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 Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:31 pm
(Mafa v. Neus)
The quiet yips and squeals of newborn pups were rather subdued in Mafa's den, and that was the way she liked it. She didn't exactly like the little creatures attracting too much attention. Mafa had spent the majority of the afternoon with her new pups, gazing at them with a hollow stare, as if she was urging them to grow up faster. But alas, she could only spend so much time with them before she felt she was losing her mind. Mafa simply wasn't used to motherhood. Sure, she'd given birth before, but it has only been a single pup, very low maintenence. But now, with a load of five, Mafa wasn't sure if she'd make it through this one with her mental state intact.
Once again, Mafa found herself outside of the den, reclining in the sun at the mouth of the giant skull which she called home. She could barely hear them out here, and it was comforting. Mafa sighed deeply, letting her icy eyes sweep over the dusty horizon. Deserted as usual. The alpha closed her eyes momentarily, enjoying her moment of peace.
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 10:54 pm
It wasn't often that you heard pups in the graveyard.
Neus lingered nearby, ears pricked forwards and focused on the skull-den. The sounds the pups made echoed oddly in the hollowed bones - but he didn't notice that. The cries reminded him of home - or what he'd once called home. Not many things could make the young male smile, and even Neus was suprised to find a slow grin spreading across his jaws.
Such good memories! What little of them there were, anyways. The male's hard expression was softened, his tail relaxed. Who's pups were these, anyways? Neus padded slowly around the skull, and for once the pain in his poorly-healed leg didn't irritate him. His grey-green eyes fell on Mafa and froze, ears flickering with uncertainty, body rigid.
Then, before he could stop them, the words just spilled out --
"They're your pups?"
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Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 11:03 pm
Mafa was much too absorbed in her relaxing to notice that someone was coming her way. No, she was simply lounging around, enjoying the seldom, but refreshing breeze. It was a familiar voice that caused her to snap back into reality. Harsh eyes, which had a second ago been glazed over, snapped into focus on the male before. She recognized him, of course, he was one of hers. It was Neus, she'd 'saved' him from some useless lions when he was rather young. He was a good hyena, had his head on right. There were a few moments of silence before Mafa spoke,
"Yes. Did you not know?"
Somehow, she wasn't exactly surprised. Mafa had kept herself mostly out of the public eye as she carried the pups, she abhorred being pregnant, it brought out the worst in her, and it was quite something to be reckoned with. The female stood, swiftly, and took a few steps closer to Neus' side. Instinctively, she occasionally slid her eyes over to the mouth of the den, ears perked, making sure her pups were still there. Unfortunately, she knew they sure as hell weren't going anywhere any time soon.
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Posted: Fri Oct 19, 2007 5:54 pm
"No."
Neus followed her gaze to the skull, but couldn't make out any individual shapes. Just general darkness and the hint of movement, and the soft scrabbling of claws on bone. He watched for a second longer, then transfered his green-grey stare to Mafa.
A smile flickered across his jaws. Strange - the alpha didn't seem the kind to have pups. She was so strong, so hard and sure of herself; motherly just didn't seem to fit into her personality. "How many'd you get stuck with?"
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:34 am
The alpha nodded slowly. It was indeed the answer she expected. Perhaps that was a good thing. The pups would be... Be like a little surprise for the pack. She followed Neus' gaze to her den, and stared or a moment before snapping her cold eyes back at his frame.
"A whopping five, quite the load. But not a total tragedy. My heir is born."
Mafa's cruel eyes lit up momentarily as she spoke of Tawala, her little progeny. She'd train that girl to follow in her foot steps, for when the day came, and Mafa was gone, that little girl would be all the pack would have left. At least, that's how it was in Mafa's mind. But then again, Mafa didn't see herself stepping down, or dying, any time soon at all. With a short sigh, she shrugged lightly, and nodded her head over at the den,
"You want to see?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 04, 2007 7:23 pm
"Five." So many! Were there always so many puppies born into a litter? ... had HE been born into a litter of five, or was he alone as he'd thought? The male's cold eyes were distant, focused on a point beyond Mafa. He hadn't thought this much about his past in a while. Granted, he really hadn't had much time to think recently...
"Congratulations are in order then, hmm?" He spared her a quick smile. "An heir... have you told the pack?"
Her next question put him off balance; did he want to see them? Neus wasn't so sure. His ears flickered, catching the echo of tiny yips and cries as the pups explored their small world. He hesitated for a moment, eying the alpha warily. If this was a test, he didn't know what she was trying to find out. Finally the male gave a brief nod of assent.
"Sure."
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 7:55 pm
Mafa nodded curtly in thanks to Neus' congradulations, her expression not changing, however. She huffed lightly, shaking her head to his question. An announcement was indeed in order, to let the pack know that finally, and heir had been produced. However, she figured, now was too early. Showing the pack a useless, squirming pup was nothing too impressive. When she grew, then Mafa would show her off. On that note, she gestured with her head for Neus to follow her, as she trekked her way into the den.
"Mbezi, Mdoezi, Tsukor, Teekas, Tawala."
Mafa listed off the pups, trying to distunguish them with a point of her nose as she said each name. Right now, they looked like a mush of fur, but they would grow, and they would be a force to be reckoned with. At least Mafa hoped. Letting Neus look at her brood for a moment, Mafa looked to him, gaze narrowing,
"Tell me, where have you been? It's been a while, I though I'd have to come hunt you down for abandoning us."
Lately, Mafa had been wondering where everyone had wandered off too. For their own sake, hopefully, not far from the lands.
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Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2008 2:16 am
"Where have...!"
Neus couldn't help it - both eyebrows shot up, his expression one of utter surprise. Where had he been? More like, where had SHE been! Not that he would ever say that, of course, but still! He'd been where he always was - Mafa must know he never really stuck around with the rest of the pack. When he did, it was only to get news. Otherwise, he lived on the outskirts of the land.
Someday, when he was stronger, he would move closer, build a den. For now... well, didn't it suffice if he hunted and shared his meals? It was hard enough for him to haul his catch across the graveyard!
"I've been around." He gave an apologetic shrug. "I live to the north a little ways, remember?"
... she had visited him once, hadn't she? He couldn't remember...
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Posted: Wed Mar 12, 2008 1:59 pm
Mafa's attention shot to a peak as Neus first spoke. Her lip raised in a snarl that was just barely there as he took that tone with her, letting the male know that she didn't appreciate being spoken to in such a manner. She expected her scouts to check in with her every once in a while, even if it was scarce.
"I'm sure you have."
Mafa replied with a grunt, though her tone bordered on being sarcastic. However, she didn't have the energy to dwell on the thought of the male's absence any further. She would forget about about it, she noted to herself, as long as he didn't make it a habit.
"No, I guess I don't remember. Anything interesting to report?"
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