Once more Ujuzi found herself seperated from the pack, her eyes scanning their surroundings. It was close to dusk, she'd slipped away for a bit of bathing in the river that they followed, and had already washed and dried herself off. She was lying in silence watching the colors merge on the horizon, absently hoping for some company.
((Sorry it's small XD brain's a little frazzled.))
Kengee busily sniffed the cold floor as the sun began to set, a little frustrated with himself for losing the trail of his latest prey. He ignored his growling stomach for the moment as a new scent wafted through the air, filling his senses. His canine ears perked up as his nose twitched fervently. That smelled like a female.He padded along the ground as the smell grew stronger, quite pleased with himself. Maybe his hunt hadn't been completely in vain after all.
Ujuzi's indigo eyes turned in the direction of the newcomer.... the second male she'd encountered out here alone in two days. She wondered if this one would be inclined to join a pack, or if he'd come all this way for some self indulgent purpose like the other one had. She gave a small nod in greeting, but didn't get up from where she was lying down.
As Kengee finally caught sight of resting female, he made note to check for males before making himself too comfortable, scanning the area carefully with his eyes. He wasn't looking to get into a territorial dispute right about now, especially since he hadn't eaten yet. He puffed out his chest a bit in attempt to look somewhat imposing, but failing miserably.
He gave her a coy grin as he came closer, sniffing at her and then sitting a ways away. "What's a pretty thing like you doing out here alone?" Kengee idly mused as he gave his paw a lick.
Kengee actually managed something that hadn't been done before. He left Ujuzi completely off her guard and BAFFLED. Word, for, WORD, and ACTION, for ACTION he'd just duplicated the other male's actions. Ujuzi was more than a little surprised!
".... Excuse me?" She blinked, stupified instead of insulted this time.
He quirked his head a bit at Ujuzi and gave her an odd look. "It's a simple enough question. Would you prefer another? Or is there just something wrong with your hearing?" He smirked again, seeming far too pleased with the sound of his own voice. Well, in any case, she wasn't running away or snarling and lunging at him, so this was still the best company he'd had in weeks.
"If what you're after is an introduction, let me get it out of the way." He bowed his head to her before resuming his leisurely position. "The name's Kengee."
Ujuzi realized her folly and shook her head abruptly, getting up and backing away a step as if to try taking back her momentary brain lapse.
"No, I mean, that's not what I meant!"
Finally, she just looked annoyed, shaking her head again more forcibly.
"Just nevermind it."
The female stared up at Kengee with a frown, as if debating trusting him or not... Finally, she decided.
"Ujuzi. Though I'm not really alone, I'm with my pack. I was just taking some time to myself."
Kengee raised his brow a bit and smiled as he watched her, idly pondering as to what he might've said to make her so flustered. If he was feeling bolder, he might point out that she looked rather cute that way, but she seemed annoyed enough at the moment and he wasn't looking for a fight just yet.
He furrowed his brow briefly as she mentioned a pack, but his concern quickly faded, as was usual with him. "Well then, I hope you don't mind me intruding on your alone time." His tail swiped at the dirt beneath him as he spoke. He winked before adding, "I can go if you'd like me to come back later."
She was actually feeling sociable... maybe because this one had already seen her out of sorts, or perhaps the fact that he seemed... somewhat genuine at least... whatever the reason she saw no reason to chase him off yet.
"No.... you may stay for now."
The wording came off a bit haughty, but the tone wasn't. Ujuzi turned her gaze away from the male and reseated herself.
... She'd allowed him to stay, but conversation, on the other hand, was something better left to the other half. She didn't take intrest in initiating idle banter, though she didn't mind it with the right company. It was all mostly a guise to cover the fact that Ujuzi felt socially inadequet. She wasn't really interesting, not even normal like other wild dogs. She didn't talk much unless prompted.
Kengee's orange eyes gleamed with amusement. He wasn't sure whether or not he was supposed to feel privileged by her invitation to stay, but this Ujuzi was intriguing to him, so he decided to take her up on the offer, his cordial gaze unwavering as he spoke. "If you don't mind me venturing the query, does the reason for this little retreat involve some sort of quarrel within your pack, or were you just feeling disconnected tonight?"
He seemed to have manners, but at the same time there was definitely something about him that came off as somewhat charming. Ujuzi was horribly embarassed to realize this, but didn't seem to have any trouble hiding it.
"Neither, really. I'd been traveling on my own for weeks, maybe months before I met Haiji. Since I was young I've liked to have space to myself, however.... I'm perfectly happy within the pack, but some habits just seem to die hard. So, now," She ventured, looking at Kengee from the corners of her eyes. "what finds you out here alone, if I can return the question?"
Kengee's ear twitched as he listened attentively to Ujuzi, happy to have a bit of decent conversation. "I can understand that, I suppose. I've been on my own for a while now, but I enjoy good company when I can find it," he spoke, his maw curling into a warm grin.
Kengee's smile faltered and he let out a quick snort, finally remembering why he had been out there. He dug his claws into the dirt and shifted his weight, giving her a shrug. "As for me, just the usual struggle for survival. One thing about the solitary life is you usually end up with the leftovers. Hunting has only been getting harder the farther I travel, and fighting lions and cheetahs for a spare gazelle isn't exactly my idea of fun."
"Agreed." Ujuzi scoffed softly. It hadn't been that long ago that she was in that same situation, though she'd readily be the first to admit that she was the one that chose such a life. Things were different now, though.
For a moment she wished Haiji had been there, recruiting wasn't something Ujuzi fancied herself to be good at, but the worst that he could do was say no.
"I guess that's the real initial reason I decided to travel with Haiji. Strength and well being in numbers. I don't regret leaving home though. You wouldn't happen to be looking for something like that, would you? We do have room for another, we always do. We don't stay in one place for more than a few days, is the only catch."
Kengee thought for a moment before giving her his answer. True, he wasn't really fit for the life of a lone wolf. Also true, the prospect of spending more time with other wild dogs, particularly this one, sounded very enticing. But was he truly ready to commit himself to a pack; a life of taking orders, having to adhere to someone else, not being free to go when and where he wanted to? He thought it over carefully. It would be a life filled with responsibilities.. With duties.. Surrounded by many other wild dogs.. Likely, more than a few females.. And surely more game than his diet was used to.. He blinked. Was he ready for that life?.. You better believe it.
He grinned wide, nodding his head in agreement. "I'm a natural-born drifter, so that isn't a problem for me." Kengee winked a bit. "And I'd hate to be parted from such agreeable company as yours."
She wasn't sure why, but Ujuzi definitely noticed that she felt relieved to hear him accept. She also realized she'd been holding her breath (a little...) for his answer. Strange.
She wanted to ask what was so special about her company but thought better than to purposely (however unpurposely) encourage such a possible response in that moment.
"I'm sure you'll get along well with the others." She commented, instead, skirting the flirt.
((I can make you a few if you like. Just PM me the pics and if you want stuff for the font-color section let me know that.))
The tan-colored dog blinked at Ujuzi's response, still not sure if she was even enjoying the conversation. This female was nothing if not hard to read. But he was quick to offer her another smile anyway. Even if she wasn't enjoying herself, he certainly was, and as long as the rest of her pack were as pleasant to be around as she, he was certain he wouldn't have a problem. He quietly pondered what would happen if the others turned out to be psychotic leopards or something of the sort.. Kengee escaped his internal musings and finally offered a response, nodding to Ujuzi. "I hope so.." He smirked. "At least, I like to think of myself as somewhat likable. One never can tell what others' perceptions may be."
She smirked suddenly at that comment.
"I didn't chase you off, did I? I'm much harder to please than the others."
And with that said Ujuzi rose to her paws and gave herself enough space to stretch out. That was all the hint and answer that he'd get for now. It was true, Ujuzi's true feelings could be very hard to read. It was by no coincidence either, she tried hard to keep them locked away to avoid wearing them too bodly on her sleeve. She didn't want to invite anyone in to try their hand at hurting her like she'd seen done to others, because she knew which blows would hurt more than anything else.
Kengee grinned. He didn't mind her aloof exterior.. It almost seemed like an invitation for him to attempt to figure her out, which only intrigued him further. His eye sparkled as she smirked at him, but he didn't comment on it. Instead he let out a yawn, his ears swiveling back. "Well, that's a relief."
He sat up as she did and flicked his tail in the air, stepping a bit closer. "Lead the way," he said with a brief nod of his head. "I'm ready when you are."
Ujuzi took a curious wiff at Kengee and gave her tail a few wags, and started off in the direction of Haiji and Haveo. Goodness knew they were a small little troupe, but no one was concerned about that yet. They'd recently suffered quite a blow to their numbers when Dhati left, taking Mataka and another potential female with him. Since then it would have only been Haiji and Ujuzi, had Haiji not found another to recruit the following morning.
"Our pack is very small, right now there's just our alpha, Haiji, Haveo, myself, and you..."
Ujuzi left a brief pause here, feeling a little excitement as she finished-- was this how Haiji felt when she recruited new wild dogs, or was this something else talking?
"We're going to rebuild the Hamaji pack of legend."
