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 Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 9:12 am
She should have listened, why didn't she listen? Something had told her to skip lessons today, to go and watch them with Miako so that she could point out the strategies and techniques. Something had warned her, but out of a stubborn desire to ignore these annoying urges Kidondo has ignored those warnings and gone to the training grounds regardless.
It was inevitable, really, that the rumours she'd heard about impending retribution would come to a head. While the unfortunate male she'd 'scorpioned' hadn't bothered to rat her out to the adults, he HAD told some of his friends. More importantly, he told his older relatives.
Scorpion-mane hadn't shown up to classes for a few weeks after the incident, but he was there today. Smirking. She'd seen the smirk on his stupid muzzle, and thought nothing of it. Until, that is, it was time to pick sparring partners. That's when Kidondo noticed that her partner was older. Larger. Male. And bore a striking resemblance to Scorpion-mane. A glance at the instructor - it was a substitute today - also revealed a familial resemblance. She should have simply walked away from the unfair pairing, but... she couldn't. Not with her pride intact.
The 'temporary instructor' had the sense, at least, to stop her sparring partner before he did any permanent damage. She fought as fiercely as she could, using every tactic and technique she could muster, but she was no match for the older and more experienced lion. It was almost as painful to watch as it was for her to experience it; their match went on far longer than any of the others, and none of the other students stepped in to intervene. Why would they? Kidondo has never been particularly popular, after all, her arrogance made that impossible.
---
When it is over, Kid rises on trembling legs, her unfocused gaze on the blood-spattered sand. She offers a nod to the victor, the bitter taste of defeat mingling with the taste of her own blood, and then leaves the practice grounds without a word. The going is slow and painful as she makes her way towards a secluded alcove, but eventually she is alone and free to lick her wounds.
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Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 1:36 pm
Ever since the 'incident', Miako had taken to watching the training sessions from nearer than she'd dared before. Granted, it was much easier to pick up on tidbits of information when Kidondo lay with her and pointed out how this or that move worked, or how that lion over there was doing a great job for x reasons, while that other one wasn't. Alas, she'd also gotten used to watching and analyzing movements even without her partner, and even if it was a bit more difficult, she also found it to be worthwhile, specially when she picked up on something new without help.
She felt proud, with actual reason, and the feeling while not entirely new... was horribly welcomed what with having her ego knocked a few pegs down just a few weeks ago. She hadn't really told Kidondo, but she felt as if the red lioness had somehow saved her. Which... she had, since had it not been for her, she'd probably be sporting quite a few scars, but that wasn't it - at least not all of it. Miako felt as if Kidondo had actually saved her; a part of her that others had not seen drowning, as sappy as that sounded. The red lioness had never really asked for anything; specially not gratitude, and Miako was still far too proud to provide it of her own free will, so the feelings and words remain unspoken.
She also enjoyed the times when she got to watch Kidondo fight during the training sessions, which was why she was particularly happy that day as she curled up on a nice bolder that overlooked training field, her eyes keenly focused on her red companion. It was then that she noticed something had been off. Not only was she matched up with someone that towered over her, but the male had a striking resemblance to one of the bullies that had chased Miako and cornered her.
It had been torture to watch the duel, but there had been nothing Miako could do from her perch, and surely nothing she could have done even if she'd jumped into the fight. That aside, receiving outside help in a duel was strictly forbidden and punished severely, so she'd been quite literally paw-tied, forced to watch Kidondo take a horrible beating.
She'd looked at the instructor several times, had glared at him hotly and had looks been able to kill... the large adult wouldn't have been breathing. As soon as the fight had been stopped, Miako had jumped to her feet and jumped off the bolder with a frustrated growl, turning only a moment to look over her shoulder at the training grounds with sheer disdain before rushing off after the beaten friend.
It took her only a few moments to find Kidondo, whom had taken refuge in a secluded alcove, "Why did you do that?!" she exclaimed as she padded forward, "You should have walked away! That wasn't fair! That wasn't fair at all!" when she was near enough, she dropped to the ground beside her friend and seemed to hesitate awkwardly, as if torn between ideas of what she should be doing - apparently, she was angry enough for both of them.
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Posted: Fri Apr 09, 2010 12:29 pm
It's harder to groom properly when every part of you hurts, she realizes. Even her tongue is sore, still raw where she bit it after a particularly jarring blow to her head. But Kidondo goes about her task with single-minded tenacity. And every time her tongue tastes blood that is not her own, she rumbles in quiet satisfaction.
Miako's outraged questions go unanswered for a few moments, until the red lioness has cleaned her paws up enough that her obsessive tendencies will allow her to stop. She's still dirty, still tainted by the touch of that b*****d, but propriety demands that she pay proper attention to her companion. So Kidondo squashes her compulsion, for now, and lifts her gaze. Even then, her answer is a long time coming. She knows why she did it - pride, an unwillingness to back down, an over-inflated opinion of her own abilities - but those reasons don't sound appropriately calculated and noble.
"You can learn from defeat," she rasps, her voice thick, "even if you have no chance to win." That admission hurts, even if it was plainly obvious. She had no chance, not even the most outrageously good luck could have turned the tide of that duel in her favour. And she should have known that, going into it. Maybe if she had, she could have protected herself better. Played a defensive battle instead of trying to win. Yes, that would have been the smart thing to do.
"If they followed me, like you did, then those bullies will be along soon to get their shot. You should probably go, it'd be safer that way." Kidondo sighs, lowering her head to her paws. No, she's not angry. Not at anyone but herself, at least.
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:40 am
"That wasn't defeat!" came the heated response, "That was overkill! There was nothing to learn from that, and nothing to gain except pain!" there was nothing she could do to keep the heat from her words. Her voice had raised a few notches too, as if raising would make her companion understand how she saw the situation a bit better. It was only when she realized that her words echoed outside that the white lioness flattened her ears and flinched a bit, taking a moment to look over her shoulder in an attempt to see if anyone had heard.
Once Miako was sure no one was about, she turned back to Kidondo, eying her in the den's partial darkness. It was the red lioness' words that startled her though, her body shrinking down against the floor in fear for a moment as she evaluated the situation. It was true that if she stayed she'd be in trouble when (if) the bullies showed up. However... Miako couldn't, for the life of her, even ponder the idea of turning around and leaving.
There was absolutely no pride in doing that. It was the coward's way out, and while she was many things... coward wasn't one of them, even despite her smaller than average size, "No," she murmured, "No, I'm not leaving," there was the implication hanging in the air that she refused to leave her, rather than that she simply refused to leave the place. Then, silently, she made her decision and padded silently towards her fallen companion, laying down against her red frame.
Her next action was a bit hesitant, and only came after several minutes of silence; slowly, she reached out with her head and began to tend to the areas of Kidondo's body that she couldn't have easily reached.
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 6:59 am
"You can learn from pain, too," she counters, hissing sharply when she moves her paw to point at a nice slash across her shoulder, "I know what that feels like, now. Next time it won't hurt as much, I'll be able to ignore it, fight past it." And with those words, Kidondo seems to calm. She breathes more slowly, evenly, narrowing her eyes. That's right. She can learn from this pain, and master it. This is just a new challenge, that's all. It's not a defeat. It's a learning exercise. And she's not deluding herself, not at all.
Miako's indecision is noticed, but the red lioness does not comment on it. Tactically speaking, it would be wiser for her smaller companion to leave. Emotionally speaking, Kidondo finds that... surprisingly, she'd rather not be alone right now. But she cannot give voice to any of that - let the white lioness make her own decision - and she cannot even bear to watch and wait, to see if Miako does decide to leave.
So Kidondo closes her eyes, and continues in her efforts of self-delusion and pain suppression. Her focus turns entirely inwards, drawing into herself to avoid hearing her companion leave. And so, when Miako leans against her and begins her tentative attempts to tend to Kidondo's wounds, the red lioness is startled. But she doesn't flinch - she sighs, quietly, and then leans into Miako's ministrations.
It hurts. But it will hurt less, over time.
"Thank you," she speaks quietly. And that hurts too, but in a different way, a way that she doesn't entirely understand yet.
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:30 am
In all honesty, she didn't think there was much to learn from pain, but she kept her mouth shut and her opinions to herself for the time being. After all, it was slowly dawning on her that Kidondo needed this ordeal to be something she could learn from. The red lioness coped with matters in an entirely different way than Miako did, and she'd realized a while back that... that was perfectly fine too.
All she could offer her friend was her company, and thus, that's what the white lioness did, focusing her ministrations primarily on the places she figured Kidondo would have trouble reaching, and once satisfied, moving towards other places. First her back, then her shoulder, her paws and her face, which was scratched up pretty badly too. She couldn't help wondering if the wounds would leave permanent scars or if they'd heal. She also wondered if there were other, deeper, emotional wounds that she could not see and if those would heal too.
Deciding that only time would tell, Miako let out a sigh, though it's clearly not in exasperation; apparently the ordeal had been emotionally draining for the lithe, white lioness, "No," she murmured between licks, "Thank you," and then, even if she knew they were empty words, "Everything will be fine."
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 11:51 am
Kidondo is beyond words right now (and to be honest, talking hurts a bit) so she simply rumbles a quiet purr and returns to her own efforts at cleaning up. Whenever it is necessary she shifts, to make it easier for Miako. Sometimes it hurts, and her purr will become irregular with a sharply indrawn breath, but she does her best to remain still and avoid flinching away. Flinching hurts.
It's difficult to keep herself from being nervous at the thought of a follow-up attack, and the red lioness fights an inner battle. Sometimes she stops her purrs, straining her ears to listen for the faintest step. And then she frowns, forces herself to calm, and pretend that she doesn't care, that she isn't afraid of further beating. Back and forth her emotions rage, until finally calm prevails.
And when she's cleaned all that she can reach, and her companion is near the end of her self-appointed task, Kidondo stretches herself out carefully and turns to look at Miako.
"So, what did you learn, while watching that... fight?" Almost, she calls it what it was - a beating. Almost.
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 12:49 pm
Miako can tell it hurt; while her friend didn't flinch, her purring did become raged here and there. Internally, she found herself vowing she'd take revenge, but no sooner did the thought occur to her... that the white lioness shoved it aside. Revenge would only create a vicious circle, with the other party attempting to get back at them, and round and round again.
She didn't feel that revenge was worth either of getting into a similar state as this, as tempting as it might've been in the heat of the moment.
The whole procedure lasted a rather long time; Miako didn't stop until every wound within her reach was cleaned. She didn't pause until the scent of the battle is but a bitter memory and finally, once it's over, she nestled herself against her friend's form, her eyes looking towards the entrance of the den for a moment before returning to her, "That revenge isn't worth it - that it's a vicious circle that doesn't stop," she said off the top of her head, and then frowned, "That I can't trust even adults to be fair," another pause, "That I need a sparring partner that won't cripple me if I want to learn. I guess I should start looking at the younger lions and their classes."
Her words were slightly muted as she continued, "That you're more important to me than I thought."
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 1:01 pm
Kidondo chuckles, an oddly hesitant sound (since she doesn't want to jar her aching ribs), and reaches out to nudge Miako's jaw. "I meant about the fighting, silly girl," but the sparkle in her eyes says far more. Something in the larger lioness holds the words in restraint, keeping them from flying free, but her smile is warm and genuine. Thankful.
"But you're right, about a few things." She nods, clicking her teeth. "Revenge is.. tempting. If I could, I'd go find that little coawrd and rip half his mane out right now," her claws flex at the thought, "but then another of his siblings would come after me, or maybe you. Or my siblings. And when would it end? No, it's not worth it." Kidondo can't help but breathe a disappointed sigh, at that.
Her tone sharpens, and her eyes narrow, "You can't trust adults. Can't trust teachers. Can't trust agemates. Can't trust anyone," and then he turns to look at Miako, and her gaze softens, "Unless they prove worthy of it, that is."
The lioness is silent for a short time, looking at her companion, and then she continues briskly. "And yes, yes, I already told you that you needed to look at the younger lions. Find a male about a season or two behind us in age, he'll grow faster in size while you grow in strength. It's perfect."
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Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2010 5:02 pm
Miako did not flinch away from the nudge, but rather, accepted it with an awkward, smile, almost as if she were entirely unsure what to do with herself (which was entirely out of character for her, given the fact the girl's ego was, or maybe... used to be the size of a small planet). Bonding with someone emotionally was new to her; while Kidondo wasn't her blood related sister, she felt that one a deeper level, blood didn't quite matter. She could still treat the older lioness as her sister.
Lord knew that she spent more time with her recently than she did with her real siblings.
After Kidondo's words, the white female huffed mildly, "What do you mean right about a 'few' things? I was apparently right about everything," that said she settled herself more comfortably against her friend and nodded, "Tomorrow," her eyes strayed towards the den's entrance and then her head lowered to the floor, "I don't think they're coming," which was just as fine, because she couldn't have done anything to stop them, "Nothing is perfect, but this is probably as near as it gets," even with Kidondo wounded... even with everything they'd gone through that day, it was as perfect as it could get.
They just needed to learn from their mistakes.
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Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2010 7:52 am
"Partially right, yeah," she agrees, "but revenge isn't always not worth it. If you can find a way to get your revenge without them knowing, or being able to pin it on you..." Kidondo bares her teeth in a wicked grin.
"See, we have an advantage here." The red lioness stretches her paws out in front of herself, moving with deliberate care, and taps her toes against the packed earth as she counts out events. "They went after you. I retaliated. In turn, they went after me. So the tally is two to one in their favour, possibly even higher because of the... severity of their attack on me." A pause, and then she continues. "There's another thing you're right about, they aren't coming after me. It's our move, in this game. If we do nothing, then they will think that they have won."
She growls quietly, still wearing that grin, "And that's exactly what we want them to think."
With a quiet sigh, Kidondo settles down and finds the position that hurts the least. The events of this day catch up with her all of a sudden, and crushing bone-weariness sets in. Eyelids droop, her voice quiets, and she rests her head upon her paws. "Yes, tomorrow. There'll be plenty of time tomorrow."
And within a few breaths, she falls into a deep, healing sleep.
--fin--
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