|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2011 11:30 pm
Kurogoke yawned and gave a little stretch as she slowly woke up. She was a morning lioness, it just took her a few moments to get there. She was finally getting use to her new name, of course, it wasn't easy. For a long time she had gone by her other name. She would stop that now. She had to, she wondered what Poa's new name was now. It was hard finding him, even though he had shown her this place, and had told her a bit about it. Got her interested into the pride itself. Now here she was.
She stood up finally, moving slowly away from the small area she had found comfy to sleep in. Of course, she hadn't found a good spot yet in the pride, but she will get there slowly. Today, she was going to explore a bit more of the land she was to call her home. She smiled upon the trees above, blocking out most of the sun. She took a deep breath before moving a bit faster.
She was excited to start the morning. Excited to meet new lions and lionesses. To make new friends! Oh there was so much to do. Though, she was still shy and not very good with making first impressions. So she was also nervous at the same time. She didn't want to be, though it just kinda happened. She couldn't help it though.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 17, 2011 8:32 pm
 Uhai shifted as she stalked along the long branches dipped lightly in the mud of the swamp. It had been a long time since she'd strayed from the very edges of the pride, living in darkness and solitude. She almost felt shamed to admit she was a member of the pride, as she'd long since behaved as such. How long? It was so, so very long. She could not take the heartache of thoughts of him never coming to visit, though she'd known all along that there was a chance he never might. Her tail flicked behind her as she leaped to a large rock gracefully, masterfully. She knew these swamps well, she'd been in the lands long enough to. She'd been here long enough to hear almost all of the changes in royalty, to see the generations grow from cubs to adults and even her sister's children had children now. But she was out of touch as well, for a long time. Lately she'd been feeling ill at ease, as though perhaps she was angering the vijini with her selfish act of solitude. She also felt lonely, very lonely.
And what did any of it mean, if she stayed to the edges of the pride and hardly interacted at all with the other members? Her name would mean nothing, it would mean that she ultimately rejected her name, her true name. Uhai'Tuta... some days she did not feel worthy. But it was never too late to fix her wrongs, to pacify the vijini if she had angered them. So she moved with purpose and hope, a sense of doing about her. No longer would she let Hakan weigh heavy on her soul, it had been years now and she no longer knew if he was living or dead, though both hurt her heart for different reasons.
She'd already moved over three other logs when suddenly something of interested caught her gaze; another lioness. Uhai's ears flicked back just slightly and she froze for a moment, all at once she was both fearful of the stranger and intrigued. This deep into the swamp must have meant that she was a member, though Uhai could not be fully sure. The days of the old were past, she sometimes thought. "Hello young one." She called softly, her voice and manner calm and the fear gone as she moved from her log and slipped into the swamp, heading closer and more directly for the younger lioness. "Are you... new to this pride?" She asked carefully, not wanting to offend. Oh if only she'd spent more time trying to bond with the pride instead of moping off alone... what would be different?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 7:27 pm
She jumped a little with the sound of another. She hadn't expected anyone to be around. Though, this was a big pride with many members. It was bound to happen. She was scared and excited at the same time. She could feel her heart starting to race in her chest, could even hear it. "Y-yes" She said quietly to the other, having completely stopped moving since she had noticed her. She hadn't realized it until just then that she wasn't moving. She'd get use to having a pride to protect her if someone tried to hurt her. She was use to being on her own, use to being jumpy and skittish.
It was part of her that she hated the most. She wanted to get to know everyone and not be shy or scared. "I'm Kurogoke." She spoke. Now use to her name. It took her a bit to get use to saying it, and reminding herself that she wasn't Cealdia anymore. She liked Kurogoke better anyways, it seemed to fit her perfectly. "I'm not disturbing you, am I? " She asked lowering her voice a little. She had a worried look upon her face because she didn't want to interrupt anything.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2011 9:35 pm
Uhai looked slightly embarrassed when the other feline jumped, as it had not been her intention to frighten the other creature. The other lioness had stopped so Uhai remained where she was as well, not wanting to impose. Her eyes were kind, despite how long it had been away from the other lions of her pride. U'hai bowed her head low to the other when she spoke her name, smiling. "May the vijini bless you." She said pleasantly before introducing herself. "I am Uhai'Tuta but you may shorten it to Uhai if it pleases you." The name flowed naturally from her maw, though only the gods knew how long it'd been since she'd actually used it.
"Ah, on the contrary... I was just seeking company. And it seems it was meant to be." Her tail flicked and she smiled, slowly sitting in the swamp. She did not mind the mud or the damp in the least, she'd spent her entire life in the swamp. It was the savannah that gave her pause, the lack of dampness and the wide open areas where one was so easily spotted. "I admit... it has been long since I have been in company." Her voice was soft, but confident. She wondered about that, she used to be so shy and afraid when she was younger... she thought meeting with lions again would have left her feeling the same way since she'd been by herself for so long, but somehow it had encouraged the confidence in herself. She would strive to be a better lioness, a better pride member. "Do you like it here in the swamps?" Uhai wondered if the lioness was born in the swamps or had joined them, either way she would like the swamps.. but still, it was something to make conversation.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 4:28 pm
She watched the other. Kurogoke found her to be much wiser than herself. The other seemed as if she'd been around the pride for a very long time. It was probably best to stick around and get to know her a little bit. Perhaps she could help her get use to the lands a bit more. She smiled at the other. "It's nice to meet you Uhai." She was slightly relieved to hear that the other was looking for someone to talk to. Though, she wasn't much of a conversation starter, it made her panic a little.
Again, she relaxed as the other started the next conversation. She almost signed with relief, but caught herself. "I do quite enjoy it, though I'm afraid I'm getting myself lost" She said with a chuckle. She hadn't been in these lands long enough to know it completely well. Though, even then she was sure that'd she somehow would find herself lost again. "I haven't been here long, you see." She added. She wanted to tell the other about the male who had brought her here in hopes that she'd know who he was. But she figured that she didn't, seeing as she had spoken about not having been in any company for a while.
"Don't you get lonely?" She asked before she could stop herself. She knew that she was always lonely when it was just her wondering around the open areas of the lands before she ran into Poa. She had always longed to run into someone who'd want to join her on her journey, but most everyone else had other things they were doing. Or weren't nice at all and tried to hurt her. Only Poa had offered to help her and bring her to a place she might like.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 5:24 pm
Uhai smiled knowingly and nodded, the swamps were hard to navigate when first arriving, or while younger. "Ah, it takes some time to get used to but hopefully soon enough you will be able to pick out little land marks." She gestured to one of the more oddly shaped rocks around them. "Rocks you are most likely not to see in another part of the swamp, trees practically covered in moss... drier areas. Things like that. Once you explore enough I am sure you will begin to remember your way." Her tail flicked and she looked around, then stood. "If you'd like I can show you back toward the main area... if my memory serves me right." She chuckled lightly at this, slightly nervous she just might end up getting them both lost. Uhai thought that once you knew the swamp though... that it was something ingrained in your mind. She hoped it was like this, anyhow.
Her eyes saddened slightly at Kuro's next question, though the smile was still in place. "Ah... well, yes." She spoke honestly, Uhai was not one to lie ever. "It was very lonely... for a long time I believe it to be my punishment." She did not elaborate on this, though. "Only recently have I begun to realize that it was my own doing, stealing myself away to the edges of the pride. the vijini are more likely upset that it took me so long to realize." She sighed lightly, then pushed the troubling thoughts away. Her expression was calm and pleasant once again, and she nodded with her head. "Would you like to walk with me, Kurogoke?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 5:46 pm
Kurogoke had so much to learn from this lioness. Most of which, she hadn't even realized yet. She took mental notes as the other had been pointing out things to look at. Eying the rock for a moment then looking back at the other. How strange, she'd never thought of looking at rocks before as landmarks, or at least smaller ones. If they were bigger then her, then she did. Though the bit about moss covered trees was a good idea. There was much to learn about this area.
She carefully watched the other, she didn't mean to bring up something painful. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have asked." She felt embarrassed.She said looking towards her feet. She remained curious about the full story of it, but she kept silent. She didn't want to pry where she shouldn't be. I mean, it wasn't like they were good friends or anything. She did just meet her. Yet, she felt rather comfortable around her.
"I'd love to go on a walk with you." She looked up from her feet. It was nice making friends, even nicer to have someone show you around an area too. The little things one could pick up from another, it was almost amazing. Kurogoke found her fascinating.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 5:59 pm
Uhai shook her head calmly, not offended at all. "Oh no, it is quite alright... it is not much of a story anyhow. It has been... such a long time." She spoke as though she was remembering the days long past, and that was exactly where her thoughts flickered back to. It was not good though, to live in the past. She'd been doing so for so long now... it felt good to finally have contact with another real lioness, to be speaking, interacting. She began to move through the swamp, picking the easiest route to walk. Sometimes the trees and rocks were deceiving, and if you were not sure footed it was easy to slip into the swamp. Uhai did not mind the mud so much on her coat, it matched almost perfectly, but she did not know how Kurogoke felt on the matter. Her coat was very pretty, the highlight of the colors only making it more so.
"Tell me Kurogoke, have you ever been in love?" The question was simple curiosity, she was not meaning to pry. "Please, by all means if you wish to speak of something else do." She added, in case it was a topic of discomfort for the female. Despite Uhai's best efforts to avoid the subject and to keep the memories away they plagued her... she thought perhaps if she spoke of it, even in such an off-handed manner, maybe she would find some closure somewhere. Love was a thing for the young, Uhai thought. It was wonderful, magical. But it was also painful, and heartbreak was no stranger to love. It was something that Uhai thought she would never have again, for the risk of feeling that heartbreak was all too much.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2011 6:18 pm
Kurogoke felt a small bit of relief at that. She wanted to ask more about it, even if the other still spoke as if there was nothing to tell. But there was. She kept silent of any thought about it. She didn't want to push it. Not after the Uhai was being so kind to her. She smiled at the other. She followed closely behind her to one side. She didn't want to fall behind, nor did she know where the lioness was taking her. If anywhere at all. Kurogoke would let her lead, and she'd follow.
She almost stopped when the question was asked. She wasn't sure how to answer that. "I..... I don't think so." She liked someone, but she didn't think she loved him. No, she hadn't known him long enough for that. He was sweet, charming, and handsome though. "I only have a crush on someone" She told her, she had been honest about the question Kurogoke asked, she didn't seem why she shouldn't be here. "I don't mind. I actually was trying to find him" She admitted. She was going to tell him that she liked him, or rather, that's what she hoped to do. If it actually happened, that was a totally different thing.
"Have you been?" She asked. She'd been alone for a long time, it was almost hard to believe if she had someone or not. Or perhaps he had passed on? Now she felt bad for even asking in return. She felt silly almost, "I mean, if you don't mind."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:08 am
Uhai's smile broadened a little and she found herself purring just a little, delighted to hear that this lioness did, indeed, hold someone in her heart. Uhai believed that fondness for a lion was just the beginning stirrings of love, and therefore very much the same thing. She did not voice this opinion, however, because she was sure it would turn their conversation highly uncomfortable. Kurogoke would figure out in good time, or perhaps... well, best to think positively.
"Oh, where has he gone off to? Uhai asked after a moment, tail flicking. She wondered if he was part of this pride and that was why Kurogoke came here... or maybe he was a rogue? "Things will all happen in good time, Kurogoke. You will get your right time to tell him." She smiled, nodding to herself and to the other lioness. Things would either work out in a way that seemed magical, or maybe things would not work out at all. Who could say? That was just life, Uhai had found. But there was no reason not to route for this young lioness and her blossoming love.
When Kuro asked her the same question though her step faulted and she stumbled a little. When she regained he balance she gave a sheepish smile to the other. "Oh, excuse me..." She meant for the stumble, though she wasn't very embarrassed by it. She tried to collect her thoughts, it was only expected that this question should be posed to her next, shouldn't it? She swallowed and smiled, though her gaze once again seemed pained. "A long time ago... I met him on my naming quest." She said slowly, quietly.
Her gaze stayed on where they were going, toward the more populated areas of the pride, because she did not think she would be able to speak if she looked to Kurogoke. "He was... a rogue in every sense of the word." She laughed her, just slightly and though it was joyful it also held the same sadness of her eyes. "He... well... once I came back to the swamps it was the last I saw of him. It took me a few days to realize why I missed him so terribly... and even longer to realize he was not coming to visit." She did not sound bitter or angry at the lion, just a little heartbroken. "But... sometimes life is like this, is it not?" She smiled weakly, finally glancing to her female companion.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 2:23 pm
Kurogoke blushed a little as she spoke about the right time to tell him. What was the right time to tell someone that? She wasn't sure, what if she passed it up. Thoughts rolled around her mind for a moment. "His name was Poa, but I don't know it now." She spoke with a weak smile. She looked too her feet as they walked. More so, watching her feet then anything. She was very accident prone. "I wasn't there when his naming ceremony happened." She told the other. "So, I haven't a clue his new name, and this pride is bigger then I thought." She added with a giggle. "But I've only been here a few days." She added that bit too. It wasn't like she lost him, she knew he'd find her. He said he would.
When she stumbled, Kurogoke looked at her with slight concern, though it seemed she had just stumbled on a rock or something and was back to normal walking. As long as the other didn't hurt herself, it was okay. Kurogoke wasn't very good with helping an injured lion. She didn't know anyone who could help, yet either. She listened to her speak about the past. It confused Kurogoke. If she loved that lion, why didn't she ever go after him. Though, she didn't quite want to ask it that way.
"Did you ever think about finding him?" She asked. Of course, she must have. But there had to be something that stopped her. Though, Kurogoke didn't realize how nosie she was being, she was just curious. She'd never had many hardships in life. Learning about another's was interesting, and could possibly help her in the future maybe? Though, she was once told that one couldn't learn on another's mistakes. Was that true?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 9:38 am
Uhai was glad to hear that he was of this pride, new name or not. His true name, really. "But surely it will become known to you." Uhai reassured softly. Sad endings were never wanted, so it was best to hope for those of a happier sort. Her own story may have ended in sorrow, but it could have gone many different ways. "The pride was not always this big, though the swamps already feel more joyful than I remember them to be. More members, more cubs, more happy stories." She smiled faintly at this, slightly disappointed with herself. Why could she not of thought of these things much sooner? Why keep herself away, when the pride had nothing but joy to offer?
But she supposed that was not all true, with recent past events having happened. A bigger pride also meant less true hearts, and hearts easily swayed. The goodness found in mostly all lions was tempted when crowds grew, if the wrong thoughts were planted. Their conversation moved onto Uhai's own life, a life she would have changed a thousand times over. No, perhaps that was not entirely true. If she'd changed different parts of her life, as unexciting and exclusive as they'd been, she might not be the lioness she was today. She was nothing spectacular, but she liked herself well enough.
Her tail gave a flick and her ears wavered back, the smile still shinning through the sad look that lay thick on her features. "Ah... many times I have wondered about that. Should I leave the swamps, my home... to try and find a lion where feelings were just beginning to blossom? But already many moons and suns had passed at that point..." She sighed deeply, then slowed and turned to her companion. "You see, even if I were to leave the swamps I fear the world out there so large and confusing that... well who could say that I would ever find him? And what if I found him only to realize that he's moved on, started a family of his own... his fancy for me was only fleeting, or worse yet just in my imagination?" She said all of this calmly, any of it could be true or possibly none. He'd never visited to tell the story true, so she could just sit and stew in those what ifs. "It was better for me to stay here, where he knew I was..." She trailed off, more horrible thoughts licking at her mind. There was even a large possibility he died out there in the rogue lands, but she would never know.
"Some nights I think I would have done things differently, but most nights I am sure that if I had a glimpse of the future I would let things play out exactly the same again." She shrugged lightly. "I truly believe that this was the life meant for me, and it is hardly over yet." She laughed lightly at this, hoping she would live for a good many more years. "Ah... now what does this fellow of yours look like? I think if I see him I would like to tell him you're searching for him." She asked, smiling.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:49 pm
It was heart breaking to hear the storing of hers she had to share. It seemed she had lost someone too, but in a different sense. Maybe there was a reason he couldn't come to her? Kurogoke wanted to believe that he felt the same about her as Uhai did about him. Of course, Kurogoke had her fairytale dreams. She nodded, but didn't speak, not yet anyways. She let the other speak and continued to listen. That's what Uhai needed, or that's what Kurogoke thought she did. To let it out in the open. She figured it had been a long time since she had told someone that, if she ever had.
She wish she could help the other, but could only let faith do it for her. She smiled at the other as she asked what Poa looked like. "He's mostly gray, with dark gray on his feet, and orangish pink hair." She said recalling exactly what he looked like, any details that might help with it. "He's got the same orangish pink on his side with some swirly markings" She said with a nod. "Though he knows me by another name" She wasn't sure if she was allowed to say her past name, or not. She was never really told."He has green eyes, too" She wasn't sure how that'd help, but his eyes were quite lovely.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 4:32 am
Uhai listened carefully, nodding all the while. Well, if she should ever run into this lioness's lion she would tell him about the gray pelted beauty with the blue spots and bluer eyes. It would be good, if they came together once again.
"Well, he will know your true name in time I shall think." She smiled, then her gaze shifted over the area they were in. "Soon we will be to the main swamp area, with more of the pride members." It was meant a warning that their meeting would end soon. Uhai was not entirely sure of staying in the main part of the pride, at least not yet. Perhaps she would come again though, to visit Kurogoke.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Jul 25, 2011 1:43 pm
She smiled at the other. She had helped Kurogoke so much. She didn't know how to repay her back for her kindness. "Thank you so much." She spoke with a nod. She didn't know that their conversation was gonna end, she didn't take that hint. She wondered if she could spot Poa in the crowd. "You have helped me so much." she added. "I don't know how to repay you." She said honestly.
Even if she just listened mostly to what the lioness had said. She had learned a little from what was spoken. She was also helping Kurogoke find Poa, or at least look out for him for her. Maybe. Things were going to start looking up. She just needed to learn how to not get herself lost by herself. That way they could lead her back to the rest of the pride. Silly as it seemed.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
