[Request] Subconscious Lessons

[Ushujaa]

Jake felt the suns raging hot beams shine down upon him. He opened his eyes slowly, the sun was shining to bright for him to see at first... he rubbed his eyes and opened them again holding his hand above his head.He looked around Where am I?!? he screamed! No one answered

I said... WHERE AM I?!?! he could hear his voice resounding through the canyon he seemed to be in the center of, yet still no answer. He didn't recognize anything around him. There was a solid rock with a small tree that had a few leaves sprouting out of it. This was definitely not the school nurse's office at which he lay down to sleep in. Slowly he got to his feet, everything seemed different. He gazed around his surroundings, the sun was still beaming down on the bare earth below his toes He was much shorter than when he fell asleep. I must be dreaming... there's no way this is real! He heard a voice coming from something behind him.

In a stern tone the Believe me child this is more then just a dream. This voice sounded very familiar to him. You'll find your experiences here to be life changing ones hopefully for the better.

Then it hit him, Nurse Ibaras? he questioned as he turned around to see a fully grown lioness standing in front of him. What the?!?!

The lioness chuckled... no no, i'm known as Sarabi in these lands... and you'll do well to remember that She leaned in close and flashed her teeth at him That is, if you want to survive...

Is that a thre.. He stopped as she stepped closer to him

What child? Care to finish that sentence? i didn't quite catch the end of it She laughed No, no i suppose it's setting in now isn't it, the sense of fear... not knowing what's going to happen, if you're going to live or die... the same feeling you put into all those other kids in that prison of a school. She pounced Jake and pinned him to the ground.

Ar- Are you going to kill me? Jake muttered. Terrified of the answer that would follow

Sarabi smirked Don't think i haven't considered it... but no that would be far to easy. I'm going to teach you a lesson while you're here, a lesson of survival. She let him stand to his feet

Jake sighed with relief Okay, then teach me... otherwise send me home! Jake demanded

Arrogant child! Sarabi growled. No this a lesson one must learn for themselves, but be warned... if you do not learn this lesson you will be stuck at the bottom of the food chain as a meerkat for the rest of your days... Sarabi could see right through Jake's tough guy act, she had dealt with his kind before, but this one could be taught. She knew deep down he could be good and this hope made her decide to give him a chance to learn.

Sarabi smiled down at the fear filled child and pointed down the canyon You're first guide will await you at the end of this canyon, now if you'll excuse me, I've got some catching up to do...

Jake turned his head to look and he couldn't see the end of the canyon. you expect me to walk that? he turned to look back and Sarabi was gone.. This sucks... I better get started... Jake started his way down the seemingly never ending canyon.

[Harvs]

At the other side of the canyon, a contented teen lion slept. His mind slowly drifting through his pleasant memories. Memories of him and his brother racing through this very canyon. Of course, this lion never lost. He was too fast for his brother. The score would always be settled once they wrestled. It was kind of a way to escape from the humdrum of everyday life in the hot Africa sun. When they weren't hunting or running away from other carnivores. Those were the good ol' days. Back before him and his brother split up that is. Still keeping tabs on each other as the days passed without remorse. But something was about to change on this fateful day. Something that neither he, nor his brother could have predicted.

Kasi yawned as he stretched himself awake. He waited a while before struggling to his feet. He had been running all yesterday and laid down here in this canyon to give his paws a break. It was clear now that Kasi's paws needed even more rest. Unless something drastic happened like... a helpless prey walking right past him, he was in no mood to get up and move... Kasi was far too lazy to do anything like that. Not to mention tired. After staying up all night trying to find that warthog that had given him the slip, his paws deserved a break.

He laid back down on the semi-soft dirt. He hoped that today would be different from every other day. Kasi was tired of the same old, same old. Hunting, running, eating, drinking, and sleeping. And then repeat. As Kasi drifted back into his slumber, he prayed to high heavens "Give me something exciting to do today..."

[Ushujaa]

Jake could now see the end of the canyon. He was exhausted, he fell to his knees to rest for a moment. i'm getting closer. He struggled back onto his feet Got to keep moving Jake! He remembered Sarabi's words, Your first guide will await you at the end of this canyon. it echoed through his mind. I wonder who, or what this "guide" will be He found himself talking to himself more and more in an attempt to keep himself sane. He walked for awhile until he found himself at the end of the hellish dirt path in the canyon.

Jake immediately looked for water, any kind of liquid would be a sign from god to him. He searched and searched but to no avail. i'm going to die of thirst... he sighed, wait whats that, out in the distance? He could see what looked to be a green jungle. I might be hallucinating but it's better then dying of thirst in this canyon... He thought.

Jake started to walk towards it when something caught his sight in the corner of his eye. Is that a lion? He turned to run and yelled Oh god! please don't let it catch me He turned over his shoulder to see how close this lion might be gaining. Is that thing, asleep?

Jake walked back towards the lion, being careful not to awaken it. Well, i have dealt with lions before... In truth the only lion Jake had ever encountered was Sarabi and that was a near death experience, to Jake this experience was enough for him to know all he needed to about them.

Jake put his face right up close to the lions and started making funny faces at him, trying to be funny The guys would find this hysterical, me a meerkat taunting this big ol' lion Jake was still immature, he didn't realize just how much he was dancing with death, still the lion stayed in his deep sleep. this is getting boring... Wait a second... This is going to be awesome! Jake attempted to climb onto the back of the lion. Once atop the lion he realized his friends would never believe this story. MAN! If only i had my camera! he shouted in anger. then covered his mouth looking down praying he hadn't awoken the beast...


[OOC: Okay just remember that he is still a human trapped in a meerkat's body, he doesn't realize just how dangerous messing with a lion can be (also please don't kill him because it's supposed to be a more fun toned RP)]

[Harvs]

"Comon' Keto! You can do better than that!" Kasi called from a huge lead he had gotten over the 'Leap of Faith' halfway through the canyon. There was no way Kasi could lose now. Keto was eating his dust yet again. And as crossed the finish line, he rolled on the floor laughing. He had never won by so much before. He had shattered his old record. He couldn't wait to rub it in Keto's face. Where was he anyways? He should have caught up by now. Kasi got up, a small chuckle caught in his throat, as he looked around for Keto. Sure enough, he was still running through the canyon... but he was running away. Kasi was boggled for a moment. He called out "Hey, Keto! Don't be a sore loser!" Suddenly, something, or someone, shouted in Kasi's ear, "If only I had my !"

Kasi awoke from his dream. his eyes slowly creaked open yet again. His pointless attempts at sleep were cursed again. However, his paws felt a bit better. Hmm... that's strange... feels like I put on a few pounds... Kasi thought to himself. With a serious look, he thought again, In my sleep? Kasi felt the small breathing of a creature on his back. He twisted his head as best he could to get a glimpse of the trespasser. His eyes met with Jake's and there was silence. No movement at all. ... A meerkat is standing on me... Kasi thought with an unbelieving tone.

"Why are you standing on me?" Kasi questioned with a bored, mono-toned voice. He didn't expect an answer, he just expected the *Whoosh!* of air from him bolting. Not like Kasi cared about a little distance. He could catch this guy no problem. He would wait and see what this fellow had to say first. Meerkats weren't exactly a filling meal. He would much rather have that warthog from last night. But if this was all he was gonna get for today... why not make it last?

[Ushujaa]

When Jake heard the lion speak he was terrified, he couldn't move a muscle if he wanted to. why do you have to do this stupid stuff Jake? he found himself thinking that all too often.

Jake knew the tough guy act would not work now, he had to find a way to communicate to this lion if he wanted to live through this adventure that Sarabi had put before him. He started to try to talk but the words that came out of his mouth were muttered and for the most part they were incoherent Well umm i... He smiled fearfully at the obviously unamused predator Think Jake, Think...

He slowly stepped off of Kasi's back not trying to make any sudden moves. If he took one wrong step that could be it for him. Once Jake was on the ground in front of Kasi, he tried to talk again, knowing that he couldn't run, he was outmatched and by far too tired. Did you have a nice dream...? He asked, trying to make small talk. No! if he had a good dream you just woke him up from it... change the subject Jake... do it quickly he thought, realizing how stupid he was You just had to ride him didn't you.. you couldn't just make some faces and be gone... No you had to be stupid and ride this huge meat eater...

Jake stood there for a few seconds trying to think of what to say next quickly before Kasi grew bored of him. Well, umm I... Jake dropped to his knees and begged I have a Funny story to tell you... please let me tell it! he pleaded. This was his one chance to explain his situation, and that was only if Kasi would be willing to listen. He was at this grown lion's mercy. It made him think about all the kids he bullied back home, it truly was ironic just how the tables had turned on him, the only difference being... his life was on the line here.

[Harvs]

Kasi rolled over onto his back so he was looking at Jake upside-down. He'd half expected the meerkat to bolt for the hills. What a shock when he was begging Kasi to let him tell a funny story. Kasi was intrigued by his odd attempts at survival at the paws of a carnivore. A small chuckle almost escaped his mouth. But he simply laid on his back watching the terrified creature on his knees trying his best to stay on Kasi's good side.

Kasi rolled back onto his stomach, but he didn't stand because it might have made the meerkat faint from sheer horror. But then again, this could be fun. Kasi loomed right over Jake's head and sniffed him in a menacingly comedic fashion. It's a good thing Kasi wasn't too terribly hungry, because this guy smelled like quite a tasty treat.

Kasi backed away a bit, still laying down and rolled over on his side. "Oh really?" Kasi asked, lightly poking the meal with his right paw. Kasi wasn't trying to be a bully. If he was, then Jake would be in the air, kept up by Kasi's continuous paw swipes. Come to think of it... that sounded like fun. Nah, he would wait and see what this guy really wanted. And then he would have some fun. "That's great. I love to laugh." Kasi half grinned at the meerkat, making sure to not frighten him off with his sharp teeth. He was in no mood to pounce someone who just wanted to tell a story. Especially since it didn't look like he would live if he did.

[Ushujaa]

Shivers ran down Jake's spine as the gigantic predator loomed over him. Jake was still shaking from his unmeasured fear of Kasi Come on now, pull it together Jake! he tried not to make eye contact as Kasi inspected his aroma. Jake stuttered for a few moments, muttering out any sound he could bring himself to make. " O- Oh- Okay... So- So you want to laugh right?" Jake rose from his knees only to be bumped onto his back when Kasi lightly prodded him with his paw. I have to find a way to explain my situation, without setting him off. Jake rubbed the dry fur under his chin attempting to think of a solution. Well here goes nothing.

Jake brought himself to his feet once more "So once upon a time there was a young meerkat walking through that canyon over there..." Jake said dramatically pointing to the dry canyon that lay behind Kasi. "His name was Jack and he came from a land far, far away." Jake said making his voice dramatic as possible.

"Young Jack was not used to the cultures of the area that surrounded him. He walked along the canyon for a little while until he was spotted by a lioness her name was..." Jake was at a loss for words. his mind seemed to have drifted off. He thought he heard a voice resounding throughout his mind. he could hear Sarabi's words over and over again.

and you'll do well to remember that...

"Sarabi!" Jake yelled and looked around for a moment. he hoped that on the off chance the lioness was still watching him, she would come to his rescue.

Seeing no sign of Sarabi he continued his story... "Sarabi confronted the new comer and left him with two choices. Either learn the ways of the land..." Jake paused for a split second "Or take his place in the circle of life!" Jake said, crossing his finger past his neck.

Jake shook his head and kept telling his tale So Sarabi spared this young meerkat for reasons unknown but you see Jack was a slow learner. He continued his way to the end of the canyon where something caught his eye. It was a resting lion, he looked a lot like you. He was slim and fast, yet strong. Jack being a bit of a prankster started to stand atop the lion while he slept. Jake looked up at Kasi finally able to make eye contact.

Jake leaned in closer to the lion standing before him, lowering his voice When the lion awoke he questioned why the meerkat would put himself in danger? Jack simply responded

Jake whispered into Kasi's ear "Because, thats what you do for friends..."

And so ends our story, I hope you enjoyed it but if you'll excuse me i'll be on my way... Jake started to walk away, hoping he wouldn't be killed for doing so.

[Harvs]

Kasi, still laying on his side, listened as the meerkat began his tale. He wore a big smile on his muzzle as the creature went on and on about a far away land, and lionesses, and such. As his story continued, Kasi became suspicious about this story. What was this guy talking about? When he stopped for a moment, Kasi raised one eyebrow and asked "Her name was...?" drawing out the last word.

When the small creature finally found the name he was searching for, and unnecessarily shouted it and looked from side to side, Kasi became even more interested. He remembered that name from somewhere... but where?

He'd have to remember it later as the story was now moving on. As the little morsal demonstrated his death with a single gesture, Kasi started to listen more intently. He rolled over on his stomach to show his increasing interest in the tale.

Kasi gave him a wide eyed look when he mentioned that the meerkat had seen a lion in a canyon, sleeping, and he just happened to look like himself. And the meerkat just happened to do the same thing he did to Kasi, to this other lion. As the story drew to a close, Kasi leaned in to the meerkat as he whispered the last bit of the tale in his ear. Not knowing exactly how to respond, Kasi just pulled away from the small animal and looked at him in a confused tone.

As the meerkat tried to leave, Kasi placed his paw right in his path. "Whoa, whoa, wait up." Kasi said, shaking his head back and forth. Leaning in closer to the mammal, Kasi whispered "Just what are you tryin' to pull here... Jack?"

(Quick little edit here, I thought Ushu was making a mistake on spelling. my bad)

[Ushujaa]

[OOC: Sorry it was a bit short, i'm still getting back into the swing of things ]

Jake tried to run when he heard the lion asking him to stop, he bumped directly into the paw that prevented his escape. Hey, I thought we had a deal! He looked up to see Kasi shaking his head, it was obvious he was not amused. The shimmer of confidence Jake had found to come up with such a story was escaping him, only to be replaced by fear ten fold.

The sun was no longer hanging directly over head, blending colors of the sunset could be seen throughout the entire sky above. The breeze felt nice to Jake compared to the usual dry air of this new world, he couldn't take time to truly enjoy any of it. It seemed this lion was not going to be fooled by Jake's desperate attempt at survival. "who me? Pull something on you? Never!" Jake said as innocently as he could.

Jake was completely out of his witty ideas. He was nervous, desperate and most definitely distressed. Would this be it for him? There was only one thought on Jake's mind.

No!

It appeared Jake had only one chance left and even it was a long shot. Well, they say the truth will set you free. I sure hope whoever came up with that was being serious Jake leaned his back against the paw blockade. I have one more story I could tell you, but if I do tell you it, will you let me go?

[Harvs]

Kasi looked vertically and saw that the sun was about to set. He had been laying here for longer than he thought. All he wanted to do was catch a break and he just dozed off for a long while. Keto would certainly be wondering where he was at this late hour. And as much as Kasi wanted to catch that blasted warthog, he just couldn't stay here any longer. He had to head back to his den.

But just then, another problem surfaced. Little Jack here... what was he to do with him? He was begging Kasi to let him tell another story in return for his release. Kasi placed his paw on the tip of the meerkat's tail and pondered for a moment. What would be the best thing for him to do? Just leave this little morsal out here for a hungry predator. No way. But he couldn't just stay here and listen to another story.

After a moment, Kasi looked back down at Jack, mane covering his right eye, and said "I think you'd better come tell this story to my brother." Kasi turned and looked back toward the direction of his den. No doubt, Keto would be waiting for him to return as soon as possible. And possibly with a meal. But little Jack wasn't on the menu. Kasi would have to protect him from his brother long enough for them to figure out what to do with him. He looked back down at his "prey" and lifted his paw, only to lightly grab hold of his tail again with his teeth. Making sure not to hurt him, Kasi turned back toward his den and started walking with Jack dangling from his mouth. What a day this had been. And it wasn't quite over yet.