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 Posted: Sat Feb 12, 2011 5:55 pm
Beo woke to the sounds of cubs playing outside his den, their happy, innocent, laughter bringing a smile to the hyena's muzzle. He loved to hear that sound, it was so rare once they got older, for the younglings to laugh so freely.
Yawing, the Secret Keeper rose to his paws, stretching a little to get out the kinks before he poked his amber colored mane out of his door. Squinting against the mid-afternoon glare of the sun, he shook himself, before heading down toward the common ground of the Pride for a quick bite to eat and some water.
He had a long evening in front of him, so this would likely be the only meal he would manage this day. Sparing a smile for the playing cubs, Beo chuckled under his breath at their antics, and carefully limped his way down from his den.
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 9:38 am
Today was no different.
Despite her pain, the aches in her bones, and her fever, she wanted to be out. A drink sounded pleasant, though she knew she would be unable to stomach any food with how her stomach churned. Picking her way slowly through the pride, the grey lioness was also glad to hear the sound of cubs running around. While she always hated to see the young grow ill and die, she knew that some of them would survive in to adulthood. Some of them would make it, and even be immune to the disease that they suffered from. Cubs were always a sign of hope, and the grey lioness had to wonder if she might not someday have cubs of her own.
With Kiwi'lan in position as her King, that was the obvious next step in their relationship. But the big question was . . . when? She didn't want to push a family on him, but the Viziers were now focused on the pressure and need for her to find a proper heiress. There were other cubs to choose from, and some of them had great potential, but Nawiri'chiwa also felt a duty to her blood. She was young yet, and with Kiwi'lan so new to the throne, she would give him some time. He had much to learn with his new role, pressuring him for cubs wouldn't help anyone.
Giving a small shake of her head, the lioness saw a familiar figuring making his way out to the heart of the pride. His dark coat and neon orange and yellow tail and mane made him hard to miss. "Buliwyf!" She acknowledged with a smile and dip of her head. "It is good to see you this afternoon. I hope you're well," she greeted, glad of the hyena. Their pride had come to depend on the help of all non-lions species, and Nawiri'chiwa was always glad to see them. Every face, regardless of race, was needed and the lioness was forever thankful for all the members of the pride.
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Posted: Fri Feb 18, 2011 11:45 am
Beo looked over at the sound of his name, knowing the voice. The young hyena was very shy, his dealings with the Pride mainly with the sick and the dying. It almost seemed as if after his accident, the male had retreated into himself, preferring to be with those like him, handicapped through no fault of their own, and mourning the loss of their other lives.
But for his Queen, Beo always had a smile, the youngster he had been shining through his amber eyes as it lit them up. That smile transformed his whole countenance, like the sun coming out from behind the clouds.
" Your Majesty," he said softly, changing his course to intercept her, bowing low as he did so, " It is good to see you away from your work. Did Raja or Kiwi'lan chase you away?" He asked with a good humored chuckle.
The Secret Keeper fell into step beside her, his shoulder almost even with hers, " Or are you not feeling well today your Majesty?" concern lacing his voice for her well being.
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Posted: Tue Feb 22, 2011 6:25 pm
The lioness was glad to see the smile on the hyena's face. While she liked to know all in her pride, sometimes duty caused her to have less time to spend with particular individuals. She often found herself with the sick and dying, attempting to ease their pain and grant them comfort. So the hyena was a refreshing change, and her own smile greeted his.
"I suppose blame could be placed upon Raja, but she means well. We all need days of rest sometime," she added with a small nod. She didn't want to worry the other, or speak of her own illness. She really wasn't feeling well, and it wasn't too difficult to see. The usual spark in her eye was dimmed, but only slightly, and the way she walked slower than usual due to the aches and pains in her joints. Still, Nawiri'chiwa was stubborn, and she wasn't going to readily admit to her ailing. The pride had enough to worry about without her adding to their care.
"How goes your day, Beo? Are you headed anywhere particular this day?" She was curious, and often enjoyed knowing of the daily routine of her members. While some dreamed of adventure and a life filled of glory, Nawiri'chiwa knew that such a life wouldn't often touch the lives of those within her pride. A day of monotony, a day of nothing more than the winds cool breeze and a bit of laughter or smiles was a great day for Nawiri. There was something beautiful in the mundane, because that meant it was one more moment of life, of living. And no adventure was as beautiful or fantastic as that.
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Posted: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:47 pm
Beo gave her an infectious grin, " It was going well till I heard your voice your majesty, now it is perfect." He matched his pace to hers, which was not hard with the limp in his back leg.
" I have only the usual duties today my Queen, there is not burial this evening, so I intended to spend the time with the sick. There are a few I still owe the ending of a story to, and another I promised I would play rock-feather-seed with."
He looked up at her with his amber eyes, " Would you care for some companionship for a few hours? I find the meadow just above the dens a very nice spot to sit and soak up the afternoon sun. I sometimes take the sick cubs up there to play."
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Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 8:46 pm
The lioness couldn't help but grin at the hyena's words. As if her presence alone had brightened his day, ha! Still, she appreciated his flattery and gave him an impish wink. "Oh, I'm sure you say that to all the ladies," she teased, good humor written all over her features. Still, the lioness kept her ears alert as the hyena continued to speak, pleased that he had been socializing with the others. Part of Nawiri'chiwa wished that she might have more time to devote to others outside of duty - no priests and priestesses to speak with, no meetings with her viziers and council, no sick to tend to or families to comfort. But , time was something everyone within the pride desire, and more of it. It truly was a commodity that many took for granted.
"I'm sure they'll be delighted to see you," she added with a little chuckle, ignoring the pain in her throat and the tightness within her chest. She really was not feeling well, but didn't wish to leave her companion so soon. No. She would accept his invitation and do very little; listen to the wind, speak with Beo, and generally enjoy these few moments of quiet and calm. "I'd be honored to join you for awhile," she agreed, dual toned eyes bright. "It's been awhile since I've had much time to call my own, and soaking up some of this sunlight sounds most pleasant. By all means, lead the way!" She dipped her head at the hyena, encouraging him to go forth.
Still, a bit curiously, the young female did ask, "So how does one play rock-feather-seed? I may have heard of it from some of the youth running about, but I myself have neverh ad a chance to play or learn." Unfortunately, her cubhood had been rushed and pushed along. There had been little time outside of training for her new rank and position, what with the war and double plague of diseases surrounding her. It was only recently that life began to settle and readjust to more 'normal' levels . . . where the sound of laughter and games were slowly beginning to overwhelm the tears.
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Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2011 10:59 am
Beo laughed at her comment and returned her wink, " I only say that to the pretty one's your Majesty. Of which you are the fairest." He kept his tone light, inviting her to laugh. He could tell she was in pain, hurting and ill. He was not a healer, he could do little for his Queen, save keep her spirits up, and laughter healed. This he knew, for those sick who he helped care for managed more good days then bad, and the cubs knew laughter before death came for them.
The hyena kept his pace slow and easy, leading her up the gentle incline he took the cubs up. The climb was gradual, and the ridge could be reached without to much strain.
" You've never played rock-feather-seed? You poor deprived cub!" Beo turned to look at her, his golden eyes full of mirth, " I shall rectifie what is obviously a serious gap in your royal education."
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Posted: Sat Apr 02, 2011 9:30 pm
Nawiri'chiwa did indeed laugh as the hyena charmed her. It wasn't often those within her pride reacted so casually to her presence, and she enjoyed the fact that Beo really was treating her like everyone else. That brought joy to her heart. He still referred to her as 'Majesty', but he was jesting with her, and when her schedule kept her often formal in speech and reactions, being able to lighten up was refreshing. "Come now. My coat is a mix of ash and soot colors. There is nothing fair at all about me," she teased in return, choosing to take his comment literally even though she knew full well what he meant. "But I do appreciate your charm. A lady, even a queen like me, does appreciate the flattery from time to time."
She moved up the slight incline, doing her best to keep face in front of the hyena. Even the slight strain took a toll on her, with her joints sending shocks of pain up and down her limbs. And the aches in her bones, the pain that she couldn't touch with herbs and remedies. No, all she could do was turn her attention away from it, to focus on other things and wait until the aches passed. "Unfortunately, I never had as creative a friend as you when I was younger! But your Queen would be most grateful if she might learn of such a thing! I wouldn't want word to pass to other prides that their very own leadership was so ignorant!" Another laugh, followed by a deep cough, and slight wheezing of air.
Her expression changed from mirth to annoyance, and she crinkled her nose in distaste as soon as the spell finished. "Excuse me," she smiled, giving her tail a slight flick. "Apparently my lungs have decided to rebel against the prospect of schooling." She might as well make light of the situation and her ailing health. So long as she didn't worsen, as there was still no heiress chosen. What would happen if she was lost to illness before a proper replacement was found?
Well. . . . it didn't matter. Because Nawiri'chiwa had absolutely no intention of growing so ill so swiftly! This was her pride - she wouldn't let them down so easily.
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Posted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 3:05 pm
Beo placed a paw on her back, rubbing out the strain of the cough as she fought for breath, his amber eyes worried for her, but he kept his tone light, " Majesty, have you not seen my coat? I am as black as coal, and I find your coloring to be most fair." He gave her a saucy wink, letting her take her time to gather herself, and finish the last few steps of the climb.
The Secret Keeper gave her a warm laugh, the kind of laugh only a hyena ever truly had, and crossed his heart with a paw, " I promise you, word of the lapse in your education will not spread past my lips, your secret is safe with me, as it always is my Queen." Beo gave her a theatrical bow, hoping to entertain her and take her mind off the pain.
Normally shy and retreating with other members of the Pride, the young hyena became a different canine around the sick. To them he was a kind word, a gentle paw, a story or a song, to the cubs he was playmate and jungle gym, and to his Queen, he was loyal companion, and keeper of her secrets.
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Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2011 9:27 pm
Nawiri appreciated the gentle, but firm, support of the hyena. He didn't make a fuss over her condition, didn't panic like some of the viziers, didn't demand she rest or retire like her sister. No. She witnessed the concern in his gaze, certainly, but she also saw how he continued as if nothing was out of place. It was nice to be . . . well . . normal around someone. Nawiri'chiwa did try her best to encourage her pridemates to look upon her simply. She was no better or worse than any within the Kitwana'antara, and as foolish a sentiment that might seem, such mutual respect was important for her. She didn't want others to think of her as special or revered, even if she was their queen!
Taking a few ragged breaths, the phlegm in her passageways cleared and she was able to breathe normally. Today the Goddess had decided to make her well aware of her health, and show her that she was near. Her bones ached and she felt the familiar chill of fever. But that was to worry about later. Right now, she was spending time with Beo.
Smiling gently up at the hyena, she settled herself gently upon his favored hill. "All right then, you charmer you," she gently teased. "I know I can trust you with all my secrets, so my neglected education is just one more for the record. How does one go about playing Rock-Feather-Seed anyway?" She genuinely was curious. While she loved to spend time with cubs, she more often was stuck meeting with viziers, various healers of all ranks, the priests, as well as the sick, the broken-hearted, and those in mourning.
Sometimes the simple joys of life were over shadowed.
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Posted: Fri Apr 29, 2011 10:01 pm
Beo grinned at her his tail wagging as he he settled himself beside his Queen, " As I said your majesty, my lips are sealed." Chortling he gave her a wink, and proceed to stretch out on his belly, pleased to be soaking up some sun.
" It is really a very simple game my Queen, it takes only minutes to learn, but a lifetime to master. I myself have not fully grasped the strategy of it, though some of the cubs seem to have it down, but they are not sharing." Beo's voice was light, colored with humor as his amber colored eyes glittered with mirth. It was good to see his Queen resting, and in resting, finding some joy within something so simple as learning a new game, sitting in the sun, in the middle of a beautiful meadow.
" Hold out your paw like this," he held his own out, " and shake it three times, on the third time you form it into one of the three Rock, Feather, or Seed." He made the motion, shaking his paw, then laying it flat, "This is Feather," another three shakes and he curled his paw up into a tight ball, "this is Rock, " more of the same motion, ending with last digit on his paw being held out to the side, " this is Seed."
Beo grinned at her, " Practice a little, then I will teach you the rest."
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Posted: Fri May 13, 2011 8:30 pm
Oh, what would Eva'raja think of her if she saw her learning such a game! Still, even Nawiri needed time away from the demands of her title, of her position as both queen and healer. To be able to look away, if only for a moment, from the sadness that surrounded the heart of the pride. The sick, the dying, the mournful, the confused . . . How many times had her heart been broken by witnessing the loss of her family, friends, and pridemates? And it was a pain that would never lessen, would never leave.
Still, at least here, spending time with Beo was a fine distraction. To be resting in the meadow, to see his smile, to hear the laughter of cubs in the distance . . . this was what life truly was about. To cherish the moments, no matter how small. For just a fleeting moment she could forget she was Queen, forget she was a healer, forget the responsibilities that lay upon her shoulders. For just a moment, she could simply be Nawiri'chiwa - no more, no less.
"All right then. Let's see if I have it . . . Rock." She curled her paw up, mimicking what she had witnessed the hyena do. Lifting her paw, she shook her paw out three times and then set it on the ground, stretching the last digit of her paw as best she could. It was a bit awkward, and she felt a little silly as she giggled apologetically. "This is seed, though I must say I think my paw objects! And finally. . . " She shook her paw three times and rested it flat. "Feather. Am I right?" Her red and blue eyes looked up at Beo, good humor coloring them as she waited to hear his reply. She almost felt like a cub again in these moments, anxious to learn something new and the rest of the game.
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Posted: Tue May 17, 2011 3:33 pm
Beo gave her a winning smile, his pleasure and mirth reflecting in his amber colored eyes as his Queen and friend showed her great skill in mastering the ancient and coveted art of Feather-Rock-Seed.
"Perfect your majesty, truly you must have been a delight to your royal tutors, even if they did have lapses in your education." He brought his paw back up, " Now, here comes the tricky part of it all. Pay close attention. We both are going to hold our paws up like this, " his was in the start position," shake them three times at the same time, and on the third shake lay them out in any of the three Rock, Feather, or Seed. Who wins is decided by what we hold out...Rock crushes Seed, but Feather covers rock, while Seed holds Feather. Understand? We can try once if you'd like."
The hyena's tail was wagging and a low laugh left him, it was clear this was one of his favorite, if simple games. Perfect for both ailing cubs and well ones. Adults too it would seem.
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 9:22 am
The Queen couldn't help but feel a bit delighted by this new activity. Sometimes she forgot that there was a simpler life outside of her own, a life where she could do what she chose and enjoy the simple pleasures of the world. Unfortunately, that mundane lifestyle wasn't often granted her. There were families to grieve with, traditions to follow, members to comfort, members to heal; there were concerns about neighboring prides, concerns about number count, concerns about missing face, concerns about prey beasts and watering holes. Honestly, there wasn't a day or even a moment when she wasn't worried or concerned over something!
Even as she took a few moments to enjoy this new game, part of Nawiri'chiwa felt as if she shouldn't be comforting those in mourning. While her sister had insisted she take some time for herself, that was something the grey lioness just didn't understand! As queen, her role was always about others. When she had been chosen to be heiress after Eva'raja had to give up the title, any sort of desire for her own life was discarded.
Not that she really minded, but it made idle moments such as this a little worrisome for the female. She couldn't help but feel that there was something more she must do. But those thoughts were tucked deep and all she showed Beo was the pleasure of his company and the game. It was an interesting sort of thing - she'd have to show Eva later that evening and see how her sister responded.
"All right then. Let's see what you have, sir Beo . . . I believe my paw is ready whenever you are. Shake thrice, and on the third one must choose their weapon. I do believe I know what mine shall be. . ." She let a playful growl (though it was more of a purr) enter her throat, her dual toned eyes bright with anticipation and enjoyment.
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Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 10:21 am
Beo's grin was infectious and he bowed his head to his Queen, " It is an honor to meet you on this field of battle lady fair," He lifted his paw into the start postion, " I shall count the shakes and at the end of the last shake, your choice shall be made to either claim the day or rue it!"
The hyena's tail began to wag as he called out, " One...." paw shake, " two....." paw shake, " Three!", paw shake and ending in a good solid Rock.
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