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 Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 5:19 pm
 Tundu wasn't quite sure what was going on around her, but she knew one thing for certain. The young and terror-stricken cub that cowered before her was in need of some semblance of comfort. Tundu wasn't sure what the hyenas had planned for the little lion cub, but she couldn't help but think that the little one was in for a world of hurt. This thought broke Tundu's heart. Though she would never admit to such a thing, Tundu remained here in this pack because her safety was assured. It was a choice of sorts, though she allowed the hyenas to think she was here because she could not break free. This cub, though, this little innocent was here because fear kept her here. Fear, heavy paws and gnashing teeth. "Come, little one," Tundu whispered to the lion cub, trying to show a little bit of compassion. "Tell me of yourself."
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:08 pm
This was like some horrible dream she couldn't wake up from. She was partially numb of the situation, going through the motions as she silently wept. Hima wasn't sure WHAT to do with herself. The flurry of emotion twisting between shame, fear, guilt, anger and embarrassment. Dwelling on the fact that she couldn't even save herself. Knowing if her older brother was in her place... he would have found the strength to tear past his aggressors and go home.
But she couldn't. Her fear was too great. And for that, she hated herself. Almost as much as the hyenas who put her in this situation. Emphasis on almost.
When delivered to this strange unfamiliar den, Hima promptly scurried to a corner and cowered. Paying no mind that a leopard was in the dwelling along with her. The cub bunched up in a ball, eyes quickly glancing all around. Reminiscent to a petrified rabbit on the verge of darting off in some direction. Hima didn't even think to tend to her wounds, the scrapes of her host's jaws etched into her flank.
The soft, feminine voice lifted from deeper into the den and Hima turned her attention towards the source. When she saw the chocolate leopard not too far in the distance, the cub instantly flattened herself to the ground. No response from her part, besides needless fear and wide saucer-like eyes that remained unblinking. Fixed on the stranger.
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:16 pm
Tundu kept quiet when no voice rang out in answer to her words. She tried to recall how she felt when she'd first been dragged into the pack. It was so different than what this poor young babe was feeling. Tundu had been dragged from a nightmare into a safe enough life. This poor girl had likely been ripped from a safe life into a nightmare, and Tundu ached to think that she could not relate to the utter fear that the youth must be going through. Had she been torn from her mother? Tundu would bet that she had been, and if all Tundu could do was offer at least a little comfort, well, she would try her best to do so.
"I am Tundu," she offered softly, her voice whispering through the dark, moldy-smelling den. She slowly rose to her feet and made hesitant steps towards the balled up feline. "I will not hurt you, sweetest heart. I swear that to you." She could only hope that her words were getting past the terror that was obvious in the pale mist-colored eyes of the babe before her. Such a pretty little thing she was... too young and too pretty to be in a position such as this.
"I was captured too," Tundu said softly, wishing that the admission would entice the cub to open up even just the slightest. Tundu wanted nothing more than to sweep the babe up against her chest, to clean the scrapes and punctures that likely riddled the cub's fragile hide.
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:40 pm
The stranger kept talking. Talking in a soothing voice which reminded Hima of her deceased mother. Right now, the cub wasn't grasping the words Tundu was actually saying. She could hear the woman speak, but she wasn't listening. Mind abuzz with multiple thoughts. But Hima was aware of one thing... this leopardess wasn't talking to her like the hyena were. So when the female drew closer, the cub didn't dart in the opposite direction. She remained frozen in place, for now. Studying the gentle voiced stranger who drew ever closer.
There was no need to be frightened, Tundu didn't seem like a threat. But if there was one thing Hima did attune to, was the fact this leopardess was in the same boat as her. 'I was captured too...'
Hima's head lowered as the cub began to sob silently. Eyes shutting tight as she broke down. The tears had run out by this point, and her voice and strength was lost. All of her heavy, vengeful crying was spent up earlier. A few dry heaves commenced followed by panting. This ADULT was stuck here? What hope did she have? She was just a cub. "Gods... why...." A sniveling voice croaked out.
. . .
For a long, long while Hima remained silent. Besides her strained panting, one would hardly believe she was there at all. But her voice did return, after she stopped her fit of sobbing. "Why is this happening?" She asked, not looking up from her paws, "Why did they take us?" The following question came quicker. "How long have you been here?"
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 7:55 pm
Tundu had never been a mother -- well, she had once and for the shortest period of time before the father of her litter had crushed them all out of anger at Tundu, but these were old memories that were easily forgotten only because it was easier to forget them than it was to remember them. The pain was so intense, the ache left in her mother's body when she'd been stripped of her cubs, that it crippled her just to remember it. What was not easily forgotten was that motherly urge, the ache that remained in her heart to blossom once more when the sobs broke free from the small cub so close.
It was all Tundu could do not to pick the cub up in her jaws and run away with the babe. For the first time since her capture she toyed with the option of running. The savanna was an endless stretch of land -- it would be easy for her to lose herself and this sweet babe in the boundless land.
He would never find her... or so she hoped. It was not a chance that Tundu was willing to take.
As it was, Tundu was nearly touching the cub when the babe croaked out the question. Tundu did not have the answers. Why did many things happen? "It is the will of the Gods," she whispered. "They have something more in store for us, sweetling."
It was the only answer that she could give.
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:12 pm
The leopardess loomed in on Hima but the girl was still too innocent to worry of ulterior motives when it came to adults. At her age, cubs took things at face value. And right now this kind leopardess was 'good' and those hyenas were 'evil'. If she survived this experience, there would be no doubt that she will have a vendetta against all hyena. But that goes without saying.
With childish selfishness, the cub didn't even think to console her adult companion who was just as trapped as she was. Hima felt the leopard near her. But the little one was the one to close the distance between them. Inching closer to press her quivering form to the warmth of the body beside her. Whatever maternal aura Tundu was emitting, Hima was definitely responding to. Her cheek and forehead flattened against the plush fur of the female. "They are awful to make us suffer... curse them..." Hima was frightened to admit it to herself, but that statement was directed towards the gods.
"A-Aren't you afraid?" Her voice shook as she questioned Tundu, dewy eyes peeking up shyly as the youngster remained close. Finding solstice against the leopard. Her warm body acting as a sort of security blanket.
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 8:29 pm
Tundu leaned down, her rough pink tongue rasping out as she groomed the cub. It felt so good to be able to do this. She never groomed the hyena pups she looked after. It was different here with this cub. They were both the misfits, the unfortunate ones. They were kindred in their misfortune, and Tundu found solace in that.
"There is no sense in fear," Tundu whispered to the cub. "Tell Tundu your name, little one, and do not forget that you are not the only one who has been captured. I have been here for a long time and I am still alive. I am not afraid." She nuzzled the cub's cheek with her nose, offering a comforting purr as she did so.
Tundu so wanted to ask the cub how she'd gotten captured, but she did not want to lose the cub to her fear again. Perhaps in time the babe would indulge her, but now was the time for comfort.
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Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2011 9:12 pm
The soothing licks comforted Hima. Swaying slightly as the rough tongue dragged against her matted coat. Bits of blood stained in patches where she was gripped along her sides. A purr causing her to vibrate a bit, a content smile splaying over her maw. It was wonderful to lose herself to the feeling of Tundu's careful licks. Just enjoying the sensation.
'There is no sense in fear.'
Tundu would not know how strongly that comment will affect the cub beneath her. It was profoundly moving and Hima stiffened when she heard it. That sounded like something her brother would say. Or mother or father. That is a comment made by a strong individual.
Right. She just needed to be strong. Like Tundu. Nodding once, firmly to herself Hima pressed her lips firmly together with a stern expression. Trying to assert that belief.
There was another pause which followed, as Hima gathered her thoughts. "...I wont be afraid." Her downcast head turned up yet again, and stayed up from this point on. "I am Hima." The notion that Tundu had been here a 'long time' and was still alive was both a good sign and awful. To one end, the cub didn't have the worry about dieing (or so she assumed) but that also meant she will be stuck here... possibly forever.
Lightly Hima drew a yawn, slapping her maw slightly as she fanned her eyelids slowly. Growing tired the more and more she was lulled into a false sense of security. Up until now, the cub was wired up on adrenaline and fear. She couldn't calm down. But now, the weight of today weighed in on her. From her early morning play session, to the rough ride to these strange lands, and her numerous cry sessions. The cub was tuckered out. And began bobbing in and out of wakefulness. She began to slouch against Tundu and quickly catching herself and snapping to attention. "Hmm! ... hrrm... hmmm..."
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 8:41 am
Tundu smiled softly at the cub's words. They made her proud, and Tundu could sense the strength in this little one. There was no telling what the future would hold for either one of them, but Tundu was glad to have met Hima. The pretty little cub was so resilient and so strong that Tundu couldn't help but admire the little babe.
"Strong, proud words," Tundu whispered to the semi-dozing Hima. "You are a strong girl, Hima." Soothing words, gently spoken between careful rasps of the leopard's pink tongue. Trauma could forge bonds so swiftly and powerfully that otherwise could never be formed, and in that moment, Tundu was a mother again. Not a mother by body or by blood, but by pure and swift emotion.
"I will protect you," Tundu whispered ever softer as Hima slowly drifted to sleep. "You are mine now, Hima, and I will never let harm come to you again." A bold promise, to be sure, but Tundu doubted the cub even heard her. If anything, the promise was one that Tundu made to herself.
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Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 11:38 am
Again Tundu was speaking and Hima couldn't make sense of what the female was saying. Just hearing the leopard's tender voice say her name occasionally. Tiny fluffed ears flickered every so often, swatting not only at the occasional fly which hovered near her ear, but in the cub's vain attempt to keep them pert and alert.
It was strange how quickly the pair hit it off, but they had one major joining factor. Hate was a powerful tool to bring together all sorts. Or atleast something which can be pinned blame on. For these two females? It was the hyenas.
She slumped and finally surrendered to her need of sleep. Dragging down against Tundu before flopping to the ground beside her. With eyes going hazy, the dark, dank dirt den turned to a foggy world which faded between black and brown. Heavy, deep breaths slowly crept from the youngster's maw. Drifting ever deeper into sleep. Unknown to Tundu, Hima nestled up to her deceased mother just as affectionately. Normally falling asleep just while they cuddled.
Fin
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