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 Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:28 pm
"There used to be a nice big tree near the water hole," she murmured conversationally, still working on being more social, "If there's no hollow already there, it'd make a good one. Especially if you want a safe place to go from the water hole, should you run into any trouble." 
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 12:42 pm
Shiri, having spent so much time near the borders of the pridelands decided she would take the advice that an old friend, from when she was much younger, had given her. Kazi had said that if she ever needed a place to call home that she could venture towards the pridelands and ask to join. He said they were kind and that he, being a current member, would love to have her join. The words stuck with Shiri and on that particularly warm day, she decided to take his words to heart.
With one paw before the other, Shiri brought herself to the so familiar border. It seemed as though once she reached the edge, her body couldn't bring itself any farther forward. It was as though she feared her being a rogue would be clear to all those around. By her current appearance, thin and worn out, she figured it would not be so difficult to tell. How much would she stand out? Surely her colorings were not too different from those that already resided within? Shiri hesitated once more and then finally stepped beyond the borders. Her body shook with fear.
Once within the territory, she found herself keeping her body low as though to seem invisible to those around. She likely made herself stand out even bolder as she searched for the best place to sit and collect herself. Where could she find someone to speak to? Spotting the watering hole not far off, Shiri decided to get a drink. She had heard stories of the watering hole, shared by all. Surely this would be an ideal place to ask someone questions about the pride.
Sungura was thrilled that the two had went with his gut feeling. Since they had met Meme, the male felt as though Cheshi was truly protected and was glad for that. Having grown to care deeply for the pale rabbit, Sungura wanted only the best for her. And having someone else to talk to was very nice as well. Sungura was certain that with Meme's company, they would not have any trouble with servals or other hungry predators. It was as though a burden had been lifted from their shoulders. Sungura couldn't help but wonder, however, just why a lioness would want to be friends with two small rabbits with so many other lions near her. What was it about them? Or perhaps.. what was it about Meme?
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Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2007 1:01 pm
"This way," Meme said brightly, trying not to let them fall into too awkward a silence as it seemed neither hare were going to take an active part in the conversation. It was not a long walk to the water hole, and Meme decided that she would not lead them right to the tree yet. Instead, they would take a little rest right here. She didn't notice Shiri was nearby, but she did notice that it was rather empty around the watering hole this wonderful afternoon.
"Everyone must be off doing something," she commented, and leaned down to get herself a drink.
"Like us," Cheshi said cheerfully. It was becoming more and more obvious how comfortable Cheshi was now that she had Sunny and Memetuka to help keep her safe, not only was she not so twitchy but she actually was starting to sound happy. Had Cheshi been her usual paranoid self, she might have realized (or thought she realized) that another lioness was around.
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:06 pm
Sungura, having spent a great deal of the day being shown around by Memetuka, was now incredibly thirsty. Following her to the side of the watering hole, he looked at the water. The thought of sharing water with the lions seemed strange, but he couldn't be picky. Bending down beside Meme, he began to lick at the water. Once he had his fill, he took a few steps back and sat on the water's edge. "Cheshi, it's not so bad!" He said finally, happy to be where he was now: protected and with water.
Leaning back and releasing a sigh, Sungura glanced around. As Meme had said, there weren't very many around there. To break the awkward silence, he added, "So.. what do lions do when they're not hanging out around the watering hole?" Sungura knew very little about lions and it seemed since they had found themselves in the company of one, it wouldn't hurt to learn a bit more.
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:12 pm
Shiri was nearing the watering hole now and from where she was, she could see another lion. Memetuka was clearly visible, but the hares were slightly hidden by their short stature. Smiling warmly, she was glad to come across another. And though she could complain that there was only a lone lion drinking water, she was glad to have a single lion to speak to. It would make the whole introduction much less intimidating.
Arriving at the watering hole now, Shiri cleared her throat to make her presense known in case the others had not seen her approaching. Her expression was that of discomfort, though she wore a smile and attempted to show absolute kindness. She was, afterall, in the pridelands that were not her home. Smiling still, she neared the water and tilted her head down to take a drink. The water was cool and it was pleasant in the heat of the sun.
Once she had taken almost her fill, Shiri lifted her head, hoping to not make it entirely clear that she was a rogue. Lime colored eyes looked over to Memetuka before speaking, "Hello.. I'm Shiri. I was hoping I might be able to ask you a few questions..." Her voice was quiet and gentle.
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:39 pm
Memetuka smiled as she watched Sungura hop right over to the water to get a drink with her, pleased that they were all getting along so well now. It was very nice to have someone around, and it made her feel wonderful to know how much her mere presence was helping their confidence - especially Cheshi's. She was beaming down at the hares when the sound of someone clearing their throat caught her attention. Protectively, she glanced over to the source to make sure it wasn't a threat, and just as she was looking back to Sungura she did a very sudden double-take on the stranger.
The color was unmistakable, but coupled with the stripes and the startling green eyes.. it couldn't be! Could it? Memetuka had to hide her stare, and very quickly she turned her head to the hares- only to have to look back when Shiri spoke. This time, she wore a sheepish smile.
"I- I'm-" she hesitated in introducing herself. Would Shiri, who she now had no doubt about being her own daughter, recognize her name? How much had Abedari told the youth about her mother? She clearly didn't recognize her by looks! However, Meme was not going to risk that.
"I'm Angavu," Meme falsely introduced herself, guarding her name in case Shiri had heard it before, "I'd be .. happy to help, if I can."
Cheshi hopped into the water shortly after Sungura said it wasn't bad, though she really hadn't expected it to be. She almost toppled over at the sound of a strange throat clearing, if only out of old habit. I'm safe, she reminded herself. Memetuka was here- and there was no reason to worry. Or so she thought until she realized just how the lioness had reacted. Was she worried? Afraid? Should they leave?
The small hare stepped hesitantly closer to Sungura, watching as Memetuka introduced herself by another name.
.. What was going on?
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Posted: Mon Sep 10, 2007 10:41 pm
Shiri, completely unaware of the drastic color similarities between her and Memetuka, felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end as Meme began to stare. Instantly her mind wondered just what it was about her that made her rogue-ness so obvious. She was thin, yes, but as a lioness, she was expected to be fit. Perhaps she had lost far too much weight in those past days. Perhaps her fur was far too scruffy and she appeared mangy? Shiri's lime green eyes glanced down to the watering hole to examine herself. Never before had she been so concerned about her appearance. Already she was beginning to doubt whether or not she should have been there.
Like Meme had done with Shiri as a cub, Abedari did not stick around as well. Her father, completely overwhelmed with the cub on his own and the disappearance of Meketuka could not handle taking care of Shiri. Finding the safest of locations, Shiri's father left her alone to fend for herself. At such a young age, it was a surprise that the lioness even managed to stay alive. Her small size and thin frame were clear signs that she had been malnourished as a cub.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Angavu. I am Shiri..." And before she introduced herself, she looked down as though ashamed to explain her situation, "..as you can probably tell, I am a rogue lioness, but I was wishing to speak to someone of joining the pridelands.." She almost hesitated, but once she had finished it, she felt a load be released from her shoulders.
Sungura, having enjoyed Memetuka's company, but still been wary of her also noticed this sudden change of name. The rabbit knew of some animals that had multiple names and wondered if perhaps this second name was an additional name that she had carried with her. Perhaps a pride name or something of the sort? Examining his lion friend's behavior, Sungura guessed that this was not it. She wasn't quite right. Something about this new lion was unsettling to her. Just what was it about.. Shiri?
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 7:48 am
If Shiri was a bit scruffy looking, Memetuka herself was not far from it, having only been in the pride again for a short time and just starting to look a little more healthy and well-groomed. Meme didn't realize her staring had made Shiri suddenly self-conscious about such things, though. Having lived as a rogue herself, having fallen in love with one before.. Memetuka was not one to judge simply because of status as a rogue.
When Shiri did not react to the odd name, or seem at all suspicious, Memetuka wondered if she'd been mentioned to the girl at all. Perhaps it was for the better, until Shiri realized just how similar they looked. It was almost impossible for Memetuka not to stare, and equally as hard was not just bursting into tears at the sight of her one and only little girl, all grown up. She had to be careful, she reminded herself, and did her best to hide the flood of emotions she was feeling.
Until Shiri said she wanted to join the Pridelands.
"You want to join?" she repeated, sounding almost shocked and realizing just how much worse she might make the ashamed look Shiri had if she didn't smarten up. Meme would have to square with Shiri being around permanently another time, not now. "You'd have to talk to the Queen, Kamilika, to get permission," Memetuka said quickly to cover up her previous question and politely, smiling this time to try to show that it was ok, "The pride is very welcoming, I'm sure you'd h-have no trouble.."
Cheshi kept herself as close to Sungura as she could, working away in her own little mind to try to figure out what was going on. Did Memetuka have two names? Why was she so.. afraid of Shiri? Looking back and fourth between the two, Cheshi quite suddenly realized they were the same color- and beyond that, they were similar in form. They could almost be related, if they had acted more like they'd known each other.
"They look alike," she whispered as quiet as she could to Sungura. Her voice was low enough to keep the words between her and Sunny, but not necessarily to keep their presence hidden.
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:24 pm
The mere fact that Memetuka was on the pridelands territory implied, to Shiri, that she was a pridelander. It did not occur to Shiri that perhaps this lioness was in a similar situation to her. It was even less of a thought that this lioness was the same lioness that had left Shiri alone so many years ago. The same lioness that Shiri often dreamed about and longed to meet and question.
When Meme would begin to stare again at Shiri, the younger lioness would attempt to look off as she spoke or kneel down towards the water to take a drink. She thought perhaps that if she distracted herself, it would be less intimidating to know that the other was strangely interested in her. After all, it would be more rewarding if she stayed and gathered more information about the pridelands.
Memetuka's original exclamation had Shiri's eyes wide with a sudden fear. Had she done something so offensive to the other that the complete stranger did not want her a part of her pride? Shiri's brow lowered uncontrolably as she became more uncomfortable in the situation. Meme quickly covered up, but Shiri already felt like an outsider. Perhaps that day would be perfect to speak with a pridelander and she could save the conversation with the queen for an entirely different day.
Taking a deep breath, the lioness struggled to remain calm and collected as she spoke. It took such a great effort to stay where she was when for the first time in her life, she was eager to return to the border, which to her, was home. "Thank you so much, Angavu.. I will go speak with the Queen. Perhaps another day though.." She tried to keep the disappointment from her voice.
Sungura had been so taken back by Meme's false name that he did not piece together how similar both Memetuka and Shiri tooked. They were different in pattern, but their colors were identical. In fact, even though Meme was a pridelander, they both appeared thin and somewhat rough on the edges. Crossing his arms, the hare tried to determine just what was going on. Looking over at Cheshi and responding in a whisper, he told her what he thought, "They do look alike. I think Meme's keeping something from us... she looks afraid.."
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Posted: Tue Sep 11, 2007 8:40 pm
It was almost painful to hear the disappointment and odd sort of fear in Shiri's voice, and Meme couldn't hold back a frown. Shiri wasn't looking at her, she looked terribly uncomfortable and she was so reluctant all of a sudden. Meme had not meant for that to happen at all! This only confirmed the notion that she would be an unfit mother, even now that so much time had passed. Seeming to have forgotten the hares by the water, and for a moment almost seeming to forget that she'd named herself Angavu, Meme hesitated before stepping closer to her long-lost daughter.
"The Queen is very friendly, there's no need to worry about talking to her. You'd find before long that being worried about meeting someone so very kind was absolutely silly, and I speak from experience," she said encouragingly, succeeding for once at not seeming so anxious at the idea of speaking to Shiri or having her around more, "If joining it what you want to do, there's not better time than now. You don't want it to be too late.."
Memetuka was speaking very personally now, from her own experience, feelings and thoughts. Normally, she would have guarded her secrets, but it seemed important to tell these things to Shiri even if she was pretending not to be her mother.
"I've made many mistakes in my life," she said, almost looking on the verge of tears but blinking it away before continuing, "And waiting to come back, to join this pride, is one of the ones I regret." Memetuka's two greatest regrets in her life were abandoning her daughter and abandoning her sister. It was too late for Sarabi, and she was almost positive it would be too late for Shiri. She was all grown up, she would hate her if she found out.. In her thoughts, her purple eyes had wandered down the watering hole, and when she looked back up to Shiri she smiled sadly.
Afraid was a look that Cheshi knew very well, if only from experience being afraid, not really from seeing it. She had to agree with Sungura, but was amazed as Memetuka seemed to overcome that fear of the strange lioness Shiri to go over and talk to her. It was a very curious situation, they had to admit. Cheshi couldn't help but be a little bit impressed with Meme being brave enough to go over when she was obviously upset about it..
"Mhm," Cheshi mumbled with a short nod, deciding it was best not to discuss it right now. They could ask Meme later, couldn't they?
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 6:57 pm
It seemed at first all Shiri heard was the part about being too late. Would she have a more difficult time if she waited? Surely one night wouldn't affect her chances of joining. The lioness couldn't imagine if she went to seek the queen now and broke down due to her uncomfort. Once she had decided she would wait a day longer anyhow, the lioness suddenly understand the rest of what Memetuka had said. She was glad to hear that the queen would be friendly. She hadn't imagined otherwise, but still found herself frightened. The queen of an entire pride was an impressive title and she would not be surprised if this belonged to a very powerful lioness.
Having been caught up in her own stressfull situation, Shiri did not notice at first how personal the other lioness was becoming with her. When she heard that Memetuke had made mistakes, however, the younger lioness paid a greater amount of attention. She couldn't help but smile weakly, as though to comfort the other. It seemed, somewhere in their conversation, Shiri had reminded her of something...perhaps something lost?
Nodding once more and smiling sincerely now, Shiri took a few steps back. "I appreciate all you have offered me, Angavu. I will return to the prides and if I have pleasant news to report, I shall seek you out once more and thank you for your kindness!" On that note, Shiri set off towards the border, body shaking and eyes becoming watery. She felt weak, but it was uncontrolable. The lioness was not used to the company of others and felt as though every choice he just made had been wrong. Despite this current feeling, she had promised herself to return the very next day. She would not let Angavu's advice go to waste.
Sungura had understood Cheshi's lack of conversation and decided to remain quiet as well. By the looks the two lions were exchanging, Sungura could only tolerate so much awkward feelings. He wondered why the two felt so strangely in one another's presense, but didn't want to bother guessing. Turning away and looking back towards the water, the hare tried to pull Cheshi closer to him. "What do you think of this place so far?" He asked, his voice curious, but still quiet as to not disrupt the others.
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:24 pm
Memetuka could see that her words concerned Shiri, and felt bad about it- surely there was no reason a short wait would make it too late for someone like her. However, in the long run, there might have been repercussions that they didn't yet know about. Memetuka had been too late to see her sister again, but what did Shiri have waiting for her in the Pridelands?
Just her old, deceitful mother.
This thought stuck with the lioness, and she didn't really seem to react as Shiri thanked her and only the mention of seeing her again brought her back from the trance. Still a bit dumbstruck, she only nodded a farewell and watched as Shiri went off towards the borders. It seemed Meme had come back to the Pride just in time to run into her daughter.
Turning back to the hares, Meme's watery eyes finally overflowed as she no longer needed to hold back. Sungura and Cheshi would have noticed something was wrong, the name would give it away- she'd have to explain to them now.
Cheshi stumbled a bit when she was pulled closer to Sunny, but did her best not to take her eyes off the pair of lions. It was fascinating and worrying, and she didn't want to miss a minute of it. When Sunny asked her for her opinion, though, she had to look back to him.
"I like it," she mumbled, smiling sheepishly at Sunny- then catching sight of Meme turning back to them after a short moment. Her pink eyes wandered up to the now crying lioness, and she frowned. Shiri was gone, and now Meme was crying.
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:33 pm
Having noticed that Cheshi was not paying a full amount of attention to him, Sungura looked back to check what had her so interested. Catching site of Memetuka's face now lined with tears, the hare looked worried. Why had the meeting with Shiri distressed her so greatly? Wouldn't it be pleasant to have someone ask for your opinion on something as nice as finding a place to belong?
Not understanding women, or lions for that matter, Sungura could only offer an awkward smile and a small hug as he approached Memetuka. He hoped that with time she would return to her old self and perhaps share with them just what had happened. They had only known Memetuka for a short amount of time, but Sungura felt as though the three were bound to remain in one another's company.
Perhaps, Sungura thought, this was only wishful thinking. Would a lioness truly wish to keep two perky hares with her?
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:49 pm
Memetuka offered a half-hearted smile to Cheshi, who looked concern, and then to Sunny when he hopped over and overed her an awkward smile and hug. She was a very lucky lioness, she had more than she deserved sometimes, even if right now it was just those two wonderful little hares.
She cleared her throat, stopping where she had been standing before Shiri had showed up. She didn't feel much like going to the tree she'd mentioned before, and she did owe them some kind of explanation. Hesitating a moment longer, she finally spoke up.
"That lioness- she was my daughter," she said finally in a hushed voice, clearing her throat again as she slowed the flow of her tears, "Let's go home.." Meme's suggestion of going home was not something she wanted them to question, surely they understood a little bit how troubling that had been. Hoping not to give them the chance to argue, though she expected they would not, she turned back towards the den and headed home.
Cheshi moved awkwardly to mimic Sungura and offer some kind of comforting gesture- but her own worrying held her back. She was certainly more comfortable around the lioness, but she certainly did not want to be a nuissance to her. So all she did was try to return the smile- up until Meme said that Shiri was her daughter. Very suddenly, Cheshi looked shocked- not at the idea of it being her daughter but that she hadn't realized it. It definetely made sense when you saw them side by side! She glanced off in the direction Shiri had gone, and then back to Meme just as she suggested going home. Cheshi wouldn't dare argue, and after that she herself wasn't feeling to keen on the idea either.
"Ok," she said, being bolder than usual and not waiting for Sunny to answer for the two of them. As Meme started to head back home, Cheshi took her usual place by Sunny and followed along, glancing over to Sunny with a small look of concern for the lioness.
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Posted: Wed Sep 12, 2007 7:56 pm
Sungura was taken back when Memetuka admitted what she had. He felt honored to know that the lioness felt responsible enough to explain what had happened before changing the course of action for the day. Having lost his interest in the tree quite awhile ago, the hare was certainly willing to simply follow his friend home. Meme's comfort was important to him and he felt awful for questioning the trust he placed in her. She had already proved multiple times to be a good friend.
The male could feel Cheshi's eyes on him, but he didn't think it would be right to return the gaze and speak of the situation behind Meme's back. Silent and feeling as though it was all he could do to offer respect, Sungura followed behind quietly.
Unlike most other times Sungura went with Cheshi, this time he didn't grab ahold of his hand. It wasn't clear as to why, but at the very moment, Sungura felt a wave of sadness come over him.
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