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 Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 9:22 pm
 A hot breeze ruffled the leaves of the lone tree under which lay an ash-pelted lion, lightly napping. It was only by chance that he found such shelter in these parts of the land. Perhaps the lion gods saw him in a favorable light that day; perhaps it was just plain, completely blind luck. Either way, after having wandered for so many moons, the male was very grateful for respite from both heat and the dangers of being out in the open Savannah. Vulnerability, after all, had been the downfall of his family, and after one such experience it was hard not to learn the painful lesson that life had dealt at such a young age. It was equally as hard not to remember, especially after his past experiences on his quest for revenge that ended seemingly eons ago.
At a distance one could see the ever so slight rise and fall of the male's back, as well as the sudden, small twitches of his tail and ears every now and again. His mane was being gently tossed by the wind, and a tiny leaf which had got caught in his white fluff brushed softly against his nose. He opened his eyes droopingly and swatted at the itch. The action was followed by a sneeze, and dust soon swirled all around his maw, covering gray fur in brown speckles. Kazi sneezed again, then swatted at his nose and pushed himself up and out of the small cloud of dust now forming at his feet.
"Blasted wind!" he roared, frustrated that a particularly pleasant nap, something he rarely ever had the luxury of taking, had been interrupted. He growled lowly, then lay back down, though he kept his head up. His ears were pricked and alert, his eyes now scanning the area around him. After several minutes of nothing but watching, his green eyes caught something in the distance. Something...or someone...moving toward him.
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 5:15 pm
Shiri, who for a moment believed that the shadey spot was free, was surprised when she noticed a sneeze come from that very direction. Wide lime green eyes became as surprised as her weary form would allow. With every nearing footstep, the massive male's body became more clear. By the twitching of his ears and tail, he appeared to be in a very aggitated mood. Be careful, Shiri warned herself, though she couldn't look this gift in the mouth. This was the only shade for miles and the lioness was about ready to collapse from heat exhaustion. The miles of sun and lack of water were inspiration enough for Shiri to try and join the pridelands. She hoped that they could breath life back into her.
Now within earshot, the lioness paused, taking in a deep breath. Though she had run across many gentle lions, the lioness had her fair share of proof that the rogue lands were a very dangerous place to live. Rogue lions, as she had learned, could be dramatically more dangerous than females if they became desperate. Swallowing slowly, Shiri began, "...Hello... I don't mean to bother, but i'm.. exhausted.." She had never sounded so pathetic in her life, she imagined, but the site of the shade was tugging at her desire to simply collapse.
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 11:40 pm
The male's eyes had momentarily wandered off into the distance, his view of the present becoming hazy and unclear. This, of course, left him completely vulnerable, but his thoughts had meandered unknowingly into his recent past, and what had brought him to wander, yet again, away from the Pridelands. After what seemed like years, which in fact were just minutes, a voice had broken through his thoughts and his eyes refocused. The deep, jade orbs cleared and he was looking directly into the face of...someone vaguely, perhaps too vaguely, familiar. His body, by instinct, tensed instantaneously at the sound.
Kazi looked at her for a moment, waiting for something from the past to come to mind. Unfortunately, nothing did, so he stood up and shook his mane a little, clearing the dust that had begun to pile there after all the sneezing he'd done. The male said nothing, but merely moved aside to give her the better part of the shade. It was strange for him to give away such a comfortable spot, particularly to a complete stranger, but he felt he'd had his turn in the light of the lion gods' fortune, so it was easy enough to move aside.
"I...just came out a rather comfy nap," the male replied, his voice low. "Feel free to take a rest. It's a blistering heat this afternoon, and there aren't many places to hide from the sun. I've had my share of luck today, best share it before the gods decide to turn their heads if they deem me selfish." The ash-pelted pridelander smirked and lay down once more a little away from where he had been. As he lay down, he couldn't look away despite himself. Something in the back of his mind was clawing its way back to freedom, and it had, in a way, begun to itch and irritate him.
He gave in, at last, and spoke. "You...seem familiar. Have we met before, by any chance..?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2007 12:33 pm
Shiri witnessed the male's body become tense and instinctively, her own body lowered to the ground as though to make it clear that she was not intending to attack. Shiri was a very passive lioness and if she could avoid a confrontation, she often did, but at this point in her travels, she would need to rest. With ears lowered onto her head, the lioness looked over Kazi. For a moment, she thought he looked familiar, but she shook it from her mind and continued to think of him as a stranger.
When Kazi moved aside to allow her to rest, the lioness' face looked absolutely pleased. She could not imagine why the large male would be so willing to offer his own comfort to her. Not willing to pass it up, the thin lioness crept over towards the shade and allowed herself to fall onto the ground. She laid for a moment before speaking again. As Kazi spoke, she listened carefully. Her breathing was beginning to calm and her form was becoming less tense.
Shiri, comfortable and understanding the male's point of view, was glad that he felt that way. The yellow colored lioness had never truly thought much of the Gods due to her bringing up. Others could feel strongly about them, but in her current state, it was difficult to imagine that they cared much about a starving rogue lioness. Releasing a deep sigh finally, the lioness lifted her head and looked to Kazi, "I appreciate it immensely. I am heading from the pridelands in an attempt to find a friend of mine..." And as she spoke, she looked Kazi over once more. Her original feeling seemed to be correct.
And as though the male felt the exact same way, he asked whether or not they had known one another. With a slow smile, the lioness offered her own question. "K-kazi..?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2007 8:16 pm
Kazi's ears twitched, and his eyes reflected a look of utter surprise. Though the lioness look familiar, he figured it must have been someone from a dream of his, not a real lioness. He looked up and down her body, trying to distinguish the markings and the face to one that he'd met long, long ago. His tail swished to and fro, and his eyes squinted as he tried to put her face to anyone he'd met in the past. And after a long silence, he sighed.
"I'm sorry...I can't seem to put a name to your face. Though...I haven't met many with your particular markings and such. It must've been some while since we've spoken, otherwise I'm sure I would remember you." He lowered his ears and head, eyes closed in apology. "But, perhaps if you give me your name I'll remember..."
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Posted: Wed Oct 03, 2007 5:44 pm
Shiri's cheeks flushed pink when she realised it had only been her that had remembered. This did not surprise the young adult, however. Kazi had surely met many during his life. He was an adult and she was just a cub when they had met. He had told her of the pridelands and how they would welcome her with open paws. She was reluctant then, not certain of his kindness, but in truth, it had been his kindness that allowed her to open her eyes to others. Perhaps if she had never had that short meeting with the male, she would have turned her life into something entirely different.
Smiling still, glad to have met up with a very old friend, Shiri introduced herself, "Do not worry that you have forgotten my name. It has been years since we met and our meeting was short lived.. Your words, however, have stuck with me. Your kindness was something no one else showed me." And as though she had prepared him to finally know, she said it, "It's simply Shiri."
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Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 11:04 pm
Shiri....the name definitely rang a bell, but it seemed that the memory of the male wasn't as good as he'd hoped. The image of a young lioness that went by the name was blurry, as was the conversation and other tidbits of the occasion. He frowned slightly and bowed his head in apology. "I'm sorry," he said, a bit sad, "But I can't seem to recall that far back. It must've been a very pleasant conversation for you to remember someone like me."
He smiled slightly, the apologetic look in his eyes lingering for a bit longer. "It may come to me sooner or later though, so there's still a bit of hope." Kazi laughed aloud before shifting his green orbs to the landscape before him. The Pridelands were nearby....and he was almost there. Home, at last...
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Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2007 2:47 pm
Shiri smiled gently at the male. He seemed so apologetic for simply not remembering her name. Attempting to offer some reassurance, the female continued to smile as she spoke, "It is nothing to worry about. As I have said, it was many many years back. And it was certainly a pleasant conversation on my end.. I can't say I was such good company when I was younger, however.." The lioness chuckled lightly. Though she had many of the same qualities, she had grown up a good deal.
When Shiri noticed Kazi look over towards the pridelands, she cocked her head to the side curiously. "Do you happen to be traveling to the pridelands?" She was not sure if it was too forward to ask and whether or not it wasn't her bussiness, but if Kazi was venturing forward and as was she, it might be better to do so in company. Blushing lightly, she continued, "I only ask because that is where I am headed.."
And like Kazi had done, Shiri glanced towards the pridelands. The strange pride was not yet her home, but she hoped greatly that she would be accepted. If they were anything like Kazi had told her when she was younger, then it was nothing to fear.
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Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 7:36 pm
He smiled still, apologetically, and looked to the distant pridelands once more. "Yes," he replied. "I'm going in that direction. I left a little while ago, and now I'm coming back." He shook his mane and stood up. "I'd come back then to make a home of the place, and now that I'm coming back after leaving for a second time, I intend to do so still." He chuckled lightly, then looked down at the lioness.
"Oh, so you're a rogue.." he said. "Well it's still friendly, though every place has its ups and downs."
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:13 am
Shiri was glad to hear that Kazi was continueing to make his journey towards the pridelands. If the yellow lioness was accepted, that would allow her at least one familiar face to keep her company. "That is very good to hear. Perhaps, you would enjoy some company on your travels there?" Shiri's voice was shy and curious. After so many nights of traveling alone, the company of someone could be incredibly comforting.
When Kazi mentioned that she was a rogue, however, the lioness took a step back. It almost stung when the male said it aloud. Didn't he know she was a rogue when they met and she was younger? Would her being an adult now affect her chances of getting in? Discouraged and almost scared now, Shiri looked towards her favored pride nervously, "Does that change anything? Certainly it is rogues that request to join on a regular basis.. why would a pridelander have to request to join...?" Shiri almost stuttered at the question. She couldn't give up now.
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Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 1:24 am
The large male smiled and nodded. "Company would be nice," he replied. "Being alone can be........lonely," he chuckled at his lack of creativity in word choice. "So...how long have you been traveling, Shiri?" His tail twitched to and fro as he waited for a reply, closing his eyes as a breeze swept past their resting place. The shade, as well as the calm wind, was making him a little drowsy again. But he pushed the feeling aside after she began to speak.
Kazi's eyes widened at her questions, and he shook it furiously when he realized that his comment affected her in that manner. "No, no it won't affect your chances of being accepted into the pride," he recovered. "I was just making a statement to myself, that's all. Sorry...if I made you nervous or anything like that. I didn't mean to. Also, I don't really have to request to join again. I just want to inform the queen that I've returned."
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Posted: Sun Oct 28, 2007 11:08 am
Shiri's mood changed when she noticed that Kazi would be glad for her company. She smiled and listened to what he said about a traveling life being a lonely one. That was very true, but Shiri never considered herself much of a traveler. She was never looking for anything in particular other than food and a safe place to rest. Having been born a rogue, she only considered her traveling, moving out her own territory. The main problem, however, was that her territory was shared with many others who all considered it their territory and many were not willing to share the land.
At Shiri's respond to Kazi mentioning her being a rogue, Kazi quickly tried to explain himself. The yellow lioness smiled, glad that the male realised what he said came off a bit.. strange. She didn't, however, wish for him to be so upset. Shiri misinterpreted his remarks, but didn't think that he meanht to insult her either way. She only became worried, "Don't worry Kazi.. I understand.. I'm just so nervous about joining.." And realising she hadn't answered his earllier question, the lioness blushed, "Oh.. and as far as traveling. I was born a rogue and have wandered these lands my entire life.. as far as my journey to the pridelands." She laughed lightly, "I've always remained close, but it's taken me years to finally reach their territory.."
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Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2007 10:54 pm
Kazi smiled and stood up, shaking whatever had gotten into his white mane out of it. "Well, no use in waiting to get there, now is there?" he said with a chuckle. "How about you and I get to walking soon as you've gotten your rest. It isn't too far off, and we should be able to make it there by sundown. Maybe even before if we walk fast...and this blasted heat eases up a little." He yawned and stretched, ridding his body of the remaining desire to laze about and sleep until the following morning. The ash lion turned his emerald green eyes to the pridelands once more, then hesitated to speak for a moment.
"When we get there, though, I'm afraid I've got some things to do on my own. When you're allowed into the pride, there's a good chance we'll see each other again." He smiled apologetically yet again and sat down, his tail swishing from side to side. "Would that be alright?"
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Posted: Sun Nov 11, 2007 11:52 am
Shiri was pleased to hear that the two would be travelling with one another. During their conversation, she was already beginning to feel much more rested and at ease. She was comfortable now and was thankful that Kazi had been so willing to give up his place of shade. He let Shiri know that they could make it to the pridelands shortly and Shiri nodded. The sooner they left, the sooner she would need to seek out the queen and ask for acceptance. The lioness shuddered at the thought. It would be rather intimidating. Would they know that she was a rogue and think less of her?
When the male brought up how he would be busy once they reached the pridelands, Shiri's ears lowered. She was not sure what she had expected, but hearing Kazi announce it was something upsetting. She would have to confront the queen on her own and she would have no support. Perhaps that would be better for her.
Lifting her form and beginning to walk in the direction Kazi pointed to, Shiri smiled. "I am ready.. I think I have put this off for far too long.."
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Posted: Tue Nov 13, 2007 5:52 am
Kazi nodded, his smile unwavering. He knew what it was like to put off something for a prolonged amount of time. After all, he'd done the exact same thing several months ago. With a small chuckle he padded along beside her, wondering what words would be most comforting to her before her meeting with the queen. "If anything, you should just be a little blunt with the queen," he offered with a small smile. "She'll understand your situation, as she did mine, so it'll be a breeze. Trust me." Those were the last words that were spoken between either of them for quite a while.
As they neared the watering hole Kazi sighed and began drifting away from their path. "This is where we'll be parting ways for the time being," he said as he walked, not looking back. "I'm sure we'll see each other again Shiri. And if you ever need to find me, just head for the watering hole. That's where I'll be almost all the time." And with that Kazi sprinted off and away from the lioness, mind now wandering to whoever he would meet at his destination.
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