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 Posted: Fri Aug 20, 2010 6:06 am
Obadias was startled when his brother rushed to his side, but a flush of warmth filled his chest at his brother's obvious worry, but that was quickly followed by guilt at having caused his brother to panic. Anwar was not one to panic easily, so it was obvious that the male had been truly afraid for his brother's life and that made Obadias feel slightly sick. “I'm fine, Big Brother,” Obadias hurried to reassure, and returned the nuzzling affectionately, until the male pulled away, having collected himself and returned to the calm male Anwar had known him as.
Obadias nudged his head against his brother's shoulder, even though his expression was no longer open and worried, it just seemed like the right thing to do. Obadias said nothing in agreement, because his brother should have known that Obadias would follow him without being asked to and the younger male simply followed his brother as they moved towards where the odd family had settled, not far from where the attack had taken place.
“Is anyone hurt?” Obadias asked, sounding faintly worried, when something caught his eye. A familiar shape, and colours flashed in the back of his mind and his eyes went wide. It was the hare! The one he had met as a cub, that he had seen. His eyes flicked to the lioness, to the new kits that were being affectionately cared for, and then back at the hare. “Kisun?” He stammered out, unconsciously stepping back towards his brother. He wasn't afraid of the hare, but he hated the reminder of his visions, the ones that plagued him always and even now, seemed to plague him without him needing to be asleep.
The relief Dysi felt that it was all over was immense, and he felt his legs grow week. He was grateful, so grateful, that his family had been shared any heartbreak today. He glanced back, pausing as the others did, he noticed the red male fleeing, and the two adolescence share a quick discussion, some affectionate gestures traded – to his surprise. They were affectionate with one another, that was obvious. Their patterns were similar enough, so perhaps they were brothers? - before the pair set off towards their group.
“No,” Dysi answered the male's words, shaking his head. “We're fine, thanks to you two.” He looked at the other male, the grateful expression on his face not fading at all. He did, however, pause when the darker male said his friend's name. “You know Kisun?” Dysi sounded surprised now.
Star nuzzled her Mama-Kisun and stepped over to Keena's side, to check over the kits as well, nuzzling Mama-Keena's cheek as well, taking comfort from the warm fur that brushed against her as she did so. Hearing the approaching males, Star got to her feet, giving Jari a quick and comforting lick of her own, flashing him a tiny smile to reassure him, before she focused on the two males.
They were around her age, she realised, stepping up beside her PapaMom and trading curious glances with him, before refocusing on Kisun. “Are these two friends of yours, Mama-Kisun?” Star asked, her voice as quiet as ever, with a tiny shake in it that showed her previous fear. She was rather curious of the two males, who were they and how did they know her Mama?
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Posted: Sat Aug 21, 2010 3:31 pm
"I think I do know them! Obi and...uh...Awar?" Kisun tried, frowning at her lapse in memory. Granted, it was generally intentional, but only with the things she wanted to forget. When she wanted to remember...it was just a pain. "They're a part of a pride way...uh...somewhere else. I met a couple of cubs there...uhm...well, I met these two and a little pale furred girl who liked to tell stories. She was quite friendly," the hare remembered happily, nuzzling her lioness daughter before moving to drape herself alongside her kittens. Keena was their mommy, but she was still their mother and she loved them all so very much...she was so glad they weren't hurt.
Keena didn't stop nuzzling her kittens even though she was already more than assured that they were all alright. Not even a scratch on any of them, the little darlings barely even knew anything had happened. Only her own stress had frightened them, save for Jari who'd actually seen what was happening.
"It's alright now," she crooned softly, lifting her head to nuzzle her eldest daughter lovingly. It was a bit of a shock was all. No one had been hurt. Everything was okay now. Everything would be fine. Curiously, she lifted her head when Kisun spoke, glancing at the pair that had saved them, before dropping to nuzzle her dear friend lovingly. Any one of them could have been hurt today...gods be thanked that these two young strangers had come when they did.
Or were they strangers at all? Certainly, if Kisun knew them then they must be friends.
Jari, the danger past, was begining to feel tired as the excitement and fear ebbed away under his mommy's rough warm tongue. It was always so comfortable and safe with her. He didn't need to be scared if mommy was here.
"Tickles sissy," he giggled when Star licked him herself, and he twisted to try licking her back without much success. He was rather tangled up in his paws...and those of his sister and brother.
Anwar was unfazed by the nudge Obadias gave him in return. He wasn't upset. Or worried. Everything was fine. Obviously. There was no need to be emotional, no need to have a breakdown. He was too good for that, too smart. Too controlled. It was...it was...calculated. Yes, that was it. If he wanted to steal their Star away, then letting them think he was a compassionate person was in his favor. Yes. That was it exactly. He wasn't panic-stricken over the idea that his brother could have been horribly hurt or worse when there wasn't anything he could do and it would be all his fault for telling him to come help him pretend that they knew how to fight and trying to bluff a bigger stronger more experienced male... No, that couldn't possibly have anything to do with it.
He leaned against his sibling when Obi backed up a pace, glancing around at the strange assortment of creatures. A leopard, a hare he vaugely recognized, a lioness, a bunch of kittens and...was that..? The hare, Kisun, received a light nod though his attention was clearly focused elsewhere. Golden eyes like the dancing pinpoints of light so far above, whirls of silver like the constellations he'd yet to fully learn, fur as soft and bright as the moon itself...
"Hello, Star," Anwar said softly, a knowing smile curving across his features as he took a slow half-step towards the white lioness, "I've been searching for you since we saw you fall."
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Posted: Mon Aug 23, 2010 5:43 am
Obadias watched the hare move off to her babies, a curious expression on his face, but he was pleased. She had new kits, and she obviously loved them dearly. Perhaps she was over her past tragedy? No. He didn't think she would be, but at least she had something new to focus on, something new to love. And it seemed like she had better protection and support than she had had before.
Refocusing his gaze on the leopard and young lioness which stood before them, Obadias' eyes were wide as he took in the famle. She looked...exactly like she had in his vision, except she was older now, but her white coat and beautiful markings were still the same.
He glanced at his brother, letting him do the talking. Obadias was not usually a big talker, and he was content to let his big brother take the lead on this one. He knew what to say, at least, where-as Obadias would likely make an error.
Dysi narrowed his gaze as the male took a step towards Star and barely resisted stepping in front of her, blocking his path but he knew his daughter would not be pleased with his actions, and instead glanced off towards Keena and the kits, as well as Kisun, making sure they were all fairing okay, and allowing his daughter to confront the two males before her, but he was still nearby and watching them firmly.
He didn't want them hurting his baby, after-all.
They were so dark, Star thought, eying the two males. Keena and Dysi was so light, as were some of the kits. Kisun was somewhat dark, but had the light belly, which seemed to even her out. These two males just seemed...darker than the others. Not in a bad way though, she thought.
Her breath caught in her throat at the lighter male's words and her eyes were wide, but cautious. "You saw me fall?" She asked, her voice low and worried, but hopeful. If they had seen her fall, perhaps they had seen where she had fallen from...Was she really a star? "How could that be - ? " She asked, before pausing. "Oh, I don't know your names. You saved us all and yet we didn't even introduce ourselves!" She looked embaressed. "I am Star, as PapaMom told you." she pointed at Dysi, "he's Dysi." At the lioness. "Keena." The hare, "you know Kisun and that's her son, Jari." She turned back to him, waiting for him to introduce themselves as well and then answer her question. Or maybe the answer first. She really wanted to know.
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Posted: Sat Aug 28, 2010 12:24 pm
Anwar smiled as she stepped towards him. Perhaps this would be much simpler than he'd even dreamed. All his planning hadn't quite prepared him for this...but the red lion's attack could not have been more perfectly in his favor. Already he'd demonstrated that, together with his brother, he was willing to defend her and her odd family. Not to mention Kisun's presence would aid him, the hare had enjoyed his company when he was but a cub. She knew the innocence he'd sought to display to the world... this was going to go perfectly.
"Well...I can't show you now. But I do remember the constellation where the star fell from," the young lion offered, "When night falls, I'd be happy to point it out to you." He fell silent as she spoke, nodding his head politely to each that she pointed out. Keena, Kisun and her Jari, Dysi... but truly only Star had his interest at the moment. "My name is Anwar, and this is my brother, Obadias." His tail flicked to brush against his sibling's, but whether it was just a show or something more like another reassurance that his beloved brother was alright was difficult even for Anwar to determine.
"You see, our pride has a coming of age rite," he went on, his tone taking on a slim degree of uncertainty, "It's our first time beyond the borders, but we've managed just fine. Obadias is looking for a friend he knows from when we were cubs, and I wanted to see if I could find you. I thought maybe...ah, but, you've a family here..." he trailed off, letting his ears flatten nervously as he glanced at Dysi. Her father? Or...er... 'papamom' whatever that meant. Either way, he certainly seemed the protective type... Anwar would need some clever words to pull this off indeed...
Kisun nuzzled her children, giggling when Keena licked her as well, but her attention was obviously split between the little ones and the two dark males. They'd both been rather fun when she met them, the pride a very happy place from what she'd seen. Certainly the cubs were well looked after. Suha had been so friendly and open, even to a stranger like her, and both of these boys had been polite...
"Aw, I'm sure you miss home," she said when Anwar said this was their first time away, "Me, my home is wherever I wanna be, but I suppose pride types like you are used to calling home a place instead of just a feeling..." It made perfect sense to her, though she didn't fully understand it. Her paws were made for wandering after all. As were Keena's and Dysi's both...but Star... hm.
Keena licked Kisun's head as well, now that her friend was draped beside her there seemed little harm in it after all. The two darker lions were regarded with absolutely no suspicion, actually, there was genuine affection in every inch of the lioness. These two had saved their family from harm entirely. Not a single scratch on any of them. And Kisun knew them both, and seemed to be feeling chatty with them too. Naturally, they were both easily accepted, especially with such stunning marks of approval.
"A pride hmm? Dysi, you're half pride-leopard yourself, aren't you?" the lioness asked conversationally, glancing up from where she'd been loving on all of her hare family. "I've always sort of wondered what it would be like..." She'd met a few pride lions before, but though it was interesting and she did wonder sometimes...it wasn't the sort of life she wanted. Not really. She liked the wilds too much, liked to let the wind and trails guide her paws wherever they would go.
"Sissy fall down?" Jari asked in confusion. His sister was so graceful, she never fell down. Unless he tackled her first. He was big and strong, but always careful not to play too rough... "Silly. Sissy is too..." he yawned, the excitement catching up with the little kitten. "...mm..." he sighed, curling up with his siblings as his eyes got heavier. He was still curious to see what was happening though, they didn't meet strangers like this all the time after all...
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 8:51 pm
This new Anwar was odd. He usually did not see this side to the elder male, and it was confusing Obadias, but he kept his jaw firmly shut. If his brother was doing something important, than he would not interrupt. As his brother's tail flicked out, Obadias unconsciously took a step closer, but made sure to maintain an appropriate distance between them.
It was strange, seeing Kisun again, and seeing Star for real for the first time, but neither of those things held his attention for very long. He shifted on his paws, eager to leave but not eager to interrupt the discussion going on.
Dysi inclined his head to Keena had her words, watching the males curiously. ”Yes, I have a pride to call home but I wander more than I probably should-” a glimpse of his guilt at abandoning his family often was present but he was a wanderer at heart and could not stifle that desire. “What is your pride?” He asked, hoping that he would have heard of it.
He could see the way the two males were looking at Star. Especially the elder of the two. He had been searching for her, not to check if she was okay, but to claim her as his and take her back to the pride with him. Dysi wanted to chase the males away, but he could see an eagerness reflected in Star's eyes. She was not designed to wander, and the promise of knowing who she was? Well, it was tempting to her.
Her breath caught in her throat, an excitement shining in her eyes. He could show her the constellation that she might have fallen from? The other stars in the constellation could be her family! Not that she didn't already have one, but it was...this was different. This was where she had come from, not the family she had been raised with.
“I'd like that,” she told Anwar, her face lighting up at the idea of knowing she had come from. If he could point out the stars she had fallen from, perhaps she would know if what she had always thought was true? She glanced at her family, and bit her inner cheek, trying to restrain her questions. “What is your pride like?” she asked, unable to help it. He had come looking for her. Just her. It was...such a strange idea. Why would anyone want to search for her?
She was getting older. She would have to leave her family eventually and she hated the thought of travelling on her own, her stomach twisting at the thought. Why had he come looking for her? There was nothing special about her, unless you counted the fact most people thought she was crazy.
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:34 pm
Anwar's attention was mainly focused on Star, his expression uncertainly hopeful as he struggled to find the way to implore her to come. She was the main one to convince, though the rest of her family...if the leopard did not wish for her to go then he had a feeling the young lioness would refuse to go.
"My pride? Well...it's rather large, and always growing. In it, the adult males protect the females, and children have lots of mothers looking after them. It really is like a giant family. Part of growing up, for the boys anyway, is proving that they'd be capable of protecting a family. And when that's proven, they become a Pad instead of a Pesar, which is a cub name." Anwar explained very simply, wondering how much detail was safe to give. Would the leopard, Dysi, be upset when it came to learning about how a Pad would have more than one Banu in his harem? About how more was a mark of status? Would he dislike the idea of Star being 'one of many'? Anwar didn't want a Kajira, but he...he wanted Star. He wanted to bring home the fallen Star and prove that he really was someone special. Someone his father could be proud of...
"I...wanted to ask Star to be my Banu. Ever since I saw the star fall I wondered... I watched them at night, my brother and I, and, well, I wanted to meet you at least," the young lion told the pretty white lioness. "I didn't realize you already had a family. I thought you might be lonely..."
"It did seem nice when I was there," Kisun chimed in, again. She wanted Star to be happy, but wasn't sure she liked the idea of the lioness leaving...but, well... Anwar had seemed nice when she met him. Obadias too, even if he'd been quiet then as he was now. "I'd miss you though," the hare added petulantly, looking up at her lioness daughter from where she was part of a cuddle-puddle of bunnies.
"A lot."
Keena...wasn't sure what to say. Uncertainly she looked from her daughter to the pair of young lions to Dysi, her tail giving a little nervous flick. The goddess of Fertility had told her to look after Star...but her little one was not so little anymore. Star had the right to choose her own path now, even if they had never had a coming-of-age rite as so many prides did. Perhaps it was the ability to choose, and the choices made, that signified the journey into adulthood?
"A big family?" the lioness repeated, glancing at the small pile of hares beside her and nuzzling her sleepy little Jari until he settled down to doze beside his siblings. That sounded...nice. But...he wouldn't take her baby away and keep her forever, would he? She'd want to see her cub after all...if Star decided to go that was. It was her choice...Keena wouldn't make it for her. That wasn't fair...
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Posted: Tue Sep 14, 2010 9:58 pm
Star smiled a little at his description of the pride. It sounded...nice. Family was an important idea to the young lioness, and had always dreamt of a large one. The type that supported one another through anything, like her small family had given to her. She could not stay with them forever though, she knew and looked down at Kisun as she spoke. Her reassurance that it sounded nice was a welcome comment but her heart hurt at the thought of being away from her bunnymummy, and Mama Keena and PapaMom Dysi and just...everyone. She would miss them all so ,much.
“It sounds nice,” she told Anwar shyly, glancing back at her family. She liked the idea that someone had sought her out. Someone had wanted her and only her. Someone to searched to find her. It was a warming idea and made her want to just keep smiling. “I'm not lonely though,” she admitted, still reluctant to leave her family. The idea was tempting. Starting family, with someone who actually wanted her? Somewhere she could just...stay in one place and live happily? Well, it sounded like a dream to her, but she knew her family would hate to see her go.
Dysi hunched his shoulders a little, watching her light up at the talk of the pride and that light dim at the idea of leaving, or rather, at not leaving. He knew he had to let her go sometime, he just hated the idea that it had come so soon! She was still his baby. His first born and first to take a place in his heart and she would always hold that piece of his heart.
“There are different types of lonely, baby,” Dysi told Star softly, moving over to nuzzle her cheek affectionately. He stayed close, whispering in her ear so only she would hear. “If you want to go, you go. We would never hold you back from what you really want. If that's a pride, a family, a home, then that's exactly what you should go find.” He pulled back and gave her a loving smile.
Then he glared at Anwar and Obadias, his eyes narrowed. “What are your pride's policies on visiting?” It wasn't approval and it was closer to disapproval but he was trying. Damn it. She was his baby! He didn't want to let her go easily.
Obadias smiled a little at the loving family that they rather unconventional group presented. They all seemed to care and love each other, despite their species and even the fact the hare was actually food, not really a friend. He didn't eat hare any more though, not since he had met Kisun as a cub and seen her babies...well...after he had seen what had happened to her first litter.
At the glare directed at him, he would have stepped back defensively but he knew why the male was glaring and it was not out of hatred, but instead out of a desire to protect. He knew how that was. He wanted to protect Parvana from all that he could and could sympathise with the male, not that they were in the same situation though.
“As long as those visiting don't cause problems, then our pride would not mind,” Obadias decided to speak up, his voice quiet and firm, but not threatening. “We are also allowed visit the rogue lands whenever we like, though Banu must be escorted by a Pad. For their safety.” and to make sure they don't run off, but Obadias knew better to mention that. He glanced across at Anwar, wondering what he was going to do next. It was obvious that Star was tempted and that Dysi and the others were reluctant to let her go.
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Posted: Wed Sep 15, 2010 6:52 am
Dysi had a very good question indeed. Keena hadn’t even thought of that, and worry suddenly gnawed at her. She would never keep her baby from doing what she needed to, what her heart asked her to, but she would miss her so very much if she went… Gently unwrapping herself from her little bunny babies, the lioness rose to go nuzzle her eldest daughter’s shoulder lovingly.
”It’s your choice, love,” she murmured softly. ”No matter where you go, you’ll always be my baby girl.” And she’d always love her. Star could always come back to her if she needed her, if she wanted to be safe and loved and treated like the little angel she was. And these boys would bring her back for visiting, if she wanted to come. After the red lion’s senseless attack, it seemed perfectly acceptable that someone be there to make sure Star was safe while she traveled. Keena had had a few close calls herself, though they barely registered really. There was so much more good in the world than there was evil…
Kisun watched anxiously as Star was nuzzled by her feline parents. She wasn’t that worried, not exactly. She knew her cub liked to be with family, liked to stay in one place. She’d miss her, but she’d visit. It would be wonderfully easy for her to visit really. And perhaps she’d see that little storyteller again while she was at it. Surely that Suha girl must have grown up some since they’d met, into a lovely young lioness the hare was sure. Perhaps she and Star would become friends? That might be nice for her daughter, a friend her own age in the pride she might come to call home…
Whatever she decided, just as Keena and Dysi had already said, she would always be their baby.
”It would be my pleasure to escort her to visit with you all,” Anwar agreed, the faint smile on his features just for Star as his crimson gaze shifted back to her. It seemed like the leopard was the last obstacle, and he was failing slowly but surely. All that remained was to persuade her to come along…it surely would not be too difficult for him.
”If you’re not happy with me, you don’t need to stay with me,” he offered quietly after a moment, letting his ears lay partially back as though he were anxious or unhappy or perhaps a touch nervous, ”The pride’s policies about looking after females might disagree but…I wouldn’t want you to be someplace where you were unhappy. You can always change your mind.” There was sincerity in his tone. It would be dishonorable to lose a female, true, but…well. He could find a way around that if need be. But he doubted it would come to that. He could be very…persuasive. It shouldn’t be too hard to keep her happy, not when it was so easy to see what mattered to her, what she cared about. A safe home, the kindness with which he planned to treat all his Banu, sisters to spend time with, cubs to look after as she looked after her…bunnies. And no threats like the red lion either…he and the other males would make sure of that. Star would be happy there, he had no doubts about that.
”Give me a chance?” Anwar implored softly, one paw lifting as though to take a step towards her before he placed it back beside the other. He didn’t want to push too much…didn’t want the leopard to get…antsy. Her…’papamom’ could probably convince her not to go if he wished to. Anwar didn’t want that. Not when he was so very close…
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Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 8:37 pm
Star nuzzled Keena's cheek lovingly, smiling at her mama with a fond expression, but her eyes soon drifted back to the two males standing before them, asking for her to come with them – to a new home. It was tempting, and he was offering to let her leave if she didn't like it there? Well, it was a hard offer to refuse.
She bit down on the inside of her cheek, glancing at her family who was all watching her supportively, and Anwar, who was waiting patiently for her response. What could she say? She didn't want to leave, but...
“I suppose...it wouldn't...hurt to try it?” She said slowly, smiling slightly. “If I don't like it, I'll just come back, but...if I don't go, I may regret it, right?” She looked at Dysi, who was staring at her with a saddened expression. “And I'll visit often! And you can visit me and-”
“Baby,” Dysi interrupted her, with a melancholy smile and a slight laugh. “If it's what you want, then it's what I want, okay?” He told her. “It's what we all want.” He motioned to her family all around them, and forced a brighter smile to his face. “We love you, always, and just want you to be happy, so go – if you want to go- and know you're always welcome with us, if you ever – and I mean ever – want to come back.”
He nuzzled her hair fondly, before turning a serious face to Anwar and Obadias. “You take care of her.” It wasn't a question, it was a command. A threat almost, and he wanted to say something so they knew he was serious, but he knew Keena and Star would tell him off. Kisun would probably just laugh at him.
Obadias blinked, a little surprised at how easily the female was agreeing, but he gave her a warm smile, as if to let her know she was making the right decision. The leopard still seemed pretty angry at the idea but was supporting her, which must mean a lot. Parents were suppose to support their children.
He glanced across at his brother, before smiling once again, reassuringly at Dysi. “We will. My ...mate within the pride would be happy to show Star how the pride works if she wishes for female company, or perhaps our sisters if she wanted,” he explained patiently.
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Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 9:17 pm
"It's okay love," Keena laughed, nuzzling her eldest daughter once again. "We'll always be here, no matter what you decide." Perhaps she was repeating herself just a little bit. But she didn't want her sweetheart to have doubts or second-guess herself until her new life was doomed to be miserable. It hurt to let her go. But it was wrong to make her stay. Her baby girl was getting to be so big. Even the goddess had known that Keena was not meant to look after her forever. All babies grew up after all. Star had her own life to find, wherever she chose to look for it.
Kisun beamed up at her lioness daughter, bounding forward to rub her tiny body around the white paws. "I'll visit, promise!" she assured the feline she'd adopted. Maybe she wasn't such a bad mother after all. With one last nuzzle, she settled back to return to the slumbering kittens. But her blue eyes sparkled with melancholy excitement as she watched her little Star.
Anwar's smile grew, and he ducked his head in a respectful gesture to the leopard who claimed to be her...papamom. Like a father giving away a daughter to a Pad, he supposed. Respect was the proper response. "Don't worry, Dysi," he had caught the name easily, Anwar had always been sharp, "She will be safe with me."
His expression was one of sweet sincerity as he looked back up at Star, letting his steps pad towards her before stopping just a few breaths away. "If you're ready, we can go," he suggested quietly, "Home is a long way off."
Home. He could hardly wait to return to the pride with her. No one else had captured a star before. No one ever. And he had done so with such ease! Surely, surely his father must be impressed by this! With a warm expression fixed soundly upon his features, Anwar waited with his odd and infinite patience. She was his now, he could see it in those innocent golden eyes...
Plan perfected.
FIN
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