|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Fri Mar 14, 2008 9:40 pm
Kiasi wasn't nervous. Kiasi was pretty much never nervous. After all, there was no reason for Tai to dislike her, right? She was actually excited - no, thrilled even - to be able to meet Ayato's mother, the lioness who she had quietly looked up to since she was a young cub listening to stories. There was a spring in her step as she happily walked by Ayato, happy as can be.
"I know it sounds silly," she said to him, her vocie bright, "but it feels kind of, I don't know, unreal! I never missed a single story but I never actually stuck around to talk to your mom afterwards. Well, I wanted to, but my mom was afraid she'd never be able to drag me away again!"
She laughed. "I'm all grown up now, but I still love the stories. I don't think I'll ever grow out of it!"
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:02 pm
The day was bound to come when she realized that her cubs had grown and were cubs no more. She sighed a bit as she made it up the last of the Pride steps to head round the back. It was a day when memories were racing heavily through her mind, and it seemed not so long ago that Sarabi had been the one descending these steps as queen, Mufasa some days at her side. How much had it meant to Tai in those days to have a home?
Those days had long gone though. These days she had cubs coming and going in and out of her life, her children were old enough for children of their own, and in fact, the youngest son from her first litter here was seeing a girl himself. He'd gushed about her countless times already, and Tai, each time, had to laugh with mirth and contagious joy for her son. How adorable and ironic that he'd end up with one of the girls that had attended every story of hers since becoming storyteller here. That in itself seemed like a fairy tale ending, to Tai, and she was sure that Kiasi was a wonderful match for her son. She'd look forward to getting to know her on a more personal level, and smiled softly from her usual storytelling perch as she spotted the two making their way. Lifting gracefully from where she'd only moments before settled, she sat on her haunches now to watch the young couple draw near.
"Ayato, Kiasi...! Good morning, young ones. How is this day finding you?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 3:21 pm
If it was possible, Kiasi looked even more excited when Tai addressed them. She shot a wide smile at Ayato before looking up at the pale lioness, still smiling.
"Good morning!" she said happily. "Everything is..."
She turned to look at Ayato, fondness in her eyes. "Everything is great!" she finished before looking up at Tai. "It's really nice to finally meet you!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 4:56 pm
As they approached Ayato just grinned at her boundless energy. This was what had attracted him to her like a moth to a fire. She had such a contagious way about her. It was infectious, and impossible to resist. He hadn't been quite this giddy and excited since he was a cub.
"That's good, though! Since I imagine my mother will want every chance possible to spend with any grandcubs." He laughed heartily, nuzzling her affectionately as they made their way up the rock steps. "Besides, I love that about you. You always have so much energy to go around, my siblings are mostly lazy bums, except for Nyeupe." He grinned, only averting his eyes when Tai addressed them. With another toothy grin he greeted as well. "Mom!"
The grin mellowed into a smile at Kia, nodding firmly.
"Formally." She grinned gently. "The feeling is mutual. I've heard quite a lot about you over the last few days, Kia. I'm sure that you're parents are both very proud, but I'm afraid seeing you both so grown is making me feel rather old." She laughed gently, welcoming them closer with a motion of her paw. "Come, come, have a seat!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:14 pm
"Formally, yeah," Kia said, chuckling a bit. "Oh, have you?"
She shot a slightly amused but mostly flattered grin at Ayato. "Really?" A purr rumbled in her throat before she looked back up at Tai.
"You never seemed old to me, and you still don't," she said with a smile. "It'll be a long time before that happens."
She gladly accepted the invitation, hopping up onto the rock near Tai. With another smile, she looked to Ayato, waiting for him to join before sitting down.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:28 pm
Ayato smiled, simply watching the two talk for a while, then moved to join them after Tai's prompt and Kia's waiting look. Settling in beside the two females, he rumbled softly. This was really about Kia and his mother, he was here for support, and didn't plan to interfere unless he was needed, but Kia didn't know that.
"Really. It's not like it was hard, there's so much about you to talk about..." He complimented with another "purr", nuzzling her briefly before resting his head on his paws.
"It seems that you two have begun quite the story for yourselves... I'm looking forward to seeing how it develops, and all of the little sequels that come along after, too." She smiled in that motherly fashion, crossing her forepaws. "Tell me, Kia, how are your parents and siblings? Are they still doing well? I heard through the jungle-vine that one of your sisters is to be wed to the king of the Unity Walkers? Lucky girl... Upepo is quite the catch, I know he'll be good to her, I'd expect nothing less from any relative of Mteuli's. And, is it true that Siri recently had a litter of her own?"
Oh, it was so easy getting swept up in conversation like this! To be able to hear how the cubs she'd once cub-sat were doing, it was wonderful. Secretly she hoped she'd have the chance to cub-sit their cubs as well one day soon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 7:56 pm
"My parents are great," she said, smiling. "Mom's been a little sad since Sukari left, but she's kept herself busy with the grandcubs... so yes, it's true that Siri had cubs!" Kia smiled almost dreamily. "They're great, so much fun, you know?"
She tilted her head at the mention of Upepo. She knew of him, of course, but didn't know much about him. "You know his father? I'm glad to hear that! Vinaya deserves the best." Truthfully, she was still a bit upset about losing Vinaya, Sukari too, but she was happy that they were where they wanted to be. "Vinaya, a queen. I still can't believe it!"
Kia became aware that she was talking a lot about herself. "What about you, Tai? I don't know anything about you, except that you're the storyteller, and Ayato's mother. What's it like, being a storyteller? And a nanny? And a mother? You must be busy all the time!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:14 pm
"Mm, actually, he's Upepo's uncle. He's the grandfather of my son. His twin... Mteule, is Upe's dad. Weird, isn't it? Same name? Mom, didn't you say they were named that way for a reason?" Ayato interjected briefly, tangling his tail with Kia's when the chance presented itself.
"They're the earth and sky priests, respectively. There was a meaning behind their birth, so they were given identical names... Oh, yes, quite busy. I wouldn't have it any other way though." She grinned. "I've gotten so used to looking after little ones that it seems a shame not having any around anymore. Ayato's youngest siblings have recently grown old enough to leave, and I'm not sure if they'll stay around or not. I'm not much different than anyone else here though, really. Being a mother is it's own reward, and I enjoy being able to combine what I love with... well, what I love, and being able to help in doing so." She purred as she began to stretch contently over her space of rock, eaaaaasing into a languid pool of Tai. "It would be less busy with more nannies, but what can you really do? I just hope that we'll see more now that your generation is growing. One of these days I won't be able to keep up with their boundless energy."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 8:26 pm
"Ohh, I see." Two brothers with the same name? She couldn't imagine how that would work without everyone being confused! "That's interesting. I'd like to learn more about the Unity Walkers someday, I think. I'd like to learn about all the other prides, really. I don't plan on ever leaving the Pridelands, but that doesn't mean I can't learn!"
She smiled at Tai as she twisted her tail with Ayato's. "Is there a nanny shortage?" Kia seemed thoughtful. "Maybe someday, I'll be a nanny. It seems like it'd be very rewarding, like you say. I guess I should probably have more experience, though!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 10:55 pm
"Hmm..." Ayato rumbled, watching the two gab now with a slow going smile. It was bliss, watching the two getting along so well. This was how it was supposed to be...
"Hmm... slightly different pronunciations, though, I believe, and sure enough... There's much that you can pick up from those that do travel, many stories and traditions, and ideas of all sorts and sizes." she smiled, glancing up at Kia with her blue eyes. "You could, if you really wished. I'd never any real experience with children until I had my own, and look at me. You learn by doing, dear, and you already 'do' with your nieces and nephews, do you not? Though, if you think you might be practicing with your own soon..." A knowing, teasing (but gently so) smile, and Tai continued. "... then perhaps waiting is best. You only have your first litter once. Savor the moments, spoil them with your time, then worry about looking after everyone elses." She laughed softly.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sat Mar 15, 2008 11:03 pm
When Tai spoke of having her own cubs, Kia's gaze drifted to Ayato, entirely without thought. How could it not? It had, after all, been the conversation of having a family of their own that brought the two together as mates.
"Yes, that's true," she said with a smile, tearing her eyes away from Ayato. "Perhaps after that, I'll look into it. I'd like that!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 5:25 pm
Ayato noticed the glance, and so caught up had he been in his own thoughts that when she looked his way at that cue, at first he had a moment of surprise. Why was she looking at-- .... OH! OH.
He smiled almost sheepishly, not missing the glance his mother cast his way as well.
"You should... Kia, I'd bet you'd be a natural." He encouraged.
"And you can always ask me if you feel like you ever need help, dear." Tai purred in addition, thoughts drifting. To be a mother again, wouldn't that be nice? How many litters did she have left in her, she couldn't help but wonder?
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 7:38 pm
Kia looked fondly at Ayato. "I sure hope so."
Turning back to Tai, she nodded. "That would be great!" she said, voice filled with appreciation. "Yes, I think I'd like to become a nanny someday. Had we not talked about it, I might never have realized that, so thank you, very much!"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:18 pm
"I know so." Ayato smiled again, not caring if it sounded "sappy", because he meant it. No one could make a better mother for their cubs than Kia, not in his eyes. He didn't think less of his mother's skills, but even Tai knew that there was no actual substitute for feelings like those between birth mother and children.
Oh, and she didn't think it would be long at all before she became a grandmother again, through Ayato. How ironic that the youngest son in her first litter here was the first to settle down.
"Well, I'm glad that I could help, Kia, and I look forward to working with you when you're ready to fill the position." Tai smiled, moving to sit up again now, careful not to disturb the other two. "You two should enjoy the sunlight, I think that I'll see how the other nannies are doing for now, but we really should do this again, Kia."
A motherly nuzzle was her farewell for the time being, but as the conversation was going on she sensed more and more that her son and Kia might be getting lost in their own world, or well on their way. Rather than keep them from that wonderful feeling known as young love, she'd excuse herself for now.
A nuzzle to Ayato as well, and with a playful wink, she slipped around the corner and headed back down towards the pride den.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Mar 16, 2008 8:37 pm
Kiasi flicked her tail happily, nuzzling Ayato's cheek. There was gratitude in her bright eyes.
She turned her attention to Tai again as she took her leave. "It was great to finally meet you, Tai! I hope I'll see you again soon!"
The lioness watched the nanny leave, exceptionally pleased with how the meeting went. What a nice lioness! Not that she had her doubts, of course - a lion as nice as Ayato surely couldn't have been raised by anyone less.
Without another word, she curled her tail around Ayato's, her whole body warm.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
