[Request] Freedom OC Pride

[Zoketi]

Vitani slunk past him, tail dragging. She bent to lap at the water, feeling slightly soothed by the refreshing coldness. She licked her muzzle and raised her head, ears flicking. She tilted her head and itched her ear with a hind paw, then shook her fur and glanced up at the sky. Her ears perked suddenly at a faint rustle in the bushes.

[zorayda]

[I am SOOOO sorry, guys! First my computer was out of commission, then life caught up to me... I'm really sorry for being so late, but I promise to continue this RP! I shall post a new reply sometime tonight. Really, truly sorry for the wait D:]

[Zoketi]

[That's ok! I'm glad you informed me. ^.^]

[zorayda]

Aiko shuffled his paws a bit as he rested his head on Zorayda’s shoulders, comfortable with this closeness since they had been friends for so long, and because the nights in the savannah could get extremely chilly. He stole a few glances at the peacefully sleeping Mwanga, noting how very vulnerable and insecure Shomari seemed to be as he hid his face and stayed close to his partner, eyes wary. Yawning, Aiko finally closed his eyes, ears twitching in contentment as he drifted into slumber.



Eeve wanted to giggle at the hyena’s sudden wariness of her, his leg stopping mid-scratch, but she refrained from it, knowing it might offend him. They hadn’t said much to each other, but already, Eeve could surmise a few things about this particular hyena’s personality.

He was selfish, but would share or think of others begrudgingly if he had to, showing that he at least had SOME knowledge of right and wrong. He was cautious and experienced, and fairly smart, seeing as he kept a safe distance from her but used her presence as a slight deterrent from predators. He was also socially stunted, in a way—he seemed very grumpy and unlikable. Eeve thought that that last part could be wrong, though, since he’d only been afraid of either being attacked or losing his precious food supply.

“My name is Eeve,” she finally said, her voice a little stronger than before but still quiet and scratchy. She figured she wouldn’t mention the fact that he’d helped her again, and stopped herself from thanking him once more. Such statements would probably irritate him, she thought shrewdly as he lay down to rest.

[Zoketi]

Mwanga's paws twitched as she dreamed, a faint rippling of her tail disturbed the grass. She snuffled softly and drew her paw close to her nose, eyelids flickering. Shomari raised his head, at last letting his gaze drift instead of hiding. He turned to look across the gently waving grass, relaxing slightly now that Aiko and Zorrayda were asleep. He gaze flicked down at the chirping of a cricket near his paw, then went back to staring across the savannah. His orange eyes didn't even droop with tiredness, and he simply watched endlessly. His foster mother might easily trust, but not him. He would always be on the alert. Besides, he wasn't at all tired like the others.


Drune perked his large, dark colored ears as she spoke softly. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of surprise that she had decided to try and converse with him. He liked her nerve. His eyes brightened slightly and he relaxed his paws, tucking in his claws slightly and feeling the tensions vanish. She seemed very determined, a trait that he appreciated.

"I speak truthfully when I say I'm pleased to meet you." He answered, his voice less of a growl than usual. His icy gaze regarded her with a mild interest now. "My name is Drune." He added, giving a gentle flick of his black-tipped tail.

He wondered slightly if she would leave soon, and for a moment almost wished she wouldn't. It was nice to have someone else to talk to, not another sneering, always-joking hyena to bother him. He wondered why he thought so, for it was weird enough for him to be simply conversing with a lioness.

[zorayda]

The moon was high when Zorayda's eyes flickered open. Lions didn't stay asleep for long periods at a time, instead 'cat-napping' most of the time and sleeping lightly enough to remain alert to dangers in the savannah. This time, though, it was because Aiko had shifted next to her. The dark lioness was surprised to see that, across the way, Shomari was still awake and looking alert next to his friend.

Tilting her head curiously, she whispered his name to get his attention.

"Hey, Shomari, you can sleep for a few hours now if you want. I'll take a turn keeping watch if it makes you feel more comfortable," Zorayda offered. She knew how it felt to lack proper sleep...




Eeve was taken aback by the hyena's answer, not even expecting him to grace her with an introduction. Then again, you couldn't always judge a hornbill by his feathers... she smiled slightly, her eyes crinkling in genuine pleasure and glowing in the faint moonlight. She allowed a few moments of silence to pass before speaking again, cautiously so as to keep this interesting canine from becoming angry with her.

"Are you a part of a hyena pack?" she asked, voicing aloud the question she'd been wondering since she'd woken up. "I only ask because I don't see any others around..." Eeve added, ears folding back. "And also because I don't have a pride anymore," she mumbled to herself under her breath.

[Zoketi]

Shomari felt the grass rustled nearby, and his head swung around. He met Zorayda's gaze, slightly ashamed of having imagined of danger as his first thought. He flicked his ears nervously as the lioness spoke, and his tail quivered.

"A-alright." He murmured in reply, almost surprised that he had spoken. Maybe it was easier when there was only one other creature watching him. He felt himself relax visibly, and then put his head down. He let out a quiet sigh, and his eyelids drooped. He realized how tired he was, and felt the tug of slumber gently pull him under.


Drune blinked at Eeve, feeling touched by her genuine smile. No one had smiled so sweetly at him. He didn't smile back, but his eyes almost smiled in their own way. He felt pleased by her positive response, and felt somewhat relaxed near her. How strange.

His ears perked again as she spoke again. "Yes...I do." He replied, feeling almost guilty about telling her. But what could she do? He shifted his paws and his icy gaze flicked to the stars above. "They are far from here though, I decided to spend some time alone." He murmured, watching the inky-black sky.

[zorayda]

Zorayda smiled encouragingly at Shomari as he fell into an uneasy sleep, her lips twitching as she fought a huge grin coming to her face. The lion really was just like a cub, hiding behind its mother's leg. Only the 'mother' here was Mwanga. Stretching and blinking the blurry tiredness from her eyes (even though it was only her left that could see) and got to her paws, walking a little ways from the group to ensure their restful sleep and to keep a lookout for predators. She stayed until sunrise, yawning all the while.




Eeve's ears perked at Drune's mention of a pack, suddenly nervous. What if they were coming back soon? They wouldn't let a singular, young and injured lioness go. She was sure to get eaten by them... but then he said that he was alone and she visibly relaxed. But what if he's lying? a small voice in the back of her head whispered. Her eyes darted left and right nervously and she licked her lips.

But as the hyena looked up into the dark sky, she realized that she trusted his word. She wasn't sure why, but it seemed like this canine was... different from the others. He let her eat some of his food, first of all, and chose not to kill her when she was vulnerable. He even stayed to talk to a lioness, which was unheard of in a hyena.

Then the things he said sunk into her brain a little more. He chose to leave his pack? What about companionship and protection? A million theories buzzed around in her mind. Tilting her head, brow furrowed, she spoke once more.

"Why did you leave?" she asked, curious. She also absently wondered if he knew how lucky he'd been to have a pack that accepted him into their ranks--a luxury she no longer had as a lone lioness.

[Zoketi]

Drune let his gaze drift back to Eeve, calm and pondering. "I began to get fed up with my packmates, really." He responded, being truthful again. He swished his tail and let out a soft growl, his throat contracted slightly.

He wondered whether she had been jealous of him. He supposed she wished she belonged to a pride--for it was obvious she was alone. He couldn't help but envy her even, for being free. He valued freedom high above some of his other values.

Drune lowered his head, flicking his ears gently. Was it really good to enjoy a lioness's company? He wasn't quite sure it was right...but who set the standards anyway?