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 Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:22 pm
Hunting went great. For the first time in many months, Amri felt that he could hunt for hours, the time spent with his new companion nothing short of blissful. She said she wasn't too good, but Amri was paitent, and soon enough they had worked on catching a good meal and eating it together. The jungle would be different, and he had a feeling she might find it easier to hunt there, where there were many places to hide before striking. As long as she was quite, which was easy to learn, she would fit right in.
Speaking of which, the leopard glanced to his companion in worry, the day growing late from their long journey to the jungle. Though he knew they were close, for the humidity was thick in the air, they had a few more minutes or even an hour left.
"Once we arrive," He said softly not too long after, "there will be many places to rest safely, be it in the trees, or at a large base I discovered when I was younger..." Smiling to her, it shone with thanks and happiness, the first companion he had in a long time actually content with staying by his side, secrets and all.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:37 pm
Nyota had done her best when they hunted together, not used to going after larger prey. Though she had stumbled a few times, they had managed to get a large enough gazelle to give all three of them full stomaches.
Nyota could tell that they were nearing the jungle, for the frequent amount of green brush and increase of animals was very noticable. Her nerves were starting to prickle at her, for she had never thought that she'd leave the lands that she loved, to a point. But if it would mean a better life for her, then perhaps...perhaps it would be better for her. And she also had little Kibeti to think of now, too.
She looked around at all the new things that her eyes showed her. "I'll go anywhere you want to go, Amri" she said with a warm heart. "Especially as I have no idea where to go." She laughed gently. "JUst don't lead me anywhere too scary!"
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:54 pm
Shifting again, he paused a moment at her words, and her laughter, before shifting lightly and letting out a soft sigh, "You know, I would never lead you somewhere unsafe, friends do not do that. But really, Nyota, if you ever wish to go somewhere else, I would go with you. We should show eachother where to go, I think that way, our life would end up so much more interesting." He nodded with a warm smile and stood again with his own laugh, until he realized something.
"That is, if you still wish to join me in traveling in the future..." He said softly, before looking ahead, "But really, we're almost there!" Somehow, he just had to change the subject, though he knew soon he would need to explain Mafujo to her, and just why he was so happy she was alive and next to him.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:13 pm
Nyota gave him a nudge, trying to lighten him up. "I know that, silly. I was just trying to tease you." She paused before continuing. "I don't mind where we go, for I'm not sure of what else is out there..." her words dropped off softly.
She looked over at him, her smiled dropped, her own voice quiet. "Of coruse I would like to travel with you...you're very nice to me, and I like being with you...!" She started with the sudden outburst from Amri, the little genet that slept on her back shuffling a bit in protest.
"We are?" She hadn't a clue where they were, but she was a little interested in exactly where they were going.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:29 pm
Not sure how to respond to her kind words, he just nodded eagerly and tried not to run, not realizing just how much he missed the home he had for so long until he saw it once again. When the green touched the sky, he paused a moment just to watch, before he closed his soft eyes and let out a light laugh.
"You can say if you don't like it, and I promise I will take you to wherever you wish to go instead," Opening his eyes, he just softly smiled to her and took another deep breath, deciding she needed this more than he.
"Now...are you ready to see the jungle...to see a world full of so much life...and so much beauty..." Picturing it, he decided one last thing was needed to be said, "You know, Nyota...I need to explain why I left..."
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:42 pm
Nyota's pace slowed as she could feel the nerves humming out of Amri. She could tell that his was a place she loved...and then perhaps she could learn to like it, too.
She had been looking around, noting the new plants and animals, but as his voice dropped to a more serious tone, her attention came back to Amri. Her ears drooped a bit as she worried a bit about what Amri would bring up now.
"I believe I'm ready....as ready as I can get." Her tail swished behind her, a little anticipation in her voice. Her face became a little contorted as she looked at him confused, and questioned what he said. "About...why you left? I thought you just chose to leave..."
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:57 pm
"I chose to leave, though it was for a reason as well..." Becoming a flash of akwardness once again, he just lowered his head slightly before looking back towards Nyota once again.
"You see...when I was younger, I had a lot of family and friends, and never did Mafujo come out. But one day...I blacked out when with my friends..." He shifted again, but went on, needing to get it off his shoulders, "...when I woke, it was night, and a few days later, all I heard around me were creatures mumbling about a silver monster...and when I looked down, all around me was...blood...their blood." Looking meekly to his paws, he once again saw the blood there, and let out a shaky breath.
"I don't want to hurt you, but Mafujo could...and his appearances have become a lot more frequent these days. I left the jungle becuase I would fall asleep, and wake with blood on my paws...from his killings..."
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:11 pm
Nyota lowered her head as she listened to Amri intently, making sure to not interrupt him at all. She could tell that it was difficult for him to tell her this, and so she let herself open up and focus on nothing but Amri.
After he had finished, she paused, and lifted her head back up for a moment, contemplative. She...wasn't quite sure what to say. "I..." she fell silent, her words just not coming out. She wanted to reassure him, that Mafujo, while shrewed, didn't threaten her life, not as far as she could tell. And that she wasn't afraid of the prospect of dying. She had never had much love in her life, and so she never felt concern when she closed her eyes at night if she'd awaken the next day.
But she couldn't get anything to come out, and could only look at Amri with sorrowful eyes. "S-sorry..."
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:19 pm
"Sorry? For what?" He asked softly, moving closer to her and doing the same thing as earlier that day. Brushing his cheek on her shoulder, he let out a soothing purr and chanced a warm, friendly lick to the spot as well.
"Don't be sorry, this is my fault, I should have never dragged you into this mess, but I promise, I will always be by your side no matter what happens. If Mafujo hurts you, I won't run, I will help you heal, and I will work on my hardest to keep him at bay. And if anything else happens, I will be there to go through every step, just as any friend should...you've survived when no one else could...and for that...I am happy..." Laughing softly, he felt heat brush his cheeks again in a modest way as he moved ahead to hide his seepish mask.
"You must be tired, I know a few good places to rest near by, it might be easier than trying to sleep in the heat for the first time."
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:33 pm
"I am sorry for what you...have...gone through.." Her words spread out when Amri's cheek brushed against her shoulder, and she shivered lightly when he gave it a lick to. Just...what was he doing? He seemed like he wanted everything friendly, but...she didn't quite get what he wanted.
Nyota watched him as he slinked ahead of her, a bit worried, and unsure of what to think. Best to take things slowly, everything would fall in place.
She slowly began to follow him, taking careful steps to keep behind him, to his side. "I am a bit tired, yes. I trust you to take us to a good spot."
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:47 pm
Nodding, he kept silently ahead in the lead, shaking his head at his actions. It was weird, but he was acting like a little cub, just so giddy with everything yet fearing at the same time. When they made it to a clearing before the jungle, the grasses grew plush and the trees more frequent. It was clear just ahead with the looming growth that they were on the borders, and he looked to where a nice tree was settled with a lot of plush.
"Here, this is perfect, and the shade should help cool us for the time being," Smiling to her again, he finally turned with his soft pink eyes, "I will go scout the area incase of any others we might need to worry about, but please, feel free to get settled, I won't be long or far."
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:59 pm
Nyota's paws thoroughly enjoyed the soft, plush grass that grew more frequent as they entered the jungle. They tickled her feet, but it was a comforting feeling, and she welcomed it warmly.
"Alright...I'll wait here." She said carefully, a bit nervous, but doing her best to calm herself. She balanced herself to lie down against the tree while keeping Kibeti on her back. Not easy, but she succeeded, and thus turned over to look up at Amri from her new position. "Don't be too long..." she said softly. She didn't want to be left in a place that she had never stepped foot in, not for too long. She wrapped her tail around her body, and settled in the soft grasses that she laid on.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 6:06 pm
He nodded and followed her as she went there, keeping a few yards away and a smile across his maw. Nodding at her words, he looked back as well, "I knew these lands like I know my tail, so there will not be much of a wait...I am just going to search the bushline around here...just incase..."
With that he turned and padded away, but his angle was enough that he could keep an eye on Nyota just incase. As he got to the brush, he paused and looked back, sending a reassuring smile before jumping in and scouting the sides. As long as no one was close, he knew that they would be fine for their slumber.
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Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 6:13 pm
The soft grasses and plants of these lands seemed to make Nyota a little groggy. She did her best to keep herself awake, but it was hard when everything was so soft...and so cool, yet warm...
She felt a little thunk as Kibeti slipped off her back and to her side, mewling a bit in protest that he had fallen off. She tried to give him a bit comfort, but...her eyes felt so heavy.
She drifted off into a light sleep, and the little genet had gone back to sleep, dreaming off the full stomache that he had. Nyota was just tired, for the past few nights and even days had been restless, and it was a little more action then she was used to.
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