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 Posted: Thu Dec 05, 2013 7:46 pm
The night was moonless, but the land was no less well lit, for tonight the stars shone brilliantly. The sky was not black, but deep rich blue, and the stars within twinkled and shone as if they shared in the celebration. Madhu inhaled deeply, savoring the mild weather, the afterglow of the hunt, and the relaxation of a full belly. He moved away from the others a bit, the better to appreciate the beauty of the night. The others were laughing, telling stories, and otherwise making quite a bit of noise. He wasn't adverse to it overall, he merely wanted a moment's peace to enjoy the moment.
This is how and why he came to realize that not everyone had joined in the celebration behind him. Starlight shone on a dark pelt, its color indistinguishable, though he could clearly see that this was one of the lionesses who had hunted with the group this night. "Not in a mood for that rowdy bunch back there?" he asked sympathetically as he padded up to her. "I don't much blame you. They are rather loud and rambunctious tonight." He cast an amused glance back over his shoulder before turning back to the lioness that he didn't think he knew the name of. "Mind some quieter company?"
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Posted: Sun Feb 16, 2014 8:55 am
Had she been younger, the post-hunt celebration and socializing would have made her extremely nervous; she would have slipped away after the hunt and avoided the affair entirely. She had grown out of that anxiety somewhat, and now it merely made her uncomfortable...and more recently, out of place amidst the happiness and chatter. Her son was long grown, she'd broken things off with her mate quite some time ago, and now it was as if she did little more than exist. She didn't regret splitting up with Kanzi (most day). They'd been too different, and she'd been miserable - and it was entirely possible that he had been, too, but she couldn't say for sure. They hadn't really talked much, towards the end.
Tek had underestimated just how much the relationship - and Kanzi himself - had defined her, however. She wasn't sure what to do with herself anymore, or if she should bother figuring it out at all. Maybe returning to insignificance was better. It was certainly easier.
The lioness was mid-sigh when one of the hunters approached her, but was quick to paste on a little smile. "I'm getting a bit too old for these sorts of things," she explained, though it was only partially true. She'd never actually liked parties in the first place, but now that she was middle-aged, she had a readier excuse for it. "...No, of course not."
She sort of did mind, actually, but she was terrible at saying so.
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Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2014 10:03 am
Madhu seemed to possess a knack of finding the lionesses that were awkward or uncomfortable in their current situation. Perhaps he subconsciously sought them out, desiring to help. Either way, he'd clearly found another one. He didn't mind, really. It cost him so little, in exchange for making a new friend and possibly lifting someone else's day. He gave her a thoughtful, considering look. "You don't look too old to me," he told her truthfully. "Perhaps the rest of us are just too young." He gave her a boyish, lopsided grin, inviting her to join in the self-mocking statement.
"My name is Madhu," he introduced himself easily. "I don't really need all the crazy partying they do," he admitted calmly, only flicking an ear back to the noise they were making and curling his tail about his paws contentedly. "It's nearly impossible to get to know anyone in the middle of that sort of mob." His ear returned to a relaxed, attentive position. "So, thus far, all I know about you is that you feel too old for rambunctious parties. I could easily jabber on about myself, but I would rather learn more about you." It was forthright, but it wasn't truly flirty. It was a sincere bid for friendship, an open way that Madhu possessed. He was one of the lucky sorts who had yet to meet anyone but potential friends.
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Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2014 8:09 am
"That's very sweet of you to say," she replied politely, one corner of her mouth lifting a tiny bit to widen the smile for a second. She took a moment to study him more closely, though the darkness hindered the effort somewhat. A hint of sincere humor found its way into her expression. "But I think my son is older than you...Madhu."
"My name is Tekacha'moyo," she offered in turn, curling her tail around herself. "Tek will do."
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Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2014 1:34 pm
He nodded his head in acquiescence as he settled himself nearby. "That isn't beyond the realm of possibility, of course," he answered, "but that doesn't make you old by any means." He smiled again, tipping his head and letting his mane fall across his face a little. "I have seen grandmothers and great-grandmothers with as much beauty and vigor as any newly adult lioness." His tail swished in slow thoughtfulness. "Somehow I think age matters less than some would like to think. Or perhaps, it's that it counts for more." He glanced back at the party, ears registering dubiousness. "I'm not sure what most of them would think of someone being 'old'. For myself...," he trailed off, shook his fur, then turned a less philosophical expression towards her with a shrug. "Maybe now isn't really the time for deep thought."
"You have children, then?" he asked with genuine interest. "Have they remained close?" He turned his face into a cool ripple of wind with a look of mild bliss. "I feel blessed to be near my parents and family. I wouldn't leave here for anything in the world. Except...," he trailed off again, glancing at her with his first hint of shyness. "Except perhaps if my heart called to another," he finished honestly. "I've heard love can do things like that," he added softly, eyes turned towards the stars.
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