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 Posted: Sat Dec 02, 2006 10:33 pm
 Rasuli lay in the ribcage of the elephant he had first met when he'd arrived at the graveyard. The carcass had been picked clean by now and only bare white bones remained of the large animal. It seemed so long ago... back then he'd not even been big enough to break into the thick hide of the dead animal, now he was a young adult. And he'd come far. He'd accomplished his task of joining the pack that ruled here. He'd even squirmed his way into the higher ranks. That was something he was particularly proud of.
But it was still not enough. Rasuli wasn't truely power hungry but he wanted revenge and respect. He wanted others to listen to him, not ignore him as just another lacky in Mafa's troupe. He was better than that, he knew and he was sure Mafa knew it too. Fritt was ok, she looked up to him, and somehow Tibuka felt like an equal. But there were still others that would try and displace him. Yakuti was eager to impress as were the new arrivals. He needed to secure his position somehow...
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Posted: Mon Dec 04, 2006 5:32 am
But what would he do? Kill a lion perhaps? And bring the body to Mafa's feet. That would certainly please her and prove he was strong.... But would it be enough? He yawned and exercised his jaw, pleased to see the bruise from his last tangle with a lion had pretty much healed. Well he'd pick his target better next time. Smaller perhaps, or already injuried. Not that he didn't feel he could take on an andult lion eventually... perhaps. But no point taking unnecessary risks.
Well, he was sure he could fing a scrawny lion near the outskirts of the graveyard. There were more than enough around and what better time than the present. He stretched out his front paws in front of him as he got to his feet, but something made him pause.
Any adult hyena could kill a lion.... the respect will not last...
He tilted his head, ears swiveling. That voice! He'd not heard it in so long. Not since he was a pup and full of doubt, not knowing what to do with himself. "Not a lion?" He asked himself, his voice sounding out loud while the other's audible only in his head.
Give her something she really wants... Something the pack will recognise for years to come.
"But what does she want the most..." He pondered. "The disposal of the graveyard lions, but I cannot do that alone."
Her daughter....
"Daughter?" He tried to think. Of course! Her dead pup! The one who should have been the heir. An heir would help ensure the future of the pack. She would be here after Mafa and continue her line.... and his. It was very unlikely he would shake Tukutu from his position of Mafa's mate. But all he gave her was a cowardly son. Rasuli could surely produce a daughter to be proud of! And whatever happened with the other members, he would forever be the father of the pack's heir.
That sounded like a plan. Now to just think how to convince Mafa. It shouldn't be too hard, he was head scout and her most favored follower. Padding out of his grisly 'cave', he headed towards the center of the territory and Mafa's favourite spots.
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Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 6:58 pm
Just about dead center in the graveyard stood a looming and eerie structure. It was the stark white skull of an enormous elephant, and it was also the primary residence of Mafa. Today, the alphess was in. She was laying infront of her den, the tattered remains of a dead hare inbetween her bloodied paws. Earlier, the female had gone out to the southlands for a quick snack and returned with this morsel. After stopping for a chat with Tibuka, she had returned her to mull over her thoughts.
Mafa tore away from the hare's abdoment, the stringy, gristley meat ripping away in threads. The meat slid down into her still mostly empty stomach as she licked her chops contently. Mafa wasn't one to stuff herself full, she always felt so lethargic if she did so, and these days, the female didn't have time for lazing about. There were pressing matter at paw, such as the influx of new members, which she was rather pleased with. And the maturation of the current members was also a pleasing event. Soon they'd be old enough to fight. Mabozi, too, was growing, though he didn't seem to notice it at all. Mafa had to straighten him out, no matter what.
With a gruff sigh, Mafa stood, grasping the meager remains of her meal in her jaws and then swiftly tossing them a good five feet away from herself. Mabozi would find those later on. It was barely enough food to keep the boy going, but she was starving him, forcing him to make a move on his own and hunt. Perhaps he'd catch on someday. Mafa tossed her mane, licking her bloody chops once more and looking around. There was a disturbance in the usually gray scenery. Mafa bristled immediately, a low growl eminating from her throat. The alpha's eyes narrowed, zeroing on the intrusion.
Alas, upon further inspection she saw that it was only Rasuli. With a sigh, Mafa let down her intimidating posture and simply stood, waiting for Rasuli to come closer with her head held high and mighty. It was a relief to see Rasuli, she preferred his company over all the others. He was close to her equal as she would permit, meaning, not terribly equal in her eyes, but at least more than the others.
"Rasuli, what brings you here?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2006 7:28 am
Rasuli wandered restlessly, pouring over in his mind the benefits of his plan. Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye there was movement. Something wizzing past? In such a still and dead place like the graveyard any sign of movement was like a beacon to anyone around.
He headed that way, not surprised to find he was heading straight towards Mafa's den. And it shouldn't have been a surprise to hear the growl emerge as he came closer. What it did do though, was to spring to mind the huge risk that he was taking. What if Mafa simply hated the idea and wouldn't hear a bar of it? It was quite possible she would be offended and punish him for opening his mouth and thinking of stepping out of his place.
No, what he needed to do was to stay confident. That was half the battle of convincing her. If he seemed sure, and laid it out carefully, the plan couldn't be seen as anything but reasonable.
Swallowing his doubts, he stepping up to her calmly. His head made a dip as he sat down before her, his ears turned back in respect and submission. "Hello Mafa, I've come with a proposition..." He paused. "I have been thinking of Mabozi. The prince has grown large and powerful, he does have his strong points." It wouldn't help to insult the Alpha's son. "But he lacks in other ways. For one, he will never be the heir of this pack." His crimson eyes lifted to meet hers. "And that is what you- the pack wants, isn't it?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 19, 2006 3:51 pm
Mafa's neck craned upward, raising her head to a very arrogant looking position, as Rasuli adressed her. His words made her head tilt lightly to the side in curiosity. It wasn't every day that her subordinates came with propositions, mostly it was because they had nothing at all to propose, nothing of worth to Mafa, nothing she wanted to listen to. But Rasuli, Rasuli, she could always listen too, even if she care for what he was saying.
"Yes...?"
After closing the gap between herself and Rasuli, Mafa sat slowly, her whispy tail curving in the dusty ground. Ears pressing back, she listened to him speak about Mabozi. That boy had been a very popular subject lately, around the whole pack. Perhaps it would do her position some good if she looked after him, even once in a while, she hadn't seen him in weeks. She was over due for a trip to lion territory, she pondered on bringing him along and trying to pound some things into his empty skull.
"You forget I know this already Rasuli, and of course I need an heir, be there aren't exactly the means to supply one around..."
Mafa narrowed her eyes, she hadn't thought of having more pups, even for the sake of an heir in a long time. Though she didn't show it at all, she was still quite distraught over the loss of her daughter all those months ago. This regret and pity only fueled Mafa's anger, of course. She wasn't at all ready to go anywhere near Tukutu in that aspect again. She had hoped she would never have to again, but it seemed that things weren't turning out the way she planned. An heir was needed, the pack seemed to demand it.... But why was Rasuli bringing all this up?
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Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2007 7:53 am
Rasuli nodded. "Of course, I know you are aware." He replied quickly and looking around he addressed the second point. "And yes, Mabozi's father, Tukutu, isn't here to help provide another heir... Well, could he even? Give you one I mean. The first time...." He dipped his head in respect of the lost female pup. "...Wasn't successful. And that could certainly not be the fault of a strong mother..."
He was digging himself into a hole he knew, but it was the only way. And the only way out now was through the other side.
"But there are other options. Other males, determined to see the pack survive - no better, flourish." He lifted his head and looked her pointly in the eye. "I have remained loyal to you Mafa, to this pack. I have been tol- I know it is my destiny to see it thrive."
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Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 9:06 am
Mafa let loose a low growl at the mention of Tukutu. From their close-like bond as pups, the two had drifted. Mafa had trusted him to provide an heir and he had failed her. In fact, he hadn't even been man enough to show his face since Mabozi had been born. Mafa shook her head. She didn't want him anymore. She didn't need him anymore. For a while, she'd almost been angry with herself for what happened to Maiti, the stillborn pup. But no, now furthered by Rasuli's conformation, she was positive it had all been Tukutu's fault. The b*****d.
The alpha's ear perked as he continued onward, moving onto what seemed to be his primary topic of discussion. Other males, of course there were other males. Mafa's mind rattled few of the ones she knew, Tibuka, Yakuti, Ashante, Rasuli.... Rasuli. He talked on, but Mafa had stopped listening. Her aqua eyes were glued on him, watching him with ferver. Was he really suggesting that he try to produce her a suitable heir? Mafa's mouth opened to speak, but for once in her life, she had nothing to say.
In her mind, Mafa had always help Rasuli above all the others. She remembered the day she had found the odd pup, sitting upon on old elephant's carcass. Her pack wasn't even an established force yet. Rasuli had been there since the beginning. She had always seen the younger male as a son of sorts. Just she had wanted Mabozi to turn out as. But alas. His suggestion was real though. Rasuli was one of the best. Hell, excluding herself, he was the best in this pack, she didn't doubt it. Her eyes narrowed, ears flattening to her skull,
"And if you fail me?"
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Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 7:09 am
It seemed he'd gotten his point across, as he realised Mafa's gaze was stunk fixedly on him. He stopped talking, waiting for her response. If she didn't like it a scowling would be the best outcome. Possibly a snap and a bite if she found it insulting. Not that he'd ever try to insult her! She was his leader, his alpha. She ruled this graveyard with a strong will, she was certainly an imposing force and not one to be reckoned with. He liked that. He wanted to be seen like that, or at least somewhere close.
His thoughts stopped though when she opened her mouth to speak. It was not... what he was expecting...
"Fail?" He repeated, as though the thought hadn't occurred to him. And in truth, it hadn't. The voice that spoke to him had never led him astray or let him down. And now it told him to produce an heir. There was no way it could fail.
"Have I failed you before Mafa? No, there will be no failure this time." He assured her, and partly himself as well.
(( I guess if we end up with 5 males, there could be a punishment. But hey, 5 boys is better than none right? sweatdrop ))
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Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2007 7:54 am
Mafa's solemn gaze stayed trained un Rasuli, unwaivering even as he spoke. She wasn't exactly sure what to make of it. He had been loyal and obediant ever since she'd found him, the best of her followers. Her gaze softened lightly,
"There better not be, Rasuli."
Mafa hoped he'd perform to her standards, give her a viable heir, if he did fail, well, she had no idea what she'd do. She could simply ostracize, as she'd done with Tukutu, but Rasuli was more essential to the pack than the other mutt. With a sigh, she looked away from the younger male, standing slowly and taking a few steps. Her mind was made up, her trust resting on Rasuli. No. He wouldn't fail her. He wasn't capable of such an act. She was sure of it.
((I think the chances of a girl are pretty high. We'll keep our fingers crossed x3 But boys are suuuuure adorkable XD))
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Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 7:26 am
He stood and waited respectfully. His eyes watching her movement and picking up her body language. It was hard to tell with Mafa. She had always been cold and hard like stone. Just as tough to break too. But he was good at picking up the little signals she occassionally sent his way. A flick of the ear, a glance of an eye. It was different with him than how she might act towards any other member, he knew.
And right now he could pick up her changing attitude. No, not a weakening in her stance or opinion, but possibly a more agreeing attitude? He didn't think of it as trust. That was a hard word to find out here in the graveyard. But perhaps she believed him.
As she stood and turned, only a few steps away, Rasuli picked up his cue and moved after her.
(( A girl! whee Phew! xd ))
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Posted: Fri Feb 16, 2007 1:08 pm
Mafa sighed, her head tilting skyward. Yes, this would be the best step for the pack. For its success, and for hers. Rasuli was the top male around here, Mafa herself was the best overall, there was no chance for weak puppies. There had been weakness in her last litter, but it had all been Tukutu's fault. Every aspect had been ironed out smooth in Mafa's mind.
Might as well get the ball rolling. Her head turned, aqua eyes looking to Rasuli. He was following, good. With that, Mafa trotted off towards the center of the graveyard with Rasuli at her tail. Off to her den to concieve the next generation.
(( biggrin DD Yeeehaw!))
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