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 Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:00 am
Another beautiful day.... Of course there were clouds rolling in the heavens, darkening more with each moment and a great symphony of 'drums' pounded from above. The occasional spark dashed across the darkness to touch somewhere upon the horizon; but every day was a beautiful day to the lion sitting upon the cliff overlooking his land. He would have to descend before the storm hit, or else might be blown from the rocks or struck by the gorgeous but deadly light, but for now Hadithi sat watching the weather.
It was not his muse, none of it, but he loved its song equally. And his Ocean did its part, adding the chorus of crashing waves and roaring waters. Foam flecked up in the wind, even up to his high perch, and gargantuan waves rose and broke out in the distance, pulling more and more water up upon the shore. This was certainly not the worst storm he'd seen, but it was the worst in a very long time.
Hadithi loved it.
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:09 am
Standing at the edge of the jungle, not quite sure if he wanted to leave it to brave the storm, stood Kereng'ende. He raised a paw, as if to step out, then just as quickly lowered it the the creation that now lay upon his neck.
He didn't think that Hadithi would mind that he'd taken a few things he'd found laying free in the jungle or on the sand to make his necklace. And indeed, the weight on the strange shell upon his breast gave him a feeling on comfort and security. It had been the patient work of several days to put the thing together, and now that he wore it, he felt very proud of his clumsy skill.
Giving his maned head a shake, Kere snorted. All those things were neither here nor there. Regardless of the storm and his faint unease at the thought of what he must ask, he had to find Hadithi and speak with him. Once he could have an answer, ANY answer, he would finally feel at peace.
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Posted: Fri Sep 14, 2007 10:44 am
Eventually the brown lion moved, standing and stretching, though the winds threatened to topple him. They warned him, in their way, that it was time to go for the rains would be there soon and he would not stand against their fury. So Hadithi turned to the path down the cliff's side, making his way careful despite years of familiarity with it, to the shore. When he was near the bottom, he raised his head finally and saw the tentative looking lion standing there, seeming to wait for him. Or, perhaps it was mere coincidence. Either way, the other male now sported something very interesting about his neck....
Hadithi blinked slightly at the piece, wondering how he'd managed to get shells caught in his fur like that. It was a strange though, but one that also was attractive in that he wouldn't mind doing something like that himself. He opened his maw with a grin to address the other lion, but was smacked in the face by the impatient Wind. Sputtering a little, Hadithi began to laugh and shook his head. "Come inside with me, friend?" He yelled over the storm, tossing his head in the direction of the jungle, and then slipped inside the tree's protecting stand.
Once there, the weather was blocked some, though not much. Rather than stopping, Hadithi continued to head further in for the large caves in the cliff that the Pride used as their dens. Still, talking was easier now, "It seems the Weather is a little testy this evening and feels the need to show off Its power."
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:02 am
Following the brown lion, Kere cast a last longing look at the shore and the wind whipped waves before turning back to give his attention to the path. Since he'd arrived here, he'd never once ventured this far into the jungle. It would have felt like intruding on another's privacy to him. Horrible thought, that.
"I'm only sorry that the Weather doesn't seem to want me to watch the ocean while it's playing with her," Kere murmured. Indeed, if it hadn't been for the strong winds and the fact that he needed to speak with Hadithi, Kere rather thought that he wouldn't have left off watching the shore until the storm had ended.
Giving himself a shake, Kere's eyes became unwontedly serious as he tried to think of how best to ask his question. After a few moments, he decided the best approach would be to be as straight-forward as possible. But, he'd wait until Hadithi got to where ever he was heading.
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:27 am
Hadithi laughed at that, shaking his head, "I suppose even They may want their privacy at times? Indeed, its usually better not to watch. As beautiful as it is coming in, it can be quite dangerous once it reaches the shore. Especially if you see a Spout among the clouds."
The lion reached the solace of the caves then and ventured inside, going up a short rise to a large interior room lit vaguely by a form of phosphorous fungi that clung to the walls. It wasn't much light, but it was enough for a feline to see perfectly by. There was sand piled on the bottom of the cave, likely from the time decades past when there had been water filling this cave, and a slight raised area in the back that had, traditionally, been the sleeping place of his Grandparents. He kept away from it now, though one day it would likely be his place when he was leader of more than himself.
Instead, Hadithi settled down with his back to a small niche in the rock that housed a few lovingly placed, random seeming objects. He stretched himself out across the entire thing, covering it from sight and smiled upon Kere again. "Have you been enjoying your stay?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 16, 2007 10:57 am
"Oh, I have, Hadithi, sir," Kere answered earnestly. He sat down and pawed absently at his necklace. "This is the most wonderful place I have ever seen or been, sir."
Well, that was out now. He thought of the ocean and the waves he had played in with a slight pang. There was such beauty here that he thought he might never be happy again if he had to leave.
After a moment of such depressing thought, he turned bright pink eyes to his host and bowed.
"Hadithi, sir, never have I felt such happiness since my parent's died as I have felt since I came to this place. I think I would count myself the luckiest creature alive if I could live here always. Please," Kere was nearly whispering now, almost fearing any answer he might recieve, "Please, sir. May I have your permission to stay forever? Please?"
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:28 pm
Hadithi's ears lifted in surprise at hearing this dark lad ask for such a thing. Perhaps he didn't even know what he was truly asking for.. but the Wind had begun its games with Misae, and he thought that perhaps this was what it had meant to do. Still, he'd had little time to talk to Kere and tell him of the Pride's history and beliefs... but what did that matter? Hadithi offered the other lion a gentle, caring smile. If Kere could love this land as much as he seemed to, there was no reason not to test him. Indeed, he could continue on his test as long as it took him to complete it, there was no time limit.
"It would be our joy to have another here with us," He said carefully, "But there is some confusion as to what you're asking, Kere."
Hadithi's ear twitched towards the cave entrance, thinking he heard something in the Wind, but unsure as to what. Whatever it was could wait, he thought, and he continued, "There are two forms of staying here; as a friend or as a brother. Do you mean to ask to join the.. albeit small pride we have here, or simply remain to yourself? There are.... traditions and rules about both, you see."
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 1:41 pm
Now it was Kere's turn to lift his ears in surprise. There was a pride here? He'd only seen Hadithi and he certainly hadn't smelled any others. They must be VERY good at keeping to themselves, he thought.
Tilting his head to the side, he considered the other lion's questions with all seriousness. What did he want? A place to live and kindly neighbors? Or did he want a family to belong to again? Both families of his youth hadn't worked out very well, but third time was the charm as the old saw went.
Still thinking, he bowed his head and closed his eyes, the better to think and listen to his instincts. He was very tired of being alone. And, somehow, out of all expectation, the thing he had been searching for as a cub with the others, seemed represented here in the brown of a wise, kindly brown lion.
"I would ask to join you and yours, sir," he murmured, quiet and humble. "I would be part of a family again."
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 2:05 pm
The storm that was rolling in from the sea was nothing Misae seemed to fear; in fact, the fact her pelt was damp from the waves, and her bangs ruffled seemed to indicate she'd been running along the beach mere moments earlier. It was... well, tell truth, the female had no real word to describe what she felt as she looked out to the sea, watching the clouds twist far out, rolling with the wind.
She didn't need words however, at least not this time. That's what she thought; the feeling of liberty and happiness were enough to bar everything else away. It was only when the first droplets of rain had started out shore that the wind had whispered for her to take cover; to watch the storm from the cover of a cave, where she'd be safe. That was the sole reason she found herself moving through the vegetation. Jumping, almost prancing to the rhythm of the storm.
It was a rhythm she knew well, and had anyone asked her, Misae would've been able to sing it's song on the spot. Alas, despite how beautiful the storm's song was, she kept on moving towards the caves she knew were only just around the corner. The flashes from the sky crackled above her as she made a dash for refuge; it wasn't till she had practically dived inside a particular cave that she noticed Hadithi and ... another male, both sitting together, not far off, in an opposite one, and the curiosity got the best of her.
The wind had masked their scents, however, they were plainly in sight now as the lightning flashed across the sky, and thus, instead of slipping into her cave, she braved the storm once more, making a dash for the one both males were sitting within, "The rhythm of the storm... isn't it lovely?" came her voice, a melodic greeting to both males as she slunk deeper within the darkness, where she allowed herself to shake off the residue water, "I was watching from the shore till the wind told me to take cover. It said it'd be harsh," pausing only momentarily, she finally sat herself down on Hadithi's other side, peeking her head from beside the larger brown lion to lift a paw at Kere, "Greeting; I'm Misae, pleased to meet you," it was a cheerful greeting to a stranger she'd not seen before, amusingly enough. To Hadithi, she offered a smile, no words needed to express her happiness.
She seemed to be almost.... hyper, in a way. Her movements were bursts of energy, almost mirroring the storm that raged outside, the whistling wind and roaring ocean.
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 4:52 pm
Hadithi couldn't help the grin that spread across his features at Kere's words. To have a Brother again would be a wonderful thing, even if a part of Hadithi was worried that the other male wouldn't like what he was agreeing to. He had the choice of leaving, though, if that were the case. "And we would be glad to have you. The Mu--"
A voice cut him off, one that he knew well. He looked up as Misae entered their cave, dripping with water and vegetation loosed from the plants outside. For a moment he was struck, dumbfounded by the beauty of her that spoke more than words could of the place she was beginning to hold in his heart. He didn't yet choose to acknowledge that, however. Instead he made room for her when she joined them, leaning in to groom behind her ear as she made her greetings to Kere. "It is wise of the Wind to do so," he nodded, "The Storms can be cruel, though they often don't mean to be. Its father Weather is a strange one, at times, and his children often unsure of their own minds. At least, from what I have heard from them."
Hadithi chuckled. It was a well known fact that two people could hear the same thing and draw different interpretations of it. That was nothing that he minded, however, for to see the same thing as everyone else would make life boring! "Kere," He turned his eyes back towards the male and tossed his head to indicate the female now curled against him, "This is a friend of our pride who has come here for awhile with her father."
He chuckled and nipped Misae's ear, "I was about to explain some of the finer points of the Family to Kere, if you do not mind listening to my babbling on such a topic."
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:26 pm
Pulling himself up, Kere bowed to the white female, "It's a pleasure to meet you, miss."
Having spoken, Kere settled himself back down and focused all his attention on the two. If there were rules and laws to be honored, he wanted to know so that he could be certain to never break them.
Deeping deeply of the warm dry air in the cave, Kereng'ende smiled and found himself wondering what a 'Mu' was.
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:40 pm
It must've been strange, or at least entertaining to note how Misae seemed to have no problem with the fact the larger male was grooming her; in fact, she leaned against him as his maw worked behind her ear, closing her eyes to offer a purr. She only re opened them as she was more formally introduced, lowering her head into a simple bow for the other male to see, however, once this was done, she melted back against Hadithi's form, "I like the rhythm of the storm; I think it's wonderful. Powerful, and full of life," she answered his words with her own views, but seemed unperturbed by the fact they didn't quite match.
She was well known for taking more risks than she should, after all. Perhaps maturity later on would change that; her running by the waters of the shore during a storm was full proof of the fact she seemed to think the world around her... would never touch her. Despite the fact she'd been born in a dreadful place, her belief on this never seemed to wager as she'd grown; call her naive, call her... immature, the small female didn't seem to care.
"Kere's a lovely name," she offered the darker male before she looked up at the king, her head tilting to one side in obvious curiosity, "I like hearing you 'babble', so please, don't stop because of me. I need to dry off anyhow, and silence never helps," this said and whilst still pressing her side against Hadithi, she began to groom her pelt away, forcing it back into it's proper place; the wind had played with it, and her bangs specially, so much that she almost felt she'd been rolled down a hill for miles. The lose leaves that clung to her were soon enough discarded as she groomed away, her red eyes seeking those of the males as she listened, "Everyone needs a Family," were her final words before she settled down, curled up, happy, content.... yet still visibly ringing and glowing with the energy of the storm outside.
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 5:59 pm
Hadithi hummed, a jaunty little tune rather than the single note of pondering. He gave a slight n** behind Misae's ear, unknown to himself for he wasn't considering it, then raised his head to once more turn his attention to Kere. It wasn't that he'd ignored what she said, but rather had taken it completely to heart--if she didn't mind his babbling on the subject, then he would do just that without further preamble.
"You've probably heard us both speak about the Wind and the Ocean, and the Weather and the like," he began, tail thumping lightly against Misae's, "in this Misae and I are siblings of thought. She's more like the old members of our Pride than I had thought to ever meet again." He offered the female a smile but nothing more in the way of acknowledgment. "It... the pride is very tiny right now, only my sister and myself--and Kamaria is off on a quest of some kind, though she should be returning soon. We never recovered from the plague so many seasons ago, but we are trying..."
He trailed off for a long moment, trying to decide where to go with this. He'd never had someone wish to join the Family before, and though he could vaguely remember this same speech being given to one of his uncles (the male had joined for the Aunt who was of their blood) it had been a very, very long time since that moment. "We live to try and return to our True forms, the muses. Lions are tainted you see--oh no, they're not.. bad or evil, but simply have forgotten their true way in life. In order to find it once more, we have to listen and learn from the Muses all around us; they are Everything, from the tiniest ant to the rock and sand beneath our feet, to the Wind whipping about the waters outside, and they all wish to help see us home once more. That is, if you truly stop to listen."
Once more the brown lion paused in thought, his head turning to the mouth of the cave that was dark with blown in rain. He watched as lightning lit it in crackling countenance to the Rhythm Misae had been pointing out and gave a contented sign. "Each Kizaa, each Family member, has their own specific teacher--the Muse that their soul originally came from. While we listen to all muses, that Muse will guide your life in specific and carry you back to your true form when you finally pass from this life back to the True self."
Blue eyes once more meeting Kere's, he gave a gentle smile, "That is the the true test of whether one is truly Family or just a Friend. You must take your time and Listen... and when you have learned what that has taught you, you will be my Brother, if you so choose it."
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:14 pm
Listening carefully, Kereng'ende digested Hadithi's words, openign hsi mouth to ask what his companions Muses were before snapping it shut again. Such a question would have been unbearably rude and it was none of his business besides. Unless they made it his business, in which case, it was even MORE their own business.
Still, curiosity and a desire to try and find a Muse burned in his heart. He didn't quite understand it, but he thought, perhaps, that was simply becasue he hadn't experienced such a thing yet.
Eyes bright with excitement and wonder, Kere found himself suddenly fidgeting, fighting against an impulse to run back outside to see what he could learn.
"What must I do?" he asked. "I... I want to learn. Please tell me what to do."
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Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2007 6:36 pm
Something about the scene that displayed itself around her had Misae chuckling lightly. The sound wasn't mocking, or even teasing at all; it merely showed the fact she was amused, if only lightly, "Woa there..." she breathed as she lifted her head from grooming her left side, "I can practically see you vibrating with energy," the words were directed at the fidgeting Kere, a sweet smile edged upon her maw, "The wind told me the storm would be harsh, and would probably last a long while, so rushing out in search of a muse is not the best thing to do right now," despite the fact she was younger than both males, her tone of voice seemed to indicate the fact she was wise. In her own... naive way anyhow, "Anyhow, I don't think Muses are something... one seeks out in a rush. The muse will come to you," a pause as she allowed her gaze to follow Hadithi's towards the opening of the cave, where she felt the wind whipping against the rock, "The wind came to me without my seeking it, after all... it saw me be born into this world; crawled me when my mother left, and sang me lullabies when no one was around."
It was almost as if things couldn't be any other way; no doubt in her words, for after all, if there'd been something unchanging in her life, it'd been the wind. It'd never changed.
There was a long silence after her words, however, a comfortable one, during which the female sat herself up, the top of her head reaching just past Hadithi's shoulder blade, making her look tiny in comparison, "Size has never been of importance," she seemed to pause to consider her own words, mirth reaching her eyes as she giggled, for reasons best known to her, her smile playing about her lips, "No matter what some males seem to think on the subject. Either way, the plague came and went; the wind told me about it - this plague, long ago. It haunted the prides. Most have been wounded severely, mortally in some cases by it, however, size is not of importance, I think," she turned to offer her smile at the males, fierce emotion ringing in her eyes, determination perhaps, "Belief is what drives everyone. Not size."
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