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 Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 4:16 am
Fia rolled out of sleep and blinked her fuzzy eyes. The sun was just beginning to rise and the sky somehow seemed to lack the lustre that it had during midday. Here in the desert the sky was a very beautiful thing. It was such an expansive stretch of ever-shifting colour and mood. Fia loved it. This morning, however, it didn’t seem very welcoming. In fact it seemed to be telling her to roll back over and sleep with the rest of her siblings, pressed against her twin’s side. But she couldn’t do that. She had to go and see Karana’Mzaana.
She’d heard Kidondo talking to her mother about it soon after they’d returned after meeting with the creative lioness. She’d not heard much of the mumbled conversation, but she was sure – from the look of interest in their eyes – that the answer was going to be a yes. Karana’Mzaana would become a Historian and young Fia would get to follow in her paw prints. Excitement gripped her, and casting one look over her shoulder, she moved out of the cave and out onto the sands. It was cool beneath her pads this morning and the short lope to the rest of the caverns only a few metres away would be a comfortable one for a change.
She was just departing, joy in her eyes, when the sound of hissing startled her and she turned to see Itzcoatl’s shining black form sliding across the sands to greet her. Clearly he’d been watching and waiting for her to come out. She smiled. The snake was so afraid of her father that he wouldn’t come close when he was nearby.
“I don’t have time for you today.” Fia called dismissively. “I’ve got somewhere to be.” And without waiting for a response the young female trotted off to find Mzaa’s den.
--
Itzcoatl was afraid of Kidondo. Their previous encounters had not been happy ones and all his attempts at reconciliation so far had failed. The lion just wasn’t prepared to let a snake become his eldest daughter’s advisor. Just why that was he couldn’t understand. After all, his mate had two snakes – his very own parents no less. Why should he not be allowed to take up his parents’ mantle? In any case, despite the friction between him and the regent, Itzcoatl had still introduced himself to young Fia and now met her in secret to pass on wisdom and learn things in return.
“No time for me?” He hissed, puffing out his throat as he quickened his motion to move up alongside her. He was a swift creature even without any legs and he found it relatively easy to keep up with the young one. “Where are you going at sssuch an hour? Doesss your father know about thisss? The sssky isss not good thisss morn. I think you ssshould wait to sssee if there isss change.” As he spoke his eyes went upwards to that grey mass above him. He didn’t like the look of it. The air tasted funny, too.
Or perhaps it was just his overactive imagination.
--
Fia rolled her eyes, slowing to peer at her companion. She still wasn’t sure whether she liked him or not. She kept him around because…well, she knew it’d rile her father. Also because she liked being different and special and why shouldn’t she have a pet snake? She didn’t really consider any of his advice wise or worth listening to, so Kidondo really didn’t have to worry about the serpent leading her astray. She just liked having him around, liked listening to his wacky stories about the meanings of colours and the change in the wind. Why would anyone evaluate the world in such a way? The sky changed colour the sand was gold. There was no meaning in it for her and there probably never would be. Fia was, in that sense, a very down-to-earth creature.
“Don’t be silly. I don’t have time to wait around. Like I said, I’ve got something important planned and unless I go now I might not get a chance.” She twitched her tail and wondered how much she should tell him. Just enough to peak his curiosity. That would be fun.
“I’m apprenticed, Itz. I bet you thought that would never happen?” She knew the remark would flare jealousy in the snake. He tended to think of Fia as his apprentice, though of course this wasn’t possible.
--
She guessed right. His green eyes narrowed and his throat puffed out as he swallowed back an angry hiss. Clearly he thought of Fia as his student to teach and raise. He didn’t like the idea that someone else would outrank him in such a way. What made matters worse was that this person seemed to have made a great impression on the youngster. She had a gleam in her eye that suggested this person was someone to be respected and listened to. When did Fia ever listen to him and take him seriously?
“I forbid it.” He spoke finally, then seeming to realise that he hadn’t gleaned anymore information from her, gently enquired further. “Who isss thisss person who hasss ssso captured your interessst? Have I not taught you well? Do you not ressspect what I have to sssay? No, I forbid thisss thing.”
--
“Itz, shut up.” Fia whirled to face him, cutting him short. “You knew this was going to happen sooner or later. Everyone gets apprenticed and most of my siblings have been already. Daddy was starting to get worried that I wouldn’t find a path to take. He thought I’d want to become a soldier or a guard but I don’t think that’s the life for me. Anyway, a couple of days ago I met her when I was out and about. She knew me as Fia and didn’t even have to ask which twin I was. She’s very observant. So, I chose her. She is extra special. People are going to be so jealous I’m apprenticed to her.” She added for increased effect. She’d make him squirm.
She started off again, testing the air for any scent of the female. “I’m not sure if it’s been made official yet, but I might as well tell you. She’s up for a promotion. She was a huntress but Daddy and Mummy are talking about making her a Historian. We saw her recording pictures of the past and she’s going to teach me. Not only that, but I’m going to learn to hunt, too! It’s like two apprenticeships rolled into one.”
She was bouncing on the tips of her toes now.
“Aren’t you excited for me, Itz?” She glanced him from the corner of her eyes and could tell that he certainly was not.
--
“Of courssse.” It took him a moment to say it and even then the words sounded strained and difficult. He clearly didn’t like sharing his bonded with anyone, let alone someone who was greater than he was. No, this was a terrible day indeed. How was he going to teach her when he had so little respect? “Congratulationsss.” The word slipped from his tongue but it was as poisonous as the cobra’s fangs.
The completely black snake with the green eyes halted in his movement and lifted his head to look over her. “Can I meet thisss one? Thisss one who isss ssso ssspecial?”
--
Fia paused, glanced back over a shoulder, then gave him a teasing smirk. “No, I don’t think so. Not today anyway. I’ve got a lot to learn and you’ll just be a distraction.” She let her eyes stray past him, back the way they had come. “Oh, look, is that Daddy? I best hurry up before he sees me.” And she turned and made a dash for it, laughing quietly to herself as she dipped behind the rise of rock and out of sight. Once there she paused, checked to make sure he wasn’t following, then started her search for Mzaa’s den. If she had any doubts about disturbing the lioness, it wasn’t at all obvious.
“Silly snake.” She chuckled to herself. “At least he’s fun to tease.”
--
Itzcoatl’s heart leapt but, as he turned to glance back towards the regent’s den and saw nothing, he realised it’d been a trick. With an angry hiss he turned to put her in her place, only to see her tail disappearing behind the rocky structure that held the firekin dens. For a moment he considered chasing after her. But, he realised it would be pointless. He clearly wasn’t welcome and he was in no mood to continue being teased and mocked by a furling. No, he’d go back to his sunning rock and wait for her lesson to come to an end. Then he’d try and find out more about this apprenticeship and how it compared to his own teachings.
He turned back the way he had come.
--
Fia continued, alone now, along the side of the dens, trying to find where Mzaa resided. She was a little hesitant just to call out randomly, knowing that her parents would not be too pleased if she went disturbing the whole pride at this early hour.
Even still, the sound of her paws and snuffling nose was probably enough to stir some from their sleep.
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Posted: Wed Feb 25, 2009 3:07 pm
Unlike others, at least from what she had come t know since she had the sands become her home, Karana'Mzaana found that the early morning was opportune for several reasons. She strode by the dens, peeking around corners, her paws steady and silent as she pushed and pulled them from the sand as she walked, it was not a keen idea to do this all the time, as it did bare weight on her paws,but she was more silent this way.
Silver eyes peered about and looked towards the sun where it cast colors upon the sky as if painted by her own paws, she smiled, wrinkled her nose and moved on, trying to be silent, though her leg dragged a small amount of sand and shifted it, almost like a soft scratch,
The morning was quiet, peaceful, thus, when working on her images, carvings and paintings, it was silent so that she could concentrate, and even scout out the land fully to remember each significant detail, without disturbing and getting in the way of others. Morning also allowed for easier hunting, as more smaller prey beasts were tired during the morn as they were more awake at night to be alert, and not get surprised in the night shadows. Opportune, and intelligent, perhaps not the easiest for those who worked hard labored, but it worked well for her.
Karana'Mzaana was intending on heading back to the main structure of slates she had begun her work upon. As the sand moved and breathed, it bore up more slates, almost in a circular fashion, although the sand was trouble as well, and she needed to prevent too much wear upon the stone.
Eyes flickered and she stopped, she was nearly out of the den site when she spotted a small familiar form, and a smile crossed the entirety of her jaw. What has happened last, made her so happy in her heart, the possibility of having her carvings and paintings be part of her rank, it was wonderful, and she was touched by the consideration of Kidondo and No.
"Fia," she spoke quietly, strode over to the child before her silently, and smiled, and nudged Fia's bottom with her nose, playful, and gentle, besides, Karana had not the strength to lift and carry Fia as Kidondo did. Karana smiled and walked forward, waited, and peered at hte child before her, her apprentice, Fia, "It is time, are you ready?"
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Posted: Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:52 am
The sound of a voice startled her - though she'd never admit it - and her head jerked upright, ears pert. She almost expected it to be her mother, come after her to tell her not to keep wandering off at this time of day. When she realised that it was not, she let her heart-rate ease and stepped willingly towards the lioness who had appeared - like magic - before her.
It was her!
She straightened her posture a little and watched as the female circled around, surprised as she was nudged forward. Clearly Mzaa was as eager as her to start off this apprenticeship on a good paw. "Yes! Yes, I'm ready! I was coming to look for you and--" Realising she was talking a little loudly, her head dropped lower and she continued in a hushed voice. "And I wasn't sure where you were living so....but yes, I'm ready!" And she moved to trot eagerly at the female's side.
"So you fought in the battle, alongside Daddy and all the others? I bet that was something! Scary and thrilling and....well, I don't know! I can't imagine what it must be like. Daddy doesn't talk about it much, but he should. He did a good thing, right?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 1:08 pm
Karana'Mzaana smiled and held in a soft laugh as Fia seemed so excited and very ready to get started with everyone that lay before her tiny frame. Flicking her tail Mzaa nudged her again, "Then come, there is so much to do already," she spoke softly and began to move away from the dens, perhaps it would be best to remind herself to tell Fia where she might be in the morning hours so that there would be no disturbances to anyone else who still may be deep in slumber.
As she walked, and walked slowly as to not have Fia feel that she might rush, Kara nodded, and gave a faint smile, for a moment she thought the mentioning of the battle made her leg ache, but Karana feared it was merely her imagination playing tricks on her in the early morning.
"Yes, alongside your father, No, and the others, it was quite a moment," the planning, the plotting and execution of it all, it was not fool proof because the strength of the traditionalists fought back. "It was both those things I found, scared yet thrilling to know I was taking part in something great, and would have a home to come back to during the nights, you see, before coming to meeting your father and mother, I had no where to travel to that was my own," Karana had lost everything, her memory even of what could have and might have been in her life before the accident which she had awoken from with a pain in her skull.
"Your father, probably does not talk about it because it was just as, if not more difficult for him to lead than anyone else," Karana looked down at Fia, silver eyes on her dark form, almost the opposite in coloring of her father, but of both her parents with her eyes. "Although those from the old pride might not agree, your father did a great thing, Fia," Kidondo had done so much for those that were trapped in the old pride, and those that wanted the ways to change.
Kidondo had given the pride a chance at rebirth.
"Moments like the rebellion, and other things past and those that come to be, are a part of what we must do and take pride in, to ensure that our past is not forgotten, and that our culture, our traditions are able to be taught and seen by those young, and old," she spoke, moving over the sand closer to the stones coming closer with each step.
"Your excited about this, I can sense it, its new for you, hmm?" she asked Fia with a smile.
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Posted: Wed Mar 04, 2009 10:59 am
She quickened her pace to keep up alongside the adult, glad to leave the peace and quiet of the dens behind. Once they were free of those sleep-heads in their dens they would be able to talk easier and Fia loved to talk. Her bi-coloured eyes were large with curiosity, hungry for knowledge, hungry to know what Karana'mzaana had to say. She had taken to the female with such ease it had shocked her father. Fia did not often 'take to' others very well, deeming them boring or oafs, but there was none of that about this female. Besides, she was far more interesting than a lot of lions around here...
"I wish I could have been there to see it!" She sighed. "My father gets annoyed, but I can't imagine him getting angry enough to fight anything." She could imagine her mother in a fight; sleek, dark and deadly. Yet somehow Kidondo seemed more like a push-over, preferring to talk things through than act on them with any physical violence. She supposed, after a moment, that this was a trait she had gained from both of her parents; a certain dislike for violence. That was why she'd never want to be a soldier. "It must have been quite scary for you, not really knowing what to expect and all. You took a chance that you'd like the desert? I've heard not all lions can live in the desert like us. You must be ever so strong to give up the outside world and come and stay here like you did."
She paused. "Well if he won't talk about it you can record it in your pictures, so no one will forget and others - like me - can know what that day was like." She nodded. "Uh huh, uh huh! Daddy loves talking about that. He thinks history is important. And it is! But it's fun too, right? It'd be cool to know what your ancestors accomplished and besides, it can make us more proud of being Firekin." She puffed up her little chest."
There was a skip in her step now. "Very excited! I can't wait! Everyone is going to be so jealous when I tell them. They'll wish they hadn't signed up to become a soldier now, being bossed around and worked to exhaustion. Ew, that's no life for the likes of us!" And she purred. "I wonder if Ea has made up her mind about what to do, yet. I think she was struggling, too."
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Posted: Sun Mar 08, 2009 4:32 pm
"I might ahve given up teh chance to travel, but that was not the life I wanted. You see, I found myself within a ravine one day with an ache on the side of my head, and I could not remember what I wished, only my name, that was all..." Karana began, walking more though slowing her pace, they would arrive at the slabs of stone that they would begin working on shortly, but background, was what Fia wanted to know. "I traveled for quite a while, tried to find myself, in a manner of speaking, I found, a cousin, but no other family, but I searched on, for where my heart belonged, for where I would have a greater purpose, and thus I met your parents, and became part of the new beginning here," she said smiling down at Fia who seemed so eager about everything now. It was good, she needed to be eager.
"I suppose it was easy for me to adjust to the sand because I could not remember or know what I was suited for, the rebellion itself was not easy, but it was for a reason, a great reason, and now we are here. We will record the past, and the rebellion is part of it, that day will not be forgotten, and for those who wish to not speak of that day, others can learn through seeing the images we will create," Mzaa said, knowing Fia would get even more excited now.
"History is very fun, for you carry on what needs to be remembered, so you, are part of history being remembered, part of history in the making," with the mention of Fia's sister, Karana flicked her ears, "Your sister, not found a place yet? If she wishes to find her place, and does not know were to turn even after your mother and father's thoughts, you can tell her to come to me, and I can try to help, show her, with our paintings, our pictures, what different paths will hold for themselves"
As they came to the stone slabs, Karana stopped in front of a blank one that still had the softer coating upon the stone that would come off with more etching, but it would be good to practice on, for that layer could be removed, "We will start here, and start simple, I want you to create an image, or try to create an image of something that means a lot to you, and do not worry, for this stone has not been cleansed of its soft outer coat, so the images can be tested, and removed," Karana said. Although she figured Fia would be upset to have her images removed after wards, she needed practice.
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Posted: Fri Mar 13, 2009 8:17 am
Fia smiled back, listening to Karana tell her story. It sounded as if she'd led a hard life, a heart-breaking one too, not to remember much of who you were nor have any family around her. She did find her family annoying at times, but she wouldn't ever go without them. She loved them deeply.
"Sounds like you've had an odd sort of life, Karana." Fia replied smoothly. "I bet you never expected your travels would bring you here! See, that's the fun thing, isn't it? Not knowing what's coming around the corner." She nodded. "Just like I didn't know what I was going to apprentice myself as and then - bam - suddenly, I do." She purred contentedly.
Her ears lifted and she nodded. "We're important, aren't we, Karana? Everyone is going to respect us and think good of us. We're not just soldiers in a crowd. Not just guards endlessly patrolling the borders. We're going to show the pride our past. That's something special." She liked that. Being different. Standing out. Yes, this role had Fia stamped all over it. "Maybe Ea would like to come, too. She'd like to see them in any case." She paused, thinking. "I don't know what she's going to do. It's weird. Some things about her I know and other things I don't. I guess maybe that's what apprenticeship is like." She shrugged. "I'll mention it to her when I see her next. But I dunno, Mother says we're trouble when we're together." She eyed Karana mischieviously and gave a dismissive, little shrug.
Then they reached the stone slabs and Fia fell silent, listening to her teacher's instructions with a fluttering heart. This was it! She was goign to have a go at painting a picture! What if she was no good? No, seriously. When was she not good?
She nodded wordlessly and drew closer. "Okay. But if it's good first time, we can leave it, right?" Not that that would happen. It would take her months of practice to get something close to perfect. Even still, she had bundles of confidence. She'd get it in the end.
"Something that means a lot to me?" She questioned out loud. "Ea. Ea means a lot to me. She's my best friend in the whole world."
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Posted: Sun Mar 15, 2009 10:50 am
Karana nodded and laughed, and watched Fia and she seemed to draw close to where Karana had instructed. "Things happen that draw us together, literally and figuratively. Yes, if your first try is good,w e can leave it, but know this. If the first is no what you wanted, it can be rubbed down, but if you like a part of it, it can be rubbed down to be just barely visible, so you ca use the lines again, but make it better the second time."
She felt like she was growing as a part of the family Fia spoke o, even if it was just a thought. "Ea would be a fine start then, let me show you a trick," Karana stood next to her, outstretched a claw and gently touched the stone, drawing several circles connected to each other, they were faint, easily removed, but had the build of a lion, "If you break up the form into smaller parts, it is easier to work with later," she left them there for a moment, and then swept her paw over them, making the forms disappear with the sands.
"Don't rush yourself it should be a slow, fluid process where you feel like, even though it sounds silly, like you have a trust with the stone. Go slow, and try," Karana hoped Fia knew she would not be a harsh judge, or harsh or judging at all, Karana was support, friendship, a teacher.
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Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 3:42 pm
She nodded, listening to her newfound teacher in a way that she had listened to no one before. Perhaps this little mischievious child wasn't going to be such a handful forever, after all. Not if she had something to focus all her energy on.
"Alrighty!" She chirped, understanding.
She watched Karana draw circles, her eyes following the movement, memorizing it so that it were a photograph stored in her mind. And then they were gone - with a single swish of a paw. Fia started at that, glancing up, questioning, but then she remembered. That was the point. Rubbing out anything without significance.
"Okay." She drew in a deep breath and leaned forwards, attempting to mimick her teacher's motion with drawing circles. She managed one circle for the head and one for the body. When it was done she sat back and purred, pleased so far, then returned to working. She drew dots for eyes, smaller circles for ears, a curved line for a smile. Then, she added a line for the tail, four more for the legs and added circles to each - the paws.
When it was done she sat back and glanced up at Karana. "Ea!" She announced proudly. It was a simple drawing, very simple, but if one took the time to look, they'd be able to make out the figure of a round lion. Not who the lion was, but a lion nevertheless.
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Posted: Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:22 pm
Karana watched Fia as she worked, she already had applied what she had seen herself do moments ago, though it was gone from reference, that was the point, "You've done well for a first try, another lesson to learn and grow with is the recognition of your eyes on the world Fia, your eyes will help you display what you see clearly," Karaa took a step forward, and laughed softly, "For a first, it is very good, it shall stay upon the stone until, if you choose, to do it again once you've grown with what you learn."
She moved from where Fia stood, and walked to a smaller, blank slab that stuck out from the dunes at a slight tilt, "Fia," she called over her shoulder, "This slab will be yours to start upon, and as you grow your images will spread upon it, and will spread onto the others," she said with a smile, tail curling around her slightly, "What we have here, is what we are meant to record, and what we are meant to protect, whether from the wind and sand, or from a trespasser wishing to erase our history."
Gray eyes fell onto Fia, and a great pride swelled in Karana's heart, "We are one now, on our path, and one day, you will lead the way."
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Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 1:06 pm
She gave a small chirp of success, lifting both ears and casting her mis-matched gaze at her teacher. There was adoration there, clearly. "I'll leave it there, I think, until I know I can draw it better. Or maybe forever...to see how far my progress has come." She gave a little sniff and rose onto all fours.
"So it begins!" She called out, moving closer to her teacher to observe the works alreayd on the slabs. "I'll do my best to learn well so that I won't let you or the pride down." She nodded to herself. She drew in a deep breath, heartened by her first little drawing - no matter how basic it was.
"How often can I come for lessons, Karana?"
Not too far away the snake had circled around, sneaking up on the pair as he attempted to spy on the lesson. Yet he dare not get too close whilst the adult was so near and he dare not allow Fia to know that he had followed her.
His tongue flicked idly in the air, tasting the scents upon it.
"Interessssting." He hissed slowly. "An unusssual path for my massster to take. The Dark One'sss child hasss many talentsss."
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Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 1:12 pm
Karana laughed softly and purred softly, she nuzzled the top of Fia's head with sincerity and adoration, devotion. "As often as you would like Fia, we have a closer bond now, almost as if family. You are my family here," Karana'Mzaana had no blood relatives, or relatives at all for that matter, Fia was part of what she would consider her immediate family now. Flicking her tail, she stood and shook herself. "Though I do believe today has been well spent, I have shown you the basics, and our next few lessons will take place on smaller slabs that have broken off the larger ones here."
She looked to the image of Ea and smiled, "Your mother and father, and Ea would be proud to see this, truly." She looked down at the child before her and knew that soon enough Fia would grow older, as she would. Cubs would become adults, adn time would roll on.
"How about we go and see if we can find either of your parents, or even Ea, so you can show them yourself, hmm?" Karana wanted Fia to be proud of her beginning, and never lose the passion and drive for it. Encouragement, sincerity, truth.
She would make a fine historian.
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Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2009 1:20 pm
She purred. She'd liked Karana right from the start and that was the main reason why she'd chosen this path. However, she was finding that she loved this, too. She'd not been one for fighting - despite the fact that she was rather good. She wanted something smart, something intellectual. And this was it. Her calling.
"Tomorrow then, maybe?" She grinned and her eyes twinkled. "Find them now? Okay! I'm sure they'd like to see and I'd like to show them." She moved ahead of the adult and paused to throw her a look over her shoulder.
"Come on then, Karana. Let's go!"
And as the little one was moving away the snake moved forwards, moving towards the stone where he could inspect his little bond's handywork.
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