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 Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 8:11 am
Oiorpata entered the jungle slowly and with anticipation. This was the jungle where her "sisters" had been dropped off. Balaa had said they had been left at a good place; Kiuma did not speak of it. So Oreo had to be content with her blood-sisters and her mothers, even her brothers. So her imagination was not quite kept in check as she entered, wondering what lay within. If it really was a better place, then she was sure Kiuma would have brought Oreo and her sisters here as well. The jungle was not quiet and eerie but rather alive. Still, she nearly jumped as a bird nearby burst into flight. Cursing herself, she pushed forward pulling back on her mask of determination.
Someone else too was entering the jungle. But unlike Oiorpata who entered for the first time, Magharibi was returning home. Maggy was glad to be back. All the dull females out and about had no respect and neither did males. Above that, it was not safe and secure. She had to work harder to eat, work harder to make sure a simple trip to a nearby waterhole wasn't her last. It just wasn't home where she had at least someone's respect ...and wanted the respect of others.
Of course, her thoughts of joy were cut short when she saw the bright red figure through the trees. It was obviously female, splendidly colored. However, they hadn't belonged when she was last here and they had no appearance of comfort like a normal Kunanda female would possess. Her eyes narrowed, she approached not cautiously but rather arrogant, comfortable on her own home turf.
"Halt," she said sternly.
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 8:25 am
Oiorpata stopped at the other's words, on guard and ready. Her mother hadn't been a weakling and she had made sure her daughters weren't either. Confident, always competitive, Oreo felt herself in fighting form and a sure winner, especially against another female. However, she kept from attacking for the moment to hear what the other had to say and maybe get information, if not because the other was older, larger, with a few battle scars to adore her.
"I have halted as you asked. What do you want with me?" She said, her words hard and to the point so the other knew where she stood.
Maggy's eyes narrowed yet again as they had relaxed after getting the other's attention. The other was abrasive and to the point. And while it could be good, it was rude to Maggy and she could hardly tolerate it. But the last thing she would do was shed blood the moment she came back home. Even if she doubted that others could notice blood on such a bright crimson coat.
"I would state your purpose if I were you. You walk in territory that does not belong to you. That is, you walk on dangerous ground."
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 8:30 am
Oreo nodded slowly. "I understand your meaning perfectly," she said at the hint of a threat. For a threat it might as well have been. Adjusting her shoulders and drawing herself up so that she looked more like an important ambassador rather than a rogue, she continued. "I come in search of my sisters who were brought here where they young. Nuksani and Sanuye Kiuma are their names."
Maggy raised an eyebrow but then made a face. Usha's project. So by technicality, they were Usha's now, raised by her and Ayni who should have been with Maggy instead. But Maggy still had the chance to beat Usha in that one area since they were not Usha's by blood and thus couldn't count. As it was, she resented Usha for everything she had taken from Maggy; everything Maggy wanted was gone, lost to her. "I know them," she said finally. "They reside within my pride."
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 8:47 am
"My pride." The word was rather possessive like one who had control over something. However, this lioness did not have the feel of a Queen. She was not polite, not nice or cordial. Not at all interested in the fact that she wanted to see and talk to her sisters. She told Oreo where they were but seemed not inclined in the least to offer help or guidance in regards to them. With a sigh, sucking up her own pride, she asked, "could you please take me to them?"
Maggy contemplated refusing the other. Why not leave her out here? Oh right. She'd probably follow Maggy there. And the males didn't know any better. They wouldn't think to stop her from crossing through their territory. So she might as well let the other follow on better terms. Plus she would then have to explain herself if the other followed after being refused for the simple right of visitation. "Come then. I will take you if you watch yourself. These are our lands and we have rules different from your own."
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 9:00 am
Oiorpata wanted to scoff at her. Her mother's rules were different than most. How much more different could these ones be? However, she simply nodded and followed the other into the unfamiliar territory of the jungle. Eventually they came to the edges of the pride. It wasn't as noisy as some surely could be but sounds there still were. They came across males, relaxing and joking. The lazy slobs, she thought. Back with her mothers, males pulled their own weight and then some. Her guide, however, ignored their existence completely whereas they seemed to make sure to pay enough attention to get out of her way. Oreo grinned in amusement.
Maggy did indeed ignore the males. They served no purpose to her, not even good enough to love or care for. Yes, they were needed for babies but she was sure there would one day be a day when they were no longer needed for that either.
She looked back to make sure the other was still following and not daunted by the males. The way they acted made them look like a harlem which maybe in a way they were. But the other seemed rather pleased by it. Good, Maggy thought although she wasn't quite sure why she cared. She just secretly hoped this stranger would take away her "sisters" so that Usha would have lost something. "They shouldn't be too far now," she said.
One might imagine it was easy to miss something bright in a world of bright colors. But since the Kunanda was not quite as big as it once was, Usha was able to recognize everyone by sight although names were sometimes a bit tricky. It did not take long to notice the bright red young lioness weaving her way through the pride at the heels of another. Her eyes slid over to the other and widened in recognition. She had half-expected her sister not to ever return, at least not without an army.
Without another moment gone by, she pushed herself forward, keeping an eye on them as she worked her way over. "Sister," she said to capture Maggy's attention.
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 9:13 am
"Well we weren't quite looking for you," Maggy said. "But you'll do." She looked at the red female whose name she happened not to know. "This lioness has been taking care of your sisters." She conveniently left out her sister's title but did manage a bit of a nod that worked for a bow. It was a look of recognition if nothing else.
Oreo looked upon the lioness and managed more of a bow than Maggy had. She was not of course certain about her rank but she had once gotten the story of what happened to her sisters. It seemed to her that this was the Queen Balaa had spoken of. "I am Oiorpata," she said.
Usha ignored her sister's rebelliousness. Her sister was more dangerous as an exile, the idea of her sister gathering an army to take over after exile played back too readily as it had been a thought that occurred to her when Maggy disappeared. But to Oiorpata's apparent recognition, she smiled. They had both clearly never met so it amused her to no end, especially since she did not think herself so readily noticeable as anything but a large lioness. But of course, she was a Queen as had been sanctioned by blood and fate. "Welcome, Oiorpata, to the Kunanda. Your sisters are fine and you are welcome to join them."
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 9:19 am
Oiorpata swallowed awkwardly. She hadn't thought about this past finding them although she had not yet laid her eyes on them. "I'm ...um.... I'm not joining?" She said. But the thought somehow struck a cord with her, sounded like a good idea, peaceful even. "Well..." she trailed off before completing her thought and sealing any deal. Because she had lived so long without them, she could continue to live with her mother and her other sisters. with ease. Living with her lost sisters here would be more a sacrifice.
Maggy nearly giggled at the other's discomfort. Really, her joy of others' pain was usually quite.... only in existence towards her sister. So maybe it was just that she missed it so much that she channeled it towards the other who was so unlike her it seemed. Maggy had pride and this one in contrast seemed like an eager follower of all that was Usha. Which as it crossed her mind, actually made her cringe a little. Why weren't others like that with her?
Usha smiled still like a mother on her own children or an aunt. "You are welcome to stay with them as long as you like, Oiorpata. I am Usha. I can take you to them if you'd like?"
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Posted: Sat May 31, 2008 9:22 am
Oiorpata smiled, very comforted without feeling like she was inadequate or needed to try harder than everyone else. Without feeling alienated or estranged. "Yes, yes I think I will," she said still smiling.
Maggy shook her head at the other's ...complacency. So happy she seemed to be which was nice. But Maggy just wanted someone who wanted to follow her around and respect her. It was another one of the reasons not being Queen hurt her so much. Maggy felt just... by herself. She did not realize that sometimes it was better to be a follower. And that followers got just as much love as those they followed.
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