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 Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 10:59 am
“A name is nothing to be troubled over,” No’s voice struck as she took another thick step into the sands. The feeling of the warm earth sliding up her ankles brought a pleasurable thrum to the regent’s chest. She might not have been born in this land, but it certainly lived in her.
It was a particularly windy day in the motoujamii. Not quite anywhere near kicking up a sandstorm- but, good enough to keep the sky alive with floating particles and dust. Whenever the sands were on the move, No too often felt the urge to be out on them. As if their movements somehow could be mapped and studied.
Ohanna, fresh out of the 'infirmary', had scrambled up to join the Regent on her stroll. No was glad to see the other female up and about. From what she'd heard, Karana and her had gotten into quite a scrap with some of the traditionalists; although Ohanna herself gave most of the credit to the wily Karana.
Now however- the still recovering female seemed to be focused on change.
“I know,” said Ohanna from someplace behind her. She wasn’t stumbling as much as she once had against the dunes. Now, the only reason the other female lagged behind her was due to her still recovering injuries. And for that, No slowed her pace and looked behind her. “But, it’s important to me.” The female continued. “I’m… different now. I don’t expect you to understand, No…but- I haven’t been great all my life. In fact, I don’t think you’d care for me much if you’d known some of the things I’ve done.” She frowned, and the wind picked at her shaggy hair. “This is the start of a new life. I don’t want anyone to ever mistake me for that person again.”
No shook her head slowly. Ohanna was right, No didn’t understand the reasoning fully. But she did respect Ohanna’s decision. “You’d be surprised. But, I understand if this is something you feel like you must do. Armada is a fine name, in any case. I don’t see why you left it in the first place.”
Ohanna- now Armada, frowned and shook her head. “If you knew my mother, maybe. But, never mind it.” She smiled, those strange eyes of her flashing both from excitement and the pain that hit her every time she leaned too much on her bad shoulder. “Thank-you for walking with me though. I don’t think this wound will heal itself without some working up.”
No chuckled, and dipped her ears. “Just let me know when you need a rest. I still have things to see to at the borders today, so I’d prefer if you didn’t strain too much.”
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Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:43 am
  She had and hadn't changed one bit. Even while conversing Uuo was on guard, watching the borders with a gaze that wandered every so often, but otherwise her focus was on the conversation and the young lioness before her. Oh, at first the greetings had been enthused and completely non-distracted, but now that small talk was past she could get back to concentrating on her duties as guard. Yin-li didn't seem to mind at all, and in fact kept her ears open to help.
"I can't believe you came back here. You are your parents daughter after all." Uuo smirked, for the moment turning red eyes on the former slave child.
"This place is as much a part of my blood as family." Yin-li smiled, but then grew sheepish as something, realization, seemed to dawn upon Uuo.
"This place...? Or someone specific?" Uuo grinned toothily. "You didn't really think you'd fool me did you, kiddo...? If you're looking to rejoin, though, you'll need to speak with your cousin and her boy toy."
Yin-li sighed softly and shook her head. Yes, Uuo hadn't changed at all. Still, surveying the lands with black eyes-- she knew she'd want to do just that. She wanted to stay with Azarax, and to be a part of something bigger, to be a part of change, even if far too modest to volunteer such information without prompting.
"Do you think the Regents would accept me back, being a former slave?"
Uuo's response was to clear her throat and give Yin a look, it earned a short laugh. Point taken. If Uuo could be accepted, surely Yin-li could. Before either could comment on it further, however, Uuo's attention turned and Yin-li spotted a familiar dark pelt (From memory of description) making across the dunes.
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Posted: Sat Oct 11, 2008 11:57 am
No let the wind float against her chest as she waited for Armada to catch up. “Any better?” The Regent called, her jade eyes critical of the approaching lioness’s state. She’d agreed to take a stroll with her, but she wasn’t about to run the girl into her deathbed either.
“I’m fine,” Came Armada’s winded response. They’d traveled now some distance from where they’d last been. Her legs were shaking, but she kept her resolve. Commendable, No thought. Just as long as she doesn’t slide right off the sands.
The haggard lioness crested the small ridge of the dune and slumped to the earth to catch her breath. The crest was poked enough for her to just straddle it slightly- while No stood over her and surveyed the shifting winds. Something in particular was already standing out- two lions were moving in the distance. “Hrm,” No rumbled.
Armada panted, and looked up. “What is it?”
“Some of our own, it seems.” The black cat thrummed. With a rumble, she greeted the pair with a low call. Beside her, Armada kept quiet. “I’ll see what they want. Rest a bit,” The regent remarked, and started down the slope.
Armada swallowed, and pulled herself back into a stand. “Heh,” She feigned, smiling. “It’s just downhill- I think I can manage.”
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Posted: Tue Oct 21, 2008 6:09 am
Uuo swiveled her head around to face No and Armada, Yin-li's attention followed. She recognized the lioness traveling with the Regent from that day in battle, though they had never spoken personally before, at least not long.
"The borders should be happy to be seeing so much life today that isn't ill-intended!"
It was both her way of making clear that Yin-li was no more a threat than she, and that she noticed she herself was not the only one to seemingly decide on a patrol. However, she did wonder if she was maybe needed and being sought out. Doubtful, for unless stealth or secrecy was needed they could have just called for her instead of tracking her down. So yes, doubtful.
Yin-li watched the two approach and looked to her cousin and her approaching guest quietly before inclining her head downward in a show of respect. She and No had never met, but news of she and her siblings birth had once been relayed by Uuo's friend Tahara.
"Hello, cousin..."
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:17 pm
No chuckled lowly as she approached. "A rare treat, I'm sure." It was true enough. These days, the borders saw more blood then they did peaceful meetings. She was glad then what she had come across was not another dispute- although had it been, she was fairly confident Uuo would have been able to handle it.
From behind her, No heard Armada come to a stop. She was a bit winded, and she could hear the faint panting as the wounded female gathered back her strength from the walk. Not wanting to embarrass the lioness, she did not ask how she was- but she did give the female a careful glance, waiting until she seemed fit enough to continue on their greeting.
Armada, once she'd caught her breath, gave a respectful greeting to them both; particularly after hearing this other was of some relation to No.
No herself seemed a bit perplexed for a moment, before gathering her thoughts. She had heard her aunt had children in the firekin lands- but during the split, she had not seen them. Seeing this one around pleased the regent; hopefully this boded well for the outcome of her family. "Hello there," She thrummed politely. "I hope you don't come bearing bad news?"
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Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 8:02 pm
"Rare enough anyway." And she suspected it would remain so for some time to come, but said nothing of this suspicion. Instead she moved a bit, directing her attention to the lioness who introduced herself as Armada. She'd seen her at the rebellion, and not much after. She was hard to miss, such distinct, bright and distinguished markings. She was recovering still, it looked like, not surprising. Not many had been seriously injured, thankfully, with such large numbers, but there had been some like Armada there.
"No, no bad news or anything of the sort... Actually, I was simply catching up with Uuo. Mother and father are both doing well, they've settled down with the Dawnwalkers, aunt Adanna, and cousin Nukta are there, so it seemed to work out."
Meilin had high hopes for becoming reacquainted with the nephew that she'd lost. Yin-li, herself? Well, while she was interested in getting to know family she'd not met before, she was more interested in being of use and-- and she couldn't really explain this --she felt as if she'd be happier with the rebels, the Simo. A life of peace was great, but she wanted to do something more than become a huntress or guardian to a pride that was so... passive and content with life. The Firekin were on the verge of drastic, drastic change and reform, they were a breed of lion so unlike her own family, her curiosity had been captured completely and effectively. As if that weren't enough, there was Azarax.
She offered a somewhat awkward smile to No and Armada, not sure just yet how free the gestures were given out among pride members or outsiders that were of... acquaintance, but she didn't want to come across as a bland individual with no passion or feeling for anything. "Uuo told me that things are going well here."
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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 12:54 pm
No smiled. She was glad to hear things were well- although privately, she was surprised to hear that Adanna and Nukta had left the pridelands. She supposed it was to be expected though; things were going to change. As much as she believed her homeland to be a constant, unchanging place, it hardly was. Or ever would be, she supposed.
"I'm glad to hear that. I can't say I'm familiar with the name, but if Adanna and Nukta are happy I'm sure it's a fine place." She straightened her neck, and looking over to Armada. "Things have been well here. We still struggle to create order in what was once an orderless land, but for now the safi are silent and we grow more secure."
"I'm surprised to you've returned so soon if all is well? What brings you back to the desert?" The black cat questioned. It did not seem apparent to her, at least yet, that this land was perhaps the only home her young cousins had ever known.
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Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 5:40 pm
For the moment, in light of the conversation proceeding, Uuo quieted down and settled for observing as Armada seemed to be, just resting up for the continuation of her scouting.
"That's good to hear. I was too young to ever understand it then, but it would have been a horrible fate for any pride to die out because of stubborn traditions and inbreeding..."
It would have been indeed, she might not have been fond of the traditionalists themselves, but if not for them then she might not have known any of those she met by being a slave there once. It might sound a little morbid but it was true all the same. They would have been born regardless.
"Well, we never truly left. The Dawnwalkers are a desert pride as well, but their traditions... they're so strange to me. It just didn't feel like home. I'd come back to find a friend left behind to fight in the battle, but after catching up with each other I realized that it was the first time I truly felt like myself again, being here. I believe my sister Tai-fun would have gladly returned to stay if it weren't for the blue shade in her coat... but I do hope that I might be able to, myself."
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Posted: Sat Nov 08, 2008 5:37 am
No seemed concerned by this for a moment. Had it been any other slave returning to the lands... but this was family. Did aunt Meilin know about her young daughter's intentions? She did not like the idea of being responsible for any further hardship upon her clan. This was a hard life, although the regent herself relished in it.
But then, she supposed Lin knew that. "Things won't be easy here, Lin." She said. "I do not doubt that there are still battles to be fought. I worry what your mother might think. But, you have every right to be in the lands your were born from. If you wish to return here, I don't see any reason why not."
The black queen frowned, and her ears shifted. "But, I do hope it's what you want. And, I say that as your cousin- not as the regent. I don't want to see my family struggle."
Her brow quirked, the black cat's face changing from her typical serious face, to her own strange brand of quirk. "And that these wishes are your own, not those a 'friend' ."
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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 8:11 am
"She understands... It's my father that took some convincing, but neither of them could deny that this determination runs in all our blood." Yin replied. So many of them had already set out on impossible tasks or hopeless situations or daunting missions and dangerous lifestyles. Nukta and Adanna had traveled all the way to the Pridelands after surviving Hyena attacks and passing angry rogues and harsh desert heat with days without water. Meilin and Vian had survived slavery, Ausi'juu having managed to survive the very same, traveling to the Pridelands to make home there. She'd heard the stories of their family, and she understood why she felt so driven to be here rather than living a docile life elsewhere away from strife.
No felt it once too, maybe still did, though No's story was one to which Yin-li only knew the very beginning and very end.
To the last half, Yin-li simply shook her head with a confident expression. "These wishes are mine. There is no land but the desert for me, and I certainly won't find what I seek with the Dawnwalkers." And it went without saying at all that the Traditionalists were out.
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Posted: Sun Nov 09, 2008 7:43 pm
The black cat couldn't help but smile, despite her reservations. They certainly did have a good streak of determination, that was for sure. She hoped, however,that this decision would not find her on the business end of a distraught Vian. "I respect your decision. Then again, I don't suppose you'd let me say no even if I tried." She admitted with a rumble.
"If you wish to rejoin us, you are welcome to do so. I do not doubt that you'll find some things have changed under Kidondo and I. But, hopefully you do not feel out of place." She explained. Like Azarax, she thought, Yin might actually be a boon to them. They were short on lions who knew both sides of the former pride; what it meant to be both a slave, but one who had been born into the desert as though they were firekin themselves.
"I'll have to bring the matter up once our council is formed. But until then, you are free to go where you please." She smiled.
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Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 2:27 pm
"You have my gratitude." Yin-li smiled back, feeling more relaxed with the expression on her cousin's face. It was just this first meeting, she couldn't say she was nervous, just unsure as to if she'd be fully accepted or not. She was glad for the opportunity no matter the outcome.
"Never thought I'd see any of this brood come back. If she's anything like her parents those traditionalists are in for some claws." Uuo chuckled, thinking back to Meilin's sharp tongue, and Vian's battle prowess. Yin-li's one downfall was that she wasn't the size of most of those there, the Firekin, though being smaller could have it's advantages too. Who knew, maybe it wouldn't even be an issue.
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Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 5:34 pm
No smiled at Uuo's comment, and let her tail sway. "Nor did I. But, I suppose I'm not too surprised. We do breed some of the best." She grinned cheekily, and appreciatively dipped her head. "I'll inform Kidondo of the matter myself."
She had a feeling he might share some of her initial hesitations- but then again, who better knew the single minded determination of their clan?
"But, Armada. I suppose you think your off the hook now?" The black cat remarked, indicating to the still silent accomplice. Even as she spoke, the strange eyed lioness shot her own pleasant [although slightly nervous!] grin.
"Not at all. I've still got quite a few more lengths to go." She laughed, lifting her still healing paw as indication of her determination.
The black cat bowed her head and smiled. "Very good then. We'll continue our scouting trip- but, I am sure Uuo will be quite capable of settling you in? Nothings changed much land wise, I suppose. Although I've done quite a bit of cleaning..." She trailed off.
[ <33 Can be ended after your post, I believe~]
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Posted: Tue Nov 11, 2008 1:53 pm
"That would suit me just fine, No." The regent and Armada could, in a way, pick up where Uuo had left off. It worked out well. She rose to all fours again and waited for farewells to wrap up.
"Thank you again, cousin, or rather I should say Regent No." Yin-li grinned softly in amusement, but her tone and eyes conveyed no disrespect with the use of the title, which was new to her. "Armada, it was good to meet you too. I'll see you around then." A nod of her head and she entrusted herself to Uuo's guidance, letting the four be on their separate ways. Without missing a beat Uuo and Yin-li's conversation could be heard picking back up again as they wandered towards the pride's den areas to get her settled back into her (new) home.
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