(backlog)
He could feel the uncomfortable air between them as they walked. There was a lot riding on this mission. If they didn't succeed, neither could return to the pride. Izrail knew there was no place for him to go. Majanga was the only family he knew. Even if he was disliked in the pride, it was his home now.
“I know I am probably not your first pick to go on a mission with.” He stated as they walked in the jungle. “The pride is filled with strong, clever sith and you got stuck with me.”
His whole life he had never even thought about his father. It was something he avoided when talking to his mother. She was always sick and he worried that bringing up his father would make things worse. It was only when she was near death that she mentioned him. The leader of a pride, Izrail could hardly believe it. How could he be a son of such a lion?
“But I promise I'm not as bad as they say.” He said with a half smile. “I'm not as smart as anyone here nor as strong, but I can hold my own in most fights. Plus I have good hunting experience.” He went into a pouncing stance and jumped forward. In the pride it was difficult to joke around and laugh. Daiyu didn't really seem like the rest of them. She didn't scare him the way the other pride members did.
Her steps were quick as she kept up with Izrail. He took like strides as he walked and didn't seem to notice that he was leaving her in the dust. “It doesn't matter who I am paired with for a mission. If Lord Majanga thinks it is best for you to be my partner so be it.” Really he should be the one complaining. He was Lord Majanga's son. Even if he was worthless, he deserved better then being paired with her, one of the only non-fighters in the pride. If someone were to attack them they would surely get hurt or worse.
Why oh why was Lord Majanga punishing them like this, she thought as Izrail talked. His words meant nothing to her. He did not have the commanding voice that Majanga held. Such a shame to. If she could not have Lord Majanga's attention, she thought that perhaps his b*****d son would do.
However he would not do as a substitute. She wanted a lion that reminded her of Majanga. All Izrail did was remind her that her Majanga had an affair.
She did give a smile when she pounced. Even though he wasn't anything like Majanga he was still interesting to say the least. The sith were a serious bunch, not a soft bone in their body. There was hardly a moment that went by when they were training or studying. She couldn't remember the last time she saw one smile. “I hunt as well. That's usually how I help the pride, as I'm not a fighter, nor do I plan to.”
She really had no reason to stay in the pride other then she wanted to be near Majanga. All her years of being by her side led to nothing. He didn't see her as anything but a stepping stone. Her ears flattened at the thought. She glanced at Izrail. His mother had something that made Majanga want to be with her. “What was your mother like? Was she pretty?” she asked curiously. Maybe she could learn what 'type' Majanga liked and she could become a cheetah he would like to be with.
The ground was slowly becoming more rocky as they started to leave the jungle. He looked behind them to gaze at the swaying branches. It had taken him such a long time to find the pride. The adventure was enjoyable, even if it was a bit terrifying at times. Part of him was thankful to get away from the pride, away from the cruel members that wanted nothing more then to hurt him. However it was his home. As time moved forward he would eventually have to return.
He would have to bring a new recruit with him as well. Another victim to join the pride, to increase their numbers to fight against their enemy the jedi.
His father wanted him to learn how to fight, but so far Izrail had avoided doing so. The thought of taking another's life sent a shiver down his spine every time he thought of it. When his father had heard of his issues with kill, he just waved it off. 'It's just like hunting, you don't feel guilt when you hunt now do you?' He would say with a small smirk.
It made a lot of sense, Izrail had thought at the time, and that was what really scared him. He didn't want to be a killer like his father or the rest of the pride. Even if it did mean his father would never respect him.
“My mother?” He said. Her voice had stirred him from his thoughts. He hardly talked about her to anyone. Even Majanga didn't allow him to talk about her. “She was very lovely. In her prime she told me that she was a great warrior. However before she had me she fell very ill. Giving birth to me only made things worse.” His voice became softer.
“She was wonderful though. I took care of her the best I could. She never asked for anything except for what she needed.”
Daiyu listened carefully as Izrail spoke. A warrior. That makes sense. Majanga did pride strength over everything else.
How was she going to compete with that? She slumped her head. There was no way she could become a fighter. Even if she wanted to, she was too weak. In training she would surely be killed. “I bet Lord Majanga really liked her.” She paused. Was she seriously jealous of a dead lioness. How little shame did she have. “I- I'm sorry for your loss.”
When she finished speaking she heard the rustle in the bushes. “Did you hear that?” She asked turning around.
Majanga didn't say anything. His mother had said good things about Majanga, but he had no idea how his father felt about his mother. “Tha-” He started to say before he heard it. His eyes darted to the bush. He could see narrow yellow eyes. Instinctively, he stepped in front of Daiyu as she darted around.
“We need to get out of here.” He said quietly. “On the count of three, run. One, two, three.” Izrail darted forward, followed by Daiyu.
(WC:1,114)
