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 Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 8:47 am
They had parted ways for awhile, and personally it was longer then Baala agreed with, but she had survived on the other hand. Baala understood Kiuma's need to see her sons, and Baala would not want to do anything to disrupt their union. Kiuma needed to see her children, as Baala would want to see her's (if she had any). It was maternal instinct kicking them in the rear-end, but a part of her couldn't wait to hear about how Kiuma's children were. She wanted to know what they looked like, if they were healthy, if they had kids of their own now. She suspected that Kiuma would take some sort of pleasure in talking about them, and mainly that was her reason for wanting to bring it up. Her goal was to make Kiuma happy, for all that older red lioness had done for her.
She yawned, icy blue eyes still transfixed on the horizon. The sky was slowly turning lighter, from a navy to a more pure blue color. It would be easier to spot Baala under these conditions, and she was thankful for that. But her muscles were beginning to ache from remaining in place for too long, and with a soft sigh she dropped down from the boulder. Achingly she stretched out her back, her tongue rolling out of her mouth in a yawn, claws scratching into the earth. Ah, she could wait longer for Kiuma. Her excitement was getting ahead of her. She was acting like an impatient child, and she worked hard to gather herself together. She would not look like a child when Kiuma returned.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:21 pm
Kiuma trotted through the grass in the dawn landscape, the golden strands brushing her sides. She was brooding, that much was obvious in her expression. Her meeting with her sons, while accomplishing what she'd wanted, was by no means a satisfying thing. How had time gotten away from her? She'd expected them to have grown, but she'd been unprepared to see them full grown adults.
Her red eyes focused after a moment, and she glanced around. She'd left Baala around here somewhere... it was about time she found the girl again and made sure she was doing okay here in the Pridelands.
Lifting her head, she roared out over the stillness of the savannah. "Baala!" She called out, her tail flicking as she trotted forward.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 8:36 pm
She had decided to relax instead of brood on the fact that Kiuma was nowhere in sight. Baala even contemplated the idea of sleeping, but somehow she just didn't feel comfortable. There was no one beside her to watch her back and keep her safe while she slept. Paranoia crept up on her, and she was beginning to realize that she was really becoming dependent upon Kiuma's company. It disgusted her a little, after having lived on her own perfectly fine for so long. She valued independence... but Kiuma was slowly making her more and more loyal. Instead of walking away, Baala would always return to Kiuma's side.
It was when she was nearly asleep that she heard her name spoken on Kiuma's voice. Raising her head, she gazed into the distance, and unable to see her immediately she chose to follow the voice. Out of the darkness her form came into shape ahead of Kiuma, her pace having quickened once she spotted the red form. She barely managed to control the urge to run, to be a child again, greeting her mother after an important hunt. She was no longer a child, and Kiuma was not her mother. Kiuma was her companion, someone who was helping her through her life, helping her rise up from the life of a rogue.
"Hello, Kiuma," she smiled, looking relieved to see her and happy. It really did feel like too long since they had been together.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:08 pm
A rare smile passed over Kiuma's face as she caught sight of a dark figure bounding towards her. Creamy paws came to a stop as she waited for the younger lioness to reach her, and she murred a greeting.
"Ah, there you are Baala. I hope you've been doing okay while I was at Priderock." She said as she looked her over, noting her healthier form. She was much better than when Kiuma had first met her. All that travel, and regular meals of all she could eat, had done wonders for her. "No one's bothered you, have they?" Kiuma would personally beat the fur from anyone who messed with her young companion...
It was strange, enjoying the sight of another living being. Enjoying their prescence. She hadn't felt like this since... since Tanaka left her. That thought still hurt, but the pain was getting easier to bear.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:36 pm
Ah, it felt good to see Kiuma smile, to just see her face and know that this lioness was here as her friend and ready to do as much for her as Baala would do for her in return. It was so easy for her to remember why she liked Kiuma, a lioness who had faced many hardships, but pushed through them anyway. Kiuma could defend herself, could do anything she wanted and probably get away with it. "I have been doing well, met a few... locals, but that was really what was most eventful while you were away." Almost self-conciously she turned, hiding a few of the marks she was given through a fight with a young male. "It was nothing that I couldn't handle. I've taken care of myself long enough to be able to keep well while you were away."
There was nothing Kiuma could do about Baala getting hurt. She had not bothered to get the young male's name, and though she remembered what he looked like, her description would be so poor that Kiuma would never find him by looks alone. It would be a pointless search, and Baala would not waste Kiuma's time. There had to be hundreds of Pridelanders that fit her description, and if they did not deserve Kiuma's anger, she would not wish it upon them. "And how have you been? I hope your reunion went well."
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 9:59 pm
Kiuma lifted an eyebrow, but decided not to comment about the marks on Baala's hide. Apparently, not all of the Pridelanders she'd met had been friend. In a way, it infuriated her that the young female had been attacked, but in another, she was pleased to see that at least some of the lions here weren't weak-hearted, useless rogue-borns. She shook her head as she dismissed that line of thought, focusing instead on the questions.
"I'm fine. The trip there and back was uneventful. As for the meeting, it was... good to see my sons. Though, I've been gone so long, they hardly resemble the little ones I left behind." There was pain in her eyes and voice, as well as a mish-mash of emotions. Namely regret and anger. Regret for their growing up without her, and anger at those that had force her to miss so much of her cub's lives.
"The twins are also missing... It seems they tried to follow me, and one one has heard from them since." She frowned as she shook her head again. Stupid cubs... for all she knew, they could be dead now, nothing but scavenger-pickedover bones...
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 10:18 pm
She smiled in understanding, though she had yet to feel the pains of motherhood herself. Baala could imagine it, birthing cubs into the world, growing up with them for just a little bit before forced away... and then to come back and see that they weren't cubs anymore. So much could've happened. They could've even forgotten Kiuma was their mother, but the red lioness would've mentioned it if that was the case. "Will you meet with them again?" Baala would not mind Kiuma leaving her again to see her sons. This was important to Kiuma, and Baala would not take it away from her. She would not be selfish and hoarde away someone else's mother.
It had seemed good at first, but as Kiuma shared with her the knowledge that her twin sons were missing, she frowned, gazing down the earth. She had no idea what to say, because like Kiuma she could only imagine that they were dead. Young cubs did not stand a chance on their own. Baala's mother had not died until she was old enough to fend for herself, which was the reason she was alive today. For the twins to have survived... it would've required a miracle. It was most likely that they were dead, and if that was the case Kiuma truly did lose her cubs. "They have each other, and they are your sons... Someone could've taken them in, or they could be alive and on their own now." She may've even met them in her own travels... but she somehow doubted that. No, she had not seen her companion's children.
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Posted: Sat Aug 04, 2007 11:04 pm
Kiuma sighed as she rolled her shoulders.
"Perhaps. It was good to see them, but they don't need me anymore. They still love me as their mother, but they have their own lives now." She shook her head as she glanced around them, taking in their surroundings.
"I'm sure they're okay... they are my sons and they are large for their age. They were almost to adolescence when I left, I know they would have made it. But that begs the question... where are they? I think once I've settled things here, I will go and see if I can find them. It shouldn't be too hard... Two blue lions, especially twins, shouldn't be easy to miss."
Unspoken was the question, would Baala join her in her travels? Part of her knew she should leave her here, where she'd be safe with the pride. But... part of her was relunctant to part ways with her only companion.
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 7:22 pm
Baala wondered about many things, one of them being if Kiuma would ever have children again, to try and raise them properly when before she had not had the chance. It was not something she was going to ask. Kiuma had been betrayed by the one she loved, and perhaps the damage was enough that Kiuma would never have children again, would never put her trust in a new family. It hurt to think about it, but that was life... and she'd be beside Kiuma no matter what the other lioness did."Do you have any grandchildren?" She smiled at Kiuma, hoping to liven up the conversation.
"They could be anywhere, in the time that you have been gone." Even she heard the unspoken question, and already she knew what she was going to do. She would follow Kiuma to the ends of the earth, if that was what the other wanted. Sure, it was true that she had been hoping to start a new life here in the Pridelands, but she wouldn't have even been to the Pridelands if not for Kiuma. This lioness had offered to her a clear future, but in this case she was going to choose the cloudy future, and stay with Kiuma.
"I think, though, that we could find them." It was the 'we' that passed on her commitment to Kiuma. Her decision was voice, and she continued to speak as if nothing had changed, as if this was the only choice that was offered to her. "As you have described them, they should be easy to spot. I don't doubt that you'll see your twin sons again."
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Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2007 8:21 pm
The red lioness smiled as she heard and understood the 'we' that was snuck into the conversation. An ear twitched at the thought of grandchildren, and she whinced bared fangs.
"Sweet Circle, I hope not... the two I found don't even have females yet, from what I see. It might be another story with the twins, or my daughter, but... I don't think so, not yet." She growled as she shook her head, ears flopping. "Grandmother... that makes me feel old, and I'm far from old." A snort left her as she bent forward in a stretch, her tail lifted up into the air as she dug black claws into the dirt.
She hiesitated for a moment, the sighed and voiced her thoughts. "I'm sorry to pick up so soon after arriving... we've hardly had a chance to relax, and I'm already iching to leave." She shook her head as she eased back up onto her paws again. "But I guess that's something you'll learn about me. I don't like staying in one place for long... not unless there is something to keep me there." She eyed the other as she spoke, trying to search out Baala's reaction. After everything in her past, she greatly doubted her ability to read others, but she still tried.
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Posted: Tue Aug 07, 2007 7:45 pm
An elated giggle slipped out from between her fangs at Kiuma's reaction to the idea of having grandchildren. "You'll technically be a great-great-grandmother before you're considered old, I'm betting." She spoke in good nature, unable to mentally picture Kiuma being old. Kiuma was healthy and young, with enough strength that no one would dare call her frail and old. "And why do you not wish for grandchildren? They couldn't be terrible, as long as there aren't... ten or so of them." Her ears flattened against the back of her, the corners of her lips turning downward in an involuntary wince. Numerous amounts of cubs were one thing she doubted she'd be able to handle. Baala couldn't even stand most lions her age. She was yet to develop a high tolerance for cubs, though maternal instincts made her think 'cute' whenever she saw one.
"There's no need to apologize for something like that." Baala had barely gotten settled in the Pridelands, and so she was wishing it wouldn't be difficult to leave them. Already she could feel her heart constricting at the idea of abandoning a chance to fit in and find a place in a pride. The Pridelands was everything that she had been hoping to find. Sure, she hadn't met many lions that lived here, but it seemed so nice and peaceful... and different from the life she was living. A small part of her was regretting her decision to leave, but when she thought about it, she had found some sort of place of importance with Kiuma. She wasn't alone anymore, and she feared the loneliness if she decided to stay behind.
"I'm a little of the same. I keep imagining myself fitting in somewhere, staying and living a happy life, but if I don't feel a connection, if the place doesn't capture my heart I'll leave. I've travelled a lot, I'm sure I'm up for some more." She smiled, reassuring herself that a life at Kiuma's side was better then the settled and peaceful life of a Pridelander. For certain, things would be more interesting with Kiuma.
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:13 am
Kiuma's maw curled in distaste, mirroring Baala's own feelings on cubs. "I may be a mother, but I have little interest in cubs. They tie me down too much, but... there is a certain kind of joy in seeing and holding something that is completely and utterly... yours. No one can tell you what to do with it, or take it from you..." She sighed as she rolled her shoulders, veering away from a painful topic.
She could hear the regret in Baala's voice, and her ears fell back as she eyed her closely. "You don't have to come with me, Baala..." She said softly, feeling out how the other felt about it. "I'll come back, just like I always do, so its not like you'd never see me again... And its important for young lions like you to have a stable environment. With me could be a dangerous place to be, and just like before, I travel fast and it takes strength to keep up with me..."
She tried very hard to keep her voice neutral, wanting the young one to make her own decision without worrying about how Kiuma felt. Even though Kiuma was loathe to be alone again... she did care enough to want what was best for Baala.
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 9:44 am
Baala took the hint that the conversation about cubs should be brought to an end. Kiuma hadn't had the chance to really raise her cubs when she went on her search for her missing daughter. The cubs had in fact been left behind, but that was understandable. They were safe in the Pridelands, and numerous adult lions would jump on the chance to raise adorable cubs. Kiuma had done what she had needed to do, taking maternal instincts to the limit when she left home. Baala didn't want to bring these memories back up in Kiuma's mind, because once again Kiuma was leaving her children to find those that had run off. Sure, the cubs were now adults... but it had to be difficult to leave them after seeing them for so short a time.
A look of regret swept over her face for only a moment before she wiped it away. It was obvious that she hadn't wanted Kiuma to hear how difficult a decision leaving was for her. Talking about it more would only bring the topic back to the forefront of her mind and steer her away from her original decision. Baala didn't want to leave Kiuma, the other lioness didn't deserve to be alone. She was sure she could always return to the Pridelands when she was truly tired of travelling. But, it just seemed cruel to stay behind... and watch Kiuma walk away alone. And though she yearned to stay, to settle down and maybe have a cub or two of her own (that was probably the only use she'd have for a male, and she didn't intend on keeping one ever), it could always wait.
"I'll come with you, I want to, and don't you dare imply that I don't have the strength to keep up. I have kept up with you so far." She pulled a smile on her face, willing Kiuma to believe her and let things be. Baala was coming... before she had time to truly change her mind abot it. "I love a little adventure anyways."
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 10:54 am
Kiuma raised an eyebrow as her ears fell back, a hint of a 'humph' leaving her. "Upstart." She replied, almost affectionately. "I've seen you travel and I know you can keep up, I just wanted to warn you that it would be tough going, like last time."
Tough going indeed... since Kiuma intended to push herself this time, and travel as fast as she could. Who knows how far the twins had traveled by now, or where they might be? A sigh slipped free as she turned her face towards the rising sun, watching it slide higher in the sky. North, yes... that was their first direction, though it was almost like they were retracing their steps. It was too bad, but couldn't be helped.
There will be time enough later for settling down... she might even stick around for a bit, if only so Baala could find some sort of home here, since the girl seemed intent on following Kiuma to the ends of the earth. And if her sons came? It was hard to think of that. She might actually get to know them again, maybe make up for lost time.
Shaking her head, Kiuma looked Baala over with a sharp red eye. "So, is there anything you need to do? If you're ready, I think we can start right away. Should make the edge of the Pridelands by midday, and we can maybe catch something to eat before we leave..."
Leaving again... yet again... did she really want to do this? Is this all her life was going to be? The red princess shook her head again to clear those questions. It didn't matter. Its the way things were, and how they would be, as commanded by the Circle of Life.
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Posted: Wed Aug 15, 2007 4:27 pm
"There's no need to warn me. I know what it will be like. If I stay here I may very well get fat and out of shape... You'd come back to see that I conformed to the life of luxury and laziness." Her voice was light, joking, to push back the thoughts of what exactly she was doing. Baala was leaving a pride where she had a chance to be successful. This had been her very hopes, to fit in somewhere and feel important. But she got the same feeling with Kiuma, it was just that she had no permanent home to settle in. Baala was young, she was supposed to have a travelling heart, but she had used up all of it while she had been even younger. There was still some travelling spirit in her, but soon she would want to settle down. Just not... now.
"No, there's nothing I need to do here. I've barely settled in, and I haven't made any friends. There is no one I need to say good bye to. You can say that I was prepared for this, to leave once again." Had Baala ever really expected to stay in one place for any long length of time? Yes, she had, and maybe one day that would come, but it was clear that the day was not this one. It was time to go, and she was more then ready for it. She'd forget about the Pridelands eventually, until the day she came back. There was little doubt she'd be back.
"Are you ready to go?" She was smiling now, striding forward to come stand by Kiuma's side, waiting for direction. Baala would rather leave right now instead of later. They could make good distance today, and it would bring them a step closer to finding Kiuma's sons, even if it seemed to be a near-impossible task. "I am."
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