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 Posted: Fri Feb 04, 2011 10:55 pm
Kafele padded forward solemnly, no longer the bouncy cub he’d once been. In order to stay out of his grandfather’s radar, the young adult tried to be as quiet and inconspicuous as he could when inside the Mouth. Inward, however, the red lion was somewhat happy. Life had become a lot easier ever since he’d discovered Kay was a Ligi (how odd that sounded!) and now he was always being trailed by his best friend from cubhood. And as long as he kept his nose out of trouble, that’s all the vigilance he’d have and, honestly, he wouldn’t have picked anyone other than Kay if he had a choice.
He was waiting for his friend at the base of the Weeping Lion, thinking about how much of a relief it was a relief not having any secrets and worries again. There was, of course, the fact that he belonged to a pride filled with hungry, miserable, unhappy lions… but at least for Kafele, being kept away from all that was starting to make him forget how hard it had been before he’d found out his heritage. Before Sahen had brought his family into the ranks of nobility. When he say adults going “missing” around him and always feared his mother and aunt Fila might not return at the end of the day. But he wouldn’t dare to move too far from his new hom-… accommodations fearing his grandfather’s reaction. Soon, he hoped. He missed some places he’d once played and his old friends – even though most had cut ties with him.
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Posted: Sat Feb 05, 2011 9:59 pm
What a terrible day it had been today. The sun was strong and scorching above, moreso than usual it seemed. The nearest source of water was shallow and foul with mud sediments, hardly worth drinking for refreshment. Perhaps those small and minute aggravations had caused the miscalculations on Ibis' part during the hunt? It made some sense, with her dark fur....the heat and lack of full hydration could have distracted her. But even so, it was a poor excuse and now the dark lioness was returning home empty handed.
Mostly.
With a tired sneer, Ibis padded her way through the yellow grass towards the heart of the pride. Thankfully, she had yet to cross any pesky Ligi to contest her for the small meal she had in her mouth. Considering it was all she'd caught, she'd fight tooth and claw to make sure it went safely to the younger lions of the pride. Moving slowly and with dwindling energy, she finally settled in the shade of a nearby tree. Dropping the scrawny meerkat under her paws, the lioness then proceeded to her injury, licking away at the pink gash on her left foreleg.
Horrible day indeed.
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Posted: Sun Feb 06, 2011 4:35 pm
Out of the corner of his eye, Kafele caught a shadow of movement drawing closer. His head turned slowly and he followed the dark lioness until she reached the tree and dropped a small carcass on the ground. She didn’t seem to have noticed him and the red lion usually tried to avoid socializating with most pride members but Kafele couldn’t leave before his friend arrived.
Also, he had seen this lioness before though he didn’t think they’d ever actually spoke. She was one of the Head Huntresses, but she coordinated the Tama house so Kafele and his family didn’t know her too well. He was embarrassed to say he didn’t even remember her name. He didn’t really want to approach her – especially when she was looking rather disgruntled – but it would be rude to just pretend he hadn’t seen her. The young lion sighed before standing up.
“Good day.” He said as he drew near the dark lioness, noticing her injury. Injuries were a part of a huntress’ life but still a scary thing when they prevented lions from fending for themselves. Not that a Head Huntress would have that problem but still… “Hope that’s not too deep.”
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 3:34 pm
(She's actually part of the Atmaja) xD
Her jeweled ear pressed back just as she was in the process of reclining on the cooler soil. First she heard the shuffling of fur, before being addressed by the stranger's voice. Cursing under her breath for not noticing others in the area, the lioness moved to sit in a tall posture. Any little bit to help favor her as the dominant of situations, since she'd yet to see who was approaching. Scanning around, Ibis then noted the blood red body of the other. And who could mistake that feline, with his golden markings and snow white mane?
Ibis repressed a huff, at what even she couldn't tell.
"And the same to you." She nodded her head politely before staring back at the other. Another habit of hers, to never seem too meek before others. Even if they were of the same house. Giving a surprised blink, however, the lioness did peer down at her leg. "Hm, I wouldn't say so. It was only a hoof." Amazing how sharp and strong they could be though, with just the right force. Sighing, the lioness then decided to changed the topic. "Well then, not off to cause some mischief, are we?"
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Posted: Tue Feb 08, 2011 7:10 pm
(I’m gonna play it as Kafele being dumb. xD ‘cause…yeah… I totally knew that. It’s Kafele’s mistake not mine… right? Right. <.< >.>)
“Mischief?” he was quite surprised at first. It had been a long time since someone had spoken to him in such terms as if he were… normal. Just a regular young lion and not one of Sahen’s famous heirs. Kafele couldn’t help but to fall back to his old wicked grin as he spoke though his face didn’t quite match the answer now. “No ma’am. Just waiting for someone.”
She was quite feisty for the Tama house, wasn’t she? Then again, she was someone in a high position. It was somewhat uncommon for the Heads of Hunting to actually do the hunting so the red lion assumed things were even worse than before – which would explain the small prey at the lioness’ paws. It made him feel a bit guilty for being just a useless little prince and taking no part in the hunting effort.
“How’s the hunting? Prey numbers still low? How’s your House faring?” Not only was he genuinely interested in her answer but Kafele still hoped others would realize that he actually cared about what was happening to the pride and that he wasn’t just some potential heir resting at the top of a cliffside, proudly eyeing the everyone as if they were below him in every way.
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Posted: Thu Feb 10, 2011 7:03 pm
(haha~)
The lioness quirked the smallest of grins, hardly noticed on her dark fur. It was a pleasant change to hear manners spoken by the lions of the pride, considering the status of their majority. And to hear it form one of......that lineage? It seemed like some sign of hope, if one bothered to look.
"Hn, a sibling perhaps? Need I take my leave then?" The lioness would rather not be present, if the company be of another unfavored type.
Narrowing her eyes, Ibis glanced back down at her lame catch of the day. An obvious sight to the hard times they were all facing, and an embarrassing piece of evidence at her paws. "The numbers are always low, but even prey animals are smart enough to stay away from this place." One ear perked forward as the lioness then regarded the bright male. Was he being serious in his questioning, or was he just jesting at her? "My House? Have you already forgotten of our Atmaja kindred, Kafele?" She snorted, thinking this an effect of him now having a crown to his name.
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Posted: Fri Feb 11, 2011 6:21 pm
“Oh no, no need! When my friend arrives, we’ll leave.” He said quickly though he did hope she’d be gone by the time Kay arrived, his Ligi reputation probably already stretching a little too far – despite the fact that he wasn’t doing any duties besides guarding one the precious heirs. But Kayin was his friend and he wasn’t about to hide that fact to anyone other than his grandfather as if he were ashamed of it. His mistake was almost unforgivable though. He should be paying more attention to the dealings of the pride even if he was usually trapped in the proximity of this cliffside. It was even more embarrassing when she knew his name and Kafele had no idea how to politely explain that he’d forgotten hers – that is, if he’d ever actually bothered to know it. Sahen probably had regular meeting with the Heads of Hunting… perhaps he should try to sneak into one next time.
“Oh... oh. Forgive me. It’s been a bit too long. I didn’t really pay much attention to adults when I was a kid…” Wait, did that make it worse? “I mean, all I wanted was to run around with the other cubs and play the Chosen One. Funny how that worked out.”
He tried to laugh but his gaze grew colder as he turned to eye the mouth of the Weeping Lion, wondering if Sahen was there at that moment. But he was smiling again by the time he looked at Ibis’s brilliant green eyes, the ones that had made him assume the lioness belonged to the Tama House. Well, that and all the green jewelry.
“And now, we’re forbid… a bit secluded. I apologize though. It’s an unforgivable mistake.” even if it was one that secretely amused him a little.
“So you worked directly with my mother and my aunt…” Aunt Fila had always been a pretty good huntress as far as Kafele had heard but his mother was a different story. “My aunt used to tell me the funniest stories about my mom’s failed attempts when they were out in the rogue lands.” Of course, failed attempts were not so funny now that they were in a pride where everyone was starving and every kill counted.
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Posted: Tue Feb 15, 2011 9:05 pm
Ibis nodded to the other, in a mixture of both gratitude and relief. She was in no mood to be cornered between meeting individuals, especially if one was royalty. No need to arouse suspicions of betrayal or simple lack of respecting the pride order. Even if she was, in general, allowed to roam the pride in deliverance of meager meals. Lounging too long in any one location would not look befitting on her part.
Snirking benignly, the lioness only half-shook her head to his explanation. "Nothing personal. I hardly expect a cub to pay much attention to the details around him. Even if it is....something simple like a name." But thus was the freedom of the younglings, and Ibis would not be a stick in the mud concerning their jolly spare time. Not certain if he was serious or pulling her tail, the huntress lifted a slim brow. "Is it funny? I'd find it a...surreal if not stifling destiny. A shame I must tell you not to get your hopes up too high....nor speak so openly about those aspirations..."
And Ibis left it at that, treading carefully on the subject. She'd said it as a bland statement, leaving him to guess whether or not she was being rebellious or supportive to the current headship of the pride. Getting caught with such testing words just may cost her her neck.
A sweatdrop could nearly be seen on the female's dark coat as Kafele mentioned his kin. "Ah.....your mother...." Just the thought of her was enough to make her sigh tiredly. That was one huntress that always seemed to need a touch up while on the job. Though she had the potential, Ibis often wondered why she didn't pursue other positions within the pride. "Let's just say it makes the hunts interesting aaaand nearly twice the time needed." =,=;
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Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 9:37 am
“If it is true, it does not concern me, apparently. I, one born of the First Blood…” though technically, his mother had not been part of the First Blood. Not when Kafele and his siblings had been born and not even now as she’d joined the higher ranks. But they were of royal blood and the red lion was convinced that excluded him from the prophecy. Kafele looked at Ibis more seriously now, recognizing both courage and caution in her words. “Yes, some things should still be kept quiet. Even I am not above punishment…” or worse. The young lion was certain something foul would happen if Sahen believed his own kind to be betraying him in actions or words.
He smiled a little when the Head Huntress spoke of Amira. Ah, dear mom, always saying she was a princess. And, oddly enough, she’d been right. It was a different story with aunt Fila, of course, but Kafele usually avoided talking about his family drama with others. His family wasn’t exactly the best choice and Kay didn’t need to hear any more of this messy stuff especially when he hadn’t even met Fila. "My aunt was exiled because she still wasn't cool with whole killing-her-mother thing"... no, there were things one should keep to himself and burdening Kayin with them was unacceptable. He was Kafele's best friend not someone the red lion used to dump his angsty feelings on. That was simply not cool. The dark lioness, however, his kindred as she so kindly put it, would perhaps be a friendlier ear. Someone who had known Fila and her sharp tongue would probably be able to understand him best.
“I miss her. My aunt.” Kafele admitted softly, carefully judging the other’s reaction. It suddenly occurred to him that he still didn’t know her name.
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Posted: Wed Feb 16, 2011 11:27 am
Ibis gave a crooked grin as she placed a paw on the corpse beneath her, listening in on the male's words. "Ah, it will concern everyone though, if the time should arise." The lioness could only wonder if such a prophesy was true, and if so, if it would happen in their lifetime. It'd be a spectacle to see, no doubt to that. But would the pride members be ready for such an uproar of power?
"Punishment, heh, it's something no longer meant for cubs. Though I must admit, well...no..." Perhaps it was no surprise that even those of the royal family were held on such a tight leash. Maybe even more so...Ibis couldn't imagine being in such close proximity to the pride leader without bristling with a shudder.
Both ears perked forward at the focus of his aunt, his own quiet musings. To this, the Head Huntress shook her head with a small frown. "Ah, you speak of Fila, do you? She is indeed one spark of life that I do miss as well. However, I equally admire the lioness."
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Posted: Thu Feb 17, 2011 6:02 pm
“We can hope…” Kafele said quietly. This truly was a meeting of minds. Two souls who felt the same way about most things and even if none could be spoken aloud, there was a sense of understanding between them, hidden (occasionally) in the words they did dare to speak. He grinned, not his usual wicked grin but one filled with a warmth he hadn’t felt in a very long time.
“You have no idea what those words mean to me,…” Again he remembered that he still didn’t know the older lioness’ name and though it bothered him, he was suddenly filled with an unexpected happiness. He couldn’t even begin to describe how it made him feel to have someone speak about his aunt so openly (someone who’d liked Fila!), without the presence of dangerous spies always ready to overhear the conversation. “We parted ways on bad terms… my fault, obviously. I was too was too young and foolish to understand. Hurt. I refused to see she was, too. I truly wished I could’ve had just one last moment with her to tell her how I really felt.” To tell her she left behind a void that couldn’t be easily filled and that it pained the red lion more than he could say not knowing if she was alright… safe.
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 10:29 am
"Ah, if there's any hope to be had, it must remain in silence." She almost got ahead of herself, nearly saying that they couldn't let the Ligi have too much fun. But the status of the one before her now, along with common sense, repressed such words. Because even if this was Kafele, he was still in league with the others, and under the close influence of the Shaktona. Willingly or not, it all was something to be wary of none the less.
Grinning despite her injury, the Head Huntress nodded at the other lion, a fond calmness to her expression. Fila had been one of her best huntress' with such cunning and sometimes brash actions. But it always kept them fit and alert, making the fatigue of hunting an actually fun passing of time. "I am sorry for your loss, but so long as she is breathing, there is no need for weeping." Her head tilted with one earring chiming at the movement as she took in his tone of voice. She hadn't realized that the parted in such a manner. Humming to herself, Ibis gave a small shrug. "There's not much else to expect when one's a cub. I'm certain she understood that."
Glancing side to side to assure herself there were no unwanted ears, or that the expected friend hadn't arrived yet, Ibis looked back towards Kafele. "If it makes you feel any more at ease, the hunting party has slightly more freedom of terrain. Should I ever cross her path, I'd be sure to relay the message for you?" One mission of a message runner couldn't be too harmful, right? And it wasn't something she'd go out of her way for, not now or ever, but if the encounter presented itself....then why not?
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:26 pm
“Yes, I’m sure she’s fine… she’s strong.” Kafele watched the other, carefully considering her next words. A message? It was tempting, really, but also dangerous. If it reached Sahen’s ears, he had to make sure it was something that wouldn’t give away past, present or future little mishaps that could get Kafele and his family in trouble. Not that he didn’t trust the dark lioness – which he couldn’t, really, at least not completely – but the stakes were far too high to make the mistake of trusting the wrong huntress with an incriminating message.
“Well… I suppose I’d like her to know that not a day goes when her hot-headed nephew regrets not saying goodbye.” There. Nothing about the beliefs she had passed down to Kafele and his siblings (some more than others). No hints regarding their past training together when they were plotting to take the Shatkona down. Just a young lion hating the absence of the aunt that had helped to raise him. “And that I miss her.”
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Posted: Wed Feb 23, 2011 1:36 pm
Ibis grinned, finding no doubt or contest to the others words. Fila was indeed a strong lioness, an individual other females could look up too. Save for her mouth, that often got her into trouble that could've been easily avoided.
Ears flicked back as a fly began to torment her fur, attracted by the ugly stench of the kill in her paws. But that was the least of her concerns, and something that held no point in avoiding. The flies would always remain. "Sometimes few words are the best. I'm sure she'd know the depth of their meaning." Then she pondered to herself just how it would feel. To have such close kin and be forced apart so cruelly. Not that is was any problem for her, as her family line had dwindled away....by age or something else was untold. Still, Ibis could feel the ache of missing comrades within the pride and if anything, it helped her to remain grounded. To be aware of the web of life around her and actually appreciate the pulse of it all.
"Well then, I'd best displace myself so as not to be a bother." Who knew when the 'friend' would arrive or if he was pleasant company. Ibis would rather not know the inner links of the ligi society.
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Posted: Thu Feb 24, 2011 10:43 pm
Kafele nodded as if agreeing with the older lioness but in truth the shortness of his message was caused by the amount of trouble he’d be if the wrong thing were to reach his grandfather – and he didn’t doubt that it would, regardless of how trustworthy the dark lioness appeared to be. He would not underestimate Sahen’s web of spies.
“Only if you wish to.” The red lion said quickly. Perhaps he shouldn’t but he bowed his head nonetheless. The lioness was older as well as of high rank and, at least at the moment, Kafele didn’t feel there was much pride and joy to held in belonging to the nobility. “Good day, Head Huntress.”
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