|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 12:11 pm
"Oh, they are." Simbaza agreed, bobbing his head up and down. "They're growing up pretty fast. Seems only yesterday they'd just started walking around without stumbling on their paws..." He sounded distant, but drew it back just the same. "I'm sure some of them'll be looking forward to hunting with the rest of us soon." He smiled warmly at Malek.
"How've you been?" The question was a rather abrupt change in subject, but Simbaza was hardly one to dawdle on the subject of cubs. He'd been Seeing things a bit too often when the cubs were on his mind, it made him ill at ease. Not all of it was bad, of course, but the future wasn't ever set in stone. He knew that all too well, and disliked that what good he did see could easily be changed by one tiny, miniscule decision. He drew his attention back to Malek, frowning at himself. Too easily distracted, this one. He should really work on that.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 16, 2010 3:05 pm
Malek had his reasons to be overly serious when talking to Simbaza. As much of a secret as it was to everyone else, Malek had always intended to pass on the burden of leadership (at least that’s how he’d always felt about it) to a more suitable candidate as soon as possible. But the initial plan was starting to look more distant and difficult with each day that passed. He was getting used to the weight of responsibility, more attached to every single one of the pride members and certainly more critical of the possible candidates for the role. And in his eyes a good-natured lion like Simbaza, gifted even, was at the top of the list for possible contenders.
“Good, good. Glad to know they’re doing so well.” The blue lion ponders on how to answer the next question before choosing to simply ignore it, hoping the lapse goes unnoticed. “They still seem so small. Hard to believe I - we - were ever that tiny.” His eyes gleam and the tone is playful but there no smile dangling in the leader’s mouth.
The pride was a family now – his family! - and it was up to him to make sure it prospered, to make sure all of them felt safe, respected and happy… with the possible exception of Russo (to whom happiness was a nearly unattainable goal, Malek was starting to suspect).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 1:59 pm
Oh, silly Malek. Like he wouldn't notice you blowing that question by the wayside. Simbaza was too intent on studying the leader of their little pride to not notice. But he mentioned nothing; if anything, the lapse gave him more answers then words might have. He had divulged his gifts, but not the entirety of his Being. Life was easier when few creatures on the land knew what he was. He liked keeping his history, the whole tragic thing, behind him and look to the future. That was his gift, after all.
He inhaled slowly, and let his eyes go out of focus. The Malek before him blurred, and briefly, he saw frustration and scars decorate the not-quite-as-young Leader. But that was a wrong term, wasn't it? It felt odd on his tongue on this strange Possible!Malek. But as quickly as it had come, he spoke again, and Simbaza was drawn back to the Present. "I don't think I was ever tiny. My Mom said I popped out of her full-grown." He said, eyes gleaming playfully. But the playful urge was gone, and he straightened up slowly.
"I think I may be leaving for a few days, Malek, with your permission." He said with a secretive smile. "I know of a few distant wanderers who might do well among us, if you don't mind my saying. They need a home as much as we all did before you." The way he spoke the last words, it was almost reverent. Whether Malek liked the duty of being a leader aside, he was the founder of their family, not anyone who might take over for him. He stepped away from Malek and lowered his head. "I would take my leave now, actually. The sooner I go, the sooner I may return."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jan 17, 2010 3:54 pm
“Full-grown, huh?” for the briefest of moments the old Malek cracks the surface of the stern mask in the form of a low chuckle and the blue lion tilts his head as the other male stands up. There is a moment of silence while Malek is clearly considering the request being made. His eyes narrow showing his concentration and his muscles reveal some of the barely concealed tension.
“It is something you saw, I presume…” he finally says. Another moment of silence before the leader sighs and offers his pride member a softer expression – quite possible caused by the mention of the home he has created with them - “I trust your judgment, as always. I can’t say I like the fact that you’ll go alone but I trust you know what you’re doing.”
Trust. He makes point to say the word twice to emphasize the prevailing feeling.
“I’ll ask Artemis if Anani can keep an eye out from the skies. Just make sure you come back in one piece.” He nods to the male and slowly steps away, looking at the dark shapes around him in search of the chocolate lion and his familiar.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 2:39 pm
 Right on cue, Artemis padded into the camp, a small rabbit dangling from his jaws. It's mouthwatering odor wafted up towards him, but his belly was fairly full, stiffing his desire to devour the small kill. Just about hearing his name mentioned, he flicked an ear in Malek's direction to indicate that he would be with him in a moment. His eyes scanned the clearing for the lions he was looking for, and as he caught sight of the pregnant lionesses, he quietly crept closer, ignoring stern looks from Russo to clearly leave Lani alone, and walked back over to Malek. A lioness needed prey to make milk, and with the amount of cubs in the pride, more milk would never hurt. She could eat it when she woke up.
Anani had been flying overhead when she had hit a particularly nice draft. It had felt pleasant as it wound its way through her feathers, so she had decided to soar above the ground on it for a while, her task complete with a successful hunt. Though the occasional drop of rain spat at her, the flight itself was joyful, her fragile wings carving graceful patterns into the sky that made the action effortless. However, all good things had to come to an end, and a nagging feeling grew within her that Artemis would need her.
Locking her wings against her body, she fell into a tight spiral, descending quickly and landing with grace right next to her bonded, who just happened to have reached Malek, her claws disturbing not even a single piece of dust from the ground. "I believe I am wanted." She stated, arching her neck.
Artemis eyed his rather arrogant companion before turning to the leader. "Hello there, Simbaza, Malek. Nice evening, isn't it? I believe I heard my name mentioned?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jan 18, 2010 5:37 pm
What was it with these lions showing up on cue?! Now it was Artemis, one of the most recent additions to the pride. Simbaza was one thing – with his strange ability to see the bits and pieces of future events – but Artemis was, as far as Malek could tell, a rather normal lion.
There is a smirk in Malek’s lips as the chocolate lion approaches Lani with a fresh kill – a nice gesture that will undoubtedly annoy the grumpy lion lying beside her – but his lips tighten once again before the other reaches him. With a silencing gaze, the blue lion nods as he acknowledges Artemis’ presence but waits for Simbaza to walk further away before finally addressing the brown lion.
“Out hunting again, Artemis? We need to save our strengths and the prey as well.” The absent-minded tone, however, is hardly critical and it is clear the leader has other things on his mind.
“Simbaza is leaving us for a few days.” He offers simply. “He’s going alone as usual and … I worry. I was hoping you could keep Anani on the air for a while until he is out of her sight. If something were to happen while we’re close enough to intervene…” he leaves the words unsaid, probably lost in a series of possible events that might ensue after the god’s departure. But his narrowed gaze, partially hidden by the deeply lowered brows, shows how displeased he is with what his mind is offering him at the moment.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 12:00 pm
Lowering his head slightly, Artemis took in his leader's words. "True as that may be, lionesses need to eat, especially when being swarmed by cubs. Besides, I was rather bored and the hunt gave me a nice chance to stretch my legs." And maybe it'll help prove my worth to the other pride members... Although the others had welcomed him, he still felt the need to work extra hard for the Bhanu.
Turning to his faithful crane, his dark eyes held an expectant gleam.
Arching her neck, Anani's beady eye rested upon Malek. Why was he telling her dear Artemis what to do? With a slight humph to herself, she twisted her head around to look at Artemis. Did she really have a choice? "Of course, I would be proud to." How could she resist his gaze? With a quick downwards stroke, she was off into the air, soaring through the nice currents without a second thought, scouting for the odd lion she had been told to watch.
Lowering his head, Artemis chuckled slightly. "She pretends to be above everyone, but deep down she's happy to help." He paused for a moment, "But you really shouldn't worry so much. One pride member, especially that one, can take care of himself. You don't have to be responsible for every second of every day." His ear twitched as a small drop of rain fell upon, a cool touch to the rather pleasant evening.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Feb 05, 2010 3:35 pm
“She’s… interesting.”
Malek watched as the large bird took flight, following her parting shape until he could no longer distinguish her from the dark sky. He never quite knew how to act around companions – most liked because he’d never been bonded to one – and he always felt it was safer to speak to the lion part of the bond than to the familiar itself. They were just as intelligent as lions and most definitely blessed by Zahina and no matter how closely they resembled your regular everyday prey animal, it was impossible to ignore the feeling that one should not harm such creatures. Not that he’d ever have any interest in killing an animal with eyes that looked back at you filled with so much intelligence.
“I feel the same way. I believe each every one of the Bhanu members is more than capable of defending oneself if the need arises. Well… perhaps with the exception of young Carmon but he did good on his own until he came to us.” He might not be smiling but there is certainly humor in his casual tone.
“I keep hearing that I worry too much or that I should relax…”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Feb 06, 2010 1:04 pm
"Interesting is one way of putting. Arrogant and irritating is another." He added with a low laugh, knowing she was well out of hearing range. But even so, his words were nothing but a light tease. He would be eternally grateful for his companion, she'd helped him out of many a sticky situation, and he didn't try to hide his affection for her.
"Carmon has good legs. He nearly outran you, after all." His lightly teasing voice deepened into a soft, rumbling purr. "He'd have made it in one piece in a battle, I'm sure." His mind thought back to the arrival of the young black and green lion. Although Russo had been displeased, the other members had welcomed him well enough. Anyway, when was Russo ever happy? Carmon reminded him slightly of a young cub. Then again, with a past like his, anyone would want to catch up on the years missed out.
"Maybe because that's true?" His eyes glittered with a light akin to that of stars, "And on the note of resting, I believe I ought to go and take a nap. Good bye, Malek." Stifling a yawn, the lion made his way over where Celestia and Cassia were lying, fairly close to one another. The two lionesses were friendly. Closing his eyes, the steady drum of his heart slowly decreased, only the faint rise and fall of his flanks, and the occasional low snore, showed the others that he was still alive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Feb 14, 2010 11:00 pm
It was a loud snort that answered Artemis’ statement regarding the young green lion but Malek decided to avoid further expanding the subject. Wishing to pay a short visit to every single member of the small pride, it’s with some relief that he accepts the stifled yawn.
“Rest well, Artemis. And thank you.”
Did he worry too much? What a ridiculous question to ask himself when he was perfectly aware of the obvious answer. Of course he did. But wasn’t that his job as pride leader? Wouldn’t it be careless, reckless even, not to? They were more than family to him. Each member had joined for a different reason when their paths had crossed Malek’s. Almost as if guided by a string of fated decisions they had chosen to join and respect him. Malek had come to love them in a way he’s never imagined and there was nothing he wouldn’t do to protect each of the Bhanu members. Strange how much more the blue lion valued these bonds considering he had so easily broken them when he left his old pride during his younger days.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Feb 15, 2010 9:25 pm
From a distance a green and black blob is running toward the Bahnu resting place. The young lion named Carmon seemed to be racing against an unknown competitor. He was the scout for the pride, which he never slacked on the job. If Malek wanted him to patrol the border, he left with out question. He was extremely loyal to the blue male after he had taken him under his wing just a very short time ago. The pride was interesting mix they all accepted him so readily that he felt like he was home. The only lion that was his daily reason for being a tad sad was the second in command Russo, the meanest (in Carmon's opinion) lion in the pride, had nearly chased him off when Malek introduced him to the pride.
When he finally made it to the tree he was soaked from running in the light rain for what seemed like a few hours. His streaked mane flattened to his skull and neck. His tail band seemed to glitter along with his eyes from the moister in the air. He stopped when he saw Malek talking with Artemis he didn't catch most of the conversation only the mention of his name and the snort Malek gave in response. While they are talking Carmon starts to think of a clear report of what the border was like on his scouting mission. He had seen some movement from the Da'lin, they were heading west in their territory. He didn't think much of it, since he had gotten here he had learned that the Da'lin had temples much like the temples on the Zahina side of things, he figured that they were going to a temple or something similar. He also saw a pack of Bobcats traveling east. He kept on bouncing where he was eager to tell Malek or as everyone considered him (due to his only listening to the blue male and not Russo most times) his dad, the term was teasing in all respects but Carmon did think of Malek as his dad sometimes or at least as a father figure.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 3:23 pm
So now that he’d mentioned Carmon, Malek figured it was time for the young lion to appear in front of him… and there he was. What a strange evening.
It still bothered him a little to have Carmon always so close to the Da’lin territories but the young lion was proving his worth as a Scout and it wouldn’t be right to remove him of the post now. Again with the worrying stuff. The blue lion sighed and shook the water from his mane before raising his head to meet Carmon’s gaze full on, a small smile inviting the green lion to move closer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 6:44 pm
Carmon goes trotting over to Malek after the male invites him over. When he is just far enough away from the blue male (as to not cover him with mud) he slips in mud that the only lion in danger of being muddied is Russo. Surprisingly neither is coated in mud.
"Heh, Oops."
He continues to where Malek is then tells his report.
"It seems the Da'lin are moving west in their territory. I have no clue where to though. If I were to speculate probably to a temple of sorts. I ran in to a pack of Bobcats heading east to their summer grounds. Then I went to the northern border and found some different Bobcats heading north. The border markers after the rain lets up need to be remade. The rain has decreased their scent to about a third as potent as before. The rabbit population has returned from their trip to the north and is in great health, though the non speaking ones I did not find though. The prey is in its normal rhythm for this time of year. The grass is loving the rain and the trees are soaking up most of the water. The river may flood if the rain gets harder. Thats the end of my report. Anything interesting happen while I was away?"
He sits down waiting to hear the news of the pride and if Malek wants to teach him more of the Da'lin.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:38 pm
Malek sighs again as Russo’s startled with bits of mud that never quite reach him. The grumpy male bares his teeth in a silent threat but Malek’s gaze tells him to keep his displeasure just that… quiet. The last thing he wants right now is to struggle to get Russo off the young lion’s hide.
“Welcome back.” He barely has time to say before the Carmon begins his report. Always so ready, so prompt. And clumsy. Inner sigh.
His tone is grave when he finally speaks.
“Yes, we’ll need to make sure the scent marks are renewed. Especially around the Da’lin border. I don’t want them getting anywhere near the river.“ The river overflowing wasn’t a big problem as they might actually get a few carcasses of unsuspecting animals that way. The waters could be surprising dangerous at times. Bobcats... Interesting but not really that relevant. But Da’lins moving around? That was always important. “Animals that don’t speak are usually just scared. As a zahina lion, you should be able to understand them if you want. And the pride is fine though one member short. Simbaza left for a little while. More importantly, how big was the Da’lin group?”
He needs to know this before he can send the young lion to his well-deserved rest.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Feb 16, 2010 8:50 pm
Carmon thinks for a bit about the numbers.
Four maybe five, not enough to try to invade our border in fact they seemed like they were only a female group.
He scratched his ear with his back foot causing him to look like a dog instead of a lion. The Simbaza left. Thats odd must be something important for him to leave. I didn't see him while wandering about looking for home. I need to work on my navigational skills...
He yawns, feeling extremely tired after running around the border. I think I'll be heading to sleep now.
He said between yawns. He had started out at first light and barely made it back before noon. He walked over to his spot by the tree that no-one ever slept in or by and laid down, his head resting on his paws. He was out cold before his head ever reached his paws.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
