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 Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:05 am
"Um... pleased to meet you, Gure." This preybe - gazelle had known Maji for longer than she had. My only friends are the gazelle, the zebra... Snatches of his conversation past made her remember. She went to glance out behind her but stopped again.
"I know he was here the other night, but I did not realise it was such a frequent occurance... I want to help him. What.. what do you normally do? Just leave him for a while?"
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:13 am
"I'm here." She's relieved to find that her voice has returned to a semblance of normalcy, and she waits passively for something to happen, which makes her want to fidget restlessly. She's not used to being passive, having things happen to her...she left that long ago. Now she's an active participant in her life - which is probably one reason why she loves control, although she'd be hard-pressed to admit that to herself.
Hodari's figure almost makes her lose her dignified poise. She's never seen anyone looking as abject as he does...he looks like a puppy that's about to be whipped. But she's never known how to react to such, how to comfort. So she merely awkwardly inclines her head, jaw terse as she watches him arrive. "Yes?"
Inwardly, she winces. She didn't mean to sound so defensive and aloof, but that's how it managed to come out.
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Mila Farrell Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:17 am
"Well one time Baba went out there to talk to him. He's more reasonable than I am and not nearly as happy- geeze that guy can put you to sleep by his tone- honestly...", he smirked a bit, "But normally we just let 'em be. He comes out eventually and goes back to fishing and combing out that fluf on his head. It's gotten bigger, I kinda wanna rub my nose in it, looks soft. He'd probibly smack me a good one."
He rolled his shoulders back, "Last I remember he was looking for the queen- that's what he said before going in there. What he think she's in the water? You lions confuse me sometimes."
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:23 am
The queen... that was what one of the scents had been! 'Kela remembered now that odd day in the cave when she had been fevered, seeing Miss Ciyari and Maji with that odd double vision. Perhaps she was nearby again. It would make sense, if her squire really had returned...
She looked towards at the gazelle, at Gure once more. "Perhaps it would be for the best for me to leave him this time. Maji... probably needs this time to himself. Perhaps... I will try and find this queen that makes him so upset."
Yes... that idea became a better one. What had that lioness said to annoy her sworn brother so? A slightly annoyed look on her face, the snow-and-silver adolescent gave a nod to the gazelle. "It was nice to meet you, Gure. Watch that big grey lummox for me, will you? She smiled sadly and then trotted off, trot turning to a lope as she headed for where she had last smelt that elusive scent.
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:31 am
"Wasn't her that made 'em mad." He looked a bit confused, bowing his head a bit as she took her leave, "Uh.. nice to meet you too."
Tilting his head to the side he looked back out to the meadow. Oh bother, what now? ((Short post of gotta-run-to-work-soon doom!))
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 9:39 am
Calm.. -Hodari thought to himself as he drew closer to her. He continued to move at a sluggish pace wanting to give himself at least a little more time to prepare. One paw was set down infront of another until he was standing a few feet away from the lioness. It seemed awkward, this fearing her. Was one to fear someone they cared for? Was it a normal feeling?
The boy dropped the mouse he had snatched on the search. Using his maw he nudged it foward in an attempt to knock it somewhat close to Ciyari's paws.- "I want to apologize for how rude I was.." -How was he to present the information? Would he just say it quickly? Would he try it slow? Once again the mouse was nudged with Hodari's nose.- "I was a fool to not think you yourself when you announced your title. It's just.." -One of those large paws moved to knock the mouse as far from himself as possible and as close to Ciyari as he could get it with the swing.- "You've grown." -The statement was quiet. It was almost above a murmur.- "M'am, when I was a cub I believe you asked for food in exchange for my residing here. I failed to retrieve such a thing for you as a cub and I certainly did not deserve to be allowed my stay. But now I am grown and now I can hunt. I'll make up for the meals I failed to provide if...You wish me to stay." -The tail came out from between his legs, whipping at the air.- "I'm afraid that measly little thing was all I could carry with me to offer you."
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Mila Farrell Vice Captain
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 3:52 pm
((Kel - of course you can join us. wink ))
Despite the seriousness of the situation, Ciyari has to fight a very unnatural reaction that prompts her to giggle at him. She wonders, in a detatched way, if she's close to hysteria. That thought alone brings her quickly back to the situation at hand, and forces the feeling down immediately. She also feels an unexpected urge to cry.
Nevertheless, when she speaks, she's quite calm and collected. She's been doing this for years, and it's become habit by now, to merely hide emotion under the mask of polite nobility. She smiles because it's expected of her, but the smile dwindles partway into a quiet frown of apology. "I'm sorry, too." Those words sound like they hurt. She's had little practice with them. "I don't know what came over me." Again, if she'd have been human, her cheeks would have colored. As it is, she has the grace to look abashed. "Thank you for your offer, though - it's well-accepted." She hastens to explain herself for reasons she's not even fully aware of, staring at the mouse in front of her as if it would bring inspiration. "Not just for the food, ser Hodari. You see, it's my hope to restore the pride that once lived here." A bit of a lie, but one easily swallowed. After all, it's close enough to the truth. "I know you've been gone, but - would you care to join us, officially?" Some inward part of her writhes angrily with herself, but she can't understand it, and pushes it away.
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Posted: Sun Sep 18, 2005 4:09 pm
-His eyes seemed to twinkle as he lifted himself to stand tall. Her offer was ringing in his ears like the sound of a church bell. It was a fine offer, to join officially. A fine offer that he most certainly did not think he could refuse. An urge to smile had formed within him and he was trying his hardest to remain solemn.- "M'am, I would be honored to join." -He spoke after the silence that had grabbed hold of him ran away.- "I would be honored."
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 12:17 am
So many different scents crisscrossing each other... Kinyamkela frowned as she stood a little way beyond the waterfall, still as if frozen whilst she tried to discern the one she wanted. She really had to speak to this queen! At last deciding which one she wanted, the young lioness set of at a gentle lope, heading northwest. The evening light made her a dim white shape in the undergrowth, which slowly faded towards more broken ground as the lands grew higher and delved further into the mountains.
There were two scents now, she was certain. The one she had labelled 'Ciyari' and another male scent. She supposed it was her returned squire, and shook her head lightly. It was stronger now, and as she crested a slope she heard voices on the evening breeze.
The snow-and-silver adolescent slowed to a walk as she approached those voices. She could discern grey hides against the brown of the earth and rock; she waited patiently for her presence to be noticed, though all her instinct was to rush in and demand answers. After all Maji could be right, and she was more inclined to believe his words now; the female could be a queen as she claimed to be. It would not do to interrupt.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 4:07 am
The haughty smile softens, just a little. "Welcome to the pride, then, ser Hodari." She has yet to think of a pridal name, but she's certain that one will come to her. Perhaps she should ask Maji's help in naming...he should have some good suggestions, he's lived here all his life.
"You shall be Knight Hodari, for the moment, a hunter - until we decide if you fit a better title." Like Lord Hodari, or something. She's really getting quite the kick out of the grand titles. Her smile turns slightly impish, as if chasing away the last of her reservations. "And your first order, ser Hodari, is to stop calling me ma'am. It makes me feel like an old crone." Her tail tuft flicks in amusement, tapping delicately against the ground.
That's when she spots it: a flash of drab color against the vibrant greens and blues and browns of the jungle, downwind of the rock outcropping. Could it be Maji? A vague frown catches on her features. Ah, well - at least he didn't barge in, he has that much courtesy. She really ought to get a herald. That would make her life quite easier with these things; as it is, she's reduced to calling out for the unknown in the bush. "Hello?"
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Mila Farrell Vice Captain
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 7:50 am
As she came closer, Kinyamkela was able to distinguish between the two talking figures now. An unknown grey-and white male, and the all too familiar figure of Miss Ciyari. That day in the cave was emblazoned in her mind; she could remember the female who had seemed so much like the queen, overlaid with visions of loving pride and majesty. And she had pledged her loyalty to her! Her and Maji, her sworn brother. But today all the lioness could see was a female her own age perhaps, looking up towards her suddenly. Looking up?
The cautious greeting came down on the wind towards her. She had been acknowledged; perhaps it was time to find those answers.
"Greetings, Miss Ciyari," said Kinyamkela smoothly as she stepped closer out from the boulders and undergrowth. Normally the forthright lioness would just come right out with the questions; but no, this would not do this time. After all, she would not go back on her word, and she had pledged. She smiled, her eyes catching a slight golden glow in the evening twilight. "Well met." And surprising herself, she dipped her head a little in respect.
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Posted: Mon Sep 19, 2005 2:21 pm
"K..Knight?" -A powerful emotion that he had trouble explaining to himself was born at the change of title. Knight Hodari? He felt a thrill, similar to the one he had felt when he'd first come back to the land. His heart had skipped a beat and his mind's thoughts were jumbled together. They were quickly seperated when his first order was given, though.- "As you wish! You shall not be called that again!" -The grey and white male chimed. A toothy grin was flashed but that grin was slapped off of his face when he came to relize there was another near them. A voice verified that this was so and the male turned his head to look at who had joined them.-
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Mila Farrell Vice Captain
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 3:56 am
This is someone she doesn't know, she realizes, as Kinyamkela comes closer. She's got a gray coat, too, like everyone else Ciyari's met here. It's got to be something in the air, she remarks inwardly to herself, distracted by amusement.
"Greetings," she echoes. After studying the newcomer briefly, she offers a faint smile. "I'm afraid we haven't had the pleasure of meeting yet - " She says, in that apologetic yet still haughty way that royalty has when their impeccable memories fail to come to the rescue. "You appear to know my name, but I'm afraid I don't know yours." Did Maji mention her at all? No...all she's seen is that other lion with him. And she didn't even get to catch his name at all, as she left in such a hurry. Still, that makes five lions...quite enough to make a pride. "This is Hodari, Knight and Hunter of the realm," She adds, inclining her head gracefully towards him.
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 5:08 am
The mainly white lioness tilted her head politely towards the squire, now named as Hodari. This Ciyari that Maji has been fussing over for so long cannot even remember her?? But then, she did dart off like a grey shadow almost as quickly as Maji that time. Perhaps she should refresh the 'queen's' memory.
"My name is Kinyamkela, Miss Ciyari, and we have met before, however briefly. My dear friend Maji I'm sure you have also." She padded around slightly, trying not to let her golden eyes narrow in the dimness. But she decides for the forward approach, as is her habit.
"Maji is - concerned over what you have said to him before... I do not like seeing my sworn brother so at a loss of what to do. I came to ask some questions..." Her blunt expression changed to an almost humble smile, "and of course, whether you know it or not, a long time ago I pledged myself to you and him. I come to honour that pledge by checking whether you are alright, and none have upset you...
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Posted: Wed Sep 21, 2005 1:34 pm
-Hodari's facial expression seemed to harden at the mention of Maji, but he quickly rid himself of such a look and turned himself so that he could walk a few steps away. The small strides eased his annoyance from the encounter with the other male earlier and he was once again able to look at this new arrival.- "I must say... This is the first time I've ever heard your name." -The boy tried to speak in a calm tone. Those red eyes of his flicked towards Ciyari before once again returning to Kinyamkela. He bowed his head slightly as if to make up for his lack of greeting her when she had arrived.-
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