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 Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:26 pm
 Atop a cold grey rock Jani sat. Her face was was dark. Inside she was emotionally torn. Her betrothed, Kubwa had since left the pride to seek out help beyond their borders. She had not known him for long, but as a young lioness, she had in him the hopes of a great future, love, cubs, a family. She was sure he would return from he quest, but she couldn't help but doubt.
There were many things outside the border. Many dangerous things. Isn't that why the king built the walls in the first place? To keep the badness out and the goodness in. That was what she thought anyway. He was a brave lion, she reasoned. He was going to be alright.
She turned her face into an oncoming breeze, letting the coolness sweep over her face, washing her sorrow away, for now. Jani needed something, someone to take her mind of Kubwa.
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:19 pm
It was highly uncommon for Kibwana to search out the company of others. He had enjoyed the company of his youngest sister, but she had since left the pride. No one knew why except him, and he wasn't about to tell a soul, but that left him lonely nevertheless. Occasionally he sought out his mate for companionship, but he was determined to be a different Ufalme from his father. He would be a better king, even if that meant making himself more accessible.
As a cub, he had been taught that his pride was his everything and that he should befriend every last one of them. As a late juvenile and adolescent, when his father had begin to lose his mind, Kib had been made reclusive by the beatings and rantings of a crazed father. He was abused, surely, but he was not one to be pitied. He had grown up stronger for it, but perhaps that was why he was so alarmed by this new threat. He didn't know how to combat a plague, where obviously brute strength failed him.
Perhaps this disarray was what made him approach the green female sitting alone on the rock. He recognised her as a Siti, but it would take him a minute to recall her name. Their pride was not all that large, but as stated, he hadn't exactly been the most sociable of lions. Instead of saying a word, he merely settled down seated at a companionable distance from her. Having grown up with only his sisters as playmates, he knew when a female was sad, but he didn't always know what to say. So instead he only cleared his throat and sat, as if his mere presence would be consolation enough.
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 10:45 pm
Jani didn't notice the approach of her monarch. She was too developed in her own thoughts to notice. Only when he grunted did she realize someone was there. She turned to ask what they were doing, sneaking up on her. However when she realized who it was her reaction changed rather quickly.
Jani bowed her head low. She couldn't with her legs as she was already laying down. "Ufalme Kibwana" She greeted. Jani was curious as to why the king had approached her like so. She didn't often interact with the royal family, only the queen, since she was a lady in her court. The green lioness kept her head bent, waiting for the King to speak.
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Posted: Thu Apr 17, 2008 8:30 am
The lion dipped his head in recognition of her bow. He knew getting up from a laying position to bow was difficult, especially when one was surprised by the sudden appearance of whomever they were supposed to bow to, so he didn't hold it against her. His tail flicked a few times before curling around his massive body to rest against his forepaws. He was a big male, and formidable, but for a moment he looked very much like a cub as he tried to figure out just what he was supposed to do now.
Janikiwiti! Her name suddenly came to him in a flash and his lips pulled up in a soft smile with pride in himself for remembering at all. "Siti Janikiwiti," there, he'd gotten that much out. But he didn't know how to approach the subject of her obvious sadness. Wasn't she betrothed? Right! Kubwa. He had sent her big dark betrothed out for assistance, "He won't be returning this soon."
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:39 am
Jani was inwardly pleased. The king had remembered her name, she must have some sort of recognition in the court then? Maybe the queen spoke about her, Jani was always hopeful that lions would take notice of her. She nodded at the kings remark about her betrothed. She new it too, it was just hard for her to come to terms with it.
Jani felt herself close to starting a family. When the king had announced Kubwa would be one of those to venture out and see if any help could be found she was proud and sad, two emotions she still battled with today.
"I know," she said softly. "It shouldn't bother me this much. He is doing a brave thing. But I can't help but feel like this." The green lioness sighed and thought of a topic she could turn the conversation to. "How are yourself and the queen? Are you planning a family yet?" Jani couldn't help but ask. She was always wanting a little piece of gossip.
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:25 pm
Kibwana frowned uncomfortably as she spoke, not exactly sure how to console a female. With Adia'dafina, he had always had to simply listen and Leli never complained or spoke of how she was feeling so he definite didn't run into that dilemna with her. This female had depth, however, and he was sure she would require some sort of answer. He shifted his weight from one paw to another but that didn't prepare him for her inquiry.
That nearly knocked the wind out of him, and if his fur wasn't so thick, one might have seen him visibly pale at her forwardness. There was nothing wrong with asking and he knew that as king most of his privacy was forfeit, but nevertheless, that hadn't been the question he was expecting. He supposed she was attempting to get the attention off of herself and he could respect that. So, clearing his throat, he gave his best answer. "Yes."
Well, that wasn't exactly a worthwhile response, and he hesitated a few moments before adding slowly, "We are."
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:40 pm
"Thats good, replied the lioness. Jani blinked. Well, that was short. She had heard from others that the king was not as talkative as other lions, but she didn't expect him to be a man of such few words. The green lioness was stumped. How was she supposed to hold a conversation if one half was not willing to give even a sentence? The other Siti were never short of words. She gave a slight sigh.
At least the king was thinking about children, with the plague it would only be for the best to try and continue the royal line in case anything happened. The lioness's thoughts briefly turned to the prospect of cubs between herself and Kubwa, but she quickly shut them away. It was no good worrying about something she could do nothing about.
Jani was stuck for another question to ask, she really didn't know what to talk to the king about. "I'm sorry about your father." Jani looked away, she wasn't really sure if it was okay to talk about the past monarch, especially since she was talking to his son.
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:57 pm
He blinked; to be fair, he blinked numerous times. Had she really just professed her apologies about his father? After his mind officially decided that yes, she had spoken of Konokubwa as if the lion should have been fondly remembered, he laughed. At first the laugh was soft, more of a rumbling chuckle but it quickly erupted into a short, bark of laughter as he turned to look at her curiously. She was a bold slip of a thing and no mistake on that, whether she intended to be or not.
After he looked her over for a second, he looked away again with a second, softer chuckle as if he still couldn't believe it. He let the silence stretch between them, something he was quite good at, before speaking at last to her concerns, "No reason to be, and the entire pride knows it."
It was hardly a secret the way that Konokubwa had treated his son, though Kibwana knew it was polite for his subjects to turn their cheeks and pretend none of it had happened for his sake. He knew the general response of the pride, however, to his father's death and that was utter relief. He didn't mind because he had felt the same after the initial shock had worn off. He'd loved his father, in his own way, but perhaps only for the lion that he had once been. "There is no need to pretend he was a good lion in the end, and I stopped mourning for the lion he had once been sometime ago."
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Posted: Sun Apr 20, 2008 12:13 am
Jani looked away at the kings remarks. The lioness was slightly embarrassed at what she had said. But surely the lion must have felt some sadness when his father had left. She made a mental note to never bring up the subject with the Ufalme again.
"Your highness is right. I should not have asked." She looked back at his as she spoke. Her tail flicked as the sun poked out from behind a lone cloud. Now what was she supposed to talk to him about? Jani was afraid of saying something else in case the king was offended once more.
Finally she spoke again. "Is there anything you would like to discuss?" Better to leave the topic of discussion with the king.
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Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:00 pm
Immediately Kibwana felt that uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach, guilt causing his cheeks to flush as he realised she had misunderstood him. He hadn't meant to sound as if he were chastising her, he had meant it good naturedly, but sometimes it was difficult for people to take an Ufalme's words as light-hearted. Especially Kibwana, as he was quickly finding out, and he hesitated as he considered just how to respond to make the conversation lighter again.
When she asked what exactly he would like to talk about, his brow arched as the conversation suddenly turned in a direction that he could rule. This was what he was more accustomed to, but seeing as how he had to direct the topic of discussion daily with his wife, he was starting to seek out more liberal conversations. That he didn't have to direct one way or another.
Frowning, he tilted his head to one side as he observed the horizon, "I hadn't meant to dissuade you." He hesitated, "It is no secret that there was a collective sigh of relief at his passing, from myself included."
That didn't lighten the mood even a tad, but he hoped that it served as an apology - those he was the worst at. "What do you have on your mind?" That sounded childish, but instead of rephrasing, he gave a sheepish smile and turned his pink eyes to look at her.
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Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:10 pm
Jani flicked her tail uncomfortably. Sure, she knew that when the previous king had died many people were pleased, she was just wondering if he had missed his father at all. But, she thought, I guess he does not. She didn't know talking with the reigning monarch would be so difficult. If she had know, she thought idly, she wouldn't have started a conversation with him in the first place.
"Its okay," she stated. "I know." She finished, referring to his comment about relief.
"My mind?" She asked rhetorically, not expecting him to confirm or deny. What did she have on her mind? The green lioness thought for a moment. The only real thing on her mind currently was Kubwa. But she didn't want to bother the king with her worries. She tried to think of something else they could make small talk about.
"I am wondering what will happen to us, to the pride," she murmured. "Will we be okay?" She asked, turning to face him, her golden eyes meeting his pink.
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Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:27 pm
Kibwana felt his mood souring. Holding conversation was hard enough, but this female wasn't making it any easier. He was starting to long for Haiba's simplicity. At least she was always happy, or appeared to be, anyway. He didn't have to work to please her, he simply did by leading her. He couldn't talk to this lioness like he did with his sisters, nor could he talk to her like he did his mate.
So he was beginning to wonder why he was even trying to talk to her at all. Typically his conversations didn't drift past 'good day, madam' and that was that, what had possessed him to try for more?
He had turned in his frustration to look out at the horizon once again, but when she spoke an even more startling question, he'd looked back to her and met her gold gaze. Flicking his tail from side to side, he shrugged, "I believe so, though others may disagree." They would, because he couldn't bear to see his family's pride die under his rule. "But we must never give up hope."
With another impatient flick of his tail, he stood, "I shall take my leave of you." He dipped his head, "And let you wait for your mate in peace."
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Posted: Wed Apr 23, 2008 9:35 pm
Jani nodded. "Never give up hope," she whispered, her soft words carrying on gentle breeze. She would never give up hope. Never.
As the king farewelled her she rose from her sitting and gave him a deep bow. This was one of the most interesting conversations I have ever had in my life, she thought to herself. The king was definitely unique. "Goodbye your highness."
She watched as he left, before she too left the spot of their meeting, returning to her den to rest.
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