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 Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 10:16 am
Her mother had never explained this. That was, Mosi didn't explain a lot of the details of life, but this one seemed an important detail that shouldn't have been overlooked. Late in the middle of the night, Sheshe'kani had detangled from the mass of bodies that were her parents and five siblings. She only glanced back once at the great tree that was their home, it's leaves glistening in the light of the moon. Her restlessness wouldn't let her stay there this night, so she let her paws wander, aiming for one of the borders where she could rest under the stars, but still within the safety of her home, until this change passed.
She thought about her great uncle, Mosi's namesake. Her great grandmother, Ausi'juu, taught her the religion of her great-great grand father's birthpride. It was the same as the Pridelands, but instead of believing only kings spirits moved onto the stars they believed that every lion's, every creatures soul found it's way to the heavens to reside within Kiva's care in the form of starlight. Was Nukta's brother up there somewhere then? And their grandmother from daddy's side?
Kani exhaled a slow sigh, her dark socked paws slowing to a stop by the watering hole not far off. It was empty at night, most creatures sleeping, and any predators smaller than herself scattering before she arrived at the scent of her. As the cool liquid slid down her throat she paused, licking her lips dry and staring down at her wavering reflection. Thoughts went back to that conversation with Shomoro's son. Moving out... someday, it was only the natural thing to do wasn't it? But it looked like she'd be going it alone when ever she got around to seeking out a den.
As the moments ticked on, as the ripples ceased, her thoughts slowly began to blur. Shin was the one that had the broody phase, not her. She was supposed to be happy and optimistic all the time, life was good, she had family and a beautiful home, so why did she feel so drained these days?
~What's happening to me...?~
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:39 am
 He had spent the night on patrol as he often did, preferring the peace and darkness, the company of the stars over the company of lions. For the lion of honor, solitude was a comfort, a time of quiet meditation, a time to search for his own answers.
But even the most disciplined mind was not immune to the needs of the flesh, and even the samurai's thirst must be quenched. To this end he had at last paused in his sentry, long after his shift was past, making his way through the dew damp grass toward the gentle whisper of the water's edge.
His stride bore an elegance, a noble and steady gait, gliding without effort where others might stumble. Dark hide melted into the darkness, a mere shadow under the starlight; a shadow made visible by the white mane that circled his neck, glowing in the moon's radiance, golden markings glittering in his steps as if stars had fallen to earth. His appearance was surreal, as if he were nothing but a spectre wandering the land by darkness.
Paws rested lightly on the grassy bank, reflection barely touching the water as he lowered his head to drink. Ears flicked, nose twitching at a familiar scent, there was someone nearby.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 11:54 am
She'd become enrapt in her own thoughts, and for a long moment didn't realize someone else had come along, but after a pause her eyes darted in his direction. Another lion, an older male, and carrying on him very faintly was the scent of her mother. ~He must be one of the pride's scouts, to be out at this hour.~ She thought to herself, and though she'd just had several swallows of water her mouth suddenly felt parched, her tongue dry and clumsy, and keeping her from immediately speaking up as she now drank him in with her senses. Their eyes might meet, as she couldn't tear hers away, slowly straightening away from the water's surface but not finding enough semblance of mind to form an introduction.
Sheshe'kani had been horribly underexposed to other members of the pride, but especially males. She was a sweet girl by nature, a bit shy, and always carrying herself with a subdued confidence in the fact that she was a female. Daddy's little girl, always doing the right thing, being kind and polite to others, never swearing, helping her family, doing everything that she was told all the time. And, she was also a beautiful girl, not at all unlike her mother, with Mosi's contrasting light and dark markings and her father's ghostly eyes and tan fur, the colors all together were a breathtaking combination that had been taken for granted for some many months now. She was friendly and warm, but not actually outgoing. It would be far too forward of her to just walk up to a stranger and strike up conversation, let alone with the opposite sex.
It was also only natural, then, that she'd grow up with a repressed curiosity for the unknown, the forbidden, and the world of secrets and whispers. Normally she simply ignored those fleeting what if's, but tonight she had a second devil whispering in her ear that was just waiting to start planting it's little seeds. Her scent carried differently now, with the traces of her first heat, though Kani herself didn't know that. The only thing she was sure of was that aching lonliness that had recently taken root and made home in her heart, it felt like. She wanted to be close to someone, but who could she turn to?
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:06 pm
As he lifted his head, maw damp with his drink, deep blue eyes found those of lioness. She was young, striking in appearance, bearing white markings that seemed familiar to the old scout. Dark fur sank into the darkness as his own did, giving her the appearance of a floating entity. Had his nose not told him otherwise, he might have questioned if she was truly there or not.
An evening breeze ruffled his white mane, carrying with it an unmistakable scent. The female was indeed real, and though he did not remember meeting her, he was certain he knew her, or perhaps someone related. But more than that, the scent was musky, heavy, a scent that most males would find irresistible, intoxicating.
Bushido however was an honorable creature, not one to take advantage of a young lioness at such a time, especially one that may not have understood the changes in herself. And yet she was beautiful, and perhaps the older lion had forgotten that he too was human.
"Good evening."
His tone was kind, gentle yet dignified, spoken with a brief inclination of his head in a polite bow.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 1:20 pm
Slow, as if taking caution not to shatter the image of him into pieces, Kani returned the nod with one of her own, silently. For a moment she wondered if this were some type of dream. It certainly seemed like one, her wandering out alone and night and meeting this star kissed stranger at the shores of this watering hole.
"Evening..." When she finally shook her daze off some, Kani politely turned her eyes away, simply lowering them for a momnt to the water's surface and back again, only to break the trance like look. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to stare." She spoke finally, voice soft, instinctively hushed by the dark of night all around them after all this time. "You...." She paused, trailing off, then tried again. "You're one of the scouts, right?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 2:08 pm
A nod was his simple answer to her question, relieved at the break in the silence. He may have wondered why he was relieved, having often been satisfied to allow such encounters to pass in nothing but silence. For in silence there were no questions, and there was nothing but his own reflection.
"I am."
A small smile crossed his paw, a friendly reassuring gaze as he took in her features. He was not here to harm or take advantage of so beautiful a young lioness, and though others may have seized the opportunity he would not. He was strong, honorable, but he was also alone like she and he could not avert his eyes.
"It is a beautiful night, is it not?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:00 pm
"It's gorgeous," Kani agreed with a little smile of hr own, pausing only briefly as she shifted to sit more comfortably. Her smile couldn't last, however, with such heavy thoughts, and it faded like the dimming twilight might in a few hours, still holding his eyes now with an unintentionally haunting expression of bitter sweetness.
Like the moon above, despite being surrounded by so many bright lives, she couldn't help but feel alone even now as she sat amongst them all.
"The moon seems lonely, though..." She commented a bit sadly, quiet, then looked towards the grasses.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:39 pm
Eyes drifted skyward at her words, falling on the silvery orb that filled the night sky. It was a beautiful sight, a brilliant beacon that eclipsed even the majestic stars that surrounded it.
"Perhaps, but it need only look around to see it is not alone."
His gaze shifted, again finding pale eyes that shone like stars themselves on this night. The sorrowful tone had not been lost on the older male, the tone of a lost, confused youth who saw the world as a bigger place and did not understand the changes within herself.
Paws moved forward without thought, carrying his large frame a few steps closer to the tan form that shared the water tonight. Perhaps they were more alike than either of them realized, for while Bushido spoke words of wisdom, he had forgotten to look them himself, if he had, he may not have felt so alone himself.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 4:54 pm
Yes... but it was possible to get lost amongst the crowd. She'd been living here her entire life, surrounded by probably hundreds of others at one point, yet she'd lived only ever meeting two strangers and kept within the safety of her family's circle. Well, she was feeling it now. That aching lonliness only seemed fueled to grow worse, until her chest started to feel tight and her eyes began to sting, but she didn't want to cry. Stubbornly shutting her eyes against the frustrated swell of emotions she blocked them out instead. It was hard at first, but then the yet unnamed male moved closer, and she became immediately aware of it as his scent hit her nostrils all the harder.
There was nothing forward about the move, but it was enticing in it's own way, and she looked up at him, eyes almost seeming to plead for him to show her some truth to his words.
"Does it...?"
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 5:31 pm
He nodded, pausing a few short steps away from her before settling on his haunches, tail flicking silently in the grass beneath his paws. It was as close as he dared approach for they were yet strangers and he had already drawn nearer than he would have with another other. He was not even sure why he had done so now? Was it simply the overwhelming scent that pierced his senses? Or was it something more, a kinship, something unexplained that drew him to her side?
"It does, so long as it realizes it is not meant to be alone."
Just as the moon, no creature was ever truly alone, nor were they meant to be. One only need look around and reach out to find caring souls and gentle souls that were always there if they were only searched for.
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 5:47 pm
Not meant to be alone, and yet here she was getting all worked up over this lonely spell. It wasn't too late for her yet, the task of finding someone just seemed a daunting one. This realization didn't do much to quell her feelings of right now though. She still felt that longing to be closer, and so she did something about it while the little voice from earlier had her ear captive.
She rose to her own paws now, closing the distance between the two of them a bit more, and hesitated a moment before brushing her head against his mane, under his chin. It was a show of affection commonly used between all walks of family and friend. Mates, parent and child, friends, siblings, so in a way it wasn't too forward. It could almost be seen as a thank you for his advice, but she found herself not wanting to pull away afterwards, and instead settled onto her haunches again where she was.
"And you...?"
She hadn't missed the fact that he was out here too, and despite his position as a scout, she had to wonder why he picked the night sentry. It must be lonely, while everyone else slept, and he likely slept during the day when everyone else was awake, so was he like her in more ways than apperance might let on? Two ships passing in the night, both alone at sea, even when together?
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:08 pm
His tail gave a rapid flick, mane ruffling as a breath escaped he had not been aware he was holding. He remained silent, caught off guard by her sudden approach, the scent of her season surrounding him, piercing his very being. This was wrong, it was against his honor, a voice inside him screamed to back away, to end whatever may come before it had the chance to start.
But he didn't move, he couldn't, something held him to that spot where he sat, so close to such a beautiful creature, breathing in her presence as if she could cure his own despair.
"I suppose we all feel alone at times, even warriors like myself."
He smiled warmly, unknowingly returning the gesture of kind affection as the voice of protest faded inside his head. He was very alone, and it was a beautiful night, perhaps it wouldn't hurt to share it with another soul who seemed so like his own. It was after all, only one night wasn't it?
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Posted: Fri Aug 03, 2007 6:14 pm
Without even realizing it she had picked up a sturdy thrumming, a steady purr, rumbling deep within her chest and throughout her form as she pressed a bit closer to him. Suddenly that lonely ache didn't seem so bad anymore... Was this what it was supposed to feel like, this feeling of being complete?
"Somehow it doesn't feel so lonely anymore." She gently confessed, taking a deep breath of his scent. How long would the night last? She didn't know, she'd never stayed up with the moon before, but here was one star that had come to keep her company, and she wouldn't take his companionship for granted, however brief it might be.
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