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 Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:13 pm
His mind was racing a mile a minute, heart pounding against his chest, claws sinking into the ground angrily. How could he? Noari had always known that his son was not like him or Nkechi, but he had never thought that Kiraku would do something so drastic as to leave. His mate was so upset, and he hadn't even told her that Aku was headed towards the Firekin lands.
A low growl rumbled from his throat, unable to hold it back. Damn! He had tried so hard to raise the cubs right, keep them away from the influences he had felt when he was young, but Kiraku made it clear that Noari had failed, failed terribly.
The lion would never leave the ocean, not as long as Nkechi was there, but he padded away, wanting to be as far away from the scene of the argument with his son as possible. The sand turned to loose soil and then grass underneath his paws, and finally he stopped, sitting down. He didn't know what to do.
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:22 pm
But heavens was he big. She hesitated midstep when she finally caught sight of him, wondering if it really would be impolite to skitter off out of view of this giant big cat. His paw looked to be the size of her head! Flicking her tail, however, she noticed his demeanor and recognised the classic signs of tragic anger - a sort of rage tinged with sadness and she felt her heart practically wibble with sympathy. Mentally, however, she growled at her own empathy as she physically sighed and continued walking forward. There was no getting around it now, she had to at least say hullo and offer some help.
"Hullo? Are you alright?" She stopped a fair distance away, ready to sprint if she had to. Big lions, huge lions ... it wasn't that she was worried, but she wasn't stupid, either.
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:35 pm
The lion was surprised to see someone already, and hesitated. He was upset - would he be able to keep himself in check? Only a split second later, he knew that it'd be fine. He had changed, after all, hadn't he?
"Hello," he said, his deep voice not overly welcoming, but not unfriendly either. "I..."
Noari couldn't help but let out a low chuckle. "No, I can't say I am," he replied, adding, "but that's no fault of yours. You're close to the Bahari'mtoto border." It was a sudden change and the pride was welcoming, but he knew from past experience that some creatures did not like getting too close. "Just so you know."
It was kind of an odd thing to say out of the blue, but he wasn't the best at conversations.
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Posted: Mon Nov 19, 2007 9:43 pm
Well, his voice certainly matched his body, no surprise there. She wasn't necessarily confused but intrigued by his tone - not welcoming, but not rude. He certainly didn't seem as if he would chase her off, but he didn't appear to be welcoming her into conversation either. That is, until he chuckled. Hearing the rumbling sound, her ears flicked and her lips curled into a half smile. It was rueful, as no real humor was taken out of hearing someone was a tad under the weather, but his next statement certainly made her pale eyes widen.
Her legs folded beneath her quickly so that she gracefully but instantly sat where she stood, as if hoping that in that way she wouldn't accidentally be crossing any borders. If all the lions were as big as this one in this said pride, she'd definitly be in trouble if she were to hunt on their land without realising it. Her tail curled around her feet as she glanced about for any lions that might be preparing to ambush before her gaze returned to him, "Nothing unfixable, I hope?"
It was difficult, discovering the source of and curing a stranger's unhappiness. She didn't want to pry, but it was near impossible to cheer someone up without doing so. "Thank you. I'd hate to lose my pelt today." She gave him a cheeky grin at that, hoping to make him smile.
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Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:11 pm
Unfixable? He mulled it over for a moment, subconsciously curling his lips, although not to try and threaten her. "Unfortunately, it might be," he said in a slow, thoughtful voice. "But only time will tell."
The lion cracked an awkward smile at the joke. "Ah, I wouldn't worry about it," he said, shaking his head to clear the mane from his eyes. "The Bahari'mtoto is friendly. Unless you stole food from the pride, or tried to hurt someone, I don't think a small border breech would be a problem."
Then he fell into a silence, not because he wanted her to leave, but because he didn't really know what to say. It was hard enough conversing with the other members of the pride, who had the same home as him, who lived the same day-to-day life. Noari didn't know what to say to someone who could be from anywhere.
"I haven't seen a cheetah in a while." There was his knack for slightly odd, out of place truths again.
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Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 9:30 pm
Her brow furrowed as she watched him think, though she had to bite back a smile at the way his lip curled as he did so. Facial expressions always varied so much between beasts that it was always interesting to see how one compared to another. She couldn't think of anyone who had ever looked as intimidating as he did just while they were thinking. She couldn't even imagine what he looked like when he was enraged. "Time changes things," She offered a reassuring shrug and smile, "Perhaps the problem will become mendable before you know it."
She didn't directly ask what was the matter. He seemed like the type that would tell you if he wanted, there would be no prying. He definitely made Tuli feel grown up. There would be no joking around in his presence, likely as not. Only conversation, like true adults. In a way it felt good to be treated thus, especially after meeting lions such as Lakisa. Now that was a lion who would make anyone feel like a cub, probably even this male.
"I would never dare." She grinned at his smile, amused, but did not laugh lest he take offense. "Besides, I doubt I could carry a lion's kill farther than a few steps, much less hurt one." The idea of hurting a cub didn't even cross her mind, that was just... impossible.
The silence was comfortable enough. As a rogue, she was used to stretches of silence between conversation, no matter if another was present or not. His random statement, however, made her laugh softly, "No? There are no cheetahs this close to the sea?" She lifted her nose, scenting the sea as if to make sure she was so close. It was a distance off, but closer than she'd been in some time. "I've met a number of lions who have not seen my kind in some time. Makes me wonder if I'm the last." She smiled, obviously kidding.
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Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 10:03 pm
He turned his gaze up to Tuli's, his gray eyes contemplative, almost distant, but not unkind. "I hope so," he said, and though his voice was doubtful, he felt somewhat reassured. Perhaps, despite everything, Kiraku would have a change of heart and come home, realizing that he was not ready to be on his own, that having family was good, not bad.
"Mm, yes," he said, offering the smallest of smiles. "Of course, there is size difference, and so I don't think a pride of lions would be too threatened by a cheetah, regardless." Then, he added, "Er, no offense meant, of course."
Noari gave her another slight smile. "The sea is quite a distance from the general roguelands," he said. "I don't see many rogues of any species out here. And those who I do see, do not knowing that the pride is here. Stumbling upon the Bahari'mtoto is pure luck for most." He thought of his trip with Nkechi, when they were simply seeking out the sea. Finding an entire pride was unexpected, but pleased them so much that they stayed - Nkechi, because it was so beautiful, and Noari, because Nkechi was so beautiful.
"My son left," he said suddenly, looking back at the cheetah. "He's still young, almost a cub. I thought it was just a fit, you know, he's always been an angry cub, but I've been looking for him and I can't find him. I doubt I'll ever see him again."
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Posted: Fri Nov 23, 2007 10:28 pm
She saw his gaze, even from this distance, and her own expression shifted to one a bit softer. Flicking her tail a few times thoughtfully, she glanced at her own paws before deciding that it seemed safe enough to move closer for more polite conversation. Standing, she tread until she was close enough that it was comfortable, but not too chummy. He was still a stranger, after all.
She laughed once again, soft and not quite a giggle, "No offense taken. I'm no fool, I know my size." She grinned, "I'm not a bit intimidating to anything larger than a gazelle."
His slight smiles seemed like little triumphs to the cheetah. It was strange, such a little thing seeming so significant, but it made her feel a bit more welcome. This was how he was with many, apparently, so she didn't feel quite so... awkward and unwanted. She listened to him speak intentively, but had nothing really as far as a suitable response. She was saved, however, from anything pointless when he suddenly spoke of his 'problem'.
Her pale blue eyes widened briefly before she looked out towards the general direction of where she supposed the sea was. She couldn't remember the last time she had been this close. But this certainly was a problem, and plenty cause for worry. Turning her face towards him once again, she slowly offered, "He may change his mind and come home. Perhaps he is on his way now, even."
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