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 Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:33 pm
Esther's entire body shook slightly, though she barely noticed it. Her mind was rolling through horrible memories of the past that she'd only recently started to deal with. They were interspersed with horrible memories that were more recent, of her attack in the Rogue Lands. However, she forced herself to clear these from her mind. She needed to focus, and now was not the time to panic. Her bright green gaze traveled to the small sleeping form that was curled up at her paws. Her son, her Hewa, who looked so much like her. He'd been the result of a rape, and yet she found that she could not hate him the way she hated that unknown male. Rather, she'd accepted him as her son, and would raise him the way she chose.
Looking at his small form gave her strength and she razed her gaze, fixing a stern and focused expression on her muzzle. She needed to both appear, and actually be strong for what was to happen next. It was time for her to meet with Mafa, the leader of the Graveyard Pack. Esther and her friend Kirabo, whom she'd met only a short time ago, had decided to join this particular pack, despite of Esther's rough past with a different pack. Kira . . . well, he had taken Esther's attack very badly, as he'd hoped to one day mate with Esther himself. Now, things had changed, and Esther assumed that he had found a different female. That stung, a little, but all of her attention lately had been focused on her son. As it should be.
She shifted her weight around a bit, nervous as she waited for the other female to arrive. After a lot of self-debate, Esther had decided to go through with looking for acceptance into the pack. If she . . . if they were refused, she would take Hewa and leave and find some place to raise her son. But, she could use the strength and protection of this pack. Not just for her, but for Hewa.
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 2:46 pm
The day was shaping up to be a particularly dull one. Not a stirr of commotion had gone about disturbing the graveyard. All was as still as the bones. Mafa strolled idily through the death and dust, her pace slow and relaxed. It was times like these, when no one was around, that Mafa felt quite at ease. She didn't have to prove anything to anyone, prove herself better. Instead of being the alpha, she could just be Mafa. It was a nice break to be able to take, and one she had been taking for the past few days. However, time would soon come to take a break from being Mafa, saddle up her alpha role. She had her Tawala to introduce to the rest of the pack. This would mean somehow gathering them all up, or at least the more important ones. Mafa made a list in her mind as she walked, committing it to later memory. Rasuli, Tibuka, Shira, Yakuti, Ophos, Erevu, Schatz... perhaps even Tukutu; those most loyal to her and her cause had to be there to officially meet the next generation. Of course, the rest of the pack had better show up, or fear losing respect in the alpha's eyes.
Mafa huffed loudly with the thought, shaking her head vigorously. As much as she enjoyed the peace that came with no one being here. The fact also came with her wondering just where they all were? They wouldn't dare desert her or she'd have their heads. Caught up in her negative thoughts, Mafa didn't initially notice Ester and her son as she walked by them. A few seconds went by as she passed them, their colors helping them blend into the background, when she halted abruptly. Mafa's head immediately perked up, her posture straightening out to no longer be one of relaxation, but one of pure authority. Who was this female? Who was this pup? Obviously, the pup belonged to her, but the female herself was a stranger to Mafa's lands, at least to her knowledge. With a harsh, icy tone, Mafa barked at the strangers,
"You there. Who are you, and what are you seeking?"
That was the essense of Mafa. Cold, and always directly to the point.
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 3:00 pm
Esther felt a wash of icy fear spread through her at the alpha female's tone. She'd watched with quiet concentration as the female had approached and then passed them. Esther had been confused, but assumed that the larger female was looking them over, and certainly she had and was now demanding an explanation for being there. Just the other female's voice and tone was enough to make Esther want to flee squealing and sobbing, but the small presence at her paws kept her from doing that. Through her fear, Esther had to think of her son. So she called back.
"My name is Esther. This is my son Taa'Hewa. We seek acceptance into the Graveyard Pack."
It was short, and simple, and to the point, and Esther's voice held firm for all of it. She kept her gaze at a respectful level, but didn't grovel before the other female either. She wanted to show her understanding that she was the female, but Esther didn't want to be seen as weak. She was unsure of what to do that would be proper, so she dipped her head in a deep bow of respect before standing straight and still, waiting for her answer.
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:42 pm
With a keen aqua gaze, Mafa took a critical look over the duo of hyenas before proceeding further. They were quite dull in color, with the typical spotted markings, much like herself. Inwardly, Mafa smiled. It had been quite a while since she'd seen the more classically colored hyena. She liked it. The colors reminded her of the old pack, her parents, Banzai. It was almost humbling. Almost. Her focus then shifted to the little pup. He was still young, and bore a strong resemblence to his mother. Mafa wondered about the father, was he no where to be found? If he was around, Mafa was sure she didn't know him. There was a slight sense of empathy in Mafa's mind for the female. Both of her litters, she too, had raised alone.
"Well then, you've come to the right place."
Mafa tossed her head arrogantly, narrowing her eyes as she watched the two. Mafa was always up for accepting new members into her pack. She wanted sheer numbers, and she wanted respect. The more hyenas that surrounded her, the easier it was to attain both. Besides, Mafa considered the graveyard a hyena's natural homelands. She could not deny any hyena residence here. Unless of course she had a beef with them. But, she had nothing against these two yet. To get into the pack, all you had to to was ask, but getting anywhere within the pack, that took work. However, Mafa wasn't about to let that be known.
"So tell me, Esther, Taa'Hewa, what have to offer towards my.... humble pack?"
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 5:51 pm
Well, this was going better than Esther had imagined. She thought that perhaps she saw a note of empathy towards her in the alpha female's voice. Perhaps it was because of Hewa . . . either way, it seemed to be helping her case. However, it was her question that threw Esther off. She was expecting it, of course, but she hadn't been able to come up with a very successful answer, at least in her mind. So, Esther did the only thing she could do. She told the truth.
She smiled down at her sleeping son before she spoke. "I will speak for both of us. It's hard for me to define exactly what I can bring to your pack, other than an increase in numbers right now. I was . . . raped by a rogue male who left we with Hewa here, and I will need a little time to recover and to help raise him. However, I am also strong and resourceful. My sense of smell has not failed me once and I will do whatever it takes to protect myself and my own. If I am a part of this pack, that would include every member." She hesitated, then continued.
"I've been part of a pack before, and it wasn't a pleasant experience. I am hoping that I can raise my son differently."
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:07 pm
Mafa listened idily as Esther spoke. However, the second she uttered 'rape', Mafa bristled. Her whole stance became completely more rigid, her lips raising in a snarl. This conversation had hit a sour note quickly, it was definitely something the alpha wasn't expecting. Mafa deeply believed that females were the better gender, wholey the reason why she hadn't even considered letting one of her sons be named the heir to her pack. For a male to think himself so great that he could take advantage of a female, it was sickening. Mafa's fierce gaze met Esther's green one,
"This male... On my lands?"
There was a sense of urgeny hostility in her voice. If it had indeed been one of her males, well, she'd have his head on a platter. And if not, well, perhaps she'd find him eventually, and then she'd tear him to shreds in this poor female's honor. Mafa looked back to the pup, not sure how Esther could face the little creature. Mafa knew she wouldn't be able to be, hell, she probably would have killed the pup if such a thing had happened to her. Then again, Mafa would never allow such a thing to happen. She could take down a full grown lion, she could take down a male hyena. Shaking her head gently, she looked back to Esther. Her voice no longer sounded angry, though it wasn't kind, perhaps the tone could be described as understanding,
"You both will be safe here, I can assure it. Should you stay, I do assume you'd raise him ideally. We have safety here in numbers, safety with me. This pack, one can say it's different, definitely not unpleasant, that is, unless you cross me. Right away, I suggest that you not."
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 6:18 pm
Esther felt a profound sense of relief at Mafa's reaction. Obviously the alpha female had no qualms with her joining her pack. She also couldn't help but be pleased at the other female's reaction to Esther's attack. Esther had never been one to completely follow the traditional belief that female hyenas were superior to males, but in this instance, she agreed whole-heartedly. When she had finished speaking, Esther hastened to reassure her.
"No, I assure you, the attack did not happen on your lands. It was while I was out hunting in the Rogue Lands. He did not appear to be a member of your pack, as he approached from the opposite direction and left the same way. Believe me, if I ever see him again, he will not survive it."
Esther bared her teeth at the thought and was pleased to know that she would have Mafa's support in this as well. However, Esther could not help catching the glance that Mafa threw at her son. No doubt the other female was wondering why she had kept him. Esther herself had gone through the same dilemma. She was lucky that Hewa looked so much like her, and very little like his father, otherwise . . . Well, she wasn't going to let anything happen to him. Esther would raise Hewa to be a respectful hyena, a strong one who would never, ever hurt or cross a female in that manner.
Esther listened in attentive respect to the rest of Mafa's words before she bowed in deeply, showing her submission and respect for the alpha female.
"I shall do my utmost best not to cross you in any way, but to do my best for the pack. And I will raise my son to do the same."
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 7:54 pm
Mafa offered only a gruff grunt in response to Esther's claim. It sure as hell better not have been any male of hers. However, she had trained the lot of them well. As snarky, bull headed, and completely idiotic as some of them were, she could not see any males on her land hurting a female... Other than Mabozi, her own son, if he was to have another one of his psychotic episodes... Mafa shook her head, not wanting to think about the situation. She only had control over a fourth of the boy, it was troubling to her. She deemed the subject one for dwelling on later.
"He better not"
Mafa growled in response to Esther's last few words. The female seemed rather intent on the thought, and Mafa hoped she'd be one to act on her words. However, should the female suffer a lack of malicious intent to kill the male that brought about her little son, Mafa would always leave herself available to stalk the creature down. Esther seemed quite intent on keeping this son of hers around, and Mafa accepted that. Hopefully, he'd grow into a fine member of her pack. Mafa figured the boy would have a better life growing up here than as a rouge. The pack had afterall seen a recent surge in the numbers of their pups. Taa'Hewa would find his place with some careful nudging.
There Esther went, bowing her head down, slow and deep. When Mafa was out of the other female's line of vision, she allowed a pleased smirk to dash across her face. Only for a second, however, as it soon faded to Mafa's usual angry looking expression. Words did not describe how much Mafa enjoyed it when others were submissive to her. Respect. She demanded it. The alpha sighed contently, looking with authority to Esther,
"I would hope you would strive do to so. Consider yourself a member of the Mava'Bunda, the great Elephant Graveyard pack. It's an honor, living here, don't forget it. Let me lay down the rules. I'm assigning you a scouting position, you're to keep an eye out, patrol the borders when you can. Eye out for what, you ask? Lions. You see a lion paw set on these lands, to take that paw and forcibly remove it from its owner. I do not tolerate lions. They are lower than us, they are scum, filth, they do not deserve to live. You will fight them, tooth and nail if they try to come around here, teach the boy to hate them all the same. It's the cardinal rule around here. Hate the lions. Side with them, and you will meet the same fate."
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Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2008 9:03 pm
Esther kept her head bowed in respect, but her heart surged with joy at those words. She was actually being accepted, and her son too! She would do anything, anything to be sure that he was safe and had a comfortable place to grow up. It was Mafa's last words that sent a chill through Esther's frame. She was careful not to show it and kept her gaze very neutral. Her thoughts, however, were in a whirl.
Esther had never shared the deep-seeded resentment that most of her kind held for lions. It could have been because Esther had not been a part of pack for very long. When one lived off the land as a Rogue, sometimes you could work together with other Rogues to survive. And then there was Hai . . . Hai was the lion that had found Esther bleeding after her attack. Without that lionesses help, Esther, and Hewa, would never have made it. For Esther to completely hate someone who had helped her so much, it was difficult. However, she was willing to do it for the good of her pack. Her home.
Home. The very word had Esther reeling with joy. With all that she had recently gone through, with Kirabo, with that other male, with Hewa . . . the idea of having a home and family was very refreshing indeed. Esther would do anything to keep it that way. Her bright green gaze met Mafa's for the slightest moment, before it dropped respectfully. But in that gaze Esther had shown her utter loyalty to Mafa and to the pride. She took a deep breath before she sealed the bargain with her words.
"Thank you, Mafa, Alpha Female of the Graveyard Pack. On behalf of myself and my son, I thank you. I will do my best to serve the pack faithfully and will teach my son to do the same. Any lion who steps one paw onto your land, our land, will rue the day he or she did so."
Hewa, still sleeping at Esther's paws let out a sleepy mumble, as if to promise on his own as well. She glanced down at him with pride and affection before awaiting further instruction.
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Posted: Sat Mar 29, 2008 10:17 am
Mafa tilted her chin up as she watched Esther carefully through narrowed eyes. She could tell that the notion of having to hate lions was going to be a trouble to this hyena. For a moment, this troubled Mafa. Had she just accepted a hyena that had an obnoxiously soft heart to the animals that Mafa herself had sworn to kill off? If so, the female's stay would be short. However, Mafa noted no obvious signs that the other was going to object to her new duties. Esther was going to have to conform her views to those of Mafa's, or at least hide them from the alpha, which so far, she was doing well. Mafa figured that with some prodding and dominance, this female and her young pup would grow just fine. At Esther's words, Mafa nodded wisely,
"I'm hoping you do indeed preform your best. The pack will be happy to accept you both."
Mafa tossed her head. Her voice was cold, and though her words seemed like pleasant ones, the female's icy tone did nothing to support that claim. As the small pup at Esther's paws squirmed, Mafa felt a small wave of sympathy. Nothing on the exterior of the hyena showed it, as per usual. Mafa, contrary to much belief was a creature ridden with emotion. However, over the years, she'd learned to keep it all under wraps. Because of this, the female came off as quite heartless, but she didn't mind. The more it seemed like she didn't care, the more she would be feared. The more she'd be respected. The alpha tore her relentless gaze away from the pup and back to it's mother.
"You're in luck, I suppose, Esther. There's been a recent surge of pups around my lands. My eldest son has sired a litter, as has another pair around. I'd urge you go see them. You don't want him growing up alone."
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Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 8:00 pm
Esther could only nod, overwhelmed by feelings of relief. She gazed down in concern as she felt Hewa shifting at her paws. She leaned down to make sure that he was okay and felt her emotions surge as she looked up on her small, vulnerable son. Any lion who entered these lands could be a possible threat to her baby. Esther knew that if she could and would kill anything to protect her son from harm.
Glancing back up, she caught the alpha's gaze for only a second before looking away out of respect. However, that short gaze expressed all the gratitude that Esther felt and the confirmation that she was not too soft hearted when it came to the protection and well being of her child.
Bowing deeply to Mafa, Esther picked Hewa up gently with her teeth and turned to go back to their shelter, knowing that she now had a purpose and responsibility; not just to herself and to Hewa, but to her pack mates as well.
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