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 Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:08 am
 Where had her daughter run off to now? Didn't she know it was dangerous! Yes, she might have thought she was so grown up but she wasn't. She was still a baby and Ainra wasn't about to let her go running off without knowing where she was going or what she was planning to do. The fact that her daughter, Aryiola, was actually and adolescent now didn't seem to trigger in Ainra's mind. As far as she was concerned, her daughter was her precious baby and she needed looking after.
"Darling? Aryiola? Aryiola!" She called, glancing all around in signs for her daughter's grey pelt moving in the grass.
"Come on, 'Ola, we need to get a move on. Shisi wants us to go hunting. Aryiola!!"
But it was no use. Even if her daughter had heard her it wasn't likely she'd make her presence known.
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:15 am
Returning from across the river, Mkorogo lifted his head, ears flicking. He had gone across, looking for Kohpi... No luck finding her, unfortunately. So now he headed south again, figuring she'd returned to the Matembezi lands.
What he'd come across was a very different lioness, peach and maroon in color. Right species, wrong lion. Frowning, he started to pass, but his conscience didn't let him. Letting out a huff, the leopard turned and headed for the lioness.
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:19 am
Bright green eyes traced the land but to no avail. There was no daughter. No anything. She released a haggard sigh and slowed to a halt, thinking to ask one of her sons to help. Seron and Dia were supposed to be training as warriors, but maybe they wouldn't mind a break to come help her hunt. She really didn't fancy trying it herself, she'd never been that good, even with all the practice, and the likelihood of her catching anything was slim at best.
She was just about to give up and go home when she heard the sound of someone approaching. She whirled in the direction of the sound, her daughter's name on her lips.
"Ary---oh, you're not my daughter." She lifted her head and called to the leopard. "Um excuse me, Sir!"
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:28 am
Eyebrows going up, Mkorogo stopped, turning and lifting a leg. "I sure HOPE I'm not your daughter, it's physically impossible!" Putting his paw back down, he turned back to the lioness. "You sound like you're looking for a lost cub, so I came over..." He tilted his head, regarding her. "You know, you have the same eyes as a lion I met not long ago..."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:32 am
She chuckled. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to offend you." She moved closer to the leopard, noting his odd colours and markings. She didn't think she'd ever seen such vivid marks. You certainly wouldn't forget meeting this one!
She chirped brightly. "Yes. My daughter. I was hoping to have her join a hunt, but she ran off without saying a word. I love my children dearly but they certainly do run circles around me when they want to." She smiled and the fondness for her daughter shone true.
"The same eyes as mine? Was her name Aryiola? Did she...did she have a jewel with her? She carries a jewel around her neck. Uses it for...magic or something. I don't really understand it myself."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:41 am
Mkorogo shrugged. "Eh, you kind of left the words open for interpretation." The slight smile betrayed his amusement at the words and his own response to them.
Tilting his head, he frowned. "I just remember she had the same eyes... She had eye markings kind of like yours, too, but in a light blue..." After a moment, he frowned. "It sounds like she does this often, I'd guess?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:44 am
She bobbed her head in apology and moved into easy talking distance from him. "Same eyes?" She repeated softly and waited, holding her breath as he continued his short description. But short or not it confirmed to her that this was her daughter. Not many lionesses around here had green eyes and light blue eye markings.
"That's my 'Ola!" Ainra called pleasantly. "Yes, she does. She tries to act all grown up, but really she's still just a baby at heart. She tries to show me by telling me all these odd things but really, it's just a little game she likes to play." She thrummed pleasantly. "Where did you see her? Was she close by?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:52 am
Mkorogo motioned back towards the bridge. "I saw her over there. She was relaxing under a tree last I saw." He let out a snort. "Said I know too much about humans, but when it's something that can kill you without teeth or claws... It's good to know." Ears flicking, his head tilted again as he pieced the younger lioness' name together from what he'd caught. "Aryiola, eh...? And what might your name be?" Not to be rude, he bowed just a bit. If anything, he'd remember his manners for her. "I'm Mkorogo..."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 8:57 am
She followed the direction he indicated, feeling her heart rise with hope. Maybe she could go hunting with her daughter after all! "Thank you, sir, truly." She smiled at that and nodded. "Yes, we don't speak much of humans."
"My name is Ainra. I live close by with my family. We're a nomadic little group under the lead of my sister." She adored her sister more than anyone could ever know. "It's nice to meet you Mkorogo. Sorry to have stopped you on your journey. Were you heading somewhere in particular? I might be able to help if you're lost or something? I'm not good at many things, but I know the lay of the land quite well."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:00 am
The male could only offer a shrug. "It's no problem. I'm in no hurry, anyway." Stretching, he started to walk again. Glancing at the lioness, he tilted his head. "I'm only going on a path I've walked before... Thanks for the offer, though." In a rare moment for even himself, he offered a smile. "Should be on my way, though... Before it gets too late." He wasn't in a hurry, but he didn't like walking at night. Bowing his head, he started off again. "Have a good hunt."
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Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 9:05 am
She watched him moving away with a smile and lifted her voice to call out a reply. "We will! And thank you again, Mkorogo! She'll be happy to know that she didn't miss her chance at a hunt. Travel safely!" And with that the young female loped away, her pace quick and smooth. She would find her daughter and together they'd hunt down a meal that would feed the whole family.
As she neared the bridge she raised her head and caught the scent of her daughter. She parted her jaws and called out, knowing that Aryiola could not deny her presence much longer.
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