thoughts were completely shoved below the surface that Hesper looked back to Niu. Her ears now perked, ready to listen to what she had to say. And again her face twisted, only this time, into a frown.
"It is too bad they can't. I am enjoying your company, however, I won't lie. I thought you were going to try attacking me or something first." Eyes followed the pastel yellow paw then looked further, to just where they were pointed. The mountains, aye? She might head there then, or perhaps keep Niu company for awhile.
"You don't have to, however if you do, I would greatly appreciate it. I only need a nap. Perhaps I could travel with you for a bit too. If you would like. " Offering a small smile to show her genuine feelings on what she said, Hesper hoped, maybe, just maybe, she would say yes. Travelling with someone else sounded incredibly nice... especially after being alone for.... Too long.
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Posted: Tue May 29, 2012 5:45 pm
Niu laughed at the question that Hesper asked. The fur around her eyes wrinkled with mirth. "No, I may be nice but I do my best to not be stupid." She had lived her whole life as a rogue. Without anyone else to care for her after she was old enough to care for herself, she learned fast enough when she was being used.
Niu thought on what was said. There was no surprise that Hesper thought she would get attacked. A lot of hyenas didn't take well to lions. It was stupid to just attack without cause in her opinion. Just because another was not the same species as you was not a good enough reason. "I had a feeling. It's good that you're cautious though. But you'll never have anything to fear from me." Her smile was genuine.
"It's no problem for me to stand guard. I would like the company if you don't mind being caught with a hyena friend." Niu saw no reason not to travel with Hesper. Two pairs of eyes was definitely better than one and it would help for hunting. "If you want, I'll take you as near to the prides of lions as I'm willing to go."
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