.:. Umande'mfuni Lands .:.

[Thalion]

He took another deep breath, "You are quite the dull-witted one if you cannot even recall your cubhood companion.... the markings, the way she carried herself, the confident spark in her deep eyes..." He eyed the male, his head and body hadn't moved an inch from where he had stood himself, "Even then... she is a lady, and any gentlemen knows how to address a lady. I could play the same game with you... You can claim to be who you are and I can be so pig-headed as to say that you aren't, or to even think it. You see..." He finally turned himself, leaning in close to the male, "Not everyone is as petty as to pretend to be someone who they are not...."

Maji might have been a bit naieve at this point, he'd never encountered someone who had lied- and caught them in it. He himself found little logic in the telling of lies and would therefore assume it wasn't a common practice. What he knew was what had been left in his mind and what he had read upon the walls- his experience with the outside world was hardly anything to give him reason to consider that dishonesty was perhaps as common as fur.

 

[Thalion]

Maji nodded his head slowly, "I will look for her, as will you. And yes- you will apologize...Pardon me." He shook his head again and turned away from Hodari, moving away from the younger male back in the direction he had been going before Ciyari had run off... he might as well pray hat he would find her. The gods did a well enough job of delivering Hodari back to her, perhaps they'd have the time to help him locate her highness.

What a bother..., he sighed to himself, For so long I prayed for his return only to have her highness upsetted by it. Best let him find her. I cannot and will not apologize for his actions or words.

Perhaps he'd seek out Ramses and Enki.... the two arrived near to the same time and might know eachother. If not then he always had the task of showing them around the area, telling them of the ways of their pride, showing them how to fish, create their own fishing pond, and assigning them a room in the caves. Yes, that should be handled. Her highness also wanted him to locate the others who had come to live here to discuss something with them- what he could only imagine, but he had his orders.

Gure, a young gazelle, made his way up beside Maji. He had been drinking from the stream quite close by to where the lion and the young male had been talking. "So she's up and left." He said, chipper as always and nearly so much that it prodded at Maji's current temper. "Females, I'm tellin' ya, Maji, they're bad news."

Maji smirked, shaking his head a bit. He was glad for the company- perhaps the combined eyes and ears would help locate the queen far easier than just his own, "Trouble or not, they are ladies. She is quite upset, never have I seen her run from anything."

"She don't seem the type."

"-Doesn't- seem the type." Maji corrected.

 

[Mila Farrell]

Ciyari has fled back towards the northeast corner of the lands. When she couldn't hold her own weight any longer, she collapsed among a small outcropping of rock among the hills leading up to the eastern mountains bordering the Pridelands.

She slowly feels like she's fading away.

She's had these sensations before. Back when she was younger, when her father was around, when her mother died. He couldn't bear to put up with her. She was a nuisance to him, a thorn in his side. Her brothers had died, despite his efforts to keep them alive. He hadn't much cared about her one way or another. But she had been the one to survive, to stay with him. He ignored her most of the time, and the cuffs and words she got - however harsh - were a blessing after a time. That made her feel like she was real, worth enough to get angry at. Otherwise, it was all too easy to slip into a feeling of nonexistance. There, nobody realized that you were. It was easy to stop fear there.

The rest of the time, she wasn't sure she did exist. Instead, she seemed to be a figment of her father's imagination...given life on a mere whimsy. The rest of the time she merely followed, fearing that unless she could stay close by him, the pitiful existance he offered her might never have been; a paradox of the worst sort for a young mind, which needs to be the center of some sort of attention.

It was perhaps one of the reasons she settled here, in this land. Living proof of what she was, seen through the reflection of ponds and lakes and all manner of water, seemed to solidify her own self. She was real.

Hodari's return into her life both relieved her, therefore, and frightened her. It calmed her into knowing that perhaps she did exist, was someone worth coming back to, for good or ill. Everyone she's ever known had disappeared from her life and had never come back.

But, likewise, his forgetfulness struck a cord of fear in her very being.

Therefore, Ciyari is not crying, nor shaking, nor doing anything at the moment. She's merely lying there like a dead thing, eyes closed. Her body trembles ever so slightly.  

[Thalion]

Maji parted with his gazelle friend early on before reaching the actual meadow. Gure knew quite well by then that whenever Maji sought out the meadow, what he was truely seeking was his solitude and a few quiet hours to think, weep, or simply be alone. None had ever seen Magi without a charming smile on his face- or at the very least, a pleasent yet distant look- so it was often thought that he had no concerns ever on his mind. Those closest to him- the three 'prey animals' that had grown up with him to include a few- knew that he did indeed have just as much to be upset about as anyone else. Maji was in denial of this fact at times or simply chose to ignore it. However, if anyone decides to ignore their emotions for long enough, those emotions often will spring up in greater numbers. Most call this depression, Maji called it "An indecent outburst of unessicary self-pity."

Either way, he wasn't in much of a mood to speak to anyone.

The lion made his way out into the clearing, a large area filled with long green grass, a slow flowing brook with an old but still sturdy log used to cross it, and a few formations of smoothe boulders. It was growing dark, the edges of the horizon were still the brilliant flame of reds, yellows, and oranges bleeding up into the darker bles and violets of the night sky until it became black flicked with white stars. It was a bit more crisp that night than normal, a bit cooler as well. The wet season was due in just a few weeks by the Mistweaver calander. Threats of floods and storms were something that Maji had to consider when he was in a better mood for it so the pride could be properly prepared.

But not now.

No, now he had a few other things to think out. Laying himself back accross the log and looking down at himself he began rolling the many subjects over in his mind. First- the discovery of Enki...

He claimed to have known the last king of this pride. His uncle he called him. Not only that, but Maji was apparently the spitting image of that very lion. Enki had gone on to explain that his mother's sister had fallen in love with the Mistweaver king in their youth and had been a part of his life for a few months. Unfortunately, the lioness had a fascination with outside prides and their ways, the king, however, was bound to his land and pride. They went their seperate ways. Upon his mother's return to the lands, the king had already died as had the others. Her sister was the last to see her alive- and recalled her looking rather.... round.

If the rouge's story was indeed true, then Maji was not only truely a Mistweaver as Ciyari had suggested, but he was also truely the high-prince here. What an aburd thing for fate to do... Ciyari must truely have either outstanding luck in her guesses, or the ability to see more than Maji had originally thought.

With Enki being the son of his mother's sister- that made them cousins. Maji was comforted to think that he did indeed have family left alive, but with that question answered it only brought on dozens more. Had his mother lived? How had he lived if she did not? If she did, did she abandon him or did the firekin take her too? If she died then why hadn't there been a body? If not did she abandon him, and if she did- why? Did his father know of his birth? Would he even care? What of the princess that had been kidnapped- among the very last things recorded on the walls. If that was the king's daughter than she was his half-sister. What happened to her? Was she alive or had the firekin tortured her to death? What was he supposed to do? He couldn't rule- he didn't know how... but it was his responsability- Ciyari had appointed him.

Growling, Maji pounded a fist on the log, looking angerly to his reflection. "Why can you never answer me?" He spoke out loud this time- glaring at his reflection in some spite towards the one who he apparently resembled, "The spirits are supposed to guide the living, bring encouragement and hope. Why do you only leave me with more questions and doubt? Why must I be so alone and confused? What sin punished me to this?" His voice chocked back a bit, "...why can't I remember...."

Imature... whiney.... what a baby. He was thankful that the others knew to respect him when he sought solitude.

 

[Kel-chan]

[ Retrospect - for the interim of the time warp - after Ramses arrived but before Enki did or Ciyari/Hodari returned to the lands.

Posted in AIM. ]

Maji moved away from the mouth of the cave, turning over his shoulder for a moment, watching over his back. The others had already gone to bed- night had fallen over the land and he always seemed to vanish around that time. Carefully picking his way down the rocks and onto the land he began through the woods, walking slowly but casually enough for his mindset. Finally he arrived at a clearing a good distance from the river. Here he could see the sky clearly, and here he spent much of his nights just sitting. A fallen log over a quiet pool was his favorate spot to just lounge. His body fell onto it, causing the wood to groan slightly- he was getting larger, quite odd for everything to seem smaller. Sighing he looked down to his reflection, waving his tail lazily on the other side.
"Do I... is this how you looked?" He spoke to himself, hoping that somewhere his father would answer... somehow, "Why are you so silent...I have so much to ask."

Kinyamkela was restless. Since she had been wandering the boundaries of the lands for weeks, she had forgotten the relative safety of the home, her home now amongst the caves and waterfall pools. The night darkened her fur as she lay feigning sleep under a large tree; when she opened her eyes however the golden glow captured the light around and made her face visible through the undergrowth.
Thinking on that concept of home, she fell to thoughts of that place she had left so long before; especially of her mother and father, her brothers and sisters. And Kisulisuli. He surely must be in training now for the Stewardship, Mafunde had promised that much. How she missed her brother, the one with whom she had first plotted this great trek back to the lands of their ancestors. And found Maji. Somehow, she imagined him to be how Kisulisuli looked now.. a strange connection to her pride and family.
Sitting up suddenly she hauled herself to her feet, white fur dim in the shadows. Perhaps she would go for a walk. That would perhaps quiet these thoughts of her old home. Home was invariably here now, in the Mistweaver lands; but still the thoughts of her family crept through. She picked her way through low branches and bushes, coming away from the noisy river, where crickets and frogs made the night loud. She walked lost in thought, barely noticing the surroundings.

He couldn't feel comfortable with the face looking back at him... he looked so different now. Nothing like the charming gentlemen he thought of himself as, the long mane growing over him- gods and rains knew how long it would get in just a few months. The queen must have had foresight, she believed that he would look like the prince she had bestowed him as- and now he nearly did. So odd was that face, sad and lost but only to those that knew it well. Others would see a calm smile, perhaps a bit of a spaced look but nothing deeper, he played himself well.
Why the gods were silent, he couldn't guess, but not once had he gotten a single answer back. He knew he was mistweaver, the markings, colorings, and body frame matched up to each description on those walls, his knowlage matched-but the key that he longed for most was to know where he fit into all of it. Grunting he flicked off a bit of bark from the tree, disrupting his image from the surface.

The lioness at first almost missed the large figure lounging by a pool set in the middle of the clearing. She would have passed straight along the edge of it, but a splash turned her head, and she realised that it was Maji sitting alone, white mane standing out amongst the bluegrey of his back. What was he doing here? So odd... she had nearly been able to believe that it was her brother sitting there, turning his head to grin mishievously, saying he'd been here all along. But she knew that to be but a figment of her imagination, and that is was Maji sat there solemn and silent. For a moment she hesitated - she did not want to disturb his thoughts. But then maybe their thoughts could be shared, perhaps resulting finally in some sleep... The snowy lioness picked up her grey-dipped paws delicately and made her way across the clearing, moving round so she came into Maji's vision early. It would not do to creep up on a friend.

He turned his head to the side, an ear rotating to note the sound of the lioness moving her way over to him. He immediantly corrected how he was laying, rather than the slumped over look he had taken he rolled his shoulders back, lifted his head and placed his paws neatly in front of him, a soft smile returning to his face, "I had hoped I hadn't woken anyone, can you not sleep?"

Kinyamkela tilted her head with a gentle smile. "No, you did not wake me. I was spending too much time thinking, and have not seen any sleep yet this evening... I did not realise you had come this way." She glanced around the quiet clearing. "This is a beautiful spot. Do you come here often?" Finally reaching the place where he sat, she took her own position by the edge of the pool, sitting back quietly and letting her tail snake out behind her.

"Yes... I come here to think and pray mostly." He looked up thoughtfully to the sky though a more careful observer might see a bit of sorrowful longing in his eyes, a question as to why- with his dedication in prayer -the gods remained so silent. Shrugging casually he looked back to her, "It's the best place to see the sky. It's mostly clear tonight, so it's quite a view."

She followed his gaze, staring up at the sky with her head tilted back. "You're right... it is beautiful." She raised one paw hesitantly, then used it to sketch a picture in the air above her, eyes following the stars above. "The Storm King and his lady. Up there in the stars. We were always taught that... whenever I feel worried or unsure, I can look up at the Storm King and pray for his guidance." She looked down again and back at Maji. "Or at least, that's what we were taught as small cubs. Was it the same here?" Belatedly she remembered Maji had had nothing but cold stone walls to teach him, and averted her golden eyes down, worried in case she may have upset him.

He went silent for a moment, curling a paw under him to make him more comfortable as he looked back up at the sky, "I... know a lot about them. How the storm king brings the water, the mists, feeds the rivers, and keeps the land green.... how the moon-goddess gives the land a show of her stars at night, a silvery glow under her own light..."His tone sank a bit, perhaps even a bit of bitterness to it, "...but they've never given me such guidence that I seek.'

"Sons of the Storm, Daughters of the Moon. I have no doubts though now that this really is the ancient home of my ancestors. Maji, you and I share the same blood, I am sure of it." She turned a soft smile to him, which then failed slightly as she caught the undertone of bitterness in his voice. "Maji... if I may ask... what guidance is it that you seek? Of all that I have met this side of the mountains, you are the one I can seem most to trust, the one who seems so sure and gentle in everything he does..."

He smiled a bit, flattered by her kind words. "I...want to know if I had a family." He said it quietly, distantly, almost in the same tone a sigh would be in, "I never knew mine. I don't know if they loved me but perrished with the others, or rejected and abandoned me... who I am in this pride. Am I really the high prince? Or am I an underling? I don't mind either way, to know who I am...that would be all I could ask for."

Kinyamkela was silent for a bit, digesting the words. She at last looked up. "This must mean a lot to you. Here I am feeling regrets that I no longer know what my family, my brother is up to... at least I had a family that I could know." She fixed the young male with a veiled gaze. "If I could help you find out your origins, then I would. But seeing as I probably cannot, I will leave that for the gods. But, Maji... in some ways we must think of the things we have now, the others we hold dear as friends. I do not believe you could have been an underling, or even if you were you carry yourself with such a noble way. Mafunde, my old Steward, was like that in a way, gentle and kind yet strong in his beliefs and his protection. That is all that is asked of a prince, is it not? And you, Maji, come across as a prince to all who look at you, whether you wish it or not. " She paused before grinning slightly. "Of course, you also remind me of my mischievous brother. Kisulisuli was always ready to take a joke. Sometimes I see you as this prince; other times, just as a dear friend. Perhaps... even in a way, as my brother."

"A brother.", he chuckled a bit, looking down to his reflection, and a prince. How comical-he behaved this way because it was how he'd always behaved. It was among the many things that had been left in his mind for him to sort out when he awoke in the caves, he was to act like a gentlemen at all times. Personal matters aside- his land, his pride, and his heritage was all that mattered, but a family was still a large part of what he felt everyone needed, "I've never known what a family feels like- so I suppose I should trust you when you say that..."

The young lioness grinned. "Of course! A sibling is one that you feel you can trust with your secrets, one who will comfort you when you are down, will share the laughter when it happens. Your best friend, even if you don't realise it sometimes." She glanced at her reflection in the water, grey capped fur over her white face, suddenly looking ever so young. "Maji... I miss my brother. Can I... ask a favour of you?" The words stumbled out quickly, and she looked pleadingly at him.

He looked down at the water as she did once again, he just couldn't get over how he looked now- so large, so strong... it wasn't like him. He didn't even know how to use those teeth, claws, or...anything. He looked over to her again at the question, "I... can pray for his return. I am doing the same for her highness' squire." He half expected that to be the answer she was looking for.

Kinyamkela looked disconcerted for a second before smiling anxiously. "Maji... my brother will never come back. I left him.. between us, we made a pact. He would remain and make sure the Tufani-wana kept to the old ways... and I would travel to discover if the lands of our ancestors still existed. He will never come here, not while my family still lives. No... I wanted to ask you a different question." She took a deep breath, claws sliding nervously in and out of her front paw, tearing up the grass slightly. "Maji... may I count on you as a brother also? I already do in all but name... it would mean a lot to me to have someone I could count as family. I know 'tis presumptuous of me... I understand if you think my request a bit silly."

He looked at her, his mouth falling open a bit. A...brother? She wanted him to be one- he wasn't even sure how to be one. Closing his mouth he looked back down to the water, not a horrified look but a startled one. Ther wasn't anything anywhere that said he couldn't be one, nothing he could recall was against it. A bit of a smile crept back to his face and he slowly nodded, "...very well. I'd... like to know what it's like to have a sister."

"You will? Maji, thankyou," purred 'Kela happily, her eyes shining. She had not missed the vague look of apprehension on his face, but she was determined to do this now. "A sister.. as a sister to you I can look out for you! Make sure that big behind of yours does not get into trouble... and to be there to listen to your troubles." She smiled, looking up at the stars overhead. "I cannot give you guidance in things I know nothing of... but Maji, if you ever need me, I will be there."

"It's very nice to know." He smiled, glancing shortly to his bottom- it really wasn't large was it? He did get enough excercise, it shouldn't be... perhaps she was poking fun. What an odd part to target. Clearing his throat he looked back up to the sky, "I wonder if they're watching... or where they are."
was grateful to her, but not quite sure how to show it, casual conversation bought enough time he figured... he oddly wanted to pounce on the female, bite at her ear- that sort of stuff... but it was indecent.

"They? The stars?" Kinyamkela stared up also, her previously sombre mood lifting lightly away. "It is possible... I cannot think why not. Even if they do not always tell us things, at least we know they are always there..." She glanced down, a mischievous smile stealing across her face. "Maji..."
She cuffed his shoulder gently. "You're it."
With a smile she danced backwards slightly, and out of paws reach...

He looked between her and where she'd touched, tilting his head a bit. He was it...was what? What was it? And if he was it how did that....merrit her running from him. He'd never played before- only with the gazelle and even that was mainly races and jumping contests. "...It?"

"Yes, you're it!" The adolescent was grinning now, feeling almost like a cub in the sudden impulse that had come to her. "When you're It, you have to chase the others until you can touch them, to make them It instead of you. I touched you, so you're It! It's like a race, but with no finish...." Along with rough-and-tumble, It had been her favourite racing game with her siblings. Maji had never played It before? Well, now was his chance.

He got to his paws, looking around slowly, "...so I touch you...and then you are it. Then...I wait for you to touch someone else?" He moved from the log, looking confused as he paced towards her, not exactally fast enough to make much of a threat.

"Or I can just tag you again, if there's only us here," 'Kela explained patiently, not moving back just yet. "So you'd better run when I'm It, or I'll catch you too easily!" Her tail flicked playfully as she smiled.