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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 1:36 pm
Teska lay under a shaded tree, her eyes closed and her fur slightly matted with mud and dust. She was hot, and the day wasn't looking like it was going to get any cooler. She yawned, displaying her fangs and sat up; sleep didn't really seem like a possibility at this point. It was far too warm and it was keeping Teska up. Sighing, she looked around, her ears perked to hear any sound. Her scarred eyes rested upon Uchawi, her Queen. It seemed that Uchawi was finally not busy anymore, and Teska wanted to thank her for accepting her into the clan.
Slowly she got up and stretched, shaking the dust off her fur and biting off the mud. Even as an adolecent, it wouldn't do to have her looking muddy before the Queen. She let out a short groan after she realised her scars were still showing, but there wasn't anything that could be done about those. They were a part of her, something she would have to learn to deal with. She lowered her head, and kept her tail down moving slowly towards Uchawi. She didn't want to disturb her, or make her think that she was trying anything suspicious. She knew Uchawi was dominant to her.
Teska stopped about three feet away from Uchawi and stood still and stiffly like a statue. She lowered her head even further, trying to appear submissive the best she could. She couldn't remember how to, she had been driven out of the clan at such a young age, that she never learned any of this. Staring at Uchawi, she spoke softly, as she didn't like to speak. " Your Highness," She said softly, licking her muzzle in nervousness. " I am sorry to bother you I just.....well....." Her voice cracked from the lack of use and she stopped lowering her whole body in shame. She couldn't even speak to the Queen correctly, what a joke she was.
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 2:01 pm
The sun overhead was particularly uncaring that day, and like Teska Uchawi had settled herself in the shade of a tree in an attempt to knock off some of the heat they were up against. With a full stomach from a recent kill and this heat, she wasn't going to push anyone to border patrols or a hunting party. If it went on like this for more than today, however, they would all have to simply deal with it. She wouldn't lose too much ground on their herd just because of the heat.
Her torn ear flickered at Teska's approach. The youngling was entirely covered in scars, mattering her beautiful coat pattern and destroying any look of innocence she might have had. Those things, physical appearance, didn't play into Uchawi's mind about her clan. The vast majority of them - herself included - had scars that showed the world what they had lived through, and internal wounds that they dared to show no one.
She watched with patience as Teska seemed to stumble over her words, her paws crossed over each other in front of her. She did not let loose a cackle as the other hunkered down in embarassment, instead making a snuffling noise from her throat. "You aren't bothering me, child. Please, speak." Uchawi was not particularly unkind to those of her clan, though she had a strong overprotective streak for what she considered hers (those hyenas in her clan included). In fact, she tended to have a soft spot for younger hyenas, probably due to her own loses in the past.
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 2:15 pm
Teska watched Uchawi, shaking slightly, she didn't want to be attacked, and she figured that she was going to. It had happened a lot in the past, she was often beaten and attacked by her own clan. Most of her scars were from other hyena, and the others are from prey, lions or other predatory animals. She licked her fangs in nervousness, and jumped back with a squeak when Uchawi sat up a bit. She had been shaken up horribly, she thought Uchawi was trying to injure her.
She stood again, her body shaking less and less as she realised that Uchawi wasn't going to hurt her. She seemed almost kind. " Well, you see.......highness..........I er......I wanted to thank you, thank you for allowing me to join your clan." She shifted uncomfortabley, and lowered her eyes. " No one else has ever done that for me. I have always been driven off. It added to my scars, every time I tried to join. I thought I was going to die, but then you allowed me in. I will never forget that, I am forever in your debt." Teska lowered herself to show her respect and her voice was getting a bit more confident. She figured that Uchawi wasn't thinking she was making a total a** of herself, but she wasn't going to let herself get cocky.
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 2:39 pm
Teska was, obviously, scared out of her wits in approaching Uchawi. The queen couldn't help but run her tongue across her own chops to the strong scent of the other's fear, even if it was fading. The motion also helped keep the heat from getting to her too badly before she returned to letting her tongue loll out of her mouth in her panting. As Teska was finally able to speak, Uchawi listened with her ears pricked towards the youngster. She held her tongue still until Teska was done with her shaky statements, dipping her muzzle slightly in acknowledgement.
"When you came here, you may have been weak in body but your heart was strong. I knew you would live, and you have proven that I was right. When you grow up, you will be strong and you will stay strong until you are killed by the wasteland like all of us." Well, okay, so she didn't get any awards for being comforting or anything. She was blatant and honest, brutal in that regard. Death was what awaited them all, in the end, and she saw no point in disguising it.
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 2:53 pm
Teska eyed Uchawi carefully, her body still ready to defend herself at any moment. She was always cautious, and very nervous around other hyenas because of what had happened in her past, and Uchawi was no exception. She remained completely ontoe and ready to fight or flee, whenever necessary. She hoped that it didn't bother Uchawi. She stood out in the hot sun,jumping again as Uchawi licked her chops and letting out a low growl, her mane bristling, until she realised that Uchawi wasn't going to hurt her. " I am sorry..." She said softly.
Listening to Uchawi, with her ears erect and her body respectfully towards her and at full attention, she realised how brutally honest she was. She cackled and then winced when she said killed. She knew that Uchawi was correct, but she had survived through so much already that she didn't like to think about death. It wasn't that she didn't like it, she in fact found death facinating, but she had lost so many close to her. Uchawi reminded her of her mother, before she was killed with Teska's father by a lion who had wandered into the clan's territory. She was honest just like Uchawi, she didn't hold anything back. Drooping slightly, she quickly pulled herself back together and masked the emotion.
" Sorry, you remind me.........you remind me of my mother." She stuttered out.
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 4:00 pm
The edginess in the young one could perhaps set her in trouble when she was older. It was hard to trust a clanmate that wasn't calm and quiet and ready to do what was asked of her. Or the life of someone else. But, regardless of that, Teska was strong on her own right now. And there was always the possibility that she would settle down with age. If not, well, then she would run patrols by herself.
At the other's growl and bristling, Uchawi's tail curled over her back. She was confident that if the cub attacked for whatever reason, she could put her easily into her place. She, however, hoped that it wouldn't come to that for one so young. She was far too inexperienced to even think about taking the queenship from her.
As the other's cackle was cut-off by her last statement, Uchawi bobbed her head slightly. She could understand the other's hesitation at that word, though the following emotions that flitted across her face confused the older female. And then, Teska made herself clear. It wrenched a bit at Uchawi's heart, to hear that from one so young. And yet, she knew that Teska was not one of hers even if her age was close... but not close enough. And her coat was far too different from her two daughters'.
She scrunched her nose slightly, snuffling some more. "Do not be weary, Teska. You are here in my clan; you are my daughter." She stood, slowly then so as to hopefully not frighten the little one, and stretched her neck out to lick at the other's cheek lightly.
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Posted: Wed Jul 26, 2006 7:09 pm
Teska watched Uchawi and sighed, realising that she was really too jumpy and that she didn't really need to be incredibly out of it. She figured that she could be a knight later in her life, and that may help her do better with her jumpiness. That way she could channel all of her irritation and nervousness into protecting Uchawi and the rest of the clan. Teska lowered her head in submission. " I am sorry." She said again. " I just lose myself."
Teska whimpered softly and licked her chops some. She didn't want Uchawi to be learly of her and wanted her to like her. She didn't mean to try and threaten her, it was just her way of trying to protect herself.
She flinched as Uchawi got up, but didn't jump back this time. She watched her as she got near and allowed her to lick her, rather shocked at the fact she was just licked by her Queen. That was something that in Teska's experience didn't happen often. " Thank you, highness." She said softly and tried to smile, but she couldn't quite bring herself to. It had been a while since she had smiled.
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Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 4:07 pm
The admittance that she knew she was wrong in her actions helped to clm Uchawi down a bit about her future. If Teska at least knew that her reactions were improper, then perhaps she could more readily fix them later on. Having already shown the adolescent that she wasn't fearful or aggressive towards her, Uchawi considered herself standing well in this conversation - even if Teska still seemed hesitant and weary herself.
The odd, hesitant reaction from Teska was again something that Uchawi didn't really understand. She knew she was imposing, and that was the way it was supposed to be. But her clan was not supposed to outright fear her when she was perfectly calm and relaxed. Having watched Teska around the rest of the clan, it seemed that the young hyena was like this towards everyone. Which suggested that perhaps they couldn't trust her as she didn't trust them entirely.
She snorted, flicking her ears. It was too much to think about in this heat. "Anything else, young one?" Releasing a small yawn, Uchawi stretched out over her front paws with an accompanying cackle.
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Posted: Fri Jul 28, 2006 1:30 pm
Teska watched as Uchawi seemed to relax, the tension drained out of her own body, and she for the first time and years, let her guard down. She didn't believe now that Uchawi was going to attack her, and because of that was able to quiet her mind so that she wasn't freaking out at the slightest movement, as was her former behavior.
She let out a small giggling sound and looked over Uchawi with greater care this time. She noticed the Queen's black coat with the dappled streaks and the beautiful poison green around her eyes. She was truely a beautiful leader. Before Teska could stop and think about what she was about to say, she blurted out. " You are so beautiful." Her mouth half-open in awe. She then realised what she said, and ducked her head, sitting down in embarassment.
" I am sorry I didn't mean to let that slip." She said slowly, seemingly more confident in her words, and this time, she didn't stutter at all. Teska didn't move, just watched with a playful look in her eyes as Uchawi stretched. She giggled again and seemed more at ease. " Yes, there is one other thing." Teska said, a grin forming over her muzzle. " When I was out for a walk the other morning, I saw a new gnu herd moving into the area. They seem to have been driven here by some odd coincidence, because I have never seen them in this area before now. Maybe the pack could do well to get food from the herd?" Teska questioned, careful about how she worded this. She didn;t want to have Uchawi believe that she was trying to give her an order.
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Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 1:28 pm
Uchawi blinked amiably at the adolescent's comment about herself. She had never thought about her own appearance much, especially not in that kind of a term. It made her shift a bit, nose crinkling with uncertainty though she didn't voice any distaste. She wasn't used to compliments, merely criticism. Survival wasn't any place for beauty, afterall, and it was less a place for one willing to succumb to personal endeavors like improving that. The only thing that mattered was getting stronger and keeping food on your plate.
"Do not fear, young one. Your comment is... appreciated." She dropped the suggestion that it was out of place from her voice, and let it stand as it was. The young one could learn things her own way, and perhaps within a clan there wasn't need to be so harsh.
As Teska continued to speak, Uchaw's ears were pricked forward and listening to her. It was important to hear news, especially from the younger ones. They had to feel like they were needed because they would grow up and take positions within the clan. Positions that were vital to continued survival.
"Then perhaps my plans for tomorrow will be changed. We will let the our herd move on, and our attention will focus on the new prey." A wicked grin slid across her scarred muzzle. A new food source meant higher spirits, and she wasn't spared the excitement.
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Posted: Tue Aug 01, 2006 3:50 pm
Teska stared at the ground, hoping that she hadn't stepped out of place by letting that comment slip. Having not grown up in a clan to be able to learn, she wasn't sure about how she was to interact with the others in the Clan. She didn't know right from wrong and she sighed, biting her tongue slightly with her fangs. It had seemed that she had either caught the Queen off guard or had said something way out of place. " I am sorry." She said again, quickly skittering back a couple steps hoping she wasn't going to be bitten, she didn't feel to much like fighting today, it was too hot.
" I am sorry if I was out of place telling you about the herds, I don't mean to butt into anything else you may have had planned." She said slightly, watching Uchawi's grin go across her muzzle. With much shock, Teska realised that Uchawi was badly scarred too, she hadn't seen it early but now she did. She fought to stay in her rigid at attention form and to not let out a gasp. She won the fight and was soon looking like nothing had ever happend. She too was hoping for food, but she didn't want the Queen to believe that she was out for her position.
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Posted: Mon Aug 07, 2006 3:00 pm
The queen chuckled deeply in her throat at the young hyena's rapid attempt to back up, ending it with a few guttural cackling yips. She meant no harm to Teska in any way, and hoped that her relaxed manner would be able to show as much to the adolescent. The grin on her face remains, though she tries to keep it as soft as possible to prevent too much showing of her teeth. She had no way of knowing exactly how much it would take to get a sour reaction from Teska yet.
"Do not worry yourself over it. It is the job of the clan to look out for the clan's well-being. If one hyena knows something, then the whole clan should know it." Her voice came out in its standard rasp, ears flickering from the heat. "Do not push yourself so hard, young one. There is no need to be so restrained."
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Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 6:06 am
Teska sniffed in embarassment and raised her head slightly, regaining her rigid composure. She smiled at Uchawi and giggled slightly, begining to act more like an adolecent that she was, then the adult she was made to be. " I apologize again, it is just that every hyena I came across in the savvanah when I was clanless attacked me. All the scars on my legs are from them." She winced as she said this, hoping that she didn't tell Uchawi too much. She had killed many of those hyena.
" Thanks you Uchawi. If it isn't too hot, could you show me the clan's land? I would appreciate it very much. I could start patrol today if you wished it." Teska smiled at her Queen, and her body visibly relaxed.
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Posted: Thu Sep 21, 2006 8:21 am
The queen bobbed her head slightly in understanding of the other's situation, waiting for Teska to regain her composure a bit more before she herself spoke on the subject. "I too sport the scars the desert offers us, but it is good that you still have your feet under you." The queen did not suspect the younger hyena of being able to kill an adult from her size and attitude, but things had stopped surprising her at this point in her life.
"Today there is no reason for patrolling. Only rogues would come in so far in this heat, and a patrol could do little about that sort." She yawned again, clacking her teeth together as her jaw closed. "Another time, pup. You have plenty of time to grow for that day."
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Posted: Tue Dec 26, 2006 3:59 pm
Teska nodded and then sat back on her haunches staring at the queen out of lowered eyes. " I am glad that you decided to let me joing the clan, I promise that you will not be disappointed!" She said and smiled. " I promise to grow better for that time." She said and quickly bowed and jogging away from the queen careful not to turn her back and then went towards a shadowed area where she cold lay down.
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