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Description
"...but act like prey. Why do you cower before me?" The old kudu sniffed, bewildered, at the adolescent lion who was trying to flatten himself into the ground. "It is as if our roles were reversed."

It was a long time before Mageuzi spoke, haltingly, flinching as if frightened of his own voice. It was strange and unfamiliar, as he hadn't heard himself speak in years. "I...I am a lowly s-slave, and I am in s-strange territory. They haven't found a new cage-cave for me yet. The outside is un-f-familiar...You aren't going to h-hurt me?"

The kudu laughed, not unkindly. "Far from it. My kind is usually frightened of yours."

"But you aren't?"

"I can usually tell when lions are hunting. It is why I have lived so long. You are not hunting." The statement was matter-of-fact.

Mageuzi looked down at the dusty ground. "I --can't-- hunt. I never learned how, and even if I had, it is not allowed, unless it's a forced hunt, but they never pick me for that. I am just a novelty. A freak."

"You are not a freak. You are...you. Simple as that. Do not let the things that bullies say get to you. And don't give up hope. Better things are coming for you."

Mageuzi could not see it...not yet anyway. This conversation was making him uncomfortable. Any rebelliousness within him had been snuffed out years ago. The day that his mother...He shook his head. He could not let thoughts of revenge cloud his mind. Revolution was for braver lions than he. Braver...and stupider. This conversation was making him nervous. "Y-you should go. If --they-- see me anywhere near prey, I will be beaten. And they will eat you."

"I am not worried. I have traveled far, met many lions...most view me reverently, since I am so old."

"That won't stop --them--...--They-- have no respect for the old ways and the wisdom of elders...or the plight of the downtrodden..." With a start, Mageuzi realized how rebelious he was sounding, and coughed. "Y-you better go. Please..."

"Alright, but I am not worried. If they get me, then my time has come. But they won't. I am a survivor. And so are you. Never forget that."

***********

For :iconHeartOfTheKalahari : 's new year's contest. (and to prove that I'm still active)

I hope I got the kudu's personality okay.

Gah. There are so many things wrong with this. Mageuzi's face (and the fact that I forgot his cheekfuzz). The kudu's hind legs and horns. I. Am never. Drawing kudu horns again! Also, I didn't shade this, but by the end, I was just so fed up with it, I didn't want to mess with it anymore. The one good thing is I think I finally got a style I like for Mags's spots. For now anyway. Also, just FYI, Mags is sitting on his tail. That's why some of it is not visible. If...that wasn't already apparent.

Now all I have to do is write that pebble-tracker journal...

Mageuzi (c) VioletWhirlwind (aka me)
Mr. kudu (c) mrchocolate0.deviantart.com/

Description
"...but act like prey. Why do you cower before me?" The old kudu sniffed, bewildered, at the adolescent lion who was trying to flatten himself into the ground. "It is as if our roles were reversed."

It was a long time before Mageuzi spoke, haltingly, flinching as if frightened of his own voice. It was strange and unfamiliar, as he hadn't heard himself speak in years. "I...I am a lowly s-slave, and I am in s-strange territory. They haven't found a new cage-cave for me yet. The outside is un-f-familiar...You aren't going to h-hurt me?"

The kudu laughed, not unkindly. "Far from it. My kind is usually frightened of yours."

"But you aren't?"

"I can usually tell when lions are hunting. It is why I have lived so long. You are not hunting." The statement was matter-of-fact.

Mageuzi looked down at the dusty ground. "I --can't-- hunt. I never learned how, and even if I had, it is not allowed, unless it's a forced hunt, but they never pick me for that. I am just a novelty. A freak."

"You are not a freak. You are...you. Simple as that. Do not let the things that bullies say get to you. And don't give up hope. Better things are coming for you."

Mageuzi could not see it...not yet anyway. This conversation was making him uncomfortable. Any rebelliousness within him had been snuffed out years ago. The day that his mother...He shook his head. He could not let thoughts of revenge cloud his mind. Revolution was for braver lions than he. Braver...and stupider. This conversation was making him nervous. "Y-you should go. If --they-- see me anywhere near prey, I will be beaten. And they will eat you."

"I am not worried. I have traveled far, met many lions...most view me reverently, since I am so old."

"That won't stop --them--...--They-- have no respect for the old ways and the wisdom of elders...or the plight of the downtrodden..." With a start, Mageuzi realized how rebelious he was sounding, and coughed. "Y-you better go. Please..."

"Alright, but I am not worried. If they get me, then my time has come. But they won't. I am a survivor. And so are you. Never forget that."

***********

For :iconHeartOfTheKalahari : 's new year's contest. (and to prove that I'm still active)

I hope I got the kudu's personality okay.

Gah. There are so many things wrong with this. Mageuzi's face (and the fact that I forgot his cheekfuzz). The kudu's hind legs and horns. I. Am never. Drawing kudu horns again! Also, I didn't shade this, but by the end, I was just so fed up with it, I didn't want to mess with it anymore. The one good thing is I think I finally got a style I like for Mags's spots. For now anyway. Also, just FYI, Mags is sitting on his tail. That's why some of it is not visible. If...that wasn't already apparent.

Now all I have to do is write that pebble-tracker journal...

Mageuzi (c) VioletWhirlwind (aka me)
Mr. kudu (c) mrchocolate0.deviantart.com/