|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 2:58 pm
 It was hot. Sooo hot. Why was it so hot? Was it that weird mountain? It seemed like the closer he got to it, the hotter it got. Well he wouldn't stay long then. Maybe. He'd decide later. Mahewa had never been the best at settling on a decision right away, that was part of why he was here, in this strange land where he'd seen so few other creatures. He was a wanderer by nature, and though he was young he'd managed to make it this far. He'd been a few places before, but none had really seemed like a good home. Or maybe he'd thought there was a better home to be found. Like was said, he had a hard time deciding anything.
And now here he was again, off on another adventure. It was so exciting...seeing new places, meeting new people...but then, he'd not met anyone for days. That wasn't fun. Even his tummy was lonely, it rumbled loudly enough to tell him so. Well that was one thing he could fix. There wasn't much around in way of people, but there was some food...small animals and birds and bugs. The mountain could wait.
With a huff he was off, crouching in the grass and sniffing about. There. The smell of a little animal, perfect for filling his belly for the day. It was..maybe a rabbit, or a sort of brush animal...well it smelled small enough, and tasty. He stalked it. Tasty tasty..."Soon, soon!" And there! There it was, a tasty fat thing all for him. He gave a little wiggle, and POUNCE! He pinned the thing flat, biting at what he could, inexperience making the kill slow, but his hunger refusing to let him give up. Eventually the thing lay still, though Hewa had a few scratches for his trouble, and a front stained dark with blood. He released the food and stood over it, licking himself a little cleaner before starting in. He made no effort to conceal the sound of his noisy munching. After all, why should he have to?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:25 pm
While enjoying herself in the land of her father's, Kasdeya made her way about the border, eager for some rogue to step foot upon their lands. Nyota had many scars now and even wore the bones of the small creatures that he had killed. Kasdeya knew that she was better than him, but also knew that without scars, the male had something that she didn't. Eager to force him to find her at least his equal, the small cub was waiting to snap and find herself in some sort of scrap.
It seemed just her luck to hear the sound of someone nearby. With a flash to her eyes and determination in her step, the small female made her way towards Mahewa. It was not long before she came across the male and immedietly Kasdeya's attitude was played up, her form tall and proud. "Rogue! What are you doing upon our lands?" She demanded.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 3:55 pm
Mmm...the food was good. Hewa dug in with gusto, splattering himself more in the gore, but not minding. His stomach's roar dulled as he sated himself, and he chuckled. "Not so lonely now, are you? Too bad there's no one for me to talk to." He grinned to himself and took another nibble at the meat. Well lonely land or not, they had good food. He hadn't seen many larger animals around, but that was no matter to him. Still only a juvenile (if not for much longer, the way he was growing) and alone, he had no way to handle a bigger animal. But this sort of fare was plenty, especially with it being so tasty!
Hearing a voice, the lion started, and he looked over his shoulder at Kasdeya. He gulped, a bloody mass of meat disappearing down his throat, and, nonchalant for the anger she seemed to be showing, he said, "Eating." He shuffled a bit, keeping between his food and the stranger, though he didn't seem especially wary. "And traveling." He bent to take another bite. What had he to worry about? She was just a cub after all.
He flicked his dusky tail from side to side, finishing his small meal before deferring to the irked female again. "So this is a pride's land after all? I have to say, I'm surprised. I've not seen anyone for days. You must be a small group or something, right?" He licked his lips and set to washing the small wounds he'd gotten. "I mean, that or you're a secretive bunch. Though you for one seems happy enough to show yourself." He chuckled a bit, nosing the air to catch the stranger's odd scent. "I suppose you're too little, to young, to be a scout or something though. I'd be happy to walk you home." He stood, all intentions good of course. He'd helped escort other young animals split from their families before, and though it might be kind to offer the same now. Especially if this was a quiet, contained bunch. He could at least get a glimpse of their home before they turned him away. Some prides did that, but seeing them was usually enough to sate his curiosity. "It's that way, right?" He nodded at the mountain. It was the only likely place he could see, though he still didn't know why anyone would want to be here with all this excess heat.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:17 pm
At first Kasdeya believed the red on the male's chest to be his natural coloration, similar to the red stripes across his shoulders, face and tail. Upon taking a deep smell, however, the young female recognised the smell of blood and looked down to see the dead form of a small hare. Like most others her age, Kasdeya had learned the hunt and was expected to fend for herself. Still, the site of another covered in blood was something to look up to. Blood was a sacred thing to the pride.
The simple response from the male was enough to send Kasdeya's fur on end. Didn't he know where he was? Or whom he was speaking with? Narrowing her eyes and bending low threateningly, the female hissed, "You have stepped into the lands of the demons, stranger, and you will go now, or accept my challenge!" Eager to dive into whatever mess she could get herself into, Kasdeya was getting a bit ahead of herself. This male, while clearly a rogue, was rather large and older than herself. She wondered if Nyota had ever taken on someone twice his size. She doubted it and laughed inwardly to herself.
Before Kasdeya could add more, the male continued to speak. They were small? He hadn't heard of them? The female couldn't help but bristle at all of his comments. He did not show any sign of fear or concern. Clearly she would need to leave an impression on him so that he would never forget where he wandered!
And then he offered to walk her home. Because she was too young. And too little.
Furious, Kasdeya was quick to act, lunging towards the male and extending her claws so that she might catch whatever delicate part of his skin lay open to her attack. Despite her small size, the female was quick and her claws were clearly kept in pristine condition so that she may use them in times such as these.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:34 pm
Oooh, looked like he'd hit a nerve. "Hey, hey, nothing wrong with a pit of pride in your pride, right?" Still he showed no fear, more concern for upsetting a child. "I'm not sure I even know what a demon is, but if that's your pride's named that, then...hey now, hey now! All I wanted to do was take a peek. I'm not her to raid you or anything. Besides, I don't fight kids." Well, kids that weren't his siblings that is.
Unfortunately, it looked like the cub was serious. She was bristling at something, and distantly Hewa realized that something might be himself. Oops. Well he'd always been received well before...There was a first time for everything after all.
Including having a cub attack you. As fast as Kasdeya was, and with him not expecting it, Hewa took a good claw to his front, and a new bubble of blood-his own- dribbled down his front. "Hey now!" He dodged the furious female, not fighting back, but not letting himself be hit anymore. "Hey hey hey hey HEY!" He circled around her, looked down at his bleeding front, then frowned. "That wasn't very nice now. Didn't your parents teach you to respect your elders?" Still, he wouldn't attack a cub. Maybe pin her, maybe drag her home by her tail, but he would not attack her. Yet at least.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 4:59 pm
The male quickly tried to comfort Kasdeya without the knowledge that each and every single one of his words only further fueled the fire. Kasdeya's eyes were lit with rage and her claws remained extended with the eager attempt to leave her name etched in the male's hide. He continually called her a child, despite the fact that he was not much older than her himself! This couldn't go unpunished!
When the female felt her claw sink into the male's front, she beamed with pride. She had got him. It was not as much as she would have liked, but it was certainly something. Jumping back to regain herself, the female's fur remained on end and she continued to hiss. "My parents know the importance of pride and keeping ones honor. They would encourage this encounter!"
In truth, Kasdeya was not close to her father at all. He was manic and did not seem to bother with her in the least. Despite this, he was a King of the pride and with that being the case - Kasdeya was a princess. Heir or not. Her mother was an entirely different situation. Weak and vulnerable, she came to their pride and fled at the opportune moment. Many of Kasdeya's siblings went with her, but the fire haired cub couldn't abandon where she grew up.
Looking the male over, Kasdeya planned her next attack. He knew that she was serious now and it was time to make her next move. Like she had done before, the small female dived forward, but instead of swiping out with her claws, she wrapped her paws around the male's neck in an attempt to send the two tumbling. She didn't need to be large in order for this to work, the sheer force of her jump would at least cause the two to budge and hopefully fall.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:36 pm
Ridiculous! No parent in their right mind would encourage fighting...Sure he'd heard of people fanatical about their homes enough to fight this way, but not as children! It was confusing, and he rejected the idea. She must just be saying that to scare him. He'd done it enough times, telling his sibling 'mom said to' or the like to get their compliance. It usually worked too. But telling a child to fight anyone who came along...what if he'd been an adult? What if he'd been a mean adult? There was no way her parents could really condone this. But the cub was so mad...he was honestly confused. What had he done? He'd not insulted her or anything...But there was little time to think, as the fierce female looked him over again. That can't be good...
He eyed her right back. Nice guy or not, her continued aggressions were starting to get his hackles up. He was young, sure, but he'd been wandering alone long enough to understand when he needed to defend himself. And this was turning into one of those times. A cub couldn't kill him, but her claws still hurt. She couldn't disable him, but her teeth were sharp nonetheless. And even a slightly disadvantaged rogue could fall victim easy enough, with no pride to protect him while he recovered. One scratch was enough, thank you kindly.
When Kasdeya leapt again, he was ready. Doubly so when her paws wrapped around his neck. How many times had Bele tried this move on him? And his brothers too. For a moment he nearly felt like he was with them, tumbling about for fun. But then he felt the anger behind the pressure, saw the fury in the cub's eyes...this was no time to reminisce. He let her force take him, rolling backwards on his haunches...it was easy enough, but she was surprisingly heavy. He hit the ground on his back and lunged upwards, digging his feet into her chest, stomach, side...he winced, feeling one hind leg dig into flesh. He hadn't wanted to hurt her, but maybe now she would settle and let him take her home. He kept the roll going, coming to a stop not prone, as Kasdeya likely had hoped, but standing tall and proud over the self same cub who'd started the whole ordeal. One forepaw pinned her chest, the other poised above her head. He gingerly avoided stepping on her lower half, and he could feel the blood on his foot..."Now then. Are you going to stop this, or am I going to have to haul you home by your scruff like the cub you are?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 5:52 pm
Kasdeya was not expecting Mahewa to predict her actions so well. He had certainly proved that he had fought once or twice himself. When the cub felt the male's claws dig into her side, she attempted to pull back. Still, as they tumbled, her voice came out in an angered hiss. "How can you call me a cub, when you're no older than a cub yourself! Do not fool yourself into thinking that you can simply cast me aside because you believe that I am young! I have demon's blood within my veins! I have lived many years more than you, foul creature!"
Once Mahewa had her pinned to the ground, the female lay still for a moment. He kept a paw carefully placed on her chest and another over her head, as though to strike at any moment if she respond to his actions. He had certainly surprised her. She trained with all the best demons in the pride and still he had managed to pin her - if even for just a moment.
Kicking out with her back feet, Kasdeya grinned. Having witnessed hares use the same maneuver in their fight for life, the lioness kicked out repeatedly, claws extended on her back feet. The underside of any lion was always the most vulnerable area. It protected all vital organs and seemed to take the longest amount of time to heal. If Kasdeya got him at all, this was her chance.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:10 pm
What on earth was this cub talking about?! She couldn't be older than him at all, let alone think she was years older! She must have had a head wound or something while she'd wandered astray. "Like it or not you ARE a cub! Demon blood or turtle blood or fish blood or whatever, you. Are. A. Cub!" Hewa was angry now. Confusion made him upset, and combined with her ranting and attacks, he was nearly ready to make this a real fight. And that he knew would go better for him than her.
Unfortunately, she just wouldn't give in. He grunted, feeling claws dig into his underside, thankfully not going too deep, though they hurt like fire regardless. He swiveled out of reach, keeping the paw on her chest, though now he was at a right angle to her. It would be harder to keep her pinned now, but he was out of range of those dangerous feet. And he'd had enough. Blood dripped down the inside of his back leg and off his front, and, glaring, he pressed down with that paw, hoping to press the air--and the will to fight-- out of her.
This was madness. Children fighting for no reason at all. And it made him angry. What had he done, really? This maniac had tried to seriously injure him for no good reason at all. Why...why wouldn't she just listen?! He growled, livid with Kasdeya, and in a flash his teeth snapped, just above her nose. He still wouldn't hurt her...but if she kept this up any more, he feared he would, just to shut her up.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 6:49 pm
Kasdeya's grin widened as she realised that her kicks were successfull and she was able to wound the large male atop her. She had left her marks on his underside as well as on his chest. Despite the clear size difference, she had kept her footing rather well and managed to fight back.
When the male spun around, the female watched his movements carefully. He could have went in for an attack, but he simply adjusted his position so that she could no longer kick him. "What? Have you given up?" She snapped at him, eager inspire the male to return her attacks. She would return to her pride, pleased with herself, her new scars and the new lion who would soon likely avoid the pride like the plague. As far as Kasdeya was concerned, she had done well.
Then the male pushed down on her chest and the small female gasped out, the air being knocked from her and her body suddenly feeling weak. She was unable to breath and her eyes widened in panic.
Lifting a quick paw, with claws extended, the lioness swiped, aiming to take out an eye or grab ahold of some other vulnerable limb. Her only thought now was to get away and gather her breath once again. Managing to squeeze out from under the male's grasp, Kasdeya crawled to her feet and took a few steps back. Her breathing was still rough and difficult to come out. With narrowed eyes, the female barely released a whisper of a hiss.
"It would be wise to leave this pride." She whispered, unable to speak normally for a moment. "And never return. There are others here who would not have toyed with you as I had. I'll have you know my father is the King of this pride and he does not take kindly to outsiders."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:10 pm
Hewa growled low in his throat. His mane was bristled, brushed up to look bigger. This cub...she was infuriating! He dodged her blow, his movements fast in comparison to her oxygen-deprived, strained ones. He let her go when she rolled free, though he stared her down as she panted for air. She had stopped attacking...maybe he'd gotten through after all. He puffed himself up proudly, though the pitter patter of still-dripping blood made it plain that he had not gotten away unscathed.
He could barely make out her words, but somehow what he heard didn't surprise him unduly. "And by who's right do you have to turn me out? You may live here...may even be a princess, but I have bested you, and you know it. Peh, if you want me gone, go and bring your father. Teaching a cub to fight to bloodletting..." He stepped forward, the feeling of the encounter turned. She was not in any position to drive him out. His hackles raised, his ire at a parent who would raise his children so plain to be seen. King or no, it was simply not right. A snarl curled his lips, and he leapt forward, head down, shoving the female either over or away, but regardless, a strike ot her already heaving chest would surely wind her again.
"Get home, cub. Before I decide to go with you and you have to listen to my explaining your losing to me to your 'king'. If he's anything like I think he is, from how you are...I would not be the one I would worry for in that case." Hackles still raised, he turned and slid back into the brush, his stance revealing none of the pain that was starting to make his head swim. Perhaps some would think he had run away in fear...but to someone as proud as Kasdeya, having her opponent show his back, unafraid of anything she might do even with the aid of surprise, had to be nothing short of an insult.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 7:49 pm
Quick to choose battle with whomever she ran into, Kasdeya was surprised to have come across a skilled fighter who had both an understanding of her maneuvers as well as a few tricks up his own sleeve. She had doubted the enemy and found herself in a very difficult situation. Her pride was wounded and whatever scars she had 'earned' were marks of embarassment. The small cub would tend to them properly when she returned home.
Mahewa's words stung worse than the female's new wounds. He spoke down to her as though she was nothing. It reminded her greatly of Nyota and the other royal cubs who believed that they were better than her. It seemed that despite her attempts to prove herself, she had simply fallen farther down the ladder. With a disgruntled growl, the female turned on her own paws and began back from where she came.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
