Okavango

[blaqknoise]

Basilisk was thirsty and was on his way to the spot he usually went to for getting a drink. upon arriving he noticed that it was more crowded than usual. When he came here he was the only one there, he had never seen anyone else here before. He saw two adolescent lions playing in the water, a cheetah, and a snow leopard with a cub that obviously wasn't hers.

As he approached them, the snow leopard jumped onto the cheetah. After a few moments she backed away and called her cub.

"I doubt that there was any need for that." He told the snow leopard as he walked by.

[xxturaxx]

Tura's ears perked up at the commotion and she glanced over at the cheetah and cub she hadn't spotted before. She seemed to look at her and Tiwaz then look at a large rock. Tura wriggled from beneath Tiwaz and glanced at him, the two caught each others eye and Tura nodded. Together the two pre-teens padded forward. Tiwaz was the first to catch sight of the cause of the commotion, another cheetah "Whoever you are just go away and leave me alone, I was quite happy here by myself before you and that miserable looking cub came charging in destroying my peace and quiet, and if those two other love struck fools are with you, take them as well." Tura listened and the pair snarled at the cheetah before flanking the strange female. "Who are you?" Tura growled, she didn't care if she was intefereing she wanted answers.

Tiwaz listened as Tura demanded an answer, frowning he glanced around for any sign of someone who could harm the two females. Tiwaz listened as the cheetah called for the cub. He padded closer to Tura. "Maybe we should go." He murmured. He then smiled as a rumble was heard from the young cub. "Someone's hungry." He murmured to himself. He gazed at the cheetah, she may be a fit enough female to nurse the cub. "Let's go Tura." Tiwaz murmured. He watched Tura nod and the two retreated a little distance away and watched as another cat appeared on the scene.

[dakota]

Karensha was starting to panic as she looked around, there was no sign of the cub. Hearing a noise from her right her head swung around, and there he was, her breathing slowed down again. A smile graced her muzzle as the little one snuggled into her leg, and at the same time she heard the gurgle from his body reach her ears. It seemed she would have to find some food sooner than later, pausing for a moment she wondered what such a small cub could eat, she definitely couldn't feed him milk, he would just have to learn to eat what she was eating.

About to lower herself down to the ground, Karensha jumped when a voice came from behind her, a different tone from that of the Cheetah.

"I doubt that there was any need for that."

Gathering the cub in her paws, the snow leopard turned and a low growl escaped from her mouth, standing there was a black furred lion with a matted white mane, staring rudely.
" you doubt...you don't know much, I'll do what I please when it comes to looking after myself and Maji, why don't you just move on and do what you think you were going to do"

Turning her back on the lion, she bent down to ..Maji.. it seemed she had called him, and whispered in his ear.
" I hope you like your new name, I got tired of calling you cub, and somehow it seems to fit you..... whenever you speak, you can correct me if you like"

Another noise made her ears twitch and her claws come out, it seemed the lion had friends with him. Swinging back she saw it was the two adolescents from over the other side of the waterhole, had come to investigate what was happening. Instead of being talked to, the female was looking past her, her terse comment directed at the Cheetah still postioned behind the stone.

[Lyonize]

The cub was still wondering what to do about his hunger when footprints interrupted his thoughts. He turned around to see a big, dark male lion. His deep voice penetrated the still air. The cub was stricken with fear even more so than when he had first met Karensha. He ran to her as she swept him closer to her. His breathing became quickened. A growl came from above him but it didn't frighten him because he knew it had come from Karensha. She would keep him safe.

" you doubt...you don't know much, I'll do what I please when it comes to looking after myself and Maji, why don't you just move on and do what you think you were going to do"

Wait. Did she just call him...
Karensha whispered down to him.

" I hope you like your new name, I got tired of calling you cub, and somehow it seems to fit you..... whenever you speak, you can correct me if you like"

Yes. She had called him by the same name his mother called him. Was it merely by coincidence or was it because she named him after the same thing his mother had because of his eyes? Majis eyes were a rare type of turquoise, cyan blue that reminded his mother of the water the way it got lighter the further away from his pupils. It reminded everyone of the water. Which is what his name meant. Everything about him reminded his mother of the water when he was still healthy.
He nuzzled Karenshas leg slightly in response.

Then the two other lions appeared on the scene. They were on the border of being adolescents so Maji wasn't as scared of them. But the dark lion was still there. Maji waited for something to happen.

[blaqknoise]

" you doubt...you don't know much, I'll do what I please when it comes to looking after myself and Maji, why don't you just move on and do what you think you were going to do"

He laughed a little a her words as they reached his ears.

"Oh? So I'm assuming that attacking the resting cheetah was a matter of life or death for you and your cub?"

He looked at the water and then back at the snow leopard.

"Oh no! That water might drown everyone!" Basilisk shouted sarcastically, "I'm going to go drink some of it before it drowns us all!"

He laughed loudly at his own joke as he looked down at the cub beside her.

Seeing the fear in the cubs face, he used a softer voice as he spoke to it.

"This isn't your actual mummy, is it?"

[dakota]

Jabari lay there not moving hoping they would all forget about him, he could put up a good fight if needed and indeed win, but for now, the memory of the latest rejection from his last meeting with another feline, lay heavily in his mind.
Hearing all different voices made him curious and he pulled himself forward so the good side of his face could see around his hiding place.

The lions eyes widened when he saw three others standing there as well, his gaze softening as he saw the cub pushing into the snow leopard quivering in fright, trying to hide itself, and then his muzzle twitched at the sarcasm that came forth from the white maned lion.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Karensha stood there protecting Maji, while wondering if there were going to be any more surprises jump out of the bushes, last thing she needed was word getting back over the lands of where she now was, seeing she stood out like a sore thumb, white with purple fluffy tuft, back to those who tried to control her.

Hearing the lion trot something out of his mouth, she turned in time to catch most of his words.
"Oh no! That water might drown everyone, I'm going to go drink some of it before it drowns us all!".

All she did was stare at him, and then slowly her gaze travelled from top of his head to the end of his scraggly tail, and then her gaze met his again.
" well.. don't let us stop you..please, feel free to go drown yourself. make sure you open your mouth wide, be a vast improvement cleaning that out while you are there."

Turning away from him, she leant down and picked up the cub and placed him on her back, so he was semi covered with her thick fluffy tuft.

[xxturaxx]

Tura decided that backing away wasn't the best idea so she nodded toward Tiwaz so they both joined the others again. The young pair sat and glared as the newest member. She growled as he made a joke about the water.
"Your not as funny as you think." Tura snapped standing in front of the female cheetah and cub. Tura then listened to what the female said:

" well.. don't let us stop you..please, feel free to go drown yourself. make sure you open your mouth wide, be a vast improvement cleaning that out while you are there."

Tura consider the words for a moment then her ears perked up. Padding over to the other lion she glanced at the water and dipped her paw in the most shallow bit. Carefully she went to the other lion.
"You don't believe us about the water do you?" She murmured. "I can prove to you that it is quite dangerous." She continued. "Come with me." Tura then padded away from the lion occasionally dipping her paw in the water. Eventually she stopped. "Here she said sitting beside the water. "This is the most shallow bit. Stand in it if you like we can prove it's dangerous." She knew fine well it went quite far up her paw. She glanced at the others and winked, a small smile on her lips.

Tiwaz followed Tura toward the rest of the cats and growled at the same time as Tura. His eye's then widened when Tura padded to the water and started dipping her paws in. He raised a paw to go and stop her but she had stopped herself and was talking to the other lion. Tiwaz watched curiously when Tura spoke to the lion then padded a small distance away. She winked at him and he got her idea quickly. He turned to the cub and female.
"I think that our friend there is going to get what he deserves." He said with a small chuckle.

[blaqknoise]

"Your not as funny as you think."

Basilisk realized that no one had gotten his joke, and he shook his head slightly.

"I hate explaining jokes," Basilisk complained, "It was a reference to what I said to the snow leopard before. The water wasn't a threat, and neither was the cheetah... It's hard to explain, you just have to get it i guess..."

" well.. don't let us stop you..please, feel free to go drown yourself. make sure you open your mouth wide, be a vast improvement cleaning that out while you are there."

"Tsk tsk, now why such a harsh comment?" He asked staring and smiling at the snow leopard, "And in front of the cub too? You're going to teach him be too quick to anger. You must be new to this mothering thing." Basilisk paused for a moment and continued to stare at her, "I see your have a short temper, but really, did I even say anything to offend you? I don't think so."

[Lyonize]

Maji watched as the lion made the odd remarks. One sarcastic comment after another was made back and forth between this lion with a white mane and Karensha. Then the lion looked down at Maji. He moved further back between Karenshas paws. 

"This isn't your actual mummy, is it?"

Maji turned and buried his face in Karenshas fur. He didn't want to look at this big scary lion any more. The other lions talked some more but they didn't say anything that had anything to do with Maji.

He was glad when Karensha picked him up and put him on her back between her shoulders. He was tired of being here. His curiosity made him want to know what else was out there nut he didn't say anything. Karenshas purple tuft was soft. The only other thing that came near to how soft it was was his fathers mane. He was partly covered by the silky fur so he didn't feel too exposed. In the meantime, he began playing with the mauve colored fur, passing his paws through it. 

[dakota]

Jabari lay there amused by all their antics, his glance switching from one to the next, till his eyes rested on the cub, playing with the snow leopards fur. The look on his face mellowed, it had been along time since he had spent time with one so young, his scarred and twisted face had put paid to anything accepting him with normality.
Edging forward a little bit more, he wanted to see what the adolscents where upto, he wasn't sure he liked the sound of the females sneaky voice and what she was thinking about.
"I think that our friend there is going to get what he deserves


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Karensha wasn't sure why this lion set her teeth on edge, she had met plenty that were the likes of him while growing up, and soon put paid to their nonsense, but his one.. he was...different and it was annoying her greatly not knowing why.

After placing Maji on her back out of harms way, she turned to see where the young lioness and her friend had gone to when she heard the lion speak to her again.
You must be new to this mothering thing..You're going to teach him be too quick to anger"

Padding over to him so he was closer, she met his eyes, keeping her expression blank.
"whatever I am, is no concern of yours... and hadn't you better answer your fans over there, it seems they are most willing to show you...things."

Backing away from him, her paws dragged the dirt along the ground as well, all she was concerned about was putting space between them, she made the mistake of staring into his brown eyes, seemed there was kindness and something else she couldn't put a paw on lurking there. Still moving she knew the rock was directly there, so moved over to her left then gasped when she tripped connecting with something warm and furry, and fell over onto her rump.

[blaqknoise]

Basilisk was amused at how much he annoyed this snow leopard. Usually people would only get annoyed after a longer conversation, or when he said something to offend them.

"whatever I am, is no concern of yours... and hadn't you better answer your fans over there, it seems they are most willing to show you...things."

He watched as she slowly backed away from him. She didn't pick up her feet, she just dragged them along the dirt. She stared at him, like she thought he would do something if she turned around. She then tripped over something and fell backward. Basilisk walked over and stood over her.

"Well at least answer me this: are you indeed new to this mothering thing, like I assume you are? And if so, do you even have a plan of action for how you are going to take care of him?"

He backed away and started to walk towards the water so he could get a drink.

"And please, do watch your step next time" He told her as he looked back.

[Lyonize]

Maji, still on Karenshas back hid behind her head as she walked away from the lion with the white mane. He would stay crouched there until he was sure the lion couldn't see him any more. There was a soft thumping sound as Maji kept his head low on Karenshas back and he realized it was her heartbeat. It was a soothing sound. He was about to look up over Karenshas tuft of soft fur to see if they were far enough away from the male lion but was suddenly jolted off her back as she fell.

Maji tumbled head over heels until he was upright on his tummy. He groaned a little as he lifted his head and opened his eyes one at a time. The little cub found himself staring right into a pair of deep blue eyes. At first he thought it was Karensha but he remembered that Karensha had mauve eyes. He scrambled to his feet and backed away until his back was up against Karensha. But his eyes never left the ones that stared back at him.

It was a cheetah. That must have been what was behind the foliage that Karensha went behind. His face was disfigured on one side but Maji didn't notice. He was too focused on the cheetahs blue eyes. Majis heart raced as he felt a bit of fear mixed with curiosity.

[xxturaxx]

Tura shrugged slightly the cheetah was obviously smarter then he looked. Shrugging again Tura bounded back to Tiwaz. Swiftly she perched herself beside him and sighed. "I'm soo bored Ti, let's play a game." She whined. She glanced at Tiwaz who nodded before turning to her. "Tag." He said, hastily he got up and bounded away. Tura then got to her paws and darted after him.

Tiwaz perked his ears up as he heard her approach. With speed he pushed himself to run faster. He then skid to a halt as he was greeted bby a thick wall of tree's Silently he crept into a trunk and curled up his head and nose poking out so he'd be able to see Tura when she approached.

Tura padded to the edge of the forest slowly and lowered her gaze to the tree Tiwaz was hidden in. She had just enough time to catch a glint of white. Swiftly she went up to him, "Tag." She murmured. Tura then sat and waited for Tiwaz a short distance away.

[dakota]

"Well at least answer me this: are you indeed new to this mothering thing, like I assume you are? And if so, do you even have a plan of action for how you are going to take care of him?"

karensha was still in surprise that she was sitting on her rump on the dusty ground not sure what she had tripped over, and then looking up her gaze focused on the lion who was standing right in front of her again, waiting for a response to his question.

Blushing slightly, the snow leopard didn't think she had shown she was that inept at looking after Maji, after all they had all only just met, she was sure no one had been spying on her. Not sure what to say, as it was so obvious to all that there was no way herself and the cub were related, so she hesitated before replying.
" Yes.. I'm new at this mothering thing, I wasn't going to leave him alone when I found him, that was too cruel. I've seen enough death in my life already, and I wasn't going to contribute to any more. And...and.. I don't have any action plans, it'll come to me...I think."

As she finished speaking the lion turned his back and headed to the water where the two adolescents were only moments ago, blinking quickly she looked around but they had seemed to have vanished. Shrugging her shoulders quickly, she then turned her attention as to why she was still on her rump.
Realising that she had knocked the cub off her back when stumbling, she could feel him pressing against her. Lowering her head down so she was leaning over him, automatically she started to lick his head, hoping it would reassure him, all was well.
Karensha's head stilled and slowly she followed the path of where Maji's eyes were staring, her own connecting as well. Not saying anything, she made herself calm and in control, it seemed she had finally found herself in close proximity to the Cheetah once more. Blue eyes returned her look, and then her gaze fell down to the side of his face that he was trying to turn away. Sympathy filled her when she saw what he was trying to do, but also interest at how he had come to be. Her first instinct was to reach for Maji and place him on her back, but the cub wasn't scared and it seemed was equally interested in the Cheetah, so she remained where she was, each staring at the other.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Jabari wasn't sure what had happened, one moment he was watching and listening to what was happening, finding great amusment in the byplay, and then paws had hit him in the head making him wince, someone had sharp claws it seemed, and now that someone was staring at him. Not sure what to do, he couldn't find the right words to say anything, usually when others had crossed his path he was instantly rebuffed and they recoiled at his presence... whereas this was unusal.
Opening and closing his mouth a few times, he then realised another pair of eyes were staring his way as well, it was the cub. What he couldn't figure out was why both of them weren't repelled by how he looked, why weren't they backing away in disgust... that was how things worked.

Jabari took a large breath, and then pushed himself to his paws and moved out into the open, where the others could see him as well, if they so wished and sat down, waiting for it to all begin. By now he would have his claws unsheathed, ready for a fight that normally came, but the cub for some reason made his actions the opposite.

[Kirsui]

((OOC: I suppose I could jump in. ))


The gazelle had no idea what would be its fate soon enough. It was grazing there with its herd, its fawn close by, jumping and enjoying the day. The fawn would be such an easy target...

But Sera wanted more. She wanted the fawn's mother, who would be a whole lot better catch.

The young feline wasn't all too hungry, and she was now hunting more for the excitement of the chase rather than feeding. She was crouched low at the tall grass, her belly almost touching the ground. Her paws made no sound at all when she approached the unsuspecting herd, her light purple eyes locked on the mother gazelle. Just a few more steps...

She pounced and ran, gaining speed fast as she chased the gazelles. The sunlight lit up her dark brown fur, and the herd scattered all around. Sneaking up close had been useful, for had she not done so she surely would not have any chance of bringing down her desired prey.

But she did now, and soon enough she leaped and sunk her claws and teeth to the gazelle she had been after. Her weight brought both of them down, and they rolled at the ground until they came to a halt. Her hold had been firm, and the gazelle had no chance of escape.

Sera let her hold go, and gazed around fully alert. She grinned while she did so, and flicked her black fringe away from her eyes. Now that she had stopped one could clearly see the light golden spots on her fur, and that perhaps this feline wasn't quite what she looked like at first.

Sera tilted her head and narrowed her eyes. She was certain that she could hear voices from nearby. Her level of alertness grew, for she was certain that the sound of a chase had reached who ever it was out there. She half climbed on her catch so that her front paws were on the gazelle's side while her hind paws were still firmly at the ground. And she listened, gazing at the direction of the voices, and prepared to either race off if there would be a pride of lions wanting her catch, or to defend herself and her prey if they would seem weaker than her.

[blaqknoise]

" Yes.. I'm new at this mothering thing, I wasn't going to leave him alone when I found him, that was too cruel. I've seen enough death in my life already, and I wasn't going to contribute to any more. And...and.. I don't have any action plans, it'll come to me...I think."

"That's what I thought." Basilisk said as he walked back. "Why don't you try finding his actual mom for starters then, hmm? That should have been quite obvious though, I would think."

Basilisk walked over to the cub, again talking in a softer voice,

"Where is your real mother little one? Did you run off without letting her know?"

[dakota]

posting for DJ ~

The cub stood there staring at the cheetah, his eyes hadn't looked anywhere else except for the bright blue ones that held his complete attention. He didn't know why, but they drew him, all he wanted was to get closer.
About to lift his paw, a deep voice interupted him, breaking his concentration, his gaze fell from the Cheetah to where the lion stood before him.
"Where is your real mother little one? Did you run off without letting her know?"

Maji knew there was nothing to be afraid of, Karensha would protect him, but still he backed back against her fur, and let his head hang down.

[dakota]

Karensha still wasn't sure what to do, when the Cheetah moved from his hiding place and stood out in the open for the others to see. She could feel the cub press back against her, seeking comfort, but other than that, everyone continued staring at each other.

Snapping her gaze away from him, when she heard the lions question aimed at Maji once more, she turned her head focusing on the black furred feline.
"Why do you have to keep asking question after question about him, can't you see he can't/wont answer you, sheesh... give us a break will you."

Looking over his shoulder, Karensha couldnt see the two adolescents any more, it seemed it was just the four of them left. Letting a sigh slide through her muzzle her gaze settled on his brown eyes.
"ok..your turn seeing you love questions so much. What's your name, why are you here, why are you alone and why havent you had a bath and washed your mane...it looks..well..strange."

[blaqknoise]

"Why do you have to keep asking question after question about him, can't you see he can't/wont answer you, sheesh... give us a break will you."

"So two questions is too much? Don't you think knowing what happened to his mom might be at least a little bit beneficial?"

"ok..your turn seeing you love questions so much. What's your name, why are you here, why are you alone and why haven't you had a bath and washed your mane...it looks..well..strange."

"Well, my name is Basilisk, I'm here to get a drink. I am alone because I'm not currently traveling with anyone else, and as for my mane, yes, I do wash it. Once the mane gets like this it's practically impossible to get it back the way it was. It may look strange to you, but to me it's unique."

He sat down and grabbed on of the dreds and stared at it for a second.

"I think it's your turn now. What is your name and what are you doing here. And can you ask the cub my previous question? I'm pretty sure he will respond to you."

[dakota]

Jabari stood there not moving a muscle, he was ready to fight if need be, a female protecting her young wasn't a very pretty sight, he wasnt about to welcome any more pain inflicted upon his body, he could knock her out with one blow to the head if need be, but for now he held his ground.

As he stood there, his gaze moved from the cub and snow leopard over to the lion who was now making his way back to where they all stood. The way he carried himself didn't suggest hostility, in fact Jabari wasn't sure he even registered the fact that he was there out in the open, his gaze seemed to be centered on the female with the fluffy lilac tuft sheltering the little cub.

Letting his front paws slide down and then his body following suit, Jabari found himself even closer to the cub, which meant he was closer to the female as well. Staying silent his ears twitched when the two adults threw words back and forth at each other, it seemed they had rubbed each other up the wrong way within such a short time, he tried not to let his whiskers twitch in amusement as he listened.