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 Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:45 pm
Moto paced about, her wounds having healed enough that she didn't need to worry about tearing anything open. Her mind was made up...and she would have to leave soon. The sooner she got her idea in motion, the sooner she could get Bavu back. But she would not leave without telling Kiuma. The lioness and her daughters had been nothing but kind to her and her cubs. It was a matter of how to tell Kiuma. Sighing, she shook her head. Best to just get it said.
She set off from the den she and her cubs (and Dogo lately as well) had been staying in, the golden lioness intent on finding Kiuma. The sooner, the better.
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:47 pm
The red lioness that was the object of the search was pacing down the pebbled beach before the dens, her eyes on the water. With her daughters grown, there was little for her to do in the pride, since they were able to take over most of the duties she used to do. She was starting to get that restless feeling, the itch in her paws that usually ended in her traveling. But... she couldn't leave her pride, even if her daughters could pretty much take care of themselves. So... what did that leave her then? Was this all there was for her now?
Catching sight of Moto coming her way, she took the distraction eagerly. Her ears perked, she moved towards the healing lioness with a smile on her face, even though it was small and reserved, like most of her smiles.
"Moto! I hope you're feeling well. Did you sleep well last night?" She called.
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 9:59 pm
Moto was relieved to find Kiuma wasn't far. She smiled back at the other. "I slept very well, thank you." She felt her resolve try and crumble...but Moto quickly pieced it back together. "There is something I have to talk to you about, Kiuma..." She sat, knowing that it may take a bit. "I'm almost healed enough to begin traveling again..."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:21 pm
Something in the way Moto moved, in the unsteady smile she offered, warned Kiuma that there was something off today. Her nose twitched as she scented change, something she was all too familiar with. Ears perked, she came to a stop at a comfortable distance and waited for Moto to speak again.
"Travel? I suppose I'm not surprised." She murmured, her smile twisting a bit. "I figured you wouldn't stay much longer than it took to heal some, then you would be off to finish things with your sister and the cub she stole from you. I guess I'm a little surprised you didn't make this decision sooner." The red lioness chuckled, her tail gently flicking behind her.
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:28 pm
Moto nodded. "There...is more to it..." Her tail swished behind her nervously. "My sister...told me she is part of a pride now...filled with others like her." Her ears lay against her skull as her uneasiness rose. "I know I cannot get my son back on my own...And then there is the threat my sister's pride poses to other creatures." She sighed.
"I have decided to gather others to my side...to fight them. A pride, if you will." She closed her eyes. "I am tired of running. And I am sure there are others that have been tormented by the demons who are tired of running."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 10:46 pm
More? This wasn't something Kiuma had anticipated, but she listened patiently as Moto stumbled over what she had to say.
The thought though, of a pride filled with creatures who maim, kill, and cub-nap... that was something that made the red lioness's hackles rise and her lips curl in a snarl that bared her fangs. It challenged everything she'd made here, everything she'd worked so hard to build and settle in this place. This wasn't welcome news at all and would take a lot of thinking.
The idea of a pride to fight it though... that was appealing. There was strength in numbers. "You're thinking isn't so different from the way mine was, when I started this pride. The need for a safe place, a place to be your own... I understand that all too well." She murmured, nodding.
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:17 pm
Moto nodded. "I want to one day know that the only demon blood left is blood that is not tainted with innocent blood." She shook her head. "There can be goodness in them...I am living proof of that, since my sister and I share the same blood. But those that have no goodness, or have locked it away...I intend to make their numbers dwindle." Amber-orange eyes opened. "Even if it is just one at a time...I will make them know they have met their match...that their reign of terror will not be allowed."
She thought for a moment...then smiled, a somewhat sad one. "No matter where they dwell, Kiuma...I will make sure my pride is between you and them. I will not let them taint this safe haven...You gave me a chance to live. I intend to repay the favor."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:23 pm
A hard expression moved over the red lioness's face as she listened, nodding along.
"I understand, Moto. I hope you know though, that its going to be hard. Harder than anything you've ever done before. You might face worse than having a cub stolen from you... the path you've chosen will have death in it, on both sides, you can't deny that. Are you sure you're ready for that?" She watched the other female with curious eyes, hoping the answer from her would be yes. She couldn't let her go off alone with no plan and unaware of the dangers.
"I appreciate, though, the gesture of protection for my family." Kiuma smiled as she tilted her head. Her paws were firm on the pebbles under them, though she absently flexed her claws to dig into them, a reaction to the threat to her Pride. A warrior and wanderer at heart, she was no slouch in a fight either. "You know you will always be welcome here, Moto. You and your daughters. I can never allow a male here, though I might make a rare exception if the need is great."
An idea struck her then. "And perhaps... perhaps you can do me an even greater favor, and allow me to foster any males born to my pride in yours. They aren't raised to their potential here, and though its necessary, I don't like having to make them leave before they become adults." That's what was missing... cubs. With all the adults around, there were more than enough to care for a new litter to swell their numbers.
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:38 pm
"I know. And I will make sure any who wish to join me know the dangers as well." She had lost her uncertainty...her voice was clear, and strong. "It has grown to more than just the loss of my cub...Even...even if my Bavu is lost to me, I will fight to make sure another mother needn't experience the same loss because of my sister and her kind." Moto would fight...and this time, she would not run away. She would face the problem head-on with teeth and claws bared.
"Thank you Kiuma. I hope a situation never arises that would require a male to travel through here." She truly did. As much as she loved her mate and her male cubs...others were not so lucky with males. At Kiuma's request, she nodded without hesitation. "I can do that. And if we have a female who wishes it, we shall send them your way." Moto felt accomplished now. She was a few steps closer to her goal. Now...she just needed to finish healing.
"Our prides shall be allies...hopefully even after we are gone from this mortal world..." She chuckled. "And I shall make sure the males of my pride know full well traveling through your lands is forbidden. If they want to think otherwise...I'll give them a good beating myself."
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:39 pm
"Allies." Kiuma agreed, trying out the word on her tongue. It was a new concept, but not a bad one. If anything, it would be beneficial to both prides, both families.
"And I would appreciate that, Moto. If you ever need help in your fight, you can count on my daughters and I to fight beside you. We are not a soft pride, even though we hide from the world. Its the least I can offer, for all you're promising." It was a lot to think about, a lot of things all happening at once.
Well, even if none of this came to pass... she would have the friendship of this lioness, and friendship was always a precious thing. "I might be more lenient, if I know the males are yours... though not much." She laughed, feeling the humor and relief of their situation. Once Moto was firmly on her way, it would be time to give her daughter and heir a try at running a pride. It would be a good lesson for her, something she should be able to handle, and it would free up Kiuma to go on a quest, one that would hopefully end in cubs to strengthen her pride.
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Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 11:47 pm
Moto nodded. "Thank you, Kiuma." The lioness before her had become a friend...something Moto had not had in a very, very long time. Fear of her sister hurting those close to her had ensured that. But now...Moto feared no longer. And she was sure Hakuna would have her paws full trying to fight Kiuma, if that ever happened. Hakuna was big...but not as big as Kiuma.
"All the more reason to discourage them. Don't want other males getting the wrong idea." She smiled, a warm expression this time. "I think I'd best go find my little ones and tell them what's ahead." And Dogo. Moto was certain Dogo would at least want to know the demons would be dealt with.
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Posted: Sun Nov 16, 2008 9:43 pm
The red queen smiled at the yellow one as she nodded, settling back. She'd be sad to see Moto go, it had been pleasant having her with them, but Kiuma understood that things changed and this was not the place Moto was meant to be. At least she would be close and they could keep up their friendly ties. It was a rare thing for Kiuma to find a friend and she was loathe to let it go.
"Alright. Good luck, Moto. I hope things turn out in a way to make you happy, in the end. Its all any of us can really ask for." There wasn't much more to be said, really. She had too much of her own things to think of and plans to make. Hippolyta would need a long talk to make sure she knew what she needed to know to care for the pride in her absence and on the slim chance she never made it back.
"I'll see you again soon, I hope."
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