Post by Ekundu on Apr 27, 2009 11:15:26 GMT -5
Participants
Arapmoi, Adult Male Lion - King of Lesedi Pride.
Ekundu, Adult Lioness - A Wandering Rogue.
Theatre
The Waterhole; Lesedi Territory
It was like clockwork really. Getting up with the sun and setting out to patrol the borders of his territory. Times were hard after all, and he had to make sure his lands were not breached. Else, other lions would be coming in to steal what little food that they may have here. And there was a pride to feed after all, with two littles ones. They were his priority, and he was their protector. Heavy paws padded along the dusty ground of the dry grasslands. The king, Arapmoi, stopping occasionally to renew his scent markings as he went. His keen red gaze consistently sweeping the area and his nose tuned to the winds to pick up any sort of scent that was not supposed to be there. He rumbled quietly to himself, for things were not well as of late.
This promises to be another hot day. But that's all right with Ekundu: she knows where the closest waterhole is, and as long as she can get back to it, she figures everything will turn out okay. She's still alone. Looking for a place to settle. But that's unlikely, judging from the inhabitants of these dry lands. They all seem so... mean. But can she blame them? Apparently these are hard times. And this area is just as barren as the rest of them, which she had come to realize the night previous. She doesn't wander with much purpose, though her steps are made with confidence. It is only when a strong scent - masculine and most definitely /leonine/ reaches her nostrils that Ekundu's demeanor changes: her pawsteps become more deliberate. Careful. And she lowers her head somewhat, eyes wide and searching as her nose twitches. A lion. Could be bad news. Very bad news. But she hasn't stopped moving... she doesn't see the beast /yet./
Huffing and puffing as he went, Arapmoi was mostly in contemplation as he walked along. While alert, his mind was drifitng a bit. However, a brief and passing scent tickled his nose and he quickly snapped his gaze in that direction. He didn't see anything right away... and it could have just been an old and distant scent. Yet, one could never be too careful. The were close to the waterhole after all... the precious water source for this pride and it was one of the places in his territory that others were most readily drawn to. Thus, the king began to walk in the direction of the lioness.
Her rusty-red eyes dart left, right as she pads back. She'll find her way toward the waterhole. But she must be careful. More than usual. She's not sure where he is, but she knows he is /here/. One could not /stress/ how careful she must be now. She pauses mid-step to listen cautiously. She hears nothing out-of-the-ordinary. Not yet, anyway. Then proceeds forward, in the direction of the waterhole. She just needs a drink. Then she'll be off again. Exploring. In all directions! Wherever she can. She'll probably be a rogue most of her days due to the condition of these lands. Because she left home. But whatever - she's a survivor. As long as no big males decide to eat her...
And there she was. He caught just a flicker of movement among the grasses. A tufted tails just before it vanished again in the sea of dry vegetation. Red eyes narrowed and he lowered himself into the grasses as well. He stood out a bit more with his bulk and black mane, but he crept stealthily in her direction as she seemed focused on heading for the water which was patheticly low. He grew closer and closer.. and just as she seemed to be almost within reach of the life giving liquid... the brute suddenly put himself in her path. His large frame easily looming over hers as Arapmoi stood tall and glared down at the trespassing lioness. His black lips peeled back to reveal his massive set of sharp teeth in a clearly threatening display. A low growl rising in his throat as he did so.
She's almost crouching - creeping - as she paws her way carefully over the grass. She avoids sticks and stones to move as quietly as possible. She's tense. There's a male somewhere. Probably waiting to ravage her body. Add a few new scars to her pelt. Her face. Tatter her other ear. Sure. It could happen. But she'll get through it... but it would be bloody! And painful! And just when she's certain she should turn back, she glimpses movement from the corner of her eye and then he's before her, towering above her. Her eyes lift, and she finds she is looking into a pair of cruel, ruby eyes - eyes that are much richer than her own rusty-red eyes. Her maw parts slightly as her eyes widen. He snarls. Her ears flatten, but her entire body is frozen for the moment, in shock and... fear. He's /big/. Sure, Ekundu is strong. She can take out other predators. Prey. Alone. Easily. But one, big, bad-boy of a lion? Never. Not alone. Never. She takes a step back, her mouth moving to form words and failing.
Oh yes, it could certainly bloody and painful. He was a master of that after all for it was certainly not above him. After all, he had stolen a carcass from an adolescent and his cub sister in order to feed his own family. Its cruel sure... but out here you had to do what you must to survive. In this case, it meant protecting his territory and its valuable resources. Sure, one could argue that one lioness taking a drink wouldn't make much difference. But if he let her drink, what would stop others? And then they'd be out of water before you knew it. No... this is how things had to be. He then spoke. "By the way you're sneaking around, I'm sure you're aware that this is pridal territory. My pridal territory to be exact." He then lifted a paw, with claws splayed. "And if I were you. I'd scram before I decided to rip into that filthy hide of yours." This would be her only verbal warning.
"N-n-no!" Agh! Her voice! Where did her confidence go? She takes a step back. Unfrozen, her tail begins to lash nervously behind her. "I mean- what I mean to say is. I wasn't aware of it. U-unt- Ah. Until I smelled /you/ that is!" she manages this rapidly. Very rapidly. Practically a blur as one of his massive paws lifts from the ground, and verbally threatens her. This fellow means business. "Please - I'm not here for a fight. I was just- there's water here." What should Ekundu say to this? Should she blindly run away? She needs water. Just a quick drink. That's /all./ And then she can leave, knowing she'll make it another day... of course. She had better not press it too much. She's gonna get scarred. Again. And she doesn't need any injuries. Of course, as long as she has her legs and her sense of smell, and at least /one/ eye, she can still hunt, right? Let him tatter her ears! Pfft! She just hopes he believes her. It is the truth. Really!
It didn't matter if he believed her or not. That was the wrong answer to his verbal warning. He gave her a chance to take off and she ignored it. Arapmoi's brow creased as his glare intensified. Her stupid muttering and attempt at excuses merely served to annoy him, and indeed he meant business. Again he snarled loudly, but this time that paw lashed out at the lioness in a vicious swipe. If words didn't work, then perhaps phyiscal injury would convince her to leave.
She's hoping she can smooth-talk him. Get some water - or not - then go away. But it simply isn't to be. She's a little too startled, and a little too frightened to think /that/ clearly right now. Or one would think that much of her anyway. She's backing away slowly, not trusting him to allow her a clean get away if she turns around. And that is her mistake. That paw swings and almost at once she jerks her head back. She doesn't cleanly dodge the blow - three thin, red streaks form across the bridge of her nose in the aftermath of the paw's swing. They wouldn't scar. But they sure did /smart/! "Agh! Dammit! What the-" she just manages /not/ to snarl back - she's aware it'll only sting more. Then she leaps back, her rusty eyes narrowed angrily. "What's your problem!?" Dumb question. "You haven't even-" no, that's not what she wants to say. Let's rephrase: "Close-minded lot, aren't you?" Wait! That's not right, either...
Oh ho. She just really wanted to push his buttons didn't she? Not really.. but she certainly was. The unintentional words that spilled from the lioness's mouth only served to enrage the massive lion. He bellowed out a roar of anger. Was there no sane lion in these parts who knew when to shut up and leave?! Apparently not.. for he always got mouthed at when confronting trespassers. Stupid rogues. They seemed to think that the world belonged to them... that it owed them something. Well he would teach her a lesson if that was the case! Arapmoi then lunged at Ekundu, his teeth and claws seeking out blood as he went for the attack!
<!> In Water Hole, Arapmoi roars.
Just a second. Wait. Pause. Halt! She wracks her brain for something to say to smooth over that last comment, but fails miserably. Especially when an ear-splitting sound makes its way from his maw. Riiiight. She should be going now. Oh wait. She's /already gone/! As soon as he roars, Ekundu's given up on backing out slowly - that's not going to work. No amount of caution would. She's going to have to run or risk being torn to shreds a second time in her three-year life span. Her paws fly under her, and she's almost certain she's making a good escape in a northernly direction. Unfortunately for her, however, she's not built for speed, and, while she was able to avoid being tackled just a few seconds ago, she has no chance of out-running the lion if and when he pursues. "H-hey-hey! You've sure got a temper!" she gasps as she runs, speaking to no one in particular... probably because, in the back of her mind, she's thinking: I'm so screwed! Or something along those lines. She's knows she's in deep trouble now, in any case...
Her words didn't help her before and certainly were not helping her now! Arapmoi did indeed pursue. Barreling across the savannah after her with clear intention to drive this lioness off his lands! As he began to catch up with her, an occasional swipe was aimed at her hindquarters. That is until they reached the border of his territory. It was there he promptly haulted and glowered. He made his point, and he wouldn't waste any more energy than he needed to. Still, Arapmoi's tail lashed irritably as if daring her to try and cross his domain again. If she did, she'd be a fool.
She's lucky all she got was a swipe across the nose, and, as much as they sting, they weren't going to cause her any permanent damage. Unless they managed to get infected. As long as she keeps. running. She can practically feel the air of his claws just narrowing missing her rump. And the frightens her. She's not sure she can remember where she crossed the borders - she didn't remember crossing the borders at all, actually. She had been telling the truth. So she really /is/ running blindly. And this proves true as one forepaw catches on - something she doesn't see - and she finds herself being launched forward, into the hard ground. She hits it, rolls once, then is still. This must be it - he'll catch her and kill her. And all /this/ for some water... the one ear twitches. He's stopped? She only realizes her eyes were shut tightly when she opens them and blinks, lifting her head uncomfortably to turn it in the direction of the male. She glares right back at him before scrambling to her paws. "Why'd you stop?" This is said softly, in a more rhetorical way. Oh. Wait. /Another/ dumb question. She takes in a breath. So that's why. The borders are here. She snorts softly to get the dust out of her nose, but she doesn't take her eye off the lion. "What's his problem?" she repeats softly to herself. Yeah. Times are rough. Sure. But did it ever occur to anyone that it would be easier if they would just... "take it easy" or something?
She stands uncertainly, her eyes never leaving him. Like she's trying to figure him out. Or something along those lines anyway. "Have you ever even heard of giving someone a /chance/, or do you just take their heads off before they can even collect themselves enough for a good answer?" She never snarls. Never growls. Never looks violent in the slightest way. Only her eyes glare out at him heatedly. She's not sure she's safe even beyond what she can assume safely is "his" border. "Hmmm?" Well? Is he gonna answer her or not? He probably thinks /she/ thinks she's the queen of the world or something. Quite the contrary, actually: she doesn't. She just dislikes lions like... him.
Arapmoi snorted, "I don't have to explain myself to a lioness too stupid to realize when she's in someone else's territory and then show the owner such disrespect." Again Arapmoi's tail lashed irritably. He had nothing to stay to a loudmouthed female like that. His lionesses were be fare more sophisticated and worthy to survive these harsh times. It was survival of the fittest and as far as he could tell... she was not fit. Hell, she was barely worthy enough to be spoken to, let alone tread upon his soil.
His words make a fury burn in her eyes as she takes a step closer to the boundaries. "Disrespect? You startled me! I wasn't think clearly. You hardly gave me the time to recover my wits!" she frowns, refusing to snarl. It would sting her nose. And hopefully make her seem less interested in being a threat. "Nor did you give me time to show you proper 'respect' before swinging your paw," her face is somber. Lions like him are the ones that cause problems - lions too high and mighty to answer to any law. For them, there was no law. And that has caused problems in the past.
"And you were trespassing! I have no need to show courtesy to ignorant fools like you! Those who can't heed the border markers are driven out. You'll do best to remember that. Next time... I won't stop at the border." No... if he caught her in his territory again, he would surely rip her to shreds no matter what. "Now beat it." Anger and fury raged in his red eyes and he stood like a solid rock wall between the lioness and the precious water that lay behind him.
She stared at him hard as he spoke. "If I am ignorant, then teach me. Don't strike me," she remains cool and collected, becoming confident that he will not cross the line. "Step over that border and you're little more than a murderer. Who's to say you aren't already?" her eyes narrow. She knows about murder. "And I suppose you would think, 'who cares about some insolent rogue?'" The blood on her muzzle is beginning to run, dripping slowly down the right side of her face. It mingles with the four slender scars on her lips, the white fur of an old scar on her jaw. She stares hard at him. His features are cold. But his face is so pure compared to her own. What does he know about rogues and hardship? She nearly lost an ear. Nothing new. "You've no right to boss me anymore when I'm beyond your borders, Highness," she says coolly. "I'm not coming back over. I crossed because I was 'ignorant' as you put it. I've travelled hard and the lands were redundant. I'd ask your forgiveness for my trespass, but..." she says evenly, her expression softening slightly for a moment. But he's clearly incapable. And she's not particularly sorry for her "mistake."
"I think you got the point," Arapmoi huffed. He seemed rather unphased at her accusations though. "Murderer? Hardly... I'd be doing the world a favor by lessening the population of unfit members of our species." He smirked a bit, for he knew she wouldn't take kindly to that. "Oh I think I have every right. Do you honestly think anyone would protect you if I stepped past my borders? Hardly. You would not find forgiveness anyway. Now be gone. I have nothing more to say to you."
Ekundu looks at him. "I did. I'm not as daft as you think. Call me unfit. Fine. But you're wrong," she frowns as she adds, "and blind, if you think I'm unfit. Not only have I survived alone, without the aid of others, but I have survived worse injuries." Her face confirms her story. "Or do you think scars merit nothing? I believe each scar has its story. I have survived these. And you would deign to call me 'unfit'?" She laughs mirthlessly, her rusty eyes never leaving his face. Is she trying to anger him? Test him? Maybe. Maybe not. Finally, she sighs, deflating a little. "I was never a threat to you. Must you treat me with such derogatory statements?"
Arapmoi just smirked at her. She obviously knew nothing of what it meant to be fit or unfit. Ignorant fool. That's what she was. If she was that daft indeed, then he wouldn't bother explaining it to her. Arapmoi sat himself and simply glared at the lioness in silence. He said he had no more to say to her, and it was true. Thus he would just sit there and wait for her to leave.
Oh, she could play this game. "Too good to answer?" Figures. He's an donkey. Just like every lion she's ever met. But, unlike him, she's capable of being "civil." Even if he isn't really going to say anything else. She wonders what would happen if she... "You look cute with that smirk." Her face is blank. Is she being /serious/? Well. It's impossible to tell. She lets a moment pass, allowing that comment - only somewhat random and only partially true - to hang in the air before she proceeds. "So. You want to tell me what 'your territory' is called and your name? I at /least/ need to know that much. Or will you leave me in my 'blissful' state of ignorance forevermore?" Liptwitch.
Oh he could play games as well. Despite her questions and comments, Arapmoi continued to remain a silent sentinnel on his border. He had a feeling that silence would likely drive her crazy. So he said not a word. That arrogant smirk still remained on his maw though, and his red gaze continually watching her every move.
Actually, she's just fine with silence. She can make her own stories. She can talk. For hours. He just doesn't know what he's gotten himself into. She'll make him pay - verbally at least - for those three red streaks across her nose. "I can tell a lot about you just by looking at you," you know. "You must be true to your word - loyal - or hard-headed," that from his continued silence. It's almost a compliment. "You're short-tempered. Arrogant. If your above everyone, then you answer to no one. What law do you go by?" her deductions continue, her musings go unanswered. But then again, it seems her questions have become rhetorical: she knows she's not getting an answer from him. Her face shows - a smile? Almost amused. But for that, she's still tense. She might be pushing it too close. She needs to be ready to flee. If he decides to get up, she'll probably run. Quickly. Proclaim how he's a murderer and all that. "And you won't even tell me your name? I can tell other 'ignorant' lionesses to avoid you... King-Whoever-You-Are." She shifts her weight, her red-tufted tail swaying slowly behind her as she watches him closely for any indication of a break or change in his demeanor. She's gotta crack him sometime.
His smirk starts to fade a little bit as he starts to show annoyance on his features. Was she just going to sit there and prattle on all day? He heaved a sigh at her last comment, his tail tapping against the ground. Honestly... he had other things to be doing than just sitting here and talking to some smart mouthed rogue lioness.
No? He's still not biting? Well then... and he looks annoyed. "No need to look huffy. I only asked for a name," she comments wryly, her tail curling and uncurling. "Is your pride very big?" she inquires rather suddenly, as if she actually had some real need to know. "I think your loyal... anyway. If you weren't, there would be no purpose in having a pride," except, perhaps, for the breeding. But let's not go there... "...which begs the question: in desolate places like this, is it worth having a pride? There are more mouths to feed. And therefore, living alone seems to be for the better... but is it really?" She might be trying to annoy him more. Or perhaps she wants to see if he's actually capable of thinking. He looks like a brute. She shakes her head. Her sharp, rusty eyes watch him a moment longer, in which she allows more silence. "Very well," she whispers, more to herself as she makes up some decision in her mind. "Would you allow me to start over?"
Finally he speaks up. "And why would I do that?" No.. he wasn't giving in to her pressure, although she was certainly annoying enough that he was right tempted to just turn around and walk away. Perhaps she was smarter than she looked, and that's what interested him. So... perhaps if she proved herself, she might be worth his time after all. Yet, he wasn't going to admit to such. Thus the king now held an unreadably straight face.
His expression has changed. The smirk is gone. And it seems he may actually be willing to listen. Inwardly she beams: she's broken him enough that his silence has vanished with those six simple words. She has no malicious intent behind her reasoning. And perhaps she still fears for her life. But this "game" has gotten interesting now. Her expression is serious, but tainted by the faintest of smiles when he speaks. "Simple, really. If I must walk away knowing I am hated, then let me know who it is that hates me. And I will tell you who exactly it is that you hate, in detail," she says, her voice smooth and dreadfully serious. "I rather dislike the idea of walking away and being /hated/ for a mistake like mine," she acknowledges she made a mistake, at least. That, and she would rather not have him think she's a mindless rogue. There's some more to her than that, she likes to think. She actually smiles, and there's something genuine in it. What does he say to that offer? She has a feeling he'll just walk away. But her own study of him - which she audibly gave as she watched him - has also served to make her more interested. Is he loyal? Is he? She wants a good answer. He couldn't be all-bad if he was loyal. Even if he /is/ an arrogant donkey. She merely wondered: had they met on different terms, would their encounter have been vastly different? Perhaps not. She watches him, unwavering.
Arapmoi gave another loud snort and even bristled slightly. "I do not need you to tell me who I hate. Besides. Hating you is rather pointless. I merely defend my territory to preserve its resources for my pride. Nothing more." If she sought to educate him in some way or another, then her words would fall on deaf ears. But he was growing weary of this, for now this conversation was starting to turn away from his interests again and that annoyed expression was starting to resurface.
That didn't work. She isn't surprised. But she still smiles, though she winces the slightest. She should have worded that differently. Sighing softly and shaking her head at herself, "Sorry," she offers a little meekly, almost coming to a loss of words after saying that. She averts her eyes. Her smile shrinks, but does not disappear. "I only want to know if you would have treated me any differently, had I not-" entered your territory. She avoids saying it directly. Her rust-red eyes lift again. He doesn't believe in second chances? "For you do not hate me," she decides to add after a moment, her eyes watching him most intently before she adds, with a flash of an amused smile, "yet." She allows a soft chuckle to escape her lips.
Arapmoi's nostrils flared slightly. "If you're not in my pride, then you're competition." There. That was the blunt explanation right there. And then he smirked a little. "Lets just say that I am very competitive." He then rolled his eyes at the last word she threw in. Certainly if he gave her reason then he would undoubtably hate her. She would be wise not to push things that far lest the lioness find herself dead.
Ekundu nods slowly. "I take you don't allow newcomers, then?" Now she's learning something about him, and that fascinates her, and her eyes sparkle with renewed interest. She quirks a toothy grin, tempted to add something along the lines of 'at least no ignorant lionesses like herself.' But she refrains. "I'm almost flattered you would consider /me/ competition," she says very softly, her brow quirking. "I understand times are hard in these lands. Harder than what I've come from," she continues. It should be evident from her frame. She's still fairly fit and well-fed compared to some rogues. But the day will come when she's as emaciated as the others. The longer she's in these lands. But it's easier for her to care and worry for herself than it is for her to care about others. "So you would not allow me to start over? You would not give me your name, at the least?" Of course, she's already learned plenty from what she's observed.
Arapmoi tilted his chin up slightly. Looking down his nose at the lioness. "That would depend." He then pauses as she seemed to be asking for a second chance. "You would have to prove yourself." After all... he didn't just allow anyone into his pride. There was room for more lionesses, for now, but naturally he was very selective. And only pride members would be able to venture across his lands without hostility, that much was clear.
Her expression is somber again. He's arrogant. She's already stated that. She knows. And it doesn't bother her as much as she would like it to. She's a tolerant lioness, thankfully. But his words prompt her to smile again, and there's a certain warmth to it, almost as if he had already said yes. Almost. Finally, she lowers to her haunches, sitting to mirror the king's position as she considers the paths this could take. If she plays it right... free access to water. And just because she believes living alone can be easier, she's well aware of its downsides. "May I ask what that would entail?" She's interested. More interested than she might be letting on.
Arapmoi eyed her carefully, for he could tell she was a crafty one, and he did not care to be outwitted. Rising to his paws, the lion huffed. "Bring a kill to that rock..." he gestured towards the formation on the horizon, "... to feed my cubs before the sun sets tomorrow evening. Then we'll talk. If you don't show up with a kill by then... I better not find you on my lands again. Ever." His last words laced with a clear threat. He then turned around and began to pad off in order to resume his patrol. "My name is Arapmoi and this pride is the Lesedi."
She rises as he does, and her gaze leaves him only to look to the west, where the sun will eventually set. But it's not even afternoon yet! Then her gaze turns back to the male, her eyes filled with a new intensity. "I will." Her words are laced with the same intensity that leaves no room for doubt: she /will/ get that kill, even if she must hunt well into the night, and most of this day. Besides. That was a lot easier than what she was /expecting/ him to say. She half-expected some zany task. Or. Well, something worse. She's had worse. Her smile became a smirk as he begins to return to his patrol. "My name is Ekundu." With that, she turns and leaves the King Arapmoi to his kingly duties. It's time to hunt.
Arapmoi, Adult Male Lion - King of Lesedi Pride.
Ekundu, Adult Lioness - A Wandering Rogue.
Theatre
The Waterhole; Lesedi Territory
It was like clockwork really. Getting up with the sun and setting out to patrol the borders of his territory. Times were hard after all, and he had to make sure his lands were not breached. Else, other lions would be coming in to steal what little food that they may have here. And there was a pride to feed after all, with two littles ones. They were his priority, and he was their protector. Heavy paws padded along the dusty ground of the dry grasslands. The king, Arapmoi, stopping occasionally to renew his scent markings as he went. His keen red gaze consistently sweeping the area and his nose tuned to the winds to pick up any sort of scent that was not supposed to be there. He rumbled quietly to himself, for things were not well as of late.
This promises to be another hot day. But that's all right with Ekundu: she knows where the closest waterhole is, and as long as she can get back to it, she figures everything will turn out okay. She's still alone. Looking for a place to settle. But that's unlikely, judging from the inhabitants of these dry lands. They all seem so... mean. But can she blame them? Apparently these are hard times. And this area is just as barren as the rest of them, which she had come to realize the night previous. She doesn't wander with much purpose, though her steps are made with confidence. It is only when a strong scent - masculine and most definitely /leonine/ reaches her nostrils that Ekundu's demeanor changes: her pawsteps become more deliberate. Careful. And she lowers her head somewhat, eyes wide and searching as her nose twitches. A lion. Could be bad news. Very bad news. But she hasn't stopped moving... she doesn't see the beast /yet./
Huffing and puffing as he went, Arapmoi was mostly in contemplation as he walked along. While alert, his mind was drifitng a bit. However, a brief and passing scent tickled his nose and he quickly snapped his gaze in that direction. He didn't see anything right away... and it could have just been an old and distant scent. Yet, one could never be too careful. The were close to the waterhole after all... the precious water source for this pride and it was one of the places in his territory that others were most readily drawn to. Thus, the king began to walk in the direction of the lioness.
Her rusty-red eyes dart left, right as she pads back. She'll find her way toward the waterhole. But she must be careful. More than usual. She's not sure where he is, but she knows he is /here/. One could not /stress/ how careful she must be now. She pauses mid-step to listen cautiously. She hears nothing out-of-the-ordinary. Not yet, anyway. Then proceeds forward, in the direction of the waterhole. She just needs a drink. Then she'll be off again. Exploring. In all directions! Wherever she can. She'll probably be a rogue most of her days due to the condition of these lands. Because she left home. But whatever - she's a survivor. As long as no big males decide to eat her...
And there she was. He caught just a flicker of movement among the grasses. A tufted tails just before it vanished again in the sea of dry vegetation. Red eyes narrowed and he lowered himself into the grasses as well. He stood out a bit more with his bulk and black mane, but he crept stealthily in her direction as she seemed focused on heading for the water which was patheticly low. He grew closer and closer.. and just as she seemed to be almost within reach of the life giving liquid... the brute suddenly put himself in her path. His large frame easily looming over hers as Arapmoi stood tall and glared down at the trespassing lioness. His black lips peeled back to reveal his massive set of sharp teeth in a clearly threatening display. A low growl rising in his throat as he did so.
She's almost crouching - creeping - as she paws her way carefully over the grass. She avoids sticks and stones to move as quietly as possible. She's tense. There's a male somewhere. Probably waiting to ravage her body. Add a few new scars to her pelt. Her face. Tatter her other ear. Sure. It could happen. But she'll get through it... but it would be bloody! And painful! And just when she's certain she should turn back, she glimpses movement from the corner of her eye and then he's before her, towering above her. Her eyes lift, and she finds she is looking into a pair of cruel, ruby eyes - eyes that are much richer than her own rusty-red eyes. Her maw parts slightly as her eyes widen. He snarls. Her ears flatten, but her entire body is frozen for the moment, in shock and... fear. He's /big/. Sure, Ekundu is strong. She can take out other predators. Prey. Alone. Easily. But one, big, bad-boy of a lion? Never. Not alone. Never. She takes a step back, her mouth moving to form words and failing.
Oh yes, it could certainly bloody and painful. He was a master of that after all for it was certainly not above him. After all, he had stolen a carcass from an adolescent and his cub sister in order to feed his own family. Its cruel sure... but out here you had to do what you must to survive. In this case, it meant protecting his territory and its valuable resources. Sure, one could argue that one lioness taking a drink wouldn't make much difference. But if he let her drink, what would stop others? And then they'd be out of water before you knew it. No... this is how things had to be. He then spoke. "By the way you're sneaking around, I'm sure you're aware that this is pridal territory. My pridal territory to be exact." He then lifted a paw, with claws splayed. "And if I were you. I'd scram before I decided to rip into that filthy hide of yours." This would be her only verbal warning.
"N-n-no!" Agh! Her voice! Where did her confidence go? She takes a step back. Unfrozen, her tail begins to lash nervously behind her. "I mean- what I mean to say is. I wasn't aware of it. U-unt- Ah. Until I smelled /you/ that is!" she manages this rapidly. Very rapidly. Practically a blur as one of his massive paws lifts from the ground, and verbally threatens her. This fellow means business. "Please - I'm not here for a fight. I was just- there's water here." What should Ekundu say to this? Should she blindly run away? She needs water. Just a quick drink. That's /all./ And then she can leave, knowing she'll make it another day... of course. She had better not press it too much. She's gonna get scarred. Again. And she doesn't need any injuries. Of course, as long as she has her legs and her sense of smell, and at least /one/ eye, she can still hunt, right? Let him tatter her ears! Pfft! She just hopes he believes her. It is the truth. Really!
It didn't matter if he believed her or not. That was the wrong answer to his verbal warning. He gave her a chance to take off and she ignored it. Arapmoi's brow creased as his glare intensified. Her stupid muttering and attempt at excuses merely served to annoy him, and indeed he meant business. Again he snarled loudly, but this time that paw lashed out at the lioness in a vicious swipe. If words didn't work, then perhaps phyiscal injury would convince her to leave.
She's hoping she can smooth-talk him. Get some water - or not - then go away. But it simply isn't to be. She's a little too startled, and a little too frightened to think /that/ clearly right now. Or one would think that much of her anyway. She's backing away slowly, not trusting him to allow her a clean get away if she turns around. And that is her mistake. That paw swings and almost at once she jerks her head back. She doesn't cleanly dodge the blow - three thin, red streaks form across the bridge of her nose in the aftermath of the paw's swing. They wouldn't scar. But they sure did /smart/! "Agh! Dammit! What the-" she just manages /not/ to snarl back - she's aware it'll only sting more. Then she leaps back, her rusty eyes narrowed angrily. "What's your problem!?" Dumb question. "You haven't even-" no, that's not what she wants to say. Let's rephrase: "Close-minded lot, aren't you?" Wait! That's not right, either...
Oh ho. She just really wanted to push his buttons didn't she? Not really.. but she certainly was. The unintentional words that spilled from the lioness's mouth only served to enrage the massive lion. He bellowed out a roar of anger. Was there no sane lion in these parts who knew when to shut up and leave?! Apparently not.. for he always got mouthed at when confronting trespassers. Stupid rogues. They seemed to think that the world belonged to them... that it owed them something. Well he would teach her a lesson if that was the case! Arapmoi then lunged at Ekundu, his teeth and claws seeking out blood as he went for the attack!
<!> In Water Hole, Arapmoi roars.
Just a second. Wait. Pause. Halt! She wracks her brain for something to say to smooth over that last comment, but fails miserably. Especially when an ear-splitting sound makes its way from his maw. Riiiight. She should be going now. Oh wait. She's /already gone/! As soon as he roars, Ekundu's given up on backing out slowly - that's not going to work. No amount of caution would. She's going to have to run or risk being torn to shreds a second time in her three-year life span. Her paws fly under her, and she's almost certain she's making a good escape in a northernly direction. Unfortunately for her, however, she's not built for speed, and, while she was able to avoid being tackled just a few seconds ago, she has no chance of out-running the lion if and when he pursues. "H-hey-hey! You've sure got a temper!" she gasps as she runs, speaking to no one in particular... probably because, in the back of her mind, she's thinking: I'm so screwed! Or something along those lines. She's knows she's in deep trouble now, in any case...
Her words didn't help her before and certainly were not helping her now! Arapmoi did indeed pursue. Barreling across the savannah after her with clear intention to drive this lioness off his lands! As he began to catch up with her, an occasional swipe was aimed at her hindquarters. That is until they reached the border of his territory. It was there he promptly haulted and glowered. He made his point, and he wouldn't waste any more energy than he needed to. Still, Arapmoi's tail lashed irritably as if daring her to try and cross his domain again. If she did, she'd be a fool.
She's lucky all she got was a swipe across the nose, and, as much as they sting, they weren't going to cause her any permanent damage. Unless they managed to get infected. As long as she keeps. running. She can practically feel the air of his claws just narrowing missing her rump. And the frightens her. She's not sure she can remember where she crossed the borders - she didn't remember crossing the borders at all, actually. She had been telling the truth. So she really /is/ running blindly. And this proves true as one forepaw catches on - something she doesn't see - and she finds herself being launched forward, into the hard ground. She hits it, rolls once, then is still. This must be it - he'll catch her and kill her. And all /this/ for some water... the one ear twitches. He's stopped? She only realizes her eyes were shut tightly when she opens them and blinks, lifting her head uncomfortably to turn it in the direction of the male. She glares right back at him before scrambling to her paws. "Why'd you stop?" This is said softly, in a more rhetorical way. Oh. Wait. /Another/ dumb question. She takes in a breath. So that's why. The borders are here. She snorts softly to get the dust out of her nose, but she doesn't take her eye off the lion. "What's his problem?" she repeats softly to herself. Yeah. Times are rough. Sure. But did it ever occur to anyone that it would be easier if they would just... "take it easy" or something?
She stands uncertainly, her eyes never leaving him. Like she's trying to figure him out. Or something along those lines anyway. "Have you ever even heard of giving someone a /chance/, or do you just take their heads off before they can even collect themselves enough for a good answer?" She never snarls. Never growls. Never looks violent in the slightest way. Only her eyes glare out at him heatedly. She's not sure she's safe even beyond what she can assume safely is "his" border. "Hmmm?" Well? Is he gonna answer her or not? He probably thinks /she/ thinks she's the queen of the world or something. Quite the contrary, actually: she doesn't. She just dislikes lions like... him.
Arapmoi snorted, "I don't have to explain myself to a lioness too stupid to realize when she's in someone else's territory and then show the owner such disrespect." Again Arapmoi's tail lashed irritably. He had nothing to stay to a loudmouthed female like that. His lionesses were be fare more sophisticated and worthy to survive these harsh times. It was survival of the fittest and as far as he could tell... she was not fit. Hell, she was barely worthy enough to be spoken to, let alone tread upon his soil.
His words make a fury burn in her eyes as she takes a step closer to the boundaries. "Disrespect? You startled me! I wasn't think clearly. You hardly gave me the time to recover my wits!" she frowns, refusing to snarl. It would sting her nose. And hopefully make her seem less interested in being a threat. "Nor did you give me time to show you proper 'respect' before swinging your paw," her face is somber. Lions like him are the ones that cause problems - lions too high and mighty to answer to any law. For them, there was no law. And that has caused problems in the past.
"And you were trespassing! I have no need to show courtesy to ignorant fools like you! Those who can't heed the border markers are driven out. You'll do best to remember that. Next time... I won't stop at the border." No... if he caught her in his territory again, he would surely rip her to shreds no matter what. "Now beat it." Anger and fury raged in his red eyes and he stood like a solid rock wall between the lioness and the precious water that lay behind him.
She stared at him hard as he spoke. "If I am ignorant, then teach me. Don't strike me," she remains cool and collected, becoming confident that he will not cross the line. "Step over that border and you're little more than a murderer. Who's to say you aren't already?" her eyes narrow. She knows about murder. "And I suppose you would think, 'who cares about some insolent rogue?'" The blood on her muzzle is beginning to run, dripping slowly down the right side of her face. It mingles with the four slender scars on her lips, the white fur of an old scar on her jaw. She stares hard at him. His features are cold. But his face is so pure compared to her own. What does he know about rogues and hardship? She nearly lost an ear. Nothing new. "You've no right to boss me anymore when I'm beyond your borders, Highness," she says coolly. "I'm not coming back over. I crossed because I was 'ignorant' as you put it. I've travelled hard and the lands were redundant. I'd ask your forgiveness for my trespass, but..." she says evenly, her expression softening slightly for a moment. But he's clearly incapable. And she's not particularly sorry for her "mistake."
"I think you got the point," Arapmoi huffed. He seemed rather unphased at her accusations though. "Murderer? Hardly... I'd be doing the world a favor by lessening the population of unfit members of our species." He smirked a bit, for he knew she wouldn't take kindly to that. "Oh I think I have every right. Do you honestly think anyone would protect you if I stepped past my borders? Hardly. You would not find forgiveness anyway. Now be gone. I have nothing more to say to you."
Ekundu looks at him. "I did. I'm not as daft as you think. Call me unfit. Fine. But you're wrong," she frowns as she adds, "and blind, if you think I'm unfit. Not only have I survived alone, without the aid of others, but I have survived worse injuries." Her face confirms her story. "Or do you think scars merit nothing? I believe each scar has its story. I have survived these. And you would deign to call me 'unfit'?" She laughs mirthlessly, her rusty eyes never leaving his face. Is she trying to anger him? Test him? Maybe. Maybe not. Finally, she sighs, deflating a little. "I was never a threat to you. Must you treat me with such derogatory statements?"
Arapmoi just smirked at her. She obviously knew nothing of what it meant to be fit or unfit. Ignorant fool. That's what she was. If she was that daft indeed, then he wouldn't bother explaining it to her. Arapmoi sat himself and simply glared at the lioness in silence. He said he had no more to say to her, and it was true. Thus he would just sit there and wait for her to leave.
Oh, she could play this game. "Too good to answer?" Figures. He's an donkey. Just like every lion she's ever met. But, unlike him, she's capable of being "civil." Even if he isn't really going to say anything else. She wonders what would happen if she... "You look cute with that smirk." Her face is blank. Is she being /serious/? Well. It's impossible to tell. She lets a moment pass, allowing that comment - only somewhat random and only partially true - to hang in the air before she proceeds. "So. You want to tell me what 'your territory' is called and your name? I at /least/ need to know that much. Or will you leave me in my 'blissful' state of ignorance forevermore?" Liptwitch.
Oh he could play games as well. Despite her questions and comments, Arapmoi continued to remain a silent sentinnel on his border. He had a feeling that silence would likely drive her crazy. So he said not a word. That arrogant smirk still remained on his maw though, and his red gaze continually watching her every move.
Actually, she's just fine with silence. She can make her own stories. She can talk. For hours. He just doesn't know what he's gotten himself into. She'll make him pay - verbally at least - for those three red streaks across her nose. "I can tell a lot about you just by looking at you," you know. "You must be true to your word - loyal - or hard-headed," that from his continued silence. It's almost a compliment. "You're short-tempered. Arrogant. If your above everyone, then you answer to no one. What law do you go by?" her deductions continue, her musings go unanswered. But then again, it seems her questions have become rhetorical: she knows she's not getting an answer from him. Her face shows - a smile? Almost amused. But for that, she's still tense. She might be pushing it too close. She needs to be ready to flee. If he decides to get up, she'll probably run. Quickly. Proclaim how he's a murderer and all that. "And you won't even tell me your name? I can tell other 'ignorant' lionesses to avoid you... King-Whoever-You-Are." She shifts her weight, her red-tufted tail swaying slowly behind her as she watches him closely for any indication of a break or change in his demeanor. She's gotta crack him sometime.
His smirk starts to fade a little bit as he starts to show annoyance on his features. Was she just going to sit there and prattle on all day? He heaved a sigh at her last comment, his tail tapping against the ground. Honestly... he had other things to be doing than just sitting here and talking to some smart mouthed rogue lioness.
No? He's still not biting? Well then... and he looks annoyed. "No need to look huffy. I only asked for a name," she comments wryly, her tail curling and uncurling. "Is your pride very big?" she inquires rather suddenly, as if she actually had some real need to know. "I think your loyal... anyway. If you weren't, there would be no purpose in having a pride," except, perhaps, for the breeding. But let's not go there... "...which begs the question: in desolate places like this, is it worth having a pride? There are more mouths to feed. And therefore, living alone seems to be for the better... but is it really?" She might be trying to annoy him more. Or perhaps she wants to see if he's actually capable of thinking. He looks like a brute. She shakes her head. Her sharp, rusty eyes watch him a moment longer, in which she allows more silence. "Very well," she whispers, more to herself as she makes up some decision in her mind. "Would you allow me to start over?"
Finally he speaks up. "And why would I do that?" No.. he wasn't giving in to her pressure, although she was certainly annoying enough that he was right tempted to just turn around and walk away. Perhaps she was smarter than she looked, and that's what interested him. So... perhaps if she proved herself, she might be worth his time after all. Yet, he wasn't going to admit to such. Thus the king now held an unreadably straight face.
His expression has changed. The smirk is gone. And it seems he may actually be willing to listen. Inwardly she beams: she's broken him enough that his silence has vanished with those six simple words. She has no malicious intent behind her reasoning. And perhaps she still fears for her life. But this "game" has gotten interesting now. Her expression is serious, but tainted by the faintest of smiles when he speaks. "Simple, really. If I must walk away knowing I am hated, then let me know who it is that hates me. And I will tell you who exactly it is that you hate, in detail," she says, her voice smooth and dreadfully serious. "I rather dislike the idea of walking away and being /hated/ for a mistake like mine," she acknowledges she made a mistake, at least. That, and she would rather not have him think she's a mindless rogue. There's some more to her than that, she likes to think. She actually smiles, and there's something genuine in it. What does he say to that offer? She has a feeling he'll just walk away. But her own study of him - which she audibly gave as she watched him - has also served to make her more interested. Is he loyal? Is he? She wants a good answer. He couldn't be all-bad if he was loyal. Even if he /is/ an arrogant donkey. She merely wondered: had they met on different terms, would their encounter have been vastly different? Perhaps not. She watches him, unwavering.
Arapmoi gave another loud snort and even bristled slightly. "I do not need you to tell me who I hate. Besides. Hating you is rather pointless. I merely defend my territory to preserve its resources for my pride. Nothing more." If she sought to educate him in some way or another, then her words would fall on deaf ears. But he was growing weary of this, for now this conversation was starting to turn away from his interests again and that annoyed expression was starting to resurface.
That didn't work. She isn't surprised. But she still smiles, though she winces the slightest. She should have worded that differently. Sighing softly and shaking her head at herself, "Sorry," she offers a little meekly, almost coming to a loss of words after saying that. She averts her eyes. Her smile shrinks, but does not disappear. "I only want to know if you would have treated me any differently, had I not-" entered your territory. She avoids saying it directly. Her rust-red eyes lift again. He doesn't believe in second chances? "For you do not hate me," she decides to add after a moment, her eyes watching him most intently before she adds, with a flash of an amused smile, "yet." She allows a soft chuckle to escape her lips.
Arapmoi's nostrils flared slightly. "If you're not in my pride, then you're competition." There. That was the blunt explanation right there. And then he smirked a little. "Lets just say that I am very competitive." He then rolled his eyes at the last word she threw in. Certainly if he gave her reason then he would undoubtably hate her. She would be wise not to push things that far lest the lioness find herself dead.
Ekundu nods slowly. "I take you don't allow newcomers, then?" Now she's learning something about him, and that fascinates her, and her eyes sparkle with renewed interest. She quirks a toothy grin, tempted to add something along the lines of 'at least no ignorant lionesses like herself.' But she refrains. "I'm almost flattered you would consider /me/ competition," she says very softly, her brow quirking. "I understand times are hard in these lands. Harder than what I've come from," she continues. It should be evident from her frame. She's still fairly fit and well-fed compared to some rogues. But the day will come when she's as emaciated as the others. The longer she's in these lands. But it's easier for her to care and worry for herself than it is for her to care about others. "So you would not allow me to start over? You would not give me your name, at the least?" Of course, she's already learned plenty from what she's observed.
Arapmoi tilted his chin up slightly. Looking down his nose at the lioness. "That would depend." He then pauses as she seemed to be asking for a second chance. "You would have to prove yourself." After all... he didn't just allow anyone into his pride. There was room for more lionesses, for now, but naturally he was very selective. And only pride members would be able to venture across his lands without hostility, that much was clear.
Her expression is somber again. He's arrogant. She's already stated that. She knows. And it doesn't bother her as much as she would like it to. She's a tolerant lioness, thankfully. But his words prompt her to smile again, and there's a certain warmth to it, almost as if he had already said yes. Almost. Finally, she lowers to her haunches, sitting to mirror the king's position as she considers the paths this could take. If she plays it right... free access to water. And just because she believes living alone can be easier, she's well aware of its downsides. "May I ask what that would entail?" She's interested. More interested than she might be letting on.
Arapmoi eyed her carefully, for he could tell she was a crafty one, and he did not care to be outwitted. Rising to his paws, the lion huffed. "Bring a kill to that rock..." he gestured towards the formation on the horizon, "... to feed my cubs before the sun sets tomorrow evening. Then we'll talk. If you don't show up with a kill by then... I better not find you on my lands again. Ever." His last words laced with a clear threat. He then turned around and began to pad off in order to resume his patrol. "My name is Arapmoi and this pride is the Lesedi."
She rises as he does, and her gaze leaves him only to look to the west, where the sun will eventually set. But it's not even afternoon yet! Then her gaze turns back to the male, her eyes filled with a new intensity. "I will." Her words are laced with the same intensity that leaves no room for doubt: she /will/ get that kill, even if she must hunt well into the night, and most of this day. Besides. That was a lot easier than what she was /expecting/ him to say. She half-expected some zany task. Or. Well, something worse. She's had worse. Her smile became a smirk as he begins to return to his patrol. "My name is Ekundu." With that, she turns and leaves the King Arapmoi to his kingly duties. It's time to hunt.