[BORDER] Danger Noodle (Hikaru x Equi)

[Krysin]

He was a little far away from home, Hikaru realized with a grimace. The hot-blooded young male had stormed out of his mother's den with his younger 'siblings' would not shut the hell up. There were too many of them, squealing and playing all day. Well, he was too old for those childish games. Now growing into his adolescence, his teenage hormones were a nightmare for anyone to deal with. Storming off was probably the best course of action Hikaru had taken that day. Otherwise, he would have strangled one of his siblings and his mother would have been irate with him.

Not that she cared too much.

Hikaru wasn't really sure he felt that way, but at times it was hard dealing with his mother's divided attention. Before the rest of the cubs came into their lives, it was just him and his brother. They got all of mom's attention, had no squealing brats to deal with. It was peaceful and fun.

Now it was just annoying.

The young male rolled his eyes and kicked a small rock... and immediately regretted that decision as a sharp pain shot up his leg. "BY THE ANCESTORS!" He would not cry. No. No...

He felt a tear bud at the corner of his eye, and hastily wiped it away with the back of his (good) paw. Hikaru was an adult now, he had to be big, and he had to be tough. He was a proud member of the Outlands, he couldn't be crying because he stubbed his toe.

...That thought didn't make it hurt any less.

Z o m b i k ii

 

[Z o m b i k ii]

Krysin

Equi was, for the first time in recent memory, not in the company of her twin sister, Solsti. Instead, the young lioness had wandered away from her family and the familiarity of the den they all shared together. There was no particular reason for her absence; nor did she have a plan regarding how she would spend her time alone - the travel bug had simply bitten her this morning, urging her white toes to carry her away. The dark lioness was a strong advocate of following one's own instincts and hers were telling her to explore.

She was not truly alone though; Giftigg was always with her. The Pridelander had raised the snake from infancy and he, like herself, had a twin. It was almost poetic that they were brought together - a serendipitous act of destiny that helped shape her foundation. There was no Equi without Giftgg.

The snake usually travelled around her neck, resting on her shoulders like a glorified boa. However, on this occasion, he was slithering along the ground by her side. That was until she had to excuse herself for a brief moment. When you had to go, you had to go, and despite being close - she would prefer to pee in private. So, the jade coloured snake was curled up, waiting patiently for his mistress to return to his side.

His mind was left to wander - it would be time for breakfast before he knew it and he was salivating at the thought of all the little mice that were to be found in the tall grass. He was licking his lips when he was rudely brought back to reality. A rock smacked the side of his head - gifting him an instant headache. Dark blue eyes narrowed as he glanced towards the lion who had kicked said rock, and who was currently cursing a stubbed toe.

He would give this brat a reason to curse. The only warning the snake gave was a sharp hiss, the s bend in his neck thrusting him forward so he could sink his fangs into Hikaru’s shoulder. That would teach him. I

t was in that moment that Equi returned; admittedly curious to why her familiar was hanging off of some strange boys neck? “Making friends Giftigg? What have you caught?” She mused, noticing the snake was going his best to pull his body up and around the male's neck so he could attempt to strangle him. “You’re not a constrictor, you know.” Golden eyes rolled; her nonchalant expression failing to acknowledge the male or his struggle.

When they finally did settle on Hikaru she smirked, her elegant frame carrying her towards him.  

[Krysin]

The scene played out in almost slow motion for the teenage lion to react to. Out from the lush green grass a vine shot out at him, except this vine had fangs. His mind knew that his body should move out of the way, but he was stuck in this slow-motion recap, waiting for the inevitable to happen. Fangs pierced his shoulder, and the girliest yelp echoed throughout all of the Pridelands. It was a snake, by the Ancestors there was a snake attached to him!

He felt the creature's tail trying to wrap around his neck, and immediately shoved it away with his paw. He could kind of deal with a permanent attachment to his shoulder, but he definitely didn't want the spiteful creature to get around his neck. Hikaru turned his head, trying and failing to bite the snack. One chomp and he'd be free! But it was so hard to reach his shoulder around his growing mane.

And then there was a voice.

A feminine voice, and Hikaru paused in his attempt to eat the snake, his mouth open wide in shock. "It's your's!?" the words fumbled from his mouth in-eloquently. To be honest, the snake was kind of hurting him at this moment and it was hard for him to act 'cool'. How could anyone act suave in this sort of situation? A snake wasn't exactly the best fashion accessory. "Tell it to get off before I bite its tail off."

Yeah, Hikaru was a real tough guy here.

She smirked at him, and as the stranger stepped up towards him he was stuck between the idea of fleeing to preserve what dignity he had left or standing his ground and just... looking like an idiot. He wanted to die. Thank the Ancestors his twin was not here to witness this.

Z o m b i k ii

 

[Z o m b i k ii]

Krysin

Giftigg’s blue orbs seemed to flash violently as the troublesome male suggested that the snake was no more than a possession, a pet. The serpent wanted to protest that he did not belong to anybody and it would be beneficial for the pesky lion to show some respect. However, instead of using his words - he instead, decided to continue his quest to asphyxiate the termite within his grasp.

The lioness however did not seem as keen to see the males handsome face turn blue. She shook her head and rolled her golden eyes, lowering her head to invite her oldest friend to return to his usual podium draped across her shoulders. Her gaze rose to seek the males eyes - raising a brow curiously. ”Oh? And where exactly does a snake's tail start?” Her tone was too mischevious, trying to prod fun at him whilst he was flustered.

Giftigg, reluctantly, decided that the boy was not worth the effort. He stretched to rest his head on Equi’s shoulder before he began the slow slither around her neck - her delicate form made a much more comfortable mount anyway. When the Outlander was finally free of his aggressor, Equi stood up straight; her friend hanging around her neck like an exquisite scarf.

She had never seen the male before - he was handsome, though it was a shame he seemed to be as yellow as that stripe down his back. “There, no harm done - Though, I would be more concerned about the venom if I was you.” The female shrugged before sending a playful wink in his direction - turning to walk away and leave the male with her words.  

[Krysin]

He was... most definitely choking, but was also in that curious state of denial over his situation. No, a snake was not wrapped around his neck and clenching the air out of his throat. No, a pretty girl was not watching this happen in front of him. No no no. Before he could pass out, however, the lioness seemed to snake charm the creature back around her own neck. Hikaru gasped for breath, feeling beautiful, sweet life flow back into him!

If he had been felled by a snake there would be no way for him to be recognized among the stars. "Where ever," he gasped, "the head ends." To him it was just one long... rib bone or something. A far more flexible rib bone, but it was hard to tell which end was the pointy end and which end wasn't... so pointy.

He was glad to see the fiendishly flirtatious female and her devillish friend start to withdraw from the scene. Two seconds too late did her words sink in to his brain. "What!?" the young Outlander cried out. Hikaru strode forward, quickly outpacing Equi and her friend to cut off whatever route of 'escape' she had devised. He stood in front of her, paws planted firmly into the lush earth underneath him. He was not budging until he was cured, and she was not allowed to budge either until... well, he was cured.

"It's venomous? How venomous? Why didn't you tell me it was venomous sooner!?" Any hope he had of being confident and suave had been tossed aside in the midst of panic. His mom would kill him if she found out he died to a snake bite.

Z o m b i k ii

 

[Z o m b i k ii]

Krysin

It took all her strength to fight back the smirk that threatened to undermine her fun. Oh, but he was too easy to play with! The dragoness heard his cry even as the space between them grew - then all too suddenly he was blocking her path. As he spoke a purr rumbled in her throat, the corners of her mouth lifting playfully as her gaze sharpened. “Tigi here? Oh, very.” Her brows furrowed as she tried her best to look concerned.

Giftigg rolled his eyes at the naive outsider - a small part of him felt sorry for the poor boy, but he was not too consumed by guilt not to play along. He bared his fangs and hissed as his mistress spoke of his ferocity.

”Hush now, getting so worked up will just pump it around your body faster.” Clearly, this male knew very little, if anything at all - about reptiles. Then again, not everyone could be a snake charmer like herself. The female took another step towards him, her ears flat against her skull to further convey the concern the was so desperately trying to radiate. ”There is an antidote but - We will have to move swiftly.” She churred. A harsh lesson maybe - but better she find a wandering rogue than one of the Pride’s scouts.

She leaned towards him, her nose close to his own, her voice soft as if it carried a secret. ”Do you think you can keep up?”  

[Krysin]

He felt sick.

He was going to die to a snake called TIGI of all things. What a humiliating defeat - surely if his brother ever had children they would never look to the stars and ask for their deceased uncle's guidance. 'Oh, Uncle Hikaru? Didn't he die from a snake bite? Haha!' The young lion could see the scene so clearly in his head that it alone could be enough to make him give up his will to live.

Hikaru groaned, and tried to prepare himself for what would probably be a gruesome death. The dark male was so concerned over his own fate that he did not put the effort in to trying to discern the truth of the scaled lioness' words. "You... you can't tell me your stupid snake is poisonous and expect me to be calm!" Hikaru protested with a small growl. How was it his fault for getting upset?

He was the one dying, here!

Frowning, he tried to reign in his emotions as the lioness took a step towards him. She looked concerned for his fate, but she also carried a very venomous snake around her neck as if it were some sort of fashion accessory. "There is?" His voice squeaked with hope and from blossoming adolescence. If he wasn't on death's doorstep, he would have been far more embarrassed by the sound of his own voice.

"Of course I can!" he huffed, trying to look strong and impressive despite the fact that this strange female was so close. He could feel her breath against his face - was his blood pressure rising from the poison or her proximity? He had no idea. "Uh," Hikaru blurted as he took a step back. What was with this strange snake-charming dragon lady?

"J-just lead the way. I can keep up, definitely!"

Z o m b i k ii

 

[Z o m b i k ii]

Krysin

“Of course I can - Death comes to us all.” The dark lioness mused. Her words seemed out of place - far too morbid to be spoken in such a light-hearted tone. She did not expect him to be calm - few remained composed when facing their mortality. A small part of her felt pity for him - another part of her knew a lesson must be learnt.

Equi would have been ashamed to admit just how well he was holding her attention. He was a strange male - one she was taking great pleasure in taumenting. It was enough to make Giftigg hiss, the snakes mistress was fickle and easily bored. He seemed just as surprised as she was at the length of time she was dragging this encounter out - and it was not making him like the adolescent male any more.

The dark dragoness finally took a step away from him, chuckling softly at his attempts to look big and bold. His mane was shooting off in every direction instead of down and his voice had hardly broke; yet, much like the adolescent males back at Pride Rock, he thought himself fully grown and grizzled. Outsiders were not really that different after all - a comforting realisation. Even though she did not know every face in the Pride (impossible for one so large) she most certainly knew this boy was not one of their own.

Then he backed away from her - the laugh that escaped her was more audible then. Oh he was a treat - Equi mourned the fact her sister was not here to revel in the game. ”Very well, this way boy.” The female churred - taking a few, very delicate steps before her passe turned into a gentle sprint. The green snake tightened his grip around his mistress - his body firm and rigid against hers as she ran.

---

The journey was not a long one. The darkness had not looked back once to make sure he was keeping up - she had no doubt he would. She finally stopped when she came to the river - golden eyes drinking in the sight of the water and then the lands beyond their border. Her chest heaved lightly with exertion as she tried to catch her breath - (she had not wanted to make the chase too easy for him!) Still, she was also competing with the weight of her familiar draped around her shoulders.

Her gaze drifted down the river - towards a cave that she and her siblings used to play in when they were younger. They were not really allowed to venture out this far - but it was often hard to contain young hearts that were full with curiosity. She turned to walk amongst the embankment towards the quaint shelter, giving the male a chance to return to her side.

”So, where are you from?” She asked finally - a question that might have seemed out of the blue. However, the way his hair was braided seemed very unusual and something that most certainly marked him as an outsider. Golden eyes looked towards him then - now more curious than playful.  

[Krysin]

The female was something else entirely. There weren't many lions his age back home - the majority of them were far older, and only a few were younger than he and his twin. He hadn't met many females around his own age, but he was sure that if he had they would be nothing like the one ahead of her. She was as foreign to him as he was familiar to her. She played at being concerned for him, yet he couldn't help but think that she found all of this to be amusing.

Perhaps she was certain this antidote would work, and so his frantic worrying was for nothing? But, what was to guarantee they got to it in time, and that he would not succumb to the venomous snakes' poison. "Hey now!" Hikaru had started to protest at being called a 'boy' - he was bigger than her! But, the dragon female had started the journey, and he did not dare to fall behind her and succumb to his fate.

For a lion that was supposedly dying, he kept up with her easily. He was not yet mature enough to be sporting a thick, heavy mane. What bulk he would gain was years away. He was young enough and sprite enough to match her pace. He sprinted behind her, his braid smacking against the side of his neck with every stride forward.

They came to a stop in front of a river. Hikaru planted his feet into the ground and practically skidded to a stop. His body was still growing and admittedly, he was getting used to it. "Don't you think questions can wait until I'm cured?" Hikaru asked impatiently as he padded up to her side. Wing markings, feathered like a falcon, oddly played against her own scaled wings as he walked by her.

Truthfully, her question was not one he was sure he should answer. The history between their prides had been drilled into his head since he was nothing more than a broodling. He scowled as he debated his answer - if he lied he wondered if she would even know. But, then would that mean he was ashamed of his heritage if he hid it so?

No, he was not.

"The Outlands," he answered, his gaze rolling up towards his heavy bangs. Puffing, he blew the bangs out of face. "Now," and he met her with a toothy grin, "are you going to cure one of the enemies of the Pridelands?"

Wait.

s**t.

He shouldn't be challenging her like this on his death bed.

Z o m b i k ii

 

[Z o m b i k ii]

Krysin

Equi entered the cave first - her home away from home where she often watched the sunset and gazed out at the territories that could be found beyond the boundary of the Pridelands. That cub like passion for adventure was not lost on her now - nor did she think it would ever fade. She was born with wings imprinted on her back - ones that begged her to fly.

Her pelt melted into the darkness of the cave; her white scales and golden eyes vibrant against the shadows in a way very similar to the males own colouration. As he spoke her face remained unchanged - however it did stop her paws in their tracks. An Outlander? That was interesting. Her lips parted to allow her to speak - but her words were cut off by her scaled companion.

”Leave him here mistress - The Outlands are nothing but trouble.” The snake hissed, protesting as the lioness settled him down on high rock. Giftigg rolled up into a coil, reluctantly sliding from the females neck - dark eyes were fixed on the young male. Any sign of ill intent he would strike - determined to end the boy if he made a move against his mistress. He did not like him before - he most certainly did not like him anymore now he knew his origin.

Equi nuzzled her friend, before turning towards their guest. ”My friend has a point.” She echoed her friends concern, biting the inside of her cheek as she thought about how best to handle the situation. His grin had not gone unnoticed - his cockiness stoking the coals of mischief that burned in her soul. The dark lioness jumped up onto a raised rock herself - sitting herself down on the pedestal so she could look down on him.

In the darkness, all that could be seen were her scales and wings - making her look less like a lioness and more like the monster that was imprinted on her back. One of her paws twitched - and it was her turn to grin then.

“Beg.”  

[Krysin]

The snake hissed his warning, and Hikaru sneered back at the viper. When it wasn't close enough to strike, the snake was no threat. It just looked like some scaled intestine, not even worth eating. "You know nothing about the Outlands. All the troubles originate here." He drew his paw over the cold floor of the cave, nail's scratching over the dirt. "But whatever, be prejudiced. Stupid venomous..." his following insults were many, but so mumbled that they were hard to make out.

He did not like the snake, especially since it was likely going to be the death of him.

If he had thought the situation through, he would have realized that he should have felt unwell by now. If he was going to die, he would start keeling over soon. His glowering gaze directed at the snake then turned back over to the lioness that held his fate in her dark paws. He should know better than to taunt her, but if he was going to die today he was not going down like a whimpering fool...

"What?"

He looked up at, perched upon the rock like some otherworldly creature. Lioness, but not. He could see upon her face the victory etched into her features. Hikaru growled, the hair on the back of his neck standing upright. "You've got to be joking with me! I'm not begging for my life from a pretty Pridelander." His paw was placed down at that thought. The only thing he would get from begging for his life from her was shame, and he would not go home carrying that on his shoulders.

"Give. Me. The. Antidote."

Hikaru had no desire to fight her, especially since she was the key to his salvation. But if she thought he was just going to flop onto his belly and cry and moan at her for forgiveness and aid she was out of her damned mind.

Z o m b i k ii

 

[Z o m b i k ii]

Krysin

Tigi was mortified. Not by the situation - but rather the deep blush that came over his mistresses face when she was complemented by the Outlander! The boy would not know the girl well enough to notice the way her ears fell back or the way the corners of her mouth twitched nervously - but Tigi knew her well enough! And she should know better! He wanted to yell at her but disbelief stopped the words in his throat. His tail twitched - and if he was a rattlesnake, the cave would be aloud with the sound of his fury.

Instead he could only hiss - low and deep and ashamed.

Golden eyes watched as he protested his fate - her gaze unwavering now she had swallowed back the butterflies in her stomach. She was not used to being complimented by strange boys! The lioness pouted, displeased with the fact he had shaken her - even if it was just for a second. He was being cute - and that was not fair at all! The Outlander was playing dirty - and was now certainly not leaving with his pride in tact!

“Did. I. Stutter?” There was a growl in her throat - the beat of her words matching his mockingly. She could see the fur across his shoulders stand and hers did the same out of instinct alone. Equi was not one to back down from anything - she too was cursed with pride and unable to back down from confrontation. Taking a deep breath she composed herself, her fur laying flat as her eyes closed once more. He was not going to get under her skin. She refused.

When they opened they were less aggressive - returning to the mischief nature that had brought them here. She was not a lady that asked twice - and she offered her paw to him so he might lick it.

"Your move. Outlander."  

[Krysin]

"N-no," Hikaru fired back after some hesitation. He had to weigh his options here. Either he subjected himself to the humiliation of begging some girl for his life or he... died. Both options sounded equally unpleasant. The young male gritted his teeth, his ears flattening to the back of his skull as he glowered up at the female. There she sat upon her pedestal, as if she were one of the ancestors in the flesh. Lording over him as if she were some Queen when he was pretty sure the ruler of the Pridelands was some spineless idiot.

Her paw reached out to him, and his gaze shifted from the outstretch appendage to her face. Noting the mischievous expression on her face, but unable to do anything about it, he growled with frustration. "If I do this, you actually have an antidote? Because I'm starting to think you'll just let me convulse and die, Pridelander." See? He could use her heritage as an insult as well.

The Pridelands had always been favored, he had witnessed it even then as he wandered through the luscious lands. So full of life. Yes, the Outlands had bountiful territory, but not nearly to the degree these lands experienced. His home was red sand and towering termite mounds. It would make him strong, if he did not die from this poisoning. The lands were rough around the edges, but they were home, full of new hope and promise. One day, they would far surpass the wealth of the Pridelands. Already the pride grew stronger, new cubs were on the horizon, the royal lineage was preserved... All was going well for them. He could not die now!

Sucking in a breath, he stepped forward towards her, his yellow eyes locking with her's. "If you let me die, the Outlands won't take it lightly." He had to be sure that she was actually going to help him if he was going to submit himself to this... embarrassment.

Z o m b i k ii

 

[Z o m b i k ii]

Krysin

Equi could not help but laugh at his words, she rolled her golden eyes and shook her head in disbelief as his boldness surprised her yet again. “If I let you die - do you really think anyone will know what became of you? Outlander.” If he was to die here -which he wasn’t- nobody would find his body and since she did not even know his name, that too would be lost. This cave would be his grave and his ribs would be nothing put a playpen for her viper.

The male would just be another youth that disappeared - she wondered, did anyone even know he was here? Her brow raised - as amused as she was exasperated by his sense of importance and the dramatics that rolled off his tongue. Then again, maybe there was some truth to that promise; she did not know much about the Outlands, other than they were itching to start a fight. Something had to be the catalyst. Maybe they would go to war over this fool.

His eyes caught hers in the darkness - holding her attention in a way that made her feel nauseous. As naive and easily manipulated as the adolescent was, every so often he offered her a glance that made her question who was in control of this situation. Like there was potential in him that he was yet to grow into; if he ever did at all. “If you do this - you will live to see your home again.” It was not a lie - and all that she would offer him right now.

She did not back away from the eye contact, not did she pull back her paw.

”Make it convincing. You started off well with pretty.”  

[Krysin]

"Yes. I do." Hikaru answered confidently, so much so that it seemed to be idiotic to doubt him. The Outlander had little reason to explain to her how the pride would know of his fate, and he wasn't about to boast that his mother was a powerful seer. He'd claim that she was even stronger than the Monarch's Soul, but he was also kind of worried that the Soul would somehow find out. The red lioness gave him the creeps, so he tried to keep his nose out of her business as much as possible.

His mother would know his fate, and he was sure that if he really did perish here there would be little to hold the Outlands back from retaliation. He had to believe that.

"You should hope that I will." There was no mistaking who had control over the situation, but Hikaru refused to be cowed by some high-and-mighty Princess of the Pridelands. If he had to grit his teeth and do this to survive, then he would. It was what his mother would want, and his twin as well. Ugh. He would have to do this, all while looking up at her smug face. Victory was written upon her features.

This was why he shouldn't be daring and venture into the Pridelands. He would meet strange girls with an superiority complex, and poisonous snakes that had no right to be biting an innocent bystander. Grinding his teeth together, he closed the distance between himself and Equi. If he wasn't worried about his impending doom and the embarrassment of sucking up to a girl, he likely would have been a bundle of nerves.

"Please, oh gracious one. Surveyor of the Night, Protector of the Moon, Lordess over All. Spare me a painful and hideous death by the familiar you have charmed to your side, who has aided you all these thousands of years in your dark magic!" The words were spoken with the cadence of a tune. His flair for dramatics carried him over the edge because he simply did not want to do this.

Hikaru hoped he embarrassed her in front of her stupid pet snake.

To the offered paw, he lowered his head while staring up at her through his bangs. He licked the back of her paw, and then slightly up her leg just to go above and beyond for her. She had said to make it convincing - he hoped to creep the hell out of her.

'Give me the antidote and go'. Even his own thoughts were grumpy.

Z o m b i k ii