Conquest of Life

[. scarlet .]

X Y A N T H E
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The sound of crunching twigs and rustling leaves heralded the movements of the tigress as she moved through the underbrush. Her steps were soft, but not silent. She saw no need to sneak and prowl. These lands were infested with the weaker cat species: the leopard. None of them could stand against a tiger of her stature. She would tower over the largest of leopards. She growled softly with disdain for the spotted felines. If tigers had found these islands first, the leopards wouldn’t have had a chance. She moved with haughty confidence. She had only seen a few leopards in her life, honestly, but she knew even so that they were no match for her kind. Perhaps some of the smaller tiger breeds might be challenged by the weaker cats, but she, an Amur, or Siberian tiger, had nothing to fear from them.

Her thoughts drifted away from the leopards and moved towards other things. She observed her surroundings with an eye of interest. She found herself on quite an intriguing island. The scenery was beautiful…but dangerously so. Quite like herself, actually. The large tigress was in every way a beauty. Her build and features were well proportioned and perfect, her coat smooth, and most interesting of all was her coloring. Xyanthe was a white tiger…but more than that. She was not snowy white, but she wasn’t truly golden either. Her coat was brushed slightly with a pale, tawny gold color, faint but distinctive. Her stripes, rather than jet black, were a rich chocolate color. And then there were her eyes. Her captivatingly colorful eyes. They were the color of the sea: tumultuous greenish blue, rimmed with the color of ocean foam. She was distinctive and unique. One of a kind.
As her surroundings were as well. She glanced to her left, noticing a rise in the ground, stippled with rocks and one or two trees. Out of curiosity she padded over to inspect what lay beyond it, only to be greeted by a sheer precipice dropping down to an inlet of the ocean. She shuddered with pleasure at the tingling of fear it sent down her spine. She hadn’t realized how far up she had come. She had simply been following the rise of the ground. It had been gradual…she hadn’t even noticed much. A wry smile flickered across her features.

Xyanthe had only been here a few days, but she had grown to like this island quite a bit. It’s temperamental nature and frequent challenges excited her. It was a challenge to cross it, rather than an easy task. She liked that. As the cliff had just reminded her, this island was full of hidden dangers.
She loped easily back to the path she had been blazing through the sparse greenery, her body moving lithely and limberly. Despite her easy movements, one could see a slight tension within her. Part of it was physical…it had been a long, difficult swim to the island, and she hadn’t let herself fully recover; but part of the tension was inside her. Her spirit was restless.
Claws met the soft earth in a swift, ripping motion as Xyanthe leapt up onto a large, flat rock about six or seven feet off the ground, using a smaller rock as a stepping stone to assist the jump. Once perched upon her boulder, she surveyed the land around her. She saw the cliff that she had just encountered to her right, and to her left was a low wall of rocks rising even above the one she sat on. Before her lay a dark forest, full of tall trees, vines and mud and low, mesmerizing mist. She turned and saw behind her a large, open incline over which she had traveled these past few days. There were trees dotting the ground, quagmires of mud and sand here and there, and a few small bodies of water, including a creek at which she had rested that first day.

Determined to find out more about the island, and finding herself in a good position to do so, Xyanthe climbed higher in the rocks, leaping from perch to perch until the place she had stood a few moments before was now obstructed from her view by the rocks below. She reached the top of the peak, which was not terribly high, but happened to be one of the highest points on the island for quite a while. She caught her breath at the sight that met her eyes. Below her stretched a valley of unequalled beauty. It was in a sort of bowl in the earth, like a huge, fertile crater. It was very large, and far, far below her. The bottom was likely back at sea level, which was astonishingly far below where she stood. Studying the area with acute senses and observant eyes, Xyanthe saw several waterfalls tumbling from the rocks above, where streams or rivers had ended abruptly, pouring their contents into the valley below. A lake spread at the foot of the waterfall, and streams branched from it and flowed in different directions. Some had apparently carved their way through the mountains and now flowed beneath them.

There was no easy way down into the valley. Every side seemed steep and treacherous. There were rock shelves, however, here and there on the sides, and even a cave or two that led somewhere deep into the rocks. Trees and greenery were abundant on the valley floor, feeding richly on the fertile soil and many water sources. There was an obvious lack of large game, which was a damper on Xyanthe’s vision of perfection, but it would be but a small set back if she could find an easy passage into and out of the valley… a safe passage was all she would need to make the mesmerizing valley her home. She set her jaw in determination. The indescribable beauty of the valley made the threats of the ragged rock walls seem insignificant and immaterial. She would make this valley hers.

Surveying the steep descent before her, Xyanthe mentally mapped what appeared to be the easiest way down from where she stood. Down and to the left was a wide shelf that looked more than sturdy, and from there, there was a relatively gentle slope to another. She thought if she could get to that second shelf, she would be able to pick her way down with relative ease. Nodding slightly to herself, she hunkered down for a moment, preparing for the first jump. She readied herself and flew from her perch, landing softly on the shelf. Easy. She peered over the edge, eyed the next one, about ten feet below, and clambered quickly down to it. The next would be harder to reach. It was a good fifteen feet lower, and almost as far over to her right. Looking over the edge to the valley floor, still far enough below to be fatal – or nearly so – if she fell, she braced herself with a gleam of excitement in her sea-blue eyes. She took a graceful and powerful leap and landed squarely in the center of the ledge. This one was quite long – it extended a long way across the wall. She smiled. Walking along the edge of the ledge, she looked below at the possible ways of descent. The ledge itself conveniently sloped slightly downward, and by the end of it she found herself a good seven or eight feet lower than she had been at the top. From there, she made an easy drop to a more gradual slope.
By the end of her descent, she was breathless, but more excited than ever. Her eyes were aglow with the chill of the risk she had taken. She relished it.

The valley was hers for the taking. She had trekked through the less than amiable island, she had found it, she had descended into it. She knew that if nothing better showed itself, the path she had just taken would suffice well enough…

Looking up, Xyanthe noticed that the sun was riding lower in the sky now than it had been. Evening was approaching. She needed to either make her way back up the side of the valley, or find a place to sleep here. She took a deep breath. The air was thicker and heavier than it had been at the top, where it had been thin from the altitude. She could smell the water and the moist earth beneath her paws. She smiled in her dark fashion and threw back her head to take pleasure in the soft wind that rolled off the mountainous sides. She jogged towards a small waterfall which poured from a hollow in the rocky side and crouched beside the pool at its foot to take a drink. The water was cool and sweet. She peered over the edge and glimpsed her reflection in the rippling water, and was surprised at how disheveled she had become. But of course she would be…she hadn’t bathed well in days, and had been traveling. The cool of the water was too tempting to resist, and she entered the water in a fluid motion. She braced herself and dunked her head beneath the surface. She never really liked getting her face wet, but she needed the refreshment, not to mention the cleansing factor. When she emerged again, she headed towards the waterfall, her whiskers twitching as the spray began to hit her face. The rocks rose up under the waterfall, and she was able to walk underneath it, loving the feel of the water beating against her sore back and muscles. Behind it was a cool cave, not very deep, and slightly filled with water. She made a note to come back to it the next day when light was more abundant, and exited the cave once again.

Xyanthe pulled herself from the water and shook off her coat. She briefly preened herself, licking off much of the excess water, and then shaking again. She felt refreshed and renewed, and ready for anything.
With an excited roar, she took off at a lope to explore her valley. Anyone just try to take it from her.

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Status: finished
Words: 1,703
Notes: open to anyone…but please no short posts. Anything above 800 words would be fine.

[Rainy.]

S U N G H A ;

He let him limbs carry his frame easily. Though the lands were traitorous and dangerous, Sughna couldn't help but take the challenge. He was the type. You know, the ones who got titled as 'bad boy'. You've heard of them I'm quite sure. Who hasn't? Anyway, if there was a challenge, Sungha would be up to it. His brother on the other hand.. well that was a different story. Kumal was gentle, and kind. He could almost talk to him about anything and he would always listen, but Sungha would just stare at you with a 'are you done yet' look on his face. But right now his brother wasn't on his mind. Oh no, that was the last thing that was worth thinking about at the moment. Strong limbs carried the muscular tiger swiftly. Just seeing the large cat was quite a magnificent sight indeed. Tigers weren't known to wounder these lands, but things were changing.

Sungha didn't know how he got here, and his brother didn't know either, but all he knew was he was here and other cats lived on these islands as well. They had to be weaker cats... nothing could match him or his brother. Tigers were the biggest, the meanest, and the most powerful-est, no? Shaking the thought from his mind, he preset onward. Soon the elevation began to rise and Sungha came to a halt. Voids glanced around quickly, his surroundings soon changing drastically. Rocks and peeks were seen, and he breathed silently, his word around him almost dead silent. Audits flicked back and forth gently. Only the sounds of birds over head were acknowledged. Exhaling roughly, whiskers twitched slightly at limbs pressed forward.

Large paws hit the surface underneath him hard, but no sounds were made. He was a master at being silent. Silent was the key to life. If you couldn't be quiet then you were useless for this world. Mind began distracted however, the thoughts of the past over whelming him, until something rather interesting crossed his path. A large boulder stood in his way. Coming to a halt, auds flicked and nostrils flared."What in the world," He uttered to himself, curiosity grasping hold of the tigers mind.

Never before had Sungha encountered such an interesting object. It was like a rock.. only double the size. Sizing up the boulder, he stepped back two feet. Wondering what on earth could be on the other side, Sungha wasted no time stepping further back and leaping onto the large rock formation.

Landing easily a top the rock, voids soon glanced around again. This time there was no path on the other side of the rock. It was just more dangerous rocks just waiting for a victim to claim. Licking his lips, Sungha turned his frame around to catch a glimpse of the world around him. Every where he looked there was rocks. Big ones, small ones, really big ones. Any way you tried to say it, there were rocks and lots of them.

Well darn.

Shaking his tiara, Sungha breathed softly. The elevation was making it easier to breathe. The male then decided that he couldn't stay forever on this rock, and just turning around would be no fun, so limbs pushed the male upward. Climbing from on boulder to the other, Sungha found himself on a different surface. This time the rock formation was much larger and longer. Walking from where he jumped he soon found himself making a choice between going higher, or jumping to a lower surface that led to who knows where. Thinking for a moment, Sungha then made up his mind. Voids traveled toward the taller boulder before returning to the landing slightly below him.

With one swift movement, Sungha jumped from where he stood down to the landing below him. Landing with a slight imbalance, he soon caught his footing a stood upright. Shaking his orange creamed pelt back and forth, dirt and other particles fell easily from his fur. Seeing how dirty his pelt actually was made the male think that maybe a bath was needed? Or even a good swim. Deep aqua orbs glanced around before his frame moved off from the large peeks of rocks. He only moved just feet away when the sound of rushing water entered his ears. Auds flicked forward and body grew still. Yay, water. Water was Sungha's best friend.

Being a tiger, most loved water and Sungha was diffidently like that. Whenever water was spotted he couldn't help but go for a swim. Pillars moved onward and Sungha moved quickly toward the source of life. It wasn't long before the water was spotted along with a beautiful waterfall. Sangha stopped and let the sight of the waterfall overtake all his thoughts. Just the sound of water and the appearance of the waterfall hypnotized the cat and if it was possible he would stand there until he was physically moved.

Frame stood completely still and it looked as if he was stalking something. Oh no, he wasn't stalking anything. The water was just an interesting object to him. However, a roar had broke through his thoughts and he blinked a few times. It was a roar of a tiger. How odd. Sungha only thought him and Kumal were the only tigers present on the islands, but I guess he was wrong. Now, knowing that there was another tiger in the area, he grew curious and limbs moved forward. He moved silently, voids darting back and forth every now and then, hoping to catch a glimpse of the tiger. Then there she was. Her form was ghostly, and Sungha froze. Eyes intently glued on the female tiger and he didn't dare say a word.

Though he had a nac to be rude and cruel, there was something about her. Maybe it was because she was the first female tiger he'd seen in a long time or because her pelt was a beautiful shade he had never seen before. Whatever it was he wanted to know more about her.


ooc//
Status: complete
Words: 1,078
Notes: sorry it took so long & my post is EW. not used to tigers lol.

[. scarlet .]

xx || Xyanthe’s large paws padded softly over the turf, circling around an area of the large, bowl-shaped valley that she had claimed as her own. Tomorrow, in the light, she would explore. She would discover all the secrets the valley held. For now, however, the sun was riding low in the sky, and Xyanthe knew it would be dark before she could accomplish anything. For now, therefore, she chose to simply look for a place to sleep. When she found that, her exploration would adjourn until the morrow.
She slowed her pace slightly, jogging along the rocks, eyeing her surroundings with interest. The valley was the most beautiful place Xyanthe had ever seen. Everything was so enchanting. There were many waterfalls, some small, other’s large enough to create a faint roar and a cloud of mist. All the streams seemed to wind their way around the huge valley like blue ribbons slithering over the ground, bubbling with excited chatter. The grass was vivid green, the dirt was the richest brown. There were trees here and there of all sorts. Some were huge and spread far over the ground. There was one enormous oak tree that spread out with its long reaching branches, beginning not far above Xyanthe’s head and ending far, far beyond her reach. Other trees were thinner, lankier, and tall, with sparse foliage and smoother bark. Still others seemed to have been pulled straight from a rain forest. Their vivid greenery was draped in moist vine-like plants, and their branches were heavy and wet-looking. The most beautiful, in Xyanthe’s mind, however, was a huge, spreading willow tree. Its graceful bows bent and swayed in the soft wind, brushing the ground with delicate, gentle fingers. It seemed to beckon to her, swaying slowly from side to side. Its soft green leaves rustled faintly, brushing against one another, casting dancing shadows in the twilight sun. This was the place she would sleep. It was the most peaceful place she could have imagined. And it was hers.

xx || Oh to be lost in this bliss forever. Xyanthe had padded her way over to the tree and was now inspecting it more closely. Its branches were rather low to the ground, and some extended almost horizontally over it. There would be no problem getting into a comfortable spot. But it wasn’t time to turn in just yet. Xyanthe would have a little more fun first. She turned around, noticing with vague pleasure that a mist had fallen with the twilight, and began traversing the perimeter a little farther. The rocks were actually quite beautiful – some of them were gray, but the colors ranged from a pale creamy color to vivid ambers and terracotta as well. Everything about the valley seemed almost too good to be true. There had to be something…something negative or repulsive that waited for the shadows to come out. Her eyes narrowed as she searched the rocks and the ground.
Xyanthe found nothing, however, that gave her any suspicions. Perhaps the beauty of the valley was preserved by the hostile temperament of the outer island. That would do it…few and fewer would traverse the moody, capricious tempers of the island without the promise of something better. Frankly, the valley was just too well hidden for many to have found it. It pleased Xyanthe immensely, however, to know that she had been the one to claim it.

xx || Oh, but what was this? An intruder so soon? Xyanthe’s body tensed as she became alert. There was a presence, though she couldn’t see the perpetrator. Her enchanting, intense eyes scanned the trees and rocks for any sign of another feline. Part of her hoped it was a leopard, for she could easily dispel that sort of intruder. She could scare them away with a look, or a swipe of her paw. Even so…another tiger would make things interesting. Whoever it was, however, she was relatively sure that she did not want them in her valley. She intended to keep her valley a secret. She would allow in only those who she chose as trustworthy and good. Someday, she would raise cubs here…in this beautiful, secluded haven. They would have a wonderful childhood, safe and beautiful. Their playground would be the rocks and the trees, they would swim in the streams and hide in the caves. And nothing would hurt them. Whoever this intruder was had better be prepared to leave, for she was not happy about their presence.
Ahh…there.
Her greenish eyes spotted movement and color. She searched for a face to go with the figure, and soon saw that she too had been spotted. Wonderful. Well, stealth was no longer on her side, so she threw caution to the wind as well. Her imperial, flawless figure moved with regal dignity and sultry confidence towards the intruder.
So….it was a male tiger. She could smell the virile scent of him. She could make out his eyes, and recognized the look in them. Well, it mattered little. He could not stay. But she painted a charming, sultry grin on her face anyway. Perhaps she could simply charm him out of her valley. She almost laughed to herself. She knew that if it came to physical, brute strength, she would be at a disadvantage. She at her peak could not match a male of her breed. It was simply genetics. She was not as big as he. However, as long as intellect was the main player in this game, she had a fair chance. Thus, she intended to keep it that way for as long as possible.

xx || Xyanthe stopped about two yards in front of the tiger and sat down gracefully, her tail flicking slowly across the ground. The sun was setting rapidly, and she’d like to have this out of the way before darkness fell completely. She tipped her head slightly, letting her perusal of this intruder be clearly seen. Her shadowed eyes, glowing faintly in the rising darkness, cast an eerie feeling by their ocean-coloring.
“Hello,” she said, her voice smooth and controlled. “What brings you to my valley?” she placed a slight emphasis on the “my,” a subtle, but clearly notable hint.
She would let him know that he was trespassing on her territory now. She would cajole him into leaving, as kindly and charmingly as was possible. A threat would be futile, and she knew he would recognize the fact. She was a lone female, he was a much larger male. She stood little chance if he decided to get rough. The fact didn’t intimidate her though. She did not fear him, but she was smart. She would get her way…She always did.






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xx: 1,122
xx: COMPLETE
xx: well, mine's decent. i'm excited, i've wanted to play her for a while. anyway, did you have any specific idea of where this could go? or shall we just let the characters lead us where they will?