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 Posted: Fri Feb 20, 2009 11:40 am
He was dozing in the sunshine, listening to the distant sounds of his children playing somewhere in the glade behind him. Not too far away, Ameh and Phib would be going about their daily duties, possibly hunting with Rehema since the day was so fine and crisp. Ona'raha loved days like this. Ones which were fresh and cool but had a blue sky that held a fat, glowing sun. That was one reason why he loved living by the mountains so much.
He lowered his head and began to groom his paws - though they weren't very dirty - and then returned his gaze up to the clouds. He sometimes thought he could see his parents there, his grandfather too. Sometimes he thought he was mad. Could they really be up there watching him? Guiding him? Yes, he thought, they were. He believed it with all of his heart.
He heard the sound of swift footsteps and turned an ear in the direction. The wind was on his side this day and it brought to him the scents of those who approached. One was his daughter, Eeva and the other...?
Well, actually, he didn't recognise the other scent at all. It put a spark of fear into his heart and suddenly he began to wonder if Eeva had brought a rogue home. Yes, since being with Rehema he'd relaxed around outsiders a little more. However, it didn't mean he trusted them completely. Who could blame him, after all? Outsider lions had brought the plague and chased them from their home all that time ago.
He rose and the hair on his shoulders bristled.
"Eeva Subiani." His voice was firm as she emerged from the undergrowth to pad meekly up to him.
She knew when her father was displeased and she knew, this time, why he was. Generally it was because she'd run off without telling him, or arrived home late after an adventure. Today, however, it was because she did not walk alone. A new Shadow walked with her and she was eager for him to meet the family and be integrated in as a member.
"Father, listen. I found someone you really need to meet!" She insisted, coming to a halt. "You aren't going to believe it!" And she glanced back over her shoulder to see if he was coming.
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Posted: Mon Feb 23, 2009 9:07 pm
 Zuko, being the honed hunter that he was, didn't miss the exchange of words or the tension in the air as they drew closer. He wondered if this was a good idea but there was no turning back now even if he wanted to. It was the cowardly way to run away from something just because of doubt.
The cub that had greeted him disappeared from view then, but Zuko kept his gradual pace after only a moment's hesitation. When she gave the verbal cue he emerged from the trees, just a touch of hesitation visible. After all, one so clumsy with social cues such as he could hardly be blamed for being maybe a little nervous. The old him would always be too proud to ever let it be shown, but when it came to home, family, those were things that were not guaranteed to him. He could not simply fight or talk his way into winning them. He had to appeal to them and show them he wasn't a threat and all of this meant showing vulnerability. It in turn only made him more uncomfortable, which in turn only showed further.
Somehow he managed to check this a bit, appearing calm enough, if not just a very small touch jumpy. He stopped several feet away, looking at Ona quietly, partly opening his mouth as if to speak, hesitating, and then finally taking the plunge.
"Hello... My name is Zuko Amuliwa... I spoke with Tawa'di-- and your daughter. I was told that this is the new home of the Shadow clan...?"
His good eye and his squinted eye both found Eeva briefly as if to ask if he had done that right, though it hadn't been his intention to. Nervous twitch.
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:24 am
Someone for him to meet? He felt his heart clench with that familiar, aching fear. The fear of meeting someone he hadn't met before, the fear of not knowing what their intentions might be. He'd always been scared of outsiders after what had happened to him as a youth and even though meeting Rehema and Malik had helped, it hadn't healed completely.
And then he saw who this someone was and he relaxed almost immediately. For, yes, even though he was scared of outsiders, he trusted Ela'wadiyians deeply, for those that survived had done so through much hardship.
He stepped forwards, nudging Eeva aside, and bowed his shaggy head. "Greetings, Zuko Amuliwa." He responded smoothly, regarding the dark one through glassy eyes. His gaze was directed to the scar on the other's face, a terrible wound. It must have pained him greatly when it had been inflicted upon him. "This is indeed the new home of the Shadow Clan. I am Ona'raha Subiani, son of A'kiutu Subiani and Fa'moyo Abadan, caretaker of the Clan until my daughter comes of age."
He paused. "By my daughter's excitement I assume you have come to make this your home, also?"
Eeva bounced enthusiastically, waiting for her father to introduce himself and desperate to get a word in despite the fact she wasn't exactly sure what she was going to say. Her eyes glistened and she watched Zuko's face for any sign of joy or happiness. It wasn't good to be such a frowny-face all the time.
"He's a good lion, daddy." She thrummed happily, waiting to see what Zuko's response would be.
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