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 Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 7:51 am
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 7:58 am
[ Message temporarily off-line ]
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 9:38 am
T e a r s ran the curves of the caramel and white face as Ona'raha took his first step, ears twitching at the familiar chirping from the avian. He had to believe now, had to believe that she knew where she was going and that he would soon be home.
She had told him of the river and of the savannah that awaited him and when he found himself crushed so heavily by doubt she would tell him that she had seen other tattooed lions from her place in the sky. He would believe her only because if he didn't have hope he would simply fade away, and yet his mind kept asking.
Could there really be any other survivors?
His own innocent eyes had seen the plague rip through their clan, tearing everyone away from him who he held dear. His confidence slipped and with it a sheath of fear slipped over him. He was shy, so shy that he jumped at his own shadow. Kucha was the only one he trusted now and with each long day of isolation he began to slip into a state of utter despair.
The tears continued to trail down his face as he limped painfully over the rocky ground, the skin on his pads worn down so that they were sore and painful. His body convulsed with another hacking cough and as he stumbled again he heard Kucha's call.
"Shelter just ahead!"
Another quiet rumble of thunder echoed somewhere behind him and he shivered, quickening his hobbling pace. From a distance one might mistake him for an elderly lion stuggling to get his old bones moving and yet this was far from the truth.
Ona was simply under-nourished, tired and still grieving over the loss of his adored parents. His pink nose sniffled as he followe the sound of Kucha's wings and finally through the mist of rain he saw the small cavern that had seemingly been abandoned by it's former residents. With a sigh of relief the young lion stumbled forwards through the rain, his body now soaked with the moisture as he dragged himself into the dry belly of the den and collapsed. His sides heaved and for a moment he simply lay there catching his breath staring out of the entrance across the rocky paths that would eventually lead him home. Beside him Kucha gave a contented chirp and began to preen her soaked feathers. She was a vain little thing but very kind-hearted, especially towards those who needed her help.
Then finally when he had caught his breath he turned his head to gaze at his guide and began to form a question. "Why....why do you want to help me?"
"You are lost and all alone." She replied, flicking her wings smartly to her sides before settling on the ground and puffing out her feathers so that they would dry. "Do I need more of a reason than that?"
Ona' sniffed and shook his mane, spraying both of them with droplets of water. "Oops..." He looked at her sheepishly and sneezed. "Thank you Auri'rubani, thank you for not giving up on me." He leaned forwards and brushed a tongue against the bird's back, giving her a sort of mischievious look. "I wouldn't have been able to get this far without you."
"Of course you would! You're full of determination!" She retorted as she moved closer to him and made a bed between his forepaws. "Now, let us rest. We can continue once the rain has stopped."
"And...food?"
"Do you think you can hunt?"
Ona'raha felt a pain race through him that attacked his heart so ferociously he thought it might be the end of him. And yet when he opened his eyes he was still there...
"Ma and Pa never got round to teaching me...I was only a juvenile when we...parted." He sniffed, tears threatening again as he thought back to his old life - one that he would never regain.
"Oh, I'm sorry dear."
"It's...it's okay." With that he settled down to sleep, listening to the thunder of the rain outside of the den and the own pounding of his poor broken heart.
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 10:19 am
She stopped for a moment, the clouds was floating by so nicley and they looked so soft and they had no problems in the world at all. It must be easy being a cloud she tought and sighed. Then she lifted up her right front paw and licked it a little they where sore from all walking, she wasn't use to walking this far on her own..
Everything felt so much easier when you had a family to walk with but now she was alone. She didn't know why she had woken up all alone and cold maybe her family left her? but why should they do that? there as many things she didn't understand in this strange world but this little girl was brave and strong and very stubborn there wasn't anything she couldn't do
" Come on girl just a little more "
She encurage herself to walk somemore just to find some water or someplace to rest for the night. Then she heard a strange sound and it was a mullering strange sound. What was that? she looked up at saw big dark grey clouds..
" Oh no...where did those come from? "
He pouted her mouth a little and looked unhappy seeing those thunder clouds. She started to hurry maybe if she wouldn't find a good place to rest at she would be all wet and maybe the lightning would stroke her? she didn't want to take that chans so she scanned the area with her now more worried eyes and then the sky opend up and realesed it tears she never liked the rain so much at all and specially not these big rains. She walked around for an etnernity she tought butwhat was it over there..
" Oh great maybe i can hide over there "
She saw a cave or something that looked like one and she runned over there and didn't see if there was someone already in the cave she was so wet and cold that she didn't think clarley. She shoke off the rainwater and started to look around.
" Hallo?! is there someone here? "
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 10:41 am
"I could never be angry with you, but Ona my darling, you must understand...I am going to a place you cannot follow. I go to the place where my grandfather rests and so you must stay here with your father and live out your future. Please...don't cry, be happy my love. Promise me Ona, promise me you'll survive, promise me you'll be happy..."
T h e Ela snapped from his dream at the sound of the voice, his eyes widening in shock and surprise. "M-mother!?" Then as his eyes met those of the strange cub he realised to his horror that this was no relative of his. In fact the cub's body was void of tattoos which could only mean one thing:
She was an outsider!
His whole body tensed as he scrabbled as far back as possible, his body crammed against the far wall of the den as he sat trembling in fear. "P-please! Don't hurt me! Please!" It looked rather strange to see an adolescent male cowering under the sight of a female cub, but Ona knew only outsiders as danger.
The Darkfire pride had been outsiders and they had destroyed his life and had been the cause of his parent's demise. His mother was gone and his father too and he was alone, all alone! Tears beaded in his crystal eyes once more.
"Please, if this is y-your home then I'll leave! I-I won't come here again." He sounded frantic and his skinny and worn body trembled like aleaf in a violent breeze.
He was in a state of sheer terror.
Kucha let out a small squawk as she was knocked sideways by the frantic movements of her companion and dragged herself to her talons, pausing to tip her head up to the cub. What was going on here? Why was Ona so scared of a little cub? Did it mean to eat her? She blinked the sleep from her eyes and tipped herself forward.
"Hush now Ona." She spoke, moving over to pat the male fondly on the hind leg with a spread wing.
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Posted: Mon May 22, 2006 11:41 am
Pona blinked and tried to see if there was someone there inside the dark. She concentrated her small eyes and got a little shocked but not scared to hear someone say something. It was a very scared voice what could it be? a small animal? maybe a lizard or something. She perked her ears and heard the word mother?
" Oh mother? i am sorry little one but i think i am to small to be your mother "
She tought this creature inside the cave must be a little animal and a very scared one, poor thing she tought. Then her eyes got use to the dark but what was that? that wasn't a small animal it was a lion and he was big much bigger then herself but he looked so scared maybe he didn't see she was just a small cub..
" I am sorry i took some shelter from the rain nothing more "
She shoke off some rain water from her fur she felt more warm now that she got some shelter. Then she noticed the featherd creature she smiled and sat down and looked at the male lion. He was so big he looked rather strong too it was amasing that those males always got so big she wanted to grow big too one day.
" Umm sweetie did i scare you? "
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 3:16 am
T he adolescent continued to press himself back against the den, his body tense, his ears flat and his eyes sorrowful. He looked quite pitiful as he tried desperately to keep some distance between him and the stranger. Yet was it truly his fault that he had turned into this timid little thing? Once he had been full of energy with a happiness that could infect the whole Clan if he had deemed it and yet here he was now - just a shell of the lion he had once been.
This one seemed to be different however, for the tone she used was soft and kindly. In a way it reminded him of his mother and the way she had tried to soothe him after his nightmares began. Tears threatened in his eyes once more and he tried to back up further, paws scrabbling frantically against the ground.
Perhaps this one was a deceiver, one who meant to lure him into a sense of security and then in the next moment tug out his throat with her teeth. He had seen the power a lion had and seen the pain a single bite could cause and it frightened him to think of going against enemies like that. How could he beat someone who knew the ways of claw and fang?! He whimpered again but slowed his frantic scrabbling as the energy quickly drained from him. He was tired, weak and terribly scared and this alone was enough to tire him out for a good few days.
Kucha by this time had stepped forwards, realising that it would take a lot of soothing to get her follower to calm down - though he seemed to be a little better now. "Come in dear." She spoke in a motherly tone, hopping forwards on her spindly legs to inspect the pale-furred child. "The weather is terrible outside." She twittered and hopped sideways, extending one orangey wing in welcome, "so be sure to make yourself comfortable in here. Oh!" She turned briefly back to Ona who had frozen in a rather submissive posture. "Don't worry about him, he's just a big coward." She meant the comment to be playful and teasing but Ona only whimpered and curled up further.
With a small sigh she moved over to her newly adopted 'son' and patted him once more on the hind leg, whistling in a cheery way as if to try and gain a more positive reaction from him. He simply shuddered and closed his eyes.
"I don't think he's used to being around others." Kucha continued, finding herself wanting to explain to the cub. "He's been away from his own kind for a long time. He's quite harmless though I assure you!" For looking at him now who could believe that Ona would ever hurt anyone? He was too nervous to be a fighter and yet when he opened his eyes again there was a deep confusion that made him look so much younger than he was.
In his mind Ona was still very much a child.
During Kucha's little explanations the Ela had moved to lie upon the ground, his pale eyes staring intently at the cub. She was not of his kind and yet she was friendly? The only outsiders he had ever known were the Darkfire pride and they...they had been anything but friends. He sniffed lightly and dipped his head so that his nose pressed against a foreleg. He was feeling a mix of things now; nervousness and embarrassment being the main things. And yet as he peeked between the bangs of his white and silver mane he couldn't help but think that maybe his fear had been for nothing.
He shifted again so that his body lay against the back of the den and forced his body to relax, remaining quiet to let Kucha reply for him. Apparently she would be his voice until he found his own.
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 8:56 am
The young female got a more serious look on her face when she saw that the male lion that the birdie called Ona? she took a few more steps closer into the cave so her paws could dry so she wouldn't stand in a little pud off water.
She continued to look at the lion, he seemed very nice but still so weak somehow, he looked so big and strong and yet he was so weak maybe some terrible things had happend to him or his family but older males was usually alone her dad had told her that. He had told her and her sisters many stories about his adventures life when he was an adolescent before he met her mom.
" So um can i ask your names? i am Pona "
She smiled and waved her little wet tail as a very happy hallo. These two seemed very nice so she didn't think they do any harm to her specially not the lion. He almost reminded off a cub but he wasn't. Pona got a more confused look but there was many things in this strange world she didn't understand.
She made a little laugh when the bird patted him they looked so cute together a bird and a lion. She layed down on the ground and started to groom her fur a little she didn't like doing it herself but she was use to that her mom or sisters helped her.
" So are you from around here? "
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Posted: Tue May 23, 2006 10:28 am
K u c h a gave a pleasant chirp and gave a small bow towards the small cub, her tiny beak clicking as she hopped a few steps forward. "Oh, I am known as Kucha and this here is Ona'raha. It is very nice to meet you Pona, though I can't help but wonder why you are out all alone." She fluffed herself up as a stray breeze whipped around the den. "It's not the most pleasant of evenings."
"As for us, we are travelling to a new home to start a fresh life." She gave a sad little chirp and turned to gaze at Ona who had finally ceased his trembling to stare at her through his crystal eyes. "Something happened to Ona's old land and he was told to travel west to settle in a new one." The adolescent had told her a few details about his past but not everything. All Kucha knew was that she had to lead him to the land he had been searching for.
She paused for a moment, tipping her head up as she gazed thoughtfully at the child, a strange mothering instinct kicking in. "Where are your parents? I'm sure they are worried about you."
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Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 7:54 am
Pona started to groom herself some more her tail and ears was important she started with them first then she got to the rest off the body. She felt much better now, she shoke her body a little so her fur puffed up a little she looked like a little ball off fur right now before the hair layed down on it's place again.
She moved a little closer to the two strangers but not to close Ona still seemed nervous around others specially strangers but she was still just a little cub.
She listend to what the bird called Kucha had to say that story was so sad but could that boy really make it? he still looked so weak and like a child himself, maybe he needed some help.
" Ah well i woke up all alone and cold for about 2 days ago i think...my family and pack was gone i don't know where they are at all...mayeb they forgot about me? "
She sighed she seemed sad but she was more angry actually she wanted an answer. Why did they leave her? but she didn't really know if she ever was going to find them she had tried to pick up there scent but nothing and there was not a single trace off them no footprints no nothing..
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Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 8:09 am
Kucha's heart went out to the little one as she told her story, wondering if maybe she had been abandoned. It was not unheard of and in fact quite commonplace among rogues who found it too difficult to raise young without a Pride to protect them. She gave a small chirp that had a sad note to it and raised her wings a little.
"I'm sorry to hear that." She replied in the most empathetic of tones, "but you are free to stay here with us until the rain stops. Do you know where you'll go from here?" She couldn't help but feel worried about the young female. The world was not a safe place, especially for ones so small but she hadn't the heart to say it.
"I do hope your family turns up. It's a very important thing to have those you love around you." She cast a knowing look towards Ona who had seemed to have settled from his paniced state and now actually looked quite tired. "To live alone in this world is to live without joy."
"Y-you're all alone?" Ona's gentle voice interrupted anything else Kucha might want to say as he stared at Pona down the length of his snout. Those crystal eyes were still nervous but steadily he had gathered his wits. Yet it was the fact that this little one too had lost her parents that had encouraged the words. For already he could feel a connection with the cub that he had not with Kucha.
"I'm alone too." Though that was pretty obvious at this point he felt he needed to say it too. "Well...except for Kucha." His voice was ever quiet, so quiet that if one was not paying attention they would miss it all together. Yet even the rain that drummed upon the ground outside could not mask the sorrow in his voice.
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Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 8:20 am
The golden female sighed one more time but then she gave Kucha and Ona a smile she was always like this even if things wasn't so good at all she always tought maybe it would work out anyway. Sure she was small she was the youngest off her sisters but she was stubborn her father always told her that.
She got up on all 4 again and streched out her body then her stomach made a funny i am so damn hungry noise.
" heh i am sorry about that, it's not eaisy to find food when you are this small "
She decided walk over to the other 2 creatures and layed down infront off Ona. There was sill space between them so he didn't have to worry about her getting to close but she was curious about this lion he was so odd and diffrent from the others lions she had met or seen. Probably because he wasn't from around here.
" Yes all alone i am afraid but there is nothing i could do more then try to survive i meen just because i am small don't meen i can try right? "
She blinked and looked at Ona with her brown eyes maybe it was true that others say about you can see a persons soul if you look into there eyes and this soul was full off energy and life.
" Yes please i would like to stay but i have no place to go after the rain stops i am afraid "
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Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 8:32 am
It seemed Ona had finally found his voice and though he flinched as the cub drew closer he just managed to keep control of his fear. Pushing away the feeling of anxiety and forcing himself to remain put he drew in a shaky breath and closed his eyes briefly before glancing away.
For a moment the silence stretched on and then finally his mouth parted again. "Survive." The word was spoken mainly to himself in a tone that made it sound like he had more to say. His mother had told him that he needed to survive, that he needed to continue living despite the grief that urged him towards the gates of death. It was difficult, very difficult to maintain that wish to live and yet he knew somehow that he had to. He had to continue to survive for his mother and his father as well as for himself. They lived on within him and they looked down at him from the clouds.
Was he really ever alone with that knowledge?
"We must all try to survive." With this he turned back to the little cub, ears flicking forwards. "Whether we are small or big, brave or scared, we all live the way we can." His quiet voice gained emotion as he spoke and then finally a soft but nervous smile broke out upon his maw bringing with it faint sparkles that glittered in his eyes.
Kucha gave a chirp of agreement and settled down to sleep, puffing out her feathers and wriggling until she was comfortable.
"Of course you are welcome to stay here! This den doesn't belong to us either dear so you have just as much right to shelter here." She clicked her beak and with a small yawn blinked her beady eyes.
"Well this is where I say goodnight, sleep well furry ones." Her voice was enriched with affection as she moved to tuck her head beneath a wing. The shadows seeming to strengthen even as she fell into a light slumber. Evening was shifting and changing, darkening into a stormy night that insisted on remaining with them.
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Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 8:45 am
Pona smiled bigger when Ona finally spoke some more and he seemed to know what he was talking about that poor male probably had it worse then her because she did still not know what happend to her family it was still so strange.
She yawned and burred up her fur and put her head on her front paws and snuggeld them. She felt very tired all this walking and no food had made her very very tired but specially it was not knowing what actually happend but she didn't have the strengh to think about that anymore right now.
" My name meens survive actually i think it is a little funny my father picked it out "
She nodded some when Ona said some wise words now he seemed much older like the age he seemed to be at almost an adult. She smiled towards Kucha also like a little goodnight smile. And then it didn't took long before the little female had fallen asleep.
But sometime when the storm almost seemed to thorn everything apart out there the little female moved towards Ona half asleep and layed down next to him and putting her nose close to his side she wasn't aware off it she just was just use to warm company when she was sleeping.
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Posted: Wed May 24, 2006 9:03 am
H i s eyes flashed open as he felt movement beside him but as he turned to gaze at the little cub who was snuggling against him he couldn't help but smile. She reminded him of how he used to be when he was younger, always snuggling up to his mother and father. It made him sad to think that other cubs might have had their families snatched from them too and dearly hoped this hadn't happened to Pona.
With a small sigh he lowered his head back onto his forepaws and let his eyes fall closed, falling asleep listening to nothing but the song of the rainfall.
---
A land that stretched before him with grass as golden as the sun and sky as azure as his mother's eyes. The wind was full of scents that belonged to lions he knew, lions of the Shadow Clan and as he turned he saw them there, walking steadily across the grass with pride written on their faces.
They had made it to paradise.
He raised his head to the sky and roared to the clouds and suddenly a new wind brought him two scents he never thought he'd smell again.
His head snapped down and before him stood his parents. His mother's grey and white form moving with a ghost-like elegance as she strode alongside his caramel father, his dark mane streaming behind him.
His heart pounded in his chest and this time the tears that filled his eyes were those of joy. He called out to them, his voice louder than ever before and with no more thinking he tore towards them, paws hammering against the ground.
They stood there waiting for him, smiles on their faces and as he leapt to pounce upon his mother he found himself meeting not fur but the cold ground beneath him. He turned his eyes up fearfully to where his father had once stood and saw nothing but darkness.
And then a voice reached him, the voice of his mother.
"Find peace son, find peace."
---
Ona'raha awoke with a start turning his head to gaze at the sunlight that streamed into the den. It was morning and apparently he had slept well despite the dreams that floated through his mind. Then as he turned again he saw the small figure of Pona curled up at his side and couldn't help but give a fond smile.
It seemed his nervousness was almost gone especially as it seemed he had survived a night in the same den with her.
He wanted to move and stretch his legs but didn't want to wake the cub so instead he stretched out his forepaws and began to lick at his paws, nibbling at the fur between his toes.
Kucha - who was an early riser - came flying in a second later, skidding to a halt and straightening ruffled feathers. Apparently she'd been scouting and she had good news. The lands that had been promised to Ona and his pride were not far off.
Her eyes darted to the sleeping cub and with a signal for Ona to keep quiet she bobbed up and down and nodded her head in silent answer to his silent question.
It wouldn't be long now. Not long at all.
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