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 Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:19 pm
 Gree paws stepped lightly across the green grass of the open plains. The sun, now directly overhead, playfully cast shadows with the clouds. Janikiwiti lead the way, with her was the company of her betrothed Kubwa.
Earlier that day Jani had met him for the first time in years, She had long given up hope that he would never return. Many of her hopes and dreams had Kudwa entwined within them, and now he was back. The thought that these dreams would no longer be impossible warmed her heart.
As they walked Jani thought of many questions that she wanted to ask, but she didn't know where to start. How do you start a conversation with someone you haven't seen in years? Jani wasn't sure, so she decided to ask something pretty casual.
"Heard any good gossip whilst you have been away?" Being a Lady of the court, one always needed the upper hand in a conversation after all.
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Posted: Tue Apr 15, 2008 9:25 pm
Kubwa raised an eyebrow at the question. Out of all the questions she could have asked, she asked about gossip? Well, perhaps it was just her way of easing into the tougher questions. It was often difficult to ask the really hard stuff right away.
Smiling lightly, he answered.
"Hmm.... not really. I never got close enough to the other prides to get anything in the way of gossip. Plenty of other prides, though. One where females are dominant and the males are of little import to the pride. An interesting concept, to be sure."
He chuckled lightly and waited for her next question. He had several to ask her, but she should be allowed to go first.
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Posted: Wed Apr 16, 2008 9:11 pm
Well, that didn't break the ice quite as Jani had planned. Well, if Kubwa wasn't going to talk about anything whimsical, she might as well get to the meaty parts of her questions. As she walked beside him she wondered where to start. Best to start from the beginning I suppose.
"So... what happened after you left?" She asked, her eyes wide with curiosity. She had a lot to add to the question, but for now she was content to leave it as that. When she asked, she looked forward, not making eye contact, she wasn't sure how he would respond to such an enquiry.
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Posted: Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:29 pm
Kubwa'eusi eyed Jani lightly and sighed again. This was going to be difficult, but he had to tell her. For both her sake and his, however, he'd leave out... certain details.
"This... isn't going to be very pleasant," he started lightly, feeling it only fair to give her a bit of a warning.
"I left, as you remember, to search for help when the plague hit. It was rather difficult to be away from the pride, but I knew what I had to do and I set out right away to find the nearest pride. I was hasty and foolish. I should have considered that some of the nearby groups may not be our allies. I stumbled across one such group, saw the leader and begged for his help. He informed me that while he sympathized with our plight, that he couldn't allow his group to be harmed. So I left and went in the direction he suggested. He didn't lead me toward friends, however. I was met outside the next pride by a rather odd greeting. I was told I was under arrest for.... the assault of one of the pride members...."
He trailed off and stopped walking, looking directly at Jani.
"I swear to you that I did no wrong to any member of that pride or anyone else. Whether they mistook me for someone else, or simply decided to pin the crime on me, I will never know, but I did not do what they say I did."
He wanted to make that very clear, even though he was pretty sure Jani would not believe that he had done such a thing anyway. He continued their walk.
"So, I was thrown into a.... prison of sorts and questioned. I denied everything, of course. They sent me to a trial where they even brought forth people who said they saw me do the crime. I was sentenced to imprisonment, where I stayed for a few years. An enemy pride eventually took over the group and I managed to escape."
He sighed heavily.
"I was going to head back... but I just assumed that everyone had been wiped out by the plague. I couldn't face that. I was a coward. So I became a rogue and wandered for several months. But dreams of the plague and the prison kept me from sleeping and I just had to know what happened. So I came back. I apologize for taking so long to come back. I truly do."
His speech having been said, he grew silent and waited for Jani to pass her judgement, as he was sure the king would do later as well.
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 6:23 pm
Jani listened, completely focused on what Kubwa had to say. Her golden eyes stayed on Kubwa the whole time. She had been wondering for a long time what had happened to her betrothed, how he had been kept from returning, and now she was going to learn.
Jani was shocked at what Kubwa had to say about some of the lions in the outside prides. She had thought all would be accepting and caring and willing to help whenever someone called, but Kubwa's story told her otherwise. She was also surprised that he could be under arrest.
When he told her this, the lioness had nothing but trust and belief for Kubwa. She knew he wouldn't have done anything to harm another. She listened to the rest of his story with interest, finally when he was finished, the Jani let silence hang in the air for a few moments before commenting.
"You have been through a lot," she started. "I believed every word you said."
The green lioness smiled and starting walking again. "I'm glad you are back."
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 7:34 pm
Kubwa smiled, grateful that Jani did not judge him for his mistakes. Though, she had to say, that she wouldn't have blamed her had she. He had messed up, and he was supposed to have helped the pride. If he had found help, maybe....
Well, there was no use dwelling on the past. He turned to Jani.
"So, while I was out, what happened with the pride? I know the general stuff from what you said earlier, but I still feel like I'm walking into something I know too little about."
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Posted: Sat Apr 19, 2008 9:21 pm
Jani took a while to respond. The lioness opened her mouth to speak, then quickly closed it again. Where should she start? After Kubwa left would probably be the best she decided.
"Well, you know Konokubwa died, after that Kibwana took the thrown. You probably know that too since he sent you out. Ummm..." She wracked her brain for more information. "Kibwana has a mate, Haiba'sheleli is her name. She is very beautiful."
"Many of the blood died. Others left. Only a few of us stayed behind. Eventually after the plague passed, Kibwana allowed us to move freely between the pride and the outside lands, which is how I found you."
"I think the king and queen plan on having cubs soon too." She added as an afterthought, remembering a conversation she had once had with the king.
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Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:15 pm
Kubwa nodded. He remembered the new king sending him out along with a few others. He knew nothing of what had become of them, and likely never would. He shook his head mentally, the thoughts overwhelming him. Things weren't good, but nor were they terrible. He had to keep reminding himself of that.
He knew in his heart that Kibwana would make a good king. And now that he had a queen, and planned to produce an heir, they could rebuild their pride. And since the borders had been opened, they could also recruit newcomers. It violated some of his parent's ideals of 'old blood', but when had he ever cared what his parents thought?
"Things seem to be going rather smoothly, then. At least at the moment. I'm glad to hear it. I look forward to meeting the new queen as well."
A thought occured to him.
"So, besides the king, the queen, you and myself, who else remains?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:10 pm
Jani paused to think about who else remained from the plague. There were some, most she did not know their names, they were of a lower class so they did not really matter to her. There were a few others that she could think of though that did matter.
"The kings sister is still alive, as well as her mate." She started, referring to the other lord and lady that remained in the pride. "Also, the Mtawa is still there."
She thought for a moment more, wondering if anyone else may come to mind. "That is all I can remember." She finished.
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Posted: Mon Apr 21, 2008 7:17 pm
Kubwa nodded. That might be all that is left. But it was enough. Even with the small number, it was enough to protect the pride while they rebuilt it. Kubwa finally found himself starting to relax. He still felt some guilt for what happened, but he would be able to put that behind him after he spoke with the king. He would help rebuild this pride, no matter what.
But onto another matter. He had lost Jani once. The strength she had shown in these hard times was enough to endear himself to her. She might be a bit on the snobbish side, and she cared a bit too much for gossip, but everyone had their vices. She was also strong, loyal and caring. Kubwa shifted so that he was walking closer to her. He nuzzler her lightly on her cheek.
"I'm very glad you're alright."
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 6:44 pm
Jani blushed. When they had been together in the pride, before Kubwa went away, they had not been very close. Sure they had been betrothed, but that wasn't very long before Kubwa had to go. Now that they were together again, Jani was sure they would be able to make a better go at their betrothal and relationship. She gave a slight smile. Finally the others could make snide remarks about her losing her mate anymore.
"I'm glad you are okay too." She blushed and nuzzled him back.
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:04 pm
Kubwa smiled, his heart fluttering happily for the first time in... a very long time. He gazes at Jani fondly. A little thought suddenly tugged at his brain and his smile faded slightly.
"When things settle down, I would very much enjoy if you and I could get to know each other better. I... just wanted you to know that even though I left for so long, I considered you my betrothed and never strayed. In the time that's passed, however, if you've found a more suitable mate, I will understand."
Now that the pride was undergoing great changes, he didn't know if their engagement still held. He hoped and was pretty sure by Jani's affection, but wanted to be completely sure.
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:12 pm
Jani nodded, a soft smile forming on her green maw. "I'd like that too. We didn't have much time before you had to... leave."
Jani was more taken aback at the later half of his request. The green lioness looked over his dark body. She had never strayed either. She had always hoped that Kubwa would return. "I have not found anyone else. I always hoped you would come back."
She smiled once more and turned to continue in the direction she hoped was towards their pride lands. Jani couldn't wait to get back so they could finally settle down.
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:16 pm
Kubwa smiled gratefully as the last bit of tension was removed from his shoulders. Now all he had to do was speak to the king and they could all begin a new chapter in their lives. His smile turned thoughtful as he reminisced on all the things he had seen on his travels. Some good, some not so good, but it had been an interesting journey. And he was pretty sure the dreams would no longer plague him. He would finally get a good night's sleep. But back to the present.
"I'm very glad to hear it," he said simply and then continued following Jani in a now comfortable silence. He enjoyed her presence.
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Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 10:22 pm
Jani glanced back at Kubwa as the continued home. She felt a sudden warmth grow inside her. She was happy. Happy for the future, for what it might hold, for what they might have together. Finally there was a peace in her life.
Jani turned forwards before whispering. "Let's go home."
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