Alone

[adia]

The youngster walked through the elephant graveyard alone. Which, he was the first to admit, he didn't like. He hated being alone- it reminded him of all the times he got lost when he was younger. He was still afraid of being alone and yet there he was... Alone. An outcast. He was unwanted by his pride, and too scared to go into the pridelands. Something was off with them. They just didn't feel right. But, to make matters worse, he had been able to find noone to answer his one question- what was going on in those pridelands?
He kicked the smaller bones as he walked, black-tipped ears flicking at the sounds. This place was creepy, and reaked of hyena. He definitely didn't like this... But a hyena would be a good thing to take his frustrations out on. His red-gold eyes shone as he entered a giant elephant skull and climbed up inside it. But... It was empty. He could have been sure that someone was in there.
A grown rose in his throat and his tassel flicked in annoyance, but he decided to give up and went back outside, sitting on one giant tusk, keeping an eye out. It looked like this would be his new home for now. At least until he found out what was going on in pridelands, or he found a new pride.

[Kairos]

He let out a long contented yawn, the kind of yawn that said 'Everything is perfect'. There was very little that was perfect anywhere close by, however, and that was truly unfortunate. Outside the air was thick with the feeling of foreboding, the land was almost perpetually shrouded in shadows, hardly anything grew, and that meant very little prey was available. Zuvan's stomach was empty more than not, and his usually-thick coat was wearing thin in some places, leaving him more vulnerable to the elements. But everything had a silver lining. Zuvan knew that he could have a more comfortable life if he went back over the mountain range to his home, he was the heir of the pride, but Zuvan would not go back, for reasons he kept to himself.

The Pridelands were also an unappealing option. The smokey-colored lion heard of the unfortunate events that plagued the pridelands. The king and his heir had both brutally died, their life-flame extinguished in an instant. It sounded similar to what happened to his pride. Luckily the king's brother was able to pick up the pieces where they fell. It was he, this Scar, that invited the hyenas to join him at Pride Rock, the focal point of the pride's territory. Zuvan didn't feel one way or the other about that particular event, it didn't affect him in the slightest. No, that wasn't true, it was because of that the hyenas were no longer in the Outlands, and the Elephant Graveyard in particular, allowing him to simply sweep down and assume control. There was nothing to control however, unless an army of flea-infested carrion eaters who only listened to him for their own amusement counted.

It was because of the buzzards that Zuvan knew so much about the happenings in the neighboring territory. They were annoying pests at best, neither truly trusted the other, but Zuvan knew their information was at least mostly accurate, the stench of the hyenas was just starting to fade away from this area. The buzzards liked to taunt him about everything, the fact he looked funny, that he was alone, that lions were forced to put up with hyenas...none of that bothered him, however. He actually kind of liked it here, it was peaceful, in a desolate sort of way, still...it was one of the very few places he could get a decent night's sleep. A sleep that had just ended.

The black colored lion had woken for no particular reason. He checked outside, it was still daytime, the only indication was the faint light that permeated the cloud cover and filtered through the eye sockets of a great elephant skull. He had taken to sleeping here, under the rib cage of the ancient creature. The old skin was torn in some places, allowing rain to sprinkle down, if rain ever came down in this forsaken place at all, but it was still mostly intact. He let out another yawn, this one more vocal than the last, the sound reverberated and echoed in the enclosed space, sounding more like a threatening growl than a yawn.

Zuvan stood and stretched his back before his heavy paws took him to the entrance of his abode; the jaw of the elephant. He should probably do something today, patrol the borders, find something to eat. Above him the black birds that signaled death circled around him, as if waiting for him to drop dead from hunger. Zuvan chuckled to himself, that wasn't going to happen, nothing as trivial as hunger would make him keel over. He kept walking, trying to smell anything other than dust and rock that would signal future food, but there was nothing. Perhaps he would try the large crocodile pit, those reptiles had to be feeding off of something. Before he went, however, Zuvan just happened to check the sky to see if the buzzards were following him. In fact, they hadn't moved from when he looked up before. They weren't waiting for him to die, but something else. The black lion decided he would get the first bite. As he trotted back, he found he was smiling to himself, this way he wouldn't have to drag the carcass far.

His smile dropped when he saw the center of the buzzard's circling. It wasn't a wildabeast or even a mouse...it was a lion cub. Zuvan's eyes widened from his hiding place behind a large rock. If there was a cub, there had to be an adult somewhere, but his nose told him there was only the one. Why would a cub be out here alone? He found himself at a loss, what should he do? If there was someone else he would return him to his parent and then chase them off his land, but this was new. Zuvan relinquished his cover and walked up slowly behind the cub. Perhaps he should say something, but no words came.

[adia]

In all honesty, Malka was a little relieved he'd at least managed to find his way here, even if he hadn't dared step foot on pridelands. Not that it was his fault, of course. Something was off, the place had reeked of hyena. But it left poor Malka scared, worried for his friends and the family that had almost adopted him. From up in the skull, he was perfectly able to see pridelands. But something looked wrong. Something wasn't right. The cub sighed, sat in the giant socket where an eye had once rested, watching.
A yawn that echoes across the lands made him jump, but he stayed where he ws. He was happy here, able to look out across the world with those red-gold eyes of his. Those that so resembled those of Mufassa and Simba. That, he still hadn't been able to figure out- why would he look so like them? It bugged him but... He'd get over it.
Sat bolt upright, Malka watched the lands. Something told him something, or someone, was making their way over to him. As someone may well see him as a threat, it was inadvasable for him to be laid back.
His tufted ears flicked to every sound, his muscles tense as scents were taken in by his nose. However, hios scent recognistion was certainly something he'd have to work on. Concerned that a stranger may be getting close, Malka climbed down, standing atop a tusk instead, head snapping one way and the other, watching.
Footsteps were the first thing that alerted him to the presence of others, and he stared in the direction the sound had come from. However, the lion which matched the footsteps was not one that he feared. In fact, the brute was not a stranger at all. Malka smiled, glad to see a friendly face, and trotted over.
"Zuvan?" Malka was cautious. Had this brute been sent to kill him. Yes, they had been friends not long ago, but he was outcasted from the pride now... Unwanted, unneeded. Perhaps they craved for his death.
"What are you doing here?" Less cautious, more friendly, hoping for an answer. His muscles were tensed still though, his mind still on fight or flight mode.
"It's great to see you." He grinned, trying to relax his mind... So far, unsucessfully.

[Kairos]

"Zuvan? What are you doing here? It's great to see you."

Zuvan's eyes widened, just slightly, but it was visible. He saw as the cub turned around that this wasn't just any lion cub, this youngster came from his own Pride, from way over the mountains. Malta. He was so young still, so innocent, and yet he made it all the way here. Why? Zuvan knew of Malta, he even heard some rumor that they were distantly related somehow, but nobody knew for certain, but he wouldn't really say they were friends. Zuvan never spent time in the company of those younger than him, he rarely spent time with anyone at all when he was being brought up for the throne. The King had been sterile, and Zuvan was the next heir after his father. Malta would be third in line, should anything happen to Zuvan or his father.

Zuvan didn't know what happened to his father, or the King, but if Malta went back now, it was possible he would be the heir to the Pride. Zuvan shook his head, why did he care? He left his Pride, he had no regrets, no real love for those he never truly knew. He looked down at the cub, realizing that they were almost polar opposites: Zuvan was black with a light colored mane while Malta was a light golden color and no mane, but if the tufts on his ears were any indication, it would be at least partially black. Zuvan was Malta's elder, and while Zuvan was not old at all, barely considered an adult, he felt as if he had lived several lifetimes.

The black lion lay down in front of the cub, no longer feeling threatened that this cub might belong to an panicky lioness. Females were always unpredictable at the best of times, but when fearful of a cub? "I live here" Zuvan replied to Malta's question, as if it was the most obvious answer in the world. He wondered what this little cub had been through on his travels. Traveling through the mountains was no easy feat- he must have been extremely lucky he didn't bump into any being that wished him harm on his way. Then again, from what little he knew about this Malta, he did know that this wasn't the first time the cub had wandered off, perhaps he was just lost, probably scared.

The black lion never had 'social time', he was taught to speak as little as possible; silence showed wisdom, or something along those lines, and even speaking with his older sisters was uncomfortable. Zuvan, in all honesty, liked his solitude, and felt slightly dissapointed he wouldn't be able to live like this forever...who was he kidding? He knew he wouldn't be able to stay like this, something always came up. He didn't have any intention of returning this cub to his home, there was nothing in it for him, but if Malta stayed that meant there was another mouth to feed. Zuvan looked at the cub out of the corner of his eye before shaking the thought out of his head and turned his gaze to the sky instead. He wasn't that hungry...yet. He stared at the buzzards as if to taunt them- they had been swindled out of an easy, if measly, meal.

"And you?" He found himself asking, not because he cared in the slightest, but because...he didn't really know why. Perhaps talking was a way to pass the time, until he came up with an idea for lunch...or maybe by that time it would be dinner.

[kryptid]

OOC: Do you two mind if I chime in? Or is this private?

Edit: Thanks, Kairos.

IC: Ari had time to reflect on his experience with the two lionesses as he walked through the tall grasses. He lowered his head in embarassment as he thought about the way that one lioness had spoken to him. He would have to be much more careful the next time he came upon a lion. As Ari was thinking, he realized that there weren't many places to shade himself from the Sun on the open grasslands. It wasn't even noon yet, but already the humidity and heat were combining to make him less than comfortable.

Turning to look towards the east of Pride Rock, Ari figured that the Elephant Graveyard would be a better place to spend time alone with his thoughts. There was a lot of shade there, even though the overall temperature was still pretty much the same. Besides, he knew that it would likely be abandoned now that the hyenas had better places to be.

"That'd be the better place to go," Ari said to himself. As he turned and began the short journey to his former, shadowy home, he started to contemplate how he would stage his next meeting with a lion. Ari decided that he would engage them while they were not near any of their dens, cubs, or kills. That should help remove any aggression due to territoriality. Perhaps it would also be good if he were to bring a chunk of meat to offer the lion as a sign of goodwill. Of course, if the situation still turned sour, he would need an escape plan.

The hyena continued to mull over the facts and figures as he finally set foot on the gray, dusty soil that he was so familiar with. The sulfurous odor associated with the fumaroles that peppered the landscape was omnipresent. Stopping only momentarily to scan the area, he continued on when he failed to detect any life nearby. Ari wandered further into the graveyard as memories of growing up in this place rushed back to him. He wondered whether his childhood would have any relevance to his way of life now. Things sure were different. He hoped that this would turn out to be a "good" different.

A shadow suddenly appeared on the ground as it raced over and past him. He immediately recognized it as that of a bird. His ears swivelled as Ari turned to look at the sky. It was a buzzard. What was it doing here? There wasn't anything to eat out here, not even the carcasses of dead hyenas. Yet another and another flew by. He became interested as they all began to circle over some spot just out of sight. Then they descended.

Intrigued, Ari began to follow the scavenging birds. Now he was confused. He couldn't detect the rancid odor that usually attracted buzzards to their dearly-departed meals. As he drew closer, he finally did notice something in the air. It was a scent that he wasn't ready to face just yet. Ari stopped cold as he saw movement in the distance. Two creatures; one larger and the other much smaller.

Lions.

He hid behind a nearby rock as soon as he became aware of their proximity. He grew nervous as he came to the realization that one of them was an adult male. If this guy was anything like the lioness that bit his head off earlier, then he could be in serious danger. Ari swallowed as he mustered the courage the stay put and listen. Running wasn't the answer, he thought. Ari wanted to know more about this lion before he jumped to the conclusion that he was dangerous.

[dorio98]

OOC: Hi sorry I joined in so late in the game...This started looking interesting! Couldn't keep out...LOL

IC:

Akira

She lazily walked under the sun. The white lioness was ditching the pride for a break. She sometimes wished she hadn't joined them. But who knew this chaos would break out? Akira dragged her tail. Bored but content. She didn't care about the pride freaking out. So what, a few dogs are around now. The gloomy aura around Pride Rock was getting to her. She heard voices in the distance. Picking up the pace to find out what the noise was.

Smelling something familiar, she spotted something. A hyena, he looked a lot like Ari. Smelt like him too... Akira quietly stalked it. She kept quiet as she got closer. "Hey, aren't you the hyena who woke everyone up? That was a stupid move ha-ha." She smiled as she got closer. "I'm awake now so I don't have any complaints, yet." Akira's petite white bodice got closer to the Hyena. She felt a little bad for scaring the heck out of the guy. But then again he had woke her up... Reckless guy, grumpy girls not a good combination... Akira was feeling like a new twist today. Maybe she should try and give this hyena a chance he did seem like he wanted one. Then she noticed the two other lions.
A dark colored male, and a cute cub. Akira liked cubs. They were funny, she was glad she was an adult though.

[Kairos]

(I was hoping Adia would reply before I did, but oh well, can't be helped)

Kairos waited for a response, but didn't really care for the answer. It wouldn't change anything anyway. It was a stroke of luck that this cub managed to find him here, not that he'd been looking if his reply and expression were anything to go by. Silly cub. Zuvan sighed...he didn't really want company, he liked being by himself, so no one could bother him. Cubs were just more mouths to feed, and he didn't see how his tiny frame could contribute to anything...except maybe as bait, but even Zuvan wasn't that cruel.

The black lion turned to the grey clouds above. It was always overcast here, he found it strangely relaxing, like the calm after the storm. Just a little ways away he saw the sun parting the clouds and shining on the pridelands, but it looked as if the clouds wanted to invade the savannah as well, enshrouding everything in darkness. That fitted Zuvan just fine...for now. He remembered his old life...and wondered if he was any worse off than he was then. He didn't have anyone to hunt for him, and he didn't get the chance to be king, but he wasn't sure he wanted to be king anyway. Besides, he was the supreme ruler of this place anyway, just without peons below to be annoying.

Of course it was then his ear twitched...he had heard something. He stiffened, listening intently, hoping it was just the whisperings of the wind...no, he heard it again, and to confirm it the wind decided to change, blowing their scents towards him. Their...multiple. One hyena and one lion, likely a lioness...there weren't many male lions in the Pridelands that he knew of, and he doubted this King Scar would be hiding behind a rock.

"Reveal yourself! He snapped loudly, jumping to his feet. For what reason could they desire secrecy if they did not desire trouble? The black lion with the light lavender mane took a step forward, unconsciously shielding Malta with his body. He was tense, his belly low to the ground as if preparing for a fight.

[kryptid]

Already on edge, Ari was now subjected to a new set of sounds to analyze. They sounded like foot steps, and they were coming from some source behind him. He turned and looked as the foot falls grew unmistakably closer. Ari's eyes became fixed on the distance as an amorphous form emerged from the shadows. He now recognized it.

It was one of the lionesses that he had met back at Pride Rock earlier that day. He froze; not knowing what she wanted.

"Hey, aren't you the hyena who woke everyone up? That was a stupid move ha ha," Akira spoke as she wandered closer to him, "I'm awake now, so I don't have any complaints, yet."

Ari relaxed somewhat once he heard that her voiced carried no malice. "Oh, um, yeah...it's me, Ari...", he replied in a distracted tone. He returned his attention to the dark, male lion as he heard the feline begin to stir.

"Reveal yourself!" The lion roared with an echo that spread around the graveyard.

The sound of his voice shook Ari. He must have heard them talking. Or perhaps he had smelled them. Not that it mattered now. What would he do? Should he show himself and risk potential harm? Or should he, perhaps, run? Ari turned to look back at Akira. Maybe the lion wouldn't be so keen to harm him if he saw a lioness with him. He decided to go for it.

Ari stepped out from behind the cold, gray stone. Locking eyes with the lion, he lowered his head in a submissive posture.

"My name is Ari. I didn't mean to surprise you. I thought I was alone out here. I don't want any trouble," Ari spoke as he put on an inoffensive smile.