|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 3:15 pm
 So here he was again.
Back in the Pridelands with his tail behind his legs. The orange lion spoke with a few scouts briefly – one of which he already knew - and they were welcoming, apparently happy that another big lion was joining them (again). But everything around him seemed oddly tense and if Rei wasn’t so eager to go talk to Mzuza, we would probably had lingered in the border for a bit longer. As it were, as soon as he got the words “war” and “hyenas” out of his acquaintance, he was on his way, even more worried than before. A war? Here? No…
As he moved closer to the heart of the pride he finally started seeing more lions but it took a while before he could actually spot some younger ones. It seemed that all the cubs had disappeared. Strange… were they all being kept hidden? Were things really that bad?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 3:22 pm
It wasn’t much of a secret how little Kam really understood of the war. Despite the continued warnings from both his brothers and his mother, fear had yet to worm its way into the young juvenile’s heart, and on bright days like today, he could still be seen gallivanting his way across the Pridelands. In moments like these, he was outside based on pure stupidity, but what Kam didn’t know hadn’t yet killed him, so he didn’t bother knowing.
Of course, it was strange to be wandering and playing and… really, anything without Musabari dragging along behind him and spewing complaints and warnings and instructions, but Musabari had taken to hiding like the vast majority of the pride’s younger generation, and Kam figured… to each his own. He was still going to have fun.
On this particular day, Kam was out seeking an older companion to partake in “fun” together. He had considered making a beeline for Akairo and Twigg, who he tended to seek out whenever Musabari was indisposed, but good sense had told him that they would only have lectured him for being outside and sent him back home. Not Kam’s idea of fun.
So he was out looking for someone else. “Someone else” seemed, in this case, to be a particular golden lioness wandering through the land. An oddly… familiar looking golden lion. Wut? Kam tilted his head, as if watching said lion from at forty-five degree angle would clarify things. Who was that? He scampered after the adult, much bigger but also very reminiscent of a certain golden brother.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 3:36 pm
While talk of a possible war was troubling, Rei found himself quickly forgetting about it as each step took him closer to Mzuza’s den. He didn’t need a guide, this was a path he would never forget. But he was growing anxious. How would Mzuza react to his sudden arrival? Would she scream? Would she cry? Rei didn’t think she would. But… what if she just ignored him? What if she just told him to leave? He wouldn’t be able to bear it. He already felt more at home since crossing the borders than he ever had in the rogue lands. This truly was his home. But it wouldn’t be complete unless Mzuza was in his life. It had been obvious before but he’d been too scared to admit it.
He wouldn’t be fool anymore. He was going to beg for Mzuza’s forgiveness if he had to and try to mend what he had recklessly broken. He would do anything to earn her trust. Lost in his thoughts, it took a while for Rei to realize he was being watched.
“Oh, hello.” He smiled at the young lion. There was something oddly familiar about him but Rei couldn’t really tell what it was. Maybe he knew his father.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 3:48 pm
Now that he had turned around, the lion looked so much more like Musabari. He was practically a doppelganger for Kam's studious big brother. This was strange. Very strange. It seemed as though he was half in a dream.
He wouldn't have thought two unrelated lions could look so alike. They even had the same kind of... face. Kam frowned slightly, squinting up at the lion. He was tempted to reach out and poke him, just to make sure that the lion really was a lion, and not some creepy ghost of Musabari from the future. At this point, Kam seemed inclined to believe just about anything.
"You look like someone I know," he blurted out, without quite thinking about it. It wasn't until after that he realized that he was being a little rude and that such sudden statements could very easily catch the older lion off guard, but... he wasn't really thinking about manners at the moment. "My brother looks like you." Just like him, in fact. Weird.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 4:07 pm
Rei grinned when the younger lion spoke, tilting his head a little as he took one good look at him. He was a good looking fellow, wasn’t he? And that coat… it reminded him a little of Mzuza’s. Ah, maybe he was part of her huge family. Yes, that made sense.
“It’s funny. You look familiar as well. Maybe we met when you were very little? I spent some time in the pride a while back. What’s your brother’s name?” He paused, looking straight into the young lion’s remarkable eyes. Shaking his head a little at the flood of memories that they brought him, Rei continued walking, hoping the little guy would follow. His earring clanked happily with the sudden motion. ”You know, you have very interesting eyes. My grandfather had eyes just like that and this is the first time I’ve seen them in another lion.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 5:41 pm
The more they spoke, the weirder this got. So many similarities, and Kam didn't even know who this strange lion was. Maybe he was new, that was why. Newly back, anyway, from the sound of things. But all these eerie little coincidences was beginning to make for an interesting day, indeed.
"Maybe," Kam said with a shrug, though he thought that maybe his mother would have told him if he had ever met a lion that looked so much like his brother. "My brother's name is Musabari. You're like a really big him." Or rather, Mu was like a really tiny... this lion.
"What's your name?" He said suddenly, realizing that they had yet to be introduced. "I'm Zikamil." The little lion took another good, long look at the adult. "Well, my brother has purple eyes too. But not like mine. More like yours, actually." He failed to mention that this wasn't quite the same doppelganger brother, assuming that the tall lion before him would understand. "You should come meet him."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:13 pm
Musabari, Musabari, Musabari...
Nope. He was fairly certain he’d never heard that name before. It only reminded him of Mufasa and Sarabi as it actually sounded like a weird mix of the two names – and maybe it was.
“Musabari and Zikamil.” He said distractedly, rummaging through his brain with little success. “No, I don’t think I’ve ever heard those names. But I suppose you probably weren’t even born when I left.”
He was somewhat distracted by all the thinking and forgot to introduce himself but Rei did hear Zikamil’s last words.
“Well, I don’t mind but first I really need to go see someone. I’m going in that direction so we can meet later…? Or leave it for another day… it might be a long talk.” At least he hoped it would be a long talk. Anything other than that didn’t really bode well for his chances with Mzuza.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:20 pm
His words made sense. Kam really wasn't that old, and who knew how long travelers could wander when the itch to move hit them? The juvenile couldn't imagine being outside of the Pridelands for as long as he had been alive, but he knew enough to understand that time was relatively shorter for creatures in their adulthood, and that his current concept of "all his life" would simply become "a long a** trip" before too long.
"Oh, well you don't have to meet him today..." he agreed, feeling mildly disappointed. But okay, maybe this lion did have some more pressing matters. There was a war of some sort circling around, after all, and apparently such things meant more to adults than they did to Kam.
"Well, I'm going that way too. My mama can point you the way if you want. I'm sure she'd want to say hi, since you look so much like Mu." He offered, though it must have sounded much more like a statement than an offer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:42 pm
Rei gave the young lion a sideway glance, secretly amused by his disappointment. He was cute one, alright. And helpful, too.
“Ah, thank you Zikamil but I couldn’t possibly forget the way. You’re a nice kid, aren’t you?” This time Rei couldn’t suppress a friendly grin as he raised one paw to ruffle the young lion’s mane even though he remembered how much Akairo hated when he did that. He really needed to go visit that kid, too. “It seems you might live close to Mzuza though… do you know her? She kind of looks a little like you with less markings and red eyes.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 6:57 pm
Hair ruffling was not an experience that Kam was highly familiar with. Without a father figure in his life, he didn't have all too many lions around him that could pull off such a move. It was oddly comforting, and the young lion couldn't help but wonder what it was like for youngsters that got to experience things like this every day.
At the lion's question, Kam shot him a curious look. "Of course I do..." He said carefully, eyes scrutinizing the adult carefully, as if seeking some hidden information behind the golden lion's deep purple eyes. Something fishy was going on. Something really fishy.
"Mzuza is my mama."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:24 pm
Rei froze abruptly, looking straight ahead. His throat became dry and he swallowed even though there was nothing in his mouth.
He hadn’t expected this. Of all things his worst fears had showed him, this one was something he couldn’t possibly have imagined. Mzuza had cubs. Zikamil’s coat should’ve given it away but perhaps he had been in denial. So, this was it. Mzuza had had cubs in his absence. Maybe she had grown depressed found a replacement for him right after he left. Maybe someone had supported her when he had abandoned her. So… there was no more space in her life for him. Rei lowered his head with an anguished frown, something inside him breaking a little. So that was that. Maybe he shouldn’t have returned. Maybe his presence would only pain her. He was too late.
Idiot, idiot, idiot!
He wouldn’t run though. Not again. At the very least he had to go see her and apologize. He would not let her hear through others that Rei had returned but hadn’t even bothered to visit her. No. He had to go talk to her.
“Let’s go, Zikamil…” Rei said gently, forcing himself to smile at the young lion. He did not want to freak the poor boy out with his reaction. “Let’s go talk with… your… momma.”
His words came out slowly as he looked into the young lion’s eyes, the pieces of the puzzle finally falling into place. Mzuza had gotten pregnant right about the time he’d left. Zikamil said Rei looked like his brother. Even looking at Zikamil now, those eyes… that nose marking… the mane color!
Without another word, Rei hastened his pace and he only stopped when he was right in front of Mzuza’s den. And he saw another young lion, a pale boy with a stripe along his back. At first glance he didn’t look that much like Mzuza or Rei but his eyes... his eyes! They were his, the exact same shade of purple. Staring right at the little lion’s eyes, towering over him as he moved closer, Rei was certain of it now. He was… a father.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 7:51 pm
Well. Weird got weirder in the span of several moments, and all of a sudden, Kam got the sinking feeling that he had said something he wasn't supposed to say. He fell silent as he was plunged into the familiar feeling of being in trouble somehow, and he padded slowly beside the adult, ears pressed backward.
As luck would have it, Mzuza came speedily enough to his rescue. Just as Kam began to wish that he was home with his mama, Mzuza's familiar copper figure emerged from the den, and Kam's eyes widened as he watched his mother duck into a lazy stretch before setting off again toward some unknown destination.
"MAMA, MAMA!" He blurted out, exploding out of his controlled walk and scampering hastily toward her. "Somebody's here to see you." He was tempted to throw himself between his mother's forelegs and hide there, but it seemed to be in his best interest to disappear completely, so without another word, he turned the corner and fled back into the den.
The commotion didn't come as a surprise. Having a full household of nine cubs meant that sudden noises exploded out of nowhere on a regular basis, but the content of the outburst caught her off-guard. As one of her youngest sons came pelting up the path screaming, her vision went from little Kam and past him to the "someone" that had come to see her. Her words of reassurance caught in her throat, and she froze, barely noticing as Kam sprinted back into the safety of the den.
There he was. Rei. He was... so many things that she didn't know what to think, how to feel, what to say. Part of her wanted to turn and flee after Kam and not have to deal with what inevitably lay before her, and the other part... the other part just wanted to understand. Why he had left, why he'd come back, where he had gone, what he had done...
She wished that he hadn't. Hadn't gone or hadn't come back, one or the other, so that this wouldn't be happening now. She didn't really know how to deal with it, and for the sake of the cubs, she almost didn't want to. How would they react to Rei's sudden appearance? Would they cope? Could she allow them to shoulder the burden?
But there wa that other part of her, the part that remember the sweet, blissful days not so long ago when home had felt overwhelmingly like home and anything short of perfection seemed impossible. But that was over now. There was a war. Rei was back.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:12 pm
Rei turned to look at “mama” and his heart jolted in his chest. Mzuza. His Mzuza. Not anymore though. He watched her stretch in silence, unaware that all the little lions had vanished when he looked away. She looked well… and then surprised. He took one step closer to the lioness, head lowered and gulping discreetly.
“Mzuza...” It was her name but a question at the same time as his purple eyes drifted to the mouth of the den where some heads were peering out. Many heads.
Honestly, he didn’t know what to say. His long-winded speeches, carefully organized thoughts had suddenly been crushed by the realization of what he’d truly left behind. He’d been an idiot. He should never have left. He regretted it deeply. Such thoughts came to mind but he couldn’t seem to voice them, lost in Mzuza’s red gaze.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:24 pm
Yea. There he was. The sound of his voice made everything come alive, made her feel as though she was back in those carefree days when her life was hers alone and whatever decisions she made affected nobody else.
She knew what he wanted. She could tell in that one word, that half curious word that he wanted to be back. She thought it sounded genuine enough. But she had given him that trust before, without expecting anything in return, but now that he had proven how right she had been in her lack of expectation, it seemed difficult for her to have any for him.
What if he left again? What if he didn't want the cubs?
He wouldn't.
But then, there were lots of things that she had thought he wouldn't do. Now, she wasn't so sure and for the sake of the cubs...
The right answer didn't come to her. There was a part of her.. such a large part of her that just wanted to love him again and welcome him back as if he'd never left. She wasn't angry; she couldn't be, not when they had never made any real commitments to each other. Even so, that little rational part of her told her no. She didn't dare.
"Rei..." She didn't know what else to say.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 17, 2011 8:38 pm
Like he had expected, she wasn’t crying. She wasn’t shouting. Gods, he wished she would just scream at him. The silence was unbearable and he just stood there like an idiot, trying very hard to make sense of his own thoughts. It seemed there was a storm raging inside his head. There was one matter that that rose above all others, that one thing he desperately needed to confirm.
“They are...” ...ours. He couldn’t bring himself to say it aloud. “We” and “ours” were words he had discarded the minute he’d turned his back on her. He had no right to share something with Mzuza and he couldn’t simply claim something as important as children now. He didn’t feel he deserved it. “When did you… know?” He trusted Mzuza would tell him the minute she was pregnant but he feared she might’ve hid it from him during those last few days when he’d been so distant. It pained him to think of what he had missed while he was out frolicking in the rogue lands.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
