[PRP] Skelly Bois (Imaski, Ebu, Chau)

[Z o m b i k ii]

Chausika was becoming accustomed to the border, and her daily duties as a Shield. The black lioness could remember a time that she wanted nothing more than to run straight across it and disappear beyond the horizon. A lot had changed since then, and now instead of trying her damndest to escape the Outlands; she was protecting it. The dark female had come to accept fate as a strange and unusual mistress, proving to her time and time again that her life could be turned on its head at any time, any day. Today was one of those days.

Silver eyes had caught sight of two bright speckles on the orange sands long before they got to the border. Waiting patiently from a high vantage point to see if they would correct their path. At first, she had thought they were two females, but as their bodies formed more shape the closer they got; she realised the two figures were that of two young boys. Their manes were yet to even grow in. s**t. What was she meant to do? When she agreed to ward off intruders she would have never thought two adolescents would be shadowing her patrol.

As soon as they stepped foot in the Queen’s land, she approached them. Chausika was not the biggest lioness or the strongest, but she was bigger than these two younglings; who must have been little older than cubs? The Outlands climate must have been torturous to two boys so fluffy and white. ”Hold up you two, where are you heading to?” Her voice was firm, but by no means unwelcoming. The Shield had a soft spot for children, especially rogue children.

---

Ebu’sika instinctively moved to stand alongside Imaski; touching shoulders with his sibling to merge into one mass of white and grey fur. His ears fell back as the dark female approached them. On their travels from the Bonelands they had not met many others; and the ones they had met were either very unfriendly or just gave them a wide berth. Maybe he would have sought out company if he was travelling alone? But with his brother by his side; Ebu saw little reason to try and make friends.

Was this female a friend though? Bright eyes looked to his brother for a second before he swallowed deep. ”In no direction in particular, we are just looking for food.” He responded first, looking to Imaski to see if he had anything to add.

---

Chausika spoke again before he had the chance. ”Well, this direction, leads you right into the Outlands. You wandered into a Pride’s territory boys.” She sighed.

”Are you hungry?”
 

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Wandering had done it's damage. Youthful natures were influenced by the reactions from others and truth be told their wandering had left them with very little positive influence to go on. Those whom had approached were doing much the same as they were, but were far more skilled - surviving. Looking for food, turning to a rough demeanor when the boys didn't have anything to offer, so it would come as little surprise to most that they had closed up ranks at the sight of the vibrant female approaching.

"W-.." The words hadn't quite formed as his brother took the lead, the pair were matching in the way their ears had pressed against their heads. He tried to form a more stern appearance, but it looked out of place on him. Imaski was falsifying bravery as best he could, but if anyone had asked for the truth.. the lioness scared him more so than most of the males they might have encountered.

A pride..

Reminders of home shot through him and he felt his heart beat a little more quickly. Prides were a home, even if theirs had rules that left them without a home. Neither had been treated poorly and so his ears perked a little, even her sigh couldn't destroy the appeal. "Yes, we are." Imaski finally found his words. Though as he spoke he couldn't recognize the sound that came out, his mouth had become so dry - he was parched. He didn't dare breathe another word, even when a thousand questions bubbled to the surface.  

[Z o m b i k ii]

Ctrl F Greenie

“Okay then, let’s go and find you boys something to eat.” Chau sighed defeated; the lioness had a soft heart and did not like the idea of any child going hungry. She knew better than most what it was like to be an adolescent rogue with an empty belly, never knowing when the next meal was coming. The dark female turned around slowly to face the direction of home, knowing that they should not linger here if it could be helped.

She looked back at the boys, rolling her head as if to suggest they stay close and get moving. “Stay by my heels and behave.” She ordered sternly. Ebu did not need to be told twice and moved to stand so close to the females side he was basically touching her flank as he walked. He was hungry enough to trust anybody who would offer him a slither of meat.

Pale eyes wandered to the other brother, smiling the best she could; though there was obviously a hint of worry lacing her gaze. “My name is Chausika, I am a Shield; someone who protects the borders. The Ukuhlwa’Izwe are not unwelcoming to prospective members, but we do have enemies and remain vigilant because of it.” She explained, shrugging her shoulders and taking a step forward - expecting them to follow.

In the distance the termite mounds could be seen.“My name is Ebi’sika.” The paler male introduced himself.  

[Ctrl F Greenie]

Food, for behaving? The thought struck him as 'free food'. The pair of boys knew very little about misbehaving, they were terrific listeners if it hadn't already been apparent. So when the lioness barked out her orders Imaski didn't hesitate, much the same way his brother hadn't. He locked himself tight to her side and nearly jumped away as the unfamiliar smells and texture of her pelt made contact. Slowly he inhaled, exhaled and stayed still. Propective members.. another thought that was now plaguing him.

"Chausika.." The name was so foreign to him and eventually the question that had been at the tip of his tongue was gone. So he did the most obvious thing. "My name is Imaski, we're very grateful to have met you." Perhaps it was too early to say this, but he meant it. His eyes glimpsed looked from Chausika, their rescuer, to his brother. The process was repeated numerous times at different intervals - he was just so used to looking out for his sibling that it came as second nature.

"Where are you taking us?" The question was near a whisper. He felt like there were additional eyes on them as they moved as a unit. He wasn't sure that the rest of the pride would be so welcoming, perhaps this was a trap. A trap. Hesitation stiffened his body and he very nearly tripped as he tried to pull himself to his senses. He glared at the space where he had thought there was a rock, or something to trip him, but was met with a smooth surface - fear was gripping him slowly. Still he pushed forward awaiting a response to his question. All the while continuing his routine of peering from Chausika to his brother and back again.

Z o m b i k ii

 

[Z o m b i k ii]

Ctrl F Greenie

Chausika looked down at Imaski before she let her silver eyes scan over the red rocks that made up the land she called home. The contact her paws made with the surface of the Earth stirred up small clouds of dust, dust that was tainting the lighter brothers fur orange; like he was rusting. “Well, as you can see, our lands are not the most fertile.” It was probably why they were both so hungry, finding food in the Outlands was not the easiest task for those who did not know where to look.

Chau was once a newcomer to these lands, not unlike the boys who walked by her sides; it had taken her weeks to grow accustomed to the winding caves and hidden pathways. Everyone needed a guide, for now, she was theirs.

The dark lioness smiled at the larger brother, hoping to settle his mind and offer some comfort. “We do have hunting grounds though and that is where we are heading; so we can silence the hunger in your bellies. I am very close to one of the hunters, he will help.” If she could find Azzan she was sure that he would be able to spare them something; he would also be able to guide her om the best cause of action to take.

“Tell me, boys, can you hunt?” The dark lioness looked to the paler male and then his darker brother, her brow arching as she waited for a reply. She did not know if the boys had any plans in regards to staying here, but if they were they had to at least be able to hunt; if not fight if they were asked to. They both looked like soft clouds; she hoped that was not the case all the way through.

”The time you spent in the Roguelands, did you ever have to fight?”