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 Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:24 pm
 Title: Family and Missing cubs Place: Firekin Lands Date Started: Oct 14, 2004 Status: Incomplete Kolina After departing from the small gathering of lions, cheetah, and fox Kinja made her way back to her little ones whom were (hopefully) in the thicket. As she moved across the hot sand she kept all her senses alert so that should Makadari or any of the other lionesses appeared she would be ready to make up an excuse for her being out here in the desert like she was.
The hot sand did little to calm her down, in fact, it was only making her more aggrivated. Now she knew why the pride layed in the shade all day long, her paws were beginning to burn. Finally though, the thicket came into view. She heaved a soft sigh of relief and took off at a faster pace to her 'home' where her little cubs were.Kimeti, at this point, was quite bored and had actually falled asleep on his fathers head. The gentle movement of his chest moving up and down indicated that he was in a deep slumber, dreaming of some wonderful fantasy of his. Rogue Roxness ((I'm back! Tell me if any of my posts are. . . er. . . not up to date. I've been having personal problems.))
Kiu, who had dozed off himself, opened one eye and looked upwards, barely able to make out his son’s whisker tips through the blanket of sleep that still obscured his vision. Ah, what precious things they were. . .
Suddenly, the great lion started, awakening at last. What was going on? Where was Kinja? Oh yes. . . she had left him in charge. . . and he had dozed off! How could he have been so irresponsible! Hoping Kimeti would not be disturbed, the lion turned his head slightly, trying to see if all of his cubs had fared well as he slept. Poor little things, all alone. . . without any protection. What kind of father was he, dozing off on duty?
After a few frantic moments, he had assured himself that all of his cubs were alive and unharmed. Kafara was sleeping in one corner, away from the others, as usual. (Typical). Her father sighed, and instead tried to keep his body perfectly still, so as not to disturb Kimeti. It was a pity that his nose was being tickled by a passing breeze. . .
Trying to stifle his sneeze, Kiu blinked his groggy eyes and glanced at the sun as best he could from his current position. It was late in the day, he had slept for quite a while. However, he felt well rested, and ready to watch after his children properly. He would. . . er. . . neglect to mention to Kinja that he had taken such a long snooze. Catnaps were very aptly named. . .
Kolina Kinja slowed as she reached the entrance of the thicket. She sigh in relief as the cooler ground shaded by the thicket branches came in contact with her paws. She took that moment of relief to allow her body to stretch before entering her little adobe.
She smiled at the sight that was before her. All her little ones were sleeping soundly, seemingly unworried about her absence, which was a wonderful thing to see. A chuckle escaped her at the sight of Kiu with Kimeti on his head. She walked over to the two and gently picked Kimeti up and off her mate's head, making sure not to bother her sleeping cub. She placed Kimeti with his sisters and brother before walking over to Kiu and resting beside him, allowing her body to lay against his. "Have a nice nap?" She grinned evily at him, oh, it was apprent that the lion had taken a nap, but since all were there and accounted for she was really in no mood for chastising.As Kimeti was picked up from his father's head he stirred slightly, opening one tired eye for a few moments to see his mother carrying him towards his siblings. He yawned and stretched a bit but as soon as he was placed back on the ground he was back within his dreams once again. Rogue Roxness "Nap? Me? Never!”
Kiu firmly denied his mate’s suspicions (true as they were), though he knew all too well that she knew that he knew she knew. “You know that I’d never stop watching the cubs, Kinja. . . They’re too precio-“
He was interrupted by his daughter, who had decided that she wished to touch her father’s flank with her cold, kitten nose. Kiu turned his head, picked her up by the scruff of her neck, and placed his reclusive daughter in between his front paws. “See how much she loves me?” Kiu protested, ignoring the needle-like lances of pain that rushed through his forepaws as Kafara sank her claws into them to get a better grip, flexing and unflexing.
It was surprising how needle-like kitten teeth and claws were. Kiu glanced at his smallest daughter (she was still a bit of a runt), licking her headfur with a sandpaper tongue, and then turned back to Kinja. “So, do you wish to tell me where you went and what happened there? You don’t usually run away from your kits. Come to think of it, you spend almost every waking minute doting upon them. . .” he grinned. “As do I. They ARE fine cubs.”
Kolina Kinjna smiled as Kiu tended to the youngest cub, it was nice to see Kiu devoting himself to something other than his duties and herself. She felt it was good for him to extend himself out to others. As his quesiton floated into the air she smiled affectionately and licked his nose. "I'll tell you about it tomorrow. I am quite tired right now and I am sure once the cubs wake up they'll want something to eat, and I don't feel like dealing with that while I am half asleep."
It was trues, now that the cubs were older dinner for them was beginning to get a bit more rough. Several times she found herself feeling sore from the whole episode, especially with the tiny teeth the cubs now bore. Thankfully it wouldn't be long till they would go to meat. Which reminded her, she'd need to start hunting for all of them so they can get their first taste of meat before she takes them to the rest of the pride. There was no need to go through the whole weaning episode in front of the rest of the pride. shia-san ((i'm gonna go ahead and start off were Kijinga is asleep, and move from there *ignore all posts before this one! XD that shia made >.>*)) Kijinga awoke, her eyes heavy and her paws scrapping at the dry dirt. her ears flicked back as her tail flicked. she moved about looking at her mother that just entered the thicket. she let out a tiny yawn, then crawled over to her mother. her paw reached out, but before it touched her, she froze. her eyes moved around her as she looked out into the trees. if she talked to her mother, she wouldn't let her go out. a grin appeared on her features as she moved towards the tree line. looking back to her mother, then steping out into the tree's. Mila Farrell Hestia is out scouting again. She must wait, and hunt, and sleep, while the cubs grow - both sets of cubs. One orchestrated by the 'Greater' - a word that makes the sparrowhawk's beak twist into a sneer - and the other...the other hers.
She's watching Kijinga now, with her hawk-eyes; she needs to pick a child soon, a child to become the heir to the throne. And another child, the best of the group, that she can shape and mold....
She watches as the child approaches the tree groove where she lurks. The oasis is nearby; it's the only place in the desert that hosts trees, albeit scraggy and windworn trees. Her black eyes glint mirthlessly. "Come to me, child..." she whispers, softly, inaudibly.
shia-san Kijinga's ears p***k, as her tail stops, dead center. her eyes peer into the eyes of Hestia. she suddenly moves fowards, her heart pounding, telling her to turn away, yet, her curiousity pulls her fowards. her neck fur bristles as her paws step over broken tree branches. her mind races to conclusions, to this odd encounter. Mila Farrell The sparrowhawk is sitting in the boughs of probably the most enormous, old, gnarled tree in the area; her eyes are half-lidded, and she hunches slightly. But there's a sharp look to what little of her ebony eyes can be seen, a glint of mischief - and perhaps cruelty.
A chortle falls from the bird's beak, sounding like a sudden crackle of dry paper. She watches the child below her, and something seems to amuse her - but her gaze becomes hard, testing. "Whatever have we here?" She querries, sarcasm dripping from every syllable. shia-san Kijinga rose from her seat, looking at Hestia, her mouth opens slightly "I, am Kijinga" it seemed odd that she would go out and announce her name, to one she barely knew, yet she did, and it was done. her maw stayed open, as she watched the bird. her head tilting at times, she had never seen one up close, this was surely odd. her ears flicked back against her skull as she looked into the eyes of the hawk. a sudden spark of curiousity running through her. her head curves back, into an arch as she speaks once more "And who are you!? if i may ask so..." her eyebrow lifted into a questioning position. Mila Farrell A chortle. "No Firekin are you, fully," The hawk mockingly rings out, flapping her wings and sending a gust of wind down towards the female cub. "Perhaps the spark is there," She says, cryptically, looking critically at the other. "But the fuel is lacking."
At the querry, she smiles; as much as a bird can do. It is not a kindly smile. "I, child, am of no concern to you, at the moment. You may call me Kitara. Kijinga," She says, rolling the name around on her tongue. "What brings you out this far, girl? The woods are dangerous for those...such as yourself." shia-san Kijinga snorts, at the words that come from the bird. her ears flick fowards as her nose wrinkles. "And who are you to say!?" she then stops her ears swivle towards the bird. "Spark..." her maw opens in an "O" shape, as she seems bewildered by the words. her nose rises as she listens to the bird announce her name "Kitara..." she lets the name plaster into her memory before she answers the next question. her eyes brighten as she speaks "I have come out into the woods, from boredom. yet also, for adventure. i'v seen, once, that there is more then the thicket in which we are "Locked" too, and although i am just a meer cub, i too wish to go out as my mother does. to see things she see's." she pauses as her muzzle closes, then re-opens once more "also, i feel....as though i do not belong with my family. although i know they ARE my blood, something between us..is different....i'v always felt this...yet never have i told my family in fear they would agree" she suddenly remembers what the hawk had said a minute ago. she slows her tone, her voice falling into a whisper as her nose twitches. looking up to the bird, she sneezes, then peers about the woods. Mila Farrell Another witch-like cackle. "Oh, child...if only you knew." She finds it hard to believe that this cute little thing is Makadari's granddaughter; who knew the old killer would become a grandfather, and have such children? Her scheme threatens to choke her with pleasure. Outwitting both gods and the great and supreme ruler; who's grandchildren - both sets of grandchildren - are b*****d children.
She snickers at the girl. "Well, philosphical, are we? That won't help you out here, lion. Philosophy is thrown to the winds in a place such as you're growing up - it's kill or be killed, in it's most primitive form. You're not much of a Firekin member, if you talk about your pride like that." Her eyes shadow darkly. "You'd better keep curbing your tongue around them, girl. Your adoring grandfather has killed for less."
She lounges lazily in the tree, stretching out wings and neck. "So, ai, child - what do you think of your dear siblings? And your parents?" shia-san Kijinga cocks her head as she listens to the bird. inside, she rips her words apart. then she hears about her grandfather. she freezes. "...The one who came the other day..." her tail flicks back and forth as she felt there was something odd about him. her ears flick back as another question is shot to her "my....siblings...." she spoke softly the louder "i havn't gotten to know them much. although we have had our moments....yet, i haven't seemed to want to speak to them." she then looked to the bird with stern eyes "and as for my parents, i love them..i guess, yet again, as with my siblings, i haven't...quite....gotten to know them." she lowers her head slightly, as though she should have done differently. she then turns about to leave, she found this bird quite annoying, with her many questions about her family. then she stops. it hit her slow, but finally got to her. "how do you know....so much of my family?" her snarl escaping with the last word. she was quite frustrated with this hawk, and now wanted to know some answers. ((:O! i will try to pick up tomorrow with you dust, but i have to go now! <333 it was so fun rping with you! *huggles, then zooms off* )) Mila Farrell (*snugs!* Thank you, too! smile )
"I listen, girl," She snaps. "And watch. There's precious little else to do in this wasteland." Except regain her shrine. Lost! All lost...damn Mau-ri and his kin. And his kin's children, and their children, and their children...and so on, onto this little whelp before her, here. Hatred seethes through the sparrowhawk goddess's body. "As would you, if you had half a brain. Pity." A bemused eye traces Kijinga's form. "I do hope your brothers and sisters aren't this harmless." Kolina Kinja had moved to the back of the den to allow herself to rest till the hot sun left it's peak in the sky and began to set over the horizon, but before doing so she looked over her little ones. A smile spread across her features as she watched the group but as she was about to lay her head down, something occured to her. Snapping her head back up she looked at the cubs. Kijinga...where was she. Leaping to her paws Kinja looked all around the thicket but could not find her little girl. "Kiu, Kijinga is missing!"
She didn't really give Kiu a chance to react but allowed herself to open up to the scents around her. The scents of all her small ones were dominant as well as her own and Kiu's but as she neared the entrance of the thicket she noticed that hers wasn't the most prominant. "Kijinga left the thicket!" Out of fear for her little lioness Kinja hurried out of the den, following the scent of her dead little princess. Fear was overwhelming her, pushing the anger of her daughter leaving the thicket once agian away. The scolding could wait, she just wanted her little one back with her. shia-san Kijinga's eyes filled with confusion, she sat. the words of the birds tracing through her mind "i hope your brothers and sisters arn't as harmless as you" her ears flattened. maybe she wasn't full firekin....she was worthless. her tail flicked as she rose her head with anger "I dont need to listen to you." her maw closed, her nose wrinkled "Although you might know much of my family, you know nothing of me." she then snarled, bareing her teeth, and turned, not walking back to the thicket, yet more out, deeper into the woods darkeness. ((:O! i back! <3 hey kolina! ^^)) Rogue Roxness ((Kijina's in the woods? What happened to the desert?))
Kiu turned to Kavusai, trying to hide a smile as he did so. He loved both of his sons (and his daughters, of course!!!) dearly, and would always dote on them. Family seemed to be his one weakness, the one thing that could dent his power. But, for now, who could hurt him? All of his cubs were safe. Nuzzling the small form that was pushed against his, Kiu was about to start cleaning him with a sandpaper tongue when-
“Kiu! Kijina is missing!” Kinja shrieked.
The lion was suddenly wide awake, shaken out of his days. “Watch your brother and sisters,” he whispered to Kavusai before darting after Kinja to find their missing daughter.
Meanwhile, once Kiu had gone, Kafara had stirred. She was still silent, her eyes shining bright. “I must go,” she whispered to her brother. “I want to see. Don’t tell Father or Mother. They’ll kill me when I get back.”
The small lioness, smallest of them all, padded off after her father, walking in a straight line instead of darting two and fro. There was a small little path where Kijina had been romping. The sand showed her tracks. Her father’s big tracks were nearby, so she assumed that he had found them as well. Her parents were indeed smart.
She followed exactly in her sister’s pawprints, so as not to get lost.
Meanwhile, Kiu was still looking. It didn’t take him long to catch up with his mate, though his search for their daughter had, so far, proved fruitless. “No luck?” he asked hurriedly, panting lightly after his run. “Come on, she can’t have gone far. . . I saw her moments ago. . .”
Kolina Kinja growled at Kiu as he spoke. She felt that it was his fault that her daughter was out in the desert by herself but at the moment she wasn't ready to make accusations. Her main concern was to find Kijinga.
"We have to find her!" She was near hysterics at this point as she darted off following the scent of her little one. The wind had picked up slightly and the tracks of her daughter had been blown away, also scattering the scent in it's wake.
Kinja didn't know what to do as she skid to a hault once again within sight of Kiu, her head darted around as she tried to figure out where Kijinga was. shia-san ((XD she just...appeared there >.>;; *so dumb*)) Kijinga pawed deeper into the woods. her tonge panting out of her maw. she sniffed slightly at the ground, the scent of her mother close. she let out a tiny shriek. her tail curled up as she began to pad quicker into the forest. soon she saw the desert. her eyes widen at the vast amount of golden sand that lay ahead of her. her eyes widen, her teeth clamped together, she moved fowards, towards the dry air.
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Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:37 pm
 Title: Of Meetings and Threats Place: Firekin Lands Date Started: June 28th, 2006 Status: Complete Final_Crucible The sands were quite strong during that afternoon, so strong that Nuri insisted that her sons stay near the rocks, even if it was simply just a breed. However, the elder lioness warned of them becoming lost, and so they listened more on the threat of losing their parents than just on fear itself. Thus, Naraka sat outside of the den, his head on his paws as the breeze played with the beginnings of a mane. It was nowhere near as long as his fathers, nor was his height or strength, but Naraka had his hopes still. Someday, he would grow just as big as Chomo had become.
Shifting lightly, Naraka's thought drifted to the familiar topics of the gods. His father wanted the two brothers to follow Finar-si just as he had. He believed with her praise, she would show them guidance and give them strength. Naraka, on the otherhand, knew better. At least in his opinion. For with the lions following Finar-si, all they got were pleanty of deaths, mostly from the god-inflicted sickness, seperation, and now isolation. Heaving a sigh, the boy turned over on his back and looked to the sky, the dust causing the blue to be faded, but the sun to shine harder down upon him.
"This is boring," He heaved, tail sliding as the winds died down. They never lasted too long in the desert. Kolina Like all her siblings, Koka has been confined to the den as the winds rose pushing the usually calm and gentle sands into a frenzy. Koka had never truly witnessed such an event in her short lifespan and so had positioned herself near the den's entrance as her mother, father and siblings lurked near the back. Their shadowy forms barely illuminated by the sunlight that managed to leak its way into the dark depths of the cavern they called home. Now thanks to the wind storm, Koka was forced to gaze out at the world longingly as waves of wind caused momentary walls of sand to appear, blocking all view of the world beyond the den.
Koka was getting disgusted.
When would it end!
Not much longer after that thought the winds slowly began to die before dissapearing as quickly as they came. Not bothering to even ask her parents if she was able to proceed outside, the black feline darted out without hesitation with only a white tuft of a tail-end left for her parents to see before it dissapeared around the den entrance.
The young princess strutted along the den entrances when violet eyes fell upon the form of another youth. One she had never seen before. With a smirk that was rather unkind upon her youthful face she walked towards the slightly older youth.
Standing before him she stood expectantly. Waiting for his bow. Hell she'd even appreciat a 'hello princess' or 'nice to meet you’re your majesty' but it appeared as if she wasn't going to get any of that. Disgruntled the femme huffed. "Do you even -care- that a princess is standing before you in all her glory?" Final_Crucible With his belly still up, Naraka posed as a relaxed feline, the winds leaving traces of sand in his growing mane. It was clear that the cub was well past his youth, and falling into the pre-adolescent years, otherwise known as the juvenile moments. His eyes starring right up to the blue sky, he indeed ignored the princess completly, knowing full well that no one was good enough for his attention, considering all of the royalty and cubs were quite younger than him. At least by four months from his last count.
Eyes finally snapping as the words brushed his ears, Naraka held the gaze boredly, the only connection to her from his eyes. No other movement had occured, save for the gentle rise of his chest, and none would continue until the words slipped from his maw.
"No." With that short, bored reply, the dark red and black firekin rolled to his side and away from her, dismissing her like the sands that fluttered from his pelt each time he shook it clean. A gentle relaxed sigh escaped from his maw soon after, and almost gave off the appearence of him falling into a slumber. However, while he appeared relaxed, his muscles were tense and ready to spring to motion in case the princess decided to do anything, a easy defence to move out of the way and onto his paws in one quick roll. Kolina If looks could kill the youthful male would be dead. A small growl rumbled in Koka's throat as she glared at the lesser male. He may be larger, yes, but that certainly didn't bother theyoung princess one bit. "You should learn to respect you betters." She growled out after she rounded around him to block his path. Her eyes were burning with an intense fire as tiny, sharp cub claws flexed into the sands.
Young muscles were tense and quivered under the the cubs ebony pelt. Koka knew that she was one of the most important members of the pride. She was royalty and should be treated as such but this had been the second pridal member who had treated her with such disrespect! They all gave father the title and acknowledgement he deserved and they should give it to her as well! She was after all 5th in line to the throne. She only needed to get rid of the four siblings in front of her and she'd be set. She'd be future queen for sure, especially once she proves to everyone how strong she really was. Not to mention the beauty she held. Oh yes, she'd be th emost perfect queen to rule the Firekin. Beauty and brawn, could anyone ask for more? She thought not. Final_Crucible Still on his side, Naraka's body held no surprise or fear as she rounded about in front of him. Instead, his face continued to look bored with the situation at hand. When Koka decided to growl, his ear flickered lightly before his brow raised at her words. It was at that moment, he took notice of her lavender eyes, though the flames that they held were not acknowlaged by the mutinous cub.
"All I see before me," He started, voice nonchalant as he used the words that would push her buttons, a verbal battle roaring alive, "Is a brat who thinks that her temper tantrums will gain the respect of the blood. Spare me, princess." Unconciously using her title, though clearly with the tone dirtying the privlage, he moved to his paws and gazed down at her smaller form. While she held the flames in her eyes and the passion in her form, he was simply relaxed and emotionless. Ruby eyes like emotionless depths, endless in their icy pits, they just stared down upon her, though her. Brow raising once more, he moved his shoulders back, and turned away. Once again he dismissed her presence. Kolina Naraka had certainly done it. He pissed Koka off enough (Not that pissing her off was really hard) that the princess saw nothing but red from her indigo eyes. All thoughts thrown from her mind, the smaller of the two launched herself at the other cub as he turned away from her. Claws outstretched as she attemoted to claw at his face and pin him onto the sandy ground. Her smaller form was certainly lighter than his own but Koka was throing all caution to the wind. She didn't even bother to contemplate the outcome of such an unevenly matched fight.
Koka had a lot to learn. Final_Crucible As soon as she had pounced, Naraka's ears perked as a sign that he still had been paying attention to her the whole time. Oftin as Nuri had done the same, the young lion had picked up on his mother's traits. Before, he had watched as his mother pulled off an effortless mask, one that confused others as she appeared weak. And yet, in a flash as the others attacked, she would pull out the defense and overpower them as if she were ready the whole time.
Now was the perfect time for the twin to practice that art.
Using her light weight to his advantage, Naraka let her push him down. However, as she moved in attempt to pin him, he continued the roll and shifted his weight, bringing them over so he was on top of her. Not using any sort of weapon except for his weight, he looked down at her for a long moment.
"Blind attacks will get you nowhere, Princess, and trust me when I say this. For the many weeks I have over you in age, I also have over in practice..." With that soft, emotionless statement said, Naraka pushed off of her and padded a few good yards away, letting her collect herself as well as keeping a close eye on any sort of actions she might continue to try. Kolina Koka, to say the least, was surprised to find herself pinned to the ground under Naraka. Ears pinned to her head as his words flitted through her young mind, breaking the sudden fit of rage she had but when Naraka simply got off her and began to walk away a boiling anger began to rise again.
"Humph. You'll regret walking away from me one day. One day I -will- be able to take you on and win. I refuse to allow to useless to roam within any pride I inhabit, which means you will one day have to go." Rolling onto her side she rose to her paws as sand fell from her coat, some persistently clinging onto the ebony fur but the princess didn't seem to care at that exact moment. Besides, she'd jsut get mother to give her bath afterwards.
"One day this whole pride will give me the respect I deserve! I will not settle for anything less! I will get the power that I seek. One day. And you Naraka, will be forced to suffer until I finally decide to end you pathetic existence for I do not see you ever being of any use to me." Final_Crucible A dark gaze greeted her rantings as the juvenile eyed the ebony lioness. Taking a few steps closer, his form shown with anger and boiling darkness, something that could easily strike a surprising fear in many. For the usual stotic lion, anger was not an emotion that fit lightly upon his features.
"How the hell did you know my name, wench?" The hiss was like a rolling sound of thunder, no growl greeting her but simply the angry tone of his voice. He was sick of her ranting, sick of her snobby attitude, and sick of her surprises.
"Now shut up and tell me something worthwhile, runt. I am in no mood for your petty games any longer." Stalking closer, his cubish form was showing the anger of any contained lion. Like a volcano, he was about to snap. It was his choice if someone were to learn his name, and clearly this female had broken it, and he was close to breaking something of hers in return. Possibly a bone if he was given the opening. Kolina The princess smirked at the response she got off him. Now that is certianly more like it. Now all she needed to do was try to use this cubs rage to her advantage. At the moment though, there wasn't anything coming to mind as it was quite apparent that this cub was angry at -her-, but wait...ha! There was her answer.
"How I learned your name is of my own business." She smiled sweetly at him and batted her eyes. Oh yes, this was fun! Baiting this older cub on was quite enjoyable. She really did not feel threatened by him one bit. In her mind, she could take him on. And if not, all she had to do was yell for daddy and he would come running to her rescue and give this cub a beating he deserved.
Still though, how did she know this cubs name? Oh well, she'd ponder over this one later on. She had far too much work to do at the moment. Final_Crucible His dark gaze still brooding on her own, he resisted the urge to call forth on his brawn, still knowing that that half of the strength lied in his brother. While Naraka could fight on his own, it was clear that in the angry mistake, it would be foolish for him to try. His fighting was all thought, each action worked out to the skill.
"Make sure that is the only business you hold with me," And with that, his paws turned and he started to pad back to the cave, ready to plan ideas with his brother on how to deal with the female. However, moreso he was worried that she would get an idea and follow. Making sure he looked inconspious, he just padded away as if nothing was going on. Kolina
She watched as he turned his back on her. His words still holding their threat for the young femme but she didn't seem to notice. Oh no, Koka was not going to let it end with a threat from him. With a smirk she yelled after him. "You know, you're plans will never work." A sickly sweet smile crossed her face but did nothing to hide the cruel intentions hidden in her sparkling eyes. Koka looked far from the innocent cub that the adults looked upon her as. "You and your brother will never suceed in whatever you plan for me."
(Note: Koka is unconciously dipping into some of her seer powers. Pretty much her malicious glee is feeding her innate powers.)Final_Crucible Pausing in his steps, Naraka felt the dark smirk cross his maw as he looked over his shoulder. Gleaming white fangs taunted her in the dusty light as he just raised a brow at her tauntings.
"Trust me, Princess, not even Finar-si can stop what is in store for the pride...not with the knowlage my brother and I hold. Maybe when you are older, we will let you in on our secret...but you are just too young." With a mock pout and a pretend sigh of disappointment, he could tell that she had no idea of their plans, even if she decided to be a little evesdropper. Concluding that she must be older than he thought, he knew that she must spy on the pride, thinking that she was better than the rest and had the right.
Oh how wrong she would be. Even her 'art' of 'spying' wouldn't save her from what Naraka thought would be a success. Kolina Koka just watched Naraka move away. He thinks he is infalliable. Well I will make sure to bring him down from his place in the heavens and show him that I am the only one able to be so confident and self assured with her plans. Oh yes. I wills how him. One day he will regret this meeting of ours and beg for forgiveness. That will be the day my claws sink into his flesh and my teeth rip out his throat.
With that final though Koka just turned and headed into the direction of the oasis where she was certain her family would be headed after the sand storm. She needed a bath as the sand stuck within her pelt made her itch. She was not tolerant of such an annoying sensation. Mother would take care of it. She always did and Koka said or asked.
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Posted: Thu Jun 29, 2006 7:52 pm
 Title: Clash of Brain and Brawn Place: Prideland Borders Date Started: June 29th, 2006 Status: Complete Baneful
Mrost was angry.
He was always angry in some negligable way, but recently he had hit a wall of frustration, he knew that his son was nearby, so close that he could all but smell him, but no matter how close he seemed to get, it was like trying to kill air, when he arrived there was no lion to be found.
Today he had caught the abomination's scent but nothing more, having scouted silently around the pridelander dens. But after searching them all, he found nothing, he had been given the slip again.
Now he paced on the borders of the pridelands, growling to himself, his bladed tail lashing behind him as he walked. A zebra lay nearby, shredded beyond all recognition, not eaten, just decimated by claws that could pierce most things. Thudding his paws on the ground he let out a deafening roar, glowering at his own black claws. He was god of war! Why were his senses decieving him?!
Unless his son was a ghost, there was no other explanation.Kolina A laugh echoed from the heavens before becoming more solid in nature and the audible sound of leathery appendages flapping in the wind became quite distinct. This was no uncommon, well, not for the God of Nightmares anyway. He much enjoyed watching the frustration of other, especially that of other Gods. The older ones seemed to be th emost enjoyable to observe. They insist they know all about the world, more than himself anyway, but in truth they know nothing.
"Having a bit of a problem, dear God of War?" Baku smirked as he landed gracefully upon the highly grazed upon vegetation. Wings folded to his sides with a rustling of golden chains as a chuckle escaped the young God once again.
Baku, was definitly growing. It was taking quite a while in his own opinion but he was growing none-the-less. He had lost a bit of his cubbish appearance and the scruffy white mane upon his head had begun to lengthen and grow in other places. Yes, Baku was definitly making his way to adolescanthood, but it would still be awhile until he reached teh coveted age of Adulthood. Sometimes he wondered if he wished to grow so old. If he turned out anything like the current elders than he may have to kill himself to do himself a favor. They were all naive sometimes, but then agian, mayb ehe, Baku, just looked at the world in a different perspective. They needed to look at it in a more easy-going attitude. The whole, 'we must protect and nurture the mortals' thing was really beginning to get on Baku's nerves. Why couldn't others see that they simply inhabited the world for the deities amusement? Baneful
Mrost snapped his gaze around to the source of the speech, set to tear out the throat of any mortal stupid and suicidal enough to adopt that sort of tone with him. Instead however, his slitted gaze fell upon a creature that was as clearly not mortal as the sky was clearly not an onion. Mrost didn't even bother attempting to attack other gods - with the exception of his brother- oftentimes it proved tiresome and in the long run, ineffectual.
He lashed his tail once against the ground, leaving a deep groove with his steel spikes. "What business is it of yours Nightmare?" he narrowed his azure blue eyes. "It's not like you could make any difference to my situation anyway." He walked a few steps away, taking another swipe at the carcass, making a sound like the thump of a hammer on a wall.
Looking over his shoulder, he spat "It's not as if nightmares can identify lions. Especially not this slippery little b*****d." He didn't know that Na was a Seer, nor that his nitemares were so intense and vivid as to be called visions.
Kolina "You hurt me, Mrost." He smirked as he watched the elder God kick the carcass in frustruation. "You seem to underestimate my powers." He said lazily and he laid on the ground, the tip of his tail flicking every so often. "No one can really get past my powers and each lion affected by my nightmares I can -eventually- track down. It can take quite a bit of time and effort." He yawned . "But, it's an enjoyable act now and then. I do enjoy much seeing the effects that I cause upon the mortals. Sadly, it seems I affect the mortal cubs more than anything. But there are those troubled adults who give me quite a bit of entertainment." He chuckled at some memories of those highly disturbed by the nightmares that plagued their slumber.
"Now, who is it that the might God of War seeks? Surely this mortal can't be so impossible to find for a God or are you loosing your touch in your old age?" Baneful
Mrost gave Baku a warning glare for his comment about age. On the battlefield experience was everything and only age gave that, he did not refute he was old but by god standards, his adulthood was as yet, very young. "Watch your step. You forget, my powers do not lie in petty dabblings of mortal minds. Mine lie in the purely physical destroy-the-material body realm. One which is quite effective when lions piss me off."
He curled his tail again darkly, the only real outward sign of his thoughts before seeming to decide to disclose something of what he sought.
"I am not losing my "touch"" he snarled "But what I am missing is precisely one demi god, a filthy creature which, by some means is able to predict the movements of our kind. Even you could not lay claws on him, I'd wager." he smirked darkly.
"But I will humour you and your abilities if you wish. His nightmares would be of me. I hunt him. He knows this though how I can't be sure."Kolina
"You may be able to destroy the body but the mind is a much more fickle thing and can be much more amusing once destroyed. An insane lion could become a killing machine on his own and be quite easy to control at times. So in aspect I think I have the superior of powers, here Mrost. But anyway..." He waved a paw, dismissing that topic. "You say a demi-God? Not that could certainly be an interesting hunt. I have yet to encounter such a being personbally, but I doubt even your demi-God is able to resist my powers. Everyone is eventually inflicted by my prescence on this world." He yawned once again boredly and stretched his body. "Should I feel the desire I will seek him out for you. But I do have far more uh...pressing matters to deal with. I am not going to just cut my plans to do your own job." With a final stretch of his front limbs and wings Baku rose back into a sitting position before rising to his paws. It was at this point that it was quite obvious the size and bulk that Mrost held compare to the youthful God. Baku's form was taking on a much more leaner and lanky form than the brutish look that Mrost had. But then again, as Mrost had so 'wisely' said. Baku dealt with the workings of the mind and thus didn't need bulk. His mind was the thing that needed to remain strong.Baneful
Mrost rolled his eyes "I've heard the old "mind over matter" tirade a million times over you know." he narrowed his eyes "Only those too weak to break the body resort to assailing the mind. And in the long term, you hurt many more by killing the ones someone loves than by tiptoeing around in their DREAMS." he laid his ears back. "But as you wish, assume your powers surpass all others. It is a matter of time till someone cuts you down like the child you are."
He smirked infuriatingly. "But we live and learn they always say."
"Now as for this demi god. I couldn't give a flying baboon's if you seek him out. I much doubt you could anyway, being nothing more than a fledgeling. You don't look able to find your rear with both paws." he shrugged "But if you do find time in your "schedule" -whatever you have that is more pressing, I can only guess. You and some friends play tag?- then feel free to seek him out. I'd be indebted to you by honour and nothing more."
Mrost was in a negative mood and all too often that came through in his comments.Kolina Baku chuckled. "And like all of you brawn over brains lions you insist that the mind is not near as strong as the brawn. Just remember, that your wars highly count on the strategic movementsyou create. Without them you may kill many but the odds of winning and usually slim to nill."
The young God chufted his wings causing the chains dangling from his pinions to rustle and jingle in their metallic way. "You joke and throw jests at me Mrost, but they do not bother me. As you say, I am a mere fledgling. I am use to such jests but appears as if this fledgling can ruffle a few of your feathers with his own jests and jeers." Baku smirked and shifted to look into the Pridelands. "I assume the reason you are here is because you believed this demi-God to reside here. Should I feel the desire to work away teh web of nightmares weaved throught time I will seek out your demi God. Then we shall see who is truly the fledgling eh? I mean, what God can't find a mere mortal even if he is half God?"
Baku shrugged. "I will inform you if I ever discover this mortal." Opening his bat-like wings with the gentle ring of chains the God of Nightmares took to the sky before dissapearing from sight.
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Posted: Wed Aug 23, 2006 6:56 am
Title: The Swamp Goddess Place: Swamplands Date Started: May 02, 2006 Status: Complete Meepfur The ram-horned goddess rested at the edge of the swamp she called home, laying as she was wont in a shallow, murky pool. The water came up to just under the bases of her feathered wings, which themselves lay spread to her sides, algaed pinions resting in the muddy liquid.
Mama regarded her domain through half-lidded, clear blue eyes, an idle purr finding its way up her throat. Kolina Baku found himself in the most disgusting of places he had ever seen. In fact, when he teleported there he found himself standing in a hole of muck and promptly flew to the nearest tree branch to get out of the foul smelling liquid. Why anoyone would wan tot live in such a place was beyond him but after spending a little while to see if anyone actually lived there he got sense of another God nearby. With a smirk he leapt from branch to branch using his wings to keep him balanced as he hurried in the direction the Goddess was. Finally upon arrival Baku couldn't help but cringe and wrinkle his nose in disgust at the sight of the Goddess. "What, pray tell, make you want to submerge yourself in that...muck!?" Meepfur If Mama was surprised to have her lazing interrupted, she didn't show it. Instead, she lifted that horned head to look up at her tree-leaping 'visitor.'
With a sly smile and a slow shrug of her wings, she said simply, in her husky purr of a voice, "It's very relaxing; perhaps you care to come and join me, little godling? You may find it is not what you first thought." Kolina Kimeti looked at the Goddess in disgust. "No thanks. My paws already experinced the muck and the rest of me has no desire to." Opening his bat-like wings the gentle rustle of jewelry broke the silence of theswamp as he use the appendages to balance himself as he laid in the crook of th ebranch he was standing on.
"So...You're the Goddes of Swamps I assume?" HE eyed the female deity unsure what to think about her Meepfur Her tail flicked in the water, the tuft of her tail rising above the surface, hung with some wispy plant. The goddess clucked her tongue, chuckling. "So lofty so young, you. Keep to your tree, then, if it pleases you so."
"I am she, called Mama Bwawa," she affirmed, wings lifting from the pool to flex and stretch before settling again in the coolness. "And you, child? I do not often have visitors here; I believe to my fellows I am largely forgotten, only to be stumbled over now and then." Kolina "I -will- stick to my tree's thankyou. It's much...cleaner up here." After balanced on his branch the Godling folded his wings up against his sides causing the chains to cling againt before silence settled over the swamps.
"I have heard of lands like this where the ground can swallow you up if you aren't careful and about a Goddess who watched over them." he drawled lazily as his tail dangled over the branch the tip moving calmly back and forth in a swing like fashion. "It's not surprising why you don't get visitors." He looked at the swamps as he stated this. "Anyway, I am Baku, the God of Nightmares." He spoke proudly of his titled and his chest swelled in the process. Meepfur "As you wish it, dark dreamer, but you have my word that mud would cause you no harm, here or elsewhere." Sharp eyes glinted, and she laughed, really quite amused by the young god. "Might I ask why it is that Nightmare clings so to the trees?"
"It is true, that those who step without caution here may find themselves sinking." Mama smiled darkly, giving a double meaning to her words. She would not deny that a drowning or too had been at her whim. "Few appreciate this home of mine, but it is their choice to ignore such charms." She shrugged, tail rising from the water again only to splash back down. Kolina Baku mused over how entertaining it would be to lure an unsuspecting mortal into these lands. That would be a hoot to watch! Storing that idea in the back of his mind for a later date Baku crossed his front paws and laid his head on them as he gazed down at Mama. "I stay where it's clean and that mud is far from clean."
Baku didn't want to think how long it took the Goddess to clean off her wings but then again, did she bother with such things if all she did was wallow in the muck? So maybe she's the origin of the horrid stench. A grin spread across his maw at such a thought. "So, Goddess of muck, what do you do to pass your time? Surely there are few mortals within this land for you to keep um....watch over." Meepfur Quietly, Mama entertained the idea of flinging some mud Baku's way for a bit of amusement, but for now she lay as she was, the very picture of calm, unconcerned by the baiting upstart.
The goddes raised an eyebrow at hsi twisting of her title, but didn't deign to correct him. "I do as I wish," she replied vaguely. "But yes, there are mortals here whom I call my own. What of you, little master? Do you do aught of worth to fill your time?" Kolina Baku casually flicked his tail. "The mortals fill my time for the time being. Their lives are a fun little game to play with." He yawned boredly. This Goddess was of no fun! She was far to passive and calm for Baku's liking, now, Finar-si on the other hand was much more entertaining and easy to bait. It was high time he paid the Goddess of Change a visit once again. Sometime soon. He needed to check in on his little slave anyway.
"I can only assume your mortals are just as...muck loving as you. I don't understand what you see in this land but it -is- your ruling." Meepfur "May your games never become grave, Baku, if they bring you such joy." For a moment there was a darkness behind Mama's eyes, but it soon passed. A faint smile touched her lips when he yawned; this was one individual she took pleasure in not entertaining, contrary creature that she was.
"It is their home, as it is mine. They are born to it, and long for it when they are away." She shrugged, copper-clasped ears flicking back and then forward again. "But, to each their own, as is said." Kolina Baku shrugged. He truly didn't care how his games turned out. If a mortal died oh well, all the better for the world. It would be one less mortal he had to worry about though it would mean the end of a game. Oh well.
"Yes, to each their own." He stretched his wings out as he rose. "As much as I enjoyed this visit I should be going. I am afraid if I linger any longer here I may permantly stink of rotting eggs." Meepfur "Would that be so bad?" she purred, laughing...and this time, there was a mocking undertone to it. "Something to remember me by, perhaps."
"Go and enjoy your games then, little godling, and wash your paws of my sweet mud." She gave him a fanged, feral grin as the purr rumbled to life again, dark and deep. Kolina Baku raised a brow at the lioness before shakin ghis head. Mama was certainly an odd one to say the least and Baku didn't count on ever running into her again. In fact he would prefer he didn't since he did not really want to visit the swamps again. They just weren't up to his standings.
"I will enjoy my fun. I hope you enjoy your land of stench and dirt." With a grin he dissapeared from the tree branch, teleporting to a far better land where the earth wasn't a foul smelling soup.
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Posted: Sun Sep 03, 2006 6:15 pm
Title: The Fall of the Firekin King Place: Firekin Lands Date Started: Status: Complete Dark Red= Kiu (Rogue)
Green= Kinja (Kolina)
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At first, Kiu had insisted that he was not sick. It was true that he had been afflicted with brief dizzy spells, and it was true that he sometimes felt very weak and did not want to eat, but he still didn't allow himself (or anyone else) to assume that he had, like so many others, caught the plague that was ravaging the once proud pride like a raging wildfire. However, eventually the Firekin heir was forced to accept the inevitable- he had the plague, the same plague that had killed his father.
After admitting that he had the plague, Kiu then reassured himself by deciding firmly that no stupid illness could kill him. He would simply recover. He was young and strong. The plague would not take him. He would not be pulled into dark oblivion forever, never to return to his home and family again. But while some of the lions that had caught the plague slowly recovered, Kiu did not. His daughter Kafara was one of the lucky ones- she had caught a very, very mild case of the plague, and had eventually recovered fully, immune and unable to get sick again.
The one powerful and mighty Firekin Prince, now the Firekin King, though he wasn't really in fit condition to take on the duties of this honored title, wasn't getting better. It had taken Kiu a very long time to admit that he had the plague, and it took him even longer to admit that he was going to die. He didn't tell anyone. Let them think he was going to recover. His pride needed a leader. They needed someone to believe in. The pride would most likely fall into chaotic darkness and anarchy as soon as he was gone. Let them feel at least a little secure for a bit longer.
At present, Kiu was lying in his cave. Somehow, he knew that he wouldn't be alive for that much longer, and the idea was a slightly frightening one. He didn't know what would happen after he stopped breathing, and he didn't really want to find out, but he didn't have any choice. Maybe, just maybe, he'd be able to see what was going on in his world once he left. At least, that's what he hoped would happen. Maybe, just maybe, he could watch over his pride. They needed him now, they would most certainly need him when he was gone.
Kinja had kept her cubs close to her as members of the pride grew sickly from the plague that was making it's rounds. Her tiny daughter Kafara managed to contract it as well. Taking the best of care of her little daughter the fiery hued baby lioness managed to get through the worse parts of the illness and live, but it was at that time that Kiu began to show signs of the horrible plague.
Even though Kinja wished not to leave her cubs with the other members of the pride, she knew to keep them safe from the disease they needed to be with the healthy members of the pride as she tended to their father. Kiu had only gained his position as King a scant month ago when he began to show horrible symptoms and it was obvious that the king, her mate, had contracted one of the worse cases of it. Despite warnings from the other pride members Kinja stayed with Kiu as much as possible, leaving him only to hunt to make sure he had food. Water he had been able to get, the journey was slow, but he managed to get there and back without showing too much weakness. She knew that Kiu would show as little weariness in front of the pride.
As she entered the cave that day after departing with her cubs once agian she was stunned to see that Kiu was in much worse shape. Padidng to his side she dropped to the ground next to him and placed her head next to his own. Blue eyes gazing into his own yellow. Were these going to be that last moments with him? That thought alone caused tears to well within her eyes. She had sacrificed everything to be with Kiu and to start a family with him, to have everything fall to pieces due to a plague that swept across the land. "Oh, Kiu."
"I'm not going to get better."
This phrase was not one that many would have expected to come out of the mouth of the strong, determined Firekin king. But Kiu said it anyway. He would not show his weakness in front of the pride, but he would show it in front of his mate. Kinja had always stood by him, had given him six healthy children, and was helping him now, when he needed help more than ever before. "I haven't told anyone else. But. . . I guess I owe you the truth. I'm not going to get better."
The once proud and mighty Kiu sighed and shifted his position slightly, his tail swishing back and forth restlessly. He felt weak and dizzy, but he tried not to show it. He felt so tired . . . so weary. . . . for the past few days, after Kiu had realized that he wasn't going to recover, he had been thinking about death. At first the thought of dying and leaving behind everyone that mattered to him had been scary and frightening, but now he felt his heart beating sluggishly, telling him that it wasn't going to be able to keep its rhythm for much longer.
He had realized that he needed to die. He didn't want to stay alive, weak and helpless. He knew he wasn't going to get better, he didn't want his death to drag on and on, with no beginning and no ending. Kiu would have embraced death, would have accepted it, had it not been for his pride and, more importantly, his family. Kinja and his cubs alone tied Kiu's heart to this world, as did his duty to his pride. He didn't want to fail them, but he couldn't do anything to change fate. . .
JediSerena27: Kinja nuzzle Kiu though she knew that doing so would help increase the already forming symptoms of the plague within her, but they weren't near as bad a Kiu's and more than likely were only a small price to pay for nursing her duaghter back to health and being with Kiu. The plague had festered within her own body for several days and was beginning to fade, though she somtimes wished it would take her with Kiu, but that would leave her little one's alone, and she knew that Kiu would rather her be there for them. One day they would all be together again.
Kinja nuzzle Kiu though she knew that doing so would help increase the already forming symptoms of the plague within her, but they weren't near as bad a Kiu's and more than likely were only a small price to pay for nursing her duaghter back to health and being with Kiu. The plague had festered within her own body for several days and was beginning to fade, though she somtimes wished it would take her with Kiu, but that would leave her little one's alone, and she knew that Kiu would rather her be there for them. One day they would all be together again.
"I haven't told anyone else. But. . . I guess I owe you the truth. I'm not going to get better."
Kinja winced as the mention of the word truth. That was one thing she had been hiding since the day she arrived within the pride. The truth about herself, about everything. She had been living a lie for so long, but a lie that gave granted her dreams. Could she reveal her true self without the fear of rejection? She wasn't quite sure bu t her heart told her that Kiu deserved to know before he died. The Gods would curely reveal herself to him and she felt that he should hear it from her own maw.
Lifting her head she looked down at Kiu with slightly worried eyes. "Kiu, I must confess, I myself haven't been telling you the truth from the moment you laid eyes upon me here in the desert."
Kiu raised an eyebrow (one of the few things he could raise without totally exhausting himself), looking at his mate curiously. A strange sense of foreboding crept over the dying king, and his gaze became attentive and wary. He looked her directly in the eyes, wondering whether her facial features would reveal to him some of this newly discovered mystery that his mate was referring to. What could she be hiding? What was there to hide? Yes, she had appeared mysteriously, but besides that, he hadn't noticed anything odd about her.
"Tell me."
Kiu probably would have said more, but he was beginning to have trouble breathing properly, and he needed to use his words sparingly in the little time that he had left. As he watched Kinja's taut, emotional features, he continued to wonder as his life slowly crept away from him, bit by bit. He didn't have much longer, and he hadn't really expected a deathbed confession. He could see himself reflected in Kinja's eyes. He looked tired and wan, his energy and life almost completely sucked out of him. His once sleek coat was now scruffy and ragged, and his once powerful, lean, muscular body was now unhealthily thin because of the sickness.
But he could see something else in Kinja's eyes, too. . . . pain. He could see pain there. Something was very, very wrong, and he wanted to know what it was.
Kinja rose from her spot and began pacing a bit. She could feel and hear Kiu's life slipping away with each ragged breath her took. It was heart wrenching to know that she would be leaving Kiu with a broken fantasty of what she had been but she refused to let him go without knowing the truth. Stopping in front of he she looked down into his eyes again. Her own reaching into his, as if hoping to catch the soul of the dieing lion and make it stay within his body but knew it would never be. So taking a deep breath she calmed herself and began.
"If you can, remember back to the day you traveled alone to the boundaries of the Firekin and Pridelands. It was a bright warm day with few clouds littering the sky when you met a Prideland lioness. She had a dark tan coat marked with a long line that ran from her head and down her back and she had blue eyes." She paused momentarily to allow Kiu to remember that day before continuing once again.
"Though you and the lioness were of opposing prides you both somehow grew tolerable of one another and in that short time that lioness had fallen for your Firekin charm." She smiled, more to herself then to Kiu when those memories came flooding back. That was when life was simple, or as simple as it got.
"You had left the lioness and she knew you would never accept her, not being who she was, so a day after you departed back for your pride she followed you. She left the safety of the Pridelands to follow her heart to find you, even if she knew that you would never take her in because of her blood, but the Gods had been generous to her, and after striking a deal with on of them the God changed the apperance of the lioness and explained to her the past of the Firekin as well as giving the lioness her own past that would convince the pride that she was a lost member of the Firekin. Along with the new outside apperance and history she also gave the lioness a name... Kinja."
Allowing those words to sink into Kiu she smiled sadly and looked to the ground no longer able to look at Kiu. "That lioness was me, Kiu. I am truly a pridelander and not one of the blood. I decieved you and the rest of the pride just so I could be with you. Iv'e been hiding behind the facade of a red hued lioness whom never truly exisited."
Kiu was shocked.
At first, he wasn't able to speak. All he could do was look at Kinja. (or the lioness that had been Kinja to him until a few seconds ago), astonishment written all over his features. Kiu was silent for a moment, trying to digest all of this information. It wasn't exactly easy for him to swallow.
He closed his eyes for a moment, breaking the connection with Kinja. He needed to think, and he needed to think quickly, before Kinja . . . was that her name? She must have had another one (he didn't remember it, though he must have known it once). The first emotion that he felt was betrayal. Kinja had lied to him. In fact, she had lied to the entire pride, pretending that she was one of them. What if she had lied about something else? How could he trust her? Why would she keep such a large secret from him? But the betrayal soon passed, giving way to something else. . . anger.
Kiu was angry. Very angry. Not only had Kinja lied to him and betrayed him, she had tricked him. His cubs, the cubs that he had thought were of pure blood, were halfbreeds. The pride would kill them if they found out. The pride would do to them what was done to his sister Jua's cubs. . . He was just like Jua. He had mated outside of the Firekin pride. There was only one difference between them- Kiu had not done it on purpose. Kiu squinted his eyes and tried to pull himself up, his anger giving him a little strength. He only managed to pull his upper body off of the ground before falling back down again. He was tired. . . so tired. . .
And then he remembered something else. The idea seemed rather shocking to him when it first drifted into his slightly clouded mind, but after considering it for a few seconds, his emotions changed once again. Kinja had risked everything to be here. She had helped him, she was with him now, even though he was sick and dying. She had tricked him, but she hadn't betrayed him. She was doing the exact opposite. She was betraying her own pride by being here. She'd given up her life to be with him. That had to count for something. . .
She'd said that she loved him. How could he love her after what she'd done? But. . . how could he not? How could she love him?
Kinja..no...Kimondo watched as Kiu layed there, lost in his own thoughts, but she wasn't oblivious to the many emotions that were running rampant in his mind and flowing through his eyes. It hurt her to see that look of betrayl and she turned away, unable to watch him any longer, but as she heard the sound of a body hitting the ground she turned quickly to see clouds of dust floating up and around Kiu's body. All thoughts aside she moved to him quickly, to try and comfort him.
It was so incredibly hard to be around Kiu at that moment but he needed her and she needed him. These were the last moments they would ever have together and she wanted to make sure Kiu was alright with all of this, even though it wasn't the best of times for her to reveal something of such importance. But would he have banished her and her cubs if he had found out earlier? It was hard to tell. Maybe he wouldn't have let her or her cubs live since she was not of the Firekin blood and they were halfbreeds. That thought ached her heart. To think Kiu would forget all that they had gone through together due to blood. But would he forgive her now?
As Kinja rushed towards him, concern and worry now shining in her eyes where pain had been before, Kiu realized that he couldn't possibly hate Kinja. She had been there for him. She had been as noble and as brave as any Firekin, risking her own safety and giving up her life to be here with him. It was rather stupid and foolish, perhaps, but love made you do stupid and foolish things. Kinja was not his inferior in any way. Even though it went against everything that he had been taught his entire life, he had to admit that she was clever, kind, and brave.
Kiu wanted to yell at Kinja and tell her that he hated her because she had tricked him and had betrayed him, and Kiu wanted to comfort her and tell her that he loved her anyway, and that he didn't care that she had lied to him, that he didn't care that she wasn't of the Firekin blood. But he couldn't do either. Kiu felt his heart being torn in two. For the first time in his life, he was unsure of something. Before, things had been black and white. The Firekin were godlike, the Pridelanders and the Mistweavers were simply mortals, to be looked down upon and despised. But now his black and white rules were blending together, becoming many shades of gray.
He sighed and looked Kinja straight in the eyes. "What was your name?"
Kimondo had settled herself next to Kiu, keeping her body as close to his, not ever wanting the contact to end. She layed her head down next to his once again and as he spoke his one question she smiled and leaned her head forward, a gentle lick meting his maw. "It was Kimondo... Shooting Star."
"That name fits you."
Kiu didn't know what else to say. . . Kimondo. . . he remembered now. The lioness had told him her name. . . Kimondo. . . She had told him what it meant, too, now that he thought about it. The name did fit, too. Kimondo was like a star.
Kiu realized now just how much he loved and needed Kinja- no, Kimondo- beside him, especially now. He didn't have her for that much longer. He needed to let her know that he still cared. He did not know if he could forgive her. There was a lot that needed forgiving. But he had to tell her that he still loved her.
And so Kiu took in one last, ragged, shaky breath, and spoke his last words. "Take care of our children. The pride will k-kill them if they find out. . . . Save them. . . ." He paused, closing his eyes as he pressed his body against Kimondo's, trying to savor the last seconds he had with her.
Kiu felt his life slipping out of his grasp, but he didn't let go yet. He had to say one more thing. . .
"I love you. . . Kimondo.. . . "
He loved her. He loved Kimondo. Not Kinja, Kimondo.
And with those last four words Kiu, King of the Firekin pride, died.
He loved her for who she was, not for the lioness she was hiding behind. And as those last words left Kiu and his body left the last of his breath leave tears fell from Kimondo's eyes as she wept openly for Kiu...her mate...her lover.
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Posted: Fri Dec 22, 2006 10:40 am
 Title: Secrets Revealed Place: Graveyard Date Started: 12/22/06 Status: In Progress
Kimaria33: Hakan growled deep in his throat as he shifted away from the graveyard outskirts and from that female he had taken as his mate. He used the word 'mate' loosly. In fact the two were hardly ever loving now. They were fighting more than ever before and it irritated Hakan that she would hardly let him see his cubs. Mbaya had told them he was a friend, a friend!? Like they would ever believe that, not when they fought and snapped every time they met one another.
Hakan had always been a family lion and he had intended to be very much a part of his childrens' lives. Yet so far he was a stranger to them and it killed him inside. What would they think of him when they learned the truth? He wouldn't blame them if they wanted nothing to do with him but it would hurt.
With a sigh he slowed his gait, kicking at a nearby bone to send it skittering across the ground. It's dull sound echoed around this deathly place. A place that he was coming to loathe. Even the pridelands was better than this dump.
X Dramatic Ash X: Kimondo'Arista had fled from her mother and her firned when the dark grey lion made his appearance. She didn't very much like him, not with the way her and mother always fought. So, instead of sticking around and growing angry at the transgressions of the two, Kimondo had decided to go have some fun. The graveyard was riddled with all sorts of hidden trasures, one just needed to know where to look for those treasures. A little digging and pushing her way through the skeletons that lay in heaps on the ground revealed some interesting creatures and other odd bones that Kimondo had trouble deciphering what it had been.
Skidding down a rickety backbone of a large elephant, Kimondo barely took notice of the lion that was just about to pass by it. Giggling on the way down she just noticed her mother's 'friend' right when she flew into him, her tiny body bouncing off the older lions much larger and well built frame. Shaking her head slightly to get her mind in order after the impact, Kimondo looked up and practically sprung into action. She lowered the front half of her tiny body, tail flagged in the air, little teeth bared and a young growl rising in her throat. She knew this lion fought with mother, so she was taking no chance with him.
Kimaria33: A small growl rumbled from his throat at the sudden contact and in the next second he had whipped around to face his adversary. However, the moment he spotted little Arista his expression softened and he stepped back. "Watch where you're going there, don't want to hurt yourself." His caring words were spoken awkwardly as if he wasn't quite used to saying them. "You better hurry back to your mother. She'll probably be worried.
Hakan would normally have given anything to be with his kids but now he was faced with the prospecct he found himself frightened. What was he supposed to say? What was he supposed to do? He remained still, waiting to see if she would do as she was told.
X Dramatic Ash X: Kimondo raised a brow at Hakan's soft works and she raised her stand a bit, though she was ready to bolt should she feel the need. "I'll go back to here when I am good and ready." She stated matter-of-factly as she looked at the grey male. "You're the reason why I left anyway. I hate hearing you and mother fight all the time. I am not sure why she'd want to be friends with someone she argues with everytime her visits." She huffed, tail still flagged in the air as she studied Hakan. "And anyway, why do you car eif I get hurt? You never seem to care about me or my siblings any other time, So why start now?" She countered, blue eyes gazing up at him fiercly.
Kimaria33: His ears drooped slightly - perhaps in shame - and for a moment hje seemed lost for words. Here he was facing one of his daughters and he couldn't do anything but lie to her. Would Mbaya be mad if he told her? Would it even matter? His tail fell to the ground with a loud thud and for a moment it looked like he maent to turn and leave. Then finally as if coming to the end of some great battle in his mind he set his blue eyes upon her and spoke.
"Me and your mother...we're not friends really. Even a child like you can tell that. Friends don't hurt one another. Every scar on my body was gifted to me by her." He snorted, "just as every scar on her body is from my own claws. We hate each other and yet we are drawn together. A kid like you wouoldn't understand." He winced at his own words and how heartless they sounded. Was this anyway to talk in front of his daughter?
X Dramatic Ash X: Kimondo rolled her eyes. "I figured you weren't friends that's why I wasn't sure why you both kept meeting one another." His explenation was far from anything she would have expected and far from anything she understood so she just ignored it. Afterall, she didn't want to show this lion that she didn't know what he was speaking of. "Once I am big enough I'll be able to protect mother from you." She said proudly. When that day comes you will regret ever hurting her. I am sure all those scars you have are well deserved."
Kimaria33: Tears? Were there tears in his eyes? His daughter reminded him so much of himself, so very very much. "That's good." He replied, lowering his head to peer at her. "You must take care of your mother because she is a very important lioness. Take care of your family because when the world is cold they will be warm." He sniffed and wished he could tell her. Tell her that he was her father.
But could he? Could he really speak?
"I'm sorry I make your life difficult and if one day you do decide to avenge the pains I caused your mother...then feel free." His words were sincere.
XDramatic Ash X: Kimondo cocked her head to the side and quite plainly spoke her question. "Who are you? Mother wouldn't have you around just because you're both drawn to each other. There has to be something more.
Kimaria33: His breath caught out in his throat and then finally he gave a deep sigh and reared back his head. He was a collossal lion with a great, thick mane and bunching muscles. He was a fine specimen of a male and of the warrior he had always strived to be.
"Do you really want to know? Things might never be the same again? You may be better living in ignorance." If he told her...if he told her then what? He wanted to keep her from the life of a warrioress, away from Mrost and from the pain that fighting could bring. He had sold his soul to war but he did not want that lfie for his children. Perhaps he was fighting the inevitable, but he had to atleast try.
X Dramatic Ash X: "Of course I want to know! I wouldn't have asked you if I didn't want to know." She rolled her eyes again with an exasperated look. This lion was apprently blowing things out of proportion. Simply telling her who he was couldn't affect her as greatly as he was implying.
Kimaria33: "Fine." He growled, "the only reason I put up with your mother, put up with her screams and her claws is because I wanted to see you and your brothers. I don't want to abandon you because it's not in my heart to do it." He stared at her as if he could hardly believe he was saying it. "I'm your father Arista'Kimondo, happy now?"
X Dramatic Ash X: To say Arista was shocked would be an understatement. Eyes grew wide and she took a few steps back from her...father unsure what to do or say. This lion couldn't be her father! He just couldn't! Not with the way he treats mother. But...Reson in the back of her head screamed that it had to be so. Why else would he be around so much? Why else woul dhe and mother right over...us? Why else does she herself bare some of his physical features?
"I don't understand. Why...why would mother keep you from us if you're our father?"
Kimaria33: He looked at her expression with a sorrowful face and sighed at her question. "Because she hates me, why else?" He lowered his gaze. "Our relationship was a mistake, one moment in time led to her becoming a mother. I tore her independance from her because she could not hunt or do as she pleased when she was pregnant, nor now because of her responsibilites to you."
This was probably a rather mature conversation he was having with Arista, but somehow he felt as if she would understand. There was an intelligent look about her, one that he found familiar. Arista's behaviour was not unlike his own. "I'm sorry Arista. It would have been better if I had stayed away, but I have a sense of duty to look out for my family no matter what. I will bare the scars your mother gives me if it means seeing you grow up and being able to watch over you. I grew up without a father...I know what it's like."
X Dramatic Ash X: Arista huffed. "I might as well not have a father with how much I ever see you or interact with you." Ears pinnded against her head at the thought. "What good is it having a father when you don't even know the lion visitng constantly is your father an dyou think of him as an evil lion set on hurting mother." She scoffed. "I don't do much with mother either. I just entertain myself everyday. I might as well not have a family right now but I just can't find it in me to leave them. Not unless I knew that they would never be hurt."
Kimaria33: Tears welled in his eyes as he listened to her words and after clearing his throat he spoke again. "You are so like me it's unbelievable. You really are my daughter." There was pride in his voice now, pride that was unmistakeable. "I am sorry for how things have turned out, but now that you know, perhaps we may see each other more often? Unless you'd prefer not too. Who knows, we may find that we get on well." He blinked. "This is such a terrible situation for you...I know."
X Dramatic Ash X: Kimondo looked up at Hakan with her blue eyes which were so much like his own. They held a sense of hope and was it...love in them? It was hard to tell but it Kimondo was quite certain that she wasn't going to pass up such an oppurtunity. She would finally have a chance to know hew father and understand him. She'd have another parent figure to run to when the time came that she needed aid. "I am glad you like how I turned out without you." She said before smiling up at him sheepishly. "I would love to see you more often. I want to get to know you. I want to spend as much time with you as I can." She sighed and looked to the ground. "I wish you could stay here or I could go with you." She looked back up at him. "I know that if I went with you that we would visit often so I wouldn't have to worry about them so much. And maybe...maybe I'll be able to find a way to protect them for good if I was able to travel around the world instead of being stuck here among a pile of bones."
Kimaria33: "You will definately learn to become stronger in this world if you travel it. I have been far and wide and learnt many things." He winced, "but there comes a time when you have to chose, chose between your own life and those of your family. It does not hurt to be selfish. I made that choice. I gave up everything so that I could help those I loved and though I am glad I made that choice it has also made me hollow somehow." He shook his head and laughed, "but listen to me, you probably don't understand a word I say." He decided to move onto more happy things. "I live with my mother, your grandmother, and my brother and sister. They would love to meet you and yoru siblings if they wished to come."
X Dramatic Ash X: "I want ot travel! I really do! Can't I come with you? I have nothing to do here. I have no friends besides my brothers, please let me come?" She looked upa t thim with pleading eyes. At the mention of more family it gave the juvenile more leverage to throw at her father. "I'll be able to meet grandmother and the rest of my family! I'll get to be with you and get to know you. Please, let me come."
Kimaria33: How could he possibly deny that? Tough Hakan would always collapse under his kind nature when family was involved. His little daughter, his perfect little daughter. She was the apple of his eye and he knew now that no matter what he tried to do he could not say no.
"Of course. It would make me very happy to have you with me. Grandmother Kinja would love to meet you. She will be very happy to know you were named after the stars she seems to love so much."
X Dramatic Ash X: Kimondo's eyes glistened as her father agreed to take her with him. "I can't wait to meet everyone!" She squealed excitedly and for the first time in her life, Kimondo found herself rubbing herself against her father's legs and side in appreciation and love.
Kimaria33: And in that moment everything seemed to fall into place. Arista had filled a gap in Hakan's heart that had filled his days with torture. Now with his daughter at his side he felt a new strength. He had someone he could teach, aid and ever protect. If she was close to him he could watch over her and keep her as safe as he wanted.
"I am glad." He whispered, daringly lowering his face to nuzzle the top of her head. Now all he needed were his other children.
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 2:29 pm
Title: The Chosen Place: Prideland Date Started: December 20th, 2004 Status: Complete Mila Farrell A critical eye watches the happy little family, roving restlessly over the group. Fascinating...quite, quite fascinating. It's time - the cubs have started to grow up, out of their babyhood and into the impressionable stage in their lives. If she puts it off much sooner, she won't be able to mold the child...but if she had done it too soon, she would not have known the temperments of the children. It is time for the goddess of the avians to make a critical decision...that may well effect the future of the Firekin pride. Oh, she thinks, bemused, ...the irony. Killing the hopes of the gods by building up the strength of their own pride - amusing, to say the least.
That is, if any of the children look promising enough. If not...well, if not, Hestia always has the alternative plan....
The bird lightly catches a current, and her shadow lingers over the forms below as she dips downwards. Sunlight glints oddly off of her ebony-colored feathers, catching the light and then throwing it back tenfold. The effect fades, however, and a black sparrowhawk - a very overly-large black sparrowhawk - settles down in the sand near the family. Hestia's ironic, wicked, flat eyes shift towards Kinja.
If birds could only smile...she would be. Lenta Kavuasi's ears flattened against his skull as the soft pnt of Hestia's landing reached them. He twitched visibly, then turned his head, narrowing his eyes in a glare at the ugly black bird that had seemingly appeared from nowhere. Of course, he would have realized she had flown there, had he taken the time to think about it for a moment. Instead of thinking, he stood, his neck hairs bristling.
"Who're you?" He growled, rolling his shoulders back. "This is Firekin land, don't you know. You're trespassing." shia-san Kijinga looks over quickly as the bird lands on the ground. her expression quickly changes as she looks. her eyes widen That bird! she shifted her weight as her eyebrows narrowed ...that bird... a low, very low, growl is emitted from Kijinga's throut as she looked at it. she remembered how the bird and herself spoke. it was.....lets say not a very good impression on kijinga's part, but she at least saw another animal on her venture. she crouched over, peering up at the creature, slightly amazed, and angered. she sat, watching the bird. W-why....was it here?Kolina As a shadow danced across teh sands and over herself and her little ones she looked up to see the form of a feathery creature. She smiled, thinking it was merely the crow that she had spoke to earlier. Turning her attention back to her little ones she was caught by surprise when the familiar form of the Goddess Hestia appeared within the edge of her vision. Snapping her head, her body soon after Kinja stepped in front of her cubs in a protective stance. "Hello Hestia." Even if the Goddess had been the one to grant her wish Kinja wasn't too happy with the idea that she may take away one of her children. She had long forgotten about the deal she had made since before she had her cubs. Now the rush of memories were coming back.Kimeti was about to rush to inspect the new creture when his head came into contact with his mother's paw as she moved in front of him and his siblings. He rubbed his poor offended nose and sneezed in the process but as he looked up at his fiery red mother he was surprised to see how tense she was. Looking over at the bird he cocked his head to the side and studied the hawk. What was different about this bird compared to the others that his mother didn't seem all too happy to see it?
Deciding he would find out Kimeti moved to slip around his mother but was stopped in his tracks when his mother craned her neck to look at him and his sisters. He knew that look, it meant not to move cause they could be in danger. She had done it before when they were younger and in hiding in the den. But what threat did this bird have towards them? Rogue Roxness Kafara turned. Pulling away from Kavusai, she stared at the bird, observing every inch of it, committing it to memory. She stayed as still as she could, watching all the while with that far-off look in her yellow eyes. . .
Her mother did not seem pleased with the bird.
Hestia. That was what her mother had dubbed the creature. Hestia. She would have to remember that. Kafara had learned since infancy that watching and waiting always paid off. Unlike Kavusai, Kimeti, and Kijinga, she stayed calm and she continued to stare at the bird.
She was curious, just as curious as her siblings. But she wanted to learn more, and the best way to learn was to listen. Moofuls Kwana had listened in silence throughout her mother's speach, smiling sweetly all the while, but inwardly bored out of her mind. The cub completely tuned out Kinja's words, thoughts wandering. Kwana saw no point in listening. If she wanted to wander, there was nothing Kinja, nor any other Firekin, could do to stop her--at least, in the cub's mind. She had no idea the size of theFirekin lands, confined to the thicket as she'd always been, but already she knew it was too small. Too small for the pride, too small for her. Kwana intended to see that it was much larger by the time she was an adult.
A shadow over the land caught her attention, and her wandering eyes finally settled on the hawk, glinting faintly with curiousity. She rose to her feet, ears flicking back towards her mother with the greeting. Realizing this was no ordinary bird, she calmly ambled over to Kavu, nudging his shoulder with her own. "Stop being rude. This is a guest." Mila Farrell The newcomer's beak twists, strangely, and her eyes glitter. "Afternoon, Kinja." There's a slight emphasis on the name, and her voice drips sultry sarcasm. Her gaze briefly slips over the surrounding children, and she chirps softly, somewhere in the back of her throat, hopping forwards a few feet to inspect the children at closer range, wings pulling back to rest against her sides.
"Your children are growing, I see." The statement is said with wolfish pleasure. "Not a one lost to sickness or predators yet - I congratulate you. Introduce me, if you'd be so...kind." If Hestia could purr, she'd be purring...there's definately something cruel and deathly cheerful about her manner. Her head turns towards Kavuasi, chortle dropping from her beak. "Saucy thing, aren't you? What's your name, kitten?" Lenta Kavuasi snarled, leaping to one side as Kwana brushed against him. His own sister... Going against the horrible intrusion that had been commited?
"How could you?" He hissed at her, lowering his head and baring his teeth. "She doesn't belong here! You know that!" Then, he realized he had been spoken to. Puffing his chest out, he turned back to Hestia, his snarl molding into a toothy grin.
"I'm Kavuasi, firstborn son of Kiu and Kinja of the Blood... Miss Hestia." He put a growling emphasis on her name, and raised his head, a confident air settling over him. There was no way this bird would try anything on Firekin land... Not only that, but once she knew who they were, she'd be more respectful. Hah! Stuff that, you old moldy black... thing! Moofuls Kwana snarled right back, tail lashing behind her. How DARE he speak like that to her!? Anyone with half a brain could see that this bird was important, lesser creature though it may be, and here he was making a complete fool of the lot of them! Kwana's scathing reply was cut short when her brother answered Hestia. After a short while, she relented and sat, watching through narrowed eyes, more than happy to see her brother make a fool of himself once more. Kolina Kinja lowered her head to Hestia as the bird spoke to one of her sons as her paw moved in front of Kavuasi after he spoke. "Now you know my first son and if you really must know the others they are Kafara, Kwana, Motomilia, Kimeti, and Kijinga." As the names left her maw she nodded her head to each of her little ones indicating which one was which.softly, "What are you doing here Hestia?" She said as she lifted her head and stepped competely in front of her cubs. If anything was said about her real self, Kinja didn't want her little ones to hear. Kimeti grumbled about Kavuasi acting the little heir he was as he plopped his rear-end into the sand forcefully but as his mother spoke his name, his ears perked up and he puffed out his chest proudly. He watched his mother step toward the bird and got a bit, angry to so say. Why were they being left out of the blue? It wasn't fair! The bird was apparently interested in them. Mustering up his courage to oppose his mother he leapt past the large paws in front of him and appeared right in front of his mother and Hestia. "So, what do you want here? My mother paprently doesn't want you here." He spoke, his head held high, proud of himself for standing up to the intruder. Rogue Roxness Typical males.
Though she was quite attached to her brothers, Kafara would never have stood up and snapped at Hestia in an attempt to be bold and foreboding. She, like Kwana, watched, though not for the same reasons.
Kafara was not jealous of Kavusai in the slightest, even though she knew that Kwana was. Kafara could sense the animosity, the hatred, between the two all too easily. Kwana hated Kavusai because he was heir, even though she was the oldest. Kavusai hated her for hating him.
And so they bickered.
Kafara watched.
Kafara always watched. shia-san Kijinga sat up she had heard her other siblings speak. but...she had nothing to say, she had spoken to the bird earlier, and she wasn't quite sure if there was anything else she must speak of. she just looked on, her eyes narrowing. it seemed that her mother was...protecting us? was this bird that bad? hmm her small mind began to turn, the hamsters starting to work harder. something....was wrong was this bird....going to...hurt one of us? or....take...one....of us? she rose her head, flicking her ears fowards as her maw curled into a small smile. if she's....going to take someone....or...even take them to kill them....that would mean...they would be able to see the outside.....the lands in which we all are dieing to see...... ...yet, but what if this wasn't what she was here for? either way, she would sit, tail flicking about....silent..... Mila Farrell "Interesting names," Hestia says, not bothering to look at Kinja until she views each of the children in turn. However, she seems intent on keeping Kinja's real identity a secret - even from her children. It wouldn't do to have them know.
Pointedly, one eye twists back towards the lioness, wickedly dark. "To fulfill our deal, of course, my dear. You didn't think I'd forget, do you?"
"Two cubs...their futures decided will be...until the land of flame and fire is swept clean," she says, in a singsong, odd voice. Her expression is vague, as if she were concentrating hard on...something else. "So it has been decided." And, at that, she hops lightly to the side, to approach the children.
Ignoring Kimeti's statement, she snaps out at the cubs, collectively: "What do you know about your goddess? Your religion?" Rogue Roxness "Finar-si," Kafara said, almost in a whisper. Everyone heard anyway. When Kafara spoke, anyone nearby heard, because she spoke so rarely.
"Finar-si is our goddess. We worship fire and heat and the desert. And water is a sign of weakness."
That was all Kafara knew. And, after saying what she knew, she sat back down. Now, she would watch again.
She needed to listen more. She had already gained valuable information. Two of the cubs would be chosen for. . . something. She had to know more. shia-san Kijinga looked to Hestia, her eyes making a confuse shape. D-Deal? about us? she looked to her mother, she made...a deal? about us!!! she growled softly, looking at Hestia once more. goddess? religion?she spoke, questionably. 'N-no. i do not....' she then spoke again 'And what is our religion?' she stood now, tail flickering, nose flareing. why did this...this bird know so much. but she stopped herself. she remembered asking this before....but yet, she still, for some reason, wanted to what...no who was a goddess. 'Why do you ask us these questions? as if, we should already know?' she peered to her mother, almost accussing her of not telling them....her about this non-sense. Lenta "That's right. Finar-si." Kavuasi echoed Kafara quickly, his ears still flat. He didn't answer her second question, about religion. He had no idea what that was. But, from stories his father, Kiu, had told, he knew about Finar-si. "She's the mother of all Firekin, as well. ........why? What does it matter?" Now Kavuasi was angry. This bird, of all lesser creatures, was quizzing them on something that they didn't care about! Not only that, but Hestia had said something about choosing... He tucked her words away, his ears slowly easing out of their flattened position. What was going on? Kolina Kinja sighed and bowed her head in deafeat, allowing Hestia full access to her children, but all the while she kept a close eye on the Goddess. She didn't want anything to happen without her knowledge.Kimeti stepped next to Kafar and nodded. "We're the better pride out of all the others!" His eyes shifted from Hestia to Kafara, wondering why of all times she would decide to speak so much. None the less, it was nice to hear her speak more. shia-san Kijinga blinked, and suddenly felt over-whelmed with embarassment. why did they know! did mother tell them? why didn't she tell her?! why! or...did they just know....because..they just did.....she sighed, now sitting again, growling. mother must have told them...and not her, it was her only solution....but...it must also be her fault since of coarse she wandered off one to many times... Moofuls "Aye, Finar-si's ours." Kwana shot her sister a glance of mild respect, memories triggered by the youngest cub's statement. She could vaguely remember a few other names, but they didn't seem important at the time. Oh, what were they... "But there are also four other names. They're not important, though." Lenta "Firekin is the only pride worth being in." Kavuasi said, flashing Kimeti a grin. He usually couldn't STAND his brother... But it was true. Firekin was the best. And his pride for his... pride... kept him from snapping at his younger sibling. In fact, it seemed the only sibling he kept -true- company with was Kafara... Possibly because she didn't have it out for him. After hearing Kwana speak up, Kavuasi bristled, wrapping his tail around one of his back legs.
"There aren't any others. Finar-si's the only Goddess. Who gave you that stupid idea?" He grumbled loudly, straightening himself up so that he looked bigger. Stupid sister... Moofuls Kwana blatantly ignored Kavu's 'Proud perfect heir' speech, lapsing back into thought. She was sure there were other names...but at the same time, there couldn't be, right? Finar-si was theirs! There were no others. She blinked twice to clear her thoughts at Kavu's query, glancing up to her 'oh so perfect and strong' brother. "I....don't know." She seemed honestly confused, and now rather embaressed by her outburst. The cub shrugged boredly, sneering at ther brother to cover it up. "Maybe you just don't know about them." shia-san kijinga snickered at her brother. she had said that too. yet, she hadn't ever seen anything else, so she knew no better. but, as far as she knew, it was...she looked to the bird. why was it so silent? Mila Farrell
Approving eyes turn towards Kafara and Kavuasi, then to Kimeti, and finally towards Kwana and Kijinga. Now, the harder question: "Do you believe in your goddess? And what do you think about rogues - and the Mistweavers?" She says, beak stabbing against the warm air. Much depends on the answers. She's looking for two completely different children, here - and it looks like she'll get a wide range from this bunch.Kolina Kimeti looked at Kwana then Hestia. "I am not too sure about the one goddess thing...but who knows?! There may only be one, but... there's always the possibility there's more! Like our desire to have adventure. There's always the chance that we'll run into more creatures and lions that we had never known existed. You can't enjoy what you don't know. As long as you enjoy yourself why not do what you please? That's what Rogues do...right?" He smiled at the thought and looked at the large dune that was his last barrier to freedom before turning back tot he group. As for the Mistweavers... well... father hates them but mother doesn't seem to mind really." he shrugged. "I can understand them.... in a way... Even us Firekin NEED water to live, thought we don't depends on it as much as they do so I am not too sure why we think water is a weakness if it's one of the things we need to live, lust like food." Lenta Biting back a sharp retort to Kwana's comment, he perked his ears at Hestia's question, then laughed. Although, after his laugh, he regretted having said anything. Finar-si... Was she real? He had never seen any signs of her, never learned anything more than that Finar-si existed... What proof was there? He ignored his fears, however, and plowed on.
"Of course she's real." He answered, a sarcastic tinge to his voice. "And as for rogues..." Well? What DID he think of Rogues? He had never met one before. Or... had he? There was that one cub, the little female. "...they're just there. We avoid them, or kick them out." There. That sounded good. "And Mistweavers!" Oho, from what the other lionesses and his father had told him, the Mistweavers were horrible. "Weak little things. They worship water, did you know? Silly, stupid creatures." There. A full answer. He unwraveled his tail from around his leg, looking very proud.
Now, the question was... Why was he so proud of answering a... bird's... question? shia-san Kijinga looked to Hestia, she...really didn't know of her goddess. she shook her head. murmuring slightly 'i know....very little of my goddess...so...i have a hard....time beliving in her....even though, as i hear from my siblings, she seems real.....' she spoke low, then grew louder with ease. it was true, she was just telling the truth. but she suddenly felt as though that her 'Firekin' blood had been crushed. she had just.....said she didn't belive in her goddess! she then heard the next question, about the mistweaver, rouges....WHO?! she pondered. rouges must be...loners? she sighed at her lack of knowledge...she should have stayed, she would have atleast known more about these questions. but, suddenly she felt the no need to answer to this bird. she didn't know who she was other then it was Hestia....but, mistweaver....sounded much like a land....not a lion....or anyother animal. she thought for a moment. mist, as in water mist? and weaver....hmm....she wasn't sure, but she knew it must be a water land. possibly? she looked to the side, almost ignoreing Hestia. she whispered 'i know nothing of our land, nor our history....our gods or goddess's.....i dont know of other lands, other animals...nothing.... i dont belong.......she let out a low gurgle sound as she was now angry with herself. she could just run now....away from this, she wouldn't have to worry about this 'talk' of goddesses, and religion.... ((neh, one more hour till i have to get off! *whimpers*)) Rogue Roxness This was important.
Very important.
If it hadn't been, Kafara would have remained silent. But, this Hestia wanted to know, and eventually, Kafara knew that she would have to answer. "Father says that rogue lions are bad. He says that the Mistweavers are bad. He says that Finar-si is omnipotent."
Kafara's use of the word omnipotent was actually lucky. She had heard her father use it in the same context, and had made a wild guess. However, the two most important lines in her speech were 'father says'.
'Father says'. Not 'Kafara thinks'.
"Rogues. . . Sometimes, I feel like I am one. You can go anywhere in your head." Kolina Kimeti looked at his brother and sisters in thought before thinking. "As long as a Rogue enjoyed himself I don't see what's wrong with being one." He stopped momentarily to think about his words. "I'd be one if I knew I'd get to see the world, especailly that green land that the crow spoke about earlier." SHe looked at her mother then to Hestia as he spoke this.Kinja hung her head sadly as he little ones let loose on their feelings and thoughts. She felt somewhat betrayed but knew that they were growing and that it would have to be expected they would want to see the world, but she had stopped them, in fear that one of them may grow to be exactly what Hestia wanted, but what if... what if she had formed them into what the minor goddess wanted and hadn't realized it. Moofuls Kwana allowed herself a smug smirk when Kavu didn't answer, and even flashed Kimeti a faint smile in thanks for his support. However, she gave up attempting to remember the names with the bird's next question. "The Goddess does exist." That was not debatable. The cub shot a quick glare to those who disagreed, then continued. "Rogues are there merely to serve us, they just don't know it yet. We have to...teach them. Mistweavers are weak and stupid." On this, she actually agreed with her brother. "Water worshipers... Pah, they're pathetic. Their lands will be ours someday, I'm sure. I'm surprised they aren't already. Grandfather must be weak." The cub wasn't sure if this statement were treason; how could it be, if it was true? Either way, she didn't think she was in any danger right now, and she knew mother wouldn't tell. Mila Farrell Well, one was easy to chose; or not so easy. Because of the questions asked, the bird finds herself in a bit of a quandry. Devotion is one thing - intelligence another. All depends on a choice...
The black sparrowhawk glances up at Kinja, eyes glinting. "I've made my choice," She says, flatly, before hopping over closer to the lioness - and speaking softly enough that the children nearby cannot hear. "The girl - Kwana - shall be the heiress." A glitter of eyes. "Make sure she's taught well." But not too well. Hestia's confident that Kinja's attitudes towards her new pride will allow the cub to remain slightly distanced from the pride - and the pride's religion.
Her eye rolls to Kavuasi. "And I will take that one for my own purposes. Explain to him that he's to come with me, and say your goodbyes. I shall be back in a few minutes to collect him." With that, the female dips her head, ironically, to the children. "Learn your lessons in religion well, my brood - outsiders are not to be trusted. There are those out there that will come to challenge your privilaged position in life - and you will soon learn that the desert cannot support very many, my princes and princesses." She takes off again, in a 'whoosh' of feathers, to land nearby on a dune-hill; watching, always watching...and waiting, expectant. Lenta Kavuasi stared, speechless, as Hestia looked towards him. That eye.... horrible, glittering eye... It scared him. This bird... What was going on? She was looking at him. Looking at him, and talking to his mother.
"Mommy?" Kavuasi whimpered, turning to face Kinja. He was trembling visibly. "What.... What's happening?" He could put on a show, when needed, but... He was still a cub. And he needed his mother at the moment. Kolina Kinja looked at Kavu, tears brimming in her eyes as she padded over to him and pulled him into an embrace. She couldn't believe that Kavu would be going, the thought of loosing him, or any of her cubs was horrific and there was nother she could do. Wait...there was something.
With tears running down her face she looked up to where HEtia had dissapeared. What if she refused to give him up? Well, one thing for certain she would loose her identity as Kinja and become Kimondo agian and loose her life with Kiu, maybe even her life. But she would easily sacrifice herself for her cubs. Kimeti looked at his mother, KAvu and then Kwana. What was going on? AS he sat and pondered the whole thing stuff began to piece together before clicking. His brother would be leaving to start on a new journey while his sister would have a life chosen for her as the heir and he, Kimeti would be stuck in Limbo as nothing more than a mere Prince, unable to do anything but hide behind the beliefs of his pride unless he did something about it. Lenta "What did she want, momma? Why was she looking at me?" Kavuasi whispered, nuzzling his face into his mother's fur. "She asked so many questions..."
It had started to click into place as well. The bird wanted something with them. She knew their mother, and had done... something... And now his siblings and him were taking the weight. Or... something along that line.
"What's going to happen to us?" He swallowed, wrapping his tail around his lower body. Daimyn ((Bwah! Sorry! I'm here. Mom took the computer away until our house was clean. Which it isn't, but we're both tired. xD; )) Motomilia had cowered beside her mother the during the entirity of the hawk's visit. There was something about the bird she didn't like, made only more real by her final words. What did she mean, she would take her brother? What would happen to him? What about him becoming heir, and eventually King to the Firekin Pride? It all confused and astounded her. Looking up at her mother's eyes, she noticed tears trickling down her face -- which only upset her more. Whimpering, and with tears brimming in her own eyes, Motomilia ducked into Kinja's embrace, huddling as close as she could to her mother's and brother's bodies. Kolina Kinja licked Kavu's head them looked at Moto as she snuggled in. "Hopefully nothing. Kavu, I need you to stay here with your brother and sisters, alright? I wam going to go talk with Hestia." She nudged Kavu one last time before padding out of the clearing in search of HEstia. Once sure that she was far awya that her cubs would not hear she claled out for the bird. "Hestia!" He voice rang through the air around her.Kimeti allowed himself to ponder over things as he sat on the ground. Thinking of what he could do to make a future for himself or at least ensure that he would feel as if he had done the right thing. Moofuls Whispers, secrets; Kwana frowned. Something important was being said, she knew, but exactly what, she had no idea. The bird had looked at Kavu... Kwana surpressed a scowl, sinking down on her haunches. Whatever was said would concern Kavu. She was made doubly sure of the fact when Kinja returned to them--and went straight to Kavu. Well, this obviously didn't concern her any longer. Yawning boredly, Kwana stretched out, watching her whining brother out of the corner of her eye. Not so brave now, eh, Kavuasi..? Now that you're in the spotlight... Lenta Kavuasi huddled up against Motomilla as his mother left their side. He hadn't gotten to know Motomilla as well as his other siblings, but at least she wasn't biting his head off, right?
"Alright..." He murmured, long after Kinja had left. He'd stay here, sure. At the moment, he didn't care to move. He was shellshocked. Something had happened, and it involved him, and he wasn't so sure he liked it. Mila Farrell The black sparrowhawk looks up, expression dangerously quiet. She doesn't move from her spot on the dune, but rather waits for Kinja to come to her, head ducked slightly, like a vulture's. She says nothing as the lioness comes up to her - merely watches, as the daylight seeps away. Night is soon to come, and Hestia is impatient to be off. Kolina Kinja growls lightly as she approached Hestia. "I want to revoke the deal! I can't let Kavu go! I don't car if I loose my life because of this, I want him and all the others to be able to live out normal lives! All this secrecy is ruining their lives and killing me inside! The thought of hiding my true self from Kiu, it's eating at me every day! I can't go on with the deal! My cubs and I will flee before I allow you take one of them!" Her voice had started out loudly but as she continued it grew softer and into a more threatening tone. This was her decision, she didn't care what happened to her form now on. Let Kiu find out, let her cubs find out, at least she would be free to tel the truth and her cubs might be spared. Rogue Roxness Kafara no longer needed words.
She padded softly forwards, and cuddled up against Kavusai's other side. She didn't know what was going on, but she did know that she loved her brother. Yes, loved. She loved him. Very, very much.
And he needed her.
She didn't need to tell him that it would be alright. She didn't even know if it WOULD be alright. All she knew was that he needed love, and love was the one thing that she could give him.
Even if it was only for a little while, she'd help him escape. Mila Farrell Hestia looks at her impassively, and waits for her to stop ranting.
"Did it ever occur to you that your children will lose their lives, as well?" She quips, flatly. "Kiu cannot afford to let them live - it is not his place to. Makadari will kill the cubs, or Kiu, or desert them and they will starve to death. It will not only be your death, but the death of your children. If you had any brains in that head of yours, you would've realize that. You have no choice. You made a deal with a goddess - and a goddess does not take deals lightly." Her voice is chill, frosty, yet horribly practical. She shrugs one feathered shoulder. "It's up to you. I can take the guise off of you - and you and your children can die a slow death. They will not get far before Makadari would catch up with them - or one of the Firekin lionesses. Either you let one go, and live, and the other five cubs survive and live normal lives, or you all perish. You will not make it out - I can get to Makadari much quicker than you can get out of the lands." A twist of her beak. "Or did you forget that I was a goddess, lioness?" Moofuls Kwana's eyes narrowed, scowling disgustedly at her siblings. Oh, yes, let's all dump even more attention on the poor whimpering Kavuasi, shall we? Really, it was pathetic. Her smile quickly faded to a faint smirk, and she climbed to hre feet, sauntering calmly towards her siblings. "Aww, don't worry, Kavu. I'm sure there's no reason to be scared of that bird. Everything will work out perfectly, just watch." Daimyn "Stop," Moto whimpered. She could be brave, usually, if she wanted to, but now certainly was not the time to put on a show of bravado. "Please. Fighting isn't going to help anything." Mila Farrell "He won't die, if you're concerned about that," Hestia says, impatient with the mothering attitude Kinja is displaying, and snappish because of it. "Nor will he be enslaved, or anything so ridiculous - he will be my strong right paw. But he will never see you again, except from a distance. He will be lost to you - but rest assured, he will be well taken care of." She figures she owes that much to the lioness; she understands the feeling, at least a little. Are not all the things of the air her children, in some way?
"I must go, before the sun sets. I do not want to have to wait for a sleepy child, Kinja." Moofuls "If something like this were happening to me, I'd figure out what was actually happening, then find a way to use it to my advantage," Kwana snapped in reply, rolling her eyes. "Of course, eveyone must always be waiting on you hand an foot, so it's right that you're shaking with terror. Anything for attention, eh?"
Abruptly, she switched her attention to Kimeti, sneering. "Mother and father can't control us forever. No one can, unless you let them. If you was to sulk and pout and let everyone walk all over you, by all means, I'll be joining them. But no one will rule me." Kwana didn't think Moto warranted a reply. She wasn't fighting; she was stating the truth. Kolina Kinja nodded and walked back to the clearing, head low. She padded up to Kavu and gently picked him up after telling the others to stay and behave. She carefully padded up the dune agian and stopped midway between the clearingand Hestia.
"Kavu, sadly, I made a mistake in my past and my mistake is costing me...us of loosing each other. I am so sorry that this had to fall on you, but I feel that out of all of you, you will be able to handle this the most."
She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself so as not to alert Kavu more.
"You will be going with Hestia and you won't be returning. I am so sorry about this Kavu, but I promis you'll always be in my thoughts and I can only hope that I, your father, and the rest of your sisters and brother will be in yours. " She licked the side of his face before nuzzling him. Once sure that she had conjured up the strength she picked Kavu up again and padded to Hestia and placed him down in front of her. Kolina Kimeti got up and walked to his sister after his mother took Kavu away. "Really! WHO was the one that taught you all about the Firekin and their ways!? You can't tell me they didn't make you what they wanted you to be. Can you REALLY believe that's we're the BEST pride? The more I think about it the more I doubt it. I am sure there is another pride out there who thinks the same as us. How can we continue to live lives that focus around who is better or not!? Now Kavu is gone because of something that is going on around us that we don't understand but I ams ure we'll be told something to just make us believe everything is alright." Lenta The next few moments happened quickly. He felt himself tensing up, ready to fly off the handle at Kwana... And then he was being picked up, and talked to. No. No! He couldn't leave, not yet! He hadn't said goodbye!
"Wait!" He screamed, dashing away from Hestia as soon as he was set down. Without thinking, he ran back to the clearing, tripping over himself as he went and ending up, face down, in the grouping of his siblings. He sputtered, picking himself up, then stared at all of them.
Kwana.... She hated him.
Kimeti... He didn't care.
Motomilla... Worth a goodbye.
Kijinga.... Had always been cold.
Kafara.... He'd miss her the most...
So, he slipped himself back in between his two sisters, and quickly nuzzled them both. He would leave... But he'd say goodbye first. So he did.
"I love you..." He whispered, though it was aimed more at Kafara than Motomilla. Both of his sisters had been there for him, that was true. Kafara had stuck the closest, though. He then slipped away, head lowered and tail between his legs, sulking back to his mother and the bird, Hestia. Then, with the most dignity he could muster, he sat down before the black sparrowhawk and did his part, like...
Like the perfect little heir.
Like momma's perfect son.
"I'm ready."
Maybe Kwana was right. Maybe he was an attention hog. But he'd get his mother out of this, one way or another. Mila Farrell ((And I'm off for tonight, too...*dead* xd Night all! biggrin And thank you for the roleplay!))
Hestia watches, devoid of emotion, as Kinja finally concedes and brings the cub over - and further watches as the child rushes back, towards his siblings, to say his goodbyes. His selective goodbyes. Her gaze is stone. Perhaps it would've been better to take him younger. But then she wouldn't have known - and personality is important. And she is not so much of a fool as her fellow gods and goddesses to underrate the necessary assets of compassion - she makes good manipulative use of it.
"I hold our debt fulfilled," She says, eyeing Kinja quietly. "I wish you a happy life." What's left of it. For Hestia intends to destroy the Firekin...which may well destroy Kinja and her family afterall. But that's not good to tell the lioness. Let her think herself safe as the future Queen.
For the moment.
She nods grudgingly at the child, then takes to the sky, flying low to the ground. "Come, boy - we have a long ways to travel." With that, she takes off...southwards, into the desert, with her new little charge.
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Posted: Fri Apr 04, 2008 2:41 pm
Title: Return of a Prince Place: Firekin Date Started: May 1st, 2005 Status: Incomplete Kolina
Kinja sighed as she paced the den which she and Kiu had inhabited. She had yet to resign as reigning queen, but the pressure was on her. She knew she would not stay as the leading royalty, but she didn't trust the other lionesses either. The times of Kiu's father's reign was still embedded within the other lionesses minds and his ways would always reign dominant for them and she didn't want to go back to such a life of fearing for her young ones or any newcomers who may stumble upon the pride.
Stopping near the back of the den she allowed herself to plop onto the ground, causing swirls of dust and sand to billow up and around her body, settling either back where it belonged or onto her red pelt. Tail twitching slightly her mind wandered to her son, Kimeti who had wandered off a few days ago when he was suppose to be out learning how to hunt. Maybe, if the little prince was lucky, he found a land where he could live in harmony. He was getting mature, and his interest in lionesses would begin to rise, but there were no lionesses within the pride that would interest the young male. Maybe, he finally decided to enjoy the world beyond the desert.
A stray fly buzzed around her ears, causing the appendages to twitch subconciously to keep the pest away. Gazing out the entrance of the den Kinja watched as a breeze blew past, picking up sand in its wake and pushing the grains along. There was no sight of any of the other lionesses or her daughters. Rising, she padded towards the cave's entrance and peered out. She was growing quite hungry and the need for something to eat was ever growing.
Her chances of taking out a large animal would be very slim, especially by herself, but maybe her luck would run high today and she would come across something she could sink her fangs into. After stretching her body from head to toe she stepped out into the sweltering heat. The change in temperature was quite drastic from the shade to the sun's territory, but Kinja had grown use to it by now. With a yawn she hurried out into the desert to search for some kind of prey that would appease her appetite for the time being.Thalion Mwali paced accross the sand at the head of the small group. When he had left he'd been as lost in the desert as a fish would but he had the meomory enough to find his way back to his pride's lands. He knew their ways as well though he had never really accepted them as his own. As a young cub he'd never been taught his father's ways nor had the morals of the pride impressed into him because in Makadari's mind he was no more than the spare paw in case his older brother was slain. He'd lived his life with the luxury of a firekin royal - pampered and spoiled. His belly had been rounded and his days full of sleeping lazily in the shade of the rocks and thorney thickets of the desert. When he had left he'd been a massive lion like his father but nearly as wide as he had been tall, lazy, helpless, and bratty.
Returning he was nothing like the brat princeling he had been. His bright green eyes carried a flaming determination to them but also a thick sadness as he returned to his pride's lands. His bulk was now all nearly muscle and bone rather than the tubby flub that his years of pampering lazyness had left him with. His mane shone healthily rather than carrying the dullness that it had been before thanks to years of living in a dust-swept land. His behavior had also changed. In escaping he had to trust his life to cubs and a cheetah to lead him from the desert to the pride lands, he'd been humbled. He now was more like a large cub than anything. His greatest joys were playing with his adopted siblings, learning to hunt from his pridelander mate, and overlooking the green lands he had longed to see all his life. He'd left to find love, to find a life with meaning, never dreaming that his powerful and proud brother would die and leave him the throne.
He doubted that his father had considred that a possiblity in fate.
He knew nothing of the old ways but didn't believe in them, he carried inside him the last of the pure blood among the firekin males though that secret would remain hidden until thehalf-blooded heirs to his brother were large enough to fend for themselves if he couldn't change the ways of his blood thirsty pride. A task that might cost him his very life.
A trator Kimeti had said, the pride saw him as a trator to them for leaving. He had no life among them. The females couldn't see past his brother nor would he have wanted them to. He'd been lazy, weak, and bratty. When he had hit adulthood he found himself longing for a mate, for companionship. By then none of the females would have him. He'd heard the slaves speak of a land with golden lionesses and green lands and he'd freed them and himself from the firekin- finding the pride lands.... and Koho. His mate, the one lioness that had stood out from them all, the one that had put aside the differences between prides to care for him when he was wounded and teach him how to hunt though he still had quite a ways to go.
Mwali paused atop a dune of sand, his eyes looking out accross the desert as a slight breeze caugh his blazing make up around him. The lionesses would be out at this time, they'd be hunting in the cool of the night hidden in the shadows of the dunes. They were still far from their boarder, but not too far for the one named Waka- she was always patrolling the sands. A lump in his throat formed as he turned to the others, his expresion had saddened dramatically, "If something happens, I want all of you to run. They won't be happy to see me." Lightning Shadow X The adolescent winced at the hot sun that wavered on his dark pelt and creamy mane, his pendant glinting in the dessert sun as he walked over mound and mound of golden sand turned bleached by the sun.
At Mwali's words one of his ears flicked to the red male, his light violet eyes looking to him before he padded to his side and listened properly, however he wasn't too happy at the words before he gave a confused stare at him.
"But Mwali they'll ki-..." He then saw the saddened look on his face and his ears flattened against his skull, he then gave a respectful nod to the older lions wishes, if he wanted them to run he wouldn't stop him...but running when a friend needed you most? The thought made his stomache churn.
"Alright...but you better be okay!" He said sternly, almost like a younger brother as he looked at the male with concerned stare. MidnyghtIce ((It's night time btw everyone, Thalion had it a bit in his post, and we talked about it earlier in the pridelands, just so everyone is on the same page)) As they had been traveling, Koho had noticed that Mwali had remained particularly quiet. She couldn't honestly blame him however, the possibilities were endless of what could happen and many of them she would rather not think of. Thoughts and images of when Mwali had first come to the pridelands had raced through her mind. Teaching him to hunt, caring for his wounds, falling in love with him. They were all memories she would treasure for as long as she would live, which she hoped would be a long while with her mate, however nothing was for certain. As Mwali slowed atop this last dune, the femme's amber eyes glanced up from the desert sands. She had hardly noticed when they had crossed over from the soft grass to the slippery sands, but they had now. Glinting eyes looked back just once, to see the waving grasses in the background, then turned forward as she stood just behind her mate's shoulder. They must be a sight to see, she mused to herself silently. It was almost as if she could feel the thoughts of her lover, buzzing through his mind. Her heart ached to aid him in his troubles, but she knew there was nothing....
Her body felt the air pulse with emotion as Mwali turned towards the group, and spoke for the first time in a long while. Afterwards she almost wished he had just remained silent. Hadn't they already spoke about this? She couldn't live without him and she couldn't live with knowing that she hadn't assisted him. If he died, her soul would die also. And a lion without the heart to live wouldn't. In her heart she knew that the others shouldn't hear her questioning Mwali's decision, so she didn't. A note was made in her mind to speak with him later, she wanted him to know that she would stay, she couldn't leave his side, it would destroy her. A soft purr came from her throat, to ease the mood, and she lovingly rubbed her muzzle in her crimson prince's mane, "Whatever happens, I will always love you." A soft whisper, she wasn't even sure she had said it, but it was true whether or not he heard it, it always would be....Thalion  Mwali smiled softly, catching the concern in Koho's tone. He knew she'd not leave him alone, she'd follow him in secret no matter how early or late he rose, no matter how hard he tried to sneak off. The others were sure to follow in one manner or another. It was worrysome in thge respect that he cared for all of them and hoped that their coming here wasn't them walking willingly into their own death or back into slavery. But it was comforting to know that he had such good friends, such a close family. An odd family in many respects but a family none the less. He no longer had much of a blood family left, and even if they did he believed that one could chose who they called siblings and what not. "I won't give into them... I'll fight if it comes to that. I think we're all assuming the worst..." He smiled a bit, "But hoping for the best. And that's at least something."
Moving forward again he forced himself to relax, turning his eyes up to watch the sky. If the gods and goddesses were watching he surely hoped that they'd be on his side, that they'd approve of the love between him and Koho, the union of the pride lands and the firekin, and that they'd protect his small family from the rage of his old pride. If you're listening... please give me strength. I don't know if you intended for this to happen, intended for my father and brother to leave with only me- the weakling prince -to take the throne of your pride. If this was your purpose please... please help me. Give us strength, keep us safe, and open their ears and minds.
He moved his large body to walk beside Koho, his large shoulder resting against hers. He wanted to feel her there, feel that he wasn't walking into his fate alone. He wasn't sure his prayer would be answered. What a mess this had become. He never wanted to return. He'd been accepted as a pridelander and that's where his heart was now. The large head hung low as he walked on, the mane covered his face as he thought. Lords and gods he wanted them safe, wanted to be strong enough to keep them safe. He'd promise them a life of freedom when they had helped him escape. Doomi The soles of Jasiris paws burned as she walked alone the flaming sand, but she was used to it already. Her dark coat attacted the sun, making her fur wet with sweat. But she didn't care. Her mind was on other things. She Stepped up beside Mwali, making sure the others where out of hearing range. "Brother." She began. "If anything happens, let me come with you an Koho." Her voice was stearn and serious. "I am strong enough to fight, if need be. Let the younger ones stay behind and out of danger. Taka will take care of them, but please brother, let me protect my family. " Her eyes shone in the sun, staring deepley at Mwali, her necklace thumping aginst her white chest as she walked on. "I am almost an adult, I can defend myself well against enemeys." She let her speech drop, giving Mwali time to reply. She had to fight. She knew it. She would rather die than risk her familys well being. Tuele and Taka were strong, but still quite young, and she would hate to lose the ones that saved her. And Suku...he must stay behind too. He was no fighter, and to lose him, would devestate Jasiri. Yes, they all needed to stay behind, and she, fight for them, and for the Firekin's future. Kolina 
All the thoughts were being jumbled within his mind. He wanted to believe and trust Mwali, but could he? No, no, that was grandfather talking, but would father trust him?
Glancing to the starlit sky Kimeti searched for any sign that his father would help him solve the many doubts and jumbled questions in his mind. "Why aren't you here when I need you the most?" He muttered quietly to himself before allowing his head to fall and hang as he continued to follow the group.
Kimeti barely registered that Mwali had paused, stopping sbruptly to stop himself from running into Koho. Darting his head tothe side, hung low he wandered past them to continue on the journey home when the breeze that floated around the group caught Kimeti's attention. Stopping half way down the dune, the youth raised his head and sniffed the air again before turning his attention to Mwali and the group. "Mother isn't far."Xally
Teule stayed between Jasi and Mwali, Taka bringing up the rear, ears tweaked behind her. Teule's paws had been toughened by his training so he was only at a slight discomfort at the hot but cooling sand. A smile had been on his face while they had traveled but now he could feel Mwali's tension. Teule sat, feet upwards ina childish manner. He listened to Mwali but scoffed in annoyance and nudged him in a comforting manner. He frowned.
"Mwali, whatever happens, we stick together. I may be young but I'm no coward."
Taka nodded wryly in agreement, giving Mwali a light smile. He knew as well as her that they weren't the type to run from a fight. Her tail batted the sandy ground, her sharp features relaxing a bit as she sniffed the scentless air. The sky was huded a deep blue, endless and speckled with stars. Her father had taught her never to run from a fight. She had only disobeyed that command once. When she had lost her cubs to a pack of hyena. Don't you ever run from a fight, she had told Teule while training him. I won't he said, and of course, that ivory grin, full of courage and caring, grew on his face.
Thalion Mwali turned his head slightly as Jasiri spoke to him, his dark ears rotated forward to listen to her. Smirking a bit he contained a slight snort of laughter. Soon everyone else was voicing their stubborness towards his request that he be left to face the firekin pride alone. "Bless and curse you all." He chuckled, lifting his head up once again. A faint smile had come to his worry-stricken face as he reguarded them one at a time. Even his little brother Teule wished to stay and fight if it came to it. "Very well then. All of us are stubborn as anything... and we love eachother for it. Let's leave it at that." Taking a deep breath he turned to his young nephew, walking himself ahead of the small group. Poor child... he wondered if the young cub trusted him at all, wondered if once they were back in the firekin lands what he would say to Mwali's defense or otherwise. He still had the scars from the cub's claws on his leg, he had such bitter words to him then it had frightened Mwali. Such words of hatred coming from a cub- and cubs were normally only a ripple of what their parents and those around them thought. He wanted to avoid a fight. He didn't know how to fight well- play fighting was simple enough but he'd never killed anyone in his life, never torn into another lion's flesh or bore his teeth into bone and muscle. The very thought tied a knot in his gut. Even as he walked forward he was very tempted to turn back around and leave his pride to their fates.
But that would be sinking to their level and truely betraying them. "I want to avoid a fight." He said softly, "At least stand at a distance so I can try to talk things over with the lionesses. Surely Kimeti's mother will be to our defense. She... knows a great deal about our situation from a more personal perspective." MidnyghtIce ((Whew, you guys are rping fast! whee )) A delicate smile crossed the golden lioness's features. What a noble lion her prince had become. As Koho felt pressure on her shoulder, she returned it. It was indeed comforting to feel the lion of her heart next to her. A light sigh escaped as the others spoke their protests to Mwali's request. What would come of all of them? They were walking into certain death and refusing life! Well... all death is certain if you really think about it. These heart-warming thoughts entertained her as she looked across the deathly desert. Her head nodded slightly in agreement. The brave lion did not always wish to fight, sometimes preventing events is more courageous than actions themselves. A distance... Interesting concept. But how would Mwali know how much of a distance she was at if he couldn't see her.... She hated to be dishonest to her mate, but for the greater good, especially his good, he couldn't know where she was anymore than the firekin's did. With this in mind she gave one more light kiss to his cheek, rubbed her ears against his darkly marked shoulder and slipped back behind the rest of the group. She would be able to watch all from here, and slip away less noticed....((OMG! short post today, my apologies.....)) Lightning Shadow X ((Where Koho go? eek ))
Sukutu's ears where flattened as he looked up at the star studded sky, one of the tufts of fur then turning as he heard something, only to turn his head to watch his foster mother trying to slip away from the group, he then slowly backed away himself before following to an extent.
He was about to say something, looking at her curiously, what was she doing? Didn't she want to come aswell? But...then again...maybe she wanted it to be this way, maybe something was wrong with her...or...without a second thought on the subect he slowed down to her speed and looked at her.
"Koho?...is anything wrong?" Kolina
Blue eyes turned to the heavens where the world of previous kings looked down upon her. Each glowing light the soul of some king long lost to the mortal world, at least, that was what was told to her back in the pridelands. She believed it with all her soul though, and knew, somewhere up there, a new light had been lit for Kiu. Her eyes burned as water filled and she quicklyburshed the wetness away with the back of her paw. Kiu wouldn't want her to shed anymore tears for him.
A gentle breeze blew past her and she turned her head into, enjoying the feel of the cooler wind. Turning her attention back tot he way she had come, the acting queen sighed, knowing she should return to the pride and her young ones, but was unwilling too at the moment. She wanted time to reflect as herself and not have to worry about keeping up appearances. So, deciding she would enjoy the night, Kinja layed on the cooling sand, her back enjoying the feel of the grains under it as she returned to gazing at the sky.Thalion Mwali paused as Koho moved back from him, his head turned to watch her for a moment. He looked slightly confused but remembered that Kimeti had smelt his mother nearby. Of all the lionesses, Kinja was the very least of their worries. She had been a pridelander herself, she would probibly reconize Koho and Sukutu even. But that didn't go to say that the others weren't nearby and that wouldn't make for a very good situation at all. She was going to hang back for the moment. Nodding to her he turned back about and continued his slow walk forward. He looked almost sick, his gut twisted and knotted around itself. He felt like he was carrying a belly full of stones. His long tail drug behind him, his head lowered a bit, vibrent green eyes watched his paws move beneith him. He paused atop one of the dunes, nearly jumping at the sight of a red pelted female lounging at the base of it. His composure soon returned at the reconization of her. Kinja.... thank the gods that she was the first they'd meet. Forcing a bit of a smileback to his maw he cleared his throat, "Kinja....", he said softly, moving slowly down the side of the dune.
He would look different than the round belly, spoiled, bratty prince she had known. He was more toned, his belly was far more lean, and instead of the arrogant snotty look he had a sad and fearful look to him, "I came as soon as I could..." Kolina Kinja had been enjoying the night sky, only being disturbed when a small scorpion had made itself known by trudging up her side, but she quickly took care of the small pest with a flick of her paw. Stretching out her limbs she made herself quite comfortable and was beginning to doze off when a familiar voice spoke from above her. "Kiu." She muttered softly to herself as her blue eyes flew open only to see...well, not Kiu.
Rolling onto her side, she quickly got to her paws, eyes narrowed as she looked at the lion in front of her until realization finally hit her. "Mwali?"
As the lion spoke, a smile spread across her face. "Mwali it is you." She padded up to him and welcomed her mate's brother by touching her forehead to his own until a worried look spread across her face and she pulled back. "But what are you doing back here. Surely you realize how dangerous it is for you to step foot on Firekin territory again?"
Thalion "I know...", He said sadly, shaking his head, "Gods slay me and spare the hell that my return will bring but I heard about what happened... and....", he sighed, falling back onto his haunches, "I have a responsability... to my family, to my pride. I couldn't ignore what happened and go on living in paradise while the pride faded. Without a ruler they'd...." He shook his head. He had never wanted to be king, he was never intended to be king, even then he wasn't sure if he even would be. He had no intention of ruling all his live, however. Just long enough to set things back on track. He'd willingly hand the throne over to Kimeti bue he didn't want to leave without the pride knowing the truth about the situation, the whole situation. "...Kinja, tell me... am I walking into my own death?" Kolina Kinja sighed and sat back down on her haunches as Mwali spoke. "It's hard to tell really. I am sure the lionesses who have served under your father will not be pleased at all to see you, but they are only Waka and Walii. As for my cubs...it's not easy to tell. Many of my daughters are with Waka and Walii a great deal when it comes to hunting. Kimeti...well, Kimeti has been acting a bit strange since his father passed away. I doubt you'll have to worry about him though, he has been gone for several days now. I only hope he found himself in a better place than here because at the rate the pride is going, it won't last much longer. And you know I am unable to do much about it. When Waka and Walii pass away or leave then the Firekin will be practically gone. You'll be the only pureblood left."
Flicking her tail Kinja sighed and turned her gaze to the sky. "I am glad Kiu isn't around to see his beloved pride in such a state." Kolina Kinja sighed and sat back down on her haunches as Mwali spoke. "It's hard to tell really. I am sure the lionesses who have served under your father will not be pleased at all to see you, but they are only Waka and Walii. As for my cubs...it's not easy to tell. Many of my daughters are with Waka and Walii a great deal when it comes to hunting. Kimeti...well, Kimeti has been acting a bit strange since his father passed away. I doubt you'll have to worry about him though, he has been gone for several days now. I only hope he found himself in a better place than here because at the rate the pride is going, it won't last much longer. And you know I am unable to do much about it. When Waka and Walii pass away or leave then the Firekin will be practically gone. You'll be the only pureblood left."
Flicking her tail Kinja sighed and turned her gaze to the sky. "I am glad Kiu isn't around to see his beloved pride in such a state." Thalion "The firekin line ends with me." He said slowly, lifting his head up slightly, "You and I are more alike than I would have thought....for we both fell in love with one from another pride." He hoped she wouldn't be upset by his decision. Even if she did grow upset it was hardly her place to judge him for such a thing. He loved Koho, she was everything he had wanted and he had left in the first place to find love. He'd found everything he had wanted there in the green lands. He'd found the golden lioness of his dreams, a loving and gentle companion. He'd found friends in the companions that he had left with, he'd found a paradise, and he'd found a purpose. Now it seemed he had to leave all of that behind, all but Koho and his newly found family. They had followed him and promised to remain with him until they drew their last breath. In return he promised to defend them and keep their freedom with his own life.
"Kimeti...", he shook his head a bit, moving his paw so his sister in-law could see the scars left on his hind leg from her son's claws, "He's much like his father was in his youth. Very traditional in his thoughts. It will soon be time for him and his siblings to know the truth. A trator I was called, for leaving.... for falling in love with a pridelander. This bickering between prides is simply foolish and it needs to end. This matter over pure blood is just as silly and it will end. My heart belongs to a pridelander." MidnyghtIce 
Her thoughts and eyes traveled to the rest of the group. Those amber orbs that were said to be the key to her soul looked upon them with a loving but worried look. "I think it would be best if we all stayed here until Mwali finishes his conversation. If he needs our help we will of course intervene, but we must do our best not to aggravate the tension between these two prides. We are much like embassadors in this mission after all." She nodded her head slightly, pale face turning back to watch her love with his new companion. Or old? Much information was yet to be provided. She would need to snag Mwali aside one of these many hours they would be spending on errand. A soft spell of happiness crept into her heart. There would be other things on her mind if she could find true alone time with her mate. After all, they still had to make their union official. She had never had true cubs of her own, just many, many adopted ones. Love would always been in her heart for Sukutu and her lost daughter, but more cubs would be good for the pridelands. Perhaps bring the numbers of the legendary pride up a bit more. Kolina
A amile spread across her face as Mwali spoke of this golden lioness. Like a school girl she thought back to the pride and tried to think of which lioness it could be that had captured Mwali's heart. She was going to start rambling off names when her son was brought up.
Looking at the marked flesh on Mwali's paw a frown crossed the lionesses face. "Kimeti did that? I would have never thought he would fight another, let alone a lion who looks ot be in as good a health as you Mwali. But...you're right. The bickering between the two prides have to stop. The only way for the Firekin pride to cotninue on is to forget all their ideals though...that may be the toughest part for some of them."
Wanting to get off the dismal subject she ooked at Mwali before grinning and circling him nonchalantly. "So tell me, which lioness of my past pride had caught your attention?" She stopped in front of him and sat and pondered. "Well, besides myself there were only four other lionesses that were not spoken for. I highly doubt that Wingu would have caught your attention so that narrows it down to either Mwinda. Koho, and Sarafina. So...who is it?" She purred softly the tip of her tail twitching in anticipation.Thalion Mwali smiled, puffing his chest out a bit as the lioness circled him, his eye brow raised up a bit as she inquired as to which lioness had chosen him as his mate. "Well... she's strong, smart... she was very hesitant at first but she had the patiance to try to teach me how to hunt. She laid with me when I was wounded and helped to dress my wounds." He chuckled a bit, standing himself up. "Perhaps you two should get re-united. They're just behind me." He turned and made his way back up the dune, smiling to the group, "It's alright. An old friend of mine. Kimeti- it's your mother."((Small crappah post but my brain = teh fried)) MidnyghtIce ((hapens to all of us)) A brow went up as Mwali returned to the group. The lioness had appeared to be circling him, which had never been a good sign to Koho, so the lioness had stood and readied herself to defend her mate. As chance would have it, it sounded like the two were actually friends! How strange this land was with it's shifting sand and shifting lions. Koho took a step forward and rubbed her sleek head through her red prince's mane. "All is going well so far I take it?" Her amber eyes caught his and attempted to hold them and to read any deciet her love could attempt. She understood that he might not want all to hear bad news, but he shouldn't dare to keep it from her. A smug smile crossed her face as she looked past his well-muscled bulk to the lioness in the sand, "Who is she dear? Old friend can be interpreted many different ways...." When mention was made of the relationship between the mystery lioness and Kimeti, the amber gaze averted itself to the young cub. Such hate was hidden in his posture and gaze, she certainly hoped that it would not be retained as he aged. She had always found that such feelings only solidified if they stayed with the lion through his or her life.... Such feelings did not deserve to solidify in such a hopeful offspring.Doomi Jasiri followed quietly behind the others, waiting patiently while Mwali confronted his sister-in-law. She sat down, her violet eyes traveling over to Kimeti. She woundered what he thought of being back home, now that he had a slightly new view of things. She smiled at him, and nuged him in the side. "Arn't you going to say hi to your mom after being away so long."[[Short blob of a post also x___x Didnt know quite what to do yet. I really need one of those picture things for Jasi, it would make my posts atleast a little more interesting to look at xD]] Lightning Shadow X Sukutu meanwhile stayed near Jasiri and Kimeti, watching the red lioness carefully, she smelt familiar, but only to a point.
If Mwali was being truthful, then it was possible that this scarlet female could very well be a Pridelander lioness, he didn't let on that he believed this to be so mind you.
He had become strong, the only way to get by the other Firekin lioness' was to show no fear, stand up to them and make sure nobody got hurt...especialy not Jasiri. Kolina Kinja had no doubt in her mind that she knew the exact lioness that Mwali described. As she followed the lion up and over the dune to meet with the group her thoughts were confirmed at the sight of Koho. A smile spread across her face as she watched the group. Many of which were somewhat familiar, especially the dark hued youth...yes, now she remembered. The young one was the cub she had hidden from Makadari.
Glancing around the rest her eyes fell upon a familiar form who looked quite unsure of himself. Cocking her head to the side slightly she walked up to Kimeti and licked the side of his face, causing her young one to look up from the ground and to her. "Kimeti, have you seen the land of green?" She knew upon seeing the Pridelands and the way the lions and lionesses interact there would cause Kimeti to be confused. She herself was slightly lost when she had arrived here. The Firekin didn't and still don't interact in such a loving way with one another.Yellow eyes turned up from the grains of sand they were so focused on at his mothers loving lick. She seemed...happy. He thought for sure that she would be furious with him for leaving the pride, but she wasn't. As she questioned him his mind wandered back to the land he had just previously visited and nodded. "Yea I saw it. It was just like you described it, though I don't care for hte king much." He muttered the last part quietly. Kinja chuckled and nudged him. "Mufasa is a wonderful king, Kimeti. Maybe you two just got off on the wrong paw." Turning to the group again she padded over to Koho and sat in front of the lioness. "It's wonderful to see you again Koho. It's nice to see that you haven't changed, though to fall for Mwali here is a bit of a surprise to me." She teased softly as she nodded her head toward the lion. Thalion ((sorry guys, it's another one of those test/project-heavy times that you just can't seem to get through with creativity intact. crying ))
Mwali sunk a bit as she seemed to find his romance as a bit of a joke. Of course... he was expecting a bit worse from the rest of the pride. It wouldn't be a joke to them, it would be an insult, a crime, and an act of trechery to add onto what he'd already done. To him - it was pure, beautiful, and well worth risking all this for. Koho had filled everything inside him that had been filled only with greed, selfishness, and sorrow. The life of the desert wasn't for him, and neither were the lionesses. Their cruel, cold hearts held love only for their pure blood and their tradition. Both were silly and dangerous to their own survival. They'd die if they refused the help of other prides in such times. Without a full grown male to defend them, the pride was open to invasions from rouges- rouges that might have worse ambitions for their fate than they already had ingraved into their minds. Then what would they become? He sighed a bit, smiling proudly as he lifted his head, "I don't think a more perfect lion roamed that land... and it's more than an honor for her to have chosen me as a mate... hell, it's an honor that she looked my way at all when I first came into the land."
He chuckled, moving himself over to stand beside Koho, his great head rested on her shoulders contently, purring affectionately. "She's given me everything I've wanted out of life...."
He then glanced to the others, smiling softly, "And now I have a family.... little brothers and sisters, a new mother, a mate, and perhaps in time cubs of my own." He chuckled again, "If the gods allow that is." MidnyghtIce A slight blush of crimson peaked from the confines of Koho's cheek bones. Mwali described her as much more than she had ever thought of herself. She had kept to herself, hidden behind her duties and been strong for the pride so she hadn't had to deal with emotions. Now she was happy with the result of peaking out of her shell. Her eyes lit as memory flooded back to her, she had met this lioness before! Kinba? Tinja? What had her name been.... "Kinja!" That was it, "It's very pleasurable to see you again also. To be honest it was a bit of a surprise to myself also." A playful bat was given to Mwali's shoulders. She had honestly not thought she would ever fall in love, and look at her now!
As Mwali's crimson head rested itself on Koho's shoulders, the gold lioness looked back to her love, his bright green eyes seeming to reflect all the stars in the night sky, along with a bit of gray light from the ever-approaching dawn. The thought of cubs had crossed Koho's mind before.... Mufasa she knew would be quite alright with it, since the plague had wiped out a good section of the pride's numbers he would even likely be thankful. But what about Suku, how would he feel about cubs coming into his adopted mother's life. Not adopted like him and his sister, but true birth cubs. She didn't want him to think she was shutting him out in anyway, he was a good lion though, he wouldn't think that, would he? A slight shake of the femme's head dismissed this thought immediately from the forefront of her mind. A little smiled appeared on her features as she looked to Mwali, then Kinja, "The ancestors will decide now won't they..."Kolina Kinja chuckled and shook her head at the two lovebirds. Oh yes, they would make quite a pair. Sighing softly her thoughts wandered to Kiu which made her heart ache terribly. Oh, how she missed him. Just to have him by her side again would make everything perfect as it had once been. Looking away from the two to he young Kimeti she smiled softly. Her little one was going to have atough road ahead of him depending on which path her decided to take. If he chose to back up the pride against Mwali then she herself would be against her own son. If her chose to stand with Mwali then he may also be cast from the pride...a pride that was slowly dieing.
Turning her attention back to the group she watched them for a few more minutes before voicing her question. "How soon do you want to get to the Pride den?" The question was more directed to Mwali than anyone else, but the others were just as much involved in this as the Firekin prince.(Sorry guys. I 've been lacking in creativity as of lately. sweatdrop ) Thalion Mwali's expression melted from the love-stricken, adoring look that he had whenever he and Koho managed to find time to cuddle and became one of rough seriousness. The situation at hand was quite a matter indeed, one that required a lot of thought and care. Truthfully he wanted to drag his heels and take time in getting to the pride but time was something that both sides were rather short on. The travelers were no doubt weary, thirsty, and hungry from their trip. He himself looked a bit shabby from the gusts of sandy wind and long days of glaring sunlight and scarce water. The pride was slowly fading, the longer they went without order the harder it would be to speak them down and hopefully come to some middle ground. His ears rotated back to press against his mane as he turned to his sister in-law. "It needs to be dealt with as quickly as mortally possible. For the sake of both sides the longer we delay the longer it will take to come to some agreement, if there is one to be reached at all. We should get moving."
He nuzzled Koho again, offering a slight purr that would hopefully reassure his mate before walking on. He'd not let his insecurity and fear show to the others, it was just what they wanted to see in him. Weakness could be used against him, they'd bend their words in such a fasion that one would be led to wonder why they hadn't gone mad by the time they were finished. They were just as crafty as they were dangerous and he'd not have any of his new found family fall into their tricks. The stronger he seemed the harder it would be for them to pick out each insecurity. -------------------------RP Got thrown off here because people got busy with stuff and some other RP's got mixed in with this one------------------------- Thalion
"The...dens are not far from here." He said quietly, still very much against the idea of Koho going with him into their lair. Even if there weren't any lions of his pride left, he didn't want to risk it. If there were lions just the sight of him could mean trouble, but the sight of a golden lioness- an enemy in their eyes -with a swollen belly... that was a deathwish on all of them. "But I think it's best that Suku and I check it out... if there's any danger you both need to run."
He knew Koho wouldn't accept that plan either, she was proud and strong, nothing had stood in her way and that wasn't about to happen for any reason. He had to try though, for her sake and for the sake of the cubs. It just didn't quite sink in that he would in fact be a father now. It had all happened so fast and along with the responsability, the care that the young ones would need, and all the attention they'd need, thre arose pawfuls of problems. Would either pride accept them? Surely not the firekin- but what choice did they have? He'd chosen his mate and to end the pureblood of his pride for that mate. Any children from him would be halfbreeds, just as Kui's children had been. The pridelanders he wasn't so sure of, they didn't seem as brutal but they were just as proud and might see the children as an insult to their culture. He hadn't exactally had the warmest welcome into the pride and still around all but Koho and the small family he'd formed he felt a bit shunned.
He smiled over to Sukutu shyly at the congrats, his large head sinking into the mane just a bit, "Thank you, Suku... I'm still trying to get used to the fact that I'm gonna be a father." Taking a deep breath as the cub listened to Koho's stomach, little heart beats. Little lives, his beloved was carrying their children- he just had to protect her, he had to learn everything he'd never had a chance to about fighting if it came right down to it. As her head nuzzled into his mane again he leaned down to rest his chin between her shoulders, a paw moving to hold her closer, "You're coming anyway, aren't you?" He chuckled, sitting back to lick the top of his mate's head, "The brave, Koho, nothing scares her."
Licking her once more he got to his feet and shook himself off, "The lair is just ahead... Koho I... want you to stay safe, please promise me if things go bad you'll run to your brother's lands..." He turned to her, his green eyes pleading into his request.
MidnyghtIce ((alright here's teh deal, I will respond with a post well worth it after a few hours of blessed sleep, school + soccer = hell, look I can do math... anyway, I promise I will respond with a good post tomorrow *nods* I'll just be slow for a few months I fear)) Koho's immediate reaction to Mwali was to protest, then a better idea popped into her head and she smiled serenly to cover for the hesitation, "Alright m'love, I'll stay back. If Jasiri wants to fight however I think she has every right, being that she is not endangering other souls besides herself, just yet." A mother-knows smile appeared on the femme's face when she glanced at the two chocolate lions. "However I agree, it would put others in unnecessary danger for me to proceed, being obviously a pridelander born after all." With that statement made she sat firmly done on the ground, purred to her mate and returned his affection and then looked to the cub, she was about to ask what the little one thought she would do during this escapade when something white caught her attention by an oasis they had stopped at earlier.
"But first I think I'm going to see if that is anything edible...." Her gaze was pointed directly at Amalthea and that was obviously who she was speaking of. The golden lioness rose to her sturdy paws once more and started off at a trot, making sure to angle to the creatures back, out of it's range of sight. As she neared however, it became apparent this thing was laying down and in no shape to run, but what sort of creature was it. Koho drew up to an abrupt halt, waiting to see if this thing was still alive or not and what other company might have come along for the adventure.
((not the best like I promised, but school is sucking all my brain power out at this minute, sorry ya'll)) Thalion
Mwali licked his mate accross the bridge of her nose, "We'll be back as soon as we can, Koho. Just keep safe, I've no reason to live if something happened to you." He smiled, nuzzeling her before she made her way over to where she had assumably spotted something eatable. Smiling he moved over to Sukutu, reaching out to thump the chocolate male's shoulder, "Guess it's time for us to see just how scary we can look, eh?" He chuckled, starting off towards his pride's old den site.
The sand became hardened ground once again, dry and cracked so it looked much like reptilian skin, stretching tight along formations of rocks, the tiny, shrivled forms of shrubs, and the occassional patch of dried grass. The firekin's den was a large structure of stones climbing up to a large sloped cliff, a few caves opened up like fanged mouthes to face the pair as they approached, one could even swear that there was a hissing sound coming from those mouths as the wind traveled through it. "...just as charming as when I left it...", he muttered, lifting up his head and rolling his shoulders back to make himself look as large and dangerous as he was supposed to be.
Lightning Shadow X The lion followed along side of the large red male, chuckling half heartedly at his comment before he puffed out his chest, making his muscled build look even bigger, even though he'd never look as big as Mwali could look.
He really looked up to the red male, sort of like...he didn't know...a father figure.
He'd never known his own father, seeing as he'd probably abandoned him, his twin sister and his real mother all alone.
As they came across the firekin lair, Suku's pale eye's widened, looking at it before a slight image flashed by his eyes, like a memory from one of his nightmares, only this time while he was awake.
He shook himself, shuddering just a little before he looked over at Mwali, ears flattening against his creamy mane.
"At least it has good foundations..." He said softly, only to boldly step forward, the hot sand half burning his soft pads as he looked around.
"...it looks deserted" Kolina (I am going to assume that Kinja and Kimeti had left to return to the den.) The sound of movement and voices outside the den caused a red and black ear to flick. Blue eyes flickered open lazily as Kinja moved her head to take a look outside. The figures of two males was apparent causing Kinja's frame to stiffen momentarily. Rising to her feet she stalked towards the entrance, muscles tense and ready to attack whomever it was but a familiar red hue along with familiar voices echoed quietly in the den cauing Kinja to relax. Glancing behind her to the other lionesses who appeared to still be slumbering, Kinja hurried out of the den to Mwali and Suku.
"I am glad you two made it safely." She muttered softly.
Kimeti padded away from the oasis. His talk with his sister had proved interesting but had fed the flame of his Firekin soul. She was right, they were Firekin, and there was no way anyone was going to take that power and might away from him. Being the only male left of the pride, Kimeti knew he would be the reigning king once he came of age, but what of his sister Kwana? She seemed quite determined to take that seat away from him. A snort escaped him at the thought. He could easily overtake the smaller form of his sister if it came down to that.
A yawn rippled through him before he shook his head. The scruffy mane around his neck ridding itself of some of the sand and dust that had collected within it. The packed sand from many travels barely shifted under his paws and grew more compact as the den drew near. Golden orbs caught sight of two figures standing at the enterance to the cave, both apparently male. A growl formed in Kimeti's throat as he picked up his pace but a more petite form joined the two liones from the den, a form Kimeti could never misplace. So what was his mother doing talking to two strange males?Thalion "Kinja." He bowed his head a bit to the lioness, then straightened himself up, rolling his great shoulders back and lifting his head up. The emerald eyes moved over to study Kimeti. He was growing indeed, the likeness of his father was coming out in the young cub. He remembered the slash the cub had given him when he'd first stumbled into the pride lands... such a temper would have to be dealt with if the young one was to become king.
"Are there.... any others?" He distracted himself from his thoughts and turned calmly to face his sister in-law. Reassured by Sukutu he felt a bit more confident in his coming home. ((sorry everyone >_o)) Lightning Shadow X ((It's okay Thal 4laugh ))
The large male was a bit surprised at the appearance of the red female but gently bowed his head as Mwali did, was this Kimondo? The pridelander lioness that used to talk to his beloved foster mother and was the 'secret keeper' of the pride?
It was hard to believe from his point of view, but he never doubted it for a second as anything could happen nowadays with everything going on.
So he just stood next to Mwali, awaiting the answer from the crimson female as the sight of the adolescent male made his ears twitch curiously. Kolina (No problem Thal smile )
Kinja glanced behind her momentarily before returning sapphire gaze upon the two males. "The rest are sleeping, but we should move away incase any wake up. Come, I know the perfect spot."
Turning to head in the direction of the thicket that she had used to give birth to her young ones Kimeti's growing form caught the lionesses attention. Giving Mwali a look for him and Suku to remain silent, Kinja padded over to her son.
"Kimeti, I expect you to remain silent of your uncle and Suku being here. I want you to go into the den and get some rest."
Kimeti eyed his mother. "I won't say a word to anyone, but I want to come with you. This whole thing does involve me and I won't be left out."
Sighing, Kinja looked back at Mwali and Suku before nodded. "Alright, but mind your manners." With that said Kinja turned to return to Mwali and Suku, Kimeti on her heels.
"Alright, follow me." She then hurried across the sand. The sooner they were out of view of the the den the better. Thalion
Mwali quickly put a paw out to stop Kinja, shaking his head slowly, "If we didn't want to be seen by this pride we would have come in a less direct way. They wouldn't dare attack the son of Makadari...even if I 'abandoned' this pride as they say, they have far too much respect for him. And if they do," and this is where he'd have to start learning how to bluff well, "I pity them for the limp they'll carry the rest of their lives." He smiled a bit, giving a sidelong glance to Sukutu.
"But it's good to hear that they've not all died, I had feared the worst..."
Kolina
"No they have not all died out." Kinja said and sighed. "Now hurry before anyone sees you. I am not sure they'll take much notice of you right away Mwali, but your friend there will most definitly make them curious. The only thing he could pass for is a slave." She said apologetically. "And the sooner we get to where we're going the better I'll feel." She picked up her pace and lead them onward to the thicket.
(Finn. yes? And assume the talkage that goes on?)
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