Post by Unzumi on Jun 25, 2006 13:42:27 GMT -5
Holy gods, look what I had in my save box. The best love hate relationship that ever existed, Mguu' and Safihi.
Having caught meager pickings as of late, Safihi is in a terrible mood. Hungry and exhausted from her efforts, the aging lioness lounges in the short, cool grass, feeling the gentle breeze gently carress her not-so-illustrious pelt. Stormy eyes remain cast out across the lands, off into the horizion, searching for any movement that might signify a coming of easy food. Silent, as always, 'Fihi doesn't move from the bit of shade the grass has to offer, brooding and in foul temper.
Sharifa is also out for the hunt. She didn't catch prey the first time, but isn't too down about it. The red-pawed lioness trots across the grasslands, eyeing the herds. She nearly walks into Safihi, but jolts to a halt about seven meters away. Whoops. So much for keeping one's eyes open, especially with ears and a nose to back them up. She eyes Safihi with a vaguely guilty expression. /Hello/. What’s this?
Safihi's mood is likely to take a turn for the worse in a few minutes. For it's Mguu' that comes through the grasses - normally, during the heat of the day, he'd be inside snoozing, or else laying about. He has no need to be out in the sweltering African air, nor would he simply be going out for a 'stroll' at such a time simply for pleasure. Multi-colored mane appears over the golden and green stalks. He halts, abruptly, at the sight of the half-and-half - not very subtle, really. Chocolate-covered ears cant back with ease. Uh-oh. There's Sharifa, too. This ought to be interesting. Muzzle grimly set, he moves on towards the duo.
Indeed, it all ready has. Safihi's ears perk forwards at a few new sounds; that of another rustling through the reeds. Hmm. Her head turns to regard the other, obviously younger female, with a cold, unamused stare as her ears fall back along her skull, but she says nothing. Not a hello, not a pardon, not a good day. Nothing. 'Fihi's tail flicks but once, wrapping 'round her haunches, removing her hard visage from Salinaka and returning it out across the lands. Mguuyasiku? Completely unaware of her son's approach, Safihi doesn't move, for she might if she knew he was about. Maw tight, ears back, eyes set in stone, Safihi broods on.
Sharifa takes a half-step back, recoiling, looking more shocked than fearful. Another half-step, and then another.. but then she stops as she spies Mguuyasiku, raising a brow in question. Her tail twitches slightly, as her stormy eyes move to Safihi, then to Mguuyasiku, then back.
"Good day, Sharifa." Mguu' makes his presence known with perfect grace and ease. He pointedly ignores Safihi -- a distinction that sticks out like a sore thumb. But, if it were up to him, he probably would have just ignored his mother altogether and gone on his way. But he also doesn't trust her at all.
It's a good day as any to starve, Mguuyasiku, Safihi retorts silently, only thinking such thoughts to her mind for it's pointless now to use words, isn't it? She'd love to leave this place at the moment, for to even see Mguuyasiku brings up anger and pain far too great to handle anymore, but she's too tired and must eat something if she's to continue on. Besides, she's not so weak as to get up and leave. She'll not show Mguu' how much she doesn't want to she him for the pain, it'll only give him an edge. And so, without so much as a word or even a glance in Sharifa's and Mguu's general direction, the half'n'half continues to wait and watch for a meal to pass by.
"G-g-'morning," Sharifa stutters, stumbling over her greeting. "How are you doing?" G'wan, confuse the poor girl. She continues to keep an eye on the other lioness, as well, but says nothing to her. Resituates herself, she assumes a more bold stance-- she was resembling a curious cub who has gotten just a little too close to a hungry alligator-- she adds, and bites her tongue afterwards, "Will you introduce us?"
"Fine." Actually, he's fairly far from 'fine'. It's more of an automatic reply than anything these days. At the last question, however, the corner of his mouth twitches. Just faintly. But that's all. A steady glance is given to Safihi, tail-tuft twitching. He's in something of a snag here. But he hasn't been a King for this long without learning subtlety. "This is Safihi. Safihi, this is Sharifa."
" 'Eve." She speaks! However, the greeting is far from a pleasure. Truly, Safihi has nothing against Sharifa save for the slight disturbance she caused which was really nothing major, but her contempt holds high for Mguuyasiku. Her mouth barely moves at the word, returning immediately to a thin, tight line along her muzzle, and still not even a glance in their direction.
Sharifa eyes Mguuyasiku. She may be halfway too daft sometimes, but his current mood is, yes, obviously not fine. A vague frown colors her muzzle. Her ears twitch lightly. "..." okay, now what? "..Well, uh, I was going to hunt. You know, Kendra has been mighty.. energetic about us lionesses getting out more. Not that its a bad thing." Another pause. "Anyone care to join me?"
"She has?" Well, that's a good thing. Sort of. "I'll come, sure." He may not be the best hunter in the world, but at least he can be of some assistance. Orbs shift towards Safihi. "Would you like to come?" Oo. Sarcasm is deeply hidden - indeed, he sounds sincere. But to anyone who really knows him ... it's present.
A slight chuckle comes from Safihi's maw, recognizing Mguuyasiku's sincerity as nothing more than a thin mask he wears with some pride, at least around her anyway. The lioness directs her gaze to the duo for the first time, glancing over Sharifa almost as if she was as thin as air, but landing on Mguuyasiku with her dead-set stare, a low twinkle hiding deep within. Should she play the game? He seems willing, doesn't he. "Of course, Mguuyasiku. I'd be .. happy to." A delicate smile curls her lips as she rises from the grass, tail seething behind her, coiling and uncoiling with an impatient rage that bubbles underneath the surface. Let the games begin!!
Sharifa eyes the lioness, her face showing a moment of distrust. But its gone quickly-- she's ignoring her first instinct again-- and smiles, truely sincere. "Alright, then! What she go for?" her tail twitches, as well, in excitement. Maybe she won't half to eat anymore rodent-like animals for the rest of the day.
A shadow passes the lions overhead and, sure enough, spiraling down from the sky comes a bird of black, a raven. And since the grasslands lack any nearby trees to perch on, the corvid swoops down and lands on Mguuyasiku's head, probably not giving a hoot about how undignified he may look with a bird using him as a roost. Kizee folds her wings, turning her own beaked head to one side, giving the two other leonines a look over with a single dark, twinkling eye -- "Well," she of the feathered variety caws, "Isn't this just a delightful little reunion, no?" Her gaze lands on Safihi, what seems to be an amused sparkle in the optic pinned on the elder lioness.
This ought to be interesting. Hmm. Tail curls vaguely, almost as if he were amused -- and brows fall back, muzzle pursuing a smile. "Wildebeast, tssessebe, gazelle - your pick, Shari'. As long as it's edible, I'm easy with anything. Who wants to take what role? I doubt I'm the fastest, and with my mane, I doubt I can stay hidden as well as you two can." Bah. Evil thing. Waaaaait - was that a familiar voice? It is. Right on his head, too. Corner of his muzzle twitches again. "Pleased to see you too, Kizee," He responds, sweetly.
A slight blink is given as the raven swoops down and easily makes itself at home on Mguu's head. Safihi stares a moment, recalling that bird from a previous encounter a few moons back, but really not caring in the slightest, save an inward chuckle regarding Mguuyasiku's choice in .. hats. Shrugging slightly, Safihi turns to Sharifa, her maw drawing her lips into a vague resemblance of a sweet, caring smile. "Whatever you care for, Sharifa. It's your hunt, you lead, you choose." Ah .. simple enough. Let the young, fit child work for you, and gorge on the result. A very promising thought indeed.
Sharifa hmms. She looks over the herds out in the grasslands again. Which one had the most members? Were there any stragglers? She goes for the closet herd. "Wildebeest sounds good to me. How should we go about this? I could pick one out." Her grin turns sour. "I have no problem separating an animal from the herd, but actually catching one is another story." shrugging, she trots a few steps to the right, eye bright eyes focused. "Hmm. I think I see potential."
"Eh?" Kizee peers down at her perch's face, "Oh, it's you. Well, somehow I doubt you really are pleased to see me. No need to pretend to be nice, y'know." The bird glances over at the younger of the two lionesses, "Ooo. We're going hunting? Sounds fun." /We/? "I hear wildebeest are in this season. Sink or drown, anyways. Y'know what I mean?" Actually, she really isn't making any sense, but that's Kizee for you.
"Wildebeast sounds fine." He says it as if it's normal to have a raven on one's head -- as if Kizee weren't there. Ohdear. "I never says I wasn't," He adds, a bit sulkily, under his breath, at the black-feathered bird. Blink. 'We're' going hunting? "You can go for the eyes," He suggests, at that, before moving a step or two forwards, speaking now to the two lionesses. "Alright - Shari', you wanna chase the wildebeast in our direction? 'Fihi and I will be lying in wait." He doesn't bother to conceal his presence to the prey-beasts in the distance -- typically, such creatures ignore leonines when not hunting.
Sharifa eyes the bird from the corner of her eye, fighting the urge to grin. Her eyes are soon on the herd again, however. Falling into a hunting stance and mindset, she murmurs to the other lions, "Move about seven paces to the left, please.." and is gone into the grasses. Mwahaha.
"Of course. You're the youngest and probably fastest, Sharifa," Safihi replies, oddly taking Mguuyasiku's side on the matter, but it actually makes sense in the hunting scheme. However, he could possibly have something on his mind if he voluntarily would walk that way and lay in wait with her. Hmm. "We'll be in that area to the near side of the heard," she directs, pointing with her nose, "Drive the beast you pick in that direction." However, she trails off as Sharifa slinks away, acting .. odd. Hmm. However, 'Fihi's fake smile doesn't wain, attention moving to Mguu', her eyes still portraying unamusement.
The raven tilts her head to one side, blinking once, "Go for the eeeeyyyyeees? No, no, that's the best part. You and your mother can share the eyes. I'll take the liver. No one wants the liver, nah." Despite the liver being one of the most fought over parts of a kill.. *cough* Anyway.. Even though she's aware to the fact that Mguuyasiku will soon be attacking a wildebeast, the bird remains perched on the lion's head.
"I'm happy that you're thinking about our health," Mguu' offers up to Kizee, but takes no notice of her thereafter. If she wants to stay in one piece, she'll get off when he gets going. Or, he hopes so, anyways. "C'mon, momma." It's as if the rest of his life never happened; or perhaps he's just playing along in this farce, moving off to the side as directed by Sharifa, and shifting down into a comfortable crouching position in wait.
Sharifa slowly prowls towards the right of the herd, nearly crawling, claws unsheathed, feeling the ground. She gets in position, only about fifteen yards from the end of the herd. Situating herself into a ready position, she tries to spot the other leonines. Well, they're just going to have to hurry up if they aren't ready, here goes..
Bubwi the Wildebeest munches happily upon his grass. Life couldn't be better. Good food and drink, good company, good friends. Not to mention a couple of good potential mates, but he's get to that soon enough. As he grazes happily, oblivious to everyone as he gorges, he has wandered to the edge of the herd. Realizing such, he raises his head; some of the other herd mates were getting antsy. Something was up, they said. Bubwi chuckles, about to put his head back to the grass, when there is a rustle to his right.. what's this? The wildebeest's eyes go wide as a dark-pawed leonine with dangerously predatory eyes comes bounding in his direction! He turns tail and runs away from the herd, not knowing that the two other leonines lay in wait.. poor Bubwi.
"Of course, dear," Safihi replies, her last word dripping with honey-coated spite. She moves easily enough into the grass, sinking low and lying in wait, a yard or so distant from Mguuyasiku. She says nothing else, but looks to him for a moment before returning her gaze out to the herd, watching the area in which Sharifa disappeared into.
"..krrk," Kizee makes no move to leave her roost on Mguuyasiku's head. Nope. Actually, having lost interest in the 'hunt', the bird has spread out one wing, head craned around, and is preening the glossy black feathers of it. Her claws, though, are holding tightly onto the lion's mane, so to her this is probably just going to be an equivalent to a roller coaster ride.
Sharifa runs as fast as her long legs and take her, teeth bared as she speeds after the wildebeest. Hahaha! What fun. As the rest of the herd runs away from her and her prey, she keeps to the animal's right, to keep it from rejoining his friends. The lioness continues to adjust her position to keep the wildebeest heading left, left, left.. until he heads into area to just the right of the waiting predators.
Ah. What a wonderful mother-son relationship, isn't it? You wouldn't think anything was wrong. He watches as Sharifa stalks and subsequently startles Bubwi the wildebeast - and lays in calm wait. It's not worth it to rush out too soon and then have to chase the silly thing across the entire valley. He only gives his mother a glance - with a wry uplifing of brows and smile - but it's fake. Or a good deal of it, anyways. He can never forgive her for some things; he's as stubborn as she is. He's pretty much left Kizee to his own devices, although he gets partially worried as the wildebeast starts coming up. Does he actually ... gasp ... care about the raven's safety? Of course not! Really ... he doesn't ... ahem. Okay, so maybe a little. Legs join out from under him, and he shoots off after the wildebeast, aiming for the side.
Cold silence, that's all she offers. A beautiful life, made in heaven just for them, it seems ... Right. They'll never forgive each other and they'll never forgive themselves either. This whole situation is just an elaborate costume game of smiling masks and happy voice-overs. And so, as the herd scatters and Sharifa closes in on the fortunate Bubwi, Safihi readies her sore body, bunching her muscles and waiting to spring. Split second timing, only a moment after Mguu' leaps into action, so to does she, crossing Bubwi's path and heading almost directly towards him, cutting off his forward momentum trapping him on three sides.
Kizee doesn't squack in alarm, she doesn't fall off nor get hurt in some way. The moment Mguuyasiku sprung at the wildebeast, the corvid had thrown herself down flat on the lion's head, claws clinging to his mane for dear life, wings spread out halfway just in case she needs to make an emergency escape. It truly is only a ride akin to something at an amusement park for the raven.
Sharifa nearly collides with the wildebeest's backside. Skittering to a halt, claws digging into the dirt, stopping for only a moment. Then she makes a somewhat clumsy pounce at the animal's backside, but digs her claws into his rear right side of the animal, climbing up his side, grabbing his skin in her teeth.. and then spot's Mguu. Or, rather, Mguu's hat. He eyes bulge, and nearly is bucked off at the moment's distraction. However, she stays on and bites. And bites.
Ohdear. Kizee must be getting fairly wind-swept up there. But Mguu' is concentrating on the kill right now -- one stupid move and he could be in serious danger. He grasps ahold of the creature's side, claws hanging on. It's mere weight that he's using, not tactics; he's too bulky, as are all male lions, to do anything but in a kill such as this. Jaw opens, to grasp the withers of the wildebeast, in an attempt to wear it down.
Having planned to slightly over run the beast, Safihi doubles back a few paces as Sharifa and Mguu' grab hold of him. As Bubwi's head turns in meek attempts to ward off Mguu's grasp, his attention is off Safihi and her perfect time comes. However tired she may be (all though her exertion was that great, but she's not what she used to be), the half'n'half lunges upward for his throat. Poor Bubwi. Wrapping her forelegs 'round his neck, she locks her jaws upon his neck, pulling with the weight of her body in attempts to drag him down. Aww. Sorry folks, but that's life.
Bubwi now accepts his fate. Up to the great Grasslands in the Sky, where the water is always clear and the grass is always tender. Where his kina traipse around for all of eternity. Goodbye, dear herd.. I shall see you again, one day..
Bubwi falls over and dies.
Sharifa scrambles out of the way of the falling wildebeest, letting go, but jumping back onto his body, breaking a rib and sinking her claws into his flesh. She sinks her teeth into his tender side, as well. Breakfast is served.
Watching it all from a less than bird's eye view, since she is clinging to Mguuyasiku's head, Kizee .. well, watches. It's interesting to see something from the vantage point of a lion. When the wildebeast goes down, the bird stands up again on her perch, folding her wings neatly against her sides and crowing, "That was fun! I should tag along on hunts more often."
It takes a few moments for the dust to fully settle - but Mguu's already eating away at the shoulder area before it does. He eyes Kizee for a moment as she speaks, brows lifting fainty; but he doesn't say anything. She's still in one piece, that's all that counts. Er ... wait ... shouldn't he be saying 'drat'? Ah, well. n.- But he soon resumes eating; it's much too good of a meal to waste, and the vultures will get here soon enough for their 'fair' share.
From a distance, she can make out the blurred bodies of several other leonines, and eventually Vivi reaches them, casting a wary and wondering eye around as she takes a seat along the sidelines. Ebon-brushed ears spur forward, and the lioness squints through her long lashes - the hunt seems to be coming to a close. Having little better to do, Vivi pries herself to distinguish the faces of those involved. Only one proves even vaguely familiar. Sad. She'd like to get to know this pride better. They all seem on good terms with each other, the lands - to her current knowledge - are safe and quiet, and anything's preferable to spending life constantly on your own. Heck if anyone knows where Sizi is .. Vivi hasn't seen her for weeks. Weeks upon weeks. And .. upon weeks. Exhaling a little sigh for that matter, the cocoa female continues to watch the goings-on from her place, gaze momentarily drawing to the bird alighting on the king's brow. Sigh. Makes her think of Tafsiri.
As Bubwi falls, so to does Safihi. With a marvelous and graceful thud, the two falls to the grass, Bubwi gone and Safihi landing heavily upon her shoulder. Ow. Pain shoots up and down her leg, the throbbing sensation great on her left side, heavily sucking for air from her exertion and the fact that half of her reserves were just pushed from her lungs. Again, ow. However, not one to show weakness, Safihi grits it out, however much it hurts, letting go of the beasts neck and moving closer to where Sharifa makes her table, slowly tearing at the stomach with her teeth. Eyes clenched and trying to contain a grimace, Safihi leans to her right, greatly favoring her left shoulder as she feeds.
Sharifa is munching several minutes, in a semi-bloodlust state before looking at her breakfast companions. She does notice Safihi's favoring, but says nothing; the lioness doesn't seem to be the type who cares for her wounds to be noticed. Her eyes wander to Mguu, who is still wearing that silly bird-hat, and then to Vivi.. the lioness in the distance. An eyebrow raises, and so does her head, with a mouthful of meat. "Whrs--" she chews, and swallows, then tries again. "Who's that?"
Like Tafsiri, only much stranger. Trust me on that. The bird says no more and, being a carrion bird herself, though she does consider herself to be more dignified than a vulture, mind, hops off of Mguu's head and onto the carcass, ripping bits of meat out of the part ripped open by the lion king. She dodges about gracefully, avoiding the leonine's big head as well as his teeth while doing so.. A free meal, who'd pass on that?
Mm. Food in his stomach. It's a good thing. If Kizee wants her share of the kill - if she even /gets/ a share - she'll come down to eat. He's too busy to notice his mother's pain, and it's unlikely that he would say anything, at any rate. He's insensitive to her. At Sharifa's question, he glances upwards, ready to defend the kill from the two rogues - or Akeeto - but, instead, it's a semi-familiar face. Blink. He knows her; sort of. Name, Mguu', a name. V-something-or-other ... grah. His memory was never too good. "Hey," He calls out, briefly.
Ears twist, and eyes refocus, expression lifting lightly as though she'd just noticed them all. Readily, the lioness issues a polite reply through her large and toothy smile, strangely unfitting to her. She's trying to make an impression .. a good one .. and has no sibling or translating bird to help her. "Jam- .. Hello," V-something-or-other greets, nodding her head and trying too hard not to glance at their kill. She's quite experienced in hunting, but just hasn't gotten around to it lately.
Having caught meager pickings as of late, Safihi is in a terrible mood. Hungry and exhausted from her efforts, the aging lioness lounges in the short, cool grass, feeling the gentle breeze gently carress her not-so-illustrious pelt. Stormy eyes remain cast out across the lands, off into the horizion, searching for any movement that might signify a coming of easy food. Silent, as always, 'Fihi doesn't move from the bit of shade the grass has to offer, brooding and in foul temper.
Sharifa is also out for the hunt. She didn't catch prey the first time, but isn't too down about it. The red-pawed lioness trots across the grasslands, eyeing the herds. She nearly walks into Safihi, but jolts to a halt about seven meters away. Whoops. So much for keeping one's eyes open, especially with ears and a nose to back them up. She eyes Safihi with a vaguely guilty expression. /Hello/. What’s this?
Safihi's mood is likely to take a turn for the worse in a few minutes. For it's Mguu' that comes through the grasses - normally, during the heat of the day, he'd be inside snoozing, or else laying about. He has no need to be out in the sweltering African air, nor would he simply be going out for a 'stroll' at such a time simply for pleasure. Multi-colored mane appears over the golden and green stalks. He halts, abruptly, at the sight of the half-and-half - not very subtle, really. Chocolate-covered ears cant back with ease. Uh-oh. There's Sharifa, too. This ought to be interesting. Muzzle grimly set, he moves on towards the duo.
Indeed, it all ready has. Safihi's ears perk forwards at a few new sounds; that of another rustling through the reeds. Hmm. Her head turns to regard the other, obviously younger female, with a cold, unamused stare as her ears fall back along her skull, but she says nothing. Not a hello, not a pardon, not a good day. Nothing. 'Fihi's tail flicks but once, wrapping 'round her haunches, removing her hard visage from Salinaka and returning it out across the lands. Mguuyasiku? Completely unaware of her son's approach, Safihi doesn't move, for she might if she knew he was about. Maw tight, ears back, eyes set in stone, Safihi broods on.
Sharifa takes a half-step back, recoiling, looking more shocked than fearful. Another half-step, and then another.. but then she stops as she spies Mguuyasiku, raising a brow in question. Her tail twitches slightly, as her stormy eyes move to Safihi, then to Mguuyasiku, then back.
"Good day, Sharifa." Mguu' makes his presence known with perfect grace and ease. He pointedly ignores Safihi -- a distinction that sticks out like a sore thumb. But, if it were up to him, he probably would have just ignored his mother altogether and gone on his way. But he also doesn't trust her at all.
It's a good day as any to starve, Mguuyasiku, Safihi retorts silently, only thinking such thoughts to her mind for it's pointless now to use words, isn't it? She'd love to leave this place at the moment, for to even see Mguuyasiku brings up anger and pain far too great to handle anymore, but she's too tired and must eat something if she's to continue on. Besides, she's not so weak as to get up and leave. She'll not show Mguu' how much she doesn't want to she him for the pain, it'll only give him an edge. And so, without so much as a word or even a glance in Sharifa's and Mguu's general direction, the half'n'half continues to wait and watch for a meal to pass by.
"G-g-'morning," Sharifa stutters, stumbling over her greeting. "How are you doing?" G'wan, confuse the poor girl. She continues to keep an eye on the other lioness, as well, but says nothing to her. Resituates herself, she assumes a more bold stance-- she was resembling a curious cub who has gotten just a little too close to a hungry alligator-- she adds, and bites her tongue afterwards, "Will you introduce us?"
"Fine." Actually, he's fairly far from 'fine'. It's more of an automatic reply than anything these days. At the last question, however, the corner of his mouth twitches. Just faintly. But that's all. A steady glance is given to Safihi, tail-tuft twitching. He's in something of a snag here. But he hasn't been a King for this long without learning subtlety. "This is Safihi. Safihi, this is Sharifa."
" 'Eve." She speaks! However, the greeting is far from a pleasure. Truly, Safihi has nothing against Sharifa save for the slight disturbance she caused which was really nothing major, but her contempt holds high for Mguuyasiku. Her mouth barely moves at the word, returning immediately to a thin, tight line along her muzzle, and still not even a glance in their direction.
Sharifa eyes Mguuyasiku. She may be halfway too daft sometimes, but his current mood is, yes, obviously not fine. A vague frown colors her muzzle. Her ears twitch lightly. "..." okay, now what? "..Well, uh, I was going to hunt. You know, Kendra has been mighty.. energetic about us lionesses getting out more. Not that its a bad thing." Another pause. "Anyone care to join me?"
"She has?" Well, that's a good thing. Sort of. "I'll come, sure." He may not be the best hunter in the world, but at least he can be of some assistance. Orbs shift towards Safihi. "Would you like to come?" Oo. Sarcasm is deeply hidden - indeed, he sounds sincere. But to anyone who really knows him ... it's present.
A slight chuckle comes from Safihi's maw, recognizing Mguuyasiku's sincerity as nothing more than a thin mask he wears with some pride, at least around her anyway. The lioness directs her gaze to the duo for the first time, glancing over Sharifa almost as if she was as thin as air, but landing on Mguuyasiku with her dead-set stare, a low twinkle hiding deep within. Should she play the game? He seems willing, doesn't he. "Of course, Mguuyasiku. I'd be .. happy to." A delicate smile curls her lips as she rises from the grass, tail seething behind her, coiling and uncoiling with an impatient rage that bubbles underneath the surface. Let the games begin!!
Sharifa eyes the lioness, her face showing a moment of distrust. But its gone quickly-- she's ignoring her first instinct again-- and smiles, truely sincere. "Alright, then! What she go for?" her tail twitches, as well, in excitement. Maybe she won't half to eat anymore rodent-like animals for the rest of the day.
A shadow passes the lions overhead and, sure enough, spiraling down from the sky comes a bird of black, a raven. And since the grasslands lack any nearby trees to perch on, the corvid swoops down and lands on Mguuyasiku's head, probably not giving a hoot about how undignified he may look with a bird using him as a roost. Kizee folds her wings, turning her own beaked head to one side, giving the two other leonines a look over with a single dark, twinkling eye -- "Well," she of the feathered variety caws, "Isn't this just a delightful little reunion, no?" Her gaze lands on Safihi, what seems to be an amused sparkle in the optic pinned on the elder lioness.
This ought to be interesting. Hmm. Tail curls vaguely, almost as if he were amused -- and brows fall back, muzzle pursuing a smile. "Wildebeast, tssessebe, gazelle - your pick, Shari'. As long as it's edible, I'm easy with anything. Who wants to take what role? I doubt I'm the fastest, and with my mane, I doubt I can stay hidden as well as you two can." Bah. Evil thing. Waaaaait - was that a familiar voice? It is. Right on his head, too. Corner of his muzzle twitches again. "Pleased to see you too, Kizee," He responds, sweetly.
A slight blink is given as the raven swoops down and easily makes itself at home on Mguu's head. Safihi stares a moment, recalling that bird from a previous encounter a few moons back, but really not caring in the slightest, save an inward chuckle regarding Mguuyasiku's choice in .. hats. Shrugging slightly, Safihi turns to Sharifa, her maw drawing her lips into a vague resemblance of a sweet, caring smile. "Whatever you care for, Sharifa. It's your hunt, you lead, you choose." Ah .. simple enough. Let the young, fit child work for you, and gorge on the result. A very promising thought indeed.
Sharifa hmms. She looks over the herds out in the grasslands again. Which one had the most members? Were there any stragglers? She goes for the closet herd. "Wildebeest sounds good to me. How should we go about this? I could pick one out." Her grin turns sour. "I have no problem separating an animal from the herd, but actually catching one is another story." shrugging, she trots a few steps to the right, eye bright eyes focused. "Hmm. I think I see potential."
"Eh?" Kizee peers down at her perch's face, "Oh, it's you. Well, somehow I doubt you really are pleased to see me. No need to pretend to be nice, y'know." The bird glances over at the younger of the two lionesses, "Ooo. We're going hunting? Sounds fun." /We/? "I hear wildebeest are in this season. Sink or drown, anyways. Y'know what I mean?" Actually, she really isn't making any sense, but that's Kizee for you.
"Wildebeast sounds fine." He says it as if it's normal to have a raven on one's head -- as if Kizee weren't there. Ohdear. "I never says I wasn't," He adds, a bit sulkily, under his breath, at the black-feathered bird. Blink. 'We're' going hunting? "You can go for the eyes," He suggests, at that, before moving a step or two forwards, speaking now to the two lionesses. "Alright - Shari', you wanna chase the wildebeast in our direction? 'Fihi and I will be lying in wait." He doesn't bother to conceal his presence to the prey-beasts in the distance -- typically, such creatures ignore leonines when not hunting.
Sharifa eyes the bird from the corner of her eye, fighting the urge to grin. Her eyes are soon on the herd again, however. Falling into a hunting stance and mindset, she murmurs to the other lions, "Move about seven paces to the left, please.." and is gone into the grasses. Mwahaha.
"Of course. You're the youngest and probably fastest, Sharifa," Safihi replies, oddly taking Mguuyasiku's side on the matter, but it actually makes sense in the hunting scheme. However, he could possibly have something on his mind if he voluntarily would walk that way and lay in wait with her. Hmm. "We'll be in that area to the near side of the heard," she directs, pointing with her nose, "Drive the beast you pick in that direction." However, she trails off as Sharifa slinks away, acting .. odd. Hmm. However, 'Fihi's fake smile doesn't wain, attention moving to Mguu', her eyes still portraying unamusement.
The raven tilts her head to one side, blinking once, "Go for the eeeeyyyyeees? No, no, that's the best part. You and your mother can share the eyes. I'll take the liver. No one wants the liver, nah." Despite the liver being one of the most fought over parts of a kill.. *cough* Anyway.. Even though she's aware to the fact that Mguuyasiku will soon be attacking a wildebeast, the bird remains perched on the lion's head.
"I'm happy that you're thinking about our health," Mguu' offers up to Kizee, but takes no notice of her thereafter. If she wants to stay in one piece, she'll get off when he gets going. Or, he hopes so, anyways. "C'mon, momma." It's as if the rest of his life never happened; or perhaps he's just playing along in this farce, moving off to the side as directed by Sharifa, and shifting down into a comfortable crouching position in wait.
Sharifa slowly prowls towards the right of the herd, nearly crawling, claws unsheathed, feeling the ground. She gets in position, only about fifteen yards from the end of the herd. Situating herself into a ready position, she tries to spot the other leonines. Well, they're just going to have to hurry up if they aren't ready, here goes..
Bubwi the Wildebeest munches happily upon his grass. Life couldn't be better. Good food and drink, good company, good friends. Not to mention a couple of good potential mates, but he's get to that soon enough. As he grazes happily, oblivious to everyone as he gorges, he has wandered to the edge of the herd. Realizing such, he raises his head; some of the other herd mates were getting antsy. Something was up, they said. Bubwi chuckles, about to put his head back to the grass, when there is a rustle to his right.. what's this? The wildebeest's eyes go wide as a dark-pawed leonine with dangerously predatory eyes comes bounding in his direction! He turns tail and runs away from the herd, not knowing that the two other leonines lay in wait.. poor Bubwi.
"Of course, dear," Safihi replies, her last word dripping with honey-coated spite. She moves easily enough into the grass, sinking low and lying in wait, a yard or so distant from Mguuyasiku. She says nothing else, but looks to him for a moment before returning her gaze out to the herd, watching the area in which Sharifa disappeared into.
"..krrk," Kizee makes no move to leave her roost on Mguuyasiku's head. Nope. Actually, having lost interest in the 'hunt', the bird has spread out one wing, head craned around, and is preening the glossy black feathers of it. Her claws, though, are holding tightly onto the lion's mane, so to her this is probably just going to be an equivalent to a roller coaster ride.
Sharifa runs as fast as her long legs and take her, teeth bared as she speeds after the wildebeest. Hahaha! What fun. As the rest of the herd runs away from her and her prey, she keeps to the animal's right, to keep it from rejoining his friends. The lioness continues to adjust her position to keep the wildebeest heading left, left, left.. until he heads into area to just the right of the waiting predators.
Ah. What a wonderful mother-son relationship, isn't it? You wouldn't think anything was wrong. He watches as Sharifa stalks and subsequently startles Bubwi the wildebeast - and lays in calm wait. It's not worth it to rush out too soon and then have to chase the silly thing across the entire valley. He only gives his mother a glance - with a wry uplifing of brows and smile - but it's fake. Or a good deal of it, anyways. He can never forgive her for some things; he's as stubborn as she is. He's pretty much left Kizee to his own devices, although he gets partially worried as the wildebeast starts coming up. Does he actually ... gasp ... care about the raven's safety? Of course not! Really ... he doesn't ... ahem. Okay, so maybe a little. Legs join out from under him, and he shoots off after the wildebeast, aiming for the side.
Cold silence, that's all she offers. A beautiful life, made in heaven just for them, it seems ... Right. They'll never forgive each other and they'll never forgive themselves either. This whole situation is just an elaborate costume game of smiling masks and happy voice-overs. And so, as the herd scatters and Sharifa closes in on the fortunate Bubwi, Safihi readies her sore body, bunching her muscles and waiting to spring. Split second timing, only a moment after Mguu' leaps into action, so to does she, crossing Bubwi's path and heading almost directly towards him, cutting off his forward momentum trapping him on three sides.
Kizee doesn't squack in alarm, she doesn't fall off nor get hurt in some way. The moment Mguuyasiku sprung at the wildebeast, the corvid had thrown herself down flat on the lion's head, claws clinging to his mane for dear life, wings spread out halfway just in case she needs to make an emergency escape. It truly is only a ride akin to something at an amusement park for the raven.
Sharifa nearly collides with the wildebeest's backside. Skittering to a halt, claws digging into the dirt, stopping for only a moment. Then she makes a somewhat clumsy pounce at the animal's backside, but digs her claws into his rear right side of the animal, climbing up his side, grabbing his skin in her teeth.. and then spot's Mguu. Or, rather, Mguu's hat. He eyes bulge, and nearly is bucked off at the moment's distraction. However, she stays on and bites. And bites.
Ohdear. Kizee must be getting fairly wind-swept up there. But Mguu' is concentrating on the kill right now -- one stupid move and he could be in serious danger. He grasps ahold of the creature's side, claws hanging on. It's mere weight that he's using, not tactics; he's too bulky, as are all male lions, to do anything but in a kill such as this. Jaw opens, to grasp the withers of the wildebeast, in an attempt to wear it down.
Having planned to slightly over run the beast, Safihi doubles back a few paces as Sharifa and Mguu' grab hold of him. As Bubwi's head turns in meek attempts to ward off Mguu's grasp, his attention is off Safihi and her perfect time comes. However tired she may be (all though her exertion was that great, but she's not what she used to be), the half'n'half lunges upward for his throat. Poor Bubwi. Wrapping her forelegs 'round his neck, she locks her jaws upon his neck, pulling with the weight of her body in attempts to drag him down. Aww. Sorry folks, but that's life.
Bubwi now accepts his fate. Up to the great Grasslands in the Sky, where the water is always clear and the grass is always tender. Where his kina traipse around for all of eternity. Goodbye, dear herd.. I shall see you again, one day..
Bubwi falls over and dies.
Sharifa scrambles out of the way of the falling wildebeest, letting go, but jumping back onto his body, breaking a rib and sinking her claws into his flesh. She sinks her teeth into his tender side, as well. Breakfast is served.
Watching it all from a less than bird's eye view, since she is clinging to Mguuyasiku's head, Kizee .. well, watches. It's interesting to see something from the vantage point of a lion. When the wildebeast goes down, the bird stands up again on her perch, folding her wings neatly against her sides and crowing, "That was fun! I should tag along on hunts more often."
It takes a few moments for the dust to fully settle - but Mguu's already eating away at the shoulder area before it does. He eyes Kizee for a moment as she speaks, brows lifting fainty; but he doesn't say anything. She's still in one piece, that's all that counts. Er ... wait ... shouldn't he be saying 'drat'? Ah, well. n.- But he soon resumes eating; it's much too good of a meal to waste, and the vultures will get here soon enough for their 'fair' share.
From a distance, she can make out the blurred bodies of several other leonines, and eventually Vivi reaches them, casting a wary and wondering eye around as she takes a seat along the sidelines. Ebon-brushed ears spur forward, and the lioness squints through her long lashes - the hunt seems to be coming to a close. Having little better to do, Vivi pries herself to distinguish the faces of those involved. Only one proves even vaguely familiar. Sad. She'd like to get to know this pride better. They all seem on good terms with each other, the lands - to her current knowledge - are safe and quiet, and anything's preferable to spending life constantly on your own. Heck if anyone knows where Sizi is .. Vivi hasn't seen her for weeks. Weeks upon weeks. And .. upon weeks. Exhaling a little sigh for that matter, the cocoa female continues to watch the goings-on from her place, gaze momentarily drawing to the bird alighting on the king's brow. Sigh. Makes her think of Tafsiri.
As Bubwi falls, so to does Safihi. With a marvelous and graceful thud, the two falls to the grass, Bubwi gone and Safihi landing heavily upon her shoulder. Ow. Pain shoots up and down her leg, the throbbing sensation great on her left side, heavily sucking for air from her exertion and the fact that half of her reserves were just pushed from her lungs. Again, ow. However, not one to show weakness, Safihi grits it out, however much it hurts, letting go of the beasts neck and moving closer to where Sharifa makes her table, slowly tearing at the stomach with her teeth. Eyes clenched and trying to contain a grimace, Safihi leans to her right, greatly favoring her left shoulder as she feeds.
Sharifa is munching several minutes, in a semi-bloodlust state before looking at her breakfast companions. She does notice Safihi's favoring, but says nothing; the lioness doesn't seem to be the type who cares for her wounds to be noticed. Her eyes wander to Mguu, who is still wearing that silly bird-hat, and then to Vivi.. the lioness in the distance. An eyebrow raises, and so does her head, with a mouthful of meat. "Whrs--" she chews, and swallows, then tries again. "Who's that?"
Like Tafsiri, only much stranger. Trust me on that. The bird says no more and, being a carrion bird herself, though she does consider herself to be more dignified than a vulture, mind, hops off of Mguu's head and onto the carcass, ripping bits of meat out of the part ripped open by the lion king. She dodges about gracefully, avoiding the leonine's big head as well as his teeth while doing so.. A free meal, who'd pass on that?
Mm. Food in his stomach. It's a good thing. If Kizee wants her share of the kill - if she even /gets/ a share - she'll come down to eat. He's too busy to notice his mother's pain, and it's unlikely that he would say anything, at any rate. He's insensitive to her. At Sharifa's question, he glances upwards, ready to defend the kill from the two rogues - or Akeeto - but, instead, it's a semi-familiar face. Blink. He knows her; sort of. Name, Mguu', a name. V-something-or-other ... grah. His memory was never too good. "Hey," He calls out, briefly.
Ears twist, and eyes refocus, expression lifting lightly as though she'd just noticed them all. Readily, the lioness issues a polite reply through her large and toothy smile, strangely unfitting to her. She's trying to make an impression .. a good one .. and has no sibling or translating bird to help her. "Jam- .. Hello," V-something-or-other greets, nodding her head and trying too hard not to glance at their kill. She's quite experienced in hunting, but just hasn't gotten around to it lately.