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 Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 10:52 am
Kibsaiel:
It was getting late.
Kibsaiel looked around herself and sighed deeply. Everything in this jungle looked the same. Father had told her not to come into this place, that it was far too easy to get lost no matter how strong the draw was. She had wanted to get her father a gift, like she did every once in a while for both her parents. It was just something she liked to do, trade hunting services for a necklace for Mother or finding an interesting stone for Father. She had been doing just that today, but in exploring the jungle she had gotten tremendously lost. In the small fur and leather pouch around her neck were several interesting stones, but that didn’t help her much if she couldn’t get back home.
Another look, another sigh.
“I should have listened…” she whispered under her breath.
Jahn-Clod:
Jahn was doing what he did every evening. He was lounging by the stream that was deep within the trees of the forest. He was safe here, and secluded. With the cubnapping stories going around, he had sought refuge in solitude quite often. He wasn't a passive lion, but he certainly wasn't going to fight someone because one of his own had done something stupid. Cubnapping was dumb, because it was so easy to have them. Or at least, in his mind. He didn't understand kidnapping, when one could do the deed that was the most fun of having cubs anyway.
That was before he heard her voice. His ears perked, and his piercing blue eyes glittered in the darkness. He wondered who it was that was creeping so close to where he was. It wasn't often one that smelled so sweet made their way through. It was a dangerous forest after all, and he wasn't quite sure if he was hungry or not. He supposed he would decide when he ran into the creature stepping closer.
"Listened to whom, ma cherie?" He asked, his words tinged with the accent he had carried since birth.
Kibsaiel:
Kibsa jumped a little, startled by another's voice. She hadn't meant to say that so loudly that someone else might have heard it, but Father often told her that she sometimes didn't measure the volume of her voice well. And that sound tended to carry. Either way...
Her ears tilted towards the voice and against her better judgement she took a step towards it, moving around a tree trunk and a group of bushes to see a lion lounging there by a stream.
"Oh, hello. I didn't mean to disturb you," she replied, her ears flicking back a bit in contrition. She smiled her typical, sweet little smile with a slight tilt of her head.
"I should have listened to my father. He said I'd get lost if I ever came into this forest and lo and behold, I've no idea where I am."
Jahn-Clod:
He was sure she hadn't meant for him to hear her. But in the woods, sounds carried, and if you weren't careful...The entire forest would hear you. She hadn't gone that far, thankfully for her. Because other Vampires weren't as friendly when it came to their turf. He didn't particularly care one way or the other.
"Ah. You didn't disturb me, pet." He said, and grinned. He shook his mane out, fluffing the curls a bit. He was a striking male, pale as the moon. He had always been sure of himself, and tonight was no different.
"Well, you had best beware some others. But you have nothing to fear from me, I assure you." He was going to add 'yet'. But he didn't quite see himself getting that bloodlust for her. She was lovely.. and sweet. He bet she tasted sweet too... Okay now he was getting distracted.
He made no attempt to hide his elongated fangs that gleamed in the moonlight as he spoke.
Kibsaiel:
Kibsa's smile grew a little bit as he continued to call her names. She wasn't sure what the first one had meant, but she understood that pet was a sort of endearment, if she was to go by his tone.
She couldn't help but give him a once-over.He was probably bigger than she was, at least in height, she was a little... thicker. It wasn't that she was fat or bulky, but she did a lot of hunting usually and on top of her muscles had a nice layer of soft. It helped stave off the chill that sometimes came into her father's cave from the wind.
This male was also the color of the moon. She'd never met another lion that was lighter than she was. Although, that probably wasn't helped by the fact that she'd never really met any other lions besides her family.
Maybe that was why she was so honest and trusting...
"So there are lions here that I should be wary of? Ones that might hurt me?" Father had hinted at that once, but she never really read into it. She thought he'd been just saying that to keep her from going into the forest.
She couldn't help but take another step closer, curious about him. The fangs in his mouth, they seemed longer, maybe even sharper than a normal lion's. Not overly so, but enough to notice.
Jahn-Clod:
"Ones that will hurt you." He said, voice firm, yet friendly. It was hard to tell his mood by his voice or expresion. Though sometimes he would let a smile slip. He was being honest with her. Most of them around here would tear her apart to lap at her blood that gushed to the earth. You had to lap it quickly, else it would blend with the dirt. He hated the taste of dirt..
"Tell me, ma cherie', what is it you are doing out here anyway? I'm sure your papa wouldn't have wanted you here." He said softly, compassionately. He wasn't toying with her, though he had done it so often that sometimes he did it without thinking.
Kibsaiel:
Her ears flicked back and she lost her smile when he said that there were othersthat that would hurt her, not might. With only a moment's hesitation, she glanced over her shoulder once before taking a few steps closer to him and away from the more closely-knit trees. Vague comments from Father were one thing. Blunt statements from someone who lived in the forest...
Kibsa tilted her head at the male.
"Would they not try to hurt you?" Maybe it was because he was strong, that could be. The others might not want to mess with him. Then again, she shouldn't assume.
He asked her what she was doing out here and she smiled again, this one small and sheepish, her ears still folded back in slight embarrassment.
"My father collects stones. He said once that there was a place in this forest that had some he wished he had, but the one time he'd ventured in here he hadn't been able to leave with even one. So..." She didn't explain any further, just sat down so she could put a paw into the pouch around her neck and pulled out two stones. One was a smooth riverstone streaked with some glittering mineral, while the other was somewhat jagged, like it had been broken from a larger piece and had pieces of a dyed carving on it. Her father would love them, she was certain.
"I give him and my mother presents every once in a while. I know it's silly..." But it mattered to her.
Jahn-Clod:
He noticed her step closer to him, and it was honestly a smart thing for her to have done. He would protect her because she needed protecting. He was no white knight, but he was a gentleman.
"My dear, I am part of them. Though that isn't to say that our mannerisms are the same. Far from it." He responded to her, stretching out his body, and sitting himself up. He looked at her curiously, though he looked neutral.
"While you are with me, ma cherie', you are safe." He said, to reassure her. He didnt want to frighten her off. Who was to say she wouldnt run into someone on her way out. No, he needed to keep her trust. She needed to stay with him. That, and she had a touch of innocence that he found he really liked. Not many were innocent around here, and perhaps a few nights with him she would be innocent no longer. But right now.. she called to him.
"It is silly, if it is going to cost you your life. You are too pretty to get eaten out here. No stone is worth that." He said, and tsked. Family made you do stupid things. He was happy not to have one.
Kibsaiel:
Kibsa's eyes widened and she she dropped her stones, shuffling back a pace when he said that he was one of them. He could, there were lions here that would eat her? But that- Lions didn't eat one another, did they? That was a sin, wasn't it?
And yet he said she would be safe with him. How could she be safe with him if he saw her as food? She lookd back over her shoulder for a moment, looking for an escape... But what would be worse? He said he didn't want to hurt her, that she'd be safe with him... But safety didn't mean he'd help her.
"A... trapped bird is safe if her captor wants her to be. Will... Will you help me to the edge of the forest?" she asked, snatching the stones back up in a gesture that showed if she wasn't the strongest individual, she was pretty damn fast.
Ugh, she didn't think it would be risking her life to come... here... He thought she was pretty?
Jahn-Clod:
When she became a bit nervous, he could sense her heartrate rising. He tsked again, shaking his head. He had told her he would protect her, and already she doubted him. Oh well. He supposed he should have expected that. She was cute, but maybe she wasn't suited for a life here. Maybe.. But then again, he had a feeling she would come back.
He stood from his sitting position and stepped closer to her. His eyes were half lidded, he was trying to entice her. He couldnt help it, he wanted to see her again.. and he was a flirt by nature.
"I am no captor, ma cherie'. If I were, you would know it." He said, looking at her a bit sternly. But then he soothed, becoming calm once more before nodding.
"If you are wanting to leave, I can get you to the edge." He grinned, and nuzzled her ear a bit as he leaned in.
"Maybe you can come back and see me, yes?" Then he stepped away.
Kibsaiel:
Her fur ruffled a bit when he came closer, but this time she held her ground. Oh, this was certainly an interesting male. Yes, her heart continued to race, but it wasn't all from fear. He'd finally stood and, oh yes he was certainly taller than she was. A shiver went through her when he nuzzled at her ear and the smile finally returned to her face.
"I don't... see why not. But it would probably be better if I stay closer to the forest's edge, so that I don't get lost again. Perhaps you can meet me at the edge. If it's as dangerous as you say, I would think it would be a better idea if I didn't go looking for you." Hook, line, and sinker.
"I would like to leave now, though. It's already quite late, I fear my family might worry."
Jahn-Clod:
He knew the effect he had on women. He was not a newbie when it came to romancing. He had romanced quite a few pretty maidens in his lifetime. But none had actually ever stolen his heart. He was a pretty cold fellow after all, it would take quite a bit to fall in love.
"I will meet you at the edge, Ma cherie'. It's safest that way anyway. No one will harm you, if you are with me." Not that he had any status with the pride really. But he was strong, and if anyone came at him for her, well.. It would be a quick fight, and he had no doubts he would win.
He nodded, and began walking forward, motioning for her to follow. He knew the way out of these forests, like he knew the way around a female. He walked confidently.. His head high, his tail swishing behind him. Though he cast a look backwards, blue eyes sparkling.
"It's not far."
Kibsaiel:
She stood and followed him, moving to walk partially at his side but not quite right next to him, she was lagging just a little bit behind, her head about next to his shoulder.
"What does that mean, ma cherie? I've never heard those words before," Kibsa asked after a few moments of walking. He kept calling her that, she was starting to wonder why. She smiled at him again.
"You have such confidence. Perhaps... next time you might explain the danger and why I'm safe with you and not others." It... might help her better understand this place and just why she should be wary of this place.
And why she should trust him to protect her.
Jahn-Clod:
When she asked what his words meant, he smiled just slightly. He had been asked that frequently by every female that had wandered across him. Though some words died in their throats once he had slashed them. He didn't like to kill, but sometimes he didn't do a very good job at controlling himself if he allowed himself to get too hungry.
"Hmm? Ah. Ma Cherie'." He said, as if confirming what it was she was curious about. "It means 'My Darling.' My mother had a way about her.. She taught me my language. She was quite lovely." He said, remembering the Raven Haired lioness that had given birth to him. Her pelt was pale as the moon, her eyes a golden hue. She had been simply lovely.
"You would be safer not knowing. But if knowing is what you'd like, I could help. Yes." He said, nodding a bit.
Kibsaiel:
Kibsa continued to smile, but she dipped her head in embarrassment.
"Do you call every lioness you meet that?" she asked before she could stop herself. Really, she was just far to honest for her own good. Her heart was out there, beating for all to see.
"It seems like a beautiful language, like a song. I... wouldn't mind hearing more of that, too, as long as you don't leave me in the dark as to what it means." A different way of speaking fascinated her. She had been born with her father's natural curiosity, though certainly not his areas of expertise. She was fascinated by individuals. She wanted to learn as much as she could about this male, how and why he was different from others, what changes that made in him, perhaps, really, even what made him tick.
It wasn't at all a maliciously founded desire, quite the contrary. Where most individuals might want to know others' secrets, desires, fears, Kibsa wanted to know so that she could better understand those around her, so that she didn't offend, and so deep down in her psyche that she didn't really even know it existed, she wanted to know others' hearts so that she could do her best to protect them.
For as weak as she was physically, for as honest as she was about herself and her own life, deep, deep down she was a natural protector.
"Might I be the judge of that? I've heard it said that to remain in complete darkness is only asking for a stumble. How can it be safe to be blind to the dangers around oneself?" She paused to give him a soft, contemplating look.
"Do you think I'd be afraid of you after you tell me?"
Jahn-Clod:
When she asked if he spoke to everyone that way, she had no idea how close to the truth she was. Indeed he spoke to most that way, though there were a good few that he hated enough to not use a pet name for them.
"It is a beautiful language. Perhaps you are right, it is like a song/" He said, smiling again. Ugh why was he smiling? This female was no different than the rest of them. Or maybe she was and he just didn't realize it.
"In answer to your question.. Yes. I call most by some form a pet name. However," he went to add, "the more you are around me, the more likely you will get your own name." He said, though he didnt turn his head to see her while he spoke. They were nearing the edge of the forest, and he was ready to release her so he could find something to eat.
"Even if you knew what lie around you, ma cherie'.. You would be unable to protect yourself. That is why you have me." He said firmly. He didn't want to tell her what they were.. Not yet. He would, but only if he could trust her. That would take some time.
When she stopped, he did too, and turned to look at her.
"If you are afraid of me, then your fears are misplaced. Be afraid of the forces around you. They'd revel in the chance to hurt you. Don't give them the chance." He warned.
Kibsaiel:
She nodded when he agreed that it was a beautiful language. And then he answered her question.
Kibsa didn't even bat an eyelash in changing her expression. That was a very valid explanation. So "my darling" wasn't really the kind of endearment to him that she might have originally taken it. That certainly made more sense. She couldn't help but wonder, in turn, what her nickname might grow to be should she continue to meet him.
She turned so that she was better facing him when he warned her about the dangers of the forest, and how it would be worse if not pointless for her to know what they were in greater detail. Kibsa's smile remained as she raised one paw, pointing a claw at him not in a threatening manner but almost... liek a teacher might. Like her father sometimes did when instructing his daughters/
"Protect myself, certainly not. But knowing when a snake is venomous makes you run all the faster. Climb a tree to flee a crocodile, wild dogs are, usually, cowards who won't take on a lion unless they outnumber it. Knowing a danger and how best to deal with it, how to flee, how to hide, that's much better then being oblivious. I at least now know just what to be wary of here, other lions. Another shouldn't be able to trick me... Unless it's you." Oh, the amount of faith she was putting in him. For all she knew, he was the bad guy.
But Kibsa only smiled and nodded to him, looking out to where the trees thinned into plains for a second before returning her pale gaze to his.
"My name is Kibsaiel, I don't believe I ever said it. Sometimes my family just calls me Kibsa, I'll let you choose what you call me."
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Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2013 6:47 pm
Jahn-Clod:
"Ma Cherie'." He said, his voice exhasperated those his face still hadn't changed to show his feelings. "You are speaking far too fast. All questions will be answered in time."
He turned to face her, smiling a little which let his fangs show through once again. He would answer her questions, but he had just met her. Right now she was but a stranger, and there were some things you just dont discuss with strangers after all.
"Pleasure is mine, Kibsaiel." He said, bowing his head a bit as he finally stopped walking. They had reached the edge of the forest, thankfully. He was hungry, and it was hard to think straight when you were trying not to think about food.
"Jahn-Clod." He said, taking her paw and kissing it lightly, before releasing it.
"You are at the edge of the forest, ma cherie'. Was a pleasure to meet you." He said, and his face was stoic once again.
Kibsaiel:
"The pleasure is mine, as well, Jahn-Clod," Kibsa replied, smiling softly when he kissed her paw. It was such a gentlemanly gesture. She was a little embarrassed that he chided her on her reason for wanting to know more about the danger, but she was still just as determined as she was originally. And she really did still want to learn more about him.
She glanced away again when he finally dropped her paw.
"When should I come back to see you, in a couple of days, when the moon is full?" She had no idea that meeting him during the day wasn't something h could do. The thing with her was that she could get away from her father easier when the sun started to go down. He wouldn't be so questioning if she wanted to go out at night.
Jahn-Clod:
Before she had finished speaking he had already slipped back into the darkness. He was gone, almost as quick as he had appeared. He had little doubt she would return, and he truly didn't care if she chose not to. But who knew what the future held. He would keep his eyes out for her, and if he saw her again.. well.. Then he would most certainly get to know her a bit better.
The night wore on, and he began his hunt in search of food. He wasn't hungry, but he wanted to satisfy his bloodlust, and it wouldn't do it he had accidently lost control on her. He prided himself on never having lost control but once before.
But should she return at night, he would find her.
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