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 Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 11:31 pm
 Caelyndei was on cloud nine. Okay well not literally on cloud nine, but her movements were smooth and floating as she trotted slowly along the shore of a nearby river. Things couldn't possibly be better for the painted lioness. A new pride. A wonderful Clan. The perfect job and now... a husband. A mate to call her very own! It was all too surreal. The year was moving so quickly, but since joining the Ela'wadiyi, Caely had found herself unconsciously following a path that seemed to be paving the way to a blissful new chapter in her life.
Finally. Finally she'd found where she belonged!
Having managed to escape nanny duties for the day--well, actually, the others had insisted she take the day off in light of the fact that she was now a newly wedded wife to Waikiki--the glowing female had decided to try and find some new decorations for their den. Things that might reflect the new personality that now inhabited it. Being a sea-loving lion, Cae had hoped to find something that might reflect this to display for visitors.
Admittedly, it would have been nicer if she could actually find her way to the ocean and collect some things there. Maybe some day Wai would take her.
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:04 pm
Tabi's mood wasn't quite as spectacular, but she was in a good enough mood that she decided to try to be a bit more social with her fellow clan mates. She wondered where Arlo had wandered off to - perhaps he had decided to check in on someone from a different clan? She couldn't help but be intrigued with his antics, things that seemed strange to her even if they were both originally from the wild rogue lands. A slight sigh escaped her maw as she lingered towards a stream, peeking over the edge to see just a rough outlining of her face. Not quiet enough to see much of anything but the colours it reflected. Annoying, really. At least it wasn't a large enough stream to attract crocodiles. She had seen enough of those in the large river that split the pride's lands in half. She bent her head down to take a short drink before wandering back to some of the other members of the clan.
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:23 pm
Even without the ocean in walking distance, Caely wasn't the sort to sulk about it.
Instead she played at the water's edge, digging at the muddy shores in hopes to find some rare treasure or trinket to bring home. She was rather determined not to return to their den empty pawed, that much was for certain! But what exactly could this waterbed hold that might reflect her Wai? Pondering as she milled along the thin stretch of the bending string of flowing water Cae's jade gaze scoured the ground with such intent that she hardly noticed the smoky grey lioness until she had bumped right into her, head first!
Oof! Reeling backwards a few steps with a rather bewildered expression as she gave her head a quick shake, the shy nanny's face quickly dropped into one of complete horror. Taking in the shape of the female she recognized as another Shadow Clan member, though not one she had ever spoken to personally. What a way to make a first impression. I-I-I-I.... I'm really sorry! I.. I didn't mean to bump into you! Are you o-okay?
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 1:59 pm
Tabi couldn't help herself, and she let out a small, quiet noise when she had been bumped. Moreso because it startled her than anything. Accidents were just that, but it didn't quite excuse someone for being so careless.
"I am fine," Tabi'nasi replied. She did a quick visual inspection, but nothing seemed too much out of place. A swift paw here and there smoothed out her coat and she was almost as good as new.
"You should perhaps worry about your head more than me," she added on, curiously inspecting the fellow clan member. Tabi wasn't quite sure how to react properly in this situation, so she may have come off a little more dissatisfied than she really felt.
"Are you thirsty?" she asked, wondering if she was so parched she hurried over here without paying any attention to anyone around her.
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 2:53 pm
Breathing a soft sigh of relief when the lioness didn't seem to be too ruffled, a pleasant smile returned to her maw pluckily, though she repeated her apology once more to be certain. Well.. I.. I am sorry. I'm glad you're okay though!
Sitting on her haunches to rub her head with both paws, Caely giggled, apparently delighted by the concern that was expressed towards her. Not being the most difficult girl to please. R-really? You think so? My head feels fine though! It's a good thing your fur is so soft! I.. I'm Caelyndei, by the way! I think.. we're in the same clan..?
Carefully shaking her bangs from her eyes, Cae thought to introduce herself rather quickly, trying hard not to appear as though she'd been raised without any manners at all. Having been a resident of the Ela'wadiyi for so many months already she really should have known all her Clan mates by now, but the socially awkward rogue didn't want to assume. Blinking in confusion at the question she was rather suddenly addressed with. Despite their location it seemed perfectly out of the blue. Wh.. what?
Thirsty? Why would she---OH! Oh.. n-no..
A sheepish grin touching the corners of her mouth. I came out here in hopes that I might find something nice to decorate my den with. Something.. that might reflect my new mate's personality.. I think it would be nice if when others visited our den it felt like it belonged to both of us. Right now, he lives there.. but it makes me sad not to see.. an essence of him in our home. I don't think he cares much, but I'd like to see trinkets that remind me of him..
Perhaps it was awkward to bare one's soul to another who could really be considered a perfect stranger so soon after meeting, but Caely was an open book. The sort who wore her heart on her sleeve, or whatever lions have that would be comparable to a sleeve. Of course, she also tried not to over step her bounds and burden people with her troubles either--even if she considered this a labor of love. S-sorry.. am I rambling?
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 4:41 pm
"Yes, Shadow," Tabi answered. Her pale gold-green eyes were studying the lioness curiously. As if she was something to observe rather than meddle with. Sadly, that would be considered beyond rude, and she didn't want to create strife within her own clan if she could help it. So instead she did her best to deal with...all this.
"I'm glad that you are alright," she answered with a nod, her body probably making many less motions than Caelyndei. "My name is Tabi'nasi, but Tabi is sufficient enough for a nickname."
Her tail flicked behind her as she listened to the paint-splattered lioness speak something of a past-month life story. "Do you worry that he may disappear sometime? Is that why you desire trinkets?" She didn't understand it. But she wasn't the type to worry about those that she cared about. She hadn't seen her twin for most of her adulthood, but never carried or kept anything that reminded her of the tan-striped twin.
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 5:08 pm
Shadow? Cae was perplexed again, not for the first time nor probably the last over the duration of this conversation. Her new acquaintance had a way of speaking that confused her. Thankfully the rich, chestnut lioness made short work of the puzzle, realizing that Tabi was agreeing that they were, indeed, in the same clan.
She was a strange one in her stillness, quiet observation and manner of speech. Difficult to read even, though Caely was beginning to gain the faintest inclination that her companion didn't care for her much. The idea of it made her ears flatten mild manneredly, though she tried not to assume anything prematurely. T-Tabi'nasi.. that's a nice..
Having begun to compliment the striped figure in her presence, silently admiring the heart-shaped marking at her throat, Caely paused dead. Shrinking rather suddenly at the blunt question. I... n-no...
Heavens how that cheerful smile completely wiped away. Replaced by a face that was failing to hide the concern she felt. Wiggling her shoulders nervously. Why.. do you think.. t-that I should be?
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:08 pm
Well, well. Tabi just marched herself right over a cliff without quite realizing it. She thought that it could be an interesting point to debate, but it was clear that this lioness was not a debater. She was quite shy, cautious, and overly quiet. Hmm.
"No," Tabi said. "I must be mistaken, then. I've been living apart from my family for so long that I fear I'm a little too rude without them around to keep me in check." The striped lioness sighed.
"It is a gesture that is sweet, though foreign to me. I apologize."
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 6:54 pm
O-oh.. w-w-well.. it's okay. With an almost muted stammer, Caely wondered if maybe she had misinterpreted Tabi's question. It hard certainly sounded as if she were asking if the painted lioness thought her mate would leave her for someone else, but sometimes things had a funny way of coming off differently than they were meant. Still, she didn't ask. Not really confident in herself enough to handle the possibility of receiving an answer that might have been unfavorable. No...no harm done.
Caely dared to try a second time to explain herself, though it was evident in the tension in her small frame that she was uncertain if she should. Gazing at the soil beneath her paws. Since I joined this pride.. it was only me in my den so all the decorations reflect me.. I guess. When my mate moved in.. he didn't bring anything from his den. But I thought it would be nice if there were decorations of things that he liked.
A brief pause was warranted to lift her jade stare towards Tabi from beneath her forelock as if trying to discern whether or not she was boring her clan mate with the story. Truthfully it was hard to tell, so she continued. Trying to wrap it all up quickly as possible. My mate really likes the ocean.. so I came here to see if I could maybe find something to bring home for our den that he would like, but it's not the same here. There are no seashells or anything like that.
It was turning into a rather disappointing day, if she was entirely honest with herself, but Caely was making a sincere effort not to let on. Rather certain that Tabi didn't care to hear her mope.
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Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 8:18 pm
Tabi glanced at the small, bubbling stream, and back to Caelyndei. This idea of decorating was strange. She had never bothered to even attain many of the items that pride members had. None of it interested her, though it did seclude her a bit from the normal pride traditions. She always liked to think it had to relate with her ending up in the Shadow Clan. A place that she liked to think she fit best. Looking at Caely, perhaps she represented a different side of Shadow. A shy, hiding type.
"Rarely you can find strange treasures here," Tabi said. "But they're nothing like the ocean, as the water comes from the mountain. Still, sometimes something pretty can be seen in the depths of the streams that tangle their way through the lands."
Her tail twitched, wondering how the brown lioness would feel about that. Had she ever looked hard in the water? Shiny stones could be found here and there, but Tabi had always let them be if she had seen them herself.
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 12:21 am
They might have had more in common than Tabi realized, if she'd dared to lay her thoughts out in the open, but as they were kept closely guarded for the moment, it was possible that such a revelation might never occur. Instead, Caely's soft eyes were growing round with a renewed hope. Watery treasures were watery treasures and until she and Wai could take a trip to visit the ocean--a journey they were waiting to take until they had cubs old enough to enjoy the sun, sand and surf as well--they would certainly suffice.
If anything actually happened to catch her eye, that is. Strange treasures? T-that's okay! I think he'd like anything that came from the water!
A sleek tail had begun flipping excitedly two and fro at this blossoming encouragement. Head canting to one shoulder to give Tabi an inspired smile. You really think.. I could find something like that?
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 1:30 pm
"If you want to find something, I'm sure you will." Caely would have more determination than Tabi would ever have.
She paused, not really sure what to do next. Honestly, she wanted to just go back to what she was doing before she ran into Caelyndei. But...that wasn't going to happen anytime soon.
"Do you wish for me to help you?" Tabi asked cautiously. She wasn't sure what the shy lioness would say, but this was what it meant to be 'nice', or so Tabi assumed.
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 3:52 pm
That was true. Caely just had to have a lot of patience and a little faith that things would work out in her favor. Two qualities that--perhaps ironically--also seemed to come in handy when babysitting cubs as she did! You're right. I can do this! I just have to keep looking! I won't give up!
Really, it was probably more likely that she had given herself her own pep-talk, but the smile she offered Tabi seemed to suggest that she was thankful to her fellow Shadow for the boost of encouragement. Surprise making itself plain upon her features when she even when out of her way to offer to help with the search! However eager she was to accept the aid and the confidence boost--unintentional as it may have been--Caelyndei hesitated. Seeming to realize that her companion was only offering to be polite, she had to give Tabi credit for that much. It certainly appeared as if she wasn't commonly the sort to extend such gracious offers, that alone made Cae feel rather special. I.. uhm.. t-that would be really.. really nice, but.. I.. I think this is something I need to.. do my-myself. You.. you understand, right?
Now to hope she wasn't offending the striped beauty who had graced her with her presence.
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 6:09 pm
"Completely," Tabi answered, glad that she wouldn't have to spend more time around here than she had to. It wasn't really because of the company of Caelyndei, but more because she knew she would grow bored of looking for these 'treasures' quickly and get snappy.
"I'll see you around again?" Tabi asked before she intended to depart. She thought she was getting better at this being nice and social thing. Her sister would be chiding her at this moment if she was around, for how rude she was being.
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Posted: Fri Aug 26, 2011 10:42 pm
Bobbing her head in a way that was both nod and a polite bow to dismiss herself, Caely smiled. The white of her maw tucking into a timid, but friendly expression. Under normal circumstances she might have nuzzled or buffeted against a new friend affectionately, but Tabi didn't seem the sort that would enjoy being touched in that manner--innocent as it may have been--or at all really and as such these usual habits were kept to herself. Part of making new friends was respecting their personal wishes. Y-yea.. I'd like that! Thanks again Tabi..
With another demure little head gesture, the lioness was off again. Carefully weaving around the other Ela to pad into the stream where she began walking slowly, gaze sifting across the water bed with complete concentration in hopes of finding something amazing.
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