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 Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 9:13 pm
Jini could see how cold her eyes were and how sharp her anger. And yet somehow he wasn't afraid. He could be afraid of her, not when she was helping him. Maybe that was wierd to think, but she was. She was telling him things no one else would and...perhaps he needed to hear them. He continued to smile, traces of shyness gone, "Yes...I suppose you're right. I guess I'm a pretty hopeless case, mm?" It as odd...he almost sounded happy to be saying such a thing. As if it were easier to finally admit such things to himself instead of fretting over it.
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 9:27 pm
"You are as hopeless as you make yourself," she snarled, fangs bared and eats flat against her skull. Quite unexpectedly, she lashed out, swiping a paw at his face, though no claws were revealed. It was more for the purpose of clubbing him alongside the head. "Listen to yourself! Do you have no aspirations for the future? No ambition?! Will you live and die and be as worthless as the words you so carelessly throw away?!"
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 9:32 pm
Jini let her paw smack into his face heavily. He didn't wince or cry out, but damn did it smart. No one ha ever hit him like that before. He blinked, shaking his head to clear away the pain. He looked at her with confused eyes, as if he wished she would explain herself better. "What would you have me do? I cannot be what I"m not," He paused looking away, "I...I don't want to be strong if it means I have to hurt others...if it means I have to think the worst of everyone." What was it he wanted then? He wanted those aroud him to be happy. He wanted to be happy as well.
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 9:48 pm
"You. Are. So. Dim," she fumed, shaking her head in disbelief. She had to move again. It was either move or claw his eyes out. The lioness paced, tail lashing furiously behind her as she verbally berated the younger lion. "Hurt others? Not once did I say you have to hurt others to be strong! In being strong you protect others! By the goddess, you are a moronic child! Look at yourself, boy. I would have you look at yourself and ask if this sniveling pile of mush is who you want to be for the rest of your days!"
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:01 pm
Jini swallowed, feeling his heart tighten. Never before had he felt like he was being uprooted from what he knew and understood. Was he really content the way he was now...? That was easily answered. More then once he had caught himself wishing he had the strength of his mother or, more often, his sister. He felt his ears flicker back, his head lowering slightly as he peered at her. He tried to keep the pleading emotions he was feeling out of his gaze and voice and repeated, "What would you have me do?" He had no idea how to become what she spoke of.
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:17 pm
That.... That was a start. The lioness calmed somewhat, though her fur still stood nearly on end, lashing tail slowing to an irritable flick as she contemplated the male. Finally, she quirked a brow, the corners of her mouth hinting at a grin. "To begin... Do not imply that you are worthless with every word out of your mouth. In doing so you lower your own self image and can aspire to attain nothing."
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:30 pm
Easier said then done. Half the time such remarks slipped from his mouth without him realizing it. He was used to pulling himself down. But she was right. That was probably his problem. His maw worked for a moment until it settled into a solid, small frown. He did not protest, despite how part of him screamed it was impossible. He thought of all those times he wished he could be something better. Here was his chance...this lioness...she seemed like she could help him. He nodded his head slowly, having to pause to make sure his words came out steadily and solidly, "...Yes, Ma'am."
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:48 pm
"Good." She was silent for a moment, then turned suddenly, striding off once more as calmly as ever. "See how far that gets you in live, cub. Give it a try. Perhaps next time I'm passing through I'll offer another tip."
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:52 pm
Jini looked a little bewildered, though he struggled to hide it. Somehow, with as much as she had scolded him he admited he had expected a little more then that. And yet...this was his effort to make, wasn't it? It was up to him, not this stranger. "You're leaving?" He questioned, barely able to keep the surprise from his voice. His ears remained flat on his head and he shifted uncertainly. He added, "I didn't get you're name."
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 10:57 pm
"Certainly," she replied, gracing him with another pause and glance back. "You did not expect me to seek welcome in foreign lands, did you? No, not with a pelt like mine. I dare not try to teach you further. In one ear and out the other, if I try to cram too much in that dim head of yours." Unexpectedly, the lioness smiled, ears giving a lazy twitch before she bothered to speak again. "Kwana. I am called Kwana. The First. The first step, the first hope, the first born, the first lost... A name speaks wonders. Your name, boy?"
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:04 pm
Foreign lands? He knew nothing of which she spoke, for he was not aware of the less then kind feelings between firekin and pridelander. He didn't even know of the firekins themselves. He had never ventured from these lands and heard little about other ones. For a moment he had been afraid she woldn't give him her name...that she would forever be nameless in his mind. But when she did he couldn't help but give a genuine soft, smooth smile. "Jini," he murmured giving his own in return and he offered the meaning too, though...somehow he wasn't sure it fit. Not yet. "Spirit."
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:13 pm
"Jini," she repeated aloud, tasting the word, eyeing the one who possessed it. Slowly she nodded her approval, then turned her back on him a final time, replying even as she walked away. "Spirit. Live up to your name, Spirit. Live so that beasts know it upon seeing you. I'll expect such a greeting when I next visit these lands. Take care of yourself, boy. ...Oh, and if you see a cheetah and a klipspringer, send them after me," she added as an afterthought, then picked up her pace, lazily loping off through the grasslands.
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Posted: Sat Sep 16, 2006 11:17 pm
Jini watched her go, falling back on his haunches. He let out a small breath, feeling as if his world had twisted. Silly as it might sound this...this was a turning point. And it had taken a complete stranger to bring him into it. Kwana. He'd remember her, there was no doubt, and he'd remember her sharp advice. With a smile, more towards himself then to the form who had disappeared from sight he murmured, "I'll do my best."
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