|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:09 pm
 In the wake of Siyasura's disappearance, Tamba had slept very little, eaten very little. The whole family was like it, and their grief had seeped into the rest of the pride to some degree. And looking out to the sea this day, he began to wonder if they'd poisoned the great wonder. She was restless. The very horizon did not seem to settle, broken by great clouds sweeping across the skies.
For the first time in a while he thought maybe something big was approaching. Something they might not be able to cope with. His parents, having been born to this pride, had chosen not to divulge any of their life stories, let alone the traditions. Tamba had come to learn them all from Mlinda, and Tamu had made some of her own. But he knew, he just somehow KNEW, that something big had happened in the past that had caused his parents to flee their home. And perhaps it was returning to finish the job with the next generation.
Tamba finalyl managed to break away from the horizon and began his descent to the sands. Leporogo was submerged at the moment and the water's choppy. He stayed to the inner most parts of the lands for now and cut across great swathes in order to get straight to the landmarks that formed a 'border'. It wasn't an official border, but every now and then in the area of plains that were part of the territory, boulders or hills formed a perfect line. It was comforting.
He scaled a few boulders and sat atop them, having a very good view of the landscape.
He was in for several surprises today, as the blotch of moving colour would suggest. Definitely moving bodies, too small a group to be a herd. It had to be lions. He stood up so his form might be seen clearly against the sky as they continued to approach.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 5:40 pm
 She'd gotten quite accustomed to having smaller paws walking underfoot from her, even before the very ones that had been brought into her content little world by her daughter. But adjusting had been easy, just making sure that none of her grandchildren walked underpaw of her larger ward (as that would have allowed for yelping and awkward things to settle in terms of apologies and hurt feelings).
Certainly the manner in which they would be meeting again was almost ironic, bearing signs that Leboya's life and family simply kept being added too while her old friend's life had just had a member pull away and flee. However, Leboya wouldn't have known such things, instead taking a break from their walk to take a deep breath.
Even from there she could smell the air of the ocean.
She was more surprised she could recognize the scent even now, taking a deep breath before leaning down to nudge one of her grandchildren along for the 'trip', before lifting her head to scan the horizon.
Were there any familiar shapes she could recognize? Why, there was a lion (? She'd seen many who bore manes yet were not lions in her travels) standing against the horizon, causing her to sigh a bit and look to her daughter. "I wonder if this will be a face I recognize.." she said to her child, before taking the lead of her little pack, making sure that Colorata stayed in tow of his 'mother' instead of running ahead of her.
"Hello!" she called out ahead of herself towards the figure who was now at the sort of clarity that would allow her two thoughts: Was this an elder figure she recognized or their child who simply looked as they had? "My name is Leboya, do I speak to one I know or one who simply resembles them?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Mar 09, 2009 6:04 pm
 It had been a journey to end all journeys in Lesedi's book, and to think that the lioness was still scarcely believing they'd arrived was... well, downright laughable, almost.
She'd been trying her damnedest to play the new 'role' properly, always looking ahead for guidance from her mother and then behind to make sure all five little cubs were still there. It was amazing how much they had grown even now to her, able to squeak out words (amazing what attention did for an infant) and purr and run-- despite the occasional trip-- to keep pace. There was a very peculiar thrill to it, and...
Oooh, that smell... She knew that smell too, and it brought her instantly back to cubhood, floundering desperately in rock pools to catch a pesky crab, snatching fish from the shallows...
She breathed it in deep and glanced over her shoulder yet again to make a quick headcount, came to the comfortable number of five, and looked ahead to the 'leader' of the pack-- who had suddenly called out and dragged her gaze to the far horizon where a very definite silhouette had taken shape, and a rather imposing one at that.
She didn't know who it was, nor did she even bother to follow the elder lioness's motions by calling out. Nope, her only duty, so far as she was concerned, was keeping the litter close and at an easy-to-guard distance until they'd confirmed that these weren't some kind of enemy.
Clueless mother was still clueless, sure, but that didn't mean she was stupid in her inexperience either.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:38 am
 Tipwa had been on very good behaviour. He made sure to keep his new family happy by staying out of trouble. That was the key. Being good. He had a lot more in common with the new youngsters than the adults, but he was still under strict rules not to play too much with them. And to be extra extra careful when he did play with them. He flanked the group to the right, behind Leboya but a little ahead of Lasedi, his new 'sister.' If any of his little friends started to get out of line, he had to get them back in place. That shouldn't be too bad, nothing could go wrong, hopefully. --- He didn't mean to seem intimidating at all, but it didn't help that he was finding it hard to muster a smile. He had to be as friendly as possible for these newcomers, or else his awful mood would put them off for good. Be cheerful. Be cheerful. Its not their fault whats happened, they'll bring some cheer into the pride.
Swallowing back another 'man-sob' he puffed himself up a bit and started to appear more energetic already. He padded down from his rocky perch and began to approach them.
As they came more into focus, he could certainly pick out one familiar form. Who could forget someone as bright as that!
"Leboya?" he said to himself first. She was a lioness from his early days of the pride, from when Tamu must have been only a child.
"Leboya! It's Tambuzi!" he said with a great smile and a springier step.
Something lurking to the left of his vision was making him uneasy though. That dark lion...surely not...it couldn't be...
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 6:43 pm
Leboya's own stride seemed to pick up it's own spring at being told that yes, she did recognize the lion who stood in front of her. Which of course caused the lioness to walk right up to Tamba to stand as proudly as any lioness could in front of an old friend.
"I've come back." she said. Certainly it was a.... redundant statement, but it came with more following it. "And I've brought quite some numbers with me. This.." she looked to the pale lioness who only bore small signs, in eye color and some swirling ends to stripes, to herself, "is my daughter, Lesedi." she introduced, before adding on, "And there are young paws she cares for - four little boys and a beautiful little daughter."
Oh goodness, only Leboya would have boasted grandchildren on her part.
However, there was a moment's pause before she turned to look towards her other companion, motioning with her head for the dark lion to come up to her side.
"And this young man is what brought me back." she said, before looking back to the lion who had greeted them on the border.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 7:01 pm
W-wait a minute, what?...
The apparent connection between her mother and this strange lion was certainly news to Lesedi, and it was all the lioness could do to pass a look between them and TRY to hide any stupefaction from showing on her face. She'd never been made aware of an individual relationship between them! It...
It was strange and suddenly she found herself choking down an overwhelming surge of AWKWARD, feeling very much like the odd third wheel in tow. Tipwa obviously already belonged there, Leboya knew the pride from some long time past, and she... was the only real stranger here sans her children, wasn't she?
Hearing her name mentioned she snapped back to attention again, however, taking yet another reflexive headcount to make sure no cub had wandered off in her twenty seconds of befuddlement before flicking her ears back and forcing a weak, but respectful bow, eye contact averted as any smart and submissive individual would make certain of.
Minding her manners and staying out of the way was one of her few real talents.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 8:17 am
The smile on Tamba's maw was genuine now. It really did do his heart some good to see an old member of the pride, and even better still that she'd made a life for herself, she'd had a family, who had a family of their own! He was a softy for cubs and youngsters really, he couldn't resist the appeal and charm that every cub seems to be born with.
But his pleasant exchange with Leboya and Lesedi was cut very short...
"BRUVVER!"
Tipwa had stopped when Leboya stopped, just like a good boy should. But as soon as his brother's form came into clear view, nothing mattered. A cub could have been in front of him and he'd have squashed it in his eagerness to get to his brother.
He literally threw himself at Tamba, and it looked rather painful actually - for Tamba. Tipwa could not be phased, he was like a juggernaut - unstoppable. As the smaller of the two lay there, dumbstruck and petrified, Tipwa pranced about excitedly, bopping his brother affectionately before finally collapsing on him to give him a nuzzle.
...it couldn't be....IT COULDN'T BE! How...what!?
With a face full of fear, the last thing Tamba saw was his brother's dark form barrelling toward him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:15 pm
Yes, it seemed to be a good thing that all little paws were being kept under her daughter, taking DOUBLE check to make sure Colorata and Uziwa had been kept in place before the dark lion had started to run rampant to joyously greet his brother...
...
...
Who actually seemed less than thrilled to see his sibling, actually. Leboya wasn't sure what to make of it, but while the two said their 'hellos', or at least Tipwa did, Leboya sat back to look to her daughter.
"It seems as though they haven't seen each other in a while. Strange to see the happiness in someone else.."
If one could describe Tamba's expression as 'happy'.
However, it was about time for 'Mother' to step in to make sure that the King of the beach didn't get smothered and then some. "Tipwa... be gentle with your brother and be careful you don't smother him. "
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 2:25 pm
O SHI--
Yes, Lesedi had most definitely been wise in her obsessive herding-- as was proved to her right then when a giant black and white body went BARRELING straight past her with all the force of a hairy freight train, momentary panic sweeping through her as she took yet ANOTHER body count to make sure that, thank god, none of the little cubs had been trampled.
... If only the same could be said for that poor male who'd just gotten BLINDSIDED and smashed into the ground.
"... It... seems so." Her conversational skills were understandably awkward for various reasons, but she'd still been at least polite enough to humor her mother with a response, gaze still drawn to that... horrible mess of a scene with the two apparent 'bruvvers'.
"Though I can understand his excitement..." She'd saved the last comment for after Mommikins was distracted though, and just fell silent. Of all lions, she knew how easy it was to get emotional running across someone from the past, after all...
Especially with a lost family member.
(She just hope the impact hadn't given that smaller male a concussion.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 3:31 pm
Tipwa listened to Leboya, looked down at his prone brother, looked bak to her kind, loving, and patient face. He'd at least stopped bopping and gnawing at his brother, but he didn't move. Two great big tree-trunks for forelegs were still sprawled right across his smaller brother, pinning him by his mid-section.
"This is how we say 'hello,'" he beamed back to Leboya and then looked down at his brother for confirmation. It was strange seeing his brother, much older and with a full mane now. They both looked different when Tamba had decided to make a life for himself, alone. But it was still Tamba.
Arrrgh! He always hated this greeting, even as a kid when the size difference wasn't too bad. If he had been in a better mood, it might have reassured him, maybe even made him smile, to see that things hadn't changed much in his brother. But he was far from being in a 'good' mood, and would be even worse when it was time to hear of his mother's death as well.
Bad things always came in threes, he mused to himself as the conversation between Tipwa and Leboya took place briefly. He wondered what the third would be...would Tamu come to him one day and say suddenly that she hated him and wanted to leave? Would she too go missing, or worse. It rattled his brain and wouldn't leave him alone, even when it was time to put his polite face back on.
"No-no...its...ow-its alright, Tipwa, lemme breath a sec okay?" he strained as bit under the pressure from his brother's legs.
When the large lion obliged immediately, Tamba took a big breath and rolled over onto four paws as fast possible, so that he wouldn't easily be squashed again. Despite panting a little, and attempting a brave and warm smile for the girls and the cubs, there was still that strange glint in his eye, that of fear and loathing for Tipwa. That was an iceberg that not many others would be privy to. Everyone just saw the tip, this awkward and almost forced show of brotherhood on Tamba's part.
It was ironic that he should blame himself for Siya's condition and her missing status, but then loathe Tipwa for the constant care and supervision he needed.
"Its good to see you again Leboya," he said, his breath finally back but his composure lacking a little. "And a pleasure to meet you miss...?" he began and politely bowed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 4:52 pm
Hmmm, there was a certain tension between the siblings, as far as Leboya could tell, giving them a glance between them, before rising to walk to Tipwa's side, carefully settling to start grooming the big child's mane in a very motherly way. Lick lick lick.
But that was how Leboya did things, pausing only when Tamba gave his greeting to her and offering him a nod.
"As it is you." she replied, before looking to her daughter and giving her a nod as well - a sort of 'go ahead'. Certainly Lesedi didn't NEED her mother to give her permission to speak, but she found it would at least be a reassurance of trust for the lioness who had never met her old friend.
An old friend who seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulder.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 7:58 pm
... OH, she was being addressed directly now? But hadn't her mother mentioned her name already?
Well, no matter... Lesedi understood that things tended to get lost in such a flurry of excitement, and was kind enough to oblige the (thankfully now upright) male with a slight nod and an awkward half bow, head ducked to her elbows.
"... Lesedi Tau, Sir." Might as well use the full title as it seemed proper to do, lifting her head back up, though still failing to look him in the eye. No, she'd focussed more at about chest level, juuust 'close' enough to the face to where she could feign her full attention without actually hitting that little nerve. "Though Lesedi is enough, and..."
Oh, right. The others.
"... These are my children." She made sure to gesture to each of them in particular as they were introduced. "Colorata, Vainamo, Barnesi, Uziwa'Nuhusi and Aearenáre..."
WHEW, that was quite a mouthful-- but hey, they were all worthy of introduction too, right?
"The pleasure... is mine, I'm sure..."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:15 am
Tamba watched with, at first puzzlement, then relief at Leboya's motherly actions toward Tipwa. Anything he didn't have to do to keep him calm was welcome! The relief seemed to wash over Tamba for a little while and he appeared more alert as he conversed with Lesedi.
And she'd be right - he'd completely lost her name in the scuffle, and felt rightly embarrassed by it. But never mind, there would always be more chances for proper impressions to be made.
"A pleasure, Lesedi," he returned the bow and smiled at her and her brood. "You've got a very beautiful...and bright...family. No questioning where they get that from."
He chuckled and passed a playful glance over to Leboya.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Apr 04, 2009 9:17 pm
It would have been hardly any surprise that Leboya was a good mother. Or mother-figure. Even if Tipwa was a bigger body than her grandchildren, he was still a 'child' in her eyes, one for her to take care of.
The idea that he was older than her, potentially, had never crossed her mind.
But she wasn't about to interupt. She'd allow her child to speak on his matter, just nodding lightly and making sure to keep and extra eye on her grandsons (her granddaughter was a little more obedient).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Apr 13, 2009 6:10 pm
Okay, now that? That had totally been some kind of strange and underhanded compliment aimed at her mother, and Lesedi immediately recognized it too-- almost thrown off guard for a moment, but recovering with a thin forced smile and a nod.
"Thank you, Sir..." Another little pause was debated and she flicked her ears back, making sure (AGAIN) that none of her dear children had suddenly gone missing. "They are... my pride and joy..."
And with that, it was time to once again take her metaphorical (and physical) position at the back of the conversation, gently herding all her little paws underneath her to hang back and... wait. There just wasn't any better place to be, she figured; after all, she had little or nothing to contribute anymore with all that out of the way...
All that really remained was the hashing out of any last details before they...
... Wait, was there any kind of formality they had to hash out?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
