New to these Lands

[morningstar]

Morningstar had ventured beyond the outlands in search for food and water,he only found little food and little water but just enough to survive on. Despite his fathers threats to kill him and his mother should he ever return he had to eat however during his time in exile he had forgotten the way home or even if his father was even around. He had wondered the outlands in search for food, In his journey he had stumbled onto a land ripe with vegetation and game.

He had no idea who owned these lands but he cared little, he had gone to meany days without a good meal and he was extremely hungry. He realizes he doesn't have the energy for a long pursuit, He'll have to pick off a weak old Buffalo or Wilder beast. He moves silently through the grass as he starts to look over the herds that are feasting, He sees one old antelope that has strayed from the herd.  He doesn't dare breath as he attempts to get closer. His stomach finally betrays him as it gives off a rumble, In seconds he sees the herd starting to run. He doesn't waste any time as he runs straight for the old weak antelope, his mouth literally watering  at the thought of feasting well today and also dreading meeting up ether with the lion that owns these lands.

It just seemed to good of a opportunity to pass up on getting his belly full in what seemed like an eternity. 

[cheezeegriff]

(sorry I didn't reply to this sooner, Morningstar. Just a matter of motivation)

Maua watched the black rogue stalking the wilder beast, watched as his enormously loud tummy grumble startled the herd and he gave chase. Maua had just eaten so she didn't assist - running on a full stomach was a good way to make herself sick, she'd learned. But she did get up and follow, just to see how things would turn out...

[morningstar]

//Its alright//

He jumps the old weak antelope hoping to take it down, he might have been weaken from hunger. However he was determined not to go hungry today, he brought the beast down as he looks at the frighten beast he speaks."I am sorry, but at least your suffering will finally come to a end." He starts to eat the antelope,at first he greedily eats fast hardly chewing his food or savoring the taste.

He didn't notice the lioness that had been fallowing him mostly because he was really hungry, after he eats he lets out a low yawn and falls asleep. He couldn't help but get the feeling that someone or something was watching him,his eyes shoot back open as he scans the area around him, he calls out as he shifts his eyes around the area."Um hello? anyone here?"

[cheezeegriff]

"Only me," Maua said, walking forward casually, blue eyes scanning the antelope herd as it scatters. Then her eyes fell on Morningstar, scanning him up and down. "Would you share your meal with me, stranger? If you have any to spare." Her face doesn't betray any emotion, pleasant or otherwise.

[morningstar]

"Help yourself but i fear my meal might not have much meat on it,but whatever you find on it you are free to have it." He stands to the side exposing his catch to her, the antelope was now merely a carcass of its former self. Morningstar examined the lioness carefully and he made sure not make an bad impression, Morningstar didn't care how much she was willing to chaw down on he had his fill and now it was someone elses turn.

[cheezeegriff]

Maua stepped towards the carcass, looking it up and down. "On second thought, all my favourite parts are gone." She turned to the rogue instead and inclined her head politely, something like a smile spreading on her muzzle. "I'm Maua. It's pleasing to see another lion in these parts. What's your name and... Where are you from?" She circled the male, looking him up and down. "You have very interesting colourings."

[morningstar]

"I am Morningstar and I hail from the lands beyond the outlands." He took a defensive stance encase the lioness was thinking about attacking him, In truth he just meet her and he didn't trust her just as she probably doesn't trust him."I Thank you for your complent on my colors I get most of it from my mother and father." He said father with hint of distaste in his mouth after all it was his father who thrown him out of his lands and into the outlands.

[cheezeegriff]

Maua paused her circling and raised her eyebrows. "Beyond the outlands? Most land is beyond the outlands. If you didn't want to tell me you could have just said so.
"Who are your mother and father? I thought I was fairly well travelled, but I've never seen such a dark-coloured lion before."

[morningstar]

He looks down as he replies in rather sad tone."I apologize,I've been away from home so long I've forgotten what is called. My father is Pireal and mother is dawningstar, I was exiled by my father and forbidden to come back under the threat of death to me and my mother." He wasn't a bad lion and he hoped she didn't think anything less of him and in truth he forgotten the name of his homeland and had no where else to go.

[cheezeegriff]

"I must have not traveled that way," Maua said, then shrugged. "You're welcome to stay here. These lands are fertile enough for two lions. There's a water hole and a river, and plenty of places to sleep." She smiled. "Welcome to my pridelands, for want of a better name."

[morningstar]

He raises an eyebrow."Just two? Its hard to believe that these lands aren't claimed by an king let alone not claimed by a single pride." he was running off the statement from her own words as he found it hard to believe that these fertile lands are only able to support two lions however he was just a traveler and she seemed to have been here longer then him.

[cheezeegriff]

Maua shrugged, again. "I found them like this. I don't know what happened. There's some... rocks, over that way..." She pointed north with her paw, "... that would make a nice den, but I've seen odd things moving around there. Hyenas, I thought, but I've never met any. Anyway here, on the edge of these lands, the living is quite good and apparently quite safe."
She looked over her shoulder then, as if considering something. "We should hunt together tomorrow, in the morning. Perhaps we can take down something bigger than antelope. It's been a while since I had wilderbeast. What do you say?"

[morningstar]

"Sure and I was wondering if you would like to stay with me, if you like." Morningstar was inviting her to be a part of his own pride however he never saw himself as a king mostly because he didn't want to turn out like his so called father that abused him and his mother, no if he was going to be king he'll be better one then his father. However if he was going to start a pride they needed a place to stay and if they do stay at that huge rock then they needed to run off whatever was staying there now a days.

[cheezeegriff]

Maua looked like someone had just suggested she stick her head in a beehive. "I already have a den, and thanks, but I'm quite happy staying by myself. See that accacia tree up on the hill?" She looked up at one nearby. "I'll meet you there at dusk. We'll hunt in the evening. Until then I'm sure you can keep yourself entertained." With that she turned and trotted away.

[morningstar]

Morningstar went on his way towards the north where the big rock was located,morningstar might have been a little fool hardly. If it was claimed by just a few hyenas where living there then he'll simply run them off, However if it was claimed by lions then he'll leave it be live outside without the promise of a den.

However he will meet back up with the lioness around dusk at the acacia tree.

[cheezeegriff]

Maua went back to her den to rest. She had a good view of the collection of boulders and stones that made up the centre of the pridelands. She'd been observing them for weeks now. Strange sounds would often come from them during the day, and at night, strange lights. Even the animals avoided that place.

So when, in the distance, Maua saw a dark-shaped lion making its way towards the jumble of rocks, she jumped to her feet. "That idiot," she said, and set off after him at a sprint.

[morningstar]

He examined the rock carefully looking for any signs of movement or life, he wasn't to sure who or what inhabited now a days since he was just a traveler in these lands. He was going to do this alone if need be,He sunk low into the ground as he began to try and sneak up on whatever that inhabited the rock.

Morningstar had the element of surprise on his side but little to no backup,however he respected that lioness choice to be alone and by herself but she did say to try and keep himself entertained and what else could he think of other then scaring the pelt off of whatever it was up on that rock.

[cheezeegriff]

Maua reached the black lion at the foot of the stones and skidded to a halt. "What are you doing?" she said, her voice an urgent whisper. "Get away from this place. It isn't saf-"
Before she finished a low moan arose from the mound of boulders, like a thousand voices. It gradually rose in pitch until it was a screech, then cut off suddenly. Maua looked over her shoulder. Black shapes moved among the boulders like a shadow creeping towards them, only now it was utterly silent.
"Come on. Let's get out of here." Maua grabbed Morningstar's ear and tugged in the opposite direction.

[morningstar]

"Whats going on?" he says letting her drag him away,he had noticed the shadows and the screech.He was tempted to call her an coward right off the back however she must have good reason not to go near this rock, it would be fool hardly to jump into something and not know the situation which was the mark of a foolish warrior who knew nothing about his/her foe which can be fetal.

[cheezeegriff]

Maua let him go, once they'd extended a few paces. The rush of wind she heard died down, and from the corner of her eye she saw the darkness recede. She rounded on Morningstar.
"Do you have any idea what you just did? You could have gotten yourself there. Nobody goes to that place, and even less come back. You may as well be walking over a cliff. Are you really that stupid?" She sighed, then turned about and paced. "Follow me," she said, then strode off.

[morningstar]

He fallows her he might as well be a cub being scolded by his mother,sure he might be a big strong lion but what he did was very foolish he lets out a sigh. He only knew her for one day and yet she didn't want anything bad to happen to him if she didn't care she wouldn't correct him by taking him away from the danger but let him go.

He was a idiot today and he knew it and he'll admit it if not publicly."I am sorry." he says quietly.

[cheezeegriff]

Maua turned around for a moment, as if to judge whether Morningstar's apology was genuine. "Huh," was all she said, before continuing on her way.

Maua led Morningstar to a hill overlooking most of the plains, including the jumble of rocks - but a good ten minutes' walk from their base at least. A large fig tree grew on its summit, wider than it was tall, its branches shading much of the surrounding land so no grass grew. Its roots gripped stony ground, but between two roots there was a gap. Maua paused at the top. "Come inside," she said, then stepped into the cave.

Inside was dark, but gaps in the broken ceiling let in enough light. The cave was bowl-shaped with smooth walls, upon which were drawn depictions. "Look at this," Maua said, pointing to the first image. It showed lions living at the jumble of stones in peace. The second showed a shadow creeping towards it, the lions looking on in horror. The third showed combat, with lions - and one who looked like a king - fighting with the shadows, which had taken on the forms of lions. The fourth showed a dead king, and the lionesses running.

"You see? there were some lions living here before," Maua said, "But the shadow in the stones came, killed their king and the rest fled. That's why nobody goes near that place." Maua looked from the wall to Morningstar. "That's why YOU shouldn't go near that place. If you want to live, anyway."
She sighed. "Well, now that you know where I live, make yourself at home, I guess." She suddenly looked a little frightened, like someone who'd realised they'd accidentally given away a secret about themselves, one that could get them hurt. "Just don't drag any carcasses down here. The flies get in and never leave."

[morningstar]

He never saw this phenomenon happening with shadows reenacting tragic events before they died however he was never one for a spiritual stance,it was always his mother telling him to respect his ancestors so they can give him strength for when he needed or advice."It seems the ancestors are upset, is there anyway to help them maua?" He never believed a word of his mother as a cub as he only saw it as age old superstition, he went inside the cave and layed down as he understood every word with care however those shadows troubled him he always assumed that the dead stayed dead and helped those who needed it.

[cheezeegriff]

"Ancestors... is that how you see these stories?" Maua said, glancing up at the pictures. "I thought it looked like something... not from here. Not like ancestors. It swept over them like a wave." She shook her head. "I don't know how to help them. I don't even know if I can. I just live off the land here as well as I can and keep to myself." She sat down on a boulder not too far from the cave entrance.

[morningstar]

"Have you always lived in the pridelands Maua or are you a rouge like me?" He says looking at her as he slowly gets comfortable however his gaze slowly turned to the stone and the images he was shown he closes his eyes there was an old hymn that his mother had tough him after his grandfather dead, it was suppose to appease angry spirits and draw the strength of the ancestors however he couldn't remember it even if he could these shadow lions aren't his ancestors and such rituals are best preformed by the loved ones rather then a total stranger.

[cheezeegriff]

(Hey. Your posts are a little hard to read with so little punctuation).

"Rogue," Maua said. "I'm not from here. I came here because it was green and there was plenty to eat." She looked out through the holes in the cave roof. It wasn't time to hunt yet. "So, why were you exiled?" She lay down, folding her paws.

[morningstar]

//sorry//


Morningstar sighed and replied with a hint of sadness in his voice."Because I challenged my father the king and lost, the reason being is because he is an tyrant." He thinks of his mother how she is doing his eyes start to whater as he gets up to look at the setting sun so he can think.

[cheezeegriff]

(Thanks:))

Maua raised an eyebrow, as if in disbelief that Morningstar could have done such a thing. But she didn't say anything to that affect. "A tryrant... what lands were these? Which way, and how far?"

[morningstar]

He tilts his head."All i can tell you is my homeland is fair to the north past the out lands,iam sorry if i can't pin point the location its been years sense I've seen my homeland."

[cheezeegriff]

"And what sort of tyrant was he?" Maua asked. "What did he do that was tyrant-ish?"