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 Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:23 am
It had taken Memetuka some doing, but she had finally convinced Cheshi to come out of the den and get some sunshine away from just the entrance. The other hares were off on their own, so the lioness figured there was less pressure on the poor girl this way- and she'd be right there to protect her if she needed it. If anything, Meme guessed part of the reason that Cheshi finally agreed was because despite her worries she wanted to be outside. So the lioness was leading the way on a walk to the waterhole, the last place she'd taken the pair of hares before they'd had their bunnies.
"See, it's not so bad," she said brightly, a tone she didn't often use. It was easier when trying to cheer someone else up, especially where the hares were probably her best friends- though she hadn't yet told them that Shiri had finally figured it all out. "We're almost there and nothing has happened yet." Skittering along by the lioness's front paws was a very anxious and scruffy looking albino hare. Cheshi had not really been out of the den a great deal since that one time Mnyama and Meme had teamed up on her and gotten her to come just outside. As long as she stayed near Memetuka, she supposed she would be ok- but she wasn't even worried just about herself. The idea that her entire family was out there without her, and possibly in danger.. it made her worry, a lot. They didn't have Meme with them, were they OK?
"But what about them?" she mumbled in reply, sticking close by.
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:34 am
The thought brought a smile to his maw, and as he walked back toward the watering hole he noticed that another was headed in the same direction. The pelt looked familiar enough, and the image of Shiri came into his mind. The male thought to say hi and quickly sprinted over, slowing to a stop after greeting her. "Hey Shiri, funny seeing you around here again." Kazi looked down and noticed a hare with her, and looked curiously at it. "Who's your friend?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:58 am
"They're all fine," Meme said carefully to the hare, stopping to talk to her before they continued on their way to the waterhole. She offered an encouraging smile before she continued, "I'll tell you what- it's not easy to make it on your own but-"
Just as she was about to say 'Shiri', someone else cut her off- ironically with that very name. Surprised, she glanced up from Cheshi to see an unfamiliar male standing there- now looking at Cheshi. She smiled sheepishly. He was clearly a friend of Shiri's, and wasn't taking a good enough look.
"That's very kind of you, but Shiri can't look as old as I do," she replied, raising an eyebrow at him curiously. Clearly Memetuka was not in too bad a mood, barely stuttering in front of a stranger! The confrontation with Shiri had taken a good deal of worry off her mind.
Cheshi was listening to Meme carefully, staying right by her leg- using all of her will power not to actually cling to it. She was listening, but she was also listening to their surroundings- and noticed Kazi's approach just before Meme did- which made her squeak fearfully and hide behind the lioness's front paws.
Things weren't supposed to be able to sneak up on them like that!
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:13 am
The male, clearly confused at her statement, took a bit of a closer look. With a squint of his eyes he finally noticed that Shiri's stripes were missing, and apologetically lowered his head. "Oh, I'm sorry. You just seemed...uhh, familiar." Kazi lifted his head to face the female, head tilting slightly with a small smile still on his maw.
"You don't look very old. In fact, not old at all." It was an honest compliment, and still smiling he introduced himself. "I'm Kazi, a friend of Shiri's...which you probably already guessed." He grinned a bit embarrassed still by his mistake. He turned his attention to the cowering figure that was a hare behind her front paws.
"Uh...what's the matter with your friend?" The question was directed at Meme, as Kazi was trying not to worsen the situation. Clearly the hare was frightened enough, and that might've been his fault, but he didn't exactly pose any sort of threat. His greeting was friendly enough, anyway...
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:26 am
Meme smiled sheepishly when Kazi realized his mistake, not meaning to make him feel embarrassed. After all, it was quite the compliment to be mistaken for your daughter. And it only furthered the confusion on how Shiri had missed the connection herself for so long. She nodded when he said she was familiar, knowing the perfectly good reason she would be familiar.
"That's nice of you to say," she said, though she clearly wasn't about to believe him she smiled, "I'm Memetuka, Shiri's mother."
Saying so out loud startled even her- for it was the first time she'd said it, the very first. It was .. weird- but she didn't get to dwell on it, for soon Kazi questioned about the hare hiding by her feet now. "She's just a little nervous, especially around other predators," Meme explained, lifting up the paw that Cheshi was clinging to to try to get her to come out, "Introduce yourself."
Cheshi listened, and loosened her grip just a bit on Meme's leg as she listened. This Kazi-lion was a friend of Shiri, which wasn't something too disturbing. If anything, it made him seem less scary despite how little Cheshi really knew about her guardian's daughter. She was not expecting, however, Meme to lift her paw up- and with her poor grip she ended up standing there beneath the raised paw looking out at Kazi worriedly.
"I'm Cheshi," she squeaked, though quickly. She hoped that with that introduction, Meme would return her paw.
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:38 am
The male hadn't known that Shiri's mother was a part of the pride, and with how nervous Shiri was about joining, figured his friend hadn't known either. He chuckled lightly, and made a slight bowing gesture. "It's a pleasure to meet you."
Kazi stared curiously at the hare, a small smile now spreading itself across his maw once again. "Hello there." And, afraid to make Cheshi even more nervous, the male turned his attention back to Meme. "Timid little thing, isn't she. Well, that's alright. No harm in being careful."
The brief silence between them brought Kazi back to his previous thoughts about Shiri. Had she been oblivious to the fact? He'd met her, after all, way back when she was a cub. She was a wanderer then too, so...maybe? His curiosity made him voice the question, not sure whether Meme would be comfortable talking about it.
"She never mentioned her mother was in the pride," he said rather awkwardly. "She was so nervous about joining too...so did either of you know each other existed?"
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:49 am
Meme smiled down at Cheshi when she introduced herself, and did the poor girl a favor by putting her paw back down to where it was. She knew Cheshi had to realize that this lion was friendly enough, and clearly he would have to go through Meme to get to the hare- and though he probably could take her easily, something as scrawny as Cheshi wasn't worth the effort or harm to fellow pride members.
"Yes, she is, but we're working on making her more comfortable," Meme said, quite happy on being on this topic though she didn't expect Cheshi liked it much- and it was certainly better than the topic Kazi changed to. She looked down a moment, embarrassed, before looking back up.
"I knew about her, of course," she admitted, "She didn't know who I was until recently, though."
Cheshi sighed in relief when Meme put her paw back down, though now that she'd been introduced she dared to peek out more. However, she wasn't too thrilled with the topic of conversation being herself- though she appreciated it a bit more when Kazi asked about Shiri and Meme not knowing about each other. She bit her lip- it was a very direct question to ask someone you just met. He was a funny lion..
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:03 pm
He felt the slight bit of tension around the subject, so he waved a paw, quickly saying, "Right, of course, you gave birth. Sorry, it was maybe too much of a personal question to ask an acquaintance." Kazi, in an attempt to change the subject again, turned his eyes to the distant watering hole, now wanting to be by its cool, still waters. Not to mention the shade nearby as well...it all seemed so inviting.
"Were you headed for the watering hole?" he asked, "If you were, so was I. Maybe we could go together, the three of us." Kazi looked up at the sky, and the blazing sun, even though it was already going down as it was past noon. "I could use a drink right now, anyway."
He felt Cheshi somewhat watching him, so he lowered his head and smiled at her. "So how about it? The watering hole's not that far anyway," he went on, lifting his eyes to Meme. "Besides, it'd be nice if I got to know you better. I haven't met too many pridelanders yet. I'm new around here too."
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:25 pm
"N-no, it's ok," Meme mumbled, though she still didn't sound too thrilled by the topic she wanted to assure him it wasn't too big a deal- after all, he was a friend of Shiri's, he'd find out one way or another, and being her friend was enough reason to be curious, "You have a right to be curious.."
When he changed the subject and looked off to the waterhole, she looked off too- reminded of how that's where they were heading before he appeared out of no where. Happy to go along with the subject change, she nodded. "That is where we were headed, actually," she nodded, "It'd be nice to have some company, right Cheshi?"
At this, she moved her paw quickly and pushed the hare out ahead of her so they could start walking that way again.
Cheshi continued to watch silently, and when the subject changed to the waterhole she was expecting the nudge in that direction, making her hop out a fair distance ahead of Meme and Kazi. She squeaked indignantly, not liking the idea of being in the lead as it put her in an awkward almost chase-like situation. But she couldn't well argue, she had to trust Meme on this one. So, hopping along slowly, she led the way to the water hole.
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:32 pm
Kazi walked alongside her, happy to know that she wouldn't mind his company after all. His eyes were on the hare, still wondering why the lioness befriended a potential meal. But, figuring it'd be a nasty outcome should he ask, Kazi kept quiet about the thought and decided that it was possible to be friends with your food. It was a new idea, but he'd get used to it eventually.
"So how long have you lived here?" he asked Meme, not very comfortable in silence.
That was strange, but he couldn't help it. He was slowly starting to get used to having company around, and he was tired of the quiet. It was always quiet while he'd been traveling, and he had to admit that having someone to talk to was a nice change.
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Posted: Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:45 pm
Meme followed along after Cheshi, staying beside Kazi- and one glance over was enough to know he was watching Cheshi with a rather curious look. She had no doubt he was not going to try anything, it'd be foolish and he'd be a pretty crafty hunter to try it so openly. Besides, they were well within the Pridelands, they were all supposed to show more respect for the animals they shared their home with.
"I've lived here my whole life," she answered, happy to make small talk as she was to stay quiet. Much like him, she was used to being all alone in the silence and had had to work a great deal at becoming more social- the hares she shared her den with helped a great deal, especially the babies since they weren't so careful but were just as friendly and kind. Meme as good as told the truth, she considered herself part of the Pridelands even when she was still hiding away on the borders.. no need in bringing up the brief leaving to be with Shiri's father.
"What about you?" she asked, returning the question politely.
Still silent, Cheshi listened to their conversation- knowing while they were conversing she was definitely safe. There didn't seem to be anyone else around either, just the three of them. No immediate threats, anyway. Cheshi was happy that way, though part of her had hoped her mate and bunnies would be at the waterhole. It was a relatively safe place to go and play, except there were usually lions there..
When the waterhole was in plain sight, Cheshi picked up the pace and scurried ahead. With a bit of a splash, she hopped into the shallow edge she arrived at. It was nice to be by the water again, she decided.
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Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:45 pm
Kazi waited a moment to answer, rolling a thought through his mind several times. The answer to that question was simple, really, but he didn't feel much like talking bout his past (as he was trying to start anew, after all), so he prolonged his response until he felt it would be a bit too obvious that it was a bit of a touchy subject. Then he cleared his throat and said, "I've lived here a couple of times. I was born here, then I left, then I came back, then I left again. And now I'm back...but I think it'll be for good this time."
He let the wind carry his thoughts away for a bit after replying, thinking back to his days as a wanderer. That life was something he had in common with Meme's daughter, and his particular life as a rogue wasn't exactly all that pleasant. Then again, it was hard for anybody to live that way and still be happy. It made one restless, and often seek company. For him, it drove him back to the last place he wanted to be the entire time he was traveling; a sort of ironic end to his journey...
The watering hole soon came into view, and he smiled slightly. This was his favorite place to be in all the pridelands, after all. It was the last place he'd been with his parents, and it was the first place he'd come to when he returned the first, second, and even third time. It had slowly become a kind of sanctuary for him. That...and it was the only large source of water for miles around. It made lazing about that much easier, and he liked that. There wasn't much to do around the pridelands anyway.
"Have you ever left though? You know, just go past the borders for a little while?"
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Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2007 11:15 pm
Memetuka was momentarily distracted by Cheshi's scampering ahead and splashing into the water. It made her smile to see the hare actually going ahead without her, it was a good sign that there was still hope for ther getting through her fears. They'd continue their chat another time, but running into a friendly lion was just as beneficial. Cheshi would see that she needn't worry, that would bring up the total to at least three friendly lions- and while the unfriendly were out there, three within the Pridelands was not bad, or rare!
She glanced over at Kazi whens he realized he'd been hesitating in answering her question, realizing that perhaps this wasn't an easy question for either of them to answer- which made it a bit odd that he had asked, but she wasn't going to question him on that. When he admitted to leaving and returning, she only smiled and nodded understandingly.
"I- I have," she confessed when asked, not about to lie no matter how touchy the subject may be for either of them, "I left shortly before I had Shiri, and lived by the borders for a long time."
Cheshi stood in the shallow water, staring at the rippling image of her long white feet beneath the surface. She was calm, she was quiet.. and she really didn't have much to add to the conversation but she was almost happy to just be out and about for now. As the water settled, she almost thought she could see her own reflection in the water- which made her lift one foot from the water and slap it back down. Getting splashed, she winced, but watched as the water rippled again.
Trying not to think about where Sunny, Tuli and Mn may have gone, she glanced back at Meme and Kazi, listening silently in on their conversation as she splashed calmly.
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 10:44 pm
(So sorry for the long wait for my reply. x.X I got pulled away by the holidays and other RL crud, so sorry. @.@ And, since it's late and my brain is fried, I'm also really sorry for the crappy, really short, reply. Y.Y)
The male made no comment once she answered, noting that both their pasts were a bit difficult to share. Somehow almost everyone he met in the Pridelands had a past similar to his own, which was surprising to him. Now he realized that thinking that his situation was a rarity among the lions of the pride was a stupid thought, and he chuckled (he hoped inaudibly) at his own naivety.
"How many others, around here, do you think share a fairly similar history with us?" he asked, a little curious now. "I've mostly run into other lionesses who've had their share of trials while journeying across the savanna, and now I'm a little interested in knowing..."
He let the question linger in the air for a time, his eyes then moving to the hare splashing lightly about in the water. His mind went back to his own cubhood, how he'd played with his sister in the water, mostly because she hated it so much more than he did. He didn't really notice that he was staring a little oddly at the hare, still walking toward the watering hole at an even pace, mind ever wandering through the last few days before the day of the incident.
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Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 3:20 pm
Meme did not quite catch his chuckle, taking the slight sound to be a mere almost-reply to what she had said. She glanced over when he asked how many she thought in the Pridelands were like them. It was hard to imagine that anyone here could have led so selfish a life as her, though she was not giving the whole story. Everyone, though, must have some secrets.. some story..
"I don't know," she answered honestly, "But I'm sure everyone has something.."
She sighed as they neared the water, looking out to watch Cheshi splash around. The nearer they got, the more she slowed down so that when they reached it she came to a stop.
"Sometimes, I don't think your history matters as much as you might think," she said, making conversation as best she could- though she felt it was rather awkward, "Shiri.. she is very forgiving." In Memetuka's mind.. if Shiri could forgive her, then that was the most important thing.
Cheshi smiled a bit at Meme's last comment, still trying to find some distraction from her own worries. She turned back to the water, looking at her rather dusty paw. She really needed to clean up a bit, she must look a horrible mess.. even if everyone was rather nice about everything. She dipped her paw in the water and swished it around. Grooming might not be such a bad idea, especially where she was not going to play a major part in conversation. But that was OK, Meme was doing well and as long as nothing snuck up on them..
The nervous hare glanced skyward warily at the thought, but when nothing was there she looked back down to the water once again. No, they were safe.
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