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 Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:13 pm
Days had passed in her chance encounter with the large male, back at the borders; despite this, Bazi had found herself partially fascinated with the idea he'd lingered the territory. She knew he had; call it a feeling, or perhaps the scent in the wind, but she knew, and she'd kept mostly silent about it, letting Sarafina know in a cryptic way she knew the queen would understand. After all, her loyalties lay with her half sister, above all else.
Despite it all, she still felt fascinated; there was little she could do to keep herself from being so. No one seemed to notice however, and since her siblings and most pride members let her be, Bazi... was. The child was used to being alone, and currently sat herself beneath the shadow of a large termite mound, gazing at the horizon; she loved her siblings, but she was different. The only other she seemed to get along with (and getting along was a term used loosely), was Nuka, the prince, whom had his own schedule to follow, what with the responsibilities that had been placed over his young shoulders.
Thus so, the shaman-in-training allowed herself to contemplate the horizon, as if it had something or other to tell her. And she waited for what, in her mind, was the inevitable.
"Hello little sister," A whisper came upon the wind it seemed. Near her, beneath another shadow himself, and hidden as he had been before appeared her "brother." Godlumthakathi had been watching this one from afar, always keeping his presence carefully hidden from the pride around her, never getting too close... until she'd wandered out far enough that he could steal her away for a few minutes without their notice. Oh, he had no doubt that the 'theft' would be found out in due course and he'd have an entire pride after his hide, but that thought didn't particularly worry him.
Now he smiled upon her, the expression strange with his skull-marked face, and the dark lion stood, "Walk with me sister." Never doubting that she'd follow, he turned and headed off towards the horizon, intending to get out of sight over a hill before he said much to her. He almost felt the emerald green eyes on his back, from somewhere high on the termite mounds.
Not a hint of surprise greeted the words; instead, Bazi flicked an ear, allowing the wind to carry sound to her, "Hello," she responded, even though it was obvious she'd not yet seen him. The shadows bellow shifted then, and she finally caught a glimpse of him; a smile reached her maw, "There you are," as if not at all ashamed to admit she'd not seen him coming, "I thought you were there. You never left," it wasn't an acquisition, for the smile lingered her maw; an expression that God, had he been watching her closely the past few days, would have noticed was rare, and fleeting whenever upon the cub's maw.
It wasn't that she was a sad soul; far from it. Bazi seemed to like the life she lead, and seemed amused with most what surrounded her, if no doubt, in different ways than most others.
Not even a pause, and the petite lioness lifted her form and followed after her 'brother', perhaps too trusting of a creature she'd only met once. Despite that, she had little doubt no harm would come to her; had he wished to harm her, he could have at any given moment. He knew were she slept, per se. She paused only briefly at the edge of the hill, watching the termite mounds behind her, as if to reassure them she'd be back briefly; that this was something she must find out on her own, and then, without another thought, she slipped after the large male, "I thought you'd come."
"And indeed I did," He replied once they were safely out of sight. They were being followed, but he'd expected that. God lead her a little further away, but didn't dare stop for any reason--he doubted that he'd get much of a warning this time. "I thought that perhaps my sister might approve of my presence.. and provide me with a bit of a story."
"I don't mind," she told him honestly, "One way or another; I don't mind. You can stay, if you please. You can leave, if you please," it was a strange string of words, coming from a cub, bu they were not insulting, or sad; they were said with the honesty that distinguished children from others, "You want to know... how I got It, don't you?" she had no need to say what 'It' was, at least not to him, she figured. Unlike the large male, she was unaware they were being followed, at least not consciously. However, at the back of her mind, she expected no less.
"I would, if you would be so kind as to tell me." He didn't respond to her first comment for it was not the sort that required, or expected, a response. Instead, he kept his paws moving along through the dirt and dagger grass, keeping a pace she could keep up with.
Well aware of the fact he'd not addressed the first concern, Bazi promptly pushed that out of mind and concentrated on figuring out the details he wished to know, her pace brisk at his side. He dwarfed her, she noted idly in the back chambers of her brain as she pondered, however, when she looked up, it was not at God, but at the distance, "I was different," she started, "They didn't like me... the other cubs. The other adults... they didn't like me, or mine. When they saw us... saw me, they frowned and whispered. I remember those whispers, but I don't know what they said," it was clear from her words, she didn't quite care to know either, "My Sister told me that it was okay; that we were leaving anyhow, and we'd never see those frowns, or hear those whispers. That it didn't matter what they thought, but I was still different," her pace, despite being so small, was able to keep up with his, and at that moment, she turned to glance up at him with a smile, soft, almost nostalgic, "I was sad though, because I had done nothing to warrant those whispers. The other cubs did not like me - they stayed away, and even though I had my Sister, I felt alone. I didn't feel strong."
A pause followed and she turned to gaze at the horizon, "He came, one night I couldn't sleep, before we left. He told me it was fine to be different; that we were all expected to be different. He told me appearances could be deceiving, and he gave It to me. Told me it'd hide my tears if I felt lonely, and He also told me that I could be strong," she paused, poking a claw to the skull, "Up here. Then... he left. But he saved me, because it no longer mattered I was different, and it no longer matter the cubs wouldn't play with me."
Godlumthakathi took this in slowly, rolling each bit of information about inside his skull as he figured out what to say. That sounded about like Dark, he thought, and gave a slight snort. It wasn't directed at the cub, though, and he smiled down at her in a kindly manner. God really wasn't what most would consider 'evil', of course.. only ... perhaps chaotic was the best term, at least he considered it to be so. "So this was before your new pride here came to be? Well... I'm afraid that doesn't help terribly much, though I am quite relieved to hear that he has been helping someone."
Dark shook his head, laughing softly at that. He sobered again, eyes regarding her gently. "I do hope your siblings play with you, you seem to have many relations your age here."
"Yes. It was before we came here," she lifted her gaze back at him and blinked slowly, languidly, then she paused as seemed to ponder his words. The way he spoke, and what he said didn't even bother to hint; the boasted knowledge. It left the small cub intrigued, "You know Him?" it was a bit of a rhetorical question, for she didn't truly expect him to tell her, one way or another, or to say what he knew of Him.
After a second, she turned to look over her shoulder, her tail flicking a termite idly away, "They do; I like it here. But I'm still different, regardless. I've come to accept that as a good thing though. We can't all be the same."
"no, we can't," He nodded. A glance over his shoulder showed shadows moving behind him. She could have caught up by now, but she hadn't--the female was listening. That was fine, he knew where she was, and rather than acknowledge her presence he kept his eyes upon the cub. Bazi most likely knew that nothing was going on, or else was so confident in her pride that she felt no fear of it. It would be interesting to find out what they would do about him now. "His is a face that I have known, as have you, since I was young."
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Posted: Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:41 pm
Bazi had, in fact, actually figured out what was going on by then, however, the child showed no fear, for some reason. She remain eerily calm, as if she weren't currently, stuck between two forces that would soon clash. In a way, she figured what would be, would be; this had been something she'd needed to find out on her own. Despite her love for her family and pride, they weren't supporters of that what she believed in; at least not fully. Sarafina was bred and raised with the pridelander knowledge of the stars, while though Bazi agreed with it fully, she also believed... in other sides. She believed in the magic of things, for she'd seen a lion with wings in her youth. A lion that Could Not Be, as far as she'd come to know, and yet, He'd been there. If He could Be, what stopped others from also Being?
Turning her head so that she was no longer looking over her shoulder, she smiled faintly at the adult male, "We should wait now," it was said calmly at him, accepting the words he'd offered her last, and amusingly enough, not prying further. He'd tell her, in due time if he so wished.
"Perhaps we should, though perhaps you should wait and I go on.." He mused, a question that was not directed at her. The male paused in his steps as she did, turning his head to glance briefly behind him... though he knew the female was not there any longer. The only thing that surprised him in what happened next was the calmness of it.
"I believe it would be best if you waited," Sarafina stated from a position slightly ahead of them and off to his side. She was at his back, and would have struck already save that the conversation had been strange and non-threatening enough to catch her interest. Godlumthakathi looked at her boldly, without the slightest sign of remorse, and for a moment the two adults sized one another up. He would not get by so easily with her as he had with Sukari--her pridelander heritage was true, even though it had been infested with a bit of rogue blood, and thus Sarafina was easily just as large as he. Even if Sukari was her match in fighting, that alone made her far more dangerous a foe than her General, even where males were concerned. "It is not often that someone dares make off with our cubs.. much less underneath our very noses." Her green eyes did not leave his ruby, but her ear tipped towards Bazi for the child's explanation.
The child in question shoved no remorse; it was something she'd needed to do, and it was obvious she was fully prepared to accept the consequences that would arise, hence-after, "I needed to know," it was all what was given as an explanation for a moment; the smile was gone, she looked seriously calm, as if expecting a storm, and acknowledging her actions, "I needed to know if he was something of Mine," she told the queen, and this done, she turned to look at the male, dipping her head in an extremely formal, polite bow. Something she'd not done to any other outside the queen, her father, and the General, "He is," and this said, she slipped from his side and padded over to Sarafina. She'd spoken no more but it was clear the message she gaze off; my loyalties lie with you, but I needed to know, for my sake.
The General in question, had approached from the other side, her blue eyes narrowed as she set herself opposite Sarafina, as if to block the other route of escape. If anything, it was clear the two lionesses worked well together; she'd told the queen of their encounter, indeed, though the queen had not pronounced herself. Yet.
"Indeed you are," God replied to Bazi, with a smile. He mimicked her bow, not bothering to correct--as some might have-- that it was more that she was of his, than the other way about. His eyes raised back to Sarafina's and he felt, rather than saw, Sukari blocking off the way behind him. This could get ugly very quickly were he to try and fight his way out. Okay, slight tactic change. "As the child says, there were things I needed to speak with her of. Private matters of a religious nature and I thought it best to do so when there were no others about that it might offend."
Sarafina raised her scarred brow, barely feeling the uncomfortable tug of scarred, tight flesh. This one was slick as a river, that was certain, though he seemed to think her a fool. Or else he was toying with her, as Sukari had mentioned he had a tendency to do. "God, I believe your name is?"
"Indeed."
The Queen attempted not to snort. Religious fanatic? Or a practical joke.. either way, it was amusing in its idiocy. She lifted a paw to bring the child beneath her legs, but did not offer Bazi the slightest acknowledgment otherwise. She would deal with the child later. "We are unaccustomed to having lions wander away with our cubs. You would do well to announce yourself the next time you approach any of ours, and alert an adult to your presence. Otherwise, you will not be getting a warning in the future."
Accepting the turn of events as it came, though knowing she'd get a talking to later, Bazi placed herself under the Queen's frame. In a way, it wasn't religion to her; it was just the way things were, but she'd been well raised, and she knew her place. This was an adult thing; something she need not comment on. Yet. She'd be allowed to voice herself later, without a doubt. For now, she watched on.
Still alert, Sukari allowed herself to remain standing behind the male; far enough he'd not reach her if he simply turned, yet near enough a pounce would warrant contact. She needed not voice herself yet, though she found herself amused; as far as she could tell, there was a distinct invitation in the Queen's words. That was... unexpected. Then again, she'd sadly not heard the conversation which Sarafina had; she'd been sent to circle around their 'prey', which had made her miss whatever had caught the Queen's attention. Arching a brow, she looked at Sarafina, a mild question dancing in her eyes.
Sarafina gave Sukari a little more than a jerk of her head. The general would know immediatly that she would answer question later. For his part, God had no idea of this.. or the implied 'invitation', it only meant that he'd live another day without potentially fatal wounds. Well, that was always a plus. "As you say, fair lady... and you as well, Sukari." He didn't even bother to look behind him, but smirked as he glanced her way. "I apologize for the inconvenience... and I shall see you another time, before I leave, Jamabazi."
He gave the cub a smile and a bow and then trotted off on his way without another word. Sarafina did not move to follow him, but her emerald eyes watched him carefully until he was out of sight. Only then did she lower her head to pick Bazi up and head back towards the termite mounds.
Sukari turned to watch the male vanish, following him with her pale, narrowed eyes. When his form was but a spec in the horizon, she watched Sarafina dip her head, pick up the cub and pad away. This had been interesting, to say the least. Content she'd receive some sort of information on what had gone on, she turned and followed by her Queen's side.
Jambazi, for her part, had watched just as silently, and had merely given the male a nod before she'd been picked up. It was.... nice to know. To really know.
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