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 Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:38 pm
There really wasn't much happening, though that wasn't quite a change for the green coated male. He was dedicated to his pride, and found great joy in aiding those most in need, but sometimes life as a pridal feline was boring. Very boring. How he missed the freedom that used to greet him every morning, to feel the rush of wind in his face as he raced his shadow, to live a life without a care or worry.
But that was a life he had put to rest. . .sort of. There was a freedom to the scout title he possessed, and he was often requested to gather information in lands not near the Kitwan'anatara. But he was getting older, and the price of abandoning those most in need far outweight the benefit of living a life entirely all his own. He was happy in the pride, he had a purpose and a greater calling. . .
That was all he needed in life, right?
Giving a long legged stretch and yawn, the cheetah took one last look over the horizon, certain there was nothing of interest to note, when his red gaze saw something move. It was far off yet, and near a small cluster of bushes, but it certainly was moving. Rising to his paws, the cheetah squinted before trotting forward, curious.
Who or what could it be?
As he approached, he saw what looked to be a lion, and two smaller figures next to it. . . cubs . . . . How peculiar, since the cubs did look rather small. Rogues, obviously, and heading straight for the borders of the pride. Best let them know of there whereabouts before they got too close. Bridging the distance between them, the cheetah was in no rush - he needed to gauge how they would react to him before he did anything, after all.
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:44 pm
 They were walking. Walking towards the future, as he'd once heard someone say. He wasn't certain what it meant then. But after he'd had some years to think about it, Aestivus had come to believe that it meant you couldn't reach the future if you didn't take action. And his action was walking. So was the action of his cubs. They were here, with him, and he had learned that if he didn't stop and wait for them periodically, they would lag far behind. It did make some sense - they were so very small and so their strides were much shorter than his own. Which meant he had to wait for them or walk very slowly or both. He wasn't walking towards any particular future. In fact, Aestivus' understanding of geography was fairly limited to "shelter", "place to find food", and "can't travel there." He had a decent memory of places he'd been, but no sense of direction nor any inclination to repeat a journey. In other words, he had no idea that the green cheetah coming towards them was from a pride. "Hello," he offered politely, continuing forward towards the smaller stranger.
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 5:57 pm
As he approached, Ezequiel got a better view at the small group of lions. It was easy to see that they were a family, or at the very least, related. He'd hazard a guess the male was the father with how his markings translated on some of his small wards. And the little cubs were rather adorable. . . .
Ezequiel wasn't the most paternal of figures, but with age and maturity, he couldn't help but coo lightly over of the little balls of fluff. They were so tiny as they struggled to catch up to their father, so petite and fragile. Part of him wondered where the mother was, but another half dismissed such a thing. How many cubs were with only one parent - or none - in his pride? Most learned new quick not to question such things, and Ezequiel was no exception.
Thankfully, the male lion didn't seem particularly hostile. Tearing his eyes off the little cubs, he smiled and nodded towards the large male. "Salutations," he greeted, pausing before him as his long tail loosely wrapped around one of his legs. "It's been a long while since I've crossed unfamiliar faces in these parts. Welcome," he began breezily, his smile warm.
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:20 pm
Unfamiliar faces? Welcome? Those phrases resonated with older observations Aestivus had made in other places, back in the past. It was only logical to conclude that nearby was a group of creatures living together. Most of the groups were called "prides", but he had observed that not all chose to utilize that word. Those that tended more heavily towards hyenas and wild dogs preferred to use "pack", but some still chose more obscure words like "coalition" and "brotherhood", to name a couple.
"Thank you," he replied politely, unsure of how else to respond or what to say next. He couldn't just walk on, not now that the other male was being so cordial and clearly in his way.
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:32 pm
Ezequiel was pleased that the lion didn't seem aggressive, though he seemed a touch on the quiet side. Not that there was anything wrong with that, after all! What if was tired? His coat was awfully dusty and there was no telling how long he and the cubs had walked!
His good humored smile ever painted across his face, the cheetah looked at the brown coated lion, down to his two cubs, and back again. Well, thankfully for the stranger, Ezequiel'unai had always been a bit of a talker! He was comfortable in any social situation -- clearly, all he needed to do was open up and be hospitable.
"I'm Ezequiel'unai, scout of the nearby pride the Kitwana'antara. If you're in need of drink or fresh meat, we've never been one to turn a stranger away. Or if you'd like a safe place to rest your paws," this time he did glance down at the little cubs, "We're only too happy to oblige."
The borders were safe enough, after all. It was only those who entered the heart of the pride that were more at risk due to the very ill and dying so present. There were quarantined lands where only immune, non-lions and outsiders could roam, free and clear of the disease that ravaged the lands. But there was no need to explain at all that yet . . . .
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:35 pm
An invitation was always a good sign. He had heard there were some groups out there that appeared friendly at first sight, but would try to take any passing stranger as a member, or worse, a slave. But the cheetah seemed too kind and carefree for that.
He considered the offer. Food could be useful, the cubs were poor hunters and it took far too long to hunt for himself and them as well. Shelter was also good, as the children were small enough to tempt many predators that would never bother Aestivus himself. He supposed it was in his best interest to accept a night here, where he would have less to care about.
"That would be agreeable," he replied, accepting the offer without even glancing at the cubs.
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:46 pm
There was something a bit off about this lion, though Ezequiel couldn't quite put his paw on it. Was it just because he didn't introduce himself? Was it that he didn't really seem to hesitate, question, or inquire about anything else about the pride?
Obviously this fellow wasn't much of a conversationalist. A bit socially awkward perhaps? There were too many possibilities for Ezequiel to guess, but he did hope the stranger would warm up with a little bit of time.
For now, he'd just have to do the talking . . . .and prompt and encourage any additional conversation. Clearing his throat, the cheetah gave a nod of his head and uncurled his long tail. "Well then, it's not terribly far but . . . we might get there faster if we pick up these balls of fluff?" He glanced down and smiled at the little ones, eyes bright. "They certainly get it easy at this age, don't you two," he chuffed playfully, resisting the urge to attempt to play with them.
"Might I also inquire your names?" He encouraged brightly, looking back towards Aestivus.
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 6:53 pm
The silence stretched longer this time. Not that it mattered much. He knew the cheetah would break it once again when he was ready. Aestivus wasn't surprised that the next turn in conversation was to physically head into the pride, but he hadn't expected the comment about the cubs. Brown eyes blinked, the only sign of the lion's surprise.
"They have paws, they can walk," he answered. He didn't know why one would want to carry a cub when the child was perfectly capably of locomotion on their own. Yes, they were much slower than any adult, but that didn't mean they needed to be carried.
"I am Aestivus. That is Lutum. That is Eione," he answered. That had also been an expected question. People put such stock in names. Even he did to some extent. The lion had considered waiting until the cubs could tell him their own names. However there had been times when he'd needed to get their attention quickly. So he'd given the two names so that they'd know when he was calling them. They weren't fancy, but they worked and the cubs knew them now.
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:01 pm
Ezequiel's green ears pricked and his eyes widened ever so slightly as the lion gave his reply. He was going to force the cubs to walk!? It wasn't that the pride borders were terribly far for an adult, but it was quite the journey for one so small!
And these cubs weren't juvenilles, or even fully grown cubs! They were petite and already looked exhausted (so he might have projected that) so to have them keep walking!?
No.
No that wasn't right at all.
Granted, he was certain the little ones already had quite the mileage on their little padded feet, but it was at least a mile until they reached the borders and even further before they reached the local watering hole. "I . . . see. But surely just this once wouldn't be a problem, would it? They look awfully tired as it is, and while the pride lands aren't far for adults, I . . . just feel it would be easier if we carried them. Who knows, the journey might put them to sleep, give you a little time to call your own." He added, hoping the lion wouldn't be offended by his sudden encouragement.
He was no parent, after all, but . . .even Ezequiel remembered how often he'd been carried as a cub.
Aestivus. And Lutum? Ezequiel knew some names held meanings and definitions but . . . . Lutum? Really!? That was akin to calling a cub Zebra or Little Meat or something equivalent. What was wrong with this lion!?
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:07 pm
Aestivus watched the cheetah's expression change. It was odd. Somehow something in this exchange had caused the stranger to become agitated. The lion saw it in the cheetah's eyes, ears and body language. He could hear it in the forced pauses of the other's speech. It didn't make sense to Aestivus why the other should randomly become so emotional and frustrated.
He didn't understand why the cheetah was so forceful on the issue of carrying the cubs. Children weren't exactly lightweight, after all. And he didn't really want them to fall asleep yet, he supposed. It would be harder to keep going.
"I do not believe their walking to your pride is a problem," he replied at last.
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Posted: Mon Mar 19, 2012 7:15 pm
Ezequiel couldn't believe his ears. The lion had still said no, even with the offer of a second mouth to help! While part of him wanted to continue to object, he knew that he was representing the pride. The Kitwana'antara were not bullies, and certainly did their best not to judge others. . . .
But it was damned hard not to in this particular situation. The little cubs look exhausted, but he was not their father. That was this lion before them.
Meh.
Nodding his head, the cheetah decided to leave the argument where it was. There was nothing to be done except get them to the pride and quickly. "As you wish." He added with a cheery smile, though it didn't come close to reaching his eyes. Turning towards the Kitwana'antara, the cheetah began to walk, keeping a slow pace and pausing often so the cubs needn't strain themselves.
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