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 Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:36 pm
After her meeting with Kidondo, Kaanga remained beside the small watering hole. Wasn't like the ones in her dreams. The water was brown like mud, not the color of blue. No golden scales licked the surface. No stars dancing on the edge.
She was a mess.
Yellow eyes that had preciously been uncaring took note of her tangled fur and tried look. She frowned to herself, and gently dipped a white paw into the water, and then smoothed it back onto her head. Kidondo was right... things would change. And she needed to start taking care of herself.
With a weak snort, she let the water bead off her. There were still dark circles under her eyes, and nothing short of a rest would fix that. She hadn't even cared to unburry her jewelry- tiny tokens of her former life as a princess she had hidden in case she needed to run. She supposed she had no real reason to wear it; but in retrospect, no one had ever really come to see Kaanga as a proper princess. She would appreciate their familiar clinks.
A fish jumped in the water- one that wasn't really there. Kaanga narrowed her eyes at it, and shifted uncomfortably. "Things change, but still she worries. Let us be, fishes." The white creature whispered softly.
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:00 pm
" Do the fishes give answer? It would be nice if they did. " Came a soft voice from behind the Firekin lioness. Dark paws tread across the golden sand easily, leading her up to the other. She stopped at the water's edgy, sliding down to sit beside the former princess, looking for any sign that her presence was unwelcome.
" The creatures of the water tend to give little care for those that walk on land. Perhaps that is why they do not speak? " A very slight, kind smile came to her lips as she looked over the other's dirty form. No had told her that Lady Kaanga was a bit unwell. She couldn't help but be curious. Many times, her family had implied the same of herself duo to her odd behavior, and uncaring attitude.
Kibela was not sure what she was seeking, by talking to the other lioness. But hopefull it would become apparent to her soon.
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:19 pm
To this, Kaanga made a bitter face. There were many strange things about the young lioness- but to her benefit, she was not one to be easily startled. "Fish are liars. They're like flies, only they swim beneath the sand. They say one thing but they really mean another- except when you think they mean another, and then they're only telling you the truth." She scowled with a slight fidget. "They laugh, she thinks. I worry. Thought the fighting would chase all the fish away, and still they're here."
"Danger never done. Not ever." She breathed, her throat catching with even the slight sliver of a thought going towards her lost family.
"But, fish don't hurt anyone." Kaanga resolved quietly. "Even if they make a jest. She does not think, at least. When her boys were little, she often worried. But it was never a problem."
And then, almost as if dancing somewhere between being lucid and her dreamstate- Kaanga abruptly changed topics. "One of the others, it seems. Do not know you, but Kaanga knows everyone." She spoke unflinchingly, still staring at the murky water. "One of my brother's rebels."
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:40 pm
She listened to the lioness speak, so very tempted to ask for clarification. To ask who the lioness was referring to as 'she'. But a first meeting was hardly fitting to ask such things. Details could wait. Instead, she followed the change of subject.
" Yes. I am a loyal follower of the Blood Lion. " She confirmed easily, letting her eyes fall away from Kaanga, looking out to the unending sand. " My name is Kibela. Now you know one more. " She smiled kindly, though she did not look back to the lioness.
" Are you well, Lady of this Sandsea?" She asked as she thought over the other's appearance. She did not seemed to be injured, or sick. Just generally unkempt. Slowly, her eyes returned to the lioness, shifting to lay across the sand.
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:49 pm
She smiled to this. Kidondo certainly did have many followers- and even though this whole thing had been a whirlwind on the lioness, she hadn't missed seeing how able bodied they all were. Valiant fighters, all of them for sure. Some, Kaanga noted, perhaps more able then others, but so far all had seemed quick to assimilate into firekin culture. She only wished that...
To her next question, Kaanga dropped her smile. She wasn't well. In fact, the princess doubted she would ever be well again; but with a vague quirk of her brow, she guessed this wasn't anything new. Had Kaanga ever been "well"? "She is well enough." Kaanga spoke quietly, attempting to mask the pain the question caused her as best as the fidgety lioness could. "To be expected, she supposes."
"But, I am glad to meet you Kibela. I'd very much like to know more of you," She smiled, her strange yellow eyes looking off to the side with a kind of reflective stare.
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 5:02 pm
The observant lioness easily caught the other's change in mood at her innocent question. " You've beautiful fur. " She said thoughtfully, again changing their subject as she looked over Kaanga. " It needs only a bit of cleaning to shine. " She reached her paw out, gentle dragging her claws through a mass of tangles to smooth out the fur.
It was a bit of a strange thing to ask, to offer. Especially for one such as Kibela, who did not have a maternal bone in her body. Even more so that they were not far off from being the same age. Still, Kibela found nothing odd about her offer. " Would you like help in grooming it? "
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 5:15 pm
Kaanga was glad for the change in subject, as the pain in her heart had grown so raw and sharp over these last few days that even the mention of it felt like a dagger twisting. At the same time- she was disheartened that she was in such a state. Their were small briars in her fur, and even though she'd been "swimming" earlier, her fur had gotten muddied. She was sorry others had to dance around subjects when talking to her. She was sorry that the fish hadn't left and that the bones were so dirty and-
She shook her head quietly, but smiled a bit transparently. "When I was born, she was very strange to firekin people. Not always so beautiful- but, that's what happens when the red bleeds out." Nowadays, there were at least three of them who were boldly white; and more to come no doubt with the rogues strengthening their blood.
"Good, she thinks." Kaanga continued, despite the fact that Kibela could not read her mind. "We all looked so similar long ago, did not even know that it was because all were family." A stab, and she dropped the thought.
She turned towards Kibela. Kaanga had never been one to shy off from anyone- even though it did much to accentuated her current pathetic state. "Does not mind, it's only fur. Probably isn't even mine, really." She mused softly. "She is sorry she looks this way. Sometimes I forget... to take care of myself."
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 5:34 pm
With a slow smile, Kibela turned to lay out beside the other lioness, both paws moving to begin freeing the tangles, and foreign bits from Kaanga's fur. " You should feel no need to apologize. You may doubt, but it is your fur. It will only be as beautiful as you wish it to be. "
Focusing on cleaning out the mainly white fur, Kibela began to talk on whatever entered her mind. " Before your brother gave my life direction, I looked far worse than you could even imagine. It's not that I didn't think to care for myself. More that... I just didn't want to. " She smirked a bit bitterly, shaking her head. " 'Who would see me, as I am beneath appearance, anyway?' I would wonder. 'None have any opinion I care to listen to', and so I cared little for my state of appearance. "
Her paws moved further along, treating Kaanga's tail gently. " Appearances matter little to those who know that the inside is more important. While that is something I believe... " She grinned a bit, looking up to Kaanga's face, hoping to meet her eyes. " We are Lioness, yes? We should look beautiful, so that the men we care for will be happy to see us well. Your brother will be happy to see this fur. "
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 6:03 pm
Kaanga settled to the attentions quietly, neither responsive nor rejective. She wasn't sure what she wanted anymore. But she understood Kibela's reasoning- it was much of what she felt right now. Not so long ago she delighted in keeping herself lovely, in aspiring to be that elegant princess- the ideal. Back when she'd hoped to keep Uzulu, her mate happy.
Another stab. The fish told lies.
Making meaningful, empathetic comments was hard for Kaanga. It wasn't that she didn't care. But it was like the words could not come out of her mouth- like her mind, strange as it were, could not find what words to use. But she struggled. "It...is good you found Kidondo. He is...a very good king." She breathed. "He says things will change soon for Kaanga, and she tries to believe him."
But talking about men- all but broke her heart. "Brother maybe," She whispered weakly. "But no one else. Not father, not husband, not son...they've all gone without Kaanga."
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Posted: Thu Oct 16, 2008 6:16 pm
" Yes, I count myself very fortunate to have met Kidondo. More so to be accepted by him... "
Listening to the sad words, this time, she did not strive to change the subject as she continued the gentle care of Kaanga's fur. Sometimes, it felt better to talk of it, even when it hurt at the same time. " In what way have they left you, dear Lady? " There were so many ways to be abandoned by those you love, each very different from the next, but the pain was always the same.
" It seems we both have the same male to make happy. Many males strive to bring pain.. " She said with the slightest scowl. Kibela had learned that very early on. So far, she'd only managed to accept Kidondo into her life as... Well, were either of them quite sure what they were? They seemed to be developing a bond similar to what siblings could share.
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Posted: Sat Oct 18, 2008 2:39 pm
She shook her head slowly. "Very far," was all she could make out through her strained throat for a few moments. "Far from Kaanga. Would kill her if they saw her again." Even father? If he could rise from the grave, she was sure he would rack his vengeance. She was sure even a sister or two was wrapped up with the traditionalists- and despite her love for Kidondo, she wondered if she truly had betrayed her family.
But she did not expect the revolution to feel so painful for those who hadn't had family on both side of the conflict. To these rebels- it was the start of a new life. For Kaanga, that life hadn't started yet.
"Pain comes from both, she knows." Kaanga remarked. "Good and bad... but, it's hard to see only bad. Kaanga sees good too. She can't hate them."
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Posted: Tue Oct 28, 2008 2:53 pm
She gave the other lioness a sad smile, bringing a paw to soothingly stroke her fur. " I'm glad to hear you don't hate them.. You shouldn't. The hate could hurt you more than they ever did. " She should know. She still held the hate towards her parents, who gave little care if she vanished from the earth, and treated her dearest sister with almost as much detachment.
" But Kaanga still has family. People who love her. Kidondo is here for you. As is No, I'm sure. " She grinned a bit, head tilting. " And I'll be here for you too. I consider Kidondo a brother to me... So I shall consider you, as his sister, to be mine as well. None of us plan to go away. "
Honestly, she had no idea if her words would help the troubled lioness. She could only hope that they would ease her pain, if only a little. And so, she let her words speak in as she cleaned up Kaanga's fur.
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 7:00 pm
Kaanga accepted the other female’s words with a sobering nod of the head. She was right; the fish would surely eat her if she had fallen into hatred herself. Truthfully… Kaanga wasn’t sure if she knew how to hate. She had the desire to. She wanted to hate terribly, but she could never get it to come out. Instead she was chained by her continual adoration of those around her, even when they had often abused and neglected that love.
Her eyes fluttered when she spoke of being Kidondo’s sister- and therefore hers as well. Kaanga had never been very close to her own sisters. Koka, whom she adored, had left so young with another… for the longest time, it had only been Kaanga. Now Kidondo was back- and this Kibela as well? She seemed to smile weakly, and gently curled her tail. “…She would be glad to have sister in Kibela.” Kaanga breathed; but the words alone were not enough to really express what it meant to Kaanga to hear that. She hoped, that despite them being trapped in her throat, they would not go unknown to the other.
“For a long time, nothing but flies and fish for Kaanga.” She spoke again, softly. “People leave like sand, but… she believes Kidondo and Kibela when they say they will not go.”
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Posted: Thu Oct 30, 2008 11:21 pm
Her own smile brightened at the others words, at the acceptance, and the gratitude that was left unspoken. Really, she understood. Sometimes, the words didn't need to be said anyway.
" I am very glad to have Kaanga as a sister as well. " She said softly, leaning down to but her head affectionately against the other's. They may have only just met... But the connection was there regardless, and she had no will to deny it. There was something about this family that called to her, and she was very grateful to be accepted into it without question.
Sitting back from the rare affection, Kibela smiled further, looking over her work. Kaanga was looking much better. Her fur was less unkempt, and slowly growing more clean. In time, hopefully, she would find the will to care for it herself, but until then, Kibela would offer to help the lioness when ever they crossed paths.
She made quick work of the rest of the fur, finally finishing her grooming of the other female. " There. Kaanga looks like a lovely Lady again. " She said in a warm, affectionate tone. " Does it feel better to be clean? "
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Posted: Mon Nov 10, 2008 6:16 pm
The connection- the feeling of the other lioness lightly bumping her head against hers. It was very much akin to the same gesture Kidondo had given her, and she relished in the closeness of another. She needed others. She could not function on her own. She might not have been able to put into all the words of gratitude she had for this newfound sister, but it was there.
Looking down, Kaanga smiled weakly. Kibela was right, she did feel much better now. All the bad feelings still remained... but, dusted and shining white once more, she felt at least refreshed to continue the battle against them. "...Thank you, Kibela." She spoke softly, her ears flattening. "She does not think she would have done it on her own. I promise not to let this happen again."
And she meant it. She might have been a lioness with a crippling instability- but when she promised, she swore it to her bone. She would never let this happen again. Even if she fell deeper into this dark well, Kaanga would go down the princess she had been born. Kimeti's daughter, and the regents younger sister. The strange prophetess, Kaanga.
She had no doubt though, if she fell again- she would at least have family to pick her back up.
[ <3 Can probably end here ;;~~ ]
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