|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 6:10 am
The sun was just rising over the serene forest, casting it's golden touch to everything as it made it's way up. Soon enough it's glow reached a lioness as she lazed about on a rock, her tail flicking back and forth occasionally. A large yawn escaped her maw, and she starteched her legs forward, only to flop back down lazily on the rock once again.
Tanashita felt old in the morning, and she hated it. She vaguely wondered where her family was as she made her way toward a small pool of water, lapping at it with her pink tongue. She touched the cold liquid with a paw before laying down at the shore with an inward groan.
There she remained, watching the sunrise as the clouds and sky changed color frequently, pondering the mysteries of life. And wondering what she'd eat for breakfast.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 6:25 am
Banjoko woke with the sun, readying himself for his journey. He left his sleeping mother in the den they shared; they had already said their goodbyes, and to wake her would only hurt her more. He would see her again someday.
He had a good breakfast from the leftovers of what his mother had caught for him. And then he began to walk away from his home, and didn't look back.
Banjoko followed the river towards the exit of the Unity Walkers territory. But he took his time, drinking in the beautiful landscape and sunrise of the only home he'd ever known. He assumed it would be a long time before he saw it again. While the thought made him a bit sad, the young lion was determined to find his father. There was nothing for him in this place; he needed action, he needed excitement. The beautiful, peaceful land was a fine place for his mother to stay, after her lifetime of roaming and loneliness, and he was glad Nzinga would stay here. But he could not.
So far, none of the older lions in the area had paid him any attention, and for that he was glad. Banjo hoped that most were still asleep - he certainly had not seen many on his walk so far - or that they would not care to bother a young lion.
With the full belly, a cool morning breeze fluttering by his ears, and the promise of adventure in front of him, Banjoko was thinking more and more that his decision to leave was the right one.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 6:32 am
The golden brown lioness watched as a young lion made his way through the area. She could see determination and purpose in his steps, and she wondered what he was up to. She stood and slowly made her way around the pond, nearing him as she did.
"Good morning." She said happily as she got closer to him, smiling warmly. Her pale eyes surveyed him, and she vaguely remembered seeing him before, though she didn't think she had ever spoken to him. It was a shame, and she mentally took a note to get to know the other pride members better.
"Beautiful day, isn't it?" She said as she laid down near the waters edge again, her paw splashing about in the water. A curious and colorful fish swam up to her, inspecting her foot. She ignored it as she waited for the youngster to reply.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 6:44 am
Banjoko must not have paying been very close attention to his surroundings, for he had completely overlooked the adult lioness as he past right by her. He had seen her around before, but he and his mother rarely interacted with the others in the pride. Nzinga had been a loner, and was overprotective of her children. He always assumed she was someone to respect; an elder perhaps. Of course, his mother had taught him to be respectful to everyone...but especially anyone who was older.
As the lioness approached and spoke to him, the young male was glad to find that she was kind and friendly. Though he was a bit annoyed at the delay, Banjoko was never one to be rude.
"Good morning to you, ma'am. It certainly is a lovely morning." His eyes caught sight of the fish in the water, remembering times when his mother had taught him the art of fishing. He pushed those thoughts away.
Unknowing what to say, how to politely excuse himself from the conversation, he shifted uncomfortably from paw to paw and waited to see if she would speak further.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 7:02 am
Tana could sense that the youngster was anxious to get where he was going, but she was good with weeding out things from others. She had raised seven cubs, and she knew when they were holding something in they didn't want to talk about. She had solved many a sibling dispute with her tactics.
"I'm Tanashita, I don't believe we've ever met formally." She said, her voice still light and kind. She wondered if he was off to go out on his own, like her granddaughter had done. Thjinking of Tui made her kind smile wavered for a moment, worry filling her thoughts. She pushed them away and concentrated on Banjoko.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 11:51 am
"No, ma'am, we haven't. My name is Banjoko, it's nice to meet you. My mother is Nzinga who came here from far away. We live just over there, but we don't get out much because my mother is a bit of a loner. She was adopted into this pride and my sister and I were born here. If you've seen a young lioness around here, who is orange with black tiger stripes, that is my sister. And watch out. She likes to play tricks."
The image of Banjoko's sister appeared in his head. He would miss her. It was too bad; they had only each other and their mother as family, but the siblings were not very close. Banjoko made a note in his mind that he should find Tia before he left, to say goodbye. It was only the decent thing to do.
Banjoko's thoughts were pulled back to the present. Why was this older lady stalling him? He began to sense that it was on purpose. Did he dare excuse himself from the conversation? He waited to see what she would say.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 1:53 pm
Tana nodded as he spoke, vaguely remembering the lioness who was his mother. She tried to remember ever meeting her, but she drew a blank. She really needed to get out more.
"Ahhh, yes. I do believe I've seen your sister around, as well as your mother. You're the only man in the family, eh? I bet you love to be here and guard them. I don't know what they'd do without you." She smiled happily, not really thinking about her words as she spoke. She knew his father wasn't there; otherwise he would have mentioned him, and with other fatherless youngsters, she knew they were proud to be the protectors of their family, and assumed, incorrectly, that he was the same.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Thu Aug 02, 2007 2:13 pm
As Banjoko listened to the wise lady's words, his face grew taught. He took his responsibility as the man of the family seriously, but had never considered that he would be leaving them unprotected, to fend for themselves. "Um, yes ma'am..." he said softly, lost in thought.
"I don't know what they'd do without you." Those innocent words rang in his ears like alarm bells. Guilt began throbbing in his heart. Was his desire to find his father greater than the duty to his family?
Your father is family too, a voice in his head reminded him. For a moment he wavered on the edge of indecision. Should he stay or should he go? Argh! The torment! The young lion did not know what to do.
Before he even knew what he was doing, Banjo opened his mouth and voiced the dilemma that was in his head, unloading all of his problems at once. "I'm sorry ma'am, but you speak as though you know what is going on in my head, and you seem very wise. Just this morning I was intending to go on a noble search to find my father, whom I have never met. But your words have made me reconsider my decision; I don't know which is the better thing to do. Surely my mother can take care of herself and my sister fairly well on her own?" The last was a hopeful question - he hoped the answer would be one that justified his original decision to leave the pridelands.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:45 am
Tana had found in her years that others opened up to her easily. She offered an opinion that was not clouded by emotions or grudges. As he spoke his problem, she could see that it was paining him greatly to make the desicion. She had indeed not known what his quest was beforehand, and she found herself wishing she had picked her words more carefully.
"Well, young Banjoko, I can only offer you this advice: Your mother is a strong lioness, as I'm sure your sister will be, and they will fend for themselves whether you are here or not." Her voice was solemn, but took an edge of caution to it as she continued, "But think: If you have never met your father, why are you going to try and find him? If he didn't stay he may not have had a very serious connection with your mother. I for one know not what transpired between them, but if he is not here now, what makes you think he'll be pleased to see you when and if you find him? Just remember that you are giving up your remaining family for a quest that may very well prove fruitless."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2007 10:56 am
After his embarrasing outpouring of feelings, Banjoko was glad that the older lioness did not notice, but went on as though it were perfectly normal for a near stranger to lay his troubles at her feet.
The young male stood resolutely, listening to the wise words of Tana with a serious face and attentive eyes. He nodded in agreement - the females of his family were of a strong nature. But then her words went down a path that made him think in a way he had not thought before. They were an arrow into his heart, a thorn in the side of his idealized hopes.
It had never occured to Banjoko that their father, whoever and wherever he was, would not want to know about his children. Tana's words did make sense, but it was a sense he did not want to accept. He wanted to know his father, and so he assumed his father would also want to know him. But wasn't that being selfish? Leaving his mother, who loved him and wanted him, to find a father that might not do either?
Tana had successfully, whether she intended to or not, shaken the foundations of Banjoko's resolve. He had not changed his mind completely yet - his own desires still held sway. But more thought was necessary before he decided to leave for good.
"Your words are full of wisdom, good lady, and I am very thankful to you for your advice. You have shown me that I need to think very carefully about this matter. If you would excuse me, I think I need to be alone with my thoughts for a little while. I am indebted to you for showing me a truth I need not want to see. It was very nice meeting you, Miss Tana, and if we do not meet again for some time, I wish you every happiness." He bowed, formally and respectfully, and was planned to hide himself in the forest somewhere, thinking long and hard about his future.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 6:26 am
Tanashita was surprised by the young lions words and how respectful he was, but she knew her own spoken thoughts on the matter had drastically changed his sight on it, though she had only wanted to show him a different view. She wondered briefly if she should have kept her thoughts to herself, but that was something she was never very good at.
The lioness bowed her head, with just as much respect as he had shown her. "It was a pleasure to speak with you, Banjoko. I wish you and you family good fortune on whichever path you may choose."
With that, Tana stood, her pale eyes watching him for a few moments before she turned and walked back the way she had come, leaving just as suddenly as she had arrived, but leaving a drastic change in the life of a young and good soul.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
