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 Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 5:40 pm
Mwokoti didn't need to eat, but sometimes she did anyway.
She didn't need to sleep, and it was her guess she probably couldn't, but when she had enough time to think about it she always wished she could at least try.
To her distress, down time was few and far between, lasting but a few minutes before the strings of fate tugged her toward another lost soul, summoning her to help guide them back home. There had never been a time in history everyone was where they were supposed to be, and as long as mortals roamed the Earth, there never would.
When she was gifted leisure time, no matter how short it may be, she had learned over the passing decades to at least try and enjoy it rather than worrying over what could not be changed. Some things were just written in their stars hovering above her for their kind. Greatly she envied those capable of rebellion and change.
The watering hole was deep enough a normal lion need be cautious in it's depth. Mwokoti, however, being easily twice the size of any Firekin, had no cause for concerning. Her identity was not one she bothered to mask. No one was certain why her moral stance against posing as a mortal was so relentless, not even those carrying her blood.
Her wings stretched high above the water in an almost intimidating display, though in truth, she was one of the most docile Gods to date.
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 8:23 pm
The day began in the ordinary way, with an empty stomach and a head full of blurry dreams. After searching all morning Hero finally found a small herd of zebra with some old ones to settle his aching stomach, but his mane gave him away and the herd fled before he was within range. Damn.
Noon came, a time for napping in the shade. Driven on by hunger, Hero pushed on through the oppressive heat until his tongue was dry from panting, yet even once he admitted defeat he had to keep moving in search of shade, which he eventually found, though hunger kept him awake. Sometime around mid-afternoon, only a few hours before sunset, he finally managed to sink his claws into a large hare, capturing it seconds before it tried to dive for its burrow. A meager prize, but it took the edge off. Now, white muzzle stained with blood, Hero walked toward the watering hole without triumph, head hanging low and ears flat with a pensive expression.
More than anything, days like this made Hero lonely. While he was lying under the shade, waiting desperately for the sun to relax her wrath, his thoughts wandered against his will and he imagined how much better this day would be if he only had someone to share in his frustration. Just having another lion to lie with in the shade, even a stranger, would have been a blessing.
Hero entered the water with his front paws and bent to drink. As he watched the hare’s blood dissipate in the ripples caused by his lapping tongue he remembered the brown lion who offered to share his kill with him and wondered why he let his pride get in the way of accepting that kind gesture, but his thoughts were wiped clean when he rose and saw the winged lioness posing over the water.
Once he saw that she was indeed real, Hero held his breath, paralyzed by fear. At first he feared for his life, for he had never seen a goddess before, but her gentle nature came through and he suddenly found himself much more afraid that she would leave.
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 9:40 pm
The newcomer was not unperceived, just overlooked. For now. Being gawked at and investigated was nothing more than daily routine for all of them. Mwokoti had considered that, maybe, out there somewhere was an entity who had taken the role of a mortal and nothing more, therefore avoiding being subject to it. But for her, who didn't disguise herself under any circumstances, and whose domain pushed her to interact with countless mortals daily...
The Goddess shook her head, and soon, her entire body. She'd dug her claws into the dirt on the shore and hauled herself out without much effort. She didn't seem particularly concerned with the risk of drenching her onlooker with the same water she was so impatient to be rid of. Again, her wings stretched to the side, then folded back.
Disruption to her all too sporadic 'me time' wasn't troublesome; certainly not welcomed. But she knew if she moved, she'd feel that pull toward whoever needed her. As it was, she was surprised she hadn't yet.
So, that left Option B.
If she spoke to him some, eliminated the awe-struck underlining of the situation, perhaps he'd leave her be until the world needed her again.
"Hello, Lion."
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 10:51 pm
Hero squeezed his eyes shut and lowered his head against the fat drops of water. He didn’t even think of moving. When the rain stopped he jerked upright, afraid that she had disappeared while his eyes were closed, and felt a wave of relief pass through him when she was still there, though he didn’t know why. His pink mane fell into his eyes, dripping with water. It should have made the moment awkward. But it didn’t. “Hello,” he answered, startled by the sound of his own voice.
He was also surprised to find his voice didn’t quaver when he spoke. His words came out flat and devoid of meaning, infused with the pure awe he felt at the sight of this magnificent lioness. Did he just say hello to a goddess?
Hero bounded out of the water like a cub and shook himself off, practically panting with excitement. “Hello!” He laughed, forgetting he already said that. As he took her in his excitement slowly quieted. She had a serious look about her, stoic, as if she were entrusted with an important job. He noticed the strange object hanging from her neck. The light it emitted felt warm and soothing.
Was it appropriate to ask a goddess about her position? He felt that, when one meets a god or goddess, one ought to know his or her alignment already, and yet he had never heard of a goddess who wore a glowing necklace. To ask would make him appear ignorant. Should he introduce himself or did she already know his name? Would she think him a fool if he asked to know her’s? What does one say to a goddess anyway? Nice to meet you, miss goddess. Pleasent weather we’re having?
“I-I’m sorry. I’m usually more confident than this.” He smiled nervously, giving a slight bow. “My name is Hero. Well, that’s what I call myself; my full name is Heroetifu. It’s an honor to… be in your presence.” He frowned suddenly and looked away. He was reaching for dramatic dialogue, for whenever he heard tales of mortals meeting with gods they always spoke with great importance, yet it felt unnatural for him to dramatize his feelings even under these circumstances. She could probably tell he was faking it, being a goddess.
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Posted: Wed Jun 24, 2009 11:34 pm
Mwokoti's face was a hard one to read, but still didn't near rival the sturdy, stone face of a statue. There were hints of what she was thinking, mostly in the way her eyes moved; her mouth was pursed together, unmoving, jaw set firmly in place. This was certainly a blast from the past.
It had been a long time since she'd seen anyone react this way, for various reasons. Some, she was frustrated to admit, were too arrogant to know when they should rightfully be afraid. But in most cases mortals (at least to her knowledge) had seen a God or two in their life time and knew she was nothing special. Some of them even realized among the Gods, she was the one most like them, in spite of her refusal to present herself as one. They were commonly among prides now, putting themselves on display to be praised and worshiped.
Even Mwokoti herself was an appointed guardian of a duo of prides, and to a far lesser extent, a member of one of them. The cubs there grew up adapted to her towering presence; many were even blood relatives of hers. Among them she was nothing more than 'one of the crowd'.
So... It made this situation somewhat out of the ordinary. For this decade at least.
"At ease, child," she advised after his stutter. She was not blind and knew full well the lion before her was fully grown. To a Goddess who had thrived since nearly the beginning of time, he was still a youngster, and would never live long enough to be considered otherwise. Compared to her soul, anyway. In body, she was probably not too much older than him. Her most recent of lives hadn't started all too long ago, now that she thought of it...
"I am Mwokoti." Her formal tone was the product of her first upbringing, one she could hardly remember now. "An honor, is it? I can not help you with anything."
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 3:48 pm
Hero visibly relaxed apparently at her command. Rather than causing insult, the word ‘child’ put Hero at ease. Ironically enough it was the older lion’s use of the word ‘kid’ that infuriated Hero to turn his back on the offer of a free meal the other day, but that was an ordinary lion and Hero wanted to be treated as an equal. The goddess was, after all, a benign deity full of wisdom and experience. He did not expect to stand on equal footing with her.
He lifted his head, puzzled by her reply. Help him? “I wasn’t going to ask for anything,” he said honestly, looking into her eyes.
He always imagined that whoever looked into the eyes of a goddess would see profound truths. If he had been paying attention to himself he would have looked away, but by the time he realized that he was searching her their eyes had already locked. His eyes widened in a brief moment of fear. No soul shattering truths penetrated his being. He felt ignorant and naive and fallibly mortal. Suddenly his head started to clear on its own, needing no help from the goddess. Ujiti always laughed at his romantic thinking. Now he felt embarrassed for letting his desire for a good story get in the way of seeing what was right in front of him.
“Mwokoti… I’ve heard your name before, just briefly. But yes, it is an honor to meet you.” His brow knitted, struck by the weariness in her eyes. He always had a natural talent for reading the emotions of others. He smiled innocently. “I’m not in the racket of flattering goddesses to get what I want. That’s a con-man’s job. I’m just an average every day vagabond making his way in the world, trying to live without a care. I’ve been on my own since I was a cub.”
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Posted: Thu Jun 25, 2009 4:07 pm
Full of wisdom and experience, indeed.
Ironicly, it was this wisdom and her experience that had paved the way for her to find herself, in mind, closer to a mortal than some of their own. Where she differed was in body; bigger, immortal, not to mention the wings and default talents only her kind carried, among those personal to only her. But these powers revolved around their assistance and nothing more. As it was, he didn't require her help, and that was why she had nothing to give him. Did he really understand?
There was no point in being shy around those you'd outlive. Eye contact was nothing to shy away from, and so when he seemed so focused on hers, she simply remained still and let him peer into them to his hearts content. The light shade of purple held no infinite truth or secret of the universe. Only wariness, a small hint of frustration and possibly a few other things one like him would never be able to fathom.
As far as company, she'd admit, she'd had worse.
The best was still none, though.
"I see." Well, if he wasn't going to go, she might as well make due until being called away. It didn't surprise her he'd heard her name. She was one of the more out-and-about entities. "You misunderstand me, child. My domain is not one of glamor like the great Ukali; I am goddess of the lost. I can not do anything for you, because there is nothing for me to do for you."
Honestly, if anything, she was a servant of this realm. Not that she went around saying so out loud.
"An orphan," she observed, mumbling more to herself than him. My, there were so many in this day and age. "To judge all of us based on this encounter would be unwise. I am a product of affection toward you, but there are others who would not hesitate in striking down both you and each other. Be cautious in our company from now on."
For every five Gods that lived a life of leisure in a pride, there was still one who wished harm. It was that one she always worried about lions like this running into.
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Posted: Mon Jun 29, 2009 5:02 pm
“I imagine if all gods were good the world would be a much kinder place. Very dull,” he said, smiling in a friendly way. He spent a lot of time thinking about gods. Not that he considered himself some kind of priest. Philosopher might be more appropriate, but only on the weekends. Like nearly everyone else in the rogue lands he divided most of his time between surviving and, when he could afford it, having fun.
“I am not really an orphan. I had a family once. They were not my birth parents, and when I realized that I decided I had to set out to find my real family….” He paused, blinking at the ground. “I’m not sure why I’m telling you this. I wasn’t lost, more like misguided. I guess I feel guilty for leaving them. By the time I found them again, my adoptive family, my father had died, my brothers had left to start families of their own, and my mother had found a new mate and was starting her second litter. Her mate was suspicious of me and she didn’t have time for me anymore, so I set out on my own again. I never found my birth parents.”
He looked up again. “I sure wish I was lost back then. If I was, then I might still have my family. I think your domain is a wonderful one even if it isn’t very glamorous.”
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Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:38 pm
Mwokoti was not social. She was there because she didn't want to move, because she knew soon she'd have to get back to work anyway. Why bother? That didn't mean she was rude. Why was he telling her this? It was a good question, one she couldn't answer. More than that it was a common one. It was more surprising when someone didn't pour their life story out within five minutes.
It wasn't so bothersome. She didn't mind listening. Really, it was the talking part that was the less desirable step. The last thing he said she took into careful consideration before saying anything.
"I cannot help you find a place you do not know. However..." Should she really be starting things for other Gods? "I know of a Goddess whom I believe could assist to find your blood family."
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Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:20 pm
His eyes widened at the offer. In fact the thought that he might actually be able to find his birth parents after all this time was startling. He said nothing for a few moments, trying to piece together his emotions.
“Thank you, but… I don’t think I want to see them anymore. It’s been too long.” That wasn’t entirely true. No matter what his real family was like, meeting them face to face would feel like a cruel joke after all he’d sacrificed in his search for them. It just wasn’t worth it anymore. Why waste more of his life? “I’m sorry for having kept you, Goddess. Thank you for listening.”
He did feel better for having told her his story. He kept his regrets to himself because he didn’t want to burden others, but sometimes it was difficult. “There’s only one thing I’d like to ask, if you don’t mind. How do you know when a cub needs you?”
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Posted: Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:36 pm
Mwokoti wasn't rude and she wasn't a liar. There was no point in guilt tripping the guy about something that wasn't his fault. Had he said he was sorry for disrupting her alone time, she'd have agreed with that. Keeping her? Not the case.
"It's of no concern. I would have remained here this long regardless of if I had company or not. Know you are not alone, child. There are mortals, and even Gods, with a the same story to tell. Should you feel alone, it would be wise to seek them out." As far as she knew, having a support group was vital to them. That's basically what prides were, right? It seemed more than coincidence rogues she met were always less happy than pride lions.
The question was as new as the first winter. How many times had she answered it now? It was only natural for them to be curious, she supposed. With no hesitation, she rocked to the side, moving her head in a gesture toward the water.
"Put your head in the water. You have a requirement to breathe eventually, and you know when it is that you need to do so. It is very much the same."
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 12:42 pm
((I apologize for the shortness. I figure she can either leave or she can stay for a while and we can just fade out.))
Hero stared at the water, confident that she would not leave suddenly while his eyes were turned away. His tail flicked pensively. That sounds terrible, he thought, frowning at the water. It’s like drowning all the time. No wonder she’s so cold.
“If you’re not going anywhere, I’d be glad to keep you company. I’m not always such a loud mouth.” He smiled.
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Posted: Fri Jul 03, 2009 7:22 pm
The Goddess paused. Perhaps she was considering the offer. Or, maybe she was thinking of a way to leave politely. It could have been something else all together. In the end, she had no choice in the matter anyway.
"Another time, perhaps, child." Her voice sounded as wary as before. "My work does call to me now. Be cautious of my kind from now on, or you may come to regret it."
There was no time for goodbyes. For such a large creature, she moved quickly. Her wings spread out in a flash. She bounded only a five or so footsteps before launching into the air.
Within seconds, she was gone.
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