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 Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 3:58 pm
"He did loose his Lady Hisani, from what mother said. And some of the older generations died when he last tried."
She looked down, chatised by Johari's words. Kainda should not have forgotton this. But she did want Muroki to take his rightful place once more. It was just what they were supposed to do. But if he'd been hurt so badly....maybe he also had things he didn't wish to loose now.
"What's his life like here with you?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:56 pm
"Peaceful... or so I believe. I worry now what kind of thoughts or dreams he has when he's left to his own thoughts. I suppose I'm a worry wart too, though. He seems happy..."
She averted her eyes with a shy and tiny smile, not aware of the affection showing through such a gesture. His happiness was key to her, which was why she tried the gentle approach in encouraging him to try rebuilding his home pride. It was also the reason that she tread so carefully when the topic came up. The idea of Muroki being upset with her seemed like such a daunting thing, but the more she learned about him, his pride, his previous lifestyle, the more she felt compelled to be stronger, to encourage a little more.
"It's strange... how much I've opened up to him in such a short amount of time, but I really can't imagine going back to the way things were before. I want him to be happy, truly happy, and somehow I feel as though that won't happen unless he can push past the past. I want to support him, but I'm afraid of pushing him away if I press things too hard..." Her eyelids drooped shut a bit, not fully, but half masking her green eyes as she stared into the surface of the watering hole beside them again. She'd made amazing progress from the shy girl he'd first met, but she still had some of her own insecurities and fears to push past. It was obvious that she could, for there were those moments when courage spurred her on to speak her mind or protect the ones she cared about, but it seemed that Johari had yet to grasp that knowledge about herself.
As if realizing suddenly that she'd been going on in verbal circles, the young adult looked back at Kainda, almost embarassed.
"... I'm sorry, I normally don't go on and on like that..."
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 7:19 pm
As she listened to her fellow female speak about their mutual friend, something dawned upon Kainda. Johari was clearly attracted to Muroki and wanted what was best for him, and from her shyness, seemingly hadn't told him. Her averted gaze, the way she wished him happiness, the half closed eyes...
And now too, Kainda recalled Muroki carefully chosen phrases about Johari, who'd popped up in everyone conversation they'd had that hadn't revolved solely around the Clan. How she was shy but strongwilled, interesting and kind. How Muroki's tail had twitched impatiently when he missed going for a walk with Johari and even a walk with his Kainda woudn't do. No wonder he was so torn!
Johari's embarassed look was the final nail in the coffin. Kainda stared, bright eyes wide, for a moment. Then utterly astonished, she had to exclaim.
"You love him"
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:19 pm
The shocked silence that spanned shortly after her answer caused Johari to watch Kainda with slightly nervous eyes now. Had she said something wrong...?
"You love him!"
No longer were grass green eyes narrowed, flying open in shock at the flat out "accusation". The lioness stood abruptly, backing away a step as if physically taken aback. "Wh-what?!"
Was it a terrible notion? Not at all, but it took her by surprise to see this stranger read her so clearly. She almost fumbled to deny it, he was just a good friend! But the words froze on her tongue, and her ears flattened with embarrassment. She'd either misunderstood Kainda's shock, or was now realizing the gravity of the situation. She'd struggled enough with her feelings when she knew Muroki to be a "commoner", but a prince, as she knew him to be now, the equation just seemed to spell out heartbreak. That couldn't be the reason he turned down her offer to go, could it?
"I..."
Realistically though, even if he DID feel the same way, why would anyone think her a queen? No, no, she wasn't destined for any such rank or greatness, not like her friend...
Defeated, she looked away again. "I do... please don't tell him, he has enough to worry and think about as it is, and I don't want things.... I don't want it to change, between us."
Loosing Muroki as a friend was just not an option.
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:38 pm
"But why...?"
Getting over her shock at the idea of Muroki having this girl as his mate, the wolf rolled it around her mind. Well, she didn't mind him having a lion love and even liked the idea. Hell no did he fancy himself, he was a cat after all. Kainda just had thought she'd have more time having him to herself.
They'd obviously make each other happy! But then she thought along the same lines as Johari. The only difference was she thought the reasons were stupid as!
"Well I won't say anything, but you should. Totally mutual if I'm any judge."
*
"Any judge of what, Kainda?" Speak of the devil. Mane still mussed from seep, but very much awake, Muroki was shouldering his wy through the scrub and undergrowth around the waterhole to reach them. if he was surprised to see that Kainda had met Johari it didn't show, though he was. I was just convinient and easy that two of the most important people in his life had randomly met each other.
Why complain?
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 8:43 pm
This time the surprise was at the new arrival, rather than any accusations. Before she even had a chance to mull over the last comment Kainda made, Muroki was there with them, and Johari was trying desperately to make sure her embarrassment didn't show.
"O-oh... good morning, Muroki!" She smiled, though gods knew, Johari was simply no good at hiding her feelings just yet, a skill she might just find herself needing to acquire at some point in life.
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:06 pm
Poor, oblivious boy! Muroki knew something was up, but since the pair clearly weren't hostile..more embarassed. Instantly he was smiling but for a second he'd been a wee bit worried. Had they been discussing him? Tell him what? Judge of what??
"Good morning Johari. I see you met this loveable mutt of mine."
"Hey, less of the mutt!" Kainda chimed in, careful to keep her eyes on the oh so interesting bugs flitting over the water. Bah to the love affairs of lions!
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:51 pm
"I have... she's wonderful, Muroki, you're very lucky having someone such as this for your companion." Johari complimented genuinely as her gaze glanced towards Kainda again, though Kainda's attention was clearly elsewhere. Still, anything to avoid direct eye contact. "I hope you slept well?"
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:59 pm
"Wonderful? Hmm." Her ears flicked 'round and she murmered to herself. Kainda smiled, pleased, abruptly changing her mind. She stretched. They they were lucky. Lucky she wasn't going to let them beat around the bush too long!
"Very well, thanks. And how have you been? It's been days since last met up." Naturally, as he'd been out here looking after Kainda's hurts and getting know her. He'd been about to add something along those lines when Kainda got in her goodbye -
" It's been a pleasure meeting you, Johari.You know, I like this girl Muroki.You two should be good together - though you already seem to be! See you later, lovebirds."
Muroki blinked as Kainda sauntered off, whatever he had been about to say dwindling to a 'err'. Time to make a joke and swiftly avoid the subject. Exacept now he coudn't think of one. Blasted wolf!
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:25 pm
Johari froze, the maned wolf's words causing "instinctive" panic to momentarily override her sense. She looked from the retreating Kainda to the still present Muroki, then quickly away, ears lowering again nervously. She felt at a total... total loss for words for once, chest growing tight.
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Posted: Fri Sep 21, 2007 10:27 pm
"...clearly....clearly has rabies. Barking mad"
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Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:16 pm
Johari watched, flabbergasted as Kainda took her leave, heating with embarrassment under her fur. "R-right, madness...." She chuckled weakly, but, as usual she didn't do a very good job of hiding how she felt. Looking away again, she settled down to lie by the water instead. ".... so...."
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Posted: Sat Sep 22, 2007 12:23 pm
"So...excuse me...I'd better go have a word with her. I'll see you soon -" dear, friend, Jo, all the little endearments that came easy to the affectionate lion that he used freely with his friends died on his lips. It was far too awkward. Muroki did want to talk to Kainda about keeping her mouth shut but more than that, he wanted to avoid this awkwardness.
Great! Another thing to worry about. Johari was clearly uncomfortable and didn't like him and...
"Bye." He hightailed it outta there.
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