Meditation [open]

[Deleted]

I M A R A
Lioness | One Year

This part of the waterfall area was my fathers, but I still walked cautiously. I knew there to be tigers near by, the male Orion and his streak to name specifics. I realized that I probably shouldn't be wandering alone, no protection and not having let my parents know that I was wandering off, but I felt like doing something rebellious. And it wasn't as if I'd left Dolmio's territory. No, I was still on our land, and I felt that was reasonable. A smaller waterfall sat off from the main rush of water, and I headed towards it. It was beautiful here. I decided instantly that this was my favorite spot on my father's land. I would have to sneak out here more often...or, at least get my parents to bring me out here.

I had reached the age of one year, which was a testament to Luna and Dolmio. It would be shocking to few if my sister or I hadn't survived to reach this age. I flexed my strengthening muscles as I reached the waterfall. I felt I could take care of myself now. I waved a paw through the water at the base of the falls and my emerald eyes reflected back at me. I could see my mother in my eyes. I looked up then and wondered what my sister was up to. Was she also wandering somewhere in our territory? Or maybe she was at home with our mom and dad. Maybe I should head back...

I dismissed the idea as soon as it came. No, I wouldn't go back yet. I splashed the water and then lept up to a boulder next to the water and stared down as ripples were sent in every direction in circles. I laid down and relished in the peace and quiet. I liked this, not being around my family 24 hours of the day. I liked the freedom.  

[SORA :D]

R O Y A L
Male cheetah

My paws splashed in the many puddles around the waterfalls. Mist dampened my coat, and I shook to dry out. I was older now, and could be out on my own without someone worrying. It was a nice to get away from everybody. I could feel myself calming down when the sound of the water falling came into ear. But something told me that I wasn't completely alone. It could be Tamara. I was much stronger than her now, so if she tried anything, I was more likely to win. But if a lion, or tiger were née, I would just have to run. I suddenly spotted the glint of golden fur, resting near by. My body froze, and I hoped that whatever it was didn't see me.

[Deleted]

The sound of the water fall was so relaxing. It was starting to make me drowsy. I stared at the little pond below me for a moment and then rested my head on my paws. I flexed my claws and sighed. It was such a relaxing place. But before I could fully relax, I felt eyes on me. I picked my head up and my ears swiveled towards the direction in which I felt the other creature might be. Was it Tulip? I felt annoyed at the thought. Was my sister really checking up on me? I stared in that direction and I saw the contrasting colors. But it wasn't a tiger, so I felt myself relax. But if it wasn't a tiger...

I felt myself lean forward as I tried to get a good look. I stood, stretching my neck to see who was lurking beyond the water. I thought I saw spots, but I couldn't be sure if they were leopard or cheetah spots. The other cat was hidden well. If I hadn't felt like I was being watched, I would have been easy bait. I stepped forward, curiously. However, the waterfall was splashing onto the edges of the rock I'd been resting on, and I wasn't prepared for the slippery surface. My front paws hit the slippery edge and I slid over and into the pond at the bottom of the falls. I hadn't expected it, and hadn't had time to even yell in surprise. I went completely under and paddled to the top.

When my head breached the surface, I took in a long gasp of a breath. Immediately I made for the shore. I climbed out in shock, feeling completely out of my element. I shook as much of the water off as I could and stood, shivering beside the pond. I had completely forgotten about my visitor, my mind totally taken up with the surprise of my fall.

[SORA :D]

Ever sence the raid on my den, cats larger then me made me uncomfortable. The golden lion didnt seem to know I was around, so calmed down, and carried on my walk. I was listening to the birds, when a loud splash broke through, and water dampened my coat. Wile I was shaking out, the golden lion appeared again. but she doent seem to want to hut me.

[Deleted]

I was standing at the edge of the water when droplets started falling on me. I thought at first that it was just the waterfall misting the ground around it, but when I turned my head, I saw my reason for falling. A cheetah stood a few feet away from me. It was a male, about my age. I tensed at the sight of the cheetah so close, but calmed when I realized I was bigger than him. Cheetahs didn't often mess with lions. Still, I didn't like the idea of a fight, and it wasn't like he didn't have a chance. He could do some damage, young or not, smaller or not.

I turned my body so I was facing him and felt my claws dig into the ground, though I had no intention of picking a fight. I stared at him, half annoyed, half curious. He was the whole reason I was soaked right now! But I also wondered what he was doing in my father's territory. "What are you doing in Dolmio's territory?" I asked, before thinking. Once I'd said it, I felt bad for coming off a bit rude. Not that he could take me serious though. I was soaked head to toe and my ears were slightly tilted back. I probably looked ridiculous. Then again...he might be afraid of lions.

[SORA :D]

I narrowed eyes at the lion in the water. It wasn't that I was mad, it was just that I didn't trust her. We looked about the same age, maybe a year, or so. I scanned her, trying to decide if she was going to pick a fight or not. My muscles tensed, and my ears flattened against my head when the loins claws dug into the earth. I was beginning to think that I may be the reason she was wet. Then she asked why I was here. The way she said her words came off a bit rude, but the look on her face said that she didn't mean them that way. "I, ah, live here" I hoped that she knew that. If she didn't, then I was in a mess of trouble.

[Deleted]

I raised my eyebrow at the male cheetah. He claimed he lived here. And I had never run into him before? I took a step and sat down, looking at him suspiciously. "We share territory?" I asked doubtfully. "Who are you?" I asked then, with some interest. As far as I knew, there were no cheetahs in the waterfalls. Unless...was this cheetah thinking about claiming land here? Or did he think he could challenge my father for this very spot? I hid my amusement at that thought. That would be something. A fully grown lion against this young cheetah...oh boy. I would have to see that. Then again, maybe he was confused and they actually had land here but further away. I didn't quite buy this 'shared territory' story he was cooking up. 

[SORA :D]

I sighed, and sat down. Didn't this lion know why I was here? I thought everyone knew why we were here. She seemed puzzled, and asked who I was. "Royal." I stated. I wasn't sure how to answer her question about the territory. It was complicated. Dolmio let us live here, but it wasn't our territory. He wanted us here to protect us from Tanni, or other tigers. I simply told her its complicated. If she wanted more information, she could ask, but I wasn't going into all of it up front. I ears twitched, and cocked my head. "Who are you?"

[Deleted]

The cheetah's name was Royal. I raised a brow again. Interesting name. I wondered if he was, like, and heir or something to his parents. They must have high hopes for this boy. He gave me a vague explanation for how he lived her by saying simply 'it's complicated.' I gave him a sarcastic look as if to say Really? I began licking the water from my paws as if I were no longer interested in his motives or reasons for being here. Obviously he didn't want to explain, and I didn't feel threatened, so it didn't make much difference to me whether he was here or not.

He asked who I was. "Imara; Dolmio's daughter." I put my paw down and looked at him again.


I thought they lived with Orion? Ah well...

[SORA :D]

(No, they lived on Dolmio's land I thought. Let me see...)

I looked at her as she groomed herself. The looks she gave me aggravated me just a little, but I dismissed it. "Dolmio? My mom is friends with him." I stated, not very excited. I wasn't really finding her interesting.

[Deleted]

A sigh escaped my lips. I was starting to feel bad about being so rude. I'd been a bit of a snob. My mother would be ashamed of my attitude. Still, I didn't believe his story just yet. Hadn't I just thought that he wasn't a threat though? And what harm would I cause in being nice to Royal? I was usually friendlier than this. Maybe it was just the fall into the water that had sunk my mood. Royal stated that his mother was friends with Dolmio. I tilted my head to the side, trying to show more interest. "Really? Who is your mother?" I asked.

I was starting to feel as if I had ruined my chances of actually making a friend outside of my father's pride. Would I never make a friend? My whole life, though only a year, I had only one friend; my sister Tulip. Suddenly I wanted to know what it would be like to have a friend who wasn't related to me. But I could I really befriend a cheetah?

[SORA :D]

I watched as Imara's eyes brightened. I guess I had sparked some interest. She had wanted to know who my mother was, and I hesitated to answer. I didn't want to fall into a trick. "Korra" I swallowed.

I scanned the lioness's body. She resembled her father, but also someone else I didn't know. She seemed to be warming up to me, and I smiled. Maybe we could be friends.

[Deleted]

Royal hesitated and I wondered why. He said his mother was Korra. I wracked my brain trying to remember if I'd met a Korra. I shook my head slowly, "I don't think I've met her. But the name sounds familiar." I thought a moment longer, but couldn't put a face to the name. I glanced at Royal. His coat was so interesting to me. I was fascinated not only by his cheetah spots, but by the fact that he had stripes down his back almost like a tiger. I'd never heard of such a thing, but then, I'd never met a cheetah before. I wondered why that was. I felt so sheltered. "How is it that you have stripes?" I asked, blurting out my thoughts. "I mean, I just didn't know cheetahs had stripes..." I said, trying to explain my outburst. I gave him a half smile, feeling myself relax more.

[SORA :D]

I could see Imara was having trouble remembering who my mother was. I shrugged, and looked over at her. "It's ok. I don't think she's met you yet." I smiled, and sat in front of her. I hoped I wasn't making her uncomfortable. The lioness was very slender, and muscular. Her coat was a golden brown. She asked about my stripes. I stood up, and looked over my shoulder, examining them. "Well, Im a king cheetah, just like my mom." I paused, realizing she probably didn't know what that meant. And strangly, I couldn't really explain why I had stripes, all I knew was I liked them.

[Deleted]

I smiled in return as he said that Korra probably hadn't met me yet. I nodded. He sat down in front of me, and I felt he was warming up to me as well. He looked back at his stripes when I mentioned them. "A king cheetah," I repeated, trying out the words. I'd never heard of such a thing. "Is that why your name is Royal?" I asked curiously. I felt that my knowledge was expanding and I wondered what else Royal knew that I didn't. What else could he teach me? Korra was a king cheetah as well, according to Royal. I assumed that his father wasn't, since he hadn't mentioned him. I guessed that Royal would have a cub one day that had his trademark stripes. It must run in the family through his mother's side.