The Forest Guide

[tahayari]

Heavy breathing pulsed from the chest of the undersized young lion, making his grey coat quiver and his tongue ripple with panting. He perched on a rather thick, knobbly root that arched above the ground, his claws digging into the tree's bark. Terror--sheer, cold terror, was pouring from him. His fear-scent was overpowering. Yet there was nothing chasing him. Nothing prowling about, waiting to sink claws into his flesh. At least not yet, there was. But he held the expression of one about to be pounced upon by an enemy.

The older cub's mind was blank with fear, all he knew was that this was bad, so very bad. He was here, in this strange, unfamiliar forest, an uncountable distant from his home and his pride. Why, why had he left? It had been one of those stupid, rash decisions that you wish desperately you could undo. But that wasn't possible. He was stuck here, alone, in strange terrain and leaking a fear-scent that could draw numerous predators. Swell.

Shomari was finally beginning to sort out his thoughts. First, he knew, he must stop panicking. Since his arrival under the trees, only a few minutes ago, he had been frozen in a state of shocked despair. Hardly a smart thing to do. The young lion retracted his claws from the tree's root, and took several slow breaths to calm his erratically-beating heart. Good, that was a start. He should probably find some shelter as well, a place to keep safe. Although the trees provided cover from a lot of the elements, they wouldn't protect him from a leopard or some other creature looking for a meal and thinking a young lion cub might do.

So he began to walk. Deeper into the shade of the forest, hoping desperately not o come across anything that wished to take a bite out of him. He was still nervous enough that he felt a mere butterfly could throw him off. Well, maybe if he was attacked he would be able to leap so high in the air from shock that he would land in a tree. Oh goody, terror-based humor. Shomari twitched his tail and continued on moving, trying to watch where his paws were and his surroundings above as well. It was no easy task. The jungle was so different from his homeland, which was straggly bushland and rocky savannahs. It was far more full of...stuff. Plants--trees, vines, thick bushes and ferns. It blocked the sky, and Shomari wasn't quite sure he liked being so closed in. Still, it reminded him of those moments near his mother, hiding beneath her stomach and feeling like he was the safest cub in the world.

How he wished she was still living. Then he wouldn't be here at all. He would be safe and sound in the Steppelands, curled against her. Shomari squeezed his eyes shut to block out the painful memories. He must keep going.

[CrystallineWolf]

Zawadi was out on a walk, just after breakfast, stretching her sore muscles. She had been the one to fetch it of course. And she liked it, being able to help the pride. Truthfully, she felt a bit motherly, making sure the little ones got their fill, while simultaneously making sure they weren't stuffing themselves. Then she had politely excused herself, and began to explore.

It was sort of her hobby. Any free time she had, that couldn't be spent better somewhere else, she spent exploring. She couldn't get lost, after all. Already she had found so much, including tunneling systems, for when she wanted a mouse or two, and nesting hotspots. She had gotten better at climbling trees as the months had passed.

In fact she had also grown a bit too. While she wasn't going to be an adolescent for long while, she was definently a bit taller, and her paws seemed to have gotten bigger. Her tail was a bit longer, and her baby fat was slowly dissipating as well. She could jump farther, higher than she used to. Zawadi was, to her delight, also a bit less clumsy, though she still tripped and rolled and fell. One time, she had even got a fish stuck on her claws and had to eat it off.

Zawadi was suddenly cut short by a strong scent..the smell of fear. Worried, she realized it wasn't her, but someone else. Panic set in. What if it was a cub? They liked to roam around too often, but she had never seen one this far away from the center of the the forest. In fact, she was just along the border of Fox's territory. While she knew the leopard wouldn't nesscisarily hurt a cub, it could still be in trouble all the same.

She raced to follow it, begging her paws not to trip her this time, leaping over roots and ducking branches. She finally came to the source, and was suprized to find it was not one of the current Tawi... instead it was a brownish-grey looking cub, maybe about her age, with a tuft of fluffy dark fur upon his head. Zawadi then had second thoughts. Anyone who wasn't a a part of the forest was somewhat of a danger, even if it was just a young one. Still, the lion looked a bit discomforted, looking around nervously as if something was going to pop out and grab him.

Deciding against her screaming conscious, the hybrid, making sure to walk quietly, went up to the cub and gently said "Hello, my name is Zawadi. Do you need some help?"

[tahayari]

Faint rustling made the cub tense and swing his head around, sniffing frantically for what had caused the noise. Nothing appeared. Maybe he had imagined it. He ought to take some more deep breaths to calm himself. Shomari quivered and inhaled deeply, then nearly choked on the air as a gentle voice slid out from his left. His surprise sent him a foot in the air, landing with a thump in a tangle of legs. Panting, he scrabbled up to his paws and stood still, staring at the creature who had startled him. She was about his height, and definitely a feline. But...was she a lion? A leopard? A cheetah? Shomari blinked, looking her up and down. His fear was forgotten in the surprise and confusion of who had spoken to him. She had stripes! Was she like some sort of cat zebra or something?

Shaking his head, he realized that he might want to respond to her question. Zawadi, she had named herself. He should introduce himself as well. "H-hi...I'm Shomari." He meowed shakily out. His tail twitched and he began to slowly calm. A creature who offered assistance was probably not going to eat him.

"Well...maybe." He continued, glancing hesitantly around at the trees and vines and ferns. He wasn't sure if he ought to tell her his problem. What if she decided to attack him? What if--then Shomari realized he was thinking crazily. She had asked if he needed any help."I don't really know where I am..." He flicked his ears and his eyes returned to Zawadi, bright orange and wide with tension.

Oh, he hoped she could do something. He really didn't want to whine and force her too, but all the same he was desperately wanting someone to guide his paws for the next few steps on the path of life. He didn't want to spend his days wandering alone. It was hard, realizing he didn't have his pride anymore. He had the comfort of no one.

[CrystallineWolf]

Zawadi lets her eyes soften at the other's response to her voice. He was obviously jumpy, and perhaps she shouldn't have snuck up on him, but he might have run away had she made a big entrance. Still, though, they were a bit wary, and her ears slightly tucked down as he looked her head to toe. But he was much too scared to even care, right?

Shomari. What a nice name. She smiled, and watched as he calmed down. What had he just gone through must have been tough. Perhaps he was a runaway, an outcast, like her. Of course she couldn't just blurt out for him to tell her his life story. It would be rude, and she wouldn't want to wind him up any more.

His eyes were bright with a plea for help, the same pleas that Zawadi once held in her own. Only they had gone ignored by others who couldn't tolerate her. She instantly knew what to do.

Kuruka would want to see Shomari before she blatantly invited him into the pride, but it stood tall as the master plan. For now, she could make sure that he got cared for, and that there were no injuries either.

She let her smile grow pleasantly wider. "Well, if I was panicky, and ran a long way, I'd like a refreshment. The river isn't far from here; let's get you a drink and a I'll catch you a snack. Then we could just sit and talk, if you want." Her father had always just sat and talked with her when she got hysterical; usually it was just him for the first few moments, and then she joined in, unable to resisted his upbeat atitude. "Whadda'ya say Shomari?"

[tahayari]

The young lion felt tension rise in him as he waited for her to speak again. What would she do if she didn't help him? He would have to find his own way around, and that could end badly. He had no idea where food or shelter was in this place, and who knew what sort of predators lived here. Shomari's tail tip twitched slightly and he continued to gaze helplessly at Zawadi.

He nearly fell over as she spoke again, and the words made him let out a sigh of relief. He knew it hopeless to pretend to be stronger than he was. That had failed miserably in his old pride. He had always been the weakling, and everyone had known it. He couldn't hide his emotions easily.

He nodded quickly to her, his eyes beginning to glow with hope again. "Oh yes, please." He murmured in addition, and his ears pricked happily. Strange how a couple of sentences could enact such a change in his mood. But they had offered him probably life over probable death, and to any normal creature that was a good thing. Shomari shifted his paws over the ground and blinked at Zawadi.

He waited for her to lead on, a mixture of apprehension and excitement and hope spinning through his mind.

[CrystallineWolf]

"Well, come on then! To the river we go!" She turned, and with a nod of the head, she skipped over a root towards the river. Scratch that... she tripped over it instead, ending flat on her face. Zawadi quickly popped back up again- looking back at Shomari she laughed nervously.

"You might not want to try that..."she stood and slowly started toward the destination. She wondered what sort or fish were out this time of day. Perhaps she could catch one of those crabs along the bottom. They always looked so funny, down in the water, walking sideways. Besides, once they got the river, her old tree was still there, with hole small enough in it's roots for Shomari to squeeze in- just in case they got attacked.

Not that she would tell him that. While the dusty grey cub had calmed down, even to the point if falling down in relief, she had an inkling that he was the sort to get high strung in an area he didn't know. She had felt the same way, somewhat- she was sure everyone in the same situation did- but she knew not to let it get in the way of acting with conduct. Then again... she had completely cowered when she first met Fox... maybe she didn't have a right to say much.

As she strolled along, she briefly wondered where Fox was now, and what Shomari thought of her...though she was beyond the reach of her old pride, some could be of the critical kind.

[tahayari]

{ sorry for my long absence, my family has just moved, and we don't have internet yet in our new house so I have only a few chances to get online every so often. }

Shomari's tail gave an excited wiggle, and he felt his mind collapse somewhat in the muddle of his mixed exhaustion, fear, and relief. It was becoming to much to bear. He decided to just go with the flow and follow this helper, this friend. He sniffed the air and ambled after her, decidedly ignoring her stumble.

"No kidding..." He mewed, blinking concernedly at her. He continued on after Zawadi, making sure to step very carefully over the root. He pondered what other dangers lay in this strange forest, that a mere plant could send you sprawling. It could do real damage if one was running full speed--though Shomari thought that a bad idea in such thick vegetation anyway. He hadn't had to worry about running into trees while in the savannah. He would get used to it, hopefully.

He was beginning to realize how thirsty he was. He was extremely glad that the first thing he had encountered was something that wasn't going to eat him, and even someone who was helping him. He pattered along after the other, tail tip flicking. Although she gave him a slight feeling of protection, he couldn't help but tense at the littlest rustle or snap of twig. In an unfamiliar place, it could be life or death for someone so ignorant. Shomari's ears twitched and he made sure to keep right behind Zawadi.

The scent of water was beginning to creep into his nose, making him prick his ears and hurry his paws. He was eager to lap at the liquid, to soothe his dry throat and wet his tongue and muzzle. In truth, he hadn't had a full drink in over a day, and the thought nearly made him rush ahead and guzzle. But he was far to smart, and to nervous, to do such a thing.

[CrystallineWolf]

Zawadi could sense how scared he was. And to tell the truth, it was a bit uncomfortable how her kept right behind her, but then again, she found that she didn't mind. Shomari was quiet. Quieter than most cubs she had encountered. Would he want to talk? Would she be the one blabbering on and on with no response? If she did, she certainly hoped she could do it right.

When the scent of fresh running water hit her nose, she wanted to rush forward and jump in, feel the fish around her toes. Instead, for Shomari's sake, she kept at a steady pace, until they reached the river bank. Here, the current wasn't raging, but it wasn't static either. It was just right, and clear enough to see your paws. The tree was right there, hollow and empty, and sort of nostalgic. If her father had heard her thoughts, he would've joked that she was growing old too fast. Zawadi splashed in and laughed.

"Come on Shomari!" She called, trying to get him to join her. "The water's nice and cool!" She pranced around a bit to showcase all the fun. Water sprayed up from where she skipped and made her fur wonderfully damp. Oh how she loved water! Dipping her head a bit, the little ligress found herself face-to-face with a reddish-orange colored fish. Otherwise known as the best midday snack ever.

[Daimu]

Since the last time Zawadi had met with Fox, the young leopard has grown much bigger - and so did his needs for food. Having finally reached a remarkable size for a lone hunter, he found hunting much easier and much more rewarding. That did not mean, however, that they became less tiring - quite the opposite. As he has learned the boundaries of his strength, agility and speed, he found himself pushing harder and harder towards them with every hunt. His experience and skill grew at a remarkable rate now - that's how he felt, at least. And he was tired.

With his belly pleasantly full after an exceptionally long race, he got up from the ground. The last thing he ever wanted to do was to drift off anywhere else than on a tree. Especially here, near the humming river, which sang the most pleasant lullaby of all he knew.

He did not notice Zawadi and Shomari reach the jungle waterhole, even despite they were actually rather close. As his acquaintance started to frolic in the water, he was jumping his way up the tree he had found comfortable enough. Despite all the exhaustion, he chose to do it as fast as he could. By enlarging his tiredness, he thought, he would fall asleep much quicker, and that was highly desirable. It didn't take long for him to get up there, find a solid, pleasant branch and lay down, placing his head on the pillow of the bark. He sighed lazily, closing his eyes and letting his paws and tail dangle freely.

[tahayari]

Shomari stood on the bank and watched his new friend bounce into the cool, clear water. It was certainly tempting, and he found himself slowing making his way towards the edge. With gentle steps he entered the river, and was soothed by the touch. It was so very nice, so light and clean. It swirled around his paws, removing the layer of dust that had accumulated on Shomari's still-cub-fuzzy pelt. He let a smile tug its way at his mouth and let himself relax a bit more. He only half-listened to Zawadi's cheerful mews, entranced as he was with the way the river chugged around his legs, babbling happily as it made a path through the jungle's mottled shadows.

Water sprayed near his flank, distracting his thoughts, and he glanced up to see Zawadi bumbling about, thoroughly enjoying the water. Shomari watched her for a moment, then proceeded to give himself a long-needed drink. The water tasted like the best water he had ever lapped at, to his thirsty throat. He swiped his tongue over his jaws and padded deeper into the ripples, letting the river swoosh over his fur. Some of his energy returned now that he was quenched, and the bright cheer of the river made him want to bounce about like Zawadi was doing. That was hardly something he was comfortable with, even now, so he made do with a simple little trot in a tight circle. It was fun to go against the current, then turn back and be swept further along with it.

Shomari paused in his antics when a queer scent drifted into his nose. He lifted his head, tensing slightly, and breathed in the air. Beneath the powerful water-scent and thick odor of the jungle plants, he detected a someone. A someone who was nearby. Shomari's ears flicked back nervously. All that he could determine was that it was some sort of feline, and male. Confused, he looked to Zawadi. "What...is that?" He asked, scenting anxiously again. He hoped she could provide an answer; and he hoped that it would not make his tension worse.

[CrystallineWolf]

Using her new found skill of multi-tasking, Zawadi quickly set up a nice sized snack, composed of gleaming fish, on the sandy bank, while simultaneously enjoying Shomari's quiet antics. The fish were absolutely mouth watering, especially while flipping around within her mouth, but. Zawadi restrained herself and saved them for when Shomari was ready to eat.

She was just about to call him over, when a blue thing scuttled by. It was a crab! Zawadi loved to watch them, going all sideways across the sand int the cool water. She had never actually caught one to eat- the one time she did, it had more of caught her, and even after she wrestled it off her nose, the liger still couldn't figure out how to get to the meat inside. So for now, Zawadi was content to let it scuttle past, keeping her ears alert, as her eyes were focused o the small crustacean.

It was by keeping her ears open that she heard Shomari ask her a rather fearful question. Raising her head with a concerned look, she saw him sniffing at the air. Taking in the scents herself, she sifted through all the familiar smells to find... nothing. No, wait, water and wood was nothing new- not to Shomari at leas- but the scent of a leopard was. Zawadi cracked into a smile. The scent was familiar.

Scanning the trees, she found her friend, not too far away. "It's Fox!" She cried happily- only to immediately want to take it back. Fox looked like he was rather tired- she certainly hoped she didn't wake him up. She turned to Shomari with a quieter explanation. "He's a friend of mine- there's no reason to be afraid. Besides, it looks like he's napping..." even though water was fun, it wasn't good to stand too long in. "Perhaps we should have our snack now."

[Daimu]

Zawadi's insight was correct - the leopard she has managed to recognize was Fox indeed. He was resting on one of the highest branches, seeming to enjoy himself a lot, too. Though he was growing up alone Fox shared some traits with the rest of the leopards. Chief among which was his passion for sleeping. Resting, in general. He believed there was nothing of higher value than a good, long, uninterrupted nap. An advice how not to get under his skin was quite simple. Never interrupt his nap.

As Zawadi has realised what rule she has just broken, the leopard seemed to react. Fox turned his head to gaze at them. Luckily for them, he did not manage to fall asleep that quickly. He sat up and greeted them with a murmur. His long tail was swinging softly from side to side, as he curiously cocked his head when looking at the little Shomari. Who was he? One of the Tawi, for sure. But why did Zawadi reach the conclusion it was appropriate to blow his cover for the next time? He quite liked the title of the fearsome leopard he has learned, and he did not feel like letting it go.

It took him a while to realise Zawadi's cry was actually quite helpful. Thanks to her he realised it was not the best of all places to take a nap - perhaps it would be wiser, if he simply returned to his domain. After all, he did have a little stream there to sing him a lullaby. Now though, when it was already too late, it was pointless to hurry, though he did not feel like jumping down from that tree yet. He liked it up there. "Who are you?" Fox asked the little Shomari, gazing at him cautiously.

The less the Tawi know about him the better.

[tahayari]

Shomari followed her gaze until he too spotted the creature stretched out on a branch. It was one of the queerest feline he had ever seen; excepting Zawadi herself. Spotted and sleek, and appeared to like sleeping in trees. At Zawadi's exclamation, he tilted his head. Fox? He assumed that was the cat's name. Apparently Zawadi knew this creature as well. Shomari twitched his ears in resigned puzzlement. Even with her assurances that he was in no danger, Shomari wasn't entirely at ease. It was his tendency to stay wary.

Before Shomari could reply to the idea of a snack, the strange feline moved, obviously awakened by Zawadi's meows. Shomari stood still while the other regarded him, curiosity and caution in his gaze. The young lion tore his eyes from the spotted cat's form and shook his fur slightly. He slowly waded out of the water, casting numerous glances back at the creature. He started at the question. More like, what are you? He didn't dare voice it. Focusing all his attention back onto the feline, he replied, "Shomari." He was pleased his voice hardly shook.

He looked over to Zawadi, then to the small collection of fish on the bank, and felt an overpowering surge of hunger and gratitude.

[CrystallineWolf]

Zawadi looked at the exchange between Shomari and Fox rather sheepishly, knowing that the best sort of nap is an uninterrupted one. Desperately wanting to stick her paw in her mouth, she settled for a fish head instead- replying to Fox's greeting with a garble of her own. How many times could she make herself look like a fool?

She was pleased to see that Shomari seemed a bit less nervous when supplying his name to her acquaintance- Zawadi briefly wondered if Fox could sense his nervousness as he had her own, when they fisrt met. Then again, Shomari seemed a bit more skilled in controlling the fight or flight response. She momentarily lifted her tail when a crab came scuttling it's way.

When Shomari had looked to the fish with thankfulness in his eyes, Zawadi practically beamed with pride- her wide smile hidden behind a scaled tail.