|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:08 pm
Kule's ears flickered back and forth nervously as she approached Tawa'di, taking comfort in the fact that it was the elder conducting the ceremony. He had been the first lion that she had met when she joined the pride, and she could not easily forget his kindness to her. Today, he would join her to her mate, Nishan. It made butterflies flutter in her stomach, but she couldn't stop grinning. She was allowed to be excited on her own wedding day! The young lioness snuck a look at Nishan before turning her attention back to the flower she was balancing on her nose.
She had been told to bring an item, something that Tawa'di would bless and that she would give to her mate to seal the marriage. It had taken her several days to prepare for this ceremony, deliberating for many hours on the object she was to bring. It had to be something special, something with meaning. In the end, she had chosen a white African iris, for a variety of reasons. The first was the colour. It reminded her of Sen. The lioness had been the turning point in her relationship with Nishan. Sen had been highly influential, and Kule had to honour her.
She had also included a small white and black pebble, hoping that he would at least keep that longer than the flower. Once upon a time her father had been very insistent about lions only doing manly things, and wasn't too pleased when she attempted to put a flower in his mane. Kule was sort of hoping that Nishan wouldn't feel too unhappy about the flower, which was why she had provided the rock as well. Rocks were manly, right?
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 6:34 pm
Things were at peace in Nishan's new home, not much unlike the place he was born. Still, it was not the same. His prior dwelling was tranquility on a foundation of chaos; a history of war. There were things he knew now he wished he'd never learned, but sadly, although history could repeat itself it could not be erased. Sometimes he worried about that, the echoing of the past to the future. Worried for his father, his siblings left behind and his former pride. Were they doomed to suffer the same fate his mother damned him to before?
A greater man would have worried enough to do something about it, admit to themselves they were running away. Nishan was not so great a man, and yet Kule loved him anyway. No matter his other concerns, he couldn't rise above their relationship in favor of any other, nor did he want to. Only for her would he go through these festivals one after the other. It wasn't that Nishan didn't approve of them, or even that he didn't find them enjoyable. Rather, having anyone always looking at him left him unnerved for reasons that were simply part of his personality. Nothing he could fix.
This time, he was more at ease, perhaps even relaxed. Certainly he shared Kule's joy and excitement, but those feelings alone weren't responsible for his easy going state of mind. Why would anyone be paying him any mind right now? Kule was far greater a sight to behold than himself, and he couldn't imagine anyone--male, female, young or old--looking his way when she was right beside him. So long now they'd been together, with Nishan lingering around the lands. Now he was a member, but more importantly, he was recognized as the mate of someone like this. At least, he soon would be.
The item of choice had been difficult to find. Nothing seemed suitable, nothing seemed perfect. Even now Nishan was not entirely confident in the material possession brought with him as worthy. The feather was more broad than that of any bird, plucked straight from the wing of his grandmother, the Goddess. Mwokoti had told him as long as he kept it, she would always find him in his time of need. Now, he would rather Kule have it. Should there ever be trouble, a time he couldn't reach her, at least someone could. In essence, the gift he gave was a hope she would always be happy. No matter any flowers or pebbles she presented him with, that was the most important, mutual gift she could give him as well. As long as she was happy, he would be happy.
"Thank you, Kule," he whispered loud enough for only her to hear as they reached the elder. Thanking her for nothing, yet for everything.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 21, 2009 8:02 pm
As the last pair left, Tawa'di took a moment to freshen up the area, placing some herbs there, flower petals here, cleaning off the area where the two lions would approach. He always felt that everything was most relaxing when it looked perfect. This was something that they would remember for the rest of their lives. Perhaps even tell their children about one day.
With a content sigh, he sat back down, readily waiting as the next pair approached. The female was more known to him, but the male was a new face. One he had seen roughly here and there, and Saw the day before. Obviously...he had Seen wrong. It happened at times, especially without the proper offering. With a slight shrug of his shoulders and a chuckle to himself, he encouraged them forward.
"Welcome," he said softly, gingerly taking their offerings that they had for one another. A flower and a stone. A feather. He closed his eyes, sprinkling a bit of sand mixed with ground up herbs. Each ceremony was different, as each couple that approached him was different.
After each gift had a light sprinkling of the mixture, he blew off what was left. It looked like little had happened to the gifts, but it was what resided in the heart that mattered; the earth, accepting the gifts as the sand and herbs mixed with the ground below them, would always recognize the air as together. Mixed forever within the earth, and forever above it.
"Kule, Nishan," he said, offering their chosen gifts to one another. "Together you are in heart and spirit. The earth that we live on will recognize this forever; her eyes will watch as the two of you wander over her lands as mates for life. Even past that, as your hearts mingle together as one. I hearby claim the two of you as mates, for life."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 23, 2009 5:06 pm
Kule's face broke out in a bright smile at his words, an ear turning his way to let Nishan know that she had heard him. "The same to you," she murmured under her breath, before turning her attention back to Tawa'di. She wanted to tell him to thank Sen for bringing them together and ensuring that they stayed that way, but the lioness felt that it would ruin their moment. Let this ceremony be about them and their love for each other. Afterwards they could pay their respects to Sen, matchmaker extraordinare. And if they couldn't find her, she would find a way to honour the lioness in more ways than just the items she was given to Nishan.
She had a hard time sitting still as Tawa'di blessed the items that they had given to him. Every now and again her tail would twitch, unable to contain her restless energy any longer. Kule was momentarily concerned that the small mixture of earth and herbs would damage her flower, chiding herself for picking such a delicate object. However, Tawa'di clearly knew what he was doing, and the flower looked just like she had found it when he was finished with it. She breathed an inward sigh of relief. Of course the elder would treat their items properly. He had probably been doing this for longer than she'd been born! It would do her no good to lose faith in him.
Her smile widened when he spoke their names, shifting her weight from paw to paw as he continued. "Thank you, Tawa'di." She bowed her head to him and accepted her feather, before leaning over to rub her head under Nishan's chin. Kule would endeavour to be like the earth, and to watch over him, for the rest of their lives.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 8:16 am
(going to go ahead and let another couple post! Noy can still do her reply post if she wishes later~ just need to keep it going)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 3:54 pm
Her lips were turned in a permanent smile as she padded down the proverbial 'isle' towards this old lion whom had granted her and her family refuge within these beautiful, safe, free lands. A land she could call home and always know that her family was near, even if they were in separate clans. She could find them and she knew she was home.
Her mind, having wandered to thoughts of her family came back to wakefulness as she stood directly before Tawadi, she blinked owlishly,she felt so silly having day dreamed her way to this point of action and she giggled in a girlish manner to show her awkwardness.
Tipping her head lightly she looked back and to her left to her pale mate, he had been the love of her life for so long now she could barely imagine a world without him in it, without her at his side. He was her one and only, there was no other creature more perfect for her than her Kimba. Letting out a pleased and soft sigh she turned back to the heavily tattooed lion and laid before him a flower, as blue as the sky and attacked to it a blue feather, as cold a blue as an icicle on the great mountains. She let out a soft purr and rested her gaze upon her mate, unwilling to release her gaze from him.
Oddly, her legs had stopped shaking and the butterflies seemed to have flown off of their own accord, this was where she was supposed to be, blessed before the pride she loved to forever hold her Kimba.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 28, 2009 4:21 pm
Kimba aproached quietly, mouth full. He was nervious, but years of fending with the help of friends and living up to his father's dreams had taught him well to mask it. He gave Lyra a loving smile, and approached the elder lion, unused to being surrounded by a pride, slowly, and lowered his head, putting his gift down, nosing the tortoise shell forward carefully. Hopefully, it would do.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 31, 2009 7:43 pm
Tawa'di bowed to the pair that were approaching him. He had only seen them just the day before, but it was pleasing to see them embrace their customs so soon. This ceremony was one that was very important, though probably something similar was practiced in other prides throughout the lands. Marriage, and being mates, was a very important part of everyone, not just the Ela'wadiyi.
Knowing that they were already together eased him. "Welcome, the two of you." He accepted their gifts with a nod to each of them, resting his paw on them gently. It was odd seeing a shell of a tortoise being offered as a gift; impressed, as it must mean something strong between the two of them, or perhaps just Kimba.
"It is a pleasure to see the two of you here. Your faith together was obvious when I first met you. To see you here is just proving that faith. I thank you." He offered them each a nod again, before giving their gifts to each other.
"Keep these with you, always. Though you might not always wear them, you will have them as proof of your love of one another, and how you will always be seen as mates, forever with your lives together."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 01, 2009 9:03 am
Lyra smiled to her pale mate, her teal eyes fixed upon the bit white lion whom she would and could follow to the end of the world. She giggled a little as she listened to Tawa'di "We are proud to be here sir." She whispers pawing at her gift from Kimba, the small tortoise shell would become a part of her jewelry some where, she would just need assistance to add it. Her Kimba was so imaginative.
Licking his cheek she nuzzled happily in to his mane "I'll be by your side forever Kimba." She purrs before bowing to the old male "Thank you for accepting us this day, thank you so much." She whispers, a happy tear rolling down her cheek as she padded away, there were others to take their place, others to start, or continue their lives together, others whom wanted their lives here to be bonded by love and loyalty.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 8:26 pm
Pacing slowly into the glade with A'lora at his side, Nash glanced over at her and smiled - then padded up to where Tawa'di waited. In his mouth, he delicately carried the necklace he'd already given to A'lora before - when he had asked her to marry him. For the ceremony, he'd taken it back so that he could formally give it to her.
Pausing before Tawa'di, he set the necklace down and then bowed his head slightly to the older male, looking over again to be sure his mate was still beside him.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Wed Sep 02, 2009 9:03 pm
And A'Lora herself had also made a present for the handsome lion at her side. So that they would have similar gifts, she too had made him a necklace out of feathers and precious beads that a dear friend had once given her... They were the color of Farlest's eyes, and for that sweet gift she could think of no better purpose than for them to seal the love and devotion betwixt herself and her mate.
The tiny lioness seemed almost shy as they approached, but there was a quiet confidence, a glow about her that could only come from the lion that brushed up against her with every movement. Inclining her head respectfully to Tawa'di, her smile lit up her delicate features like the moon in the night sky.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Sep 05, 2009 4:25 pm
Tawa'di shifted a bit in his location, his eyes wandering a bit until he noticed the next couple to approach him. Pleased, he offered a warm smile on top of a bow. "Welcome, welcome. It is a pleasure to see the two of you again. I assum you are adjusting quite well," he said with joy, thrilled to see more of the new members jump into their customs and traditions.
"As it seems the two of you are ready," he commented, taking their offerings gently as he lowered them onto the ground. This time, he gathered a feather from his small pile of miscellaneous items, brushing the tip of it across both items, back and forth. Adding some dirt onto the feather, he repeated the motion, sealing the two items together between the sky above and the earth below.
"And now the two of you are together, as long as the skies and earth see to it. I am pleased to state that the two of you are seen as mates until death, and beyond. Continue on in your lives together, step by step. The Ela'wadiyi will see the two of you grow as you continue down the path of life."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Sep 08, 2009 3:23 pm
Tailsin had waited for this for a while now and she had sat resting against Adi watching all the other couples go up and be blessed. She knew this would mean a lot to her mate, after all Adi looked at the elder like a father.
"Come on." She whispered to her mate and stepped towards Tawa'di as the previous couple moved away. She had the gift she brought in her mouth. It had taken a while to get this necklace made. It had feathers from Doea and she had managed to get some from Nili not that she was sure Nili knew. Doea had been a great detective for her.
She reached Tawa'di and smiled lowering the gift she had brought to her feet. This was so exciting!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Sep 10, 2009 12:31 pm
Adi'sa had been impressed with his mate's patience, having sat fairly quiet (Tailsin would probably never be completely quiet in her life) through all the other couples and their blessings. He admired some of the gifts, making quick glances to his own. Deep down he knew Tailsin would appreciate and treasure it because it was from him, but all at the same time he couldn't help sometimes doubting his gift in comparison to others.
He just hoped it expressed everything he wanted to say.
Adi'sa followed after his mate and likewise did the same of his gift - it was a woven bangle but was not woven from just anything. Nili had also been of great help to the russet lion in collecting something special. The band was woven from the tail fur of Tailsin and the mane fur of Adi'sa, with a few strands from each of their children.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
