|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:41 pm
Taa ran blindly through the darkness, literally shaking with fury. She trembled and her limbs felt weak as she attempted to make them move faster. Finally, she could run no longer and she collapsed in a heap on the ground. Breathing heavily, she squinted her eyes tightly closed and prayed that there was no one around.
Why? Why did things have to go so badly? Why couldn't I have just kept my stupid mouth shut? Now I've just made things worse. He'll never forgive me now . . .
She had fought with her brother. Again. It was not the first time and it was not likely to be the last. However, she had never seen Kibwana so angry before. Bringing up their sister had been a foolish move, but it had slipped out. Kib thought Taa heartless and blamed her for the loss of their sister. But it wasn't her fault at all. She hadn't asked their father to betroth her to the male instead of her sister. Taa had begged and pleaded to their father for him to change his mind, but he would not agree. And now, she had lost the love of her brother and the presence of her sister.
Oh Adia. I am so sorry. And I miss you so much . . .
Curling on her side, Taa tucked her limbs in and let the feelings of sorrow and bitter pain wash over her.
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:49 pm
Kubwa, having been stuck pacing his cave, had decided to go out for a walk. The pent up energy she was feeling had been overwhelming when confined indoors. He wasn't exactly worried. Worried wasn't the right word. Anxious. That was the one. Anxious for his mate and his unborn cubs. He was looking forward to being a father, but things had been shaken up since the plague.
He wasn't allowed to be in the birthing cave with Jani, nor was he allowed to see the cubs for a week after the birth. They were to be presented to the king first. He wasn't particularly bothered by this, as it was tradition, and had to be upheld.
He was anxious for they were short on pride members at the moment, and there was no midwife to accompany Jani. What if something were to go wrong? He wouldn't be there to help her. But who could be there with her? These were the thoughts that currently plagued him. They caused the itch in his legs, and sent him out at night.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 12:56 pm
Taa allowed herself to wallow in the sorrowful feelings for a few moments before attempting to scrape herself together. Pulling herself up from her position, she managed a standing position, though her legs still felt shaky. She stretched them a bit, and sniffed a few times. Laying around would do no good. She had to find a way to make things right.
A sound nearby caught her attention, and she whirled around into a crouch. Growling deep in her throat, her hackles rose in fury.
"Who's there? Show yourself!"
The thought that someone might have seen her in such a vulnerable state made her sick to the stomach.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:14 pm
Kubwa was pulled from his thoughts by the sound of a voice. He glanced up and looked swiftly around for the source. There, not a few yards away was Taadhima'Aali, the king's sister. He blinked in surprise. He hadn't seen her since he'd left to find aid in the time of the plague.
He walked up slowly, allowing the shadows to reveal his dark form. He dipped into a light bow.
"It's I, Kubwa'eusi, madam."
He sat, and waited for her to speak.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:22 pm
It took a moment for Taa to realize that she recognized the figure, and the voice and name. She hadn't seen Kubwa in quite some time. She straightened out of the crouch immediately, rather embarrassed. She wondered how long Kubwa had been there. She gazed intently at his face, but saw no hint of embarrassment or curiosity there, only some confusion. Nodding in relief, she forced herself to relax before replying.
"Kubwa! My, it is good to see you again. I haven't seen you in awhile. It is nice to have you back in the pride lands. I-I am sorry about growling at you. I was . . . startled, that's all. I do apologize," she said and forced a small smile.
She had always liked the large dark lion. He'd never held the disdain for her that many of the pride members had. Then again, few of them were left after the plague. Still, it was nice to feel as though she had at least one friend.
"What brings you out here tonight, Kubwa? Is something wrong?"
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:28 pm
Kubwa nodded with a smile.
"It is good to see you again, as well, Taa. It has been far too long."
His pale eyes scanned their surroundings.
"It is great to be back. I did not know if I would have a home to return to."
He glanced down at the tattoo on his arm, a constant reminder of the past few months he spent wandering the lands, putting off the return home. Now he was home, and he was still anxious. Taa could be trusted. She had always had a kind heart, even when she was younger.
"I admit I'm a bit anxious. My mate Jani is headed to the birthing cave. I am elated, of course. I just wish there was a midwife who could accompany her. I don't like the thought of her being there alone."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:38 pm
Taa blinked in surprise. She hadn't heard that Kubwa had taken a mate. The last time she had seen the male, he had been single, she was certain. He must have found a lady quite recently then. Jani? The name sounded familiar to her for some reason. Perhaps she had heard of the pairing after all.
She smiled happily at the male now. She was happy for him. If he was concerned about her, it meant that he obviously cared for her. Taa was glad that he had found a female to make him happy.
"Congratulations, Kubwa! A mate and now a father? Well, then. You certainly have been busy."
The last part of his comment hit her then, and she frowned. She'd forgotten the lack of midwifes in the pride. After the plague had wiped out so many of its members, things had become increasingly difficult. If this was her first litter, there were bound to be complications. Taa was not yet a mother herself, but she'd been present at several births that required a member of the royal family. After all, Adia was no longer here, and the Queen was often busy.
After a moment, she spoke up quietly, "Kubwa. I am not a midwife, but I have been present a few births. If you don't mind, I could join your mate in the birthing cave." It was the least that she could do for a friend and Taa liked the idea of being able to feel useful again.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:44 pm
Kubwa blinked in surprise at Taa's words. He had never thought of asking her to be there for the birth. Perhaps it didn't follow with propriety, but with all of the changes that the pride had been forced to undergo, the rules had to be bent a little. And Kubwa had to admit he would be completely relieved to have someone there with Jani.
He smiled brightly and lowered his form into a deep bow.
"That would be wonderful if you would give us the honor of your presence. Jani may not admit to the relief, but I know she would be very grateful for your assistance. She's a tough one, and I know she'll make it through all right. It would mean a lot to the both of us for someone to just make sure."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 1:50 pm
Taa nodded with a small smile, glad that he had agreed so easily. She was certain that her brother would approve of the idea, or at least, he wouldn't disagree. Taa believed that because of the decline in their pride's members, every new birth into the pride was an important event. Each new cub would help to solidify the safe future of the pride.
"It would be my pleasure, Kubwa. It will give me the chance to get to know your mate too. I'm certain that she is quite a remarkable female. And I look forward to meeting your children as well."
The idea of more cubs in the pride was an exciting one. The royal cubs were delightful, but the more the merrier. Taa was pleased to have found something to distract her from the earlier dispute. Hopefully good news from the birthing would help her regain some standing in her brother's eyes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:05 pm
Kubwa beamed, some of his more playful nature evident in the twinkling of his eyes.
"I do hope there's a good number of them. It would be great to have more youngsters in the pride. We can start rebuilding our numbers."
An odd look crossed the large male's face, and he seemed hesitant to say something.
"Er, Taa, I don't mean to intrude in any way. Please do not take offense, but are you alright? You seemed a bit... odd at ease when I first saw you."
He didn't wish to pry, and should she not wish to discuss the matter, Kubwa would drop it instantly. He hated to see another of his pride worry, especially when there might be something he could do about it.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:12 pm
At his question, Taa's face darkened and she turned away from him. So he had noticed that something was wrong. She had forgotten how perceptive Kubwa could be. That was her mistake. Still, she was no in the mood to speak about the matter between her and her brother, even if it was something that could be discussed. No, Taa had to hide her feelings, as she had done for years. It just . . . seemed to be getting more difficult. Hopefully she would continue to find things to distract her. And perhaps she might even have cubs of her own at some point.
She turned back with a small smile, expression guarded. "No, Kubwa, I am fine. I was simply thinking and was not watching where I was going. I tripped and was a little disoriented. Nothing wrong at all."
Her expression was light, but her tone indicated that she wished end that particular discussion. She quickly changed the subject.
"I'll head to the birthing cave immediately. I'm sure that your mate could use some comfort and some help. I wish you many healthy cubs, Kubwa."
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:23 pm
Kubwa bowed again with a light smile. His face bore the expression of one content with the other conversationalist's answer, even though he wasn't. The purple male couldn't help but wonder if there was still some turmoil occurring within the pride. He hoped not, but wasn't so naive to believe so. Any pride that went under such great changes was bound to have some troubles. He could only hope that they'd be solved quickly.
But for now, he returned to the present. He bowed again to the lioness.
"I thank you deeply. I know Jani will be honored with your presence. Tell her that I await their arrival at court with bated breath."
He grinned. He generally wasn't so wordy, but he wanted to make his gratitude well known. It was an enormous favor that Taa was doing for them, and he resolved to make it up to her.
With another bow, he turned to return to his cave, his worries having much dissipated.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 2:28 pm
Taa grinned, pleased that Kubwa had not pushed the issue. She knew that some of the pride members knew of the tension between Taa and Kibwana, but no one knew of the full extent of it, except perhaps a few of her brother's guards. It was something that she wished to keep hidden for as long as she could, in an effort to give her ample time to try and resolve it. With the problems that the pride was already going through, she did not wish to make it worse.
She grinned at Kubwa's wordy reply and promised fervently to deliver his message to his mate.
"I will certainly tell her so, good Sir. I'm sure that your words will help her through the labor," she added with a small twinkle of humor in her eye.
After he had left, she paused a moment to collect her thoughts before she turned and headed off in the direction of the birthing cave.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Reply
