Post by Bhaskar on Sept 27, 2010 21:22:02 GMT -7
Cast:
Dushta (Black Tiger)
Saadarshan (Golden Liger)
Lakshmi (Golden Jackal)
------
Cliffside Temple
This ancient temple, whatever it might once have been, has a number of very different uses now. It acts as a den for some, a jungle gym for others, feeding grounds for others still. Mysterious carvings, taller even than an elephant, adorn it. They are cracked now, some tipped sideways, others broken or toppled. Their features -- some might view them as monkeylike -- are worn. Other carvings, less representational but equally intricate and equally aged, mark this place as something different from the trees which soar up to the sky around it. The stone of the temple is cool and in places mossy; moisture gathers in the dark cracks in its walls. Vines crawl up its statues, winkle into those cracks, helping to slowly drag it down into the earth once more. In fact, it seems that they have in part succeeded: one area of the temple is gone, collapsed into a great pile of stones covered in crawling vines. Within, the temple is silent; most often it is damp, but in the heart of the dry season, the dust and heat creep in even here, drying up most of the pools of moisture that patch the stone floor at other times of the year. More nooks and crannies abound within the depths of the ruined temple, home to spiders, lizards, birds, and many other creatures. During some times of day, thick, almost touchable shafts of sunlight shine dustily in. To the south, the ground drops off: the temple looks out over a tree-covered cliff and the jungle beyond it.
------
Though the temple has officially been abandoned by the Ran Garjana, Dushta has been spending much of his free time keeping an eye on the place, just as he'd explained to Rakta. Not that he expects to see Ananth any time soon, but he's very interested in seeing if anyone comes to investigate the place after their little security leak. And, wisely, he's not watching from the temple itself but among a cluster of bushes and trees within view of it, where the shadows can most easily hide him.
Saadarshan knows nothing of security leaks or gathering tigers. He had brief work of warning something was amiss in the deep woods, but as a stranger and newcomer he has little more knowledge or experience to go on. So, the path he takes is one taken unawares, the golden giant drawn to the distance promise of grandeur and mystery that he caught sight of through the jungle growth. He lingers at the edge of the grounds that the temple dominates, peering at it through narrowed yellow-green eyes. He seems unwilling to leave the relatively thick cover, instead seeming content to regard the building from a distance and otherwise seems unaware he may not be alone.
No matter how adept one is at concealing themselves, hiding tricks only the eyes. And vision is not so important when you've a nose as sharp as a canine's. Saadarshan and Dushta are not the only ones unwilling to break cover: a lone jackal moves silently within the shadows and through the brush, keeping downwind and remaining vigilant. Not unusual behavior for a small animal, particularly one that's found itself in an area that reeks of much larger predators. Maybe it's come to see if there are any kills to scavenge off of, since the presence of tigers might mean food. Maybe it's searching for something else. Down goes its head, sniffing at the ground, and then it nips up a piece of some fruit that was lying nearby.
The problem with multiple creatures concealing themselves is that, while the sound of one creature hiding may be written off, the more there are the more likely that one of them will be heard, seen, or smelled even if they aren't necessarily together. So which it is that causes Dushta to start growling quietly isn't readily apparent; perhaps both of the others will assume it's them. But he doesn't move from his place of concealment, though his attention has turned from the temple to the surrounding forest.
Saadarshan inhales the humid air to try and discern the scents of the surrounding terrain, his ears turned forward as he hears the subtle rustling of movement. However, movement in the jungle is a given and the liger isn't alarmed, only curious. It's the curiosity that causes him to slowly step clear of the undergrowth and from the shadow into the light of the more open spaces. For his size he moves quietly, but there's no hiding him in the open. As the faint and muffled sounds of growling catches his ears, the liger turns his head to focus intent eyes on the sound, though he doesn't immediately perceive the growler hiding in the shadows.
When Dushta's soft growl drifts out through the air, the jackal goes stiff. It doesn't bolt, however, doesn't even flinch; it stays quiet and unmoving in the tangle of bushes, save for its head, which turns, much like Saadarshan's, to track the noise's source. Saadarshan himself is visible now, but still the jackal does not run. Has it decided that it's better to remain unseen within a potential danger zone, rather than calling attention to itself by retreating? Or is it /watching/?
The growl cuts off after only a moment, and there's a pause as Dushta considers the creature before him: The liger, as it happens, as he'd only become certain that /someone/ was there, and once the larger cat comes into view Dushta can only assume that it was him that he'd sensed. Well, /that/ is certainly unexpected! However, he doesn't have to debate the subject within himself for very long before he too breaks cover. He's completely silent as he pads out of the greenery, but in a similar fashion to the liger, he's not unobvious when he leaves cover.
The jackal, hidden as it is, goes unnoticed by the liger. Saadarshan's attentions are on Dushta and no doubt with good reasons. He's a big cat, but he's not some immortal and immune being and a tiger is far more of a danger than a small canine. Now he's heard of the spotless leopards, the ones dark as shadow, but this one is entirely too big for a leopard. Hm. It seems Saadarshan isn't the only unusual beast in the forest. His whiskers flare as he lifts his head, faintly craning it as if to get a better look at the emerging Dushta, and there is a low rumbling sound that's not quite a warning and not quite a greeting. More a neutral, caution acknowledgement.
And on the periphery of this meeting between great beasts, close enough to hear even Saadarshan's equally quiet rumble but far enough away to stay hidden, the jackal continues to linger. A twenty-pound canine is, indeed, far less obvious and threatening than either tiger or hybrid. Its nostrils flare once when Dushta emerges from his own cover, but that's all. Not a sound is uttered. It still doesn't so much as twitch.
Keeping himself well away from the liger, Dushta nevertheless takes a moment to look him over carefully. He's never seen such a creature before; indeed, since attaining his full growth he's hard pressed to find a feline that's actually bigger than himself, but the simple fact of that he doesn't consider a threat. Still, the intense interest he seems to show may raise a warning flag. Then again, his words when he finally speaks are relatively neutral: "What brings you to the home of the Ran Garjana?" he asks idly, as if discussing the weather.
"Ran Garjana?" Comes the voice of Saadarshan, smooth and deep if there is the slightest, faintly odd softness to it that doesn't quite fit a male his size. "I have not heard of it, but, I am not of here. Is this some title you speak of or group?" His ears are cupped forward in a gesture of curiosity. He must have missed the territory markings. He doesn't move to close any further distance between him and the black cat, but there is the returning regard, that casual and neutral sort of sizing up and consideration of the other.
That answer brings the slightest of smirks to the black tiger's face. So either this one isn't among those who might oppose the group, that bird hasn't talked, or he's lying. Well, either way: "It is a group, of which I am the leader. My name is Dushta," he says with a slight incline of his head, "And who might you be?" Though his words are pleasant enough, the way his eyes don't stray from the liger and the slight tenseness in his body make his manner seem neutral at best.
Saadarshan seems unsurprised and unbothered by the tense conversation. He posture reflects that of the black tiger, so at very least, the feelings are mutual the the civil conversation confirmed more as a formality and alleviation of curiosities. "Mm. Well, then I will apologize to you then, Dushta, if I have treaded where unwelcome. I didn't come here to offer challenge. My name is Saadarshan."
The jackal is still there, and still it has not budged. Its ears are upright, cupped forward, and its unblinking gaze has found particular interest in Dushta, as if, despite Saadarshan's larger size, it believes the liger to be far less of a threat. Although their discourse is passingly civil, perhaps the jackal can see or sense Dushta's tension; its posture is ever so slightly rigid.
There's a hint of another smirk on Dushta's face at the apology - yes, this one is entertaining enough to keep alive for now even if he would really enjoy the challenge it would represent. But these thoughts are hidden behind a mostly dispassionate facade. "There's no need to apologise, Saadarshan - our borders are unmarked so any could make that mistake," he says politely as just a little of the tension eases. Of course, the borders are unmarked simply because the group wasn't here long enough to mark them. But telling this liger another story may prove useful in case he talks about this encounter later. "My clan is not that petty," he adds, "Or at least I don't think they are - I only just met them myself and we haven't fully discusses our policies."
Saadarshan hasn't gotten this far by needlessly slinging his weight around, though, it might get him far if he picked the right souls to muscle around. "I see." Comes his neutral response to the discussion of boundaries and clans, though, there is a guarded expression on his face and the tip of his tail shows a bit too much movement to be relaxed. "A clan... unusual among cats, save the lions, and they are fairly far between. Still, I am proof enough there is oddity still in the world, as are you it seems."
The canine remains on guard even when Dushta relaxes somewhat, watching not only him but Saadarshan as well. It seems almost expectant, waiting, as if it's already halfway certain of this encounter's end. Perhaps it ought to slip off while the two predators are distracted with one another. Most jackals would. This one does not.
That, coming from a liger, is enough to prompt a genuine laugh from Dushta, who doesn't really think much about his own oddness. He's spent too much of life concealed and alone for his color to have been much of a factor in anything except his hunting style. "And this oddity of a clan may prove to be far more interesting than being on my own, as fun as the past several months have been," the dark tiger comments cryptically as a self-satisfied smile lingers on his face. But then, he seems to come back to himself and adds, "In any event, fellow oddity, I'm glad to have met you."
"I usually find any unknown entity that can be considered 'interesting' to usually be far more than is bargained for." Saadarshan says, and though there's finally a grin that touches his face there's the suggestion of an acknowledgement. He may not be the big, dumb giant he may appear at first glance. "Still, sometimes even Interesting Things can prove better excitement than none, be them good or bad. The forests have been quiet too long. In any case, I will say you are well met as well, Dushta."
Finally there's movement on the jackal's end, albeit a silent one. It takes a careful step back, feeling out the ground for anything that could make noise before it sets its full weight down. Never have its eyes left the other two until now, but maybe prudence has caught up with it--or maybe it's heard all it wanted to. Carefully it turns around and heads back the way it had come, moving slowly but very quietly. In its wake, of course, there is an inevitable scent trail--but the smell of tigers and the rank, earthy odor of vegetation will help to mask that, and, in any case, there are many animals in the jungle leaving tracks all over everything. The smell of a jackal is unremarkable just about anywhere.
Dushta (Black Tiger)
Saadarshan (Golden Liger)
Lakshmi (Golden Jackal)
------
Cliffside Temple
This ancient temple, whatever it might once have been, has a number of very different uses now. It acts as a den for some, a jungle gym for others, feeding grounds for others still. Mysterious carvings, taller even than an elephant, adorn it. They are cracked now, some tipped sideways, others broken or toppled. Their features -- some might view them as monkeylike -- are worn. Other carvings, less representational but equally intricate and equally aged, mark this place as something different from the trees which soar up to the sky around it. The stone of the temple is cool and in places mossy; moisture gathers in the dark cracks in its walls. Vines crawl up its statues, winkle into those cracks, helping to slowly drag it down into the earth once more. In fact, it seems that they have in part succeeded: one area of the temple is gone, collapsed into a great pile of stones covered in crawling vines. Within, the temple is silent; most often it is damp, but in the heart of the dry season, the dust and heat creep in even here, drying up most of the pools of moisture that patch the stone floor at other times of the year. More nooks and crannies abound within the depths of the ruined temple, home to spiders, lizards, birds, and many other creatures. During some times of day, thick, almost touchable shafts of sunlight shine dustily in. To the south, the ground drops off: the temple looks out over a tree-covered cliff and the jungle beyond it.
------
Though the temple has officially been abandoned by the Ran Garjana, Dushta has been spending much of his free time keeping an eye on the place, just as he'd explained to Rakta. Not that he expects to see Ananth any time soon, but he's very interested in seeing if anyone comes to investigate the place after their little security leak. And, wisely, he's not watching from the temple itself but among a cluster of bushes and trees within view of it, where the shadows can most easily hide him.
Saadarshan knows nothing of security leaks or gathering tigers. He had brief work of warning something was amiss in the deep woods, but as a stranger and newcomer he has little more knowledge or experience to go on. So, the path he takes is one taken unawares, the golden giant drawn to the distance promise of grandeur and mystery that he caught sight of through the jungle growth. He lingers at the edge of the grounds that the temple dominates, peering at it through narrowed yellow-green eyes. He seems unwilling to leave the relatively thick cover, instead seeming content to regard the building from a distance and otherwise seems unaware he may not be alone.
No matter how adept one is at concealing themselves, hiding tricks only the eyes. And vision is not so important when you've a nose as sharp as a canine's. Saadarshan and Dushta are not the only ones unwilling to break cover: a lone jackal moves silently within the shadows and through the brush, keeping downwind and remaining vigilant. Not unusual behavior for a small animal, particularly one that's found itself in an area that reeks of much larger predators. Maybe it's come to see if there are any kills to scavenge off of, since the presence of tigers might mean food. Maybe it's searching for something else. Down goes its head, sniffing at the ground, and then it nips up a piece of some fruit that was lying nearby.
The problem with multiple creatures concealing themselves is that, while the sound of one creature hiding may be written off, the more there are the more likely that one of them will be heard, seen, or smelled even if they aren't necessarily together. So which it is that causes Dushta to start growling quietly isn't readily apparent; perhaps both of the others will assume it's them. But he doesn't move from his place of concealment, though his attention has turned from the temple to the surrounding forest.
Saadarshan inhales the humid air to try and discern the scents of the surrounding terrain, his ears turned forward as he hears the subtle rustling of movement. However, movement in the jungle is a given and the liger isn't alarmed, only curious. It's the curiosity that causes him to slowly step clear of the undergrowth and from the shadow into the light of the more open spaces. For his size he moves quietly, but there's no hiding him in the open. As the faint and muffled sounds of growling catches his ears, the liger turns his head to focus intent eyes on the sound, though he doesn't immediately perceive the growler hiding in the shadows.
When Dushta's soft growl drifts out through the air, the jackal goes stiff. It doesn't bolt, however, doesn't even flinch; it stays quiet and unmoving in the tangle of bushes, save for its head, which turns, much like Saadarshan's, to track the noise's source. Saadarshan himself is visible now, but still the jackal does not run. Has it decided that it's better to remain unseen within a potential danger zone, rather than calling attention to itself by retreating? Or is it /watching/?
The growl cuts off after only a moment, and there's a pause as Dushta considers the creature before him: The liger, as it happens, as he'd only become certain that /someone/ was there, and once the larger cat comes into view Dushta can only assume that it was him that he'd sensed. Well, /that/ is certainly unexpected! However, he doesn't have to debate the subject within himself for very long before he too breaks cover. He's completely silent as he pads out of the greenery, but in a similar fashion to the liger, he's not unobvious when he leaves cover.
The jackal, hidden as it is, goes unnoticed by the liger. Saadarshan's attentions are on Dushta and no doubt with good reasons. He's a big cat, but he's not some immortal and immune being and a tiger is far more of a danger than a small canine. Now he's heard of the spotless leopards, the ones dark as shadow, but this one is entirely too big for a leopard. Hm. It seems Saadarshan isn't the only unusual beast in the forest. His whiskers flare as he lifts his head, faintly craning it as if to get a better look at the emerging Dushta, and there is a low rumbling sound that's not quite a warning and not quite a greeting. More a neutral, caution acknowledgement.
And on the periphery of this meeting between great beasts, close enough to hear even Saadarshan's equally quiet rumble but far enough away to stay hidden, the jackal continues to linger. A twenty-pound canine is, indeed, far less obvious and threatening than either tiger or hybrid. Its nostrils flare once when Dushta emerges from his own cover, but that's all. Not a sound is uttered. It still doesn't so much as twitch.
Keeping himself well away from the liger, Dushta nevertheless takes a moment to look him over carefully. He's never seen such a creature before; indeed, since attaining his full growth he's hard pressed to find a feline that's actually bigger than himself, but the simple fact of that he doesn't consider a threat. Still, the intense interest he seems to show may raise a warning flag. Then again, his words when he finally speaks are relatively neutral: "What brings you to the home of the Ran Garjana?" he asks idly, as if discussing the weather.
"Ran Garjana?" Comes the voice of Saadarshan, smooth and deep if there is the slightest, faintly odd softness to it that doesn't quite fit a male his size. "I have not heard of it, but, I am not of here. Is this some title you speak of or group?" His ears are cupped forward in a gesture of curiosity. He must have missed the territory markings. He doesn't move to close any further distance between him and the black cat, but there is the returning regard, that casual and neutral sort of sizing up and consideration of the other.
That answer brings the slightest of smirks to the black tiger's face. So either this one isn't among those who might oppose the group, that bird hasn't talked, or he's lying. Well, either way: "It is a group, of which I am the leader. My name is Dushta," he says with a slight incline of his head, "And who might you be?" Though his words are pleasant enough, the way his eyes don't stray from the liger and the slight tenseness in his body make his manner seem neutral at best.
Saadarshan seems unsurprised and unbothered by the tense conversation. He posture reflects that of the black tiger, so at very least, the feelings are mutual the the civil conversation confirmed more as a formality and alleviation of curiosities. "Mm. Well, then I will apologize to you then, Dushta, if I have treaded where unwelcome. I didn't come here to offer challenge. My name is Saadarshan."
The jackal is still there, and still it has not budged. Its ears are upright, cupped forward, and its unblinking gaze has found particular interest in Dushta, as if, despite Saadarshan's larger size, it believes the liger to be far less of a threat. Although their discourse is passingly civil, perhaps the jackal can see or sense Dushta's tension; its posture is ever so slightly rigid.
There's a hint of another smirk on Dushta's face at the apology - yes, this one is entertaining enough to keep alive for now even if he would really enjoy the challenge it would represent. But these thoughts are hidden behind a mostly dispassionate facade. "There's no need to apologise, Saadarshan - our borders are unmarked so any could make that mistake," he says politely as just a little of the tension eases. Of course, the borders are unmarked simply because the group wasn't here long enough to mark them. But telling this liger another story may prove useful in case he talks about this encounter later. "My clan is not that petty," he adds, "Or at least I don't think they are - I only just met them myself and we haven't fully discusses our policies."
Saadarshan hasn't gotten this far by needlessly slinging his weight around, though, it might get him far if he picked the right souls to muscle around. "I see." Comes his neutral response to the discussion of boundaries and clans, though, there is a guarded expression on his face and the tip of his tail shows a bit too much movement to be relaxed. "A clan... unusual among cats, save the lions, and they are fairly far between. Still, I am proof enough there is oddity still in the world, as are you it seems."
The canine remains on guard even when Dushta relaxes somewhat, watching not only him but Saadarshan as well. It seems almost expectant, waiting, as if it's already halfway certain of this encounter's end. Perhaps it ought to slip off while the two predators are distracted with one another. Most jackals would. This one does not.
That, coming from a liger, is enough to prompt a genuine laugh from Dushta, who doesn't really think much about his own oddness. He's spent too much of life concealed and alone for his color to have been much of a factor in anything except his hunting style. "And this oddity of a clan may prove to be far more interesting than being on my own, as fun as the past several months have been," the dark tiger comments cryptically as a self-satisfied smile lingers on his face. But then, he seems to come back to himself and adds, "In any event, fellow oddity, I'm glad to have met you."
"I usually find any unknown entity that can be considered 'interesting' to usually be far more than is bargained for." Saadarshan says, and though there's finally a grin that touches his face there's the suggestion of an acknowledgement. He may not be the big, dumb giant he may appear at first glance. "Still, sometimes even Interesting Things can prove better excitement than none, be them good or bad. The forests have been quiet too long. In any case, I will say you are well met as well, Dushta."
Finally there's movement on the jackal's end, albeit a silent one. It takes a careful step back, feeling out the ground for anything that could make noise before it sets its full weight down. Never have its eyes left the other two until now, but maybe prudence has caught up with it--or maybe it's heard all it wanted to. Carefully it turns around and heads back the way it had come, moving slowly but very quietly. In its wake, of course, there is an inevitable scent trail--but the smell of tigers and the rank, earthy odor of vegetation will help to mask that, and, in any case, there are many animals in the jungle leaving tracks all over everything. The smell of a jackal is unremarkable just about anywhere.