It was an overcast day on the savanna, the clouds on and off sprinkling a drizzle of rain onto the earth and its inhabitants. Many lifeforms stayed inside, hoping to keep cubs from wandering off and returning with muddy paws. One lioness, however, enjoyed the weather as she did any other day. She whistled as she sauntered across the plains as if she were without a care in the world. She was varying shades of orange, as if she were painted like the sunset. Her mane tuft was various shades of blue, giving her an exotic aura. A long necklace adorned her neck, strung with various little charms. Everything about Tariki spoke of a traveler, adventure, and far off lands. And that was Tariki's life. She ate, slept, and even breathed for travel.
Jani on the otherhand, was not at all liking the weather. She walked with heavy paws, normally used to the delicate movement around her home. Her back ached, she had never done so much excersise in her life! Her golden eyes, normally full of life and shine, were dull, matching the dreary weather of the day. One her face she wore a grimace. Never had she gotten herself so wet and dirty. Her brow furrowed, wondering what the other lionesses might think of her current appearance. No doubt they would have some words to say, but not when she was around to overhear. Jani continued on her way. Hoping that she might come across someone that may help her on her way.
Tariki's green eyes landed on another figure crossing the savanna. She almost missed her, as the other lioness matched the grass surrounding her almost perfectly. What ideal camouflage! The lioness didn't seem happy, however. She walked with her head down, and very slowly, as if under great stress or pain. Tariki's curiosity taking over, she simply had to investigate. What if the lioness needed assistance? The orange lioness sped her gait and made a beeline for the other lioness. She slowed and called out to the lioness when she was a few feet away. "Hello there!"
Jani stopped when the other called out. Although she had silently wanted help, she didn't exactly expect someone to find her and seek her out. Maybe they could be of some use, she thought to herself. Her green head turned to look at the other. Her orange body stood out in the dull rain, against the green backdrop of the savannah, what interested Jani the most was the necklace she wore. Jani had always thought it interesting that other lions adorned themselves with items as such. "Hello" she called back wearily. Even though the lioness seemed friendly enough, Jani couldn't help but wonder if they were okay. "Do you know where we are?" Asked the green lioness, she couldn't determine anything in the rain, everything looked the same.
Tariki smiled, feeling slightly relieved. The lioness didn't seem to be in any real dire problem. But she might be lost. Riki walked over to her, slowly, so she didn't give the lioness a threatening impression. "Well, we're in the rogue lands for sure. Near a few prides, depending on which direction you take. Are you trying to get anywhere in particular? I'm Tariki, by the way. Tariki'Jamaa. But you can call me Riki."
Jani smiled back at the lioness, though it was only half hearted. She relaxed her stance slightly when the other lioness came slowly. At least she was not out to cause harm. Jani knew they were in the roguelands, she just wasn't sure where, though she wasn't sure if this lioness knew either, she seemed the whimsical type to her. "I'm not looking for a place in particular, rather I am looking for someone, a lion to be precise." She stated, referring to Kubwa, the lion she was looking for. "Janikiwiti is my name, but you may call me Siti Janikiwiti." She nodded, adding her title to her introduction.
"It is indeed a pleasure to meet you Siti Janikiwiti." Riki knew right then that the green lioness was from a pride. Noone else would give their title with their name. She didn't know which pride, however, as she did not recognize the title. Probably one of the more reclusive one's. "Well," she said, "I've met many on my travels. Could you describe this individual? I may have run across them."
Jani paused when the lioness asked her to describe whom she was looking for. Kubwa, she hadn't seen him in a long time, and they were younger when he left, he could have changed in many ways and Jani was unsure whether he would still look the same. Still, her memories from the past were the only thing she could go on. "He... His coat is very dark, a dark purple, but it almost looks black. he has a black mane, but it has a white tuft under his chin. His name is Kubwa.." That was all she could remember, she hoped it would be enough.
Riki thought back hard. She really tried. But as the male described had very few really distinguishing marks, it made it difficult. But even with the name, she could not recall having me someone like that. Her eyes darkened. "I'm so sorry, but I haven't met anyone like that. Do you have any ideas of where he might be?" She cringed, mentally kicking herself. "I'm sorry if I'm prying in any way. I might be able to lead you in the right direction, though. If you have any ideas where he might be."
Jani cast her eyes to the ground. She knew that it was a long shot asking if someone might have met Kubwa. She began to wonder if she was even in the right area. She looked back at the lionss, her eyes full of worry. "I'm not really sure where he might have gone, it was so long ago." She thought hard, where had Kib sent him? "I come from the Tete'boma pride, he left to find us help, maybe he went to another pride in the area?" She was really scraping at ideas here. She had no idea where Kubwa might be.
Tariki shuffled her paws. She felt bad. She had unintentionally given this poor lady some hope when Riki couldn't really help her. She wracked her brain, trying to think of the prides around her. She'd heard of the Tete'Boma pride, but never visited it. She really didn't even know where it was. "Well...." she started hesitantly, trying to think of something that might help Siti Jani. "There's a small, but rather old pride living just west of here. They're more like nomads than a pride, really, but they've been around this area for a long time. Perhaps they've seen him. It's a pretty good chance, if he came this way in the last few years."
Jani smiled to the other lioness. She appreciated the help that she was trying to give, but it was hard to help when you didn't know what she was looking for. Jani sighed softly, maybe she would never find Kubwa? He probably had moved on, found anothe pride, another mate, had a family. But something inside Jani couldn't, wouldn't give up hope. That was what Kib had told her once. To never give up. Her ears perked at the mention of another pride. Maybe Kubwa had gone there to seek help! It was a start anyway, and Jani was glad for that. "A pride you say? Which way is it?" She was eager now, eager to move forward.
Tariki smiled, genuinely feeling like she had done something to help. She was glad. She hated to leave someone feeling unhappy. It lead to some troubles for her, of course, but if she had to have a vice, she was glad that was one of them. However, the matter of this nomadic pride wasn't perfect. The group could have moved, or they may not have seen him. But the green lioness seemed determined, so she had to tell her. "Well, it's not a sure thing, but if you head in that direction," she gestured with her paw, "You should be able to find them. I'd keep alert, though, they might be on the move. Watch the horizon for movement. It will most likely be them."
Jani was eager to leave, but she felt compelled to stay with the lioness, only for a moment. She seemed nice, and Jani thought that if she lived in a different world, one where she was not a lady, where she had impressions to make, they might have been friends. "Thankyou." She said simply, "You have done far more than you may think for me today." A smile spread across her face, and her eyes gleamed golden oncemore. But before she left they were drawn to her necklace oncemore, she had to ask about it. "Where did you get that?" She asked, indicating to her neckalce with her paw. Her voice had changed, from a worried woman, to a curious lady.
Tariki was very touched by her comment. At Jani's inquiry about her necklace, Riki felt a chuckle tug at her lips. Her green eyes paled and shown with mirth. She palmed one of the charms on the necklace, a grey and white shell, gazing at it fondly. "These are various gifts given to me by those who I've helped over the years. I travel everywhere and assist whenever I can. Sometimes I receive trinkets in return. Each item has a story. It means a great lot to me. This is my greatest treasure." She smiled up at Jani. The lovely lady was sure to have some treasures of her own, be they material or not.
Jani looked over the charms with great interest. She really liked all the items that the lioness had around her neck, each was individual and each representing her help. Jani paused for a moment. She needed something to give back to the lioness, but what? She had nothing on her, she was travelling alone so she had no one to help her find something. She looked around the area in which they were and noticed a gleam from a small puddle formed by the rain. The green lioness trotted over and dug it out. She delicately picked it up with her mouth and took it back to Riki, dropping it in front of her. She smiled once more and bode her farewell. "Thankyou for your help! I hope to see you again sometime!" And with that, Jani left for the direction of the nomadic pride.
Tariki was again deeply touched by her actions. The small stone was dark brownish-black with swirls of amber and green in them. She smiled. It was almost perfectly representative of their meeting. She called after Jani. "Thank you! I shall treasure this! When we meet again, you will see it on my necklace, I assure you. I wish you the best of luck, my friend!!" Tariki smiled to herself and said a prayer to every God and Goddess she knew of to watch over Jani and to reunite her with this Kubwa fellow, wherever he may be. Looking back, Riki wished that she'd offered to help Jani, but it seemed like the green lioness wished to make this journey herself. Tariki knew the feeling. With that, she grinned and trotted off to whatever her next destination might be.
