"And you're Gebali'moyo," Tilifika watched as the male, her brother nodded in response. It had all happened so suddenly, one moment she'd been running for her life there were five hyenas on her tail, and then a roar rang out, the leaves rustled and the hyenas were running in terror.
Tili had been traveling, wandering like she did without much of anything to actually do; her search for Boma'burudi had ended in vane, the demi-god never meeting her birth mother before the woman. She sat face to face with her brother, Gebali'moyo. This was the second time in her life that she met a sibling she had no idea existed, the first was meeting Tetemeko, her litter mate, this male was younger than her by quite a few cycles.
"I can't believe it..not again." she watched him shaking her head mystified.
Gebali'moyo's mind hadn't cleared since meeting Mtima'safi, he'd been struggling to keep everything together and to find what he was continually growing to think of as one of his children in trouble. When the visions in his head told him to run in the direction of that clear he did, and was surprised when he saw the six creatures run by, five hyenas chasing a female that looked oddly familiar. The very moment he saved the lioness the voices in his head fell silent, the fog he'd been running around with for moons dissipated, he was normal, or as close to it as he could be.
After many hours of talking they had finally come to the conclusion they were siblings, that they had the same mother at least. Although, Tilifika said he bore some resemblance to their father and he accepted that fact, it didn't seem like they would.
"Again. she's abandoned how many of us over the years...her children." his voice was low in awe as he looked at her curiously. The wings on her shoulder were not like his, but they were wings just the same, a family trait of sorts.
"Do you have them too?" He asked without elaborating, 'The knowing?I assumed that all children of gods had them, I was told that."
Tilifika hated Boma'burudi, felt so much loathing in her entire being, she hadn't been raised to hate by her adoptive mother, but nevertheless she was feeling angry and hateful.
"There are at least three of us, you, me, and Tetemeko." was all she could say, "the last time I saw them the family was very large and doing well, the only problem was when Gram died..that was really hard on dad and the family." She'd felt the same way, Aadil was the wonderful grandmother figure who she felt she was robbed of because of Boma.
"The knowing?" her golden eyes widened watching him, "I thought it was just me, Tete said he didn't have it..but." She looked at him curiously. Her 'knowing' came with miserable headaches that she had to brace herself with because of how horrible they were.
"Is that what brought you here? The knowing?"
He had never hated his life, never regretted being raised by Asali and the Swamp lions, the pale lion loved his family and his life. But to have real family? To know his mortal father who he had never had a vision of, never had an inclination of who that male might be. And to know Tetemeko had a good life. These were things that pleased him and at the same time raised jealousy inside of him. To have true family, those that resemble you was a brilliant gift.
"I don't want them to know I exist, Tilifika. From what you say they've had a hard time with other things, I never want them to hurt because of me." He sounded very small, although he was quite bulky physically.
"I was nearly driven mad searching for you, I'm sure this is what caused it at first. The second I laid eyes on you the knowing disappeared, and I wasn't feeling so insane, the need and pressure to save someone left." He looked down at his dusty paws. "I was raised in a very religious pride, and I always thought the knowing-the voices in my head were the spirits speaking to me. I was told by another seer that the gift we have comes from somewhere, and children of gods get it the worst sometimes."
Tilifika couldn't believe her ears, Gebali'moyo didn't want her to tell the family he existed. She hadn't seen them in a long time, the last she saw any of them Ghali and Aadil's litters were born and she'd left. But, to just not tell them? To have no intention of ever letting them know that they had more family? That seemed very odd.
"Please, call me Tili, we are family. I will not tell them, I would not at your wishes not too, brother." she exhaled slowly looking at him, he looked more like Tete and Kubwa than he looked like Boma, "I don't know when I'll see our family again, I was so angry, so bitter at our mother that I was fixated on finding her and confronting her about what she did." Tili'd been blessed, so had Tetemeko for being placed with a nanny and then with their father. Even now Gebali had been placed with someone, although from the story Gebali told it seemed like Boma wasn't too worried with who.
"I hated her so much, and then when I saw she had died, it was like I was free. I was free to stop my hate and move on. I don't know what to do now."
"I thank your spirits, if you hadn't come along.." the golden pelted lioness shook her head. She felt foolish for wandering into the area and not paying attention to her surroundings.
Geb sat silently listening to her, and nodding. He did not want to think about what would have happened had he not startled them, the lion wasn't sure what would have happened if they decided to try and fight him. Gebali'moyo had never been in a fight..not even in his youth while he was stumbling around the rogue lands trying to find himself.
"I was so relieved when I 'knew' she passed away. I never wanted to see her again, I had and have my family, I never needed her. I am glad there isn't a chance for me to bump into her."
"Be free, Tili, find some far off place that's beautiful and start a family, don't let her run your life." He knew his advice wasn't asked for, but that's what he would do in her shoes.
"My children, they're my world, my life. I would tell everyone to go out and have children, but only if they stay, and they protect them."
"Some place different, some place free." She thought her voice airy and soft, "I've forgotten how to be that way." Tilifika nearly sighed thinking about it.
"I've never really seen myself as a mother, too afraid to be like her. I know I couldn't I would stand by them forever. I just wouldn't know how to be what they need.
"I know the feeling, I had no idea, but Baridi'ini..my mate, she's amazing she's strong where I can't be, and soft all at the same time. We have our own little family in the swamps."
"My adoptive mother..she died and our patron goddess Mama Bwawa gave her life to her, the one I look to as mother became a goddess and watches over everyone. I think that helps me think of Gods in a different light. I don't believe they're all bad. That's how I was freed I think."
A moment of clarity hit him again and guilt flooded him, "Baridi, I'm going to have to go soon, I promised her I would be home in three moons, it's been longer than that..I couldn't help but search for what was hurting my family."
She absorbed what he said, the patron of his pride gave her life, gave her immortal soul so that their queen could live. That did indeed seem like it was a pretty freeing thought particularly after their mother abandoned them because she couldn't handle watching them die.
"That sounds so lovely, maybe one day I'll visit the swamps?" She asked a lilt of hope in her voice and her thoughts.
"I've never settled down in one place, I thought once it would happen around a lot of sand, but couldn't tell whether it was apart of what you call 'the knowing' or apart of a dream..the dreams are always a lot nicer than the horrible headaches that come with the visions."
"You shouldn't make her wait," he hadn't asked for her advice either, "I wouldn't be able to stand the not knowing where you went."
"Then look for the sand, Tili. Every morning I wake up in a place with someone I find so beautiful, so wonderful that I'm so sure my heart will burst with love and happiness." It sounded ridiculous and at the same time summed up everything "I want that for you. I didn't know yesterday that you even existed, and today I want you to be loved and have everything."
"Thank you."
