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 Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2011 2:33 am
With the help of a lion, he was drawn here and taken up not even a few hours later to Nahasi. He could only imagen how Hasi has grown up to be. Was he really the leader of the pride? He remembered when their fathers used to speak of their friendship but Jemmnu's father- much like Nahasi's was plagued in the mind by the female's ideals and hoping that his son would not become 'delicate' and thus throwing out his only son in to the cliffs to prove something. To prove he would be great.. What did he really prove then? His weakness... Likely if the death didn't occur his father would have ran away with the female they called his mother.
Nurturing? Maternal? No... plagued by always pushing him away and never fully giving him the attention he needed... Even starved him to see if he could go without mother's milk. He hated his parents.. which was why he turned his attention to Nahasi.. Hasi. His only friend. Back then what would he have been? No- Nahasi would still be a great king.. but how much did his friend change.. would he remember him? As he walked along the new forms of the tunnels.. he was lead to him.. Taking an unsure step in.. His body curved with his movements as strong but still unsure of themselves to be walking in the dark depts of this world he almost forgotten.
"Hasi...?" His voice was highly soft and soothing. With the hint of the dark mystery that surrounded him. It strained him to speak as always. He couldn't believe he was here- if that lion.. if that lion wouldn't have spoke of it- he would have bore the guilt of leaving and the way he left to this very day. Ready to bare his fears and punishment. He stood tall as he could- which wasn't as tall as a lion but was more elongated than most leopards. His tail long, his paws, elbows, heels, tail were whispy and those eyes.. still as deep and alluring as always.. except when Hasi knew them to be social and always in happiness around him.. that grew to a distant arm's length away.
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Posted: Thu Sep 15, 2011 12:47 am
 Nahasi was just leaving the meeting chambers after spending most of his morning in there. The meets were just as long and boring as he remembered back when he was a cub. At least than he would nod off without getting in trouble. Now he was the one making the decisions, decided what the fate of the pride would be. Since his father had left he had felt the stress of rulership on him. Everyone came to him, asking him for his advise over silly matters that did not affect him. He often wondered how his father had managed to rule so effortlessly and easily? Was there something he was doing wrong that he should do more like his father?
He shook his head and reminded himself that he was not his father, that he would find a way to rule the pride his own way. As he walked though the tunnels he thought he heard something, someone calling his name. It sounded so familiar, but no. It was probably his mind playing tricks on him, the stress getting to him.
Though he swore he saw a familiar colored leopard in one of the tunnels, but it couldn't possible be him. He died years ago. His mind was defiantly playing tricks on him. He decided the best thing to do was to check, just to be sure.
He followed the tunnels back to where he heard his name being called and he saw the leopard there, the leopard who looked just like his old friend Jem, but Jem was dead. Nahasi stared, unblinkingly at the leopard. He looked far to real to be a figment of his mind, Nahasi decided. It must be a coincidence. “Who are you?” Nahasi finally spoke.
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Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:32 pm
Did he know what happened? Did [ himself ] know what terror he caused? When he came in with one thing in mind. It seemed like a nightmare- he would never do that.. Did he say goodbye to his friend? No- he would have remembered. Closing his eyes to remember.. The vision of his father was smeared and it was like he couldn't remember coming 'in to' the den at all. No- he didn't ever come in. Did he?
--- Past ----
[ What he remembers ]
"NOO!! PLEASSE!" Fear struck in him as his father tried to help him up from the cliff. It wasn't enough, and his father held on to him for just a mere moment.. "Come back to me my son. Then you would have completed the test.. and may come home." His eyes big with tears as he let go and was dropped..
Days later, he pulled with every ounce to climb it. Finally when he arrived.. sneaking in to the cave. Ears low as he felt a heavy sense of pain. A shadow casted down on him with the wave of his father's body coming up in front of him as he continued to step forward. Ears low as tears touched his eyes. "No..no!!" Turning in a heart beat as he found himself searching the plains screaming... Til his voice was gone..
----
[ What really happened ]
Claws lifted as he sneered and growled. The fight had taken a deathly toll on both their bodies. Father and son, whom his father swore this was all for the better. All just a test that pushed Jem further. Strike after strike he met his father's claws with his own. Marks of the fight already afflicted and blood so simply down. Strike after strike til his father let one slide and Jem threw himself against him causing them to roll in a fit of a dirt storm. Even then, their claws threw at one another or sunk in deeper than the skin.. Til the found themselves at the edge of the cliff. Jem seemed victorious. Lifting his body up over his father's. "Am I now." He seemed sincere with his words. Did the tests to be his father's son.. were they finally over? He won the fight finally. Like the pathetic cruel father.. he spat with strength and pride still even underneth his offspring. "No.." And his hind legs pushed with all their might upward.
Causing Jem to flip and like the magnificent feline he was, twirled in mid flight and grasped on to the ledge. Lifting his head as those jeweled eyes looked to his father. Another test.. slowly he tried to lift himself up but the ledge under his paws determinate and caused him to slip upon the ledge before it. "Father!" He could only yell out and was met with claws digging in to the top of paws causing him to scowl. Closing his eyes of the pain before looking to his father.. Did this mean his father cared after all? "The final test.. " Letting Jem slip a little. "When you rise.. then you will be my son. Worthy of your mother's and my blood.." With that.. Jem's eyes struck fear in them. "NO- Father please! Noooo!" While his father's paws lifted him off the cliff and down rocky cliff. That crooked smile.. Tumbling down, every now and again- with that one smile in mind.
Days passed. Jem was announced dead in the collapse of the new tunnel that was being made. The best way he could hide his son's death with sense. Little did his father know that death did not take his son but made him stronger. Nights passed.. and Jem, starved and bloody climbed up the cliff.. Darkness and anger shot in him..Something so strong.. that night his father met his claw and was found the next day tore to pieces and his female consort gone. Jem.. as far as the pride knew was dead.. and his mother, though gone was thought to have killed Jem's father and ran.. But little did they know the truth in it all. The irony.
---past ends here ---
--- Current starts here again ---
Remembering what happened was blank and the only thing he could remember is the shadow of his father's body before leaving. The fear of being accused.. For his father's death.. Lifting his head to turn around to hear that voice. Familiar- he knew it well. Slowly turning around fully to meet the male's gaze. Lifting his chin up and was greeted to see the image burned in his chest. Nahasi.. He was still here- a king now. Oh so he heard. "A forgotten memory.. My lord. Nothing to worry yourself over - just a passerby-er." Bowing softly with grace and poise.. yet strength was hidden behind the movements of his grace.
"You've grown up.. haven't you...................... Hasi." Giving that prideful smile, he was everything that they all hoped him to be and more. It seemed.. that being his right paw, he was replaced with a stronger one. He couldn't blame anyone, just feel proud that they grew up to be great. "I'm proud.."
Nodding and softly tossed his body aside.. this wandering soul.. needed peace and needed the past to be at rest and now that he saw what has become. He couldn't help but feel completely hollow. "Couldn't help but want to see what all the commotion was about but..now I see." Of course he wouldn't forget that face. Hasi was destined to greatness. "Now I must take my leave." His voice happily more up than he knew himself to be. Facing the past was hurtful and painful but that lion. Luaith.. that little sneaky lion- he really did know something that Jem did not. A gift.
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Posted: Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:11 am
Nahasi stared deeply into the eyes of the leopard. It had to be him. There was no other explanation. To top it off he called him 'Hasi' no one called him Hasi anymore. Not if they didn't want to upset the king. It had to be Jem, it just had to be. But Nahasi was told that Jem had died in an accident. How could be be alive now? Perhaps it was the gods doing? They knew that Nahasi needed a friend right now and this was them giving him that.
He walked carefully around the leopard. "No one calls me Hasi anymore. Once I became king they stopped that and called me by the full name, not wanting to be too personal with me. I would only let my closest friends call me Hasi." He watched the leopard's face to see if it revealed anything.
"And I feel like it isn't time for you to leave yet." He stood infront of the leopard. If this wasn't Jem he was just asking for a fight, but it was a gamble he was going to take. "I would like you to stay for a little bit. We can have a feast. You look like you could use some meat."
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Posted: Thu Oct 13, 2011 5:45 pm
"Testy are we.." He spoke almost under breath but regardlessly didn't care if it was heard. Tossing his head back and shaking his body off the thick air between them. It was the tension.. and Nahasi was suspecting. Shrugging it off. "Ah so they did.. my apologizes King..Nahasi." Bowing his head and slowly moving out of the circle Nahasi had made waving his tail before he ceased movement. Did he- find out already? He turned his head back yet only to the side but Nahasi would know that he was talking to him with his next words.
"Oh?" His time seemed like it expired.. especially knowing that Nahasi made it. To be great.. "My travels were far to get here. But I must head to my guide. Tell him of my stay before I do.. A sin to leave someone hanging and for that I only hang one over my head of. Which I will regret.. for life." Weaving away from him as if he were untouchable now. One could see it in the way he acted, it was different and more cold yet attached to this male. Their was dedication and love.. or if that was what you could call it. Then back finally back to him. Closing the gap between them, looking up with those longing eyes. Jem.. the old Jem so hidden in there. That shimmer of hope before walking away.
"I'll see you at dinner then."
Likely, there after. Jem was probably not to be found except beside a darkly grey colored. Then opt to the shadows to the ends of the cave. A consort of sorts to the lion he had resided with for the moment. Escaping him for a moment before going to their [ Hasi x Jem ]'s spot. But their spot looked almost closed off.. and he stood before it. Alone. Quiet. Starring at it absently. Ears pinned back with a rather longing yet serious face. His father taught him this mannerism. Never fault one's self image for something as feeble as emotion.
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 12:18 pm
Nahasi felt like the leopard was mocking him. He would let it go for now. No sense starting a fight. He was still questioning if this was his old friend. They looked so similar but this leopard was different, colder in some ways. Perhaps the two are just related, he decided.
As he looked into his eyes his wished he could see his old friend staring back at him, but he decided that no matter how much he wished Jem was gone. "I will see you at dinner. I'll make sure there is plenty of meat. We will be eating in the council room." He promised as he walked away thinking about what the male had said. He kept debating if it was his friend or if it was his mind playing tricks on him.
He made his way to his den and found some guards. "Please bring me some meat and bring it to the council room. I have a visitor and I want him to have the best meat we have." He ordered before leaving his den to make his way to the council room.
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Posted: Sun Oct 16, 2011 6:07 pm
Between learning to fend for himself he was more than able to pull away from Nahasi. It hurt and his heart turned as he left. Part of the reason he knew, he couldn’t stay with [ someone ] for very long was the unrest of emotions. That sin of leaving Nahasi tore him apart on the inside and so deep that he always left after a night or two. Being bound was admitting his sin… One’s heart worked in mysterious ways. The blank desired look was interrupted by a very welcoming presence. Turning his head and softly smiling with coy at his cheeks. “I have to attend to the past. Are you proud of me… Seer.” Jem Walking beside him as he was escorted to the council room and bowed his head to the lion. ”I have to do this one on my own I see..” Rubbing his cheek and shoulder against Luaith's side before sliding away from him. Entering the room with fine poise.
Raising his head and immediately scoped for him.. A smile crossed his maw, with the intentions of conquering the past. With that lion beside him and waiting.. giving him strength. He could do this. But even his new companion couldn't help him with this one. Just hope that the leopard could do this one.. finally. On his own.. and leave the past behind him and the torment.
Waiting til he was invited in- before his [ new ] self took over and walked in almost uninvited to enter. Scoping around the room, his 'king' was not here yet.. But he smelt the freshly caught meat across the middle of a long slated rock. Ears back as he pulled in the smell but almost disregarded it as he walked around it. Searching every inch, every touch.. was a memory of the old days.. He became almost entranced with it..
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 9:27 am
Nahasi had prepared himself before heading to the council room. He was still getting used to hosting dinners. Thank goodness he hardly ever had to. It was rare when a guest came where he had to make arrangements for a special dinner to be served. Once he was sure he was properly cleaned he made his way to the council room. Two guards accompanied him. They weren't nearly as important as Juan, his normal guard, was to him. They were just normal citizens to him.
He wondered, if this was Jem, what happened to him and if he was different than the Jem he remembered. It had been so long since he had seen his friend that he wasn't sure if he was even the same Jem. He knew that since they were cubs he had grown up so much and he was probably unrecognizable personality wise. When kingship was handed to him he became more serious. He hadn't even goofed off since he became king.
He entered the council room with grace. His gaze went to his guest. The meat smelt delicious. He gave a nod to his guards who stationed themselves at the entrance. "I hope this will satisfy you." He said before taking a large bite out of the meat. "You must tell me about your travels before you got here. Being a rogue must be exciting."
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 9:28 pm
Jem's body reacted to the voice and almost plead to want to hug just from reliving the memories but he remained stilled. Lifting his chin and gave a strong nod. "As does anything that was done by you my Lord." Trying to be formal as he turned back to the feast. "So much for a lone rogue? Please you flatter me or- may I be so bold and ask what you want of me." Sitting finally and straightening himself rather fully and with posture. To tame this beast... it was hard now, back then it was so easy to follow orders. Now everything felt as if it were upside down. The next words, he wouldn't believe back then to ever cross his maw..
"The tales of a rogue.. Your pads will ware, your body will tire and your mind will play tricks on you. Stories of the encounters and experiences one must live it to understand. I would bore you with them, I am sure.." Bowing his head down then lifting his head to Nahasi once again. Searching.. for something that he himself could not understand to find. He would remain quiet of his intentions.. too seek without notice.. avoiding any questions that would defer him of his mission.
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Posted: Thu Oct 20, 2011 10:18 pm
Nahasi continued to stare in hopes of seeing a piece of his old friend. "Years ago a dear friend of mine died. At that time he was the closest to me, closer than any of my brothers. You look a little like him, though much more serious. The resemblance has me convinced that you are at least related to him, though I am hoping you are more than that and that the gods have blessed me with a chance to be with my old friend again." He knew the chances were slim that this leopard was Jem, but in case it was Nahasi would be ready to great him.
"Plus I needed to practice my hosting skills. Someday someone import may come to the pride. I want to be sure that I am ready to great them warmly and offer them a delicious meal." He said, in a boasting way.
"Tales of a rogue would never bore me. I'm fascinated by the little things the rogue land takes for granted like the sun and moon. I've been told many stories about them and I've seen glimpses of the sun through cracks in the roof occasionally, but I've never had the chance to leave the tunnels and see the sun for myself. It is something I desperately crave to do someday."
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Posted: Fri Oct 21, 2011 12:51 am
He closed his eyes to remember. When he heard Nahasi talk about.. his old friend. His heart clenched and the only thing he could do was transport himself to that time. Jem... came out and a smile.. a sincere one crossed his maw. Almost touched that he wasn't forgotten. He was remembered and still held with him the innocent image of friendship.. Slowly he lifted his body up and walked over to the lion before him. A king now.. Like he had done with so many now.. he crept and circled around Nahasi.. Letting his tail slowly breeze across his limbs..
"Then sun.. " He closed his eyes to imagen the first time he had woken up to the sun. "It is.. comforting.. when you first feel it. It raises you up from night's slumber. The feeling of floating in the air..like your someone pulling you up. Like an embrace... I almost forgotten the first time I felt it.." Waking up, lonely- far from home.. but the gentle touch of the sun.. He could remember so vividly. When he awoke, he knew.. that it woke up to living another day. He had almost.. almost forgotten how it was like in the caves, and how they ached to see the surface. Nahasi...
"Maybe one day.. I'll escort you. If you don't mind.." Looking up at him as he came around Hasi's side. "As for your friend.." He shied away almost. Tossing his gaze away..
"I..." He couldn't even muster the words. "Sounds like a coward to have died and left you behind.." He gulped. The feeling of running away once again- away from the problems made his feet itch and sweat. Then they dug in to the ground before that calm and serious figure went out the window and took a few steps away. Head low to the ground almost defeated and fighting back the tears and how he thought of himself.
"Tried to cover it all up.. stiffen that upper lip is what he should have done. Heh.. I look related to him.." Shaking his head..then had to laugh.. 'I was once him.. pathetic.' "More related than you think." He muttered. Then turned his head to Nahasi. Almost guilting him. "What do you gain to have your 'friend' around. Look at what you've become.. [ Looks around and lifts his paw in the air like a grand thing to be seen especially the feast before them ] this place. Not like there is any room for him- he was replaceable just like your any one of soldiers. What room does he have here. Tell me." Would Jem talk like this to Nahasi? His sworn loyalty to the crowd.. Guilt could do terrible things to someone..
His eyes were almost a glaze.. Once could tell that something was holding this leopard back. Something so secretive.. and painful.
"What good would it do. It makes no difference. Tell me. How did he die. Do you know?" The tone he used.. with pain and almost laughter. That heart ache of being replaced by his past and what the many men and women helped him forget.. facing his fears. He was still a coward after all.
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Posted: Tue Oct 25, 2011 1:21 pm
"The sun sounds nice. That is one thing I would to see more than anything, except for maybe the ocean." He smiled at the thought. Many rogues told him about the ocean as well and he could help but fantasize about it. They told him it was much like his lake, but more bigger to the point you couldn't see the other side of it. That was something unthinkable, Nahasi thought and he decided he would eventually have to see it for himself. "I would like it very much if you escorted me, as long as you don't mind if my guard Juan came. I care a lot for him and I know it would pain both of us if I left without him."
His cheeks flared light pink at even the mention of his guard.
"He wasn't a coward." Nahasi said defensively. His old friend went on many little adventures around the tunnels. He was the bravest cub he knew. "Please do not dishonur him by calling him a coward. He was nothing of the sort. It is not his fault he died. Sometimes things happen, sometimes friends die. There is nothing anyone can do about it but move on. It made me stronger when I was finally able to move on, though his memory still lingers with me and I will never be able to forget about him. He will always be my best friend and nothing will be able to change that."
"What do you mean more related than I think? You- you weren't brothers were you?" Could Jem's father had had another son without the pride knowing? It was completely possible of course, but highly unlikely.
For the first time Nahasi looked down, a little embarrassed. He never did find out how Jem died. His father had kept it from him, thinking he was too young to know too many of the details. It was something that pained Nahasi much. "I do not know how he died. My father refused to tell me and ordered his subjects to keep it from me."
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Posted: Wed Oct 26, 2011 10:17 pm
"Mmm.. the ocean is grand." But his illusions of bringing memories back to surface was cut in half. The one he cared for the most, was not him anymore and that brought him to reality.. and he simply gave a shifting nod. "If that is who you desire." Shaking his head and shrugging off as he looked at the feast and almost had no desire to eat at that moment. The fact he was facing reality once again made it ten times harder to get back to the fantasy of believing that he could do this as easy as Luaith and him talked about. He could do this.
"Then how would you know he is dead." Looking up to him again. Sadness filling his eyes yet so direct in the emotion. "How do you know that what they told you was real?"
Then a sharp pain hit him. Placing a paw over where it hurt.. the wound. He had first gotten it during a fight.. as a cub. But when his father pushed him off the cliff, the wound opened and had been the number one spot to ail him the most than the rest of his body. Then memories he didn't wanna remember started to fill it. What.. did happen back then.. Then he saw it. That face of his father- twisted and proud of what he had done.. All he knew and believed.. was a lie.
"I..can't be here. Forgive me- I have to go-" Then quickly tried to slip away from the lion.. Like Luaith said- it was easier to run and that's what Jem did all his life. Run. Making his way to the entrance of the couriers rather speedily. As if holding a secret in and running away without telling.. and that vibe could be felt even from the guards as he got more nervous than his composure allowed him to be. Leaving the feast behind or so he hoped to do- and leave the memories at the deadest end. He would have to say goodbye to his.. consort.. and everything he hoped to achieve. What was he thinking! Thinking things would be eased with telling him! 'He replaced you!'
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 1:20 pm
Nahasi stepped infront of him as quickly as he could. It had to be him. There was no doubt about it. Something inside of him was screaming at him, telling him to not let this leopard leave. He than leaned his for head against Jem's. "I miss Jem more than anything. I wish he was here with me, to help me and hold me. He was and is my best friend and I would do anything to get him back." He leaned back a little to give the leopard some space. His feeling toward Jem was different than those he felt toward Juan, but it didn't matter to him. He cared about both and he wanted both of them.
"Tell me now are you my Jem. If you are not than you are free to go and I shall never talk to you again. But if you are Jem, if you are my best friend please tell me now so I can be with you like we were once before. I need my best friend with me now more than ever and if you leave, if you take him away from me I will not forgive you." He stared deeply into his eyes. "Please tell me you're Jem."
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Posted: Thu Oct 27, 2011 6:32 pm
When the cause for evading the way- he was interrupted by the lion's quickness in to cutting him off. His face- brought back Jem's cub emotion for fear. His ears back and his maw opened in a gasp. He didn't growl as if threatened but he knew there was no way out now.. No way. When the lion got closer- he was about to cower away before his forehead was pressed against a heavily furred touch. A blush covered his snout when he looked up and heard the words..
He side looked away and his face was pained before uttering.
"I'm sorry.." His heart turned for Hasi- it did. But the pain had been hidden for so many years that. A tear ran down his cheek. Was he always this emotional? Wasn't Hasi worried over him more?
"They called me dead.." Then looking up at him. "I was suppose to be dead-" Then the real memories started to filter in and anger started to set in. The painful voice of anger and hurt. "No.. to take my revenge.. " He looked at his paws. "I shouldn't even be allowed in your presence! I'm tainted.. and dirty!" Moving back and lowering himself to the ground in a franticness. His composure was gone as he slipped back in to the memories..
--- Short ----
"Think you killed me.. Did you!" Running up and went blank as he and is father went at it.. Blood splattering everywhere with each strike met. "Am I your son now!?" As he struck and when he was pushed in to the ground and about to take the final blow.. But before he could-.. he saw his father's eyes roll back and fall upon him.. It was quick.. and the rustling..before the thud of the body fell over. His mother let out gasped- you could hear the fear in her voice.. and her voice crack as she lounged herself on the dark lump. Soft whimpering before she looked up at Jem. Her eyes.. "Get out of here... Just get out! RUN JEM! GET OUT OF HERE!"
Chasing him out..
She was a mother.. all along.
But forever- he thought he had killed him..
But she was a mother- and did whatever she could to protect her son.
Blood stained his paws..
----
"I'm a murderer! I'm not the same Jem!" His gestures- his expressions like as if he were a child again- being scolded.. childish. It was all sorts of things that the new Jem wouldn't even do. As if he was being transported back then.
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