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 Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:10 pm
As Uuo led her back into the heart of the Simo territory-- the den area --Yin-li couldn't deny the sense of excitement in her gut, a tickling sensation as she took it all in, in broad daylight no less, standing amidst this territory as a free lioness and a potential member rather than a slave, intruder, or simple visitor for the first time in her life. After speaking with her cousin and the neccessary deliberation it seemed she'd undergo a trial period of sorts, or at least she'd not be formally accepted yet, but it was a start.
There was no easy dismissal of the fact, though, that she actually felt safe there, without the presence of Azarax or her parents or siblings.
It was incredibly liberating.
Uuo slipped from her side, excusing herself with things to do and leaving Yin-li to find Azarax's den, trusting she would be able. That female just knew too much for her own good, yet guilty as charged Yin-li made her way towards the scent of the den, spotting Kadogo'moto not far away just observing her for a moment before going back into his den. Strange...
"Azarax, are you here?" Yin-li called in calmly as she reached the mouth of the den that she'd recalled to be his.
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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 3:03 am
It had started out to be just another day. Simply another normal day. Like every other day in the desert, the sun was up and shining early. The desert sunrise. It was a special privilege, he knew, reserved for those Firekin, those lions that called the desert their home. For indeed, there was nothing like it in all the world. The weather, too. The stretches of skies that spread across the land, cloudless and pure.
So his surprise at Yin's appearance outside his den could only have been expected.
"Yin!" The tan lion's ears perked forward as her voice registered, and he rose to his paws, padding toward the mouth of the cave. "What are you doing here?"
In broad daylight, too. He could only assume that it was good news, for otherwise she would never have shown up so boldly in the middle of territory belonging to a pride of lions still wary of attack.
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Posted: Tue Nov 04, 2008 5:18 am
The lioness perked upon sighting Azarax so soon, moving closer in on e fluid motion to brush her head against his with a rumbled greeting.
"I've spoken with No, she spoke with Kidondo, and they've decided to let me stay to have a chance to prove myself."
She was highly pleased by this, of course, grateful for the chance to make home here and with any luck and skill, do something meaningful. She was lucky, just as he, her family would never be far, but Azarax did not have the freedom to visit his (Though Yin-li knew nothing of this yet.).
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 4:53 am
"Have they now?" He said with a smile. Well, this was good news indeed. To be able to have a close friend, and Yin no less, within the pride was a wonderful thought.
That, and the mere fact that lions from outside the rebel ranks were being allowed to stay and prove themselves worthy of the pride was testament to the progress they were making. Gone were the days of the rebellion, the chaos and the danger. Such days were still fresh in the minds of all, but it was time to move on while keeping past events in mind. They couldn't lower their guard, but they could begin to occupy themselves with other tasks as well.
"This is great," He added. "And you're already at home here, so you won't have to take the time to adjust to all the sand." He nodded almost gleefully, returning her greeting gesture.
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:49 am
"It is... I heard that you've made General, and Uuo, Captain of the guard? Congratulations for you both on the promotions!" Though she knew it had been Azarax to give Uuo hers. To think that he had been the one to make the comment about not being colored like a traditional Firekin... "I did tell you that the desert chose you, hm? Regent Kidondo and No made a wise choice." She smiled, glad to see Azarax would be in such a position to better serve his pride. She only hoped to be able to do the same some day.
All this said she had already pulled back enough to look at him again, but kept at a social enough proximity to be close.
"I really wish to help as well, it's part of the reason I asked if I might be able to stay."
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:58 am
He nodded again. "Thank you," He said. "I was actually rather surprised." Though to be honest, he wouldn't have seen the promotion coming even if it had smacked him right between the eyes. He lacked the social intuition for it, though for sure he had a much easier time of reading another's body language than most. It had come from his having said little as a cub, and the way he often expressed his own emotions through body language. He had become very finely attuned to it, though it was to that and nothing more. Anything hidden in the words of another, he would surely not be able to decipher.
And he had better eyesight than most, he knew. It was rather unexpected that his inability to perceive most of the color spectrum actually sharpened his sight, rather than dulled it. Yet, he could pick up the slightest of movements within the shadowy realm of his world, and being out and about at night truly made little difference to him.
"You did tell me," He agreed with a grin. And to be honest, he knew that her words had stuck with him. He had even quoted Yin while meeting with the Regents, he remembered. "And you probably helped me get this position." He added. "So I owe you now."
He chuckled. "I'm sure you'd be able to," He said, knowing that what he said was most likely true. And in any case, he was still sure she would be able to help in some way.
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Posted: Thu Nov 06, 2008 6:09 am
That did surprise her, that she'd helped him get the promotion. Curious as ever she contemplated asking, politely, what he meant, but first thought to retreat to the shade of his den since the sun was on the rise to it's highest peak, however slowly it seemed to move.
"Oh? What is it that I could have said or done to help with that?" She asked, moving to settle next to him, lying down on the cool stone, not expecting he'd mind her joining him there without invite. She did, if anything, expect he'd join her in the relaxed position for now.
And Azarax was surprised, Yin-li couldn't say that she wasn't the same. She hadn't much opportunity to see him in action, she certainly hadn't been there during the rebellion, but she had confidence in No and Kidondo's judgement after meeting them, and more than that she had confident in Azarax. He was Firekin, he must be. He'd been allowed to stay, even so highly promoted! His fur was not the traditional color, but she never thought much on that. He was a lion of the desert and it showed in his coat. He had the size, easily, and his mane was a brilliant red with bold white streaks as well. She was glad that he had not been made to leave, she did think he belonged, and she wouldn't have been able to find him if he had.
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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 5:56 am
He followed her suit and settled on the shaded rock, glad to be out of the sun for the while. After all, if he had anything else to do, he could and would put it off for the while. If there was anything he had learned all his life, it was that when it came to family and friends, the rest of the world could go to hell.
"Well, it's rather difficult being Firekin without the traditional coat," He said, pointing out the obvious. "If not for you, I doubt I would be as comfortable with it as I am. And confidence seems to impress." He added, smiling. There were certain emotions that he could generally recognize, among them being anger, sadness, joy, and approval. It wasn't altogether difficult, to tell the truth. Most, if not all, emotion could generally be seen in the eyes. It took a lot to hide emotion from the eyes, and one quick look was often enough to tell what was what.
He leaned back against the smooth stone of the cave wall. "Now, what have you been up to since you were last here?" He added. Catching up, that was the first thing to do.
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Posted: Fri Nov 21, 2008 10:42 pm
"I'm glad that you took heart in what I said, Azarax." Yin-li smiled as she heard his explanation.
It would have been sad irony to see someone like him forced out because his fur favored the natural colors of their homeland rather than that of a goddess that probably didn't exist (Meilin didn't believe in gods, Yin-li would believe they did when or if she ever met one and not a moment sooner.). They, perhaps, shared her opinion that even if he wasn't the full traditional red, he'd been chosen by the homelands all the same.
"Oh, not a lot... I went back home to speak with my parents about this of course, caught up with aunt Uuo a bit, got to finally meet our cousin No, but nothing news worthy. I'm hoping that I'll find some good way to put myself to use here. Part of the reason I wanted to leave home was feeling as though I were missing out on doing something meaningful or worth while. It would be a welcomed change from doing nothing every day but hunting and scouting for vultures." Since there were no cubs in the Dawnwalkers, there wasn't even -that- for her. She enjoyed studying the temples but there wasn't much to be learned there, not enough to keep her from seeking her true home.
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Posted: Mon Nov 24, 2008 1:51 am
"Somebody had to," He said with a grin.
"No is your cousin?" He asked, pleasantly surprised. He had taken an instant liking to the Regentess when he had met her. Something about her simply exuded confidence and competence, which needless to say were exactly what the Simo needed at a time like this, and in the future as well. She and Kidondo made such the perfect pair, he could see them doing nothing short of succeeding in their mission to once more make the Firekin the power of the lands.
"Well, that doesn't sound all too eventful." He said, referring to the vultures and hunting. "But I'm sure you'll be able to do something that you'll find worthwhile here." In truth, Azarax believed that it was up to the lion themself to make their own luck. He imagined that if Yin could not find something worthwhile to do, she could just as easily make something worthwhile come up. Life worked out well like that, strangely, but only if you were looking for the good.
Focus on the good, forget the bad. It sounded simple enough, but Azarax had long since realized that that was not the case. It was something of a discipline, really, learning to forget about the negative sides of life.
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Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 7:53 am
"Yes, she's niece to my mother, though I've never had the chance to meet her mother. My mother was looking for her when she was captured by Kimeti."
They had decided to go with whatever felt natural, whatever felt right, since their initial confessions had been somewhat awkward and clumsy. Purring gently she joined him, rubbing her head against his as she settled directly beside him now.
"I think I already have." She teased playfully. "Is it alright if I den with you, Azarax?"
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Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:04 am
A smile spread across his face, usually so much less expressive, and he knew that though whatever giddiness he had felt the first time she had come to visit had faded, she still had an effect on him. He had never truly been a child at heart, and it was only to be expected that that rambunctious joy he had felt when she had returned to visit would leave. But she still made a difference. She still made his day seem suddenly brighter, though he certainly never would have thought that possible, and she still made him smile like nobody else.
He nosed her gently as she settled in, and nodded. "Of course it's alright," He said with a chuckle. It would always be alright, if for no other reason than for the mere fact that she was his friend. Even if they never made it past these first stages of what might eventually blossom into a real relationship, she would always be welcome.
For a moment, he seemed perfectly content to sit there in silence. Then, he said, "It's good to have you back, Yin. Really."
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Posted: Thu Nov 27, 2008 8:13 am
Yin-li smiled, using him as a pillar to lean on then as the days' travels finally began to take it's toll on her. Settled in now her answer cam only naturally, another soft rumble from her chest to her throat as her eyes drifted shut not at all like their first meeting.
"I'm glad to be back home, Azzie..."
~ Fin
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