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 Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:34 pm
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It was extremely rare for things to happen while on duty around the Aka'mleli. Chewa was on patrol with Mvua and, as usual, not much was happening along his normal path until two eagles had headed his way- and now he was following one of them out, away from the pride, to where some lions who sorely needed a home were waiting. Or.. something like that. Chewa wasn't entirely clear on the circumstances, but it was clear from Leta's story that the lionesses needed a home and she had taken it upon herself to find them one. He wasn't sure how that was going to work out for any of them but he was confident investigating it with Mvua keeping an eye on things from above.
Mvua was unmistakeably ruffled by the strange incident in the midst of what was an otherwise completely normal, predictable day of guard duty. He liked when things went as planned and he wasn't sure what to think of the story they'd been told so he was following along with a rather critical eye.. but he wasn't going to stop it. Their job was to deal with these kinds of situations, anyway. He couldn't get mad just because they actually had to do their job every once in a while.
Leta had a plan, a vague plan she wasn't sure was going to really amount to anything but she was certain that Andama and Spiralia were ready to stop wandering and everybody, including those cubs, would be happier in a pride. Chewa confirmed about everything Parquila had said so she did indeed lead him back towards the girls confidently. She was flying high above Chewa and even Mvua, making lots of circles as she worked her way around the general area she expected to find the lions by this time of day.
She was starting to wonder if her good luck at finding them had finally run out when she spotted a familiar blur in the distance. Once she spotted them, she began a wide circle around them so that Chewa could be the first to approach. |
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 8:58 pm
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The journey was turning out to be a much harder adventure than Spiralia could ever have conceived. Hunting and walking were not even close to being the only things they did. She took her turn carrying cubs when they wearied, though her smaller size meant she couldn't carry them for as long as an adult would. This did not mean that Andama was able to carry them longer, though. Spiralia was seriously concerned about the princess, since she clearly was taking much longer to heal from the fight she'd endured than she should have. It meant the adult lioness had less stamina, strength, and energy than a healthy adult would have. It put them on a more even scale, and sometimes this worried the adolescent severely. What if they met with a pack of hyenas? Or a fierce male lion?
These were the thoughts swirling in her head as she stood watch. They had agreed to sleep in shifts, as it kept the cubs safer to have someone alert and wary at all times. Too many creatures out there would be all too happy to kill a litter of lion cubs, or so Spiralia had heard. Better to be safe than sorry! But tonight they had stopped earlier than usual. Dusk hadn't fallen yet, but the cubs had been dropping with exhaustion. Having happened upon a dense thicket of brush that provided shelter as well as camouflage, they had decided to stop there to rest through the night. The cubs had fallen asleep instantly, and Spiralia had staunchly offered to take first watch.
Thus she now stood just outside the thicket, her gaze sweeping the land about them. The sun had set, but the sky was still bright with light, the clouds turning brilliant shades of red, orange, and pink. It was a spot of movement against that dramatic backdrop that caught the young female's attention first. She narrowed her eyes and peered at is as it swept out of sight. It wasn't until it came back into sight on the other side that she sat up to pay closer attention. Was that bird... circling them? And if it was circling them, then what else knew where they were?
Right on cue, the soft breeze blew the scent of a male to her nostrils. "Princess!" she called frantically, endeavoring to whisper as best she could, in case the lion was very close. "Andama, wake up! Hurry!" Eyes wide, nostrils flared, she was quite a vision of fright when the male came around a corner and into sight. "Princess!" she squeaked again, the fur down her spine standing straight up. |
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Posted: Mon Nov 18, 2013 9:22 pm
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Andama had drifted off into an uneasy sleep curled around her cubs, thinking about how they were slowly but surely growing up on the road and how unsafe it seemed out here. They were managing fine but they could be doing far better, and they would be if they didn't have four cubs and if they oldest, strongest member of their little group wasn't still half-lame from the incidents leading up to their departure. She was grateful that now, at worst, her injuries amounted to an intermittent limp and easy fatigue. It was something.
She had just fallen asleep when suddenly Spiralia called to her. At first, she didn't know what was going on and her first inclination was to remind Spiralia again that she was not a princess here. She barely opened her mouth before she really heard the urgency in her younger cousin's voice. She immediately closed her mouth and pushed herself up to her feet.
"What's going on?" she asked, emerging to see Spiralia looking panicked. The unmistakeable movement above them caused her to look upward, but it was hard to get a clear view of what was above them. When she realized it was a pale eagle, her heart skipped a beat and she looked around them frantically. Had Yareha found them? She should never have told the story to him, she should have just walked away.
But then a pale, very not-Yareha lion appeared in the distance.
Chewa was relieved when Leta began to circle one specific spot, they were starting to get quite far and it was starting to get quite late. He was surprised to see a rather slight figure in the distance, alone-- but it was quickly joined by another. If what Leta said was true, he shouldn't be surprised they immediately went on the defensive.. not to mention Chewa was a large, strange male. They'd perhaps be foolish not to worry.
He slowed down well before he reached them, giving them more time to get a look at him and (hopefully) decide he wasn't outwardly a threat. His size was probably the most menacing thing about him, but it wasn't helped by his serious expression.
Rather than join Leta when she circled the lions, Mvua descended to hang closer to Chewa. He kept his beak shut, though, until they got close enough that Chewa's pace slowed way down and the only want to keep with him was to land on his back and ride along for the rest of the way.
"Try to look more friendly, Chewa," he instructed, almost laughing, "Look how scared they are, they haven't even met you yet."
Chewa rolled his eyes but he made an effort to look less scary, though it felt awkward and unnatural to actually smile. For now, he did need to be guarded until he heard from these lions himself.. but he could try to make it less terrifying.
"Hello there," he called out when finally within a reasonable distance for conversation, "I've heard--"
As if on cue, Leta descended to join the little confrontation now that Chewa had finally arrived. It was a quick, sharp dive and she landed on the ground between the ladies and Chewa with an audible thump. This was it.
"I've heard," he repeated, glancing down at Leta as she arrived and back up to Spiralia and Andama, "That you're in need of some help." |
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Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 4:58 pm
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Spiralia edged behind Andama as the big male approached. It wasn't really a move of cowardice, just fear and a desire to be able to dash for the cubs while their mother fought, if necessary. She peered around the adult lioness, eyes still very wide and spine-fur still standing up. Was that... a bird... on his back? She leaned forward just a little to try and see better when he began speaking. She shuffled a little, ears twitching nervously, though she had to admit his words seemed non-threatening... but they also only confused her more, along with the sudden arrival of yet another bird. She blinked at the newest arrival, turned to stare at the male who was saying he'd heard of them, then, with flattened ears and a baffled expression, looked to Andama to try and gauge how they were going to respond to this truly bizarre and confounding situation. Best if she just kept her maw shut right now and let the adults deal with each other!
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Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:30 pm
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Despite Chewa's approach and clear intention to talk to them, Andama was thoroughly distracted by the eagle that landed between the lot of them. She recognized Leta, though she did not know her name. She was very clearly one of Latitare's offspring, one who had lived near the Mwezi'Johari. It couldn't be a coincidence that she was here now- could they really have been followed this far without knowing?
The silence the fell between them all was too much to stand, though, and she was forced to look back to Chewa and address him- though not without moving back a bit, closer to Spiralia and, though they were out of sight, the cubs.
"You heard that, did you?"
Chewa couldn't determine the meaning of the look at Andama was giving Leta, it was definitely recognition but not exactly familiarity or trust. Luckily, he assumed all the anxiety apparent in the lionesses was owing to his own presence.
"Your eagle friend here informed us that-"
"She's not our friend."
Andama's tone was not cruel or angry, it was a simple fact. She didn't even know the eagle's name, they had never officially met and now she was only getting more anxious about the fact this eagle not only was following them but telling strangers about them.
There was another awkward silence but even before it could stretch past a few seconds, Leta knew it was time to explain herself. She ruffled her feathers, deciding not to be hurt by the way she was brushed off by the former princess so easily.
"I left the Mwezi'Johari lands at the same time you did," she explained, looking at Andama, "My reasons were the same as yours, though perhaps less personal. I decided to keep an eye on you all, I didn't expect either of you would be very good at being rogues."
And she was right! She puffed out her chest a bit at this but didn't verbalize it. The girls managed but they weren't exactly thriving.
Chewa looked down at Leta as she explained her side of the story, not understanding most of it but getting the gist of it. He was no stranger to how useful having an avian companion could be, naturally, but it wasn't exactly a mystery as to why these lions were upset at the secretive nature of her help.
"Leta has explained some of your situation to us, you've come very close to the valleys inhabited by the Aka'mleli," he said, "I am only a guard, but I can lead you to the pride. You would be welcome and safe."
Mvua was silent, studying the strangers before them though sitting awkwardly behind Chewa's head as he was did not give him a very good few. He seemed most interested in Spiralia, but that was probably owing to the fact she was harder to get a good look at.
Andama blinked and looked from Chewa to Leta and then over her shoulder to Spiralia. This was most unexpected and there was no clear way to handle it, but she wasn't just making decisions for herself so she couldn't just react. She had to think of Spiralia, and she had to think of her cubs.
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Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 5:37 pm
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Spiralia eased up closer behind Andama as the conversation unfolded. Her rounded eyes were shifting between the lion, the eagle, and her companion. It all sounded so... fantastic, really. The stuff of dreams and stories. Followed, led, and turned over to... a stranger, by a stranger? Still...
She edged closer to the lioness and gave her a very light nuzzle. It was combination of seeking reassurance, getting her attention, and offering support. "He hasn't hurt us," she whispered to the older female. "He could have, with no one here to help." She peered again at the half-seen bird on his back. In fact, he could potentially have had help in attacking them, if he'd chosen. "Maybe they aren't so bad?" She cast a worried and cautious look up at Andama, aware that she wasn't helping very much. "Maybe ask him about his home?" Heavens knew she wasn't about to ask!!
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Posted: Tue Nov 26, 2013 6:16 pm
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Andama was reassured by Spiralia's assessment and apparent interest. It would be hard to deny that they were indeed better suited to life in a pride, though they might be hesitant to say so in front of a stranger. She nodded to her younger cousin and then looked back to the guard.
"What is your pride like?" she asked, "Passing by is not a good enough reason to join."
He nodded. It was a fair question.
"We are a pride blessed by the goddess Hestia," he explained, "Every member of the pride is paired to a bird, usually by adolescence and always for life. Other than that, I'd say we're a fairly typical pride. We have a good King, he is guided by the Seers and Council. Our lives are very peaceful here."
Andama raised a brow and glanced back to Spiralia before looking back at Chewa. Suddenly the strange, quiet bird perched on his back made sense. Though hearing they were ruled by a king immediately seemed a turn-off, the fact he did not seem to have absolute, unquestionable power was reassuring. It made it easy to focus on the strange bird thing.
"Is that your bird?"
Chewa nodded and turned himself to his side so that Mvua was no longer obscured by his mane. If he had been thinking, he might have positioned himself like that before- there was no better way to explain than by demonstrating.
"This is Mvua, he has been my companion for a very long time," he said, finally smiling.
"Pleased to meet you," he said, glancing at Chewa before looking back at the girls and continuing, "His name is Chewa, by the way. We seem to have skipped right over introductions. This is a rather uncommon situation, you'll have to forgive the oversight."
Leta listened but so far she had nothing to add, nothing until a decision was made or someone asked her a question at this point. The longer this conversation went on, the more she found herself hoping the lions would cooperate.
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 7:36 am
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 4:59 pm
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Andama looked back and forth between all three of the strange creatures before them, trying to think through the situation they were in and whether this really was a lucky break for them or something they ought to avoid. There wasn't much time to think, consult or decide.. she looked back at Spiralia doubtfully and then turned her attention entirely on the yellow and purple eagle sitting in the middle of this whole mess.
"You, Leta?" she said, testing the name that had been mentioned, "You've been following us, the whole way."
Leta could practically feel how many eyes were on her, she was really the wild card in this situation. She was certain none of the Aka'mleli lions or birds she met understood exactly where she fit into this story and of the two of the Mwezi'Johari only one of them knew her.
"Yes," she agreed, having already explained as much, "And I've been trying to help from the very beginning, too. I'm still trying to help."
Andama frowned, looking at Leta thoughtfully. She turned back to Spiralia, realizing she ought to explain what she did know about the eagle. She spoke in a hushed voice.
"This eagle's father was an ally of my mother and father, he was put in charge of spying on a lion who was ultimately evicted from the pride before you were born," she said, "Though loyal, I guess her father and that lion bonded so when the lion left, the eagle went with him. She is one of a few offspring of his we had seen around the pride, I recognize her."
She glanced back, her voice still hushed.
"But I don't know if I trust her."
Mvua tilted his head and turned, trying to listen to the hushed story Andama was telling. Whatever he did pick up was confusing so he didn't get much of it, perhaps Chewa caught enough that they could piece it together later-- but he did catch that the larger lioness wasn't sure she trusted Leta.
He ruffled his feathers up and tried to look neutral, patient.
"If I may," Chewa interrupted carefully, taking a small step forward, "I can show you into the pride, you can meet with the king and some other pride members before you decide. In the meantime, you will all be safe and fed."
He wasn't following much of the explanation Andama was giving Spiralia but he wasn't going to press for introductions when the older lioness was clearly ignoring that politeness. The invitation was coming either way now, they clearly weren't hostile. Trust could come later, being a rogue demanded a certain level of caution after all. And what he did know of the story made it more understandable.
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:03 pm
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:23 pm
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She was silent, thoughtful. Her ears turned back and she listened as Spiralia finally found her voice and offered her opinion for taking advantage of this situation. Andama would have preferred to leave out the possibility that Shangyue would send someone after them to tie up loose ends but it was probably better not to.
"You say we'll be safe," she said, finally speaking up so everybody could hear her, "Do you mean that? We can't guarantee nobody will come looking for us, I don't know what Leta told you but I did not leave my home on happy terms and that has followed all of us. Will you protect us?"
Leta did not interrupt but she smiled sadly, understanding their concern. She would definitely have to talk to the ladies more now that her secret was out, but she had been watching for other tails while she followed them.
An interesting but not unexpected turn in the tale, it made it harder to just welcome them in without approval but they would have to meet the king either way.
"The king will want to know your story," he offered, glancing to Chewa- who glanced over to him.
Chewa nodded, looking back from Mvua to the girls.
"I can't say what's too much for the pride to promise, but you have my word that while you are here I will do everything I can to protect all of you," he said, revealing with his choice of words that Leta had informed him there were cubs traveling with them as well.
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:31 pm
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Spiralia shifted her paws anxiously. Despite their serious situation, she was still a teenager with too much energy and angst atop that. Granted, her angst had basis in real danger, real problems, but that still equaled her physical inability to stand still at the moment. She looked from Andama to Chewa and Mvua. She wasn't sure how much weight her opinion carried, or how much it should carry, but she was growing worried that the princess would turn down this offer.
Once more speaking so the others couldn't hear, leaning in close and whispering urgently into Andama's ear, the put in her two cents worth. "Cousin, the babies are exhausted and unhappy. We are tired and can't sleep properly, worrying about who is coming after us, if anyone." She searched the adult lioness' face. "If nothing else, we could just look around, rest up, and leave after a few days if you don't like it." Silently she rooted for this chance to relax, to rest, to play. It broke her heart to see how dragged down and listless the cubs had been lately. Traveling took all their energy, and they hadn't played properly in days. They pushed on too urgently to allow them much play time anyway. "Please?"
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Posted: Wed Dec 04, 2013 6:53 pm
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Andama sighed as Spiralia finished her plea. If she was alone, truly alone, what would she have done? She wouldn't have to take the first chance for peace she stumbled across (or stumbled across her) but she might have anyway. But now she had four small cubs relying on her and a young cousin, a friend, deferring to her.
"Alright," she said, quietly at first and then repeating herself in a louder voice, "Alright. We'd like to accept your generous offer, but we will have to rouse the cubs before we can move on."
She perked up when Andama murmured, then smiled when she spoke up. So it was settled then! She still had to win them over but this was a start, if they liked it here then they would have to trust her. She really was trying to help.
Chewa smiled and nodded, ready to wait for them.
Mvua nodded, almost in unison with Chewa. So it was settled then. They were all on their way into the Aka'mleli.
Fin!
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