|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Jan 06, 2010 10:12 am
Xipil inhaled as he made his way across the sands in the direction of Vesta's home. She was the daughter of the general, something that had he had recently begun to consider as a 'career' option. His sister, Fia, had got him thinking about his path in life and what might suit him best. He fit the typical build of the firekin, he was even a little bigger than average. He took after his father more in appearance but in some ways he took after his mother in the way he thought and acted, or so he felt.
He paused a few feet away from the den nerves suddenly catching a hold of him and he flicked his tail behind him. He stood, away from the entrance so he wouldn't seem like some creeper, trying to decide what would be best for him to do. He wished to speak with the male but he found himself wondering if he would be intruding if he did so.
This was very similar to him wanting to have a moment with his father, he knew the male was busy, and as a result he didn't wish to bother him. But, he had already come this far...
He sighed. What was he going to do?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Jan 07, 2010 1:30 am
The juvenile cries of "Daddy! Daddy! Daddy!" filled his ears as he entired the den, and although they had faded somewhat from earlier days, they stilled harangued him constantly. And though it was a joy and an honor to be a father, sometimes, it got the better of him.
He had barely managed to convinced Atesh that no, the cub could not run off to the borders of the desert on his own, and no, he could not go there with friends either. He knew enough to know that, as much fear as the name of the Firekin seemed to invoke in rogues and passersby, it was still unsafe out on the border where anything could happen.
"I need to get back," he muttered to himself as he wandered back toward the mouth of the den. He still had his duties to fulfill, and he had heard that there had been new cubs born not all too long ago. He would have to inquire about those, too, at some point.
"Oh, good day," He greeted the young lion standing just outside with a nod and a small smile. Clearly he was here in search of one of the family, perhaps either himself or Yin-li. But he recognized this one. "You're Kidondo's son, aren't you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 09, 2010 11:24 am
Before Xipil had a chance to make up his mind the very lion he hoped to speak with had exited the den and spotted him. His train of thought went; Oh, crap. and RUN and finally Say something you idiot!. In the end he chose to say something, after all he didn't want to seem incompetent. "Hello," he replied dipping his head in greeting.
He felt his stomach bubble with nerves and he inhaled rather deeply in an attempt to calm them. He had never been so nervous in his life before, not when he 'fought' his mother, not when he had his first duel or even his second one. Not even around Kenina, his best friend and perhaps his unrequited crush. He had always been so calm, collected and generally in control of his emotions. It baffled him.
At the question he nodded once, swallowing dry air as he did so. "I am," he replied, tail flicking behind him in nervousness. "My name is Xipil and I was wondering if I could have a moment of your time?" His stomach twisted into a knot as he anxiously waited a reply. "I understand if you are busy and don't have the time," he mumbled.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Jan 23, 2010 6:43 am
((So sorry for the lag! D: ))
Warrior skills, honed to near perfection, caught everything that happened around him, though he barely showed it. Little more than a quick glance told that he had noticed the nervous twitch of Xipil's tail, and even less on his face betrayed the fact that he could tell how anxious the young lion was.
Well, he would have to change that. A small chuckle rumbled from deep within his chest as he nodded and took a step forward.
"Of course you can, Xipil," he told the bright lion warmly. He would always try his best to make time for any young lions who came to him, whether it was for advice or anything else. At some point, after all, they would have to have the knowledge to take over. "Come, walk with me," he motioned with his head, preferring to talk on the move.
"What can I do for you, then?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Mar 18, 2010 8:15 pm
[[Jesus I'm so sorry about my major lag D:]]
At the General's reply he felt the corners of his mouth curl into a small smile. His nerves settled a little bit but he could still feel the butterflies in his stomach. He wasn't sure if he would ever fully be comfortable during this conversation, he certainly felt better now but he was not certain that it would last.
"Thank you," he mumbled softly dipping his head in respect for the other male. He quickly followed the older male not wanting to lag nor be left behind. He wanted to make a good impression upon the male and being slow was not, in his opinion, a good way to do that at all.
"Ah, well," he began trying to let the words that had formed in his head escape his maw. He dry swallowed in an attempt to clear his mind just a little so that he could speak smoothly. "I understand that it might be a little late for me," he paused sighing a bit, "however I was wondering if you perhaps, had time in your schedule to fit me in and possibly train me a bit?" he asked, his blue eyes flickering up and over to study the males face.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Aug 04, 2010 6:22 pm
Azarax turned his head so that he could keep his sidelong gaze on the young lion while he talked. There was something about respect that he both understood all too well, and at the same time couldn't quite wrap his mind around. Growing up as he had, he knew where all the youngsters were coming from when they acted nervous in his presence - and at least, they weren't forced into it - but there were those days when he woke up still feeling somewhat at awe at the changes in his life since those days, so very long ago.
He was fully prepared to take young Xipil under his wing, now that the lion had asked. Azarax had always stood fast by the understanding that the generations below him, those little ones growing up way too fast for their own good, were the future of their pride, and the best thing - or the most important thing - to do was to teach them everything they would possibly need, and perhaps even everything they wouldn't, to prepare them for the transitions that would one day, inevitably, take place.
They had all only but to ask him for his time, and he would be more than happy to give it to them. Even if every single youngster in the pride came to him for help, he would devote his time to each and every single one, even if it meant he would have to learn how to live without taking the time for food or sleep.
But nothing in the world should come free, and Xipil would have to work - or, at least, think he was working - to convince him. "Ah, training," Azarax nodded pensively for a moment. "I suppose first, I would have to ask, why is that - why is it that you want training now, if not earlier? And why with me, specifically?" He hoped the young lion would realize that there really was no right answer, nothing specific that he was looking for in the questions; nothing, really, other than to learn more about Xipil's motives and his thoughts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2010 8:37 pm
Xipil was nervous, far too nervous and he certainly did not like the feeling. The unsettling feeling in the pit of his stomach, it was not something he was accustomed to. And it was certainly now a feeling that he enjoyed. He was aware of the fact that he was older than most apprentices, older than most who would come and seek training from the general.
His father always spoke highly of Azarax as did Vesta, which he could only attribute to the fact that he was her father. He could only consider it the highest honor to train beneath him even if it was only for an hour. He wanted to be the best, he wanted to put his brains to good use. He wanted to make a difference and he wanted to show that he was strong both mentally and physically.
"I spent many moons trying to figure out what I wanted to do," Xipil admitted shaking his head. "When I finally decided I spent many hours trying to reach the stage that many my age had already reached," he frowned as he spoke. "There were times that I worried that it was too late but my mother encourage me to move forward and continue perusing my goals," he smiled slightly.
"I want to be more than just another soldier in the ranks of many," he told Azarax almost proudly. "I hope to make a difference and use my brains to help better the army," he paused looking up at the tan male. "I hope that you will be able to teach me and help me do just that."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Aug 07, 2010 7:03 pm
"Your mother proves, as always, that she is a lioness of great wisdom," Azarax said with a smile. "It is never too late - not if it's something you're determined to do." Ninety percent of the battle was within the mind, after all. It was easy to train the body and hone the skills to be wielded with greater ease and efficiency; that was but the first step. Beyond that, everything rested in the mental capacity to achieve and succeed, and to survive even.
And perhaps Xipil's late decision would even help him to ascend in the ranks of the army. He was older now than most lions that became apprentices, and more aware of what it was that he wanted, and how far he was willing to go to make the most of that. Maturity was certainly a helpful factor, one that, most likely, the lion had been able to develop before being thrust into the routine life of the army. And maybe that would help.
The tan lion nodded thoughtfully, considering both Xipil's words and the conditions that surrounded the young male's entry into training. "You'll have to be prepared to work hard," he cautioned. Xipil was already behind in his physical training, and he would have to work to catch up; added to that was the more tactical training that he wanted. It wouldn't be easy, and much as Azarax disliked putting negative ideas about the army into anybody's mind, it was the truth, and the sooner it was made clear, the better it would be for the young lion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 12, 2010 3:52 pm
"Yes, very wise indeed," Xipil replied fondly. His mother was the one of the very few creatures out there that he could genuinely say that he was fond of. That he would act a little uncharacteristically towards. He was definitely a momma's boy. He loved his father but his mother would always have a special spot in his heart.
When Azarax told him he would have to be prepared to work hard he nodded once sharply. "I understand," he stated inhaling deeply. "I am prepared to work as hard a necessary, I will do whatever it takes," he stated firmly. "I am not afraid to work for what I want," he smiled. "I wouldn't want it if I didn't have to work for it."
He knew exactly what he was getting into when he had first approached the general for training. He knew he was behind, he knew that in order to compete with the other apprentices. But he knew what he wanted and he knew how he could get it.
He was prepared to do whatever it took.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|