Samwel Igwe
PRIDELANDERS
Human Prince of the Pridelands
Posts: 536
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Post by Samwel Igwe on Jan 31, 2021 4:55:45 GMT
Sam was nervous, very nervous.
Now that he’d learned at least a great deal of the territory, he’d been told it was time for him to learn to hunt. And this was probably the hardest part of learning because it meant two things: shedding what remained of his life back home, and actually killing an animal. Two things that were a bit awkward for him.
But he couldn’t exactly wear bright colors or loud shoes when out hunting. He’d turned to Rafiki for help and advice for this. And after close examination of his clothes, they’d found a good compromise that didn’t make him totally uncomfortable.
Sam best described his foot protections as moccasins. While he was shirtless from the waist up, his lower half covered down to his knees by a skirt like appendage Rafiki had called a loincloth. While he’d made a cloak for the off chance of colder weather, today he didn’t exactly need it.
Sam used one of the pockets he’d sewn with great effort and struggle. Knowing he’d need it. While he also took a hold of the large spear he’d constructed with Fuli, now having tied a sharper rock tip to the top. It all felt so weird and alien - especially for a city kid like he’d been not too long ago.
“I hope I don’t look too ridiculous,” he muttered a bit. Standing to his full height as he moved away from the water near where he’d agreed to meet Nala. “Who am I kidding? Who am I gonna meet out here who knows the difference?” He asked himself.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 1, 2021 15:53:52 GMT
Nala would never stop being fascinated by human's ability to change their skin colors by changing out their outer layer. It was like removable fur, the best she could understand the concept. Rafiki had tried to explain it to the queen, honestly sounding like he just wanted her to think he knew more about it than he did. But he was the Pride Land's shaman and Nala wasn't about to argue with him.
Whatever the process, Sam did now fit in a lot better than before!
It was odd, teaching males to hunt, but Nala understood that for some animals that was the norm, and it seemed so for humans. Therefore he would get all the advantage any of her lioness would. Actually, as her son now, he would get all the advantages Kiara would have.
While Nala could tell the boy had muttered, as she approached, she couldn't hear what he'd said. "Good afternoon, Sam, are you ready?", she greeted as she approached, and partly so she didn't startle the boy as she approached.
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Samwel Igwe
PRIDELANDERS
Human Prince of the Pridelands
Posts: 536
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Post by Samwel Igwe on Feb 1, 2021 18:38:49 GMT
Sam turned to smile.
He was starting to get a little more used to things - so he wasn’t... Well, at least wasn’t as startled anymore by being approached by lions. After all, he’d started to sleep in those piles lately so if he could trust them while sleeping. It was hardly like he had to watch his back while awake.
Sam did have to remind himself that he didn’t need to bow all the time now. It seemed that Kion and Kiara only did so in very formal settings unlike others. And since they had made it clear he had the same rights as their flesh and blood he had to get himself out of the habit.
“Hey Nala,” he greeted with a bright smile. “I mean I think I’m ready as I’ll ever be. I finished my spear last night with Rafiki’s help.” He explained brightly. “Just a little nervous I guess?”
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Post by Deleted on Feb 3, 2021 17:41:02 GMT
Not bowing was one good sign towards Sam feeling accepted, as was the switch from formal address to just calling her Nala. Though he was most definitely allowed to call her Mom now, Nala figured it would be a while and in honor of his mother not here she would not not rush it.
Nala leaned forward to inspect the spear, "Very nice", she complimented, and as far as she knew spears and sticks and such, "Yes, Rafiki knows all about...tools", she recalled the word he'd used once.
She chuckled kindly as Sam said he was nervous, "Don't worry, we'll take it one step at a time, and first I was just going to test your tracking, we may graduate to actually retrieving a kill today, we'll see how it goes". And how eager Sam was for each step.
"First is finding a herd, we lions track by scent but Rafiki tells me primates like you and himself have better eyesight, do you see anything? Such as how the grass moves, that might indicate a presence?". It was alright if he didn't, Nala had an idea of where one of the herds of gazelle were she could lead them towards.
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Samwel Igwe
PRIDELANDERS
Human Prince of the Pridelands
Posts: 536
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Post by Samwel Igwe on Feb 3, 2021 20:25:16 GMT
Sam nodded.
Inside he’d agree that he wasn’t quite ready to call them mom and dad yet. But there were times he’d come close - it was just that doing so... Well made his mother’s death more permanent. But given time he could already tell he’d come to call them just that.
Rafiki sure did seem to know his way around tools and the like at least. Hell, the fact he’d been able to make him clothes and assured him he could do it again still amazed him. “Yeah, Rafiki seems pretty cool,” he replied. “Though he sure likes whacking people with that staff of his when you don’t listen huh?” He asked.
He listened intently about what she intended to do. And smiled a little, having learned a little when he’d met that kid, Fuli which did help. “I met a cheetah named Fuli who actually helped me figure out how to do some of that,” he said proudly. “I’m not really an expert, but I can try at least.”
Sam tried to remember what he could of that first, small lesson. Though he also had a feeling that he wouldn’t be the best right out of the gate. After all he was a city kid and this was his first time hunting. “Well, I see some hoofprints,” Sam explained as he crouched low to examine them. These ones looked decidedly different than the ones Fuli had shown him as he tilted his head. “Maybe a zebra, headed south?” He asked.
Of course, he was totally off but the effort was at least there.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 7, 2021 17:26:14 GMT
Nala chuckled as Sam mentioned how Rafiki liked hitting people with his stick. "Yes...but it can prove useful, especially if a king needs to be reminded of his duty", she smiled to herself.
Sam mentioned he had already had some tracking help from Fuli. "Ah, yes, Fuli is a member of Kion's Lion Guard, an excellent teacher", she answered. When the young cheetah had the patience to show things, Nala knew, and also that it was doubly good of her to show Sam since she wasn't the biggest fan of baboons, though he was not a baboon.
Nala merely waited as Sam looked around, soon spotting tracks. "Very good", she praised, coming up to inspect the tracks for herself. "Hmm...yes, they did seem to at least start south, let's see if we can find them", she started off in that direction, sniffing for other signs of either the lone zebra or the herd. "Hmm...this way I think", she said, giving the benefit her nose provided, but still letting Sam take the lead in terms of what he saw, and since this was his learning experience.
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Samwel Igwe
PRIDELANDERS
Human Prince of the Pridelands
Posts: 536
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Post by Samwel Igwe on Feb 8, 2021 0:04:16 GMT
Sam nodded his head slowly.
He guessed that did make sense. Especially if a king slacked off which would be a bad thing. “I guess that’s true but I like that Simba isn’t always too serious,” Sam replied honestly. “Like his lessons are serious but sometimes he’ll stop and like ruffle my hair or get me goofing off. It’s fun.”
He supposed that was part of being a dad but never having had one until now he could be sure. In a lot of ways the king and his family were more physically affectionate than his more serious mom who showed her love in other ways. “Though that’s taking some getting used to. You guys are more physical,” he then added. “In a good way.”
Ohhhh so he has got it right. Sam grinned ear to ear. That was the exact opposite of what I was expecting. Either way he followed Nala carefully while he kept an eye. Honestly directions were the harder part, the more hoof prints that had come up the different directions they went.., “how do I tell which way they’re pointing when it’s that many hooves?” He asked.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2021 15:35:13 GMT
"He got that from his father, and knowing the balance of serious and fun. Mufasa was a great king", Nala smiled, "As well as a great father, near as I saw, same as Simba is. I never knew my own father, not too unusual for lions really, but I've seen the example of a bad king in Scar".
Nala just looked intrigued as Sam said they were more affectionate. "Are we? I know no other way to be, though I do know different animals have different ways of showing affection". She almost asked if perhaps it was different from humans, but didn't want to enter into a sore topic so just shifted back to the hunt.
She smiled as Sam asked the right question, and how he could tell the direction of the tracks. "Do you see the indent right there?", she pointed lightly with her nose, but didn't disturb the track, "That is the front part of the hoof, so unless the zebra is walking backwards, they would be headed that direction, though you'll notice they turned a little bit, perhaps in grazing", she indicated some tracks which turned, "But then did seem to head that direction".
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Samwel Igwe
PRIDELANDERS
Human Prince of the Pridelands
Posts: 536
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Post by Samwel Igwe on Feb 8, 2021 22:50:06 GMT
Sam smiled, the more he heard of Mufasa the more he wished he had gotten the chance to meet him. But of course, that wasn’t an option now. Damn Scar. “Mufasa sounds like he was a great guy. I wish I could have met him,” he admitted out loud. “But it sounds like Simba’s a lot like him too.”
The teen listened as Nala explained how there was no other way to be. And expressed interest in what he meant. “Lots of humans are openly affectionate like that. My mom was just a bit more serious,” he explained. “I think it’s because of my dad. When he left she had to double her workload. But she showed it to me in a lot of other ways. Like taking me our for ice cream every Friday, or buying me the latest comics at every paycheck. That kind of thing.”
He was sure to flick his switch over to hunting again when she mentioned how to tell the tracks. The indents made sense, at least he thought. It made it much easier to remember at least. “So they’re probably close if they were grazing then, huh?”
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Post by Deleted on Feb 10, 2021 17:00:51 GMT
"He was a great king", Nala answered with a smile, "I recoqnized that even when I was young and even without Scar's worse example, and yes Simba is more like him that he realizes some days".
She listened as Sam explained how humans varied in their affection and some where more affectionate than others. "I suppose that does make sense, Zebras...may vary", she didn't say Thurston was different than many of those he led, and the Zebra leader was still effective in his own way.
There were reasons behind his mother's aloofness also. Nala nodded, she wasn't sure what had lead to her own father not being there, but her mother had never said it was his fault or anything. She would have to ask about Ice Cream and Comics later, they were getting close, as Sam next noticed.
Speaking of Thurston, she soon realized it was his herd they were on the trail of. Little surprise and as she thought back she realized this would be a perfect opportunity. One of the herd's older members had begun limping and was about due for the Circle of Life either-way.
"Yes, and I know the herd now...they are very panic and run minded, more so than other prey and even zebras", Nala answered, lowering her voice as they continued closer, "The one we should target is older and due her journey either-way, but still, as is fair for prey to do, she will run and probably not thank us cutting her limping a few days short, but if the whole herd starts...they can get unpredictable in their running pattern, don't worry you'll still be fine and I'll keep an eye on the others".
She crouched lower as they got closer and soon spotted the herd. "It's that one", she whispered, and then glanced over to keep here eyes on Thurston and what he would do and thus have the rest do if he started panicking, yet she didn't move and waited for if Sam had other questions before trying his spear and for him to do so.
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Samwel Igwe
PRIDELANDERS
Human Prince of the Pridelands
Posts: 536
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Post by Samwel Igwe on Feb 11, 2021 3:33:33 GMT
Sam nodded in agreement.
He supposed that was a good thing - because having a royal bloodline could have pros and cons. Like if Simba hadn’t taken after Mufasa, would he still be a good king? Who knew, thankfully they wouldn’t have to find out. Though his serious mind was interrupted as he giggled at the thought of Thurston - at the mention of zebra.
That had been the zebra leader he remembered huh. That guy was seriously hilarious he remembered. “Yeahhhh Simba and I met Thurston on my first lesson,” Sam pointed out. “If he has kids I hope they’re a little brighter and he doesn’t forget who they are.”
Sam was quick to get into a crouch himself when Nala did. Oh, speak of the devil huh? He turned his eyes to listen to Nala’s words of wisdom. Not at all shocked that prey would probably run - he knew he would do the same. “Can’t say I blame them. I probably would too.” He admitted calmly. Keeping a tight grip on his spear. “Thurston’s pretty jumpy though. So I think I’m more worried about that too...”
He eyed the older zebra quietly. He definitely felt bad about the limp, and better yet that she was in pain. In a way he had to admit, it seemed like they were saving her a lot of pain. “Is there some opening or sign we wait for?” He asked politely.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 13, 2021 14:42:17 GMT
Sam said he had met Thurston, and Nala turned a knowing smile to him as he explained about the zebra leader. "You know, I don't believe he does, though...leading takes enough of his time". and again, what Sam was saying was not untrue, it was a wonder Thurston's herd did as well as they did at times!
As they prepared, she nodded to Sam's worries over the zebra leader. "Yes, he can be, and so especially for your first time I'll handle him all I can".
"You just watched the herd for an opening and when they mostly seem to not be looking this way...", Nala scanned the grazing herd and at the moment she felt they had it, gave Sam a nod and tensed to spring since she knew she would have to act the second he did but she didn't want to be the one to startle the herd off and ruin his first try.
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Samwel Igwe
PRIDELANDERS
Human Prince of the Pridelands
Posts: 536
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Post by Samwel Igwe on Feb 13, 2021 22:46:13 GMT
Sam nodded. At least mostly getting it.
It must have been hard for some people though. Trying to have kids while also juggling their duties as leader. It still amazed him how good Simba was at that, or Nala. And they were leaders of an entire kingdom! “Sounds good,” he noted, taking a deep breath. “I can do this, I think...”
When she mentioned watching for his opening, he kept his body steady. His eyes very narrow and careful. Only waiting for Nala’s signal which came just in time. Remembering how he’d learned to pounce, Sam got to his feet and did one to the best of his ability. Making a quick beeline for the zebra.
He raised his spear and made a quick, swift attempt to toss the spear and hit the creature on its side.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 15, 2021 21:35:54 GMT
Nala smiled as she watched Sam prepare to make his first move. She had only begun teaching Kiara and even Kion and it was nice to now be showing Sam as well.
She was going to have to get used to how to think of Sam, not in terms of being her son, he already fully was, but in terms of his order among her now three kids. He was the last taken in but in terms of age he might actually count as older than Kiara, though that would not interfere with her being queen as the first born blood heir.
She watched as Sam leapt out, and quickly followed, but not to target the older zebra, to do the job she had said she would. Calming Thurston as he began his Panic and Run.
"Thurston...Thurston...easy", this was always the awkward stage in ruling, "You know we're being fair and Abena's limp is...". Thurston leapt over her and continued on, only panicking the herd further, including the elderly zebra who rushed off, but not at a fast pace and Sam's spear had managed to hit it's mark.
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Samwel Igwe
PRIDELANDERS
Human Prince of the Pridelands
Posts: 536
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Post by Samwel Igwe on Feb 15, 2021 21:44:48 GMT
Sam saw the commotion.
Honestly, he didn’t know what he expected. But there was a bit of a major panic that he had expected. His heart raced as he sucked in his breath. What did he do? A part of him wanted to panic and run. But the other part of him reminded himself that he couldn’t be afraid.
Especially as he watched the elderly one get hit. The limp seemed to get worse, and he took a few more breaths. With every ounce of his strength, he leapt through a gap in the heard and pounced, or rather tackled, the zebra to the ground. Producing his knife as he did so to drive it home.
He closed his eyes tightly and heaved a little but when he’d opened them, he was on top of a very dead zebra. None worse for the wear himself, with bruises and a few cuts from ducking and dodging Thurston’s head as he took a deep breath again. “I... Wow, I actually did it?” He managed.
Though he kept himself on alert in case the herd came back around.
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