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 Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:18 pm
As Koho finally neared priderock, she nodded goodbye to her escort and made her way quickly up the all too familiar rocks, worn from years of lion pads on them. Looking around quickly, Koho didn't think she would recognize the current prince even if she did see him, so she supposed she would have to voice her query. The nerves that had settled on her journey in quickly gathered in her stomach once more, and as she called out, there was a slight quaver in her voice, "I am here to see the prince. I come as a friend of the pridelands...." Might as well make it known that she had no hostility here....
Hopefully this worked. Koho didn't recognize any of the lions around her, and most seemed to be looking at her suspiciously, which made her stomach even more uneasy. She had never expected to be considered an outsider in her own home, the place where she was born and where she had raised her cubs, yet that's what she had become. Looking around once more, Koho had only a desire to get this over with....
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Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:32 pm
Filled with curiosity at the strange voice that had called out. Who was that? The voice sounded full of worry and concern. It brought out the young lion quicker than normal, only for his eyes to meet those of a stranger. She seemed much different from some of the strangers that had wanted the welcoming arms of the Pridelands. The was she had approached was as if she had taken this path in an earlier time in her life.
"There's many princes to pick from, but I think I'll take this call. My name is Simi, acting King of these lands. Is there something I can help you with, miss?" He let his tail swish behind him, his eyes curiously examining her. She seemed nervous, and Simi could only hope that no one had bothered her on her way to his home, to Pride Rock. It was near the center of the lands, and thus more difficult to gain access to than just the area around the borders. Simi was rarely there now-a-days, and instead spent most of his time in close proximity to the landmark rock.
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Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 8:56 pm
As Koho's amber eyes fell upon the self-proclaimed prince, tears started up in them again. This seemed to be a trend, Koho thought, annoyed at her uncontrollable emotions. Simi just looked so much like his grandfather, that it made Koho's heart ache. Despite this reopened wound, Koho knew she needed to explain herself, and the sooner she got it out, the better.
Raising a paw to stop the tears from falling, Koho spoke in a weary voice, "I'm sorry, it's just.. you look... Nevermind, I simply wished to announce myself and ask for acceptance back to the pridelands." With that, Koho bowed her front body down in respect to the acting king, raising up after a moment and continuing, "My name is Koho, half-sister to Mufasa, mate of Mwali, mother and grandmother of many." As if to reinforce her admittedly far-fetched claim, Koho raised her head high, the glint of royal blood showing in her eye. She had been taught how to act, and also how to care, since her brother had assigned her the roll of nanny. The old lioness refused to show anymore weariness or pain until she found out what her new position in life would be.
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Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:05 pm
Worried that he had done something wrong, Simi's ears flicked forwards and backwards as he tried to piece together the last few moments to make sure that he hadn't said anything too offensive. Or praying that no one else had said anything to upset her, and he just happened to push it a little too far.
Just as soon as he was ready to apologize, she offered him the reason that she was so upset. He watched her silently, keeping the shock well within his heart. Grandfather's sister? Simi knew much about his family, as he always was interested in knowing about how large his family truely was. The name rang a bell, and he had full faith that she was who she claimed to be. First Memetuka, and now Koho.
A warm smile grew upon his maw as he bowed his head towards her. "It is an honor to have you return," he said as calmly as he could. "We would be blessed to have you return, and I can promise you that none would raise a word against you once they know who you are." He raised his head up, letting his red-brown eyes match her's.
"It would be a pleasure to fill you in on as much as I know from the time you left until you stepped back onto Pride Rock, if you'll only spare me the time."
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Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:15 pm
As the male smiled, relief once again flooded over Koho. At that point, she had no doubt that she was home. The only thing that would possibly pull her away now was to find her mate, but that could wait, it had waited this many moons already. A sad smile came to Koho's maw as the male continued to speak such kind words, words she had hoped to hear, but feared she wouldn't.
"You do not know how much of my heart you have returned, good King. I am blessed by your kindness towards an old lioness." She bowed once more, more to cover the tears of joy than anything, though she had always bowed to her brother, and so found this situation an easy one to act in.
At the promise of information, Koho's eyes brightened noticeably. If anyone would be able to tell her about her family, it would be the King. Though he was young, and hadn't been born or even thought of when Koho was raising her cubs, kings had to keep up on a pride's history, and so Koho knew this was an opportunity she would never pass up, "I will spare you every day of my remaining life, good King. I will listen to every word you have to say about my home. And I am so glad to be home...."
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Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:30 pm
"I'm afraid I have been rude, but let me fully introduce myself. I am Simi, son of Kamilika, who was the daughter of Mufasa, your brother," he said calmly. "With the passing of Grandfather, Mufasa, my mother took the throne as Queen, while her mate rested beside her as Consort. We remained in peace, my sibilings and I raised as I hope everyone in the Pridelands have been raised. It has only been a couple moonturns, but my mother..." he paused, letting himself gather his wits together. While he was slowly growing more used to the idea, he was never comfortable in bringing up the matter of his mother and sister, especially to family.
"Kamilika and my sister Sarakiva, who was originally the heir with her twin, were stolen away. Kidnapped, I think is the term. While we found out about this through Mother's companion, we have not been able to locate them." He grew silent for a moment, letting his eyes fall more downwards. It was hard to look someone in the eye with such sad news. "We continue to search, but for now I've stepped as King. We only hope for a quick recovery of them."
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Posted: Sun Aug 10, 2008 9:50 pm
Though Koho was going to firmly disagree that Simi had been anything but rude, he continued on, and Koho let the matter drop. This was certainly a very polite young king, which was entertaining to the old matron. There was nothing entertaining about his further news though, and Koho felt the need to drop her eyes to the shadowed rock as well as she digested it. Her nieces and nephews had gone through enough pain with the passing of her brother, and this was too much to add. Though it was obvious that no one had completely come to terms with the matter, they were obviously more acquainted with the idea than Koho.
Though it begged the question, what animal in the plains would have the nerve to kidnap the queen and princess of the pridelands? Possibly the most powerful and oldest pride in the lands. Koho raised her eyes once more to the king, feeling guilt at what she was forcing him to speak about, but feeling a need for answers more than anything, "Though I am sure that you are entirely worthy of the position you now fill, I must ask, who would dare to kidnap the queen of the pridelands?"
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Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:48 am
Simi shook his mane out, letting a bit of his anxiety shake out along with it. He needed to keep calm, as showing too much anxiety and fear was never a good thing. He bowed his head once more, feeling oddly touched to have such an old family member back home. At least it meant that the blood of his family was still alive in some ways.
With a smile, he looked back up at her. "We were told that they were creatures that walked on two legs, who acted in such an odd manner that it's hard to describe. They seemed to have disappeared as easily as a bird, but there was no trace of anything. We hope that they will find their way home soon, but time is really our only option at this point." Too much time, Simi feared.
"We all keep hope that they will return. For now, though, life also has to go on. Hard to stop the seasons, even if you want to."
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Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 10:59 am
Koho's ears laid back on her skull as she listened to Simi's description. She had never seen such an animal, and from what she now heard, she never wanted to.... The smile that came to Koho's maw in response to the younger lion's was tinged with sadness. She had hoped in some cubbish way that her homecoming would be a purely glad occasion, but without a mate and with a good chunk of her family dispersed or otherwise missing, there was no way for the old lioness to be truly happy. She nodded absently as she only half heard the rest of Simi's words. Her gaze had drifted to the rocks beneath her paws, and she only lifted her amber eyes back up to her nephew's when the comforting sound of his words stopped once more.
"I'm afraid that there is little I can do to assist, since there are plenty of fitter lions than I, but I wish to be of any assistance I can to my family.... I was a caretaker of the young ones once, I would be happy to fill that role again, if there is a need." Really, she just wanted to be of some kind of use. It was difficult for a lioness who was used to doing everything for herself to come to a situation where she really wasn't needed at all anymore. She would fight her uselessness as long as she had strength to....
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Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 10:35 am
Simi bobbed his head. "There are still many cubs running underneath our paws, and I'm sure that many of the mother would be glad for the assistance. There is always room for another, especially one of our family." He let a crooked smile grow across his face. "What happens with my family happens. We keep our heads held up high for the rest of the pride. I guess it's some sort of duty to keep." He really had no idea what he was doing, so any bit of help would be great, even if it just meant day-to-day activities went smoothly.
"Would you like to be one of the nannies, then? I do think it would fit you best, Aunt Koho." His tail swished behind him with his grin turning into a soft smile. She would be able to be of great help, but not overexhert herself, either. Any bit of family Simi wanted to selfishly keep safe and comfortable.
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Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 1:05 pm
Koho smiled happily, feeling familiar surroundings taking the place of fear. If there was one thing she knew best, it was cubs. The old lioness nodded, proud of her nephew. It was difficult to maintain the image that everyone expected of royalty, but it was necessary to keep a pride together. "It is a duty that the leaders must take on, but I think you're doing just fine." Koho lifted a paw and settled it reassuringly on her nephew's shoulder, realizing that he was in a very difficult position. He hadn't been raised for this responsibility, he hadn't been trained what to do. This seemed to happen to the second in line whenever they suddenly had to take over.... Royal lines should really plan better....
At the offer, though, Koho's face lit up. The crow's feet around her eyes wrinkled as her eyes shone at the idea. Nodding quickly, Koho almost stuttered as she accepted the offer, "That would be wonderful... my King." The smile persevered, a bit of amusement, though, at calling such a young lion king. He had earned the title though. And she would fill the space she had always filled in the pride, and be happy doing it....
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Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 3:01 pm
"That would be wonderful," he said thankfully. Simi didn't mind cubs, but then he never quite knew how to deal with one that ran up to him and randomly asked questions. It was quite an awkward sight as he would try to dance away from them. With their few amoutn of nannies, Aunt Koho would be a wonderful and accepted addition.
"Feel free to stay with me, if you'd like. The pridal cave is always open to family. If you feel like finding your own, though, Aunt Koho, then that's fine too. I'm sure that you'll settle in just fine, especially once our newer faces know who you are." He chuckled. "Though if any do give you trouble, as we have some stubborn ones here, just let me know."
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Posted: Sat Aug 30, 2008 8:51 pm
Koho nodded, quite happily. It was always good to feel needed. That was something the old lioness had worried about, once she had gotten over the fear of even being accepted back to the pride. Going from taking care of herself fully to having a huge family around to help an old lioness meant that there would be very little for her to do. But now she had a responsibility again, and better yet, a responsibility she very much enjoyed.
She smiled at the lodging offer, having debated that to herself as well. "I think for now I will join my family again, it's easier to keep track of cubs that way, after all." And it was where one of the royal line should stay. But just for now. If she found enough free time to look around for her own cave, she might split off for a bit more privacy once in a while. At the mention of any lion giving her trouble, Koho simply continued smiling, "I wouldn't want to trouble you, my nephew, I'm sure you're very busy as it is. I can still take care of myself fairly well." Winking serenely at her relation, Koho then lowered her front into a bow. When she straightened, she turned to leave, "But I suppose for now I should go find one of the other nannies?"
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