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 Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 8:15 am
Nose lifting in the air, she offered her best attempt at distinguishing the scents from within, but to no avail; something called to her from inside the darkened foliage however. The wind whispered in her ears that it was safe; it pulled at her, and slowly... ever so slowly, Misae stepped inside. Something about the pull and tug was almost familiar. Almost like home.
The notion instantly made the lioness freeze in her steps, her large red eyes scanning the darkness within, "No," she said, as if reassuring herself, "Dead. All of them. The ghost haunt the Oasis; they don't leave. Can't be here," the whisper was breathed to no one in particular, but rather, as if the petite pale lioness were thinking out loud. Despite her own reassurance, she almost turned tail and ran straight to where her father rested; the tug was just so hauntingly familiar, that she could only associate it with the oasis itself. It'd been so long ago though...
The ghost was dead though; Nyekundu had died before her birth. And his ghost remained in the Oasis, no doubt bound to the damned forsaken place, hence why there was no way he'd be there, "Nyekundu's dead," she called to the trees around her, frowning at them, "Ghost, he is. Dead, restless soul! He's not here..." a sigh escaped her maw, and finally happy after having heard the words ring through the tress, Misae marched on, her curious nose sniffing out every corner, every root, and every vine. She'd allow herself to explore till her father called for her from outside.
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Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 9:04 am
 It was the dark form of Raylan that wiggled through the debris and foliage underfoot in the jungle, making her way through the tangling vines with half an idea of what she was actually doing. Here and there her paws got tangled, making her falter rather awkwardly, followed by an immediate frown and a furrow of her brow as she tried to wrench her legs free. She had been here a long while and she still found herself getting lost at times due to the sheer vastness and entanglement of the unique area. The problem was that everything looked the same and she recognized very little outside the immediate entrance to the Unity Walker pride. Unless she found a particularly unique flower that stuck in her mind, she was lost more often than not – like she happened to be at this certain point in time.
The pretty stocking-marked lioness was fighting a particularly nasty bit of bramble that had enticed her paws into a trap, winding around them in a way that seemed very improbable, when she heard that voice shout and resound through the trees. At first, the name of her father sent a shiver down her spine and her entire form locked up, sure that he would come bounding out of the trees to punish her and send her home. She crouched, ears flattened, hiding behind the foliage she had been fighting only moments before. However, a few moments later, she seemed to remember the second word attached to that voice – ‘dead’.
Curious, the little lioness brought her form back up to her full height, brilliant tangerine eyes scanning the area in search of who could have called out like that. The words that came at that point, softer than the first, were definitely female, and that thought relaxed her slightly. Unable to see past the dense vegetation surrounding her, she decided that she’d have to venture out farther into the jungle. It’s not like it mattered much, as lost as she was, the direction of that voice could just as likely be the way back to the den as it was anything else.
After a few minutes of wrestling with her capturer, Raylan freed her paws and began a hesitant saunter towards the direction she had heard that claim. Her eyes stayed intent upon the surroundings, ready to run if she even saw a glimmer of her father’s salmon-marked pale form. Of course, as the pale form before her came partially into view, she felt her heart harden to a state of lead – until she realized that the body held green, not salmon. She laughed softly at her foolishness, more to calm her nerves than anything else, and hesitantly stalked out of the cover the jungle provided.
“Excuse me,” she said quietly, very unaware of the common blood seething through both of their veins, “but did you just say that Nyekundu was dead?” She came no closer, unsure of the female’s intent, but she was at least polite. The lioness didn’t seem dangerous at all, but one could really never be too sure. If anything, the time she had spent with her father had taught her to be cautious.
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Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 4:47 am
A pause from the female as she froze, looking for just the barest of seconds like a deer caught in headlights; the surprise of seeing another lioness stepping out of the foliage did not last long however, and soon enough, Misae took a tentative step back. Her father had taught her well, as was apparent by the fact her attention had switched fully onto the black-furred frame. It wasn't, in fact, the black that had caught her eye, but rather, the salmon that marked her body.
She'd seen plenty of salmon in her childhood, and though granted, it didn't necessarily mean anything, it was enough of a threat for Misae to tense as she watched on. It wasn't till Raylan spoke that the pale lioness frowned; there was confusion edged upon her features for just a moment before she offered her reply, "Yes.... he died just before my birth," another pause, hesitation marring her movements before she allowed herself to tilt her head, still inspecting the stranger, "You know my..." she seemed to falter upon reaching that point, some sort of unreadable emotion fleeting through her eyes briefly, "My father?" the mere idea of calling the brute 'father' was sickening, but she could not deny the truth. Even if she DID consider Nyota more of a father than Nyek had ever been, even without an actual blood link, "I.... don't remember you?"
But then again, if this lioness would've BEEN there at the Oasis whilst she'd stayed there, then... she'd have known of the King's death. It'd been all anyone had ever talked about, even months after her birth. It'd crop up in conversation amongst the lioness that did remain upon that land. So thus, no sooner had Misae spoken up, she frowned, rolling her eyes at her own stupidity for asking, "Of course I don't remember you.... you'd not be here asking me about His death if you'd been there," a pause as red hued eyes returned to Raylan's form, "Something tells me some introductions are at stake if we want to understand better what's going on," despite the innocence that had previously been displayed, something akin to serious intelligence seemed to have seeped into her orbs, "My name is Misae 'dhulu; I am daughter to Nyekundu and Malika. One of the very last litters; I was born before his death. Voice came of his death right after my birth," pausing, she sat down finally, her tail curling about her, "And you are...? The salmon gives you away, sort of, but I'd wish to know whom you are. Exactly."
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Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 2:10 pm
It took Raylan a few good moments to comprehend what was being said to her. The girl had immediately begun to refer to the lion as her father, and for a long time she simply stared at the figure before her with confusion written completely across her features. Then, of course, she seemed to be rather suddenly struck by the truth of the situation. Although the younger female before her looked very little like Raylan herself, Nyekundu’s blood ran just as truly through her veins. It was a curse, she thought, to have such a father, but in a way she was blessed to have so many sisters. She was sure that no matter where she went, there would always be one somewhere. Like now, when this girl was here to tell her the best news she had heard in her life.
“My name?” she said as she slowly moved her form closer, taking a seat in a particularly soft batch of foliage, her tail curling instantly around her forepaws in a protective motion. She felt the need to shield herself like that – not from the female, but from the topic that they were discussing, almost as if mentioning his name would bring Nyekundu back from his grave. “My name is Raylan, daughter of Rukiya and Nyekundu, full-blood sister to Dhiki,” she said quietly, staring into the eyes that were very different from her own, at the form that was certainly quite different from her own. “I suppose that makes you and I half-blood sisters,” she said as she tilted her head, a slight questioning tone lingering in her voice. It was odd to recognize any of those females as sisters because she had never been close to anyone but Dhiki – they had always been inseparable. At least, until Raylan had run away.
“You don’t remember me because I ran away from him,” she said with a little frown, staring down at her paws in what one could almost label as shame. She had left Dhiki behind, left her mother behind, but she would have gone crazy if she hadn’t been able to get away. “I couldn’t take him saying what he said, doing those things he did, so I ran away when he was out of the oasis,” she whispered it, shifting her paws beneath her feet, “and I left little Dhiki behind.” She had always, always tried to protect Dhiki from their father. Dhiki was too trusting, too loving to know when to not say something to the heartless lion. She sighed, glancing up towards this new sister of hers. At least the fool was dead, right? He would trouble her no longer, and Dhiki could be out there somewhere, safe.
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:00 am
Bearing her father's blood didn't truthfully seem like a curse to Misae; after all, she couldn't pick whom she was born to. Things were as they were; she had no control over that. What she did have controll over, however, was whom she became in th future. The pale lioness had always pondered she'd rise above her past; she'd make up for what little she could in her own way. So far, she'd done a fine job, or so she thought.
She was going to add telling this lioness that their mutual father was dead to her list of 'good deeds' too, "Your name," she nodded, encouraging her as she offered her a small smile. The tension was gone as soon as the other lioness spoke and offered her the story of her past; it was a story Misae knew well, and one she had absolutely no trouble asimilating, for some odd reason, "Ah," was all she said for a moment or two, nodding her head ever so slightly, as if the movement would ensure and convey what she thought to the other female 'Sister,' her mind supplied.
There was a long pause after Raylan spoke, as Misae seemed to be gathering her thought, and then, something flashed through her eyes. It wasn't pity, but rather, something akin to understanding as she stood, padded the two paces that seperated them and flopped herself beside the larger female, "I left too," she whispered, and strangely enough... there was no shame in her words, "I had to; even though I never met him. His ghost was there though," he brows knitted in thought then, "Like a presence... we were miserable there. So I left," sadness overtook her for a moment as she looked away, "I left Zaaga behind... and others... but I had to leave; I felt like I was dieing inside," there followed another moment of silence before the small female leaned in to give her new sister a nuzzle, "I don't blame you, and I doubt your sister blames you either; sometimes it's destiny."
Offering her another smile, Misae reached up to groom Raylan's neck carefully; something she'd not done for another of her true blood for so long. She was happy to note it felt good, however, no sooner had she started that she slowly pulled away, taking a step back to offer the other lioness her personal space back. It was a scar, Misae had come to note; her need for physical contact and need to demonstrate love and caring; it was his fault, somehow, "No one blames you."
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Posted: Wed Oct 17, 2007 1:07 pm
She frowned softly as the lioness relayed her feelings of misery, nodding slowly as she took it all in. So, even after the brute was dead he still plagued his family? She sighed softly and nodded, remembering back to her cub days when she herself was miserable and spent every moment looking over her shoulder to make sure he wasn’t looming behind her. She knew how he could make you feel - worthless, scared, miserable. It was like constantly living on an edge, constantly looking out for yourself when you should feel safe instead. Needless to say, both Raylan and Misae had led a disturbing family life. It was a wonder neither of them had developed serious mental issues from it all. Of course, if Misae had never truly met him, she had only lived with a ghost of the true feelings.
As the lioness walked over and flopped down beside her, she looked at first to be a little startled, then visibly relaxed. Raylan got used to situation quickly, and their past formed an unspoken bond between the two of them. Even if she had never met her before, she still felt closer to her than nearly anyone else in the world – except, perhaps, for Dhiki. Misery and trouble can do that to someone, and Raylan was living proof. To have someone that shared the experience, that knew just how bad it had been at least on some levels, was more comfort than Nitesh ever could have been.
“It’s ok,” she said with a simple smile, slowly lowering herself down into a laying position and leaning slightly against the form of her younger sister. She really was sweet and in some ways she reminded her of her Dhiki, especially since she was younger. Raylan always viewed Dhiki as a younger sister simply because she had to look after her so much when they were little. Dhiki had been reckless, sweet, and far too trusting. Raylan had been born with a good head on her shoulders and often had to use it for the both of them as cubs. To hear that no one blamed her for leaving, perhaps not even Dhiki, was a relief in itself. She couldn't say why she trusted Misae to know that, but to hear it from someone, anyone at all was like a weight lifting off of her shoulders. Of course, she would always worry about Dhiki, but for now she seemed a little more at peace with her actions.
“I really don’t mind, it’s nice.. to have someone that I can relate to again,” she said again, purring it out softly as she leaned across slowly to lick at her sister’s ear. One would think they had known each other their entire lives rather than only a few moments. Raylan needed that comfort, though, needed to know something vaguely familiar in a place that was so different from everything she knew.
“So why are you so close to the Unity Walkers?” she asked rather suddenly, tilting her head to glance at her sister, pure curiosity shining her pretty citric eyes. She obviously wasn’t a member, or Raylan was sure she would have seen her before while out with Nitesh. Of course, that meant she was probably wandering through. That, however, made her wonder if she was alone or if she was with someone.
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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 12:12 am
Offering the older lioness a smile, Misae seemed to echo her thoughts out loud, "It wasn't the same for me; I lived with a ghost that could do no more than taunt me... you lived with the monster," curling her tail around her form, she tilted her head, as if concidering her own words for just a bare moment, "Of course, it was still miserable, but if I could find happiness and a familly where there used to be none... you can find it too. It's not a curse that you bare; it's an oportunity," wise words for one so young, yet again, Misae had always been rather strange when it came to feelings and empathy. It might have had to do with the fact she was a seer and though her 'gift' did not affect her in such strong ways as it did others, she was still visibly 'touched' by it.
"The ghost is dead," she breathed softly as she too allowed herself to lay down, her side nuzzling into her older sister's flank, "Or at least... it's far enough away that it can't taunt you; live life. Be happy," the phantom of a smirk appeared over her maw, a narrowing of her eyes following that did indeed make it obvious she was her father's daughter. Even if only barely, "I see nothing that would hurt Him more than us being happy. The ghost of his memory is probably sulking at the thought; so let's be happy," looking off towards the horizon (or rather, what little of it she could see through the vegetation), the pale lioness frowned, "Hmmmm..." it was a sound, not a word, but it indicated she was thinking about something deeply, "I wouldn't be surprised if you were to find your True Sister out there. She probably left too. We all did, at one point or another. There were few lioness left when I was born," her eyes became semi-hooded at this point, "Even my mother left, shortly after we'd been born; vanished into the night and never came back. Everyone leaves that loveless place, sooner or later."
It was obvious she still held a wound due to her past, even if it had, in fact, scarred over and healed over time. It was still there; a small red reminder against the purity of her soul. The gloom vanished instantly as she felt Raylan's tongue on her ear, and suddenly a childish giggle bubbled up her throat, "That tickles; my father washes me like that too. He insists my pelt is always inmaculate. He washed me a lot while I was a cub," it was clear by the affection in her voice that she concidered this 'father' of hers to be her true parent, rather than her biological ones, "This place is called 'The Unity Walkers'?" her head tilted to one side in thought before her piercing red eyes ghosted over the border of the jungle, "Well, we were just passing by, really. We're on our way to the Ela'wadiyi lands," there was a hint of amusement in her voice as she turned back to smirk at Raylan, "My father left something there, and he only just realised what it was; knew all along," she seemed rather smug about it too, "I decided to explore the jungle a bit hile he rested before continuing onward; I'd never seen a jungle before."
Pointing a paw out of the jungle, Misae nodded, "My father and I have been traveling the land, ever since he adopted me; ever since I ran away from... that place. We've been walking, and we've seen many prides. I've grown while travelling the land," she smiled up at the darker lioness then, "You should get out; travell. You could join us for a bit, see the world. Or you can wait," she seemed to pause then, if only briefly, the wind picking up barely around them, enough to ruffle her pelt, "For someone to drop by. You know, Dogs and Cats are not all that diferent," it was a cryptic remark, that what she made, but by the look in her eyes, it was almost as if it had some sort of hidden meaning, "The wind tells me that you will find that out soon enough, no matter what you do. You'll be happy too. Like my father and I are."
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Posted: Thu Oct 18, 2007 8:42 am
“That’s true, but I’ve been gone so long that he’s little more than a ghost for me now as well,” she said quietly, turning her own eyes to stare off at the bits of horizon poking through the dense vegetation of the jungle. She sighed softly at the swarm of memories dancing her head, finding it just as hard now to push them away as it had been the day she left. She had grown in some ways, but she wished she was able to get over this as easily as this younger sibling had. “I know I will find happiness, just as you have, but it’s taking me a little longer to get over him than it has you – probably because I was there during his brutal reign and I actually suffered directly from him. One day, I will know your happiness.” She trailed off slowly, trying to imagine a day when the terrors of his memories didn’t haunt her dreams, didn’t make her look over her shoulder to look for eyes that were never there.
“Do you really think I’ll find her again?” she asked softly, her words a touch breathy as she tried to imagine what Dhiki must look like now, how she must be. Certainly she would be bigger, but Raylan couldn’t picture her any other way but the bumbling little cub she had known in her youth. She smiled weakly and glanced back towards her sister, an ear flickering idly against her head. “Perhaps my mother, someday, too?” she nearly laughed at that thought, watching her sister from the corner of her eyes. Their mother had been sweet, but just as powerless to help her cubs as any other lioness had been, and for some reason she had never really developed a bond with her. She supposed, though, that one couldn’t develop a bond with something bred with hate.
For a moment, mention of a father seemed to dumbfound the pretty girl, until she realized that by father the girl obviously meant another lion. She smiled, genuinely happy that she had found a caring parent a as a cub, but there was a vaguely underlying glimmer of envy. Raylan hadn’t known family, hadn’t known friends – she hadn’t known any of it. However, Raylan suspected that most of what Nyekundu’s girls had gotten in life they had earned themselves and she respected that beyond measure. She really was happy for her. “I used to do that to Dhiki when we were little, she was always the worst at keeping clean.” She smiled at the thought of it – those were some of the only fond memories she had of that time.
“Your father sounds like a very sweet lion,” she said with a weak smile, turning her gaze back towards the vine-littered mass of the jungle but continued to watch her sister from the corner of her eyes. “I’m glad that you came through here,” she purred out softly, leaning into her sister’s smaller form affectionately, “but I don’t think I’m ready to leave just yet. Nitesh has been very kind to me while I was hiding from Nyekundu – or at least, while I thought I was hiding from him. I don’t think I could abandon him just yet, not without reason, and I don’t think the Unity Walkers have been touched by Nyek’s taint – at least not very much.” Little did the poor lioness know that Nitesh’s brother himself was directly involved in the deal that had created Dhiki and herself.
“Dogs.. and cats?” Raylan muttered, her eyes swiveling to stare into the deep red eyes of the pale sister beside her. She had no idea what in the world the pretty adolescent was going on about – and she certainly wasn’t sure what she meant by someone dropping by. She simply laughed softly and shook her head, as if it was all a good joke. “I’ll take your word for it, I suppose.”
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Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 4:19 pm
A light chuckle escaped the smaller female's maw, her eyes closing for effect, "Hardly," she told her sister as she turned to face her, leaning in to give the dark maw a long lick, "You shan't know my happiness; you'll know yours. It will be much more deserving of you, I can assure... and," she paused her, pressing her own pale paw to her maw, pondering for just a moment, "I think it won't take as long to come as you may believe," lowering her paw, her red eyes gleamed up at the darker female, "Just a hunch..."
It was amusing to note that more often than not, Misae's so called 'hunches' turned out to be true. Then again, Raylan could have no way of knowing this; in fact, it was probable that not even Misae herself knew about it, "Everything is possible; you may even find love. Which I dare say in some cases is harder to find than a lost sister... specially for the likes of us," she offered her a sweet smile, a purr rumbling deep in her chest, "It isn't a curse, that what we drag; I see it as a blessing. So many of us. It's possible that no matter where we go, we might find someone like us; linked to us," turning away, the lioness stood up, her frame shaking as she tried to rid the kinks that had worked their way up her legs, "Even your mother, if you do hold her dear," personally, she didn't hold hers dear, and thus, she'd never truly thought about wishing to meet up with her.
She'd abandoned her, as soon as she could, and had fled before she and her sisters had even been able to move around or do much more than squeal and crawl. There was no real excuse that could be offered for such an act. At least not in Misae's mind, however, she remain silent about it, opting instead for focusing on what little she could hear the wind telling her. Ever since they'd started to talk, the wind had picked up, somehow passing through the vegetation around them, playing with their tails and pelts, "He is," she told her, "He's.... changed. For the better; he was different. He now knows love though, and love can change even the most scary of monsters into something naive and innocent," she paused after her wise words, a childish air having passed through her eyes for a bare moment, making her look younger than she was; a clear contradiction, what with the way she spoke, "I saw a monster once; long ago, in the Oasis.... big, with large wings, and dead green pelt. He was scary," she said matter-of-factly.
Leaning the top of her head against Raylan's, Misae lifted her paw, placing it upon the dark furred cheek, her eyes closing, "The wind says it has a present for you..." she breathed the words softly at her, and when her eyes opened, the light in them had gone away, making them look dead, ethereal almost, "The land you live in is tainted; you live a lie, hidden within these trees is the truth of Nyekundu's rise to power," the words were said differently than before... the tone had change. It was almost as if it weren't Misae's true voice, but someone else talking, "There is blood, a ghost lives here, linked by brotherly ties. Tainted, as much as the loveless place where you and so many others were born to..." and just as it'd begun, it ended.
Misae closed her eyes and reopened them again, her ears perking, the spark of life deep within the red orbs again, "What did the wind have to say?" she asked as she pulled back, giving her sister space, offering her a smile as she flicked her tail. As the wind picked up about them again, she perked an ear, and pointed a paw at Raylan, "Oh, and by the way, it says you might find what you're looking for.... just outside the border, heading towards the mountain range," she blinked and frowned, almost as if unsure of what she'd said; as if she truly did not understand her own words, "What is it you seek?"
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Posted: Sat Oct 20, 2007 9:46 pm
She smiled as her sister took her words and shifted them somewhat, for she really did seem to be taking them with a stricter meaning. Well, she had never really expected to find a happiness exactly the same as Misae’s own, what she had really meant was – well, never mind. Misae was quite the little character and Raylan wasn’t going to be nit picky about the words and how she took them – she adored this new found sister far too much for that. Besides, the younger female seemed to know a little of what she was talking about and if she meant that she would find happiness, but not in a father-daughter sort of way, then she’d take what she could get. Perhaps she’d just find herself a good friend? Maybe she meant Nitesh? Nitesh was a good friend.
However, the next words nearly made Raylan choke on her own breath. Love? What kind of silly notion was that? Raylan was still unsure about being out here in the world alone and unsure of what she was supposed to really be doing with herself, to add love on top of that seemed like she was asking for a death sentence. Well, it couldn’t be any worse than living with the everyday fear of your father finding you, right? She smiled, rather sheepishly one might add, and glanced up at her sister as she began to rise. Well, if Misae thought that, then she supposed it could be true, although she really doubted what a male would see in her. “If you think so, then I’m sure it must be possible, at least at some point, right?”
Raylan’s eyes softened slightly as she heard Misae speaking about their sisters, most of whom Raylan didn’t know. True, many lions would see them as the ill begotten offspring of a tyrant and demon, but they really would always have each other. The sisters could never go far without finding one another, like she and Misae right now. That one thought put the hope in her that she would one day find Dhiki out there. “I don’t think we are cursed, no, but I think while he was alive he was a type of curse. It feels good to know that he’s finally gone, and although he put a lot of lionesses through torture, he left us all with something that he can never take away – something no one can ever take away.” She turned her eyes up towards her sister thoughtfully, an affection there for someone she would always share a link to.
“I’m glad he changed. If he hadn’t I don’t think you would speak as fondly of him as you do,” she said with a small glimmer lingering in the depths of her eyes. She really was happy for her, even if she did envy her the happiness that she had. Of course, the next words out of Misae’s maw were a little surprising, and all she could do was chuckle at her. “I saw a monster in the oasis once too,” she said, tilting her head as she spoke in a rather serious tone, “he was big and white and had a lot of salmon-colored markings.” Her lips curled into a weak smile at her joke – joking about her fears made her feel a little better.
“The wind what?” she began as her sister moved towards her and her ears immediately flattened as she felt her head lean down atop her own. She was just about to ask what in the world Misae was doing when she heard that voice come trickling out. Her body, bit by bit, went a little rigid as every word washed over her. She had heard her mother tell her stories about prophets, lions and lionesses that could tell the future or bring grave news. This news, indeed, was as grave as she thought possible. Her sanctuary, her home for the last month or two, it was a haven of misery.
“Nothing good,” she said quietly as she too pushed herself up onto her paws. She was taller than her sister, bigger, but at that moment she looked more the child than Misae ever could. She stood there, rigid, though she seemed to have the appearance of shaking slightly. With her ears flattened, she turned to look behind her, towards the barely detectable trail that ultimately would lead her back to the Unity Walker’s pride. How could she go back there and face that? She knew it had something to do with Nitesh, perhaps with his brother? Her jaw clenched and she turned her eyes back to Misae. It was bad news, a staggering blow to her heart, but she knew she would rather have heard it now from her sister rather than from another lion’s mouth down the road. At least from her it hadn’t been hurtful, and it could have been from someone else.
Raylan had been staring at her feet, eyes slightly distant, when Misae’s true voice swept back over her. So the wind knew what her heart wanted, did it? Well, if it knew that she was living a lie here by thinking she was finally protected and isolated from Nyekundu’s misery, then it probably knew where she could find what she wanted too. There’d be no sense in trusting it the first time and not trusting it the second. She would leave today, perhaps send a message back to Nitesh through someone else, but she certainly couldn’t stay now. Not after this. It would be like driving home the horrors if whoever it was eventually found out her bloodline.
“I want to go somewhere that I can escape our father, not just physically, but his memory too. Somewhere untainted by his hatred, with others that will see me as what I really am, not the child of a monster,” she said shakily, tears brimming in her beautiful, tangerine eyes. This was unfair, being driven from a place she had been so ready to call home simply because of her father. Would he never stop haunting her? “I want to prove myself, prove my worth, show someone that I can be something. I need to know that I can be something. He always said I was worthless, Misae, that I always would be. I need to know that I can be worth something.. to someone..” she trailed off, squeezing her eyes shut as she felt the tears fall from their brims. Even with them shut, however, she heard the hard splatter of the drops against the leaves at her feet.
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 4:15 am
Ah... so the Wind's present had been of the 'warning' kind, then. Those were usually the most useful of gifts, and at the same time, the least liked, for they carried the news of something bad to come. From her sister's words, though she didn't precisely know what had been said, Misae was able to at least phantom her fears; the wind had told her that this place, somehow, somewhere, had ties to their father that could harm her in future.
At least, that's what the pale lioness gathered as she sat herself down to watch and listen. She gave Raylan a few minutes to wallow in misery before she stood and crossed the space that separated them both, "Hush, hush," she soothed, almost in a motherly way; as if the larger lioness were no more than a child, and Misae herself, responsible for her safety, "Calm down; the wind issued a warning, not something that foretold impending doom," she moved to press her side against the darker pelt, allowing herself to sit on her hind haunches to keep her fore paws free. She knew from experience that physical contact to another warm body would help her sister come out of whatever dark cave she'd plunged down into.
It was then that the green marked lioness recalled that day long ago, when she'd been chased out of the Oasis by the green, winged lion... she'd been terrified. Of it. Of the world around her; and she'd clung to the first lion that had accepted her presence there.
Nyota.
She recalled how she'd physically clung to the male's leg, and how the contact had helped sooth her back into calm, "It's okay," she'd moved her head to allow her tongue to wipe the tears that were falling freely from the dark-furred cheeks, her paws embracing he larger body as best as they could, "I know the wind can be blunt; it can be a bit painful. But in the end, it is wise... it knows what is best. It doesn't want you hurt," retreating her head from the larger female's, only barely, just enough so that her red eyes could stare into the golden depths, still marred by tears, "You know, while I lived in the Oasis, it was the wind that kept me alive; it told me stories. It sang me lullabies... and told me of places far away that I would one day be able to see," nuzzling her sister, she pulled back again, motioning for the other lioness to pull it all back together, "It took me to the Sea recently," there was a nostalgic tone to her voice, her eyes narrowing for a moment as she offered Raylan a smile, "I left... something important there, that I will one day go back to. My father's happiness was more important at the time. So I followed him. And I met you," her eyes once more turned to fix on Raylan's gold ones, and though there was still some sort of nostalgic haze about them, there was a clear note of happiness, mingling around that very haze.
"Come," she nudged her sister slightly then, pushing her, motioning her towards the border before leaning her head in once more, licking the stray tears that cascaded down her cheeks, "Your tears taste like the sea," she said then, "Salty; they're not bitter... cheer up. You'll find that what you seek. I don't need the wind to tell me that," looking off towards where the border of the jungle lay, the pale lioness smiled, "The only worthless...ness in the world, is telling a cub it's worthless and will never be anything but."
It was Misae's own strange way of telling her sister to cheer up; true, she'd not lived with the brute, however, the same atmosphere had reigned upon that Oasis. Females were worthless, they'd been told. Females were worth for nothing more than to bear cubs to the lord, and even in such a task they had failed, never once bearing him a son. Misae believed otherwise, and life had, so far, showed her she was right. Females, males... lions, hyenas, elephants, leopards... it didn't matter, "What matters is what's inside; I know ours was pure, while His was tainted black. Poor fool," she breathed harshly at the memory of the Salmon lord, "Poor fool whom never learnt to love aside himself; what a pitiful excuse for an existence. We know better."
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 11:27 am
Raylan had never known any sort of physical comfort like the sort that Misae was giving her at that moment. She had been too terrified of her father and his words to ever mention being afraid, and the life she had been living after that oasis had been severely lacking in friends close enough to comfort her this way. In a way, this was all new to her, but she knew that it was working even before she realized that her tears had begun to lessen. It felt good to know what it was like to be cared for finally, to know what it was like to have someone want to cheer you up. In a way, she had developed an affection for Misae that she knew would never fade, no matter how far away the pair were from one another. It was an odd thing, really, to find such a relationship in only a little bit of time, but the bond between sisters was one that not even Nyekundu had been able to tear apart.
“It’s not the wind’s fault,” she said meekly, though she did try her best at a smile – it manifested as a ghost of one, but it was good enough given her previous mood. “It’s just hard to know that there will be places you will cause pain, simply for your heritage,” she said, shrugging it off slowly, although she still seemed vaguely saddened. As best she did – she couldn’t go back to Nitesh now and tell him she was leaving, he would only ask her why and that was something she couldn’t bring up to him. She’d always know he was here but she couldn’t live with having him hate her forever – he really might if he knew who she truly was. She’d rather him think she could possibly be dead than hate her. She had no room in her life for anymore hate.
“Well, if the wind led you to me, then I will trust it to lead me to happiness,” she said with a smile, though it was nothing but a glimmer of what she showed before. There would be a period of time that she was like this, but it was only to be expected. She felt raw now, and betrayed, although by whom she couldn’t have said. She would just pick up the pieces and start over again, but for a time she would be saddened. Best to begin packing that away though – showing such a weak point to anyone she didn’t know could be dangerous as well. Some might try to use that against her, or use her in general. “I suppose I should really be thanking it – if it hadn’t given me that message, then I probably wouldn’t have left here, and everything would have come out eventually. I don’t think I want them to know me if it means there will be hate.”
She frowned slightly at herself as she realized what she was talking about. Sure, she figured Misae was some type of seer, but was it really the wind talking to her? The notion seemed at least a little silly, though she’d not hurt her feelings by saying so. Besides, Raylan didn’t know how Seers worked. Perhaps the winds really did tell them, or perhaps that was just how Misae channeled the power. It was a mystery to her, but she still thought the conversation was odd whether it was true or not.
“I know I’ll find it,” she purred out softly, letting her sister move her into motion. She knew the time was coming for them to part, and that thought added to her sadness, but she really was trying hard to look happy for Misae. As the vines and flowers of the jungle passed them by on the short journey to the edge of the jungle, to the border that lingered near the mountain range, she felt each step drawing her to the end of this happy reunion of sorts, but she likewise felt herself being led down the beginning of a path. Perhaps it was simply intuition, or maybe being in Misae’s presence so long had really helped her believe, but she was sure that the Misae spoke the truth – happiness was waiting for her.
“He was nothing compared to who we are, to what we have inside,” she agreed, turning slowly to face her sister as they stood now at the jungle’s border. On the other side she would begin her journey, and on this side she would leave Misae behind – though hopefully not for good. “We make ourselves, and we have done a better job than he ever could have dreamt of doing. Not even our goals are alike, and I think he passed little of himself down to us,” she said softly, turning her eyes towards the border for a moment before allowing them to settle once against on the pale form of the sister she had only just found.
“I’ll miss you, Misae,” she said, and although they had not known each other long, the words still didn’t sound very odd on her tongue. In fact, they sounded almost as if Raylan had known Misae her entire life instead of this short period of time.
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:20 pm
She smiled.
It was such an honest smile, that it felt almost as id it belonged there, upon the pale female's maw, "The wind means no harm; not even when it's angry and whips up a storm," leaning in, she licked her sister's cheek again, pulling away to offer her yet another smile. It was amusing to note how Misae seemed far more approachable, and physical, in the sense that she had no trouble brushing against the darker female, touching her. She'd grown up knowing that physical touch spoke louder than words; something Raylan had not yet learnt, and as such, Misae wanted to demonstrate that much to her.
Specially before they parted ways. She knew that final 'good bye' was near, however, she'd long ago decided to not say the words. Saying them was almost like putting a full stop on something; if she didn't say the words, it'd be almost as if they hadn't quite parted ways. She'd carry a piece of Raylan, deep within her forever; Misae knew that, and reeled in the idea, "No place is perfect," she spoke softly, soothingly still, "But then again, we don't need perfection. Just understanding; you'll find it. I'm not sure where, but you'll find it; that place I found on my own, by the sea... you'll find your equivalent," reaching up, she pawed at her sister's bangs, pushing them away from her eyes, "Now I can see your eyes better."
This said, she stepped out of the jungle and into the piercing sun, blinking lazily up as she squinted, still smiling, for today she'd gained something. something important, that she'd never lose again; Misae felt complete. It was odd, since she couldn't recall ever feeling incomplete, and yet, there it was; she felt complete, "I won't miss you," she turned to glance at Raylan, mirth dancing in her blood red eyes, "Because you'll always be with me; I'll always be with you too," and then she motioned off towards the distant mountains, "We'll meet again, no doubt; we are linked, you and I!" the words were chirped happily, her body itching with energy she seemed to have suddenly gained; she looked restless, almost as if she'd suddenly start dancing away, any moment now.
Instead, she jumped towards the dark female, nuzzling under her chin, whispering her last few words, "Don't say good bye; carry me with you, forever, where ever you may go, till we meet again. That day, when we meet, you can say 'hello' to me instead of 'good bye' now," reaching up, she licked the base of her throat, and this done, the pale female retreated from Raylan's form, turning to rush off towards some distant trees. Turning to glance over her shoulder, the child-seer called after her sister, "Worry not!" she shouted, "Because the Ghost is dead! And you are free to find happiness now!" thus were her last words before she vanished in the distance, sure she'd meet Raylan again.
There was no doubt about it, within Misae's mind.
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Posted: Sun Oct 21, 2007 2:21 pm
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