Welcome to Gaia! ::

It was a curious thing to see the herd moving with such certainty towards the opposite river bank despite the predators that hovered on either side of it. They seemed a self assured group, particularly the one at the center, white as clouds and traveling across the land with the same drifting movement. His head high and eyes alert over top the heads of the others around him. Strange. Even for Machozi--who had grown up stalking herds with his skilled huntress mother--such a vision seemed almost surreal. Just the edge of a frown caught his muzzle as he listened to the cheetah rave, too far for his garbled words to make much sense, but the lioness--he winced visibly.

As if in slow motion his gaze followed the herd, watching them coil and tighten, no one seemed prepared, even his own realization of what was about to pass came too slowly to be much use to the others. His throaty roar nearly drowned beneath the scattering scramble of the herd and the thunder of their hooves, Get out of the way!

Like a bad dream he watched members of his new pride dart in all directions to avoid the thrashing flow of ibex, feeling the damp heat of their fur as they bumped against him in their effort to pass. Having unconsciously risen at the first sign of trouble, he used the brunt of his weight to push his way forward, occasionally throwing all his weight into his shoulder to send the slender legged grass-cutters careening off balance. One of the lionesses in the water had sunken beneath the choppy waves, it was that image that stuck most prominently in Machozi's mind. How many others had seen her slide under? An anguished sound of pain caused the brute's freckled face to turn, but it was hard to distinguish which noises came from whom. Cringing again as another lion was thrown off his feet by an unexpected buffet.

Damnit, what should I do? Reeling another anxious glance back towards the shore, now stamped into a muddy mess, the Ithambo male felt some relief to see another, closer lion had made his way into the water. Turning his attention backwards again to weave across the traffic of the wild stampede. Even with his considerable bulk, Machozi proved nimble enough to navigate the terrain with only a few scuffs to show for his effort.

In a matter of minutes he was approaching Morag, females in the Motoujamii had always proven rather testy about their pride and ability to do as much as their males. Whether that was true or not, Machozi had yet to decide, however it mattered little now. Standing over the dark female as his claws dug into the soft earth that had worn his paws raw the first few months after arriving, determined to take the brunt of the rest of herd to keep her from experiencing further injury. Quiet but resilient.

Ears laid back as she took in the suddenly frightening sight, Baise made a hasty retreat, doing her best to stay out of the hooves and horns’ way. Many had shouted warning calls and yet a few – Firekin and rogues alike – had already been caught in the stampede. This was the first time Baise had seen such a large herd and also the first time she truly understood the meaning of the actual “stampede” word with all the dangers that were associated with it. The ground shook, the noise was surprising loud and intimidating and the adolescent did her best to get out of the way of the animals that she would probably be hunting in the next few days.

Kiowaa was stunned, unable to hear her name being shouted from below the water. She was aware of not being about to breathe- but the blow to the head addled her mind. What was it she was supposed to do? Swim? Her paws twitched, barely slowing her descent.

Up above, thin hooved legs were churning the water and making the water dark. It wasn't exactly motivating. She felt herself slip off into unconsciousness- when suddenly, something grasped her by the scruff of her neck. The next thing she realized was gasping in air, bucks still clamoring all around them. The noise was somewhere between deafening and surreal.

Kiowaa coughed, and looked behind her. "-Nkera?" she mumbled, but didn't seem able to utter out much more than that.

-------

Across the way, the large stag had finally reacted the water's edge. With his followers swarming around him, he almost casually tipped his hoof into the water below. As if testing it. Perhaps seeing his chance- the strange brown cheetah made a lunge at him. But instead of capturing his prey [and perhaps immortality itself!], he was struck by the hoof of the white ibex.

Then, the stag entered the water and began to paddle across, flanked on either side by his attendants.

arrow The stampede continues to rage. But the white ibex is now vulnerable in the water.

- If you wish to attack, you'll have to content with his attendants.

To attack an attendant:

[ Roll a dice, 1-20. With a 1 being a complete and utter failure, and a 20 being a crit. Anything above a five is a hit, and anything above a 15 a kill. ]

If you wish to wait, you may bide your time and gain +5 on the next roll of your choice.

The red lioness dropped her stick on the ground, panting as she watched the herd and the other animals. Some were beginning to attack... Including the brown cheetah. She tilted her head, wondering why anybody wanted that thing... But as she watched more, she became curious. What if the cheetah's words were true? Would killing that ibex bring immortality? She considered her options, before looking back to the distant hills. Well THAT would be something to take home...

Removing her helmet and placing it by her stick, Chanda took off after the herd, jumping off the best spot she could find on the shore to the back of one of the ibex. It wasn't the white one, but as she bit and clawed into it, the beast's head hit the water with a mighty splash and angry bellow. It didn't surface, the already-dark water beginning to take a red tinge.

For quite some time, Nar had fallen silent as an array of others showed up. The male who was adorned with feathers was walking around at a distance. Something didn't feel right. His feelings were correct when the ground trembled beneath his paws. There was so much happening, that he didn't know what he was going to do.

The ground shook with the vibration, but his eyes were still on Kiowaa. He wanted to save her, but at the same time, he wasn't sure he could to get to her in time. However, he just shook his head and watched, feeling kind of helpless.

"What am I doing?"

Hila managed to limp up to a little outcropping of hardened sand, keeping himself above the stampede should it suddenly swing in his direction. He turned to the mess just in time to see that brown cheetah get struck by the huge ibex's hoof and he winced. It was bad enough to simply run into a regular sized one, let alone be smashed with that powerful weapon. He spotted a few other lions getting hit as well, and he didn't feel so badly now about being sent sprawling. He as a delicate creature next to the sturdy lions.

It puzzled him as to why some of them were moving to advance within the herd. Why weren't they trying to escape? He noticed a pair of lions struggling in the water together, one looking horribly dazed. Ah...perhaps they were trying to save their pride member. No matter to him, he supposed. He wasn't a part of their pride, and they'd probably rip him to shreds for trying to help later. He decided to wait, not wanting to cause himself further injury at the hands of the prey or the predators.

[Bide]

With a stiff nod of agreement Machozi followed his companion in arms, though not recklessly. As she skirted towards the outermost edge of the rippling tide of hooves and horns he followed where pockets of openings allowed. Only twice did he have to shove his way through the furred barricade that stood in his way, coming up beside Morag with eyes that attempted to read the gutsy lioness.

She was brave, Machozi had found that to be true in most cases where there tenacious females were concerned, but she was also foolish. A trait most females in general seemed to share. Resisting the urge to frown in outward disapproval of the way she stared into the throng, as if waiting for the right minute to jump back into the fray after only just escaping, he tried to keep his tone level. Sensible. You're injured.. you should stay here. Tell me what should be done.. I'll go.

Having some direction would have been helpful in keeping his thoughts organized amidst the chaos and if it kept her from physically participating in the rescue attempts in her condition, well, that was a bonus.