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 Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 12:45 pm
 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.
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 2:00 pm
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.
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 7:09 pm
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."
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 7:44 pm
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.
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Posted: Thu May 05, 2005 10:28 pm
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."
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 7:37 am
((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.....))
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 8:15 am
((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?"
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Posted: Sat May 07, 2005 4:08 pm
((whoa, she's still there, just slipped to the back, not in the front, but still with the group whee ))
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 3:33 pm
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.
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 3:47 pm
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..."
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 4:05 pm
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?"
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 4:27 pm
"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?"
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 4:36 pm
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."
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Posted: Sun May 08, 2005 4:46 pm
"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."
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Posted: Tue May 10, 2005 3:20 pm
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.
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