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 Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 6:13 pm
 In just the right moonlight, he almost seemed to glow. As Luka walked through the grasslands, bright green eyes watched the world around him, mindful of the fact that prey animals could see him even at night. The moon was high, reflecting on the blue and purple stripes dancing across his body, creating an effect that had to be most eerie. Others had told him that a lot, growing up...
The deep blue lion, almost black with the night, found a spot to stop and look up at the sky, watching the stars. If he kept heading this direction, he'd hit the desert, and then if he followed the edge of it... He would eventually find his way back to... A scowl suddenly transformed his face. He'd get Makoto for throwing him out like that... No matter what he had to do.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 6:18 pm
 He didn't always roam at night, but it was something one had to do often enough to ensure no lost skill. It was a beautiful moonlit night, clear and not too cold as compared to the passing day. The lighter portions of Facio's coat almost seemed to glow as they reflected the moon's light, while the rest faded into ruddy darkness. A flicker of movement against the darkness caught the lion's attention and he turned his head slightly for a better look. There was no solid form he could make out, but markings that almost seemed to glow. They didn't quite form a lion's shape, though he guessed from the size that's what this other would be. Still, nighttime was a time for stalking, and Facio decided to observe for the time being. This one was clearly not what he sought, but he wouldn't turn down any opportunity to gain information.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:26 pm
That was the funny thing about the night. Sound carried, making it possible for most things to be heard. Amid the snorts and hoof falls of the odd buffalo, or zebra, or other animal, Luka heard... Something else. Something that didn't have hooves. The dark lion looked around, eyes flashing for a moment in the moonlight, before his gaze fell on another form, paler parts somewhat illuminated by the night. Once upon a time, he'd flee to the safety of others, but he was a rogue now. He was alone... And he craved the attention of others, even if it might be a fight. He changed his course, heading for the other animal, not sure if it was a lion, leopard, cheetah, or something else.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:29 pm
The odd markings shifted, rippled, and began to get larger as whatever creature bore them began heading straight for him. Perfect. The timing indicated that the other wasn't charging for an attack and so it seemed that this stranger wished to talk. Well, Facio would certainly oblige them.
"Good evening," he called out as he judged the other to be in range of easy conversation. "I had thought most would be sleeping by now," the pink lion went on, straining his eyes as best he could to make out the other's face in the darkness. He wanted to see expressions as best he could, the better to know what this stranger was thinking.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:49 pm
Luka regarded the pink lion for a moment, eyes seeming to flash as he carefully weighed if this lion was a direct danger or not. Looks could be deceiving, though, so he opted to remain on guard without appearing so. "Night can be better for those with dark coats..." Indeed, it kept him from frying in the sun. He inclined his head, watching the other lion for a moment. "You speak as if either you don't normally walk the night, or you do it quite often. What brings you out here at night? The buffalo around here startle very easily if they don't know the smell of a lion..."
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 7:54 pm
So, this was a nocturnal lion, eh? And a male too, from the sound of it, and from what little he could make out. The main color of the other's coat, between the odd marks, was dark and very likely black like the mane - visible only as a kind of darkness framing the other's face. No wonder he chose to spend most of his waking hours in darkness, it would likely get unbearably hot in such a coat under the midday sun.
"It is not my custom to, no," Facio agreed. "Most creatures seem to prefer the daylight hours...I merely wish to ensure that I retain what skill is necessary for hunting at night," he offered for an explanation. Not to mention he wasn't entirely certain his prey had stuck to a diurnal schedule.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:29 pm
Luka considered the other's words - Clearly male - and lifted one lip. "I see.. And what would you be hunting at night that isn't on such high alert?" He motioned with his head. "The antelope and zebra are far more skittish at night, as they don't see us..." He paused, eyebrow rising. "Unless you're hunting something... Different..." His curiosity had been piqued. "You have me curious now, are you hunting a traditional prey animal, or something more dangerous? Lion to lion..." There he went, over-thinking it.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:36 pm
Facio shrugged, though he knew the other male couldn't see the movement. It wasn't about getting food, simply about retaining his skill. But how best to explain that...
"I cannot predict what paths life will set for me. I do not hunt to kill this night, merely to ensure that should I be required to lead a nocturnal existence for any length of time, I will not find myself fumbling like a child," Facio said at last.
There were some creatures that could only be stalked under moonlight, but the pink lion was not one to play those games, not one to boast of his talent or accomplishments.
If he had, he would already be dead.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 8:54 pm
"Indeed..." The deeply blue lion contemplated for a moment, then slightly tilted his head. "Are you heading in a specific direction? Not that it matters to me, I'm in no hurry to get anywhere, just wandering aimlessly..." His tail flicked, brushing the ground. "But dust in the wind. If you don't want company, I can understand." Not everybody wanted to travel with someone, after all, and many wanted to be alone. Luka could go either way, really. He liked company now and then, but most often he was alone. It wasn't always his choice, but he didn't mind in the least. It was just how life went sometimes.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:00 pm
"No, nowhere in particular," the pink lion replied simply. Inwardly he was rather gleeful. Whether this dark lion knew the area or not, he was about to provide a boon to Facio. If he could, he would get information about all local prides and perforce investigate them. If not, he would have a wonderful foil beside him for a time, to distract any stranger's attention.
"I don't mind company in the least, as I am always interested in learning about the lands I pass through. I don't suppose you know what prides are around here?" he inquired.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:18 pm
Luka's other lip pulled back as he grinned. Perfect, a travel companion! He doubted he'd be able to mentally manipulate this lion, though, but that was fine by him. "I know of at least two prides off the top of my head. Head south, and you run into the Makono-epesi. Head west into the desert, and you'll find the Motoujamii. You wouldn't want to find the latter, they tend to beat intruders within an inch of their lives and enslave them... They kill the lucky ones." Granted, of course, the information he had was rather dated. "The Makono-epesi is mostly benevolent... They keep and race cheetahs."
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:21 pm
Ah, most excellent! He had never heard of either of these before, and while the Motoujamii sounded like the most likely candidate he'd heard in quite some time, it wasn't enough to rule out the other pride his new companion had mentioned.
"I see, I see...perhaps you can tell me more?" the pink lion encouraged his new friend. "Ah, and my name is Facio."
After all, it was only polite to introduce oneself to one's...companion.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:27 pm
"Luka." He motioned with a paw. "Shall we walk and talk, Facio? I'm sure we have much to discuss..." This was a lion who wanted to know more... He was more than willing to tell him anything he needed and wanted to know. Maybe Facio could help him, too... Only time would tell, though.
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Posted: Thu Jan 17, 2013 9:31 pm
"Indeed, I believe we do," the pink lion agreed. He sensed an interesting undercurrent here and wondered if, perhaps, the dark Luka intended to use him the way the pink lion was doing. If so, well, this would be a most interesting association.
However, he had the feeling that the other lion was younger than him, at least in treachery if not in age. Facio had decieved experts at sensing motives and did not doubt his ability to continue in this manner.
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