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Posted: Fri Feb 27, 2015 8:36 pm
With another roar, Gabedi began to chase the pale lion. He wasn't giving up too easily... But had to concede defeat when the wildebeast became too hard to get through and he lost the other lion. He gave a snort, before turning and walking back to the others. The stranger wouldn't come back any time soon... He'd stick around the area beyond the pride's boundaries and make sure of it, even if he had to trek into the Redpelt desert to chase him later. His attention turned to the adolescent, not much younger than he himself was. "Is he alright?"
His lurch wasn't missed and she bowed her head. "Apologies for startling you, Andhaka." She flicked her tail, watching the tan tail land. Grim, but not unpleasant given what the prior owner had been involved in. She gave him another bow of her head, heading over to Ifunci and Nehanda. "Are you two alright?" She looked first at Ifunci and the blood on him, then Nehanda, with her own blood. "Beyond the obvious." In a rare show of pride sister affection, she groomed a bit of blood off the injured lioness.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:28 am
Han did her best to help Ifunci to his feet, but noticed he was heavily favoring one. The leg was swollen and it was obvious there was a pretty severe injury under the skin, a broken bone perhaps. There wasn't anything jutting through the skin, at least, so that was good. Letting the younger lion lean on her - even though they were about the same height, Han just a bit taller - she nodded at his question.
"Yes, we're safe." The rogues were either dead or being chased away, the wildebeest were no longer charging for them, and a few lions were coming over to see how Ifunci was doing. She nodded at the questions very slightly. The fact that Ifunci was conscious after all that indicated that he was strong enough to survive his wounds and her own were superficial, if painful.
"I'm fine," she said, even though she was still breathing heavily and bleeding from her back. She was surprised but thankful that Isasa helped clean her wound up a bit and she let her tail swing to bump the larger lioness' paws in thanks.
"Ifunci needs help, though. His leg is possibly broken," she said, indicating the swollen area. "I'm not large enough to support him properly...perhaps you two would be better suited in bringing him back to the pride?" She glanced between Isasa and Gabedi, hopeful that the stronger, larger lions would be willing to help the poor young male.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 8:45 am
The Ahluke was trembling, bordering atop a state of shock. His mind was still trying to process what was just happened, and the dull ache throught his brain didn't help. "O-one of the rogues...he at-attacked me. Why?" Ifunci said to no one in particular. Why did the rogue do that? Where had they come from? Ifunci didn't know them, so he certainly couldn't have had any vendettas with him or anything of that sort. "He tried to k-kill me." The wound on his neck where the rogue had tried to tear his throat was open and sore. The rogue had come very close to succeeding. "My leg...I-I heard it cra-ack." Ifunci began leaning a little more heavily one Han without meaning to as the events played back in his mind. "I can't pu-ut any w-weight on it." Would he be crippled for the rest of his life? Would he die from infection? The male let out a barely audible whimper, both from the pain and from the strange, almost surreal sense of fear and anxiety that was starting to take hold.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 9:10 am
The dark lion shared a look with the dark-backed lioness, before he lowered down so he was on his belly next to the Ahluke. "Get him on my back. I can carry him." He gave a quirk of a smile. "They'll probably all be surprised to see my face around again, but... I don't think they'll mind at the moment." Perhaps he'd see his sisters and mother, one last time before he went back to the outside world.
The lioness did her best to help get Ifunci onto Gabedi's back, looking the adolescent over. "From the way they targeted you first, and stopped Han and I from potentially interfering in the fight between the dark red one and Andhaka, I would say they DID want to kill you, and Andhaka, quite specifically... Or run you out." She glanced out to the nebulous point of the border. "They know out there that we were without protection... But not yet that we have Andhaka." Her gaze then shot to the dark brown male. "YOU didn't tell, did you?"
He gave her a hard look. "I swear on my very life that I told nobody that Gakere and Surtak were missing. I've only spoken to one lion out there, and HE sought ME out to send me back here to help!" He'd never even gotten that lion's name...
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 10:10 am
Dania had snarled right back at the stranger, ears flat and lips peeled back from fangs gaping wide, a picture of perfect madness with her tail lashing and tiny, skinny body crouched ready to pounce. Then the male did the unthinkable and fled, leaving the lioness snarling and growling at his retreating shadow.
Gradually the furious sounds trailed off, though a low level rumble spilled free with each breath, as if she hadn't yet spent all the anger and was having a hard time swallowing it back down. Eventually she shook her head and turned from where she had been staring after the rogue, to look around her, coming back to herself only slowly.
Recognising everyone near by she sank down onto her haunches in the muck, needing a moment to recover. Finally she pulled herself back up and padded slowly over to where everyone else was gathering. Ifunci had been injured, she understood that much, and as she drew closer she saw most of them carried wounds of some kind. They needed help, but she couldn't seem to gather her scattered thoughts. Everything was a blur, the fight, the blood.. The dying sounds of the big red male she could still hear...
As it looked like Ifunci was being cared for she turned and gazed about, though she recognised the others, she couldn't think, nothing felt real. Blinking repeatedly she swung her head slowly back and forth, confused. What should she do? How could she help?
Inexplicably she found herself near Andhaka and stared up at him blankly for a long moment. "Your wounds....." Trailing off she dropped her gaze, staring at the Umholi's paws.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 11:49 am
The young male hadn't been paying attention to what was going on around him, his mind still focused on trying to come to terms with what had happened, taking solace in the comfort of Han's shoulder. When Ifunci felt himself being pushed away from Han and towards what looked like another male lion out of the corner of his eye, his mind immediately began to panic. The normally friendly and passive Ahluke let out a mighty snarl, halfway to a roar. He reared up on his back legs, and with his good paw, lashed out at whatever force was pushing him. Too late did he realize that he was slashing at Isasa and Gabedi, a pride sister and a male that had only just left out into the rogue lands. When Ifunci realized what he had done, his ears laid back and he shrunk in on himself, once more leaning against Han. He refused to look at the two he'd just clawed at, but the rush of adrenaline had been able to clear his mind a little bit. "I can walk." He whispered quietly, still slightly trembling.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 12:53 pm
Han moved away as Isasa and Gabedi shifted to help Ifunci, not thinking that another male would be a problem.She gasped in surprise as the injured male lashed out, realizing far too late that probably hadn't been the best of ideas. She let the young male lean against her again as she offered the two an apologetic look, feeling at fault for being the one to suggest it.
"You shouldn't, not on that leg," she said quietly. "You'll make it worse." If only he were a bit bigger he could have rested that leg on her back while they walked, using her as a sort of crutch.
"No one here will hurt you," she added, flicking her tail back and forth in mild anxiety. "Isasa and Gabedi are simply stronger than I and would probably have better luck helping you. But if you want, I can try my best to get you back to the pride."
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 4:16 pm
Jasiri would have been happier about an outcome in wich the intruder was dead, but trampled by the herd worked too. He made no attempt to follow, but looked on in disbelief as the dark brown male did. Stupid, but the Gods apparently protected the stupid since the male returned unharmed and started to bother his son. He recognised him now, but that didn't endear the male to him.
"Didn't you leave already?" he asked with a stony look on his face. He made no attempt to chase him away, but he glanced at Andhaka. If the other male had issues with Nguvu's kid crashing the party he'd gladly help see him off.
Xatu felt as if he was more mud than lion at the moment, and he stayed away from the other injured lions for now. Even those that knew him from his last visit might have trouble recognising him in his current state. He was pretty sure Jasiri had recognised him at least, judging by the glare he recieved when the bright colored lion stepped off him after being pushed.
Xefo decided that his lion could use some backup now when the fight was over. He landed on Xatu's back and made a face at the muddy conditions. How did the stupid boy get mud splashes on his back? He had no regards for vulture working conditions! The bird eyed the red lion-turned-carcass and wondered if anyone was planning to clean that up. Too soon?
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 4:36 pm
Gabedi stepped back as the adolescent swatted, watching patiently for... There it was, that moment when he was recognized. "Are you sure you can walk? The offer still stands to give you a ride back." He opted to ignore Jasiri, though he had to grit his teeth to keep his tongue held.
Isasa wasn't one to hold her tongue, though. She rounded on Jasiri, giving him the most foul of looks. "That's a heck of a way to THANK somebody for coming to HELP us, Jasiri! EVERY male of the pride's blood willing to help, even if temporary, is WELCOME to in MY eyes. Or are you worried that he'll challenge you?"
Not looking at the gold-pelted lion, Gabedi gave a scoff. "I'm not even staying long. I came to HELP, because regardless of where I am, this is where I was BORN. So." He turned and gave the Inslelo an equally-stony glare. "You're WELCOME for HELPING to SAVE YOUR SON AND DAUGHTERS from OUTSIDERS."
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:35 pm
Ifunci glared at the group that was slowly gathering around him, scowling fiercly, the expression accentuated by the blood running through his fur. He took and awkward hop away from Han to better face the group, chest puffed out. "Stop it! No more fighting." Ifunci snapped, quickly shrinking back down. "No more." Moment of bravery expended, his voice was quiet. Everyone had just been attacked. They were lucky that everyone had gotten out alive, and apart from himself, largely uninjured. Ifunci couldn't handle his own pride members fighting with each other. He glanced back at Han. She was right. It would be much easier for one of the larger and stronger pride members to assist him, but...he didn't want to be carried. Even though his entire body hurt and the urge to throw up was still rather strong thanks to his head wound, Ifunci still had three good legs he could use. As long as he had some help, he could limp back to the rest of the pride. He wobbled a little bit, his front leg tired from doing the work normally done by two.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2015 5:45 pm
With the attackers dead or gone, there was time to assess the situation. Whatever his condition, Ifunci was up, leaning on Nehanda, with Isasa and Gabedi offering help as well. He felt a faint twinge of annoyance upon recognizing Gabedi, as the younger lion was supposed to be long gone, but whatever his reason for returning or lingering, he had at least attempted to help.
Jasiri seemed in good condition, as did the male he assumed was an Enda, judging by his vulture companion. It was difficult to identify him further, on account of all the mud. Dania seemed none the worse for wear when she approached. Good. "Can wait awhile," he finished. "We should get back to the others as soon as Ifunci is ready.."
"He did," Andhaka remarked in regards to the question of Gabedi's presence. His appearance was irritating on sheer principle, but the Umholi had other considerations: namely, the handful of lionesses who were intent on finding fault with him. "But I'm sure his mother and sisters will be happy to see him, even if it's just for an hour." He assumed that they would be displeased if they learned that Gabedi had helped only to be driven off in return; of course, there was also a possibility that some lionesses would feel he was being too soft. It was a damned headache.
"However," he said in clipped tones when Gabedi raised his voice to the Inselelo, "While I understand your desire to help, what I believe Jasiri finds worrisome is that you were near enough to help so quickly in the first place. When you leave this time, perhaps you should go a little farther."
"Now, we're going." His patience was thin after the battle, and it was showing.
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 4:25 am
Jasiri nodded as Andhaka decided the brown male would be allowed back for a little while. Fine. He wasn't about to throw a fit over it if that was the Umholi's ruling. The welcome would expire soon, and if the male knew what was good for him he'd be off in time.
"No," Jasiri answered Isasa's question, and then turned to the yelling Gabedi, "Are you?"
He didn't wait for an answer, and instead turned his back to the male to see what needed to be done in order to get everyone back to the others. Dania looked confused, but didn't look physically hurt. Ifunci and Han looked worse off, but both were moving on their own. Isasa had the energy to yell at him, so he wasn't worried about her.
"Andhaka," he said, motioning towards the muddy Enda, "This is Xatu the Enda and his bird. Xatu, you report to Andhaka now, but any reporting can wait until we're back. If you're not too badly hurt the two of you can take the rear. I'll keep moving around the group in case one of the cowards would like a re-match."
Andhaka wanted them back as soon as possible, and Jasiri was happy to help make it happen.
Xatu watched the exchange without commenting. He understood the desire to stick close to ones family, even after growing up, but there were ways to do that. His tongue searched out the place where he missed a tooth, the same tooth Xefo had hanging around his neck. He'd found a way to visit from time to time, and he'd paid for it in blood and pain. It was surprising to him that the dark brown male seemed to expect praise for coming back. However, he gave the male the benefit of a doubt. The fight had been scary and confusing, and it was only natural that he'd want to see his mother and sisters before going again. Luckily the male in charge was generous enough to accept it. Xatu was certain that Matifu would have run him off or killed him, but the males that grew up during Gakere's reign didn't remember those times. Xatu had survived Gakeres era, and he had found his calling when Gakere rose to power.
Jasiri's introduction told him that Gakere's time in power had come to an end, and that this male, Andhaka, had replaced him. He was grateful that the bright Inselele introduced him. It would have been just as easy to ignore him or claim he didn't know who he was.
"Sure," he said, and moved towards the rear of the little group. His jaw hurt, but he could run just fine, and he'd make sure they didn't lose any stragglers. "Xefo?"
The vulture sighed and made a grumbling sound that might have been the bird equivalent of cursing. He flapped a few times to shake residual rain out of his feathers and then took wing. A pair of eyes in the sky would ensure that any would be attackers couldn't get to the little group unseen.
He made a little loop over the ground where the red one had fallen. It would be a shame if it went to waste, but he could always return later.
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2015 9:19 am
"Ok.... " She whispered in reply, looking back up though the Umholi had already turned from her to address the rest of the gathered lions. Glancing around she caught Jasiri's look and dropped her head, gaze once more on her paws and her tail pressed low, the tip laying limp upon the muddy ground.
Dania watched as everyone started to get themselves sorted out. She supposed she should stay with them, even though she hadn't come out with them originally. It was probably too dangerous to wander about on her own if those two rogues were still somewhere near by. Uncertain she nevertheless slunk forwards, falling into position near the back of the small group, keeping her head down and eyes low, watching only where she placed each paw.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 2:19 pm
All the yelling made Han's ears pull back in mild fear, her golden eyes watching the males. She was glad Gabedi had come to help, but Jasiri and Andhaka were sound in their questioning of how he had come so quickly. Still, it was nice that he had been here to fend off the other males, and Han wouldn't look a gift zebra in the mouth. As Ifunci started to walk on his own, she moved over to him to offer her support quietly.
Taking Andhaka's advice, she very slowly began to move in the direction of the main part of the pride, keeping very slow time with Ifunci. She let him walk on his own as much as she could, being a crutch when he needed the extra help.
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Posted: Mon Mar 02, 2015 6:50 pm
Ifunci, like Han, pulled his ears back. They should have all been relieved after the fight, shouldn't they? Everyone happy to be alive and thankful that no one had been killed? But instead there was a strange tension in the air, crackling and sizzling between Gabedi, Andhaka, and Ifunci's father Jasiri. The young Ahluke didn't quite know what to make of it, nor did he really understand the need for hostility. Perhaps he would when his mane had fully grown in, or maybe Andhaka and Jasiri felt threatened by Gabedi's presence after all those issues with the new Umholi and whatnot. Ifunci didn't want to think about all that anymore. It should have been obvious to everyone that he needed serious medical attention as quickly as possible. The Ahluke would likely need one of the Umama's to look at his leg and make sure he didn't permanently cripple himself. Time spent arguing was time the Ahluke didn't really have. Ifunci tried his best to keep his weight off of Han, but every few steps and hops he had to lean on the lioness for support. He was glad for her calm presence. All of the other pride members, save Dania, seemed to be too on edge. Ifunci was still much too shaken to want to deal with them right now. "Thanks." He mumbled to the lioness, a small and weary smile on his face.
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