There's A Story To Tell ...

[Jelani]

[ Open for anyone, eh? ]

The nature of the rain was complex. Its soft, placid trickling created a symphony of noise. The sensations of which it brought as it pelted the provident vegetation were scarcely easy to describe. Each little droplet, each little rustle of the gentle wind, told a story. Incoherent whispers resided within those natural voices; the spirits of the dead, of the downtrodden. The more he listened, the more he believed, and the more uneasy he would begin to feel in his stillness.

Jelani was a superstitious being by nature. His own web of intricate explanations plagued him day and night. Throughout the beginnings of the storm, he had sought refuge on the ground, but that had gradually become impossible. The heavy wind, the growing rain, had transformed the ground into something difficult. Its medium brown had become an ominous black; the earth's body had twisted and devoured small stones and pebbles as it seeped loosely - the mud's weight far too much for the slight slopes the jungle possessed. It wasn't often that the rain fell as hard as it did, and, for that, Jelani was unnerved. He had left the ground without a moment's haste. Rather than venturing far from his location, he had managed to hoist himself onto a low branch of a tree, though the difficulty had been immense. There had been no tools to aid him, nor beings to comfort his stress in getting away from the sluggishly shifting ground as it fed upon those small enough to grow stuck. There, far from home, he had been situated above the ground. He had rested in weariness. The creaks and groans of the area's atmosphere had only grown worse - and he had only been left to his thoughts, wondering and wondering how the story had gone.

There was a legend to the rain.

He was confident he remembered it, he was confident he had told it before, yet, laying there, he could not recall it in exactness. Shifting on the branch, he had began to think. One paw had been settled over his head, mushing the brief area of bangs settled onto his scalp. A loud, frustrated sigh had escaped his throat. His tail had flickered; he had shivered as the breeze chilled his wet figure. Then he had remembered the story with little quarrel of detail.

Hesitantly, his paws had fallen away from his head. He had warily sat himself up to observe the sliding ground, the fleeing rodents and insects. Then he had attempted to walk. He had attempted to follow the branch, reciting his story to himself within his own mind.

Once upon a time, there existed no strife...

He had began simply, a troubled expression crossing his face. Unfortunately, he had not managed to get too far into the legend. He had been incapable of calming his worries. To add to the circumstance, the branch he had been walking on had snapped. He had fallen down, landing into the ground as it slid. His figure had become filthy, his feet had sank into the sloshy ground. Panicking somewhat, he had attempted to hoist his legs from the mud. They had proven too short, and so he had trudged - attempting to move as he felt himself entering a harder set of motions. In haste, he had sought out a tree - a branch low enough to climb with ease - but nothing had seemed to rest nearby.

Thus Jelani went down hill with the sliding mud; thus he dug his way forward until finally dropping into a small rush of water set somewhere within the jungle. He had stood near the shallow end, gasping for breath and easing himself out of his nervousness. The mud had seemed to cease its motion. The rain had appeared to grow calm, and so did he. Jelani had relaxed within the shallow water. He had stood, staring with wide blue eyes before sitting himself down. A loud breath had been exhaled; he had smiled and had looked upward at the holes within the jungle's canopies.

"Now where did I leave off...?" He had murmured to himself, his voice smooth and complacent despite his jittered incident with the mud.

[Rohan]

Rohan watched the sky though the opening of a canopy with interest as the rain calmed itself. His eyes were often looking heavenward, looking for something... or someone. His parents had died in the very fire that had turned his mane the brilliant fire orange that it was. He had missed them ever since.

Slowly he hung his head as he moved like a tank through the forest. His body language was a dead give away that he had no hope for his own future. His legs where covered with mud almost up to his belly, despite his size. His head was hanging so low that his mane was being dragged through the slosh that was the forest floor.

As he continued walking he could swear that he could hear voices up ahead. He continued moving towards the sound, not because of curiousity, but because he was moving that direction anyway. He had no interest in what was talking, and he certainly didn't care if it was a threat to his life.

Shortly the creature came into view. He stopped in his tracks and held his head up pathetically as he looked at the short legged feline. He almost thought about ignoring it and to keep moving on but he hadn't come across any other felines since the death of his parents. "Were you talking to yourself?" he said with a low voice which was quite monotone. He didn't move but just stood there and stared at the small statured, dirty creature while rain droplets ran over his own body.

[Jelani]

The moment a unique voice protruded his train of thought, Jelani had jumped. He had become stiff; the hairs along his back had stood up as if he were paranoid of something. Emitting only a lone gasp due to his bewilderment, Jelani had began looking around. Soon his tense limbs had eased. He had shifted himself within the shallow water, the surface rippling and distorting the reflections cast onto the surface.

What his eyes had met had been nothing short of ... surprising. Their narrow nature, worn by worry, anger, and sadness, had befallen the begotten creature to cross his path. Instantly, he had become aware of the size difference. As could be expected of a small creature, he had become defensive in the face of what was easily a threat. His shoulders had hunched in as rough a manner as possible.

Jelani was not a rough person, though. For as long as he could remember, he had abhorred physical confrontation. A scholar, an intellectual, he held no business striking a rigid pose. In that respect, he pulled it off poorly and soon relaxed himself. His face had eased, but an existing prejudice had kept him on his toes. A bright, fiery mane stuck against sleek ebony fur could not be ignored - and Jelani knew only of one species in possession of the dreaded mane.

He had cringed inwardly before clearing his throat. The melancholy atmosphere about the larger feline was not ignorable. Such was likely fortunate. Jelani held his compassions; he could not be brutal nor crude with the crestfallen, no matter the animosity he felt towards their kind - or what he believed to be their kind.

"Sneaking up on others is not polite." Jelani had stated bluntly within a sigh. His claws had dug into the river's floor, scraping at the more than soggy dirt and damp rock. Suddenly, he had stared. His face had grown long with embarrassment. Had he been talking to himself? His ears had flickered back as he turned his head away. Quietly, he had cleared his throat. "I suppose I may have been. It's a terrible habit to break - scarcely worth the effort - and at least keeps the train of thought in tact." His only justification for his own self-conversations was less than satisfactory within his eyes, but it would make due to ease his sheepishness. He had never enjoyed being caught uttering things to himself under his breath.

Once more he had found himself scrutinizing the stranger. Part of him had grown curious. He could relate to hardship, but he could not fathom dragging himself about the ground as if he were dead weight. It was peculiar and unwelcoming to see someone in such a state. His nose twitching loosely, Jelani had taken several steps from the water, never leaving the shallow pool for fear of another mud slide. "Dear boy, you look as if you've been struck at the heart. The rain can't be all that bad; you're far too large to be stuck in the mess - what business do you have walking like that?" His intricate tongue had taken to its greater tone. He inquired less of concern, more of curiosity. The story-teller he was, learning of others often proved useful.

Not to mention he was worried. The maned-beasts were not a common sight for him within the jungle. That was all for the better, but, whenever he saw him, he was reminded of the distant past ... And of the awkward limp which had grown to characterize his stride.

[Rohan]

Rohan took another step forward but that was the closest he got to this peculiar creature. He watched as the creature as it seemed to be thinking quite deeply. It's fur was a dirty brown and he found it hard to tell whether this was it's normal colour or whether the creature was this dirty all the time.

"I was not sneaking up on you." he replied bluntly. "I was merely walking by and you happened to be in my path." This seemed true to Rohan. He wanted to continue walking forwards and past the creature but something held him back. Maybe it was the fact he had been walking alone for so long. Rohan had lost track of time itself.

"My business is my own!" he said with a slight growl in his throat. Rohan hung his head in grief once more. He had no intention of sharing his own story just yet. What good would it do telling this feline his past? It wouldn't make things better for anyone. "And what may your name be? And where am I exactly?" he inquired as he slowly pulled his head up to look at the feline. He had heard about these creatures. They were leopards of sorts. Clouded leopards? Rohan remembered that his own father was a leopard of sorts. A pitch black leopard as black as night, the ones they called panthers...

[Jelani]

It was habitual for Jelani to freeze up at the sound of a growl. Though he was ashamed to admit it, the maned-beasts terrified him. They struck a chord of his soul unlike any other; they bombarded him with haunting feelings. Simultaneously, they angered him. Observing those brilliant manes they carried distinctly, he would feel nothing short of disdain.

Yet there was a disposition available for this one - so it seemed. Jelani had not depicted the ounces of his fear and prejudice. Rather, he had kept his calm and had focused on the larger cat's figure. Eventually, he had become uncomfortable with the act. He had looked away carelessly, though his intention had not been rudeness. Something always pestered him at the sight of such individuals. It was a difficult matter, one of which he was uncertain he would ever speak of again.

Brushing off the bluntness of Rohan's comment, Jelani had cleared his throat. His eyes had recanted onto the surface of the slow moving river. The distortion of his paws had seemed mildly intriguing as the droplets of water from the canopy above rippled its surface sporadically.

"Where are you?" He had began swiftly. Suddenly, his head had shot up. His ears had perked forward, and surprise had seemed to engulf him. Warily, he had made a jester with his head to the trees, river, and ground. "This land would be named the Yaxhian Jungle." Jelani's voice had escaped him in a matter-of-fact way. His eyes had never left their perplexed state as he had attempted to shake the bits of mud on his body away. He had never approved of being particularly filthy, but there was little he felt compelled to do at that moment. His attention was taken.

"Two strangers crossing paths needn't worry about names regularly, maned-beast." His ears had flicked back. A momentary vexation had seemed to rise within his face before settling as he sighed. Gradually, he had began to leave the water. His soaked paws had touched the shore, and he had held himself high. Still, he stood short; still he remained fragile. "But I am called Jelani." He had explained carefully. Briefly, he had seemed to smile. A distant politeness and formal etiquette had emerged within his demeanor as he spoke. Even the manner of which he sat seemed outlined to provincial care for his outward expression. "You've lost yourself, I take it? Happens to the most talented in direction, I assure you. The jungle is filled to the brim with replicas. Everything looks the same to those unfamiliar with the territory."

Jelani's face had stiffened. He had seemed troubled before a shake of his head had been given. His shoulders had rolled as he inhaled a deep breath. "Might I request your name as well?"

[Rohan]

((ack sorry. I though I already replied!))

Rohan watched Jelani with interest as he spoke. He put so much effort into telling Rohan where he was. Obviously he was either a blabber mouth or loved telling stories. "Yaxhian Jungle would of been fine." he said bluntly.

Rohan didn't mean to be so rude but at the moment everything seemed to be working against him so why waste time on thinking about what you say to other? He sighed a deep sigh before revealing his name. "I would be Rohan." he said shortly. "And I may be lost... but it's not this jungle I'm lost in." he added. Sometimes Rohan would say things like these that would open a window into his past. The hybrid was like a big cryptic puzzle.

"Look, I'm so dirty I feel like I've been trampled by a herd of rhinos. You don't look so stunning yourself." he said flicking his tail back and forth impatiently. "Would you be kind enough to lead me to the nearest waterhole or river?" he said with a gruff voice. The small river that Jelani was standing in was hardly deep enough to bathe in. Especially because Jelani had such short legs.

Rohan noted that the small statured creature obviously wasn't afraid of water and neither was he. Water was one of the few elements that hadn't taken away something he loved. Sometimes if you looked hard enough you could almost see fire burning in his eyes, or maybe a flash of light that resembles lightening. His very own growl could easily be mistaken for thunder.

[Jelani]

[ It's alright. :3 Sorry for taking so long myself! ]

Jelani had not been taken aback by the blunt nature of Rohan's comments. His shoulders had seemed to roll; his throat had been cleared, and he had said nothing. His expression had been casual, lacking any form of offense. However, as could be expected, he was not particularly happy with faulty etiquette. Especially when he had taken to being as polite as he could to ... One of them.

"Then you would be a highly confused individual to not know where you are and to be lost at the same time." He has spoken with an ill temper, despite himself. His eyebrows had narrowed, eyes becoming sharp and distinct. something threw off the seriousness of his posture, though. He had shivered greatly; water had flickered from his soaked coat, splashing in as many directions as it could. As quickly as he could, Jelani had risen to his feet and had taken a few steps. His feet had dragged through the loose mud as he shifted, his tail up and curved faintly. "I would have reason for being filthy. Mudslides are quite common when the sky cries." A snort had been given as he had looked towards the steep hill he had been forced down. "And the ground becomes unstable; you sink in it, and my sort were never blessed with height. That trait was reserved for the brutes."

Warily, he had eyed Rohan before heaving a sigh and beginning across the shallow river. The further he went in, the further he sank, until nothing more than his head were left above the water. "This one is the calmest I know of. It leads into more rapid waters. Violent waters, but there are its points where it is easy to cross or stand." His lips had fallen into a firm line as he shook the water away after making it to the other side. He had glanced over his shoulder. "I'd be guilt-ridden in the morning to allow you wander your own to find it, so I shall in return of one thing while we're there. Can you fish well?"

[Rohan]

Rohan frowned at Jelani as he made further comments about him being confused and lost. "And who are you to know if I am confused?" Rohan snapped. He could tell that Jelani did not like his company, and Rohan knew that Jelani had no reason to enjoy his company but it still offended him greatly. Before the death of his parents Rohan had been a pleasure to be around. "You have no idea what I've been through..." Rohan continued. "You'd be best off keeping your judgment for some other feline."

Rohan was selfish in the fact that he didn't even stop to think that Jelani may have had suffered his own pains. But he was so absorbed in his own misery that he forgot about the emotional wellbeing of others.

"I would have reason for being filthy. Mudslides are quite common when the sky cries. And the ground becomes unstable; you sink in it, and my sort were never blessed with height. That trait was reserved for the brutes."

"Well it is not my fault your short legs aren't long enough to help you outrun the mud slides." Rohan added to insult. "And I'm no brute... if you think I'm a lion you are mistaken. I'm not so different from yourself. My father was of the leopard family. It was my mother who was a lion. And she was no brute either." Rohan growled. Jelani had really stepped on his nerves. But Rohan could not bring himself to harm the small feline. Words were his only weapon. Jelani was lucky that Rohan was still a good fellow.

He continued to watch Jelani as the suspicious clouded leopard eyed him before entering the river. Rohan was surprised to see that the river was so deep in the middle. He had expected it to be quite shallow. Rohan followed carefully, taking a couple of steps into the water. He watched with delight as the mud washes away from his paws. Now he just needed to wash the rest of the mud off. He stopped moving into the river as Jelani continued to speak to him.\

"I'd be guilt-ridden in the morning to allow you wander your own to find it, so I shall in return of one thing while we're there. Can you fish well?"

Rohan frowned a little with thought. He was wondering if Jelani was continuing to be sarcastic. But he didn't know Jelani well enough to tell. "I've never fished before. But I'm sure I'd be quick to learn." This much was true, Rohan loved the water and he was sure that he would enjoy fishing. His mood had lightened a bit more than it was earlier.

[Jelani]

Jelani had seemed to shoulder the statement with ease. There was a high chance that he knew nothing of what the boy had been through, but he held the remains that he knew the type. As he had drifted out of the slow moving water, his feet touching the opposite bank, he had felt a twinge of regret for the statement. Never had he condoned being labeled confused, thus he supposed it was hypocritical of him to do so to another. Yet, the lamenting creature wrought him with his own nature. His own contradictions were faced in the light, reveled to his mind, but he only sought out his escapism. He brushed those ancient problems into the back of his mind and had glanced backwards towards Rohan as the larger feline began the trek across the slow river.

"I would not be far off to venture that you're missing someone." He had stated bluntly. His shoulders had rolled; his eyes had glanced upward towards the canopies. For a moment, he had seemed lost in thought. His face had twisted strangely as he had continued, following the river a short distance before speaking once more. "You'd be a lucky one. Those maned-beasts are mad at the heart with their prides and their hunger; their women hold at least a fragment of decency. Better her half than his." His whiskers had twitched. A vexated sigh had left him as his feet sank into the mud. For a moment, his voice had seemed to quiver. "If you are no lion, then I apologize for the misconception. I've no patience for those prideful things - they tend to be the same with little variation. You learn to be wary of anything similar in appearence or blood be it raised by their customs. You're not from the pride?"

His tail had raised; his ears had flickered as he pressed forward, eventually trudging along the bank to try and keep his feet clean and his motions swift. His comfort was short-lived, however, for he had needed to veer into the jungle to meet the path he knew to take. "Fishing is a simple task, but time consuming. They're quick little devils; they have the advantage, but they make for a good meal. If you will learn, I'd be grateful for your help in catching a few?'

[Morwen]

((Hey, I'm new. I was wondering if i could join this thread with my character Reniko.))

Reniko had watched the whole thing from the dry safety of a tree. She had been watching this dark lion-ish cat, Rohan; she now knew his name, since the storm had started. He amused her so; so much more so than any other creature she had watched. Never fished!? she thought.
Now that he had run into another being, things started to get even more interesting. Ren would follow them.

It was a miracle they hadn't spotted her white pelt in the green leaves that concealed her. She stepped lightly through the branches; a tiger, even her slight body, could easily cause one to break. As the thought crossed her mind it was already too late. A stick had parted from her branch and fallen right in front of the clouded leopard.

[Jamala]

Jamala bounded from tree to tree with relative ease despite her short legs. It was second nature to her, her life was in the trees. It was almost as if she was flying through the tree tops.
She closed her eyes for a split second as she flew from one tree to another. When she landed she opened her eyes again, noticing that a white feline was below her. It was a lot larger than herself and she wondered if she should speak to it.

Jamala figured she should. If she had to get away, she would be faster. Large felines are clumsy in trees. Their weight was too much for them. Jamala also noticed that the tiger was spying on two other felines on the forest floor. One was a clouded leopard like herself. And yet she was spying on the tiger. This thought amused her slightly.

She was right about large felines in trees. The branch below her own snapped under the clumsy felines weight. She giggled and then jumped down to him. "Nice spying skills you have there my friend." she said with tongue in cheek.

[Morwen]

Ren lost herself for a moment when she heard another voice besides the ones below her. Her light weight allowed her to sneak around well in most trees, but still not as well as this cat above her. Especially this tree; what was with it? It's bark was loose and the branches brittle. That would teach her to choose better trees.

'Nice sneaking skills.' the smaller cat said from above her

"You think so?" Ren smiled, she was not angry, but rather amused at the irony; she was the one spying and then she was also the one being spied on. This had proved to be quite an interesting day; her blue eyes glowed with pleasure.
Ren lay on her belly casually keeping her cool and not caring who saw her now. she looked up at the smaller cat and asked with amusement, "Never seen a tiger in a tree before?"

[Rohan]

Rohan followed Jelani as he waded across the river. As Rohan waded across, all the mud from his legs and mane were washed away. Rohan was slightly relieved at this, he had been dragging himself in that way for too long now. It was time he moved on from his parents death.

After emerging on the other side of the river he looked at Jelani. "So do you plan on teaching me to fish?" he smirked. Suddenly he heard a snap and a small branch fell infront of Jelani. "Watch your head!" he said as it narrowly missed the clouded leopard. With a swift, sharp movement of his head Rohan looked up to the tree above them to see a small white tiger and another short-legged clouded leopard.

Rohan's brows furrowed as he stared at the pair. They were discussing something. "Excuse me? Did you know it is rude to spy on others." he said with a slight growl in his throat.

[Anisi]

((Morwen just thought you should know it's polite for everyone else to reply, before posting again. Instead of posting after every post. I'll wait for Jelani to post before I reply with my characters.))

[Morwen]

(( Oh, I'm sorry. O.O I could have sworn there was another post there. I think i'm just getting confused because i don't have a picture. ^^' Should i delete my last post; I have no problem doing that.))