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 Posted: Sat Feb 02, 2008 1:01 pm
Angavu had managed somehow to talk her way into some alone time with her grandmother; which almost never happened since their family was so gosh darn huge! There were her three brothers, her mom, and then there were the hares. Anga wasn't even sure how many there were now since they'd just had even more. The little ones were still too little to play with much yet, but the cub was quite enthusiastic about it. But for now, she was happy to have dragged her grandmother away. Gram needed to have some more fun, anyway, she figured!
"This way!" she called, bouncing along happily, "Come on, we're almost there!" 
"I'm coming," Meme called after Angavu, watching her wander ahead and shaking her head. Luckily, Meme had much longer legs than cub and could easily keep up without needing to run- and as long as she could see Anga, it was all good.
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 12:17 pm
While his first instinct was to turn on his heals and return to the roguelands that he was more familiar with, the site of a small yellow striped cub caught his attention. He was of Shiri's litter and the one that shared the most in common with Shiri and Abedari's pelt. While the unknowing grandfather simply wished to throw his thought aside, he couldn't help but piece together some connection between them.
Looking away for a moment, Abedari released a short sigh. Could this have been the place in which his daughter made her home? Would he be able to speak with her again? Abedari returned his gaze to the lands, surprised to see that the cub was now gone.
Still curious about the striped cub, the older male managed to force himself forward towards the pridelands. He had not walked within the pridelands for years and his body was close to trembling. The lands were so familiar and yet so different from what he had remembered. Deep in thought, Abedari almost missed a small golden cub passing by excitedly. She looked much like the other pridelanders, Abedari thought. But. Her. Eyes.
Looking the cub over again, Abedari felt as though the lands were mocking him! How much she reminded him of his beloved Memetuka! And at this thought, an older lioness came following behind Angavu. She appeared so curious.
Abedari felt his legs tremble beneath him and his heart begin to race. It could not be. This was some cruel joke! Diving behind some tall brush, Abedari tried to gather himself.
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:21 pm
Angavu was a true Pridelander, used to the busy lands that she'd lived in from the start of her short life. Passing near Abedari did not phase her in the slightest, she didn't even give him a second look, not noticing the similarities he shared with her mother. To her, there was always someone nearby and only half of them were really worth stopping to meet- at least while she was busy! She was eager to get her grandmother to the river, Anga wanted to play. That was all that was going on in her little mind.
Memetuka laughed inwardly as she watched Angavu hopped along. It was truly something amazing, having cubs around. She just had to do her best not to think about how she had missed out on this with Shiri, how she had chosen not to experience it. Part of her doubted she would have had this much fun, she wasn't the same lioness she was then. Memetuka made a point of not being the same irresponsible and flaky lioness she was in her youth.
Unlike Angavu, she was not so quick to dismiss those around her- and she at least looked over to offer a friendly smile to the lion they were passing by. After all, everyone was friendly here. When her glance went back to Anga, she did a very sudden doubletake of the lion they were passing. Immediately recognizing him, she froze.
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:34 pm
Gathering himself beneath the brush, Abedari attempted to control his breathing. Lucky for him, the grasses were yellow in color and he was able to hide himself at least slightly. He could pretend to sleep if they neared him and hopefully they would simply pass. As he ducked low, the male peered through the openings between the blades curiously. Had his paniced reaction become noticed?
As he watched Angavu and Memetuka continue by, he prepared to release a breath. It seemed as though he had fled just in time. When Memetuka turned her head again, he recognised her stare. It was the same familiar stare that had broken his heart when he found that she had become pregnant. The same shocked, empty stare.
Abedari had been too late and hidden in the brush only a few feet away, he was entirely vulnerable. While he had many options, he felt as though there was nothing else that he could do. Lifting his form, the male swallowed and kept his eyes wide.
What on earth could he say?
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 8:22 am
"We'll have lots of fun when we get there," Anga rambled cheerfully as she jogged along cheerfully, not noticing at first that her grandmother wasn't still following her. When she turned around to smile at Meme, though, she noticed that she was rather on her own- almost, her grandmother was quite far back. Why had she stopped like that? They weren't there yet, this didn't look anything like the river at all.
"Graaaam," she whined, turning around to march back over to her. Angavu would drag her grandmother there if she had to! Puffing up importantly, she started to hop over, "We're not there yet, come o-"
She paused when she realized Meme was staring at something. Raising an eyebrow, she looked over where the older lioness stared. It was just some stripey lion, why did she stop? Then it hit the cub, he was striped a lot like mama- and had the same brown that mama's tail and ears did, except his was a mane.
"He looks like mama!" she said in a hushed voice when she reached Meme, now also staring.
Memetuka almost forgot all about Angavu walking along ahead of her, everything seemed to fade into the background except for the lion staring back at her now. Her legs wobbled, but she managed to stay on her feet. She would have kept staring, or ran- she wasn't sure which- except Angavu was there, and reminded the old lioness of her presence by calling out to her and skipping over to her side. She flinched when the observant girl pointed out his resemblance to Shiri.
Still speechless, she took a step backward. She wanted to leave, this wasn't something she wanted to deal with- she was happy again, something she hadn't been in so long.. this confrontation hardly seemed as though it would end all that well, though they would have to control themselves in front of a cub. Meme could hardly start chewing him out for abandoning Shiri; the cubs didn't know anything about the situation, and Meme thought that was best left to Shiri to explain whenever that time came.
She stopped after only a single step back, unable to find her voice to tell Anga that they should go back.
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 11:14 am
Like Memetuka, Abedari was torn as to what to do. While the two stared eye to eye, he felt a warmth rise in his cheeks. Throughout the years she hadn't changed much at all. If anything, he was almost jealous. The years of wandering the life of a rogue had certainly worn on him.
When the small golden cub came hurrying back, he heard something along the lines of how he resembled someone. Curiously, the male gulped. His suspicions of his daughter could have very well been true. It was too much of a coincidence if the cub's golden pelt and eye color had merely been by chance. It was then that Abedari became fearful. What if it had not been his daughter, but Meme who had birthed the cub? Filled with a strange jealousy, the male swallowed again, though his throat was dry. So much time had passed between them, it would not be strange for his former love to have found someone else.
"Well.." Abedari spoke quietly, "It's been awhile." The male's voice was clearly strained as he spoke. And once he had finished, his eyes pulled away from the lioness' form to look towards the roguelands for comfort. With his head turned away, he added, "I didn't expect to find you here."
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 5:51 pm
Anga looked back and fourth between Memetuka and Abedari, still not quite making the connection but not liking the expression on her grandmother's face that much. She looked so sad, and neither of them were saying anything. She wrinkled her nose and hopped out a couple steps to get a better look, maybe she should say something so they'd stop looking so worried- and then they could be happy, or maybe he'd just go away. After all, he was interrupting their trip!
"Who're you? And why are you interrupting our trip?" She demanded, trying to distract from whatever strange tension was between them- though she could not actually see it, she was more concerned by the random silence and the sad expression on her grandmother's face.
Memetuka forced herself to look away, not looking at Abedari or Angavu. She had to breathe, had to get through this- had to get away, but how could she do it without being interrogated by Angavu later? It was near impossible to face Shiri, and she'd shown up twice- Meme had had no choice then. Would it be the same way with him? Would he show up again? Be as forgiving as Shiri? Could she fogive him?
But they could hardly discuss that with Anga right there. However, the cub was the only thing keeping Meme from attempting to run off.
"Angavu!" she breathed, only looking back when the cub started asking loud, demanding questions.
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 10:25 am
Abedari had nearly forgotten about the small cub in their company, but when she yelled out demanding his name, he couldn't help but chuckle lightly. He was curious about who she was. The daughter of his former lover? While he had once thought of his daughter, he could now see that there was nothing to really give him that impression. This young cub could have easily been the daughter of many of the pridelanders. The white tail. It could certainly give him a clue, perhaps, of the father?
Clearing his throat, Abedari took a few steps back and responded to the cub, his voice gentle and his form lowered so that he was more level with her. "I'm simply an old friend. I don't mean to keep you both." By the way the cub seemed clueless about the male, Abedari did not think it was his place to mention anything. Assuming that it was Memetuka's child, he also thought there would never be a reason to explain to the cub. She did not need to know him.
Once Angavu had demanded answers, Abedari noticed that Memetuka was startled. Still on the edge of his seat, the male continued to slink away. "Meme, don't worry. I understand why she's confused.." Abedari was trying his best not to make a scene, but the whole situation was entirely out of his control.
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Posted: Sat Feb 09, 2008 11:59 am
Angavu wrinkled her nose when Abedari did not give his name but rather explained that he was an old friend. That wasn't much of an answer, and he must have been a really bad friend if he was making gram look the way she was looking. Grumbling this opinion, she backed up to her grandmother's side. She might not worry too much about rules, but she wasn't going to push her luck here. Maybe mama could explain, or maybe gram would explain once he went away. Didn't look much like he was going to stick around much lon-
Why she's confused? Her?
"I'm not confused!" she declared loudly, hopping out after him again, "You're a really bad friend if you're so scary, and don't want to stay. And rude! Mama always says you have to introduce yourself properly." Childishly, she stuck out her tongue at him. For emphasis!
Memetuka was relieved when Angavu returned to her side, and was more than willing to just let him walk off where he was. She would have been content to disappear herself, but she couldn't. She was just about ready to take Angavu and leave- he didn't deserve an explanation of who the cub was, didn't deserve a conversation.. for all he knew or cared Shiri was dead, long dead.. leaving her to fend for herself, no mother, no father..
She just about collapsed when Angavu jumped out to further the conversation. It was not something she expected, not at all- Angavu was not always the most obedient cub but she wasn't usually quite like this. Not around her grandmother or parents.
Wincing at the words coming out of cub, she stepped forward to actually make her stop. Pulling Anga towards her, a paw tapping against her nose she hissed in a hushed and anxious voice, "Quiet now."
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 11:39 am
Abedari felt entirely helpless in the situation. He wanted to leave, but only so he could revert to his normal self. He lived a rogue life so that he was constantly in control. He slept where he wished, ate what he wanted and spent every moment doing what he pleased. In the pridelands, he was both not welcome, as well as out numbered. When Angavu yelled out again, the male was reminded of this. Even as a cub, she knew better what he should be doing. "I apologise.." Abedari nearly stuttered, taking yet another step back.
The male looked up towards Memetuka with a rather strange expression. His helplessness was almost clear and something he never wished to show her. During their entire relationship while they were younger, Abedari made sure to play the 'cool guy'. Here he was and it seemed all of the impression he left in the past would be destroyed. Certainly the male was losing his touch.
Returning his gaze to Angavu, the male nodded. "You're right, i'm Abedari and, if it would not be too much trouble, perhaps I could join you both for awhile?" The male spoke before he could really think things over. He only wished to relax those around him. He was so unused to being in those shoes. It seemed wherever he went others liked him, but here things were entirely different. "But I can't stay long. I have things to take care of..."
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Posted: Sun Feb 10, 2008 12:36 pm
Angavu squeaked as she was pulled in by her grandmother, knowing when to keep her trap shut now. She did, however, make note of this stranger's name. Abedari sounded a lot like Hodari in her mind, it was kind of funny- and she might have laughed if she wasn't trying to behave now. When Abedari asked if he might join them, Angavu started and looked up at her grandmother. What would she say to that?
Now that Angavu was finally quietly down, Memetuka had no choice but to speak for herself- and not just to Anga now, but to Abedari. Could she get out of letting him tag along on their little venture? There were only so many ways to get out of this, was there a polite and non-suspicious way of getting him to just go away.
"Uhh-" she glanced down, feeling Angavu's eyes on her, "We were just on our way home." She tried to give it just the right tone so that Anga would not question it in front of him- she just wanted to get away, get out of there.. Anga's likelihood of demanding answers later or not.
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 11:30 am
Though not entirely himself, Abedari was not stupid. He caught on quickly to Memetuka's tone and nodded with an uncomfortable smile. Afterall, he had been quick to speak because of the cub. If he could get out of following the two, he would be far more comfortable. He was foolish to return to the pridelands. After all those years that had passed between the two, it seemed as though the golden lioness still had his heart wrapped firmly in her grasp. It was awful to feel weak.
Continuing his smile, the male leaned down to look towards Angavu, "It was a pleasure to meet you. I hope you both have a wonderful afternoon." Abedari's speech was rushed, but polite. His body was tense from conflicting emotions. Returning his gaze to Meme, his smile seemed a bit more genuine, though it held sadness. A tender part of Abedari shone through his familiar eyes as he offered farewell. "I am glad you're well." Was all he could say.
And when it seemed the others had offered enough of a farewell, the male turned and began to leave the pridelands. Only once he was far enough and out of their site did he pick up pace and run as far as he could possibly take himself.
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Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:14 pm
If Anga hadn't already been not-so-subtly told to keep quiet by being pulled closer to her grandmother, she would have picked up on the tone in the way Meme informed Abedari they were on their way home. She stayed quiet, but it didn't stop her from looking confused and almost disappointed. She didn't want to go home, and part of her hoped it was just a trick to make the scary ex-friend go away.
She blinked wide purple eyes at Abedari as he leaned down and said it was nice to meet her, and she only nodded in return. Meme had never acted like this before, Anga was not normally so obedient but this was much more confusing than a normal situation. She watched him go, looking back to Memetuka just when he was out of sight.
"Are we going home?" she asked carefully, not trying to hide her disappointment at all.
Meme stood perfectly still as she waited for some kind of reaction, waited for either resistance or acceptance from both Angavu and Abedari. She was surprised to find they both immediately accepted what she said, not so much Abedari but certainly Anga. It was terribly awkward to see her ex-lover again, especially while out with their grandchild.. knowing that he'd done the same thing she had done, only leaving Shiri entirely on her own. Surely Shiri might find it within her to forgive him, as she had forgiven her, but.. could Meme forgive him was the question.
As he leaned down to bid farewell to Angavu, she couldn't help but stare. It suddenly seemed very much like he knew exactly who she was, and with fur and eyes like Anga's, there were only really two options. Either idea, and she was sure he'd realize at least one of them.. it was unsettling. She was just happy he didn't ask about her. She only seemed capable of staring when he said his farewell to her and turned to go.
She was still watching him, watching where he'd gone, when Anga turned to her.
"Y-yes," she said quietly, feeling guilty but no longer feeling so playful, "I'm sorry, we'll come back tomorrow, ok?" Sighing, Meme leaned down and nuzzled against her granddaughter affectionately before turning them around to head back home.
Fin.
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