Welcome to Gaia! ::

Reply [PUB] The Swamplands
[PRP - One] Piece by piece, my heart...

Quick Reply

Enter both words below, separated by a space:

Can't read the text? Click here

Submit

Meepfur
Vice Captain

PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:18 pm


It was time for them to go. All her children, her litter of five beautiful children, needed to leave, and she could only hope that all five would return; or at least that those who didn't would live out their lives happy, wherever they went. She knew better, though...knew that there could be trying times ahead, with the perils of journey and of self-discovery.

Some might be mere weeks away, or an entire year. Even Asali'jua could not see for certain, when she most wanted to. All she knew was that soon the swamp would feel somehow empty, with five less sets of paws treading the old ground; oh, the swamp would never be empty, she knew, but without her children there would seem an unnatural echo.

Nyoe would be the first to go, she had decided finally, after debating whether he would be first or last. Her little grasshopper, full of a confident energy fed by his big heart. He loved his family, he loved his home, and he was about to find out just how much.
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:26 pm


Nyoe was at the outer edge of the swamp, where he had stopped to look at his reflection in a shallow pool. He and his siblings had been growing steadily, but he'd never really realized it while it was happening. But now, paused and peering at the image of himself, he had some idea that sometime, somehow, he had grown into a large young lion.

He thought he was large, anyway. Bigger than his brothers and sisters, at least, although it wasn't lard to be bigger than Mng'aro. It mystified him just how like their mother Mng'aro seemed at times - both pale, both small, and both with some mysterious something he couldn't quite place his paw on.

The adolescent wondered idly if he'd ever be as big as his father. Or maybe he'd be bigger? He still wanted to be big and strong, as strong as possible. He could protect his little brother, his sisters, and his friend Kinamasi. Poor Kina, with that game leg of hers. Someone would need to watch over her.

Meepfur
Vice Captain


Meepfur
Vice Captain

PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:31 pm


There he was, exactly where she'd known she would find him. Nyoe, like both his brothers, had clear pieces of both Jabali and herself - big and brown like his father, with the swirled marking on his shoulder, like hers...like her mother's, like her great aunt's. It was a swamp thing, somehow, passed down again and again through the family.

After a moment's pause to indulge in a proud smile, she approached her son, her light steps measured and her bearing solemn. Her tone, though not without a mother's warmth, was much the same. "Nyoe."
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:35 pm


The young lion's head came up, brought to attention by that familiar voice, the first he had ever heard. She had said his name then, too.

He stepped towards her, meeting her halfway, and greeted her with a gentle butt of his head under her chin - he had to duck a little more now than he remembered doing.

As he drew back, though, he noticed the gravity in her gaze. Something was different somehow. "Hello, Mother," he ventured, tail flicking and curling behind him.

Meepfur
Vice Captain


Meepfur
Vice Captain

PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:44 pm


Although a part of her longed to return the gesture, to wrap a paw around her son and hold him close, Asali knew better, and she didn't so much as miss a beat. "It is time, child. Time for you to leave here and learn; your body grows, but your mind must grow too, or else you will never truly be grown, no matter how thick your mane becomes."

"I gave you a name, once. I called you Nyoe." Though the rest of her was still, her tail waved behind her, and she couldn't help but notice her son had inherited that anxious appendage of hers. "Nyoe is a child's name, and as long as you bear it, you will be a child in the eyes of the spirits, in the eyes of the Mother, and in my eyes as well."

"You must find a new name, your true name, and be child no more."
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:49 pm


"My name," Nyoe uttered in a whisper, "It's time...it's really time." He had known, as they all knew, that one day it would be time for that great quest to find a name, but somehow, despite all his anticipation, a desire for adventure and maybe even a little glory, he hadn't been expecting this.

For so long, he had thought 'How much longer?', and now all that entered his mind was 'So soon?'. He was not reluctant, however, only surprised, and perhaps a little daunted.

But it was time. And if it was time, then he must be ready. He was ready. "What do I do?"

Meepfur
Vice Captain


Meepfur
Vice Captain

PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 5:57 pm


"You must leave here, now. Leave these lands without delay - do not turn to bid your brothers and sisters goodbye, nor your father nor anyone else. Go, travel as your paws take you, as the spirits and fate take you. Go and find your name."

"When you have found your name, and only when, return here, to your home. Return to your pride and speak your name before us all." Amber eyes glistened, and her soft voice strengthened, only to quiet again with her next words,

"If, after one year and one moon, you have not returned, know that we will say the rites for you, so that you will not roam as a ghost forever." With this, the queen of the swamps turned and walked away without another word. Once she was far enough away, she let the tears spill over.

It was done.
PostPosted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 6:00 pm


With unformed words tying his tongue, Nyoe watched his mother's pale form retreat into the swamps she was so much a part of - the swamps they were all a part of. No matter where I go, he swore, I will remember where I belong.

Finally, he too turned, but in a different direction, one that would lead him away from the swamps. Following his mother's instructions, as ever, he let his paws carry him away.

And I will come home.

Meepfur
Vice Captain

Reply
[PUB] The Swamplands

 
Manage Your Items
Other Stuff
Get GCash
Offers
Get Items
More Items
Where Everyone Hangs Out
Other Community Areas
Virtual Spaces
Fun Stuff
Gaia's Games
Mini-Games
Play with GCash
Play with Platinum