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 Posted: Sun Feb 03, 2008 11:20 pm
Life had changed so drastically in the last few months. Kiasi had become an aunt, a position she was more than happy to fill. Though fully grown, the small lioness still had the energy and exuberance of a cub, and so she made her nieces and nephews a fine playmate.
They had brought about a change in her, however, that she was not quite used to. Her sister and her mate made such good parents that Kiasi found herself almost jealous, something the kindhearted lioness had never experienced. She found it easy enough to push away, however, and concentrated on being the best aunt possible.
Of course, the cubs, still young, were never awake very late. Kiasi found that she was alone, sitting quietly under the stars.
So beautiful, she thought to herself. How many lions were up there, looking over her? Millions upon millions... she was soon lost in the thought.
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:33 pm
He was only stopped short in his thoughts and his tracks when he spotted an unfamiliar figure sitting in the grasses, and his breath stole from his lungs for a second. Recognizing the feeling as none he'd had before, he felt compelled to approach. As he did draw closer a small grin came to his muzzle. He was no ladies man, but he was also nothing else if not friendly, and she seemed in need of a bit of good company.
"Hey... you okay...?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 8:42 pm
The small lioness jumped slightly when Ayato spoke, not having even noticed his approach. She seemed to recover immediately, however, because her eyes lit up and a smile stretched over her lips.
"Hello!" Kiasi said, voice bright. She did not recognize the lion, and yet he seemed so familiar. It only took a moment before she realized why.
"Are you related to Tai?" She cocked her head to the side. Kiasi had made sure she didn't miss a single one of the nanny's stories, so it was only natural that she made the connection.
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:29 pm
Oh! ... Well, that would answer that question wouldn't it? Ayato grinned sheepishly, and one could assume what they would about why. At mention of Tai that quickly turned to confidence and aimable excitement again though.
"I'm her son, yes! You look familiar, you're... you're one of Vinaya's sisters, right? I used to see all of you guys at mom's stories all the time!" He smiled, moving around to get a better look at her. Yeah, he was sure of it!
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 9:37 pm
The mention of her sister's name brought another smile. "Yes, I am!" she said. "And she's your mom, huh? Well, that explains it! Mhm, I love your mom's stories. I kind of remember seeing you now, too."
With a small giggle, she added, "Oh, by the way, my name is Kiasiadia. You can call me Kiasi, though."
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 10:21 pm
"They are pretty good, aren't they? Mom LOVES telling them. And I'd be surprised if you did, mom always complained that I moved around too much at story time." He laughed a bit, tail flicking behind him in a lively manner, his eyes refocusing on Kiasi again. "Kiasi... I like the ring of it. I'm Ayato, you can shorten it if you want. So... what are you doing out so late? Usually most of the pride's asleep by now, 'cept for maybe my cousin, Xu. Well, and the scouts.... and, well, me I guess." He grinned again sheepishly, but then it melded right back into a smile afterwards as he waited for an answer.
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Posted: Mon Feb 04, 2008 11:56 pm
"They're wonderful," she said, chuckling at his comment about not sitting still.
Kiasi nodded when he gave his name. "Ayato? I like that." For a moment she tipped her head back again, looking at the stars, but they did not seem nearly as interesting as they had just minutes ago.
"Oh... I couldn't sleep. One of my sisters just had a litter of cubs and I've been playing with them all day. They're fast asleep but I was still wound up, so I decided to come out for a bit of peace and quiet."
She quickly realized what she said. "Not that I want you to leave! I'm happy to have some company. That is, I'm happy to have some company that isn't a bunch of cubs." She laughed softly.
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Posted: Tue Feb 05, 2008 6:59 am
"I know what you mean," He smiled a bit, puffing just a bit with happiness for her. He didn't yet know the joys of being an uncle (Thank the gods (that might or might not exist)! The only siblings that might hope to reproduce one day were his younger ones, and he just couldn't say he was ready for them to be that grown even if they were growing up already.), but hearing her so active about it did put him in a good mood. "You sound like you really enjoy being an aunt, though. I haven't had the chance yet. My brothers are hopeless." He chuckled to indicate he was joking. "And my sister, well I just don't know, I can't see her settling down yet, and our siblings are too young still."
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:22 pm
"Oh, I love it!" she said excitedly. "It's like having four little playmates all day, every day. Exhausting, but so much fun."
Her eyes sparkled.. "I guess that parenthood really isn't for everyone, but I look forward to it, however far off it may be. Of course, I might end up more like a big sister than a mother to them." Kiasi let out a soft giggle, suddenly a bit embarassed that she had been talking mostly about herself. "What about you, Ayato? Do you want a family someday?"
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:37 pm
He just continued to smile, listening to her speak so energetically, her joy was more than a little infectious even if he wasn't the cheerful type to start with.
"I'm sure you'll make a great mother... at least your cubs will never be bored, between playtime with mom and storytime with mine." He chuckled, but then stopped abruptly as he realized with just a little bit of paranoia how that sounded. "Not that I mean like, I don't mean that the way it sounds! ... Let me just start over." He smiled horribly sheepishly at that point, ears lowering. "I actually do already have a son, but his mother and I aren't together like that, it's.... kind of an embarrassing story. That's how I know your sister though, she's going to be the queen of the same pride where they live. I visit them every couple of days or so."
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:54 pm
Though Kiasi did not quite understand why someone would have a cub and not stay with the other parent, it did not bother her, so she simply let out a squeak when he brought up her sister again. "I don't really know much about her new pride," she admitted. "But it sounds like a nice enough place! I miss her, but I'm happy for her, too."
With a sad smile, she pushed the feelings away. "So, do you plan to stay in the Pridelands? Or do you want to go somewhere else? It seems like everyone ends up leaving. I don't think I ever could."
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 8:19 pm
"If you want to see her sometime I'd be happy to bring you along with me? You could see the land for yourself that way too, it's nothing at -all- like the Pridelands here."
Though he did love his homelands.
"I could never leave here for good either. When me and my siblings were growing up it seemed like it was all we could think about, going out and finding adventures of our own." Not much unlike little human boys playing the heroic pirate, or the bold treasure hunter. "Then our mom had her second litter and I stayed around to help her with them, and, well, not I just don't think I could live anywhere else and be happy." He smiled softly, watching her. He hadn't missed the sad note in her smile, and hoped that she'd take him up on his previous offer. His tail gave an idle flick as he went on. "I'd like to see other places but, this will always be home. You know?" He nodded, as if to confirm what he stated for fact to himself.
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:16 pm
"That'd be wonderful," she said with a much brighter smile. "I really appreciate it! And wow, really?" She could hardly imagine a world that differed from the Pridelands. Though it seemed silly now, she had always sort of assumed that all places were alike, just with different leaders.
"You know, I guess I never really thought if it that way. It would be nice to get out and see different things, but I know I'll always come back here. It's just... well... it's home."
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:36 pm
"Great!"
Really, it'd also be a great change, having someone to keep him company. After traveling to and from those lands alone for so many back to back trips, this was really going to be a great change, and he was already finding himself pulled in by her company. They talked back and forth so easily, where as small talk was usually something that even the best of conversationalists could dread. It felt comfortable and natural with Kiasiadia though.
"You just tell me when! You know, you can find me up on Pride Rock usually, or around the southern half where the sunning rocks are." The hilly lands behind Pride Rock, littered with boulders perfect for sunning.
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Posted: Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:16 pm
"Anytime!" she replied enthusiastically. "I'm usually by the big cluster of dens, although if you see any little purple and black and gray cubs, I won't be far!"
How thrilling, suddenly thinking about adventures outside of the Pridelands. And to get to visit Vinaya, too! Kiasi felt another rush of energy, almost as if she were ready to go right then. It only took a few moments for her to calm down again.
"Oh, thank you, Ayato! I don't think I would ever go somewhere on my own. It'll be nice to have a travelling companion!"
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