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 Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 8:33 pm
Involved Parties:  Moyo:
Moyo had thought things were going so well with him and Neph. She was always there when he was little and up until recently. With out a word she had left and now he found him self by him self for the first time in his life.
It had been easy when Neph was there. Life that is. But now Moyo was greeted with a pain in his chest and tears from time to time. The once proud bragging lion was now nothing more then a sorrow wading wreck. A former shadow of the old moyo.
There he laid, eyes puffy and red and posture like he just didn't give a damn anymore, on a boulder. Neph, she'd left him and now he was all alone. It was selfish of him to wallow around in his misery but he just couldn't help it. The singe in his chest hurt far to great. Yet he got up each day thinking maybe, just maybe, he'd see her beautiful face again.
Jelani:
Grief was handled in many ways, some took to tears, others went numb, while some turned their misfortune into purpose. He had been a young lion when he'd failed the pride's rite of passage. Having been the son of the chief, he had higher expectations than the rest. His father had made a pact with a wildebeast, a prey beast, but a damn dangerous one none the less. At his side, the two had become a totem of strength over the pride. Jelani had been the oldest of only two sons born to Dakarai and had been the golden child of the tribe. He'd left with the hopes of the pride on his shoulders. His pride had led him to face a large boar warthog, normally another preybeast but one he'd heard was far more dangerous than a wildebeast- a lion was hard-pressed to take one down on their own. Jelani had barely come into his adolecent mane when he'd engaged the boar, demanding a pact between him and the old-tusk. The animal had refused, and to add injury to insult- attacked. In the conflict, the boar had lost its life. Jelani had come mere inches from his- only to have a nameless god take pity on him.
It had been a fate worse than death. For the god's own purposes, he had lived, only to return in shame to his tribe. Seeing his failure, and his mortal wounds having healed into grotesque, exposed fleshy scars, the tribe elder had named him an abomination- and a bad omen.
The last time he'd returned....it had been to take his father's life. Cursed with madness, pain no longer had a hold over him. It fueld his rage and drove his claws onward. The chief, his wife, and three of the warriors had been downed before the end. The others had scattered to the winds- to include his younger brother.
The madness came and went, the grief of his failure had been replaced by a bitter hatred for the sparing of his life. The nameless god- and all others like it- had used him for their own devices. Drove him to kill his family, turned him into an abomination and a monster. He lived only to see that they regretted it.
The male walked forward, eyes narrowed against the glaring mid-day sun as his golden form rose up like a mountain of scarred muscle over the dry grass. A broken skull covered the grevious wounds in his face though the wounds in his left side remained plain for all to see. He walked like the king he might have been, his expression even. He'd already lost the trail of his first god encounter...the second now lay dead and the third had fled after striking him blind for three days.
Moyo:
Moyo laid there his mind wondering in and out of grief. He tried not to think about his beloved Neph but it was hard. He'd lived for her and now she was gone. Tears seemed to be all dried up now though but the puffy redness of his eyes remained as a reminder of the tears he'd shed. Little did he know that close by a stranger haunted by his own sufferings was near. At this point Moyo felt so empty that he just didn't care.
Still, maybe one day. Maybe.. Neph would come back to him.
The lion stood up. He was a good sized male but he was also a soft hearted gentle lion on his good days. Right now he was a gentle and crushed lion. A shadow of him self. It was painfully obvious too that Moyo was not in the greatest of conditions. His ribs, for one, were now showing. He'd not been eating as much as he used to.
Jelani:
A slow movement registered out of the corner of his good eye. The male froze and slowly turned his head, just enough to make out the dark shape. A black male, decent in size and build but not at all aggressive, stood himself up out of what must have been a lounging nap.
He took a short glance around, noting that he'd not passed any territory markers. Not for a while anyway. It must be another rogue.
Passive or not, turning his back on another male wasn't a habit he'd fallen into. The lion turned himself slowly and narrowed his eye. Perhaps...
"You there."
Moyo:
Moyo didn't turn at first. He sighed and then took his sweet time turning to acknowledge the other lion. How shameful to be found in such a state. Moyo had wandered off from his family for a short time just so that he could get some alone time.
Though on the other hand , it wasn't like this male before him knew that he'd lost the love of his life. Not like his family.
He greeted the stranger with a nod, but no smile.
"Are you a traveler?" He noted the fact this lion seemed to be alone. He was pretty sure that they were far away from any territory. Moyo was not one for conflict.
Jelani:
"I suppose." He answered with a shrug of his good shoulder. His voice, deep and lightly accented resembled the distant roll of thunder.
He took a few slow steps forward, trudging his own path through the dry grass. "I am not familiar with the area... I have been walking for several weeks now and I'm afraid I've gotten turned around. Perhaps you could give me some direction. To know a little of the area may give me a direction."
Moyo:
Moyo offered a smile at the request. It wasn't warm, nor was it forced or distant. It just was a nuetral smile, something he did with out thinking.
"Turned around mm?" He noted the light accent in the strangers voice, "I can help you, just ... need to know where your looking to head toward," He spoke smoothly as he did normally only there was a little strain in his vocals. But it was minor.
The lion hopped down from his perch. He noted the side of the strangers face through the corner of his eye. The lion made an effort to not look directly at the skull covered face.
Jelani:
"No particular location, I can hardly travel to where I have yet discovered." He smiled pleasantly and gave a quiet chuckle. "I suppose you can say that I am...hunting for knowlege. Surrounding prides, their people, and their deities. I am particularly interested in learning where the gods abide. I hear they quite fancy taking on a pride of their own. Patron-prides. I have only found one though they were hesitant to offer information regarding their patron so I was forced to continue my search elsewhere."
And the silent little t**t will live to remember her error..., He added to himeslf. No doubt the lioness would be cast from their 'peaceful' pride for the tresspass.
Moyo:
A scholar ? Moyo sobered a little, this lion seemed pleasant enough. He gave a more personal smile this time.
"On the quest of knowledge? Sure I can direct you to a pride. Most of them are quite a bit aways from here but depending on what you're looking for I some would be a more worth while trip then others. I honestly have to admit I'm not all to familiar with what prides worship what though," He shook his head. Moyo had never taken an interest in the neighboring prides growing up. He'd been to love sick.
"If you want I'll walk with you a little ways and see you off safely." Moyo took a seat.
Jelani:
Safely? The lion had to fight the impulse to laugh at the offer. It was a kind one, spoken in good form, but not at all nessicary. Perhaps his mangled appearence brought a rise of concern, he'd not been the most social of creatures so it was difficult to tell.
"I would not object to some company if you have nothing you'd rather be doing." He took a step back and waved a paw forward. "I suppose since you are leading you should go on ahead, but I suppose since I am the one asking for direction I should be the first to introduce myself. I am Jelani, formally of the now dispursed Ti-Hin pride."
Moyo:
Moyo gave a nod to the other lion. He really had no idea that this lion before him could be anything but a well mannered gentleman. Moyo had been sheltered a good portion of his life growing up in such a close family. Neph had blinded him from most troubles as well. So Moyo was a tad on the naive side already as it was.
"I'm Madzimoyo . Loner," His ears lowered some as the words stung something inside him. Loner. He was all alone now wasn't he. Neph was gone and now he had nothing to keep him company but the sorrow torn apart heart she'd left him with.
"Ti-hin.. I don't believe I've heard of it." He got up and stretched, "Alright we should get going. I believe its this way to the nearest pride," He went on ahead, his posture still slumped as he moved in a slow fluid motion. His terrible posture made him look smaller then he really was.
Jelani:
"A loner, that is a pity. Though there is some freedom in the lifestyle I suppose. Was that by choice or misfortune I wonder?" He fell into stride beside the other male, his eyes locked forward and his ears settled back against his mane. There wasn't much to see in the area, not compared to the last pride he'd encountered. Thankfully, they'd been close to his old pridelands. The area had been somewhat familar to him. Crossing into new territory was always a bit of an inconvienience.
"They were purged not too long ago, and they were never one to make themselves known. They kept mostly to themselves and their traditions. You can say it was their undoing."
He looked over and raised a brow. "Spirits boy, if you walk about like that you'll be picked off by a pack of wild dogs in no time. Have some pride."
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Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 8:56 pm
Moyo:
The male smiled, "Born a rogue to a small tight family. I don't think that any of my families ever been part of a pride.. not to my knowledge at least," His eyes wandered to the male beside him. He , what he thought was secretly, inspected the skull ware for a second or two. He had questions , sure, but he swallowed them.
The lion listened to the other talk about his pride for a moment, "Undoing? Thats.. Thats terrible," He frowned. Still he knew nothing of this pride or what could have been its undoing. He walked silently for a moment before Jelani spoke again. This time Moyo was surprised.
"Wild dogs.. Oh right." He shook his head, "Would it even matter in the end." Sure it would, he wouldn't see Neph. That thought alone got his pace up a little bit.
Jelani:
"That is the way of things. The gods use mortals as a means to their ends. If that was what was supposed to be, that's what was supposed to be. There is no use dwelling on the past. What happened happened, you cannot change anything that stands behind you, afterall. Learn from it, and make the changes you want to see- or shut up and go on with your life."
He made a grunting sound under his throat. "You are the brooding sort. A pity. Life is too long to live in regret but too short to do nothing about it. I take it you're still looking behind you?"
Jelani:
"Get on with life," He repeated. The pain stirred about in his heart like knifes in a blender. He slowed a bit.
"Have you ever been in love?" He asked. Moyo wasn't sure why he was asking this stranger he'd just met about love. He seemed like the wise type though. "I try to look forward.. But all I can think about is .. well.. " He sighed and shook his head.
"Im not making any sense right now. Please forget what I just said," The male sighed.
Jelani:
The male chuckled bitterly. "Love? I suppose I loved. Not another as a mate I suppose, but I had a family at one point. It's just another state of mind, one that blinds you and makes you vaunerable to suffering and manipulation. The most direct attacks, afterall, are not those of the flesh....those of the heart never heal. I suppose lesser lions cannot overcome such a thing, but I have risen over the need for such a petty distraction."
He flicked his tail sharply. "Never forget." He replied, almost sharply. "If you forget you are only deepining your delusion. Remember, and learn from it."
Moyo:
Moyo lifted a brow at the others reply and turned his head. He was surprised by this lions insight but was a little dissappointed.
"Believe me I wish I could rise above this," He shook his head, "The scars are fresh on the inside. I feel like I've been had and Im so angry about it but at the same time I feel so desprate. I feel like I've been left to die." He sighed again taking a moment to collect him self.
" I don't know if I can look at her the same again. I dont know if I'll ever see her again. I don't like that feeling. What can I do though."
Jelani:
"Left to die...", He rumbled. He knew the feeling, only in a more literal sense. He'd not allowed a single lapse of judgement to cloud his mind regarding 'love'. "Well as I said there are two things you can do- you can shut up and deal with it or you can look ahead and move on. Use what you know now to your advantage. Don't let it happen again."
He glanced over. Her? Ah...so he'd lost a mate. Or a potential mate. Or...someone he fancied as a potential mate. Pitiful.
"Give it up. You are making yourself prone and stupid dewlling on what might have been. You have no control over it. There are others out there if you seek a mate. If one bed doesn't suit you get up and find another. Simple as that."
Moyo:
Moyo smiled at the other male, "I don't think I could ever love another again. Im not sure how long this hurt lasts. I feel like every time I try to get up I just crumble and fall. But I keep going cause... " He stopped. It was stupid. This stranger would disapprove of it.
"So how about you're travels?" With a bit of haste Moyo changed the topic. He was doing him self no good thinking about it. It just hurt more and more and more. Maybe something else to talk about was the way to go. Maybe.
Jelani:
"Once you get over the illusion of love you'll be a stronger male." He assured him, though the contempt was clear in his voice. Love had failed time and again. In the name of love his brother hadn't raised a paw to him when he'd tracked him down. In the name of love his little lioness had tried to drive him off...and now in the name of love they'd raise b*****d children. Some good it did them. He smirked a little. He'd find them again...and they'd see things his way.
The question earned another half-shrug. "Interesting you might say."
Moyo:
Illusion of love?
"I'll do my best. Im glad you ran into me." It was true talking about it with this other male made him feel like his sorrows were just something he needed to get over. For some reason it made him feel a little silly to be sad. Still the sorrow still lurked inside him. It wasn't about to just leave but it made him feel better. There would be another dawn after this dusk.
"Interesting?" He questioned.
Jelani:
"There is nothing that happens out of chance. We just need to realize that for ourselves and take our fate into our own hands. Imagine the possibilities." He smirked. Perhaps the right individuals could learn to exceed the gods themselves...and the gods would be the puppets and them the puppeteers. It was an interesting thought to say the least.
"Interesting." He nodded. "I have met many...individuals. There have been....two goddesses and a god. Quite an accomplishment if I do say so myself.">
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Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 9:32 pm
Moyo:
Moyo merely listed to his companions talk. He got real interested though with the talk of gods. He'd never seen one and he'd never really took an interest in learning what the gods were like. This lion seemed like he knew what they were like. Specially meeting a few.
"Gods..? What are they like?" His interest was peaked to say the least, "I really am .. no expert on them."
Jelani:
"The gods are simply beings who have surpassed simple mortality from what I understand. They grow weary of their existance in one body and seek out death. I obliged one of them, she claimed she would revive into a new body." He snorted. "I doubt it. But I was not about to reject the lady's offer....the other two were cubs. Stupid, clumsy...one had the ability to remove my sight for a time, the other simply............smelled pleasant."
Moyo:
The lion lifted a brow, "You took a goddess's life? Isn't that taboo?" He blinked a bit. Though he honestly didn't fully understand the concept of a god. He'd really never thought of them much. It had always just been about Neph.
"They can remove sight ... Sounds like a being of sorts I wouldn't want to meet. I'm not sure how I'd act around one." He felt shivers go down his back. Why would a god remove ones sight? It sounded so... abusive.
Jelani:
"Why should it be?" He reasoned casually, "Afterall the games of the gods have led to the deaths of countless mortals. They curse us, they rule us, they drive us forward without thought or concern to what effects they have in our lives. It's the same as if you were to die in a hunt. The prey has the right to fight the hunter, does it not?"
He nodded slowly. "Perhaps that was her domain. From what I understand they have...specalties. The one I slew was apparently truth."
Moyo:
It made sense. A mortal had the right to defend them selves against a god like prey had the right to defend them selves against a lion. It just seemed to logical.
" Specialties. So I suppose that there can be some pretty bad gods and some good ones. I don't know if I'd care to meet any of them. They sound like they don't think much of mortals." He sighed . A mortal could kill a god. That was good news if he ever ran into one that was bad news. He could attempt to defend him self if needed.
Jelani:
"I suppose...", the one that had spared his life had been cruel- good domain or not. His life was not theirs to give or take. He should have died that day, he'd have died a hero among his pride and his brother would have stepped up in his place. Instead he'd returned an abomination and a dark shadow had fallen over his bloodline... the god would pay, as would the rest of its kin if he had anything to say about it.
"We are their toys, you see... I am interested in spreading the truth, learning what the prides think they know about their patrons and assisting them in liberating themselves. Imagine it....the mortals become the gods. Our lives would be our own."
Moyo:
Moyo lifted a brow. It seemed like he was a scholar at first but now he seemed like he was something more. A pilgrim in reverse almost. Though Moyo wasn't sure what to say. He'd really had never had much exposure to a god. Now talking to this male he felt he never wanted to have anything to do with one.
"I wish you the best of luck. The pride deserves to know that they're being lied to," He nodded.
Jelani:
"Precicely. However, there are rogues who follow gods as well. They devote their lives to willing servitude. They dilude themselves and live as forever-puppets to them. Such an existance is below any rational-thinking beast."
He glanced over and smirked. "By the way...you've not said a word about the area."
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Posted: Wed May 19, 2010 10:10 pm
Moyo:
Moyo looked up , " Area? Oh Im sorry Im supposed to be leading you aren't I. " He shook his head, "Im not sure what exactly the pride believes in but I know they aren't hostile. I've wandered into their domain plenty of times and nothings happened. Its a pretty normal pride. Ehh , what exactly are you wanting to know?" If moyo had hands, he'd be scratching his head.
He returned the smirk with a half baked smile of his own.
Jelani:
"Yes you are. See, there you go again, how can you lead me on if you are looking over your shoulder?" He reasoned, then fell silent once more as the male continued speaking. A pride then? Normal enough... still every place had a skeleton in the ground so to speak.
"The landmarks to getting there mainly, any insight on what I can expect. I am quite sure I can handle anything past all that."
Moyo:
Moyo thought about it, "Its by the sea I know. They are a seaside pride. You'll know your close when you can smell the salt of the ocean. Its this way if you continue on you can't miss it."
He gave a sigh. It was getting late and Moyo knew right now was not the time to go on a grand adventure. He still needed to do some soul searching.
"Im going to leave you to you're own devices. Maybe one day I'll run into you again. I wish you luck on your quest," Moyo dipped his head down in a small bow.
Jelani:
The sea...there had been rumors of the 'big water'. Larger, even, than the 'sea of the god's from the last pride he'd passed through. It had been impressive enough, but there had been whispers of a water even larger. The smell of walt water, however, was no stranger to him.
"Hm, I see. Well that's enough to give me some direction. Thank you for your assistance."
He dipped his chin in response. "I wish you reason. I don't believe in luck." He smirked and with that continued on his way.
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