Ryngia - m. Lion (king)
Iyzuu - f. Lioness
Tahzhoo - m. Elder Lion
Uzima Hunting Grounds
Fresh air, every lion needs it. Stepping out of the caves, the first thing Ryn does is take a deep breath then head out for a stroll. Tail flicking and a quick shake of his mane, the lion makes for the hillside, the many herds of course catching his eyes when entering the hunting ground. It has been some time since he's made a hunt but that currently wasn't on his mind of things to do. Moving on he galcnes around for anyone who may be in the area.
Iyzuu prefers the fresh air as a rule, it just feels more like home to her. There's at least one lioness out in the hunting grounds. Quietly stalking a small group of impala away from the main bulk of the herd Iyzuu treads lightly through the grasses. Her eye fixed on one in particular all her senses are focused ahead and on prey, not looking out for other lions. She's a lot more used to hunting alone.
By the time Ryn reaches half way to the hill, he notices a bleak figure through the grass. He stops to give watch, broading his gaze outward to the impala herd then back to the figure. Someone was out hunting it seems. Changing his mind about the hill he decides to plant himself here, taking a seat to continue his watch on the huntress.
Depth perception is not Iyzuu's strong point, nor is following anything that goes too far right. She's strong but she's smallish, she's probably not expected to be much of a hunter but it helps to get the disadvantages early on and live with them in a way. She succeeds in getting very close before one of the group spots her and she's forced to charge for her target as they start to scatter. She drives the impala left to keep it on her good side and quickly closes the gap. A pounce and for a moment she seems to have it, almost brings it down until a lucky kick knocks her off again and her prey escapes with only some rather deep claw marks on it's rump. She growls in frustration but as she sits down with a huff and starts to lick her paw clean she's clearly no worse off for the kick.
[Tahzhoo] On his way back to the caves the elder crosses the hunting grounds, hesitating in his steps when noticing Ryngia with a lioness not far away…
Who was the huntress, a curious gaze follows the now in chase lioness. When her sprint is over ending in the hunts failure, Ryn stands and slowly makes over. Time to find out who it was even with a decent idea already. When near enough the obtain identity the lion smiles. "Must be hard with only one good eye." He remarks. Moving up along the good side of the lioness he comes to a stop. "Hows it going, Iyzuu?" Not to well he'd imagine with the lose of a possible kill.
Asante sana squash banana! (Type 'help' or 'globals' for help)
It happens more often than any lioness would care to admit. Hunting was never exactly easy. She sees Ryngia coming and visibly stiffens. Iyzuu's all fired up from hunting, it's difficult not to be on the defensive side "It usually goes better. Perhaps it's injuries will make it slower for the next time" she would have rather shown herself as useful to have in the pride but that's just not how it went. She's yet to spot Tahzhoo, her attention is fixed on watching Ryngia's movements.
[Tahzhoo] For a moment he ponders if he should move on and let them talk alone. Though in the end the elder's curiousity gets the better of him and he changes directions towards lion and lioness.
Ryngia picks up on this stiffening and watches himself. She did it that last time they met face to face too, it was odd really. Cupping his ears back when he looks to the retreating wounded impala he nods to her words. "I've confidence it will." Turning back to Iyzuu he notcies Tahzhoo approaching their direction, shifting his eyes that way for a brief moment then back to the lioness. "Ever tried hunting with someone else?" He wonders not trying to sound like she needed to.
Iyzuu can't help it. Logically she knows he's unlikely to attack her for no reason but everytime she looks at a lion she met with memories of claws and pain. She believes she can handle it or she wouldn't have come. So far so good too. Her bad eye can just about pick out dim shapes moving about but it's not until Ryngia looks away to spot Tahzhoo that she chances a look as well. Another lion. It's just Tahzhoo, everything's fine. Calm. She doesn't like to take her eye off either but it's one or the other so she fixes on Ryngia and strains her ears for the elders movements while her mind fixes on nice polite conversation "I sometimes used to hunt with my mother when she was alive" they worked well together but of course the lioness knew Iyzuu's strengths and weakness better than anyone.
[Tahzhoo] He's witnessed the unsuccessful hunt and watches the two talking. Approaching them without any hurry he gets into earshot, omitting an audible greeting as both of them already looked at him. When they did they were greeted by a nod and now that he sits down about a body length away from each of them, forming a triangle, he still remains quiet in order to not interrupt the ongoing conversation.
The likelihood that Ryngia would attack anyone with or without a reason was little to none. He's witnessed enough fighting in his life to want to avoid it. His actions were small, for now as he watched the lioness, eyeing Tahz from the side until he settles nearby. A nod meets the lion in greeting before addressing Iyzuu fully. "I'm sorry for you lose." He's never actually hunted with his mother but know the bond one shared. "Ever think of trying it with those here?" If she was going to be with them in the pride she at least needed to hunt with them.
Iyzuu just nods to Ryngia's words about her mother. The lioness hadn't even been her actual mother, her real one died long before that but she practically grew up all over again with a new one. If she thought about it she'd be sad, so she does her best not to think about it. Instead sticking to the safe topic of hunting "I had hoped to, when one of the others are free" Baliwe naturally would be her first choice, she'll probably get to know the other lionesses as time goes on though. She shifts a little as Tahzhoo settles down, trying to get both comfortably within sight before she finally returns the greeting with a nod back.
[Tahzhoo] The elder remains quiet for a moment longer, as the conversation goes on about hunting. As an experienced and patient observer he didn't fail to notice something like an uneasiness when he was sitting down, with her shifting a bit to keep her one good eye on both of them at the same time. There's a thought that comes to his mind, an assumption so far. It needs a lioness or a talk to confirm it.
Least she was trying.. however long it would take, Ryn gave her credit for that much. Glancing to Tahz for yet another moment he wonders something, though fails to ask as he looks back to Iyzuu with something rather irrelevant in mind. "I've noticed something." He says. "Last we met you seemed rather on edge, uncertain. I hope that wasn't because of me.. if it was I'd like to fix that." Here is were he taken an action that would either end terrible or quite well. Moving up to Iyzuu he on purposely invades her space testing something out.
Iyzuu is still on edge, the uncertainty at least has dimmed with the acceptance into the pride but being at ease could take a long while longer. Everything seems fine though, she even manages to feel slightly bad that Ryngia had considered that it might be his fault. However all thoughts of explaining, or any thoughts at all scatter to the winds as suddenly he's right there, far too close. With the surprise her fear breaks lose and then a split second later absolute rage. For better or worse she came to be taught that when something scared her she should beat the living snot out of it, which is why she doesn't think twice about her actions, instead she's quickly to her feet, roaring and swinging a big paw at Ryngia's head, claws extended.
[Tahzhoo] Well, that was one way to find out, given the younger lion had the same assumption. One way but not the most clever one. He would have probably just moved out of her vision and towards her back for this test, keeping the distance. His estimation is confirmed by the lioness' reaction - to which he remains completely calm. Keeping his sitting position he just observes - and finally speaks, addressing Iyzuu in a likewise calm voice. "It was a male who did this, right?"
Ryngia has been hit in the head before and the one from Iyzuu is no differnt from the other. Taking it, he winces but doesn't let it stop him from achiveing what he had in mind. Ears back he uses his weight to push at the lioness in retaliation, not wanting to strike back and cause further harm to her phycie than already.
Iyzuu doesn't take things well. She's the opposite of calm. Something snapped and while the surprise is wearing off it's not exactly instant. Putting her weight onto her rump she gets her forepaws free she fights back against the pushing with a few more blows before suddenly springing away to a safer distance. She doesn't run though, no matter how scared she was she's still there and quickly spins back to face Ryngia "Stay over there!" she orders with a roar. One an average day she can look pretty scary without trying, while spitting, snarling and growling as she glares burning, poison, serrated daggers at him she boarders on terrifying at times. It's pretty clear she hasn't heard a word Tahzhoo said, her mind's currently at war over the intentions of Ryngia's actions and whether she should still be attacking him for them.
[Tahzhoo] The elder is both surprised and appalled by Ryngia's action. What is he up to?! His approach was way more direct and provoking than any he would have chosen and her reaction to it was more harsh and agressive than he expected. Though instead of standing back, calming the situation and rethinking he pushes even further. He gets up, preparing himself when the lioness jumps away. Should Ryngia try to keep on getting close to her he'll move his body between the two, to stopp his approach and separate them.
When Iyzuu tells him to stay he does exactly that, falling back; taking a several steps back and taking a seat. The shot to his head had cut his ear and it was starting to sting. "Ok." Watching her actions, Ryn side-glances to Tahz who has finally taken action. He didn't need the elders help but he was sure he looked insane by doing what he had. Ryn waited for Iyzuu's next actions toward, whether they be physical or verbal.
Iyzuu mostly moved away because Ryngia's bigger than her and some lesson long stuck in her head said to fight that with shorter, fast attacks. Being further away though gives her a chance to think again and now she doesn't know what to do. She keeps growling and snarling and when she sees Tahzhoo's moved he gets a roar in warning too but she doesn't return on the attack, she just wants them to stay away over there. She almost starts to pace but that would mean turning and she can't leave them on her blind side. She has to move though which results in an awkward dance as she keeps moving her paws. She's still got the instinct to fight but she's also full of confusion as she doesn't have a clue what Ryngia's up to.
[Tahzhoo] The elder slowly sits down again when seeing Ryngia keeping his distance now. With the few words he's spoken apparently lost in the scuffle he falls quiet again, restricting himself to just being there and watching, until someone needs him or addresses him. Otherwise he'll move on to the caves, with these two being quite busy with each other.
Ryngia just sits there waiting. He had no intention of hurting her in the slightest; afterall he took a hit from her and did nothing but use weight to force further action. He'd gotten half of what he wanted. "Whatever they did to you as sure taken its toll." He steps once more giving Iyzuu as much space as she needs to aclm herself and see that he meant no harm. Looking to Tahz he sighs wondering what was on his mind what it came to possisbly dealing with this.
Iyzuu watches them both but it's easier for her convince herself that Tahzhoo is still alright, which just leaves Ryngia. She growls a few more times but slowly quiets down, eventually panting heavily and shaking from adrenaline. His words just seem to make her angry again "What do you think he did?! He killed everyone and took my face!" she yells at him. Part if her is assuming he guessed, the other part is the paranoid little voice that still think she should be trying to kill him. She's usually at least calm but she's lost control, she doesn't like it and she's entirely blaming him for that "What do you think you're doing?" she snarls at him.
[Tahzhoo] Whatever this was good for it at least confirmed his assumption. And with the two having returned to talking instead of scuffling, talking to each other that is with none of them addressing him, he gets more and more the feeling of disturbing a private talk - or dispute. Slowly getting up he turns around, leaving in a way that will increase the distance between him and the lioness so she doesn't get the impression of him approaching her. Resuming his way to the caves he makes a mental note of having a talk sometimes later, with each of them, for different reasons.
Ryngia knew what he was doing but didn't quiet expect this kind of reaction. "I knew you had been attacked by a lion and I now know you are the lone survivor or his wrath." He tells her calmly, flicking his tail and once again taking a seat. "But that doesn't mean unleashing your rage against those here will provide you with desired wishes." His actions served a purpose, ones that proved Iyzuu was unstable when around males. "I allowed you to stay because I had hoped you'd understand that no one here is going to hurt you, because you had lost everything and that maybe, just maybe that could be redemed." He huff letting out a breath. "How am I suppose to let you stay if I cant even get you to trust me that I'm not like them."
A test. Iyzuu understood tests, even ones on her personality. Finally she was still and mostly in control again as she frowned and became a little worried. She takes a slow breath, trying to steady her thoughts and disconnect from the feelings attached to the memories before she replies more calmly, even if the calm is a little forced "I was not a lone survivor" she corrects "When he took over the pride I was born to he killed only the males, the cubs and anyone who wouldn't follow him…I was among the cubs" when she says the lion had killed everyone it's from rather a young point of view. He killed everyone that mattered to her "I have no desire to unleash rage on anyone, except him" she pauses to quell some feelings of anger before going on "You surprised me and I lost control…I hate losing control and I regret it" she knows it's dangerous, she really wants to be able to master her feelings all the time. She hesitates for a moment, thinking over the last part "…I barely know you, trust takes time. You provoked a bad memory I don't have as well contained as I had hoped. If it helps if you were truly like him we wouldn't be talking now and I'm sure one of us would be dead"
Ryngia listens closely as he watches the lioness try to calm herself, something he was rather glad to be seeing. Iyzuu had quite the defensive response toward him and he was surprisingly alarmed and glad it was only a swipe to the head and some claw marks and not something more. "Yes it does, but trust comes in many forms." He tells her. "You put trust in me the day you asked to stay and I returned it by allowing you to." As a gust of wind comes threw the gash on his head from the swipe stings and Ryn closes her eyes to bare it. Reopening them he says. "Sure you have your problems, but who doesn't. I only did this because I wanted to see your reaction, the emotion you'd put forth when overwhelmed. I know now and its something we can overcome. You'll have to let me in though." He wanted to help no matter what it took.
Iyzuu doesn't like to admit that when she attacked she wasn't thinking of Ryngia for a moment, she was thinking of the other lion so long ago. She's starting to feel a bit guilty for attacking him, that probably helps his case "I…haven't met many lions since then" truthfully she hadn't really met any until she came to the pride, she'd always avoided it while she still had her mother. As it turns out that may not have been such a good plan if she's reacting that badly "I will try to work on it" accepting help with it was a little harder for her.
Hearing her say she'd try was better than her saying 'leave me alone this isn't your problem.' So long as she was here it was his problem. "Its understandable. Had it happened to me, I'd avoid them too." Even as a male himself, he too has fears. A smile creeping to Eyn's face seeing hope in this one he nods. "I'd like to help if you'll allow it." Dispite how she reacts, he'd risk it.
Kweu appears on the uppermost portion of the nearby hill, slowly coming into clearer focus as she descends the slope, heading for the hunting grounds. Her reason for leaving the elevated portion of the valley is simple enough - she is looking to hunt. As much is evident in the way that she moves, her steps more rigid and her body held closer to the ground.. at first. But once she gets to the flat area at the bottom of the lands, she realizes that she is not alone. She sees two others ahead. One appears to be Ryngia, but the other.. ?
Iyzuu knows she has problems, there are few she considers in such clear need of working on though. She nods slowly at his offer though her words for now reject it "Another time perhaps" she's not behaving like herself right now, she feels too emotional. Kweu she hears before she sees but a short glance proves that she doesn't know the newest arrival anyway.
Ryngia nods and accepts her answer. No use making her do something she wasn't comfortable doing; not yet anyway. "Alright. I'm here when your ready." Noteing Iyzuu's glance, he follows it to the arrival of another. It was his mate.. a pleasent sight indeed. A smile posed to Kweu, he lets out a chuff welcomeing her. "You said you'd like the chance to hunt with others of the pride. Perhaps Kweu will welcome you in her hunt." Only assuming that is why she's come that is.
Iyzuu has a lot on her mind now and calm though she appears now she needs to clear her head. Their little fight has probably cleared out the prey to a safe distance anyway. A nod and she moves "Another time I'm sure…I'm going to walk for a while" until she finds herself far away from anyone so she can try to deal with everything out of sight.