|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:47 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
![User Image](https://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a123/Talencia/Pets/felines/vigotamortKAcert.png)
Vigo heaved a deep sigh. He had come home empty-pawed this time, and it dragged at his spirit. Somehow it felt as if he was not doing his duty, nor making up for his mistakes, if he returned without cubs to help the pride grow stronger. It wasn't that he felt especially tired, but his heart felt heavy. It was a strange experience to be home-sick, for this was why he had returned. Oddly enough, the life-long rogue now couldn't stand to be away for very long periods of time. At least, he didn't want to. If he did manage to convince a female to bear him cubs, obviously he'd remain with her for as long as he was needed before returning with the cubs. But without that to hold him in the open expanses of unclaimed territory, he eventually felt himself pulled back home.
Home. He glanced around as he padded into the den areas, noting small changes, seeing new faces, wondering about those he'd not see again in this lifetime. Who had they lost while he'd been gone this time? That made his heart sink further, so he firmly changed his attitude. Had any of the females had cubs while he was gone? He'd have to go look. Perhaps one of them might like some of the baubles he carried with him.
He patted the lumpy sack strapped around him. He'd made a habit of stopping to look at the wares of any merchant he met, gathering pretty things to offer the lionesses he met as a token of his esteem. None of them were really worth all that much unto themselves, but he hoped that they might bring some goodwill towards him if he had such a thing to offer.
Being a newer member, his den was towards the outer edge of the area, newly dug and prepared. He had had the opportunity to take a den vacated by the death of its previous owner, but that had somehow felt wrong to the big red and black lion. So he'd opted for something newer. It also gave him an excuse to pad through the more populated areas and greet those he saw. Any small thing to make the lives of those around him better seemed to ease the stain from his soul.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:56 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
Always something of a drama queen at heart, Cor Oxidat's self-imposed isolation sometimes wore on her. Very few people had seemed to notice that the bard lioness had virtually withdrawn from the pride, spending almost all of her time alone watching the borders and the comings and goings there, hoping not to see a particular rogue lion. The fact that nobody had ever come looking for her, not once irritated her enough that she couldn't sink completely into despair and misery. How could they not care?!
She couldn't spend all of her time on the borders though. She had to eat, and she felt too weak many days to hunt for herself, so she had to return to her den from time to time. It was on her way back from a solitary and unenthusiastic meal that she noticed the return of an unfairly vital lion. She didn't know his name, but her mind immediately made up a name and entire history for him. She had stopped telling stories to others, but she couldn't help coming up with them.
A dip in the land tripped her up as she was staring rudely at the healthy lion and she went down in an embarrassed heap. Without thinking she immediately asked, "Did anybody else see that snake?"
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b3_p.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:13 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
He had unwittingly not noticed the dark lioness nearby, his mind on what trinkets the cubs might make use of, and which were better to keep to take on his next trip. Her words, however, caught his attention. He turned to see her sprawled in a heap along a nearby walkway. Concerned, and also stifling his first instinct to appraise her prettiness, he broke into a lope to reach her quickly. "Snake?" he asked glancing around. "I'm afraid I didn't. Here, let me help you up."
He did so gently, giving her a warm smile. "I don't think we've met yet," he said, ignoring the dust that now marred her coat. It wasn't a matter of his not wanting to see it, but he didn't want her to be embarrassed. "My name is Vigo. I'm sort of new here," he added, tipping his head back and forth to indicate he wasn't brand-spanking new, but new enough not to know everyone. "Are you hurt?" Without thinking, he had already put on his solicitous demeanor that he used with rogue females. Truth be told, he wasn't sure anymore how to treat lovely ladies. He feared overstepping his bounds once more, worried that he'd mistreat them somehow in his admiration for their natural beauty. He was still a work in progress, to say the least!
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:43 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 10:57 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
He nodded in solemn understanding. "Perhaps it was a tree root," he offered kindly, despite the lack of trees nearby. "I'm glad you aren't hurt, though." He pondered how best to answer her question. He really didn't need to tell her his life story, though it certainly was relevant to why and how he was new. He rolled his shoulders in a kind of shrug and looked vaguely sheepish. It gave his face a boyish look, despite being long, long past his cubhood.
"I am new enough to not have met you yet, Cor Oxidat," he responded with charm finally, "but not so new that I do not know the ways of the pride." He had meant to leave it at that, but amended his decision. "I haven't been spending much time in the pride's lands," he admitted, "so even though I've been a member for a bit, I feel like such a newcomer most of the time." He gave her a regretful sort of look that changed to one of interest. "How long have you been in the pride?"
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 11:34 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 11:45 am
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
His ears pricked in noticeable interest as she confessed to being born in the pride. Ah, a native! He nodded a little at her suggestion of listening to a bard sing the pridal history. "I've talked with some of the priestesses," he admitted, "but not listened to the bards just yet. That's a good idea for days when travel isn't a good idea." For one reason or another.
He again paused to consider how to respond at her next question. She was rather good at asking the questions that weren't the easiest to answer! He cast her a quirky smile as he pondered, but settled on the easiest means. "Since you were born here, you know of Sliabh, yes?" Everyone knew of Sliabh and his brood, of course. "He's sort of retired from bringing in new blood," he continued, "so, since I was immune, I thought I could try to do the same." The further into the sentence he got, the lower and softer his voice became, dropping his eyes from hers and keeping them down.
It wasn't exactly that he was ashamed of his task. He'd taken it on willingly, with a purpose (several of them) after all. But it felt odd to admit it to a female of the pride. It felt wrong to admit to flinging around with strangers when addressing a member of his own pride. He swallowed, thinking of all the times he had done just that, but not cared one whit what anyone thought. My how times changed! He cleared his throat, but kept his eyes down. "It's a sort of penance, truthfully," he said quietly. "A way to make up for things I did wrong while I was a rogue." Better to leave it there, he thought desperately.
"I haven't managed to bring any cubs back yet, though," he hurriedly added with genuine regret, though he still avoided her eyes. "I'm not sure why, but I just haven't managed... it... yet." He stumbled to a faltering halt, realizing just how awkward a subject this was, mortified to be caught trying to discuss it with such an appealing lady. "I...," he tried again, failing to manage to move on past his difficult moment, glancing around in distress.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 11:55 am
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 12:04 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
If a lion could have blushed, he would have. This was not going at all as he had planned. He cleared his throat to buy time, then caught sight of his own sack full of goodies. Aha, a means to distract her! That and pay her the compliment she deserved, but might not believe him if he gave. He tugged it off and began digging through it. He touched and mentally discarded several items, but when his paw brushed a length of soft cloth, his eyes lit up. Yes, this was the right thing!
Without pulling his paw out of the sack, he met her eyes once more, his expression solemn once more. "May I present this to you, as a token of my great regard and esteem for you... my new friend Cor." With a dramatic flourish, he pulled out the length of gauzy golden fabric. It billowed and floated, glowing in the sunlight. He still rather would have liked to know her a little better than just as a friend, but one had to start somewhere. A gift was a good way to start, thus why he thought it might work while out in the wilds. "I think this would look lovely on you," he said grandly, "and bring out the color of your eyes." He gave her a winning smile and moved gingerly to try to loop it about her neck, if she'd let him. Surely, surely this would be enough to distract her from discussing his intimate excursions!!
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 12:30 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 1:29 pm
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/posts/say/say_b1_p.gif) |
Ha, it had worked! He beamed at her pleased expression. "Of course you should," he assured her. "It wasn't meant for anyone but you, I must say!" He put a light knot in the fabric, letting it drape across her shoulders and trail down one leg. "There, just right." He gave her a quick but sincerely affectionate nuzzle. For all her teasing, he found her pleasant company. Still, best to make off when the getting was good, before she remembered to tease him more!
"And now, I have cubs to amuse," he said a little hastily, though his grin to her was still warm. "I think they'd get a kick out of some of these things." He hefted the sack again and waggled it to indicate his meaning. A few things inside clicked and tinkled against each other. "Can I come see you again later?" he paused to ask hopefully, pack slung haphazardly over his neck. He was poised to leave the moment she answered him, but he did hold still to await her decree.
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/s.gif) |
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 1:37 pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
![](//graphics.gaiaonline.com/images/template/s.gif) |
|
|
|
|
|